Author's Note:Sorry for such a long delay. Things have been a little hectic lately and I haven't had a whole lot of time to write.

This story is coming close to the end, only a few more chapters to go, and I promise to try and update more often.

Thanks for sticking with me! :-)

Chapter 13

Cait made her way into the Slytherin common room. She was on a mission to find her brother after having spent another night having dreams of stormy grey eyes. The room was nearly empty, since classes didn't start again for a few days. Eventually, she spotted Mason Harper and made a beeline for the boy.

"Harper," she greeted, perching on the arm of the chair next to his.

"What can I do for you, Nott?" Looking slightly surprised to see her in the Slytherin common room.

"Where's my brother?"

Harper gave her a strange look before replying, "How am I supposed to know where your brother is?"

Cait chuckled and gave Harper a pointed look. The boy's cheeks heated. "Trust me, I know that you know where he is."

"He went to the loo. He'll be back in a minute."

"I'm going to steal him for a while." Cait told the boy, who merely nodded and buried his face in a book.

"You didn't have to embarrass him, Caity."

"How was I supposed to know that he thought that I didn't know that he was your boyfriend?"

"Because no one is supposed to know, Caity."

Cait smirked at her brother. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist."

Theo shook his head as he pushed open the door to an empty classroom and the twins made their way inside. "So, what's up, Caity-cat?"

Cait took a deep breath, held it, and then blew it out slowly, "I need someone to talk to, Teddy. Someone to talk to about... Draco."

Theo gave her a satisfied and knowing smile before motioning for her to continue and sitting back against the wall.

Cait sighed and then began to tell him of all of the things about Draco that confused her, She told him about the dreams and then she him about the night of their birthday.

"You slept with Malfoy?"

Cait's cheeks colored even more, "Yes."

"Oh, Caity." Theo began, "How was he?"

Cait batted at her brother, "Can we be serious for a moment here?"

"Oh, I am being serious," Theo replied, before chuckling. "Honestly though, Caity, how are you?"

"Confused."

"Confused because it's Draco and you hate him on principle? Or confused because of something else?"

"I don't know," she sighed, lowering her head. "I guess I just never really thought of him that way. And now, I can't stop thinking of him that way."

Theo smiled at his sister and pulled her into a hug. "Can I tell you a little secret? He can't stop thinking about you either."

It was after curfew and Cait found herself stealing away down the halls, keeping to the shadows. Harry had asked her to meet him in the Astronomy tower at mid-night and she had reluctantly agreed. Ever since her return from holiday, she had been glum and introspective. Her confusion of her feelings for Draco and her guilt for having to deceive Harry were both weighing heavily on her.

When she finally made her way to the top of the tower, Cait couldn't believe her eyes. Dozens of candles lined the ledge that surrounded the top of the tower. There was a small table set up in the center which held a medium sized cardboard box.

"Cait!"

Cait followed the sound of the voice and found herself staring into Harry's emerald eyes. "Hey! What is all this?"

"Well, since I couldn't spend your actual birthday with you, I figured that we'd have our own party here."

"Oh, Harry you are so sweet Too sweet,"

"No such thing," Harry smiled, leading her to the table and opening the box. Inside sat a cake covered in chocolate frosting. Written in orange frosting were the words Happy Birthday, Cait!

Cait felt overwhelmed. She thought back to her birthday celebration at home, of the earrings and the necklace. It's all too much, she thought to herself.

"Cait, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing," she lied, "I'm fine. Thank you, Harry." She leaned over and kissed his cheek, and for once, the kiss was real.

"Harry! There you are!"

Cait and Harry both turned to find the red-haired girl standing in the entry.

"Ginny? What is it?" Harry asked, concern on his face.

"It's Hermione, she's missing."

"Missing?"

"Yes, she and Ron were out earlier, but now she's gone. We can't find her anywhere."

As Harry's mind reeled, Cait cursed under her breath. She pulled out her wand and cast her Patronus, muttering for it to find Draco and have him come to her.

"What do you want, Malfoy?"

Cait turned to find Draco standing just inside the door. He must have been close to have gotten her Patronus so quickly. She met his eyes and he gave her a weary look.

"It's time," he said to her quietly.

"Time for what?" Harry asked menacingly.

Draco's eyes flicked to Harry and then back to Cait. Cait sighed. "Harry, I'm so sorry."

"What?"

With a miserable look, Cait explained the situation to Harry. She told him about her reason for dating him, she confessed her plot to distance him from his friends. When she finished, she forced herself to look him in the eye. She watched as several emotions flitted across his face.
What she failed to see was Ginny reaching for her wand. She heard the girl shout and then heard Draco. She watched as a bright green flash collided with the shield charm the Draco had sent out to her.

"You bitch!" Ginny screamed before launching herself at Cait.

Draco grabbed her and held her in place while Cait stood paralyzed.

"Everything they tried to tell me, it was true," Harry whispered.

"You don't understand, Harry—"

"If they kill her, I will hunt you down,"

"I never wanted anything to happen to her, to any of you. I can help you. Put Hermione above yourself right now, Harry. She needs our help."

"Come on, Ginny." Harry called turning from Cait.

Once they had disappeared, Cait felt herself sinking to the ground. Draco quickly gripped her around the waist and pulled her to him.

"I came as soon as I got word. We've been summoned."