Chapter 16:

Abigail Plumbottom was no eavesdropper. She prided herself on her ability to curb her curiosity. At least that is what the old nurse claimed. But then what was she doing, all dignity forgotten, and bun askew, her right ear glued to Hermione's door? Well, the keyhole to be more exact. She could just about hear what they were saying.

"I'm sorry.".

"No need to apologize."

.

"You never come when I'm smiling."

"I…Uh, did you get the books?"

"Yes, I did, thank you very much."

"Humph!" Abigail exclaimed, thinking that Draco had to be one of the biggest idiots in the world. She rolled her eyes for good measure

"Did you hear that?" Abby heard Hermione say. She held her breath, hoping they wouldn't open the door…

"Probably one of the house elves." Well, Abigail reconsidered, Draco was a useful idiot.

She heard him ask Hermione about the books again.

"You haven't opened a single one." She sighed, albeit quietly this time. That couple wouldn't be going anywhere if they kept on reverting their conversations away from themselves.

"I…forgot to ask Abigail to bring them nearer to me." Oops! Abigail had forgotten a few of her duties in her excitement to find a phonograph. She imagined they could waltz together! Yes, Draco could teach Hermione to dance. Dancing and music! That could bring back life to anyone! She hummed a few ballads to herself.

"Which reminds me, where is that old hag?" Old hag indeed! Abigail stopped humming. That Draco needed a few whippings to his behind, to teach him his manners! His mother had spoiled him too much. Speaking of his mother, Abigail started reminiscing about that lovely lady.

Meanwhile…

A dark shadow was creeping around the corridor. It stopped as it saw an old nurse at the door, a vacant look on her face. That's the best Malfoy could get for the dying love of his life? What did that idiotic peacock say her name was? Amy? Anne? Abigail? Yes, that was it, Abigail. The piece of shit was ready to talk, once the veritaresum set in.

An evil sneer came on the face of the man in the shadows. The glitch in his diabolical plan had worked to his advantage after all. So what if Draco died a few days late? And now for the next step…

"Stooped as low as that, Abigail? Eavesdropping at the door?" The man stepped out of the shadows.

"Aah!" Abigail jumped from the door clutching her heart, as her reverie was rudely interrupted. "Oh, Blaise! It's you dear! I didn't expect you back so soon!"

"Well, yes, I thought I'd drop by to find out how Mal- Draco was coming along…"

"Oh! I do need to clear up one thing dearie. I just happened to be walking down this corridor, and I was thinking of something. This is not what it looks like!" Abigail bluffed. To be caught eavesdropping! Oh the shame! Wait, a new sound was coming from behind the door….

"I'm sure you were." Roger smirked. This was really clever of him, choosing Zabini for his identity. He should remember to reward himself for his cleverness.

"Shhh!" Abigail shushed him suddenly. She lowered her ear to the door. "They're kissing!" She whispered ecstatically. "Oh Blaise! It's finally happened!" She tore away from the door and did a funny waltz. "Draco took the plunge! Oh, he must be so happy!"

Kissing? Happy? Roger could hardly hear as a blind rage took over him. That was not part of the plan! The Malfoy bastard should be suffering. How could the slut even have the energy to kiss? That pretty, peach lipped, Mudblood bitch! How could she forget all the pain? She should be dying, as Malfoy watched, helpless. He should be hurt, not happy! Malfoy didn't deserve any good in his life, the slimy git. Hadn't he taken from Roger enough?

"Blaise? What'd wrong with you dear? You seem a little pale…" Abigail asked anxiously as she watched the play of emotions on the face of the man masquerading as Blaise.

It was the nurse! It was that stupid, idiotic nurse! This as all her doing! Roger should get rid of her. Now. He did not take easily to people who ruined his perfectly laid out plans. The last one who did was behind that door, Funesto Fetum slowly- Roger thought gleefully- killing her. He snapped his head towards the object of his dark thoughts.

"Oh Blaise…I know what you're thinking…what if all this goes wrong? Draco will have more to lose than before, when he had no hope. But it won't happen. The healing Iniuria is helping her. She'll live! And she feels the same way, I know that!"

Roger stopped. The rage left him as quickly as it had come. The nurse had a point. A deadly calm washed over him. Yes, Malfoy will have much more to lose. And Roger knew exactly how to do that. The ultimate revenge. He shouldn't deviate from the plan now. He worked to hard for this, playing as an idiotic Muggleborn all this time to come here. Him! The man with the purest blood! And Malfoy waltzing around in his manor- no, he wouldn't think of that anymore The Malfoy bastard will be so tormented before Roger finished him finally, he wouldn't even remember his own name. Which is exactly how he wanted it.

Now, to finish what he had come for.

"Imperio!" Roger pointed his wand at Abigail. Her face relaxed immediately.

She heard a voice in her head. You are under my control now.

She nodded her head obediently.

You will forget we met today. You just saw a man in the house, and you should raise an alert. Mention to Draco that Roger might have broken through the house's defenses. Act as yourself; he mustn't suspect a single thing. Those are my orders for now.

And Roger melted into the shadows.

Abigail was suddenly taken by a huge fright. What was she doing here anyway? Oh! A man! A man in the house! What if it was Roger? Oh, oh she must tell Draco! Abigail hurried down the hall to find him…

A/N: Well. I beat my own record it seems! It's only been 3 months since I last posted! That's not long! Really! No? You're not buying that? How bout if is ay I had writers block? I already gave that excuse? Noo…

Oh, oh. Enough fooling around. I failed at something I really wanted to happen, one of the goals I'd set in my life, and I… disappointed everyone I had wanted to make proud, including myself. Its just brought to light my superb slacking abilities, and stuff I'm been trying 2 shrug off. As a result, I've been really…out of sorts I'm afraid. I'm sorry, but that's the best excuse I can give! 100% truth, that…

And thank you so much for all the lovely reviews I received on the previous chapter. I don't quite remember if I had replied to them or not (I'm that down), but I hope I did, because all of you deserve a well written reply. And quicker updates! But seriously, you guys keep me going, and for that you have my undying gratitude! (no not like Roger's. this is real gratitude.^_^)

This chapter is a bit short, I admit, but I promise a whopper of a chapter next time! (which will be before my birthday. I promise!)