Guess who's back? Back Again… lmao. Anyway, yeah sorry for the late update. Exams and all But it's here. Don't hate it, please.

Disclaimer: Nope nope nope. *shakes index finger* Not mine kids. Elmo's mine. *evil grin* and that fuzzy purple thing from the darkness video. Kinky…

Chapter 17:

"You."

"Yes, me."

Draco smiled, "Have a seat, Brock."

"Sure." The brown headed boy took a seat on the green couch opposite of him, placing his hands on his blue school robes, his ponytail falling just over his Slytherin crest. He smiled, at ease. "Nice to see you up and about Draco. For a moment there I thought you'd actually let that Gryffindor girl get to you."

"Yeah, well you know. ;life goes on."

He smirked, "I'm glad to hear that. But before we continue to have this little friendly chat about our well being and all, I want to show you something." Reaching under his school robes he pulled out his silver chain, and dangled the spion at its end before Draco. "See anything interesting?"

"That you're fascinated by your chain… have you been sniffing anything Brock? Taking those pills again?"

"No, I'm perfectly alright. But if we're going to play this game… I'm not fascinated by the chain Draco, I'm fascinated by the pendant. Now, why would I be?"

"I can think of a few reasons."

"Go ahead, I have all the time in the world. We have DADA next and frankly, I don't want to there."

"Well then I think I do."

"Hmm… always a jester, aren't you? Maybe if you didn't joke around so much you'd have been finished with the bet."

Draco began locating his text books and placing them in his bags. "Like I said fuck the-"

"Fuck nothing Draco. The only thing that's getting fucked around here is you."

He narrowed his eyes dangerously. His voice taking on that low tone Brock had been familiar with on the old Draco. "Is me, is it? And how is that?"

"Big and mighty old Draco, eh? Can do any girl he wants. Any. Well guess what, chap: You can't. And I'm not letting you get away for falling short of your bluff. I want my prize. I want my Nimbus 3000."

"Oh please, Brock. Don't whine. It's too pathetic for me to bear."

"Let me tell you what's pathetic to bear, Draco: Potter beat you at doing the Weasley."

"Listen. You're not getting that Nimbus 3000, so just quit it. You can't get to me."

"Who's trying to get to you? I'm just stating the facts. I know it. You know it. The whole school does. Potter stole the great Draco Malfoy's girl."

Draco rolled his eyes, picking up his bag to make his way to class. "I loved the way you planned this, Brock. Really. You know, first asking straight out. Then trying to use my emotions against me. Here's some advice: Next time pick someone who actually has some."

XX

It was in the middle of Professor Filtwick's speech on the Anti-disapparation charm (asked about by Hermione, of course) that Harry received a note on his desk. He looked up to the short, white-haired wizard, and decided that it was safe to open it.

When he did, he decided that it was lucky that Ron and Hermione had occupied the seats next to him leaving no space free for Ginny because had she seen it, there would definitely have been trouble.

But he couldn't help but smile. Because maybe things weren't so black and white. Maybe when it's over, that's the time you fall in love again.

That, he thought, should be a song. But despite the 'Harry-Potter-tops-wizard-billboard-charts'-thoughts going through his head, he read the note one more time.

'Dear Harry,

Meet me tonight, in the garden, next to the rose bushes, at 11. There's something I need to talk to you about.

Cho.'

And beside her name was a ray of sunshine. She had drawn a little smiley face, and next to that another who was winking.

Cho wouldn't have been in his class, but he had to find the person who had done it.

And there she was. Standing in the hallway next to the classroom door. Still taking his breath away. Her shiny black hair placed into a low ponytail. Making eye contact with her, he nodded. She smiled, and then proceeded on her way.

Tonight.

He wondered what he would wear…

XX

"No, Cho, you keep it," Harry urged, holding the Asian girl's hands in his.

"Harry, I don't think so. It's not fair to you, or to Giselle."

"Giselle?"

"Or whatever her name is. We're not together anymore Harry-"

"I know," he bowed his head in sadness.

"And you're with someone else."

"But I want you to have it Cho. It means a lot to me that you keep it."

"That's the thing, Harry. It doesn't mean a lot." She held the ring up to the moonlight and read the inscription 'Harry and Cho forever'. "This isn't true. Forever? We didn't even last a year."

"Yeah, but if you put the short time we were together in fifth year you could come close."

She laughed, shaking her head. "No, I promised when I broke up with you I would give it back."

She dropped the ring into his palm.

"What am I supposed to do with it?"

She shrugged, "I don't know destroy it. Anyway, it's late Harry. I'll see you around."

"Bye," he waved feebly.

Destroy it? No, he thought, he had a better idea. Out of his pocket he pulled a plastic ring he had gotten in one of Honeydukes five pence toy boxes. Sloppily scratched onto the surface was H and G. He smiled slightly as he threw the old plastic ring into the mud. "Thanks Cho," he muttered, and made his way back to the castle.

XX

It was almost twelve when Harry entered the Gryffindor Common Room, and Ginny was surprised he didn't have a scolding Hermione marching behind of him. Or a snickering Ron. Harry was alone. And it was late. Something had to be up.

"Where'd you come from?"

Startled he looked up from his bent position on entering the room. "Whew, I thought you were Hermione."

"No, you were lucky this time. What were you doing?" She repeated.

"Nothing really. Just thinking."

"About what?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Hmm.. Okay."

"I have something for you."

"Really?" She asked, sincerely shocked. She had never received anything from him since the roses and the chocolate… Granted, he had bought her so much that she even had a few chocolates left now, but still it would have been nice to receive a little more attention.

"Yeah," he said. Putting his hand into his pocket he pulled out a silver, sparkling ring and placed it on her middle finger.

"Oh Harry I love it!" She couldn't keep her eyes of it. It's brightness was unnatural, no doubt magically enhanced. Any doubt she had had of his love for her had eroded, just like when she had received the chocolates. He must have loved her a lot to buy that ring, it probably cost him a fortune.

The excitement coursed through her body as she looked at it, and the smile on her face grew. Putting her arms around his neck she pulled him into a tender, grateful kiss, which he just as gratefully returned.

At least when he didn't have Cho, he was sure he had her.

She wasn't sure when that innocent kiss deepened, or became so passionate that she had fallen onto the couch in the deserted, darkened Common Room.

More startling than that, she wasn't sure she wanted it.

But regardless of all of that, the kiss deepened still. And his hands roamed her body. His kisses trailed along her neck, and she felt the force of his body push into her chest. This could lead where she had dreamt of. But why was it feeling more like a nightmare?

She felt 'him' brush past her, but she didn't feel the excitement she would have. She felt sickened.

This wasn't the time and place.

It wasn't right.

It wasn't meaningful.

Everything was wrong. She just didn't know why.

"Stop Harry," she uttered as his hands made their way under her blouse.

"What?" everything paused, as he looked at her, with something unfamiliar in his eyes.

It made her nervous. "Not now Harry, I need to go to bed."

"You want to go to bed, at a time like this?" Now she recognised the emotion, anger, and frustration.

"I'm sorry," she muttered.

"Pfft yeah." He shook his head disbelievingly and stomped up to his dormitory leaving Ginny confused and dazed on the couch.

She had refused the famous Harry Potter the one thing she had wanted in life, while she was the one who had been refused by Draco Malfoy, the one she had always despised.

Would her life ever begin to make sense?

XX

Draco

She's gone. I have no idea where she is. No idea where she's gone. She told me she was feeling ill so I put the house elf under her care and told her to stay in her room. I would have done it myself, but I had errands to run. I came back last night and decided to check on her. The door was locked, I got no answer when I called. I used the master key and I found the poor elf tied to the bedpost, and gagged with it's own bag. She happened to put some clothes on it before she left too… though it looked like by force. It doesn't know where she is. All it told me was that she left with a dark hood over her head. She hasn't come back this morning either. I would have written earlier but I didn't want to worry you. I'm so sorry.

Chris.

What a way to start off the day. Swearing Draco flung the letter out of his hands, and hurriedly put on his robes, trying with all his might to think of some explanation for his mother's disappearance, or to think of a way to stop what he knew would happen.

He could think of none.

Defeated he sank at the edge of his bed, his head in his hands and sighed. This was a sad day for Draco Malfoy. The day he felt defeated. The day he could not think of a plan.

He had no idea how much sadder it would get.

XX

"Ginny" Harry called running down the stairs of his dormitory into the Common Room.

He caught her just as she was leaving. She paused in the exit of the room, unsure if she even should give him another minute of her time after the previous night.

"Ginny, please, wait."

She sighed as she surrendered to his plea. "Yeah, sure Harry."

"Can I speak to you.. Alone?" he said raising an eyebrow at Luna.

Rolling her large eyes the blonde left the common room holding a faithful copy of the Quibbler in her scrawny hands. As she left she called back, "You're never alone, Harry. The Quibbler proves it. Fairies… everywhere… Not pretty one's either, you should see the picture and there're eye witnesses. Oh boy… No never alone…"

"I'm sorry," he began once Luna was gone.

"Don't worry about it Harry."

"No, I really am, if I made you uncomfortable, I didn't mean to-"

"No, Harry, I'm the one who should be sorry."

"What?"

"I should have expected it. I'm your girlfriend. I mean what was I thinking? You expect me to do that. It's what I'm supposed to do. I need to step up to the plate. I will step up in the plate. It won't happen again."

He nodded putting an arm around her shoulder. "I love you more everyday."

She smiled.

Funny. She was loving herself less.

XX

"No Luna, I swear, there's no psychic nature to red heads."

Luna blinked. "Yes, Ginny, there is."

"No, Luna there isn't. I'm a red head. I should know." Ginny leaned onto the wall in the hallway preparing herself for another one of Luna's wacky arguments.

"Well, you wouldn't be if you had some blonde in there, you know."

"I have no blonde hair. I'm a red head. And I'm not psychic. Believe me, if I had the gift of seeing the future there are some things I would definitely change."

"Hmm…" was all she got in reply. "Are you Irish? The Irish have lost their gift since they failed to do their ritual leprechaun sacrifice.

"No I'm not Irish. Wh-Leprechaun Sacrifice?"

"You know."

"No, I don't know."

"The fifth child has to be sacrificed and handed to the leprechauns where he/she will become one."

"Why don't you give up reading the Quibbler for a week, how about that? With Weekly has some great articles."

"Psh," she laughed, "With Weekly?! Those things aren't even true."

She was about to comment but noticing Cho standing in front of her blanked her out. Luna noticed too, and was the first to say something.

"Hi Cho."

"Er.. Hey."

"Something you need?"

"I just need to ask Ginny something."

"Go ahead," Ginny replied.

"Can I see your ring?"

A little taken aback Ginny took a look at her fingers. "This one?" She said pointing to the one Harry had given her.

"It's the only one you've got on."

She laughed nervously, "Oh right. Yeah you can see it."

Cho held the her finger, twirling the ring round it, holding it up to the light. "Hmm…" was all she muttered and proceeded looking at it. "Okay, thanks then." She said at last.

"Welcome," she replied too stunned to ask anything.

"Well that was weird…" Luna added.

Oh great, now Looney Luna was calling her life weird.

Would someone make it all make sense?

XX

Draco Malfoy never liked transfiguration. But today he hated it. He was forced to concentrate since McGonagall, he had learned, was not a force to be messed with. But he was troubled at the same time, not knowing where his mother was. Whether she was safe or not… alive or not.

He would have rather been anywhere else than having to listen to McGonagall talking about how to transfigure moving objects into inanimate ones.

As if it wasn't bad enough, she felt the need to call him for a demonstration. "Mr Malfoy, maybe you might like to show us how it is done, using this hamster I picked up." The old hag.

"Oh I might, Professor. Just… some other day. Maybe Potty can take this one."

The Gryffindors shot daggers at him from around the glass, Weasley, Granger, Potter, Ginny, McGonagall, Finnigan, and, well, you get the picture.

"Let me rephrase that, Mr Malfoy, Come to the front of the class and transfigurate the hamster."

Lazily he got up, wand in hand, no idea of anything McGonagall had said in the last half hour, hardly an idea of how to transfigure the wretched animal. Of course he had the basics down, swing the wand, utter the spell. But what spell? That wouldn't get him very far, for sure.

But he was saved by the…er.. Knock. Snape was at the door looking very sullen and very concerned. Casting a pitying eye on him. It was extremely disturbing… the pitying part at most.

"Yes Professor Snape?" McGonagall urged, not happy to have her class interrupted.

"Excuse me Professor, but I need to speak to Mr Malfoy please. It's urgent"

"Very well, be off then Mr Malfoy. I might take your advice and let Mr Potter have a go."

Smirking, he followed Snape out of the classroom, coming face to face with his father. He felt Lucius put his firm, rough arm on his shoulder and knew, instantly, that his world was crashing down.

XX

"Stupid Malfoy. I don't know how he planned his escape from that classroom to have me sacrificed to McGonagall like that. He knew I didn't know it. The dyke-"

"Harry, he didn't plan it, didn't you see? He was as shocked as we were when Snape called him out."

"Or maybe that's what he wanted us to think. Didn't you see him smirk at Harry as he left? Boy, if McGonagall wasn't in that classroom…"

Ginny heard these comments vaguely as she walked with the trio. Taking heed of none of them. She knew Draco better than any of them and, truth was, he looked scared, not shocked, or devious, but scared. And she needed to know what happened. He didn't come back to the classroom after Snape called him out. She saw his father. She saw Lucius put his hand on his shoulder and lead him away. And he had yet to return.

Something was wrong with Draco.

Excusing herself from the group she went in the opposite direction of them straight to the Slytherin Common Room. Quickening her pace as she went, until she broke out into a run, feeling like if she didn't get to him soon it'd would be too late. For what, she didn't know.

She was relieved when she bumped into Brock outside the Common Room.

"Ginny," he said smiling.

"Brock," she panted, catching her breath.

"You okay?"

She shook her head, gasping for air. "D'you know where Draco is?"

"No… I don't," he said slowly, frowning. "Why would you want him?"

"I just need to see him. Make sure he's okay."

"Well, I haven't seen him since Transfiguration. And he's not in the Common Room, I was just there. Crabbe and Goyle have no idea either, so I doubt you'll find him. I wouldn't worry if I were you though, it's Draco. He'll be okay. Nothing ever bothers him."

"Yeah, okay," she said, still out of breath. But she was hardly convinced. She'd have to find him. And soon.

XX

It wasn't that she didn't trust Brock, but she had to look in the Common Room. Just to make sure.

She found nothing.

She asked Dumbledore, he didn't know where Draco was, though she was sure there was something he knew that he wasn't telling her. Though, with Dumbledore, that was always the case.

She asked Snape, McGonagall, she even went up to her old friends, Meche and Pansy.

Nothing.

He wasn't in the Astronomy tower. He wasn't in the garden by the tree.

There was only one place left, and she was sure he'd be there.

The Quidditch Pitch.

Entering the large arena she walked onto the field. No one in the air, no sounds hinting human presence.

She looked around at the stands, and, after a moment of diligent searching, she spotted him. In one of the last rows in the stands. His head bent, quiet as a soul.

As she approached him she became less aware of what she would do when she did walk up to him. They weren't exactly on good terms with each other, and she had no idea what had driven her here, except for fear. Fear that everything was not okay.

Undoubtedly he had heard her footsteps. But still he didn't turn. He stayed, in the same bent position. Not saying a word.

She cleared her throat.

Still he said nothing.

"Draco." She called for his attention. Instead he bent his head lower. "Draco, are you okay?"

Obviously he wasn't. It was not like him to be as quiet as this, even if he didn't want to speak to her. It was more like him to tell her to go away. Him saying nothing horrified her.

"Draco, what is it? Please, tell me."

Still she got nothing.

"I'm not leaving until you do. Please, I know I'm not your favourite person right now, but I still care. I need to know. You're scaring me."

She stood there, among the silence for God knows how long. But she never contemplated leaving. She was serious about waiting. And she would wait forever if she had to. As long as he knew that she was there.

There was nothing to be heard between them for awhile. And then, finally he broke it.

"My father came to school today."

"I know, I saw him. Is that it? What did he say to you?"

"My mother went missing. Last night."

The shock of it had caught her tongue. And though, that might have been the time for a soothing word, she couldn't find it. Truth was, she was never very good in situations like these.

"They've found her."

"Oh thank God," she breathed.

"No. They found her dead." The words emitted from his lips were tight, and short. She knew he was hurting. She wished she could see his face, and touch him, and embrace him. But still, his back was to her. His bent manner remained the same.

"Draco, I'm sorry," the tears filled her eyes. Because she knew how much his mother had meant to him. He had never told her that he loved his mother, but he never had to, it showed, every time he talked about her it showed more and more.

"No, I should be sorry. It's all my fault. I knew she would pull something like this. I tried to stop it but I didn't try hard enough. When it really mattered I didn't pay much attention. Even when I left you to make sure nothing would happen to her, and to try to get her to stop it all I could think about was you, writing you, missing you. I didn't care about her. Chris saw it. I bet she saw it to. I knew what she was going to do, they told me. I told her not to. But that wasn't enough. She needed me there. If I was there she wouldn't have done it. She would never have invaded that death eater meeting. They would have never found her out. I should have gone. I should have been there for her."

"Draco," Ginny put an arm on his shoulder, "It wasn't your fault. You're not to blame. They are."

He looked up at her for the first time and she was startled at what she saw. Him. Draco Malfoy, with pain etched onto his features.

"You don't understand. I did it. I killed my own mother. I'm just like them."

"No, you're not, Draco. You're so much more different."

He clenched his fists the anger pulsing through him. Slowly he brought his hand up to the left sleeve of his robes, and lifted it.

A solemn tear fell from his eyes. One tear. For all the times he had never told his mother how much he cared. For all the times he had kept his feelings inside. For all the pain that had been kept secret, coming out, through that one tear.

Slowly it fell, and landed to the source of all his unhappiness. That left arm.

That was when she saw it. For the first time.

The black skull printed onto his pale skin. The snake emerging from it's mouth.

The dark mark.

"I'm exactly the same."

XX

Yup. Thanks for Reading everyone.

Red-Ruby-Slippers: YES! One person who got it, lol. I've been getting other movies like 'She's all that', and I keep having to say no, actually, its more like Cruel Intentions. Lol.. It's way cool that you got that.

Lisienna: Wow. That review meant a lot. Thanks. I'm glad cause I try not to make everything so perfect, or to make situations play out so perfectly. I'm glad it was appreciated.

AphroditeMalfoy: I don't think you'll have to wait much longer for the Draco/Ginny to recommence. Not promising anything though, lol.

Bella: lol. It's okay Bella. Thanks though for coming back with the positive input. I always appreciate the reviews.

Jenn: I try not to be mean… okay, no I don't. lol. Thanks for being so patient.

aoi-yuki-yume: Yeah I know that sucks. But it usually works out that way in life, doesn't it? The other person never wants to say cause they're too scared and so they ended never telling each other, or telling them when it's too late. Like on they're wedding night. 'I used to have the biggest crush on you'. 'And you tell me this now? My husband is a complete dirt bag, I could have had you!' XD sorry for that… Just thinking, lol..

Ma.Fer: lmao means Laughing My Ass Off.. Yeah, lol. Thanks for reviewing. Yeah, I'm weird too so…

cookie monster : LMAO, the bitch hurried as fast as she could. No offence taken.

lockeness: LOL. I'm sorry for Draco being a hard ass… and for the Harry/Ginny moments. But it all makes the upcoming Draco/Ginny moments all the better, don't they? If they ever come…

Blacktragedy13: Thanks. I sure will try to keep it up. Don't know if I can though… ahhh the pressure's killing me, lol.

Ashleigh: Lol. I'm trying to get them back. Things are just going the opposite way. You're not buying that for a second are you? Lol.. Well at least there wasn't much Mushy H/G scenes in this one.

LiLi: LOL! Thanks for the compliment. And I love D/G as much as the next person so I want them together as much as you do… but I just want to make the story more interesting, you know? Sorry for the slow update. I had exams.

brat-attack: Lol. Yeah you can. Sorry for the depressing chapter. I got told that by some other people.. I didn't realise it was.

EvilasDraco: Hmm… thanks for the compliment. But I didn't quite get your problem. Do you have the poem published twice? Or did you try posting it twice and nothing happened?

Wizzabee: lmao! I loved the way you stereotyped the characters. Cool. Thanks lots.

slyffindor: I have no idea myself. I know I sure wouldn't choose Harry over Draco. Lol. Thanks for the review.

Shyla: Wow, thanks for all the loves and the review, XD.

Jace Quin: lmao. I love your reviews. Really. Am I evil Still?

LiL' LiSe: Yeah I think I have an idea for the sequel. If I ever finish this one, lol..

Channy: Thanks, I hope you like this one too.

Vipera: Thanks, I'll try.

stoner: Thanks. I loved your review. Harry is annoying to me too. Maybe it is time he's banished, lol.

Jac : Thanks, lol. You're the second person to ask me what lmao means… well actually the first here… cause your review came first. Anyway, it means Laughing My Ass Off.

JB-LIRIMAER: Yay! I'm evil again. Lol…

Darcy16: Lol… you don't know how many requests I've gotten against Harry. XD I think I did my job of getting people to dislike him.

Kat Davi: lol! Okay Okay fine, I'll try. Everyone wants them apart, lol.

Nichole Malfoy: Thanks. I feel sorry for Draco too. I thought Ginny's changing of hair could be symbolic, you know? Anyway…

cucho cousins: This isn't exactly a good ending, is it? Sorry…?

Pirate'sRedWinter: LMAO. Yeah, but this one took a little longer didn't it? Mainly because of exams though. Blame it on exams…

Scary-As-Hell: I know exactly what you mean. Maybe there should be a way to cyber-slap Ginny XD.

Ice Princess: Guess who didn't forget you this time. Lol. You cant hate me anymore. O.O Can you? Thanks for reading

Rens!: lol.. Yah it post. Notice the editing. Thanks for forcing yourself to read.

=XX=

Thanks for reading. R&R if you like… I'd sure appreciate the feed back.