We landed next to the river, Draco's grip tight. I was frantic.

"NO! We have to go back! My family!" Draco's grip did not loosen, forcing my feet to drag as he started to move. "Draco PLEASE!' He stopped and looked at me, his eyes red with threatening tears. "Please Draco. What if they're lying dead somewhere? We didn't even check the whole house. I need to know," I begged and broke down again. Heaving, tears exploded from my eyes. My legs gave way, gravity pulling me slowly to the ground.

Draco stared down upon me and my misery, eventually letting out a frustrated sigh. He ran his hand through his hair and paced from me to the waters edge. I desperately tried to gather myself.

"You're parents are not dead" he stated matter of factly.

"How do you know? Don't tell me lies just so you don't have to take me back there." I threw at him.

"What?"

I buried my head in my arms and wept. The thought of my parents gone forever sank into my gut, churning it. I took in some deep breaths and focused on the sound of the river. Draco came and sat next to me. I ached for comfort but received none.

After some time he finally spoke. "You don't have to believe me but sometimes the 'what-ifs' are better than reality Lyra. They killed Mulciber. I'm sure that wasn't easy but he's dead which means they're alive somewhere."

"But where?" I said out loud. I wiped my tear stained and steadied my breath. Alive? Where could they be? I turned to look at Draco again. He was deep in thought, staring past the hills that surrounded us. My mind wandered back to my father's study. The caked blood on the carpet. The mess of books. The words on the wall. Voldemort has risen.

"Draco? Mulciber was a death eater, wasn't he?" I questioned. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, dropping his head.

How did a death eater know where I lived? Shit. My uncle. Was he responsible for this? He sounded pretty sincere about keeping my father safe. But that crazed laugh? Neither was a convincing argument. But maybe he knew.

"I need you to arrange another meeting between me and my uncle," I stated to Draco, breaking his train of thought.

"No. You know that's not smart Lyra."

"He could have arranged their murder!" I huffed.

"Exactly!" A scowl appeared over his face.

"Draco, I have to find my parents. Dead or alive I don't care. You are my only tie in with them. Do you have a better idea?" We sat there, eye locked, for what seemed like eternity before he replied.

"I know someone." OK and... "Just give me some time." This was ridiculous.

"But what if we don't have time?' Draco leaned over and glared at me intently.

"Lyra, you don't know what you're messing with. Voldemort is a monster and will do anything in his power to destroy something he is after. It can't be you. If you want my help, we have to do it my way." I hated his stubbornness but he was the best chance I had. Even Harry didn't have the same connections. I sighed in defeat.

"Come on. It's almost six and the sun in setting," Draco stood up and offered me a hand. He lifted me up and drew me close. "Are you sure you want to do this?" I nodded. He heaved a big sigh and placed both hands on my face. He stared at me for a moment before he finally relaxed. Draco nodded in affirmation and we headed back towards the castle.

"Mulciber is dead," Draco announced as he walked into Snape's office.

"And how do you know this?" Snape inquired, not looking up from the papers on his desk. Draco came over and sat on the corner of the wooden table.

"I saw him with my two eyes down on Acton Street." Snape looked up from his papers and stared at Draco.

"What pray tell were you doing in London?" Draco stayed silent and thought of his next move.

"That's not the point. He is dead and I know who killed him." Snape stood up from his chair and swiftly caught Draco by the cloak, removing him from his desk. He peered down upon the boy and asked again,

"What were you doing in London?" Draco's breath caught. He knew he wasn't supposed to be off of Hogwarts grounds without permission, let alone apparate. However, the thought of important information such as this should have saved him. He was wrong.

Snape frowned and removed Draco from his clutches. "How am I supposed to keep an eye on you when you keep disappearing?"

"You don't have to keep an eye on me! I am capable of handling things on my own!" Draco huffed. He was sick of being played as a child. He had seen death, murders, misery, and yet, people kept treating him like he had seen nor done anything.

"Mr. Malfoy, need I remind you that there are lives at stake here? Your foolishness is going to get you killed."

"May I remind YOU that the Dark Lord needs me? He chose me. It would be foolish to not consider my protection."

"And it is THAT attitude that makes you not fit the job." Snape's blood was boiling. He stepped closer to Draco, standing tall. He barely towered over the boy and it was clear the sixteen year old would surpass him in due time. But for now, he was still a boy.

"I thought I told you to stay away from the girl." Snape snarled. Draco paused. Snape knew about Mulciber? "You know nothing good is going to become of this."

"How did you know?" Draco questioned.

"I will always be two steps in front of you boy. It's about time you start listening to my advice." Draco slumped. He hated to admit when Snape was right. But he tried. He tried to get rid of her and she was still...there. Just like the feeling was still there every time he saw her, heard her, felt her.

Draco looked up at Snape. He could see that the boy was getting soft hearted more and more every time he saw him. Weaker, defeated. Snape could see it in his eyes.

"Listen. You and I both know that the Dark Lord is getting stronger. Mulciber's death never should have happened. You need to stay out of this. Focus on the task you're given instead of butting into other people's problems."

Draco lowered his head. He knew if he said anything else it would be a losing battle.

"You are risking the lives of yourself and her by getting involved. How do you think Mulciber knew where to go?" Draco's heart stopped. His eyes grew wide with terror. "Only someone with the right connections could link a death eater with long lost relatives of an Auror."

Draco lost all color in his face at the idea of this being his fault once again; this time more serious than ever. Mulciber's death was on his hands and Lyra's parents were next. Snape didn't want to spin this information into blaming the boy but he had been left with little options. He had to get Draco focused on the plan that should've happened months ago.

"If you truly care about her, you'll stay out of it." Snape stated again. Draco pulled his hood up and over head, hiding his emotions. He pushed past Snape and headed for the door. Snape closed his eyes and rubbed his temples with his fingers. He had to prepare for the worst.