"Lucious, your son has been of great help to me," Voldemort hissed.

"I gave him your orders, my Lord," Lucious answered.

"There is one more thing."

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Once the boy has control and her trust, I want him to bring her to me."

"But my Lord, what is to become of the girl?"

"You will not question my decisions, Lucious! Do as I say!"

"Yes, my Lord. What of my son?"

"Your son will be rewarded, Lucious." Voldemort curved his lips into something resembling a smile. "Very greatly rewarded."

-

Allison Potter woke up in cold sweat the next morning. As her nightmares continued, she started to worry about this girl that they the men always mentioned. Alli had a feeling she knew the answer of what was to become of the girl. Voldemort was either planning on getting her to join him or just simply kill her. Alli shuddered. She longed for another dream about Draco. Until, she remembered what had happened the night before. Alli shook her head trying to rid herself of last night's argument. He was so mean. It wasn't fair! Alli quickly threw on sweatpants and a t-shirt and left the dorm. Draco was sitting on the couch by the fire, reading. When she walked in, he looked up.

"Allison!" He said excitingly. He jumped off the couch and caught up to her. Alli ignored him. She quickened her pace. "I need to talk to you," Draco said matching her pace. Alli was silent. "Um, how did you sleep?" Alli glanced at him.

"Why?" she asked.

"I…uh," Draco rubbed the back of his neck. They left the common room and began to head up the stairs. Draco ran up the stairs and stood in front of her. "Listen. I'm sorry about last night. It was stupid, I--"

"Save it, Malfoy," Alli said trying to get by.

"I'm not letting you through until I finish what I need to say," Draco said. Alli stopped. "I don't like Pansy anymore. I never liked her."

"Oh that's reassuring," Alli muttered. Draco grabbed her arm forcefully.

"I like you, Allison, okay? Just listen to me for a minute." Alli struggled against his grip.

"Leave me alone," Alli growled.

"No! I wouldn't have kissed you on the train if I felt like it wasn't over between me and Pansy, but she caught me off guard last night. She didn't know that I left her during the summer. She didn't catch on. It's her fault, not mine. Don't blame it on me, thinking that I still want her," Draco took a deep breath. "Because I don't, Allison. I want you." Alli kept her glare fixed on his face.

"Move out of my way," she ordered. Draco let her arm go and let her pass. Once she had climbed the stairs and turned the corner, Draco leaned his back against the wall and hung his head.

"Damn it, this is going to be harder than I thought." He ran his hand through his hair nervously and jogged up the rest of the stairs.

Alli spied Harry sitting with Ron and Hermione at breakfast. As she made her way over there, all three looked up and glared at her.

"Traitor," Harry said when she walked up.

"Harry, I need to talk to you," Alli demanded.

"I can't believe you're in Slytherin!" Ron burst out. Alli took a step back.

"So is that what this is all about?" Alli asked. Hermione looked down. "Harry, please, it's important!" Alli said turning back to him. Harry sighed.

"I'll be right back you guys." He followed Alli just outside of the Great Hall.

"I had another one of those creepy dreams again last night," Alli told him. "What about you?"

"Yeah. I've learned to get used to them."

"Harry, are those nightmares really happening somewhere where Voldemort is in hiding?"

Harry shook his head.

"I dunno, Allison. It's hard to tell. Voldemort can make us see whatever he wants us to see. It could be that he doesn't even know that we know this and we're somehow tapping into his mind or memory while we're asleep subconsciously."

"It's scaring me, Harry," Alli said. "I think Voldemort's going to kill that girl."

"I don't know. It seems slow right now."

"Should we alert Dumbledore?"

"No, it's not of high importance right now. Do me a favor, Als, don't get too caught up in this. Just eat, sleep, and study. Everything will be fine."

"You forgot sex," Alli muttered.

"Sorry, eat, sleep, study, and have sex," Harry laughed. Alli smiled. She headed for the Great Hall, but before she walked through the doorway, Harry called out, "You would've done fine in Gryffindor, Alli." She waved at him and went to sit down at the Slytherin table. As soon as she sat down and started to fill her plate, Draco slid in beside her.

"Can I sit by you?"

"Yeah, it's fine," Alli muttered not wanting to deal with him again.

"So, have you decided to forgive me yet?"

Alli sighed. "Not quite."

"You know if you keep being so cold like this, I'm gonna lose interest and you'll lose your chance," Draco warned her.

"Whoo-hoo," Alli said sarcastically.

"Would you like some pumpkin juice?" Draco offered holding the ladle. Alli glanced at it.

"Yes, thank you," Alli said. Draco took her goblet and poured juice into it. Alli avoided his eyes.

"Are you alright? You seem sick."

"I'm tired."

"I was gonna go out to the grounds today after 2nd period. Would you like to come?"

"For what?"

"Well, I was thinking we could do a little practice for Quidditch tryouts. You know warm up a bit."

"I suppose. Only if I have no homework," Alli said. Draco smiled a true genuine smile. Alli couldn't help, but smile back at him. When Alli was finished eating, she left the table with Draco tagging along behind her. "Why are you following me?" Alli asked turning on her heel halfway back to the common room.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I bothering you?" Draco asked getting inches from her face.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, you are. Do you mind?"

"Not at all. I'll leave you alone if you really want me to. But I have to say, it'll be pretty boring around here without me. You'll be so alone and no one will talk to you." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "And you'll go crazy and go off screaming unforgiveable curses at anyone who talks to you." This made Alli smile and giggle. "Oh, so I'm making you laugh now, am I?" Draco smiled.

"Stop it. I'm trying to be mad at you," Alli said unable to place her angry face back on. Draco backed her up into a wall.

"Am I still bothering you?" he blew into her face.

"Of course," Alli said with a smile.

"Do you forgive me?" he whispered.

"I--" Alli met him halfway. The soft luring tingle of his lips danced along hers. She felt as if she were drowning. She drew a quick breath only to dive right back in. He took a step towards her. His finger traced over her scar delicately. Back and forth, up and down the lightning bolt. He combed his fingers through her hair. Alli pulled away. "I forgive you," she whispered. Draco smiled at her. He gave her one more quick kiss.

"I have to go," Draco told her.

"Where?"

"I need to talk to Snape about a couple of things real quick. I'll meet you on the grounds after 2nd period. Bring your broomstick," Draco told her. Alli nodded. "See you." Draco took off in the other direction towards Snape's office. Ginny Weasley suddenly came rushing down the Grand Staircase.

"Allison, I need to talk to you," Ginny said quickly. Alli looked at her confused.

"Um…okay. Talk."

"It's about Draco Malfoy," Ginny said. Alli smiled.

"Go on."

"Alli, you need to stay away from him," Ginny told her.

"Oh, not you too," Alli groaned.

"No, I told Hermione to warn you thinking that she'd probably do a better job than I would, but you didn't listen. And I don't think you will until I tell you the whole story." Alli swallowed nervously.

"Uh huh, I'm listening."

"I went out with Draco last year at the beginning of the year. He acted the same way I just saw him act towards you."

"Wait, you were spying on me?"

"It's for the best, Alli. Now listen, he uses his charm and his looks to get you to believe him, Alli. But he's going to turn you against us. He'll try to convince you that what we're saying isn't true so you have to promise me that you won't tell him a word of our conversation. Do you promise?"

"Yeah, I promise. Go on!"

"Alli… Draco…h-he raped me," Ginny confided. Alli was silent. "Our relationship got to the point where he wanted more than I wanted to give him and… he did it without asking. That's all he wants from you, Alli. Please don't get too involved. It's for your own good."

"Well, what if I want the same thing?" Alli retorted.

"Oh god, he's already got you on his side. See what I mean, Alli? He's using his charm and he's already turning you away from us. Don't you see?"

"Why do you care, Ginny? I thought you were mad at me," Alli said.

"I don't like Slytherins, Alli."

"So you're just being stereotypical then?"

"Yes, but please. Right now I'm trying to be a friend. I'm trying to help you. Just please, please will you think on it?"

Alli sighed.

"I'll think about it. Thank you for warning me, Ginny. But I'm pretty sure I've got him under control. I'm a little bit different than you so maybe I can get something better out of our relationship than he got out of yours."

"What exactly are you trying to get out of it?"

Alli just smiled at her. "I'll talk to you later, Ginny. But thank you."

Ginny nodded. Alli headed back towards the dungeons.

"Be careful, Allison," Ginny whispered after her.