Author note-

Hey guys, so I was re-reading last chapter, I realized that Draco may have seemed out of character and I wanted to try to clarify with this next chapter.

I had a lovely follower ask a few questions, so I wanted to share with my other readers. They asked what I picture Hermione's hair to be like, and the answer is I picture slightly curlier than in the movies but not too much. Kind of like the books.

The other question was whether or not Cormac was going to be interested in Hermione and the answer is yes. There will be a brief Cormac moment in December. Got to get there first, and have the plot match up with my original plans. If there are any more questions, feel free to leave a review or a dm. I read every single review so please let me know.

Thank you guys for your feedback, reviews, favorites, and follows. Keep them coming and I will update as fast as I can. Sorry about the long authors note. On to the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor do I own any lyrics that I quote in each chapter.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

"Welcome to your life,
There's no turning back,
Even while we sleep,
We will find you,

It's my own design,
It's my own remorse,

Of freedom and of pleasure,
Nothing ever lasts forever,
Everybody wants to rule the world…"

Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Lorde

Saturday October 19th, 1996

Just after dinner, almost eight at night- Hallway just outside of the dungeons

Draco ambled slowly down the abandoned hallway, reaching up to his face in order to rub his eyes lightly. It had been almost a full day since he talked with Granger, and he still couldn't rid the lingering feeling that he felt after he had said those rather distasteful words to her. Rolling his eyes he stopped just outside a nook with a window in it, to think about how he was going to get that picture from her without apologizing. A Malfoy does not, apologize over something that was the truth, and it wasn't as if he was feeling guilty.

'Knowing Granger, she wasn't about to just hand the photo over nor would she just allow me to erase small fractions of memories in order to keep her from blabbing to a professor about that damned package.' He thought callously pushing aside the thought about apologizing while he sneered. 'Granger sure had a knack for sticking her nose along with that bushy head of hers where it was not only unwanted but where it didn't belong.'

Groaning quietly, Draco then continued walking down the hallway, knowing that he needed to speak to her about it, just couldn't quite decide whether it was best to wait until later or to get it over with. Either way, he knew that he would have to work it out with Granger and quickly before she gets any of those clever and rather ridiculous ideas of hers.

The past week had been rather stressful to say the least, and in that moment Draco decided that some alone time in the astronomy tower where he would be able to enjoy the silence, was much needed. As he neared the room just before the stairs that lead to the tower, his mark burning, causing him to suck in a mouthful of air knowing immediately that the Dark Lord was currently summoning or talking with another death eater.

Draco grabbed his left forearm in an attempt to take his mind off it, and he then walked into the room on his right, but was met by the distinct sound of sniffling. Normally he would have continued walking, ignoring whomever currently upon the stairs, but the sniffling sounded almost familiar to him.

He noted that the only light was that of the full moon, bright enough to see where he was going, but dim enough so that it was somewhat difficult in identifying who was there. Taking a step closer, he took a deep breath, but stopped as he recognized that fuzzy mess of curls instantly, which rendered him somewhat confused.

'I'm sure it takes a fair bit to get Granger crying. …' Draco thought as he stood there, making sure that he was in the shadows out of sight. Watching carefully, he could see a tear roll down her slightly rosy cheek while she pulled out her wand. As she inhaled shakily, he realized at how meticulously he was observing her and took two steps out into the light.

"What in Salazar's name are you doing Granger," he spoke evenly, letting his brows frown slightly while she whipped her head in his direction as fast as she could. The look on her face he decide had been oddly attractive, with her doe like brow eyes wide brimming with tears, and the rosiness of her cheeks deepening slightly under the moons light.

"If you're looking to be hexed, Malfoy, all you need to do is say one more word," She growled at him, while he tensed slightly at the sudden brush of ire that contorted within her words. Taking two steps towards her, he surveyed her as she jumped hastily to her feet.

"Relax Granger," he drawled monotonously while fixing his left sleeve before looking at her once more, and noticed her attempt to while away of the streaks her tears left. Draco had to admit, her attempt to cover up the fact that she had been crying was endearing. Moving even closer he couldn't help but wonder if this was what she looked like after had left her last night. The thought forced a wave of unwanted guilt to fill his chest, weighing him down considerably.

"Whatever it is Malfoy, you can save it," she spoke breaking the silence as he thought, while looking into her eyes, "After what you said last night, I have come to the conclusion you are and will be nothing but a despicable and entirely biased pureblood. You are just a younger version of your father, just like I said, and I want nothing to do with-"

"Come off it Granger," he barked a sharp bitter laugh that bit the air, as he pushed past the vibration of anger he felt from her statement, "You cannot sit there and tell me that what you just said to me was anything but hypocrisy at its finest. You pretend to be better than me Granger, in some ways, you are, but when it comes to name calling and labeling, you are equal in the blame there."

Draco watched her mouth to fall open slightly in what looked like bewilderment of some sort, while he took his chance to get within arm's reach away from her. Cinnamon hazily tickled his nose, and his heart raced as he then reached for her right wrist, pulling her forward into his chest. He held his breath the second he hear a small gasp from her. The only sound he could hear other than the blood rushing in his ears was her soft breathing, and that normally drove him crazy. Which he then noted, hadn't changed.

"I- no, I wasn't," she whispered looking right up into his eyes, looking rather speechless as he looked down, unsure as to why he found himself wanting to touch her, feel the warmth of her against him, or to feel that feeling he got from being around her.

"Don't go feigning some sort of guilt Granger," he mumbled then lifted his hand slowly towards her face grabbing her chin delicately with his thumb and pointer finger, "We both know that we meant what we said." He made sure that his voice sounded cold with a somewhat cheeky indifference, while he watched her wet her pouted parted lips.

The sudden urge to feel them with his own overpowered his thought process as he started leaning downwards towards her, allowing his own lips to part. Exhaling steadily he was about to close the small gap between them but before he could she ripped her chin away causing her hair to brush his cheek softly. Dropping his hand, Draco almost wanted to sneer aloud at her reaction but didn't as he took a step backwards while she cleared her throat.

"That is beside the point, Malfoy," she said to him while, completely ignoring their momentary lapse in judgement, as he watched her look back towards him, "I'm not feeling guilty about the things I said to you, nor do I care to play this game of cat and mouse with you any longer. But, I'm planning on speaking to professor Slughorn about a partner change on Monday, and after that Snape about Patrols. There will be nothing tying us together, so just stay away from me."

"If that's the way you want it, then fine," he said coolly, knowing that he needed to do something to change her mind, needing just the smallest amount of doubt that she was making the right choice, and he continued speaking, "But this game, as you put it, isn't over. You and I know that you and that curiosity of yours will get to you, as always, and you won't be able to stay away from me too long."

He watched Granger's brows frown in a slight confusion while he looked at her, still wanting that small sparking warmth he felt when he touched her. Not taking another moment to think about it, he took his opportunity to grab her chin once more, tilting her head to the right as he quickly leaned towards her and placed a quick kiss upon her left cheek.

The feel of her skin against his lips burned; just as it had with every kiss they shared. Then when he realized what he did, he knew that he needed to get out of there quickly, spinning on his heels without another word, and walking towards the astronomy tower. He sighed, knowing that he was lucky that she didn't hex him for pulling something like that.

'Knowing Granger, she will overthink, and have to talk to me eventually,' he thought licking his lips as he walked up the stairs, 'Luckily, this also buys me time to think of a way to get the photo before she makes any hasty… That's it…'

With that thought, his eyes widened recalling one word as he clenched his teeth and pursed his lips in deep thought. Luck.

"Well I can't stand to look at you now,
This revelation's out of my hands,
Still I can't bear the thought of you now,
This complication's leaving me scared…"

Country Song by Seether

Saturday October 19th, 1996

Inside the Hospital wing- Quarter till midnight

The first thing Ginny noticed was the throbbing in her right arm followed by a dull pain in her temple, as she tried to swallow. Once she opened her eyes, she realized that she wasn't back in her dormitory nor was she home at the burrow. Letting her eyes adjust to her surroundings, she recognized the dimly lit room as the hospital wing just before memories of the game came back.

"I'd say it is bloody convenient that you landed as gracefully as you did," a sudden voice to her right pulled her attention as she stiffened. "One would think it would be difficult to land while being chased by not just one but two bludgers. What, are the odds? Huh?"

Sitting up quickly, Ginny winced and then turned to look at whom was speaking, but just by his voice she was already pretty sure who. Once she saw Theo sitting in the chair that was placed next to her bed, she inhaled softly waiting for him to continue to getting towards the point. She watched as he smiled softly, before he shook his head in what looked like was disappointment.

"You see Ginny," he said as he sat up straight while reaching to fix his dress robes, she noted that it was some sort of obsession Slytherin's have, "The thing about telling lies, is that is hurts people. This afternoon, you hurt me. I mean, I generously gave you multiple chances to make it up to me, but by seeing where we currently are at, it should tell you something."

That's when it clicked, she remembered just before she got hit, she saw Theo looking right at her, and she remembered that it had looked like he had been saying something. Shaking her head in disbelief she let her left hand drift towards her pocket in an attempt to be discreet, but stopped when he pulled something out. In his hand had she saw a small bottle and it hit her. The liquid luck- He took it from her. He was the reason she was in here.

"You- When-," she started to talk and he just leaned closer towards her, shushing her as he briskly moved towards her.

"You see the thing is, the way you had been acting this past week told me something," he said unfeelingly taking her uninjured hand into his while sitting at her side, close enough to smell the sharp distinct scent of pine and fire whisky. "You no longer seemed truly scared about the things I could do, so when I talked to you before the game, it was a test. And you failed, if that wasn't obvious. I mean considering what I found in your pocket, I should just be rid of you, but that would draw too much attention. You just, seemed to think that you had any say in what you were doing. With that kind of defiance, I had to show you, remind you that, accidents do happen."

"No you don't understand, I-I was going to give it to you tonight, I swear-" she spoke quickly at his words, knowing that he wasn't just talking about what happened, but about what could happen.

"Ginny, did I not make myself clear," he tightened his grip as he spoke through his teeth, "You do what I say, or your moronic brother will be joining you one bed over, or maybe it should be Potter. If that isn't a motivator then maybe a demonstration will be, and you know just how good of a show I can put on."

She shook her head jerkily, as he slid the bottle back inside his dress robes before standing up, while she sat there, blinking away the burning tears that threatened to fall at those thoughts.

"Seeing as I now possess what I needed to set my plan into action, I have no further use for you, well at least for the moment." He stated while Ginny shuffled at the mere thought of what he was going to do next, "So for now, everything that has happened between us will be like a forgotten memory to you. It will feel like there is something there, in the back of your mind but you just can't quite remember what. See, I don't want you to completely forget, because I will need you eventually. For now, you're just a bit more trouble than you're worth, so until then Luv. Oh, and do think about it before the next time you decide to tell a lie to me."

She then watched as he pulled out his wand while Ginny let a singular tear roll down her cheek and then she moved back to lie quietly in her bed.

"I could be mean,
I could be angry,
You know I could be just like you,

I could be cold,
I could be ruthless,
You know I could be just like you,

I could be weak,
I could be senseless,
You know I could be just like you…"

Just like You by Three Days Grace

Sunday October 20th, 1996

Inside the Great Hall at the Slytherin table- During dinner

Blaise huffed, observing the considerable amount of chaos that surrounded the Great Hall during dinner time. Ever since he had talked to Ginny Weasley earlier this week, he felt uneasy, there was so much going on within Hogwarts he didn't know which problem needed attending to first. Not only there were two death eaters that had tasks to complete, but there was also a Ginny.

He thought about visiting her in the Hospital wing, but decided it would look rather odd if he did. It just seemed like she needed someone whether it was a friend or just someone's attention. He wanted to be there for her, but he wasn't sure how to and honestly, Blaise had enough problems with trying to figure out the other death eater.

Helping Draco really was his first priority, but since it was even hard to get him to talk about it, Blaise decided maybe it was best to leave it alone for now. Then there was Theo, bothering every girl, messing around more than usual, but apparently their friendship was no longer enough to warrant his time. Seeing as it had been a while since Theo took a moment to even share a polite chat.

Across the table he looked at Draco who looked somewhat distant, but there was still a dull light in his eyes, still something that kept him looking like his friend. He knew that there was only one explanation, which meant something thankfully was keeping Draco from completely giving into the death eaters' ways. It wasn't difficult to imagine that Granger had something to do with this.

Letting his eyes wander, they then landed upon Nott, who was currently whispering something into yet another fourth year girl's ear. By the way her cheeks flushed along with the way she was reacting, Blaise knew it had to of been something cheeky. There was a sort of confidence that Theo had been holding as of late Blaise notice, and he knew there was something immensely different about him, but he still couldn't quite place it.

Looking away, he stopped at the Gryffindor table where he then saw that Potter, who was staring right at him, which he found rather odd. It looked almost as if there was something the Chosen One had on his mind that involved him somehow. Shaking it off he turned back towards his friends, deciding to talk to Potter later, he paused.

He then saw Pansy, staring Theo down with a distinct fire in her eyes; one which Blaise noted was one that could only come from anger. Then Pansy stood up abruptly, heading in the direction of the corridor and what confused him was how no one even looked towards her when she did. He then got up to follow her, since there was obviously something wrong and no one else seemed to notice.

Once he was in the Hallway, Blaise turned the corner to see Pansy leaning against the first corner with her back pressed against the wall along with her eyes closed. Just as he was about to say something, she chocked upon a sob, then slid down to the floor where she pulled her knees close to her. He knelt down before her, placing his hand upon hers, which startled her.

"Zabini? What are you-, "she sniffled as he moved to sit down right in front of her, with his hand still resting upon hers.

He took a deep breath before answering, "Pans, I hope you know that I'm here for you if you ever need someone to talk to or even just to listen to you ramble in that unique way of yours."

She nodded sharply, making a move to get up but Blaise stopped her, looking her right in the eyes while she sniffled. There was something bothering her, something that didn't sit right with him.

"I wish it was that easy," she whispered, while Blaise tensed at the way she looked around the hallway before looking back towards him, "I'm exhausted, I can't concentrate on my studies, and I don't know who I can talk to anymore. I just want it to be over- and I,-"

"Pans," he shushed her, moving to her side as he made his way sit against the wall beside her and she leaned her head against his shoulder. He just let her lay there, taking her hand into his, brushing his thumb against the back of her hand.

"Crying is stupid," she snapped while wiping her tears away making Blaise smile softly, because that was something his Pans would say, "It's all stupid. I am Pansy Parkinson, and I do not, cry."

"Well Miss Parkinson, are you going to share with me what exactly is bothering you," he wondered aloud as he stared at the wall across the way, not looking towards her. "If it has to do with Theo fooling around, you know how he is,-"

"It has nothing, to do with him," she growled almost too quickly, making it obvious for him that he hit a sore spot, "He is nothing like the Nott we were friends with. You want my advice, I think that we would all be better off if we all just stayed away from him. Now if you don't mind, I am going to go to the loo and then back to the dormitory. I've lost my appetite."

"Hang on Pans," he said as she climbed to her feet quickly but she turned to towards him. The look on her face, the expression was not one he normally saw on Pansy, it was hard to read. "Let me come with you, you don't even have to talk about it…"

"No Blaise," she whispered sharply, "I appreciate you caring, I really do, but it's none of your business, and I need some time alone right now. I'm sorry…"

With those words she was gone, leaving him alone, with his confusion and his thoughts. That look Pansy gave him made him feel like he was missing some big piece of a puzzle, one that put the whole image into perspective, and he knew that Pansy had that piece. There was just a matter of obtaining said piece.

The sound of shoes scuffling against the stone flooring pulled Blaise from his thoughts, and he turned to find none other than Harry Potter. He stood there pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he looked around and then back towards Blaise, who was sneering lightly to himself.

"Do you think we could talk for a moment," he asked sticking his hand inside his pockets, "I think we are in the same position at the moment Zabini and I wanted to see if you would talk with Malfoy, about leaving Hermione alone. I'm pretty sure he sort of has some creepy thing for her, she said there was nothing going on but I don't think that's the case. To be candid, I don't want him near her."

Blaise crossed his arms as he inhaled slowly and spoke, "What are you saying exactly? That you want my help to, what precisely?"

"Simple, talk to Malfoy and get him to stay away from her. I don't trust him." He said with a shrug, looking around the room.

"You know Potter," Blaise said and paused to shake his head, "I could be just like you, but I'm not. That's not me, and oddly enough we're not in the same position here. See Draco is my friend, if he has a thing for Granger and she has one for him, then I say good on them. You seem to be under the impression that I care whom my friend likes, let me be clear, I don't. Besides, it's none of our business what they do or who they like."

With that Blaise turned on his heels without another word in the direction of the Slytherin dormitory.