((A/N)) I'm so sorry! The laptop I'm using got a virus so I wasn't able to upload for fear of infecting or being infected… But it's fine now…

Disclaimer: You know the drill. By the way, I also don't own "Balisong" – it belongs to the group called Rivermaya (if you haven't heard about them, check them out in the Web and listen to this song, it's great). Btw, the balisong is a) a town in my country and b) the kind of knife that is the specialty in that place. There's actually a story behind why it is the title of the song but that would be way out of the topic now… On to the story:

Balisong

Your face lights up the sky on the highway.
Someday, you'll share your world with me someday.
You mesmerize me with diamond eyes;
I try to fool myself to think I'll be alright.
But I am losing all control -
My mind, my heart, my body and my soul

Never in my life have I been more sure,
So come on up to me and close the door.
Nobody's made me feel this way before;
You're everything I wanted and more.

To speak or not to; where to begin.
The way dilemmas I'm finding myself in.
For all I know you only see me as a friend.
I try to tell myself wake up fool; this fairy tale's got to end.

Never in my life have I been more sure,
So come on up to me and close the door.
Nobody's made me feel this way before;
You're everything I wanted (more).

Never in my life have I been more sure,
So come on up to me and close the door.
Nobody's made me feel this way before;
You're everything I wanted (more).

You're everything I wanted

Chapter Fifteen

Never In My Life

Professor Severus Snape was rushing towards the Headmaster's office. Pushing people aside in the corridors he passed through, he did not bother to apologize. His face was emotionless but he was muttering under his breath. Muttering phrases like 'most indecent sight I've seen', 'never would I have thought', 'scarred for the rest of my life' and 'never would I wanted to see that'.

"Headmaster," the Potions Master has finally reached his destination.

Albus Dumbledore did not move from his relaxed position at his seat while talking to a picture frame in front of him.

He stopped his conversation with Narcissa and faced Snape.

"Ah, Severus, I've been expecting you." The twinkling blue eyes were peering mischievously from the half – moon spectacles. He faced the picture frame containing Narcissa's picture to Snape.

"Headmaster," Snape repeated. "I need an explanation why I found Hermione Granger-Malfoy at the Malfoy Sanctuary barely clothed with her allegedly dead husband, Draco Malfoy, who was also attired similarly?"

The calm Headmaster merely replied. "Well, I did warn you that you might be surprised and not like what you see. Of course, I'd feel the same thing if I somewhat walk in and interrupt something, ahem, intimate."

Snape just gaped.

Narcissa wiped tears from her eyes. "My baby Draky's all grown up and procreating…" She sobbed happily.

---

Loud and rapid footsteps could be heard from the next corridor.

Andrei did not mind them much as he was having an animated conversation with Richard Wood on Quidditch. Therefore they were both shocked when they turned at a corner and bumped into his cousin.

"BLOODY HELL JAMES!" Andrei yelled. "What was that for?"

"Yeah, James," Richard muttered getting up from the ground, as the impact had caused the three of them to fall to the ground.

James also stood up, rubbing his backside a bit. "Shut it, you two – a ghost! In the common room! A pale talking ghost!"

Andrei's face paled. "A g-ghost?"

Richard rolled his eyes. "What's the problem? We live among ghosts here."

"But, that's different – James, what kind of ghost? Vengeful or what?"

James replied. "The question is not what, but who."

Richard brushed off the comment. "Ok, who's ghost is it, James Potter?"

James paused for dramatic effect. "It's Joan's father, Draco Malfoy."

---

"Today is the day." The mysterious black cloaked man whispered to himself. "Today is the day I will find her. The day I will get her. The day she will be mine. The day I will prevail over all."

And with that, the man said a few choice spells and Disapparated from his dim chamber.

---

Richard and Andrei gave each other a look and then Andrei broke the silence.

"You know, it's wrong to say jokes about the dead." He said seriously to his cousin.

Richard patted Andrei's back and then James'. "Hey, I'll be leaving the two of you alone to discuss this – I'm off to find Joshua." He headed back towards the direction from which he and Andrei had come from.

James replied to Andrei indignantly. "I swear! I am not bloody joking! He was there! A-a-ask Joan! She saw and heard him too!"

Andrei listened attentively to James and then his lip curled into a smile. "So you were with Joan?"

"Yes," James answered slowly, wondering what was coming next. "So?"

"Were the two of you," Andrei continued his interrogation. "Alone in the common room?"

"Yes," James slightly understood where this was leading to. "And your point is?"

"What were you doing prior to his appearance?"

"Well…" James broke off.

"Well what?"

"Hugging?"

Andrei's smile became more evident. "Don't you think he came back to haunt you for hugging his daughter? I mean," He thought for a while. "I recall Aunt Ginny and Mom talking that Uncle Draco was rather protective of his family."

Andrei watched with amusement as several emotions flickered on James' face with fear being transparent among the rest.

---

"Ahh, yes, the Malfoy family. Come in, I have been expecting you."

Joan sat on one of the seats in front of the Headmaster's desk, looking about curiously. Does nothing ever get pass this old wizard?

Draco, seeing that there were only two seats, sat on the arm rest of Hermione's seat.

"Mr. Malfoy, I'm sorry," Professor Dumbledore motioned to conjure an additional seat.

Draco held up a hand. "No sir, that would not be necessary, I'm fine."

"Well, if you say so."

Silence reigned in the comfortable office of the Headmaster of Hogwarts as he scrutinized each of his visitors' faces.

"I trust you were able to find my little gift of good use, Mr. Malfoy?" He said with eyes twinkling as he looked at Draco.

"Yes, Professor." Draco smirked, placing an arm around Hermione, who was raising her eyebrow at him.

"I judge that the two of you are in good terms?"

"Yes, Professor." The former Head Boy and Head Girl responded in unison.

"And young Miss Malfoy?"

"I'm fine, sir." Joan replied, looking bored.

"Very good… very good, then," The Headmaster leaned back in his seat. "Well, what are we here for? I'm afraid I can't altogether predict what brings you here."

Joan stared unbelievingly at the old wizard. Strange person, that one is.

"Professor," Hermione started. "I believe it has something to do with my husband being back from wherever he came from, the Prophet's photographer being the same person as him, and lastly, the fact that I've almost been ambushed at my home."

Draco smirked proudly at his wife's side.

"I see," Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon spectacles. "In that case, I believe that all of you now know what has transpired at Draco's life prior to his appearance in the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Yes Professor."

"Ok, so now I guess you would like an update on the black-cloaked men, am I right?"

The family nodded.

Dumbledore pulled out sheet of parchment from one of his numerous drawers.

"Just this morning, I had this report from the Minister, Percy Weasley himself." He skimmed on the long text. "It says in here that they have new leads regarding this case. The Aurors are currently investigating who they may be and are having a new lead with regards to the motive of the said attack."

"What leads exactly?" Draco asked, clutching Hermione's cold hand in his.

The Headmaster raised an eyebrow as he read the contents of the Minister's report. "'For security reasons, information regarding the investigation is confidential.' Well, that's about it."

"I always knew that Bigheaded Weasley has something wrong with his head." Draco mumbled in undertone, causing Hermione to elbow his chest in reproach.

"In any case," Dumbledore placed the report on his desk and clasped his hands together. "I don't think it is wise for Draco's presence to be announced to the Wizarding World yet."

"I understand, Professor." Draco gripped Hermione's hand tightly.

"And Ms. Malfoy," He peered with a smile at Joan. "You are free to go; you shall be called when needed."

Joan bowed slightly and got up from her seat.

"And, Ms. Malfoy," Dumbledore added, and Joan twisted to face him. "I do believe that a certain Mr. Potter and a certain Mr. Weasley is at the corridor near the Gryffindor Tower, arguing. I think you need to sort them out."

Joan's eyes widened and ran out of the room.

The Headmaster turned to Hermione. "Hermione, why don't we search around the castle for a suitable suite for your family?"

(A/N) I'm sorry but I will stop e-mailing you guys now. I'm having internet connection problems. I'm sorry.