The next morning I awoke, completely overjoyed to be surrounded by the sky blue sea of tapestries that hung on the dorm walls. I could finally get back to my daily routine (well somewhat). I had no clue what would be in store for me over the next couple of days, weeks, maybe even months that lie ahead. But I did know that there was an end goal; to be reunited with my parents once again.

I showered again for what seemed to be the fifth or sixth time since I arrived last night before heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast. The glow from the candles and the sweet smell of cakes and pasties filled the air. I couldn't help but smile as I walked into the room. Keeping low cover, I tried to not draw attention to myself. Yes, I had only been gone a few days but half of the Ravenclaw student body had been keeping an open radar on my whereabouts. I just wanted a normal breakfast to say the least.

All went smoothly until the smell of bacon wafted through the air. My senses spiked (way more than usual). After taking a moment to hunt it down did I come to the realization that no matter how much bacon or meat I ate, it still wouldn't satisfy the craving I had in the pit of my stomach. The craving was intense. More intense than any amount of hunger I had experienced. Like I hadn't eaten in months. For someone who is a foodie, this feeling was unbearable. I had to go see Madam Pomphrey today. I was stuffed to the brim but my body screamed for more when it really was not physically possible.

"Merlin's beard Lyra!" A pile of books slammed down on the table in front of me. Hermione stood over me with an exasperated face. Great, so much for not being noticed.

"Where have you been?" She questioned, quickly taking a seat. "It's been all weekend!"

"Erm...well, I had family business to take care of." I stammered. Hermione briefly gave a quizzical expression before wiping it off.

"Hopefully good things?" I shrugged, being as discrete as possible. Fortunately she was on a mission and didn't dig any deeper into the situation. I made Luna swear to me that she wouldn't tell anyone what had happened. Not until I was ready at least, if I ever would be. Hermione would have to know I was working closely with my uncle eventually. Especially if I was going to get information to Harry. But not yet.

"We were never able to talk about the other night in the Room of Requirement. You sort of just...vanished. What did you find?" Damn. That all seemed like eternity ago when really it was only last week.

"Nothing really," you know, other than the false hope and an evil plot to be kidnapped by death eaters. Hermione's hopeful eyes dropped and a frown spread over her face. She was not going to take that for an answer.

"Nothing? Nothing out of place or unusual?" She kept on. I shook my head in response. Hermione sighed with frustration. It didn't look like they were getting anywhere in their search. Hopefully I'd be able to help with that soon.

"Can you look again? It's just...that's our only lead and Harry will not let go of the whole Draco thing." And I still didn't have answers for her.

"I don't know what you want me to do Hermione. It's literally one big room filled with a bunch of junk. It'll be impossible to pinpoint something particular if you don't know exactly what you're looking for. I'm sorry."

Hermione sighed. "It's ok. It's not your fault Lyra. Can you please keep your eyes and ears out though? If anything, you'd be able to get to Malfoy if he really was up to something." I scoffed. If I didn't know by now, I probably never would. And what was Harry's obsession with Draco anyways? Just because he was a death eater? I sighed. I guess that was a good enough excuse if any.

I looked over to Hermione's books. The stack was more than usual with some rather interesting titles. Dark Magic and It's Culprits, Seemingly Forbidden Hexes, Death by Curse.

"Bloody hell Hermione. A little bit of dark reading you have here?" I laughed awkwardly. Hermione snapped out of her thoughts and looked down at the books.

"Horcruxes are not an easy thing to research. It is unlike any magic I have ever seen. Not many wizards have been very successful at it."

"I've never even heard of it before a few days ago."

"That's because it's banned at Hogwarts. They don't want us to know about it. I have found traces of the actual process in some of these books but my assumption is that after Tom Riddle perfected the task was it something that was hidden from the world."

"Honestly sounds intriguing," I murmured. My inner being was dying to crack open one of those books and soak up its contents. Hermione looked up and laughed a little.

"If I wasn't on a time crunch I would think so myself. But I feel like we keep hitting wall after wall." She buried her head in her hands. I grabbed her hand.

"I will see what I can do. In the meantime, if you need help with any of the research, you know where to find me. You know it's something I don't take lightly." She smiled at me. Hermione and I were from different houses but shared a similar love for learning.

"Thanks Lyra." She went to gather her books. "Maybe I'll see you in the library later?" I nodded in agreement. She gave me one last tired grin before staggering out of the dining hall.

I still had a little time before my first class but my excitement ran deep in my veins. Deciding to get there early and study up on the next lesson, I got up from the bench and started towards the third floor. I was barely out of the door when a hand grabbed me and pulled me aside. Looking at my captor, I was met with two silver eyes.

"Lyra, what are you doing here?" Draco asked worried. "You're supposed to be miles from Hogwarts by now. It's not safe here. What happened?" Shit. I hadn't even thought about what I would tell Draco about all of this. If Amycus was found to have staged my parents death by Voldemort, not only would he be dead but I would be soon to follow.

I looked up at him with hurt in my eyes. I couldn't tell him. Instead, I stood there like a bumbling idiot, not being able to speak any lies. He look my hand gently, egging for an answer. Tears began to form in my eyes.

"I can't... I can't say." I finally managed to spit out. Draco dropped my hand and crossed his arms.

"What do you mean you can't say?" A stern look spread across his face. This sucked.

"I just can't," I blubbered, tears beginning to fall. His expression changed subtly at the sight of my discomfort.

"Come with me," he said. Grabbing my hand again, he took me out of the castle onto the grounds. The air felt cool and fresh on my wet face as we walked down the hill. After a few meters away, he stopped and asked again, "Now can you tell me?"

I dropped my head. Unfortunately no matter how many people were around, I still questioned revealing Amycus's plan. So much was on the line. Draco frowned when he knew he wouldn't get an answer.

"Can you at least tell me if I need to watch your arse?" He was getting heated, which didn't help the situation at all. I wiped my tear stained face with my sleeve. Draco sighed.

"I just worry, OK?" I nodded.

"Amycus knows I am here. He let me go." Draco's mouth dropped open in astonishment.

"He released you? Willingly." Draco stated, trying to wrap his brain around the idea.

"Yes. He took me back to Hogsmeade yesterday."

Draco took a minute to process the information before eying me. He had come to a sudden realization.

"What did he ask of you?" My heart jumped. Damn it! How did he catch on? I stood there in silence before turning to leave. I didn't want to be in this predicament anymore.

"Draco, really, I have to get to class." I muttered as my shoes dug into the soggy ground. Draco grabbed at my arm and pulled me back.

"He wants something out of you, doesn't he? Lyra, don't lie to me. I know how slimy death eaters are. You wouldn't be here if there wasn't something in it for him." I closed my eyes and tried to brush him off. His hand gripped tighter as he used it as leverage to hike up the hill past me. Blocking my path, he stood, tall and persistent. I tried to step around him, but he caught me in his grasp again, looking deep into my eyes.

"You don't have to tell me. But know I will find out. If there are things you need to sort out before I do, I suggest you do them quickly. I don't like secrets, Lyra. You know I am here to help you." His glare terrified me. I wasn't sure if his statement was a threat or consoling in any fashion. Draco ran his fingers through his platinum hair in frustration.

I felt like shit. He would find out but it couldn't be from me and I wish he understood that. He was mad and he honestly had every right to be.

"What do I have to do to make you trust me Lyra?" His voice was stern but collected. The guilt was eating me alive.

"Draco, please. Don't make this harder than it already is." Another tear escaped from my eye. He gave me a look of remorse.

"Lyra, I can't help you like this." Draco choked on his words like it was his last dying wish. He stepped closer to me and wiped the tear from my face. Gently he kissed my wet cheek, giving me one last meaningful look with those piercing eyes before heading back towards the castle.

Fuck. I took a deep breath and tried to shake it all off. Now what?