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That Monday whispers and rumors travelled around the school. Apparently someone had cast the Dark Mark in front of the Ravenclaw dormitories. The day before, Sunday, Ravenclaws were being called into McGonagall's for questioning. The whole school had read about the dark mark, new of its existence, but never in their time had they seen one.

On the way to the Great Hall that morning Albus saw a tall man with white blonde hair strode through, utterly furious to McGonagall's office. It was probably some parent who felt their child's safety was threatened what with the dark mark and ideas of Voldemort running through the school like wild fire.

While most the school was gossiping about whom and why, the Ravenclaws stood staunch together, not saying anything to anyone about it. Unlike the fear and suspicion the rest of the school held, the Ravenclaws seemed somewhat angry, and slightly sad as they held together.

Albus listened to the rumors his friends shared with one another that morning, going through his classes the thoughts stirred in his head. There hadn't been such a scandal since his father had gone to school.

He walked into his potions class and noticed that Zeph was very silent and reserved. She sat there quietly, not her usual self with chatter and humming. She was very still as if in thought.

"Hey Zeph" he said not mentioning the dark mark at all, as he knew the Ravenclaws were very touchy about the subject.

"Hi." She said quietly in her seat. Class was about to start and he wasn't sure what to say to her. He looked around the classroom. Everyone was there, except for Forest. Her seat was unoccupied. Class started and Zeph quietly began working on her potions.

"Do you need help?" he asked even though he had no clue what he was doing. He was expecting some sort of jest or poking at his limited schools but she merely shook her head no and continued working on her potion in complete silence. He was doing worse on his potion that usual as he sat there, because he could not focus on it.

He looked up and saw Slughorn move to the back of the dungeon. Albus turned slightly to see where he was going when he saw the same tall man with white blonde hair standing in the back with Forest. After a few moments of silent talking and multiple glances in Albus's direction Slughorn approached their desk.

"Miss Zeph?" he began "Your father Mr. Malfoy is here. Could you come with me?" Albus felt shock run through his body as he connected the dots.

Zeph was a Malfoy. Draco Mafloy, his father's enemy was her father. Scorpius was her brother. She didn't want her best friend dating her brother. She was a Malfoy. It ran in his head. Death Eater blood line; that's why they were investigating. He felt his blood freeze with confusion.

Zeph nervously followed her father through the hallway. Forest reached over and squeezed her friend's hand. She took deep slow breathes as they neared Professor McGonagall's. The gargoyle jumped out of the way and the three of them climbed to the headmaster's room. They stopped at the door.

"Zeph," her father began resting his hand on her shoulder "you go in first. I'll speak to the head master after this." He turned to Forest. "Thank you Forest." She looked worriedly at Zeph.

"It wasn't a problem Mr. Malfoy." Forest said, and then gave her friend a strong hug before departing down the stairs.

Zeph looked to her father and then pushed open the door walking into McGonagall's Office. The paintings of previous head masters peered down at her, mumbling in curiosity. She recognized two the painting that sat side by side; Serverus Snape an Albus Dumbledore from her text book.

"Miss Malfoy" she said, gesturing for Zeph to take a seat. She sat down across from the head master. "Why do you believe you are here?" Zeph took in a deep breath.

"I don't know Professor" she answered. Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrow.

"You know of the death mark that was above the knight in front of the ravenclaw dormitories don't you?" Zeph nodded. "And do you believe you have any affiliation?"

"No Professor" she lied.

"Miss Malfoy," she began her voice softening "you are in no trouble. Yesterday when speaking to students who might have seen the culprit, your friend Miss Bianchi ran into the room. She told me she believed this was a hate crime, a hate crime against you." Zeph gulped. "Now at first I was wary to the idea, we have so rarely had hate crimes such as this one at Hogwarts, but after reading the message and well assuming some of your family history, the pieces fit. I would like to know if you know anyone who would be angry enough with you to do such a thing."

She waited for Zeph's reply. Zeph didn't want to say who she thought it was. She had no desire to point fingers, only to let the past be the past. "No I do not."

"Very well." Said Professor McGonagall as if she already knew who it was. Zeph had the feeling Forest already told her. "I am very sorry this happened here, and I for one am very ashamed, know that we will look for justice."

"Thank you Professor."

"You may go now." Zeph could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, but she blinked them back. Zeph left the room. Her father patted her lightly on the back and then entered the room.

She didn't listen for long, all she heard were serious tones from both the adults, but chose not to try and eavesdrop on their conversation. She had no intention on learning more; as she said she just wanted to forget about it and move on.

Albus went out of his way to walk by the Ravenclaw dormitories, secretly hoping Zeph would be there but unsure of what he'd say to her. She wasn't there, but he saw for the first time what everyone had been talking about.

The Dark Mark was gone, but behind it, on the wall was a message.

Go Home Death Eater

It wasn't really what Albus had expected, a threat to a death eater. He remained puzzled as he headed to the mandatory school meeting McGonagall was holding.

In the Great Hall Albus found Rose and sat down next to her. He hadn't seen Jillian for most of the day. The students were settling in as Albus surveyed the school in search of Zeph… Zeph Malfoy. He cringed. Chatter was in the air while they waited.

He took in a deep breath and decided to ask Rose for advice. "Rose," he began.

"What do you need? Just spit it out I can hear the 'I need something' in your voice" Albus tried to take it as a compliment, but he had a feeling she was taking out her anger about missing classes on him.

"Let's say I like someone" she was about to roll her eyes when he re-explained "I don't like like them, but as a friend I really enjoy them. Now let's say they were of a different…" he tried to think of something not obvious "political background than you."

Rose gave him a long stare. "Political Background?"

He nodded fervently just wanting to hear her answer "Because of your differences in the past and now should you end the friendship."

"No, why would you?" she retorted without even thinking. Albus wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or not. He sat silently thinking of how easily the answer had come to her. Rose had always been smart, so if that was it, he was going to go with it.

Everyone became silent as McGonagall approached the podium.

"Now" she cleared her throat "I know there has been talk of scandal, and I wish to be clear and be honest with all of you. Saturday night someone cast the death mark by the Ravenclaw dormitories. Now at first, it was believed to be in support of Voldemort; however, a second look caused us to realize the reality of the situation. Behind the dark mark was written Go Home Death Eater. I will not tolerate for such hate crimes to be enacted in my school. This was a personal attack against a Ravenclaw that shall not go unpunished. We are almost sure of whom the culprit is, and if you admit it to me, the repercussions will not be as harsh. Parents have complained, faculty have been angered, this is not acceptable. We all know about the past, but I say this once and I will not again; we are not to look at the past and continue the faults of others onto students now. This blatant prejudice will end now. The next time a situation like this occurs the consequences will not be as tame; Expulsion will be considered. This is not the Hogwarts that Albus Dumbledore believed in and many of your parents fought for. This is not a matter I take lightly."

The students sat there in shock staring up at Professor McGonagall. Very few had expected this. The Slytherins had a look of relief on their faces, probably worrying that they would be pinned with the blame. Hufflepuffs seemed to be thinking it over. Many Gryffindors were digesting. Ravenclaws looked a bit better, as if there had been some sort of justice for them.

"You are all excused" she ended leaving the podium. As the students left Albus figured out why Zeph had left the room.

His stomach turned with guilt. She wasn't at fault, she was the target. He wondered silently who would do such a thing to her. Wandering the hallways he attempted to find her when he realized the easiest way to do so.

He took out a small map his father had given him in his 3rd year. After looking for a few minutes he saw Zeph's footsteps down by the dungeons. She was probably getting the work she had missed.

Albus had made it down just as time. Zeph was leaving, when she saw him and started turn around. He broke into a run to catch her.

"Zeph!" he called out "Zeph!" She stopped letting him catch up to her. "How are you?"

"Been better"

"I'm sorry, are you ok?" he said. She sighed.

"So you know?"

"Know what?" he retorted.

"You wouldn't have said sorry if you didn't know, didn't know it was directed towards me." He sighed, she was right as usual. "Does it bug you?" she asked. "It bugs a lot of people. Deters them you know?" He stared at her. "Does it?"

"Does it what?"

She looked down at the ground "Does it deter you?" He stopped for a moment. It was a break it or make it moment. This was a decision he had to make.

"No," he decided pushing it from his lips before he could change his mind "No it doesn't." A small sad smile broke out on her face.

"Really?" she asked.

"Really." He leaned in and hugged her for the first time, feeling his arms wrapped around her delicate body, the heat of her radiating against him, her smell. She pulled away shoving her hand in front of him.

"Hello" he grabbed her hand "I'm Zeph. Zephyr Malfoy." He shook her hand.

"I'm Albus" he said "Albus Potter."