Back to Ghosts. You either love it, hate it, or are just confused by it but love that HP/DM slash. (Hint: So do I.) What's going to happen? What's up with all this confusing stuff? Stay tuned…

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Warnings: Crazy beats. Crazy, crazy beats.

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Ghosts

Chapter Thirteen

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When he woke up again, he suspected it was late in the day. The sun was shining through the windows in the way it only does in the afternoon. He sat up suddenly and looked all around but there was no sign of Draco, not even a note.

He felt strangely empty. He'd made up with Hermione; Ron hadn't really been mad at him, but didn't approve of him lashing out at Hermione. Ginny probably wasn't ready to accept an apology.

Draco, he could still feel where the other boy had touched him with a sensation that suggested there was a strange, happy weight on his chest.

And Helen.

Had Helen drowned? Why had she tried to lure him into the lake in the first place? He had the strangest feeling she didn't drown. Wasn't there any way he could help her?

Was his drive to save the last, to his knowledge, member of his family so strong because he'd never been able to help any of the others. He thought of Sirius and wondered what he'd have to say about all this. Another person he'd failed.

I wish you were here…

That's when McGonagall came in, pushing Ginny Weasley with one hand. Ginny was holding her own hand, which she was careful not to jostle.

McGonagall sat her down on the bed next to Harry.

"Miss, Weasley, fighting will not be tolerated." McGonagall gave her a stern look. "I don't care what happened or what was said, there was no reason for you to break Parkinson's nose. You'll have to wait here—Pomfrey's still fixing Parkinson up." She started to leave but noticed Harry. "Oh, Potter, about last night…"

"Yeah?" Harry looked up eagerly.

"We couldn't find the student you tried to save." McGonagall was regarding him with a studious expression. "We know no one drowned in the lake and no one was found on the grounds…we assume that whoever it was got back to the castle…which student was it?"

"Er, no one." Harry's gaze dropped to his hands. "I mean, a Ravenclaw."

"A Ravenclaw?" McGonagall's tone was thoughtful and she seemed preoccupied for a moment. "Well, I'll double check with the Head of House to make sure everyone's okay." Then, with one last long look at Harry, she left.

Harry glanced over at Ginny who was glowering at her broken hand as though it had insulted her.

"You broke Parkinson's nose?" Harry tried conversationally.

"And I gave her a black eye." Ginny looked up. "She was pissing me off."

"What did she do?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"Gaaah." Ginny moaned. "Why do you care?"

"Because I'm pretty sure it's my nose you really wanted to break." Harry tried to joke but Ginny didn't look amused and so he quickly fell silent.

"I still want to." Ginny muttered darkly. "It didn't have anything to do with you. She was shooting her mouth off about Draco."

"What was she saying?" Harry inquired.

"I don't really want to talk to you. Don't pretend like nothing happened." Ginny's eyes narrowed. "That may work with Hermione and Ron but it doesn't work that way for me."

"Ginny…I was…" Harry closed his eyes. How could he say something like that to her? He'd found the weakest point and attacked. "I'm really sorry."

"You're just apologizing because I'm Ron's little sister—that's all I'll ever be to you guys…" Ginny scowled. "I'm not Ginny."

"That's why you like Draco so much." Harry realized. "Because to him you're Ginny. I didn't realize you felt like that. Or maybe…maybe I did. I don't know. The reason I was apologizing was because I don't want to make you sad. I wasn't thinking. But now…I am…er…" Harry felt tongue-tied and awkward. "Ginny, I need you too."

"You do?" Ginny looked skeptical but there was something soft about her eyes.

"Yes…because you're my friend." Harry told her. "When I describe Helen, everyone asks if I'm talking about you…if I had a sister, I'd want her to be like you. Maybe I wished you were and that's why Helen's here."

"Harry…" Ginny was still holding her broken hand but she looked like she wanted to hug him. "Pansy said that Draco was still working for Voldemort—that they'd staged everything and that Nott isn't really dead. I couldn't stand it…Draco hasn't lied to me. I'd know."

"Why would she say that?" Harry felt a horribly gnawing in his heart.

"You don't have to be a villain."

You aren't a villain…you don't have to be.

You lied to them…

Nott's dead…I remember the look in your eyes…you've lost someone too. Just like me.

"She was talking to one of the other Slytherins because no one could find Draco last night and there were rumors he visited you." Ginny explained. "He did, didn't he?"

"Yes." Harry nodded. Then he gave her an unsure look. "Um…Ginny, how do you feel about Draco?"

"He's in love with you." Ginny didn't even blink when she said it out loud. She saw the look on Harry's face. "You really didn't know?"

Harry hung his head.

You love me?

Why won't you say it?

Because…you're scared?

Are you scared of me?

Why?

Harry took off, rushing out the doors and right past Madame Pomfrey, who called out his name but he ignored her.

Where was he going? He wasn't sure. He just knew what he was looking for. He turned another corner, it was a corridor full of students whom he ducked and weaved through.

"Harry!" It was Hermione but ignored her as well. And there was Draco, talking to someone. Harry stopped dead in his tracks when he saw who.

Helen Evans looked at him and Draco turned towards him. She blinked a couple of times and then dropped a small curtsey before taking off.

Are you real?

Were you…together?

Draco…what does all of this mean?

Will you disappear like she does?

Draco started to turn away, as though he were going to leave too. Would Harry have to chase after him? Never catching him.

Harry practically fell forward, reaching for Draco, who caught him.

"Harry!" Hermione was right there.

"Don't leave me…don't run away…" Harry felt weird and feverish. "Don't leave me too…I don't care. I don't care if you're a villain or if you're a ghost or if you lied…it doesn't matter! I just don't want you to disappear!" He clung to Draco, burying his face in the blonde boy's shoulder. Draco's body was stiff with surprise.

Harry felt his head swimming and he was suddenly much too warm. He staggered back a few steps and then collapsed amid a flurry of voices.

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He was shivering cold, which made him wake up. His blankets were gone; he was sleeping on a bare mattress. Harry slowly began to pick himself up when he realized someone else was there.

Helen Evans.

She smiled.

But when he got up, she took a step backwards and knew that if he continued to move, she would move away.

"Helen." He stood up anyways. "Don't run away."

The wordless speaking began. It was like listening to someone talking in a nearby room. Muffled and words could barely be picked out.

"Helen!" Harry went forward and she went out the doors. He could hear the speechless talking as he left the hospital wing and it was leading away and going upwards.

He followed, not at a fast pace, but a slow, almost robotic one. It was like being in a dream. Logic told him to run, but he couldn't make himself do so.

As he climbed higher, his heart began to beat with anticipation. What was waiting for him? Why was she leading him somewhere?

It seemed like he'd been walking forever when he came to the final door. She was waiting on the other side. He pulled the door open and cold air rushed in.

It was the roof.

And Helen was there.

She was standing on a ledge, the wind blowing her hair and uniform. She turned towards him and held out her arms towards him. Warm, loving arms.

Harry started forward and she didn't disappear. She was right there. He'd found her. Everything was going to come together and make sense.

She was right there, he could almost touch her…he stretched out his arms.

Suddenly, horribly, a Death Eater was behind her on a broom, and he grabbed her around the waist, and flew off, Helen still reaching towards Harry.

"Helen!" Harry called her name. "Helen!" He looked around wildly; there was a broom. Without thinking, without allies, without knowing where it would lead him, he grabbed the broom and flew after the Death Eater.

I won't let them take you away, Helen.

You're not a ghost…

And if you are, you can have my life.

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Weird. Weird. More weird. Huh. Well, sure. At this point I've completely given up on "Plot A" (the original) and have graduated to Angst fest or "Plot B". The exciting (?) conclusion of this story will be here next time! That's right, no more Ghosts…which is okay, because most of you just want to know what the hell is going on. (Don't we all?) Please read and review!