Author's Note: This is probably the longest chapter I've written. Enjoy and Review! (THE CAPTAIN IS FANGIRLING. PREPARE YOURSELVES)

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Chapter 18

She saw Tonks visit often, and other Order members would come to Lupin's house for brief discussions. Tonks obviously had feelings for her dad, but he would push her away as much as possible. Zabrina comforted Tonks whenever that happened.

Tonks didn't mind Zabrina's family history; as long as she was loyal to Dumbledore, she would be like a daughter to Zabrina. Tonks would keep Zabrina company during her visits, and they would talk about the Order or Zabrina. Tonks was interested in Zabrina's abilities. She sometimes tried a few spells on her, which never worked.

She followed her dad to the Order Headquarters. The only people there she relied on were her dad and Professor Snape. Many, including Zabrina, questioned why he was there.

"Oh welcome back, Zabrina. We were just about to have dinner," Mrs. Weasley said as she placed another dish on the table.

"Nice to see you again," Zabrina replied.

"Have you eaten yet?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"No, not yet."

"Then what are you waiting for? Come!" she said and Zabrina took a seat next to Hermione.

"So how was your summer?" Hermione asked.

"It's been two weeks, Hermione. Give me some time to enjoy it."

"Well then, how were your two weeks?"

"Probably just as complicated as yours. Where's Harry?"

"He's coming. Tonks and some others left to get him."

"Oh, alright."

"Remus, a word please," Sirius said. The two friends left the table.

"Zabrina, why don't you go up with Hermione and Ginny if you're all done?" Mrs. Weasley said and gestured her daughter to take her up.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Every time I try to eat," she murmured under her breath. "Come, let's go."

Zabrina stood up and followed the two. When she opened the door to their room, she found Fred and George standing in there already.

"FOR THE SAKE OF MERLIN, WILL YOU PLEASE STOP DOING THAT?" Ginny yelled and pushed the two boys out.

"Wait, we have something to tell Zabrina."

"SHE'LL FIND OUT LATER. NOW GO!"

"Okay," Fred smirked and left while pushing Zabrina out as well.

"Wait, I-"

"Ah yes, Miss Riddle, it's a pleasure to meet you at last," Fred bowed and so did George.

"What?"

"Shh! Listen!" George said as he pulled out some sort of ear attached to a string. He lowered it and she heard two voices: her dad's and Sirius's.

"So are you just going to leave her like that?" Sirius said. "No talk, no confronting, no nothing?"

"She didn't do anything wrong," Lupin said calmly.

"She's the Dark Lord's dau-"

"That's enough, Sirius. She'll do well on her own."

"Remus, she is with the Order of the Phoenix right now, in their headquarters. Are you sure this…information is in good hands?"

"Sirius, I said that's enough."

"Oh come on! Haven't you ever thought that for once, she could be just like him?"

Zabrina left the two boys and went into Ginny's room.

"What happened?" Hermione asked.

"Nothing," Zabrina smiled. "It's just some invention that they made."

"Oh, okay then," Hermione said.

They heard a noise, and the three left the room. Harry Potter had arrived.

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She was hesitant to ride Hogwarts Express, as she didn't know where to sit. She always sat with Draco and the crew, but she thought Draco wouldn't want to see her. She gave Lupin a kiss on the cheek, and got on. She sat with the Golden Trio, acting as if she was okay. The three were great company, but they were too nice, too Gryffindor. She was close to Hermione, for they were both considered to be sorted into Ravenclaw. They would correct Ron and Harry whenever they made a mistake, such as pronouncing a name wrong.

After the feast, she went into her room to change. She went downstairs to sleep but saw Draco's hair as soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She was just about to go back up when Draco locked eyes with her. She froze. Draco looked away and Zabrina went back upstairs.

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Draco thought about Zabrina all summer long, mostly because his father kept reminding him to "be nice to the Dark Lord's daughter" and how "useful" she going to be. Although his father did have a point, Draco was still hesitant to go back to their old relationship. That is, until just now.

Draco stared into Zabrina's deep purple eyes. If only he could see them every day, he wouldn't have another need. He always had feelings for Zabrina; why else would he ask her to the Yule Ball? At first, Draco kept an eye on her because she was pretty and stubborn. Later on, his feelings grew deeper because she was the closest thing he had to a friend. She listened to him as if she was really interested, and she was nice to him because he was Draco, not Draco Malfoy. He didn't want to lose her just because of her parents. He…liked her.

At the same time, he couldn't completely disregard the fact that she's the daughter of one of the darkest wizards of all time. She was the Dark Lord's child, which gave her much power and authority over Death Eaters, including his father. She could easily become the issue of fear, as well as the next Dark Lord. Although she's determined to guard Potter and his friends, she would be killed as soon as You-Know-Who finds out where her loyalties lie. She would be a great risk factor, and befriending her could either bring approval or danger to his family.

She would be treated just the Draco had been treated all his life. The Death Eaters will bribe, over-compliment, adore, or maybe even fear her. She would always be the center of attention, whether she wanted to or not. He would be the only one who understands her.

That was something he was now determined to do. He wanted to be her personal paradise, a place where she could forget about her dreadful reality. He wanted to be the light in her darkest time. He wanted to be something much more than a friend to her.

No, he will be much more than a friend to her.

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Dolores Umbridge was a terrible teacher and person. Everyone knew that. Dolores Umbridge looked like a pig. Everyone knew that. It was ironic that she wore pink all the time, making her resemble a pig even more. Everyone knew that. Zabrina despised Umbridge not only because her classes were horrible, but also because her voice was much more disturbing than Parkinson's sleep. Maybe it was just people who look like animals that got on her nerves: Parkinson, Pettigrew, Umbridge, and even her father. His snake-like features never disappeared from her mind, especially those two holes he called a nose.

She already made an amazing first impression when she cut off Dumbledore's speech. My, is she something else. Other Slytherins seem to adore her, and by by other Slytherins she meant Parkinson, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and other members of Draco Malfoy's gang.

When Zabrina entered the Slytherin Common Room, she saw a sight that was so familiar to her. Draco was sitting on a couch, the one he sat on all the time, just like he used to when they were "friends". She was startled for a moment, but ignored his stare and walked towards her room. Just as she was about to go up, Draco spoke.

"Sit," he nodded his head towards the couch in front of him.

Zabrina obeyed, and sat down, just like she used to.

"I was thinking about," he placed his elbows on his knees, locked hands, and supported his chin with his thumbs, "well, you, over the summer."

Zabrina looked at him.

"You are…different and maybe dangerous," he looked into her puzzled eyes. "But that doesn't change much. You're the only person I've ever met who treats me well no matter what my surname is, and I don't want to lose the first friend I've ever had."

Zabrina let out a breath, almost like a gasp, and kept her mouth open.

"Now, don't cry," he smirked. "I know it is an honor to be titled as Draco Malfoy's friend."

She smiled. "Thank you, Draco," she almost whispered.

"Ah, yes. I know. I'm the most considerate wizard alive. No need to remind me."

"Oh please," she rolled her eyes.

"Where were you until now? You came in past curfew."

"I was with Professor Snape," Zabrina said.

"Snape? Out of all the other places, you chose Snape's company?"

Zabrina chuckled. "He's not all bad."

"Zabrina, you're mad. Absolutely mad."

"Well then, this madwoman is going to bed now, so goodnight," she lay down on the couch.

"Have you been sleeping here all this time?"

"Yes, now goodnight."

"But how?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're scared of the dark, Zabrina."

"Why do you think I turn on the lights?"

"No wonder you're mad," Draco said and he stood up and turned off the lights.

"Draco what-"

"Relax, I'm here," Draco said as he sat on the couch in front of Zabrina. "I won't leave until you fall asleep."

"This helps nothing, Draco. Now turn the lights back on."

"You can't even sleep even if someone's in the same room as you?" Draco asked. "How did you survive in dorms?"

"There was a window. Now turn on the lights."

"Zabrina, you can't sleep well, can you?"

"No, I'm perfectly fine with the lights on."

"Oh please, you look like you haven't slept in days."

"Draco, I'm fine. Now turn on the-" she stopped when she heard Draco stand up. "Draco?"

"Relax, I'm here," Draco said and sat next to her. "See? Now sleep. It's bad for you if you sleep with the lights on."

Zabrina knew Draco wasn't going to give up. She closed her eyes, but found it impossible to fall asleep.

"Draco?"

"Yes?"

"I can't sleep."

Draco sighed. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Well for starters, you can turn the lights on."

"Well then have a wonderful sleepless night, Zabrina."

"Please, Draco?"

Draco sighed again. "We're fifteen, Zabrina. We've past the age where we can't sleep."

"But-"

"If you try to turn the bloody lights on one more time, I'm going to leave you here alone."

Zabrina laughed. "Then that'll be easier for me to turn on the lights."

"Do you think I'm stupid? Do you really think that I would leave you here?"

"Well, honestly-"

"I'm going up," Draco said as he really did stand up.

"Wait!" Zabrina grabbed his shirt without thinking. Being afraid made her desperate. "Please."

Draco was red, but the darkness covered him. "Ah, you see? No one can dislike Draco Malfoy. Everyone wishes him to stay with them when they sleep." Draco sat down.

"You'll stay, right?"

"Only until you fall asleep," Draco said.

"What if I wake up?"

"Then scream and I'll come down."

"You're mad, Draco."

"If you're so scared of the dark, why don't you go up?"

"Are you kidding? I can't face Daphne."

"You're facing me right now."

"That's because we're settled now. Daphne and I are still on the ignoring stage."

"So you're going to risk your sleep just for Greengrass?"

"Well, technically."

Draco sighed. "You sure would've made an excellent Gryffindor."

Zabrina laughed.

"Now go to sleep already."

"But-"

"Sleep."

Zabrina sighed and closed her eyes. She had to hold on to something, just to make sure Draco was there. She reached out for his hair or sleeve, but instead she found his hand holding hers even before she held his.

"Relax, I'm here. Now stop making me repeat myself and go to sleep."

Zabrina woke up to find Draco still holding her hand.