XXXX

We packed up after class. I was trying to be quick, if we hurried we could go see Ginny and still make it to lunch. I was starving. I noticed that Draco and Blaise were watching me. This looked like the makings of another ambush. Well that wasn't going to happen again, not twice in one day.

I caught Harry's eye and nodded my head in their direction Harry glanced over and looked back at me as I bolted for the door. I didn't look back but I heard Harry say

"Oh! Sorry about that. Am I in your way? "

That's all I heard I was sprinting for the school I was not sticking around to listen to Malfoy speak down to me like an idiot child AGAIN. I made it to the school and hit the stairs two at a time. I made it to the hospital wing in record time. Granted it was going to take me the rest of lunch break to recover but it was worth it.

I walked in and found Ginny sitting up eating lunch and I was again reminded how hungry I was but I would get there eventually. I sat down next to Ginny.

"What happened?" She asked. "You got fifty points for leadership." I said and I stole some of her chips. "Are you serious? What else?

What happened? TELL ME!" Ginny Demanded.

"I will but you have to tell me what happened to you first? What were you hit with?" I asked.

Ginny rolled her eyes and sighed. "FINE!" she said.

Just then Harry and Ron walked in. They were a little out of breath and Harry's hair was, if possible even messier than normal.

"It was gray magic right on the line from dark magic, Rookwood is in BIG trouble but I don't know what kind of trouble I missed that bit." Ginny said.

My eyes were getting bigger as she filled us in. "So are you going to be alright?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'll be all right. They said it wasn't cast exactly right, so the damage wasn't too serious, but I have to take a potion to flush out the dark magic. That should take three days." She said. "I'll be fine after that. "Now you, SPILL!"

So spill we did. We tried to keep it quick though and stick to the basics. So that done and Ginny filled in we headed back downstairs and a thought popped into my head. I turned to Harry and said "Oh! If we see Malfoy, I wondered if you could make little hints that he's gained weight or he looking like a bit of a pudge? But try not to be too obvious."

They both just looked at me blankly. Finally Harry asked slowly "WWHHYYY?"

"Because that's how I ended up on the ledge yesterday. Ginny and I want Malfoy to think he's getting fat, so we were shrinking his pants but he came back and I had nowhere to hide, so that's why I was on the ledge."

They both just looked at me for a minute before they both burst out laughing. Harry recovered first. "Oh come on that's the best you could come up with, SERIOUSLY?"

"Well excuse me but we didn't have a lot of time to think of something." I said in my most defensive tone.

"All right, all right, we'll see what we can do." said Harry.

Ron chimed in "Next time, leave the pranks to a professional."

I just gave them both a dirty look but it was ruined because I couldn't keep from smiling.

"Fine next time I'll write Fred and George." I said and turned and ran for the Great hall with Harry and Ron on my heels.

XXXX

Once I entered the Great hall I realized I had a problem. I couldn't sit with Gryffindor again so soon or I could get into trouble. On the other hand many of my attacker's from earlier were sitting at the Slytherin table. Not to mention a few others that I was dodging. Then it occurred to me. Luna! I could sit with Luna at the Ravenclaw table and that would be fine because I'm Head Girl, house unity and all that.

Perfect, that decided I slipped into the empty seat next to my strangest friend.

"Hello Abigale" Luna said in her dreamy voice.

"Hello Luna, how are you?" I asked her.

"Oh, I'm fine but that boy over there, Allen, he's a forth year. He's infested with nargles. I tried to tell him but he wouldn't listen." She told me. She had a look of utmost pity on her face.

"That's a shame." I told her.

But our conversation was interrupted by my brother.

"Abigale, have you read your letter from mum and dad yet?" He asked.

"Well I have been a bit busy haven't I?" I told him.

"I owled mum and dad andI told them everything you've been doing Abby. I told them about today to. You better write them right now!"

He said pointing his finger at me.

Alright this had to stop. "Why would you do that? What is wrong with you? Do you suffer from some weird compulsion to squeal like a little piglet? Why would you go blabbing to them about things you don't even know anything about?"

I could see that I had hurt his feelings and I felt a bit bad but he had to stop tattling on me over every stupid little thing!

"I had to tell them because you won't. You haven't even written home once since we got to school!" He hissed back at me.

"Not true! I wrote them just the other day, ask Malfoy he attached it to the owl and anyway I told you I have been busy!"

I said trying to hold in my rising anger.

"You read the letter from that muggle!" He accused.

That stung. I had been so caught up in everything that happened I had forgotten about that awful letter. I could feel my throat closing up just thinking about it. I still didn't know what to do. Should I send her the Sleek Easy like she wanted? I guess, what else could I do? It still hurt though.

"Go away Max! I'm trying to eat my lunch." I told him angrily.

He just stood there glaring daggers at me for a few minutes before he retreated to the Slytherin table. What is it about being ordered to do something by an annoying little brother that make's you want to do the exact opposite?

I knew I should read the stupid letter but this is harassment.

Luna just smiled at me and said "Just tell them what they want to hear. Then you can all be happy."

Hmm I had to admit that wasn't a half bad idea. "Thanks Luna I may just do that." I told her and I finished my lunch.

I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched though, and it was getting old.

XXXX

I got up to leave the table and said my goodbyes to Luna. I had Ancient Runes next block. Harry and Ron joined me, they were just informing me of their plans to do their offensive spell research during their free period and that I should join them after class when we were interrupted by Malfoy,Blaise and Max. We stopped talking and just looked at them. Molfoy glared at Harry.

"What are you looking at Pot Head?" said Malfoy.

Harry paused a moment before answering. "Been spending some time at the dessert cart there Malfoy?"

Draco looked a little uncomfortable before getting angry and hissing back. "Mind your own business Potter!

"Abigale you're going to be late to class."

Since when did Malfoy care if I was late? I thought but it was true never the less. I told Harry and Ron goodbye and headed to class. I wouldhave been angry about being trailed to class if I hadn't caught Malfoy twice attempting to discreetly remove his pants from Merlin's Canyon. He was looking a bit uncomfortable and I couldn't help but enjoy my front row seat.

XXXX

I made it to class in plenty of time and took my usual place in the front. Only this time I had Malfoy on my left and Blaise on my right like body guards or something, this was irritating but there was no point in complaining it's not like they would listen. Though I suppose if I thought about it maybe it wasn't a completely bad thing, after what happened earlier, but I still think they're over reacting.

Class went fine and I received my first homework assignment of the year. I had to translate a two foot parchment that was due by the next week. Not a problem.

Class was over and I had a bit of time to kill before dinner, so I thought I would head down to the library to help Harry and Ron. I had only just left class when I ran into one of the last people I expected.

"Dad! What are you doing here?" I asked. My shock was evident, as I stood looking at my impeccably dressed father.

"Abigail, could I have a word in private with you please?" It had sounded like a polite question, but look on his face said that it was really an order.

"Yes sir." I said. "We can use the Heads Dorm ." I told him.

"Very well, Gentlemen." He said, and nodded his head at Draco and Blaise before I lead him to the dorm.

XXXX

Neither of us spoke as I lead the way. I noticed we were getting a lot of stares from the other students. Finally we were in front of the portrait of

The two lovers and I did my best to whisper the stupid disgusting password. Thankfully I don't think he heard it and we went inside.

He took several minutes to simply look around the room while I waited. I was getting more and more nervous. Finally he turned and looked at me but he still didn't say anything. He just looked at me. Finally he spoke

"Abigale are you upset with your mother and I?" he asked.

Ok I hadn't seen that coming. I was a bit surprised. "No. I just haven't had time to write yet. It's been really hectic." I told him.

He seemed to think about this for a moment before replying. "Yet your brother has written us numerous times." He said calmly.

"Well he hasn't been in the hospital wing twice and had as many classes, it is my seventh year." I said defensively.

"Well, perhaps you could clear things up for us then?" Giving me a pointed look that said that was an order.

So I launched in, giving him a step by step explanation of my whereabouts over the last few day minus a few unnecessary details. He listened intently to everything I told him and when I was done there was a pause while he thought things over.

"May I see the letter from ?" He asked.

"Why?" I asked him feeling a little defensive.

"Because, I have received several reports that it upset you and I would like to see it." He said in a very matter of fact tone.

"What do you mean several reports? Why do you have people spying on me and following me everywhere I go? I'm not a stupid child! I can take care of myself. I don't need a bunch of babysitters!"

He took a deep breath before launching in. "For one, your dangerous associations have made you a target of the Dark Lord, incase you hadn't noticed. Also you seem to have an unquenchable desire to place yourself in dangerous situations. Something I can only assume you learned from your aforementioned dangerous associate's. Though lastly I must confess there are a few things you have not been made aware of that have placed you in additional danger. I would like to speak to you about those while I'm here today but first, the letter please." He said.

I was surprised. What did he mean? What didn't I know? I ran upstairs and grabbed the letter from my trunk and gave it to him. I explained that I had hoped it was an apology. That she was sorry and that she still loved me. I new it sounded pathetic and my eyes were filling up with tears but I couldn't help it. As much as I tried to tell myself it wasn't a big deal it was, and it hurt. He took the letter, reading through it quickly his face was unreadable. When he was done he simply folded the letter and placed it the inside pocket of his coat jacket.

"I will deal with this! You needn't concern yourself further." He said.

I just nodded my head and wiped away a few tears that had fallen against my will.

XXXX

"What were you going to tell me?" I asked.

He took a deep breath and paused, before launching in "Last month after you were found I was approached by Lucius Malfoy. It would seem that Draco wanted out of his betrothal to Pansy Parkinson. They had been promised since they were small children but with the Parkinson's being strong supporter's of Dark Lord. Draco didn't wish to pursue a marriage with her any longer but he needed a valid excuse to initiate the exit clause. So Lucius approached me and asked about the possibility of entering into negotiations for your hand in marriage. Using you as the excuse they needed, telling the Parkinson's that Draco had come to care for you and that is why they had to end the contract. This is what we believe has caused ALL of the events of the last few day's and why the boy's have been attempting to keep an eye on you. Though they tell me you haven't been making it easy for them." He said ending his story.

My mind was racing. This explained everything, the train, being shoved and hitting my head, the attack in the hall, all of it. Pansy was trying to kill me over Draco! Finally I had sorted things out in my head and questions started to form.

"Why didn't you tell me? I could have been prepared." I said.

This seemed to surprise him. "We saw no need to concern you needlessly the boy's were watching over you." He answered.

"What? You tell everyone else but not the person being targeted? I could have been killed! The least you could have done was to warn me!" I couldn't believe this. "I see no reason for pointless dramatics your fine." He said.

"Yes! I am! Thanks to my DANGEROUS ASSOCIATE'S! Without them I would likely be dead right now." I said outraged.

"So this negotiation, it's just a ruse to get Draco out of his contract right?" I asked.

"Well…." He said looking a bit uncomfortable for the first time."We had been considering Draco as a possible match for you."

"NO! Not Malfoy NOT ANYBODY! I can't stand him he is arrogant and egotistical and annoying, I can't stand him! I can find my own husband! I don't need to be set up with some creep that my parents picked for me! I will runaway! Or I will become an Anamagus! Something gross like a rat! Let's see how Malfoy like's being married to a nasty, rat for the rest of his life!"I said just this side of yelling. My father seemed shocked by my outburst.

"Abigale there is no reason to get so upset. I'm sure if you just got to know him a little better." But I cut him off.

"GET TO KNOW HIM BETTER?" My voice rising. "What do you call the last six year's? I do know him! I know him better than I ever wanted to! There is NO WAY I am marrying that Gaggtastic Ferret! People will have to die first!"

My father actually took a small step back. I must be more frightening than I thought. He cleared his throat before he spoke. "Well I don't think violence will be called for. I will discuss the matter with your mother and we shall get back to you. Nothing has been decided yet so there is no need to get so upset." He was speaking in a very calm voice as though I was a small dim witted child.

He left shortly there after. I took a few moments to calm myself down before I headed downstairs to dinner. I had to talk to Harry Ron and hopefully Ginny if she had been released from the hospital wing yet.

We had a lot to discuss.