A/N: I haven't gotten any reviews for this fic lately. sobs You don't love me! If you're reading this, then I use my jedi powers on you to make you review. You will review.

"Okay, so far I have Arithmancy, Herbology, Charms, Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures. I still need one more thing." Alexas said thoughtfully, tapping her quill against her chin, her eyes scanning over the list. "What do you think I should take Draco?"

He shrugged. "What do you want to do when you get out of Hogwarts?"

"That's the problem. I've never been able to decide. Eh, I'll just take DA." She ticked the appropriate box. "There, that's finally over." She put down her quill and the piece of parchment and sat back. "So have you decided what you're gonna do?" she asked.

"I already told you what classes I chose." He said confused.

"I didn't mean about that." She said, looking at him meaningfully. She glanced around to make sure that no one was within hearing distance. "Your initiation." She said in hushed tones.

Draco sighed. He had decided, and that was the problem. "I'm gonna go through with it."

"What! Why?" she hissed.

"I have to. If I don't, it will put everyone I know and care about in danger. I can't take that risk."

"What about the other risk? You could end up turning into what you hate. How long do you think it will take before you become a hollow shell, knowing only pain?" she said sharply.

Draco looked at her, completely shocked. He'd never heard her speak so ardently. His resolve to do what everyone expected of him crumbled in the face of her questioning. What if he did end up like his father? Would he be able to live with himself if that happened?

Alexas sighed. "Look," she said, her voice softening, "If this is what you feel you have to do, then I won't tell you otherwise. Just be careful okay?"

Draco nodded in answer to her request. He could see the worry in her eyes and it was at that moment that he realized just how much it meant to him to have someone he knew that he could depend on, no matter what.

Alexas sat in the Grand Hall, feeling numb. In all that had happened recently, it had completely slipped her mind that this year was Cliff's last. The only words she caught of Dumbledore's end of year speech were the last ones.

"And to those of you who are leaving this year for your last time, I wish you luck in all the years that lie ahead."

His words made her realize something she'd never thought about. Cliff had been there since her first day when she had arrived, completely overwhelmed by the onslaught of emotions. He had put up with her for six years, and now she would have to learn how to get along without him.

On the way back in the train, Alexas, Cliff, Adrian and Draco shared a compartment right at the back of the train.

This had caused two commotions when it was decided. The first was Pansy's screaming fit and Crabbe and Goyle's blank incomprehension over why Draco didn't want to be with them.

The second was Adrian. He was slowly learning to accept Draco's friendship to Alexas, but occasionally hit a snag. This was one of them.

"I just don't see why he has to be here." Adrian whispered to Cliff for what must have been the tenth time.

"I'm not deaf you know." Draco said exasperatedly. There was silence for a few moments before Alexas snapped at all of them.

"Look, just get over it! All three of you are my friends, so either get used to it, or get lost – the lot of you!" she shouted, springing to her feet. "I'm going for some air." She muttered, walking out the door and slamming it behind her.

Draco stood up to go and follow her but was stopped by a quiet comment by Cliff.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." He advised. "Unless you have a death wish."

"I'm sure I can handle myself." Draco said wryly as he too exited the compartment. Cautiously he approached Alexas. Despite his cocky statement, he knew all too well how lethal her temper could be.

"What do you want?" she demanded coldly.

"Just to apologize." He said, his hands spread wide in a gesture of peace. "I was a real jerk in there."

She chuckled. "No. The biggest jerk in there was Biggsly. I just don't know why he won't leave you alone."

"Well it's pretty obvious that he has a thing for you."

She sighed. "I know. That's why I'm so hard on him, but trying to drive him away hasn't done anything."

"I'll jinx him if you want." Draco offered, smiling mischievously.

Alexas laughed and turned to face him. "Thanks for the offer, but somehow I don't think it would help matters. Besides," she said with an impish grin of her own, "If I wanted him jinxed, I'd be doing it myself."

As they were pulling their trunks down out of the train, Alexas suddenly pounced on Cliff, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her head in his shoulder. "I'm going to miss you." She said glumly.

"I know, I'm wonderful. Now please let go so I can avoid a collision of trunk and toe." She released him and he barely managed to get his trunk out without damaging any part of him.

"You just can't be serious, can you Cliff?" Alexas asked, a sad smile playing about her lips.

"Of course not. Far too many serious people in this world as it is." Not wanting to drag out their goodbye any more, he waved at them and pulled his magically lightened trunk off towards his parents.

"See you next year." Adrian said nervously.

"Bye." Alexas grunted, his behavior on the train neither forgiven nor forgotten yet.

"There's my mother." Draco remarked quietly.

"And mine." They hugged briefly in parting. "I'll write. You should come after…" Alexas paused uncertainly, "…you know."

Draco nodded grimly and they both lugged their trunks off towards their respective mothers.