AN:

hello again loves! Here is chapter two! If you have time, please review! I would love to have some feedback :)

disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter universe. Don't sue me. ;)

-Ace

The windows had betrayed me once again, and let the early morning sunshine inside, resting innocently on my tired eyes, forcing them open. I looked in the vanity mirror on the wall and addressed my appearance. My hair, as usual was wildly flying about aimlessly, seemingly desperate to get away from my scalp. I shoved the mass of curls into a messy and rather lopsided bun at the back of my head. I looked at my face, seeing it was slightly swollen from lack of sleep, and that I had a cut on my lip. I frowned, not remembering how it got there. I shoved on my boots, as those were the only things I had actually taken off from the previous day before falling into my bed and allowing myself to drop into unconsciousness till just moments ago. Panicking slightly, I looked around the room for my wand, trying and failing to remember where I had put the bloody thing. Finding it hiding on the floor beside my bed, I grabbed my bag and walked into the common room, sitting down on the chair by the fire, seeing that it was only six.

I let my thoughts wonder, to thoughts of the night before. I wasn't quite sure what happened when the odd interaction occurred, but it wasn't sitting right with me. I thought of the raven haired beauty in my dream, confused that she had made a appearance after so long an absence. I always was able to understand her in the past dreams I've had, but I didn't know what had prompted her appearance this time around. It bothered me, honestly. That I couldn't quite remember what she had said, only that she was there. I pushed the bizarre thoughts aside, turning my head to see the maker of the noise that had interrupted my contemplating. Jordan and Malfoy stood together not ten feet away, Jordan looking nervous.

"Morning," I ventured, cautiously testing the waters. Both of the sharp-tongued purebloods were staring at me nervously now, as if trying to read my thoughts.

"You okay, Cyd?" Jordan blurted, sounded slightly exasperated. I furrowed my brows in confusion, unable to understand yet again.

"You didn't come back here till nearly two in the morning," she continued, seeing my confusion that I had purposely written very clearly on my face.

"Stellar observation, love. I fell asleep in the tower again, by accident of course. Woke up soon enough, came back here to sleep in my much more comfortable bed." I stammered at this point, still confused as to why she was worried more so than last time this occurred. Malfoy was a different story, who was standing with his pale hands in his robes' pockets, a completely bemused facial expression taking over his colorless face, I couldn't begin to make out what he could possibly be thinking. But Jordan knew that me falling asleep in the tower was nothing new nor unusual.

"Yes, but, Cyd..." Jordan trailed off, turning her gaze to the floor. I sighed at her, knowing that she was worried. After a moment's contemplation, I shoved myself out of the plush seat, and wrapped my arms around her, closing my eyes. She hesitated for a moment, then hugged me back fiercely.

"I'm sorry, love. I'll try to just sleep here from now on, alright?" I apologized, giving up on figuring out why she was overly worried for now. Malfoy turned to us, and, to my surprise, his face was contorted in a fashion I could only construe as concern. It was an unusual look for him, that's for certain. He met my eyes, and must of seen my momentary shock, for he put his classic smirk in place.

"She wouldn't shut up about you. She gets really bloody annoying when she's upset," He drawled. I rolled my eyes at the arrogant tone, but ignored it. I turned my attention back to the brunette in my arms.

"You wanna go get some food now, love?"

She nodded, and I followed her out, without so much as a glance to the blonde boy whose presence confused me to no foreseeable end.

ooo

"So...Jordan," I started, watching as she skipped stones into the rippling lake that rippled beautifully in front of us.

She gave me a questioning glance, nodding for me to continue.

"Don't take this the wrong way, love, but why were you so worried about my absence last night? It's not like I haven't slept there before, and...well, I just was wondering if there was somethin' more to it," I looked up at the girl's face, which was now directing it's gaze at some distant point in the horizon. Her face looked fragile in a way I hadn't seen before, and her pale green eyes were fuzzy looking, unfocused to a point that had me worried. She still hadn't answered.

"...love?"

She snapped out of her funk, sea foam eyes boring into mine.

"I just worry about you. Now more so than before. With what happened with your brother over the summer and all, I just-" I cut her off by standing up quickly, knocking the pile of rocks I was holding for the girl onto the earth. I tried to convey how much I needed her to stop talking with my eyes, but it wasn't clear enough obviously, because she resumed talking with a concerned look taking her face over viciously.

"Cyd, I know you don't-"

"Shut up!" I yelled. I heard birds distantly fly away, chatting alarm calls to their fellow fowl.

Jordan opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it, snapping her lips together with an audible smack.

"I told you! I told you not to mention him! You don't understand! You don't get it, Jordan!" I didn't take anymore time to look at her surprised face, too upset to try to apologize for shouting at the brunette. I ran quickly across the trail back to the castle, dashing through the gates to get to somewhere private before the tears that were threatening to overflow finally broke the dam. I don't know how I was managing to not think about him before, but I was, but of course Jordan had to bring him up.

She just doesn't understand, I told myself.

Go back and apologize.

Later. Later, I thought to myself, dodging past students who were looking at me worriedly as I stumbled by, desperate to get to the tower. I passed Zabini, who called my name, assumably concerned about the tears that were flying down my splotchy cheeks freely. I didn't turn back, I kept running, ignoring the fact that my choked sobs were drawing plenty of unwanted attention from my classmates. My surroundings seemed to become foggy, the sounds of worried students were distant, and distorted.

I ran rushed up the staircase, tripping multiple times, catching myself in the nick of time. My sobs were more pronounced now, coming quickly and feeling as if they were ripping my throat apart. I was nearing half way up when I stumbled and fell backwards, gravity pulling my body down, brutally knocking the air out of me, and smashing my head on the concrete, giving me the lovely feeling of someone splitting my head in two. My vision was darkening around the edges, my tears stopping with the sudden pain I was feeling. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't manage that much control over my body. I blinked, feeling unconsciousness creeping up on me predatorily, and closed my eyes, trying to will myself to fall into its gentle caress. I opened my eyes moments later, hearing a voice that sounded like it was miles away, growing farther by the second. A caramel skinned boy was looking down at me worriedly, saying something, perhaps yelling, but I couldn't hear him. A buzzing white noise filled my ears, pressure upon itself in my head, threatening to burst. He kneeled down, putting my head on his lap, smoothing his hand over my curls. The last thing I remember was his swirling emerald eyes, wide with fear and uncertainty.

ooo

I heard voices. Just one...no, two. They were talking quietly, almost whispering. I tried to open my eyes, but realized quickly that I couldn't. Panic set in fast, my heart rate rocketing. I heard footsteps, and one of the whispering voices grew louder, filling my ears.

"Madam Pomfrey! How is she?" I recognized the voice as Jordan's. She sounded far away, with a slight ringing to her voice.

"She'll be fine, Miss Michaels. I suggest you two go about to your classes. You can check on her after dinner. There is a good chance she'll be awake be then."

Awake?

"Come on, Michaels. Let's go," I recognized the second voice as Zabini's.

Stupid!

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

I remembered then. What had happened. Why I was laying here, unconscious.

I remembered running away, and up the stairs to the tower.

Stupid!

I fell.

Stupid. Stupid.

I heard Jordan's and Zabini's footsteps fading away, causing a silence to overtake the infirmary.

ooo

I felt someone sit on the side of my bed. I still couldn't open my eyes, but the presence they held felt familiar.

They took my hand, rubbing their fingers over the back of my palm absentmindedly.

A set of footsteps caused them to jump up, presumably to stand beside the bed. I wondered why they didn't want anyone to see them holding my hand, and I wondered who they were.

"Malfoy," I heard Jordan say, sounding surprised and wary.

"Michaels," I heard the boy say, his voice low and almost threatening.

Wait. Malfoy. Malfoy was just holding my hand.

"Well. Goodbye, then," he sounded embarrassed.

I heard him walk away, but I barely processed it.

Malfoy just held my hand.

Well. This is new.