Snape appeared suddenly in his office, clothed in long, black, hooded robes. He caught his reflection in a glass flask on his desk and grimaced. Quickly he unclasped the gold clasp and threw the robes on a chair in disgust. He unrolled his usual robe sleeves and frowned at the burning Dark Mark on his wrist before pulling the sleeve down.

~Draco and Lexi... I'm so sorry... ~ he thought distractedly, leaning against the fireplace wall with a hand to his forehead. Just then, there was an urgent yet faint knock on his door, and he jumped.

"What is it?" he barked loudly.

"Professor!" came Draco's weak voice.

~God, no,~ he thought desperately, flinging the door open and catching the two as they fell through the door.


Lexi opened her eyes to see Professors McGonigall and Snape having a hurried conference in the corner.

"Do you think that He will..." Minerva trailed off as she noticed Lexi studying her intently.

"Lexi! Thank God, we were worried."

"It'll take more than old Snake Nose to get rid of me, sorry to say," she said with a shaky smile. Snape sat down next to her, solemn faced.

"Lexi..."

"I know, I know... 'tell me what happened.'"

Snape just raised his eyebrows. She sighed and told him about the dreams, and his voice calling to them both.... but left out her newfound Parseltongue abilities.

"That sounds about right," came Draco's deceptively calm voice.

"Of course it's right," said Lexi, sounding affronted.

"That's enough. Severus, if you'll go examine Draco's arm, I'll look at Lexi's mark," Minerva said with a significant look.

"Of course, Minerva," he said, a bit flustered.



The teachers let the two go after about an hour, each carrying a flask of Will Strengthening/ Pain Relief potion Snape usually took for his Dark Mark. They had their instructions, and a few more explanations than they needed.

They walked in silence until they reached the split in the stairs that would take Lexi to the Tower and Draco to the dungeons.

"Draco..." began Lexi.

"Yes?"

"Do you... do you think that we're... we're only... together because of HIM?"

Draco's head snapped around. He had been avoiding eye contact because of that very same question which haunted his mind. His doubts vanished, however, the moment his saw his strong Lexi trembling and close to tears. He quickly enfolded her in a hug, holding her close.

"Never," he whispered fiercely. "No, Lexi. We're together because we belong together. That's why. Voldemort will never have us. That I promise you."

"And I promise you," she sniffed. They kissed quickly and made themselves separate.


Draco, on his way downstairs, was so deep in thought that he didn't notice the footsteps behind him until it was too late. His father caught him with a spell from behind and hoisted him over his shoulder, disappearing without a sound.



Alexia Black-

We have Draco Malfoy. We request that you join us. Enclosed is a Portkey, one time use only, that will take us to you. Be warned: If you tell, he dies.

Lord Voldemort.



Lexi dropped the paper and ran for her cloak, clutching her wand close. ~I promised him,~ she thought with determination.



Hermione picked up the scrap of parchment on the floor and went to throw it out before catching the letters, ...ldemo... She snatched it back up and read it, turning pale.

"Professor Dumbledore!" she screamed in terror.


Draco sat up, holding himself with regality. ~Lexi, don't come,~ he thought desperately. Imagine his shock when he heard in his aching head, ~Fat chance in hell of that, buddy!~

~LEXI?!~

~Don't worry, Malfoy, it's totally temporary.~

~Back to Malfoy, eh?~

~Would you call being kidnapped by Voldemort... and making your girlfriend get out of her warm bed to rescue you... being GOOD?~

~Well... no.~

~Then, yes, we're back to Malfoy. Care to tell me where you are?~

~Hold on.~ He concentrated very hard.

~Whoa! Is THAT where you are?~

~You mean it worked?~

~I'm not sure. Does it look like... like...~

~An old fashioned whore house?~

~Draco!~

~Ah-ha! I knew it wouldn't last long.~

~Stop screwing around, I'm freezing.~

~Where are YOU?~

~In the woo-~

~Don't tell me, show me.~
~Wh- Fine.~

~You're in the WOODS?~

~Hey! I'm coming to save YOUR ass. Don't start.~

~Use the Portkey.~

~Bu- Wait a second. How did YOU know about it?!~

~I changed the Portkey to come here after he set it.~

~Oh, NOW-~ "....You tell me!" she complained in a whisper as she *popped* into the room. She rushed across the room and threw herself at him. "Are you ok?"

"Of course." He seemed insulted that she would even ask.

"How cute," said a voice insinuating that it was anything but. They both spun.

"Draco Malfoy and Alexia Black. I must say, you two make a STRIKING couple. Quite a wise choice I made," said Voldemort, Narcissa and Lucius right behind him.

Draco protectively tightened his arms around Lexi without thinking.

"You two are here for a very important reason. Narcissa... the Amulet, please."

Narcissa gave a death's head grin and extended a silver amulet with a green center stone. Lexi felt Draco's breath hitch.

"The Amulet of Slytherin," he breathed, eyes widening. As Narcissa extended her hand toward Lexi, the gem glowed more brightly. Her smile grew.

"Ahhh, so you ARE his love," she hissed. Lexi frowned, but Draco's head was spinning.

Suddenly they were separated. Narcissa grabbed Lexi as Lucius grabbed Draco, pulling them in opposite directions.

"Lexi!"

"Draco!"

"Now, now, stop struggling. It's almost time for the wedding to start, after all."

And, cackling as the shock made both bodies go slack, Voldemort closed the door behind the two.