Chapter 5: Impossible Starts
September 10th
Over a week had passed since arriving at Hogwarts and Draco was no closer to figuring out where to start his mission as he was when he was staying at the Manor. Between helping Ellie get acclimated to the curiosities around the castle and batting away boys in different houses from trying to talk to her after their classes, he barely had time to focus on anything. Let alone, trying to find a private enough place to work. He knew he needed to get to the room of requirement, but he was having a hard time actually locating it. All of the maps and blueprints of the castle he had been able to find, showed no such room existed. So far, it felt like he was hitting dead end after dead end.
He sighed, running his hand through his hair as he stretched his neck. He had been in the library for several hours now as his friends flew around the Quidditch pitch, everyone getting excited for the new season. He hadn't seen Elara all afternoon, and just assumed she had slept in and then went trapezing about with Pansy again. He turned the page he had been staring at for several minutes, to the next. He knew he would find nothing, yet again, as he went through the book.
"Hogwarts a history?"
He looked up at the sound of Blaise's voice. "Yes."
"What are you reading that for? Planning on tutoring some firsties?"
"Research." Draco replied, leaving Blaise with the questioning look.
Blaise took the seat next to him and leaned back, folding his arms over his chest as he propped his feet up on the desk. Draco had a complicated friendship with Blaise. Blaise was pompous, and arrogant. Both traits that many associated with himself, but he was quick witted and smart. Two things that made him dangerous to Draco right now. Blaise and Draco had befriended one another at a young age, but it was Elara who always seemed enamored when Zabini was around. He was charming and smooth and was often in the company of good looking women. Draco resented the draw his sister had to him. Realistically, he expected her to get close to some Slytherin boy while at Hogwarts, but he had hoped it would be someone, anyone, else. Someone who maybe didn't have a very similar reputation with girls that he had, himself.
"Have you seen Elara?" Draco asked. "I could use her help."
"We just had lunch together." Blaise said, smirking. "She said something about returning to the common room to work on her Muggle Studies essay. I still can't believe you're okay with her taking that class…"
"You've met her." Draco said. "What am I going to do? Tell her not to take it? She'd take it ten times over just to spite me if I did that."
Blaise chuckled. "You may be right about that, mate." He blew out a long breath, raising his eyebrows. "The summer holidays treated her kindly though. I swear she gets more gorgeous every time I see her."
"Watch it." Draco warned. "That's my sister you're mooning after."
"Better a challenge." Blaise said, the smirk returning to his lips.
"Zabini, I'll string you up by your intestines if you lay a finger on her." Draco said, his voice dark as he looked up from his book. "Leave her alone."
"I wouldn't do anything with her that she doesn't ask for. And believe me, she'll be asking."
Draco narrowed his eyes, closing his book. "I want to make one thing extremely clear for you. I have no fear of getting expelled. I don't care what happens to me anymore. But Ellie? Ellie is too good for this place, and certainly too good for you. Keep your distance, Zabini. If you know what's good for you. You have your pick of the litter, shagging random Ravenclaw and Gryffindors… You leave my sister out of it. Understood?" His voice was clear, enunciating every syllable.
Zabini tightened his relaxed pose, sitting upright and placing his feet on the ground. "I'm just taking the piss with you, Malfoy. I'm not going to shag your sister. I just like her company… She's… She's refreshing, you know? Smart and genuine. It's rare."
"I know." Draco said. "And you'll do good to remember that she is smart. Too smart for you."
Blaise rolled his eyes and stood up. "She's going to figure out that you're turning people against her eventually. You better let her know now that you're trying to control her friend group before you fuck up and she turns to less favorable people."
"We're the children of Death Eaters. Who is less favorable than us?" Draco asked.
"People who may play to that good that's in her." Blaise said, standing up to leave. "See you later, mate. I hope you figure out your research."
As Blaise left Draco alone in the secluded corner of the library, he felt an intense wave of anger crashing through him. Of course, Blaise was right. In their situation, the threat of good versus evil was real. Not some childish story in a book. And like it or not, they were fighting on the side of evil, to help the evil prevail. Not that they had much of a choice in the matter… But if she were to be… swayed… She was innocent, naïve. She knew what they were doing, but Draco had hidden many of the details from her, he had hidden the why from her. She knew that the Death Eaters had to infiltrate the castle in order to control full reign over the ministry, and that was it. He had left out the fact that he was expected to murder the most powerful wizard of all time.
He sighed, trying to get his rage under control. He clenched his teeth and blew hot breaths out of his nose, his chest heaving. He counted to ten, and when that didn't work, he cast a Muffliato charm and smashed his chair against the bookshelf, feeling the old wood splinter under his grip.
"FUCK!" He yelled, smashed the bits of broken chair against the table. Hot furious tears leaked from his eyes. What was he supposed to do?! How was he going to protect her when he couldn't even figure out where the get started?! He was so incompetent he couldn't even locate a fucking room in the castle that had everything he needed in it! He tasted iron as he bit his tongue, trying to stifle himself instead of screaming out again.
When he finally looked up, Elara was staring at him. Grey eyes wide with concern. She waved her knobby white wand and cancelled the muffling spell he had cast. And folded her arms over her chest, clicking her tongue and the concern that was there moments ago turned into annoyance.
"Pull yourself together." She said. "And clean this mess up. We are not at the Manor anymore. You can't just go around smashing things up because you don't know how to control your emotions without throwing a tantrum."
He stared at her, clenching his jaw and sucking his teeth. "You don't need to treat me like a child."
"Apparently I do, since you're going to act like one." She retorted, flicking her wand to help him put the nook back together. "If you're going to send yourself into a tizzy over Blaise, than do it in the privacy of your own room."
"Blaise?" He asked. "I'm not-
"He told me you questioned where I was, and you had some words with him. He was angry with you and wouldn't tell me what you said." She said.
"He's the one trying to talk me into getting you to drop muggle studies." Draco grumbled.
"I'm not dropping it. I like that class, it's interesting." She snapped. "Now, are you done smashing things about, or do you need a moment to collect yourself?"
He rolled his eyes. "What do you want?"
"You've been pouring over history book and old blueprints and maps since we got here. I want you to come fly with me."
"I don't have time for Quidditch this year." He said, feeling saddened.
"I know." She said. "But you can make time to come fly with me. Just for a bit. There's no one else on the pitch right now and I've been dying to fly around the grounds since we got here. Then, you're going to have supper with me, and after that…a shower. You look like you haven't showered in days and I'm sure you smell it."
He stood up, rolling his eyes and tucking his wand into his waistband. "Fine. But then, we have to get to work."
"We can start back at it tomorrow morning and work all day." She compromised. "But this evening, you need to relax a bit. You're already driving yourself mad and it's not even been two weeks."
Elara understood her brother's frustrations and drive to find answers. They were on a time frame, a very specific deadline. A very life or death deadline. She wasn't so moronic that she was blind to the fact that they hadn't figured out anything yet. But she knew, better than most, that the brain needed a break from exhaustion. It needed an escape. She thought that maybe, just maybe, having a few hours of flying and food might open his mind a bit more.
She tugged at his elbow and slowly he trotted behind her, out of library and toward the main corridor of the lower level. He noticed she was wearing his old black jumper, that was so faded it was nearly grey, and a pair of jeans and old trainers.
"You look homeless." He said, a smirk on his face. "Surely you don't go about like this daily?"
"We wear uniforms daily, so no. I like this jumper, it's comfortable."
"It's nearly falling apart, that's why I was going to throw it out."
"I kept it." She said. "Leave me alone. The wind was brisk earlier, and I wanted something warmer than tights and a dress."
He half smiled and rolled his eyes at her. "You don't make any sense. No wonder people won't stop staring at you. They're trying to figure out if you're really a Malfoy."
"Just because you dress like a pompous prat every day, does not mean that I have to. I'd rather be comfortable, thank you very much. Besides, I never had to dress up at home."
"Because you never came out of your room or the garden."
She shrugged. "I liked it there. But the greenhouses are nice. The NEWT Herbology class has been interesting thus far."
"You took Herbology? NEWT level Herbology?" Draco said, looking at her incredulously.
"Yes." She said. "You didn't think I was going to take only the classes you took, did you? I wanted to explore a few other interests…"
"Like what?" He asked, raising an apprehensive blonde eyebrow.
"I took Defense, Potions, Charms, Transfiguration… I also took Arithmancy, Herbology, Muggle Studies, Ancient Runes, and Divination."
Draco almost choked on his own breath. "You took muggle studies and Divination? Are you trying to make yourself into the laughingstock of Slytherin house?"
She eyed him with a side glance as she kept walking toward the large doors in the front of the castle. "I wanted to take it. Mother always let me study it because of my…" She quieted as a group of Ravenclaws walked by. "My… ailment."
"You think that would help?" He asked. "That batty old woman doesn't know what she's talking about."
"Maybe, maybe not. But either way, I like it so far." As they exited the castle and the fresh afternoon air smacked against her face, she took in a deep breath and smiled. "I hate being trapped inside. There's so much… space out here!"
"The castle is a hell of a lot bigger than your bedroom at the manor."
"Yes, but the air is not as fresh." She said, sucking in a large breath and blowing it back out. "Race you to the pitch!" She shouted as she took off running.
"That's not fair! Cheater!" Draco cried behind her.
She laughed and barreled forward, allowing her feet to carry her as fast as they dare. The air was still warm, but not sweltering, and there was a breeze. Her white blonde hair, that was pulled up in a high pony tail, whipped around the back of her neck as she ran. She could feel her heart pounding in rhythm with her feet against the grassy hills. She looked over her shoulder and saw Draco on her tail, sprinting toward her. He looked determined and focused, ready to win. When she turned back around she lost her footing and slid, tumbling over a small hill and nearly crushing a small group of students.
"Oi! Get off!" A male voice said, standing up swiftly, removing his wand from his waistband and pointing it at her.
She was still laughing when she opened her eyes, she was met with sparkling pools of green staring back at her from beneath circular lenses. She looked around and saw a shock of messy red hair and bushy brown curls pulled into a bun.
"Sorry!" She said, standing up and stepping on her tip toes to see if Draco was still at the top of the hill. "I was running and-
"What were you running from?" Potter asked, alarmed.
"Nothing." She said, just realizing how out of breath she was. "I was racing with Draco… I slipped in.. Oh see!" She pointed to her jeans, the right leg of which was covered in mud. "I slipped in mud and lost my footing I guess, just over the top of that hill!" She looked around but didn't see Draco. She wondered if he had continued to the pitch just so he could say he won.
"You should be more careful!" He said, sounding irritated.
She nodded. "I suppose you're right." She looked around again. "That git. He's going to say he won…" She whispered under her breath.
"You were actually racing Malfoy? Running down a hill?" Weasley asked, seemingly confused.
She nodded. "Yeah. And he's probably kept going just so he can say he beat me! Unbelievable!"
She chuckled to herself and brushed her jeans off the best she could. "Oh, Hermione?"
Hermione looked to her direction. "Yes?"
"I wanted to get a jumpstart on our Arithmancy chart, but I'm having a bit of trouble with defining the line between Hebrew Gematria and Greek Isopsephy. They're basically the same thing and the numerical values are so similar… I feel like I'm missing something."
"Oh!" Hermione said. "I have some notes that could be useful. I think you just need to study a bit on the Muggle Philosophers to interpret the differences. I know you've looked at Plato, but if you take a read through the Cratylus, it will give you a better explanation of the Gematria versus Isopsephy theories."
"Brilliant. Thank you."
"Sure!" Hermione said. "I'll bring you some of my notes I have on the subject from last year. I have a few really interesting books too—they're more geared from ancient runes than arithmancy, but since you're taking both I don't think you'll mind."
"Not a bit, sounds lovely. Thank you again!" Elara offered a friendly smile, nodded to the very befuddled boys, and turned her back to them, continuing her jog to the pitch.
Harry and Ron stared at Hermione, confused. "You're going to help girl Malfoy?" Ron said.
"Her name is Elara, and yes." Hermione said, settling back into the spot she was in prior to Elara quite literally crashing their meeting.
Harry sat back down, and Ron followed suit. "Why?" Harry asked.
"You were here for the conversation." Hermione said. "She needs help in Arithmancy."
"That doesn't seem… suspicious? Of all the people to ask, she asks you?" Harry said.
"Why should it? We sit near each other in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. She's actually quite intelligent and she enjoys studying…"
"No one enjoys studying." Ron said.
"I do." Hermione snapped. "And other people who care about their academics."
"You expect me to believe a Malfoy is asking a muggle born for help? Genuinely? And that there's no other motive there?" Harry said.
As he said the words, he knew he didn't mean them. She had tried to help him on the train. She seemed genuinely upset at what her brother had done. And throughout the last week and a half of seeing her around, he had noticed she certainly was more… vibrant than her total wank of a brother.
"She's a Malfoy, yes." Said Hermione. "But—I don't know. I just don't get that… That feel from her. She doesn't call me names or wrinkle her nose up like Draco does. It's honestly like she doesn't even care or notice who the muggle borns are."
"Just be careful, Hermione." Harry said.
By the time Elara reached the pitch, Draco was already on his broom, hovering a few feet in the air. "You cheat!" She said. "You saw me fall!"
"I would've helped you, but you had Potty and Weasel… And the Mudblood. They all seemed like they were capable."
"Accio, Firebolt." She said, holding her hand out waiting for the sleek broom to touch her fingers. "Don't call her that. She's nice to me. And she's going to help me with some homework."
Draco's face went pale, as if it could get any paler, and he looked sick. "Why? All of your classes, I can help you with."
"I thought you wanted me to make my own friends?" She said, mounting the broom and kicking off so she now hovered at the same height he did.
"Yes, but not them." He said. "Potter is already suspicious of me. If you were to divulge into your relationship with Granger… And talk as girls do.. You could slip. You could tell her-
"Have some trust in me, I'm not an idiot." She said. "I know what I'm doing. Maybe you should realize that if I'm friendly toward them, they may leave you alone..?"
Well, that's interesting. He hadn't thought of that. He stared at her, as a smirk crawled across her face. She knew exactly what she was doing. She was right. He groaned internally… why is she always right?
"I guess you're more Slytherin than I give you credit for." He said. "You still need to drop that muggle class though."
She pulled the broom upward, soaring further into the air. "Not a chance!" She yelled. "I like it!"
She took a deep breath as she flew around the pitch a few times, getting her baring's in a new area. She did a few dips and took a nose dive, yanking up just before she hit the ground and flew low and fast, following the curves of the ground. Draco raced around her, looking at home, looking relaxed.
She didn't notice the green eyes watching her.
Harry continued staring from the spot he had been sitting in with Ron and Hermione. They had decided to go in to work on Ron's defense essay, and Harry said he'd catch up with them.
What was her deal? He thought. Who is this girl?
Clearly, she was a Malfoy. Her white blonde hair and silver eyes gave that away… Along with her perfect bone structure… Her high cheek bones and pointed chin… Her nose that had such a slight up turn to it… Her slender build… No. Stop it. He felt his ears grow hot and he shook his head. Stop it. She's a Malfoy. A Malfoy who wears muddy jeans and jumpers that are two sizes too big without caring? He eyed her, watching her fly. She was a talented flier, swooping and diving gracefully. Doing barrel rolls and nose dives, triple twirls and tight spins… She looked as if she were dancing through the air, her blonde ponytail a streak behind her, carefree and happy. She looked like any other witch that loved to fly… Not like the daughter of a death eater… Or the sister of someone he despised…
He felt a strange tug in his gut, something telling him that there was something wrong. Obviously, Draco was a death eater… The babying of his left arm at Madam Malkins and the way he talked on the train… There wasn't a doubt in his mind that Draco Malfoy was following in his father's footsteps… But there was something about Elara… Even thinking her name stirred a feeling in his chest… Something he couldn't identify. He was so sure about everything usually, at least when it came to people. He had learned to trust his gut, it wasn't usually wrong, but with her… He didn't know. He truly didn't know.
"So, what's your plan then?" Draco asked, sniffling from the cold air whipping around them. He slowed his broom, still thirty feet in the air or so, and pulled one foot up, resting his arm on his knee.
Elara followed him, balancing parallel to him and swinging both legs on one side of her Firebolt. "What'd you mean?" She asked, panting to catch her breath.
"With Potter." He said. "You said to trust you, and I will. But I need to know how you plan on keeping them off my back."
"I'm going to be friendly toward them." She said, smiling. "Kill them with kindness brother."
"That isn't going to work." He frowned. "The Mu-Granger" he corrected, seeing her eyebrows raise in protest. "Is far too smart to not catch on to you trying to infiltrate their little group. A random Malfoy shows up out of the blue and befriends the bloody bitch that lived? I don't think so."
"You underestimate my charm, Coco."
"Look, I know you're every bit Malfoy as I am, but I've had more practice with it in social settings."
"Yes, maybe." She said, pondering the thought. "But that's part of the allure, isn't it? No one knows who I am, or anything about me. They might just find their curiosity gets the best of them. And If that doesn't work… I'll wear a low cut shirt and smile at him."
Draco's jaw dropped. "E-excuse me?"
She rolled her eyes. "Oh please. Don't act like you don't shag everything that moves."
"Your brilliant plan is to shag potter?" He felt disgusted just saying it, he wrinkled his nose.
"No! Not shag. But If I can keep him busy, keep him interested in me instead of what you're doing, we'll have a better chance of getting further. Besides, I've heard mention of the Room of Requirement from a few Gryffindors that speak too loudly… If anyone knows where it's at, it's them."
Goddammit. Right again. "Shit." He said, sighing. "I want to be clear; I'm not telling you to prostitute yourself for this. I'm not okay with this…"
"It's hardly prostitution." She said. "And what other options do we have? I know you're already worried, I can feel it. You still aren't sleeping and now you've stopped eating… And he's been following us around every chance he gets… If he's only following me around, and I can keep him off your back… I'm here to help you, Coco. This is the best way I can think of right now."
"Did Zabini put you up to this?"
"What?" She asked, caught completely off guard.
"This seems like some ridiculous bullshit he'd come up with… Anything for a shag with him!"
"He isn't like that." She said. "And no. I haven't told Blaise anything about being here for a task. You're the one who keeps hinting around it to them. I haven't said anything."
"Good. Keep it that way." He dropped his leg back over his broom and lowered toward the ground. "I'm hungry. Let's go eat."
She nodded in agreement and followed him, putting her broom in his locker and then following him on foot to the castle. Elara knew she had no real desire to get Harry Potter to fancy her, she honestly felt horrible to even think about doing it. But this was life and death. And they had to be able to figure this task out without interruption. Without one of the most well-connected students suspicious of them. And when the idea had come to her a few days prior, she realized that getting into the good graces of his friends would be crucial. And that once she was accepted, they would have a fountain of information she could use, she could filter through… She was going to be a spy, and she knew in this moment she was spying for the wrong side of history.
Elara sighed as she sat next to Draco at the Slytherin table. She had eaten lunch fairly late but flying always gave her an appetite. She helped herself to some stewed vegetables and chicken. She smiled as her goblet filled with her favorite cranberry juice and began to tuck in. She looked around the table, noticing all eyes were on her and Draco. She took in a breath, feeling irritated. Would it be like this all year? It's been over a week and everyone still stared at her! It was exhausting, having to watch your back every second of every day, to hold up a reputation that you didn't give a care about in the first place.
"They're probably all wondering why you've decided to sit at the table covered in dried mud and wearing clothes that don't fit properly." Draco chuckled, taking a bite of his food. "Please try and use utensils so they don't all think you're a complete Neanderthal."
She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her juice. "Why does everyone care about what I look like so deeply? If I wear this, they're going to talk about how I look like I've just rolled out of bed. If I dress up, they're going to think I'm a pompous git like you."
"At least you can admit that you look like you've just rolled out of bed. Understanding is the first step to recovery." He teased.
"I think you always look lovely." Blaise commented, taking the open spot across from her.
She smiled at him. "Thank you, Blaise. See, Coco? Blaise doesn't care if I wear old jumpers!"
"Blaise doesn't have the backlash of people decimating our reputation." He grumbled. "You make it extremely difficult to be taken seriously when you look like that and you take rubbish classes like Muggle Studies."
She swallowed a bite of her food and laughed. "And Divination." She smirked.
"Bloody hell." Blaise said. "You're taking Divination too? You know that only total half wits take that, right? Who picked out your class schedule?!"
"I did." She said. "And I quite like my classes. And that's enough about me. Why don't you both worry about yourselves, yeah?"
"What's that supposed to mean!?" Blaise said, feigning offence.
"It means I've seen you chatting up fourth years!" She laughed as he choked on his water and tried to recover, sending him into a coughing fit.
This was nice. She smiled to herself, as she finished her supper and listened to Draco and Blaise go back and forth about Quidditch plays. Blaise had taken over what should have been Draco's captaincy, and he was trying to convince him to play this year. She could tell Draco had some sadness to his tone, upset he had to give up the one thing he loved to do most, but the conversation was good natured.
As Blaise and Draco's conversation turned into talking about girls, she stared off around the Great Hall, observing other students. Many of them were laughing and chatting with her friends. A lot of them were staring at her. She felt again, the intense gaze she was becoming familiar with. Across the hall, sitting on the edge of the Gryffindor table, Potter was looking at her. He was pushing his food around in circle on his plate and she could feel contempt washing over her. What was his problem? She didn't know him! He knew nothing of her! Why was he so intent on burning angry holes into her skin with his piercing gaze?
She nearly shouted in surprise when her familiar, a large gold backed barn owl with a heart shaped face, swooped low and dropped in front of her.
"Ignatius." She smiled, giving the owl a bit of chicken and taking the envelope from his leg. Ignatius gave a soft hoot, nuzzled her hand for moment, and took off.
She recognized the beautiful curved writing in her mother's penmanship.
"Elara,
I've spoken to Severus. He will provide you with some potions to help ease your mind, should you need it. I do hope you're enjoying your time. Of course, your Father and I are proud that you were placed in Slytherin, along side Draco. Please try to remind him to be involved in his academics, I know it will be difficult this year, but we can't have his marks slipping.
I have also made sure to look after your plants, Nimsy has been feeding the Geraniums twice daily, as you asked. Take care of yourself and your brother.
It has been quiet without you here, I hope you're getting along well.
With love,
Mum"
She gave a small smile to herself, tears blurring her vision momentarily.
"Mother wrote you?" Draco asked.
She sniffed and nodded, handing him the letter.
"She hardly ever writes me." Draco said, a jealous tinge to his voice.
"You've been here for six years. Besides, you're so worried about reputation. It probably wouldn't be a good look to have mum writing you every day."
"She's feeding the damned plants?! You worry that much about them?!" He laughed.
"I've grown them from sprouts!" She protested. "Of course I do! I don't want them to die just because I can't be there to feed them! I'd like them to be there when we get back!"
"If." Draco said. "If we get back."
"if?" Blaise asked, raising an eyebrow. "You're talking like you're going to disappear this year."
Draco shrugged. "Disappearing isn't the worst thing that would happen this year."
"Always a downer." Blaise chuckled. "Alright, well, I'm off to the Common room. Ellie, would you like to join me?"
"Go ahead." Draco said, before she could answer. "I have work to get done anyway."
She placed a small peck on his cheek and moved from her spot, taking Blaise's offered arm. They walked slowly to the dungeons, silence between them. She could sense Blaise wanted to ask her something, he seemed to be fidgeting.
"Blaise, what's got you so irritated?"
He sighed. "Always making me talk about my feelings." He mused. "Have you talked to your father?"
She shook her head. "Not since the trial, no. Why?"
He stopped, dropping her arm and looking at her for a moment. "I just- I wonder if Draco is picking up where he left off… for lack of better terms."
"Why would you be worried about it?" She asked, confused.
"I'm not." He said. "I know it was only a matter of time before Draco took the Mark. I just hoped you wouldn't."
"You aren't going to?" She asked.
He shook his head. "No. My mum doesn't really believe in any of that stuff. She only follows those circles because that's where all the wealth is. Emiliana Zabini- the lover of wealthy, nearly dead men."
"She loves you." Elara pointed out.
"Yeah." Blaise agreed. "She does. Enough to keep me neutral and keep the bastards off my back. I just worry it hasn't been the same for you."
She sighed and pushed her sleeves up her arms, showing him her forearms. "No mark." She said. "Feel better now?"
"Not really." He said. "I know you don't really think any of that stuff is true. You took muggle studies, for Merlin's sake! But, Draco… He keeps talking about this year being the end. Like he doesn't plan on being here next year."
"I didn't think you cared for him that much." Elara said, bluntly. "I know you're friends, but you pester each other like enemies. And I also know you only remained friends with him so that we could keep in touch easily."
He shrugged. "The prat's grown on me. I just don't want to see you both go down for something so trivial like blood status."
"It's not so trivial to some people." She said. "But you don't have anything to worry about. We're okay." She hoped her false confidence was able to somewhat cover the terror she felt.
"You would tell me, wouldn't you? If you were in trouble?"
She poked his ribs and smiled as he draped his arm over her shoulder. "Blaise, you're the only person besides Draco I trust. I would tell you. But we aren't."
Lying was becoming shockingly easy for her and she wondered if that was a Malfoy trait she had inherited or just a means to an end.
a/n: Can I get some love for the super quick new chapter or what?! I admittedly already had this chapter pretty much ready to go. I've noticed that a lot of my chapters are pretty dialogue heavy... I hope you don't mind that. I like to think about what would be said, words are power and all that. The next chapter will be more interesting and not just a bunch of filler. The story is finally going to start coming together and moving a bit quicker.
Please review! Please give me some honest feed back. Feel free to message or whatever. Thanks for reading!
-Mimi
