Hey, guys! Time for a new chapter! It's a little shorter than normal, but there are only four chapters left in this story. The rest of the chapters will be short and jump through a lot of time. Hope you still enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, though there is an OC named Anthea.

Chapter Forty-six

Christmas came quickly as Harry, Ron and I prepared to part ways and go to our individual schools: me to medical school and Harry and Ron to an Auror academy. We each got our books and proper robes, and I slipped a few galleons to them both to help them get nicer sets that would last longer.

Hermione and Ginny came home for Christmas break, and we had the greatest time on Christmas Eve night. Molly made a large feast, and we all exchanged gifts. I didn't know the Weasleys all that well, so I got them what I though they would like. I got Ginny a durable Quidditch set so she could practice while at home, and I got Hermione a nice set of factual books about Hogwarts. I had to go on Harry and Ron's advice for the rest of the gifts, but I think it went over well.

I was still reeling from the fact that they actually got me something. Of course, George got me a gag gift that was the most ridiculous thing I ever saw, but I couldn't help but laugh. Missus Weasley made me a thick, green jumper with a silver snake stitched on the font in the shape of an "M". Ron and Harry openly laughed as Molly repeatedly requested that I put it on, and after a minute of her urging I groaned and gave in. The jumper was stuffy, and the wool scratched my skin, but it was better than anything my parents had ever gotten me. All of the Weasley children, including Harry and Hermione, received jumpers, too, but theirs were maroon with gold stitching. The Weasleys' jumpers had a "W" across the front, Harry's had a "P", and Hermione's had a "G". Everyone put theirs on as Mister Arthur Weasley set up a camera on a tripod.

The gifts they gave me were small and inexpensive, but they were the best that I have ever received, and it was even better to watch them open what I had given them. My wrapping job was shoddy at best, but I didn't think they minded.

Once Mister Weasley had finished setting up the camera, the whole family-including Hermione and Harry-lined up to take a photograph in front of the hearth. I offered to take it so Arthur wouldn't have to put it on a timer and rush into the frame, but he refused.

"You're part of us, now," he said. "You've got to be in it, too."

I briefly wondered if he actually meant it or if it was some sort of trick or prank, but when Mister Weasley waved me towards the rest of them, I knew that it wasn't a lie of any kind. He really meant it.

I dashed towards the rest, and they readily took me in. I stood beside Harry, while Ron and Hermione took their place on his other side. Mister Weasley set the timer, raised his wand and Apparated the few feet towards us, appearing beside his wife. We all looked towards the camera, and the bulb flashed a second later.

The others cheered and embraced each other, and I got squished into some awkward group hug between Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny.

Mister Weasley plucked the camera from the tripod and took it into another room, while the rest of us took the presents we received and inspected them further.

Arthur said I was part of them. Part of their family. And he meant it. The Weasleys were loud and annoying, and they were so many in number that I had to choke down mouthfuls food in order to get any at all and spit my toothpaste out of the window because the sink was always taken. Nothing about them was proper or orderly, but at the same time, I wouldn't want them to be.

Somewhere along the way, Ron, Ginny, George and the rest of them became the siblings I always wanted, Harry and Hermione became the genuine friends I never had, and Molly and Arthur became better parents to me then Narcissa and Lucius ever could be.

Never in my life had I imagined that I would be happy to be a Weasley.

It was the last day of Christmas break, and Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and I were packing our things for school. I still can't believe that I made it. I went from healing Luna and Ollivander in the dark to medical school.

"Meet you downstairs," Harry voiced as he picked his trunk and went out the door, Ron following close behind.

I was almost finished packing. I closed the lid of my first trunk and engaged the latches, but I caught sight of the frame I brought with me from my parents manor. I had placed the photograph the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione and I took in front of it frame without thinking the night we took it, covering up the image of my parents and me. I picked up the frameless picture-almost laughing at how my green jumper and white hair stood out amongst the sea of red-and glanced at the photograph of my parents. I can't remember the last time I had looked at it.

Part of me wanted to leave the photograph here, but a different part wouldn't let me. As much as I wanted to deny my parents' existence, I couldn't.

I placed both photographs inside my second, book-filled trunk and latched it shut. I hauled both trunks off of the bed and dragged them out the door.

"Draco!" Molly's voice called as I descended the stairs. "Anthea's here for you!"

Anthea? She didn't tell me she was coming. I was delighted that she was here, but the fact that she showed up unannounced most likely meant that she was here on Ministry business.

I placed my trunks in the parlour and headed towards the door, finding Missus Weasley chatting with Anthea in the doorway.

"Hey, Draco," Anthea sighed. "I'm sorry Missus Weasley, but do you mind if Draco and I talk out here?"

"Not at all," Molly dismissed. "It's wonderful to see you." She moved away from the door and allowed me through.

I stepped out into the crisp, winter air and closed the door behind me. "Hey. What's going on?"

Anthea grimaced and placed a hand on the back of her neck uncomfortably. I remembered her actions towards the end of our date a while back. She was acting just as nervous. "Remember that thing I told you about at work?"

"So it is about me," I confirmed, getting her to jump in surprise. "I've gotten pretty good a reading people," I said, answering her unspoken question.

"Okay, well…" She trailed off, clearing her throat. "Um. Part of the reason-not the whole reason. Just part of it. Part of the reason I agreed so readily to go out with you is because...Oh, my gosh," she whispered. "Well, the Ministry sort of...wanted to keep an eye on you. And they asked me to do it."

I took a step back from her, my chest tightening as I tried to process what she was saying.

"Look. It was up to me how I watched-kept in contact with you," Anthea informed. "I wanted that date with you. The Ministry didn't make me do that or anything."

So it was all fake. Of course it was. How could I think it wasn't for even a second?

"You gonna say anything?" Anthea pleaded. "I'm not even supposed to tell you this. I was supposed to break it off today."

"How do I know that?" I questioned, turning back towards the door.

"Draco-"

"Don't," I interrupted as her hand landed on my shoulder. I took a deep breath to try and keep my swelling emotions inside of me. "Just don't," I breathed, her hand sliding away.

When she didn't say anything further, I pulled the door open and took a step through the doorway.

"I told you this because I didn't want to hurt you anymore than everyone else already had," Anthea muttered, freezing me in my tracks. "At least believe that."

I took another deep breath and ground my teeth together to keep me from yelling at her. "Word of advice: if you don't want to hurt someone, don't lie to them at all."

I went into the house and closed the door firmly behind me, leaning up against it as I pleaded for my raging emotions to subside. A faint pop reached me through the door, telling me that Anthea had Disapparated. Half of me was thrilled to know that she had gone, but the other half of me cried at the thought of not seeing her again.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny gathered their things, and I numbly followed their lead, gliding after them as they prepared to leave for Kings Cross station. I barely registered that we were moving at all. I kept replaying the conversation with Anthea, and I couldn't decide if I wanted it to go differently or not.

Harry, Ron and I parted ways with Hermione and Ginny on Platform Nine. The two girls slipped through the barrier that led to Nine and Three-Quarters, and Ron held up a map of Kings Cross. "So where's Platform Eight and a Half, again?" he wondered.

"Maybe on the Muggle Platform Eight?" I snapped as I gestured to a sign with the number eight on it hanging over a platform, only half conscious of my tone.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked. "You've been acting weird all day."

I took another breath to steady my voice before answering. "I'm fine." I checked my watch to divert attention away from me. "We're gonna miss the train."

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance before taking hold of their trolleys and navigating them towards Platform Eight. We watched as a few other people about our age plunged into the barrier like they were getting onto Nine and Three-Quarters. The three of us followed their lead and ran through the barrier, appearing on Platform Eight and a Half.

We wandered around for a few minutes, figuring out the unfamiliar platform. It seemed to have the same system as Nine and Three-Quarters. We handed our luggage to the train workers and boarded the train. We fought our way through the train's narrow hall and eventually found an empty compartment that the three of us decided to claim.

"What stop do you have to get off on again?" Harry asked me, tossing his backpack up and onto the shelf above us.

"Five," I muttered as I slid the door closed and took my seat. "You guys are three, right?"

"I think so," Ron answered, checking the packet of papers in his hand. "Yep. Three."

It didn't take long for the train to whistle and shudder, pulling free of the station, and after a moment Ron turned to me. "Okay. We're alone now. What's wrong with you?"

"What? Nothing's wrong with me," I dismissed.

"Then why've you been acting so weird," Ron countered. "You've been quiet and distant since Anthea came this morning. Did something happen?"

"You didn't break up, did you?" Harry wondered.

I sighed and massaged my aching temple, the conversation with Anthea playing again. "Well, technically we were never together. As I just found out."

"What?" Ron gasped.

"Why?" Harry added.

"Apparently, Anthea was only supposed to keep an eye on me for the Ministry and that everything we've ever done together was because of that and not because she actually wanted to," I said, straining to prevent the anger in my heart from leaking into my voice.

"Ouch," Ron muttered.

"What did she actually say?" Harry questioned. "Did she say the MInistry forced her to date you?"

"Not to date me. Just to keep in contact," I answered.

"If her idea of 'keeping in contact' is to take you out, then maybe she does actually like you," Harry suggested.

"I doubt that," I muttered under my breath.

The train traveled for several hours before it came to the first stop. A few people disembarked, but Harry, Ron and I stayed aboard through a second stop.

At the third station, Harry and Ron grabbed their backpacks and said goodbye. They got off the train and onto the platform. I watched them gather their trunks through the window. They looked up as the train began to pull out again, waving at me. I waved back, but as soon as both they and the station were nothing but dots in the distance, I slumped down in my seat and closed my eyes.

I sat through the fourth stop, watching more people exit the train, and eventually, we pulled into my station. I disembarked and gathered my things, checking the information I received from the school. There was a bus that would stop outside of the station that would take me and the other students directly to the school like the chariots that pulled themselves at Hogwarts.

I followed the directions and arrived at the school an hour or so later. They sent us to an orientation where they reviewed how the living situations would be and the academic rigor, though I barely paid attention.

After another hour and a half, they sent us to our dorms. I followed the directions on the papers I received and arrived to my dormitory quickly.

With the money I...donated to the school, I managed to earn a large, apartment-like dorm that had two private rooms and two shared ones. I needed a private room so I wouldn't disturb any of my dorm mates at two in the morning. I rushed in as quickly as possible and claimed a private room, closing the door behind me.

A knock suddenly sounded on the door that made me jump. "Hey. Anyone in there?" a boy's voice called.

I sighed and tried to get myself to relax. I opened the door back up and was greeted by a tall, dark-skinned boy with even darker hair. "Yeah. Sorry."

"Not a problem," he dismissed. "Long trip?"

"Yeah."

"I'm Shaun," he greeted. "Just got here and was checking to see if anyone else was here."

"I think I'm the first one here, actually," I informed. "I'm Draco."

Shaun's eyes widened. "Wait. Draco as in Draco Malfoy?"

"Yeah," I sighed.

"No way!" Shaun shouted, backing away a few steps. "I knew I recognized you! Dude! It's unbelievable to meet you," he exclaimed, taking my hand and shaking it vigorously.

"Yeah. You, too," I said, taking my hand back the instant he dropped it.

"I can't believe we're rooming together."

"Yeah, neither can I."

I faked my way through the pleasantries until Shaun eventually decided to pick up his trunk and take the other private room in the dorm. I retreated back inside mine and closed the door, locking it shut.

People better not react to me like that on a daily basis, or I'm never coming out of this room.

I got to work unpacking, though I didn't bring much with me. I moved slowly, my mind drifting back to my conversation with Anthea. I wanted to hear her side of everything, but at the same time, I wanted nothing to do with her. If she meant what she said about wanting to go on that date with me then she should contact me, right? She's the one who lied. Not me.

Several other voices sounded outside of the door, and one of them sounded like Shaun's. "You'll never guess who we're rooming with!" he shouted. "Draco Malfoy!"

"What?"

"No way."

"You do realize that when he doesn't show up that you'll be very disappointed."

"I'll have to see him to believe it. Death Eaters can't be Healers."

"No, no! I swear he's here! Come on," Shaun's voice assured.

Was it true that "Death Eaters can't be Healers"? I might not have ever agreed with them, and I say I'm not a Death Eater, but like the papers and investigators kept repeating, I have a Dark Mark. I worked and lived and trained with the Death Eaters, so therefore, I was a Death Eater.

But I'm not now. The Mark might still glare from my wrist like a black sun, but I didn't have to feel its heat.

A knock came from my door again, and I knew that it was Shaun trying to prove that I really existed to who must be our other dorm mates.

I prepared myself for what their reactions might be as I opened the door. Shaun still looked starstruck, and the other four boys gave reactions that ranged anywhere from shock to joy to anger, though the anger seemed to belong to only one of them. They introduced themselves as James, Stanley, Robert and Walter-Walter being the angry one.

The five tried to get me to come out and talk, but Shaun eventually asked them to stop-which I was thankful for. "It's late guys. We're all tired, and school starts tomorrow. Let's hit the hay."

Walter readily turned his back to me and retreated into one of the shared rooms while the other three reluctantly agreed.

As soon as they were far enough away to not be rude, I shut the door and locked it, relieved to finally be alone. I checked my watch and found that it was indeed eight at night, and tomorrow was my first day of medical school.

I got in my night clothes and almost happily fell into bed. I was scared of what I would see in my dreams. I was away from Harry, Ron and Hermione, now, so it's not like I could talk to them after I had a nightmare. Then there were the other boys in the dorm. I might scream, and they might hear.

I sat back up and grabbed my wand, placing a silencing spell on the walls of the room. If I made any noise tonight, the sound would be neutralized by the spell. The fact brought me some comfort as I closed my eyes. I wouldn't be a bother to anyone else.

Hope you all enjoyed, and see you soon for chapter 47!