Author's Note: Hello my lovelies! I told you that patience is rewarded… actually, before I start that, let me just say how grateful I am that people still read this. I think that many of you original readers must have just gotten fed up with me and given this up for lost, but that's okay. :) Just the fact that there are still readers (besides my sister) makes me want to keep writing. And know this – even when I'm months and months without an update (which I hope will never happen again…), I am constantly thinking about my story and my wonderful readers, because I feel horribly guilty about abandoning you. Heh. So. Remember that I adore you.

Anyway, last night I stayed up about 2 hours later than I meant to, and typed out a big, huge plan for this story. I'm talking categorized by sub-plots and central vs. lesser characters, with backstories and histories… maybe you don't realize how big a deal this is for me, but I am not an organized kind of writer. Now, however, I will never forget where I'm trying to go with this story! Three cheers for me!

SO. Finally we get to it. The end of my author's note. And now it's back to the story, which I hope you enjoy.

x x x x

After about an hour of calming down, Draco felt he had collected his wits enough to venture outside. Making his way to the front door, he ran into his mother, who was also preparing to go out. Remember, no paranoia… he told himself.

"Good morning, darling!" she greeted him, pulling on stylish black leather gloves. "What are your plans for today? Meeting anyone?"

"No, Mother, I am not! Now will you please – " Draco realized that his mother hadn't been insinuating anything at all, and stopped. "No. I thought I'd go out alone for a little while. And where are you headed?"

"Oh, well the Minister kindly invited me to a luncheon with a few of his associates, concerning the St. Mungo's Annual Charity event," she smiled at Draco, who felt himself prickling with anger. "You're welcome to join us, of course."

"No thank you," he replied curtly, and reached for the door. "I'll be home later."

Draco could not believe that guy. The Minister was using every damn opportunity available to wheedle his way into his mother's life and money… and, well; Draco would be hanged if he let him succeed. Bastard, he fumed, striding down the lane in front of the manor.

x x x x

Ginny was glad to get out of the house. The morning had quickly turned ugly, as her mother literally dragged poor Ron out of bed to congratulate Ginny on her new job. He hadn't been too happy with the arrangement, and a hearty row ensued. Ginny had been quite happy to escape, although now the nervous butterflies in her stomach were back.

She apparated to the Leaky Cauldron, which was quite empty. Ginny was surprised; she'd only ever seen it full of customers. Then again, I've never been here at seven in the morning… She waved cheerily to Tom, the bartender, who was grinning at her, and continued through to the entrance to Diagon Alley.

Unlike the Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley was bustling as usual. Witches and wizards strolled along the street, looking into shop windows and stopping to purchase goods from the street vendors' carts. Ginny sighed happily. There really was no place she liked better than Diagon Alley… Hogwarts and Hogsmeade were much the same. She loved the magic that seeped through the cracks in the walls of the buildings, the ancient shops and businesses, the comforting feel of it all. Just then, someone pushed past her, and Ginny recalled why she was there in the first place. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter she'd received from Velma.

…Velma's Elements, Twenty-four Diagon Alley…

"Okay, here goes," she began walking, scanning the storefronts for numbers as she went.

The apothecary wasn't hard to find. It was a brightly-colored storefront; painted in cheerful blues and greens, and an elegantly lettered sign above the door read:

Velma's Elements – fine ingredients and potion making for every magical need

Below that line, the word Closed! glittered brightly in gold. Ginny liked the look of the place. Most apothecaries that she'd visited were dusty and dark, and often smelled of mold and other damp things. The appearance of this store seemed right, though. Ginny was reminded of the extravagance of Velma Waffle at the dinner party, and privately thought that it suited her quite well. Ginny took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

x x x x

He really had to quit stalking off thoughtlessly like this. Draco had no idea where he was planning on going, but now he was out, so he had to do something. He sighed, annoyed at the path his life seemed to be taking recently – the path to Chaos. The whole Virginia thing was bad enough (oh, he would just kill Tony if he said anything…), but now he had to worry about the goddamn Minister on top of it all. Everything put together managed to put Draco into a foul, foul mood, and he was ready to do something delightfully nasty.

It was at times like these that he found himself thinking about his father. Draco had no love for the man, especially after the Second War, and hated the way his behaviors had tainted the Malfoy name. At the same time, he owed a lot to his father. Without him, Draco would never have become as strong as he was. He would not have been able to redeem himself in the eyes of the wizarding world, and he would probably be some meek, sniveling little weakling like Ron Weasley. He definitely wouldn't have as much persuasion or as many connections as he did, either.

Connections… suddenly it hit Draco. Everything he needed to solve one of his problems was right at his fingertips. He turned sharply and strode back up the lane to the manor, where he exchanged his clothes for more impressive robes. A quick glance in the hall mirror showed a tall, imposing figure, smirking almost sadistically. This would actually be fun… sometimes evil just felt so good. Draco chuckled to himself, and apparated with a sharp crack.