This is just a bit of a story that I'm planning to start sometime soon. I just want to see how everyone likes it before I dive in. Just think of it as a teaser, guess.

I am tired. I always am after a Death Eater meeting.

I cling to the shadows of the dimly lit streets. I cannot apparate; for even that faint crack would wake my neighbors.

A drunken bum cuts across the street in front of me, and I freeze, pulling back further into the darkness. I sneer at the ragged man's ravings until he has turned the next corner. Only then do I venture from my hiding spot and continue my journey.

Finally, I make it to my front door. I wish for Albus to be asleep. He never is. He always waits for me, and when I arrive home, only shakes his head. But that's ok. I can take that. Because there is always white powder on the coffee table in front of him, and I shake can my head too.

I open the door. There is no Albus. No powder. I do not know whether to be relieved or worried.

I choose worry.

"Al?" I near-whisper.

I hear him shuffle in from the kitchen. He's holding a cup of tea and is stirring it with jittery fingers. I smile. There's no powder to be seen.

"Al you're-"

"Where were you?" Albus cuts me off, voice surprisingly soft. He knows very well where I was. I do not answer.

I tacitly comply as Albus takes my wand and waves his own over it. I know he is searching for the last spell I preformed with it.

A washed out version of the dark mark slithers out of my wand. I can feel Albus' gasp more than I can hear it. He blinks back tears and nods, resigned. He knew what he would find. How can he torture himself like that?

How can I torture him like that?

I do not say anything. I do not need to.

"Why?" He chokes. He cannot face me.

"You know why. It's my duty as-"

"It's not your duty! It's your mother trying to regain her precious social standing!" Albus bursts out. I have never seen him this angry before.

"My mother just wants what's best for me." I bite back.

Albus sneers, defiling his beautiful face. "You're just her tool." He growls.

My eyes widen. How dare he? "At least my mother loves me!"

There is silence.

I know I've crossed the line when Albus puts down his tea and reaches into his pocket. More powder. To escape from reality. To run away from his problems. To deny the truth.

We stand in silence for a few long moments. Both of us are staring at the drugs in his shaking hand.

"Albus I'm-"

He cuts me off yet again with a cold look from his clouded green eyes.

I stare back, matching his intensity. "I'll disband the Death Eaters when you stop using."

He breaks eye contact to stare at his hand, as though he is willing it to drop the power.

It doesn't.

When he finally speaks again, his voice is soft -- defeated. "I'm trying. You know I am."

I grab my wand from where Albus left it on the coffee table and turn towards my room.

"Tell me when that works out for you."

I walk away.

That night I pretend to sleep. I pretend not to hear Albus's muffled sobs from the next room.

I pretend not to care.