A/N : I'm back !!!!!!!! He he he... Well, I just wanted to say sorry again
for the delay, it seems I've no time anymore. To tell the truth, this
chapter was written at work, when I was at the cashier and when there
weren't any customers. It was written on the vegetables paper wrappings and
it was such a mess it took me hours to type it down. Anyway, important
business now! I few of you asked if I could email them when updated... I'll
try, I promise I'll try! I'll create a list and send you emails, probably
full of rambling and such, but hey, you wanted it! Anyway, this list will
not be up till I don't know when, coz I simply have no time at all, plus,
my computer is screwing and my mum plans to burn it down with her eyes,
yep, she wishes she's Superman... Anyway, I write this before being banned
from the computer till Wednesday (that's when she leaves with my bro....
*innocent smirk*)
JSqal24JAG: whoa, have you not find something more annoying to write????? He he he, sorry about that... Anyway, I'm adding, I'm adding, don't worry!
Bobby: you want to kill Ron? Ahem, a tad quick, isn't it? I think you'd better direct your anger on Lucius... That fucking bastard! Ahem, I apologize for my improper use of profanity...NOT! muahahahaha
Rubberduckie713: CONGRATS!!!!!!! I really hope you'll post stories!!!!! It doesn't take any place on the computer, don't worry. To post, you have to go to the document manager section, then, in the first orange line, you type whatever you want as a name for your chappie, it won't be released with the chappie so it doesn't matter at all, you can even call your chappie "git" if you want. The second line is about story format, whether it's a story or poetry. I don't know in which way it matters, but I've never paid attention to this. In the third line will come the computer name of the file you're uploading. That part was the most difficult for me to understand. You have to press the browse button on the right of the line and click to times on your file, till it appears in the line. Then you press upload and your document appears at the top of the page, along with a thing that says "preview" I advise you to use it to be sure your chappie was correctly uploaded. Then you go to Create story and select a category at the bottom of the page. You just have to fill in the blanks then, it's really easy. Then, everything becomes pretty easy. You can name your chappies, add them, re-post them, select the genre and the characters (only in HP section for the characters) and voila! Another wonderful story to be read on the site!!!!!! I hope this helps you!!!!! Don't hesitate to email me if you want! I think I'll have to create a new box, coz mine is saturated with all the emails I exchange with Fire'N'Ice, but anyway, if I do that, it will be displayed in my profile. Anyway, back to the story... I hope you like this chappie, the first part was written especially for you! I was so bored at work the other day that I started to write a bit finally, I was laughing silently all day. Hope this reaches your expectations! Anyway, I somehow knew you were gonna tell me the button looked purple to you...
Elven ice angel: Nice to see you're still reviewing my story! It means a lot to me! Of course, I'll check your one-shot story, when I've time... stupid summer job, I've no time AT ALL, I don't even know when to write my stories! Yep, it's plural, coz I've heaps of stories that aren't posted or even typed. I've got two boxes full of stuff and many folders and pads everywhere... I never was the organized person... He he he, I see you're quite the competitive type! It would annoy me if my bro started to write and had more reviews than I... We're always competiting for everything, and the worse is actually skiing. "I've done a better time than you" "I've blown more slalom stakes than you" blah blah blah... he he he. What? You've started school again? Argh, poor you! College starts again end October... muahahahaha. Well, as I have to retake some exams beginning of October and that I'm working till end of August, then leaving for another job, I don't' have real holidays at all, but oh well... At least, I've fanfic, and that's what truly matters, huh? No, I can't believe I'm in chappie 13. Well, 14 now! I mean, I never planned to post that! I was like "Well, I post a chappie, then I see if I continue" but in my mind, it was already settled that I was a hopeless case at writing, a thing that always annoyed me deeply. But now, everything has changed! I'm writing, and people read it! And most of the time, they like it! WHOA! Don't worry, 100th reviewer or not, I won't forget you at all! Of course, I'll continue my author notes and replies! I love when I get replies for my reviews, and I love to reply... Your lot is so crazy!
Ebony Rose1: Welcome! I'm glad you like my story! As I said before, I'm gonna do the emailing thing, but maybe not for next chappie. Well, I hope you still find time to check this story! I try to update it every Sunday, but well, lately, it's been quite difficult! Anyway, I promise I'll email you for next chappie or even for this chappie if I find time.
Twisted faith: I know I'm evil, it's the whole purpose of an angst writer... muahahahaha! Here's more, don't worry! And there will be still plenty!!!!! He he he. Anyway, not too much fluff, I promise! Draco is simply not a fluffy character. Well, I'll see what I can do about fluff! Is there much till now? I'm not sure, it's quite hard to tell.
Miriam G: my dear, your review is only 831 words long, a bit lame, if you ask me, he he he. No, I didn't count the words, I just used a simple operation, called PASTE, muahahaha. I pasted your review in Word, then went into statistics and looked my lovely and spastic computer count your number of words itself... isn't technology fabulous sometimes? And I'm always speaking through Ginny, especially when it comes to Lucius.. BASTARD. Ahem, don't mind me... I HATE Umbridge! She's a bitch!!!! But I love when she becomes Headmistress and it's a terrible mess in the school and how the teachers stand all against her! I love the line when McGonagall tells Peeves how to unscrew the chandelier, it's so funny. My mum has stolen my book and is also reading it (we're fighting with cushions for it, ahem) and now, I've got somebody to commiserate with, it's cool. Well, I see Fire'N'Ice and I aren't the only ones deep down in the sweet river of denial!!!!!! Sirius will always live! And in the fanfic realm, we'll just destroy Umbridge, make him as alive as ever, turn Draco to redemption, kill Lucius, eliminate Cho and... What? Yep, of course, I hate Cho! I think she's really empty and shallow. And she's a whiny little bitch! Nah! I just wanted to share my opinion with somebody. He he, I've seen the end of DA... VERY disappointing, and that's still an understatement. Unfortunately, it's the real end. They've decided to stop the show coz they gave the priority and credits to another show... Damn. I was very frustrated with the way it ended, and I'm still. DA is one of my favourite shows. Characters are wonderful, actors too, the plot and ideas are awesome (except for the runes thing) and sarcasm is just so funny. OMG, you're so evil!!!!!! And why exactly everybody hates you on the board? Do enlighten me, please... People love rambling, but I really don't understand why. I mean, look at my replies... They're almost longer than the chappie!!!!!!! It must be very annoying! Anyway, I don't know if they're all like me (then the world would have a bad time) but I love your reviews!!! I told you it wasn't that difficult to be creative! Glad you improved them!!! The sock monster is sooooo terrifying that I worked on the chappie all day and night! *cough*
Carshaa: I agree with you, Ron deserves to be slapped. He really acts like a jerk in the chappie. You're nice! You review my stupid story, you must be nice! And you're insane, but in a good way. I was at the pub with some friends the other day, and Paul just says "you know, you're a weirdo. You're totally off your rocker, but in a nice way" Ok... and for once, I was behaving correctly, and even handling a nice and normal conversation. Oh, you're a scout? That's cool. Stereotypes are very present in people's mind when thinking about scouts... Well, at least, all the reviewers will know scouts are "normal" people... well, nearly.
Nearly done with the replies! I also want to thank all the people who put me on their favorites' lists! Namely: CarminaBurana1, Telly, Elven ice angel, Luscious Kinney, Miriam G, mozartrox05, carshaa, Ebony rose1, JSqal24JAG! Thanks thanks thanks!!!!
Also, if you want to read a really long story who's a D/Hr, I advise you to read The Manor by Astarr. It's really awesome. This author has 23 or 24 chappies posted, and it's only the end of part one! There are to be three parts, but the second one will be up only in a few months. Anyway, the first part is excellent, so if' you're bored... First write a LONG review to me, and then, I allow you to go and read that story.
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Chappie 14:
*Blaise Zabini's pov*
Draco is in trouble. In very much trouble. Everybody saw him with the Weasley girl and I really don't understand why he acted so stupidly. He's changed this year. He never was really involved in the house business, but this time, he's completely turned his back to it. I never was friends with him, we were too different, but still, he never was so alone. He even sent Vincent and Gregory to hell, and these two morons were always wrapped around his finger before. But now, he's screwed, he's just blown the last straw of respect the other Slytherins had. Not me. I'm not the average Slytherin, and in fact, he quite gained some respect from me.
Well, even if he's just screwed that, I've to admit that the look on Pansy's face is absolutely priceless. This little bitch has always tried to get him into her bed, so I guess she's more than disappointed.
"Drakie, what are you doing with this stupid Gryff? It's just for business, right?" she spurts as a snake while shooting Weasley death glares.
Draco is now jumping from the window sill and stands in front of Pansy. Oh oh... The girl certainly has put herself into trouble.
"Do you need something, or do you just deliberately annoy me?"
Pansy stiffens at his comment, but jerks her head up and glares at Weasley arrogantly.
"So... This is what Draco hangs around when he's out of his mind and not really conscious of his actions."
"Well, in fact it's quite the contrary, but I assume you only think in that egocentric way of yours, and thus think that everybody is to act the same way you would. And stop cackling at me, if you don't mind."
I smirk at this. It seems the Weasley girl has a sharp tongue...
"Cackling?" asks Pansy in disbelief.
"You heard me," adds Weasley coolly, and with a flick of her wand, Pansy suddenly disappears in a cloud of smoke... To reappear as a duck...
I have to bite my lip hard not to scream of laughter. Pansy Duckie is cackling and waddling in front of the window.
"What do you think of Pansy's new look?" asks Weasley to Draco, wearing an impish smile and elbowing him.
He smirks in a truly Malfoy way before answering, his voice full of mock.
"Much more my type now. But I think a little touch is missing... Yellow never really was her colour..." and with a quick spell, Pansy turns a deep shade of magenta.
I bite my lip a bit more. All the other girls scream in fright and surround Pansy Duckie trying to calm her... huh, it... down.
Draco and Weasley laugh harder at the sight and decide to move. We're left with Pansy as a magenta duck and try to bring it to professor McGonagall office.
Everybody laughs at us on our way. Well, with a magenta duck running in the halls, followed by a bunch of students trying to catch it, we certainly are quite a scene...
We spot Snape at a corner and run to him. He looks slightly amused at the tale the girls forcefully deliver him. With a twinkle of regret in the eye, he turns Pansy Duckie back to her normal state and I can't help a little comment to pass through my lips.
"Nice to have you back Pansy Duckie... Draco was right, though... Magenta definitely is your colour."
Ouch, she slapped me. Not that it really matters. I've now something hanging above her head forever... Pansy Duckie... He he he.
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*Harry's pov*
"Why did you do that, Hermione? You know Ron's already upset about the whole thing, you could have avoided throwing the truce with Malfoy in his face."
"Is it for him you're angry, or is it for yourself? Enlighten me!" her tone is dry and curt.
"For both. Honestly, it's MALFOY we're talking about! That git created us nothing but trouble, as long as I can remember!
"You should have let Ginny explain! You of all people should know you're not allowed to judge without knowing! You're unfair to him, Harry."
"I know what he showed us, and from that, I can judge him a bastard if I want!" She's really getting on my nerves now! What with her? A truce with him doesn't imply standing for him against her best friend, does it?
"Sure because, you, you're always honest with everybody. You never hide anything. You don't' have secrets at all and everybody can read in you like in an open book I assume."
"No, but-"
"But what, Harry?" she cuts me, her chocolate eyes boring into mine.
I'm a bit lost here. Sure, Hermione is right, but who would hide as much and why? Plus, Malfoy's supposed walls would be like flawless. Everybody breaks at one point, nobody can hide forever and if he had those walls, there would be times when they would be brought down.
I remember the look in his eyes on the Hogwarts Express at the beginning of the year. I saw something different, but I can't put my finger on it.
Did Ginny really see something nobody else saw? And what did she see?
The track of my thoughts is interrupted by a hand waving annoyingly in front of my face. Hermione stares at me, arms crossed on her chest.
"What?"
"I see I've finally managed to make you think about it all."
She is right again, and I hate to admit it, so I just shrug and climb the stairs to my dorm where Ron is already. I hope he's sleeping, I really don't want to face his bad mood right now. Hermione smiles before collapsing in a couch with a huge book.
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*Ginny's pov*
Draco and I have been wandering in the halls for quite a time now. We don't speak to each other, we just enjoy each other's company.
The small smile Pansy's transformation has brought on his lips is still playing, but it doesn't reach his eyes anymore. I wonder what is tormenting him right now. Yes, tormenting. I can feel it.
He catches me staring at him.
"What?"
"What's on you mind" His smile disappears immediately.
"I can't explain you," he answers, biting is lower lip and starring absently at the floor in front of him.
"Why? I'm your friend, I would understand. Don't you trust me?" I knew the road to our friendship would be rocky, but I want him to tell me now. This is eating him away.
"No, it's just... I can't find the words to describe it. I can't tell anyone. It's all piling inside me and I can't get it out. I've tried, I've tried to even write it down, but nothing came. "
I feel bad for him and I really want to help, so I set my brain on "extensive quick search" mode to find a solution.
"Pensieve." I finally get out.
He looks at me quizzically.
"A pensieve is-"
"I know what a pensieve is, thanks." He cuts.
"Dumbledore has one, Harry told me. You could put that thought haunting you, and then I could see it. You wouldn't have to even say a single word."
I'm very proud of my idea and become all jittery.
"Come on, we're going to Dumbledore's office!" I grab his arm and try to make him move, but he's rooted to the spot.
"Ginny, Dumbledore is still in the Great Hall, you know how much time he always takes for his meals."
That stops me right away. I really want to know, I really want to help Draco, but I'm not sure I want all teachers on my back too. I've already Mum and Snape, I think it's sufficient. Well, the Gryffindors and Slytherins are the worst though... I shrug and take the direction of the Great Hall. I hear Draco sigh and start to shuffle his feet behind me and I grin. I don't know why exactly, but I do.
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*Draco's pov*
When we enter the Great hall, there aren't many students remaining. In fact, nearly everybody has left, but the few that are still here stare at us either in amazement, either in disgust, depending what house they're in.
I wish I could turn and leave, and I know Ginny thinks the same at the same time, but our pride won't let us do such a thing, so we head for the staff table. My arm brushes with Ginny's every step, and it's calming. It tells me I'm not alone anymore.
Bewilderment can be read on the teacher's faces, except Weasley's and Snape's. Bewildered, but actually smiling. I'm happy to know not everybody is freaking in the school.
"Ms Weasley, Mr Malfoy, may I help you?" Dumbledore says with a warm smile and his usual twinkle in the eye.
Ginny leans in with an impish smile and whisper in his ear while the other teachers still look at us in a strange way.
At that moment, I'm not sure I want Ginny to know. She's a caring girl, but I don't know how she'll react. And I don't really know how much she can take. Once this memory will be shared, it won't haunt me as badly as now, but there are so many others that hurt as much. I can't share everything that destroys me with her, or she would be buried under pain and remorse.
My pain and my remorse.
Who am I to ask her to carry this with me? I know she was once possessed by Voldemort, another thing I could have avoided. Isn't it enough of a burden to carry?
However, it's too late. Dumbledore already asks us to follow him to his office. I wonder what Ginny said to sway him.
"Gummy Bears" and we finally step behind the gargoyle and climb to his office.
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*Albus' pov*
I ask them to sit down while I walk to a cupboard to retrieve the pensive. I clean it from my thoughts and when the silver surface is smooth again, ask Draco to come.
He slowly walks up to where the pensieve is, worried.
"Just place your wand over the pensieve and say "cogitatio" while thinking about what you want to put into the pensieve."
"Cogitatio"
"Now, Ms Weasley, touch the pensieve with your wand and just think that you want to know."
She looks at me in surprise. "Is that all?"
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*Ginny's pov*
"That's all," he replies, shrugging.
I breathe a good deal before touching the pensieve, I know I'm on for a trip to hell and back.
I nearly want to turn and leave, like in the Great Hall, but a simple thought about Draco tells me how scared he is himself.
I quiver a little, but eventually touch the smooth and silver surface of the pensieve. I close my eyes as I fall down. I only reopen them when my feet touch the ground. I'm in a dungeon, and it seems I'm alone. No, Draco is here, behind me and staring blankly at the door, standing in the middle of the room, if it can be called that way. He seems to be waiting for somebody...
...........
When I get out of the memory, I feel really bad. I stumble and collapse in a chair, trying to hold back my tears, but I can't and finally let them run freely on my cheeks. I'm affected by what I saw, I mean, who wouldn't, except that bastard of Lucius and Voldemort. But it affects not only emotionally but also physically. I've this nagging pain in my stomach, I so want to throw up. I clutch my stomach in pain. Damn, I'm sure it's not supposed to happen. I feel Dumbledore's hand on my shoulder and his voice is full of worry.
"Ms Weasley?"
"Stomach ache" is the feeble answer I manage to stutter. He mutters a spell and the pain is lifted. I calm down a bit before looking at Draco. He has retired himself in a corner of the room and his silver eyes are full of remorse and concern.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let you do this, it was stupid and inconsiderate.
I don't listen to his apologizes at all. All I want to do is hug him and erase that blasted father of his from the Earth's surface. However, I know I won't do that. I don't have any power against Lucius Malfoy, and I guess he's uneasy with the whole hugging thing, like Harry. So I stay where I am, trying to cheer him up by smiling.
"I'm ok, I swear, I'm alright."
I stand up, thanks Dumbledore whose worry has vanished with my attitude to be replaced by a warm smile, and leave the office with Draco.
Again, we don't speak to each other. I don't know what to say. What can I say after what I saw? There's nothing to say. No wonder he's gone the path till suicide attempt, nothing really played in his favour to hold him back.
When arriving at the point where our ways separate, he hands me Arthur. I'm hurt. What does that mean? Doesn't he want to be my friend anymore or something? Is he again drifting away from me?
"Don't worry, it doesn't mean anything. But you need Arthur tonight, more than me."
It's as if he had been able to read my thoughts, but I don't care about that now, the only thing important is that he trusts me, and that I've Arthur with me tonight... I'm really going to need him.
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No rambling from Fire'N'Ice, sorry, but Miss Insanity is on holidays... That also means this chappie wasn't proof read by anybody but me, French and a bit dense when it comes to grammar. Now, be nice, REVIEW... I don't think you need me to draw a map for you to find the blue (or purple in Rubberduckie's case) button you have to press... Ok, I'm in a good mood, I'll tell you: it's in the bottom left corner of your screen, that is, if you have a "normal" computer. Mine is spastic and I hope it doesn't let me down... Stupid thing. Hmppf.
JSqal24JAG: whoa, have you not find something more annoying to write????? He he he, sorry about that... Anyway, I'm adding, I'm adding, don't worry!
Bobby: you want to kill Ron? Ahem, a tad quick, isn't it? I think you'd better direct your anger on Lucius... That fucking bastard! Ahem, I apologize for my improper use of profanity...NOT! muahahahaha
Rubberduckie713: CONGRATS!!!!!!! I really hope you'll post stories!!!!! It doesn't take any place on the computer, don't worry. To post, you have to go to the document manager section, then, in the first orange line, you type whatever you want as a name for your chappie, it won't be released with the chappie so it doesn't matter at all, you can even call your chappie "git" if you want. The second line is about story format, whether it's a story or poetry. I don't know in which way it matters, but I've never paid attention to this. In the third line will come the computer name of the file you're uploading. That part was the most difficult for me to understand. You have to press the browse button on the right of the line and click to times on your file, till it appears in the line. Then you press upload and your document appears at the top of the page, along with a thing that says "preview" I advise you to use it to be sure your chappie was correctly uploaded. Then you go to Create story and select a category at the bottom of the page. You just have to fill in the blanks then, it's really easy. Then, everything becomes pretty easy. You can name your chappies, add them, re-post them, select the genre and the characters (only in HP section for the characters) and voila! Another wonderful story to be read on the site!!!!!! I hope this helps you!!!!! Don't hesitate to email me if you want! I think I'll have to create a new box, coz mine is saturated with all the emails I exchange with Fire'N'Ice, but anyway, if I do that, it will be displayed in my profile. Anyway, back to the story... I hope you like this chappie, the first part was written especially for you! I was so bored at work the other day that I started to write a bit finally, I was laughing silently all day. Hope this reaches your expectations! Anyway, I somehow knew you were gonna tell me the button looked purple to you...
Elven ice angel: Nice to see you're still reviewing my story! It means a lot to me! Of course, I'll check your one-shot story, when I've time... stupid summer job, I've no time AT ALL, I don't even know when to write my stories! Yep, it's plural, coz I've heaps of stories that aren't posted or even typed. I've got two boxes full of stuff and many folders and pads everywhere... I never was the organized person... He he he, I see you're quite the competitive type! It would annoy me if my bro started to write and had more reviews than I... We're always competiting for everything, and the worse is actually skiing. "I've done a better time than you" "I've blown more slalom stakes than you" blah blah blah... he he he. What? You've started school again? Argh, poor you! College starts again end October... muahahahaha. Well, as I have to retake some exams beginning of October and that I'm working till end of August, then leaving for another job, I don't' have real holidays at all, but oh well... At least, I've fanfic, and that's what truly matters, huh? No, I can't believe I'm in chappie 13. Well, 14 now! I mean, I never planned to post that! I was like "Well, I post a chappie, then I see if I continue" but in my mind, it was already settled that I was a hopeless case at writing, a thing that always annoyed me deeply. But now, everything has changed! I'm writing, and people read it! And most of the time, they like it! WHOA! Don't worry, 100th reviewer or not, I won't forget you at all! Of course, I'll continue my author notes and replies! I love when I get replies for my reviews, and I love to reply... Your lot is so crazy!
Ebony Rose1: Welcome! I'm glad you like my story! As I said before, I'm gonna do the emailing thing, but maybe not for next chappie. Well, I hope you still find time to check this story! I try to update it every Sunday, but well, lately, it's been quite difficult! Anyway, I promise I'll email you for next chappie or even for this chappie if I find time.
Twisted faith: I know I'm evil, it's the whole purpose of an angst writer... muahahahaha! Here's more, don't worry! And there will be still plenty!!!!! He he he. Anyway, not too much fluff, I promise! Draco is simply not a fluffy character. Well, I'll see what I can do about fluff! Is there much till now? I'm not sure, it's quite hard to tell.
Miriam G: my dear, your review is only 831 words long, a bit lame, if you ask me, he he he. No, I didn't count the words, I just used a simple operation, called PASTE, muahahaha. I pasted your review in Word, then went into statistics and looked my lovely and spastic computer count your number of words itself... isn't technology fabulous sometimes? And I'm always speaking through Ginny, especially when it comes to Lucius.. BASTARD. Ahem, don't mind me... I HATE Umbridge! She's a bitch!!!! But I love when she becomes Headmistress and it's a terrible mess in the school and how the teachers stand all against her! I love the line when McGonagall tells Peeves how to unscrew the chandelier, it's so funny. My mum has stolen my book and is also reading it (we're fighting with cushions for it, ahem) and now, I've got somebody to commiserate with, it's cool. Well, I see Fire'N'Ice and I aren't the only ones deep down in the sweet river of denial!!!!!! Sirius will always live! And in the fanfic realm, we'll just destroy Umbridge, make him as alive as ever, turn Draco to redemption, kill Lucius, eliminate Cho and... What? Yep, of course, I hate Cho! I think she's really empty and shallow. And she's a whiny little bitch! Nah! I just wanted to share my opinion with somebody. He he, I've seen the end of DA... VERY disappointing, and that's still an understatement. Unfortunately, it's the real end. They've decided to stop the show coz they gave the priority and credits to another show... Damn. I was very frustrated with the way it ended, and I'm still. DA is one of my favourite shows. Characters are wonderful, actors too, the plot and ideas are awesome (except for the runes thing) and sarcasm is just so funny. OMG, you're so evil!!!!!! And why exactly everybody hates you on the board? Do enlighten me, please... People love rambling, but I really don't understand why. I mean, look at my replies... They're almost longer than the chappie!!!!!!! It must be very annoying! Anyway, I don't know if they're all like me (then the world would have a bad time) but I love your reviews!!! I told you it wasn't that difficult to be creative! Glad you improved them!!! The sock monster is sooooo terrifying that I worked on the chappie all day and night! *cough*
Carshaa: I agree with you, Ron deserves to be slapped. He really acts like a jerk in the chappie. You're nice! You review my stupid story, you must be nice! And you're insane, but in a good way. I was at the pub with some friends the other day, and Paul just says "you know, you're a weirdo. You're totally off your rocker, but in a nice way" Ok... and for once, I was behaving correctly, and even handling a nice and normal conversation. Oh, you're a scout? That's cool. Stereotypes are very present in people's mind when thinking about scouts... Well, at least, all the reviewers will know scouts are "normal" people... well, nearly.
Nearly done with the replies! I also want to thank all the people who put me on their favorites' lists! Namely: CarminaBurana1, Telly, Elven ice angel, Luscious Kinney, Miriam G, mozartrox05, carshaa, Ebony rose1, JSqal24JAG! Thanks thanks thanks!!!!
Also, if you want to read a really long story who's a D/Hr, I advise you to read The Manor by Astarr. It's really awesome. This author has 23 or 24 chappies posted, and it's only the end of part one! There are to be three parts, but the second one will be up only in a few months. Anyway, the first part is excellent, so if' you're bored... First write a LONG review to me, and then, I allow you to go and read that story.
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Chappie 14:
*Blaise Zabini's pov*
Draco is in trouble. In very much trouble. Everybody saw him with the Weasley girl and I really don't understand why he acted so stupidly. He's changed this year. He never was really involved in the house business, but this time, he's completely turned his back to it. I never was friends with him, we were too different, but still, he never was so alone. He even sent Vincent and Gregory to hell, and these two morons were always wrapped around his finger before. But now, he's screwed, he's just blown the last straw of respect the other Slytherins had. Not me. I'm not the average Slytherin, and in fact, he quite gained some respect from me.
Well, even if he's just screwed that, I've to admit that the look on Pansy's face is absolutely priceless. This little bitch has always tried to get him into her bed, so I guess she's more than disappointed.
"Drakie, what are you doing with this stupid Gryff? It's just for business, right?" she spurts as a snake while shooting Weasley death glares.
Draco is now jumping from the window sill and stands in front of Pansy. Oh oh... The girl certainly has put herself into trouble.
"Do you need something, or do you just deliberately annoy me?"
Pansy stiffens at his comment, but jerks her head up and glares at Weasley arrogantly.
"So... This is what Draco hangs around when he's out of his mind and not really conscious of his actions."
"Well, in fact it's quite the contrary, but I assume you only think in that egocentric way of yours, and thus think that everybody is to act the same way you would. And stop cackling at me, if you don't mind."
I smirk at this. It seems the Weasley girl has a sharp tongue...
"Cackling?" asks Pansy in disbelief.
"You heard me," adds Weasley coolly, and with a flick of her wand, Pansy suddenly disappears in a cloud of smoke... To reappear as a duck...
I have to bite my lip hard not to scream of laughter. Pansy Duckie is cackling and waddling in front of the window.
"What do you think of Pansy's new look?" asks Weasley to Draco, wearing an impish smile and elbowing him.
He smirks in a truly Malfoy way before answering, his voice full of mock.
"Much more my type now. But I think a little touch is missing... Yellow never really was her colour..." and with a quick spell, Pansy turns a deep shade of magenta.
I bite my lip a bit more. All the other girls scream in fright and surround Pansy Duckie trying to calm her... huh, it... down.
Draco and Weasley laugh harder at the sight and decide to move. We're left with Pansy as a magenta duck and try to bring it to professor McGonagall office.
Everybody laughs at us on our way. Well, with a magenta duck running in the halls, followed by a bunch of students trying to catch it, we certainly are quite a scene...
We spot Snape at a corner and run to him. He looks slightly amused at the tale the girls forcefully deliver him. With a twinkle of regret in the eye, he turns Pansy Duckie back to her normal state and I can't help a little comment to pass through my lips.
"Nice to have you back Pansy Duckie... Draco was right, though... Magenta definitely is your colour."
Ouch, she slapped me. Not that it really matters. I've now something hanging above her head forever... Pansy Duckie... He he he.
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*Harry's pov*
"Why did you do that, Hermione? You know Ron's already upset about the whole thing, you could have avoided throwing the truce with Malfoy in his face."
"Is it for him you're angry, or is it for yourself? Enlighten me!" her tone is dry and curt.
"For both. Honestly, it's MALFOY we're talking about! That git created us nothing but trouble, as long as I can remember!
"You should have let Ginny explain! You of all people should know you're not allowed to judge without knowing! You're unfair to him, Harry."
"I know what he showed us, and from that, I can judge him a bastard if I want!" She's really getting on my nerves now! What with her? A truce with him doesn't imply standing for him against her best friend, does it?
"Sure because, you, you're always honest with everybody. You never hide anything. You don't' have secrets at all and everybody can read in you like in an open book I assume."
"No, but-"
"But what, Harry?" she cuts me, her chocolate eyes boring into mine.
I'm a bit lost here. Sure, Hermione is right, but who would hide as much and why? Plus, Malfoy's supposed walls would be like flawless. Everybody breaks at one point, nobody can hide forever and if he had those walls, there would be times when they would be brought down.
I remember the look in his eyes on the Hogwarts Express at the beginning of the year. I saw something different, but I can't put my finger on it.
Did Ginny really see something nobody else saw? And what did she see?
The track of my thoughts is interrupted by a hand waving annoyingly in front of my face. Hermione stares at me, arms crossed on her chest.
"What?"
"I see I've finally managed to make you think about it all."
She is right again, and I hate to admit it, so I just shrug and climb the stairs to my dorm where Ron is already. I hope he's sleeping, I really don't want to face his bad mood right now. Hermione smiles before collapsing in a couch with a huge book.
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*Ginny's pov*
Draco and I have been wandering in the halls for quite a time now. We don't speak to each other, we just enjoy each other's company.
The small smile Pansy's transformation has brought on his lips is still playing, but it doesn't reach his eyes anymore. I wonder what is tormenting him right now. Yes, tormenting. I can feel it.
He catches me staring at him.
"What?"
"What's on you mind" His smile disappears immediately.
"I can't explain you," he answers, biting is lower lip and starring absently at the floor in front of him.
"Why? I'm your friend, I would understand. Don't you trust me?" I knew the road to our friendship would be rocky, but I want him to tell me now. This is eating him away.
"No, it's just... I can't find the words to describe it. I can't tell anyone. It's all piling inside me and I can't get it out. I've tried, I've tried to even write it down, but nothing came. "
I feel bad for him and I really want to help, so I set my brain on "extensive quick search" mode to find a solution.
"Pensieve." I finally get out.
He looks at me quizzically.
"A pensieve is-"
"I know what a pensieve is, thanks." He cuts.
"Dumbledore has one, Harry told me. You could put that thought haunting you, and then I could see it. You wouldn't have to even say a single word."
I'm very proud of my idea and become all jittery.
"Come on, we're going to Dumbledore's office!" I grab his arm and try to make him move, but he's rooted to the spot.
"Ginny, Dumbledore is still in the Great Hall, you know how much time he always takes for his meals."
That stops me right away. I really want to know, I really want to help Draco, but I'm not sure I want all teachers on my back too. I've already Mum and Snape, I think it's sufficient. Well, the Gryffindors and Slytherins are the worst though... I shrug and take the direction of the Great Hall. I hear Draco sigh and start to shuffle his feet behind me and I grin. I don't know why exactly, but I do.
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*Draco's pov*
When we enter the Great hall, there aren't many students remaining. In fact, nearly everybody has left, but the few that are still here stare at us either in amazement, either in disgust, depending what house they're in.
I wish I could turn and leave, and I know Ginny thinks the same at the same time, but our pride won't let us do such a thing, so we head for the staff table. My arm brushes with Ginny's every step, and it's calming. It tells me I'm not alone anymore.
Bewilderment can be read on the teacher's faces, except Weasley's and Snape's. Bewildered, but actually smiling. I'm happy to know not everybody is freaking in the school.
"Ms Weasley, Mr Malfoy, may I help you?" Dumbledore says with a warm smile and his usual twinkle in the eye.
Ginny leans in with an impish smile and whisper in his ear while the other teachers still look at us in a strange way.
At that moment, I'm not sure I want Ginny to know. She's a caring girl, but I don't know how she'll react. And I don't really know how much she can take. Once this memory will be shared, it won't haunt me as badly as now, but there are so many others that hurt as much. I can't share everything that destroys me with her, or she would be buried under pain and remorse.
My pain and my remorse.
Who am I to ask her to carry this with me? I know she was once possessed by Voldemort, another thing I could have avoided. Isn't it enough of a burden to carry?
However, it's too late. Dumbledore already asks us to follow him to his office. I wonder what Ginny said to sway him.
"Gummy Bears" and we finally step behind the gargoyle and climb to his office.
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*Albus' pov*
I ask them to sit down while I walk to a cupboard to retrieve the pensive. I clean it from my thoughts and when the silver surface is smooth again, ask Draco to come.
He slowly walks up to where the pensieve is, worried.
"Just place your wand over the pensieve and say "cogitatio" while thinking about what you want to put into the pensieve."
"Cogitatio"
"Now, Ms Weasley, touch the pensieve with your wand and just think that you want to know."
She looks at me in surprise. "Is that all?"
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*Ginny's pov*
"That's all," he replies, shrugging.
I breathe a good deal before touching the pensieve, I know I'm on for a trip to hell and back.
I nearly want to turn and leave, like in the Great Hall, but a simple thought about Draco tells me how scared he is himself.
I quiver a little, but eventually touch the smooth and silver surface of the pensieve. I close my eyes as I fall down. I only reopen them when my feet touch the ground. I'm in a dungeon, and it seems I'm alone. No, Draco is here, behind me and staring blankly at the door, standing in the middle of the room, if it can be called that way. He seems to be waiting for somebody...
...........
When I get out of the memory, I feel really bad. I stumble and collapse in a chair, trying to hold back my tears, but I can't and finally let them run freely on my cheeks. I'm affected by what I saw, I mean, who wouldn't, except that bastard of Lucius and Voldemort. But it affects not only emotionally but also physically. I've this nagging pain in my stomach, I so want to throw up. I clutch my stomach in pain. Damn, I'm sure it's not supposed to happen. I feel Dumbledore's hand on my shoulder and his voice is full of worry.
"Ms Weasley?"
"Stomach ache" is the feeble answer I manage to stutter. He mutters a spell and the pain is lifted. I calm down a bit before looking at Draco. He has retired himself in a corner of the room and his silver eyes are full of remorse and concern.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let you do this, it was stupid and inconsiderate.
I don't listen to his apologizes at all. All I want to do is hug him and erase that blasted father of his from the Earth's surface. However, I know I won't do that. I don't have any power against Lucius Malfoy, and I guess he's uneasy with the whole hugging thing, like Harry. So I stay where I am, trying to cheer him up by smiling.
"I'm ok, I swear, I'm alright."
I stand up, thanks Dumbledore whose worry has vanished with my attitude to be replaced by a warm smile, and leave the office with Draco.
Again, we don't speak to each other. I don't know what to say. What can I say after what I saw? There's nothing to say. No wonder he's gone the path till suicide attempt, nothing really played in his favour to hold him back.
When arriving at the point where our ways separate, he hands me Arthur. I'm hurt. What does that mean? Doesn't he want to be my friend anymore or something? Is he again drifting away from me?
"Don't worry, it doesn't mean anything. But you need Arthur tonight, more than me."
It's as if he had been able to read my thoughts, but I don't care about that now, the only thing important is that he trusts me, and that I've Arthur with me tonight... I'm really going to need him.
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No rambling from Fire'N'Ice, sorry, but Miss Insanity is on holidays... That also means this chappie wasn't proof read by anybody but me, French and a bit dense when it comes to grammar. Now, be nice, REVIEW... I don't think you need me to draw a map for you to find the blue (or purple in Rubberduckie's case) button you have to press... Ok, I'm in a good mood, I'll tell you: it's in the bottom left corner of your screen, that is, if you have a "normal" computer. Mine is spastic and I hope it doesn't let me down... Stupid thing. Hmppf.