The famous alley of the wizarding world was, for the most part, bleak. In previous years, children had run to and from different shops, with their parents in tow, to find everything for school. Adults would visit and share stories from the summer while lingering in the streets. Every shop seemed to always be open and happy to serve customers. Now, however, it was nearly quiet. Families traveled close together, with children never straying from their mothers' grasps. Many stores in the alley were out of business. In fact, the only one we noticed still open on an entire street was Ollivander's. Draco and I were passing by it slowly when a faint noise could be heard from behind us.

We both turned at the same time. Swirls of what looked like black smoke were flying through the air in all sorts of spirals. Draco and I knew the odd sight quite well. There was a chance this could be our own parents. In a rush, the tussles of smoke came crashing down toward the small crowd that surrounded Ollivander's. I felt myself being pulled down on the ground as the shattering of glass could be heard. Draco covered me with his hands until the shards fell. While others ran away, we stood there.

The one and only Bellatrix Lestrange appeared suddenly out of the shop. I almost gasped until Draco placed a hand over my mouth and dragged me around the corner of the building. The two of us stood and watched. More death eaters appeared, some of them recognizable to Draco and me. They pulled along Mr. Ollivander from the shop and suddenly rushed away with him. Draco and I didn't move until the blacks wisps disappeared from view. I hadn't realized until then that Draco was pressed up against me so we were as out of sight as possible.

When we turned back around the corner, he was extremely close to me. My eyes instinctively moved up to meet his. I remembered that morning suddenly, how he had begun to close in on me, how I could feel his breath on my lips-

"We should go back," he whispered. I nodded. If the goal of today was to nab Mr. Ollivander, then our parents would surely be back soon. I didn't want to have to explain to my father why we were in Diagon Alley. So I took Draco's hand again, and he led the apparition back to the manor.

It was dark in my room. I had not turned on the light even though the sun had been down for a while. I sighed and stood up from my bed, trying to remember the date. August 21st. School started in ten days; my birthday was in four. I sighed again; sixteen years old. There wasn't going to be a party; we could not and would not do that at a time like this. It was not as if I wanted one. I did not have many friends, and the ones I did have would probably not survive around here…literally.

Draco and I never got caught in Diagon Alley or even leaving the house. We never did it again, though. However, I did want to go see my friends. I had heard of Fred and George's joke shop and really wanted to check it out. So I waited for my birthday. My parents always went shopping for something for me. And sure enough, I woke up on the morning of August 25th to an owl at my bedside with a letter from Mommy and Daddy Dearest.

The owl was a tawny; brown. It had speckled feathers and bright yellow eyes. I recognized her instantly. "Holly," I said groggily, rubbing my eyes and yawning. "Show me what you got there."

She dropped the letter on the nightstand by my bed and twittered. She shook off and hopped toward the window. I thought she was going to leave, but Holly just remained perched in the sun.

I opened and read the letter. It was just as I had suspected. We were going shopping for new school robes in Diagon Alley with the Narcissa and Draco today. I knew already that Lucius was just remaining behind because he was supposed to be in Azkaban right now. We would do that, and then Draco and I would be sent off alone together while my gift was being purchased, just as I had planned.

"Carter, why don't you and Draco go have a drink? Narcissa and I just have a few stops to make with your father," said my mother. We were in Diagon alley, so near Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes that I could have nearly burst.

"Yes, mother," I said, grabbing Draco's arm immediately and heading up the street. The orange and purple building came into view, and Draco suddenly pulled me back.

"Are you mad?" he asked me. "When your parents are here, Carter?"

I sighed. "Just keep watch for me," I begged him, clinging to his wrist. "I just want to say hi. They're my friends, Draco."

Without waiting for a reply, I snuck away from him and stepped inside the store. I felt a bit out of place, wearing a skirt with a nice blouse instead of jeans or a t-shirt.

The place was crowded! Kids and teenagers were everywhere buying things that they saw. I never thought I would be able to find anyone in the place.

"Well, well, well," said a voice behind me. "If it isn't the only Slytherin whose arse is too sweet to curse."

A smile pulled at my lips. "And if it isn't the two best looking twins I have ever met in my entire life." Two arms wrapped around each of my shoulders. Fred and George Weasley both stood at least a head taller than me. My arms wrapped around their backs.

"How are you this fine summer?" asked Fred, or maybe it was George.

"Good," I lied. "How's business?"

"Booming," both of them answered. I laughed. It certainly did look that way. I wondered if the positive atmosphere gave a boost while in these times that we were facing. "You know," said George, or Fred. I didn't know. "Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny are here today."

I beamed. Right away, they showed me to where Hermione and Ginny were looking at small, pink, heart-shaped bottles. "Love potion," I mused. "Interesting department to be medalling in, there, Granger."

She gasped and nearly dropped the bottle, putting it back immediately and turning around to explain herself. Then Hermione saw it was only me. "Carter!" she exclaimed, giving me a small hug, as did Ginny. "How are you?"

"Could be better," I said, honestly. "Here with my parents; I snuck off to see if any friendly faces were around."

"Hey, if it isn't the lion disguised as a snake," said a voice behind me. I rolled my eyes and turned around to face Harry and Ron, who had both been grabbed by Fred and George.

"If there are any more puns we would like to share about me being in Slytherin rather than Gryffindor, I would just love to hear them," I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Ron laughed. "Gotta admit, you're not the type that fits in Slytherin."

"Yeah, yeah," I said, rolling my eyes again.

"So what are you doing here then?" asked Harry, smiling. I shrugged.

"Just came to see how business was doing, I suppose." I exchanged hugs with the two of them, and we talked and caught up. I lost track of the time way before Draco came stalking into the shop. I could see the looks of awkwardness and disgust rolling across his face as he passed kids of all ages in the shop.

The group around me froze upon seeing him. The laughter faltered, and the smiles faded. Draco ignored them all looking at him and approached me. He spoke softly, his lips barely moving. "We need to leave."

I swallowed hard. I had forgotten that I'd left Draco to stand watch, that my parents had only been a street away. Sure enough, I could see them waiting outside. My heart sank. I was in trouble. I turned back to the group of Gryffindors. "I have to go," I said, my voice showing more fear than I had wanted.

They all nodded and didn't say anything. I let Draco drag me out into the street. No one looked at me, not even him. I turned back around. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were leaving the shop. I had a bad feeling. We were not going home yet; we would have disapparated by now.

So where were we going?

"There is something you both need to accomplish this year at school, given the task at hand," began my father. We stood inside Borgin and Burkes. I was still scared of what would happen after he spotted me with, of all people, Harry Potter. "In the Room of Requirement," he continued. "There is a room where all lost or hidden things lie. You must find this room and locate a replica of this." He gestured to a large wooden cabinet that stood in front of us. "A Vanishing Cabinet," he stated. "This is how we can get into Hogwarts without detection. You are to mend it and test it before the year is over."

The both of us nodded. I could not believe it. Death Eaters getting into Hogwarts? It had been impossible before, and now suddenly it was just this simple? Nevertheless, Draco and I acted as if we understood perfectly. I tried not to tremble.

Suddenly, my mother placed a hand on my father's shoulder. "Derek," she muttered his name. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see my father looking at me. He was still angry, clearly. He gave a slight shake of the head, keeping my mother from continuing what she was going to say.

"We'll see you back at the house," my father said to Narcissa. She nodded. I knew I was in trouble. What would my father say? What was he going to do? I wished I could have just run out of the shop and away from them back to Harry and Hermione and the Weasleys.

I looked at Draco, but his gaze would not meet my eyes. He knew I was in trouble too. Had he told my parents where I was? I wouldn't have been surprised if that was the case.

A firm hand grabbed my shoulder, and I gasped as we immediately disapparated. The body-stretching sensation was much worse when I was caught by surprise. When we appeared in the Malfoys' living room, I gasped to make up for the breath I had lost.

Both of my parents stood in front of me. My mother looked worried, and my father looked…extremely calm. I hated the look he was currently giving me more than any glare he had directed at me before. I nearly started to back away from him.

"What were you thinking, exactly?" he asked me.

I didn't really know how to answer him. I figured playing dumb wouldn't work, but what else could I say, besides, "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean, Carter Rae!" he snapped, responding with my middle name.

So he knew. I fired back, "I was shopping, Dad! It was exactly what Mum told me to do! The Weasleys sell interesting stuff; I was looking at it! That's all!"

I did not think I had ever seen my father angrier than he looked at that moment. I had used the wrong choice of words. "And which were you intending to acquire for yourself, the merchandise on the shelves or the one standing in front of you?" He spoke in the tone people took when they were so angry that they were past yelling. The calm anger that made the receiver of it wish they were exploding with rage.

Nevertheless, I blushed at the comment, thinking it was rather immature of my father to point out such a thing. Harry Potter was a friend, a good friend, but nothing more. He could not be even if I wanted him to…

But I couldn't say anything. I had nothing to say. It was not true, but of course my silence made both of my parents think that it was. For a moment, the whole room was silent. My mother still stood behind him, looking nervously down at her hands, which were folded at her waist. My father had looked away from me in what I believed was disappointment.

To my utmost surprise, he suddenly called for a house elf. Confused, I listened for what he would order the creature to do. "Go in her bathroom and run a bath. Fill it with the water, then leave it."

Realization hit me like a lifted Imperius Curse. I could feel an adrenaline rush starting, my brain automatically scanning the possibilities of fighting or "taking flight". My heartbeat raced as a nervous shock went down my spine. I stood in a daze while the house elf leapt up the stairs. I could have run; I should have right at that moment. I was right next to the front door. I could have disapparated for God's sake! But I did not. I was frozen, petrified. I had not received this punishment in years. I didn't even remember what I did the last time I deserved it.

I had so many chances. Narcissa suddenly appeared with Draco. They had clearly lagged behind on purpose, but had not been slow enough. I made eye contact with Draco. I thought I might cry; I was very close to it. He looked confused. Could he not see my fear? Why? Why didn't he just take me away?

"Get upstairs," muttered my father. At the sound of his voice, I gasped and looked at him. Staring wide-eyed, I could feel the tears swarming behind my eyes. I nearly shook my head "no". My foot went to take a step back. A mistake. "Did you hear me?" he asked, rhetorically. I did not respond, so he made sure I heard him. "I said GET UPSTAIRS!"

I jumped this time. It was humiliating, standing here in front of the Malfoys being shouted at by my father in their home, their bathtub being used for my punishment. What could I do? The way I saw it, I had two choices.

So I made another mistake.

"No!" I cried, running for the door, my eyes clouded with tears. I couldn't look at Draco, but I knew he was watching me. I must have looked pathetic.

I should have apparated right then and there, but I could not focus. I didn't have anywhere else to go at the time. Before I could even reach the handle of the door, my father had a tight grip on my arm. I fought against him, trying to pull away and keep running for the door. If I apparated now, he would just travel with me. Even knowing I was trapped, I still fought to get out of and away from Malfoy Manor.

Humiliating my father like this only made him, if possible, angrier. He yanked me away from the door, my mother, and the Malfoys with one large tug. He started up the stairs. I still fought, even with his arm around my shoulders. I forced him to drag me, and I began to cry at last. I cried for…my mother? No. She would not help me. I cried for someone else, anyone else. I screamed in protest, clawing at his clothing. He only led me up the stairs faster. I stumbled several times before we reached the top. I was still screaming, begging him not to do it.

My bedroom door was cast open by my father's wand. It hit the wall hard before rebounding back and nearly hitting his shoulder. I whimpered and cried, begging him still.

The water in the tub reflected the bathroom light. With a shove, I landed on my knees on the tile floor, already tired of fighting but still crying, still begging.

"What did I do to deserve such an ungrateful brat for a child?" My father took a fistful of my hair and forced me to look up at him. "After everything your mother and I do for you, this is how you repay us? Running around with mudbloods and blood traitors and Potter?"

I didn't know if he expected me to say anything, but before I could, he pushed my head down into the bath water. Not having had time to draw a breath, I immediately started fighting for air. I lashed about in the water. It was hot, much too hot for someone's face to take all at once. I screamed underwater, losing the only air I had within me. I lost track of how long my father held me there. I could hear speaking, but I could not hear clearly under the surface. My father was still shouting, but I heard nothing of what he said. And soon, a ringing in my ears took over the muffles. I could not hear even my screams anymore. I could feel water entering my body, mouth, and nose. I was going to drown. My own father would drown me out of rage!

And then it was over.

I felt a pull of my hair, and then I could breathe. Water poured out of my mouth as I coughed and wretched. I could not yet see clearly, but I heard my father speak in a menacing whisper. "You serve the Dark Lord." When he let go, I had no strength to stand or sit up. So I remained on the soaking tile floor in the bathroom.

I laid there, and I cried.