Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and its various publishers own Harry Potter. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Thanks to everybody who reviewed! I love reading them. They really helped me regain my focus. Notes to reviewers are at the end of the chapter.

Sorry for dropping out of sight! Real life's been complicated lately, way too crazy to concentrate on fun stuff like writing. But things have settled down now so…where were we?

Chapter 27
An Easy Choice

The stone walls of the corridor glistened in the torchlight as Harry followed Dumbledore, Moody, and Remus into the dungeon. The air grew colder as they descended to the deepest part of the castle. The only sound was the faint clumping of Moody's artificial leg. No one spoke although questions were streaming through Harry's mind.

At the end of the corridor, a heavy oak door stood open. Harry could hear voices inside, but he couldn't quite make them out. Then Draco's slow drawl reached his ears. "I'm not scared of you. You're just a traitor…afraid to leave the safety of this school. And do you know how I found out? From that big lump, Goyle."

Harry couldn't understand the response, but it sounded like whoever was speaking was upset. As they drew closer, Draco shouted. "You have no idea what you're talking about! You're no use to anyone. The Dark Lord wants you dead! It's only a matter of time."

Harry arrived at the door just as Professor Snape, red faced, stood in front of Draco and said in a quiet, urgent voice, "I may still be able to help you. But you must cooperate."

Grimacing in pain, Draco answered, "Then take this hex off me and let me go…please. You don't know what he'll do to me…or mother." Draco was propped against a wall. Most of his body remained stiff and bone-colored, only his head and shoulders had returned to normal. The Death Eater mask he'd been wearing in the pub lay on the floor beside him.

Snape didn't have a chance to answer. He moved aside uneasily as Professor Dumbledore walked across the room and took his place directly in front of the slim blond teenager. Despite his age, the Headmaster's presence radiated power. He looked terribly stern as he spoke. "In this castle, you have nothing to fear from Voldemort, Mr. Malfoy. Perhaps you should concern yourself with what the people in this room might do to you. Whatever you hoped to gain from your actions today, you have failed in your purpose."

Draco hit his head against the stone wall behind him and squeezed his eyes shut. Thrashing his head from side to side, he shouted, "Stop! I know you're trying that mind probe thing. The Dark Lord does it, too…urgh…can't you remove this awful hex…it itches like crazy."

Dumbledore, Remus and Snape looked at Harry. Moody kept his eye trained on Draco. He seemed to be scanning the blond boy with his magical eye. After a moment he muttered, "He seems to be clean."

Harry stretched his hand toward Draco, but stopped short when he caught Dumbledore's reproachful look. Instead, he dutifully drew his wand and pointed it at Draco whose eyes were still screwed tightly shut. Under his breath, he cast the counter curse and restored the teenager to normal.

Slumping against the wall, Draco rubbed his limbs for a moment, scratching through his robes at his arms and legs. "Ooooh…that's so much better." He looked through his lashes at everyone and straightened up. In an effort to reestablish his usual composure, he smoothed his robes and casually brushed an imaginary piece of lint off of his sleeve. Trying to avoid eye contact with Professor Dumbledore and still look defiant, Draco lifted his chin and said, "Why am I here? I demand to see my mother. You have no right to keep me in this dingy cellar."

Starting with the calm, patient voice he so often used in his Defense classes, Remus said, "I think we have to seriously question your mother's fitness as a parent if she's allowed you to join a criminal organization at the age of sixteen."

He picked up Draco's Death Eater mask off the floor and looked at it carefully. His voice took on a deeper, angrier timber as he asked, "Did you think this would be enough to hide the fact that you attacked your classmates? Did you expect to come back to Hogwarts and attend classes like nothing happened?"

Harry was shocked to see Professor Snape nod his head in agreement. Snape's voice shook with emotion as he said, "We can still help you if you'll let us, but you must be willing to work with us."

Stepping away from the wall, Draco smoothed his hair back behind his ears. With a disdainful look at Professor Snape, he said, "If you'd really like to help me…I could use some tea and maybe some sandwiches."

Professor Moody let out a rather loud roar. "You're in no position to demand tea! Fifteen of your classmates are in the infirmary as a result of your attack." Grumbling under his breath, he cast a spell forcing Draco into a nearby chair. Conjured ropes bound the teenager so quickly that he had no time to do anything but look surprised.

Stopping any further action from the old Auror by lifting his hand, Professor Dumbledore sat down calmly in the chair next to Draco. He made no move to remove the ropes now pinning the blond boy's arms to his side.

Whether it was the crumpling of his robes or the ropes were too tight, Draco gave a frustrated cry. Without acknowledging Draco's distress, Dumbledore said mildly, "There will be time for tea later. Right now, I have some questions that I would like you to answer carefully."

As Harry sat down across from him, Draco tossed his head back with a derisive sneer and asked, "Does Potter have to be here?"

The bravado behind this statement struck Harry as absurd, but he remained silent. He was furious about the attack, but he knew if he made any kind of angry outburst, the adults would make him leave so he kept quiet, staring at Draco dispassionately.

Dumbledore also appeared unmoved. "As Mr. Potter was one of your apparent targets this afternoon, he may stay. You will explain your actions, Mr. Malfoy. Now…I'm quite sure you weren't in charge. Please tell us what instructions you were given and by whom?"

Refusing to meet the Headmaster's gaze, Draco kept his pale, gray-blue eyes trained on Harry's face instead, and said, "All this fuss because you're worried about losing your golden boy? You can stop worrying…we were told to stun, not kill. If they wanted you dead right now, Potter, you'd be dead. Real smart, walking around Hogsmeade with your girlfriend when you know there's a price on your head."

Since Draco seemed willing to get into a staring contest, Harry wordlessly cast the Legilimens! spell. He knew that it wouldn't matter what they talked about as long as he kept Draco distracted from the spell. "What business is it of yours what I do, Malfoy?"

His face a snarl of hatred, Draco began to rant. "Believe it or not, I don't care anything about what you do, Potter. I think you're stupid, and I wish you were dead, but that's not why I was there." A hot flush of anger spread from Malfoy's neck up to his pale face.

Harry simply kept his green eyes focused on the blond boy's pale eyes. Concentrating on the Legilimens! spell, Harry's mouth drew into a thin line as though he had no intention of rising to Malfoy's baited words.

His tone still full of hate, Malfoy continued, "You think everything that happens is just about you."

Part of him was hoping to infuriate Draco into saying something rash so Harry shrugged indifferently. It took all his self-control to keep his voice even. "If you say so…. How did you know where we were?"

But Harry's nonchalant response had the opposite effect. Draco took a deep breath and visibly tried to match Harry's controlled demeanor. Resuming his usual scornful expression, Draco arched an eyebrow and said, "Like you weren't completely predictable. There's not exactly a long list of romantic hideaways in Hogsmeade. But please…Henri's? Such a cliché."

As though searching for someone to agree with him, Draco looked around for Snape, who was leaning against the wall behind him, breaking the Legilimens spell. Harry frowned. From the images in the other boy's mind, he thought Draco had probably joined the Death Eaters sometime this winter, but he couldn't be sure. With a swift flick of his wand, he split open Draco's sleeves.

"What the…you're paying for these robes, Potter. And this shirt was expensive." Draco spat out, flustered and angry.

Professor Snape ignored this comment as he stepped forward. He cast a reproachful look at Harry, but pulled Draco's left arm free of the ropes. The skin on his forearm was exposed for all to see, smooth and creamy white, unblemished by so much as a freckle, except for the angry red skin surrounding the newly acquired Dark Mark. The air suddenly seemed sucked from the room. The adults stiffened, drawing themselves up in grim outrage. Harry tightened his grip on his wand. Snape's usual composure was shattered as conflicting emotions crossed his face. Finally he stared at Draco fiercely and said, "You didn't have to do this."

Squirming under Snape's intense look, Draco wrenched his arm away and said, "Of course, I did…but you're right. I never planned to join them. Honestly…why would I? Most of my father's friends are locked up with my father. The rest are just a bunch of crazy old farts who sit around and moan about the good old days when they could torture Muggles for sport."

Appearing unmoved by Draco's speech, Dumbledore asked, "If that is your opinion, then please explain the mark on your arm. How did you become a participant in the attack at the pub today?"

Draco turned his head away and stared at the floor.

"Perhaps it is time for that tea, Professor Snape," Remus suggested, giving him a significant look.

Conjuring a tray with a large teapot and several cups onto the table, Snape began to pour steaming hot tea out for each of them.

Cracking an insolent smile, Draco said, "I like mine sweet, Professor…and could someone do something about these ropes? I don't need to be strapped down. I don't even have my wand."

Moody obligingly removed the ropes holding Draco's arms, but left his legs bound to the chair. With an expression of care and concern, Snape slid a cup close enough for the Slytherin boy to reach. In a sad, almost regretful voice, he whispered, "I'm only trying to help you." Draco lifted it to his lips and took a delicate sip.

Remembering when Snape had slipped him truth serum in his tea last fall, Harry didn't touch the cup sitting in front of him. With his arms folded over his chest, he stared at Draco who seemed pleased that his request for tea had been granted. Looking at that smug expression, Harry felt anger spread inside him.

It must have shown in his face because after draining his teacup, Draco leveled his gaze at Harry and asked, "What're you looking at, Potter? Surprised that someone would be concerned about me in this situation? You probably think they should only worry about you."

Harry's response was to silently cast the spell to enter Draco's mind again.

Draco set his cup down in its saucer with a loud clatter. Glaring at Harry, he said, "You just expect everyone to be on your side…Quidditch games, House points, everything…you're always supposed to be the one who wins…no matter what. You probably think they should stack the deck in your favor. Umbridge is the only one who ever got it right around here."

The staring contest between the two teenagers was broken when Draco started shaking his head and shouting. "Oh…don't tell me…you do the mind thing, too? I can't believe it…you have a lot in common with him, Potter, has anyone ever told you that? But he'll beat you in the end… He's already got your blood, you know. Nothing will stop him now."

Still seated in the chair next to Draco, Dumbledore asked quietly, "What does that mean? Expain yourself. Were you asked to obtain some of Mr. Potter's blood?"

Seeming slightly dazed, Draco began to speak freely. "Yes. My mother invited the Dark Lord to Malfoy Manor at Christmas…to ask for his help. But before she could even ask, he started to speak with me. He did that mind probe thing and he told me I had to work for him since my father is gone. He said his first priority is to get some of Potter's blood — even if it's just a few drops."

"Did he explain why?" Dumbledore asked.

Speaking as though he thought he was telling a fine joke, Draco said, "He didn't…but his minions talk pretty freely behind his back. The rumor is that he needs the blood to help kill Potter here — some sort of ancient prophecy or something. No one was too clear about what it said, but it must be the prophecy father was trying to get when they caught him at the ministry."

Sitting down heavily in the chair on the other side of Draco, Snape asked, "What did he offer in exchange?"

Beginning to ramble, Draco twisted his neck while he spoke as if he were trying to throw off an invisible hold. "Money, power…all the women I could ever want. Is that what you think? Well, it wasn't like that. My mother's really upset. She just wanted to ask him to find a way to release my father, but the Dark Lord is extremely powerful. No one can refuse him anything. You're stupid to try. He knows more about magic than anyone."

Giving a little shudder, Draco continued, "But he's so ugly…he doesn't look human really. Those red eyes are so creepy and his hands with the long thin fingers. They're so disgusting…they're way beyond glamour charms. Mother asked him to promise to free my father. In exchange she offered…among other things…my help at Hogwarts."

"So you did this for your mother?" Snape asked.

Draco said simply, "No…I want my father released as much as she does. It was an easy choice."

"How were you planning to get some of my blood?" Harry asked.

With his familiar smirk, Draco said, "Now getting your blood…that wasn't so easy. I tried on the train, but I couldn't get you alone. My mother gave me a potion, and told me to kill you if I couldn't get some of your blood. Your death would have finished off that stupid prophecy rumor anyway, but that idiot Mudblood took the potion instead. That's your trouble, Potter. You're constantly surrounded."

"Surrounded?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes at Draco. Hearing him speak as though Hermione taking a fatal potion was a mere annoyance made Harry extremely angry, especially when he thought of the worry and stress that Ron and all their friends went through before they found a cure. He pressed his lips together and watched the truth serum continue to do its work.

Draco obligingly continued to ramble. "Surrounded, I mean…I tried to get your blood. If I could have…that would have been the end of it, but those bloody D.A. people are around you most of the time. It's like a whole troop of bodyguards."

Looking more composed, Snape fixed Draco a second cup of tea and asked, "What other attempts did you make to collect some of Potter's blood?

After taking a long drink of tea, Draco resumed talking. "Since he's never alone, I had to approach him in public…so I challenged him to fight me at the dueling contest. With a cutting hex and a bit of a mess, no one would notice if I took a vial or two. But that didn't work. Potter's such a ponce that he would only demonstrate that Muggle style fencing with his instructor." Draco smiled menacingly. "Like you'll be able to defeat the Dark Lord with a bloody sword…I'd really like to see you try."

Snape impatiently changed the subject. "Why did you set a Lethifold loose in the Potions classroom last Halloween?"

With a contemptuous sneer, Draco said, "I didn't," and continued to sip his tea.

"But you did…" Snape began.

Dumbledore raised his hand to stop him. "I'm sure Mr. Malfoy isn't responsible for everything that has happened this year. Were other students helping with the attack today?"

Pursing his lips, Draco said, "I met the others in a clearing outside Hogsmeade…I didn't see any other students…but someone from Hogwarts must have told them you'd be at Henri's. They already knew that when I arrived."

"What was your plan?" Harry asked simply.

Smiling blankly, Draco asked, "Wouldn't you like to know?" Then, unable to stop himself, he proceeded to explain. "It was simple really. We would come through the floo entrance in great enough numbers that people would be scared and scatter. Then Dimitri Dolohov, he was the tall one, would grab you and force a Portkey into your hand."

Draco was beginning to look pleasantly drowsy as he kept talking. "At first they didn't want me to come with them. I guess they were worried that I wouldn't want to shoot stunners at my friends and classmates. One of those boorish Bulgarians said that I shouldn't risk getting caught. They were all trying to order me around. The Malfoy name doesn't have the power it once had, not with my father in prison." He stopped and drank some more tea. "I'm hungry," Draco said plaintively.

A plate of sandwiches appeared on the table in front of him. While Draco crammed a few of them into his mouth, Professor Moody cast a charm on him so they could hear him, but Draco couldn't hear them. Then he asked the question on everyone's mind. "What are we going to do with him?"

Harry had a few suggestions, but he kept them to himself.

Snape answered forcefully, "We have to keep him at Hogwarts! If the Ministry sends him to prison with the other Death Eaters, he'll learn nothing but Dark magic. They won't keep him in prison long, but the damage will be done. And if we expel him and he is released, he'll have no other choice, but to join the ranks of our enemies. We need to offer him a third option."

Clearing his throat Moody held up the Death Eater mask on the table and said, "It's too late to offer him choices. He's already made his."

Snape defended him. "This wasn't Draco's choice; his mother made him join them. She's the one who should answer for this."

'He was the one pointing the wand!' Harry thought.

Professor Dumbledore replied, "We were unable to reach Mrs. Malfoy today. Her household claims that she's left the country. Since Mr. Malfoy is a minor, enrolled in this school, Hogwarts will temporarily assume custody of him."

"Doesn't the Ministry have a say in this? The other Death Eaters they captured today will most likely be sent to prison." Lupin asked.

'Last year they were ready to send me to prison for conjuring a Patronus to protect myself!' Harry felt the anger within him continue to build as their conversation progressed.

Shaking his head, Dumbledore said, "There's no way to know what the Ministry might do. Do you think it's at all possible that he didn't fully understand the consequences of his actions?"

Moody growled, "I think he knew exactly what he was doing today…and we can't ignore his confession that he poisoned Miss Granger. The fact that he meant to kill Harry instead hardly mitigates the crime." Under his breath he mumbled, "I have a trunk compartment we could keep him in…"

'Now someone's talking some sense,' thought Harry, smiling at the old Auror.

Visibly distraught, Professor Snape said, "As his head of house, I should have a say in what happens to him. The Ministry knows nothing about the incident with Miss Granger. Indeed the only proof we have that a crime was even committed is a drug-induced confession. And as far as today is concerned, we could convince the Ministry that Draco was there, like the other students, to enjoy a day out with friends. We could say that one of the Death Eaters put the mask on him and he was hit with a stray hex. They don't need to know about the mark on his arm." His voice was pleading and sincere. "I know that I can help him if I'm given the chance."

Harry looked over at Draco, munching on a sandwich with a dazed expression, wondering what Snape saw in him that gave him such hope.

Unconcerned about the rather serious conversation going on outside his hearing, Draco looked at the others around the table and suggested, "Some chocolate biscuits would go well with these sandwiches."

Searching the faces for a response, but only finding intensely serious expressions, he continued speaking. "No? Fine…then…what was I telling you? Oh yeah, we were in the clearing and the others were telling me that I couldn't go with them. Then the word came from the Dark Lord that we were supposed to make sure we took both Potter and Ginny Weasley back to him. No one else could identify her so someone gave me a mask, and I joined the raid." He took another bite of his sandwich.

At the mention of Ginny, Harry lost it. A pulse of power snapped through the air, making the torches burn bright blue for a moment. In a deep voice, Harry said, "She's only fifteen." He couldn't fathom how Draco could speak so casually about turning Ginny over to Death Eaters. Or make a choice to kill Harry or anyone else, as though taking someone's life didn't matter, as though it was easy.

Of course, Draco still couldn't hear him. He looked around as if wondering where the crackle in the air came from. Then he swallowed his food and said, "I know you think she's something special, Potter. Maybe she's good in bed or something. But really…she wears all those hand-me-down robes. How can you stand it?"

Several of the torches exploded, dimming the light in the dungeon considerably. Dumbledore calmly uttered a spell to replace them while Remus put his hand on Harry's shoulder and said, "Maybe it's time to go check on how she's doing."

Harry stared darkly at Draco, shaking his head, and said, "We should find out if he can identify anyone else." His head was beginning to hurt.

Professor Dumbledore looked unruffled. "And we will, Harry. Why don't you go see to the injured?"

Giving Malfoy one last malevolent look, Harry agreed. Walking away from the interrogation room with Remus, Harry felt ashamed of himself. They'd asked him to leave because of that power pulse. They knew he was having a hard time controlling his anger, and they didn't want Draco to accidentally end up a dark smear on the dungeon wall. Neither did he, for that matter.

Aurora appeared and settled onto Harry's shoulder as he walked away with Remus. She sang out a low, sweet note, soothing Harry's bristled nerves. Until this moment, Harry hadn't realized just how he distressed he'd become listening to Malfoy talk, but her song and her warm, soft presence against his cheek calmed him considerably.

"Ah…so this is Aurora," Remus said, reaching out to the phoenix on Harry's shoulder and stroking her feathers. "She's beautiful."

The phoenix seemed to preen at their attention, then disappeared in a flash of fire. Harry laughed, "She pretty much comes and goes as she pleases." Remus smiled, presumably relieved that Harry's anger was under control.

Neither of them spoke again until they reached the main hall. Remus said goodbye. He was headed off to Wolfhaven for the full moon. Harry promised to owl him if there was any news. "But don't be surprised if I send a school owl." Hedwig had been avoiding Harry ever since she met Aurora, flying to the top rafters in the owlery whenever he stopped by.

Harry hurried to the infirmary to find Ginny. The Hogsmeade attack had significantly raised the stakes as far as he was concerned. He couldn't see any way to reason with someone who thought the way Draco did. Draco didn't seem to comprehend what was at risk in this war. Harry had always realized that they were fighting to preserve the wizarding way of life, but the attack on the pub reminded him that it was also personal.

Harry wasn't going to lose Ginny without a fight. He might mess up himself and do something stupid to make her break up with him. Sometimes he thought it was more likely than not that she'd discover he was pretty ordinary and find someone better, but he vowed he'd never let anything threaten her safety again. Harry felt like it was all down to him, to either find a better way to protect her, or to somehow remove the threat entirely.

The infirmary had quieted down considerably. Only eight of the beds were still occupied — a testament to Madam Pomfrey's healing skills. Walking silently between the rows of sleeping students, Harry looked for Ginny.

Madam Pomfrey walked briskly past him, and said, "Visiting hours are over, Mr. Potter. You'll have to come back tomorrow morning."

He smiled at her. Although she must have been working for hours, she didn't seem tired as she poured out a potion for a patient by the window. "Is there anything you need, Madam Pomfrey?"

She relented a little at his offer. Smiling, she shook her head. "We have everything under control here. Thank you for your concern. Miss Weasley offered to stay and help as well, but I ordered her to her dormitory to get some rest. Now I'm ordering you to do the same, and drink this before you sleep." She pulled a vial out of one of her many pockets.

Taking the small brown vial from her although he had no intention of actually taking it, he asked, "Dreamless Sleep?"

Shaking her head, she answered, "Just a mild calming draught."

Harry noticed Neville asleep in one of the cots, strapped into place. Even in the semi-dark Harry could tell that Neville's face was a brilliant purple. "What happened to him?"

Madam Pomfrey gave him a reproachful look and walked back toward the storeroom without answering. Of course, she was careful about patient confidentiality.

A figure stirred in a nearby bed. "Harry? Is that you?" In the dim light of the sleeping infirmary, Harry could barely make out the outline of Cho Chang. She said, "Neville had some sort of accident in the Greenhouses."

Moving quickly to her side, Harry asked, "And what happened to you? Were you in the pub? I didn't even see you there."

She looked small and dark in the infirmary cot as she explained quietly, "I was one of the students disguised by a flowering shrub. We used our napkins and the spell you taught us in the D.A. There were three of us in the front window. Didn't you notice? Of course, lucky me, I was hit with a stray cutting hex anyway…at least nothing fell off. It could have been worse. I mean…at least they weren't throwing Unforgiveables."

At the end of her speech, she gave a little laugh, but Harry didn't join her. An overwhelming sense of guilt hit him while listening to her talk. This was exactly what her brother Charles was worried about. None of these people would be in the infirmary, if he hadn't been 'stupid enough to walk around Hogsmeade, knowing there was a price on his head.' That's how Draco had put it…or close to it. Aloud he said, "It was my fault. I shouldn't have been there. I'm so sorry you were hurt."

Cho stopped laughing. In fact, she didn't answer him, but Ernie MacMillan, lying on the cot next to hers said, "It most certainly wasn't your fault and you had every right to be there. They didn't just attack you; they attacked all of us."

Harry smiled at him. "Ernie…I saw you fending off two or three of them all by yourself. Well done, you." His smile faded as he asked, "So when will you both get out of here?"

Cho answered quickly, "I'll be out tomorrow. Madam Pomfrey just made me stay overnight to give the Blood Replenishing Potion time to work. But…" She looked anxiously at Ernie.

"I'll be here for a week or so. I've got more potions than she does," Ernie said with a casual sweep of his hand toward the table next to him where there were several potion vials of various heights and color.

In a more serious tone, Ernie said, "I'm glad you escaped unharmed, Harry. We all know they were after you."

"Ginny was their target, too. And we couldn't have escaped without everyone's help, Ernie…thanks." Harry extended his hand to Ernie who shook it warmly. Harry nodded to Cho, too, suddenly glad that it was dark. "And I promise to start collecting those wood fairies for you tomorrow. I'll get someone to collect your other schoolwork, too." Ernie and he were only in a few classes together.

Cho objected quickly, saying she'd already promised to get his homework for him. Ernie's facial expression was enough for Harry to get the message that he'd rather have the lovely Cho bringing him his Ancient Rune notes. Harry repeated his promise to collect wood fairies and said goodnight.

The Great Hall was rather empty the following morning at breakfast, even for a Sunday. Professor Sprout was all by herself at the faculty table. Harry had finished his run early, reveling in the peace of the mountains and the pure blue sky. Aurora had been his only company, flying alongside him or circling high overhead, while he ran near the lake.

Sitting alone, Harry helped himself to porridge and pumpkin juice. He thought over the things that Draco had said the night before and wondered if he'd have another chance to speak with him before he was transferred to the Ministry for trial. Or would Professor Snape's idea of sweeping it all under the carpet prevail?

He regretted losing control last night. Malfoy had pushed all his buttons, talking about poisoning Hermione like it was just a big game and making mean spirited comments about Ginny's clothes. Harry never really noticed her robes were second hand…he always looked so lovely.

If he thought about her clothes at all, he thought about that outfit she always wore with the little white tank top, gray track pants and little hooded jacket. That's what she usually wore when he dreamed about her. Although she'd worn that soft white sweater to the pub yesterday, now that was new, and very…touchable.

He snapped out of his reverie as Ron slapped the Daily Prophet on the table beside him. Hermione calmly poured two cups of tea, but Ron excitedly pointed to the Daily Prophet report about the Hogsmeade attack, and said, "I leave you alone with my sister for an afternoon and look what happens! That's it, we're group dating from now on--the more the merrier!"

Hermione rolled her eyes as she handed Ron his tea. "Oh, honestly, Ron. It's not as though anyone died. You're just sorry you missed all the action. And I thought you enjoyed our time alone yesterday."

She said the last sentence with an expression on her face that Harry'd never seen before. Ron's ears turned red as he stuffed a piece of toast in his mouth. It would have all seemed funny, if Harry hadn't still felt guilty about endangering everyone. He shook his head at his two best friends and focused on his breakfast.

His mouth still full of food, Ron said, "Well? We've waited patiently. Now you have to explain every detail of what happened yesterday. We've only heard Ginny's version."

When Harry had returned to Gryffindor tower the evening before, he'd found Ron asleep in front of the fire. Hermione had been out on her prefect rounds.

Eyes bright with anticipation, Hermione turned her attention to him and said, "Be sure you don't leave anything out…I want to hear every detail."

Harry told the story of the attack, and his phoenix' part in their escape. Finally he shook his head and said, "I'm sorry about yesterday. We should have just stayed here or worn disguises or something. I…I feel so stupid. What was I thinking, going out like that when I know there's a price on my head." Again, the echo of Draco's words came through Harry's thoughts. He was reluctant to tell them about the Slytherin's involvement in the attack and his confession about poisoning Hermione, knowing that Ron would be out for blood once he heard.

Ron looked chagrined. "That's not what I meant, Harry." He set his fork down with a loud clunk and shook his head. "Oh…Hermione's right…I've just been wishing that…well, we used to go with you when you had an adventure. Now things seem to happen when we're not around. And, you aren't to blame! It's just…she's my sister and I want her to be safe."

Arriving just in time to hear the end of Ron's speech, Ginny dropped her heavy book bag on the floor and slipped into the seat next to Harry. "So does Harry, you prat. He gave me a Portkey, I just didn't have it with me at the crucial moment." She gratefully took the cup of tea Harry handed her.

Ron dropped the third piece of toast he was buttering and shouted, "He gave you a Portkey and you didn't use it!"

"Shhhh…Ron you're so…." Ginny hissed at her brother and rolled her eyes.

Hermione said calmly, "Everyone keep your voices down. Ron, I'm guessing Ginny's Portkey is a bit of a secret since it's sort of illegal to just make them whenever you want."

Visibly making an effort to calm himself, Ron answered, "Oh…it's not really anything more than a fine if the Ministry catches you. They just regulate Portkeys because they're so difficult to make. If someone sold one that wasn't made properly, people could be sent inside rocks or something. Harry knows what he's doing."

While Ron and Hermione wrangled about Portkeys, Harry spoke quietly to Ginny. He was relieved to see her. "You look nice this morning," he said, smiling at her appreciatively. Sure enough she was wearing the same gray exercise outfit that she often wore, the one Harry had just been thinking about. Her hair, glistening red and gold in the sunlight, was pulled up with little curly wisps escaping along her hairline.

Ginny smiled at him, and laughed softly, presumably at the goofy look on his face. "I thought maybe we could play some Quidditch. We still have to beat the Hufflepuffs if we want to win the cup this year. And Zach Smith told me their team's practicing four times a week." Giving her bulging book bag a nudge with her foot, she said, "I'm tired of studying for the O.W.L.'s. Let's forget about Portkeys and Death Eater attacks and take advantage of this sunshine." It was still February, but it was a bright, clear day.

Everyone liked that suggestion. Even Hermione agreed that it was too fine a day to read inside. She liked the idea of taking her books to the Quidditch stands to watch.

Turning his attention back to food, Harry loaded eggs and bacon onto his plate and gathered his courage. "Too bad we already played Slytherin. They'll be easier to beat now that Malfoy's off the team." This comment was greeted with dead silence.

Hermione finally asked, "Why won't Malfoy be playing?"

First swallowing his mouthful of bacon, Harry asked, "Wasn't there anything about Malfoy in the Prophet?" he asked Ron.

Shaking his head, Ron answered, "It just described everyone who attacked as Death Eaters; they didn't have any of their names. Was Malfoy there?"

Harry nodded and told the rest of the story quickly. "Malfoy's finished. He was one of the Death Eaters involved in the attack. They caught him with that mark on his arm, and they'll probably never let him go. Apparently they brought him along to identify Ginny. And he's confessed to everything…including giving Hermione that potion."

Ginny sat in stunned silence while Ron threw down his fork with a clatter and shouted, "I knew it!"

Hermione seemed saddened by the news. She spoke as if she was wondering aloud. "It's one thing for Malfoy to harass and threaten people, but…to actually attack them? What will happen to him now? He's only sixteen."

Staring at Hermione incredulously, Ron said, "Ginny's only fifteen, but he tried to turn her over to You Know Who yesterday. And you could have died from that potion, Hermione! Don't waste your sympathy." He looked over at the Slytherin table suspiciously and added, "Who else has already joined?"

Everyone around him groaned.

Harry watched Ginny, staring thoughtfully into her tea. She seemed to be taking the news about Draco in stride…or maybe her sleep potion hadn't quite worn off. What Draco'd said about her showed how little the Slytherin understood about the importance of friends. Harry smiled at her.

Hermione said resolutely, "It's not really a surprise, is it? I mean, we've always thought Malfoy was capable of something hateful. How many times did you tell me that you thought he'd given me that potion, Ron? I see no reason to be upset now that we've confirmed his guilt. It's out of our hands, anyway. They'll lock him up and throw away the key. I'm ready to go outside. Ginny's right. It's a pretty day. Let's go get our books." She put her napkin on her plate and stood to leave.

If anyone was surprised at how well Hermione took the news, they didn't show it. Ron followed her dutifully out of the Great Hall, but Harry and Ginny stayed behind because she wasn't through eating.

"I tried to stay awake last night…really I did. But Madam Pomfrey's potion made me too sleepy."

"And Ron had your spot on the couch," Harry said, smiling at her. "How's your ankle?"

"Madam Pomfrey heals broken bones easily so I'll survive." She took another bite toast, chewed carefully and swallowed. Then she looked at him nervously and asked, "How did it really go…talking to Malfoy?"

Harry pushed his plate away and spread his hands out on the table to look at them. "Snape gave him something and he talked on and on, but he didn't really say anything new."

"I wonder…" Ginny began, then took a long drink of juice to stall.

At least it seemed to Harry that she wasn't sure she should speak her mind. "What is it? I want to know what you think."

Ginny set her glass down and wiped the juice off her lips with a napkin. Looking contrite, she said, "I wonder if the Repel Gel had anything to do with him choosing to join them."

Concern for her washed over him. He put his arm around her, and said, "You're nicer than he is. He attacked you and you're worried about whether or not your prank bothered him?"

He thought back to Malfoy in the dungeon, smugly sipping his tainted tea and spilling his guts. "This didn't have anything to do with you," Harry continued. "Malfoy took that Dark Mark on his arm over Christmas -- before we even came back to school. Voldemort showed up in person and forced him to choose. Although from the sound of it, Malfoy didn't resist him very hard."

Ginny leaned her head against his shoulder, making him feel stronger somehow. Then she sighed and said, "I wonder what things would be like without You Know Who making things difficult…I mean, Malfoy would definitely still be a big prat, but he wouldn't be this bad. He probably only really cares about his friends and Quidditch just like…"

"Just like me?" Harry laughed. "Well…I'm not so sure that he and I think alike. I mean, he did confess to poisoning Hermione…with a potion that was meant for me."

Lifting her head to look at him, Ginny said, "We've been over this Harry before. None of this is your fault. You found the cure for Hermione. And yesterday would've been a disaster if you hadn't been there. I'm sure they'd have done something worse than knock a table over onto my foot." She put her hand over his and whispered in his ear. "You — and that blasted phoenix of yours — you rescued me."

The feel of her breath on his face was too much for Harry to resist. It was easy. With one simple motion, he kissed her gently, reaching up to touch her face with his free hand. He could hear the few first years sitting near them giggling and saying, "Ooh…." But he didn't care.

Talking to her always made him feel better about things. And she was safe; that's what mattered. When they broke the kiss, they left to collect their Quidditch gear, glad that the Great Hall was practically empty.

The good weather had given many people the same idea. By noon, the Quidditch stands were half full of people, some studying, others just talking. Hermione had cast a powerful heat charm on the Gryffindor section so it was pretty crowded. Students from every house had shown up, hoping to socialize, play Quidditch or just fly around.

Ginny and Harry decided to play Chaser and see how often they could score against Ron. The two of them flew hard and fast, trying to outdo each other with fancy loops and dives. Ron finally called, "Oi…one of you might be able to score if you two would stop showing off for each other and threw the Quaffle at me once and a while." Harry promptly threw the ball and hit Ron lightly in the head.

Harry flew upside down while passing over Ron's head and said, "Oops, sorry, Ron. Of course, we'll start taking practicing more seriously." Then he dove toward the ground to recover the falling Quaffle.

Copying Harry's move, Ginny yelled at her brother before she dove. "This isn't the Cannons! Lighten up. You should try this…we're feeding our brains."

"You're spending too much time around Luna, Ginny. And don't think I won't write Mum and tell her!" Ron yelled back and then decided that he should, after all, try flying upside down, just so he'd know what he was talking about.

Meanwhile, Hermione had made herself comfortable. In addition to the heat charm on the stands, she charmed her book to float in front of her at a convenient angle. A simple, 'Turn,' command, and the page she was reading turned on its own, leaving her hands free to take notes.

Luna arrived in the stands, her face covered with a spray of purple spots. She appeared to be having a difficult time putting her arm through the sleeve of her cloak. Every few steps, she tried anew, only to be frustrated with the hopelessly tangled garment.

It took a few moments for Hermione to figure out how to phrase it, but she had to ask, "Do you know that your face is slightly…purple?"

Seeming unfazed, Luna answered, "Oh, yes." Then she sat down next to Hermione, with one arm stuck in her twisted cloak, as though there wasn't anything more to say on the subject. "Have you seen Neville today?"

Shaking her head, Hermione asked gently, "What happened?"

"We were experimenting on…on a kind of berry plant yesterday when things…went a little wrong." Luna stopped and shrugged.

Hoping her face showed none of the amusement she felt, Hermione repeated sympathetically, "A little wrong?"

Luna explained calmly, "We activated some kind of natural protection the plant has, probably to keep Dugbogs away in the wild. As you see, my face is quite… strange today. And Neville jumped in front of me at the worst possible moment."

Lowering her voice conspiratorially, Hermione asked, "Is there no counter charm or potion that will help?"

Staring at Hermione directly for the first time, Luna said, "They tried. And I think the spots may be turning a little pinker. Anyway, Madam Pomfrey said sunlight might help so I thought I'd see if Neville was out here."

Pointing at the Quidditch players, Hermione said, "We should ask Ginny. She knows a lot about counter charms…growing up with Fred and George, she's really learned quite a few." She looked up in time to be reminded why she hated flying, Ron was upside down on his broom, diving after Ginny and laughing like it was a big joke.

Lavender and Parvati sat down nearby, first spreading a big maroon and gold blanket out on the bench. They both wore soft muggle sweaters and scarves. Lavender pulled out a copy of Witch Weekly and began to interrupt Parvati with interesting tidbits from an article entitled, "Follicle Fallout: The facts about hair charms." Parvati seemed to be more interested in what was happening a few benches below them.

Lowering her voice so that only Luna could hear, Hermione asked, "What exactly are you and Neville working on in that Greenhouse?"

Shocked, Luna looked around nervously before speaking. "I…I don't know if Neville would want me to say. We have several different projects. It's probably better to keep quiet in case they don't work out."

Several rows below them in the same stands, Millicent Bulstrode occupied a spot all by herself, sighing rather dramatically. A few seats over on the same bench sat Vincent Crabbe, pretending to be very interested in a book. On the other side of Crabbe sat Gregory Goyle with his brawny arm around none other than Pansy Parkinson. She was leaning against him and making an occasional sniffing noise.

"What do you suppose happened to them?" Parvati said, interrupting Lavender's explanation of a new charm to fight split ends.

"Lover's spat?" suggested Parvati. Then she shuddered involuntarily.

Of course, Hermione knew what had happened to Malfoy, but she didn't want to tell anyone. Harry had told them about Malfoy in confidence. And Pansy was probably just upset that Malfoy had gone missing. His involvement in yesterday's attack would be common knowledge soon enough.

It was Sophie Moon and Blaise Zabini's arrival that shattered the calm afternoon. They walked in, bundled up in winter cloaks, and sat by themselves, apparently oblivious to the people around them. Blaise was whispering in Sophie's ear and she laughed loudly, then stopped as though she was embarrassed and whispered back in his ear.

The two were so wrapped up in themselves that they didn't notice that Pansy Parkinson was walking purposefully toward them, Crabbe and Goyle following in her wake, leaving Millicent to sulk by herself.

"I suppose you're happy. You got your wish…Draco's vanished." Pansy shouted shrilly, bearing down on the couple menacingly.

They turned in her direction. Blaise instinctually stepped in front of Sophie. "Wha…what's your problem, Parkinson? We didn't do anything to Malfoy."

But his protest fell on deaf ears. "Yes, you did…you all did. I expect it from people like her." She pointed to Hermione who was watching with interest. "But you…you're supposed to be our kind of people…and you've never shown Draco the respect he deserved."

Hermione could barely make out the deep voice of Blaise, answering coldly, "Don't waste your tears on him. He'll show up soon enough."

Pansy sniffed loudly, and shouted, "You don't know what you're talking about!" As Hermione watched, Gregory Goyle draped his arm around Pansy again. She was still making soft snuffling noises and her lower lip was sticking out and trembling slightly. Vincent Crabbe joined him in comforting the distraught girl.

Lavender said under her breath, so only the Gryffindor's could hear, "I'll give her this…the girl knows how to pout."

When some of them laughed quietly at Lavender's comment, Pansy turned on them, looking ready to pounce. "You're a hateful bunch…the lot of you can just…just sod off." With that pronouncement, she left the Quidditch stands, her entourage in tow.

Seamus landed quietly near Lavender and asked, "What was that all about?"

Arranging her face in an imitation of Pansy Parkinson's pout, Lavender said, "Where've you been? I was…no…I haven't forgiven you…" She turned her back on Seamus, but she winked at Parvati who kept her face solemnly sympathetic.

"I'm so sorry…what can I do?" Seamus asked. When she didn't turn around, he pleaded, "Whatever I did, I'm sorry…I didn't mean to."

Lavender turned back toward him, head down as though she was upset and let him console her for a moment. Then she said with a sigh, "Oh, I'll be all right. You go back and enjoy yourself. I know you'd rather be flying around with the other boys. It's okay."

Looking reluctantly at the Quidditch pitch which was still full of people flying around enjoying themselves, Seamus insisted that he'd rather stay with her. Lavender was just as adamant that he should go back to flying. When he'd finally left she turned to Parvati and said, "He's just so easy that I can't resist."

Hermione rolled her eyes at her roommates, and spoke her mind. "That wasn't nice Lavender. He won't like it if he finds out you play these games with him. Did Seamus really even do anything for you to be mad about?"

Lavender shrugged and said, "I'd catch him if he did and make him sorry."

Lifting the copy of Witch Weekly she was reading, Parvati added, "It says in this article that you should always keep your man guessing or he might lose interest. It's not our fault boys are clueless." Her eyebrows went wide and innocent as she spoke.

The day was unseasonably warm and sunny, but a brisk wind came up by early afternoon, forcing everyone back inside. While Harry and Ron secured the Quidditch equipment in the storage shed, Dobby appeared with a request from Professor Dumbledore for Harry to come to his office.

Harry found the door to the Headmaster's office standing open, but no one was inside. Even Fawkes' perch stood empty. The portraits were pretending to sleep, and Harry decided not to bother them. He conjured himself a glass of pumpkin juice and settled into one of the cushy chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk.

Wishing that he'd taken the time to change out of his sweaty Quidditch gear, Harry was about to leave when Dumbledore came hastily through the hearth on the other side of the room.

Magically dusting off his robes, he said, "Ah…Harry, thank you for being so prompt. We have a situation that is most unfortunate." Dumbledore seemed to be choosing his words carefully. "…most unfortunate…I know you'll want to hear all about it. Could I offer you some refreshment? No…I see you've already found something."

"No need to stall, Professor. What is it?" Harry was worried. Something bad must have happened, maybe to Professor Lupin.

Looking tired, Dumbledore sat down in his desk chair and said, "Draco Malfoy has disappeared from Hogwarts. The house elves reported early this morning that the dungeon was empty when they delivered his breakfast. He must have escaped sometime in the night."

Studying a patch of sunlight across the Headmaster's carpet, Harry asked, "Could he have escaped on his own?"

Sounding tired, Dumbledore answered, "I don't believe so."

"Where's Snape?" Harry asked, remembering how anxious Snape was to take Malfoy's part during last night's interview.

His face unreadable, Dumbledore answered. "Professor Snape has also disappeared. I presume he is out looking for Mr. Malfoy. He is determined to save him if at all possible."

Of course, Harry immediately jumped to the conclusion that Snape had somehow helped Malfoy disappear, but he realized that whatever his private opinions were, the Headmaster would never agree. No matter what happened, Dumbledore would always trust Snape.

Hoping to point out the suspicious nature of Snape's disappearance, Harry asked, "Did anyone speak with Snape before he left? I mean, couldn't you talk him out of it? Someone else could have looked for Malfoy…someone who isn't a target." As far as Harry knew Snape hadn't left the school since the Lethifold attack. Then it occurred to him that Dumbledore had even more things to worry about. "What will you tell the Ministry about Malfoy?"

Dumbledore looked him in the eyes and said, "I see you've comprehended the difficulties of the situation, Harry. Not only is your training coming along splendidly, but you seemed to have matured in other matters as well. It's good that you understand the circumstances facing all of us."

While he welcomed the Headmaster's compliments, Harry noted that he didn't really answer his questions. "I'm not sure that I do understand, sir. Why did Snape go after him? Malfoy doesn't need anyone to save him from Death Eaters. He is one."

Last night, Snape's real concern seemed to be what the Ministry would do to Malfoy. His escape meant he wouldn't have to worry about that. While the Headmaster would probably take the fall for letting Draco go missing, he had loads of influence these days. Dumbledore wouldn't be in any real trouble. People relied on him too much.

"Sometimes people need to be saved from themselves." Dumbledore's voice was gentle and his expression was full of hope, as though he wished rather than expected Harry to understand what he'd said.

Harry thought over Dumbledore's words. Either the Headmaster was gullible enough to believe that Snape's real motive was somehow to capture and reform Draco Malfoy, or he was saying that Snape had acted rashly in chasing after Malfoy and needed to be rescued himself. Despite himself, Harry knew which way his own thoughts were leaning.

The afternoon sun disappeared as clouds rolled in. Harry put his hand around the summons stone in his pocket and wordlessly cast the spell to call Aurora to his side. She appeared, fluttering behind him for a moment, then settled on his shoulder. "Would you like me to go after him, sir?" he asked.

Dumbledore took the appearance of Harry's phoenix in stride. "That's the last thing I would expect of you, Harry. This whole thing could be a trap…meant for you. We must, in any case, consider it a possibility."

"You just don't trust me," Harry said, trying to keep his anger out of his voice. It cut him deeply to think that after all his work preparing to fight, the Headmaster didn't think he was ready.

Smiling at him, Dumbledore said, "Trust goes both ways, Harry."

Seeing his chance, Harry said, "Then let's put things out in the open. I'll tell you what you want to know…if you'll do the same for me."

Dumbledore gave him a long appraising look. Finally he said, "All right…besides the times your phoenix has whisked you away, what have you been doing when you leave Hogwarts without permission?"

Answering promptly, Harry said, "I've been looking for information." Reaching into his pocket, he felt the edges of the book about Myrddin's torch. He wanted to ask Dumbledore about it, but he remembered last summer when the Headmaster told him that it was his mystery to figure out. "I've gone back to the cave where we found Professor Lupin last summer. It's where I found the cure for Hermione."

He hesitated for a moment, but he knew Dumbledore should know. "I found out from a ghost that haunts the cave…Voldemort and his men have been poking around there since last summer."

Many of the portraits grumbled. Phineas Nigellus said loudly, "Typical Gryffindor, thinks reckless means brave."

A grave expression on his face, Dumbledore said, "You've acted very irresponsibly. And disregarded several school rules." Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes for a moment. Then he looked at Harry, disbelieving. "Harry…the Order has spent a great deal of time and effort trying to keep you safe and you've…."

Harry interrupted him. "I know…but I never would have found Aurora if I hadn't tried to figure out the things in that box…and don't you agree that having a phoenix will keep me safer than almost anything the Order can do?"

"I suppose you're right about your phoenix, but Voldemort…."

Growing impatient again, Harry raised his voice. "I can't live my life wondering what Voldemort's doing. Especially when no one tells me anything about him!"

Patient in the face of Harry's outburst, Dumbledore said, "We haven't kept you informed. Perhaps that was a mistake, but now…what do you want to know, Harry?"

Struggling to curb the anger in his voice, Harry asked, tight lipped, "What can he do with my blood?"

Dumbledore answered, "It's difficult to say for sure. It does mean that the Dursley's home may not offer the protection for you that it once did."

That news sounded cheerful to Harry, but his thoughts were far away from a summer on Privet Drive. Harry figured that without Snape to spy on Voldemort, good information had become difficult to obtain, but he wanted to know something -- anything. "What do you think Voldemort is planning next?" He looked at the Headmaster, half expecting him to say it wasn't any of his business.

"I don't know. We no longer have a reliable informant in his inner circle." Dumbledore began then he raised his hand before Harry could object. "But I am able to tell you that Voldemort has continued to approach all sorts of non-wizard magical communities, mostly those who might feel disenfranchised."

Harry remembered hearing somewhere that Fudge was trying to control the Goblins at Gringotts. "Is Gringotts safe?" he asked.

Dumbledore nodded. "Good British Goblins are utterly trustworthy, Gringotts will have nothing to do with a wizard of Voldemort's sort. He has nothing to offer them. But who can say anything about foreign Goblins? And of course, the dragons that appeared here on Halloween were most likely sent to test the Hogwarts defenses. I suspect that we'll see more of the same when the time comes."

"When the time comes?" Harry didn't like the sound of that.

Dumbledore spoke in a serious tone. "It seems inevitable that Voldemort will attack Hogwarts at some point. Nothing would terrify the wizarding world more."

An attack on the school would mean many of his classmates would be hurt or even killed. Harry considered Dumbledore's words for a few moments before answering. "Is it unavoidable? Maybe if I left school, Voldemort wouldn't attack here."

Hogwarts wasn't just an old castle to him, it was home and hearth and the first place he ever remembered feeling like he belonged. The school had been his refuge from the Dursley's, from a life where he never mattered. He couldn't stand the thought of anything happening to the castle or the to the people within.

For the first time, a glimmer of Dumbledore's trademark twinkle returned. "Nowhere is safer without you, Harry. Besides one of our main objectives is to protect you. You know what the prophecy said. Without you, Voldemort becomes unstoppable. We need to keep you safe."

But Harry was too caught up in worrying about his friends to listen. Stroking Aurora's feathers to calm himself, Harry added, "With her help, I think I can protect myself just about anywhere, but I can't make others safe. She left Ginny behind during the pub fight…"

Harry's thoughts ran to the promise of Myrddin's torch. It was supposed to be able to protect people — a lot of people. If he could only find some tanglewood, then he might have a chance to put the torch together. But he still wasn't sure he should tell Dumbledore about the book in his pocket.

The headmaster was so focused on keeping Harry safe that he might not listen. What if his search led him away from the safety of Hogwarts? Dumbledore would surely stop him. His best chance seemed to be to continue looking on his own, perhaps even going back to Hart Fell when the weather improved.

Harry kept all of these thoughts to himself. Standing to leave, he said, "I still think you should let me go after Snape and Malfoy. People won't feel safe, knowing that Malfoy is out there somewhere."

The headmaster studied him for a moment, then he said, "I'm sure you're right. This is just the sort of situation that may bring disagreement and disharmony." The Headmaster looked at Harry sadly. "But for now the safest thing is to wait. I know that you look to me for answers, Harry. Just as I suspect that some of your peers now look to you. But, when you are as old as I am, you begin to see that sometimes, the more you try to fix things, the more things fall apart."

To Be Continued…

A/N: Notes to reviewers. Thanks!

Nightwing 509: Thanks for reviewing so fast! I'll try to update faster now. Thanks for writing!

Lady of the Dragons2: Thanks for your lovely review! I think Harry and Ginny are perfect for each other, too. There will be more pranks. And I'm very sorry about the wait.

skeeter007: Yes, Ginny unfortunately left her Portkey in her cloak. I love the Bat Bogey thing. I wonder if JKR will come up with bigger and better Ginny hexes in Book 6. Thanks for reviewing!

Lourdes: Thanks for reviewing! Draco could be lost to the dark side. He could still go either way despite his rather callous comments under the influence of Snape's potion.

LunaLovegood61: Thanks for your nice comments. And thanks for taking the time to review!

Harry/Ginnyfan4ever: I have a vivid image in my head of you shaking the computer screen. I'm so sorry about the delay, but I want to point out that the cliff hanger in the chapter before this could have been much worse. Thanks for writing!

rosepetal13: I still really miss summer. It's seems long ago and far away now. Thanks for your kind review! I thought Malfoy had plenty of motivation to become a Death Eater because of his background. It's hard to show that since I'm trying to write the story primarily from Harry's point of view. Thanks for writing!

Makaveli3: Thanks for your kind comments. I should be able to update faster now. Thanks for reviewing!

Curlious: Sorry to leave it there for so long! Thanks for writing a review!

Retrieve the Melon: Sorry to make you wait so long. It was unavoidable. Thanks for reviewing!

Tooki: Draco did make a really stupid move, but in my mind, he did it because he was just that positive that he would get away with it. And he's just so good looking that he makes a good villain. Thanks for reviewing!

Preston78: Thanks for saying that! I will try to update soon.

Ted M. Hammett: Thanks for reviewing! I don't really like nasty cliff hangers either. The Draco thing was bad enough. And I suspected that I wouldn't be able to update for a while. Thanks for noticing.

Iluvatar: Thanks, I will!

athenakitty: The ossification hex had already begun to wear off on its own. Harry keeps most of what he's found in the scrolls and his book to himself. Thanks for reviewing!

Lady of Masbolle: I'm so sorry to hear about your hand! Myrddin means sea fort? Interesting… Thanks for writing a review!

Ginevra Potter: Thanks for reviewing and for your good wishes. I need all the luck I can get!

Lion of Gryffindor: I'm glad you liked the action scene. It was difficult to write it from Harry's point of view since Aurora pulled him to safety at the beginning of the fight. Thanks for writing a review!

Cobalt 45: Thanks for reviewing! You have some pretty good theories. It shows that you're really paying attention. I thought the ossification thing being really itchy was torture enough for now. We haven't heard the end of Malfoy in this story. I will try to update faster.

Kelly: Hello! Lovely to hear from you again! I'm glad you're still reading my story. This chapter had a short and sweet conversation between Harry and Dumbledore. Despite their initial intention to put their cards on the table, they still didn't completely confide in each other. Thanks for reviewing!

SillyGillie: Thanks for saying that! Harry and Aurora are beginning to communicate better. Thanks for all your kind words. Draco's fate is yet to be determined.

masterferret: You're right about the Auror's being able to heal her. Ginny just didn't stick around long enough. Thanks for writing a review!

GhostMagic19: I appreciate your comments. This chapter had the long overdue talk between Dumbledore and Harry. It just didn't go as well as it could have. Thanks for writing a review!

MrsSakuraPotter: Draco makes a good bad guy. Aurora's just focused on Harry so she gave no thought to anyone else. Good thing Harry went back for her in that pub. Thanks for writing a review! I should be able to post the next chapter soon.

James and Lily 4eva: Thanks for reviewing! This chapter was one to take stock and set up for the ending.

syntron: Poor Hedwig's jealous, what owl wouldn't be? Thanks for writing!

knbnnate: Thank you so much!

Brad: I'm flattered that you'd ask. What site? Thanks for writing!

MsMissProngs: I totally agree. They should make Hogsmeade off limits. Thanks for writing a review!

SilverWarrior: Draco may be just too perfect at being evil to change. Thanks for reviewing!

snort of laughter: I haven't stopped. I was just forced to take a break. Thanks for writing a review!

javier 55: Thanks for reviewing! I liked the Phoenix gone wild phase of the story myself.

mysticruby: Thanks for saying that! I'm sorry you've had to work a lot of hours, but thanks for taking the time to read and review my story!

Jack-A-Roe: Sorry about the fluff. In my defense, it was Valentine's Day. Snape has escaped Harry's clutches for the moment, as has Draco, but they'll both be back. Thanks for reviewing!

SeverusWife: You're a lucky woman, married to a Snape clone. I'm assuming that you meant that he looks like Alan Rickman sigh Thanks all your kind comments.

Harry9970: Hello, corwin! Draco has been lurking evilly throughout my story. Thank you for noticing. He's shown his hand now. Thanks for writing!

Eyes of sky: Thanks! That's nice of you to say. Thanks for reviewing!

Lord Dreadnault: Great pen name! Thanks for your kind words and for taking the time to review.

Harrie: Your guess was 100 correct. Given a choice, I'd spend my time writing. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

wsanteim: Thanks for writing a review!

El Shabang: Thanks for your kind words in both of your reviews! I will keep updating. JKR never explained where Fawkes came from so who can say for sure. In the "Torch" story, Harry's summons stone is unique. Dumbledore had never heard of one. Luna was the only one with a guess.

KandiG85: Thanks for reviewing! I will keep writing.

Me: Thanks, I will.

KFelton: I'm so sorry that I had to take a break from writing this story. I will try to be faster now. Thanks for writing!

cariluv: Thanks for reviewing! Harry just isn't spending as much time with them, they're still his best friends. They are still a big part of his life.

Cynthia 1850: Thanks for saying that about Ron. Of course, he still has his moments of, but it only makes sense to let the characters grow up a little. Thanks for reviewing!

Harry James: Thanks for writing a review! By now I'm sure you've discovered a wealth of great stories on I highly recommend that you do "add a piece of your own." It's fun to write as well as read fanfiction. Hopefully it will tide us all over until JKR takes pity on us and publishes the real Book 6.

merlin's beard: Thank you. I will try. Thanks for reviewing!

Eggo Waffles: I love Arthurian legend, too, but I'm no scholar. Niniane is an earlier Welsh name for basically the same character that we see in the later Merlin stories. Since Myrddin is an old Welsh name for Merlin, I looked for the oldest, Welsh-est version of Nimue. When Niniane first appears in the stories, she is a priestess of Avalon. Thanks for writing!

parakletos: Thanks for reviewing! No one mentioned the Quidditch thing. Sorry. Thanks for letting me know.

Plesner: Thanks for reading and reviewing! Updates should be faster now.

muggleprincess7721: Thanks for saying that. I will continue and I appreciate the encouragement. Thanks for writing!

Torien: Thanks for your feedback. I'll try to work on the flow issues you mentioned. This is my first attempt to write fiction so there are bound to be some rough patches. Perhaps I should have started smaller, but I had an idea for a plot. I've really enjoyed writing the story so far. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

bassir: Thanks for saying that. I love Harry/ Ginny fics. Thanks for writing!

JustAnotherHPfan: Thanks for reviewing! I will try to update faster.

AndyBlack23: Thanks for asking and for your encouragement. Thanks for reviewing!

CeDDD: Here it is. Thanks for writing!

Lord Venifarious: Thanks for your review!

Lily and James Potter: Of course you can use the lip gloss thing. Thanks for asking and good luck to you. Someone I know went to Trinity College in Carmarthen, Wales and the name of her dorm was Myrddin. She explained why and I started looking stuff up about Myrddin/ Merlin. I've always liked Merlin anyway. Thanks for writing a review!

david: I appreciate you kind words and encouragement. And, of course, you're right, it has been way too long. Thanks for reviewing!

A/N: Want to tell me what you think? Please review!