Mispost- Please read:

Chapter Three was not posted correctly. I just realized this after I had posted the last chapter. For your convenience, the following is the end of chapter three. If you so choose, go back and read the entire chapter.

And Now, the missing ending of chapter three: I don't know why.

"WHAT!" Draco snapped at the irritating boy sitting on his bed.

Blaise pointed to Draco's pillow. Frowning, Draco picked up the envelope sitting on the pillow and opened it. Inside was a card that said:

Welcome to Gryffindor Draco,

Although we haven't gotten along well in the past, I hope that can change; Especially considering recent events. I meant what I said, all you have to do is ask. Outside that, if there is anything I can do you make you more at home, please let me know.

Hermione Granger

Draco blinked a few times in disbelief. Blaise was snickering, and that caused Draco to look up.

The other boy was sitting on his own bed now, and holding an identical envelope and card. Apparently, the writing amused him greatly.

"What does yours say?" Draco asked quickly.

"Dear Blaise Zabini,

"I don't believe we've ever spoken, but I imagine that will change now that we are house-mates."

"Imagine! She thinks we're bloody, honorary Gryffindors now or something!"

"I do however, remember your very astute observation of the magically amplifying effects of blood in potions. Not to insult you, but I've heard that you're quite evil."

"Malfoy, she drew a smiley face!" Malfoy snorted in reply.

"But I'm sure that's exaggerated."

"Ha, if only you knew!" Malfoy said darkly.

Dean and Seamus were looking scandalized.

"I hope to learn more about potions from you, as your grades always seem to endanger my standing."

"Good lord, another smiley face."

"Perhaps we can study together some time. Do make yourself at home.

"Hermione Granger."

"I can't believe it, she actually wrote personal letters to all of us." Draco said, when he discovered similar cards on Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott's beds.

"Aww, and look, there are little silver and gold chocolates beneath the cards!" Blaise said in a very honeyed voice, then he burst into maniacal laughter.

Draco saw Seamus and Dean exchanging looks of disgust before turning away.

Draco fell onto his bed, suddenly feeling extremely antisocial.

He looked up at the velvety black curtains and tried not to think about how he'd yelled at Granger.. when in truth, she hadn't done anything wrong, other than show she cared.

The truth was, he wasn't angry with her because of anything she had done, he was angry because of what he had done. Draco remembered the disgusted looks on the faces of his house mates when he came outside from the hospital wing, not because he'd saved someone's life… but because it had been Granger.

Pansy, coming to his defense as usual, had pointed out that Granger now owed him a life debt, and the rest of his house had been satisfied. Even so, life had become extremely difficult for him now that his father was in jail.

It's all Potter's fault, he told himself, like he always did when he was angry at himself or his father, knowing full well it wasn't true.

Not for the first time, he replayed those first moments of lucidness after the accident. He couldn't remember anything very well until he was in the hospital wing and Madame Pomfrey had healed his head injury.

Then he'd been left alone with Granger, and of course the first thing she did was ask the one question he had no idea how to answer.

"Why?"

He wished he knew.

Turning restlessly, he closed his eyes, and tried to sleep.

Chapter Fourteen: Morgan

Narcissa Malfoy sniffed the frigid air as she stood before the gates of Hogwarts school. She couldn't remember the last time she'd visited the school. She never had to leave the manor often before Lucius was jailed. Now, it seemed, she was never home.

A pang of nostalgia touched her heart for a moment, and she smiled. She did love the smell of winter, but hadn't realized until now, that the smell itself brought back happy memories of the carefree times she'd spent as a school girl on these same grounds. She looked around the snow-laden grounds and could almost see her old classmates playing in the snow. Of course, that was silly… the grounds were deserted, and she wasn't here to reminisce over a childhood lost, but rather to support her son as he received an honor from the school.

She passed through the gate from whence she'd apparated, and made her way on the shoveled path towards the main doors. The castle was just as she remembered it, with its black-gray stone turrets and towers, emitting countless streams of smoke from countless fireplaces that heated the place. The oak doors, held together and in place by black iron, cast -no doubt- in the medieval days when the castle was built, creaked open as she approached. She stepped into the warm entrance hall, and cast a quick charm to dry the hem of her robes, cloak and boots.

"Mrs. Malfoy." Severus Snape was in the entrance hall to receive her. He gave a small bow, his lank hair falling in his face.

Narcissa acknowledged him with an even smaller curtsy. She had never liked Snape, even before the incident nearly seven years prior, but he was Lucius' associate and so she had always maintained polite relations.

"Severus, how are you?" She asked airily, taking the arm he offered.

"As well as can be expected in these conditions…" he said, gesturing towards a loud group of hufflepuffs as they flooded into the great hall very nosily.

Narcissa patted his arm and allowed herself to be lead into the great hall after the students.

"And you, how are you faring lately?" He asked, continuing towards the teacher's table.

Narcissa stiffened at the sight of Ursula Sinistra, who was already seated at the table, looking at the two of them approaching with mild interest. Her lip curled of its own accord as she examined Ursula's face, so much like her sister's, with her dark eyes and hair, and pale skin. How she hated that face.

"Mrs. Malfoy?"

"Uh? Oh, I'm sorry dear.. I'm a bit tired… Yes, I'm fine thank you. It's been quite busy since Lucius…"

"I understand." Snape said, and lead her to a seat at the other end of the table from Professor Sinistra, for which she was grateful.

The rest of the hall was almost full of students, all sitting at their appropriate tables and eagerly looking forward to the end-of-term feast, and the winter holidays that were sure to follow.

Everyone, that was, except for "the inner circle." Hermione, Draco, Pansy, Blaise, Harry, Ginny and Ron, were all nervous and expectant about the break, because this year's holidays were shadowed by the black moon. They had all decided to stay this year, to execute the plan, but an unsettled feeling descended on all of them, like an omen of what was to come. The palpable could of tension and anger between Draco and Blaise certainly hadn't helped settle their nerves.

Narcissa could see her son at the Slytherin table, trying to make himself as small and unnoticeable as possible. He was positively writhing with embarrassment in his seat. It made him look younger than he was, and put a smile on her face. When he looked that young, she could almost forget he was growing up at all. Next to him… Narcissa's face darkened.

The dark eyes and hair of Blaise Zabini caught her eye, and she scowled. But her musings were cut short as the headmaster rose from his seat to address the school. The hall grew quiet.

"Another term has come and gone." Dumbledore began, beaming around at the students. "Again, I remind myself to be thankful that I was chosen to teach. Nothing fills my heart with as much hope, as watching you, the students take an unfortunate situation and turn it around.

"At the beginning of this year, we were warned of the Dark Lord's plot to destroy the school. The plot manifested itself in the near death experience of two of our students, and culminated in the closing of the Slytherin dorms. And while I had high hopes that you could cope, even adapt, I had my doubts." Some people laughed. "But yet again, each and every one of you exceeded my expectations, by joining together as a larger student body united in the goal of preserving life and promoting the greater good."

"I am more proud to be the headmaster of Hogwarts than I've ever been, as I prepare to give a special award for services to the school to Draco Malfoy." The occupants of the hall clapped politely. "Harry Potter" The Gryffindor table erupted. "Ronald Weasley" The Gryffindors were just as strong. "And Blaise Zabini." And to Blaise's and Hermione's great surprise, the Gryffindors clapped for Blaise just as loudly. Over at the Slytherin table, he was blushing.

"This is the first time an award has been given to students from multiple houses. Truly, it is an unprecedented honor we bestow this day to these four boys of outstanding character. I ask that each of you please step forward, to be recognized by your peers and teachers, for what you have done."

Harry and Ron were the first to stand, and they did so uneasily, embarrassed by the loud clapping and whistling from their fellow Gryffindors. They made their way to the front of the hall, red faced. Blaise stood next, his face on fire, he looked very much like he'd rather run from the hall. Draco, unlike the others, was white in the face, and looked like he was going to refuse to stand, but then he caught the eye of his mother, and grudgingly made his way to the front of the hall.

The students continued to clap as four small plaques were presented to each of them by their heads of houses. When the clapping died away, Dumbledore continued:

"Each will receive one hundred points for their houses, and their plaques will be displayed in the trophy room so others may know what they did. Although, none of these honors testifies to the service these boys have rendered the school, as the life they have preserved. Ms. Granger, please stand."

Hermione turned red. She didn't expect to be brought into any of this. Reluctantly, she stood up, and the hall turned their collective eyes to her.

"Every new spell mastered, every report turned in, all her future dreams and accomplishments, all the contributions she gives now and the forever more. Ms. Granger is the testament to their actions, and her life as it continues to turn is the true memorial to these boy's altruism." The hall clapped more solemnly.

"On behalf of Ms. Granger, her family, and all those who love her, and those who have been and will be touched by her, I thank you." The hall clapped again, and the Gryffindors stood up to applaud.

The four boys at the front looked as though they'd like nothing more than to be swallowed by the earth. Hermione beamed at them.

Through the din of the clapping and cheers, no one heard the door to the great hall open once more, nor the foot steps of the solitary figure as she walked in, until she was standing before the Gryffindor table, a look of slight disappointment on her face.

Hermione was one of the first to spot her. She took in the woman's beautiful and slightly familiar face. Her sleek, dark locks were pulled up into an elegant and complicated knot. Her lashes were so thick and long they had snow caught on them. Her lips were curly, full, and blood-red. She removed her black cloak to reveal and dangerously curvaceous body, accentuated by a tight bodice and dress that covered everything except her milky throat and the swell of her breasts.

She looked to be in her early forties, but that didn't stop her from attracting the attention of many of the males in the room, despite having only been there a few seconds. After the clapping had completely dissipated she said: "Oh, have I missed it? Damn."

This drew the attention of the mortified boys at the front of the hall.

"MUM?" Blaise asked in disbelief.

"Hello dear." She smiled a smile to scintillate the most abstinent of souls.

The hall gaped as one as she walked towards the center of the room, towards her son, her hips rocking lasciviously. Draco shuddered visibly when she walked past him. Was it Hermione's imagination, or had she winked at Draco when she passed?

She reached Blaise and hugged her son giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Now that she stood next to Blaise, Hermione could see the unmistakable resemblance. Hermione had never seen Blaise's father, but she knew he definitely favored his mother in looks. He was a little taller than her, and held nothing of her curves in his lanky form, but their faces were so close in appearance it was unnerving. They had the same impossibly long lashes and shared the same shape of eyes. His hair was only slightly lighter colored than hers, but it was the same sleek texture. They had the same high cheeks and curly lips. And now that Hermione paid attention, there was a cat like grace Blaise moved with, that was imitated, if not exaggerated in the movement of his mother.

"Morgan! This is a pleasant surprise!" Dumbledore said, approaching the new comer.

"Albus, you look younger every day." She said, the merest hint of suggestion in her voice.

"What are you doing here?" Blaise asked in disbelief.

"I wanted to come see you get your award." She said. He looked at her incredulously. "What? I'm proud of you!" She reassured him, but when he continued to look disbelievingly at her she added: "I can pretend you're still my little boy sometimes can't I? Honestly, you'd swear I never breast fed you."

The Slytherin table erupted into sniggers, and Blaise turned red.

"Alright, I've got my award." Blaise said, holding it up and glowing red. "Let's go now."

"Oh, you aren't going to let me catch up with your teachers?" She asked, smiling maliciously.

"No." he glared.

"Why, have you been doing anything you shouldn't have?" She asked, her grin becoming feral. Blaise's face reheated itself, and his traitorous eyes caught Hermione's for the merest moment, before returning themselves to his mother.

"Of course not." He said.

"How sad for you, Morgan." A cool drawl cut in from the end of the staff table.

Narcissa was getting to her feet. She swept around the table with the utmost superiority, her nose in the air, and her hips stiff with dignity. She joined her son in front of the teacher's table, as the teachers themselves looked on with unease.

"Your own son is ashamed of being seen with you." Narcissa finished, her voice like ice. The hall was silent in disbelief.

Morgan smiled her cat-like smile, and eyed Narcissa like a particularly fat canary.

"Narcissa, darling!" Morgan said, placing a hand over her prominent cleavage as though startled, and smiling a huge friendly smile. "This is a surprise, you normally never leave the manor. Tell me, how is Lucius?" Something about the way she said "Lucius" made Hermione's skin crawl.

Narcissa looked furious, her lip curling in disgust, but she said nothing.

"Ah yes." Morgan purred, her grin becoming ironically sad. "He's in Azkaban isn't he? How terrible for you. You must be so terribly worried." Her face was filled with false remorse. "Don't worry Narcissa, I'm sure they don't make the prisoners Share Cells."

Hermione's mouth fell open. She couldn't possibly mean… there is no way she would say that in public! But sure enough, Morgan let out a shriek of laughter that confirmed everyone's understanding of what she had meant.

"How dare you!" Narcissa snapped. "You disgusting, foul woman. How dare you show your face in public with decent people, when everyone knows what you are! You should be painted scarlet, your wand snapped in half so you can live out the rest of your days with the other filth!" Her voice was a furious hiss.

The tension in the room was palpable.

"Narcissa, I wouldn't recommend putting muggles on par with filth in the present climate. It could cause ministry officials to examine you in the same light as your husband. Or perhaps, you are willing to openly admit your feelings about muggles and muggle-borns, like the young lady your son is getting an award for saving." She purred again, a look of triumph on her face.

Draco's ashen face turned red with anger, and his hand tightened around his wand. He stepped in front of his mother, and glared at Blaise's mother with pure hatred.

In response, Blaise stepped in front of his mother protectively, his face an impassive mask of apathy.

"Are you threatening me?" Narcissa spat.

"No, I'm simply giving you some good advice. Be careful, or you'll have a family reunion the like of your dear sister's." Morgan's voice was like a caress.

Narcissa smirked disdainfully, the comment about Bellatrix clearly hitting home.

"Thank you Morgan, I shall have to record that bit of advice in my current book: 'Pearls of wisdom from village whores'." The room gasped collectively. "Any thing else to add to the…" But her voice failed her.

Narcissa clutched her throat, her face suddenly twisting with panic.

Draco turned to his mother, as she spoke soundlessly, then his eyes returned to the dark boy, standing impassively before his own combative mother.

Draco raised his wand.

"Take the curse off." Draco demanded, his wand poised on Blaise. "NOW!"

"Malfoy, Zabini didn't do anything." Harry began.

"He doesn't need to do anything to cast magic… he can just think it." Malfoy hissed back. "Take the curse off!"

"God did not grant the power of speech to his creatures so that they might utter such obscenities. When she respects the gift, it shall be returned to her." Blaise sing-songed, his face as full of irony as his words were. The smile that contorted his features was the first expression his face took since the argument had started.

"Take it off, this is your last chance Zabini." Malfoy warned.

"Or what?" The amusement in Blaise's voice was plain to everyone.

Malfoy's lip curled in disdain.

"Or you'll have me to deal with." He threatened.

"Really?" Blaise laughed. "Go on then Malfoy." The challenge was as evident in Blaise's eyes as it was in his voice. Draco returned the gaze.

"I think not boys." Broke in Snape. "That's enough, Mr. Zabini, take the curse off and stand down."

"I never stood up." Blaise said, not turning his eyes off his opponent. "And you have no right to stop me, Snape. Mrs. Malfoy has just accused my mother of a most grievous offense. There is social significance in such public accusations. I cannot simply allow it to go unpunished, honor does not allow it. Malfoy, as the eldest free male of his household is similarly honor bound to stand up for his house's accusation."

"You are suggesting a dual of honor!" Snape exclaimed. The purebloods in the room gasped.

Blaise finally turned his face away from Malfoy to look Snape straight in the eyes.

"I will not have anyone insulting my mother." Blaise hissed.

"Angry Zabini? Something she said hitting home? " Draco sneered in return. He wasn't going to let the teachers keep this from happening.

"Enough!" Blaise snapped, and his voice seemed to echo in the eerie wind that swirled around. His anger filled the hall with a bitter frost. His hand went to the handle in the sheath at his waste, but his mother stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Blaise, take the curse off her." Morgan said.

Blaise hesitated, reluctant to take his eyes of Malfoy. After a moment, he flicked them to Narcissa, and.. with out the slightest movement on his part, speech was restored to her.

"W-what?" Narcissa asked.

"I am not unreasonable Narcissa. There is no reason for you to lose both your son and your husband. Take back what you said and put a stop to this." Morgan said amiably.

"I only speak the truth." Narcissa said. Blaise moved to draw his wand again, and again his mother stopped him.

"Narcissa… don't be stubborn. I would advise you to remember the last time we were in this situation. Your husband could not defeat my boy when he was ten and without a wand, what makes you think your son has a chance now that Blaise is fully armed and in control of his power. To proceed would be folly, and a needless sacrifice. Take back what you said, and your son can walk out of here to live another day."

Narcissa looked like she was considering it.

The look of fear on his mother's face, coupled with the arrogant self-assurance on Morgan's face, made Draco seethe with anger. So they both thought him incapable? Inadequate? Cannon fodder, perhaps? They thought he'd fall to Blaise as easily has he had the first time. Draco felt the anger that had been boiling inside him since their argument on Wednesday snap. He would not back down, he had his own score to settle.

"You're so confident…" Sneered Draco. "You really think you can kill me as soon as look at me. I'd like to see you try." No, Draco would prove to them all he could stand for his house. He would finish what began with their parents nearly seven years ago. He would finish what he started with Blaise.

"Its time we settled this." Blaise agreed seriously, and he drew his wand. His face returned to being completely blank.

Morgan sighed, patting her son on his shoulder, and stepped away. Narcissa stepped away as well, and let the two boys square up to each other.

"You can't be serious." A voice broke the deathly silence in the room. It was Hermione.

"Shut up Granger!" Hissed Pansy, whose face was white with horror. "This isn't something you can interrupt!"

"Why!" exclaimed Hermione. "Because of culture! Because of honor! Where is the honor is killing each other!" Hermione exclaimed desperately.

She made to step forward, but someone caught her arm. She turned and saw Gregory Goyle holding her wrist.

"Leave it alone Granger, this has been a long time coming… Those two go back farther than you know." He said.

Hermione looked back. Draco and Blaise were circling each other, their faces impassive, waiting for the other to strike first. Now more than ever, Blaise resembled his mother… his steps like a cat playing with its prey.

"You can't do this!" she gasped. "Harry… Ron…" She looked at her friends, standing to the side lines with indecision in their eyes. "Someone… " She looked up at Dumbledore. He returned her gaze with a grave look indeed, and left her in no doubt that not he nor anyone else would interfere.

"Vere Phasmatis Octus." Draco whispered. The occupants of the hall gasped as Draco split, once, twice, three times, so that eight Draco's now circled the dark haired boy. Blaise stopped moving, and closed his eyes.

Each Draco stopped as well, and they all muttered different spells and made different wand movements. Eight curses went flying at Blaise from eight directions. Blaise, his eyes still closed, raised his wand and erected a shield around him, reflecting the curses back upon their originators. Seven of the Draco's vanished when the spells hit them, leaving one standing with his wand poised looking windswept.

"You used your finishing move first?" Blaise said, his voice completely blank. "Using Daddy's tricks won't work on me." He said, and pointed his wand at the last Draco. The stone floor of the great hall was pealed away as the spell traveled over it, invisible except for the heat haze it emitted, to Draco, and exploded on impact. The stone wall behind him was decimated, and nothing was left but ash.

"NO!" Screamed Narcissa.

Hermione's knees went limp with shock.

Near by, she could faintly hear Pansy whimpering with tears of grief, and the rest of the hall was silent.

"Lammina Luna…" Began an echoing, disembodied voice.

Blaise wheeled around and yelled: "Revulus." The invisibility spell covering the real Draco was thrown back, to reveal him casting a major spell that surrounded him in a magical, glowing, circle.

"…septa lacesso." He said, and his wand erupted, as six sickle shaped flashes of light burst forth with the sound of thunder and flew in every direction.

"Damn!" Blaise said and closed his eyes in concentration. The six crescent moons of light, rocketed towards Blaise from every direction-whistling like blades cutting the air- but when they were with in a foot of cutting him down where he stood, they were smashed to pieces with the sound of a bell tolling and breaking. A wall of fire had erupted around the dark boy, protecting him from the blades of light. It fanned out and up like in a minor nuclear explosion of destruction, towards Draco.

"STOP IT!" Hermione screamed.

Draco cast a shield charm, and ducked low as the fire engulfed him like the mouth of a dragon swallowing its prey. To the spectators in the great hall, all there was to see was a great ball of flame, gaining in fuel and thunder as power poured from Blaise's finger tips. Fire was filling the room and gaining in momentum, and Blaise's skin was starting to glow a faint red. He stood with his left arm extended, fire pouring forth, his wand resting at his right side, and his expression completely blank.

Draco stood his ground, still casting his shield charm as his hair melted and his skin was scorched. He didn't know how much longer he could maintain the shield, and could feel it flickering with failure, when the fire stopped.

Draco stood up, registering two things. Goyle was on the floor, covered in curse marks, and Hermione was now standing between himself and certain death.

He had used his two most powerful spells, the two finishing moves used to kill an opponent, short of using an unforgivable, and both were ineffectual against Blaise.

"That's enough." Hermione spat with finality.

"Move." Blaise said, his expression was far away, and he spoke with a deadened voice.

"No."

"Move… this isn't something you can interfere in."

"NO!" She said more vehemently.

"Move, or I'll move you." He said, raising his wand.

"Then do it!" She challenged. "You've obviously lost all sense of yourself, so go on and attack me, why don't you?"

"Ms. Granger!" Snape snapped. "Get out of the way you stupid girl, this is an honor bound ritual…"

"I don't care!" She screamed, not taking her eyes of Blaise. "They're just words Blaise! They don't change the reality of the situation, or the truth in our hearts. Words don't mar you like curses, all they do is damage your so called honor… but what is honor, Blaise? Some abstraction of culturally imposed beliefs! Are you going to promote the injustice of pure-blooded society by buying into to those beliefs… by taking part in this barbaric ritual of vindication! Blaise, you're giving the social construct of patrician society validity by participating, is that what you want? And for what? For words?"

"You don't understand." He said coldly, his voice as detached as his eyes.

"Why? Because I'm a mudblood!" The merest trace of anger flickered in his eyes when he heard the word. For a moment, he looked normal again.

"I told you not to call yourself that. Now move."

"It used to hurt." Hermione said, her voice full of passion. "It used to hurt so bad, and once I actually hit Malfoy for it… but this year you taught me something… you taught me to respect myself because no one else would do it for me. And then I realized something, words only have the power which you give to them. People only have power over you if you relinquish it to them. Anger, hatred and despair can only consume you when you let it… but you have the choice!

"Are you going to give power to those words? Are you going to validate those accusations… Blaise! They don't mean anything if you don't let them! Do you choose to be a hypocrite Blaise? To tell me not to call myself a mudblood or get angry over it, and you yourself cannot resist drawing your wand on something similar?" His body was still exuding a fait red-glow, but his eyes were starting to flicker. His breathing was erratic, like he was trying to regain control of himself.

She tentatively walked closer to him.

"Or do you choose to believe in your own words? To give meaning to your own beliefs.. and live the way you choose to… and not they way that was chosen for you." She was right in front of him.

He was still looking at Malfoy, his wand pointing right at the other's heart, but there was unease in his eyes.

"I can't stop it now." He whispered.

"Please Blaise.." She said, taking his free hand -which was clenched in rage- in hers. "Its not worth it." His breathing was heavier now, and the glow of his skin was still intense. This close, she could see that his irises, normally a deep amber, were a fiery red, and seemed to move like a burning fire.

Hermione realized, when she took in the sight of his eyes, that she was terrified of him. Is this what the Slytherins knew? Had they seen him like this before? Had they felt the magic he exuded like a palpable cloud of power that constricted the breathing and sped the heart? Was this why no one grew close to him?

What a sad life, to be powerful, and live with others in constant fear of you. And although she was scared, and sweating in fear, at that moment, she felt sorry for him.

Slowly, she put her arms around his thin waste like she'd done before, only this time, they were both trembling, he with rage, and she with fear.

"Please …" Hermione whispered, her ear pressed against his chest as she listened to the furious beating of his heart. "Please…" Her hands felt the tightness of his back, straight and poised for battle. "Please…" His breathing was slowing down, though still heavy. "They're just words." She said, unable to stifle a sob, and her shoulders began to shake as more came afterward.

Then, miraculously, the muscles loosened, and his wand arm dropped to his side.

Hermione found herself crying even harder, this time with relief.

It was over.

She heard a shriek of relief from somewhere near by, and knew Narcissa must be hurrying over to her son.

Hermione looked up, about to smile, when she felt it. She looked down at her hands, which were - to her great surprise- glowing white. She looked over her shoulder.

Pansy and Narcissa had taken several steps back as Draco too, was glowing white.

The noose which had constricted her neck since the first life debt had been initiated, loosened, and she knew right then and there… that she had saved Draco Malfoy's life.

Her heart stopped. Her body turned to ice. She was completely shocked by one solid and insurmountable fact:

Blaise had been about to kill Draco.

Her hand was clutching the hand of a murderer, and when she turned her face to his, she saw no remorse, only cold nothingness.

She froze, and did not know how long she stood there, just staring at him in disbelief; Her mouth slightly ajar, her eyes wide, her heart ice.

Blaise was not looking at her, he was staring at the decimated wall, right next to the door that led to the entrance hall with a detached expression.

Hermione only moved when she felt a hand on the small of her back. She jumped.

Blaise's mother had approached her, her hand an intense heat compared to the frost of shock that surrounded and penetrated her.

"Hermione Granger, I presume." She said, her hand agonizingly warm against Hermione's skin. "Morgan Sinistra." She held out her hand, and took Hermione's, a curious and calculating look on her beautiful face. "It's a pleasure to meet you at last."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Well there it is… the long awaited fight scene. I hope I didn't disappoint, I don't know if I'm very good at these things.

I'd really like some feed back on the fight scene and how the characters are developing. So make sure you shoot me a review.

Thanks to everyone who put me at 188!

Natali: No sorry, this is a Draco/Hermione story… but, there will be a lot more Hermione/Blaise in the lead up to Draco coming around.

Jexi: I was honestly considering that option from the very beginning, but then I thought I had enough of a plot in the alternative ending for an entirely different story.

Prayyshoez: It's a Draco/Hermione story. Read the text carefully.

Bold gravy: First of all: nice name. Secondly: thanks for the review. I'm struggling to write all the ideas I have for stories, I hope you'll keep with this one tho, even if I don't update regularly.

Willow fairy: Grammatical errors? I check each chapter some ten times before I post. If you make me paranoid for no reason I won't post often. Please point it out next time so I can correct the chapter. Appreciate it.

Dizzydragon: Does that mean you don't want to do it? Cause I had someone else offer. If you are still interested, email me at imuttard at gmu dot edu

Cf8work4u: Uh, yeah, more reviews would be nice. You can help by adding lots more!

Ehlonna: MMM, at least you know why Blaise is so protective over Ursula.. see, I'm slowly revealing things right? I'll spell it out a bit more next chapter. But here is a hint so you can keep your hair: Blaise is not crushing on Hermione yet and Draco is DEFINITELY not crushing on her at all. You'll see more of Draco's feelings about this whole business in the 18th chapter.

Nevermind2: How was that for feelings? Yeah, the next chapter is just as dramatic.

Kristina Chang: Don't bother looking at Summer Days.. no one likes it very much and I'll most likely delete it until I am ready to finish it. I've realized I can only write two stories at once, and I'm already commited to Kaya's Fall (an original fiction) in addition to this one.

Kricket x0: Yeah, Hermione will enter bitch mode in chapter 18. You'll see more of the feisty, bossy Hermione JK created… And Draco will also turn back into a bastard. Attribute their OOCness to stress. Thanks for the reviews. I appreciate the feedback.

Word E. Smith: Don't you realize? Harry is already a punk… look how JK describes him. Baggy clothes, scruffiness, high toped trainers, messy hair… Harry just screams "grunge" at me when I read about him. And as for the singing, I'll explain how that came about in a later chapter. It makes sense, really it does. You'll see.

This is a Draco/Hermione story.. but there will be more Blaise/Hermione leading up to Draco's enlightenment or whatever.

Maddys-Murphy: The fight wasn't over Hermione, that wouldn't make any sense. Draco doesn't like her yet. Anyway, you're right about the testosterone tho.. the boys need to simmah-down-nah!

Cathyb: Hope I don't disappoint.

Surrounded by idiots: LMAO, ROFL… your reviews made me laugh. You had one question answered in this chapter… the rest are coming v. soon along with the synergy potion and the return of Blaise.

Ambrosiaflame: That always happens to me.. I'm supposed to be studying and instead I start reading fiction. Well, that's why I've only got a 3.4 instead of my goal of 3.5! I'll never get my masters if I keep that up… so study woman!

El Ci Ache Johnson: Thank you. Draco will never leave his shell! He is a MALFOY! See chapter 18 for snarkiness. Quiz from my eugenics class: I am an artist and avid animal rights activist. I am a vegetarian and constantly lobby (or did when I was alive) for animal rights and against cruelty to animals. I enjoy painting and sketching, though you would not think so when you first think of me. Who am i? (Hint: This is a historical figure. This questions is significant, see if you can't guess!)

Undying at Midsummer: Go back and read chapter three for the rest of Blaise's note. As for the ceiling, remember in chapter one when I said that Voldemort was using his blood tie to the school (cause he's the heir of slytherin) to bring it down… that's why the ceiling caved. That same magic will be used to restore the school by Hermione and Draco.

Islandmpchagurl: That's a secret. (Sore wa himistu desu)

Machina Al Bhed Chick: I know, it's horrible isn't it! Wait till chapter 18 to get the answer to your question.

Emily: Yes I want your help. Your email didn't post so could you post it again, or just email me at imuttard at gmu dot edu. If you are going to post your email, make sure you put it in the email section and not in the body of the review please. But yes, I'd definitely like your help because people have been pointing out grammatical errors and that's embarrassing. Thanks for the offer, can't wait to hear from you. Oh yeah, IM me at colorofthought – Yeah, I'm not christain either but I need an orthodox catholic to help me with Blaise's character. Do you know anyone? Also, I'll need a Greek speaker. Any takers?

Lavender-dream, vla1diva, Raven176, princesssugar, pink-lemonaid-87, sporty12gd4u, Stefy, Silver Hanou, Iraine, BrennaM, harryslover, rulerofthedisenchantedforest, hippy1212, bloodyangel, Andie, nikethana, InfinityEstel/sundarmorning, Chocolate loves me, Ashley, Star-Angel23, Melio, cutenrazy, youkoforever, kate-felton, Ryua Malfoy, Kayti, Myonlycat, kiss-of-cuteness, SM together, Equestrianzrule, smellslikecurry, hotredchick, fallenangel: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

And yes, there will be some more Blaise/Hermione before Draco/Hermione shows up.

Dragon AND ANYONE ELSE WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHO BLAISE IS:

Zabini, Blaise (wizard)
b. 1980
Slytherin 1991-98 (SS7)
Blaise Zabini's gender is now confirmed by JKR: he's a wizard. JKR passed the word along to the Portuguese translation team when they were working on revising the translations of the novels. (6/15/04)

Source: http:www. hp-lexicon. Org / wizards / wizards-v-z .html (remove spaces)

Blaise was mentioned once in the first book, as having been the last student in Harry's class sorted into Slytherin. Blaise is also the third person in Harry's class who is able to see thestrals (see book 5) meaning he has witnessed death. Those are the only things known about him.