The Malfoy Manor was exactly as she remembered it; dark, over-powering and sinister, but she loved it nonetheless. It had been a while since she was there last, and the sight of it brought back a million happy memories. She felt suddenly over-whelmed with emotion.
'You alright if I leave you here? He is coming for you, right?' George asked her, glancing around nervously. 'If mum knew I was here…'
'I know, she'd kill you,' Cassie muttered, staring around the grim garden. 'Where are you?' She said in almost a whisper, as if Draco might hear her.
'Cassie, if he doesn't come soon I've got to take you back, I can't leave you here alone,' George explained. He added; 'And I'll kill the pathetic git if he doesn't show.'
'No need for that.' A voice said from behind the shrubbery. There was a rustling noise as Draco Malfoy emerged from behind some overgrown heathers.
'Right, I'll be off then. Is he going to bring you back?' George said, almost pretending he couldn't see or hear Draco.
Cassie glanced at Draco, who nodded. 'Yeah, sure. Thanks for this, by the way.'
'Not a problem,' George answered. 'Just don't ask me to do it again.' There was a sharp snap and he disapparated.
Cassie couldn't resist not to fling her arms around Draco and hug him, he did hug her back but it felt as if he was too tired to be able to do it properly.
'How are you, Cassie?' He asked in a hushed voice.
'I'm okay,' She replied. 'And yourself?'
He didn't answer. 'How did you end up with that lot? I didn't want to ask in the letters.' Cassie stared back at him, he seemed like he was on business rather than talking to an old friend.
Unsurely she answered, 'Ginny told me about it. I went with her.'
'Why?'
'It's the right thing to do.'
He looked away for a minute. 'I missed you.'
'I missed you, too.'
'But we can't carry on like this. You know that.' He told her, barely having enough energy to make it sound regretful.
She nodded slowly. 'Maybe we could make it work… I just… we can't…' Her voice trailed off into nothing as she realised that he meant it. He didn't comfort her, put his arm around her, even just give her a reassuring glance. It was like he didn't care anymore.
'What's happened to you?' Cassie said harshly, anger suddenly pulsing through her.
'What do you mean?' He questioned calmly.
'You've changed. You used to be kind.'
He sighed and stared back at his house. It wasn't his fault he was like this, he had to detach himself from everyone and everything, but that was the way that this had to be. He couldn't use emotions anymore, he'd almost forgotten what it felt like to care.
'Cassie, this happened to me,' He nodded back to his house. 'I can't be a part of that and still be the person I used to be.'
'Why not?' She asked sourly.
'Because I'd be killed.'
She felt tears welling up in her eyes and had to stare at the floor. Draco pushed her head gently up with his hand.
'Don't you dare cry,' He said with a smile. 'You've done that far too much lately.'
'Well, don't make me cry then.'
'I'll try not to,' He pulled her into another hug. He was remembering how it felt to show emotion and feel a passion for someone.
'Thanks,' Cassie sighed.
'But there is something I actually need to speak to you about,' He started, his eyes worried.
'And I think you know what I'm going say.' Cassie nodded, she knew precisely what he was about to tell her.
'Janey,' He said quietly. 'You don't happen to know anything about that do you?'
She bit her lip and shook her head. She couldn't risk him knowing about her. It was hard to make that decision, she didn't want to lie to him, he didn't deserve it. But she had to.
'Don't lie to me, Cassie,' He told her angrily. 'Sorry,' he said quickly, realising his tone was a little too harsh. 'but I know your lot sent her. And she is doing a good job, she really is. But I know she's not in it for real, Cassie. If you're honest with me, I swear I won't give her away.'
Cassie sighed. 'She's undercover.' She whispered.
'Thank you,' He nodded. 'and I'll keep my word, I promise I won't give her up. Besides, my aunt thinks she's brilliant. It's scary how much they get along. Janey's acting, right? She's not really that crazy…' He asked her shakily.
'Yeah,' Cassie assured him. 'Is she okay?'
'Of course, she's fine. No harm's going to come to her if she's careful.' Draco smiled kindly. Cassie smiled, she was glad Janey was okay, but it didn't ease the worry for her, it was still dangerous.
There was another rustling sound from the garden. They both stared at each other, panic-stricken. Draco grabbed her hand and led her behind a few trees and she dropped to the floor behind a rose bush. Draco smiled nervously at her and re-took his place by the willow tree. His aunt was out pacing the grounds of their house, out of everyone to come and look for him, it had to be her.
'Aha! Draco! There you are!' She grinned at him like she always did and flung her long hair out of her eyes.
'Hey,' Draco smiled back falsely.
'You alright? Wondered where you'd gotten to, thought I'd come out for a cigarette and see if you were around. Want one?' She offered the packet in his direction.
'No, thanks.' He said quickly. Bellatrix was the only person who would ever off him cigarettes, hell, she'd probably offer him drugs if she could get any herself. She liked to spoil him, but she just had a strange idea of what other people might like as gifts.
'Healthy boy,' She smirked, taking a drag from her own cigarette. 'Whataya doing out here by yourself, then? If you ain't smoking?' She asked suspiciously.
'Just wanted to get some air. I've been stuck in the house for a week, Bella.' He reminded her.
'Oh, yeah, 'course you have,' She nodded understandingly.
'Where's Janey?' He asked her casually.
She smiled at him slightly patronizingly. 'She's inside… why? You're always asking about her, I'm starting to think you might have a bit of a thing for her.' She beamed at him, her eyes sparkling.
'I don't.' He said strongly.
'Oooh, no need to get tetchy about it,' She beamed at him and winked. 'I won't tell anyone.'
Draco simply stared back at her.
'Anywaaaaay,' She continued. 'I'm going to head back inside, you coming?'
He shook his head. 'I'll stay outside a while, thanks.'
'What for?'
He thought quickly and glanced around for inspiration. 'I… I just want to have a look at the plants… that rose bush is quite something.' He wanted to kick himself for having said that. What an idiot. That rose bush is quite something? What was he thinking?
Bellatrix looked at his quizzically, her head tilted to one side. 'Sure… you have fun with that, then.' She turned on her heels and almost skipped back towards the house. Draco let out a sigh of relief and took a moment to breathe before she wandered around the rose bush. Cassie was smiling up at him. He held out his hand and helped her up off the ground.
'You want to look at the plants?' She said, stifling a laugh.
'It's the best I could come up with,' He shrugged. 'You should get going now… I'll take you back.'
'You'll write won't you? Please stay in touch.' She said quickly, her eyes begging him to say he would.
'Maybe. I can't promise anything.' He said, trying to keep his composure. Inside he wanted to cry.
'And you'll look after Janey?'
'Of course, I will.'
She hugged him again, tightly. He kissed her cheek softly. He really missed her when she wasn't around, but he had to do the best thing for her. For the both of them. He stepped away from her slightly.
'Cassie,' He began, and paused to try and stop tears slipping down his cheeks. He swallowed hard. 'this all has to stop today. We cannot carry on like this. It won't work. It's dangerous for you, and for me. And I don't mean dangerous like it's dangerous not to do your homework – we could actually die out here. Do you understand that?'
She nodded weakly, tears spilling down her face uncontrollably. Draco hated what he could do to her with his words, it was horrible to watch, especially from his eyes. He wanted so desperately to just embrace her and tell her everything would be alright, but it would be a lie.
He couldn't stop himself now. He kissed her. The only way he could remember properly how to express passion, emotion and soul. As she put her arms around him, there was a snap and they disapparated to a dry patch of grass outside the Burrow. He broke away from her.
'I have to go.' He told her.
Cassie took his hand. 'I love you.'
He shut his eyes momentarily, planning his next move so precisely and carefully.
'I don't.'
Snap.
