Dumbledore's Rina

by dreamingunderthemoonlight

Sabrina Delphina Dumbledore is in Azkaban, punished for her crime of killing Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. But she believes she was framed and is wrongfully punished of being called Dumbledore's treacherous granddaughter.

6. To Squabble or Not to Squabble

Chapter 5: To Squabble or Not to Squabble, That is the Question?

The weeks had seemed to seep by my eyes quite quickly whilst I attended Hogwarts. It was already November. And next month Christmas was coming up. I had been meeting up with Granddad twice a week to have tea with him and just hang out. He was my whole world and my only living family that I had left. He seemed well, but his hand still hadn't healed. I prodded about this most of the time but he just kept saying that I shouldn't worry. He was healthy and busy with work to worry about his hand. But I still didn't believe him.

When it came to Harry Potter- nothing had changed between us. We hadn't kissed again ever since our brief moment in the lake which I found profoundly stupid. Because you couldn't just kiss a girl and not do anything about it. And sure there had been ridiculous rumors that had spread around, but they died down eventually after a week. And of course whenever I saw him my mood brightened but it was obvious from Harry's behaviour that nothing was going forward. He had just asked me to the ball really early and that was all. A one way invitation to the ball with someone for a partner to get it out of the way, not a relationship. But when I thought about it, it was better this way. Because I remember when he had wanted to ask me I was reluctant because of the massive workload I had. And guess what, I turned out to be right.

In my classes now such as Transfiguration and Charms I was expected to know non-verbal spells which was fine with me, but Harry I noticed and Ron were struggling. My classes were filling up with more homework. In Alchemy we had moved on from transmutation of common chemicals into gold and silver, to more theoretical works of the ancient philosophers and what they had contributed to Alchemy. This included Stoicism, Pythagoreanism, Gnosticism and Platonism philosophy. We would then practice what each philosophy had discovered in chemistry and their beliefs. In Astronomy I had been learning about Planetary science and continuously studying to learn all eighty-eight constellations. In my last monthly test I had only been able to remember an extra seven constellations and even though I still came first in the class it was a bummer. But at least I could still visit the Astronomy tower every night. My Ancient Studies class had begun teaching Ancient Greek magic with the different types of curse tablets, incantations and voodoo dolls they used. I enjoyed listening to the love incantations the ancients recited. And who would have thought the Ancient Greek practiced magic spells. I also learnt about Medea being a clever witch in mythology and what spells she used. The translations for Ancient Runes were becoming difficult so Hermione and I decided to team up together and check our translations with one another. Arithmancy and Advanced Arithmancy kept producing new predictions with numerology.

Professor Vector never stopped giving her class complex number charts to compose and consulate. And when it came down to Flitwick's Charms class Draco as my partner was not going so good. Ever since that day we finished our last essay together which was over a months ago he had become glum. One day he was ecstatic like Hagrid's skewets, the next he had become miserable, paler than usual and sleepy like a damn sloth. I had no idea what was going through his mind. But I was suspicious that it had something to do with the Dark Lord. Showing more signs that he actually was a Death Eater and that Harry was right.

Today was Wednesday and I was in my Charms class. I had unfocused my gaze from staring at Flitwick murmur on about our latest homework and laid my eyes upon Draco's limp form beside me. His head was resting upon his arms sprawled over the old table. His eyes were closed and I had to admire his perfect opportunity for sleeping in class. Right then I almost envied him, although I had noticed since last week, bags had started to form under his eyes, protruding the hollowness of them, making them even more mysterious of what they truly were. I didn't want to believe that he was a Death Eater…but he was…

He had begun to avoid me wherever I saw him and only met up with me to finish our partnered assignments off. But that just consisted of him approaching me. Handing his work that he had already done and walking off to go hang out with Zabini, train for Quidditch or who knows what! I found his behaviour peculiar and leaning towards him definitely being a Death Eater.

After Flitwick's class Draco walked out with Zabini, who had been on my nerves ever since I first met him. In our last Astronomy test he had come second again but this time by only one point. So I had to study harder. I couldn't let him take away the reward of the Astronomy tower every night, including Professor Sinistra's telescope. I walked over to Hermione and watched Harry and Ron run out of the classroom.

"Where are they off to?" I asked her.

"They're in a hurry to eat lunch and get to the Quidditch tryouts today."

"Oh, I forgot that Harry became Gryffindor's captain," I replied, walking with her to the Great Hall.

After we had eaten lunch the four of us headed down to the quidditch pitch. On the way we passed Lavender and Parvati. I watched as Parvati nudged Lavender who smiled widely when Ron walked past. Ever since the knickers thief scheme they had been flirting even more with each other to Hermione's dismay. I watched as Ron began to strut as we made our way down to the stadium. Being friendly I wished both boys good luck and walked with Hermione to the stands to get a seat.

"Did you see him?" Hermione asked, as we both sat down on the cold wooden bench.

"Don't worry about it. If you want, you can talk to him again," I said, knowing full well she was referring to Ron.

"It's unfair," she said.

"I know how you feel. But we don't have time to have boyfriends," I proclaimed watching the tryouts take place.

I watched as Harry first did a basic routine test to see who could fly around the pitch. He divided the mass crowd into ten groups with the first group being eliminated as they were first-years not skilled in flying yet. The second group looked like first-year girls. They kept giggling and clutching onto each other for support.

"When you see that, don't you get jealous?" Hermione indicated at the pitch, her face slumped in her hands.

"They're just silly young girls. They have crushes over Harry because he's the Chosen One. It's no big deal."

"Unless the girl's your age, in your own year group?" Hermione beckoned.

"Perhaps. But I just follow my mottos, never have a crush otherwise you'll get crushed and just go with the flow."

"If only life was that simple. You can't blame us for being human," Hermione advised, her eyes observing the tryouts.

Eventually two long enduring hours went by and the Beaters had been chosen. Next was finally the Keepers tryout that Hermione was eager to watch. I wasn't really a fan of quidditch. I didn't enjoy people bashing each other just to get a ball in either three hoops. But I did enjoy flying. I only came today for moral support for Hermione.

I watched as the first five applicants saved more than two goals. Then that Cormac McLaggen fellow that I heard from Hermione who was in the Slug Club with her saved four out of five penalties. His fifth one, I noticed Hermione put her hand over her mouth and say an incantation. McLaggen shot off in the wrong direction and I heard the crowd laugh around us.

"What did you do?" I whispered to Hermione.

"He was ridiculing Ron and Ginny," she said.

"So you used a Charm on him?" I asked bewildered with her. "You interfered."

"No one needs to know," she whispered.

I nodded my head. Knowing full well Hermione was too into Ron.

Then it was Ron's turn. I watched as he hopped onto his Cleansweep Eleven broom and heard someone yell out beside me, "Good luck!"

Both Hermione and I turned our heads and saw Lavender beaming and standing up on her wooden bench, her hands tightly squeezed together probably to give Ron good luck.

I heard Hermione sign beside me. "She never stops," she muttered.

We watched as Ron saved all five penalties in a row, a smile beaming from his face. Hermione even though at the beginning she wasn't happy to be at the pitch stood up and started making her way down. I followed obediently after her to congratulate Ron. I noticed that McLaggen was arguing with Harry. Probably that he had an unfair go and wanted another try. He eventually stomped off not happy with the outcome of Ron winning his place as Keeper.

"You did brilliantly, Ron!" I heard Hermione yell out as she started running ahead towards the guys. I just kept walking, there was no need for me to show desperation or over excitement. But I was sincerely happy for Ron. It was well deserved. I would always hear Harry and Hermione talk about him training for the Quidditch tryouts with his sister and whenever Harry was over. He did seem to be a good Keeper, but a part of me felt slack for McLaggen.

I congratulated Ron when I finally arrived to where everyone was standing. They then sorted out the time of the first full practice for the following Thursday. I heard that Harry wanted to visit Hagrid with Ron and Hermione so I joined along with them.

I found out visiting Hagrid that his pet spider Aragog was dying and he was in pretty bad shape. Weeping and moaning about his old friend. We all tried comforting him even offering to help. But he said it was best if he was the only one because Aragog's colony was getting restless because their father was ill.

We eventually got back to the castle for dinner. I prayed for Aragog's health and for Hagrid to be strong. After we finished dinner we went upstairs to Gryffindor Tower. We found a free table in the overcrowded common room.

I noticed that Ron was in a foul mood because he was upset about the encounter we had had before with Professor Slughorn just before dinner. He wanted Harry and Hermione to join him for supper with 'a few rising stars' he had called other students. For a small get together party. He kindly offered for me to come too because I was granddads granddaughter. And he completely ignored Ron. We however declined and I was lucky that everyone agreed, mostly because Harry had detention tonight with Professor Snape.

I was sitting on my seat, enjoying the fact that I was resting my feet from walking up those stairs. I was still getting the hang of them. I noticed Hermione pulling out a copy of the EveningProphetunderneath her seat that someone had abandoned.

"Anything new?" said Harry.

"Not really," I heard Hermione trailed on opening the newspaper and scanning the inside pages. "Oh look, Ron your dad's in here – he's alright!" she added quickly. "It just says he's been to visit the Malfoy's house."

I looked at Harry then as I watched him rise in his seat eager to listen. I was curious to hear about this too now. Perhaps it would explain Draco's weird behaviour.

Hermione then quoted the article, "ThissecondsearchoftheDeathEater'sresidencedoesnotseemtohaveyieldedanyresults.ArthurWeasleyoftheOfficefortheDetectionandConfiscationofCounterfeitDefensiveSpellsandProtectiveObjectssaidthathisteamhadbeenactinguponaconfidentialtip-off."

"Yeah mine!" I heard Harry say.

I found this to be interesting news. He hadn't told me the full story of what he had saw Draco do.

"I told him at King's Cross about Malfoy and that thing he was trying to get at Borgin to fix! Well, if it's not at their house, he must have brought whatever it is to Hogwarts with him-"

"But how?" I interjected not really trying to defend Draco.

"Yeah, we were all searched when we arrived by Filch with a Secrecy Sensors, except for you of course," Hermione said to Harry. "So Malfoy couldn't have brought in anything dangerous."

"Maybe someone sent it to him by owl," he said.

I was really surprised that he was talking so negatively of Draco in front of me. But at least now I knew what the suspicions were. I wondered if granddad knew. So it was definitely true then of Draco being a Death Eater. But he seemed so…

"All the owls are being checked, too." Hermione said. "Filch told us so when he was jabbing those Secrecy Sensors everywhere he could reach."

I watched as Harry was trying to think harder of a way to solve how Draco might have brought a dangerous Dark Arts object into Hogwarts. He wasn't pleased with the answers he was getting.

I just kept my mouth shut because said it all, I knew that granddad was keeping the school under strict control and protection. There was no way a Dark Arts object could have made its way in. I noticed Ron looking bored with the conversation as he was staring over at Lavender with his arms folded.

"Can you think of any way Malfoy-?"

"Oh, drop it, Harry," said Ron.

I pulled a strand of hair from my face about to say something to Ron about him moaning over something stupid but then Harry cut in.

"Listen, it's not my fault Slughorn invited us to his stupid party, neither of us wanted to go, you know," Harry said, firing up.

"Well, as I'm not invited to any parties," said Ron, getting to his feet. "I think I'll go to bed."

And we watched as he stomped off towards the door to the boys' dormitories.

Hermione looked at me and I knew what she was trying to tell me. 'See there, that's the sort of boyish behaviour I was talking about. He's not a man.'

It took a while but it was finally the first trip to Hogsmeade. I got dressed in dark jeans, a long-sleeved patterned top with a v-neck, a knitted sweater, dark brown ugg boots, my blue wooly coat, my green scarf and matching gloves. I was ready for the winter wonderland. I headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast and heard Hermione lecturing Harry and Ron about that damn potions book again. Once I sat down she rambled to me how Harry read an incantation spell that was scribbled in the book which had lifted Ron out of bed and hanged him by his ankle. I said as long as they didn't hurt themselves there was no harm.

Moving on from the subject about Harry being irresponsible in Hermione's eyes she began talking about how great it was to get out of the castle and roam around with free time. Plus how Hogsmeade was a nice village to visit.

While I was sitting with the trio eating breakfast I could hear Ron and Harry discussing about Quidditch and what new equipment they desired to buy from Quality Quidditch Supplies. I was able to listen easily to their conversation and have Hermione talk about Ancient Runes. However I could hear strident voices bickering over at the Slytherin table.

Many heads were turning to see who the duo was. Mine expectedly pried over curiously to the green draped tables and to my astonishment saw Draco bellowing face to face with the dark skinned Zabini. I hadn't a clue what they were quarreling about but Draco shoved Zabini aside and strolled towards the oak doors. For a split second I saw his piercing eyes linger over to mine and my eyebrows knotted with confusion. I didn't know why, but inside my heart felt sorry for him. Sure he was a Death Eater, and he mistreated Harry and my friends knew he was up to something. But he seemed distant, like he mistrusted people of course, and I was becoming fond of getting to know him. Who was Draco Malfoy under the cold exterior, Death mark and piercing grey eyes? Did he actually want to be a Death Eater? Did granddad know about this? I pondered over this while munching on my jam toast.

After breakfast it took a long time for us to exit Hogwarts because Filch was at the oak doors checking names of people who were allowed permission and then had to be checked by his Secrecy Sensor. Once we were out it was a long walk. It was the first time I was able to see Hogsmeade. The trio took me to Honeydukes first and showed me the amount of sweets there. It was really warm in the shop so I was able to take off my scarf for a bit but once we were back outside I wrapped it around my neck quickly. The wind was thawing my exposed skin, my cheeks going pink.

"Us girls will go to Bernard's Bookstore and we'll meet you guys at the Three Broomsticks," Hermione announced to the boys. They obliged and Hermione and I were off.

"You'll love it Rina, and we can see if they have any Ancient Runes vocabulary's that they didn't have in stock at the beginning of the term."

I smiled warmly at her, breathing out cold air, "Good, do you think they sell any Alchemy books?"

"Definitely, I walk past them all the time."

Bernard's Bookstore was a far walk from Honeydukes but once we got there and I heard the bell ring above my head once the door was opened and the whiff of mint, I knew this was a warm and comfortable place.

The shelves were stacked alphabetically in topics of fiction, ancient novels, classics, textbooks and categories of hobbies.

I followed Hermione as she showed me the Alchemy book section.

"My gosh, look at them," I beamed. Grabbing a thick book off the bookshelf that read, ElixirandtheFavourableStones. "Too bad I can't buy any of them today."

"How come?" Hermione asked disappointed that my enthusiasm had subsided.

"Granddad doesn't like it when I spend too much money on books. Only because I leave them opened on the floor of my room and near my telescope at my window. I might be a bookworm but I will admit I'm a slob when it comes to putting them away," I laughed and she joined in.

"Maybe for Christmas then," she suggested, nudging me.

"Well, before I get too attached and sticky beak a bit more, how about you show me those Ancient Runes vocabs?"

Hermione went near the back section of the store and we both found only five copies left of the vocabs. "We desperately need them," I said to her, grabbing one of the books and skimming through it. "Look at that, that blasted runic script I couldn't find for our latest assignment is in here," I said to Hermione, pointing at the syllables.

She grabbed the edge of the book to have a closer look, "Son of a bludger," she muttered under her breath. "That took us two hours to work out!"

"Well then, at least I know I have to get this book right now," I said.

We paid for them and started walking to the Three Broomsticks. I hadn't a clue where to go so Hermione was the travel guide.

"You think Ron's going to ask Lavender out?" Hermione asked out of nowhere.

"I'm not sure, I can't technically read his mind," I pointed out, tying my scarf further around my neck.

"Because I've heard Slughorn in his latest Slug Club meeting mention that he's planning a private Christmas party."

"Oh, perfectly opportunity for you to take Ron."

"Yeah, I was thinking along those lines."

"And what? It'll just be you and him, no Lavender at the event, you can still snog him while you still can," I said laughing.

"Sabrina!" she said, flushing, but smiling at the thought. It's just that Lavender makes my skin crawl. She's been acting like a love struck teenager and it's getting on my nerves.

"Don't worry, what goes up must come down," I said, going all philosophical.

"I just hate arguing with him most of the time. I get tired of it, but because of this Lavendersituation now, it's the only thing we do. I have better things to do than to be jealous of Lavender."

"Dear Hermione, you have too much on your plate," we both laughed together. "Don't worry it will settle down soon en-"

"SABRINA!"

My body stiffened at the sound of my name whilst my eyes darted to where I heard the voice come from and to my amazement I saw the most unlikely person to yell out my name.

DracoMalfoy was running straight towards Hermione and me. His hair was ruffled and he was wearing his winter quidditch uniform, which explained the messy appearance. Though his eyes were pinned on me making me feel mentally rooted to the floor. I glanced over at Hermione who just looked at me with bewilderment.

"Can I talk to you?" he puffed out through breaths once he had reached us.

"Emm…," biting my lip I looked at Hermione who gave me a stern look. She didn't want me to go off alone with him. He was a Death Eater. But someone I knew Draco wouldn't hurt me.

"Okay," I hesitated to say. I looked back at Hermione, whose eyes were wide open that I had agreed to leave her. I tried to give her an apologetic look then

"Follow me," I heard Draco say. I started following him then I quickly mouthed the words to Hermione, 'Go on without me.'

From where I was walking, Draco looked almost weak. His body was hunched over, maybe from exhaustion, and he was walking very slowly. I could hear him muttering something under his breath but I didn't dare to disturb him. I was curious enough that he actually wanted to talk to me since he had a 'busy schedule' nowadays.

He had escorted us inside a dense, dark grove forest just adjacent to Hogsmeade. Beneath my feet I could hear twigs and sticks snapping as our feet trampled over them.

Why on earth did he want to talk to me in here? I hope he doesn't have a mob of Death Eaters to kidnap me. You are Albus Dumbledore's granddaughter. I was in merde noire. Wait a minute- I couldn't think like this. It was Draco…

My eyes were darting to every angle I could see, trying to become aware of my surroundings. Most of the trees were clamped together with their branches stretching out and entwining with others. I wasn't entirely scared to where Draco was leading me just curious to what he wanted to speak to me about.

"Umm Draco, you do know you can talk to me right now, I'm pretty sure we are far away from any nosy ears droppers," I stated, accidentally stumbling over a stupid branch that was camouflaged with the forest floor.

"Yeah, you're probably right," he said turning around facing me. The bags under his eyes looked deeper than the last time I saw him and his complexion was awful even though he was wearing his quidditch uniform.

"Sabrina I need to-"

I immediately interrupted him, "Where has your head been for the past weeks?" I asked throwing my arms up into the air. He didn't look shocked from my outburst, he didn't even flinch, he just stood there, emotionless. Now was the time for me to speak my mind and tell him what I thought about his behaviour from the past weeks. I had kept my opinionated self on very low when it came to Draco's changing attitude and appearance.

"Listen…I'm sorry if I've been a bit anti-social with you. Lately I've just been busy with quidditch and schoolwork. You know… schoolstuff. I was going to ask if you wanted to hang out with me today, but I thought what would be the use, knowing you, without a doubt would have already made plans with your Gryffindor friends," he proclaimed standing tall instead of slouching like he was before.

"So you're telling me, you've had time to hang out with Zabini, do your homework, talk during classes with your Slytherin friends, train for quidditch- I indicated with my hand at his uniform- 'and still be able to sleep and eat, without talking to me, because you're apparently busy! And yet you're telling me I wouldn't have time to hang out with you, because you assumed I already had plans?" I declared, crossing my arms, pouting my lips and raising my eyebrows unimpressed with his explanation.

"Well did you?"

"Of course I did, but who said I couldn't have planned something with you and met up with you later. We talked about if we were friends or not or whatever this is between us. But I'll have you know the word friends means both of us contribute to the friendship and make other options incase other ones don't work out, not to just assume the other one doesn't have time to spend with the other. You've been a pompous git to me the past weeks. Brushing me off, not talking to me, giving me stupid notes on your part of the essays to explain what extra information you want me to put into the assignment. It's ridiculous!"

"Bollocks! You're unbelievable! I told you, I-was-busy!"

"Busy enough to spend time with other people but not with me because why? Because I'm in Gryffindor and friends with Harry Potter? All you ever do is sleep in Charms class. Now why is that? That's the big question here Draco and I want a reason!"

"That's part of the reason why I wanted to talk to you today!"

"Well spit it out, because don't forget, since you assumed I already had plans today, you were right and I don't want to keep my friends waiting."

"Sabrina please, be reasonable, I'm sorry."

"If you're sorry why didn't you talk to me instead of behaving like a daft zombie every time I saw you?"

"You don't understand-" He muttered, turning his head away sheepishly.

"Understand what? That OUR friendship isn't important!" I took a confident step towards him, glaring at his weak frame.

"Just listen to me," he reasoned, eyes darting to my piercing blue spheres.

"Tell me the truth Draco, are you a Death Eate-"

And without warning he flung at me, capturing me in his icy, tentative embrace, his hands caressing my steamy face, his freezing lips engulfing mine, cutting my sentence short. His lips were literally covering my bloody mouth, sucking the life out of me. Even though my foolish mind froze from the shock my body reacted instantly. Arms rising to his shoulders and shoving him away, I wiped my sodden lips clean with my sleeve.

"SONOFABLUDGER! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?" I screamed, staring at Draco's tall posture, my fury rising even more.

"Did you feel anything?" He asked panting from his loss of breath from the kiss.

"How would I know, you gob smacked me you buffoon. You literally attacked me!" I yelled, panting as well.

"Let me try it again and tell me if you feel anything?" He suggested, taking one small step closer to me.

I instantly jerked back, "No! Backoff, my mouth isn't a chewtoy!"

"So you're telling me you felt nothing towards me?" He asked, eyes flooding in with grey misty clouds.

"Why? Was I supposed to?" I replied rapidly, but the look on his face exposed the hurt I had plastered upon him with my words. He looked more vulnerable than before and I had this weird feeling of holding and nurturing him. Hestillwasmyfriend…wasn'the?

"Never mind," he muttered, brushing past me. However I was quick enough to grab both of his arms and restrain him.

"Hey, wait a minute, you can't just kiss a girl and walk off, it's rude," I declared, observing every emotion that swerved his face.

"What do you want me to say, that I'm sorry for kissing you?" He bellowed, eyes turning sharp and cruel.

"No, I want you to explain to me what is going on with you. Your behaviour is weird, your appearance looks dreadful, have you even noticed that you have bags under your eyes and you look miserable?" I retorted, staring up into his vindictive orbs. "Listen, I've been hearing things that you are a Death Eater. Draco tell me…talk to me."

He glared at me, pursuing his lips, "Just leave me al-"

"SABRINA IS THAT YOU?" Draco and I heard a voice shout.

I turned my head around and for a split second thought something had pinched my skull. My eyes were darting to where I heard the voice come from and out of nowhere a figure popped out of the clamped trees.

"Harry!" I exclaimed, surprised to see him here. He had pulled a long, freshly green branch aside and pushed his glasses upwards as they had slid down his slender nose.

"Thank Merlin's beard Sabrina, I was looking for you everywhere. Hermione said you were caught up with something so I came to help and then I heard voices around here and came to investigate." He spoke, eyes widening now to the scene of Draco and I standing so close together with my hands grasped around his arms. "What on earth are you doing in this place and why is Malfoy here?"

"Harry before you jump to conclusions-"

"Why are both your mouths swollen and red?"

HELLSBOLLOCKS! Effing Draco and his huge sucking lips!

"Harry listen to me, it's not what it looks life," I began, releasing my grip from Draco and walking over to Harry.

"YOU FLEA RIDDEN FERRET!" Harry bellowed lunging towards Draco.

"HARRY STOP!" I screamed blocking his path and pulling him away from Draco but he fought my grip.

"Poor Potty, are you feeling like a jealous lunatic?"

"DRACO SHUT THE FRIG UP," I snapped, glaring over my shoulder at him.

"GET OFF ME SABRINA!" Harry demanded, twirling around in circles.

"NO YOU'RE ACTING LIKE A CHILD," I bellowed, trying to hold my grip around his shoulders, though the bugger was strong.

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S ON MY BACK!"

Yes, I was on Harry Potters back. But it wasn't a piggy back ride; it was a 'saveDracoMalfoyslife' ride.

"Is Potty feeling a bit bad-tempered?" Draco cooed, making his face look sad. For a guy who was looking miserable minutes ago he was having fun taunting Harry.

"RACK OFF FERRET FACE! SABRINA LET ME GO," Harry hollered, his frustration raising an octave higher.

"HELL NO, YOU'LL ATTACK HIM!"

"WHO CARES, HE DESERVES IT. AND WHAT ABOUT YOU?"

"What about me?" I asked still prompted on his back, my voice softening.

"YOU SNOGGED THE BASTARD!" he bawled, his muscles, I could feel were tensing with the words.

I jumped off Harry's back and looked directly up into his harsh emerald irises. "HE KISSED ME!" I shrieked, pointing towards Draco.

Now the tables had turned to me being the villain.

"Are you sure? Because that's a bit hard to believe, you look flushed," he queried, crossing both of his arms over his broad chest and looking down at me, not believing any of my words.

"Off course I look flushed; I was kissed out of the blue. I shouldn't even have to be explaining myself," I responded, my anger fully rising to its highest peak.

Harry's eyebrows furrowed into confusion, "Well why not?"

"Because I'm not dating you or him. I have a free right to do what I want," I proclaimed, glaring up at his beaming crimson face.

"So going around and seducing guys is your daily job now is it?" He provoked, taking a small step towards me.

"Oh sod off Harry; you're taking this way out of proportion. I don't even have to put up with this crap," I declared, walking the way out Harry had just come in.

"So you're telling me that our kiss in the lake meant nothing to you?" He retorted, staying rooted to the ground as he turned.

I turned around, "I should be asking you the same thing too."

"Well did it?"

"Well of course it meant something to me, but you haven't done anything since then to make it move forward into something. So what am I supposed to do, wait for something that will never happen?"

"My, my, a lovers' quarrel," Draco chuckled, interrupting mine and Harry's irritable conversation.

"For fucks sake ferret, shutthefuckup!"

"You know what Harry, if you're going to be acting this way every time I make a new friend who happens to be a guy, then that's it. You can take someone else with you to the ball in February. And I'm pretty sure you have many candidates," I proclaimed briskly walking through the clamped, green trees.

I was stunned with what I had said because of the searing adrenaline. I still wanted to go with him to the Valentine's Day ball but what was this between us. What the hell was my relationship with Draco? How dare Harry accuse me of something I hadn't done.

Ishouldn'thaveleftthemintherebythemselves.

Gallopin gorgons I'm a wreck.

I literally wanted to run out of the forest but I had to stay calm. I wanted to cry and wish Hermione had said nothing to Harry. But she did, and I had to deal with the circumstances now with what I had done. What had happened was stupid. A stupid confrontation. I still hadn't even finished my conversation with Draco.

Blimey he had kissed me! And he was a Death Eater. His eyes were telling me…begging for help?

I wiped the tears away from my eyes with my blue sleeve and wondered out of the woods. Flooding into my head were asinine thoughts of Harry and Draco thrashing about on the forest's damp floor or even dueling each other.

Then suddenly, my stomach quenched when I heard for the second time that day the same person yell out my name.

"SABRINA, PLEASE, WAIT!"

I didn't dare turn around to look into the enduring emerald eyes I desired to embrace and forgive, so I quickened my pace hastily. My feet were sloshing through the moist coffee dirt until I arrived at the Hogsmeade trail that led to Hogwarts.

"SABRINA!" I heard him yell out again. "Stop please," I heard him begging.

No, I was going to put up with two guys insufferable, irritating behaviour. Like Hermione said, why couldn't we both just find men?

"Sabrina!" this time it was Hermione's voice. I kept walking up the frozen slushy trail, but turned around to see that Hemrione and Ron had joined Harry. He was walking franticly to catch up to me but trying to not make a scene. I just kept going ignoring them until I heard two girls arguing ahead about a package that one of them was holding in her hands.

"It's nothing to do with you, Leanne!" I heard one of the girls say. I knew she was Katie Bell, one of the students on Gryffindor's quidditch team from the tryouts.

I noticed the Leanne girl tried to grab hold of the package Katie was holding, but Katie tugged it back and the package fell to the ground.

Instantly Katie rose into the air gracefully, her arms outstretched as though she were about to fly. But her hair was whipped around her by a fierce wind and something felt eerie. I stopped walking and watched as her eyes were closed and her face expressionless until I watched as her eyes flew open and she started screaming out. Like had seen, heard of felt something to cause her severe anguish. She just kept screaming and then her friend Leanne started screaming, trying to grab her ankle and yank her down.

I had forgotten about the squabble I had just had with Harry and Draco and look back at the trio. At once we all ran to Katie to try and help Leanne pull her down. This was bad. Really bad. It looked like black magic from Snape's portrait in his classroom. It couldn't have been Draco? Right? That was impossible? He had been with me…unless it was someone else around the area?

Katie eventually fell on top of us but Harry and Ron were able to catch her. I watched as she withered in pain and it was hard for any of us to hold her. She kept thrashing and screaming. She didn't recognize any of us. She was disoriented.

"I'm going to go get help. Stay here!" Harry shouted, taking control of the situation. I watched as he sprinted to Hogwarts.

"Shh, Katie, it'll be okay," I heard Hermione coo.

"What do you think is wrong with her?" Leanne asked, she was frantic. A crowd had started forming around us. Curious onlookers wanting to know what was going on.

"I think she's been cursed," I told her. This wasn't ordinary behaviour, far from it.

Finally, Harry came back and he brought Hagrid with him.

"Get back!" he shouted. "Lemme see her!"

I then heard Leanne sobbing next to me. In an instant Harry scooped Katie up and rushed away with her to the Castle.

I then heard Harry asking Leanne question to figure out what had happened. She explained that when the package tore open it had happened. We all looked at the brown-paper package on the ground, which had split open to reveal a greenish glitter. Ron had bent down to grab it but Harry seized his hand.

"Don't touch it!"

I watched as he crouched down. An ornate opal necklace was visible, poking out of the paper.

"I've seen that before," he said, staring at the thing. I looked at him then back at the package. "It was on display in Borgin and Burkes ages ago. The label said it was cursed. Katie must have touched it." He then looked up at Leanne who started shaking uncontrollably. "How did Katie get hold of this?" he asked her.

I was bewildered. A bloody necklace did this? Leanne explained that she had been arguing with Katie about it moments ago because she had come back from the bathroom in the Three Broomsticks holding it, and said it had been a surprise for somebody at Hogwarts and she had to deliver it. And that she had looked funny when she had said it.

After hearing Leanne's explanation I walked with the trio and her to the Castle. I kept my distance away from Harry, walking beside Hermione. Once we entered the grounds he revealed his thoughts.

"Malfoy knows about this necklace. It was in a case at Borin and Burkes four years ago, I saw him having a good look at it while I was hiding from him and his father. Thisis what he was buying that day when we followed him! He remembered it and went back to get it!"

"There you go again attacking him," I said, defending Draco. "What is with you?"

Harry ignored me, but Ron interjected, "I- I donno, Harry. Loads of people go to Borgin and Burkes…and didn't that girl say Katie got it in the girls' bathroom?"

"She said she came back from the bathroom with it, she didn't necessarily get it in the bathroom itself."

"I don't want to hear any more of this," I said exasperated, raising my hands. I then walked off, hearing that McGonagall had arrived and wanted to speak with the people who had witnessed what had happened. But I ignored it all and kept walking to the castle. I knew all too well that Harry was going to accuse Draco again. I needed to find him and sort this bloody mess out. What happened to Katie was dangerous.

I was wondering around the castle looking for him. I went to the Great Hall, the Library, all the corridors and my last attempt was the Slytherin House. But it was unfamiliar territory to me. I was approaching the Slytherin residence on the same level of the dungeons. I began walking through these labyrinth corridors and then I stopped as I heard a familiar voice.

"Hurry up and get inside," I heard Zabini say.

I peeped around the corridor to see Zabini towering over a first-year boy.

"But I just wante-"

"Get inside and stop squirming like a girl. It's already bad enough that you're behaving like a half-blood you mangy mutt," he roused, hitting the boy on the back to move on.

I wasn't scared of Zabini but the cold way he had spoken to the little boy made my skin crawl, and not in a good way. I still didn't understand why Draco was friends with him. He was mean.

So I resorted to writing a letter and having it Owled to Draco, asking if I could talk to him privately on Tuesday night at the Astronomy Tower. About what he did to me, and these accusations against him.

Tuesday night did come around but there was no sign of Draco at the Astronomy Tower. So I just went along memorizing my eighty-eight constellations for Astronomy. But over the next few days I kept owling him, pestering him to talk to me. On Wednesday during Charms he didn't sit with me. He kept his distance which was the first time in two months of getting to know him.

Then another week went by and it was already Saturday again. The apparently big day where Gryffindor versed Slytherin in quidditch. However Ron was acting aggressive over the past week towards his sister Ginny and even Hermione. Harry had told me it was because Ron and him had caught Ginny snogging Dean in public and they bickered. Then Ron was upset and being passive-aggressive because Ginny accused him of never being snogged before. Harry was able to mention this to me comfortably because he ignored the issue that had happened over a week ago at Hogsmeade…just like what he did when we kissed in the lake. It was almost like when it came to dealing with our 'romantic' relationship together it just wasn't that important and he ignored it, brushed it aside and moved on. Until something else happened and then he would bring everything up again. But when it came to our friendship he acted normal.

That morning of the match between Slytherin and Gryffindor Ginny came waltzing into the Great Hall telling Harry that Draco Malfoy was ill and couldn't play.

I was in my seat drinking pumpkin juice trying not to act like I was suspicious. But I knew if Draco was ill now would be a good time to talk to him. I then heard Hermione telling Harry off for pouring something into Ron's drink and warning Ron not to drink it. I watched as Ron didn't obey and heard snide comments from both of them towards Hermione.

"You both need serious help," I said, walking off after her.

I found her walking rapidly towards the pitch. "Hermione, wait!" I yelled out to her.

She stopped in her tracks and turned around, her face red, her hair frizzy, and her eyes dark. "What?"

"Why are you angry with the boys?"

"Didn't you see?" she asked.

"No, I just heard a couple of things. What happened?"

"Harry gave Ron Felix Felicis- the luck potion to help them with today's game because Ron has been in a foul mood for how bloody long," she informed me.

"Harry wouldn't do that, it's forbidden. Maybe it was a trick," I suggested.

"Who knows, and who cares. I couldn't care less about Ronald."

"I know he's been unpleasant the past week, but it will die dow…eventually," I said, trying to comfort her.

"I'm sick of it Sabrina. Sick of his mood and the way he acts." She then grabbed both of my arms and shook them and said, "I need a man."

"He's out there. He could be right around the corner," I said, smiling to keep her happy. "Listen, I don't think I'll be able to watch the game. I need to catch up with my Alchemy homework and Advanced Arithmancy. I'll come to the next game, I'll be in the common room after the game finishes."

"Alright then," she said, turning away.

After Hermione left I ran to the hospital wing to see Draco. Once I arrived I approached Madam Pomfrey, scanning the multiple beds to see if Draco was around.

"Yes dear," she asked me, worried about my frantic behaviour.

"Hi," I began. "I was just wondering if Draco Malfoy was here?"

She lifted her glasses closer to eyes and looked around the room. "Sorry darling but he hasn't been here all day.

I knotted my eyebrows with her answer. Sohewasn'tillthen?

"Oh, I must have been mistaken then," I muttered and walked out in a hurry.

I then went down to the dungeons thinking that he would be there. I noticed a first-year girl come out of the entrance door.

"Hey, is Draco Malfoy in there?" I asked her in a hurry.

"Who are you? You're not a Slytherin." She said, her beady eyes looking at me suspiciously.

"My name is Tabatha," I lied, just in case she went around telling other Slytherins a random girl was looking for Draco. "He's in my Charms class and we're running late on an assignment that's due together," I kept on lying.

The girl didn't look gullible but when I mentioned 'assignment' she sprang into action. "He said he was ill in the common room so he's missing out on the match today. I've been working on my own assignments. Is being in your sixth year really hard?" she asked me.

"Only if you're not organized," I advised her, trying to stay on track. "Do you know where he went?"

"I heard him talking to a dark guy his age that he was going to the seventh floor and needed help. That was all."

I tried to rack in my brain why Draco would be all the way on the seventh floor when he was apparently ill. And with Zabini.

"Thanks," I said, turning around and leaving the girl.

I started climbing up the marble staircase, huffing as I was going up and up. I could feel the muscles in my legs tensing and relaxing. And I could definitely feel the burn. Once I made it to the seventh floor, I could feel the heat on my skin, and brushed my brow with my hand.

I walked past the portrait of the fat lady in pink silk and began wondering around the seventh floor looking for Draco. After about what I presume to be eight minutes I walked around a corridor forgetting that Zabini would be with Draco.

"Dumbledore!" he chided approaching me.

I stopped and glared at him, "Zabini."

"What are you doing up here?" he asked me coldly, his frame towering over me.

"Where's Draco?" I asked him, folding my arms.

"You should be at the petty quidditch match."

"Where's Draco?" I demanded for a second time with a lower voice.

I mimicked his glare and just as I did he pulled out his wand and pointed it at me. Because of my quick reflexes I did the same.

"Where's Draco?"

"Leave or I shall hex you," he threatened, taking a step closer.

I held my wand firmly, my eyes focused on Zabini. "Where's Draco?"

And that's when I saw him come out of a wall that had turned into a polished door with a brass handle behind Zabini.

Instantly when I saw Draco I then adjusted to defend myself again against Zabini.

"What are you doing," I heard Draco say, a hint of concern in his voice.

"She's come up here looking for you," Zabini spoke, his eyes still on me, watching me.

"Drop your wands," Draco ordered both of us.

"Not until he drops his first," I insisted, glaring at Zabini.

"Blaise," Draco ordered, standing next to him.

Zabini lowered his wand slowly, suspicious of me. I did the same, knowing that he wouldn't hurt me now.

"Where did you come out from?" I asked Draco. "And what were you doing? I heard you were sick?"

Draco looked at Zabini and indicated with a curt tilt of his head that he could go. Like Zabini had been guarding him from whatever he was doing. When he did this, I noticed he looked thinner, and that gash on his face months ago had turned into a faint scare that I could just pick out.

Zabini walked off and Draco came right up to me, forcefully turned me around with him, his hand tightening around my arm and started leading us both down the corridor I had come from.

"What are you doin-"

"Shh, it's not safe," he said, still walking.

He took me all the way to the library, giving a curt nod to the librarian and brought us between two narrow shelves that had no tables or seats.

"Why isn't it safe?" I asked him, quizzical with his behaviour.

"Anyone can eavesdrop," he said.

"Draco what's going on? Why haven't you replied to my letters or met up with me to talk?" I asked, brushing his hand off my arm, rubbing the pressure he had put on it.

"You don't understand, I can't talk to you about it," he said, fidgeting with the cuffs of his sleeves.

"What were you doing in that wall thingy that turned into a door? Are you even sick?" I questioned, raising a hand that touched his forehead.

He had kept his eyes away from me, like he couldn't look at me up close. But once I touched his face his eyes lingered over to mine. "Why do you care?"

"Because I'm concerned about you."

"You shouldn't be," he muttered, his grey orbs clouded. He was softer now, the harsh exterior fading away.

"So, are you sick?"

"No."

"What were you doing in that wall?"

He opened his mouth, and then hesitated. "Fixing something."

I then asked the big question, "Something for Voldermort." And as I did, his eyes shot at me, knowing where this was going.

"I can't say."

"I can help you Draco. Listen, granddad can get you out of this," I encouraged, reaching for his hand and holding it. "If you are a Death Eater it can be undone. All you have to do is-"

He snatched his hand out of mine. "I don't need your help. No one can help me. It's my burden. You don't even know the full story. You're a fool to help me."

"Then why are you here talking to me Draco. Why is it that you kissed me?" I looked into his eyes my own questioning his intentions.

"I can't do it," he muttered, his eyes looking away.

"What can't you do?"

"I can't be friends with you. Wecan't have a relationship of any sort."

"Why?"

"Because…because we're too different."

"So what are you saying?"

He breathed in heavily and exhaled. "I'm saying that you can't go running around Hogwarts looking to talk to me. Something could happen to you. You're the granddaughter of Albus Dumbledore."

"So what?"

"You're untouchable. Off bounds."

"But can't you see. Icanhelpyou!"

"Bloody hell Sabrina! You are thick! You're part of the Order of the Phoenix and I'm part of the Dark Lord. Whatever thisiscan't work. So I'm ending it. Back off and you'll thank me later." And he walked off.

I stood there for a couple of moments, shocked that Draco had said this to me. I then ran off after him out of the Library and down the flight of stairs that he was on.

"You're a coward!" I yelled at him.

"No, I'm trying to protect you."

"From what?" I asked him bewildered. Noticing that students had started floundering back inside the castle. The match had finished.

"From me!" he chided, stomping down the staircase.

And that was it. He didn't speak to me again.

I walked back to Gryffindor tower to the common room. Why was Draco trying to protect me from him? Because he was a Death Eater? What was he fixing for Voldermort? Why couldn't he just let granddad and I help him? I knew for a fact that he didn't want to be a Death Eater. His physical appearance showed the clear signs that he wasn't happy.

Just as I gave the fat lady portrait the password to enter the common room, Hermione came out and I heard a loud eruption of noise of celebration. I then saw Ron and Lavender glued together, snogging like animals, and Harry walking past me, grabbing my hand so I could follow him to wherever Hermione was going.

It was obvious Gryffindor had won the game against Slytherin.

"She's upset because of Ron?" I asked Harry.

He just nodded his head and kept going.

"Was it at least a good game?" I asked him.

That's when he stopped walking and looked at me. "Weren't you there?"

"Sorry, I had homework to finish up."

Harry raised an eyebrow at me. "If you say so." He probably thought I went to go talk to granddad.

"Hermione?" Harry said, as we both found her in the first unlocked classroom we tried.

She was sitting on the teacher's desk, along except for a small ring of twittering yellow birds circling her head, which she must have conjured out of midair.

"Oh, hi guys," she said in a brittle voice. "I was just practicing."

"Yeah…they're – er – really good…" Harry said.

"Hermione are you okay?" I asked her.

"I'm fine, but Ron seems over the moon with the celebrations he's getting," she said in an unnaturally high-pitched voice.

"Er…does he?" Harry said.

I looked at him. It was obvious he didn't know how to deal with a situation like this, because it was a girl thing.

"Don't pretend you didn't see him," she said. "He wasn't exactly hiding it, was-"

Then the door behind us burst open. And to all our horrors, Ron laughingly walked in, pulling Lavender by the hand.

"Oh," he said, realizing the sight between Hermione, Harry and I.

"Oops!" Lavender said, and she started backing out of the room, giggling like she always did. The door swung shut behind her.

There was an awkward, billowing silence. Hermione was staring at Ron who refused to look at her. Good. He was ashamed. I thought so.

"Hi, Harry! Wondered where you'd go to!" he said with a mixture of awkwardness and bravado.

I looked at Harry and in an instance I saw Hermione slide off the desk with the little flock of golden birds continuingly twittering and circling around her head. "You shouldn't leave Lavender waiting outside," she said quietly. "She'll wonder where you've gone."

Hermione walked very slowly and erectly towards the door. I knew she was about to do something. She glanced at Ron who looked relieved that nothing had blown up in his face.

"Oppugno!" Hermione shrieked from the doorway, pointing her wand at Ron.

I watched as the golden birds sped like a hail of fat golden bullets towards Ron. He covered his face to protect himself but the birds attacked him, clawing and pecking at every piece of flesh they could get.

Ouch!

"Gerremoffmee!" he yelled.

Hermione with her bushy hair and vindictive fury, wrenched the door open and disappeared through it just before I heard her start sobbing as the door slammed shut.

I looked at Harry and we both nodded our heads at each other. I ran after Hermione and he stayed to help Ron.