-The Good the Bad, and Everything In Between ch.9

Disclaimer: I make no money. From this story or otherwise. And I know nothing.

This chapter is dedicated to my dog, Jamie, since no one posts a reply.

Quote of the day:

"You can decide the world is a miserable, depressing place. Or, you can decide it's funny."-?

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"Well, to tell or not to tell. That is the question."

Rae glanced up at Chase, who had spoken.

"Tell? Like a teacher? About Draco?"

The previous night had been a terrifying blur for Rae. All she remembered were red flames everywhere and it being really hot. They found out later than neither Hagrid or his dog Fang, had been hurt.

His house was a different story though, it was completely burned on one side, and everything in it was ash. But since it was brick, magic could repair it moderately.

"Yes, Rae. True, he is you're brother but you don't like him much…plus he just did something terrible." Hermione said in a huff.

Rae buried her face in her hands. She moaned desperately.

"Pansy helped too…not Pansy. My best friend…." Rae was an emotional wreck. Her long silky hair was plastered to her face and matted. Her usually bright green eyes were dim and indifferent. And there were small, but noticeable burns on her arms.

Ron glared angrily. "He burnt their house! We should all tell Professor McGonagal."

Rae sneezed and blew her nose violently. She nodded slowly. "Ok, but…you guys have to come. And I want to talk to Pansy."

Harry gave her a look, "You can talk to Pansy later. The McGonagal is only in her office one block." Rae stood up slowly and sighed.

"Okay, but if they get expelled…oh!" she gave a huge sob and let tears roll down her dirty face.

"It's okay, Rae. I-I don't think they will be expelled." Chase said, but didn't look at her. He was looking at the ceiling with his arms folded.

Rae nodded once more. Before anyone could say anything else she was out the door of the Great Hall, heading for McGonagal's office.

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"May I have a word with you, Professor?"

Professor McGonagal looked up questioningly. "Yes, Malfoy. Please come in."

A few thoughts rushed through her head. Rae never came to see her for homework help or any other reason. But if Albus trusted Rae, then she could too.

Rae sighed and sat down in a chair opposite from herself. Only then did she see Chase Logan, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. They were all outside her office door whispering. She shook her head.

"I need to tell you something." Her attention snapped back to Rae. Her face was down and she looked awfully upset. Plus, she had dirt everywhere on herself.

"Yes, Malfoy?" She asked impatiently.

"I know who set Hagrid's hut on fire." McGonagal's eyes snapped open.

"Who, Malfoy, who?" She asked impatiently.

Rae quivered violently. "I-I…" she trailed off unable to continue. McGonagal leaned forward. "Rae, whatever you tell me here can help. I won't tell…who ever it is you told me. I will tell them a professor spotted them. You must talk, Rae!" She said impatiently.

"My brother." Rae gulped. "And Parkinson, Crabbe, and Goyle were there…"

"Oh my lord." The professor leaned back in her chair. "Rae, thank you so much for this information. I promise, this was the right thing to do." McGonagal said with growing respect for the girl.

Rae nodded silently and walked out of her office.

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"How did it go?"

Rae shook her head. "I sounded like a babbling freak." Harry put a hand on her shoulder in comfort. "You did the right thing." Rae looked away over her shoulder. "I guess. I just don't want them to get expelled! Pansy and I are very close….how could she do such a thing!"

No one said anything for a long time. "I don't think they will be expelled, Rae. No one was hurt. Detentions for a very long time, no doubt, but expelled, I don't think-" Hermione sighed, halfway through her sentence.

Rae walked down the hallway, leaving her friends confused and mislead.

At the Great Hall that night, she watched Professor McGonagal and Dumbledor step over to talk to Pansy and Draco. Draco was fuming and Pansy looked horrified. The look on their faces made her sick. She had to turn and leave.

Up in the dormitory, she found Pansy on her bed screaming. "What happened?" Rae asked, unemotionally.

"I have detentions until February!" She screamed

"Why?"

"Nothing!"

"You don't tell me anything anymore!"

"But it's not your business!"
"I'm your best friend!"

"Fine, Rae! Your brother burned down Hagrid's hut. And we watched. There. Now go tell the teachers how horrible we are."

Rae said nothing. Little did Pansy know, she already had.

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Rae was poured over a book in the library with Hermione. "I wonder what ma and dad will do when Draco tells them he has detentions until February?" Rae thought aloud.

Hermione looked up. "Are you ok?" she asked concerned.

Rae glared bitterly. "I can't believe I was so soft and emotional yesterday. My brother did something wrong. He should have been expelled."

Hermione sighed, "You don't really mean that. I mean, I think he's a creep, but you don't want you're brother to be expelled!"

"Yes I do!" Rae said, flustered. "Then I would not have to face him so much. I can't stand him!"

"What about Pansy?"
"Pansy too! This was totaled. We are growing too different…farther and farther apart." Rae hiccupped and a tear rolled down her cheek. "Why am I so weird, Hermione? I am Slytherin, my whole family is as dark as it gets! Why am I different?"

Hermione said nothing, but closed her book and held Rae's hand. "Please, relax Rae. You are a good person…and one of my best friends. You don't need them."

"What if my dad finds out I told on Draco. He loves Draco. He never cared for me as much. I'll be kicked out! My mom won't be able to do anything."

"You won't be kicked out, Rae, because they'll never know. And besides…you could live me or something."

Rae exhaled deeply and tried to smile for Hermione. She knew she was trying so hard to make her feel better. It had almost worked.

"Thanks, Hermione."

Hermione grinned briefly, but quickly ducked her head behind her Hogwarts: A History book again.

Rae glanced behind her to the open window. She walked slowly through the bookshelves until she reached the stained glass window. She blew on it gently and the mist formed up on the glass as outside the snow began to fall.