Disclaimer: Anything you recognize from the Harry Potter books by J.K.Rowling belongs to her. So, thus, it is not mine, in any shape, form or fashion. K?

A/N: WOW! Thank you, thank you to my wonderful reviewers!!

Leigh Sumpter: Aw, thanks! I'm glad you like it. I like to think that Draco has a nice side to him, but it's really hard to write him like that and keep him in character. And I did read Nothing Ever Remains, it was really good g Oh, and thanks for the tip about Ginny's name, I wrote that before we knew what her full name was, but I went back and changed it at any rate. Anyway, here's the next chapter, I hope you like it!

cassie: Aw, I'm sorry for disappointing you. But I'm glad you like it, and I hope this update is fast enough! (g)

Kayla-Weasley44: (EVIL G) There's more where that came from, lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Cinder2004: Haha! Ah, no!! Please don't! Anything but that! (holds out ch. 3 in an effort to ward off the dreaded POKE). And thanks, you rock too! (g)

Ehlonna: I'm so glad you like it! Hope you like this chapter too!

Wander Aimlessly: Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked my characters, I wasn't sure how they turned out, myself...Anyway, I checked out your fic, it was good!

Chapter 3: Miss Unafraid

Dumbledore motioned for silence as he beckoned Hermione up to the Head Table. She moved up there quickly, and a whispered, hurried, conversation took place. Once Hermione had taken her seat, Dumbledore again motioned for silence.

"It appears," he said, "That one of our students has turned up missing. All methods and haste are being used to ensure his safe return to the castle. That is all at present." Pandemonium erupted in the Great Hall as soon as he finished speaking.

At the Gryffindor table, Ginny sat, stunned. She turned to Ron and Hermione next to her. "We have to help!" she blurted. Whatever her previous relationship with Harry, she still cared about what happened to him. Ron nodded. "Right. So what do we do?" Hermione sighs. "We have to talk to Dumbledore, of course." The three quickly finished eating and hurried off to Dumbledore's office.

Draco's POV

I watched Ginny at the Gryffindor table as she whispered with her brother and Granger. Typical heroic Gryffindors, I thought sourly. But as the three got up and exited the Great Hall, I found myself getting up and following them. It was only the four of us in the corridors; everyone else was still at breakfast. "Ginny." I called, trying to catch her attention. She didn't respond. "Hey, Weasley!" I said, a little louder. That did get her attention. She turned around, surprised. "What do you want?" she asked cautiously.

"Yeah, sod off, Malfoy," said the Weasel from behind her.

I sneered, "I believe I was speaking to your sister, so if you'll excuse us..." Weasel looked like he was going to charge, but Ginny laid a restraining hand on his arm. "Ron, stop it! I'll be fine, I promise."

Weasel continued to glare, which I returned with a glare of my own. Ginny shoots me a warning glance, before she turns back to her brother and Granger, smiling reassuringly. "Honest. You and Mione go on, I'll meet you there." They stood there uncertainly, before Ginny gives them a little shove. "Go on!" she says, laughing.

Once they are gone, Ginny turns to me, her arms folded across her chest. "This better be good," she says, not unkindly. "What do you want?"

I blink, then, "I want to come with you." Where the hell did that come from?? I sigh inwardly.

Ginny raises an eyebrow. "First, what makes you think we're going anywhere? And second, even if we were, why would you of all people want to come with us?"

I laugh. "Come off it. I know you're going off to rescue Potter," Then I shrug. "As to why, I really couldn't say, it's just a feeling I have, I guess...."

Ginny smirks. "A feeling? Do Slytherins have those?"

"Rumor has it they in fact do..." I shrug as if I can't be bothered. Which is true.

Ginny groans, then she sighs. "Whatever. I don't have time for this. I have to meet Ron and Hermione," before she turns to leave.

"Ginny, please," the words are out of my mouth before I can stop them as I start walking after her. Suddenly, so quickly I can barely register it, Ginny whirls around, her wand suddenly inches from my throat.

"Give me one good reason why I should trust you, Malfoy," she grinds out, her face only inches from mine. I swallow, not saying anything. I start to move my face closer; Ginny relaxes her wand in surprise as I kiss her. She tastes good, like strawberries, is all that crosses my mind before it starts spinning, as her lips start moving hesitantly moving under mine. Suddenly she pushes me away, then stands there, apparently shocked. I reach out my hand to her, before she raises her eyes to meet mine. She regards me steadily, and then nods her head. "Come on, we're going to see Dumbledore."

In Dumbledore's office

When Ginny and I arrived at Dumbledore's office, the Headmaster was already there, along with the Weasel and Granger. Upon our entrance, the Weasel immediately glared at his sister. "What is he doing here?" he asked pointedly. Ginny replied airily, "Oh, he's coming with us." His eyes bulged. "What?!" he half-shrieked.

I smirked. "What's the matter, Weasel? Something wrong with your hearing?" The Weasel opened his mouth to retort, but before he could say anything, Ginny beat him to it. "Enough!" she shouted. She turns to Weasley, "You, stop it! He offered to come along, and there's no reason why he shouldn't," she says coldly. Then she turns to me. "And you! If you expect this to work, you better play nice! Both of you," she shoots us each a warning look.

Dumbledore takes that moment to clear his throat. "All right, Mr. and Miss Weasley, Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy, what can I do for you?"

Granger says, "Professor, we want to help look for Harry."

Dumbledore shakes his head. "I'm afraid that's quite out of the question, Miss Granger."

Weasley bursts out, "But Professor! Harry's our best mate! We want to do something! We can't just wait around and bloody wait for him to come waltzing back in here, safe and sound...." he runs his hand through his red hair in frustration.

Dumbledore looks at him sympathetically. "I understand, Mr. Weasley. Here, tell you what we can do..."

Later, as we leave Dumbledore's office, a rescue plan firmly in place, I feel my heart sinking. What have I gotten myself into? I wonder miserably. It's too late to back out now though, all the preparations have been made. We leave tonight.

A/N #2: So, this fic was supposed to be a G/D based on the song "Miss Independent" by Kelly Clarkson. So, yeah, it's gone way beyond that (glares at supposed Muses). Anyway, this fic should have about 1 or 2 more chapters and maybe an epilogue. And next up: The Rescue!! dun dun dun! So stay tuned! (g)