Sorry for not updating this story for a long time! I've nearly finished my 2 years at sixth form and have been busy with that and all of the exams and revision that comes along with it. Now my exams are over (I only have controlled conditions left) I feel that it is time to update this story and give it the justice that it deserves. If any of you feel that the story is missing something or you feel I am neglecting some characters, please do not hesitate to contact me. It feels good to be back, hope you all enjoy! Please review.

Parenting class

Never turn your back… –

Dinner was very uneventful considering what had happened at lunch. Even though Draco did not want to leave Charley to sit on her own, she insisted and he left with Darcy to sit at the Slytherin table. Charley however, took a seat next to Harry who was very concerned about his cousin.

"Charley!" Harry explained as she kissed him on the cheek as she sat down

"Hey guys" Charley responded "How is everyone?"

"Forget us, we're fine. How are you? How's your hand? Have you been crying? What did you and Malfoy talk about?" everyone asked, bombarding her with questions.

"Woah guys, slow down." Charley said, hands in the air. "I'm fine, my hand's fine, yes I have been crying but I'm fine now and his name's Draco, Ronald Weasley, and for your information we just talked about what had happened and he, he-" Charley cut off

"He what?" Ron asked, as he took the time to pause in his favourite hobby, eating. "Did he hurt you?" He asked, eyes narrowed and his hand already going to his wand along with Harry.

"Boys, please! Don't assume the worst, he's a good guy deep down. He's made mistakes in the past, we all have. But he's changed, honestly. He..he.. gave me something, a gift.."

"Oooo a gift! I like gifts, what was it?" Hermione and Ginny both said in unison while the boys looked on.

"This" she stated as she took out the locket and passed it to Hermione and Ginny.

"OMG! This is.." They started

"Beautiful I know" Charley finished with a smile

"So that's why he wanted the photos" Harry said, passing the locket back to Charley, whilst Ron resumed eating

Apart from this dinner passed in peace, the five friends were laughing and chatting away with the children and everyone was laughing at Ron and how he had managed to turn one of the twins blue. Draco looked over at the Gryffindor table to see the mother of his child laughing with her friends and truly smiling, something he hadn't witnessed for a while. He was happy for her. Just then Charley looked up and saw Draco staring at her. She smiled at him and winked before waving him over. He stood, picking Darcy up in the process, and walked over to the Gryffindor table where Charley had made room for him. He sat next to her and for the remaining 20 minutes dinner for the 6 was enjoyable.

Dinner had since finished and Charley realised that she needed to go and talk to Professor McGonagall about the upcoming weekend and her work commitments.

"Draco, you carry on with others down the house, take Darcy with you, I need to see Professor McGonagall about the upcoming weekend. I shouldn't be that long" She said with a sigh.

"Upcoming weekend? I'm confused.." he began

"Shh, I'll explain later. Just go, Darcy needs to be put down for a nap"

"Come on Draco!" Harry and the others shouted

"Coming!" He called back and followed the others out of the Great Hall, carrying a sleeping Darcy in his arms. He had a bad feeling about her being alone, he didn't like it. He knew something was going to happen.

Charley left the Great Hall and proceeded to walk at a solemn pace to Professor McGonagall's office. The weekend was coming up, and Charley wanted to know if she would be allowed to leave Hogwarts to attend work for a few hours on Saturday morning. As she turned the corner and into the hallway. She heard a sudden noise before being ambushed by about 12 Slytherin girls, Parkinson the ring leader.

"This will teach you a lesson Mudblood" Parkinson shouted kicking her to the ground before stamping repeatedly on her face. The other girls were there cheering her on, some even joining in, before running off after hearing footsteps and leaving Charley unconscious and in a bloody mess.

Her saviour, had been Blaise Zabini. He was making his way back from the boys bathroom when he heard screaming from somewhere along the corridor to his right. Running the screams suddenly stopped. That's when he saw her, lying on the floor, close to death, unconscious an d in a very bad way. He picked her up gently, bridal style, and ran, ran as fast as his legs would take him, to the hospital wing and to Madam Pomfrey. He burst through the doors to the gasp of the hospital maiden.

"Oh my life. Mr Zabini, place her on the bed over there, quickly now." She rushed about the hospital wing looking for the necessary potions. Blaise looked on in shock, tears streaming down his face. If only he had gotten there sooner.

"Is she going to be ok Madam Pomfrey?" he asked, his eyes filled with worry and anger.

"I think you better go and fetch Mr Potter and the others. I'll send a patronus to Professor Dumbledore. Go Mr Zabini, quickly" She said as she cast the patronous charm.

He turned and ran from the hospital wing, through the corridors of Hogwarts and out onto the quidditch pitch and to Draco's house where everyone was supposed to meet up after dinner so their children could play together. Blaise burst through the front door and into the lounge, where he had heard talking and laughing and ran in, tears still streaming down his face.

"Draco, Harry, guys you've got to come quick!"

"Blaise? What are you talking about? What's happened?"

"I should have gotten there sooner. I should have done something!" he said in frustration

"BLAISE! What in god's name are you talking about?" Draco shouted

"It's Charley, she's in the hospital wing, I found her. She's in a very bad way. Madam Pomfrey has sent for Professor Dumbledore and the others. We need to go now!"

Draco's face paled. He knew something bad was going to happen. Needing no further encouragement, everyone sprinted to the castle, Harry and Draco miles in front. (Hermione and Ginny had called house elves to watch the children in their absence). Upon bursting through the hospital wing, they found all of the professors, including the headmaster and Sirius and Remus pacing.

Everyone stood there in shock upon seeing the condition of Charlotte Dursley. They stood there in shock, not recognising their friend and cousin. Sirius walked over to his godson and hugged him, Harry crying into his shoulder.

"Is she going to be ok?" Ron asked, tears in his eyes.

"That we cannot be sure of Mr Weasley, she's in a pretty bad state. I will do everything in my power to ensure so, but at the moment, I'm just afraid I'm don't have any answers. All we can do is pray she makes it through the night." Madam Pomfrey sadly replied.

Everyone stood there, silent tears falling down each of their faces, Draco included.