A/N: Okay, so my last chapter was mentally draining. But, I think potterfan93's wish might come true sooner than she thinks! No hints implied…D.

Disclaimer: If I did, I'd have Draco. I don't….YET!!! laughs maniacally 0.0

The Failure

Izabela pushed through the heavy iron gates of Hogwarts; her thick black cloak flapped around her ankles. She bolted down the path to Hogsmeade, praying that the darkness of night was enough to keep her covered. She slipped into the Hog's Head, grateful for the crowd. She ordered a Butterbeer and shoved her way to the only empty table in the hub. It was greasy, smelled like rotten cheese, and was half-hidden in the shadows. She surveyed the room as she allowed the bitter drink to burn its way down her throat. She froze, the bottle halfway to her mouth as she recognized a pair of cold eyes across the room.

Bellatrix Lestrange stared at her, the lights inside her head clicking on as she saw Izabela. She smiled crookedly, and Izabela formed her mouth into a grim line, nodding silently. Of course she was here. Next to her sat her sister, Narcissa Malfoy. Izabela watched as she bit at her nails, realizing how much they were alike. They both wanted Draco to be safe.

Izabela rose from her seat, grabbing the neck of the bottle, and left the hub. She walked down the silent stone road, aware that she was completely alone. The swish of the liquid in the glass bottle echoed through the air. The pain that had been absent for days returned suddenly, forcing her to her knees. She felt the bottle slide from her hand, crashing into the ground, breaking and showering her legs with the drink. She struggled to stand, but managed to stumble into a dark alley. She needed to get to the meeting.

She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, slipping on the Deatheater's mask she always kept with her. She apparated, appearing in the clearing where she had been initiated, and took her place in the already-forming circle. In the center, her master, her Dark Lord, paced back and forth. There were gaps in the circle that were filling up quickly as the others apparated to the spot. Finally, the circle was filled, with empty spots for those who were in Azkaban. Through the slits in her mask, Izabela searched the ring of Deatheaters for any sign of where he could be. Voldemort rose to stand on top of a stone slab, making him slightly taller than the crowd. The circle fell quiet as they all bowed.

"I have gathered you here for a specific purpose. You have all been assigned jobs known only by me and those who are to help you," Voldemort said, beginning his speech. "I want to see how far you have come. Stand." His voice was forceful, and they all rose from their kneeling positions. He walked around the circle, staring into the eyeholes of each one's mask. When he reached Izabela, she used all of the Occlumency training her parents had given her to block him from her thoughts. His serpent-like face smiled mockingly, and he continued. He reached one of the shorter members of the circle and realization crossed his face.

"Ah, interesting, very interesting." He finished the circle, and stood before them once more. "My two youngest servants, would you please come forward?" It was an order, not a request. Izabela stepped forward, kissed the hem of his robes, and stood to face him. The other did the same. Voldemort turned to face the other. "Mister Malfoy, I see that you have not yet begun to fulfill your task." Draco nodded.

"The first attempt will be made this coming weekend." Voldemort nodded in reply.

"Good. And you, my darling," he said, turning towards Izabela. "You have not only failed to help him, but you have become a distraction! How would your parents think of you?" She winced at the reference to her parents and the harshness of his words. He laughed. "I think, yes, I think it might be time for you to finally introduce yourself to Mister Malfoy," he taunted.

"Please, Master, not now," she whispered, her voice full of fear.

"Do not disobey my orders!" Izabela nodded and raised her hands to her mask, her fingers shaking. Across from her, Draco did the same. He slid his off, and she hesitated. Voldemort waved his hand, and her mask disapparated, forcing her to her knees. "Stand." His voice was sharp. She forced herself do as he said. "Move your hands you insolent little child." She did, her eyes darting uncertainly to Draco's face. She pulled off her hood. Draco took a step back, his breathing sharp and hurried, his face contorted in surprise. Voldemort laughed once more. "I see you have met, young Malfoy. Yes, there were reasons for your thoughts after all." He turned on Izabela. "You will do well not to forget your place again."

"Yes, Master."

"I don't believe you will. But I can help." He raised his wand.

"No, my Lord, I won't forget. Please, my Lord, no." Her voice came out in a rush of words. He smiled viciously.

"Oh yes. Cruccio!" She fell to her knees, her body squirming in pain as she screamed out. Draco watched helplessly as she was tortured. Voldemort raised the curse. "You will not forget." Izabela nodded, tears streaming down her face as she tried to catch her breath. "You are all dismissed." She heard her fellow servants disapparate around her. She looked up when it was finally quiet and it seemed she was all alone. She wasn't.

Across from her, his figure was hunched over the slab, his back to her. "Draco," she whispered.

"Don't…just, don't say anything." His voice was uneven. The silence stretched between them. Once again, he broke it. "Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I wasn't…he wouldn't allow me to. We…we weren't supposed to…I'm sorry, Draco. I really am." The tears hadn't stopped, and she didn't want them to. He turned and walked towards her, leaning down to where she still knelt, her head down.

"I know." She looked up into his eyes as he placed his hand across her cheek. They were full of both fear and understanding.

"Draco, I love you," she said, placing her hand on top of his.

"I know," he repeated. "And I love you." He leaned down to kiss her, but she pulled away.

"Draco, we can't. This…he'd kill you, he'd kill us."

"Let him. Then we'd be together…forever." He kissed her again, and she let him. She knew what he said was right. And she agreed with it all. She would rather die than be without him.

A/N: Sorry if this was a short chapter. But, I did say that potterfan93's, and possibly your, wish might come true sooner than anyone expected, including me. I didn't want him to know until the end, or, at least the battle. But, this felt right. So, I hope you guys enjoyed it! Lots of reader love,

Ceog4ever1

Editor's Note: I am so glad that Draco knows…AND he accepts her for it.: ). It makes me happy, and I can't wait to find out how things work out! Maybe Izabela can teach Draco how to use Occlumency…that would be good. : )…lets hope it all works out : ). Love,

Potterfan93