Chapter 6

The Zabini cousins were plagued by what their eldest cousin Shanna had informed them of.

"How is it even possible that he was let out of Azkaban the ministry has so much proof against him! How dammit?." Natalia screamed, slamming her fist against the metal table making Shanna's tea spill over.

"Calm down Nightingale." Blaise tried to soothe.

"How dare you tell me to calm down?! It isn't your life that they want to control is it?! I thought this problem was over with, Our families agreed to no longer hold that ridiculous pact up!" Shanna sighed sadly, she knew this would not go over lightly at all.

"I shouldn't have said anything, I tried to defend you Natalia but your father is a bitter angry man hell bent on having his way. You know how he worships Draco's father, speaking of Draco where is he? I'd like to say hello."

"I don't know he said he had something to do, probably shag some girl in an alleyway." Blaise tried joking but the air hung thick with tension and Natalia merely glared.

"Pig." Without another word she stood and gave Shanna a peck on the cheek and left.

"Where do you think your going Natalia?" Blaise more ordered than asked. She didn't even turn and continued walking through the small unknown town, intent on getting as far from her cousins as possible to mull the nauseating thought that was currently leaving a bad taste in her mouth.

Blaise immediately rose from his seat and began to chase for her as his protective instincts kicked in only to be stopped by his cousin.

"Let her cool off cousin this is a far better reaction then I would have expected we both know how, how can I put it nicely? Dramatic she can be." Shanna chuckled lightly and Blaise sat again, yet even though he knew what his cousin said was true he was worried greatly for Natalia.

"Stop fidgeting little one, I know you always want to keep her safe but remember you must never try to cage a Nightingale because then no one else can see her beauty as much as you." The young man grumbled.

"No one needs to." Shanna laughed loudly and whole-heartedly as tears began to form on the corners of her eyes.

"Oh lord, Blaise you are very entertaining just like a little guard dog who never leaves her side."

The two older cousins had carried a conversation themselves the rest of the afternoon spotting Natalia only one other time walking side by side with Draco who was also trying with no avail to calm her down as well. The two could be heard having a discussion, but in Italian so as to keep their classmates in the dark of the situation going on.

"Il vostro italiano è Draco orribile." (Your Italian is horrible Draco)

"Se potete capirli che cosa esso importa?" (If you can understand it what does it matter?) Despite her stressed out mood Natalia had to smile.

"Ass." Draco's eyes widened in shock and he looked around to see if anyone had overheard her.

"That is what you choose to let everyone overhear?!" She grabbed onto his arm and nudged him as they walked aimlessly throughout the small town arms linked looking quite comfortable.

"Scusilo l'signor nessuno possono comunicare giù con me, ma almeno i nostri compagni di classe non sanno che niente altro tranne io possono comunicare con voi gradicono un uguale". (Excuse me Mister no one can talk down to me, but at least our classmates don't know anything else other than I can talk to you like an equal).

"Potrei vivere con loro che conoscono la nostra situazione attuale ma non li voglio che pensano che appena chiunque possa comunicare con me come sono amicii." (I could live with them knowing our current situation but I don't want them thinking that just anyone can talk to me like they are friends.) Feigning insult Natalia scowled and pulled away only to have Draco grab her arm and hold her even closer, Smiling Natalia hugged Draco tightly and in a rare moment of warmth Draco flashed her a handsome smile that had anyone but her seen, they may have died of shock. "Regina di dramma, sapere che siete più allora un amico a me così che cosa sono noi che andiamo fare circa questa edizione di intera famiglia?" (Drama queen, you know that you're more then a friend to me so what are we going to do about this whole family issue?)

Sighing heavily Natalia laid her head on his arm as they walked to the still under construction part of town.

"I really don't know, but I refuse Draco, I refuse to go through with it."

"Lo fate sembrare come essere con un Malfoy siete come una frase alla morte." (You make it seem like being with a Malfoy is like a sentence to death.) Draco said evenly.

"It's not that at all Draco, but you know the only people who would be happy with this plan would be our father's." Draco agreed and they stopped to sit on a bench that was on the edge of the sidewalk they were walking.

"Well we've made it once through this why can't we do it again? Now stop over reacting and come here I doubt that scrap of material you call a shirt is keeping you warm at all." Natalia glared at him and laughed.

"Excuse you but I didn't think that September in England was like Winter in Germany." Laughing Draco pulled her closer resting his head atop hers while she laid hers against his chest. Placing a light kiss on her head Draco whispered.

"I won't let them tell us what to do I promise." Smiling Natalia nodded and closed her eyes listening to his heartbeat.

Across from the pair sat a trio of friends staring hardly and in disgust.

"What a bloody slag, she can't have just one no she has to have both the Slytherins."

"What does it matter who she dates or maybe you misunderstood and she's Malfoy's girlfriend."

"You didn't see how her and Blaise responded to one another."

"You're wrong 'Mione, she's Zabini's cousin."

"And how exactly would you know Harry?" Hermione challenged, he looked at her annoyed and answered in her same tone of voice.

"Because unless they got married very early in life then there's no other explanation for them having the same last name."

"How do ya know that mate?" Ron asked wrapping a soothing arm around Hermione who was turning red with anger.

"We have a few classes together and her name is always last on the roster."

"Maybe her last name also starts with a Z think of that Harry?"

"OK then 'Mione," Harry said in a cynical tone.

"How about explaining that I'm her partner and her papers say Natalia Zabini?" She frowned and stared at Ron for some sort of help, but he merely shrugged and looked at her apologetically.

"He's got a point love, she's not really a slag if she's with Malfoy and Zabini's only her cousin."

"I Don't care I still don't like her." Harry stared at her incredulously.

"That's a great reason Hermione I'd hate to have to hear a legitimate reason to dislike her." She stared at him obviously offended.

"What more do I need other than the fact that she is a Slytherin."

"She's a Ravenclaw."

"Just as bad."

"Oh so Luna's bad." Frustrated to be losing an argument to Harry, Hermione screamed out.

"What does it matter why I don't like her she's associated with Malfoy and Zabini two families who were related closely to Voldemort." Harry rolled his eyes annoyed to have to be defending a girl he had no reason defending.

So why didn't he just shut up already?

"First off, I only killed Voldemort to get rid of some of the discrimination that went on, not just by them but by us, a very intelligent person once told me that if we continue down this road then Voldemort's defeat was in vain. And do you know what? I never really believed her until now and second the Zabinis were neutral through most of the war. Only picking Voldemort because that meant choosing life for them."

"Why do you defend her so much?" Hermione finally asked unsure of what else to say.

"Yes Potter do tell." All three turned around and staring back were a pair of espresso colored eyes that locked onto Harry's instantly shock and gratitude deep in them and the other a pair of cold steel pools that stared at Harry in suspicion, hate and protectiveness.

Clearing his throat and putting his head down to maybe lose all the eyes that suddenly seemed to be glued to him.

"I just hate to see people get judged without reason, now excuse me I should be going." Harry quickly stood telling his friends to stay and that he would meet them in the common room later on. Malfoy locked eyes with the couple still sitting and Natalia took this time to quickly grab hold of Harry's hand and it took all Harry's will power not to yank it away in disgust.

Her eyes pleaded with him and he followed them to a part of the small coffee shop that was hidden by a bookshelf right next to the bathroom. Harry relented and instead told them he was going to see if there were any interesting books to read.

"I doubt that they have play witch here Potter so if your looking for good wanking material you're outta luck." Malfoy sneered. Standing toe to toe with Malfoy Harry shot back.

"Then why don't you loan me yours, or have you used it so much that the pictures are runny now?" That said he didn't even spare a passing glance at the small girl still on Malfoy's arm.

"Draco let's just go get our drinks now." He stared at Natalia and they left without another word, after ordering Natalia quickly excused herself and when Draco wasn't looking she snuck behind the bookshelf to a waiting Harry.

"What do you want? I'm sure Draco's waiting." He shot out bitterly. Surprised at his tone but not his accusation Natalia ignored his comment.

"Why defend me? Honestly." Tired of playing this game he stared her straight in the eye and loomed in dangerously close towering over her.

"Why?! Because bloody daft me thought maybe we could be more then friends, that one day we could go out on a date and start something! Do you think I go around taking naps mid afternoon with girls holding me to "keep warm" when they have my robes on every day? Do you think that I would let you borrow my notes or make excuses for you if I didn't have some sort of feelings for you?!" His voice was harsh and his words cut through her. She was having trouble denying her attraction to him and this confession was going to make it impossible but she simply couldn't betray Blaise more than she already had, yes it was because of school work that her and Harry studied together at the oasis he had found at the beginning of the year, and because of the school work a small friendship had started but this was far more than she had wanted to happen, she thought that if she told herself Harry wasn't interested then these feelings would die and make life so much more easier but this was the exact opposite of what she had wanted to hear.

"I can't Harry." She said shakily.

"Big surprise." He scoffed, she grabbed hold of both his arms as he attempted to leave.

"I can't tell you why, but it's not why you think between Draco and me there's-"

"-You don't owe me an explanation Natalia we're classmates nothing more." Harry removed her small hands from him and walked out the coffee shop quietly leaving Natalia in the corner fighting back tears of self-loathing and confusion

Why can't I just do right by me for once?"

Composing herself best as possible she walked out from behind the counter to find Draco talking to one of her roommates, regret turning into anger she quickly made her way to the pair.

"Scusili." (Excuse you) She tapped the girl's shoulder fiercely. "But Draco happens to be my tour guide and I doubt you need one, so go away and stay away from him if you get the my point." The girl stared at her in shock before Draco excused her. Once she was gone and they were out of the quaint shop but not before sending a few nasty glares towards Gryffindor's A List couple Draco asked,

"Would you mind telling me what the bloody hell that was all about?" She stared at him just as hateful she had the girl and answered venomously.

"I just wanted to see what controlling someone else's life was like." Nothing else was spoken between the two the rest of the way back towards Blaise and Shanna.

Monday came much to soon for Natalia's liking, after her little show on Saturday over Draco and Jacqueline the whispers behind her back increased tenfold and now they weren't even behind her back but instead right in her face and she couldn't pretend that they weren't being said anymore, and since she wasn't considered a "new" student anymore headmistress McGonagall told Natalia she would have to sit at her own table now. She sat looking away from Blaise only because it meant not having to look at Harry, she was seriously considering visiting Madame Pomfrey and saying that her "Womanly Issues" were bothering her so much she couldn't concentrate on schoolwork. She hadn't had a big appetite since starting at Hogwarts but Saturday left a bad feeling in her stomach and she couldn't keep anything down, she resolved to leave the great hall and was starting towards the tree that over looked that black lake and the beautiful scenery surrounding it, but stopped and headed in the direction of the library when she remembered exactly who's private shelter that was.

Harry saw when Natalia left, he also didn't fail to notice the way the gossip and finger pointing at her table increased when she stood to leave. It yanked at his heart to see her get treated like an animal yet he reminded himself it wasn't his concern to look over her or feel pain for her situation. Looking towards the Slytherin table he saw both Blaise and Malfoy's eyes follow Natalia as she left before discussing amongst themselves and Blaise stood up to leave while Malfoy stayed back and continued killing time until the first bell rang. Standing to leave Hermione put a hand on his shoulder.

"Where do you think you're going lessons start soon." He smiled and tried to hide his annoyance.

"Big breakfast, need to walk it off." Harry knew there was a chance of seeing Natalia by the old tree but that was a chance he was willing to take because he couldn't take looking at Malfoy flirt shamelessly with the other girls at his table any longer.

Some bastards get all the luck.

Blaise followed Natalia into the library quietly and didn't let his presence be known as she walked further back into the nearly deserted library. Keeping to the shadows Blaise saw her find a lone table in the back and she fell into it heavily.

Taking in his cousin's appearance he saw how Natalia's shoulders were slumped and her head bowed down. He knew she was fighting the misery she was feeling because her mentality was still that of her father's when it came to emotion being a weakness. Stepping out slightly, Blaise placed a comforting hand on Natalia's shoulder but instead of her normal reaction to find solace in him she glared at him and stood up accusingly.

"Why must you follow me? Do you think I am a child?!" Blaise was confused by her attitude towards him they were extremely close since childhood and she liked to pretend that it bothered her when he was guarding her but they both knew she found it a comfort to know that someone cared.

"What's wrong with you Natalia?" He tried again to grab hold of her but she backed away and hissed.

"You are what's wrong with me Blaise, I can't go anywhere to think without you pestering me! Live your own life and leave me alone!" Outraged by her statement Blaise yelled back.

"Leave you alone?! Fine I don't give a right damn what you decide to do then! But from now on when you screw your life up don't dare come running to me for help! I should never have tried to help someone as ungrateful as you." Storming away Blaise glared daggers at the small number of students who had overheard the disagreement. Looking to Natalia she merely glared at them as well and told them to mind their own business and stay out of hers. The bell rang and the students all gathered their belongings slowly and made their way out the library, Natalia lagged and wanted to see if it was possible to hide away the rest of the day here away from Harry, her cousin, from the entire student body but a sudden voice called out to her and let her know she wouldn't be allowed to ditch classes so easily.

"Miss, I believe it is time to leave." The resident librarian Madam Pince said as she knew there was still a student left.

"Sorry Madame just gathering my reading material." Natalia smiled sweetly at her before turning around to make a face and roll her eyes in anger and annoyance. She quickly grabbed her bag and rushed out smiling again apologizing for taking so long.

"No worry dear just don't want to miss your class now do you?"

"Oh never!" Natalia said over exaggeratedly and ran out once, in the hall she made a gagging noise and said.

"Yeah right as if I'd ever step foot in D.A.D.A after Saturday." Natalia walked through the deserted hallways deciding to explore around the school while class was in session and if she were caught then so be it, detention was better than having to face Harry.

Alone in Defense Against the Dark Arts Harry was baffled as to why Natalia hadn't been at the Tree when he got there and why she wasn't in class at the moment.

"Harry what does it matter? Someone of her caliber is FAR to good for you to try and taint with your shortcomings."

Fear and shock rose in Harry quickly, he hadn't heard any voices since school had started and he was finally starting to fall back into a normal routine and almost enjoying life, yet just as he let his guard down they came back.

"What do you want from me?" Harry whispered hoping not to attract attention to himself seeing as how his table mate was nowhere to be seen.

"I can't have a nice conversation with the boy who killed me? I say Harry where are your manners." Voldemort's laugh rang through Harry's ears causing a shiver to run down his spine.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"Now where's the fun in that?"

"Professor!" Harry yelled much to loudly, A surprised face turned to look at him.

"Yes boy what do you want?" Sweat was dripping down Harry's face yet he had never felt colder.

"I don't feel well I need to see Madam Pomfrey." A skeptical look ran across the teacher's face and he quickly saw that Natalia was not in her seat, suspicion plagued Professor Helios' face.

"And your partner I presume is waiting for you? Keep your pants on Romeo you're not going anywhere until Natalia Zabini steps foot in this classroom." Harry looked at him as if he was insane, how could it be possible that the teacher was accusing him of trying to get out of class to go and shag Natalia?

"Tough luck Harry, that teacher must be an idiot to think that a girl like Natalia, so beautiful charming and PURE would ever fall for a filthy good for nothing like you. Honestly though Harry what do you think she'd say if she knew your condition? Or of all the people dead at your hand? You are no better than me at least the people I killed stood in the way of my goal. You killed for sport, how did it feel to play god for a second, it's fantastic isn't it?" His voice hissed in Harry's ear who stood and yelled.

"Shut up!" Everyone turned with look at him with fear and shock ebbed into their faces.

"Excuse me Mr. Potter? Just because you think your better than everyone else in this room and most everyone agrees, doesn't mean that I will let you talk back to me in that tone of voice I will not let you leave so sit down and do your work!" The teacher was turning red and Harry could practically see the steam escaping from his ears, on any other occasion Harry would have listened but what he wanted was a sleep drought to escape Voldemort's voice. Grabbing his satchel he stared at the teacher as he threw the door open and proceeded to slam it shut once he was out of the classroom he walked frantically towards Madam Pomfrey's office.

"You sure showed him Harry what a rebel."

"Fuck you." Harry tried not to scream, yet found it increasingly difficult.

"Such foul language Potter, do you kiss your mother with- oh wait. You can't I killed her before you killed me. Sorry." He cackled, Harry hit the air next to him before punching the wall and banging his own head on it, sick of all the talking.

"You my dear boy, are crazy, ah enter the mudblood." Dazed and confused Harry turned his head toward the direction of footsteps on the cold castle floor.

"Harry! What are you doing to yourself?!" A terrified Hermione asked as she grabbed hold of his head bringing it closer for inspection, before hugging him and holding back tears of fear for him.

"I'm so tired of the voices 'Mione, He won't leave me alone and he always brings back the memories, the memories, the mistake, the blood. It's all so much." He cried as his legs gave way and Harry crumbled to the floor. Hermione felt a tear fall from her own eyes and held him tighter.

"No one blames you, we know it was an accident." Memories of the battle flooded both their minds, Harry's only memories were of Ginny and her body lying lifeless in the grass, glowing it seemed. Eyes dull, mouth parted yet still as beautiful as he could have ever imagined.

"Oh god Ginny why Ginny?!" Harry screamed out feeling the pain in his soul deep down, but it was as if his body was detached from it because tears wouldn't form just misery. He held his best friend close as she sobbed at the memory of the deaths of one of her best friends. No words were spoken just tears shedding and both trying to console one another.

In a passageway hidden from the view of Harry and Hermione Natalia stared at the way the friends interacted and wondered who was the girl they spoke of.

"And just what do you think you're doing out of class?" Natalia nearly jumped out of her skin when she turned around and ran into the amused Slytherin Head Boy. "And spying I might add." She huffed and pouted.

"It wasn't spying I was merely hiding out here until class was over but those two were making so much noise I couldn't help but wonder what was going on." Draco was amused by her excuse and sat on the floor patting the space next to him.

"And exactly what do you think you're doing skiving off classes?"

"What is the point of having the head boy as my friend if you won't cut me some slack?" He chuckled and shoved her, she gasped in shock and pushed him back harder, throwing him on the floor and pinning him there.

"Bastardo." (bastard) She chuckled and kissed his nose because she knew how much Draco hated sentimental things like that.

"Ugh! Cut that crap out I didn't like that shit when we met I sure as hell won't like it now." She stuck her bottom lip out and gave him sad eyes as she spoke in a little girl's voice.

"I only do it because I love youuu Drakey." The look of horror that etched on his face had Natalia roll in laughter. "Oh thank god I listened to that Pansy girl for at least a minute that was much to good." Scowling he sat up.

"So you mind telling me what happened between you and Blaise." Natalia sobered up and looked away suddenly very interested at the texture of the walls."Natalia answer my question, I have never seen Blaise that upset he was pushing everyone out of his way scowling and almost cast a spell on one of the teachers for reprimanding him, do you know how much damage I'm going to have to do to beat that?!"

"I don't care, and I don't care what Blaise did he is a nosy overbearing pain, and if your looking for me to apologize your sadly mistaking, I said nothing wrong he's the one that owes me an apology for never letting me live my life." She explained. Draco rolled his eyes and sighed.

"When have you known me to make you do anything? No one can so I don't even bother, I'm just interested in getting the story all Blaise did was spout off lots of insults and accusations about you and your doing the same thing so all I really know is that you're an ungrateful over dramatic pre-Madonna and that he is a nosy over bearing pain, mind telling me why though?" She crossed her arms under her chest and refused to look him in the eye again.

"Yes actually I do mind." Draco shrugged.

"That's fine I guess it just might be better if I don't get involved and let you both go along you merry way over something miniscule that probably doesn't matter." She stared at him angrily.

"You think him trying to control my life is miniscule?! He ruined my chances with-" Catching herself she slapped a hand over her mouth and kept it there. Smirking Draco sighed.

"Well can't blame a guy for trying although it would be nice to know which one of the imbeciles here at Hogwarts actually caught YOUR attention Miss. High Standards."

"They are NOT high standards! I merely want to make sure I love the man, and that he is pleasant to look at there is nothing wrong with that!"

"I really don't want to get into a conversation about guys, especially not with you."

"Yet I have to endure your countless tales of the whores you meet and lay all in one night?" He again shrugged.

"Not my fault I'm a hot ticket, now why aren't you in class Natalia?" She stared him straight in the eye.

"The same reason as you." He looked at her with amused impression.

"Oh so you're out on duties with the mud blood as well." She snapped her fingers in defeat and smiled sweetly at him.

"Because I wanted to see my Drakey Wakey?"

"You really want to get hurt don't you?" She laughed in his face.

"I'd love to see you even try."

"You're lucky I've known you so long."

"And that you would never do anything to upset that nitwit of a cousin I was burdened with."

"Seriously Natalia what happened yesterday you wouldn't leave his side, yet now you don't even want to talk about him."

"Point being?"

"That I want to know what happened!" He finally admitted.

"Ah ah ah, curiosity killed that cat."

"And the cat will kill the Nightingale if she doesn't tell me what happened." Rolling her eyes Natalia got bored with denying him the truth that she would eventually tell him any ways because he was like her best friend much like she was his and they confided in each other things not even Blaise knew.

"Fine Draco I'll tell only if you tell me one other thing." Helping her to her feet as they slowly walked towards the Heads' dorm to kill more time.

"Anything."

"Who is Ginny?"

Hermione left Harry in Madam Pomfrey's office and told her that he was far to ill to attend his classes for the day and depending on how the nurse saw him maybe tomorrow as well.

"What is wrong with him dear?" Madam Pomfrey asked confused, Hermione stared sadly at her now resting friend then back to the nurse.

"You don't have the kind of time to listen, take care of him Madam Pomfrey I'll be back with Ron during lunch to see how he's doing. Make sure he has a sleeping drought near by though; he may be a little hysterical when he wakes up. " That said she left in search of Malfoy who she was sure was no longer patrolling the halls in search of students skipping classes.

Sighing heavily Hermione continued patrolling the halls, even though her mind wasn't paying attention and she didn't catch sight of the familiar head of red hair dashing across the hall, but managed to catch sight of a petite blond girl being pulled quickly.

"Hey, stop! Get over here." She said snapping out of her daze and confronting the girl, who came out by herself, shooing her accomplice away. Hermione recognized the girl immediately. Her name was Naomi Hopkins A Hufflepuff in her 6th year. Looking at Hermione apologetically Naomi felt herself shrink as the head girl loomed over her.

"What do you think you're doing and where's your friend?" She stared from side to side looking for an answer.

"I wasn't with anyone."

"Then mind telling me who was holding your hand?"

"It was no one else but me I swear!" Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed heavily, she was in no mood to be doing patrols and in an eve worse mood for listening to a liar.

"OK well since I don't believe you and since you won't tell me the name of your accomplice how about I take fifty points from Hufflepuff and give you TWO week's detention, one for you and one for your little friend who you don't want to name."

"You can't do that!" Hermione stared at her incredulously before laughing.

"Excuse me but I do believe I can, I'm HEAD GIRL and therefore I can pretty much do whatever I please to a student who isn't listening."

"But that's fifty points! And two weeks your being way to harsh."

"Fifty points for being dishonest to a school official and two weeks one for you one for the friend you can't name but you will be serving the punishment for them anymore questions Naomi?"

"Fine I'll tell you!" The other body in the hall tensed up and cursed himself mentally for ever hooking up with the girl.

"Very well." Hermione waited.

"His name is... John... John Beasley."

"John Beasley? I've never heard of such a student."

"He's a transfer student!"

"The only one I've known about is Natalia Zabini."

"That's why who'd care about any other transfer student if a Zabini is coming to attend Hogwarts." Naomi lied through her teeth.

"Very well John! John come out here right now!" She demanded and the other body crept away slowly hoping not to trip and fall or make to much noise.

"He's left."

"What? Why?"

"I didn't want him getting in trouble with you."

"And why is that?"

"He's new and doesn't understand the rules?"

"Rules are everywhere Naomi. Just because John Beasley isn't from here doesn't mean he doesn't understand rules." A snort from behind caught both their attention and there in all his glory stood the head boy as prim, proper, and handsome as ever a sneer of amusement glued to his face as he stared at Hermione like she was a pitiful excuse of a girl.

"You have no real intelligence do you Granger?" Hermione glared at Draco and spat back.

"What Malfoy? You go to your side of the castle and let me do my work." Rolling his eyes Draco grabbed Hermione's wrist forcefully making her have to look at him.

"Don't tell me what to do mud blood because although you like to think you're better you aren't and you never will be. Don't be a fool and believe her lies you know damn well there isn't a John Beasley in this school, now what rhymes with John Beasley? Not even you're so dimwitted so as to not figure it out." He let go of her wrist, which was now a fiery red and strolled off towards the hall where Ron was hiding and locked eyes with him.

"Weasel." Draco didn't wait for a response as he continued walking down the halls searching for any more girls looking for a good time and not detention.