Something about that day felt different. From the moment the tapping had woken her up, a hollow pit had settled in her stomach which had no intention of moving.

Ivy rolled over in bed and squinted as the sunlight blinded her. As her vision cleared, she noticed the owl sitting on her window ledge, beak hitting the pane sharply. She didn't recognise it. It was plain brown and small, cocking its head to one side as it watched her.

She opened the window but it didn't fly in, instead it stuck its leg out and revealed the letter tied to it. She undid the string quickly and it flew away, she didn't bother closing it, enjoying the breeze.

The parchment had been enchanted and the writing flickered between dozens of handwriting styles, ensuring she didn't know who it was from. It simply said:

Don't give them a reason to doubt you. Beware.

A chill trickled down her back and she hastily shut the window, though it did little to help quell her shiver. Within a moment she was out of her room, pelting up the stairs to the boy's dormitory. Three doors were offered to her, she had no idea which was his.

"Malfoy?" She whispered, but there was only silence. It was early, and no doubt he was still asleep. She thought back to when he had stormed upstairs, on so many occasions, it had taken him a while to slam the door. Using this reasoning she made her way to the end door, hoping that she wasn't about to walk into a strangers room. It creaked as she pushed it, the handle ice cold in her sweaty palm. A beam of light fell across the bed, and onto a pale face. Sighing in relief, she closed the door behind her and stood in the room, feeling suddenly uncomfortable.

She hadn't even bothered to dress, her nightgown clung to her as goose bumps erupted on her skin. She hugged her arms and wondered if she should leave and get changed, before she could make a decision he stirred and opened his sleepy eyes.

It took him a moment to notice her, but as his eyes clapped onto hers he shot up in bed, the sheet falling from his bare torso. She wished she was covered.

"Green? What the hell are you doing in here?" He grunted, voice rough from the shadow of sleep.

His gaze fell on her bare legs, the hem of her dress barely covering her thighs. He swallowed and shuffled, grabbing a pillow and resting it on his lap, hoping it would hide whatever evidence there was to his arousal. He saw her bite her lip, and then the parchment creased in her hand. Something was wrong.

"What is it?" He asked, frowning at the bruise still faintly showing on her cheek.

"I…I got this from an owl." She explained, holding out the paper. He couldn't reach it and had no intention of getting out of bed without a way of hiding his groin. Instead, he raised his eyebrows and she walked over carefully, stopping as soon as his fingers touched it.

His eyes skimmed it quickly before he scowled at the page, wondering who it was from.

"What did the owl look like?" He asked her, seeing the concern dancing on her face.

"Brown, plain, I couldn't pick it out."

"Nice touch," he commented, clearly the person knew what they were doing. "Will you sit down? You're making me nervous." He ordered, she lowered herself onto the edge of his bed and he noted how her dress rode up that little bit further.

"What does it mean?"

"I don't know," he replied honestly. "I'm guessing 'them' are the Carrows, who else?"

"Was it Snape who sent it?" Draco pursed his lips.

"No, why would he hide his identity? We know that he is helping us." The question burned in his mind, he despised not knowing.

"We have Amycus this morning, maybe I should miss it."

"That would make you seem suspicious, it's better if you go and stay quite. Besides I'm there." She glanced at him with a funny expression, but he ignored it. "We'll figure out who sent it eventually, I'm sure that if they want to help you they won't stay anonymous for long." Ivy nodded, her straggly locks falling over her shoulders.

Now that the immediate tension was out the way, both became more aware of their state of undress. She didn't even attempt to hide her red flush as she spied his toned physique.

"I'm sorry I woke you up, I don't know why I freaked out. You just always seem to know what to do."

"This isn't my first brush with secrets and plots Green." He answered, trying his best not to look at her as the dress dipped at the front when she moved. All he could think about was there barely there kiss, he almost felt…cheated?

It wasn't even a proper kiss, a whisper of one really. Maybe if they kissed properly his curiosity would go, maybe even be replaced with disgust, she was a Gryffindor. Although, that excuse was becoming fainter, despite her house she did have an excellent family line. So it wasn't as bad as if she was a mudblood, and Blaise wasn't getting any shit for dating her.

He'd been quiet too long, and stared too intently. Ivy licked her lips and glanced at the door. "I'd better go, before people wake up. If someone sees me they might tell Blaise."

"Right, can't have that."

"Don't snap," she breathed, "he was really concerned about my Father hitting me."

"I'm sure," Draco slumped back down.

She noticed the mark on his arm, and her forehead creased. Immediately she got up and walked to the door, the curve of her bottom sneaking out from under her dress, his heart thudded loudly against his ribs. "Green," he mumbled and she turned, her lip quivering with tension. Her blood was bubbling, she wasn't sure if she should dash out before anything happened, or stay and risk getting caught. His face hardened in a determined frown and he jumped out of bed, revealing a loose fitting pair of tracksuit bottoms. They wouldn't have a moment like this again, alone without anyone to worry about. No witnesses to their acts.

"Draco," she breathed in a pathetic attempt to stop him. His insides went mad as she spoke his name, realising it was the first time he could remember her saying it. In three long strides he had cupped her neck with one hand, the other found its way to her silk covered hip as her back pressed against the wall. Their lips met in a frenzied moment, one long kiss that set their bodies on fire. She was soft and tentative to begin with, not sharing his determination, but as he teased her bottom lip with his tongue something inside of her shattered. She grabbed him, curling her fingers in his hair and kissed him with a desperate need that she had never experienced. He wasn't close enough so she pressed her body against his, feeling his warm and bare torso through her dress. They broke for a short breath, a gasp that set his head turning before they met again, crushing into each other as though it was their only purpose in life.

A door slammed.

They stopped. Barely breathing.

Footsteps outside headed down the stairs to the common room. The passion was gone. Draco broke away from her, his hands leaving the comfort of her body. She was gawping at him, eyes alight and lips raw. It took her a second to compose herself, and she was gone out of the door. He listened as her footsteps trailed away, still feeling her nails scraping his scalp and her unyielding lips against his own. Fuck he was in trouble.

Blaise was waiting for her when she left the common room fully dressed, and a pang of guilt wriggled in her gut at his happy smile. "Good morning, gorgeous." He chuckled, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Are you nervous about something?" he asked suddenly, frowning at her with a touch of concern.

"No, why?"

"Your lips are raw from biting them, you really should kick that habit." She rubbed her lips together, trying to hide the evidence of her morning kiss.

"Sorry, I'll try and stop." He nodded and held her hand as they walked to class. She felt like the biggest bitch in the entire world. Here she was, kissing one guy and dating another. She was like Pansy. The thought made her want to gag.

She'd kissed him back, even if her relationship wasn't technically based on truth Blaise had done nothing to deserve being cheated on. She wouldn't ever do it again, it was wrong and cruel, very Slytherin.

Amycus Carrow was waiting for them, and he glanced over their heads as they arrived in class. Ivy spotted Dumbledore's Army waiting inside, seated. "You're late Mr Malfoy," he spat as Draco met them. Ivy refused to look at him.

"Sorry," he apologised, his voice less croaky than it had been that morning.

"Get inside." The room had been changed around, instead of desks the chairs formed a circle, Blaise led Ivy to a spare seat, with Draco the other side of her. She was utterly miserable.

"Now we are all here." He glanced in their direction, and Ivy shrank in her seat, "We may begin."

Luna caught Ivy's eye and frowned at her flustered expression. She wished she could explain, but that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. "You all know about the Unforgiveable Curses, or the Enjoyable Curses as I like to call them." He cackled at his joke and whipped his head around at the anxious faces. "I think it is about time you learnt a thing or two about them, don't you?"

"We've already covered that Sir, in year four." Pansy said, receiving a scowl from Carrow.

"Did I ask you to speak? I am not talking about a little show put on by that twat Moody, I mean really learn about them." By her side, Draco sat up straighter, Carrow was too happy, it could only mean bad news. "Who would like to volunteer?" Nobody moved, or even looked at him.

"You, Lovegood, get over here."

No, not her.

Ivy gripped the rim of her chair, and felt Draco's fingers brush against them for a moment before he moved away. She met his gaze and he frowned, as unhappy as she was about the situation. Luna stood, and Ivy noted the tension between Ginny and Neville, waiting to leap to her rescue.

"My personal favourite, is the Cruciatus Curse, who knows how to perform that?" Nothing.

"You, Parkinson, you have a lot to say, get over here." Even Pansy had lost her air of superiority as she entered the circle, facing Luna. "Now, the spell is Crucio, can you remember that?" She nodded, her cheeks losing their colour.

"What are you-"

"No questions Longbottom, or I'll force you to do it." Neville stuttered to a stop, and Luna sent a reassuring smile his way. Ivy was sure she was wrong, surely Carrow wasn't asking Pansy to perform it on Luna? That was outrageous, pure evil.

The rest of the room was thinking the same thing.

"Go ahead Pansy, practice on the girl."

"But I-"

"I said, practice." He growled, kicking her leg with his steel toe boots. She winced and turned her wand to Luna.

"C-Crucio" she mumbled, nothing happened. You could hear a pin drop, Ivy was praying that Pansy would stay strong. She was a bitch but not evil, not pure evil.

Carrow stepped forwards and his rancid breath caught her face, "Do you want the Dark Lord to hear about this? Your Mother would be so disappointed." He may as well have cast the Imperious Charm on her, the resolve snapped on her face so quickly.

"Pansy don't," Ivy whispered and Carrow grinned at her.

"What was that Miss Green? Worried about the little Gryfindor? Would you rather do it?" Draco looked at her and she knew what he was thinking about. The letter that morning. Don't give them a reason to doubt. If she stopped Pansy now, it would be a reason. A very good reason.

"No, well OK then, go ahead Parkinson. I want you to mean it this time."

Pansy narrowed her eyes, her chest heaving up and down with each laboured breath, Luna didn't move. "CRUCIO" she cried and Luna fell to the ground. The scream pierced every one of Ivy's senses, she made a move but Draco grabbed her arm and forced her to look at him. "Don't, it isn't worth it."

Yes it was, it was Luna, her innocent, loving friend Luna.

Another arm grabbed her shoulders and Blaise pulled her towards him, hiding her face in his shoulder. "Just don't watch" he whispered as the screams continued.

Draco scowled at Blaise as he held Ivy, knowing she wasn't Zabini's witch, she was his. Neville had rushed forwards and stood in front of Luna, breaking the spell. The screams stopped and Luna lay in a heap on the floor, dripping with sweat.

"Longbottom, get away from that girl."

"No, you leave her alone." Carrow pushed Pansy out of the way and she took her seat. With a smooth motion he punched Neville in the face but the boy didn't even flinch. "Detention, tonight." He spat, "You and your friend." His leg whipped out and kicked Luna, who groaned loudly.

"We'll be doing this again next lesson, and the one after that, until you all get it in your thick heads. There are no heroes here, only people stupid enough to think they have a chance against the power of the Dark Lord. Now get out."

Ivy threw up twice that day. She lay on the common room sofa with Luna's scream ringing in her ears. Blaise hadn't left her side, much to the annoyance of Draco who sat in a chair alone, watching her. She refused to speak, nobody had seen Pansy since the lesson.

"Come on Ivy, I know it was bad taste but it's over now." Her acting had gone out of the window, she didn't even bother responding.

"Leave her alone, she's in shock, what he did was fucked up, and that's coming from me."

"He was trying to teach us a lesson," Blaise snapped, "if people fight back, they lose. Better to just give in now and save yourself the hassle. You should know, you did it last year." He nodded to Draco's arm where the Dark Mark was still branded. "Besides, she's my girlfriend so you should keep your fucking nose out." Anger bubbled inside Draco but he caught Ivy watching him, pleading silently to let it go.

Pansy appeared and Ivy sat up, a sudden and consuming rage on her face. "You bitch," she spat.

"What did you say to me?"

"You tortured her, because Carrow told you to. What are you his lapdog?" Draco frowned at her, she wasn't sounding like a Slytherin at all.

"Watch your mouth Green."

"Even if she is Gryffindor scum, the Dark Lord isn't going to praise you for doing whatever anyone tells you to. You answer to him alone." Draco hid his shock well at her words, clearly Ivy was a better actor than he gave her credit for. He noticed a puckered mark on her neck from where his fingers and pulled at her earlier and smiled, knowing it was a mark of pure passion.

"Wow Ivy," Blaise breathed as Pansy ran out of the room to her private dorm. "That was intense."

"She's pathetic, and the Dark Lord knows it. I'm going to bed, I'm sick of this shit." She leant forwards and pressed her lips firmly to Blaise's relaxed mouth, Draco tensed, and the anger flared once more. They were his lips, his kisses, what was she doing throwing them around in front of him?

"Yeah…uh, yeah." Blaise grinned, standing with her. "I'd better go too," he kissed her once more and left the common room to his Head Boy room.

An awkward silence followed, Draco just stared at her.

"What the fuck was that Green?" He snapped, his voice hard and cold. She didn't even flinch.

"He is my boyfriend, as far as I know I'm allowed to kiss my boyfriend."

"And anyone else you feel like apparently." He leaned forwards, hands shaking with pent up fury.

"We've been stupid Malfoy," she went back to calling him by his last name, though he could still hear her moan Draco. "What happened today, that was because of me. That note was right, it was a test, and this time I passed. But they want me to fail, to show them I'm a traitor. Well I'm not doing it, no more playing around." Her eyes were hard and lifeless, though he knew she was in pain.

"Listen, Green-"

"No, I will not. No more games, no more flirting, no nothing. I need to prove to them I'm loyal, or they will keep hurting my friends. They have to trust me, so I need to stay away from you. You are a weakness I cannot afford to have." Draco grunted, hearing the logic in her words but hating what they meant.

"No more kisses."

"No more, we can't even touch each other. It's too risky, I need to be in control." Draco shook his head, and punched the arm of the chair. "

"Then fucking date me! Not that prick." The outburst startled her.

"What?"

"Don't get me wrong Green, I have no feelings for you." He lied, but she believed him. "But surely it's safer for you to stay with me? I can look after you and I already know the truth."

"No, they don't trust you! You failed him last year, its better with Blaise, besides his feelings are real." She was frantic.

She stormed to the stairs and he saw tears catching her eyelashes.

"Please Malfoy, don't make this harder than it is."

Draco watched her go, and heard the usual slam of wood on the frame. She wouldn't budge on this, not after seeing Lovegood tortured. It had hit a nerve, and whatever he said or did, she wouldn't change her mind.

"Fuck!" He punched the chair again. Staring at the seat Ivy had left empty.

A/N: This was an important chapter in the story, so I hope you enjoyed reading it.

Comments would be great. Next Chapter up soon!

Rose