Author's Note

Hello! I realized I made a mistake, in one chapter I say that Draco hasn't gotten the dark mark, then in the previous chapter I said he has. I apologize sincerely and want to clarify that Draco does not have the dark mark yet.

Who's That?

Draco wasn't sure how he got here, but somehow he was next to Lyra in moaning Myrtle's bathroom as she clutched herself in pain. She made a move to open her bag, but winced and her hand fell back onto her arm.

Draco stared, unsure of what to do. He finally managed, " What do you need?" His questions could wait.

Lyra turned to him, as if she had forgotten he was there. " My bag-" a sharp inhale interrupted her," a vial."

Draco hurriedly opened the bag slung around her shoulder, rifling through it until he found a small glass vial filled with a deep purple liquid. Lyra gave a sigh of relief and grabbed it from his hands, downing the contents at once. Draco watched as her labored breathing evened.

All signs of her previous struggle were gone. " Thanks."

"No problem." The wall he had kept his questions behind crumbled and he couldn't stop himself. " What the hell was that?!" His voice loud and confused.

" I don't see why I shouldn't tell you after all." She paused, " I took the mark young and that has… consequences."

He was confused by her answer. " I mean I know 15 is young but old magic like that recognizes 15 as adulthood-"

Lyra cut him off. " I took it when I was 12, Draco."

He remained silent for a few moments. " You haven't really explained."

She raised her eyebrows slightly and continued. " I don't know much about this… condition, I guess you could say, but I do know that it only happens when dark magic is nearby. That potion," she motioned to the empty vial on the ground," is the only thing that stops it."

" One of your father's creations no doubt."

Lyra nodded. She let out a forced laugh in an attempt to lighten the mood. " You won't believe how much I have to take before a meeting-" The words died on her lips. Such things were never jokes, some things were too scary and real.

Draco was reminded of something she had said. " But we're in Hogwarts. There can't be any dark magic here!"

She frowned. " You're right, that's not good. I should tell my father about this."

"What time is it?" Draco asked

"I don't know, it must be late!"

" Ugh Filch hates me, I'll get in trouble."

"Don't worry," Lyra responded," I know Ms. Norris."

He rolled his eyes teasingly, " Of course you do."

She slapped his arm playfully. " Yes I do! And she's quite nice once you get to know her. C'mon let's go back to the dorms."

Lyra pushed the door open, just in time to see a boy running away from the door, clearly eavesdropping.

" Stupefy!" Draco aimed at the boy but missed.

The boy turned his head to look behind his shoulder and Lyra caught a glimpse of his face.

She gasped.

Draco turned towards her and started talking. " He'll definitely tell Filch he saw us, I hope you're ready for all the rumours."

" What rumours?"

Draco looked at her in amusement, " Two slytherins coming out of a bathroom after curfew." He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh shut up." Lyra huffed. Becoming serious she added, "It's not Filch we should worry about being told."

" What do you mean?" he asked.

"I've met him before." Lyra answered. " His name is Tom Brooks, but I'm starting to doubt his last name."

Draco tilted his head questioningly.

" He helped me get to transfiguration on the first day of classes, I thought it was odd how enthusiastic he was to help a Slytherin, especially since he's a Hufflepuff."

" That would be weird." Draco agreed.

" Look," Lyra started, " We can't keep talking here, we need to get back. I'll come up with a plan tomorrow.

Just then Ms. Norris turned the corner of the hallway, hair bristling at the sight of two students out of bed. Before she could run off to tell Filch, Lyra transfigured into a cat. Draco looked amused as the two meowed at each other. After a minute of conversation Lyra morphed back.

"She won't tell."

" That was impressive." Draco acknowledged.

Lyra gasped in mock shock. " I impressed a Malfoy?!"

Draco rolled his eyes, " C'mon let's go to bed."

"Oh my, exactly what are you suggesting?!"

The two's playful banter continued all the way to the Slytherin dorms, until they parted ways up their separate staircases.

It was only later, laying in bed did they both realize they had forgotten about Tom completely.

I thought it was about time to introduce some actual plot! Who is Tom? Is he good or bad? Keep reading to find out! Please review. I appreciate it so much!