If you are here by mistake, I suggest you read the prequel "Days". Otherwise you won't understand much!

Chapter 1

"So then we got this fascinating specimen in. It's like a fellytone, but its portable. They can take it with them wherever they go. Brilliant, I tell you. Positively brilliant." Mr. Weasley was about to launch into another explanation of some muggle item, when the doorbell rang.

"Ron, be a dear and get the door, would you?" Mrs. Weasley asked sweetly.

"Sure Mum." Ron swallowed the food that was in his mouth and got up, as the family continued their numerous conversations. A few minutes later, Ron had still not returned, but they heard a strangled cry of ... surprise? Ginny chuckled and got up, walking towards the front door.

Ron, being the toned 6'3" that he was, blocked her view of whoever was at the door. So she walked up behind him and stood on her tiptoes to look over his shoulder.

There, in the doorway, with a familiar owl perched on his shoulder, a broom in his hand, and a duffle bag on the ground at his side, was none other than Draco Malfoy.

"What are you doing here?" Ron asked, but Draco just blinked.

"Draco?" Ginny pushed Ron out of the way, taking Draco's hands in her own. "Draco, what's wrong?"

"She's ... gone ... dead."

"Who, who's gone, Draco?" His eyes started to well up with tears and he pulled out of Ginny's hold, turning so she couldn't see his eyes.

"I guess ... I just didn't know where else to go ... I'll leave ... its okay." He started to step off the porch, but Ginny ran forward and caught his arm.

"No, it's not okay, because I didn't ask you to leave. Come on, Mum's just put dinner on the table. Ron grab his stuff would you, please?" Ron nodded and picked Draco's duffle bag up off the ground as Ginny took his broom. She led Draco inside and handed Ron the broom; he ran up the stairs and deposited the things in Ginny's bedroom. As they were about to go into the dining room, Ginny stopped. "On second thought, why don't you go up to my bedroom and I'll bring you some food in like five minutes. Ron, show him where my bedroom is, please?"

"Sure, Gin." Ron motioned for Draco to follow him as Ginny walked into the dining room. Draco followed Ron up a flight of stairs to the very top, where there was a room with the words 'Ginerva's Room' written on the door. Ron opened the door and told Draco to make himself at home before closing it again. Draco heard a few thumps, and assumed it was Ron running down the stairs.

He looked around the room; it was painted a periwinkle color and there was a black comforter on the bed he was sitting on. He didn't notice much else, as he wasn't thinking as clearly as one would have normally done. But considering that he had just flown half way across the country it wasn't that surprising. He still wasn't quite sure how he had managed to navigate here, but he was thankful he had.

"Hey there, Draco." He looked up to see Charlie poke his head in through the door and smile. "Ginny's talking to Mum, and it's going to be a while. Ginny never got the chance to tell them about you. So, it would probably behoove you to look nice when they finally call you downstairs. I'm suggesting a shower and some clean clothes. The bathroom's at the end of the hall; every thing you'll need is in there, including some towels on the sink. I'm assuming you have something nice to wear?" Charlie cringed as he heard some yelling from the living room.

"Um, yeah, yes, I have some dress robes."

"Good. As you can tell, there's no hurry." Charlie smiled weakly and turned to leave.

"Wait! Charlie!"

"Yeah?" he responded, turning back around with a surprised expression on his face.

"Umm ... thanks. For everything, you know."

"Anytime," Charlie said as he waved his hand dismissively.

The Living Room of The Burrow

"What were you thinking?! His father is a Death Eater! Voldemort's right-hand man for all we know!"

"Daddy, please! He's not like that! He refused to become a Death Eater!" Ginny whimpered, tears streaking down her face.

"Ginerva Molly Weasley, I cannot believe you! You have put yourself in danger, not to mention the rest of the family! Do you have any idea what Lucius will do when he finds out about this?!" Mrs. Weasley was standing over Ginny, with her hands on her hips, while Mr. Weasley was standing by the fireplace with a forlorn expression on his face. Harry, Hermione, Fred, and George were sitting on the couch, looking extremely sad and torn. They wanted Ginny to be happy, but the danger Draco had put them all in was inexcusable. Ron was sitting on the loveseat with Ginny, a protective arm wrapped around her shoulders. Charlie was standing, removed from the conversation, near the kitchen door, shaking his head.

"Please, Mum. Just listen to me!"

"NO! Ginerva. I don't believe you deserve the time of day. Now, up to your room!" Mrs. Weasley pointed her hand at the main staircase while glaring at her daughter.

"But, Molly, what are we going to do about Draco?"

"Oh I don't know, Arthur! What would you like to do?! Send him back to wherever he came from!"

"NO! MUM, PLEASE!" Ginny fell to her knees, clutching the edge of her mothers robes and sobbing uncontrollably. "If you send him back, Lucius will ... please!" She clenched her eyes closed and continued to plead in a soft voice as her parents debated amongst themselves. Suddenly, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her and lift her up onto her feet. She wrapped her own arms around the middle of whoever it was.

"Mum, it would not be a good idea to send Draco back to Malfoy Manor. What Ginny says is true." Ginny immediately recognized the voice as Charlie's and she squeezed him tighter for a moment before releasing him and turning to her parents, who were both giving her stern looks. Ginny looked at them, pleadingly.

"Charlie, show Draco the guest room. Ginny, you will not speak to him until we have this sorted out. Is that clear?"

The Guest Bedroom of The Burrow

Draco sighed in frustration and sat up; he couldn't sleep. All the Weasleys except Ginny and Ron were down in the Living Room yelling; yelling about him. He could hear that Charlie, Harry, and Hermione were on Ginny's side, while Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were all for sending Draco back to Malfoy Manor, and Fred and George were trying to keep the peace.

He got up off the bed and started to pace back and forth in front of it. He was a wreck; there was no denying that. His hair was a mess from him running his hands through it too many times; there were dark circles under his eyes because he hadn't slept in nearly 48 hours. You'd be surprised how long it took to get from Malfoy Manor to The Burrow. He heard an odd noise; it sounded like a strange mix between a cry of frustration and a sob. He crept towards the door and opened it slowly. The sight was almost too much for him to behold.

Ginny was sitting at the top of the stairs, sobbing violently into Ron's shoulder. Ron was rubbing her back and trying to comfort her, rocking her back and forth in his arms. He shot a worried glance in the direction of the living rooms as the voices raised another octave.

Draco felt tears prick his eyes as he shook his head and closed the door. Everything was his fault; first his Mum, now Ginny. The only reason that Lucius could have to kill her was he. He didn't want to be Death Eater. But maybe if he had just agreed to be one in the first place none of this would have happened. He couldn't get the picture of Lucius standing there, with his hands stained with his mother's blood out of his mind.

Memories consume
Like opening the wound
I'm picking me apart again
You all assume
I'm safe here in my room
Unless I try to start again

But that wasn't what his Mum wanted; he knew that. This was all so bloody confusing! All he knew for sure was that he wanted to be back in Malfoy Manor with his Mum right next to him, both of them joking about the day's escapades. That may have sounded childish, but that was really what he wanted. He wished all the confusion, the hurt; everything would just go away.

I don't want to be the one
The battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize
That I'm the one confused

He wondered how his life had gotten so fucked up all of a sudden. Just two weeks ago everything had been perfect, or as near to perfect as it had ever been. But in a flash, it had all changed 180 degrees. He wasn't exactly sure how or when all this had happened; but he was sure that he hated every last bit of it.)

I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I know it's not alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
Tonight

Draco slumped onto the bed as his chest started to constrict. He heaved a sigh as tears started to pour out of his eyes. His Mum was dead and Ginny was sitting on the stairs crying her eyes out. All because of him. And all he could do was sit here and cry. What in the bloody hell was wrong with him?

Clutching my cure
I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again
I hurt much more
Than anytime before
I had no options left again

He knew it sounded completely self-centered, but why did all these things have to happen to him? It seemed as if the all the bad things were happening to him instead of someone else. Hell, he was born into a family that was cursed with becoming evil if they didn't find and marry their true love. He hadn't really had a chance with a start like that. But nonetheless, he'd found her. And she was miserable because of him.

I dont want to be the one
The battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize
That I'm the one confused

Why couldn't he have just stayed out of Lucius' way? Was it so horrible to just avoid the lunatic? But no, he had to give him narky replies. He always had to provoke Lucius. Perhaps if he hadn't...no...he... couldn't think about that.

I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
Tonight

But what it all came down to, was the common dominator ... it all came down to him. Draco Malfoy. He wondered if it was something he could change? Or if it was simply his character? It didn't matter; he couldn't go on like this. Hurting the people he loved; he had to do something to change it.

I'll paint it on the walls
'Cause I'm the one at fault
I'll never fight again
And this is how it ends

But then again; he knew he couldn't change things. They were as they were. He listened to Ginny crying for a moment longer before allowing sleep to overtake him. He drifted off to dreams of his mother ... being murdered.

I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
But now I have some clarity
to show you what I mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
Tonight

("Breaking the Habit" by Linkin Park)

A/N: Hey there everyone! Yes that's right! I have returned! This fic is going to be a lot longer than the prequel, "Days" because it encompasses the war. I'm sure that makes a lot of you very happy! I really hope you all liked this! Please review!