Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and characters

A/N: Ho-Hum.. Draco is up to no good again. We can all tell.. Let's capture him and tie him down on the bed...oh sorry, now to the story.

Chapter 24: Far-fetched

Dear Maranda,

I have failed to live on with the guilt of what I did to you, and how I hurt you.

I am not asking for another chance, but I would like to explain why at long last.

You don't understand why I did what I did to you, and I want to tell you.

If you want to hear my words, meet me near the library tonight at ten.

Don't worry about Filch or anyone spotting us. They usually don't snoop there.

If you don't come, I understand, but sooner or later I will have to tell you.

Library at ten.

XOXO, Draco

What was Draco planning to do, set me up so I get caught? I don't want any detentions with Filch. I avoided all contact with Filch last year and this year. No way was I going to disturb that flow now! However, even if I get a detention, I will show the letter and get Draco in trouble. He must really be waiting for me. It is nine fifty-seven. Should I or shouldn't I go and hear him out? I mean, after all, he's not asking for another chance, which I wouldn't give him anyways. Maybe he really has a reason..

My feet dragged my body cautiously into the dark halls of Hogwarts. My light blue pajamas added a slight glow in the midnight air as I moved swiftly like a ghost. I soon found myself relying on instinct to slowly march down the stairs. It was indeed, the hardest task I've ever done. I should've brought my wand! How dumb of me!

When I stopped complaining, I viewed a faint light coming from the library's entranceway. Either fireflies moved in, or Draco was smart enough to bring a wand.

"Boo!" I whispered as I approached Ferret Boy Wonder and gave him quite a fright. He gave me a fright as well, for I didn't expect him to be down here.

Draco smiled brightly as he flashed his glowing wand in my face, "You're here. I didn't think you would come. Don't worry, as I wrote, about Snape or Filch or anybody searching up here. They take rounds, and I already saw Filch pass, which means he won't be here for at least another hour, as he's checking the lower floors."

I couldn't believe this was happening, "Hold on, Ferret.. How should I trust you after all this crap you put me through?"

"You are here aren't you?" He sounded in a hurry.

My retort was, "Yes, but not because I want to be. I only came to see if you showed."

"Whatever, listen, come with me. We're going in the library to sit down so I can talk to you. Ok?"

I nodded and followed him inside, and he lit a dim lamp as we sat across from each other on two small chairs, against the wall of the entranceway. I stared at my feet even though I could barely see them. My socked feet were tapping despite the lack of music.

"Ok," Draco took a deep breath and looked me square in the eyes, "what I have to tell you cannot go beyond these walls. If my Father finds out that I told you, it would be the worst. The only reason I cheated on you was because I had to. I needed to get away from you before you got hurt."

"Hurt?" I questioned in disbelief. Where was this loon going?

A short sigh escaped Malfoy's mouth, "My Father...he killed your parents.."

Draco's smooth wording was clearly planned out. I sat, at first, in awe, but then realized he was pulling the ultimate reenge plan on me. And unfortunately, it included my parents's death.

"How dare you joke about my parents' death!" I didn't care about being loud now, "You think that you can prance around in your stupid Slytherin robes and try to put me down in the worst way possible? Yeah, I have no parents, but you have No right to insult them by using them as an excuse for your stupid cheating ways!"

"I'm not-" Draco was cut off by me.

"You're not what, Draco? Not lying? Not a jerk? Not a Ferret?" I stood up, ready to leave, "You are an insolant, good-for-nothing, low-life, rotten, cheatin', ignorant, stupid, little bastard!"

My body was red hot from the anger I felt. I was too angry to even realize Snape was in front of me when I turned to leave. I pushed past him and quickly said, "I know..detention..but maybe you should ask Mr. Malfoy why he dragged me down here tonight..Then perhaps you'll want to kill him too."

As I walked down the hall in the darkness, I heard Snape yelling at Malfoy, trying to get answers from him. Only a few minutes passed angrily by until I reached the stairs. I heard something click behind me, and a glowing wand was soon spotted next to me. Snape had followed me..

"No answers needed, Miss Maguire," He started sympathetically, "Draco will not be bothering you anymore. I threatened to take two hundred points from Slytherin, and that, to him, is worse than death. I will walk you up to the Gryffindor Tower. You should never leave your wand behind."

The stroll to the Gryffindor Portrait was slow and silent, but I was still filled with insuppressable irritability. In other terms, I was very pissed off. Snape bade farewell and goodnight as he left my side. I thanked him quietly, but I knew he heard my gratitude. Wait until Hermione hears how my night went..

0o0o0o0o

Early breakfast, and an early start to a hopefully relaxing Saturday. I anticipated telling Hermione and the gang what happened yesterday. Sitting in my normal breakfast seat, I felt stares from the Slytherin table reach out to choke me. Thankfully, I didn't let them annoy me. My corn flakes waited to have milk and a touch of sugar poured on them. Before they became too soggy and unedible, I scarfed them down.

"Someone's hungry," Seamus stared at my messy eating habits.

Lifting my head from it's cereal-in-mouth position, I giggled, "I want to hurry up and eat so I can talk to 'Mione."

"Why, what's wrong?" Hermione finally showed up for breakfast and sat by my side.

This was it, time to talk, "Well...You know how Gwen gave me that letter, and I read it before you went to sleep?"

"Yeah.."

The explanation lasted all of breakfast. Our whole friend group listened in and made sure to comment snidely about Draco. They scolded me, saying I shouldn't have walked down to the library. The most shocking part of my night to them was Snape's reaction, where he punished Draco and said nothing of rudeness to me. That was also where I became awe-filled and a bit dumbfounded. There were a couple of times last year when Snape showed sensitivity and care. I saw that side rarely this year, for all of the dramatic overacting I gave while fighting with him.

"Like I said before," Ron laughed, "Snape's hitting on you."

"Ron! I have enough crap from Draco who says that Lockhart fancies me. I don't need your non-stop teasing about Snape right now." I tried to hide my laughter. Ron's teasing didn't bother me as much as it had before. I actually found it quite funny sometimes.

The bell rang, which meant breakfast was completed. Now to start my Saturday in the right track by visiting Hagrid! Harry, Ron, and Hermione came with me, for they hadn't seen him for awhile.

Knock Knock Hagrid's hut appeared to already have company, but Hagrid opened the door nonetheless. Inside the cabin, I could see an outline of a standing Lucius Malfoy. Why was he at Hagrid's?

"Oh," Hagrid was shocked to see us on a Saturday, "Come in, come in. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Maranda, I'm just finishing a conversation with Mister Malfoy."

We entered the hut, sat down, and glanced at each other strangely. We all knew Lucius hated Hagrid, and vice-versa.

"...As I was saying," Lucius ignored us and talked to Hagrid, "I am sure Draco can help fix the damage he caused. If he fails to do as I order, I will punish him as I see fit. I appologize, for another time, that this has happened."

Reaching his hand out for a handshake, Hagrid said, "It's alrigh'. As long as he pays up for his crime, I will forgive 'im. Thank you for takin' the responsibility of comin' down ta' talk ta' me." Lucius reached his hand out and shook Hagrid's oversized hand.

He turned around and looked at me, "Miss Maguire, how pleasant to see you. I heard about my son's outburst..I am quite sorry that he believed he could win you over again with such a far-fetched explanation for his stupid actions during your relationship. He's been talking quite a lot about you lately..Don't know why..I think he really is sorry, but can't fathom the importance of your parents. I'm not making excuses for him, but maybe if he smartened up you could speak to him again. While you two were together, he was exceedingly happy. His grades even soared..However," He lowered his head, "Draco's grades are slipping, and now he's causing loads of trouble. Perhaps you could do me a favor and just be friends with him?"

Without another word, not even a chance for me to speak in response, Lucius smiled his handsome smile and let himself outside, away from Hagrid's Hut.

"That was bloody interesting," Ron stated as a confused look faded from my face.

My voice was unsure, "He really let his grades slip?"

"Maranda," Hagrid caught my attention, "As dumb as it sounds, Mr. Malfoy is right. The reason he was down here today was because of Draco. In a stupid act, Draco decided to practice some very damaging spells near my hut, causing the back part to catch fire. Don't be alarmed, most of the fire hit the trees behind me, and some children of Aragog, my giant pet spider. Draco now has to personally appologize to Aragog, pay for the damages himself, and serve detention with Filch for two weeks. He's on a bloody rampage, that Draco! Doesn't know better."

For the rest of the visit, we chatted about Aragog, the spider, and some past creatures Hagrid's taken care of.

In my own deep thoughts, I was comtemplating whether or not to forgive Draco, The Ferret Boy Wonder. If he truly was happier with me, then why did he cheat? Was it just a normal guy thing to just kiss someone else while your girlfriend was clueless? Should I or should I not start fresh with him as friends? If I did decide to, we would only be friends, nothing more or less. Maybe I will talk to him..In about a month or so..That way I can decided if it's a good idea or not. Lucius should teach Draco to be more like him. He's not only very considerate but charming as well.

I don't know why anyone wouldn't get along with Lucius Malfoy..