A/N: The last update was dreadfully short, even compared to other chapters, so here you go…

Her eyes stung and her breath was coming out in short gasps by the time she made it through the big oak doors that served as an entrance. It's ok. It is. I'm not helpless. No one is going to control me. Ever again. Ever. I just need to concentrate on something else. Maybe homework? Classes are tomorrow after all.

Ginny's heartbeat had finally returned to normal by the time she settled into an overstuffed chair in the library. Laying out the Advanced Potion-Making text, Ginny began reading over the adverse affects of too much Felix Flicis.

"Dear Merlin, Ginny! What happened to you? Where did you go? Why haven't you been in Gryffindor? Ron's been so mad, but he won't tell me why, and-"

Ginny was about to tell the Head Girl to sod off when she saw the genuine concern etched all over her face.

"What happened to your lip?"

"Hermione, I just, oh, I don't know where to begin." A coppery taste filled her mouth as she worried at her lower lip.

Hermione plopped down beside the younger girl. "Don't worry; we'll tell Harry and Ron whatever it is, and they'll take care of it."

Ginny shook her head. "They're the problem."

"There is no way they did this to you."

"No this, but…" She motioned to her twice bruised arms."Harry, well, he doesn't take rejection well."

"I wondered how the rumors about you being Slytherin's new whore started." At Ginny's gasp, Hermione continued. "Sometimes I wish those two would just grow up. I know it seems like a perfect little trio on the outside, but really, it's just plain frustrating. Lord knows I love your brother, but he never notices anything until it hits him in the face. And lately I've been worried about Harry. He's gotten so used to being fawned over that I'm not sure he knows how to relate to other people. Dumbledore has even arranged to meet with us tonight, and I'm sure it can't be good. I- I'm rambling, aren't I? I'm sorry. Ginny, please, tell me what's been going on."

"Hermione, I wish I could, but I think I have to handle this my way. Just remember that I know we're friends, no matter what those two knuckle heads get up to."

"But Ginny, I don't understand. Where are you even staying?"

"In Slytherin." She looked at the clock by Madame Pince's desk. "I have to go. Don't worry 'Mione."

She left the stunned Head Girl alone in the library and rushed back to the Slytherin common room. Only when she got there, she realized she didn't even know the password. Shit. Fudgedoodles. What is it? Um, ok, think like a Slytherin. How does a Slytherin even think? Um, let's see. General disregard for rules and others, always better than everyone else, sneaky, mean, hatef-

"Need in, Weasley?" Goyle asked her slowly.

"Actually, yes, I do. Um, you wouldn't happen to know the password, would you?"

He stared blankly at her for a moment. "Oh, yes. Pudding parcel." He stared at the portrait. "Oh, er, Porkchop plunder? I thought not. It had to do with Quidditch, didn't it?"

"Plumpton pass?" Ginny offered. The portrait swung open.

"Oh, that's it. Thanks." Goyle ambled off to the boys dormitories.

"You're late." Came from the couch near the fire place.

"You forgot to give me the password."

"I didn't forget." Draco straightened from his slouched position.

"Yes, you did."

"No, I didn't. I chose not to give it to you. I assumed you could figure it out on your own."

"But-"

"Oh do shut up Weasley. What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time?" He took in her very bruised arms, her busted lip, her unkempt hair. "You look like you took a run through the Whomping Willow."

"I didn't. Pansy and I were at the lake, and when she left, Senach found me." At his silence, she continued. "He was an ass as usual. I thought I wouldn't see him until the trial, but he was here. I don't even know how he found me."

Draco huffed. "Weasley, do sit down. I don't care to strain my neck to look up at you while you speak." She sat carefully next to him, placing her books beside her. "Now, let me see how bad that is." He pulled her chin closer to inspect her lip. "Does it still hurt?"

She nodded carefully. Ignore his touch. He's only being gentle because he can't stand that he's touching Weasley filth.

"Alright then, come on." He pulled her up and practically dragged her down to his room.

"But, Malfoy, my books."

"You can get them later."

"Oh."

Whispering something to the portrait, he pulled her into his private room. "Try not to gawk while I find the bruise removal paste."

Her surrounding were Slytherin to the core: black and green and very expensive. She was shocked when she felt a gentle brush on her arm. "Hold still, will you." Malfoy muttered as he spread the yellow salve on one arm, then the other. "Any more bruises?"

"I can get them later."

"I've got the salve out now, so you might as well show them to me."

Turning and raising her shirt ever so slightly, she revealed the small cuts and bruises the tree had inflicted on her with Senach's help.

"You really are a mess, you know that?" He shook his head and rubbed the salve into her injuries. "Pull your shirt up some more; I can see the edges of more bruises."

Ginny did as he told her and relaxed as he treated her injuries.

Draco gently slid her shirt back down over her back. "Now turn around so I can fix that lip of yours." When she did, he quickly raised his wand and whispered, "Episkey."

Feeling much better with her bruises healing and her lip mended, she cautiously smiled. "Thank you, Malfoy."

"Don't thank me. You're no good to me if you're broken."

Her smile faded.

"So about the payment…" Draco began.