Hello, hello, anybody out there? 'Cause I don't hear a sound.

Alone, alone. I don't really know where the world is but I miss it now...

Mirrors had been about as fond of me as I had of them. We had a relationship that seemed to work well enough. I despised them and they showed me no favors when I took a choice glance into them. Safely said, I didn't give them many.

Emitting a slight growl, I pulled on my unruly locks once more, trying to decide what to do with them. I tied my hair up in an attempt at an elegant bun. But, it looked messy and disheveled, not like those pretty girls in muggle high-fashion magazines. Giving up, I braided my long and dark tresses into a loose side braid, tucking the loose hairs behind my ear. This, it seemed, was the best it was going to get for tonight anyways.

I had chosen a simple dress for the occasion, possibly too simple, but I was completely okay with that. It was a lovely hunter green, almost the exact color of the Slytherin emblem, but darker. The dress hung straight on my body, showing off the figure I had learned to be proud of.

My hand began to shake as I reached for the sparkling diamond laying atop my desk. I heaved a deep breath as the memories attempted to flood my mind, threatening to spill over into my words. I could almost see him, slipping it on my finger in the dark shadows of midnight, his pale face smiling despite everyting that had been happening the past couple of days.

"Babes?"

Lifting my head, a gave my best effort of a smile to the broad shouldered mass of boy standing in my doorway. His sandy coloured hair was cropped short, a worried look on his youthful face. His emerald eyes sparkled in the fluorescent lighting of the bathroom, happy to see me.

"You okay?" He asked, coming up behind me and setting his hands onto my shoulders, squeezing lightly. His thumbs massaged into my shoulder blades gently, soothing my nerves as best as he could.

I forced a better smile this time and quietly replied, "I'm fine, Jon."

Jonathan Richards had been the single, solitary person in my life since the end of the Second Wizarding War. He was sweet and reserved, with a huge heart. I had left the magic world in search of something normal and happy and incredibly simple, which ended in my job for the local Muggle newspaper and my relationship with a squib.

He didn't know he was a squib- in fact, he didn't know that mgaic even exsisted - but I'd met his parents at Christmas and they recognized me from the Prophet article. They knew I was magical and were extremely honored to meet me, at which I was terribly embarrassed by. He was incredibly confused, until they showed him my picture in the moving, magical newspaper.

Safe to say, it had been a long night.

Yet, he had stayed with me, and made me as happy as I could have expected to be after everything that had happened. He was naive and innocent, unaware of danger, not cautious in any way. I was practical, slightly paraniod, and suffered from terrible night terrors. But, we worked. We fit; he slept over every night, I cooked way better than he did, and his parents became mine as well. Our lives were going perfectly. He had filled the holes in my family tree and tried to fix my heart.

That's when the letter came.

When I arrived home one evening, an owl sat perched on my window sill. But, not just any owl; a small black owl with strange grey eyes. His owl. It dropped the black envelope on my bed and snapped at my finger, waiting for a treat. I fed it a small handful of sunflower seeds and shooed it out.

My heart dropped as I read the words:

You are cordially invited to celebrate the wedding of

Draco Lucius Malfoy and Astoria Wilhelmina Greengrass-

I was making myself go, but only for one reason: to return something that didn't belong to me anymore. As well as my curiosity at what Lucius Malfoy could possibly have to say to me, per what the note taped to the bottom explained.

I have an urgent matter to discuss with you.

Draco knows nothing.

-Lucius Malfoy-

I had not spoken to anyone of the Malfoy family since the trials, which had taken place right after the war. I hadn't even been allowed to go home, as I was under care at St. Mungo's, along with half of the Wizarding community. I could not even imagine what I looked like walking in to testify for Mr. Malfoy's release.

Fear still racked through my body as I shook, sitting on a bench outside of the room that the trail was to take place in. Luna stood next to me and I held tightly to her hand. It had been like this forever, it seemed. But, in reality, it had only been a half-hour or so.

Mr. Weasley said something, but he sounded muffled. People sounded muffled to me, even after the treatments by Madame Pomfrey as well as the healers at St. Mungo's. I tried to listen harder as he repeated his words to me, still quietly, but better heard.

"Elizabeth?" He tried, approaching me carefully. People had been walking on eggshells around me lately. Even those who never had before, though I had not seen much of him at all.

I wanted to be angry. I wanted to scream and cry and shout and be mad at him. I wanted to give him the verbal whipping he so deserved for what he had done. But, I knew that even if I saw him face to face at the trial, I wouldn't do a thing. I'd let him be.

"Elizabeth, they are ready for you. Yeah?" Mr. Weasley said, his voice still meek and quiet. I nodded, hoping that was an appropriate response. Luna gave me a soft smile and squeezed my hand lightly.

The entire ministry, it seemed, was present; all eyes on my small and covered form. I had lost an unhealthy twenty pounds since the war. I just couldn't eat.

Minister Shacklebolt gave me a smile, as he remembered me from Dumbledore's Army and the Order, I suppose. I knew he had been one of those who found me in the classroom after I had passed out from lack of blood and the hours of endured torture.

He also knew me as the almost-Order member who was captured and held captive at Malfoy Manor for three months leading up to the war. I'd been sent then to be with the most cruel and sadistic man I had ever met. He had been sent to Azkaban without trial, as they read mine and his statements about what had occurred.

Maybe my stay at Malfoy Manor as prisoner is why they asked me to testify, but I will never know or understand for sure. I'm sure I didn't really know what the impact of the trail was going to be upon the Malfoy family, as I was completely out of it because of the torture.

"Miss Elizabeth Remington. Half-blood. Seventeen years of age. Seventh year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the house of Ravenclaw. Member of the Order."

Hearing the unknown Ministry member read my record aloud to the completely packed court room did not phase me at all, according to Luna. I don't remember what I looked like, but I had a pretty good idea from Luna.

I was dirty, coming straight from St. Mungo's. I had been told that the trials were being done at speedy paces because of the large amount of current prisoners. There was no reason for there to really be a trial for most of them. So, people like Lucius and him who had influence and power at one point were actually granted trial instead of being rushed through and sent off to Azkaban.

My skinny grey jeans clung tightly to my legs, dirt, mug and rips covering a good forty percent of them. Feet were covered and kept warm by lace up boots that came up to mid calf, tied tightly. Small and fragile hands were covered in fingerless gloves, cut by hand as they were completely uneven. The loose green sweater I was wearing was thick and warm, but practically swallowed me whole. Luna had given me her grey and red paisley scarf when I complained of being cold earlier. My hair was completely a mess, frizzy and curly and most likely swung everywhere.

But, as Mr. Weasley had informed me over and over again, there was no reason to be nervous about looking nice at court. He was sure most would look similar to my situation and also reminded me that I wasn't the one testifying in a trial who was currently stationed at Mungo's.

"You are hear to plead for Lucius Malfoy's release, are you not?"

The staring, almost piercing eyes of the large audience frightened me. I tried to concentrate on my nails and the dirt that lay beneath them. Muggle thoughts flooded me quickly: I should get my nails and hair done. I should get a makeover; a start over.

"Please identify to the jury that each statement is indeed correct, or incorrect and explain things as you were witness to them."

Lucius Malfoy looked like he had been convicted and sentenced to life in Azkaban, yet again. His family had officially fallen from grace this time, and there was no mending it. No more darkness to hide behind like the coward he was. He had to face what he had done to those he claimed to love and had promised to protect.

"He was one of those who participated in your capture and period of imprisonment at his own residency?"

"Yes."

My answer was plain and I hated to speak it. I knew it was practically condemning him in the first place, however, they didn't understand how everything had actually gone down. He wasn't the one who had tortured me for so long. He wasn't as bad as him.

No one would ever be as bad as him.

"Hey there, Lizabeth," Jonathan said, his face showing a concerned smile. "You alright? Do I need to call Mum?"

I shook my head quickly, stuttering out an uneasy, "I'm fine. Honest."

Jonathan was more than happy to accompany me to the engagement party for Astoria and him, however I had refused his offer. I knew I had to do this task alone. He wasn't hurt by my rejection, as he understood there were still many things I had to do alone. He knew he would never really be able to be there for me fully, because he wasn't a wizard and he hadn't fought in the war.

Tucking the ring into my plain cream-coloured clutch, I turned and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips, before ducking under his arm and heading out the door. But, before I could even reach for the golden doorknob of my flat, Jonathan's hand clasped my waist.

"I want to watch," he said plainly, smiling at me and kissing my forehead. Shrugging, I stood right in front of him and took in a deep breath, locking my golden orbs with his green ones.

"I'll see you later tonight, okay?" I smiled, pulling tightly on the sleeves of my long black peacoat. His smile grew even broader before he nodded.

"This never stops being cool," I heard him mutter, before I apparated out of the room, my giggle no doubt staying with him for a longer moment than my body did. I could only imagine the open mouthed shock he would be showing right now.

I gave one last thought to Jonathan, before opening my eyes to see that the dark and commanding manor, which had matched the Malfoy's reputation preceding the war, hadn't changed at all. However, floating purple and pink lights swayed all around the property in star and square shapes.

Strange, I wondered. I was guessing at a Slytherin green wedding.

Sighing, I lifted my hand to the large and imposing door of the Manor and knocked lightly. Part of me, a very large part of me, wished they would not hear my feeble attempt at a knock on the thick wood.

Just as I had turned around on the stoop and began to make my way out towards the courtyard to apparate back to my flat, the dark double doors both opened simultaneously, revealing him in all his glory.

I didn't even second guess his reason for opening the door himself - that in itself was incredibly unusual - because I was so taken by his beauty. He had barely changed since I had last seen him in that dark room two years ago. His face was smooth and pale, white hair perfectly still, one piece continuously in his face. Pale grey eyes that held more emotion than young men his age.

Shit, was the first thing that ran through my mind. What was I thinking? I'm not a Gryffindor. I'm not nearly brave enough to do this.

His suit was tailor made to fit him just so, as all his clothing was. Pure black, with a skinny, dark hunter green tie. I resisted the urge to mutter something sarcastic about the Slytherin pride he still held dearly by biting down hard on my bottom lip.

"Elizabeth?" he asked, seemingly breathless. His grey eyes were wide and watery. Emotion flooded them quickly: sadness, guilty, happiness, and love - though I would never admit I saw anything even similar. He hadn't seen me at all in the past two years. I, however, had the small advantage of his clippings in the Daily Prophet every now and then.

I nodded, not letting go of the lip between my teeth. I was afraid of what I might do or say at any moment.

Figuring I had to say something, I muttered a quiet, "Draco," in response.

Pain spread through me quickly. I hadn't uttered that name in two complete years, no matter how hard some people had tried to get me to say it. His name alone brought back so much pain, a sob threatened to bubble through my plump lips.

"What are you doing here?" He asked quietly, after he observed me for a moment. Suddenly, he was hard-faced again and I hated it. Time had formed him back to normal, not changed him like I had hoped.

"I was invited." I said, slightly offended.

"Eliza-"

"Can't we go inside first? If we must discuss the extent of the reasons for my arrival to the celebration of your engagement to Miss Greengrass, then by all means we shall, and be served tea as well. But, I will refuse to tell you anything if I am forced to freeze my arse off in this cold my secrets will die with me as my bloodline would end."

After my little rant, Draco smiled, his cool demeanor shattering under my eloquent speech. He knew if he was going to push me to my emotional limit, I was going to go into intellect mode.

"Such a Ravenclaw," he muttered as I slipped inside and began to shed my coat. Draco took it from me quickly, handing it to the house elf standing near by. He was about to speak, but I quickly stepped closer to him. My eyes were ablaze, quietly telling him to not ask just yet.

"I guess congratulations are in order." I cut him off, though I didn't say any words of congratulatory purposes and did not plan on it at any time. Draco nodded stiffly, as if that was more than he had expected.

What was he expecting? A temper-tantrum right in front of the entire Wizarding community about my opposition to his marrying of the pureblood queen's sister? Never going to happen.

Draco hesitantly offered his arm to me and I hesitantly took it, as if we were both afraid of what touch might do to us. Thankfully, it was clothed touch and I was unable to feel the coolness of his porcelain skin. For that, I was thankful.

Daphne Greengrass noticed me first.

She was gathered in a corner surrounding her sister, along with fellow Slytherin Pansy Zabini, hanging onto her recent husband, Blaise. Both were dressed perfectly, better than anyone else in the room, save Draco - though I may have been a bit biased. Daphne seemed a bit jealous, as usual, to Pansy's catch, and kept trying to move in on Theodore Nott. The effort, however, was in vain.

I knew for a fact that his heart had been taken a long time ago, by someone I knew closely.

Devil Daphne, as I had come to calling her in my last few years at Hogwarts, had tortured me, as well as my close friends, since first year. I was a half-blood, which would not have sparked any bullying from Slytherins normally. However my best friend Luna and I had been considered mudwallowers, because we were close to and defended our other roommate and friend, muggleborn Briar-Rose Smith.

Astoria looked shocked and angry, her eyes quickly darting to where Draco and I stood. Her sister moved away from her ear with a deadly Cheshire cat smile.

"Drake!" Astoria shouted, skittering across the room towards us. Draco sighed lightly, before allowing a large and incredibly fake smile to spread over his lips. He reluctantly let go of my arm just before she reached us.

To say that Astoria Greengrass looked silly would be the biggest understatement I had ever heard. She looked absolutely ridiculous. Her blonde hair was done up in a seemingly elegant bun, all of the hair pulled slick off her face. Whatever sparkly gel she used to keep it smoothed down glittered and shined in the light from the crystal chandeliers. An oversized purple bow was stuck to the side of her head in a manor that looked like one of the incredibly nonsensical fashion statements her sister was known for.

Her dress was the same ugly color as her lips, mixing with the bow to match the floating lanterns outside. It was cocktail attire, with huge sleeves that puffed up and pressed against her neck. Dark purple heels made her exactly Draco's lengthy height, and it scared me to know that even without heels, she would be much taller than I was.

She grabbed his elbow harshly, jerking him away from me. It seemed as if she, or her devil sister, had recognized me immediately. I wasn't surprised. I hadn't changed much.

"Drake, who is this?" She asked loudly, her voice like nails on a chalkboard, an elegantly practiced smile gracing her thin, bright purple colored lips. I could see her grip tighten quickly on his arm, almost like a warning.

She definitely knew who I was.

"Darling," he whispered, trying to keep from causing a scene with his fiance at his own engagement party. The word hurt me, cutting me to the core quickly and swiftly, because he wasn't talking to me. I wasn't going to marry him.

Without taking notice to my sudden shift in character, Draco continued: "This is Elizabeth Remington, an old friend of mine. She was a witness in my father's trial, as well as mine. She is the reason I'm still here."

Only I knew that he didn't mean here, as in not in Azkaban. His words ran deeper.

He meant alive.

Astoria nodded, obviously not listening past the moment he had said my name. She suddenly thrust her hand to me, rolling her fingers enthusiastically. I wasn't sure what she was getting at, until I noticed the huge, sparkling engagement ring on her finger. Two golden snakes roped around her finger, meeting at a colossal diamond that seemed to grab the attention of every light in the room. Then I noticed the eyes of the snakes; green.

"How very…" I began, pausing and searching for the right word. "Slytherin."

Obviously my answer did not phase her at all.

"I know, right!" She squealed. "Draco and I picked it out together. He did say that his parent's had an old ring passed down through the ages that went missing during the war, otherwise it would be mine."

Oh yeah. I was here for a reason.

"I must say, however, I am a bit glad it's gone! I wanted a new ring, specifically this one! The emeralds were an added touch. I am resolved to think that Draco doesn't care for the ring much, but it is my ring." Finishing, she let out another girly squeal and hopped in place, her hand giving Draco a light, demeaning pat to his cheek.

I wanted to slap her.

"Can we talk somewhere, privately?" I asked, speaking directly to Draco. "It's a very urgent matter."

His face had turned to stone long ago, however his brow furrow and he nodded. He gave a chaste kiss to Astoria's cheek and quickly turned for the smaller staircase near the kitchen. I was ever thankful, as the grand staircase would have drawn attention to us as a pair, as well as me. I couldn't bear the questioning.

Draco opened the door to a very familiar room that I had grown quiet fond of during my "stay" at Malfoy manor: the library.

My eyes took in the sight of the walls completely covered in book cases, which in turn were completely covered in books. I knew I had read many of them. But, that was not what made the room special. I had participated in many debates of politics with Lucius in this room, had tea with Narcissa as we swooned over romantic muggle books, and shared many an intimate moment with the rooms current other occupant.

"I was not aware you were invited."

His voice was cold and unconnected, but it broke in the middle of his sentence and jumped octaves. Pain filled his tone and I knew he was as sad about the circumstances as I was, but it apparently didn't stop me from just being me. In other words, spitting out something stupid. Word-vomit and I went way back.

"Ouch," I drawled out slowly, caressing the books upon the shelves to the right of the grand desk. "You've got loads of books on propriety. Care for a read?"

He sighed heavily.

"Hell, I didn't mean it like that. I just…" He trailed off, and I could hear him taking a step towards me. "Look I don't know what to say to you. I was unaware you knew."

I weighed my options of responses for a long moment. I wanted to kiss him, but I didn't.

"Draco, I didn't come hear to sabotage, like I'm sure you may be thinking somewhere in that blonde-haired head of yours. I mean no harm towards you or Astoria."

When he said nothing, I turned and snuck up behind him. My hand fell across his bicep, as I noticed he had shed his suit coat. Just thin fabric separated our skin. I could practically feel the head running along his translucent skin. My hand gently grasped his, skin on skin contact, and he took in a sharp breath.

"Here's your ring back. I'm sure you'll need it now," I whispered and quickly released his hand, the ring within his fist.

He shook his head vehemently, turning to me. "No. No, you must keep it."

"I can't," I whimpered. I hadn't meant to sound so vulnerable, yet I couldn't help it. He was quickly beginning to back me into a corner. I wasn't sure how to handle this.

"It's your family's ring. It's been in your family for decades and it needs to stay there. I can't keep it. Astoria is the next Mrs. Malfoy, not me," I added quietly. "She deserves it."

"No," he said, using his authoritative voice. He barley ever used it with me, yet tonight he was all about the cold tone. "I would rather you have it."

Draco stepped away from me, his hand clenching tightly around the ring. He didn't hand it to me, as he knew I wouldn't accept it just yet. However, I knew that the wheels in his head were turning and he was planning to get this ring back into my possession.

"Why?"

He didn't answer. I stayed very still, while he slowly paced, making his way up behind me. His hand slid across the back of my neck to my braid as he played with the ends lightly.

"You wore your hair like this before, when you saved me at Slughorns."

A smiled pushed its way onto my lips as I looked at Luna, giving her a thumbs up on her outfit of choice for Slughorn's Christmas party. Taking a quick glance at my muggle watch, I held on tightly to Luna's hand and check the hallways once more.

Sure enough, Harry was strolling swiftly down the hallway, messing with his dress robes. He looked nice and I thanked Merlin that Luna had not been stood up yet again.

Once they had gone, I began to move back towards the Tower, ready to be back in the practically empty dormitories, when the sound of heavy footsteps hurled into my ears. Spinning around, I locked my eyes with the one and only Draco Malfoy walking in the direction of Harry and Luna.

Afraid of what his intentions might be, as I wouldn't have put it past him to start something right now, I followed him swiftly, ready to give him a piece of my mind. As Luna had said many a time, I should have been put in Hufflepuff for my immense respect and protectiveness of my friends.

I resented that observation.

That's when I noticed what direction he was actually headed in. There could be only one place he was headed to in that direction: the Room of Requirement. This couldn't be good for anyone.

Keeping a good distance from him, I padded my way through the halls, still following closely. I silently thanked whatever power deemed from above that I had chosen not to wear heels or any loud shoes. Instead, I was wearing my soft soled brown flat boots and my loose blue shirt-dress.

Draco's eyes closed and the door to the Room of Requirement appeared quickly. I'd seen the door appear for myself alone many a time, but it never ceased to amaze me. In fact, magic itself never ceased to amaze me.

Following Draco into the Room just before it disappeared completely, I watched from the edge of the clustered room as Draco whispered what I could only assume as a spell to a tall wardrobe type piece of furniture.

Sneaking out of the room before I could get caught, or become even more confused by the strange actions of Malfoy, I raced to Slughorn's party. Even though I had initially wanted to ditch the party and not go; staying home and reading a good muggle book from home sounded so much better than getting all dressed up.

But, if I were to get caught in the corridors after hours without explanation, I'd be in a whole heap of trouble.

Sighing, I reached down inside my boot and grabbed my mahogany wand quickly. Moving my wand quickly across my body, I changed into a short, fitting white lace dress. It was the best I could do in the time I had, plus it looked good with my brown boots.

Pulling my hair down from the top of my head, I flipped my upper body in half and whipped my hair around for a second, combing through the unruly brunette locks. Loosely braiding it to the side, I raced down the corridor to the party.

I'd fit right in.

Just as I had pulled back the curtain to the party, everyone became silent. I became nervous that this silence was at my entrance and I slowly began to slink back into the shadows quietly, when I heard him.

"Get your hands off me, you filthy squib!"

Filch had a hold of Malfoy by the collar. His pale face was contorted in anger, but I knew enough of hiding emotions that I could see the discomfort and worry deep in his pale grey eyes. Pain wasn't far behind.

Distracted by the look on his face of being caught, I didn't hear the next few words muttered. I only heard Draco begin to sputter out an explanation as to his being discovered out this late, when I suddenly pushed through the crowd in front of me.

"I wasn't invited, okay-"

"He's with me," I said quickly, shoving through the last few students blocking my way. Coming to stand next to Professor Slughorn, I repeated my statement directly to Slughorn.

Filch released a stunned Draco from his grip, shoving him towards my slight form. He stumbled over his own two feet, before walking towards me swiftly. I smiled at him, trying to plead with my golden eyes for him to play along, for my own sake as well as his.

Turning to Slughorn, I grasped Draco's hand in mine, trying to seem super genuine. His pale hand tensed up quickly, but he didn't resist my grip.

I was prepared for his tenseness at my touch. However, I wasn't prepared for the electric current that swiftly flowed through our hands. I practically jumped at the feeling. My brown orbs locked with his grey ones, and our faces matched in shock.

"My apologies, Professor, for being late to you're gathering. We were just about to say hello…"

Draco's hands playing with the baby hairs on my neck brought me back to the present. My eyes were surely glistening with the ghosts of my past. It wasn't a completely sad memory, though it wasn't a completely happy one either.

"…And during the war; you almost always had this braid," he continued. I'm sure he was just as afraid as I was to revisit that time. Two years and four therapists later, I still wasn't completely sound in speaking about what happened to me during that month at Hogwarts.

"I'm sorry?" I questioned, unsure of what to say.

He shook his head, pursing his lips carefully. "Don't be," he said, turning me to face him. "It's lovely."

Realizing how close we were, my back pressed against the bookshelf, and how intimate the entire mood felt, I bit my lip to resist the overwhelming urge to kiss him. He seemed to not care though, as he came towards me.

Just as our lips felt like they were fumbling against each other, we were interrupted.

"Draco, I-" Lucius Malfoy paused, taking in the scene before him. A small smirk played on his lips, but he swallowed it quickly and quirked up an eyebrow at Draco. "My apologizes. Draco, " he nodded to his son. His grey eyes turned to me next, as Draco hadn't moved. It seemed he was trying to shield me from his own father. This showed me more than I could have ever hoped for.

"Miss Remington. It is Miss Remington still, correct?" He asked, inquiringly. He wasn't trying to stir up trouble, he was genuinely curious. Although, a hint of a warning to Draco and I seemed to linger in his voice.

Draco tensed at the question, his eyes refusing my image.

"Yes," I whispered. But not for long, according to Jonathan's mother and father.

It was common rumor amongst the family that Jonathan had been planning to propose to me for months now. In fact, it had been suggested as Christmas this year, which was fast approaching.

Mr. Malfoy gave me a small nod towards the door. I understood the suggestion immediately, giving him a slight nod in return. He quickly turned and slithered out the door, his dress robes whipping around behind him.

Draco sighed, laying his forehead against mine. I closed my eyes tightly and made a rash decision, smashing my lips against his quickly. Before either of us could say something stupid, I escaped from the room.

"Miss Elizabeth."

The sharp, yet suave, voice shaped my name in an incredibly distinguishable way. Putting on my best smile, I turned my golden orbs on to the infamous blonde-headed Malfoy.

"Mister Malfoy," I whispered, his eyes locking onto mine. "It's good to see you, though I wish it was under better circumstances. You said you needed to speak with me?"

He nodded, grabbing my arm and placing it around his, his own hand resting atop mine. Grey eyes glared into mine, daring me to say anything as he lead us outside to the extensive rose garden. Tonight the roses were purple, matching Astoria's outrageous dress and headpiece.

"Miss Elizabeth, I must apologize," he began, his words softer than anything I had ever heard from the large imposing figure that had haunted me in nightmares for years now.

I was shocked.

"Mr. Malfoy, I-"

"No, let me speak!" His voice was a bit louder this time. Lucius Malfoy look in a deep breath and turned to stand in front of me. "I am sorry, for everything."

Nodding, I accepted his apology immediately. The fact he had apologized in the first place was shocking enough. Lucius shifted uneasily, glancing over his shoulder to the party still going on inside. I briefly wondered if Draco had returned to Astoria's side or if he was waiting in the library, hoping I would return.

"I wish you would stay, at least, until the wedding. I need you're help, to change Draco's mind. The marriage was a forced one, arranged by Mr. Greengrass and myself," Mr. Malfoy said suddenly.

My red lips fumbled together for a moment, huffs of breath visible in the frozen air. "S-so? C-call if off, if you d-don't wish for D-Draco to marry As-storia."

Malfoy sneered, but I knew it was not directed at me. "It is not so simple, Miss Remington. I am expected to behave a certain way, as I gain my respect from the pureblood community by consistency. However, I would not be so objective to the idea of change in my family. Discreetly, of course."

"I'm afraid I do not quite comprehend what it is you are asking of me, Sir."

"I want you to marry Draco."

The cold must have been making my ears bleed, as I could not believe what I had just heard from Lucius Malfoy's thin-lipped mouth. He wanted his son and only heir, Draco Malfoy, to betray everything the Malfoy family prided in and marry me, a half-blood.

"Why?"

The question bubbled through my lips before I could stop it. I felt my fingers beginning to freeze, going quite numb. I might have a nice case of hypothermia if I wasn't careful. Jonathan is going to kill me.

"Because he is my son," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "Because despite all of the scars on his back from my cane, despite the mark I put on his arm that will mar him for life, despite all that, he will never stop trying to please me. But mainly, because he loves you."

Shaking my head vehemently, I stumbled backwards. This was all too much to even take in all at once.

I apparated immediately, leaving my purse and coat still inside of Malfoy Manor.

Landing with a solid thump to the hardwood floors of my flat, I let out a small whimper and then began to sob quietly.

"Jesus," I heard Jonathan whisper, his footsteps loud as he clobbered over to me. "Liz, you okay?"

Nodding lightly, I noticed something was catching the light of my room in a weird way and tossing it about. That's when I saw it. Sneaky little bastard, I wanted to scream. Happiness and anger both swelled in my gut.

Still, the engagement ring sparkled on my finger defiantly.

And sometimes when I close my eyes

I pretend I'm alright, but it's never enough.

Cause my echo...

So, I hope you lot enjoyed it! It was quite a bit of fun to write actually. I'm tweaking the next chapter up a bit and adding a few touches! But, I hope all is welll with everyone! Please review with critique and critisms (constructive, please?) or just to let me know if you even enjoyed a bit of it, yeah?

The song is Echo by Jason Walker. He's absolutely wonderful. If you're a Dramione lad, you'll enjoy plenty of videos on Youtube with this song. True say, manipulated videography absolutely amazes me. Any good HP tributes and exetera I should check out? Send me the links in a PM or leave in a comment! There isn't really a coupling I won't want to watch. I'm flexible.

Also, follow me on Twitter at lillieparkinson

Lots of love,

Lillie