Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

"Tory, I trust you. Don't let me down" A small, elegant woman said, a smile spreading across her ivory cheeks.

"Mum, I'll try" Tory whispered, trying to get the words out of her throat.

As the woman smiled, Tory studied her mother. Chocolate curls were draped across her shoulders; soft green eyes peered out from under curled lashes. Rose-tinted cheeks and full, red lips were just some of the delicate futures that made her mother so dainty and beautiful.

"My daughter. I'm proud of you." A deep, male voice said. Turning, Tory was pulled into a hug. Stepping back, she saw the speaker was her father. He was wearing the grey suit that made him look like a righteous gentleman.

"Tory," her mother spoke softly now. "I want you to know we don't blame you for what happened."

Her mother smiled softly at her daughter, a smile that laid no blame. "Tory," Her father added, ruffling her hair, just he had always done. "Be well."

Tory shot up in her bed. She looked wildly about her, grey blue eyes taking the sight of the scarlet bed hangings, the velvet bed-comforter, the white of the sheets. "Be well." She muttered the last words her father had said. Swinging her legs around, Tory unsteadily got to her feet.

"Tory? Is that you?" a voice said, rather sleepily.

Tory whirled around, her face full of hope. "Mum?" she whispered.

"No, twit, it's Lavender. Lavender Brown. Your mum's carked it, remember." The voice replied curtly.

Tears filled Tory's eyes. "Go to hell, Lavender" she said, under her breath, before storming out of the room.

Draco Malfoy's POV

Draco Malfoy sat glumly in the Slytherin Common Room. A brunette sidled up to him, sat down and stared intently into his face. "What do you want, Pansy?" the blonde boy said tiredly.

"I want to know something. Draco, why won't you spend any more time with me? You barely acknowledge me when I'm near you; you spend all your time moping about. I have a right to know what's going on!" Pansy said, her mud brown eyes boring into his. Reaching out, Pansy gently took his hand and held it in hers. Curling his lip in disgust, Draco snatched his hand back, causing Pansy's eyes to widen slightly.

"What right can you possibly be talking about?" he snarled.

Pouting, Pansy sulkily fixed her hair. "Well, as your betrothed, I have a right to know what's going on"

"My WHAT!"

"Oh, didn't you know?" an evil smirk was playing on Pansy's lips "Your father told me ages ago…" she trailed off; pleased at the effect the words were having on her companion.

"What else did he tell you?" Draco demanded.

Pansy raised an eyebrow, "Oh, nothing much. But he did tell me to tell you that you were to get over that Masing girl. 'She's not good for the family reputation' he said." Pansy smiled sweetly.

"He knows about Tory?" Draco said quietly.

"On first-name terms, are we?" Pansy smirked

"Oh, shut up! I'm going to write a letter," Draco said, scowling.

Up in his room, Draco was furiously writing a letter to his father. Setting down his eagle quill, Draco sighed heavily and read what he had written:

Dear Father,
I have just found out that I am affianced to Pansy Parkinson. When, exactly, were you planning on telling me about this? Were you afraid that I would react in the same manner that I am acting now? Or perhaps you were going to tell me on my wedding night, so I could not object? Look, Father, I can marry whom I like, and that would be for love, not because I am obsessed with 'keeping our blood clean' as you are.
I cannot believe you would make plans like these and NOT tell me! I am nearly a grown man; I can make these choices by myself! And not with you looking over my shoulder!
Give my love to Mother.
Draco.

Still scowling, Draco fixed the letter to his eagle owl. It nicked his finger, drawing blood. Draco smirked, thinking about how animals take after their owners. "Go on, take this letter to my father. Don't come back until you get a reply. Understand?" he snapped, sucking his injured finger. The proud owl hooted loudly and took off, a gush of wind washing over the blonde boy in the room.

Walking down the flight of stairs, Pansy graced him with a sweet smile. "Save it, Pansy" Draco muttered irritably. The smile vanished.

"What ever did I do to you?" she demanded.

"Do you like nature, Pansy?" Draco asked suddenly.

"Yes." Pansy replied uncertainly.

"Despite what it did to you?"

"Huh?" she asked, the insult lost on her. And by the time that she got it, Draco Malfoy was already in the Great Hall, waiting for breakfast.

"How dare he!" She hissed, chasing after Draco Malfoy.

Sitting smugly in his usual seat, Draco leaned back contently, his stomach pleasantly full. As he was about to leave, the doors swung open and in walked Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasly and… Tory Masing. The trio sat down and started to eat and talk, well, Granger and Weasly did, Tory just sat there, picking at her food. Getting up, Draco walked over to the girls. Stopping behind Granger, he stooped slightly and whispered in her ear. The brunette stiffened but nodded curtly, getting up and following into the hallway.

"Look Granger, don't think I'm getting friendly or anything, I just want to know what's wrong with Masing… and to ask you for a favor." Draco said quietly.

Hermione raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

"Did you hear me, Granger?" Draco snapped.

"Yes, Malfoy, I did" she said, her voice full of spite.

"Then answer my question!"

"What question?" Hermione replied, knowing exactly what he was talking about.

"Don't play the innocent, Granger. What's going on with Tory?" the boy demanded.

"Tory? Why do you need to know?" the brunette said, curiously.

"I just want to know."

"Why?"

"Do you have to be so infuriating? I want to know, because, I'm a bit concerned."

"You like her?" Hermione said, jaw open.

"Shut up about it! Now, answer my question!" Draco snapped.

"Well." Hermione said, stalling for time.

"Oh, never mind! Listen, Can you do me a favor?" Draco said, getting irritated.

"Yes…" Hermione said slowly.

"Good, ask Tory to meet me in the North Tower, at nine thirty." Draco said, before turning on his heel and leaving. Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but couldn't seem to find the words. Nodding slightly, Hermione hid a smile and walked back into the hall.

For Draco, the classes passed in a blur. Draco was staring out the window in his last class.

"Mister Malfoy! Would you answer the question on the board?" Professor McGonagall snapped, rapping on his desk with her knuckles. Draco blinked and looked at the board. On it were several complicated questions and symbols. The blond boy raised his eyebrow and looked defiantly at his professor.

"Which one?" he asked.

"The second last one, Mister Malfoy." Professor McGonagall said impatiently.

"Oh. I don't have the answer." Draco said, gathering his books.

"Very well, Mister Malfoy. Ten points off Slytherin." The aging professor said. As she told the class the answer, Draco was scrawling on his parchment. But he wasn't writing down the answer, oh no, he was writing a letter. And that letter was for Tory, if she didn't show up. Stealing a glance around the room, Draco caught Pansy's eye. She smiled brightly and winked at him. He rolled his eyes and his lips curled in disgust. When the bell rang, Draco couldn't have been more grateful. He picked up his books and stuffed them into his over-loaded bag. He left the classroom with haste, eager to escape the stuffy room… and Pansy.

Draco was pacing in the North Tower. It was nine forty, and Draco Malfoy's hopes had dropped. The door swung open and Tory entered. Draco stopped his pacing and watched her enter, taking in the sight of her.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Tory demanded, shaking her chocolate waves out of her face.

"Listen, Tory. I want to start over, make a new start." Draco said, praying she wouldn't think this a joke. Unfortunately for him, luck had left him stranded. Several emotions flickered across her pale face. First confusion, then understanding, disbelief and finally hatred. Tory gave him a loathing stare and laughed coldly. "Get real! You, Draco Malfoy, want to start over with me? A 'filthy little mudblood?'" she laughed.

"I'm being serious!" Draco said earnestly.

"Sure you are, and I'm the Queen of Denmark!" Tory smirked, not taking her cold stare off his face. "Thanks for brightening up my night, Malfoy, but I have better things to do in my time that talk to you!" Tory added, heading towards the door. As a last attempt to get her to stay, Draco blurted out "Tory, I like you"

Tory gave him a piercing glare and said coldly, "Like you could love anything other than your refelction." And with that said, Tory left the room, not looking back and the blonde boy staring dumbly at the door.

Hope you liked this chapter! Next chapter is on its way. Sorry about the delay folks, I has writers block for sometime, and I just couldn't seem to find anything to write about.
Thanks again!
Flowerpot Munchkin.