Again, not mine…don't sue a hopeless fan girl.. o.o''

Chapter 3 - A Fathers Wishes

Belle refused to talk to Draco, Mariena still would not even look at him, and Alicia had become suddenly withdrawn. On top of all this, his fathers will had come. That's what was in the parchment that had come that that day.

Draco was used to Belle being mad at him for one thing or another, Alicia, he figured had received his message, and as for Mariena. He figured it was best to let her be. Besides, if anyone noticed him with her, they might become suspicious. As Draco had suspected, his father had left almost everything to him. The money, the house, the fortune. And something else. A tiny crinkled piece of paper had come with the will. It had 6 simple numbers written hastily on it, along with 2 words:

7-17-26-0-31-2

Destroy these

Destroy these? He had asked himself many times, but what, he didn't know. He also had the feeling that someone else knew, and was searching at this very minute, for what was contained in the numbers. If only mother were still alive… He was glad for winter break, he could go home, and sort through his mixed emotions. Perhaps he could coax Mariena into coming with him.

Along with the winter break and the upcoming holiday, came the annual winter dance. Although the 1-6 years usually regretted this dance, the 7th years always received a special dance, almost the equivalent of a muggle child's senior Prom. This years dance was entitled "Snowflake" and had a theme of a Caribbean retreat, winter in the Caribbean if you will. Draco wanted to ask Belle. He felt that a last dance with a friend was better than no dance at all, and set off to find her. But instead of finding his friend, he found his enemy - Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.

"Well, if it isn't the infamous Harry Potter and his nosy mud-blood friend, Hermione." He smirked, watching as Hermione and Harry both reached for their wands.

Draco walked closer to the two, "Think Potter can save you again Granger?" he laughed flicking Harry's lightning bolt scar.

"Take it back Malfoy!" Harry hissed grabbing Draco's arm.

"Just walk away…Harry, c'mon" Hermione tugged on Harry's arm, watching Draco, never taking her eyes off of him. Her left hand still near her wand.

Draco laughed "Yes, just walk away Potter, just keep walking. Voldermont might not have been successful those 4 times, but I would be just this once…" He watched as the two turned backs on him and retreated. A sneer curled on Draco's lips as he pulled his wand on Harry. Harry, as if knowing what Draco did, turned his wand on Draco, and the two stood, waiting for the other to make the move.

"HARRY!" Shrieked Hermione. "Do remember what Professor Dumbledore said, once more and you would be expelled." Her eyes were lit like two tiny fires. "And don't forget how Draco always manages to turn the trouble around on the other person." She shot daggers at Draco.

Draco smiled. Indeed he had almost gotten Hermione expelled.

"Hermione…" Harry groaned not moving.

"Harry, I will get you expelled if you do not walk away from the situation right NOW!" Hermione exploded. She tugged on Harry's arm. "Now." She repeated again. Harry glared once more at Draco, then followed Hermione.

"Yes, Potter, walk away.." Draco hissed at Hermione and Harry's departure. He huffed. One more chance at fun, right out the window.

He entered the Great Hall and spotted Belle. He paused for a moment, and took in his pride. He approached her cautiously, "Evening." He said sitting across from her.

Belle said nothing, her eyes began swirling, growing deeper in color from their emerald green self.

Draco's face twisted, but he figured since she had said nothing, this was a start. He tried again, "The winter ball is coming, for 7th's it's always nicer. I believe they entitled it Snowflake." He stared at her, awaiting her reaction. His eyes shifted from her to the approaching female. Alicia.

"Draco, come here now!" She hissed.

"I'm busy Alicia." He retorted, meeting her tone, and surpassing it. He shifted his gaze back to Belle. "Yes, then Belle, about the ball…"

"Draco! I need to know what colour your robes are going to be so I can dress to match." She now stood before the two, her eyes glinting, and a smug smile plastered on her face.

"Is that what you wanted?" Belle spat, her eyes filling with wetness. "To show off that you are going, with, with her?!" Belle rose from the table and stormed off.

Draco whipped his head around, "What?" He stood facing Alicia eye to eye, though he towered a few feet above her. "How, no why would you do this? Why don't you just get the hint I don't like you. Just leave me be!" He looked at her only a moment longer, his face showing disgust. He made his way to the Slytherin common room. No sign of Belle. He caged himself in the boy's dorms. Thinking about his father's death. Thinking of Belle.

It was early morning before sleep overcame him, but he was rudely awakened no more than 3 hours later with another owl post.

1-17-26-0-31-2

They must not be discovered!

HURRY!

The note was scribbled in writing like his own, or rather similar to his. One he recognized as Lucius', his father's. He had the feeling his father was still alive.