What's the furthest place from here?
It hasn't been my day for a couple years.
What's a couple more?
And if I go, don't forget the one good thing I almost did.
I learned your name without words.
I used my eyes, not my hands.

September 6th 1:45PM Tuesday

"Bloody hell!" Draco exclaimed as he scooted across the floor, quickly backing away from the painting of my mother.

"What is it?" Khalida asked.

Draco had shown up at Khalida's around one thirty instead of two. As soon as he had stepped out of the fireplace I dragged him over to look at the paintings. Khalida and I had moved the table out of the way and sat the two paintings on the couch so we could study them side-by-side.

After taking one look at the red eyes, Draco shivered violently and refused to look at it again. He was more interested in the painting of my mother and her sister and for the past fifteen minutes he meticulously studied every inch of the painting from top to bottom.

"She winked at me," he stuttered. Khalida and I stared at him with the same amount of skepticism.

"Who did?" I asked.

"Your mum," he replied and I rolled my eyes, "I'm serious! She winked at me just now."

"Why would Jenny's mother wink at you?" Khalida asked incredulously. Draco stood up from the floor and brushed off his robes.

"Apparently she knows a handsome wizard when she sees him," he answered with a mischievous smile.

"Did she really wink at you?" I asked hopefully and his smile fell.

"No," he admitted, "I was just joking around." Khalida jumped up from the floor and smacked him on the back of the head.

"Draco," she hissed, "that was a horrible thing to do to Jenny." I stood up slowly and brushed off my own robes.

"It's alright," I said hollowly, "He was only joking around."

Khalida glared at Draco threateningly for a moment before turning on her heel and stalking off into the kitchen. A moment later I felt a hand resting gently on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry Jenny," he stated apologetically, "I was only trying to lighten the mood."

"It's not a problem," I replied firmly, "I know you were just fooling around." Draco cleared his throat and removed his hand.

"I did notice something about this painting compared to the other," he offered.

"I didn't think you looked at the other painting."

"I didn't want to," he admitted, "but I couldn't help it. There's just something about it." His jaw clenched and his arms shook slightly.

"I know what you mean," I replied softly.

"But I did notice something while comparing the two," he stated triumphantly, "The painting of the Dark Lord's eyes was done by your father but this other painting was not."

"What?" I exclaimed in shock as I turned swiftly to stare at the paintings once more.

"The first indication that the two paintings were done by different people is quite obvious," he explained as he pointed to the bottom left corner of the painting with the red eyes, "Your father signed the bottom of this painting." I looked closer at the painting and he was right. In the bottom left corner I could see 'Harry Potter' written in dark, green paint.

"The second indication," he continued, "is the movement of the brush strokes." I glanced at the paintings and then back at him. He sighed loudly as I shrugged stupidly. "The paintings weren't made with the same type of brushstrokes," he stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "The painting with the eyes was made with broad, powerful strokes and it has a bit of texture to it. If you run your fingers across it you can feel the lines made by the brush."

"This other painting was made with smooth, delicate strokes," he stated as he gently ran a finger down one side of the painting, "This canvas is nearly as smooth as it would be if nothing had been painted on it at all. I'd bet broomsticks to bludgers that whoever created it used magic."

Draco grabbed one of my fingers gently and placed it on the image of my mother's cheek. He slowly dragged my finger down to the bottom of the painting. I almost fell back in surprise. The canvas was completely smooth.

I closed my eyes and let Draco direct my finger over the canvas. Without being able to see the painting I would swear that what I was feeling was a mirror or a piece of glass. Draco's hand stopped moving and I opened my eyes to glance at him. My heart quickened when I found him staring right at me. I looked down at his hand closed over my own and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

"You two better be going," Khalida's voice broke in from the kitchen, "You've got to be at Gringotts by three and it's already two thirty now!" I pulled away from Draco quickly and he growled under his breath.

"We're leaving now, I'll be back later!" I called out nervously. When I noticed Draco's pained expression I added, "Don't wait up!" and his face lit up immediately. He gave me a goofy grin and I rolled my eyes.

"Shall we get going then," he asked as he held out his hand graciously. I stared at him for a moment before slipping my hand into his.

"We shall," I replied with a grin and began to walk toward the fireplace. His grip on my hand tightened and he pulled me back toward him.

"I thought we'd apparate," he explained, "I know how much you hate traveling by floo powder."

"Thank you," I replied appreciatively, "You're such a gentleman." Before I could even blink he pulled me into his arms and held me close. "Um…Draco…I don't…"

"If I'm going to apparate us both," he interrupted, "You're going to have to be as close to me as possible."

"O…okay…" I stuttered nervously.

"Wait a moment," he said with an evil grin, "I think I might have got it wrong. Now that I think about it, I remember Severus saying something about only needing to hold someone's hand while dual apparating."

"Wha..!" I began to yell but my voice was drowned out with a loud crack as we disappeared. We reappeared in a small alley. I could hear cracking and popping noises as wizards and witches apparated and disapparated around us. "What is this place?" I asked in awe.

"It's a side street in Diagon Alley designated for apparating and disapparating," he explained. "If everyone apparated into Diagon Alley directly, people could get splinched, so we have to apparate here and then head through when we're given the go ahead."

At the end of the street a short, brown-haired wizard stood. Draco's gaze was affixed on the wizard. A moment later the wizard waved a green flag at us and Draco quickly pulled me down the street and out of the alley. He stopped next to the wizard and handed him a few bronze coins.

"What did you give him?" I asked as he continued to pull me toward Gringotts.

"They're knuts," he explained, "wizarding money." My mouth formed into a small 'O' and I stopped in my tracks.

"Why did you…" He was cut off as I slapped him across the face. He stumbled back in shock before regaining his regal composure.

"That," I hissed dangerously, "was for taking advantage of me earlier."

"Taking advantage of you," he sputtered, "I don't know what you're talking about. I barely touched you." I walked past him and headed toward the tall, crooked white building.

"Are you coming or not?" I growled. Draco rushed to catch up with me and I felt his hand slip over mine once again. I didn't pull away.

"I'm sorry," he said solemnly. I stopped once again and almost burst out laughing as he flinched away from me.

"Scared Malfoy?" I asked with a smirk. His eyes glazed over for a moment as if he had slipped off to somewhere far away. I squeezed his hand lightly and his gaze became focused once again. He sneered murderously as he walked toward me, only stopping when we were nose to nose.

"You wish," he replied softly. Our eyes held for a few minutes and the crowd seemed to disappear slowly until we were standing alone outside of Gringotts. In an instant the moment was gone and we were standing in the middle of the busy street once again.

"Let's go," Draco said as he pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time, "We're nearly late as it is." I nodded in agreement and we walked up the steps and into Gringotts hand-in-hand.

The first instinct I had after walking into Gringotts was to turn around and run out the door. I knew that Gringotts was run by goblins but, just like Hogwarts, descriptions and drawings didn't prepare me for the real thing. Draco seemed to sense my nervousness and squeezed my hand reassuringly. I flashed him a grateful smile.

We stepped up in front of a tall desk and Draco cleared his throat loudly. The goblin leaned over the edge of the wood to glare down at us.

"Can I help you?" he snarled. I attempted to back away but Draco slipped an arm around my waist to hold me still.

"Yes, you may," Draco stated pompously, "Miss Jenny Riddle is here to meet with the head goblin to review the contents of her vault."

"And who might you be?" the goblin growled rudely.

"Her lawyer," Draco replied without missing a beat, "She informed me that the contents of her vault might have been compromised by a breach in Gringotts security." The goblin fell back into his chair with a thud and Draco smirked triumphantly.

"O.of..of course," the goblin stuttered, "Wait right here please?" The goblin disappeared and returned with an even older and uglier goblin a few minutes later.

"Miss Riddle," the older goblin said politely, "I am Ragnok, the Head Goblin here at the Diagon Alley branch of Gringotts. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Please follow me to my office and bring your….lawyer." He eyed Draco for a moment and then turned to walk down a long hallway.

We passed nothing of interest as we walked toward Ragnok's office. Draco was no longer holding my hand; instead he was strutting in front of me as if he owned the place. Ragnok led us into a small, nicely furnished office and took a seat behind an old, oak desk. Draco and I sat down in front of him.

"Mr. Malfoy," Ragnok said with a crooked smile, "it is a pleasure to see you again." Draco's persona dropped and he offered the head goblin a warm smile.

"It's good to see you also Ragnok," he replied. Ragnok turned toward me and stared at me with a bemused grin.

"I never expected I'd see you here alone Miss Riddle," he admitted, "I am sorry to hear about your father, although I'm sure he'll be back with us soon."

"How did you…?" Ragnok held up a hand to silence me.

"It is of no importance at the moment," he stated, "We goblins know a great many things but we do not share our secrets. We have always believed that a person's secrets are their own. Secrets and galleons are the same as far as Gringotts are concerned, both are for our customers to do with what they wish and what wizards choose to do with them is none of our business."

"Now, let's see," he said thoughtfully as he pulled out a large folder, "You're here to go through the contents of your vault. Vault #501 if I remember correctly."

"Yes," I replied with a nod, "but the letter said there was some kind of break in." Ragnok grinned wickedly before schooling his expression into mock innocence.

"Of course, the horrible breach in Gringotts security," he said solemnly and then winked as he continued, "Who knows how a wizard or witch got through the various traps, curses and especially the dragons? The mere thought of it boggles the mind." Draco burst out laughing and nearly fell out of his chair as I stared at Ragnok at confusion.

"But then why…I don't understand…"

"Why did I write you that letter and ask you to come in?" he asked and I nodded. Ragnok leaned back in his chair and folded his hands over his stomach. "There is no vault #501." he stated and Draco stopped laughing.

"What do you mean no vault #501?" Draco asked disbelievingly, "What did you drag us in here for then?" Ragnok opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a small, square wooden box.

"You're father paid me a visit six months ago," he explained, "I was quite surprised to find him sitting in my office, apparently he has no trouble getting past our security."

"He left this in my possession," he stated as he motioned toward the box sitting in front of him, "I was instructed to find a way to get it to you and I also was to inform you that it should only be shown to those that you trust beyond all doubt. I would suggest you not open it until after you return home." He pushed the box towards me and I reached out for it hesitantly.

The box was heavy and Draco pulled out his wand to charm it lighter but Ragnok stopped him. Draco gave him a puzzled look but the goblin just shook his head fiercely.

"Do not, under any circumstances," he said firmly, "use magic on that box."

"But why?" asked Draco as he eyed the box in my lap warily.

"Mr. Potter put a protective charm on it," Ragnok explained, "Only Jenny can open it and if you fire a spell at it then the boxes defensive spells kick in." A pained look crossed Ragnok's face and I could see that he was speaking from experience. "You both should be going now," Ragnok stated. Draco and I rose from our chairs and he rushed us toward the door.

"Are you in a hurry?" Draco asked suspiciously. Ragnok shook his head as he led us down the hallway.

"No," he answered, "but you are."

"No we aren't," I replied and Ragnok stopped to look up at me.

"Yes you are," he stated cryptically as he gave me a piercing look.

Draco and I silently walked out of Gringotts and headed down Diagon Alley toward The Leaky Cauldron. My arms soon tired and I handed Draco the wooden box to carry. He hesitated for a moment before taking it from me.

"Do you really want to eat at The Leaky Cauldron?" I asked as I reached out to grab his hand. Draco shook his head.

"Not really," he admitted.

"Know any good places to eat."

"There is one place," he said before shaking his head again, "but I don't know if it would be a good idea."

"O come on," I pleaded, "What's the problem?"

"It's in Knockturn Alley," he explained. "Not really the best place for either of us to show our faces."

"How do you know the place then?" I asked in confusion. Draco paled slightly.

"My father used to take me there," he said quickly. I glanced at him nervously as we continued down the street.

"Well I don't want to go back yet so we'll have to think of something," I said wearily, "Why don't we head into muggle London? We could always eat at McDonald's." I laughed at my comment but Draco just stared at me with a puzzled expression. "O no," I stammered in amusement, "don't tell me you've never eaten at McDonald's before." Draco shook his head and I nearly fell over in shock.

"This McRonald's place can't be that good if I've never been there," he stated haughtily.

"It's not all that good," I admitted, "but everyone needs to eat there at least once in their life, so that's where we're going."

"But we're in robes!" he exclaimed.

"Don't worry," I replied with a smile, "I'm sure we'll fit right in."

We walked into the Leaky Cauldron and headed out the door into muggle London without stopping once. After my last experience in the bar, I had no desire to chance being recognized again. I called a taxi and asked the driver to take us to the nearest McDonald's. He stared at us strangely for a moment before shrugging uncaringly and pulling away from the curb.

"Is that it?" Draco asked as he stared out the window at the gigantic golden "M" down the road.

"Yep," I answered with a smile, "Those are the golden arches." The driver glanced back at us in the rearview mirror as if he wanted to make a comment but he immediately shook his head and thought better of it.

Draco whined pitifully when I paid the driver. He was adamant that it was ungentlemanly of him not to pay for our night out. I just shrugged and stated that since I was the one with the muggle money he was just going to have to grin and bear it. He pouted like a teenager until we walked into McDonald's and he caught sight of Playland, then he squealed like a two year old.

"O wow!" he exclaimed excitedly, "Can we go in there?" I chuckled in amusement but shook my head.

"It's mainly for children Draco," I explained, "I doubt they'd appreciate a thirty year old playing on equipment made for six year olds." Draco immediately became indignant at the thought of muggle children allowed something that he, Draco Malfoy, a pure-blooded wizard, was not allowed. He stalked angrily toward the unsuspecting cashier and slammed his fist down on the counter.

"I want to play in there," he stated furiously, "and I'll be damned if you're going to stop me." The cashier appeared confused for a moment before looking over to where Draco was pointing. A smile crossed his face and I could tell he was holding back laughter.

"Well sir," he choked out, "There's only two problems with that. One, you have to order something first, which you have not done yet. And two, Playland is for children, not adults."

"But that's discriminatory," Draco exclaimed furiously. He glared at the cashier who just stared at him with a bewildered expression on his face. Draco made a move for his wand and I quickly ran up to stand next to him.

"Draco dear," I said quietly, "Why don't we order our food and have a nice dinner?" He nodded in agreement. I should have just left things as they were but I couldn't let this perfect opportunity pass. "If you want to play we can always stop at the park after we eat."

That did it. The cashier fell to the floor in a fit of giggles. Draco turned around and stormed out the door. I went to run after him but a firm hand grabbed my shoulder. I turned around and saw a manager's badge staring me in the face.

"I'm sorry miss," the manager said kindly before glaring down at the cashier, "Our employees are usually more professional then that. Why don't you and your boyfriend have dinner on me? Just tell me what you'd like and it's yours." I glanced out the window and saw Draco brooding silently on a bench outside. I turned back toward the manager and shrugged.

"Sounds good. Why don't you give me two double cheeseburgers, a chicken sandwich, two large fries, water and a coke." The man bagged up my order and handed it across the counter to me.

"Again, I'm so sorry about this," he stated apologetically, "I hope your boyfriend isn't too angry with us."

"No," I said with a sigh as I glanced out the window again, "He's mad at me."

I quietly walked out the door and sat down next to Draco. He was grumbling to himself and didn't notice me until I waved a double cheeseburger under his nose and he snatched it away quickly.

"I'm sorry Draco," I said sadly, "It was only a joke." I pulled the chicken sandwich out and began to eat.

"It's not that I'm mad at you," he sighed, "I just feel stupid for embarrassing myself like that. Especially since we're…"

"Since we're what?"

"You know," he groaned, "on a date. I haven't been on a date in a long time and I feel like I'm not doing very well." I nodded in agreement and he seemed shocked.

"Well," I stated, "making a scene in McDonald's about not being able to play on the same slide as the children wasn't a very smooth move."

"I know," he admitted with a sigh. He pulled out a carton of fries and ate them one by one.

"I didn't have a very happy childhood," he explained, "I got everything I asked for but didn't really want the things I asked for. Does that make sense?"

"Yes," I replied sadly.

"I offered your father my friendship when we were children. Did you know that?"

"It was in your book," I stated.

"He didn't take it of course," he said with a chuckle, "I don't blame him. I was a horrible little spoiled brat at the time."

"It frightened me though," he admitted sadly, "For the first time I didn't get what I wanted and it scared me. It was the first time I didn't get what I asked for and it was the first time that I questioned what I had been taught."

"How so?" I asked curiously.

"My father always told me that pure-bloods were better than everyone else and that's why we had the best of everything," he explained, "Harry Potter was the Boy-Who-Lived, he defeated the Dark Lord when he was one. In my mind he was the best, and since I am a Malfoy I assumed that he would jump at the chance to be my friend."

"It was stupid of me. He wanted real friends and I only wanted to be able to say the Boy-Who-Lived was my friend, not Harry Potter," Draco stated despondently.

"Is that why you made such a big scene back there?" I asked as I finished off the last of my water and offered Draco his coke.

"Partially," he admitted and his lips turned up in a wide grin, "Plus, that slide looked like a lot of fun." I laughed loudly at his comment.

We finished off the rest of our dinner while conversing merrily on random subjects. Quidditch took up the bulk of the conversation but he also told me amusing stories from his days at Hogwarts. Thankfully he stayed away from events that concerned my father.

"Well," I said as I stood and brushed the crumbs off my lap, "I did see a park on our way here and it looked like it had a pretty nice slide." Draco laughed and shook his head in amusement.

"You can't be serious," he stated. I threw away the empty wrappers in the garbage can next to us and began walking away. "Hey!" he called out from behind me, "Where are you going?" I stopped for a moment and glanced back at him.

"That park is two blocks away," I explained with a smirk, "I don't know about you, but I'd like to try that slide before sunset."