Ebonni sat in Draco's compartment on the journey home, reading to avoid the sickening sight of him being cooed over by Pansy Parkinson. It wasn't as if she didn't want to sit alone, but Ebonni wanted to be a little closer to Draco. He didn't much look like he was looking forward to the summer either, despite his somewhat flimsy disguise. Draco turned his fear into anger and turned his anger towards Potter. Ebonni could somewhat sympathise, but it did tend to give Draco a sort of reckless air that she only ever wished to associate with Potter.
The ride home was long. Very long. The sun was on it's way down when they stepped off the train, onto Platform nine and three-quarters, with Draco even offering to take Ebonni's trunk for her. Ebonni smiled to herself as she fastened the silver buttons of her cloak, Draco walking beside her. Perhaps his fear was going to start eating away at his arrogance? Ebonni could only hope.
"Ebonni?" Draco said suddenly, a mere 100 metres away from Narcissa. Of course she wouldn't walk down the platform to meet them. That might spoil her perfect appearance.
"Yes, Draco?" Ebonni replied.
"If... If you're asked... what will you say?"
Ebonni glanced at Draco through the corner of her eye, swallowing nervously. "That depends what I'm asked, Draco. I'm not one for tattoos." She added with a small smile. "And you?"
Draco coughed. "I think... dad would want me to-"
"Your father is in Azkaban, Draco. He is clearly incompetent. This is about you and what you want. The Dark Lord won't kill you for being neutral." Ebonni snapped, not really believing her own words. Really, she had no idea what the Dark Lord was like. She just hoped he wasn't as mad as Hermione insisted.
"Oh." Draco was silent for a moment as they continued their walk down the quickly emptying Platform. "You know, only death eaters called him the Dark Lord, Eb-"
Draco was cut short by Narcissa who made the effort of walking a few steps to greet her son in a hug. Ebonni stopped short, staring at Draco. He'd caught her off guard. Had she already made her decision in her subconscious or had she gotten too used to hearing Professor Snape call him that.
"Ebonni." Narcissa greeted Ebonni now, moving as if to hug her adoptive daughter and then deciding against it. Ebonni was grateful. She had no patience for Narcissa Malfoy. "Are you both ready to return?"
Ebonni looked at Draco briefly. He was white. She returned her gaze to Narcissa and nodded curtly. "Obviously, or else we wouldn't have boarded the train."
Narcissa looked as if she wanted to tell Ebonni off, or perhaps roll her eyes. But she didn't. It had been many years since Ebonni had cared for her and she knew it. She had less influence on Ebonni's life than Potter did and Ebonni had told her so more than once. Still, as she got older Ebonni began to be more civil to her 'mother' and less hateful. Even if only for the sake of appearance.
Wrapping an arm around her son, Narcissa lead the way to the Floo system at the end of the Platform. The queue had only been short as there were few pure-blood families attending Hogwarts, and so only a few were travelling via the Floo network. Narcissa stepped in first, calling out 'Malfoy Manor' In a green flash, the platinum haired Malfoy slipped into the flames and disappeared. Draco soon followed his mother, leaving only Ebonni on the platform.
This was her chance. She could leave now. Apparate to Hermione and escape the world that it seemed she was destined for. Screw her heritage! She could go the 'Sirius' way and openly befriend Gryffindors. The only problem was, she was already in Slytherin.
Ebonni stepped into the grate, hitching her fine blue robes out of the mucky grate beneath her. She stared out onto the empty platform, wondering vaguely if anybody was watching her. If they realized the momentous danger she was about to put herself in, simply by going home.
And despite the prospect of what lay ahead, Ebonni still reached out for the floor powder and dropped it accordingly. "Malfoy Manor."
Malfoy Manor was, by all means, a wonderful place to grow up. Especially with Draco. It was grand and explorable, well furnished and full of secrets. Had the pair been allowed to fully enjoy their childhoods, Ebonni may have had fonder memories of the Manor. As it was, she had very few. Most of them were over-shadowed by worse memories.
Take the dining room. Were Ebonni a more optimistic person, she would remember her and Draco camping under it when they were 5. How they pulled the expensive, lace table cloth to one side to create a tent and hid from the imaginary goblins outside.
Unfortunately, Ebonni was a self-confessed pessimist. She remembered when she was fourteen and Lucius pushed the table to one side to make room for her to practice the cutting curse. She remembered the house-elf Lucius had made her practice on sobbing until her guilt outweighed her love for the thrill of power and she ceased, running from the room.
Now, as Ebonni stepped into the hall for Summer, she remembered the countless times when she was young that Professor Snape would visit. Snape, being Draco's godfather, was close friends with Lucius. Ebonni and Draco adored him, truth be told, and even now Ebonni preferred him much more than any other 'adult' she knew. He was Snape. He had taught her potions and smuggled her in books and sat with her when she was sad. He was always there she they needed him, unlike Lucius.
When Professor Snape did visit, she and Draco would always run to the top of the stairs and look down into the hall through the banister. Sometimes he would go straight into the Mansion to find Lucius. But most times, he waited in the hall. Ebonni and Draco would run to him and greet him.
Still, that had all changed when Voldemort returned.
"Ebonni? We're in the lounge." Narcissa called, her voice dainty. Ebonni removed her cloak and summoned her elf, Pims, to hang it up for her.
The moment Ebonni entered the lounge, her back straightened up and her breath hitched in her throat. Draco sat in his chair, very stiff and awkward. He looked so very small. Narcissa sat opposite him, much like her son but with a forced calm about her. She was probably used to being in such presence by now. The presence of the two others in the room, especially. .
The first was, Ebonni surmised, Bellatrix Lestrange, nee Black. Even if Ebonni hadn't seen photos, she'd be able to tell by the fact that they looked almost identical, save for the age gap. Bellatrix was taller than Ebonni, but just as pale. She had curly, black hair and coals for eyes, with a mad look about them. Her neck was slender and long, her nose straight and her fingers wrapped easily around her wand. What struck Ebonni most was how natural Bellatrix looked holding her wand. It just fit in her fingers. She was ready to attack or defend at any moment; most likely to attack judging by her history.
Finally, Ebonni turned to Voldemort. He was, bizarrely, more ordinary looking than she had anticipated. He was tall and thin, with a bald head and sharp, red eyes. His nose was nothing more than two thin, snake-like slits but he had very normal, white teeth. Ebonni stared for a mere second before striding to her aunt and extending her hand.
"Ebonni Levina Black." She declared.
Bella took her hand and shook it, vigorously, laughing. "I like her, Cissy." Bella told her sister of Ebonni's shoulder. "She's got the Black spirit. Nothing like ickle Draco here."
Ebonni saw Draco frown but ignored him. They were in the presence of one crazy relative and Lord Voldemort, now was not the time for petty jealousy.
"Ickle Draco happens to be a Malfoy, Bella. You may have forgotten during your stay in Azkaban." Ebonni pressed her lips into a thin smile before sitting down on the couch and pouring herself a drink from the table beside her.
Voldemort remained stood by the window, watching the family meet. Ebonni followed him in the corner of her eye, intrigued. She had honestly imagined him to be some sort of odd snake fellow, but instead he was a normal man with only a hint of snake to him. Hermione was clearly mistaken.
"She's very assertive Cissy. She'll be good when we've trained her up."
Ebonni caught onto Narcissa's and Bella's conversation, rolling her eyes. "I'm sorry." She cut in swiftly. "What are you training me up for?"
Bella's dark eyes bulged, though Ebonni couldn't tell if it was in delight or horror. "The cause, of course! You will be a death eater, like your parents before you."
"Oh." Ebonni crossed her legs and sipped her wine slowly. "Funny, because I can't remember my parents and I don't much care what they did in their spare time." Despite her own racing heart, Ebonni continued. Even if she was tortured of even murdered for her back chat, the look on Bella's face was priceless. "I didn't sign up for anything and I'm afraid I don't remember being asked too, either."
Bellatrix glared at her, clearly furious. "Enough insolence, girl. You are in the presence of the Dark Lord."
Ebonni quirked an eyebrow, now fully enjoying herself. "Oh really?" She shrugged, "I hadn't noticed."
That did it. Bellatrix lunged forwards, raising her wand. Both Draco and Narcissa jumped up but it was only Voldemort, finally speaking, that stopped the enraged woman.
"Bellatrix. Enough. Take your sister and yourself out of my presence. I wish to have a word with your Nephew and Niece." As it happened, it went the other way around. Narcissa took Bella's arm and lead her from the lounge, whispering to her rapidly as they went.
The satisfied smile soon slipped off Ebonni's face as she saw the look on Draco's. He was terrified. Voldemort seemed not to notice as he took the position when Bella had previously stood by the fire. "Draco and Ebonni. The children of two of my finest death eaters. Until of course, your father died Ebonni. And Draco, your father imprisoned." Voldemort had a nice voice. It was firm and controlled, clear and pleasant to listen to. "I am willing to forgive both their mistakes, of course, now that they may be replaced by newer... better wizards." Ebonni glared through her own charcoal eyes. Did Lord Voldemort just call her father's death a mistake, on his own part at that!?
"I am not my father and nor is Draco. We are not responsible for their mistakes." Ebonni replied sharply.
"Perhaps. But you are newer and better wizards. Now, Draco. I have a... task for you. A mission, if you will. You will be initiated into our noble cause and return to school as normal, with the simple task of killing Albus Dumbledore. You will have a whole year in which to do so and you will be invaluable to the cause. Only you can help me, Draco. Severus cannot break his cover. You are perfect for the job. What do you say, Draco? Will you join me like your father and grandfather before you?"
Ebonni glanced at Draco. If possible, he was whiter even than she. She wanted to stop him. To charm him silent until he had chance to think about what he was agreeing to. Words escaped her as her brother nodded.
"Excellent." Voldemort said, with a tiny hiss to the word. "You may leave now, tell your mother the wonderful news." Draco nodded again and, with a final sad look to Ebonni, he left.
Just Ebonni and Voldemort in the room now, the silence was almost deafening. "If I wanted to, Ebonni Levina Black, I could enter your mind and discover all of your darkest secrets." Ebonni swallowed. "I could find out why you are so reluctant to join, despite all signs pointing towards you flourishing under my guidance." Ebonni bit her lip. "I could use that against you and force you to do my bidding." Ebonni closed her eyes. "But I'm not going to, Miss Black." Ebonni breathed out and opened her eyes again, meeting Voldemort's with more ease than she had believed could be done.
"No?" She enquired.
"No. You see I'm sure that if I asked you for the truth, you would give it to me. I have no intention of invading your privacy, however. You have yet to understand how great you are going to be."
"What makes you so sure I have any intention of joining you? Like you said, it got my father killed. My mother too. Draco couldn't hurt a fly if he tried, and believe me he has, so clearly you know he is going to fail. You're punishing him for his father's mistake so why should I trust you aren't doing the same to me."
Voldemort's thin lips turned to a satisfied smirk.
"That's exactly why, Miss Black. Because you're clever. You're powerful. You don't trust easily. You could have stopped Draco, but you didn't so you're self-preserving. You have a secret that no-one knows about, so you're sneaky. You are, by all means Miss Black, the perfect Slytherin. You will not have missions like your brother. You will be trained to become my second in command and when the war breaks out properly, you shall be regarded as the most powerful woman in the world."
"What makes you think I want that?" Ebonni asked, struggling to remain calm and keep her breath steady.
"Because you could have left at any point prior to right now... yet here you are, listening to me persuade you. You need a purpose, Ebonni. You are not ordinary. You are great. You need something more than school, then work, then death. You need power."
"I am not now, nor will I ever be a death eater."
"No. I've heard you're not one for tattoos."
Ebonni stared.
"What? I never said I wouldn't look into Malfoy's mind." Voldemort defended and in spite of herself, Ebonni laughed in awe. "I see no reason," Voldemort regained his seriousness. "for you to be marked as a death eater. You will be my protégée, not my servant."
Ebonni nodded, mulling over Voldemort's calm words in her head. Now, away from Hermione, the idea of joining Voldemort didn't seem so appalling. Because, as much as she loved her best friend, they could never really be together. No other Gryffindors would ever accept her and Hermione would eventually marry and move away from her silly, insignificant, Slytherin friend.
If she accepted Voldemort's offer, yes she would lose Hermione, but she could gain so much more. Besides... someone had to look after Draco. His parents certainly couldn't and he would need all the help he could get.
"Very well." Ebonni finally replied, standing up and facing Voldemort head on. She swallowed the last of her nerves, stepping forwards. "I'll do it."
"Excellent." Voldemort hissed again. "Very, very good. I can see a wonderful future for you, Miss Black. You are going to be a great asset to me."
Ebonni smiled weakly. Yes, perhaps she could be.
Later that night, long after the sun had gone down and the moon had come out, Ebonni sat by her window. Her room had changed over the summer. Narcissa must have gone through another one of her make-over phases. It was now emerald green and silver, with mirror effect furniture.
Ebonni shuddered. The last thing she needed was to see her own haunting black eyes at every turn. The new décor was certainly not to Ebonni's taste, but she didn't complain. She had more pressing issues at hand.
How had she let herself agree to Voldemort's offer? How could she have betrayed Hermione like that?
Ebonni let out a long, tired sigh and her window fogged up slightly. She couldn't go back now. Perhaps it would be for the best. Voldemort was very persuasive and Ebonni knew, if she tried, she would be a great dark with. Better than Bellatrix and hopefully less mad.
Ebonni wiped the foggy glass in front of her and her eyes caught a black cloaked figure striding up the long drive to Malfoy Manor. Ebonni knew that walk. It was Professor Snape.
Smiling, Ebonni ran from her room and out to the stairs. Pulling on her dressing gown, she waited at the top of the grand staircase for the front door to swing open. Snape would know exactly what to do. He always did. He could help her.
Sure enough, a few moments later, the door swung open and Snape stepped in. He removed his heavy outer cloak and then, with a slow turn of his head, looked up to Ebonni. Ebonni found herself shrinking back into the shadows under Snape's gaze. He looked... what was that horrible look? Disappointed? Or sad? Or was it regret. Ebonni couldn't make it out from so far away. Against every instinct she had, Ebonni forced herself down the stairs to greet him.
"Professor Snape." She said quietly as she hit the last few stairs.
"Ebonni. I assume congratulations are in order?" Snape asked coolly. Ebonni almost flinched at his tone. Snape was never like this with her. He liked her.
"Professor. Please- it's not like I had that much of a choice." Ebonni pleaded quietly. Snape shook his head, furiously.
"There is always a choice Ebonni. There are so many people would could have helped you and instead you doomed yourself to this. You're not even of age, for Merlin's sake." Snape told her and Ebonni frowned. Did Snape think it was his fault? Is that why he was so angry?
"So what?" She replied, with a matching force. "I should have gone to Dumbledore? Or McGonagall. Should I have left Draco and just saved myself. I'm a good witch! I can be good at this!"
"Ebonni you could be good at anything you wanted to!" Snape moved past her and sat on the bottom step. "You're a powerful witch. But you didn't have to be... this."
Ebonni ignored the tears rapidly filling her eyes. "If you'd seen the look on Draco's face, you would have done the same. I'm not a child, Professor. I know exactly what I've signed up for. I'd make the same choice a thousand more times. I'm not going to end up like Bella, I swear. But I won't just stand by like Narcissa and let Draco get hurt."
Ebonni perched on the step beside Snape and hung her head. "I thought I could avoid all of this, but I can't."
There was a long silence before Snape finally spoke again. "What about Granger?" He asked quietly.
"What-" Ebonni gulped, her pulse racing. "I don't kn-"
"I know, Ebonni." Snape sighed. "Of course I know. I'm not Potter; and it's not a crime to be friends with-"
"-a muggle born?" Ebonni finished, rolling her eyes. "I beg to differ." She added.
"You realize you can't see her any more. You realize that, at some point, you may have to fight her. She'll hate you and the odds are, one of you will end up dead."
Ebonni smiled vaguely. No. She would rather kill herself than hurt Hermione and if it came down to it, she would. But Snape didn't need to know that.
"I know all of this, Professor." She said. "but between a happy, healthy and loved girl and a lonely, scared and vulnerable boy... I choose Draco. I always will."
Snape sighed, finally resigning himself to the idea. "Very well. But don't think you're alone in this, Ebonni. I want you to learn Occlumency. Draco too. As soon as you get back to school, we'll begin."
"Okay."
"Oh and go easy on Narcissa. She may be annoying, but at least she's not a deranged murderer. She tried very hard to protect Draco."
Ebonni rolled her eyes. "I'll believe that when I see it." Snape stood and Ebonni sighed. "Thank you, Professor."
Snape turned to her and smiled weakly. "Not at all, Ebonni. Now go to bed."
Ebonni grinned and trotted up the stairs, watching Snape until he disappeared around the corner. See? With Snape's help, she told her self, everything would work out fine.
Weeks later, Ebonni found herself sat in the garden with Draco. She was reading her OWL level potions book yet again. Perhaps she was being brash, but she was sure she'd gotten her Outstanding to get into NEWT level potions. It was, by far, her favourite subject and she flourished in it. Sure, she had some extra help from Snape considering they were on such good terms. But even he couldn't deny she was a natural.
Draco, on the other hand, couldn't care in the least about Potions despite his matching prowess in the subject. He was sat playing with an old snitch. In Ebonni's opinion, he had yet to come to terms with the fact he had to kill Albus Dumbledore. Surely he would realize the importance of his task when they got back to school. He had no choice but to complete his task now, there was no backing out.
"Do you have any idea how you're going to do it, Draco?" Ebonni asked her brother quietly, looking up from her book. Draco reached out and deftly caught the snitch from the air. He looked down at the grass, his blonde fringe falling over his eyes.
"I have a few idea's actually." He replied.
Ebonni frowned. Maybe he'd been thinking about it more than she'd realized. "Really?" She asked. "Like what? You can't rush this, Draco. If he finds out what you're planning he could probably kill you before you even realized he knew."
"Yeah, but that's not the point is it. He never would. I'm not thick, Ebonni. I'm going to kill him and then no-one can say I'm as bad as my father."
Ebonni almost pitied her brother. She would do if she knew he would accept it. But if Draco even thought she pitied him, he'd never speak to her again. Ebonni didn't think she'd be able to stay there without Draco. As bad as their past together had been, they were stuck together now.
"Okay." she replied, meekly.
They sat out in the morning sun for a little while longer, until just before lunch when Narcissa hurried out into the garden, waving letters in her hand.
"The post came, Children! Your results!"
Ebonni's breath caught in her throat and she stood, brushing grass from her robes. Draco took his time in lazily ambling over to his mother, a stark contrast to Ebonni's near run. School was important to her. That was something she had in common with Hermione. They were both perfectionists when it came to grades.
Ebonni took her letter from Narcissa and, using the penknife she carried at all times, cut it open swiftly. Her dark eyes scanned the text and she let out a long breath. All Outstandings apart from Defence against the dark arts, where she got an Exceeds Expectations. Ebonni sighed. The expectations for her must have been low because she was awful at defence.
Ebonni looked up to Narcissa's expecting eyes. "Passed. Passed them all." She almost smiled, but quickly stopped herself, handing Narcissa the letter. "Call me when lunch is served." Without another word, Ebonni turned on her heel and raced up to the house.
It took no time at all to reach Ebonni's room, despite the actual lengthy walk to it. She was far too gleeful inside her own mind to notice the journey. Upon entering her room, she pulled out a fresh, leather bound journal and her favourite quill.
Taking it to her desk, she sat and began to write.
Dear Hermione.
Today we received our OWL results. I can imagine you got all outstandings and if I could, I would congratulate you. As it is, I can't but I hope one day you will be able to tell me your results in person. I passed all my OWLs also, though I didn't get an outstanding in Defence. That's only to be expected, however, as I've never been any good at defence.
It seems silly to obsess over something as insignificant as grades when there is a war on. A war which we are both at the heart of. But I can't help it. There is a child in me that wants so badly to be normal and to do well. But we both know, that can't happen. I have chosen my fate and I will go with it until the end, however soon that may be.
If you were here, Hermione, I'd tell you that I'm sorry for betraying you and breaking your promise. I'd tell you to be careful and safe, because if by some miracle I both survive this, I need you to survive too. Finally, I'd tell you that Weasley is a moron- just for the sake of it.
Missing you,
Ebonni Levina Black.
Ebonni closed the journal and tucked it in her drawer, underneath some old parchment. It would be her secret. If, or rather, when she died; Hermione could find it and read about her final days.
"Ebonni?"
Ebonni sighed, wiping any residual ink from her quill as Narcissa called her name. She left her room and found Narcissa stood at the bottom of the stairs.
"We're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow to collect your school supplies. Will you come this year? Your robes almost didn't fit last year."
Ebonni wanted to say no. Pims could adjust her robes for her and save her the trouble of seeing all the people she hated from school. Instead, she smiled tiredly. "Yes, Narcissa. I'll come." She told her mother. It would, hopefully, do her well to get out of the house. It was nearing the end of the holidays and she'd done little else but study and read. It wasn't as if she had any friends to visit. The furthest she got from her bedroom was the boundary wall of the manor where she strolled every morning.
Plus, if she attended Diagon Alley she might see Hermione. Besides, someone had to keep an eye on Draco and if he went solely with his mother he had every chance of slipping away.
Ebonni retreated back to her room and began choosing an outfit carefully for Pims to clean and iron. If she was going to leave the house, she needed to look the part.
The next morning, on the 3rd of August, Ebonni ate breakfast as normal at the dining table. As normal, she was joined by Draco and Narcissa. Although, a rare even occurred in which the Dark Lord joined them also. Bellatrix, as lovely as she was, was not missed at all as she slept late into the day.
The silence at the table was awkward. Narcissa attempted to fill it with lame attempts at conversation with Ebonni, though all were immediately shot down.
After breakfast, Ebonni dressed in fine charcoal robes and fixed her hair into it's usual style of a tight bun at the top of her neck. It was much better that way. If she left if down she'd be mistaken for Bellatrix and that wasn't something Ebonni ever wanted to experience.
They finally left the house and apparated straight into Diagon Alley. Draco side-apparated with his mother, Ebonni simply ignored the law requiring a license. She wasn't a moron and had better control over her mind then most people, therefore there was no risk in her means of travel.
"Ebonni, why don't you visit Flourish and Blotts and I'll take Draco to get his robes. He needs more than you so he'll take longer. He's grown so much recently."
Ebonni rolled her eyes at Narcissa, Draco had indeed gotten very tall very quickly. They'd used to be the same height but now Draco was at least a foot taller than her. Not that height meant anything because she could still beat him in a duel any day. Ebonni nodded at Narcissa, secretly thrilled. There was a very high chance that Hermione would be in the bookshop.
"Very well. Which robes shop are you going to?" She asked the older woman, making sure she had money in her pocket. Of course she did, thanks to Pims.
"Madam Malkin's, I think. She does a finer stitching." Narcissa replied absently, her eyes kept on her son who had already began walking away lazily. "If Draco can be relied on to stop still for five minutes." She added coolly.
Ebonni shrugged. "He's your son." She smirked and walked away, eager to get to flourish and Blotts.
On her short journey to the shop, Ebonni noticed the definite difference in the village. It wasn't as... vibrant as it once had been. There was a distinct lack of shoppers and the whole tone of the village was significantly more drab. It was near deserted, covered in wanted poster; one of which, Ebonni noted, was indeed Bellatrix. It almost made her nervous to remember they were harbouring a fugitive. Not to mention Lord Voldemort himself!
All of a sudden, Ebonni didn't want to see Hermione any more. She wouldn't be able to face the shame. She was as good as a death eater now, however she wanted to coat it. Sure, she had no mark. Yes- she was doing it to help Draco. But when it came down to it, she had the choice to confess to someone and get help and she didn't. So she was a bad person.
With some reluctance, Ebonni entered flourish and Blotts. She immediately spotted Molly and Arthur Weasley and gulped. Surely their children would be with them? No. Ebonni looked all around and saw no other redhead, nor a brunette or the raven hair of Harry Potter.
It was almost empty, other than the two Weasley Parents and the youngest Weasley who kept to themselves at the other side of the shop, balancing a stack of books on each arm.
"Miss Black! How can we help you today?" An assistant asked, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. Ebonni didn't want to know how they knew it was her. She very rarely visited the village. Perhaps they had a list of all their wealthiest customers.
"I require," Ebonni began, pulling out her book list. "Two sets of these books, Thank you."
The assistant nodded, forcing a smile, and scurried away to fetch the books she had asked for. Ebonni waited by the till, absently reading a new recipe for a cheering potion. She grimaced. Obviously the writer of this book had done no research; who'd use sugar in a potion?
"Miss Black? Your books." Ebonni looked up to see two neat stacks of books, piled and tied with string. She smiled and called for Pims who arrived and took the books away with a loud crack.
"How much?" she asked, pulling out her purse.
The assistant tallied up the total and Ebonni paid, very aware that the three Weasley's were now stood behind her and waiting to be served. Purse tucked safely away, Ebonni nodded politely towards her school mate and then exited the shop, hurrying back down the street to Madam Malkin's.
When she entered the marginally busier shop, her breath caught in her throat. Not only did she walk in on Draco and Narcissa stood verses Harry, Ron and Hermione, the first two with their wands out, but she also saw that Hermione had a painful looking black-eye.
"Who blacked your eye Granger? I want to send them flowers." Draco spat at Hermione before noticing Ebonni. His back straightened as Ebonni strode between the two sides, glaring dangerously at Weasley and Potter.
"Isn't it funny how the 'good guys' are the ones with their wands drawn." Ebonni commented, flicking her wandless hand under her robes so that both Potter and Weasley's wands flew out of their hands and into hers. They both stepped forward angrily, red in the face. Ebonni examined them gleefully, hiding under a cool mask. "I would strongly advise you to leave, Draco, before these Boys do something they'll regret."
Ebonni stood very still until Draco traipsed from the shop, eventually joined by his mother. Only then did Ebonni pass the stolen wands to Hermione, locking eyes with her for the briefest of moments. "How many petty insults is it going to take Draco before you finally snap?" It was a rhetorical question to the boys, one that made them both highly uncomfortable. "Grow a thicker skin, the pair of you, or else you're going to get yourselves hurt. This isn't Draco being childish, you morons. It's a tactic to break you down and every damn time he uses it, you retaliate. Ignore him or I will hunt you down and curse your silly, little, Gryffindor minds. Do you understand me?" Ebonni finished, turning on her heel and bowing to Madam Malkin. "I'm sorry for any inconvenience." She declared before striding from the shop, letting out a long and shaky breath. The most important question on her mind was, who did give Hermione a black eye and how could she hurt them?
Meeting Draco and Narcissa further up the road, Ebonni glared furiously at both of them. "It may not have occurred to you, but you are treading a dangerous line. Lucius is in azkaban. You are not respected any more. You can't pick and choose to live as you please. Learn how to be civil or I will make you." She added to Draco before storming back down the street. She was going home. She couldn't even look at her brother any more.
A few weeks later, Ebonni sat at the dining room table. It was late. Much later than she was used to being up, though apparently this was the time when Bellatrix was most awake. She was drinking and laughing viscously in the corner with other Death Eaters.
On any other occasion, Ebonni would have indulged in her favourite elf-made wine. Unfortunately, she was far too worried tonight. It was Draco's initiation into the order and he'd not made an appearance all day. Ebonni could barely imagine what he was going through, mainly because he refused to talk to her about it. Every time she offered to help him or to even talk to him, he became moody and stomped off to his room like a normal teenage boy.
Ebonni sat unnaturally still. She hated being around so many death eaters. The problem was that they repulsed her. All of them. What they stood for, how they acted; everything they were- she never wanted to be.
Yet, there she was. Waiting, uselessly, for her own brother to become one of them. She, herself, was as good as one of them. The training had already began with the Dark Lord, though that wasn't something she wanted to think about.
It was awful. Innocent elves. Innocent muggles. Innocent Witches and wizards. Mothers. Fathers. Brothers. Sisters. Whoever was so unfortunate as to be caught turned into nothing more than practice for those in the Dark Lords orders.
What was even more horrific than killing innocents, was that Ebonni could remember so very clearly the thrill of it. The sheer power cursing through her veins as she cast the Cruciatus curse. How, every time the Dark Lord yelled at her, her strength and will-power increased and her victims would scream and scream until the pain eventually killed them.
It had been one per day for the past two weeks. Ebonni remembered very clearly her victims faces. She remembered their screams. She remembered not wanting to stop until they were already dead.
"You're thinking too deeply. Do try not to get lost inside your own mind, you'll go mad."
Ebonni sighed heavily as Professor Snape joined her at the table. He had a comforting sort of presence with Ebonni was sure no-one else could sense but her.
"That's the hope." She replied bluntly. "Still, I guess I should postpone my own inevitable doom until Draco shows his thick face." She added dryly. In all honesty, she wasn't sure why she was so angry with her brother. She wanted to blame this whole situation on him but she simply couldn't. It was, of course, Lucius's fault but she didn't particularly want to focus on him until it was entirely necessary.
"You might want to rethink that. Draco's about to wish he was born without arms." Snape replied, his tone equally as devoid of positive emotion. He sounded somewhat worried about his godson, but equally as resigned to what was about to happen.
"Oh Merlin. I wish you hadn't told me that. Is it awful?" Ebonni finally turned to face the Professor she'd known al her life, biting her lip anxiously. The last thing she needed for Draco was more pain. She was his sister; it was her job to protect the stubborn little git.
Snape didn't reply. He simply looked at Ebonni through tired eyes and then sighed. "Perhaps you should leave. You're not going to want to be here for this."
"As if I could." Ebonni replied, rolling her eyes. "Bella's been rambling on about this all day. Telling me what I'm going to miss out on. She makes it sound like some wonderful ceremony. Besides, I have to prove to all the morons in here that I'm not some weak little girl." She explained dejectedly. How she hated death eaters! Since they'd arrived at the Manor they'd done nothing but make fun of her and tell her to go play outside. She was nearly of age for Merlin's sake. Not six years old.
"Perhaps I should invite some of them to watch you practising in the morning. It could teach them to hold their tongues." Snape suggested, smirking a little. Ebonni knew he didn't actually approve of her being a murderer, but no more than she did. It was too late now anyway and the nightmares were manageable enough.
"Professor, I'm sure that everyone in this room can do much more than I can. Why else would they be here?" Ebonni said, shrugging her shoulders.
Snape simply raised an eyebrow. "You'd be surprised, Ebonni. Very few people in the world are strong enough to commit murder. Why do you think Voldemort's inner circle is so small? It's because they're the few followers who are magically powerful enough to torture and kill. The rest, lets face it, have no real talent magically. They're just here because they're too thick to be anywhere else."
"So, is that where Draco falls? Because we both know he couldn't hurt a fly. Is he going to become one of the mindless followers?"
Snape shook his head, almost smiling. It was a small comfort to Ebonni as she rarely saw the Professor smile. "Of course not. As long as he has your protection, Draco will be relatively safe. The same goes for Narcissa and Lucius, though that is more of a stretch."
Ebonni laughed sharply. "Lucius can rot in azkaban for all I care. I don't understand though? You're Draco's godfather, why hasn't he got your protection? Surely you'll be more use than me?"
Snape frowned. "Draco and yourself will always have my protection and support, but I can't risk my position too much. How will it look if I get caught helping Draco kill the man I'm supposed to be loyal to. That's why Draco needs your help."
"I'm trying! He's so stubborn. He's not spoken to me in days and that was because I tried to get him to share his ideas with me! He's intent on doing this alone!" Ebonni ranted quietly, in order to not draw attention to their conversation.
"Then you continue to be there for him until he is ready to accept your help. Face it, Ebonni, you wouldn't be here if not for Draco so I know you're not going to give up easily. I suspect when you return to school and Draco is out of the Dark Lord's eye, he'll open up more."
Ebonni let out a long breath. "I hope so." She replied quietly, as the door to the dining room opened and Draco finally strode in.
He looked awful. His pale face was grey and sickly, his cheekbones much more prominent than Ebonni remembered them being. Frankly, he looked ill and scared; his hands shaking nervously.
Ebonni couldn't help but stare at him, taking in every nervous action. He looked petrified and she had no idea how to help him. Thankfully, she didn't have to. Professor Snape left her side, squeezing her shoulder consolingly before striding over to Draco.
Ebonni strengthened her resolve and returned to her previous, still position. She had to wait it out and as soon as the night was over, they could focus on returning to school.
Ebonni didn't make it back to her room until early the following morning, feeling almost as bad as Draco looked. The second she made it into her room she collapsed, sobbing onto her bed. That had to be the single most horrific experience of her life. It made killing innocents look like a stroll in the park, and she hadn't even participated in tonight's activities.
After taking a while to compose herself, Ebonni moved to her desk to begin writing her third entry in her journal to Hermione. The second one she had written after their trip to Diagon Alley.
Dear Mia,
Tonight Draco was initiated into the Death Eaters. It was... indescribable and yet I can remember it all so vividly. I wish I could forget, but I doubt I ever will. Draco's screams are seared into my brain. His blood stains my eyes whenever they closed and I can see nothing but his face, contorted in pain. I hope that you are safe and that your eye is healed. I both dread and look forward to seeing you in school.
I wonder if you'll be able to tell how much the summer has changed me. Will you be able to tell that I return to Hogwarts with an unclean soul? I'm a murderer now, my old friend, and you are as good and clean as ever. Although, right now, I am more aware than ever of the horror and pain that this war is going to bring, I know that I can survive it for Draco. Even though he is not quite ready to accept either mine or Professor Snape's help, when he is I will be there for him. He won't have to go through this alone.
I'm not exactly looking forward to having to kill The Albus Dumbledore, but I think for Draco I could manage it. He is my brother, after all.
Your loyal and traitor friend,
Ebonni.
Ebonni tucked the journal back into her drawer and changed hurriedly, the long and exhausting day finally catching up with her. Perhaps her weariness would hold off any looming nightmares.