A/N: Oh my gosh, I'm finally BAAAACK!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay! I kind of got "out of the groove" for a while, mainly because I was reading a lot of stories on ….although, I still am. Hopefully, I'll keep updating, and I am ashamed at myself for not updating since Mid-July. Thanks to everyone that reviewed during my loooooong absence from (in case you all haven't noticed, I haven't updated ANYTHING recently). Oh, and if any of you also read my fic Muggle Messenger, I hope to start on chapter 24 and maybe have it up sometime before Christmas.

Disclaimer: Please refer to chapter one. Thank you.

So, without further ado, I am proud to give you:

Malfoy in the Iron Mask

Chapter 6

The school was buzzing with rumors of this so-called "storm of the century." A few students did not even listen to Dumbledore, Draco Malfoy being one of them. He scheduled quidditch practice for the following afternoon. Draco and the Slytherin team didn't get to the pitch; teachers stopped them a few moments after they opened the front doors. Most of the students who heard about it wondered if the team even would have had enough guts to go to the pitch. The sky was dark gray and getting darker by the hour. A black, misty fog was beginning to roll in from the direction of the Forbidden Forest. Even Hagrid and Fang were living inside the castle. Hagrid had been misty-eyed that day because he said he turned all of his animals loose and hoped that they'd live through the storm. When the owl post came in, the owls were exhausted and soaked to the core from the heavy fog.

While most of the school was either doing homework or socializing in their respective common rooms, I once again found myself going to see Dray. At one point or another over the past few weeks, he'd become a good friend to me, listening as I ranted about the day's classes or the homework I had to do. He had even offered to help me with my homework once or twice, which I'd turned down. It was stupid of me, but I have my pride. This is the same pride that I forced myself to swallow a few minutes ago, because if I don't get help in Potions and a certain spell in DADA, I'm going to be in major trouble. Professors Snape and Lupin suggested that I get help of some sort before the exam, which is in less than two weeks. Of course, since Dray isn't a student here he probably won't be able to help me, but at least I'll have tried.

A cheerful, "Hey Gin!" greeted me as soon as I stepped into Dray's room.

"Hi Dray!" I returned as I made my way over to my chair. "Ah, you're sitting up…what did Madame Pomfrey say?"

He grinned, a grin that would've lit up his entire face, although it probably did and I just couldn't see it because of the mask. I could tell because his dark gray eyes sparkled. "She said that I'll be able to start walking around in this room soon."

"That's great," and I meant it. Now for one of my reasons for coming, "You, uh, mentioned a time or two about…uh…helpingmewithmyhomework."

"Could you repeat that a little bit slower, Gin?"

"I was wondering if you would help me with my homework," I said, my voice soft.

He shrugged, "I'll help if I can…what's the problem?"

"Potions," I grimaced.

"Ah, well I like potions, so what exactly do you need help with?" His voice sounded sincere.

I opened my textbook and replied, "Professor Snape said we have to tell him the uses of…chai and crème de gilly, and also what they are." I looked up at him. His eyes were narrowed, like he was thinking.

"Is it in your book?" he asked.

"I looked and I saw gillyweed, but from what the Professor said I don't think they're similar," I replied truthfully.

"They're not," Dray said, "Gillyweed and crème de gilly are opposites. Chai is a…leaf, if I recall correctly. May I see your book?"

I got up and handed it to him, along with my parchment with the question scrawled on top. After a few minutes he pointed to a passage, "Look at this." I looked where he was looking and sure enough there it was: Gillyweed can be chewed by a witch or wizard and will give them the ability to breath under water. It's used in many potions worldwide. On the other hand, it's opposite crème de gilly is very rare and not used often. "It says that it's rare but not what it's used for," I said.

"True, well then I'll tell you. Crème de gilly is the opposite of gillyweed. While gillyweed gives you the ability to breathe underwater, crème de gilly restricts breathing to the point of death," at this I gasped, "It is often used in dark potions, most notably…" He trailed off, looking at me. "I guess you should write that down," his voice was soft, yet I thought I detected a kind of…warmth in it.

"I guess so," I replied, taking the book from him.

No sooner had I written that down he said, "Chai is a tea leaf commonly used by Muggles. It's commonly used in potions to disguise their bitter taste."

I wrote that down too, and with a snap, closed my book, "Thanks for your help."

"Anytime," he said.

"Well, there's something you should know…if you don't already, that is," I paused and looked at him. His attention was focused solely on me, which made me blush slightly as I continued, "Dumbledore said that England is preparing for one of the worst storms in history!" I gulped; I hate storms, especially big ones, because they terrify me. I'll curl up in a ball and pull the covers up around me and I'll still be shaking, even with a roaring fire in the fireplace in our rooms! Not even Ron or anybody in my family can comfort me. I hardly ever sleep during big storms.

Dray didn't say anything for a few moments, he seemed to be thinking. When he did speak, his voice was quiet, "You don't like storms, do you Gin?"

Now that was unexpected. "What makes you think that?" I asked, striving to keep my voice even. After all, I have to hold onto a morsel of pride.

Dray cracked a grin, "Let's just say that I've become very good at reading people."

That morsel of pride I was referring to? Poof. Obliterated. Gone. Nonexistent.

"Okay, so I don't like storms," I admitted rather sheepishly.

Dray shrugged, "I'm sure you're not the only one. Besides, there's bound to be people here that hate storms more than you do."

I forced a quick laugh, realizing he was trying to make me feel better. If he noticed, which I can't exactly tell, he said nothing. Silence reigned over the room and I found myself looking around Dray's "quarters." The room was small but there was a kind of simple elegance about it. The muggle and wizard photographs of the Tower of London hung on either side of the door, the painting of a gorgeous mansion on a sprawling landscape above the fireplace. I noticed these things for what seemed like the first time, mostly because I wanted to avoid talking about my fear of storms.

"So, why do storms scare you so much?" Dray asked, his voice sounding innocent, but his eyes, or what I could see of them, portraying otherwise.

Damn. So much for avoiding. Suddenly, the floor became very interesting to me. "I-I really don't know," I paused to look up, "Ever since I can remember, storms have always scared me," I managed a weak chuckle, "But what's ironic is that I love the rain. But one trace of thunder or lightning and I sprint for cover."

He didn't comment, just sat there looking at me, which was somewhat unnerving. Finally, he spoke, "This might seem somewhat random, but…will you read to me?"

That was most definitely random, "Umm…well…"

"It's okay, I just thought it'd take your mind off the upcoming…event," he said.

"Oh," wow, that's really nice of him, "Well, sure. You're right, and thanks."

"Welcome," he smiled, well I couldn't see the smile too well, but I thought it was there.

I stood up, walking over to the bookshelf, "What would you like?"

"Uh…well, it's all muggle books. Is Crown Duel there?" he asked.

I found the book and pulled it off the shelf, "Yes, it is."

"Okay, then that one's good," he smiled again, "I think you'll like it."

I smiled at him and then started reading, "'Crown Duel, by Sherwood Smith…I hope any of my descendants reading this know exactly what the Covenant and the Code of War are…'"

Albus Dumbledore's Office

Albus Dumbledore paced in his office. One…two…three…four…five…six…turnabout…one…two-a cackle was his only warning before a ghost floated through his door. The Headmaster smiled, "Hello Peeves, what news do you have?"

"It is Virginia Weasley, Headmaster," Peeves replied, and then turned back around and floated out, cackling.

"Well then," the Headmaster said tom himself, "I was right. I wonder what the future holds for young Mister Malfoy and Miss Weasley. And I wonder if she's the one who can remove his mask…" with that the powerful wizard continued pacing.

A/N: Well? What do you think? I know it took forever and I'm sorry…but I did make the chapter longer than planned. I added stuff. Hope you like it, and, if someone's still reading this story and hasn't given up on me, please review! It'll make me feel glad that I finally updated. School's busy but I'll try to update…eventually!