Hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for the feedback. Like always when you are done reading please review. I appreciate all of your kind and constructive words.

This chapter is dedicated to special reviewer:

Nutmeg44: Thanks so much for your review. It means a lot. Their mixed emotions will definitely become more and more complicated as the story goes on.

Now on to chapter 4 ...

Xx Looking for something I've never seen

Alone and I'm in between

The place that I'm from and the place that I'm in

A city I never been

I found a friend or should I say a foe

Said there's just a few things you should know

We don't want you to see we come and we go

Here today, gone tomorrow xX

Chapter 4

Ginny Weasley wasn't one who usually found herself in tight predicaments without a possibility of getting away with some of it. In the past when she had snagged a detention there was usually a little eyelash batting and some sweet words given before the said Professor nixed the detention all together. It was a fair system that she had perfected over years while watching Fred and George get out of trouble. She had to admit she had grown quite well with her scheming. Fred had been so impressed with the way she handled Lucius Malfoy over the summer that he had practically been fooled himself. It took her a good half hour to remind Fred that Harry, Ron and Hermione were on the run. If she had admitted that she knew that to Malfoy he would have tortured more out of the family. The git was relentless though, and only after she had punched him swiftly in the arm did he stop badgering her for more information.

Yet this little ploy was proving to be rather difficult at the current time.

After falling asleep the previous evening she had found herself dreaming very inappropriate things. So bloody inappropriate that she had actually been woken up twice by her dorm-mates urging her to stop babbling nonsense in her sleep. They had all thought she was dreaming about Harry of course. Normally those things wouldn't bother her so much, but because a certain platinum haired Slytherin had managed to show up she wasn't in the best of moods. One minute Harry had been kissing her in her bedroom, and the next Malfoy was telling her she was beautiful. And the worst part was she seemed to enjoy it in her dream.

She had woken up in such a fevered sweat that Parvati Patil had actually barged into the sixth year dorm and worked her out of her bed sheets. Apparently in the midst of her dreaming she had tangled herself up so tightly that she couldn't escape her own damn bed. She had yelled for help for nearly ten minutes before Parvati even showed face. Funny that. It gave her just enough time to hate herself during the course of the morning. How could she possibly think of the slimy bleached blonde bastard? It made her sick to her sodding stomach. It didn't matter that he had fixed her things the night before. It didn't matter that for one bleeding moment she had actually pitied the blonde haired git. The fact of the matter was that he had slapped her across the face, and the reality of that had finally hit her. In fact she had been so disgusted by the dream that she dry heaved in the toilet before dressing.

So with those thoughts still plaguing her Ginny had marched down to Professor McGonagall's office bright and early before breakfast. She planned on having the woman reverse the detention. It was either that or convince Snape to change it so she could serve the detention alone. Being in a close proximity with her sworn enemy was making her think crazy things. First he had gone out of his way to finish her side of the storeroom, and then she couldn't even escape him when she went to sleep. Then after all of that she recalled his slap. AFTER the fact! How was that fair? It was like another form of punishment all together, and Ginny refused to sit quietly and allow it to happen. All she needed to do was butter up McGonagall in such a way that the woman pitied Ginny. After all it was Malfoy who practically murdered Dumbledore. Maybe if she suggested that her life was threatened working with the blonde git she'd be able to get out of it.

Of course the whole thing proved to be an absolute waste of time. It didn't matter what excuse she threw at McGonagall. She had been quite firm with Ginny as she let the young girl know exactly where she stood when it came to discipline in the school. McGonagall had absolutely no say. She didn't even have proper authority in her own classes anymore seeing as they were being monitored by Alecto Carrow. For the first time in six years Ginny had been defeated by her perfect set system. She was going to have to finish the sodding detention with Malfoy, and she was going to do it knowing very well that he was driving her bloody insane.

"Damn." She mumbled under her breath as her feet carried her towards the Great Hall. She was starving to say the least.

The previous evening she had barely touched her food knowing that detention was going to be served that night. Bacon and eggs filled the castle with a mouth watering aroma that Ginny's pace had picked up before she even realized it. She was practically at a run as she met Neville on the stairs.

"Hey Gin." Neville who was already sporting a heavy black eye grinned at her.

" Blimey Neville! What happened to your face?" She was so taken back by his appearance that she tripped down the last two steps but caught herself from falling. Apparently Tonks was rubbing off on her.

Neville reached up and pressed the swollen part of his face. "Oh this" he grinned sheepishly, " I mouthed off to Theodore Nott in the library. The bloke thought he'd repay me with a nice blast into one of the shelves. Pince was bloody angry, but Nott just threatened her with one of the Carrows. Sad really."

"Seems like the Slytherin's have finally claimed run of the school." She murmured under her breath, but loud enough for Neville to catch wind of it.

"What about you" he started as they entered t he Greal Hall and marched across towards the Gryffindor table, " you look right tired. Rough night?" He arched his eyebrows inquisitively.

Ginny took the hint immediately. " It's been rough ever since my brother's wedding."

"I heard about that." Neville slid into one of the seats at the far end of table.

"Yes well…" Ginny leaned forward as Neville began piling a few sausages on his plate, " they knew very well that Harry was going to be there. Luckily enough we were able to get word from someone before the Death Eaters arrived."

It felt so good to finally get a bit of this off her chest. Besides it also kept her occupied. She had a very uncomfortable nagging feeling that someone from across the room was staring at her.

"Blimey." Neville forked some of his food and let it hover in front of his face. "My Gran mentioned something about the wedding. Said she read an article in The Quibbler describing the attack during the wedding. Apparently Luna's father went on a tirade on how war should come to a halt when it comes to marital unions." He rolled his eyes and Ginny stifled a laugh.

"Wasn't lucky enough to read that issue." She nibbled on a piece of toast. "Though I can't imagine The Quibbler succumbing to the same threats the Prophet has. Have you read any of that rubbish?"

Neville nodded eagerly. "Haven't you noticed the tizzy everyone is in?" When Ginny furrowed her brow Neville reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. "This was in this mornings post. That fourth year Jimmy Peakes somehow managed to get hold of this. The Carrow's wont let most post come through anymore, but he managed this." He handed her the parchment.

Ginny brushed the crumbs off her hands and reached for the crinkled paper. The picture at the top right corner was that of a smiling Umbridge. Ginny felt her lips turn into a scowl.

MudBloods: Threat or Threatened?

As of the late evening on September the first a full scale investigation was performed at the Ministry involving the particular unknown circumstances that allow Muggle-borns into the greater Wizarding World. How is their magic actually acquired? For centuries we have been told that the magic resides in those worthy to receive it. Yet how true can that hold when Mudbloods have no traces of magic at all within their own world? How is it that a select few of outsiders find their way into a world that is far greater then their own?

Records prove that the first known Muggle to achieve such privileged powers was documented in the late 1600's. However it has also been proven that the said Muggle was not born into the ability. Much like many Muggles of the past, the known Muggle girl had accidentally seen magic performed by a true Pureblood wizard. With this newfound fascination the Muggle proceeded to use foolish schemes in order to win the heart of the Pureblood wizard. These schemes eventually led to the untimely death of the Pureblood wizard who was taken in by the conniving Mudblood.

"We were able to acquire documents proving the seduction and then following thievery performed by the muggle girl. She had knowingly reduced the wizard to a blubbering fool, murdered him, and then stole his wand for her own personal possession." Stated Dolores Umbridge late last evening during the conference.

The magic from the wizards wand still harbored enough element to be used by the muggle girl. With the stolen wand in tow she illegally placed the magic upon herself. It is unclear how she was able to perform such a feat, but archives prove that through her incident there were many more to follow. This is where the Ministry has taken in turn to detect how threatening these Mudbloods can be. Is it in cold blooded murder that the magic is acquired? Ministry officials were not present to make comment, but we ask you readers to be the judge.

Through this recent discovery the Ministry of Magic had declared all Muggleborn witches and wizards to be tagged and accounted for. "A full scale inquiry will be required for each so called witch or wizard to endure." Quoted Dolores Umbridge. "The use of magic is a sheer gift and honor, and it's an abomination to Pureblood families that these Mudblood men and woman have knowingly received these abilities by utter luck."

The Ministry of Magic requests that all Muggleborn witches and wizards report to the Ministry's new Muggle-born Registration Commission headed by the Ministry's own Dolores Umbridge. "We are trying to rid the wizarding community of those who do not belong. With the new registration process we will be able to maintain those who will only contribute to the greater good of the wizarding world while taking care of those who wont." All unaccounted Mudbloods will be sentenced accordingly, and will receive sentencing to Azkaban.

By: Geralda Hempshorek

Ginny felt her mouth gape open as she finished reading the article. She read it once more for it to sink in, and then glanced down the table. "I knew Dean didn't come back because of all this, but I didn't know they were so …"

"Violent about it." Neville finished for her.

She nodded and handed back the parchment. " Don't they see how extreme they are being?" Her mind flashed to Hermione. What would happen if she was caught by someone and unaccounted for? She couldn't imagine Hermione spending time in that Dementor strewn hellhole.

"You think they honestly care much?" Neville shoved the parchment back into his pocket. "Gran says that the Prophet and the Ministry have both been infiltrated by You-Know-Who. It doesn't matter what anyone in there really thinks. Most of them are trying to save their own arse now."

Suddenly her appetite was gone again, and Ginny pushed the plate away. "This is horrible."

"I just wish Harry was here so we could do something about all this. Ya know…fight and all. Just seems like such a waste being stuck here in school when we could be doing loads more out there."

She nodded in frustrated agreement. All summer she had thought the very same thing, but of course regardless of how much she had proved herself in the past she had been shunned aside. Not by only her lover but by her friends as well.

"We could do it ourselves you know." The words had slipped from her mouth before she even knew what she was saying.

"What?" A bit of egg sprayed out of Neville's mouth.

"Get the DA up and running again." She hid the rising smile. There was no reason to call anymore attention to herself. "Come on I already mentioned it once to Lavender and Euan yesterday. Actually…"

"It's what got you that detention wasn't it?" Neville's eyes went wide. He had heard from Seamus that Ginny was the first to see Snape about a detention. "How did you get caught?"

She grimaced. "Snape had been coming around the corner when I brought it up. Murdering greasy git gave me a blasted detention to last me a few weeks. Better him then those Carrow twits though." Ginny let her eyes cast a quick glance towards the front tables. As she moved them to return to Neville she paused for a moment on Malfoy. He seemed to be buried in something in front of him, and she squinted slightly to make it out.

The front of the paper he was holding looked a little too colorful for the Prophet. She was certain she could make out two words, but the angle of the paper made it impossible to read. Then she saw the pair of spectrespecson the table and shook her head in disbelief. Malfoy was reading The Quibbler?

"What are you looking at?" Neville arched his head backwards to look over his shoulder.

Ginny snapped her face forward again, and shrugged. "Just looking around. So what do you think?" Her eyes flickered towards Malfoy again and her curiosity peaked. What was in The Quibbler to attract the attention of the Great Draco Malfoy? Her stomach flopped with eagerness. She needed to know! It was so damn out of his nature to be reading something like that, and in public no less!

"Think about what?" Neville was gulping down pumpkin juice so quickly that Ginny was forced to think of Ron. Ron made her think immediately of Harry, and she felt the curiosity die for a second. How could she be intrigued over Malfoy when Harry was out there in danger?

"About getting the …" She dropped her voice so it was barely above a whisper, " DA started again. We'd be able to get stuff taken care of in here while Harry and the others are out there." Her head inclined towards the outside of the castle.

Neville sat forward in his seat for a good long while before finally letting out a deep breath. Sometimes he just had to stop contemplating things and just go for it. "You are right. Harry's out there risking his neck for all of us. The least we can do is boost some morale in here. Maybe with a little bit of retaliation we can show the others that nothing is hopeless."

Ginny beamed. This was one of the very reasons she loved Neville. Despite his insecurities he always looked out for the well being of others. " Great! I assume you still have your coin then?" He nodded. " Well inform as many people as you can to keep a look out on them. I'll set it all up and we can use the room of requirement again. I'd do it myself but…"

"Detention." Neville nodded. "Yeah don't worry about it. I'll get Luna to help."

Ginny swung her legs out from under the table and grabbed her schoolbag. She had a free period before Transfiguration and wanted to see if she could nag an extra copy of The Quibbler from Luna. There was no way that girl could go one minute without reading a new edition.

"Thanks a lot Neville. This is all going to work out great. We'll be doing a lot for others." She grinned and swung her hair over her shoulder.

Neville returned silently to his food and bid Ginny a wave goodbye. Ginny turned towards the door and removed herself from the emptying hall. Luna had a free period as well so all Ginny needed to do was think like the wispy Ravenclaw. Where would she go on a free period? Hoping she wouldn't go back to the Ravenclaw common room, Ginny decided to first check the library. The girl was a Ravenclaw after all. Didn't they study on a constant basis?

"You haven't been acting the same ever since-"

Draco held up his hand and cut Pansy off. "I told you not now Pansy. Are you really that daft?" His words hissed between his teeth.

He had done his best to avoid her on the way to the Great Hall for breakfast, but the girl was relentless. To be honest he wasn't surprised. Pansy had always clung to him like some desperate fool, and the fact that he had come back avoiding her must have been bothersome. He had gone all summer without returning one of her owls. Granted her father had been to the Manor constantly, but to Draco's utter luck he didn't bring his daughter with him. Instead he just hounded Draco with stupid love letters the brunette wrote.

"Well I still say something is bothering you, and I'll keep saying it until you acknowledge me!" She huffed as they entered the Great Hall. "Even Blaise says you've been acting funny, and he never gives a damn about anyone but himself." She reached for his hand but he batted it away.

Draco ran his hand over his face and sighed. "Look…" He grabbed her by the elbow and squeezed her tiny arm with unnecessary force. She winced, but he continued, " I don't want to discuss a single bloody thing with you, Pansy. Take a tip and then take a hike before I do something that we both really regret."

"But Dra-"

Pushing her arm away Draco stormed to the end of the Slytherin table and took a seat by himself. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Pansy's furious stare but grabbed a cup of black coffee and ignored her. With his free hand he removed the black bag he used for his school books and placed it casually at his feet. From his left he could hear heated whispering coming from Crabbe and Pansy, but chose to shake his head and continue with the silence. He was through with them. Why wouldn't they accept that? Neither had been placed under the same level of stress as he had endured. Hell they weren't even allowed to sit in on any of the meetings with the Dark Lord. Draco was situated on a whole different level, and if they couldn't accept that things were different then so be it.

"You ought to reconsider your actions." A hoarse voice sounded from his right.

Draco turned his head slightly and arched an eyebrow at Gregory Goyle. "What the hell are you talking about?" He frowned and placed the mug of coffee down on the table. "And don't speak to me like I'm your bloody inferior Goyle."

Goyle shrugged. "My father tells me a lot of the things that go on during those meetings, Draco. Some of the stuff might seem natural to him, but it strikes me as suspicious. Like why you wouldn't kill that Mudblood whom your Aunt captured weeks before coming back to school. Very out of character for you."

Well this was clearly unexpected. He knew that Goyle was the brighter of the two when he placed him and Crabbe in the same room. He just never expected to witness the bloke come at him like this. "What are you insinuating?" Draco's voice was low and scathing.

"That perhaps your loyalty to the Dark Lord isn't as deep as you make it to be." He shrugged again and slipped from the seat beside Draco.

"What?" Draco's hand flickered to his wand. "How dare you suggest anything but-"

"Look I'm only telling you what others are taking note of." With that he reached into his pocket and removed a folded copy of tabloid magazine The Quibbler. "And the way you've been treating Pansy and the others are only confirming such suspicions. Most buy it as rubbish because Pansy was mentioned, but…" Without another word Goyle dropped the magazine on the table and walked over towards Pansy and Crabbe.

Draco just stared absentmindedly at the colorful piece of crap in front of him. What the hell was Goyle getting on about? Draco knew he hadn't been acting in the typical Malfoy fashion as of lately, but where did he get off speaking of his loyalties? He cursed under his breath. Was it really becoming that obvious? Grabbing the magazine Malfoy flipped open one of the pages and let out a short curt laugh. This thing was a joke. What the hell could Goyle mean by giving it to him?

Lifting the coffee again to his lips, Draco took a small sip and began flipping through bits of the magazine. Most of it spoke of nonsense. An article popped up about Double- Gilled Whirples and there was an entire spread on the sodding Boy Who Bloody Lived. Malfoy scowled and flipped to the next page only to find himself spilling the entire contents of his coffee upon the magazine.

The Truth Behind Young Purebloods

By: X. Lovegood

It is quite unnatural to believe that You-Know-Who has the power to control every mind he encounters. Wizards and Witches today are lucky enough to relish in the presence of a boy who has once defeated the dark wizard. It is from the strength and ambition of this young boy, the Chosen One, that many young students find themselves impenetrable when it comes to You-Know-Who. Studies have shown less fear amongst young students along the lines of Hogwarts. Two years ago it was five teenagers who infiltrated the Department of Mysteries and stopped Death Eaters and You-Know-Who from triumph.

With these great children taking stand it is likely that many other troubled children will find refuge under the eyes of the Order of the Phoenix. Pureblood children in London, the very children of You-Know-Who supporters, have begun to turn their tides and trust. How is it that young Malfoy resides in Hogwarts after last terms escapades? Sources tell us that repent, and much of it, landed him in the sanctuary of the school. Others such as Theodore Nott and the young Parkinson have cut ties with dark wizards completely. Could it be the beginning of a new era? Will the children of Death Eaters stand against their parents?

Turn yourself into the next edition of The Quibbler when we speak directly with one of the Pureblood children themselves!

Draco felt his stomach clench in fury. How dare that Mudblood loving wanker spread such crap about him? His head shot up and he scanned the room for the blonde wispy figure of Lovegood. The Ravenclaw table was speckled with only a few individuals, and he cursed. Folding the magazine in half Draco pushed himself from the table and began gathering his things. As he did this he caught a glimpse of burgundy hair whipping out the door. His teeth grit together. Weasley hung around with that Lovegood girl. Perhaps she would have some idea where the Ravenclaw was. He took a few steps and then paused in his tracks.

Would she even be willing to listen to him after the previous evening? Draco's eyes flickered toward his hand and he scowled. Physical harm had become so second natured to him, but the mere thought of it now made him ill. He had been up most of the night mulling over his actions. He knew she'd be livid with him. Not that it would change anything. They despised each other anyway. This was only something to add to that family feud. He cursed again, and a tiny first year Hufflepuff glanced up at him with wide eyes.

"It would do you good to just walk away quickly." He mumbled, and couldn't deny the smirk that rose when the kid took off at full speed towards his table.

Sucking in a deep breath Draco stormed out of the Great Hall and out towards the grounds. He had a free period at the moment, and needed to get some air. He'd search for Lovegood later when there was less of a chance she'd be with the Weasel. The thought of spending detention with her again made his stomach turn slightly. The unfamiliar thing was that the feeling in his stomach was less of disgust and more nervousness. It was almost like he anticipated the detention just to see how she would be treating him. He did after all clear her side of the Storeroom to make up for slapping her. That had to be taken into account somewhat, right?

"Are you serious?" He ran his hand up the side of his face and let it press to the right temple. "She's a worthless Bloodtraitor. Who cares what she thinks. I'm a Malfoy for bloody sakes." Removing his wand from his pocket, Malfoy pointed it towards the castle which was now at his back. "Accio broom."

His feet moved effortlessly over towards the pitch. A few good rounds on his broom would surely clear his mind. The slight whizzing noise began to grow louder, and he turned just in time to see his broom shoot across the grass and towards his hand. He grabbed it with his free hand and placed his wand back into his pocket. The schoolbag he had brought with him hit lightly against his leg. Inside was the ridiculous magazine, and he growled again at the mere idea that people were actually out there reading such rubbish.

Positioning the broom in front of him, Draco swung his leg over and kicked off the ground. The wind immediately pushed his hair back out of his eyes and whipped him wildly in the face. Freedom. It was unnatural to feel so free when inside his body ached of slavery. That's what it had felt like the night he returned with Snape. Slavery. It never really occurred to him how lifeless his father had become over the years. It seemed positively normal for most of the older Death Eaters to take orders from the Dark Lord. He was after all the most powerful wizard known to the wizarding community. It took only last year for him to realize that everything his father put on in front of his was a sodding façade. He spoke of power that he did not possess. The Dark Lord held the power. He spoke of riches that could buy the world. Rich was Lucius, but only because the Dark Lord allowed him to be. His father spoke of loyalty and the greater good. The Dark Lord cared less about loyalty and even less about the so called greater good. All he wanted was minions to play with, and people to fear him. Great good? Bah. Everything his father had told him in the past had been nothing but a sugar coated lie.

When the Dark Lordl earned that Snape had been the one to complete the task set Draco had been punished. Not only physically but mentally. He was forced to do things against his will, and forced to endure pain so horrible that he was bed ridden for nearly a month. Slavery. The Death Eaters were slaves and failed to even realize it. His parents had slowly begun to come to this realization when Draco was injured. His mother for instance had told him that he would be best off going back to school to keep away from the Dark Lord. Draco had planned on staying home this term, but followed his mother's orders. His father had even seemed skeptical over the new plans to foil Potter. Perhaps they were ready to break free of the chains that had not been placed to tightly around Draco. He still had a chance to escape.

Freedom. Life was good when it felt free and undisturbed. Sure he still valued his reputation. What Slytherin wouldn't? He had been the mighty force to reckon with throughout his entire time at the school. But who was to say he couldn't keep up that façade and still eliminate himself from the workings of the Death Eaters?

Draco began heading towards the pitch, but hesitated at the last second. He needed a little more seclusion to think. Drifting off to the right Draco pushed his broom past Hagrids hovel and off towards the far end of the forest. Along the edge of the trees he began to lower himself and found the small patch of trees that bent together. With their trunks curved and their branches hanging low the trees created a small little cove right along the forest edge and the far corner of the lake. Beneath the canopy of leaves Draco entered with his broom and walked along the small area of water. He liked this place. It was far away from everyone inside the walls of the school, and only one other person knew it existed. He had taken Pansy there twice last year for a very brief snogging session. It was then he realized she was utterly insane and began avoiding her like mad.

Dropping his broom to the ground Draco cursed again and flung himself down on the damp ground. How was he going to clear his name? After Potter's interview the Quibbler had gained more respect than usual, and with his name strewn across it like some bloody savior he was likely to be punished again by the Dark Lord. He hoped that with the other names mentioned it would come across as nothing but a piece of pure crap. He couldn't imagine many people opening up the pages of the magazine and actually believing that he was on the verge of redeeming himself. About half the students at the school wanted him dead for all the foul things he had done in the past. They knew his family was affiliated with the Dark Arts. The crap Lovegood published only made him sound more batty then his daughter.

"Shit!"

"That's not exactly the greeting I was expecting." Pansy parted the opening to the little alcove and smirked.

Draco groaned and pushed himself up into a sitting position. "Did you follow me out here?"

She snorted back a laugh. "Obviously." Walking to where he was, Pansy sighed and dropped down next to him. "Goyle said he showed you the magazine." She didn't wait for him to reply. "Don't you see what this means, Draco? We need to save face before people actually start thinking that we are pushovers. I mean honestly…deny the Dark Mark?" She laughed bitterly. "Like I'd suddenly change my views on Bloodtraitors and Mudbloods."

Draco didn't say anything on the subject. Instead he just shrugged and picked at a few blades of grass. "Didn't you catch the hint earlier? I don't want to do this anymore Pansy. We are through. You need to stop coming after me like some sad dog trying to find its way home. It's pathetic."

Choosing to ignore this, Pansy folded her hands in her lap and licked her lower lip. "I know you've been a bit cranky lately, but I think I know why." She grinned and sat up a bit straighter, "I know you didn't really achieve what you were supposed to last term. My father informed me of your deed and how Snape was the one who actually performed it. I think you are just in a slump and need to redeem yourself with something bigger…something no one else has done yet." Her eyes lit up with unnatural excitement.

He quirked a brow. "What are you getting at?"

She leaned forward as though someone else may overhear them. "We get hold of one of those traitors. One that would surely bring Potter out of hiding for awhile." She smirked. "All we need then is have him learn of it before he comes riding into town like the bloody hero again. Personally…I'd like to take that Weasley girl, but the things she does with a wand…" Pansy cringed.

For some reason Draco found himself smirking. He knew what it was like to be on the end of Weasley's wand. "This is quite stupid, Pansy."

"I want Longbottom."

"What?"

"I want to take out that round faced twit Longbottom." She scoffed. "He can't brandish a wand at all. Taking him would be like taking a chocolate frog from an infant. We hand deliver him to the Dark Lord and then we can take our rightful place."

Rightful place. The words made him snort back another laugh. Pansy really was a fool.

"I'm not saying the idea is poor…because in all honesty I think you are right for once. Stupid Potter would come out of hiding to save the bloody day, but…" He shook his head, "you can't plan to kidnap anyone while there members of the Order present at school. Do you honestly think that people such as Longbottom gallivant through vacant corridors alone?" He had found the Weaselette alone, but like Pansy had admitted, no one would touch her. "Longbottom is too risky…too unpredictable. His hexing is so erratic I'd be worried he'd actually hit me with something." Draco stood from the ground. "I'm afraid you are alone on this one Pansy." Not to mention he never wanted to spend extra time with her.

"Fine. Go off and let the stupid tabloids slander your name. I will not be made a fool of in front of the entire school." She slapped her hands down against her thighs.

His fingers clamped down over the shaft of his broom. He couldn't stand to be there another moment with her. Striding across the small area he parted the trees and made his way back out into the sunlight. Scratch the thought of spending time alone in his favorite place. Maybe it would have been better for him to find the Lovegood girl. At least then he wouldn't have listened to Pansy's asinine ideas.

He reached the library without so much as one encounter from a person he wasn't keen on seeing. That was a change. It seemed like the last two days had been infiltrated with run ins with people he hated. This was a much needed change. At once he scanned the area for long blonde hair, but failed to find one single strand of Lovegood's mangled locks. Maybe she was at one of the tables located towards the back of the library. He moved. A few students were sitting at a table going over Charms work when he slipped by them. They shot him a confused look, but continued studying while throwing casual glances in his direction. Malfoy wasn't one to frequent the library so he wasn't actually surprised by their actions. He slipped down one of the aisles and leaned against the shelves. At this moment the only thing that would make him happy was hexing the hell out of that loony Ravenclaw.

"Could I borrow that?"

He had thought the voice behind him was directed at him so he spun around to retort. Instead he was facing a row of books. Narrowing his eyes, Draco leaned forward and listened again.

"You can have it. Read it already and to be honest nothing new or exciting was in there."

Reaching out in front of him Draco pushed aside one of the large books. Over on the other side of the shelf the read headed Weaselette was taking a folded item from the hands of a tall lanky brunette. He watched her as she grinned in thanks and unfolded the small item in her hands. The Quibbler. Why the hell was that sodding magazine circulating the corridors like rapid fire?

With interest he watched her flip through the pages, every now and then chuckling at the contents on the page. Draco wondered what she was looking at, and dropped his gaze towards the magazine only once. He couldn't make out a single word if he wanted to. The angle she was holding the magazine, and the angle of the books he was looking through made it impossible.

"What are you doing?" So startled by the voice, Draco bumped forward into the shelf and sent a whole row of books to the floor. Blaise was standing at his side with a very puzzled expression on his face.

" Zabini!" He clutched the end of the shelf with his right hand.

"Malfoy?" Ginny's face had appeared through the now large gap where the books had just been.

"Weaselette." He spat back only to receive a scowl from her.

"Insufferable little prats!" Madam Pince rounded the corner. "Out!" She pointed at Blaise and Draco, and then over at Ginny. "Now!"

"But I-" Blaise stepped up only to trip over one of the books.

"But he!" Ginny pointed through the gap straight at Malfoy's chest.

"But she-" Malfoy made to point at Ginny, but the face she gave him caused him to step back instead. She really did look frightening when she was angry enough.

"But I don't care! All of you- Out!" And with that the books began shuffling back in onto the shelf, and the three of them scuffled out of the library with Pince at their heels.

"This is all your fault!" Draco and Ginny turned on each other as soon as they reached the corridor. They yelled in unison. Zabini remained quiet though looked mildly interested at the display. "No its not!" She punched Malfoy square in the arm.

"Oh shut it you filthy little brat." Zabini motioned for Ginny to leave, and with the Quibbler still clutched in her hand she glared only at Malfoy and then took off down the corridor screaming the entire way.

Malfoy just watched her retreating back as Blaise mumbled on about something he didn't really care about. Had she read the article? Would she read it? More importantly would she believe it? The looming thought of detention came upon him like a sudden wave. Suddenly detention couldn't come fast enough. He needed to see her and set things straight. She was a sodding little bugger, but he had to admit she did have a wicked temper that was somehow almost alluring.

This chapter contains lyrics from Trust Me by The Fray

Once again I thank you for taking the time out to read the story. Please take a moment and hit up the REVIEW button. I surely appreciate it.

Next chapter will have a load of Ginny and Draco moments! Tee-hee!