"Crucio!"

A rat squeaked and scurried around the box it was trapped in.

"Crucio!"

The rodent pawed at the sides of the box, sensing the danger it was in.

"Crucio!"

A high pitched squeal pierced the silence of the Slytherin common room as the rat flipped from side to side, writhing in pain as its tiny muscles rippled in a grotesque way.

"Took you long enough," Draco muttered, eyes not lifting off his book. He sat lounging in an armchair by the fireplace with Aliza, Blaise and Theo.

"Well I'm sorry I don't have a cold, cruel heart like yours," Aliza retorted. She had been practicing dark curses and learning Occlumency from Severus since the start of the Triwizard Tournament, preparing herself for Voldemort's return. Draco rolled his eyes as Blaise levitated a piece of firewood into the dying hearth.

Just then, the common room door burst open as Pansy ran towards them. "Guess who just got asked to the Yule Ball by Adrian Pucey!" she squealed excitedly.

"No! Don't tell me!" Blaise exclaimed exaggeratedly. "Was it... you?"

"Yes!" She yelled, hugging Blaise. "What do I wear? Oh I have to get a new dress!"

"I think my ears are starting to bleed," Draco frowned.

"You're just jealous you haven't got a date yet," Pansy said.

"Well I'll have you know that someone's actually asked me," Draco replied. Aliza froze. "Astoria approached me last night after supper. Quite shyly, I might add."

"Astoria?" Blaise repeated.

"Why? Can't imagine a pretty girl like her would ask me?"

"No, it's just-" Blaise glanced at Aliza, who was poking the rat in the box as it flinched from her movements. "Never mind."

"Well, did you say yes?" Pansy asked curiously.

"I couldn't say no to her. She had such hopeful eyes," Draco smirked.

Aliza's heart could sink no lower. How stupid of her to think that Draco saw her as she saw him. "What a flirt," she muttered.

"Crucio!"

The rat squealed louder than before, its muscles contorting beneath its skin. It wriggled about as it bit its own tail, yanking on its end.

"That's enough," Theo said quietly when the squealing didn't seem to cease. He placed his hand over hers as she stopped casting the curse and watched as the rat grew silent and limp in the box.

"Growing soft?" Aliza said in a clipped tone.

"What's gotten into you?" Draco asked, his hand reaching out to her. Aliza moved before he could touch her, standing with the box in her hands.

"Nothing," she said, walking towards the common room door. "I'm going for a walk."

"I'll follow-"

"No," Aliza interrupted. "I just...need to be alone for a while."

Aliza walked down the dark corridor, trying to reason with her burning emotions. She had no reason to be upset at Draco. It wasn't like there was anything more between them. Yet somehow, she felt betrayed. She walked up a flight of stairs to a quiet spot near the transfiguration courtyard and sat down on a bench. She sighed, leaning back and closing her eyes to try to clear her mind. Soft footsteps approached from where she had come from and stopped beside her. Whoever it was took a seat next to her on the bench.

"Draco, I told you I-" She had opened her eyes and stopped mid-sentence when she saw that it wasn't Draco beside her. "Blaise? Why- What are you doing here?"

He chuckled in response and replied, "Being there for a friend."

Aliza remained silent and turned to look at the serene courtyard in the dark of night. "Draco's an arse, you know. He's never been good at recognising feelings," Blaise said. "Don't take everything he says or does at face value."

Aliza sighed again. "I'm sorry I reacted that way. I just- I couldn't help it."

"Hush mi cara. There's nothing to apologise for." Blaise smiled. "Give it time. Love can't be rushed."

Aliza turned red in an instant. "What are you talking about? Don't-Don't spout such nonsense!" She blurted.

"I'm just saying that in general, Liza. Don't get so worked up," he laughed.

She huffed and looked away, face still hot from embarrassment. "Is-Is it that obvious?"

"You have to remember I'm a master of love. That means nothing escapes me," he smirked. Aliza felt herself burning up even more than she thought possible. "That also means I know you don't yet have a date for the ball. And a master of the arts grasps every opportunity he has."

He swiftly stood up and stretched a hand towards her with a charming smile. "Will you be my date for the ball?"

Aliza was seated in front of a mirror conjured from Daphne's makeup kit her mother bought for her last Christmas. It emitted a glow around it's edges that perfectly lit up her face. The brushes and palettes danced around her in a gentle rhythm, patting her cheeks and brushing her eyelids. It was one of the times Aliza absolutely loved magic and its wonders. Daphne was dressed in a seemingly black dress that shone dark blue where the light hit. It accentuated her light blonde hair that flowed down her back in a single braid. She fixed a bloodred gemstone in Pansy's hair and took a step back, admiring her masterpiece.

"How do I look?" Pansy asked, giving a little twirl in her red dress.

"Like a devil," Aliza said, observing her through the reflection in the mirror. "A smoking hot one," she added. Pansy had always been more daring with her clothing. A slit in the side of her dress went up to her upper thigh, teasing the eyes of anyone who looked at her. Her hair was bound in a soft bun with the sparkling red stone Daphne had affixed her hair with.

"Why, you look amazing as well Aliza. It's a beautiful dress," she smiled. "Come on, give us a twirl! Your makeup's done already."

Aliza stood up in her emerald green dress that clung to her body in all the right places. On her back was a matching velvet cape that flowed elegantly behind her wherever she stepped. She had opted for a more modest hairstyle and wore her dark hair in soft curls.

Daphne beamed and took a silver forehead band from a small chest in her trunk. "Here, let me help you," she said, attaching the band on Aliza's head.

"Are you sure it's alright? It was your grandmother's," Aliza fretted.

"Of course, Liza. It suits your outfit stunningly well. Besides, it would be a waste if I didn't use it," Daphne replied. "There, all done."

Aliza looked in the mirror and let loose a breath. The band sparkled in a mesmerizing way and made her look almost like a princess from a foreign land. "Thank you," she smiled.

"Now come on, we're going to be late if we don't leave now," Pansy said, grabbing both Daphne's and Aliza's hands and leading them up to the Slytherin common room. The boys were already upstairs, save for Draco, who had gone ahead with Astoria. Adrian Pucey was waiting beside the fireplace for Pansy, who was absolutely delighted at the sight of a rose in his hand. They promptly left the group for a little 'alone time' before the ball started.

"So that's why she was in such a hurry," Aliza remarked, earning a giggle from Daphne. Theo smiled as he approached Daphne, extending his arm to her. She gratefully wound her arm around his as they turned to leave the common room.

"It's surprising to see Theo without a book in his hand for once," Aliza said to Blaise, who had walked to her side.

"Mmm and you look absolutely stunning," Blaise smirked, extending his arm. Aliza rolled her eyes at his flirty antics and grabbed his arm, leaving the common room for the Great Hall.

When they arrived, the hall was buzzing with excitement. The hall was decorated extravagantly with shining lights and tables filled to the brim with delicious food. A crowd had gathered in the center of the hall, dancing to a tune belted out by the Weird Sisters.

"Looks like we're fashionably late," Blaise said, navigating the throng of people and straight to the dance floor. "Well, let's start off the night with a little dancing, mi amore." Aliza giggled as Blaise turned her round in a twirl before grabbing her waist and moving to the rhythm of the music. He was about to give her another twirl when someone bumped into him.

"Look where you- Blaise! We were looking for the both of you."

"Draco! Where's Astoria?"

Much to Aliza's surprise, Astoria wasn't anywhere near Draco. "She went looking for her friends after the first song. Should've known she only wanted to come with me to get an invitation to the ball," he frowned.

"Where are the rest? I'll go get some drinks for us," Blaise said. Draco pointed towards a couch in the corner of the room where a group of Slytherins had gathered with some Durmstrang students. Blaise nodded and turned to leave, but not before sending a wink in Aliza's direction.

"You look beautiful," Draco said after Blaise disappeared into the crowd. His face seemed a to glow a light shade of pink in the light of the great hall.

"Thanks," Aliza said. She was about to suggest heading for their friends when a raven-haired girl bumped into her, sending her stumbling straight into Draco's arms.

"Careful," he said, helping her gather her footing. Aliza felt her face burn and didn't dare look up at Draco, who still had his arms around her. They had embraced each other many times before, yet Aliza couldn't help but feel butterflies in her stomach.

"Will you...dance with me? Before we join the others," Draco asked nervously. Aliza smiled but didn't say a word, placing her hand in his as they danced till the end of the song.

When they joined the Slytherins, Pansy was already all over Adrian. Her face was red as she embraced him so close she was almost sitting on top of him. "What in merlin's name happened to her?" Aliza asked, astonished.

"Turns out she's a lightweight," Theo panned, offering her a glass of what looked like perfectly normal fruit punch everyone else in the hall was having.

"The Durmstrang students smuggled in a few bottles of Irish Vodkaflame. A magnificent move I commend them for," Blaise whispered, handing a glass to Draco. Aliza took a sip and felt the drink warm her throat.

"Good stuff, isn't it?" A dark-haired Durmstrang student smiled beside her. She was about to respond when a figure stepped in between them. Draco was glaring at the boy with his arms crossed, his mouth turned down into a nasty sneer. Abandoned on the table was an empty glass previously in his hands.

"There goes another," Theo sighed, refilling his own cup.

"Draco," Aliza said apprehensively. She grabbed his arm and tugged him aside. "Draco, what's gotten into you?"

He didn't seem to hear her and continued shooting daggers at the boy, who had recovered from his initial shock at Draco's aggressiveness and turned to another girl for conversation. Draco whirled around and took Aliza's hand, dragging her across the hall toward the courtyard outside. His sneer continued to plaster his face but his hand was surprisingly gentle when leading her through the crowd.

He only stopped when they were far from the bustling hall, in the midst of the courtyard lit with fairies in the rosebushes. He stood there silently, staring into the sky, still holding onto Aliza's hand.

"Draco?" she asked when he continued to stare absentmindedly upwards. She turned her head to the sky and saw the moon shining ever so brightly against the dark night. "It's beautiful tonight."

"It is," he murmured beside her.

"I see why you had to stop and stare," she said. Draco hummed in reply. He seemed to have much less to say when he had a drink in his system. It was just a little bit scary. She turned to look at him, only to find him staring straight back at her. For how long he had been staring, she did not know. His eyes were gentle and his lips were curved ever so slightly into a smirk- no, a smile. Aliza found herself blushing at his gaze and she looked down, only to find her face heat up even more when she saw that Draco still had his hand in hers.

"Umm... Draco?"

"Hm?"

"Would you... Would you quit staring at me..."

"Why?"

He sounded so innocent it drove her a little mad hearing him speak in such a tone. She flitted her eyes toward him and felt a warm touch on her cheek. Draco had placed his hand on her cheek and was inching closer ever so slightly. Aliza felt her heart begin to race and thump so loudly she was afraid he would hear it. Is he going to kiss me?

She would never know the answer for the crunching of footsteps in the snow sounded right beside them. "What do you think you're doing?" an extremely familiar voice drawled. Looming over them was Severus Snape, looking quite irate. The Durmstrang Headmaster was following behind him with an odd expression on his face.

It seemed that seeing Severus had an immediate sobering effect on Draco, who flinched away from Aliza like she were a pack of hot coals.

"Uncle Sev!" Aliza let out a nervous laugh, glancing at Draco with eyes that yelled 'help me!'.

"W-We were just taking a stroll," Draco stuttered, turning quite a dark shade of pink.

"Well, take your stroll elsewhere. I don't fancy having an image like that ingrained in my mind," he glared.

Draco fled the scene, walking as fast as possible back towards the hall. Aliza flashed Severus an apologetic smile and rushed to catch up with Draco.

"Draco, wait!"

He halted abruptly in his steps and turned slightly, his face still hot from embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Liza. Please forget what just happened," he said.

"What do you-"

"I wasn't thinking straight. So please just forget everything," he interrupted, mumbling something about cursed liquor.

"Did it not mean anything?" Aliza asked, slightly hurt at his words.

"No- I mean, yes- But-" he sighed, running a hand through his blonde hair. "Let's just head back."

Aliza was disappointed and it didn't escape Draco's gaze. He hesitantly reached out to take her hand and gave it a slight squeeze, before leading her back into the hall. She supposed she would let this matter slide...for the moment.

The Triwizard Tournament had been a flurry of excitement and worry for Aliza. Harry infuriated her with his acts of heroism in the second task by saving not just Weasley but Delacour's sister as well. He could very well have been shred to pieces by the mermaids in the lake by saving what was not his to save. Bloody Gryffindors.

They were walking towards the Quidditch Field where the last task was set to begin. Who knows what horrors awaited the champions in the maze. What could possibly be worse than dragons and mermaids? She was trudging along when Draco pulled her to the side. Ever since the Yule Ball, they seemed to have an unspoken agreement to not speak of what had happened. Aliza didn't particularly mind, though her thoughts often wandered to possibilities where Severus hadn't interrupted them. She was just glad they were still as close-knit as ever.

Draco cast a muffliato spell over them before speaking. "It's tonight," he said.

"What is?" Aliza asked, confused.

"The Dark Lord will be revived," he paused, letting the information sink in. "I would have told you sooner but I only just received the information from mother. The Death Eaters wish for us to be present at the meeting tonight."

Aliza was silent, deep in thought. She would not let fear creep in. The entire school year was in preparation for this very night where her life and Draco's would be forever changed. There was no backing out now.

"I understand," she said.

"Hey, look at me," Draco said, lifting her chin with a slender finger. "I'll be right there with you. Everything will go smoothly. Just remember your occlumency lessons."

She nodded and gave a grateful smile, to which Draco wrapped her in an embrace. They walked back to their friends and each found seats in the stands with the rest of Slytherin.

The last task of the Tournament had went underway but with little fanfare. There wasn't much for anyone to see apart from the rare red sparks that signalled the failure of one of the champions. The atmosphere was tense, with only Cedric Diggory and Harry left in the maze. They were taking a rather long time. The professors were getting restless as well. Mcgonagall had begun pacing back and forth, irritating Severus who had a sneer on his face. He grimaced, right hand gripping onto his left arm, perhaps to keep himself from shooting a spell at Mcgonagall to keep her still.

A few moments later, a loud bang pierced the night and a figure appeared at the entrance to the maze, clutching a large, shiny goblet. There was a buzz in the air as everyone stretched their necks out to see who had won the Tournament. "Harry! It's Harry Potter!" a Hufflepuff shouted.

Cheers erupted from the stands as everyone celebrated the new champion of the Triwizard Tournament. But something was wrong. Harry was screaming, but it was hard to hear what he was saying over the whooping from the crowd. He was bent over something else, having abandoned the goblet on the ground.

Suddenly, a bone chilling scream cut through the noise. "Merlin," Blaise said, eyes wide in shock. "Cedric Diggory's dead." The cheers quickly turned into panic as everyone began to understand the situation. Amos Diggory was wailing in distraught and Dumbledore was trying to calm Harry down.

"He's back! Voldemort's back!" Harry yelled. "He killed Cedric and I-I-"

Aliza looked on with a chilling calm. Draco murmured something in her ear and they disappeared from the stands.

Aliza found herself standing in the foyer of the Malfoy Manor moments later, with Draco in tow. Dobby had apparated them from Hogwarts in the blink of an eye. Draco led Aliza through a door hidden behind a tapestry, where the Death Eaters were to hold their meetings.

The room was adorned with banners bearing the dark mark and a deep green carpet lay on the ground, leading them to a chair much like a throne, upon which a man with the face of a snake and red slits as eyes was seated. Death Eaters with their masks on parted for Aliza and Draco, who walked confidently past them. Voldemort's inner circle had the privilege of standing at the foremost of the room, surrounding the Dark Lord.

They stopped before Voldemort and bowed deeply, as they had rehearsed. "My lord," Draco greeted. "It is an honour to finally meet you."

"Ah, Draco Malfoy," he grinned in a most sickening way. "The Malfoys have never disappointed me. I trust you will not be the first."

"I assure you I will not," Draco replied.

Voldemort nodded, satisfied with his answer. He turned his gaze to Aliza, who felt a shiver run down her spine. "Another Potter," he smiled cruelly. "I would love to cut you down to pieces right now. But my Death Eaters claim you are...sympathetic."

"Pleasure to meet you my lord," she bowed her head, a smirk on her face. She was determined not to show weakness. Especially not to Voldemort. "I offer my willing servitude to your cause."

"Look at me," he ordered. Aliza lifted her eyes to meet his blood red eyes and felt the aggressive push of legilimency. It barged at her door, determined to break through. She feigned weakness and bore a part of herself to him. She could feel him taking in every bitterness at being compared to her brother, every grudge she held at him for abandoning her. He withdrew his invasive claws and stared at her calculatingly.

"You don't fool me, Potter," he spat.

She stared defiantly back at him as Draco stiffened beside her. Lucius glanced at his wife, who promptly shot him a look that made him stand down from whatever he was about to say. "I fully understand your suspicions, my lord. If I may say a few words?" she said.

Voldemort remained silent but made no move to stop her when she spoke again. "I was raised by muggles in an orphanage. And I learnt firsthand how spiteful those things are. When I received my Hogwarts letter, it only served to confirm my superiority over them. When I got to Hogwarts, I was sorted into Slytherin. A half-blood witch raised by muggles sorted into Slytherin? Not the easiest. I was determined not only to be better, but to be the best. I studied and practiced hard, mastering even occlumency with the aid of Uncle Severus. I'm sure you've noticed that."

She paused, observing Voldemort's reaction. As expected, he showed no reaction despite her drawing the parallels between their lives.

"In my second year, I came across a very interesting book- a diary, rather." Voldemort's breath faltered. Ah, so he has some semblance of humanity after all. "The diary favoured me, it seemed. And I offered it a soul to feed upon. Alas, it was not to be, for my brother destroyed the diary and left me with no master. Therefore I come before you, my lord, to offer my services once more."

A moment passed before Voldemort rose from his throne and walked towards a Death Eater with a missing hand. He ripped off his mask to reveal a trembling, buck-toothed man and threw him to the ground in front of Aliza. "Kill him," Voldemort said simply, walking back to take his seat at his throne again.

"M-My lord," he grovelled. "P-p-please! Spare me! I've given every-aaagggghhh!!"

Aliza had whipped her wand out and struck him with the cruciatus curse. She plastered a smirk on her face and let his screams fill the room for minutes. When she lifted the curse, the Death Eater lay there weakly, barely able to lift a finger.

"Pathetic," she muttered. "Avada Kedava."

A bright green light lit the room and his body lay on the ground motionless and without a breath. "Utterly pathetic," she spat. Indeed, 'utterly pathetic' was the way to describe her parent's death. They were brilliant duellers, yet they died worthlessly without a wand in hand. But it wasn't the time to reminisce.

She looked up to see Voldemort smiling at her. A chill run down her spine as he stretched his arms wide invitingly. "Welcome to my circle, Aliza."

A silent relief washed over the room as every Death Eater was spared from the Dark Lord's wrath at bringing an incompetent witch before him.