The night was still and silent. No one can be seen walking outside, except for a lone figure wandering in the streets.
"I know you're there, there's no use hiding," the figure spoke to no one in particular. Slowly, another figure emerged from the shadows.
"Hello, Draco," it said, lifting its hood to reveal the face of a young woman. "Long time no see."
The woman had black hair and a pale face, her face emotionless, but her blue-green eyes betrayed her. As she looked at Draco, a trace of hate, anger, and sadness flashed in her eyes.
"You know why I'm here, don't you?" she asked, no hint of emotion in her voice.
"Yeah, you're here to kill me," he replied.
"Correct, but before I do, let me ask you one thing: why did you do it?"
"I did it because I had no other choice," he said.
"You did it because you had a choice, you could've chosen to join the side of Light, but you chose to join them," she replied icily. "You always told me that you didn't want to become like your father, but you know what? You're already on your way to becoming him!"
"You don't understand Adrienne! I had to do it, or he'll kill my family! I only did it for Mother, for Damien! Why can't you understand? Iris, I did it to save you!" Draco exclaimed.
At this, Adrienne gave a bone-chilling laugh. "You have no right to call me that. You've lost your right since the moment you betrayed us." she said in a deadly voice. "And besides, I don't need you saving me, Draco. I'm an assassin; I don't need protection. Had you joined us, we would've protected your mother and your brother, I would've protected you!"
"But that's exactly my point! It's always you who protects, the one who always risks her neck!" he cried. "I'm sick and tired of it; I should be the one saving you, not the other way around!"
"Now I know why you hate Potter," she spat. "At first I didn't understand the intensity of your hatred for him. It's all clear to me now. You hate him because he can do everything you can't; you hate him because he's everything you're not: a hero. Try to deny it, Draco. Tell me it isn't true. Well?"
Silence answered her. The cold wind blew softly on their faces; Adrienne fixed her cloak so that it was tighter. And, with a sigh escaping from her lips, she neared him.
"You still haven't changed, have you, Drake?" she said, shaking her head slightly, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "There's still time to change your mind, I see you haven't taken the Mark yet. You can still join us in the Light. We already have Narcissa, you don't need to worry about her, and Damien has always been with us. Join us, Drake. After all, how could you protect me when we're on the opposite sides of the chessboard?" she gave him a brief hug then she turned to leave.
"Aren't you going to fulfill your mission? Aren't you going to kill me?" he asked.
"Not now," she replied, her back still faced on him. "I have a feeling we'll meet again soon. And when that time comes, I hope we'll be fighting for the same cause. See you around, Dragon." And with that she disapparated.
Draco looked at his watch: it was nearly 2:00 in the morning. Still looking at the spot where Adrienne stood, a smile gracing his face, he said softly to himself, "See you around, Iris." He then disapparated.