[Disclaimer: see Ch 1]

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The next morning, Adelaide woke up to find a black box at the end of the bed. Curious, she crawled down and laid on her stomach, picking the box up in her hands. Under it was a white letter, with an 'S' in calligraphy in dark green on the front. She opened it, and inside in black in was written.

Addy,
The Yule Ball is in just over a week. I hope to see you there, on my arm or another's.

Severus

Adelaide put the card aside, and opened the black box. Her eyes widened as she started at the necklace within: set against the black velvet of the case, emeralds and diamonds set in white gold (or was that platinum?) sparked at her.

"Holy shit."

The necklace was a circle of emerald ivy leaves, and diamond flowers, with one larger diamond flower that fell into the hollow of her throat when she put it on. [Yule ball indeed, Severus.]

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Adelaide wrapped her robe around herself, rising from the marble bathtub when she heard knocking. Surprisingly, it only took her a minute to reach the door. Every day she seemed to be getting stronger. She opened the door to the hall, and raised her eyebrows. A flush crept onto her face.

"Mister Malfoy. I was expecting Madam Pomfrey."

[Oh yes, Addy. That sounds lovely. Now he's going to run off thinking you're not only sleeping with the head of his house, but that you're pregnant too.]

She narrowed her eyes at him, attempting to salvage the situation, at least in part.

"I expect you not to speak to anyone of.."

Draco Malfoy, Slytherin Prince, raised his hand, and interrupted.

"It isn't Professor Snape I was looking for, actually. Father told me about your punishment."

Adelaide's voice turned chilly, and she fingered her wand in her robe, though he couldn't see it.

"Come to gloat then, young Malfoy?"

It had suddenly stopped being a conversation between a teacher and student, and became something more dangerous-a conversation between two influential people. And she was at a significant disadvantage, standing before him in nothing but her bathrobe. Draco's face darkened, a frown on his lips.

"Hardly." He glanced down the empty hall. "Let's go inside and talk, shall we?"

He offered his arm to her, and she took it after a moments hesitation. He shut the door behind them, and led her in. She let go, and motioned to the couch.

"Have a seat. I'll dress as quickly as I can."

Ten minutes later, with a simple dress and wet hair, Adelaide emerged from the bedroom to find Draco on the couch, two cups of tea waiting on the low table for them. Draco stood when he saw her, and helped her sit.

"My father told me where you were too late for me to help-you had already been returned when he decided to inform me of the goings on of that week. I knew you had left, I just wasn't sure why." He paused. "I'm sorry. I remember last time cousin Blaise was 'punished.' I do, however, have a warning for you. Knock yourself out tonight after dinner. Have Madam Pomfrey put you out, or ask Snape for something strong. We'll all be summoned tonight, and I wouldn't attend if I were you. The pain will make you worse, probably. Hence the painkillers. Snape needs to come, though."

Adelaide's jaw dropped.

"How did you..do you.?"

Draco smiled at her, but it didn't wipe the sadness from his eyes.

"It's not just daughters that are pressured into joining. Fortunately for you, or now unfortunately, you were not betrothed. I, however, am. And she keeps a close eye on me."

Adelaide shivered, and nodded, knowing exactly whom he was speaking of.

"Patricia Parkinson's daughter. Like mother, like daughter?"

Draco shook his head.

"If she were free to do as she wished, she'd be a whore just like Patricia, like your mother. But she was told if she wasn't a virgin when we married, not only would I not marry her, nobody would. Lucius would be sure of that."

Adelaide sipped her tea, surveying the young man. He had been so angry in the past, so full of hatred for Dumbledore, for Potter, for everything that was good. Once, he had supported his father whole-heartedly. Now he spoke like a young man who had seen the light, and changed his mind for the better.

"What made you change, Draco? Last I heard, you truly wanted young Mr. Potter dead."

"Lucius was put in Azkaban, and I was furious. I did want Potter dead. But those caught escaped again with the help of dementors. And we were punished. For not stopping Potter, for not knowing what was going on at Hogwarts. They needed no excuses; Blaise almost didn't come out of it."

Adelaide frowned, her eyes softening. The Death Eaters victims were always portrayed as the heroes, as the brave, the true tragedy. No one thought to look at their children. Those who were used to resorting to violence to keep themselves safe, who lived in fear, under the scrutiny of their deadly and merciless parents, who went to school, to work, through life with the mental and physical marks of abuse. Some became victims. Some turned and fought back. And some became like their parents.

"Professor, don't go to another meeting. I don't know if they actually realize you are a spy, but next time you might not come home. Lucius still won't tell me why they're so adamant about you."

"Draco," Adelaide said softly, and he looked at her hesitantly. "Call me Adelaide. We're certainly peers, in too many ways."

She smiled at him, bemusement briefly on her face.

"But in class, in school..if I catch you calling me Adelaide, you'll be cleaning my entire classroom without magic."

Draco laughed, and she smiled at him. They sat in companiable silence for a moment before Draco stirred.

"Do you know why they're after you?"

Silence; then..

"Of course. I alone am not such a great addition to the Dark Lord's following. But my familiar influence, my wealth." she trailed off. "He wants to keep it all within his manipulating grasp."

He frowned, and she mimicked his expression.

"Tell them you haven't seen me, but that you've spoken with Severus. He's been with me, and I'm still very ill, deathly in fact. It might even earn Macnair a punishment of his own...." She blinked. "Please don't tell Severus that it was Macnair. He would do something stupid."

Draco stood, smiling at her. "Of course not." He bent over, and kissed her cheek lightly, and said, "It's a fantastic idea though, Cousin Adelaide."

He paused, and smiled at her.

"I am quite aware who date you will be at the Yule ball, but I would be honored to escort you there. He will, of course, be busy with herding students here and there."

Adelaide flushed, but nodded.

"Severus will be busy beforehand, yes. I'm assuming you've already cleared it with him?" She smiled knowingly.

Draco returned her smile with a sheepish one.

"Of course. I wouldn't want him to think I was trying to steal his girl."

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[A/N: Yeah, it's a short one. But I didn't write any more. This is the end of what I completed over vacation. So from here on out, I'm actually going to have to think again, instead of re-editing. Horror! Many thanks to my beautiful beta Erin/Aeowifey. You're a blessing, doll.]