AUTHOR'S NOTE This is the other abuse chapter…Draco just gets nastier and nastier. So, yeah…just to warn you.

Thank you as every chapter to Emica and Lauren. They are so helpful! You two keep me from sounding dumb *wink*

DISCLAIMER Still don't own anyone except Miranda, Michelle, and her family. I know you guys know this.

Boarding the big red train at King's Cross Station was one of the high points in the holiday. Michelle couldn't wait to get back to school: back to her friends and Draco, back to her studies, and away from her nearly maniacal Gryffindor father.

The ride back seemed to crawl by. None of the other Slytherins were around, so Michelle shared her compartment with a very timid-looking Hufflepuff boy who shot nervous glances her way.

The arrival back at Hogwarts more than made up for the lonely train journey. Miranda was gushing about her holiday within two minutes of seeing her friend again. As soon as the students were safely back in the castle, Draco found Michelle. She was overjoyed to see him again. He told her vaguely of the happenings over the Christmas holiday, which sounded very uneventful.

She felt nothing but happiness being back at Hogwarts. During the Feast upon return, Seamus even waved to her from the Gryffindor table. Everything was good. She even forgot about that distant trip to Madam Pomfrey.

The New Year looked promising. Unfortunately, her perception proved to be wrong. Draco became more and more demanding of Michelle and her affections toward him. By some miracle, she'd never been forced father than she could handle. She'd also managed to maintain anonymity regarding her family. That didn't mean that disparaging talk of Muggles didn't bother her.

One night in late January, as Michelle wished for a window so that she could look at the moonlight glittering on the snow, things took a drastic turn. She wandered down to the Common Room, bored and looking for socialization.

"Michelle!" Draco called to her. She walked over the to green couch he was sprawled out on. Grabbing her roughly around the waist, he pulled her down next to him. "Join the conversation," he purred in her ear.

She just nodded jerkily. His hand on her waist was possessive, but as long as it stayed where it was, she was ok. "What conversation?"

"Mudbloods," grunted one of Draco's friends. Michelle thought it was Goyle.

She stiffened. That word was the crudest, most offensive name anyone could call a witch or wizard. She and Diana had always been raised never to use it against anyone.

"Why did that guy ever allow them in here anyway?" Goyle asked stupidly.

Draco rolled his eyes. "That guy was Salazar Slytherin!" He glared at Goyle and tightened his grip around Michelle. "And he didn't let them in. The three other founders, in their Muggle-loving blindness, overruled him."

"Oh…" Goyle nodded, quite obviously still under his own ideas.

"This school has been doomed from the start," Draco continued. "Overrun with filthy, good-for-nothing Mudbloods. How can they expect the rest of us to learn properly? God, Michelle, what's wrong with you?" He turned to the girl next to him who was almost shaking with anger.

She looked at him, trying to keep utter fury from flashing in her eyes. "Good night," she hissed through clenched teeth.

"Hey!" She was at the base of the stairs before he caught her. Wrapping two fingers icily around her wrist, he commanded her, "Don't you dare walk away from me!"

Michelle glared at her boyfriend for a moment before wrenching her arm free and starting back up the stairs. She didn't feel him grab the hem of her robes until it was too late. One swift tug yanked her back and threw her off balance. She didn't even feel her head hit the concrete when she tumbled to the bottom. Instead, there was darkness.

Preciousonee Definitely more trouble ahead…thank you so much for reviewing so often!