Thanks as always to Em and Lauren *grin*

DISCLAIMER Don't own anyone that JK Rowling owns. Own everyone else.

In the next few days, Michelle pondered laboriously over how to end her relationship. Mostly, she was just afraid. If she broke up with Draco, what would she have left?

The days went by and as her resolve built up, so did her courage. It all led up to one evening in the Slytherin common room.

Michelle entered the dorm and Draco immediately had her sitting on his lap. For the first time, she got up and sat in her own chair. "What are you doing?" he asked icily. His silver eyes narrowed at her dangerously.

"I want to sit over here," Michelle said defiantly.

Draco looked genuinely shocked. "Well I want you to sit here!" he commanded.

"No." Draco's eyes widened. Michelle continued before she lost her nerve. "Draco, I can't do this anymore. We…this is over."

Draco just looked at her for a minute, then burst into laugher. "Very funny, Michelle!" But she wasn't laughing. She just looked at him. Draco couldn't believe it. In a flash, he was on his feet. "You're ending a relationship with me? I'm a Malfoy! No one does that!" His fists were balled.

"Well I am." Michelle stood her ground. "You can't control my whole life." She kept her chin high as she turned and left for her room.

"You're going to regret this," she heard Draco spit menacingly. But she didn't turn around. She barely even breathed until she reached her room. Collapsing trembling onto her bed, Michelle cried. She cried into the night and on into her dreams.

*****

"Come on Michelle," Seamus coaxed. "You'll feel better if you eat something."

Michelle shrugged and continued to pick at her food. They were both in robes in the Great Hall, but by some miracle, Michelle was allowed to sit at the far end of Gryffindor's table. Those people who were up for breakfast were still bleary with sleep and didn't notice or care.

Seamus sighed and shoved a piece of bacon in his mouth. After all the abuse Michelle had suffered, he couldn't imagine why she was so upset after breaking up with Malfoy.

"I liked him a lot," Michelle finally murmured.

"Michelle, I know." Seamus felt really bad for the poor girl. "But you're better off without him!" Michelle looked at him sadly. Seamus smiled grimly. "This way he can't hurt you anymore." Michelle smiled a little also and nodded.

But before she could reply, the twins Michelle remembered as Percy's brothers sat down next to them. "Morning Seamus," one of them said.

"Morning George."

"Ah," the other one ('Fred?' thought Michelle) said. "It's the Slytherin Standish sister!"

Seeing Michelle's cringe, Seamus looked at him. "Don't Fred," he said quietly.

George leaned in toward the center of the table. "We heard a rumor…" he began.

"That Michelle here," Fred continued, "broke up…"

"With Draco Malfoy!" George finished. Both twins looked eagerly at Michelle and Seamus. "Can you confirm?" George asked excitedly.

Seamus looked to Michelle, who oddly wasn't crying. She looked at the twins and nodded defiantly. The redheads' excitement seemed to give her strength.

Fred and George cheered. "Good for you!" George cried.

"That'll teach that Slytherin scum!" yelled Fred. He turned back to the girl and grinned. "Sorry Michelle."

She just shook her head to show that it didn't bother her. She'd become tolerant of everyone's animosity towards Slytherins. The twins got up from the table.

"We've got to go," Fred said. "We have to tell everyone we've ever met!" He and George were off.

"Sorry about them," Seamus remarked. "It'll be all over Hogwarts soon."

That thought played on her mind for a moment. Everyone would know that Draco Malfoy had been dumped by a first-year. She turned to Seamus and grinned.

"Good," she replied.

Mia44 Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you're enjoying Michelle's pov, even if it is a little sad and dark.

Preciousonee Oh yes…more badness. Still more badness.