Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything associated with the books by JK Rowling.

A/N: Woohoo!!! Looky, Looky! I'm updating again! And now I'm home for the summer, so I should be able to get this thing finished soon. Yippee! Anyway . . .

A/N2: Sorry, but the stupid program keeps getting rid of the dots I use to let you know when the stories changing points of view. sigh So, hope you don't get lost.

Lucius's Revenge

Ginny stared blankly at the chalkboard as Professor Binns droned about some rebellion that had happened before even Merlin had been around. Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap and she sat so still that only the rise and fall of her chest gave away the fact that she was alive. She had been like this for the last three days, ever since Dra- Malfoy had dumped her.

"Do you think she's going to be alright?" Amber whispered to Chloe as they both watched their friend with concern. Ginny had sulked for two days; refusing to talk to anyone, before she had finally told her two best friends what had happened.

"She'll pull through," Chloe replied, sounding more like a doctor than a concerned friend. "I mean it's just a little bit of a broken heart. My sister's boyfriend dumped her after being together for a year and a half and she got over it."

"How long did it take her?" Amber asked. Chloe hesitated before sheepishly replying.

"I'm not sure . . . they got back together after a few months and have been happily married for two years."

Amber rolled her eyes and turned to Ginny. "Gin," she said quietly, placing a hand on her friend's arm. "Gin?"

Ginny turned her head to face Amber, hoping her friend wouldn't notice the tears she was holding back. After telling Amber and Chloe that morning what had happened, it had taken her nearly twenty minutes to convince her friends that she was okay. This wasn't true, of course. It felt like she would never get over Dra- Malfoy, but she didn't want a bunch of people worrying over her. The last thing she wanted was pity.

It's his loss, anyway, she told herself. It was the same thing she had been telling herself over and over for the last three days. But if it's true, why does it feel more like my loss?

"Virginia Weasley!" Amber's voice finally penetrated Ginny's thoughts.

"What?" she said, her voice coming out hoarse and strained like someone who's been holding back a sob.

"Gin, you've got to stop dwelling on it." Amber gazed at her friend, her eyes pleading with Ginny to do as she said.

Ginny pasted a wide grin on her face and patted Amber's hand. "Amber, I'm fine, really . . ." As fine as anyone can be when their heart's been shattered.

Amber gave her a look that said she wasn't buying this act for a bloody minute. However, Chloe joined the conversation before Amber could respond. "Maybe things will work out," she said optimistically. "I mean, maybe he'll miss you so much that he'll beg you to take him back."

Ginny had had enough. She couldn't take her friends' pleas and blind optimism any longer. "Chloe, this is not one of your stupid romance novels, alright?! It's not going to work out like that. No matter how much I want it to, it's not. All I want is for everyone to leave me alone!" Without another word, she rose from her desk, gathered her things, and stalked out of the room. The entire class watched her go, but Professor Binns continued to write on the chalkboard and never missed a beat in his lecture.

Draco entered the Great Hall and glanced around. It had become second nature for him to look for Ginny first thing before sitting down. He immediately spotted her at the Gryffindor table. She was sitting at the very end-farthest from the entrance- and was picking sullenly at her food. He winced inwardly; knowing that it was his fault she was so upset. But there was nothing he could do about it. To ask her to take him back would be to put her in more danger than he could bear.

It's better this way, he repeated to himself. It was what he had had to tell himself every time he ached for Ginny for the last three days. Sighing heavily, he turned away from Ginny and took a seat at the Slytherin table. He grabbed a roll and absently tossed it into the air; catching it in his hands. He continued to toss it into the air and catch it as his thoughts continued to dwell on Ginny and the situation.

If it weren't for my bloody, death-eater father I'd be at the Gryffindor table right now sitting next to Ginny and watching her scrunch up her cute little nose at me as I shovel tripe into my mouth. I really don't understand what she has against tripe . . . I wish my father would just die, right now, at this very moment. Then I could go over to Ginny, grab her hand, and drag her outside to the broom shed where I would proceed to snog her silly.

A faint smirk appeared on Draco's face as he remembered what it felt like to kiss Ginny. His smirk was quickly replaced with a scowl; however, as he remembered that he wouldn't be kissing her again. All thanks to my bloody father. Draco caught the roll and bit into it, ripping off a piece as if it were his father's head.

"Well, somebody's out for blood," Pansy said as she sat next to Draco.

"Nope, I'm just hungry," Draco replied snappishly. He was in no mood to talk. However, he simply could not ignore Pansy's next comment.

"I know why you broke up with Ginny." Draco nearly choked on his roll.

"D-do you . . ." he replied, trying to act nonchalant, although the affect was ruined by his coughing.

"I know it's because you're father found out about you two," she continued, now in a whisper. "And that you want to protect Ginny, but Draco . . ."

"Exactly how do you 'know' all this?" Draco interrupted.

Pansy bowed her head in shame and shrugged. "Well . . . I was on my way to the kitchens for a late night snack the night your father talked to you about her. I got about halfway down the stairs from my dormitory before I saw him in the fireplace. I waited there until you had gone to bed before continuing to the kitchens. I heard the entire conversation and assumed that's why you broke up with her. That and my father sent me a letter that says that your father was telling him how he had scared you into . . ."

Draco had had enough, without so much as telling Pansy to shove off, he rose from the table and marched out of the great hall. So now my father is bragging to his friends about how he got me to do what he wants? Why can't my business stay my business?

He was halfway to the lake before he realized where he was going. Stopping at the lake's edge, he stooped down and picked up a perfectly smooth rock.

"Why can't my life be as smooth as this rock?" he muttered before flinging it into the lake. Sighing heavily, he turned back towards the castle and simply stared. Suddenly, he was overcome with the feeling that someone was watching him. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and made him extremely uncomfortable. He sighed again and hurried to the castle.

Ginny sat in a window seat in the library, looking out at the lake. In her lap was an old muggle book she had read at least twenty times since finding it in the darkest corner of the school library. The book had looked practically new when she first found it, but it now held signs of extensive use.

After picking at her food for a few minutes, Ginny had sullenly slipped out of the great hall. She had just been getting into the book when she glanced outside and noticed Malfoy out by the lake. I hope the octopus grabs him and drowns him, she thought to herself. A tear escaped her eye and slid down her cheek. Why did this have to be so hard? She had heard numerous girls talk about their break-ups and how quickly they had gotten over their ex-boyfriends. Why can't I be that lucky? She silently asked herself. She watched as Draco stared up at the castle and briefly wondered if he could see her. Of course, that was a ridiculous thought, but still . . .the book lay forgotten in her lap as she continued to stare longingly out the window. Even after Draco had hurried inside she continued to stare.

Suddenly loud whispers attracted her attention and she turned her head in the direction the noise had come from. The only thing she saw was a painting of old, scholarly wizards sitting in squashy chairs near a fire. In their laps were massive books and they sat in a circle so as to see each other as they discussed the volumes. However, right in the center of their circle was a young, excitable nymph. Ginny recognized this character from the forest painting that was placed near the hospital wing. The nymph was widely known throughout the school as loving to gossip.

"But listen to me!" she was exclaiming.

"Shush!" the oldest looking scholar admonished, "This is a library, for Merlin's sake. You've got to keep your voice down."

"Sorry," the nymph whispered. She looked about for possible eavesdroppers. Ginny quickly picked up the book and pretended to be completely lost in it. The nymph continued. "Draco Malfoy, you know, that disgrace to the title of prefect? The prat actually has a heart!"

"Does he now?" asked one of the younger scholars with obvious boredom. At the mention of Draco's name, Ginny looked up and stared at the painting. While the scholars clearly didn't care, she was very interested in what the nymph had to say.

"Yes! You see, I was visiting my dear friend Golthea, you know, the old witch whose portrait is in the Slytherin common room? Well, you won't believe what she told me!"

"I'm sure we won't," said a third scholar impatiently. "Now why don't you please tell us your news so that we may continue discussing Plato and his philosophies?"

"Oh fine," said the nymph, clearly disappointed at their lack of enthusiasm. "Well, it turns out that Draco broke up with his girlfriend in order to protect her! And here I was thinking he just wanted to play the heartbreaker!"

The book fell unnoticed from Ginny's hands and landed heavily on the floor with a THUD! Yet neither the nymph nor the scholars turned around.

"That's nice," said the first scholar absentmindedly, "Now why don't you run along . . ."

Panic gripped Ginny as it appeared that she wasn't going to find out why she needed protecting. Luckily; however, the nymph wouldn't be dismissed that easily.

"Oh, but, don't you want to know why he thinks she's in danger?"

The second scholar sighed heavily and slammed his book shut in a gesture that showed he had given up on getting rid of this unwanted gossip. "Very well, why?"

"Because of his father Lucius, of course!" She announced this as if everyone with half a brain ought to know. "The old windbag threatened his own son that if he didn't break up with Ginny that terrible things would happen. Draco took this to mean that his father would do something to his love (Golthea called her his love, not I. I personally believe that the boy is too selfish to love). Anyhow, the only way he could think of to keep her safe was to break her heart. Pity. The poor thing has been crying her eyes out ever since." The nymph tutted quietly before suddenly perking up again. "Well, I would simply love to stay and chat about this some more with you fellows, but there are so many more paintings I must visit. I'm sure they'll be just as shocked as you were to find this out!" With that, she happily skipped out of the picture.

"Finally," the oldest muttered, "I thought she'd never leave. Now, as I was saying concerning his thoughts on . . ." And soon the three were once again discussing and debating.

Ginny, on the other hand, sat in the window seat completely stunned. Draco had been trying to protect her? But why does he think I need protecting? Doesn't he know I can take care of myself? All he had to do was warn me and then I would have been on my guard and all would be well. She sighed and picked the book up from off the floor.

Perhaps he didn't tell you because he knew that would be your reaction, a helpful voice in her head supplied.

"True," she muttered to herself as she rose from the seat, leaving the book where she had been sitting. She needed to find Draco.

Draco sat on his bed, sullenly studying potions. After another hour of pining for Ginny and loathing his father, he had decided it was time to get his life in order and so, here he was. Doing homework and still pining for the youngest Weasley.

This is ridiculous! He thought to himself angrily. Slamming the potions book shut, he jumped off his bed and knelt in front of his trunk. Hurriedly, he lifted the lid and grabbed his Nimbus 2001. What he really needed right now was a nice long ride on his broom. Dashing out of his dormitory, through the common room, and out the door, he raced through the dungeons and up the stairs. Here he slowed down, for many of his peers were wandering around this hall and he didn't want to appear hurried. He quickly, but casually, made his way out of the doors and before he had even gotten down the steps of the castle, he was flying.

It felt wonderful to fly again. The wind blowing through his hair and spreading his robes out behind him had always had a calming effect on him. Flying towards the quidditch pitch, he decided to try a few tricks around the poles.

Draco stayed out there for nearly an hour before realizing it was almost time for him to be in bed. Not wanting to be caught by Filch, he landed and made his way off the pitch. Just as he passed the broom shed a large shadow jumped out from behind the shed and pointed its wand at Draco's back.

"Stupefy!" Draco never knew who-or what-hit him.

A/N: Okay, I want to start thanking all my reviewers again. I've fallen way behind, though, so I'm just going to thank those who reviewed the last chapter. Which is STILL quite a few people. Anyway, this means, if you want me to mention you, you're going to have to review! Muahahaha, I'm so sneaky . . . BTW, what did ya think of my cliffy? ;)

Aly Will you please get over the fact that I can't write 20 page long chapters?! ;) Yeesh. Anywho, here's an update. Enjoy. And PLEASE don't comment on the length. It hurts my feel-goods. Hehehe . . . Everyone read her stories, they're great.

Fan Fic Freak Wow! I kept you up late? I'm sowwy.

LilJenReeds Thanks for the review, hope you enjoyed this new chapter.

Morgain Lestrange Thanks for the review

Lily Thorne Well, the girl's upset. Draco broke her heart. What do you expect?

Nichole Malfoy Draco was only doing what he thought was best. 'Course, we now know it didn't do him any good anyway . . .

HPF88 thanks for reviewing. And don't worry about Draco and Ginny . . . all will work out for the best in the end.

Cathy1227 WOW! I'm glad you like the story.

Missy38 Thanks for the review. I'm glad I'm describing things so well. I've been working on it.

Your#1fan Thanks for reviewing.

Emyln Thanks for your review. Yeah, it's amazing how believable Ginny and Draco have become as a couple. Too bad that probably won't happen in JK Rowling's books. Which is why I will love fan fiction forever.

mmn673 Too bad you broke your conviction with that review. But I'm glad you think it's an excellent story! :-)

Katerinarose24 Yeah, Draco's always screwing up. But at least he tries, right?

kneh13 Like I said above, he's always screwing up. But I think it's the right thing to do as well.

friend of jesus Thanks for reviewing.

Tenshi No Yami Hehehe, I wouldn't mind snuggling with him either. Yeah, Lucius is a pain in the behind. But don't worry, his schemes never go his way. Case in point: giving the evil book to Ginny.

swimfan I totally agree . . . Lucius must die!

sa Thanks for reviewing

Shuffle Queen The reason there were two chapter 14s is because an earlier chapter was just an author's note, which I deleted. So all the chapters following the A/N were moved up a chapter. Thanks for reviewing!

Jade Summers Um . . . thanks for the review

Vie Excuse you, his name is NICHOLAS! Anyway, is a five months gap between updates soon enough for you? ;) Everyone read her stories, they're great.

Shinigama Clara well, Draco believes what he's doing is the right thing. And he's so stubborn there's no telling him otherwise.

Serpensortia Sweetie thanks for the review, sure I'll read your story.

Cheesiecake Thanks for the review. Sorry it took me so long to update.

lilblondiey214 Don't worry about sounding mad. It's understandable when it takes an author forever to update. I'm glad you're still interested in the story. Everyone else has probably given up on me.

Andi822 Of course it's not over yet! There's still, like three more chapters to go!

Steph Thanks for the review.

TheKnightWhoSaysNI!!!! ah! The puppy dog face! How Can I resist! Here's your update.

YashiriRanma4ever NO, don't worry, this is not the end.

Risk Hahaha! I fooled you! Hehehe . . .

Kitti Malfoy Quill Pals, yeah, it's got a nice ring to it. Thanks for reviewing.

Evil Gypsy Thanks for reviewing. Here's the next chapter.