Entrance to the Ministry? How do I do that from Hogwarts? What were they thinking?

I slammed my fist against the set of shelves in the Room of Requirement, frustration flowing through me.

They were thinking I couldn't do it.

I straightened up. That was the whole purpose of this useless exercise. The fact that I couldn't get the job done. Somehow, they must have known I hated being one of them, hated everything we stood for. It was once told to me by my father that Voldamort knew all. I had never believed until now.

I couldn't help it. Tears started stinging my eyes as I realized what this meant for me. I would die. I would be unable to finish the job, and I would be killed. I closed my eyes and leaned back against a dusty statue, taking deep breaths. But this wasn't a good idea. The minute I closed my eyes, a flash of green light exploded behind my lids. I stumbled forward, trying to forget the image, but was unable to do so. That was it. I was really going to die by the hands of Voldamort. I was really a slave, a disposable piece of human garbage.

I sat down at the base of a set of shelves, hoping to hide from the world just a little longer while I cried for my lost freedom that I never really had.

Then I looked up and noticed a cupboard I hadn't seen before. Maybe, just maybe, it could be possible...

. . .

"Draco Malfoy!" Snaped barked from the front of the room.

I looked up. "Yes, sir?" I asked tiredly.

"You're needed in the headmaster's office." he said, gesturing to the small third year sent to deliver the message.

I nodded, collecting my stuff. Ember gave me a worried look before returning to her potion. She worried about me, and I was grateful at least someone would care when I failed my mission, but I needed her to not get hurt in this. If she stuck her nose too far in, she would inevitably die. I unconsciously shivered at the thought.

In a funk, I made my way through the halls and to the stone griffin. I didn't know what to do at this point, since I wasn't told the password. I was saved by Professor McGonnigal, though, as she arrived shortly after me.

"Mr. Malfoy." she said curtly, then she said something to the griffin, and the wall opened, revealing a staircase. As I was about to put my foot on the step, she took my shoulder and turned me towards her, a look of urgency in her eyes. "You've surprised us all, Mr. Malfoy. In a good way for most, but some are not taking kindly to your recent actions. Be careful where you step from now on."

With that, she walked away, leaving me to ponder her words. They hadn't been a threat, but a warning. Most likely against Umbridge. Possibly I had turned her against me in my inadvertent profession of love for a Gryffindor, which meant that she could also be the reason for my trip to Dumbledore's office.

Prepared for some form of punishment, I mounted the winding staircase and let it carry me into the large, intelligently decorated office. But I hardly paused to look at the shiny baubles and inventions on the tables. I just stared straight ahead, keeping my mind and face clear of anything.

The man arguing with Dumbledore at the desk turned to look at me, anger plain on his face, until he made himself calm. Straightening up and smoothing his hair down, he looked at me with slight disappointment. "Draco."

"Father." I said stiffly.

His upper lip curled in a sneer. "Oh, is that who I am to you? I apologize if it has seemed otherwise in light of recent... events."

I wouldn't let him get to me. Not here, not now, not ever. "Why am I here?"

"Allow me to explain. Mr. Malfoy, you're here-"

"You're here because I have a message for you." Lucious said, looking down spitefully at me.

After a pause, I finally asked, "What?"

He smirked. "My, ah, employer has told me that the deal will be completed tonight. Good job on your work, but if you continue playing in the garbage, you will get your toys taken from you. Is that quite clear?"

After a moment's decoding, it was. "Yes." I said, nodding curtly.

"Good." he said, heading to the door. "And, remember, I will be keeping a close eye on you."

I watched him leave, wondering why Dumbledore even let him into the school. I thought he was supposed to be nice and caring. Why can't I have that?

"Draco," the headmaster said quietly. "If I ask you a question, will you answer me honestly?"

I looked at him. The man seemed a million years old as he gave me that blue, x-ray stare. "That depends on the question, sir." I said honestly.

He sighed, as though wanting to think good things. "Are you helping Voldamort?"

I turned my head so my eyes were riveted to the door. "Yes, sir." I said, just before walking out of the office.

. . .

I looked around the next morning, wondering where Ember was. She wasn't in the Great Hall, nor was the Golden Trio. Or any of the Weasleys. My leg bounced up and down, wondering if what I'd done had somehow effected her.

"Hey, Malfoy," Blaze Zabini sneered. "Where's your girlfriend? Shouldn't you be snogging her about now?"

"At least I can get a girlfriend." I said, knowing the argument was weak. I definitely did not have enough brain capacity left to be dealing with this sort of thing.

"Please," Zabini said casually, looking around. "Girl's are practically flinging themselves at me. I just don't find these very interesting."

"Fine. Play your games, Zabini. I have better things to do than speaking to the leeches of the earth." I said, walking away from the table. I didn't even look back to see how angry he was. I was sending a letter to make sure Ember was okay. If I didn't get a reply, well...

I supposed that it would be time to take matters into my own hands.