Hey everyone!

A/N: If you're a returning reader, I encourage you to go back to the beginning. (It's been a while.)

I'm glad to have you all here (Returning and first-timers). I really hope you're enjoying this. My full A/N is below so you can read and then see all my drabbles.

Reviews welcomed as always.

P.S.- I know that the chapter was originally names "The Note", but now it's "Harry" because that's how I roll.

As if by some strange turn in destiny, everything seemed to fall into place. All my friends got along with one another, well as much as Slytherins and Gryffindors can get along. Kim seemed to be more and more pleasant whenever she saw Hermione and I studying in the library together, though she never joined in. Ginny and I had gotten to know each other rather well, I was glad for that. Cody was getting much better at sneaking around with her, which he explained away by admitting that to Ginny that his father was a Death Eater and would kill the pair of them if anyone ever found out the truth. I was of course the exception to this, which I assumed that he explained to her as well.

Draco and I came to terms with the mission. He lightened up on the load and almost stopped the lessons all together. He'd even written to his father saying that I would "kill" Hermione at the end of term to make sure that I wouldn't be suspected. That was his brilliant plan, not mine. It bought me time to either fess up to Hermione (which I hadn't run past Draco) or find another excuse to delay the mission (which I also didn't want to bring up with Draco). Suddenly, he was all the things that a boyfriend should be; it was almost too good to be true.

Draco strode beside me as we headed for class that morning. It was Potions, of course. I was rather sick of taking Double Potions, but I supposed it would help in terms of the OWLs hurdling toward us. I didn't feel that I had much of anything to worry about though with Draco and his hand in mine escorting me to class. He was going on about the next Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. For once, I felt extraordinarily normal. Ginny called after me just as Draco and I were walking up to the Potions classroom. Draco pecked me on the cheek and strutted into class. I could have sworn that he sneered at the girl, but he hurried into the classroom when I turned to see his face clearly.

"You two are pretty friendly, aren't you?" Ginny began.

I shrugged.

"I don't suppose you'll be taking him to the Ball though…"

Rolling my eyes, I caught Draco taking a seat in the front row… tight in front of Millicent and Tracy. "No, he's taking Bulstrode."

The look of disgust almost made me laugh. Then, she shook her head lightly. "Sorry, that was rude."

"No, you're right. She's hideous."

"That's better for you, then. Draco will be miserable and staring at you the entire night." Her lips turned into a disapproving scowl as he told a joke and caused Millicent to start cackling. She was better than Tracy Davis though. She wasn't as pretty. I ignored the thought, and she continued, "Who are you taking anyway?"

I shrugged averting my eyes long enough to catch the stern look Hermione was giving me from her seat within the Snape's room. She really hated me being late for class. Why did I have such a judgy friends? "We'll talk later."

Ginny tried to call to me, but Crabbe and Goyle pushed her away from the door in an effort to get in before the bell rang. I saw her pass something to Neville Longbottom before walking off to Transfiguration.

Professor Snape began the lesson, but I kept shooting my eyes back at Neville. He was in the last row fiddling with the note in his hands. As he caught my gaze, he waved it at me briefly before nudging Ron. Ron was settled deep into his seat, eyes drooping and fully prepared to snooze through the lesson. Still he took the parchment irritably and tossed it over to Harry upon seeing the words scribbled on the front. He leaned over and murmured something to his friend and nodded my way. Harry peered down at it. They both looked at the door; he must have known it was Ginny's handwriting. Harry shook his head, declining something, and waited for Snape to turn towards the board before he tossed it across the aisle.

The parchment landed quietly on Hermione's desk. She gave the boys a disapproving scowl before tapping Kim lightly on her shoulder. The girl, smart enough not to talk in class, waited until Snape was flipping through a large book before she leaned back and surreptitiously took the note from under Hermione's table. She grinned slightly, shooting a toothy smile my way, and passed it over to Blaise beside her. He, completely disinterested, tossed it to the next aisle over.

Draco scowled lightly as he caught my name scrawled across the front. He made to open it but I snatched it away from his hands quickly. I began to unfold the parchment.

"It seems that passing notes across my classroom is more important than passing your OWLs. Ms. Paniettiere." Snape snapped irritably. "Would you mind sharing what is so fascinating? I'm sure the class would love to know."

Before I got a chance to decline, or beg, he snatched the paper away from me. I shrunk into my seat, and prayed that he wouldn't read aloud whatever Ginny was going to tell me.

He looked over it for a moment and opened his mouth. "Ask Harry." He murmured, a small devious smirk splayed across his lips. I could feel Draco glaring at me, but I refused to look at him. Snape didn't seem to be done torturing me. He drew out his wand and murmured a charm against the parchment that I didn't recognize. "Revilos Traceito."

Suddenly, my hands turned a bright scarlet red. I turned my palms over to get a good look. Then, I heard a small terrified gasp. Turning, I saw Kim holding her hands up in defiant terror. Her hands were also a deep red, her fingernails were turning from their deep ocean blue into a guilty blood red. She wasn't the only one. Draco, Blaise, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and poor little Neville sitting in the back wore the red pigment in their skin. There was no doubt in my mind that Ginny too would be sporting the color in whatever class she was in.

Snape tsked lightly. "Detention. Be in my office at 5:30 pm." Then, he continued on with his lesson.

Kim coughed, "But sir. What about our hands? It will fade won't it?"

At this, Snape's amusement shone even brighter in his eyes. "Ask Harry."

"Bloody hell." Ron gaped admirably.

"I hope you don't kiss your mother with that mouth, Mr. Weasley." Snape droned.

Ginny almost cracked a smile. Hermione elbowed her sharply in the ribs and frowned at the mess that was room 423.

"What happened Professor?" I asked.

The ceiling appeared to be rotting. There was a pond full of fish and seaweed hanging from the holes in the ceiling. Water tricked down the green plants and allowed tiny tadpoles to swim down them like waterfalls. A light green mist covered the entire floor. Each desk was wrapped in thick vines. The windows did not appear to be made of glass anymore, but a gummy grey gelatin that refused to stop shaking.

"Whoever did this must be in a heap of trouble." Ginny said, flicking away a firefly.

"It's the handy-work of your brothers actually. It appears to be the first in a series of attacks. We can't seem to prove that it was actually them, so you'll have to do." The pleasure in Snape's voice disturbed me just a bit. He usually has such a monotone, uncaring, apathetic attitude.

"So, we're supposed to do what exactly?" Draco asked. I could already feel a tantrum coming on.

"You will be reverting the class back to its original state. Fix the ceiling and getting rid of any unnatural properties. I'll be back in an hour. You all work so well, I'm sure you'll have no trouble with this Mr. Malfoy. You may leave once the job is complete." He pivoted on his heels and made for the door.

"Where are you going?" Draco asked incredulously.

"That, Mr. Malfoy, is none of your concern. But I will tell you, you all will not be leaving this room until everything is as it should be." With that, he left us to our own devices. We all groaned as we heard the unmistakable click of us all being locked into the room. We wouldn't be allowed out until the job was completely done to Snape's specifications.

Blaise snickered and was the first to pull out his wand and begin working.

Draco rolled his eyes and began helping Blaise with the rotting ceiling. I could hear him muttering irritably from the corner of the room. I shook my head, sighing. He was so difficult sometimes. Kim slipped on the other side of Blaise, but gave him a small glare which he ignored by nudging her lightly on the shoulders.

Neville's shoulder slumped and began to work with Hermione, Ron, and Ginny. Actually, Ron wasn't doing much work. It was more like he was watching Hermione flick her wand at the vines. They were singed away, but grew back stubbornly. Ginny laughed aloud and shot her own spell at them.

For half an hour, we worked quietly (and quite unsuccessfully) to repair the enchanted room.

Harry, of course, used it as an opportunity to come over to me and bombard me with questions. I stopped him before he began. "Ginny just wanted me to ask you to the Ball." I stated simply.

His eyes widened in earnest confusion. They shined brilliantly as always, even when baffled. I couldn't help but smile. It faltered when I saw Draco glaring at me from across the room. Harry caught this too. It seemed as if the wheels in his head began to turn, but he quickly shook off whatever thought was creeping its way into his head.

"I don't have to be your date." He began, unsurely, "You can take someone else… if you want."

I shook my head. Now that Ginny had suggested it, I couldn't imagine inviting anyone else. "No, everyone else is going to be there. It would be wrong not to invite you."

"That's not really a reason to-"

"I want to invite you, alright? You're going, and that's that." I ordered sternly then broke into a smile for his benefit.

He nodded, feigning annoyance. "Well, if I don't have a choice."

I laughed lightly. "You don't have a choice."

"Alright then." He widened his eyes at my forcefulness and laughed too.

"I still don't understand how I didn't get an invitation." Kim snapped lightly. "I've had an invitation to the Blood Ball every year since I was eight."

"What's with that name anyway?" Harry wondered aloud.

"Maybe you're just didn't make the cut this year." Ron stated blankly.

"It's a relative term." Blaise interjected dully, and despite the glare he received from his friend he continued. "It's not really supposed to be limited to Purebloods. It was when the Ministry of Magic's fist annual Ball. They feared an attack on the Ministry if they invited anyone who wasn't elite, but now it's usually the same families who attend every year. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy are usually the one's in charge."

"So nothing's really changed, has it?" Ron spat angrily.

"Actually, your family hasn't been invited for more than a few decades." Draco interrupted snobbishly.

"It's just a celebration of the oldest Wizarding families." Hermione reassured Ron. "Most of it is just politics."

"Look," Ginny chimed. "The main thing is that we all have fun."

"And look good doing it."

I nodded, exhaling with relief. "Well, that's settled. And Harry, you'll be coming with me. No questions."

"Potter's joining the party. How lovely." Draco stated miserably as he passed by us. I hadn't noticed him slowly moving toward us, in between us.

"Don't be so rude, Draco." Kim chirped lightly.

Ginny laughed at the sneer that grew on the Draco's face.

"I'd prefer if you took Longbottom over there." Draco grumbled.

Neville's eyebrows drew together in confusion. He obviously didn't like to be a part in any festering drama.

"She can take whomever she likes, Malfoy." Harry snapped defensively. "You don't own her."

Draco looked to me, eyes wide with disbelief before he turned back to Harry. "Well she is mine." He retorted pretentiously.

"Draco, stop while you're ahead." Kim warned.

Draco shook his head irately and glanced at me. I averted my gaze; he scoffed indignantly and flicked his wand towards the ceiling. The hole grew bigger.

Then, everyone fell into another awkward silence, one far worse than before. I began working in the charmed supply closet to avoid the inconspicuous glances my way.

It took Draco all of twenty minutes to slip into the closet with me. There wasn't enough room for him to close the door, so Hermione, who was obviously listening in could hear every word we said. He was sporting a Malfoy smirk, and though my body birthed nervous butterflies, I sent him a haughty glare.

"Please don't try for the self-righteous act, Em. It doesn't suit you. And frankly it's a bit hypocritical."

"You don't own me." I muttered indignantly.

"I-"

"I may be your girlfriend, but you don't own me. I get it, you're jealous of Harry, but you do not own me."

"I'm not jealous of Potter."

"Then stop acting like it."

"Then, stop flirting with him."

"I am not!" I closed my eyes, trying to breathe and be understanding. I ought to be understanding. He was always a bit jealous of Harry, I supposed. Taking his hands in mine, I pulled him closer to me. I had to push his hair out of his eyes to see them clearly. "Draco you don't have to worry about Harry."

"Hn."

"Really, I'm not in love with him."

"You warmed up to him a lot quicker than you did to me though, didn't you?"

I rolled my eyes impatiently. "Be careful Malfoy, your insecurities are beginning to show."

He scowled and ripped his hands out of mine. I had to follow him out of the closet. I turned the corner so fast that I crashed into him. He grabbed my waist and held me to his body. I could hear his ragged breath and saw his sideways glance toward Harry and Co. before he pressed his lips against mine. And though I knew he was only doing it to prove a point to Harry and all the others, I didn't want to push him away. I didn't want him think that I didn't want him. I wanted him, even this irrational jealous, spiteful prat. But, he was being a prat, so I had to.

"Quit being such an ass, Malfoy."

Confirmation seemed to flash across his features, and I immediately regretted what I'd done. He nodded his head and laughed. A slightly hysterical tone rang in his voice, and he waved his wand above his head once.

The room set itself straight. From the gummy windows to the rotting ceiling to the misty floors; it was once again the glowing, high arched music room. And he walked out, slamming the door behind him.

"What was that about?" Harry asked, blinking innocently from behind his round glasses.

"He likes to be dramatic." Blaise offered tucking his wand away, nodding towards the boys, winking at Ginny and Hermione as he followed behind his best friend.

Kim stood, raised eyebrows, and she almost looked as judgmental as Hermione did at that very moment. The pair of them looked from the door and back to me as if the entire thing was in fact my fault. It was, on some level. I shifted my feet uncomfortably.

"He's a bit… possessive. Don't you think?" Harry muttered blankly.

"Protective. Not to mention the fact that he just doesn't like you." I retorted honestly.

He ran his hand through his messy black hair and smiled apologetically. "That too."

"That especially." Kim chirped. "Well, I supposed we're done here. I'll see you all tomorrow I suppose." She sauntered over toward the door and gave the suspicious looking Hermione a small impish grin. "Hermione."

The Prefect nodded a goodbye and then looked to me.

"Does this mean that I can leave too?" Neville said, obviously uncomfortable being in the mix of drama. Ginny took him by the arm and began towards the door as well.

"Yes, I think we should go. Dinner's nearly over and I'm starving."

Ron perked up at the mention of food and looked longingly toward his sister as she left. "That sounds wonderful."

We all began walking out of the door, but Hermione pulled me to the back of the crowd. Harry, though he didn't trail behind with us, glanced at me and Hermione curiously. Though it was just about time for him to catch on to all the craziness happening outside of himself, I really didn't like this suspicious Harry. From what Hermione and Ginny told me, his imagination could really run away from him sometimes.

"Where did Draco learn that?" Hermione hissed in my ear.

"How should I know?" I lied.

"Really?"

"Look, Hermione. He comes from a long line of really rich, powerful, dark wizards. Where do you think he learned it?" She opened her mouth again, but I quickly stopped her. "Can we just forget about it? Please?"

Her lips formed a hard line, but she nodded reluctantly.

Relieved, I patted her arm. "I should go talk to him though."

I shrank at the way her eyebrows drew together, somewhat angry and somewhat concerned. I hated when she turned her maternal switch on. "Go then."

"Thank you." I headed away from the Great Hall, and caught Draco, Blaise, and Kim lounging outside the common room whispering heatedly. Well, Draco seemed to be hissing while his friends were trying to calm him down. Blaise nodded towards me. He pulled Kim through the door, leaving me to deal with the boy on my own.

Draco turned to me silently, his face heavy with brazen petulance.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's just…" I shook my head trying to find the right words, but I just couldn't find my fault in this. And though I meant to say, You mean more to me than Harry, it came out as, "It's like I'm not allowed to have any friends besides you. I have other friends. You can't be angry because of that."

"I don't like Potter, and I don't trust him."

"You haven't got to trust him." I snapped coolly. "You just have to trust me."

He didn't look into my eyes, and his silence rang stridently in my ears. Realization broke through like a tempest wind.

"You don't trust me?"

"You don't have the best track record." He admitted sullenly.

I was livid. I knew I didn't have a right to be. I was, in all honesty, having trouble warming up to the Slytherins. Even now, I was barely friends with Kim and Blaise. Cody and I were close enough, but I had become fast friends with Hermione and Harry. Even Ginny and I could talk about things that I could never ever begin to bring up with Blaise. What did you talk about with Blaise Zabini that didn't involve Quidditch or Pureblood transactions at Gringotts.?

That didn't give Draco a right to rub it in my face. I was trying wasn't I? I was there, apologizing for being so difficult. But, I couldn't admit to it. The words got all jumbled up and though I didn't mean to sound so insulting, it came out that way. "I'm not going to apologize for being friends with Harry and Hermione. It's not my fault that they're Gryffindors. It's not my fault that you went and got a personal vendetta against them."

"I didn't ask you too!"

"Well good, because I won't!"

"Are you done?" He became cold again. I couldn't stand the look in his eyes. Those warm pools of cloudy sky turning into granite.

"Draco," I brought my hand up to his cheek and smiled when he warmed a bit. "I'm with you. I love you, alright. I shouldn't have to tell you what you mean to me. You should just know. It should mean even more that I tried so hard to stay away from you, but we keep ending up together. You say you know me, so you should already know that I haven't seen myself with anyone but you. I'm not going to run away with Harry Potter after one silly dance. Not ever. The thought never crossed my mind, not once. So stop worrying alright?" Then, I stopped talking while I was ahead before the nargles began putting words into my mouth.

He narrowed his eyes and watched me. I stood firm, refusing to look away- knowing that if I did he would think that I was somehow being dishonest. I wasn't entirely sure that he believed me, but he sighed in reluctant defeat and leaned into me. He pressed his lips gently against mine. I took him in and hoped fiercely that he could feel the emotion behind it. It shook my very bones. I couldn't breathe sometimes; I felt so much for him. Whether I wanted to throttle him or snog the mickey out of him, I only wanted him. I'd never given a thought to being with Harry. It just wouldn't be the same.

Maybe it would have been easier to be with Harry. We might not argue so much, or be fighting about killing my best friend. I wouldn't have to worry about being a Death Eater because he would undoubtedly vow to protect me from all of that.

Then, I pushed the thought away. No words could clearly define our relationship; they only marred the headway we'd gained throughout the school year. Draco had always protected me. He lied and plotted and yelled and complained, but he protected me in his own Malfoy way. I couldn't expect anything less, and I wanted nothing more.

It's been a while, huh? Well, this is a complete rewrite. I reread the entire story and pulled together this chapter and another chapter. I know I had 3 remaining chapters previously, but I can't remember for the life of me how I managed that.

I hoped you liked this though. I was trying very hard not to make it a Harry/OC/Draco thing, but it kind of took on a life of its own. It works out for the best though, don't worry. I've finished the last chapter. Again, the same day I post that, I will post the first chapter to The Pact,(The Sequel for those of you who don't know.) which I found handy in an old email of mine (Hallelujah!).

It's also strange, writing in 1st person since most of my recent work has been 3rd person, not to mention that I've become far more description driven that dialogue driven. I'm trying my best to make it consistent. Did it work?