(UPDATE! Yes, an update! I'm so sorry it took so long. It took a while to reinstall a word processing program and to fix everything else. Hope you enjoy!)

(EDIT March 18th 2006 – Fixed spelling and grammar errors. That should be better.)

September

I've never thought I could be in such a miserable position.

Adding to the fact that I cannot become a Death Eater, Millicent has been purposely ignoring me. We've never actually dealt with that whole dilemma that happened in June. Has she still not gotten over it? Anyone could see that Millicent had become Daphne's official acquaintance. Well, if there's nothing she really has to say, I might as well ignore her.

Draco seemed to take care of me the whole time; his sweetness just increases by day. Although I am rather fond of this personality, I'm glad that he hasn't taken away his resentful side, either. You can't have one without the other.

One day I was lying on my bed, alone in the Girls Dormitory (everyone was either outside or still in class). I heard a knock on the door; I was stammering to open the door - was it Millicent? Or worse, was it Daphne? Anyway, I wasn't frightened of them; I just didn't want to waste my time in another childish argument.

I felt myself lighten up when I opened the door. Squealing in delight, I let him in. He wore a black turtleneck sweater, black pants and a gray jacket.

"Draco! How did you get here? There's a spell on the staircase of the Girl's Dormitory that forbids the entrance of--"

"Let's just leave it to this," he spoke as I sat on his lap; I could feel his fingers running through my hair. "It wasn't easy, Pans. I've asked Miles for the charm that temporarily froze the staircase."

We both chuckled a little but our laughter died shortly after, trailing off elsewhere. An awkward silence followed; he was still stroking my hair and I was fidgeting with my newly polished nails.

Perhaps, I thought, this was the perfect time to tell him. Yes, I had to get it over with. Tell him now.

"Draco, there's something I need to tell you," I placed my hands on his. Alright, I'll admit it, I was pleading and I had a desperate tone (not to mention face) during the time. Well, I had to sound convincing, didn't I? He ceased stroking my hair and overlapped his hand on my palm. My eyes were swimming with tears that I tried my best to choke back. Why did I cry so easily? Was I really as fragile as a flower like they say?

"It's...about the whole Death Eater prospect."

"What about it?"

"My mother said that I...I can't become one for sake of safety."

I knew myself I shouldn't be afraid of what he had to say, but I was. When his grip softened, I managed to let my hands escape to cover my face. Feeling completely childish, I buried my face into my arms. Lunacy was rushing through my head.

"Pans...I didn't say you had to join me," His voice sent me a reminder that I wasn't the only one in the room. "It would've been great, but it's okay whatsoever. Don't worry about it."

I revealed my face and looked at him directly in the eye. "Yes, but why do I always h-have to ruin everyt-th-thing? You've never done anything to make me feel awful...it has always been me..."

Did I really just say that? I should've practiced my word choice more; I didn't want to make it sound like I wanted to end our relationship. I tend to blurt things out often when I can't think straight...

Trembling in pain and fear, Draco had every right in the world to remain silent and watch me. He was though, not the type to listen to most things, so of course his response was expected.

His warm hands soothed my cold face as he placed them on my cheeks; cupping my face.

"Everyone makes mistakes. I know I've made mine, and well, you've made yours."

Most would find that insulting, but we laughed together. That was something special about Draco, if you really knew his real self he forgave easily. Although those out there who forgive easily inflict a guilty feeling in the other; this was completely different. The question was, could my life possibly become more like a fairy tale?

When the leaves couldn't depend on the branches anymore; fall managed to awaken from its long sleep and finally arrived.

I was sitting in the Common Room when the dreadful news was delivered to me. Why was it that when I was enjoying my life to the fullest possible extent; something always prevented it for it to become permanent?

"Parkinson? Parkinson!" I heard voices screaming from outside. I didn't even get the chance to stand up; a group of girls had already stormed into the room, one of them being Daphne Greengrass.

"What is it?" I stormed; impatient.

"Your friend Millicent, she, she-"

Everyone in the Common Room immediately went mute. I could hear my heart racing. Although I didn't hang out with Millicent anymore, that didn't excuse the fact that I still cared about her. Analyzing the look on the girls' faces (especially Daphne), I knew something bad had just happened. Dropping my schoolbooks to the floor, I sped out of the Common Room, the crowd of girls following me.

I noticed there was one Ravenclaw in the bunch of Slytherin girls. Nothing could be worse than a Gryffindor, however.

Whoever it was (I assumed it was Mandy Brocklehurst), managed to run ahead of me and started to lead the way.

It seemed we've been turning through the corridors forever until we reached a gathering of students in front of the Great Hall. Worried; I shoved them out of the way and there, on the ground, was Millicent. Her eyes were closed but I could see that she was just knocked out.

"What happened? WHAT HAPPENED?" I screamed, demanding an answer. There was no possible way I could control my temper if my answer remained unknown.

Most students backed up as they saw my eyes bleeding with tears. Filled with sniffles that interfered with my speech; I glared at them and decided to speak calmly to be more persuading. "What happened?"

An unfamiliar Gryffindor girl spoke. As much as I hated Gryffindors; I let her off easily. At least it wasn't that filthy Mudblood Granger.

"Millicent...she...well, w-we were-"

Ugh. I hated her already for not getting to the point.

"Care of Magical Creatures sort of got out of control, we were visualizing a few Fire Crabs and Millicent came too close...the creature started running after her and she ended up here before the Fire Crab burned her legs..."

I felt like I couldn't breathe. I uncovered her legs which were covered by her robes - her socks were burned all the way through, and I'd rather not describe what I saw.

"...Where is the fire crab now?" I spoke; trying not to cry any more than I already was.

The girl hesitated to speak. "Hagrid took care of it." Moments later, Madame Pomfrey, Snape, and Professor McGonagall rushed to the scene.

"Miss Parkinson," McGonagall demanded in a sharp tone, "Please get out of the way." Madame Pomfrey followed, making her way through the students. "Miss Bullstrode will be spending quite time in the hospital wing," she murmured quietly to herself. They left carrying Millicent, away from me; and I didn't stop staring until she was completely gone.

Later that day, I refused to go to all my classes. They didn't allow me in the Hospital Wing, either - not after that dramatic event with Daphne Greengrass and her oh-so-important nose. I stayed on my bed all day, crying. Wondering if I was going to possibly run out of tears; I tried to tone down my crying.

Everyone else was in class. Draco was in Defense against the Dark Arts right now and I should be too. We had an exam today, but I didn't care. I didn't care if I would get in trouble for flunking. I didn't care if people weren't worth my tears.

Then guilt striked me. How could I be so stupid? Really, did I really have to listen to that Madame Pomfrey? Still; I couldn't bring myself to leave the room - I was too weak. My best friend was dying, and I was just sitting there. The silence of the dormitory comforted me a little bit; keeping my anger inside of me, but I was tempted to let it all out when Daphne Greengrass came in.

"Oh, its you." She said, closing the door shut behind her. I was surprised she didn't use a sarcastic tone in her voice.

Remaining completely silent; I just gave her a glare and sunk my face back into my pillow, crying quietly. After a few seconds of silence -

"I know you hate me," Daphne remarked." Anyone can see that."

Uh, no, actually Daphne, I've always been rather fond of you. If only I could say that to her face, but I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't notice I was being sarcastic..

"Shut up," I snapped, not caring if my comebacks sounded witty. "You're the last person I want to talk to now. Now get what you need to get from here and leave."

Daphne crossed her arms and tapped her foot ferociously on the ground, then shot me that disgusting questionable look. "Excuse me, but you're not the one in charge of this dormitory. Nor of what I do in front of Draco either."

Excuse me? Why was this brat bringing up Draco?

"Draco has no business with you and never will," I said sharply. "You can be sure of that, Greengrass."
As if I wasn't allowed to address her by her last name; she threw as much insults at me as she could. I saw that she was trembling.

"Well, why do you have to be so mean and partial? Am I not allowed to talk to him anymore? Just because you're engaged to him doesn't mean I can't talk to him - or even look at him - anymore, right? Right! Maybe he doesn't think I'm that annoying-"

Oh, sure, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what he thinks of you.

"-And, maybe he, maybe-"

"Maybe he...?"
Daphne stopped blabbering and reddened. I'm pretty sure I have won.

"...Gods, what is going on in here?" Spoke a familiar voice; enchanting me in every possible way.

Draco had burst into the Girls' Dormitory, looking exhausted. I assumed he had ran all the way here from Defense Against the Dark Arts; on the way casting the spell on the enchanted stairs.

I felt so ridiculous being caught, out of all people, with Daphne. She tried to put on that innocent mask when Draco had stormed in.

"Nothing, nothing is going on," Daphne began. "Pansy and I were just speaking to each other, Malfoy."

For some reason whatsoever, the way she used his last name rubbed off on me the wrong way. Actually, I didn't like the way she had ever used his name. This was our conversation; where did she earn the right to bring him up? It seemed that the arrival of Draco perceived Daphne that this, in fact, was the perfect chance to leave. Not wanting to upset her one-and-only-oh-so-beautiful guy of her dreams, she left. As I look back at this I knew I was being a self-centered brat, but that's how I was - or how people knew me to be.

I ruffled my short bouncy hair a little and then stood from my bed. "I think I'll go to class now," I started, placing a hair band on my head. "I think I'm alright."

Draco gave me an amiable smile. "Great," he whispered in my ear." Let's go." He held my hand the whole way to class.

Once there, our teacher looked at us incredulously; most of of it piling up on me, of course. Everyone was staring; especially at the sight of us entering with our hands intertwined.

"Miss Parkinson, Mister Malfoy...who gave you two permission to leave class?"

We read each others' minds and knew that this was the perfect chance to go to our seats without getting in trouble. We released our grip, which sent me a little jolt down my spine; and sat down.

As our teacher was talking to Draco, I thought about a few things. Although I was painfully scarred about the incident earlier, I knew Millicent wouldn't give up on her life that easily. She was a brave, strong girl, and did absolutely anything to benefit from what she did. Perhaps I'll give her a visit sometime - when I'm allowed to. Besides, how many things can Pansy Parkinson handle at once?

The teacher approached me.

"So, Miss Parkinson, is there any reason you left during our lesson?"

I was still smiling, trying to completely abandon myself to my thoughts, but I was still listening.

"Oh, it was nothing. Sorry, I'll be on time next time."
Everyone knew I was lying. Draco winked.

After all, the space between relationship and friendship required a leap of faith to survive, and never guaranteed a soft landing.