Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own Harry Potter.

A/N: Yeah, yeah, I know it's been like four months since I've updated, but I have the bestest excuse ever! My internet was turned off! (Shame on you, mom.) So, I got this free internet thingy that I'm using... just so I can update for you guys!

Now on to the big 3-0!

Chapter 30: Making Some Things Better

"So you're telling me that we have to live in the same house, all summer, with four Gryffindors?" Blaise asked, wondering if he should feel disgusted or amused at this little tidbit of information.

Stephanie nodded. "Yep, we sure do."

"Look on the bright side, mate," Draco slapped his shoulder, grinning, "at least you won't die just yet."

"Yeah, that's real comforting, Draco," Blaise drawled, then smirked. "Although, I would be more worried about you than anyone else."

"Why's that?" Draco asked, confused.

"Well, I'm not the one that's going to be living with my ex-girlfriend's older brother," Blaise informed him with a smug look.

"I'm not scared of Weasley," he sneered.

Stephanie grinned. "Notice that he didn't say which one," she pointed out to Blaise.

Draco scowled. "I'm not scared of any Weasley."

"Puh-lease," his cousin huffed, "even I get scared of that infamous temper that all the Weasleys seem to have."

"Whatever. So, has anyone from Slytherin house harassed you yet?" Draco asked, quickly changing the subject. He was desperately trying to keep Ginny off of his mind, but it just didn't seem to be working. Ever since he had seen her two nights ago in the Headmaster's office, he couldn't seem to concentrate on anything but her.

"Well Crabbe and Goyle tried to attack me with a few curses, but they managed to knock themselves out in the process," Blaise replied.

Draco raised an eye-brow. "Funny, they did the same thing to me."

Stephanie smirked. "Well, other than a few nasty looks from the girls, nothing bad. Come to think of it, I would've figured that Pansy would be the main one, but I haven't seen her at all these past few days."

"Didn't Dumbledore tell you?" Blaise asked, surprised.

"Tell me what?" Stephanie asked curiously.

"Apparently Voldemort killed her," Draco said, feeling bad for a girl who never had a chance.

Stephanie gasped. "Oh, well that explains alot. She was probably the one feeding him information."

All feelings of sympathy from Draco vanished. "You think?"

She nodded. "Of course, Drake. Why else would she be dead?"

"Maybe cause she was bloody annoying," Blaise joked.

Stephanie gave him the death glare. "No, you idiot! He probably killed her in a fit of rage after he found out that we betrayed him."

"Stupid bitch!" Draco yelled angrily. "If she wasn't dead, I'd kill her myself."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Being angry isn't going to solve anything. Besides, at least we're out of the Slytherin dorms. Now we don't have to worry about someone trying to kill us in our sleep."

"I was quite content in my Head dorm, thank you," Draco said sarcastically.

"Well, I definitely like having my own room," said Blaise. Dumbledore had moved all three of them into a more lively and healthy environment, in his opinion. They all had their own bedroom with a bathroom connecting to each one and they all shared one common room. Of course, everything was decorated in green and silver.

"Me too," Stephanie agreed. "I'm definitely loving the peace."

"Well it won't be peaceful for much longer. We have a Quidditch match coming up, remember?" Blaise reminded the both of them.

Draco shrugged. "I've decided not to play."

"What?" Blaise asked in shock.

"He's just joking," Stephanie said, then turned to her cousin. "You're just joking, right?"

"No, I'm not," he stated seriously.

"What the hell is wrong with you, mate? This is our last bloody game!" Blaise shouted.

Draco scowled. "Nothing is wrong with me, Blaise. I'm just not about to play for a team who doesn't give a shit about me or what I'm for."

"He's right, Blaise. I mean, why would you want to try and help your house win when they couldn't care less about you?" asked Stephanie.

"I don't know...it's just, well, it's our last game, you know?"

"Yeah, it's a game," Draco replied. "We've got more important things to do."

"Look at them," Ginny whispered in Harry's ear. "It almost makes me want to hurl," she replied making a gagging noise in the back of her throat.

Harry laughed. "C'mon, Ginny, at least they aren't screaming at each other." He looked over at his two best friends who were currently cuddled up in a chair. A big part of him wished that he was holding Stephanie right about now.

"Have you talked to her?" Ginny asked.

"Who?" Harry answered, pretending that he didn't know.

She rolled her eyes. "Stephanie, you prat. Who else would I be talking about?"

"No, not lately." Harry gave her a look. "What about you?"

"Why would I talk to her?" Ginny asked, daring him to go further.

"Because she's your best friend," he said, not in the least bit scared.

"She's your girlfriend," Ginny shot back.

Harry groaned. "And she's your best friend! You won't ever be able to replace her."

"I already know that, Harry. The question is, do you?" Ginny got up and headed for the stairs. "Goodnight, Harry."

On Saturday evening, Ginny sat with Hermione at the dinner table, thinking about her conversation with Harry only a few nights before. She knew that she missed her best friend, but did she miss her enough to risk getting hurt again?

"Are you okay, Ginny?" Hermione asked, noticing the younger girl's sullen face.

"Yeah, sure."

Hermione appeared doubtful.

"I was just thinking about things," Ginny finally answered.

"Like..."

"Like if I should talk to Stephanie."

"Oh, I think you should," Hermione said quickly.

"Really, why's that?" Ginny wondered.

"Everyone makes mistakes, Ginny, it's what makes us human. People have to forgive, otherwise everyone in the world would be miserable," she replied softly, thinking of how hard it would be if she didn't have Ron right now.

Ginny nodded. "You're right, Hermione." She was thankful that she and the older girl were so close. It was like having an older sister, only not.

She smiled. "You're welcome. Now go talk to her."

"What?" Ginny's eyes widened. "I can't, not right now." She knew for sure that Draco was eating with Stephanie, because she just happened to glance in their direction at least ten times in the past minute.

"Sure you can," said Hermione, pushing the other girl out of her seat. "Just go up to her and say hi."

"Right, sure thing." Ginny gritted her teeth and started over to the Slytherin table, praying to the Gods that she wouldn't faint.

So much for Gryffindor bravery.

"Hey."

Stephanie looked up from her food and froze. What the hell was Ginny doing saying hey to her? "Uh, hey," she replied, hoping her voice didn't sound small.

Draco eye's darted back and forth between his cousin and the love of his life. Okay, so his eyes pretty much stayed on Ginny.

Ginny wrung her hands together nervously, not once glancing in Draco's direction. "Could I talk to you for a minute?"

Stephanie gave her a half-nod. "Sure." She turned to her cousin. "I'll see you later, Draco."

"Huh? Oh, right. See you later, Steph," he replied, still gazing at the redhead, who was currently walking away.

"So what's up?" Stephanie asked, breaking the awkward silence. They had been sitting under the Willow tree for the past five minutes without any noise, except the few occasional chirps from the birds and it was starting to drive her crazy.

Ginny sighed and gathered up all her courage. "I wanted to apologize."

Stephanie looked at her in shock. "For what?"

"For blaming you," Ginny replied quietly. "You were in no way at fault for what happened to my father. I was just angry that day and have been angry about alot of things-"

"Hey, it's totally cool," Stephanie interrupted. "You had every right to be freaked."

Ginny gave her a small smile. "Thanks, Steph."

She shrugged, "No problem. So, can I actually talk to you without getting yelled at now?" Stephanie teased.

Ginny laughed. "Sure."

Stephanie smiled. She knew that everything wasn't okay between them and that they had a long way to go before it was, but at least some things were getting better.

"So you've decided where the children will stay this summer, Albus?" Professor McGonagall asked the Headmaster. A few certain members from the Order of Phoenix had been asked to meet in Dumbledore's office earlier that afternoon.

"Yes, Minerva, I have," he replied, blue eyes twinkling.

"Well?" She never did like it when he got that look.

"They will be staying at the Potter Estates."

A/N: Yeah, I know, this chapter was very very short, but at least it was something. No worries, I will update soon, I promise! Just please don't scream at me in any of your reviews.

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LILYK