A/N : first of all, SORRY. So sorry I haven't updated for a while. I was at scout camp, then I started to work in a grocery and the schedules are horrible. Then I went through writer's block. At one point I was fed up with Draco (why do I read this blasted book, do tell me…). My latest problem was that I wasn't in Draco mood for a while…..Totally obsessed with Dark Angel at the moment. Yep, I know, it's all lame excuses…..

Disclaimer: I own HP, I rule the world. Of course I own Draco, Hogwarts, and all I want to own, coz I do what I want, I'm almighty. *walks around with a paper crown and the flyswatter as a sceptre*

Ok, out of my dream. If I owned HP, Sirius would be alive, Draco would be on the way to redemption, Lucius would be damn dead and Umbridge wouldn't exist AT ALL. By the way… who wants to eliminate her with me?

sAnDie: Yep, Ron is always horrible. I've maybe made him a bit OOC, but oh well, you can always be surprised with people. No, no H/Hr, sorry… I can't see Harry and Hermione together, I more see them as siblings, I don't know why. Well, sorry to disappoint you!

Terin Kail: I rule the world and you shall call me Almighty Cinnamon Angel… Yep, a tad bit delusional, but well, reality sucks, doesn't it? You ADORE my story? Thank you! I hope you'll continue to read it!

ShadowCaste: Well, I haven't updated for ages and your monkeys haven't turned up yet… Tell me… Are you Wizard of Oz fan? My beta is, she just keeps ranting about it, but well, she insane… Awh, I love penguins…

Rubberduckie713: Ahem… I can imagine you screaming when you found the shirt….. Half the mall staring bewildered at you. Then showing it to all your friends….. they probably just shook their head at you….. I'll try to put the ducks and magenta either in next chappie, either in the one after, I still don't know what's going to happen next. Harry is not really mad at her. He certainly doesn't understand, but he's worried coz of Ron more than coz of Ginny. He'll probably try to talk to her about that though.

JaCkie: without the HP books….. *shudder* don't want to think about that! I'm totally frustrated with the book 5 though….. I'm halfway through it (don't want to eat it right away) and I'm gonna kill somebody soon if the damn book doesn't improve. Everything turns the wrong way….. I sometimes can't read more than a page before starting yelling insults to Umbridge or some other… or Rowling, of course… *glares at book*

Miriam G: I advise you to write your review in Word and then paste it in the review window. It happened to me as well, and it was a 1000 words review….. I was so happy. *glare at computer* I'm not bush, please, don't insult me, I don't deserve it! Yep, I own the world… ahem, ok, the world that is in my head….. Why do you always have to shatter all my illusions? Cover the world with slime????? Exotic way to take care of the matter….. well, don't worry, you're not the only one to speak to book character….. I do it myself, would it be in the book or in fanfic. I speak to the tv characters too…... they aired Dark Angel Berrisford Agenda Sunday morning (at 1…..) and I was just shouting at the screen….. Lucky me my parents are on holiday in south France at my grand-parents….. they're far enough not to hear me scream alone in front of tv….. No problem about you talking to yourself! I talk to myself too, I talk to my computer, to my socks or to my radio, and to Arthur the teddy….. See, I'm at least as hopeless as you! Yesterday, I even talked to my canned peas to try and motivate them to cook faster….. Ha ha ha, I want a 1000 words review, or I don't work on the story anymore!!!!!!

Jewls: thank you and welcome to my insane little world! He he he, many things happen….. so many things…... Horrible and good ones, touching and humour ones…... Well, enjoy and continue to review!

Simbal: THANKS!!!!! *huge smile* your review was so nice! You read it all in one sitting? I'm a huge fan of the D/G concept, though I also love D/Hr….. I write D/G, coz I think there's way too much crap about D/Hr, no need to add some more. Of course there'll be more!!!!!! So much more! This story will be very long, very very long! Hey, they're somewhere in October, and there's something very important happening on Christmas holidays….. Then, I can't possibly stop there! Struggle is part of me, I don't know how I'll feel when it'll be completed. I would feel so…..Well, strange and empty, but so proud at the same time! Your review makes me feel so special! I was thiking the other day, and suddenly, the greatnest of it sturck me. I'm a WRITER, and people READ what I write! And they LIKE it! Damn, if my lit. teachers knew that!!!!!

Fire'N'Ice: Hello twin sis!!!! *waves madly* I hope you can get out another chappie before leaving, and that you find a computer in Virginia, how am I supposed to live without the emails????? Plus, I wouldn't have anybody to beta read me and assure me that the chappie is not so bad as I thought….. You're not expendable….. Guess what I'm listening to right now? Yep, you're right, it's Evanescence….. how amazing, isn't it? Whisper is currently on, but I think I'm gonna switch to Tourniquet….. Done. ARGH, I work this afternoon….. Hope I have time to work on my stories, I think I'm enough in DA mood to work on my shots….. Good news! I'm glad Draco has a teddy. I love my reviewers, they gave me the idea. Yes it's set in 6th year, and yes, Ronikins has a GREAT problem. You're the only one to know the plot, so I can share it with you….. damn, Christmas…... I've another idea….. I'll let you know in the email…... Ahem, it's not coz you have a sunburn that MY characters are gonna follow YOUR orders….. Yep, sorry to wake you up….. I think words hurt much more than physical injuries. Words can keep running in your mind for years, but physical wounds just heal and are forgotten. Draco will have the scars forever, but it's not as hurting as his father's words I guess. I don't' think Ginny will forgive Ron that easily, even if he apologizes a lot. She's got a right temper herself….. Well, I know I wanted Ginny to have many friends in the story, and she'll have them back. They're just momentarily gone, and honestly, I can't blame them, even if it's a bit childish to act the way they do. Ah, the " you'd be surprised what you can live through" line again! You used it in your mail this morning….. I guess you're really hopeless with Disney…..

Carshaa: Whoa, I've got your respect? It's sooooo rare….. He he he. Don't' worry, myself I couldn't believe Ron was acting like that. I don't really have control over what Itype and I was horrified as the line was appearing on the screen….. And Why would I pretend this review doesn't exist, huh? I love all reviews that are nice, and you're nice to me, so thank you for the review! Nah!

Elven ice angel: Ahem, not sure you're the 100th reviewer, coz ff.net screws the numbers. In my profile, it says you're the 98th and on the site, the 100th….. Well, let's say you're the 100th and get over with it. Hope you liked the chappie, I'm sorry I quite fell behing with Saving the Enemy, but well, I don't have time and this site screwed up for I don't know how much time. In fact my chappie was ready last weekend and I was REALLY frustrated not being able to post it…..

A/N again: Remember to check Fire'N'Ice story if you want a good D/Hr story! Again sorry about the mistakes and about the delay. I hope there isn't too much people at the grocery this afternoon so I have time to work on the story! And thanks for dealing with my endless ramblings! Hope you like the chappie!!!!!

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Chapter 13 :

*Draco's pov*

Night has settled down on Hogwarts. It's really cold now, but I still don't have enough courage to face my fellow Slytherins. They don't know anything about Ginny yet, but I guess the rumours will be spread pretty quickly.

It was horrible to see her broken and alone today. I wonder what happened and how people took it. Quite bad, I guess, but it's not amazing, considering the way I've treated Gryffindor house since coming here. I know I'm the worst git Hogwarts has seen since I don't know when. Well, probably since my father.

 I had to go to the common room this evening. I just had to fetch that bloody knife that I had buried in my trunk. I've taken Arthur with me too. I don't want to cut myself alone anymore.

I'm sitting on a window sill near the Great Hall and I can hear the clatter of the plates and the chattering of the students. It's quite easy to figure out what the subject of the conversation is at the Gryffindor table and I wonder if Ginny has come down with the others.

My old habits come back at light speed. I apply the edge of the knife on my skin. My arms aren't healed at all, but they are better. I haven't cut myself for a few days and it shouldn't hurt as much as before.

Yet, I hesitate. Do I really want to give up and fall back in this routine? I'm not sure. These last days have been good. It was cruel of Fate to give me them and now take it all back, but deep in my heart, there's still a little twinkle of hope. Hope that things will change one day.

The blood spurts, but it isn't as relieving as before. I feel the familiar pain, but it doesn't ease my mind. I look up at Arthur. He's facing me, with his big black eyes and his cinnamon fur. He looks so innocent and pure next to me.

"You know, I don't think I deserve you." Great, I'm talking to him again.

"And I think you think too much."

It's Hannah. I try to hide my knife, though I don't know why.

"You're lucky I can't snatch that knife. I wish I could throw it right through a window."

"Ginny tried."

"Yeah, and it put her into trouble."

"I know, she-"

"She collapsed in her dormitory Saturday morning, and I overheard Mrs Pomfrey say to Dumbledore that the wound was probably for something in that. And don't even try to blame yourself, she did what she thought was right."

Now, what's that? Was she in the hospital wing because of that? Is it again my fault?

"What she thought was right led her to much more trouble. Her whole house is against her now, and it's my fault. Gryffindors and Slytherins don't associate. Weasleys and Malfoys aren't friends. She an outcast, and I'll soon be myself; rumours fly around so fast."

"So why are you here hurting yourself instead of being with her? She's your only friend, and she needs you now. She hasn't anybody else."

I just shake my head. A voice inside my head tells me to listen to Hannah, to believe in her. That voice claims that I'm Ginny's only friend now, but I can't be. All this is my fault, so I highly doubt I can help her in any way. I'll stay far from her if it can bring her friends back and I tell that to Hannah.

"Do you really think they're real friends if they don't give her a chance to explain or even trust her?" she replies while disappearing.

Damn, why do my meetings with Hannah always mess with my mind? I throw the knife in front of me and lean my head on the wall. What should I do?

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*Ginny's pov*

Hours later, I'm still in the library. Where has Draco gone? I need him now. It's not me helping him anymore, it's a two directions friendship. I need him as much as he needs me, so he should be here with me. I stand up and look around, hoping he's somewhere in the library, but the only other person here is Mrs Pince snoring on her armchair. I even wish Hermione was there. I'm not really upset with her, I know it wasn't her purpose to make things take such a bad turn. From the look held in her eyes, I can see how much she regrets having done this and how ashamed she is. I can't turn down her friendship, not now.

With this brand new resolution, I head for the common room. Everybody is still at dinner, but something catch my eyes on a window sill. Brown fur and black eyes. Somehow, I'm sure it's Arthur, I could recognize him anywhere. But what is he doing here?

I approach slowly. I'm relieved to spot Draco facing him, head leaning against the stone wall and eyes closed. I put my hand on his shoulder, and he reacts so harshly that I nearly have a heart attack. It takes him a few seconds before understanding it's me and immediately, fear leaves his eyes.

"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" I can sense worry in his voice, so I lie.

"Not at all, but I didn't expect such a reaction." Damn, my arm is bruised where he grabbed it, but I assume it's a defence mechanism. Again, all my anger is directed to Lucius. Draco shouldn't have such a strong mechanism, he shouldn't fear everybody coming unknown to him! I wish I could kill Lucius.

"Why did you leave me in the library?"

Ah, he doesn't like my question! But there's no way he can escape, I want to know. He's avoiding my eyes, and I hate that. He's staring at a corner of the window sill and I spot something shiny lying in the shadows. I focus on it until I finally understand it's his knife. Oh no, not that bloody knife! It's my turn to grab his arm to see the result of his work. A wave of happiness rushes on me when I discover only one cut. One big cut, but at least, it's not as awful as it used to be.

"Why did you do that?" I finally exclaim.

"Old habits die hard."

Sure. This is such a impersonal expression! It's not the truth, I know it isn't. Something deeper lays under the thick blood that still rolls on his skin. All this crimson liquid drives me crazy, I have to do something, so I again take out my handkerchief and again bandage his arm. I've already lived this scene, and how much I wish I would never have to live it again!

"Why are you here?" he whispers slowly.

I sit down on the window sill, next to Arthur and draw my legs against my chest. Doesn't he understand how much I care for him? Well, no, he never had somebody to care for him. I smile widely, I'm so proud to be the first one to get through his walls.

"Hey, have you already forgotten that you're my friend? And as much as I hate to admit it, I need you now." I wink at him while saying the last sentence, and this simple gesture seems to lighten the atmosphere. However, he stays very serious when speaking.

"You should better try to go and speak to your friends. I'm not exactly worth the sacrifice."

ARGH! Why is he so stubborn and melancholy? I want the sarcastic and witty Draco to talk with me. I'm already down in hell when thinking about my house, I need something a tad bit uplifting!

"May I remind you they're not my friends anymore? You're my friend, along with Arthur, you're supposed to cheer me up, not bring me down! And never say you're not worth it, I will not tolerate such an attitude. And I take this knife, if you don't mind….."

I tuck the evil tool in my pocket and look back at him. It seems that my words process through his mind. His face suddenly lightens and a shadow of a smile appears.

"YEAH! I've made you smile! The impossible has happened, I'm a heroin, I'm higher than everybody in that world, I'm a queen, the queen of smileys! I've completed the most difficult task in the world!" I hold Arthur high in the air while standing up on the huge window sill and bowing around. The hall is now filled with our laughter. OUR laughter. I look down at Draco to find him laughing heartily with me. My heart tightens, I'm sure to be the first one to hear him laugh for years.

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*Hermione's pov*

I've gone down for dinner with the others. I don't really have an excuse to stay up, and I prefer to follow Ron in case he meets Malfoy or Ginny in the halls or in the Great Hall. I feel lighter when I spot neither of them for dinner. I play around with my food, half-listening to the conversations around me. As expected, they're about the "traitor" and the "slimy git". I hate myself, I so hate myself. I try to think that it would have been discovered eventually, but I'm drowning in a river of guilt. I can't stand the gossip surrounding me.

"…..Well, it was obvious this girl was somehow strange. She went through rough time after Chamber of Secrets….."

"…..You know, I wonder how it's possible she hid so long that she was possessed by some Slytherin mind or something. I don't think she would have associated with one if she was totally Gryffindor….."

"…..Yeah, it's related to Voldemort. I think she might be a Death Eater, and she met Malfoy in a meeting probably….."

This time, it's too much. I'm really on the edge of blowing up. But the worst come from Ron. I can't believe he actually speaks like that.

"….. I can't believe Mum is on her side. Virginia is getting the whole family name down with her actions. If I were Dad, I think I'd disown her. She can go with her bloody Death Eater, for all I care. In fact, she always annoyed me, and I wonder why we didn't leave her in the Chamber of Secrets. We should have known she would never be the same after that….."

SLAM!

I slapped my best friend, and really hard. The print of my hand appears in bright red on his cheek and I'm shaking in anger. I'm standing in front of him and he looks up at me bewildered. He's not Ron. He's not the Ron I know. This one is cold and moronic. I want the old Ron back! I knew he had a bad temper and that he would be upset, but I didn't expect this. Never. I can't believe it's my best friend I've just slapped.

"How dare you speak like that, Ronald Weasley." My voice is raising, and the whole school has their eyes on us.

"When did you change so much. When did you become such a heartless bastard. You remind me of Lucius Malfoy. You're not the Ron I know. Listen to what you're saying! I pray you don't catch the full meaning of your words, I hope when you understand you collapse of shame. Speaking that way! I'm so ashamed of you." My voice breaks and I sit down again, my cheeks are burning, I must be as red as a lobster.

Harry who's been quiet till now suddenly speaks as the clatter of forks starts again. The others are used to our rows, but I'm not sure they catch the importance of this one.

"You know, I think Hermione is right. I don't recognize you either. I can understand you're angry, but this goes beyond anger. It's pure hatred, and it doesn't corresponds you. I think we should stop talking about this till tomorrow, maybe you'll have clearer ideas."

I mentally thank Harry who leads Ron out of the Great Hall, I follow them closely. Many people are now done with their meals and start to leave also. I still fear we might meet Ginny and Draco on our way back to the common room. Ginny. It now strikes me that Ron called her Virginia. For the first time of his life, maybe.

I'm deep in my thoughts when I hear her laughter. Oh no. No no no. I sense Ron stiffen by my side and Harry puts his hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

"It's not worth it, Ron. You know she'll eventually come to her senses. You know she is smart. I think you should trust her intelligence. Remember, let go, we'll speak about that tomorrow."

Harry's words seem to work their way through Ron's mind and I see him visibly relax. We soon arrive at where Ginny is sitting. With Draco. Damn, it's not good, it's not good.

They're laughing a lot, and I realise it's the first time I hear Malfoy laugh. His face is lightened and I could even say he's quite handsome. He's not the Malfoy who taunts me in the halls, nor is he the Malfoy I've recently discovered, sad and tortured.

I approach them, and their laughter dies suddenly. My throat is in a knot, but I have to speak to Ginny, I can't go to bed without having tried to speak to her.

"Ginny?" She turns her face to me, showing a neutral expression. She seems so cold that I hesitate.

"I'm sorry. Damn, I'm so sorry." I look at the floor, I don't want to hear her answer, I fear she might send me to hell or something.

"I know Hermione. And it doesn't matter. In a way, you helped Draco and I. Friends?"

I'm dumbfounded. She wants to be my friend. Me, Hermione Granger, the stupid girl who betrayed her, the moron who broke her link with all the house and who made his brother hate her. Tears are prickling my eyes, but this time, they're happy ones.

"Of course." I look at her to find her smiling widely.

"Brilliant! May I present you to my friend Draco?" she says, pointing to him.

Ok, time has come to call for a truce, I guess. I squeeze his hand, smiling shyly. He smiles back at me. He SMILES, not this bloody smirk he has when taunting me. Hey, it seems I've gained a new "friend"!

On the other side of the hall, I can hear Ron sigh loudly, so I go back to them and wink at Harry. He's bewildered I accepted to sort of call a silent truce between Malfoy and I, but I think he understands we don't need that topic as a conversation now. We have to bring Ron to the common room before he does something extremely asinine like kill both of them. We continue to walk and when turning at the corner of the hall, we hear a gasp behind us. The Slytherin sixth years are near the spot where Ginny and Draco have started to chat and laugh again, and the horrified sound has come from Pansy's mouth.

'Take that, Parkinson,' I think with a Malfoy style smirk.

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~~~I HATE Pansy.  Had to say that.  Moving on, AWESOME!!  I really liked this.  The interaction between Ginny and Draco, Hermione's thoughts, Hermione slapping Ron (he SO deserved it!).  I'm very happy Draco no longer has that damn knife.  And Draco laughed!! *tear* I'm so happy!!!  Great job!!~~~

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I don't think I need to tell you what you're supposed to do now, you're clever people, right? *jumps like mad pointing to the blue button* Don't mind me, lol.