Darcey lead her small group up the creaking, decayed staircase of the Shrieking Shack and was pleased to discover that Draco was indeed not alone, with him were Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini and to her surprise, even Daphne Greengrass.
'Blimey, Darcey! Look at you!' Her old dorm mate instantly greeted her, beaming with surprise. 'You really are here.' She said in awe.
'Of course I'm here.' Darcey replied with a small smile, finding Daphne's grin contagious. She then looked over at the other two housemates that had accompanied Draco, her chest swelling with pride. Darcey was pleased with the turn out from Slytherin.
'Hello, Blaise.' Darcey greeted curtly with a nod, acknowledging the veela. 'Theodore, I must admit I hadn't anticipated you coming...'
Theo shrugged. 'Yeah well, this one made it all sound quite appealing.' He said nudging Draco in the shoulder. 'He should be a politician with the way he speaks of things, especially you.'
A dull blush swept over her cheeks, barely noticeable as her eyes finally landed upon Draco's form and struggled with the overwhelming urge to embrace him. She knew that doing so would likely embarrass him in front of their peers. Slytherin's were very subtle on the PDA and were the sort to keep their personal affairs private. She couldn't deny she had missed him since the start of term. She felt as if she barely saw him anymore and longed for his company.
'Yes, he's a smooth talker.' Darcey agreed with a cheeky smile, still looking at him as she spoke. 'Very persuasive.'
Draco's gray eyes glistened with amusement at the double meaning behind her words and gave her a look and a smirk that said 'Just wait until later when you're mine.'
An awkward cough interrupted their casual reunion as suddenly Darcey became aware of her classmates still standing behind her on the stairs, patiently waiting to enter the room.
'Well then, since we're all here, first things first, Smith and Belby owe me ten galleons each for losing a prior bet.' Darcey said seriously, moving to stand in the center of the small, dusty and dilapidated bedroom they appeared to be occupying while the rest of the group filed out to sit and stand near the walls.
Zacharius audibly cursed at having lost the hefty gamble and promised to pay her when they returned to the common room. At this Draco cast him an icy glare, silently warning the bloke not to try anything with Darcey. It was bad enough that she had invited the incompetent wanker in the first place without them both acting so bloody cozy, as if they were best mates.
Darcey nodded, accepting his promise as she pocketed the gold coins Belby had given her wordlessly before beginning their meeting.
'Right. Really though, first things first.' Said Darcey sobering up and delving into leader mode. 'The blood oath...'
'Blood oath?' Asked Jones.' I thought we were performing an unbreakable vow, Potter?' She protested, not liking anything involving the spill of her own precious bodily fluid, especially shady rituals conducted by equally shady Slytherins.
'I couldn't scare you away right at the start, now could I?' Darcey replied slyly. 'It's all the same really-'
'It is not at all the same!' Megan argued, her voice squeaking in fear. 'One involves blood and the other does not.'
'She's right. I too am a bit weary...' Spoke up Marietta Edgecomb softly, looking anxiously between Darcey and Draco.
'Will you lot quit your damn, forsaken moaning?' Draco wailed fiercely in agitation, literally rolling his eyes at them as he mentally questioned as to how he would manage to last the rest of the year in the presence of such spineless whiners. 'It's only just a small slice, nothing more than a paper cut. If you can't handle that then get the hell out now, you're utterly useless.' He demanded harshly to which Darcey cast him a disapproving glance that told the others to ignore him.
'Well, that was endearing. Thank you, Draco.' She said flatly, before turning to the address the rest of the group. 'Seriously though, if any of you have a problem with this, now would be a good time to bail out. There's the door.' Darcey gestured with the lazy flick of her pale wrist behind her to the open threshold.
'No? We're all good then?' Darcey confirmed when nobody made any attempt at leaving. 'Okay. Zabini get the chalk. Who has the dagger?' Darcey asked, surveying them.
Draco wordlessly produced a glistening, silver, finely crafted dagger from his cloak. 'Excellent.' Said Darcey, as she watched with excitement as Blaise carefully drew upon the floor a slightly lopsided circle, with the estimated circumference of roughly six feet.
'Now we all stand inside, it'll be a tight fit but I'm sure we can all manage.'
Darcey, Draco, Zabini and Daphne were the first to gather in the center, tightly packed in with the rest of the group looming over their shoulders as they followed suit. She could feel Zacharius' hot breathe against her neck and it unnerved her slightly as she tried to concentrate on what she was doing and not on how claustrophobic she suddenly felt.
'Someone on the outside edge has to seal it.' Ordered Draco loudly, calling over the group while glancing behind him at Marietta Edgecomb who had paled noticeably since arriving. 'I'll do it.' She offered hesitantly.
'Do you know the incantation?' Draco asked, making an effort to sound civil. 'Vinculum' He supplied, annunciating clearly when she had shook her ginger head negative.
'Vinculum.' Edgecomb spoke clearly, brandishing her pale, ashen wand towards the floor. The circle around them erupted in flames causing those closest to the back to shriek out in fear and press closer to the bodies in front of them, getting as close as they could to the centre of the sphere.
When they were all awkwardly huddled together Draco held up the dagger for all to see and it glinted in the low light as dusk set upon the land, filtering in through the grimy windows. The room was eerily silent.
'I vow not to speak word to anyone of the identities of the members gathered inside this circle. I will not rat them out, unless I wish to greet death as a consequence. To this I swear.' Draco stated, bringing down the dagger in one swift motion to slice against his pale, outstretched palm. Bright, crimson blood poured from the gash and trailed between his fingers, gathering in small droplets on the floor.
Darcey took the dagger next, now that Draco had stated the vow all the rest of them had to do was say, 'To this I swear.' And then proceed to cut themselves in order to make the blood sacrifice required to honor the vow.
'To this I swear.' Darcey breathed, her moss, green eyes locked with Draco's steely, gray orbs as she pressed the blade against her palm, just as he had done and sliced her hand quickly without hesitation. She shook and overturned her hand, sprinkling her blood droplets to mix in the center with his before passing off the dagger to the next person clockwise, Blaise Zabini. When they had gone one by one around the group and everybody had made the blood offering and recited the vow, Darcey spoke the final incantation to seal the oath. 'Aeternus Fidem' which meant 'eternal loyalty'. The fire roared to life, the flames licking higher than ever and transformed to a bright, smoldering, blue inferno before quickly dying down and vanishing along with their small puddle of blood. The only traces of a dark ritual having taken place was the white, chalk outline surrounding them that Daphne wordlessly disappeared with a silent 'Scourgify'. The oath had been made and now they were each left feeling significantly more unified. They were really in this together, a brotherhood of sorts.
'That was bloody intense.' Said Jones beneath her breath, gazing around the now seemingly innocent and ordinary room with deep, brown eyes.
'Let's get everyone cleaned up and healed, who else is good at charms?' Darcey ordered, scanning the pale group. Daphne, Marietta and Marcus offered their assistance and claimed members to work on while she turned to Draco who had retreated to a cob-webbed corner of the bedroom, holding his bleeding hand and taken caution not to drip blood on his robes.
'Here, give it.' Said Darcey gently, cupping his large, outstretched hand with uncharacteristic delicacy. She pulled out her wand, pointing it at the wound and muttered 'Vulnera Sanentur.' a powerful healing charm, the only one she knew of that was often used by Medi-witches in St. Mungo's. Both watched in silence as the cut neatly closed itself before Draco signaled for Darcey to give him her hand. She complied, watching closely as he cast the same charm before stowing away his wand in the deep pocket of his Slytherin robe.
'Thank you.' Said Darcey, examining her healed hand with satisfaction. He wasn't half bad, though she was sure it would leave a faint, silvery scar, the spell was made to heal and erase magical wounds not self-inflicted ones.
'I wanted to talk to you.' Draco began in low tones, his gray eyes peering over her shoulder to ensure that they were still alone and secluded from the others. 'About the detention…'
Darcey noticed the concern glistening in his eyes and did her best to reassure him, not wanting Draco to be in distress worrying about her all night. 'I'll be alright.' She replied evenly with a small shrug, knowing that whatever the Carrows had in store for her was bound to be unpleasant. She could not die, at least she had that going for her, so what was the worst they could do to her honestly? What did she have to fear if not death itself?
'I don't know what they are going to do to you but I know it will be painful. No matter what do not get angry at them and do not resist it, just do as they say and play the part of obedient, little mud-blood. Do you understand?' He asked gravely and at some point during his words he had reached down to slyly grip her hand, intertwining his pale, slender fingers with hers and giving her hand a gentle but firm squeeze. His hand was warm compared to her cool one, her skin was always cold for some reason, she had always had wonky circulation. She relished in the small, comforting contact, appreciating the affectionate gesture. Darcey felt her mood uplift instantly just by having Draco so near and she wanted so badly to kiss him. Instead she squeezed his hand back, casting him a small, reassuring smile and hoped that it would convey the words left unspoken.
'Yes. I understand. Everything will be fine, I promise.' She whispered, though her stomach felt uneasy.
'Stay strong.' Were the last words Draco said to her before releasing her hand once he spotted the group approaching them for instruction on what to do next. They reluctantly backed away from each other putting an unsuspicious amount of distance between them before they glanced over at the group.
'I think that's been enough for one day, what do you say?' Blaise inquired casually, burying his dark hands in the pockets of his trousers.
'Yeah.' Darcey nodded. 'I agree. Let's go back to the castle. We'll meet again next Thursday in the greenhouses. Until then I would like each of you to research a way for us to communicate with each other in secrecy. Of course I don't need to tell you to be careful, be aware of your surroundings and do not make it obvious what you are looking into.'
Already it appeared that the Ravenclaws, Marcus and Marietta's minds were reeling with ideas though nothing instantly came to mind indicated by their silence and puzzled expressions.
'Okay then, until next week and remember no talking to me unless we are completely alone. I cannot draw attention to myself, I need to be as unnoticeable as possible and ceasing to interact all together is the best way for me to do so. Except for Zacharius and Megan, of course, since you two are my housemates it wouldn't be odd at all for people to see us conversing but still, make it subtle, yeah?'
Her peers nodded in understanding before following her back up to the castle. When they were finally out of Hogsmeade and had passed through the slight tingling sensation of the heavy wards placed upon Hogwarts they cast disillusionment charms on themselves to grant them temporary invisibility as they snuck back inside.
They had steered clear of the Entrance Hall, knowing that it would be far too risky and instead entered back inside through the courtyard near the west side of the school. They were just about to split up and return to their designated areas of the castle when footsteps approached them and judging by the sound whoever it was was walking briskly. Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley rounded the bend, heading most likely back to Gryffindor tower. The group halted and Darcey pressed herself back against the wall to get out of their way, assuming the others had followed suit when they successfully passed by.
'…Totally barbaric.' Weasley was muttering, nursing her painful and disfigured hands, the thumbs protruding out at odd angles and bruised so severely that it looked as if she were wearing purple gloves. Her face was still blotchy red and eyes puffy from crying and Darcey noticed as she spoke her voice was terribly raspy as if she had just spent hours screaming in agony, which she was certain she had.
'I thought it was only rumored that they were hanging kids from the rafters by their thumbs, now at least we know it is true and can report them to MacGonagall. She'll know what to do.' Said Longbottom, his sleeves rolled up to reveal a series of cuts that looked as if he had been scratched repeatedly by razor, sharp claws.
'She can't do anything, Neville. None of them can.' Replied Ginny, her tone forlorn. 'We just have to endure it until Harry comes back to save us-'
'Shh!' Neville scolded, 'They might hear you.'
'Nobodies around.' She replied softly, casting him a concerned side-glance, clearly unnerved by her friend's sudden paranoia. It seemed the detentions with the Carrows were getting to him, putting him on edge. Of course she didn't blame him, everyone was walking on eggshells these days.
The pair rounded the corner and vanished from view leaving the invisible group alone once more, many of them let out an audible sigh of relief, having held their breath.
'That was close.' A male voice whispered just as another figure rounded the bend and demanded to know who was there, having heard them speak. The group was frozen stiff and the corridor was so eerily silent in that moment that Darcey was sure if she had dropped a pin right then she would be able to hear it drop. Panic rose from her abdomen to her throat, constricting her so tightly that she lost her voice and found herself unable to think let alone speak. Before she could respond, knowing it was her duty as their leader to handle the unfavorable situation and planning to either stun and obliviate Alecto Carrow or Imperio her to return from which she came, Draco's voice bounced off the stone walls as he spoke up suddenly, releasing himself from the charm so that Alecto Carrow now held full view of him.
'My apologies, professor.' Said Draco smoothly. 'I was just heading back to the dungeons.'
'What were you doing out in the first place, boy?' The stout and menacing witch demanded, brandishing her dark, crooked wand.
'I snuck out.' Draco admitted truthfully when nothing else logical came to mind. 'I went to the Hog's Head, needed a breath of fresh air, if you know what I mean. '
'No I do not.' Carrow snapped crossly, examining him with beady, narrowed eyes.
'I just thought that it would be alright, considering what house I belong to...' Draco continued arrogantly, gesturing to the emerald crest on his school robe.
Alecto followed his hand before her gaze darted back up to his pale, pointed face and her scowl deepened, clearly infuriated with his smug display of entitlement.
'I'm afraid you were severely mistaken, Mr. Malfoy. I do not tolerate any misbehavior, including from Slytherins. You will get no special treatment here, unlike at home.' The Death Eater replied icily, referring to him being, in her opinion, a spoilt, little brat whose parents handed him everything on a silver platter, she despised his family's wealth and rank in the Dark Lord's army, though with Lucius Malfoy's failure at the Ministry and Draco's failure to murder the late headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, last spring she, like so many, were outwardly pleased with the families demotion and downfall.
'Detention tomorrow at six in my classroom. Do not be late.' She barked. 'Now get back to bed.'
Darcey watched Draco and Alecto's retreating figures, headed in opposite directions and waited until the vile woman was completely gone before hissing for Smith and Jones to come with her back to the Hufflepuff basement. She was both grateful and furious that Draco had nobly decided to handle things on his own and 'take one for the team', mainly because now she felt the same fear and concern he had felt earlier towards her. Darcey did not want him to have to endure a detention with the Carrows, even if that meant that he had in turn saved the entire fate of the group. It would only make it that much more difficult for her to remain in character as a fearful, docile muggleborn if she were now forced to watch her lover being senselessly tortured. She wasn't sure she had it in her to remain silent and stand by and do nothing to save him. In this way they were extremely different, Draco had watched her undergo torture on two separate occasions and had been utterly useless but Darcey was fiercely loyal when someone gained her trust and affection and she knew it would literally tear through her to see him undergo such excruciating pain.
The three Hufflepuff's lifted their charms when they entered the lightless common room and Darcey had been paying close attention all week to exactly which barrels her housemates had been tapping to avoid another vinegar fiasco.
'I know you are worried.' Said Jones, quickly discovering that the shorter, more healthy looking brunette lacked a filter and was extremely outspoken.
Darcey arched a brow, feigning confusion and doing her best to appear indifferent. Zacharius sat on the arm of the couch beside them, watching their interaction with mild interest.
'Don't act daft. I know you fancy him; it's terribly obvious, the way you two gaze at each other like distant, star-crossed lovers reuniting after decades apart. You're in love.' Megan observed, waggling her eyebrows in a cheeky fashion.
'We are not.' Darcey objected much too soon, looking suspicious but she meant it. She honestly wasn't sure what they were but she was almost certain that love wasn't it. There had to have been another term for their relationship but nothing but complicated came to mind, causing her to frown.
'Aw, Smith look at that the snakey wakey's in denial.' Megan teased in good nature, grinning at the taller girl.
'Seriously, we're not. I dunno what we are exactly. Friends I suppose, just close friends is all.' Darcey argued, her brow furrowing as she began doubting herself. The notion Jones was proposing was utterly ridiculous, Draco Malfoy was not capable of love and if he were it certainly wasn't for her. She was Darcey, just Darcey, plain and ordinary, someone for him to shag to cope with the stress of the war bearing down on their teenage shoulders. They were too young for this kind of lifestyle, living in such dangerous and dark times were bound to put years of maturity on just about anyone. Without each other as a release they'd surely go mad. That was all they were, complicated, just as complicated, in fact, as their lives at the moment. They didn't have time for love and even if they did, loving in the midst of a ruthless war was far more dangerous than fighting in it. A battle scar would mend but never a broken heart if they were to ever lose each other. No, they were not in love. That was foolish and mental. Darcey and Draco were both smarter than that, they had even been mindful to set clear and firm boundaries as to prevent something like this from ever happening...
Besides, Darcey was not even sure she was capable of such a warm, radiant emotion. She had never experienced love, never truly. She had spent her whole life searching for it, at first looking for it in her birth parents whose identities had been for years a mystery to her, but she quickly gave up on them when she realized that they had not wanted her and therefore did not love her, so it was foolish to look for love there. Even now she couldn't receive love from them though she discovered they would have wanted her, because Lily and James Potter were both dead and had been for over a decade. Then Darcey sought out love from her adoptive family, forming close relationships to them and even showing affection but it felt hollow somehow and she could never truly find unyielding acceptance there. So searching for love within Draco Malfoy would be fruitless, a disappointment just like the others and Darcey wasn't sure her tattered soul could handle any more rejection. He did not love her, he would never love her and so it was best if she let go of the ludicrous hope now before she got hurt.
'It will be alright. Just keep telling yourself it will be over soon, for the both of you. You're a strong girl, you will manage.' Megan was talking again, breaking her from her dizzying and racing thoughts. Why was it that everyone kept assuming her to be so strong? Couldn't they see behind the cold, self-assured mask that it was all a laughable illusion? Darcey was damaged and that made her emotionally fragile.
'Yeah, I'll manage.' Darcey agreed, her tone hollow. 'I'm going to bed, I'll see you both tomorrow morning.' She eagerly dismissed herself, wanting to be alone and escape into her nightmares. Anything was better than this, facing the pain of the truth and before she could over-analyze what she felt for Draco and what he felt for her she decided to shut off her brain and go to sleep.
