It was two in the morning. The sun hadn't come up yet, so the stars were still up pasted in the dark sapphire sky. The only song that could be heard anywhere was from the deep drones of the Whomping Willow and the gentle pit-pat of my shoes. The cool May breezes whispered down through little airways as I walked through a familiar secret passage.

I had chills, but it wasn't from the chilly night air. It must have been from all the recollections I'd been having from the DA fiasco. I tried to push away all of my thoughts. I finally had an inkling of what my reoccurring nightmare meant, but I refused to even think about it. I was in an everlasting abyss of denial. My mind was now focused on telling Hermione everything. Maybe I was just suffering from lack of sleep, but my mind was made up. I was going to tell Hermione everything. Hopefully, she would come up with a plan. If anyone could, she could. I didn't want to talk to Kim because she would think in the same way as Draco. As free spirited as she was, when it came to the heirs she was just like the rest of them. She would do what it took to keep everyone in order. Secretly she hoped that by going along with Voldemort, she was delaying her initiation. Hermione took everything in stride and analyzed every outcome, even when she herself was a little off from all the stress.

When I finally got to the Gryffindor common room, I pulled my cloak on and slipped up to the girls' dormitory and was grateful for the fact that I had remembered the password. I slipped into Hermione's room silently and pulled away her red curtains. Peaking in, I whispered to her.

"Mione?"

"What the bloody hell are you doing?" I heard a raspy voice asking.

I turned my head and saw Ginny looking at me through hazy eyes. She still looked like she was half asleep, but she smiled.

"I just needed to talk. I've got a lot on my mind."

I sat on Hermione's bed, and she stirred. Turning towards me, she pushed her messy hair out of her face. Her brown eyes stared at mine for a long time before she realized that it was me. "Emma? What happened? Are you okay?" She sat up and went to the other side of the bed where I was.

Ginny walked over and sat on Hermione's bed, closing the curtains behind her. Hermione lit up her wand so we could see each other. I stared at both of the girl's, acknowledging their concerned faces. Hermione's brow was pulled up in worry. Ginny held her lips in a grim line, but was more relaxed than Hermione.

I opened my mouth and sighed, closing it again. I lowered my head trying to get the words out, but I just couldn't. My mind was clearing up. A hint of fear replaced my drowsiness. As forgiving as Hermione was, I just didn't think that she would be able to get past the fact that I was supposed to be the cause of her death. She'd put up with me for this long. She was the only friend that I had who wasn't partially crazy. I didn't know what I'd do without her. That's exactly why I refused to kill her.

"Is it Draco again?" Hermione asked softly. She took me into her arms and hugged me tightly.

I gazed at her in confusion. I hadn't even known that tears found their way to my eyes and down my cheeks. I sighed and wiped them away quickly. I shook my head. "Yeah, but it's not his fault. It's more of his father."

Ginny rolled her eyes. It seemed so obvious to her. Her face became animated in overly enthusiastic loathing. Scoffing, she whispered to me. "That git Malfoy! You know my dad says that Malfoy thinks that he runs the Ministry of Magic now, filling Fudge's head with lies."

"He just doesn't like me with Draco is all." I whispered back. "Can I just stay here for a bit? I need a break from all the Slytherin politics."

Hermione nodded her head and the three of us sat in a row on her bed. We slipped beneath the comforter and began to talk. It was nothing in particular, but it was far better than thinking about my task or the heirs. It was mostly about Cody and Ron. Then, we talked about quidditch, surprisingly enough. Quietly, the two girls erased all of my worries. We talked all the way until five o'clock. The sun began peaking over the mountainous horizon. It felt good to gaze at the sunrise from the elongated window, refreshing from the dimly lit dungeons.

Eventually, I decided to creep back to the Slytherin common room. Once I got back to my room, I saw Kim sitting at the desk, scratching her quill against a small roll of parchment. When I walk in, she glanced up and smiled. "Still up to no good I see. Good morning."

She beckoned me toward her. I went over to her and observed the parchment. On it was an array of her in a number of different dresses. One was colored with a wine red ink. It went past her feet but fit like a glove. It was a low spaghetti strap the covered her bust in a gentle sweeps of red linen. Another was a black heart shaped hem with a mermaid cut. A third dress was a sleek green dress with a thin silver string running below the bust and down the back of the dress. They were all so beautiful.

"Blaise asked me to the Ball. Bloody shame that I didn't get an invitation though. It's Cody's fault though. I guess it got to Lucius about the Ginny Weasley ordeal. It's alright though. I still get to show off another design. Do you want me to make you one?"

I smiled warmly and nodded. "Of course, otherwise Draco might try to buy me a dress."

Kim's eyes went wide in mock horror. She then laughed and pulled out another roll of parchment. "I better get to it then. Who are you going with anyway?"

I opened my trunk and started going through it for my toothbrush and a set of clothes. I shrugged my shoulders. It hadn't been high on my priorities. "I don't know. Haven't really thought about it."

"Well, Draco says that he's taking Millicent, but I told him he might as well take that big foot- you remember Tanya Reese…"

"Not really, but if you say so. It doesn't really matter to me. Anything is better than Pansy Parkinson." I replied sourly picking up my things and heading to the bathroom.

"Yeah, remember we're the ones who have to listen to him complain later on." She called after me. I shook my head and laughed. Once again, I found myself doubting my judgment. I knew that Kim knew that I was with Hermione and Ginny. She knew that I slipped away, but she hadn't said a thing. She gazed down at the parchment lightheartedly.

Then, something else occurred to me. Maybe Draco was right too. I had chosen to be friends with Hermione. No one had forced me. I didn't try to distance myself from them. It was only the Slytherins that I was fighting off so hard. Now, I had Cody, Draco, Blaise, and Kim. I was positive that Crabbe and Goyle, as thick as they were, followed after me too. Maybe I was overthinking everything.

But, now it was too late. I knew how kind Hermione was. She took things in stride, but so did Kim. Kim was such a Slytherin about things. Hermione was such a Gryffindor about things. It was as though I couldn't distinguish between the two.

I thought about it all while I was getting dressed. By the time that I braided my hair into two long French braids, Kim was staring at me with her long black hair and her deep onyx eyes. She leaned against our open door and observed me.

There it was. Kimberly Cross, the analytical heir, looking me over as she knew everything just by staring her enemy down. This Kim frightened me. I wasn't sure what she was capable of. I wondered, with all the things that I knew about her, why I didn't know much. She came from a wealthy family, but that was true for most of Slytherin House. She loved clothes so much that she was almost considered vain. She rummaged through the Slytherin boys that I was surprised that she had skipped over Draco and his goons. Kim told me that Crabbe and Goyle were disgusting. I think that she'd hooked up with Blaise once, but she was quick to admit that it was a mistake. She always told me that Draco was more of her friend and that she couldn't see herself with him. He was really the male version of her. They were best friends, I was sure. Kimberly was a mystery like Draco.

I guessed that she was trying to see what I was thinking. I glanced at my reflection to see if anything showed on my face. I wasn't sure.

After a few moments her lips broke into a smile. "Well, are you coming? Hogsmeade only comes every few weeks."

I turned to her curiously, but nodded. She grabbed my purse and bypassed breakfast going straight to the carriages. The entire time, we rode in silence. Kim said nothing. She just went over a list of all the different fabrics that she would need. I watched her curiously. I didn't know what I was supposed to say, and she didn't hint to it either.

It wasn't until we got to a small shop called Lucy's Luxuries did she even begin to mention what she had on her mind. We went through the racks slowly. Kim walked back with a high stack of linens that she wanted to be cut. I browsed through the dresses, but couldn't find anything that caught my eye. Kim sighed aloud and pulled out a pink dress for me.

"So, are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Kim asked looking at the dresses.

"What? Nothing's wrong." I said putting the pink dress back.

Kim pulled it back out and pushed me towards the dressing room. "I can tell. Something happened with you and Draco." She indicted.

I turned around and scoffed. "It's nothing. It's just normal stuff."

"Yeah, as normal as Slytherin stuff gets." Her eyes conveyed that she meant more than just the sly and sneaky Slytherins who steal from each other. "Okay, I won't press it. I just thought you would tell me like you told Granger."

"What?" I walked into the dressing room to hide from her oxen orbs. I slipped on the dress and stepped back out. "I didn't tell Hermione anything."

I could hear Kim's accusing tone through the dressing room door. It was even, but I could have sworn there was a hurt tone in it. "You know, at first I thought you went mad and told them everything, but you're not that mad. Then, I asked myself…what could she talk about with Hermione Granger that she can't just come to me?"

I shook my head. "It's not like that."

Kim glared at me for a moment and then sighed. "I know. It's just… I wonder sometimes…who your real friends are."

This time, I glared at her. It was almost exactly the same. "Did Draco put you up to this?"

She shook her head knowingly. "No, but I knew it was about him."

I sighed and took a dress that she had in her hands. "It's not Draco." I told her as I changed into the red chiffon dress. "It's everything. Draco, his father, Harry, Hermione, all this other heir business…"

"Hair business?"

I widened my eyes in shock. It was not Kim's voice. I zipped up the side of the dress and opened the door to see Hermione and Ginny standing beside Kim. Kim glanced at me and then back at them.

"Um, yes. I keep telling Emma that my hair has been disastrous the last few days. She insists that I've been complaining about it far too much." She stated quickly.

Ginny touched the pin straight locks and felt it all the way to the tips. Then, she shrugged. "It seemed perfect to me."

"As always." Hermione laughed. "Not at all like my unruly mess."

Kim smiled sympathetically. "Aw, Hermione, it honestly looks lovely. It's much better than it used to be."

Hermione coughed, but spread her lips into a polite smile. I look amongst the three girls, and I now started to feel as if I wasn't the only one feeling how awkward the conversation was.

"Well, what brings you to Lucy's on this fine Saturday morning?" I asked.

Ginny widened hey eyes excitedly. "Oh, I've actually got some money, so I'm buying a dress for this Ministry Ball that's coming up. Honestly I think it's a bunch of rubbish, but-"

"Wait," Kim held up her hand. Her eyes narrowed in disbelief. "You got an invitation…to the Up-And-Coming Ball?"

"Well, no. Cody got the invitation. Naturally, he invited me as his date."

This didn't help at all. Kim's eyes widened and looked at me. "My cousin got an invitation, Emma. Imagine that?" Her voice was calm, but I saw the horror in her black orbs.

I held my breath and nodded. "Well, I'll be getting out of this dress then."

"It's lovely." Hermione interjected.

"Yes, well you can buy it. I don't really feel like buying dresses today." I hurried into the dressing room and took off the dress. After replacing my clothes, I rushed out and pulled at Kim's arm. She was currently at the register buying her fabric. I turned to the girls who were still shopping and waved to them. "I'll see you two later."

As soon as we hit the streets, Kim went off. I let her vent without saying a word. I just nodded and pulled her along to various shops.

"Can you believe it? Cody Anderson got a Blood Invitation. Cody! Of all of the people who could have gotten it… and I didn't get one." Kim was distraught. She lived for stuff like this. Shaking her head, she ran a hand through her straight black hair messing up the part. She was lucky. Her hair looked even better than it had before.

Once we got to The Three Broomsticks, she was still ranting. We got a booth that sat against a far wall and got some butter beers, even though Kim seemed like she was in desperate need of firewhiskey. She complained on and on.

"I just don't understand. I'm prestigious. I have all the qualities of an up-and-coming witch. I'm going to be the next Paola Labini."

I kept nodding and then stopped. I tilted my head as she continued speaking. "Who?"

Kim sighed and took a deep swig of her cup. "For merlin's sake Emma. Paola Labini? She's only the most famous fashion designer in the magical world. She designed that shirt you're wearing…"

I looked down at the long purple blouse. It had a wild print on it. I didn't really notice what it was, but it was cute. "This is your shirt. I think you gave it to me before Christmas holiday."

She looked over me once and nodded. "…Oh yeah, it looks good on you. Keep it. I can't believe you don't know about Paola Labini. I saw her fall line six years in a row. It was amazing. I'll have to take you this July."

Then, it seemed that Kim forgot all about the Ministry Ball. I'd much rather hear about her go on and on about clothes rather than the Ball. It was only interrupted by two boys coming up to us.

"Emma," A voice called me. It was Ron. He came through the entrance door and over to the pair of us. He had his hands set deep in the pockets of his faded jeans. His red hair was in its usual mess, but it complimented his pressed lips. He stood uncomfortably next to Seamus and Harry. He stood for a moment, staring at me.

Kim and I looked at him curiously. Harry had a huge smirk on his face. It was full of determination. Seamus held the same expression. They were different from Ron's disdain. I could have laughed, but I didn't. "Yes Ron? How are you?"

He didn't respond. He just stuck out his big lanky hand. I set my own in his and shook it.

He nodded and dropped his hand quickly. "Truce." He said.

I smiled warmly at him. Slowly it seemed that we were taking small steps forward. "Truce." I echoed back.

He nodded and walked away. Seamus walked away with him, giving him a pat on the back before joining Dean Thomas at a table.

I set my eyes on Harry and broke into a small giggle. Harry joined me before leaning into the table. "Don't laugh," He whispered. "This was hard enough for him."

"He didn't have to do that." I told Harry.

"Well, I guess that it would be better to not have all this bad blood circulating anymore." His green eyes sparkled behind his glasses.

I nodded, "How on earth did you get him to change his mind?"

Harry shrugged and waved goodbye. "I'll see you later Emma. Nice seeing you Kimberly."

Kim raised an eyebrow at me, but I just smiled and took a drink of my butter beer. "They're all really lovely." I told her.

She just shook her head and continued onto a different designer.

I felt oddly pleasant. By the time that I got back to the school, I was riding of a high of 6 butter beers and an empty bladder. I didn't even notice a certain platinum blond coming towards me. His face grew gentle as he approached me with full sincerity. I could feel myself easily drift towards him.

I took hold of his hand as he was trudging down the stairwell. I pulled him back the way he came. Draco kept stride with me, but narrowed his eyes.

"Where in the bloody hell are we going?"

I glanced at him and kept forward. "I've had a really good day, and I don't really want it to end."

He laughed and pulled me into him. "So, you want to tell me all about your day with the Gryffindors." He rolled his eyes, but his voice held humor in it.

"Actually, I spent most of it with Kim. We're going to see Paola Labini this summer."

He laughed even louder. He shook his head. "You know who Paola Labini is?"

I wacked his arm lightly, shushing him. "I do now. I think that it would be nice to spend some time with my friends this summer considering that I usually just spend it lounging on a beach in Venice."

"Sounds wondrous actually. So is that where you're taking me? Venice?"

I rolled my eyes and got up to an old room. It was my room- my space. I'd neglected it almost the entire year. I'd been there a couple times, but it seemed as if it had gone untouched for years. The room still held the dark colors, warm and inviting. The candles were still in the same spots, my books still in their messy piles. The pillows from the sofa lay on the floor in front of the small fireplace. Candy jars were still up on the shelves beside various other trinkets. The ceiling held light wisps of linens.

Draco observed the room for a moment. "It's been a while since we've been in here. You never really told me about this place." He strode over to a shelf and picked up a dusty jar. He held up a piece of hardened taffy before flicking it back into the old stuff.

Taking the jar from Draco's hand, I set it back up on the shelf and pulled him over to the pillows. Using my wand to set a small spark into the fire, I relaxed down on the floor joining Draco in the vast array of pillows beneath me. He gazed at me with curious humor glinting in his eyes. I shrugged my shoulders in a deep sigh. "The last time we were here, we weren't exactly on good terms. Since then, we've made progress, but barely. Today only made me realize that you and I don't even do all the things that normal couples do. If Kim and I can actually act like real friends, and if Ron can act civil towards me, and if Hermione and Ginny and I can talk like we've known each other forever… We should be normal for one night. No talk of what it means to be a Slytherin. No talk of being an heir."

"What do you want then?" Draco asked quietly.

I gazed back at him and took his hand into mine. I felt myself scoot closer to him. We were on the floor leaning our backs against the sofa. I thought for a moment and looked into the fire, glad for the back support. "Just talk to me. Tell me about your sister. What was your first quidditch match like? Anything."

He sat down and looked up at the rose colored silk. "So we're exchanging life stories?"

"If you want."

And we did. He didn't say much about his sister, but he told me about quidditch. He told me about the first time he met Blaise and Kim. He talked about his past summers and his first broomstick. In exchange, I told him about some of the muggles I knew when I was younger. I told him about all the lonely trips that I used to have every summer. We whispered through the night. And after we were done talking, we kissed. And eventually, the fire died out, leaving us in a serene quiet.

Taken in the sweet moments of the night, I was elated. It was one of the few moments that I was actually with Draco, I mean really with him. He whispered sweet I love you's. He kept me closer to him that I could ever remember. I took in his oh-so irresistible cologne and the way his grey eyes looked in the darkness. I don't even remember drifting off to sleep, but I knew that I was in his arms. He then drifted into my dreams. It was nothing but me and him in another tranquil silence.

It was a good day.

Done! Hopefully, I corrected any major mistakes. Let me know if there is anything off. Hope you enjoy this. I tried looking for the missing chapters. I really did, but I will just have to do a rewrite. So sorry. Thanks for sticking with it though. You are wonderful. Truly.

xOC Girl