A/N: Sorry it's been a while, but my life suddenly got busy! I'm back to school now, so things might slow down, but i hope not. I'm eager to finish this story sometime soon!Not thats we're nearing the end yet... So reviews are great. Some people asked about the repeated line in the end of the last chapter. I did that on purpose. I thought that maybe you and Harry could do with reminding :) If you didn't notice, then don't worry.

Someone else asked if when Ginny got her wand out when she was with Harry (Chapter 26?), if she was going to use a memory charm. The answer is yes. Ginny would have tried, if Harry hadn't stopped her.

Another reviewer asked me why i'd called the chapter 'cat among the pixies' and what it meant. I took the phrase from OotP. Mrs Figg says it sometime near the begining of the book. I chose for the phrase tomean the same as the 'muggle' phrase,'cat out of the bag.' I figured as it sounded quite similar, and was in a similar context in the book as in my story, that 'now the cats among the pixies' was just the wizardring was of saying 'now the cats out of the bag.'

Thanks again for the wonderful words of encouragment in your reviews. I've decided that as we're so close to 500 reviews (jumps up and down!) that the 500th reviewer gets a special surprise! I've got it all planned, so keep reviewing! Oh, and if you think you might be the 500th reviewer, leave your email address, so i can get back to you!

Hugs and smiles, Angel

Chapter 28- Erin explains

Hogsmeade looked like a fairytale when the students arrived. Soft icing sugar snow rested on the top of enchanted candy houses. Ice hung like twinkling ornaments, from every peak and place. The village could have been a picture on the front of a Christmas card.

The gang trooped to their meeting place, outside of Honeydukes, and decided to split.

'Well me, Ginny, Erin and Daisy need to shop for dress robes.' Hermione announced.

'Well, us guys have got loads of important stuff to do, too.' Seamus said, elbowing Ron in the ribs.

'Yeah… tons of stuff.' Ron agreed, clearing his throat. 'So much stuff that I cant even think of anything.'

'Well great.' Erin chuckled, taking Dean's hand. 'We'll meet you guys back here for lunch then.'

'Sorry, but no can do.' Ginny frowned. 'I have to meet the girls for lunch.'

'Do you really have to?' Harry whined, tugging on her sleeve, childishly.

'Sorry, but I do.' Ginny laughed. 'Now full steam ahead. We have some dress robes to buy!'

'See you later, boys.' Daisy chirped, as she dragged Erin away from Dean.

'Bye.' Dean grumbled. 'Now what do we do, Prongs?'

'Well…' Harry mumbled. 'I don't know about you, but I certainly haven't bought any Christmas presents yet...'

'Shopping already?' Seamus moaned. 'We've still got a week until Christmas. That's plenty of time!'

Dean and Ron muttered in agreement.

'Come on you guys!' Harry said, with all the enthusiasm he could muster. 'Wormy, you've got to get my sister a present for a start.'

'Why? We're not going out officially or anything…' Dean mumbled.

'Don't be such humbugs!' Harry exclaimed. 'I'm in a good mood, so full steam ahead.'

'Now you're starting to sound like Ginny.' Ron grumbled. 'I think she's rubbing off on you.'

The boys went to Honeydukes, then Zonkos, followed by a jewelry shop, an antiques shop, a bits and bobs shop, and of course, a robe shop. After a while, their legs started to ache, and they stumbled across a bench at the edge of Hogsmeade, overlooking a beautiful iced lake.

'Who votes for break time?' Ron asked, and all three raised their hands.

They flopped onto the bench, and chucked their shopping bags onto a peaceful heap. Harry took a packet of chocolate frogs out, and shared them around, as the boys enjoyed a rested silence. A silence which was soon broken.

A gang of tall boys, at least Ron's height and twice his breadth, were sniggering and jeering in an immature fashion. Two stood out right away as being Crabbe and Goyle: their statures were impossible to miss. Another, after a moment of watching carelessly, could be recognized as Blaise.

They were pushing something around in the center of the group, which Harry couldn't see. He figured it was some sort of an animal, and was about to get up and defend it, before he realized that it was a person.

Two of the gang picked up a small boy, and took a struggling arm each. He was only half their size, perhaps a second year, and he was fighting as best he could. His hair was light blond, and hung perfectly across his innocent gray-blue eyes. His features were unmistakable: he was a Malfoy.

As if on cue, Draco pushed his way to the center of the group, and wrestled the young boy from their grasp.

'Come on, Seb. Lets go.' Draco ordered, pulling his brother away. The boy didn't need telling twice. After giving Draco a thankful glance, he ran away as fast as he could and as white as a sheet.

'What's the problem, Malfoy?' Blaise slurred, and his gang sniggered.

'No problem.' Draco said calmly, but shaking all the same. 'Not now.'

Harry watched Draco walk slowly but surly away, before being pulled back by Blaise.

'And where are you going?' Blaise questioned. 'Did I say I was finished?'

'Did I say I cared?' Draco replied bravely, pulling himself from the dark boys grip.

Blaise pushed him effortlessly to the floor, and Draco's wand was thrown aside.

'I don't like your tone.' Blaise spat at Draco.

'Well I don't like your face,' Draco stated. 'But I'm not complaining.'

'Get him Blaise.' One of the gang muttered eagerly, as Blaise pulled Draco back to his feet, by the scruff of his neck.

'How about we make a bargain?' Blaise smirked. 'I let you go, and you let me borrow your sister.'

'You stay away from my sister.' Draco said, in a low warning voice.

'I'll stay away from her,' said Blaise, with menace reflecting in his eyes. 'But I can't guarantee she'll stay away from me.'

Blaise sniggered maliciously, causing Draco to loose his temper, and spit straight in Blaise's eye.

Within seconds Draco was on the floor, and being beaten by the assembly.

Harry signaled, and the Marauder's rushed to help, just before Draco lost consciousness…

'I can never thank you enough.' Draco sighed over a warm butter beer at lunch time.

'No problem.' Ron smiled, finding himself amused at getting thanks from Malfoy.

'We were glad to help.' Harry insisted.

'You didn't have too.' Malfoy mumbled, massaging his bruised jaw.

'Of course we did, you were out numbered.' Harry said. 'It wasn't fair.'

'And we figured the odds of you coming out there alive, without help, were slim.' Dean grinned, downing the last of his butter beer.

'Let me get the next round.' Draco said quickly, standing up.

'But you got the last.' Said Ron, confused.

'It's the least I could do.' Draco smiled sadly, before he headed up to the bar.

'He's a really nice bloke, isn't he?' Ron said grinning, and giving Harry a surprised sideways look.

'Yeah, he's well alright.' Seamus agreed. 'Just a bit tragic. He always looks so sad.'

'And he has no self confidence.' Dean commented. 'I don't get it. All Slytherins are cocky.'

'Well he doesn't really have a reason to be confident, does he?' Harry said, quietly. 'He's always being beaten up by Blaise.'

'I supposed that's got to suck the confidence out of you.' Ron said, feeling empathy for Malfoy.

'And you know his past.' Seamus whispered, and the others nodded.

'We should ask him to hang out more.' Ron said brightly. 'He could definitely do with some fun.'

'Hey boys!' Erin called, as the girls grabbed chairs and seized their table.

'What's up?' Daisy asked, squeezing in next to Harry.

'Not a lot.' Ron said, moving to make room for Erin.

'Well we've all done our shopping.' Hermione smile simply, hiding her bag quickly under the table.

'Eh, guys. Who's chair is that?' Erin asked, eyeing the seat in question, suspiciously.

'Hey, I got the-' Draco stopped mid sentence, noticing the increase in people. 'I'll go get some more…'

'Don't worry about it.' Said Harry, signaling for him to sit down, then turning to the girls. 'You all know Draco.'

Erin whispered something in Daisy's ear, which made her blush. Hermione was the only one who seemed to notice Draco's bruises.

'What happened?' She asked, anxiously, as Draco took his seat next to hers.

'I had a little run in with Blaise.' He said soberly. 'Nothing to worry about.'

'But you're bleeding.' Hermione said, looking fearfully at his cheek.

'It's alright, Hermione.' Ron said, sounding slightly peeved. 'He's going to get it sorted when we get back to the castle.'

'You don't have to, I know some healing spells that will sort that out right away.' Hermione said motherly, as she hurriedly got out her wand.

'There's really know need.' Draco said softly, with a small admiring smile. 'But thanks anyway.'

'Oh, ok.' Hermione mumbled.

'So what happened?' Daisy asked.

'Blaise was picking on Seb again.' Draco sighed, and the girls aahed. 'It's not right. He's only a 3rd year.'

'And Blaise said something about your sister too,' Harry said, remembering. 'Didn't he?'

'Yes.' Draco answered, through gritted teeth. 'He's always messing with Isabel, but she won't have it. She knows what he's like.'

'I don't mean to be rude or anything.' Dean said. 'But lets talk about something a little nicer for a while, and sort this out when we get back to school.'

'Ok.' Draco said shyly, before turning to Hermione with a hopeful smile. 'So, have you done your transfiguration essay? I thought it was really difficult…'

There was a mostly pleasant atmosphere during lunch. The only person who failed to enjoy himself was Ron, who seemed to struggle watching Hermione get along so well with Malfoy, and made a point of taking Hermione's hand on the way out.

Harry was content to join in the conversations, but failed to eat anything. He just didn't feel like it. There was a sad pain in the bottom of Harry's stomach, which seemed to be taking up all the space. He wouldn't have minded, but he knew the hurt was selfishly not sympathy for Draco, but an ache for the company of a certain absent red head…

The gang made it back to Hogwarts with just 30 minutes spare time before Quidditch practice was to begin.

They bid goodbye to Draco and Hermione at the Quidditch field gates, (some less happy about the arrangements then others) then piled inside the changing rooms.

'What is up with him?' Ron charged, once they were inside. 'We ask him to hang out once, and he takes that as an invitation to take Hermione off on a tour of the rose gardens!'

'I didn't know Hogwarts had rose gardens.' Seamus mumbled, as he pulled out his uniform.

'Exactly!' Ron raged. 'But they're going to have a look at the roses, before heading inside for a mug of hot chocolate in the Great Hall.'

'Well, if you think he's moving in on Hermione, you should do something.' Said Dean. 'Cause if she likes him more then you, you need to end it quick.'

Ron's face had suddenly flicked from hot red to sheet white.

'I don't know…' Ron mumbled, sitting down.

'Marauders don't get dumped, Ron.' Seamus reminded him, perhaps trying to be helpful. 'Even if you have given her all that promise ring rubbish.'

'She won't dump me.' Ron said, honestly. 'But she could like him more.'

'Who like who?' Erin questioned, as she cheerily poked her head round the door.

'Hello Erin? Boys changing in here!' Seamus clarified.

'Oh I don't mind.' Erin said as she strolled happily inside, clearly missing or ignoring the point. 'So who?'

'Malfoy and Hermione.' Dean enlightened her.

'Oh.' Erin grinned. 'Hermione doesn't like him!'

'How'd you know?' Ron grumbled at her, tossing his t-short off.

'Because I know everything.' Erin replied knowingly, looking from Ron to Harry. It put Harry at unease, as he was unsure whether or not to take her seriously.

'Well I think have to agree with Erin.' Harry said, slumping off his chair. 'You lot are just over reacting.'

'I'm taking a shower.' Ron explained, before wandering off.

'Boys.' Daisy smiled, sticking her head round the door. 'I suggest one of you heads back to the castle, as Ginny hasn't turned up for practice, incase you hadn't noticed.'

'I vote Erin.' Dean grinned, raising his hand.

'Oh, I can't be bothered!' Erin whined, slapping Dean juvenily round the head .

'I'll go.' Harry said simply and expressionlessly.

'Of course you would.' Erin grinned, obviously, rolling her eyes.

Harry paced towards the door, hoping for no more taunting for his reason of departing.

'I thought you said there was no hope for Harry and Gin?' Dean remembered, causing Harry to turn back to retaliate.

'There wasn't.' Said Erin amusingly. 'But there is for them two now.'

Harry stumbled away, wondering what Erin had meant. Well it was obvious and simple in one way, but somehow it had made Harry feel at ill ease. So Erin thought she knew everything…So what? Harry knew too well that nobody knew everything, not even Dumbledore.

Full to the brim with thoughts, Harry didn't even notice when he walked straight into a sprinting red head.

'Oh, sorry…' Ginny mumbled, righting herself, clinging to his arms. 'I was just in such a hurry…'

'No problem.' He said deeply, noting that with her head down, she hadn't yet recognized him.

'Oh Harry.' Ginny grinned looking up, bearing brightly into his deep greed eyes. 'Sorry I'm late. I just got caught up with the with the girls in the Great Hall.'

'Were Hermione and Draco there?' Harry asked, slowly letting go of Ginny.

'Yes. Apparently I missed a lot at lunch.' Ginny mused.

'You did indeed.' Said Harry, watching her smile.

'Draco's with the whole gang now.' Ginny explained. 'They're treating him like some sort of a war hero, or something.'

'Figures.' Harry grinned, looking at how Ginny's snow flake freckles sat across her nose.

'Well do you want to head to Quidditch?' Ginny asked with a lopsided look, and Harry suddenly felt his cheeks burn.

'Sure.' He coughed. 'Lets got.'

Quidditch practice wasn't really a chore for the team. It seemed merely an excuse to fly around, which they all seemed to enjoy more then perhaps was healthy. But an obsession with flying was no problem when you were up there. Up there, there are no worries, just you and the sky.

Quidditch practice finished on a high, and although little work had taken place, the team was as good as ever. They were more then ready to face Hufflepuff the following day.

'Great practice, team.' Harry cheered, as he ushered everyone inside. 'We're going to thrash Hufflepuff.'

'Well derr. It is Hufflepuff!' Dean insisted, and Harry pushed him childishly through the door.

'Never underestimate an opponent.' Harry insisted.

'Nice to hear you talk some sense, and have some real team spirit.' Erin said, shaking her head with a smile, as she lent tirelessly against the wall.

'What's up with you?' Harry couldn't help but ask. Instead of a simple question, it came out as more of a demand. 'You keep saying things…like you're not telling me something.'

'I'm the one not telling you something.' Erin chuckled. 'Give up Harry. You know I can read you like a book.'

'Seriously.' Harry said. 'You made comments a while ago, and I got confused so I left it, but now I want to know.'

'Harry.' Erin said simply. 'I'm not the one who needs to do the telling now, am I?'

Harry felt unsettled by Erin's confidence.

'Erin.' Harry pleaded as Erin trooped past him. 'Come back. I honestly don't know what you're talking about. If it's something to do with Ginny, you'll just have to ask me… I thought you were the one who knew everything, anyway?'

'I am.' Erin said, stopping a footstep away from Harry. 'Which is why I noticed that you've not been yourself lately.'

'Don't be ridiculous.' Harry mumbled, with a suddenly dry throat.

'But it's true.' Erin said, sounding barely bothered. 'And that's because it's not you… who are you and how did you get here?'

Erin looked questioningly at Harry, yet not accusingly. She looked like a confused child, waiting for a parent to explain the answer to an unexplainable question. A parent, or a brother…

'Lets go inside.' Harry said.

Can't wait for the next chapter? Then you'd better review! And remember, the 500th reviewer gets a super surprise!!! And leave your email address if you want the surprise! (see authers note)