Chapter 1: Introduction

"What are you doing here?" Draco asked, looking at her with a mixture of annoyance and worry. She wasn't a well publicized face because as far as the Wizarding World was concerned she was still perfectly harmless but he was certain that, even in his old age, Dumbledore would see why she was there and who she was working for. Sure she was apparently a member of the Order of the Phoenix but Dumbledore was no fool, he would realize why she was really there and there would be trouble. "If you're caught..."

"I'm here to help you," she said in answer to his first question, "and as to the possibility of me being caught forget about it. I won't be." She sounded in-charge, as always, completely carefree, which is why most of the other Death Eaters thought she was completely insane.

"Who sent you? The Dark Lord said I'm to do it on my own but Snape's already offered to help."

"I came because I know the Dark Lord doesn't expect you to do this on your own and I'm going to make sure it gets done."

"I don't need any help," Draco told her flatly, ignoring her slight. "I can do it and you can tell him that when you see him. I've got a plan."

"Hostile are we? Even to Voldemort?" Draco flinched at the name, then looked at her, puzzled. He had never heard a Death Eater say the Dark Lord's name. "Hm, your plan must be a damn good one if you're so confident. Why don't you let me in on it. I'll help you, one killer to another." The work 'killer' stung. It was as if she was mocking him by prematurely giving him that title.

"I know what you're doing." This statement almost made Moira laugh. Just a minute ago he had been asking her what she was doing and now suddenly he knew.

"Now this I gotta hear," she said more to herself, ignoring the fact that she was cutting across him as she sat down. They were in his dormitory at Hogwarts, which was deserted except for the two of them.

"You and Snape. You're trying to take this from me. Well it's my task. He gave it to me and he wouldn't have given it to someone he thought couldn't do it." Moira raised her eyebrows and cocked her head to the side giving him a 'really? Ya think so?' look. "Yes!" he said forcefully to her questioning look. "Yes I think so because if he gave it to someone incompetent they'd be sure to blow it and Dumbledore would make sure no one ever got close to doing what I'm going to do."

"I didn't say he thinks you're incompetent. Crabbe and Goyle are incompetent. They couldn't pull this off because they're idiots and they'd be the ones to blow it. You on the other hand, you're scared and that's why you're going to mess it up. I'm not looking to steal your family's glory. What I'm saying is that you're gonna need help with this and I want to be the one to help you. Snape needs to remain innocent to the Ministry for as long as possible so it's better if I help."

"Did he send you? The Dark Lord?"

"No," Moira answered, "I came on my own. He doesn't even know I'm here and he's not going to find out."

"How can you be sure?"asked Draco slowly, knowing she would give him an answer he was sure to find crazy.

"Well I'm not going to tell him am I? As far as he's concerned your family, Snape and me are the only ones who know and that's how it's going to stay. Your Aunt Bellatrix is not happy that both Snape and I know. She doesn't trust either of us." Draco just looked at her.

"Let me do it on my own," he said after a pause. "I can do it." Moira snorted and looked away, annoyed but then quickly looked back at him.

"And what do I do? Sit around here and clean up you mess? Cover for you when you make a mistake? No. The Dark Lord is counting on you not being able to do it and if you can't he will retaliate. He's instructed me and Snape to stay out of it until the time comes, but if I can help you and make it look like you're doing it on your own he'll forgive you." She was grinning.

"Let me try," Draco demanded. "Why are you helping me? You don't even like me."

"Personal satisfaction," Moira said simply. "I dislike you less than I dislike Dumbledore. I don't need credit, I have enough of that already even if I annoy the Dark Lord. I want to be involved in this and I'd rather it be me helping you than Snape."

"Give me one chance."

"Why are you so reluctant to accept help? You're gonna die if you do this on your own, Draco."

"I'm in Slyth-,"

"Don't give me that! It's crap and you know it. Don't let your house define you that's not what it was designed to do. As students change so do the houses. They weren't put into place to define you. They were set up so you'd have somewhere to live with kids who are in some way or another similar to you. The students define the houses. Don't you see that? I get it, you're in Slytherine, you're supposed to be cunning, and sly, and you shouldn't have a conscience, but it'll take more than that to complete this task. But if you're not gonna shut up about wanting to do it on your own, fine. Good luck to you." She brushed past him, walked out of the dormitory and Draco saw her disappear, literally, as she put a Disillusionment Charm on herself. He stared after her for a moment or two, his eye cold and hard but then his gaze faltered and he sat down on his bed, feeling miserable.

Disclaimer: Don't Own

AN: What do you think? R&R please.