Disclaimer: I own the Harry Potter stuff, not. That is the super brainchild of J.K. Rowling. I just own the story plot. Or maybe just a little of it.

A/N: Thanks a bunch to my reviewers! You rock. (: And I couldn't help but thank bigred20 for making my story one of his/her favourites. Thanks!

And now for the story.

Chapter 3: Blood is Thicker Than Water

"Neville, please, please, slap me and tell me it was a dream."

The two of them were by the lake after Advanced Transfiguration. To Neville, Draco had never been so pale in his entire life.

"Come on… She's not bad. I should know since I asked her to Yule Ball."

Draco looked thoughtful. "Or maybe it's a nightmare." Now, he looked as though he was trying to make up his mind. "Yeah, it was definitely a nightmare." Now, he looked as though he had achieved enlightenment.

Sure, like you didn't like her being around, a nasty voice appeared in Draco's mind. He scowled.

"Just slap me," he said in a resigned tone.

"I won't. I've been slapping you ever since breakfast as you've asked me to."

"Fine. It doesn't make me feel better about talking to the Weaslette."

"She's really good-looking," Neville tried to argue, then added as an afterthought, "Single too."

Draco raised an eyebrow.

"Harry broke up with her during Professor Dumbledore's funeral."

The blonde Slytherin winced slightly as Neville mentioned the second name. Memories of the time when he'd seen the Headmaster defeated washed over him once more. Neville noticed his reaction, regretting mentioning the name but he couldn't help it. Everything seemed to revolve around the greatest wizard of all time.

"Draco?" Neville asked nervously.

"I'm fine."

Ginny continued staring out of the window of the common room, which is something she has taken to do everyday since she broke up with Harry. She couldn't stop worrying about him. Her thoughts were constantly filled with endless questions about Harry.

But that day, she was thinking of someone else for a change. Draco Malfoy.

"Draco, I hope you're coping well?"

Draco nodded dumbly. (Apparently, he still felt uneasy around McGonagall.)

"Good. I want you to meet Bill Weasley-"

A deep, jovial voice greeted him.

"-and Nymphadora Tonks-"

"Eurgh, Minerva. Don't mention that horrible name," said a clearly disgusted woman.

"-who prefers to be called Tonks."

"Well, you'd feel the same way if you were named that."

Draco frowned. Her name sounds very familiar…

"You know, Draco. Your face may actually freeze that way," he sensed the woman grin.

Then it dawned on Draco that…

"You're Andromeda's- You're my cousin."

"Yeah, I am. Oh, and it should be Aunt Andromeda to you."

"Mother mentioned you once."

"She might've," she said, then added as an afterthought, "Not fondly, I suppose."

Draco nodded his head. Tonks laughed.

"Dear Aunt Narcissa." She laughed again. "You look a lot like her."

"Yeah, he does. And your mother's fine; she's been found," Bill spoke up. "I think you ought to know that she was attacked by the Death Eaters. Tortured by the Cruciatus Curse repeatedly."

"Don't worry, she's alright now. There's no major damage. She's shaken by the experience but she's alright," said McGonagall.

Draco fell silent. If they tortured his mother like that, surely his punishment would be worse…

As though she could read his mind, Tonks said comfortingly, "You're going to be fine. I won't let anyone hurt my only cousin."

Draco gave a snort. "We've never really met before this. How can you be so willing to protect me?"

Tonks placed a firm (but feminine) hand on Draco's broad shoulders.

"Blood's way thicker than water. It always is whether I'm a blood traitor or not."

Draco lay in bed all night, thinking of what Tonks had promised him. Well, he assumed it was a promise although she didn't really say the word itself. Blood is thicker than water. Then, he sighed.

It's not that true. What about Father? He thought to himself.

The pale boy sighed again, closing his eyes in an attempt to sleep. After twenty minutes of unsuccessful attempts, he finally got up, grabbed his green robes and made his way to the common room, using echolocation.

Once he reached the bottom stair, he listened intently to the direction of the crackling fire. The faint noise helped him sense a very vague shape that could not be a mere object. He frowned. He called out,

"Who's there?"

Then he could sense her. Ginny. For one moment, he sensed her turning around from her sitting position.

"Malfoy? What are you doing here?"

He felt her hand guiding him to the couch. "Sit."

And sit he did. Draco groaned inwardly as he realized how weird it was to follow a Weasley's instructions. But he did like Bill.

"Hey, listen, sorry about breakfast…"

Draco managed a faint smile. "It's okay. You didn't know."

He realized Ginny hadn't removed her hand from his shoulder. But somehow it felt right…

"No, it's not okay. I was being an insensitive wart." She removed her hand.

Draco's face fell when she did but quickly made his face expressionless again.

"What's the matter?" she asked quietly.

"Nothing."

"Right. Like as if I can't sense anyone lying. Your face fell for a moment. I saw it."

"You didn't. It must be your imagination, Weasley."

"Come on, you can tell me."

"Really, it's nothing."

There was a pause. Then…

"Why did you come all the way to my place at breakfast to get something which could be found just two seats away from you?"

A/N: Right. Please review! Don't leave this place without a review! Your reviews help me and I do listen to them. (:

I think I took quite a while to update… sorry, 'aight.