Their footsteps echoed as they walked silently along the stone corridor. Draco stared ahead into the darkness while Izabella walked at his side. Breaking the silence, Izabella asked, "Why so quiet?"
Draco stopped, "I am trying to process what I was just told."
"What were you told?"
"Tell me what it was that you heard about me?"
Izabella looked at him, he head slightly tilted to one side; her confusion coming through in her voice, "What are you talking about?"
"At the feast, when I told you my name, you said that you had heard of me. What was it you heard?"
Izabella looked at him, "Nothing particular. I was told that I may have some classes with my cousin"
"If you knew I was your cousin, why didn't you say something on the train?"
"I didn't know until we were in Hogsmeade. Hagrid looked for you on the platform, but he didn't see you. I had no idea it was you he was talking about until after the sorting. What did my father say to you?"
"He told me that my Aunt Bellatrix is your mother, which makes us cousins," he paused, "all these years and no one ever mentioned you. I just saw Aunt Bellatrix two days ago, she didn't say anyth."
"You've seen my mother?" she interrupted.
"Of course, she's at the Manor every weekend."
"At the Manor? What's the Manor? Why does she go there?" Speaking so quickly, Draco barley understood what she was saying.
Draco stared at her, "I never knew that I had a true cousin, I can hardly considered that halfblood my cousin. "
Draco began walking again, but Izabella didn't move. "Another cousin?" she whispered.
Realizing that Izabella wasn't behind him, Draco turned and went back to her, taking her by the arm, "It's almost past curfew, we better get to the common room."
Each lost in their own thoughts; Izabella let Draco lead her down the cold dim corridor, towards the common room.
Stopping at the end of the corridor, Izabella thought that they had reached a dead-end. She looked at Draco, he looked at her then at the wall, "Pureblood," he said proudly and the wall opened before them, revealing a room bathed in green light.
Izabella wasn't sure what to expect before she stepped through the opening into the common room. She looked around in amazement, the ceiling was low, about six feet - six inches, the couches and chairs were soft black leather, the tables and bookcases were all a dark oak. The oil lamps gave off a dark green glow, giving the room a very eerie look. There were five separate fireplaces throughout the room.
As Draco followed her, the wall closed behind him. He led her to a pair of chairs near one of the fireplaces and waited for her to sit before pulling the other chair closer and taking a seat himself. She pulled her robes tight around her and sunk into the chair, the leather was softer then she had ever felt before. Looking into the fire, she said, "I don't remember my mother at all." She turned to look at him, once again asking the questions she asked while they were still out in the hallway, "What is the Manor and why was my mother there?"
Draco looked at her; "The Manor is my home, Malfoy Manor. She came around during the summer; she would meet with Father and some others. Then Mother and Aunt Bellatrix would talk about when they were students at Hogwarts. All summer long, it was the same every time."
"Why would she meet with your father?"
"You really have no idea?" Standing, he pulled his chair even closer to her, he asked, "Do you know why your mother sent to Azkaban?"
Turning away, not wanting to look at him as she whispered, "She used the Crucatus Curse."
Draco leaned closer, "Do you know why?'
"No."
"I think you need to have a conversation with your father," said Draco, "a very serious conversation."
"I have tried to talk to my father, he won't tell me anything," sighing, she added, "he says that if I know anything more, I could be in danger. Please, Draco, you said you would tell me whatever you know."
Draco stood and walked to the fireplace, swearing under his breath. Staring into the flames, he spoke softly, "Your mother was," he paused for only a second, "no, your mother is a Death Eater. Turning back to face Izabella and walking back to the chair, he sat and continued, "so is your father," pausing once more, he saw the confusion in her eyes, "and mine, " he added shamefully.
Izabella's eyes were bright with tears that had not yet begun to fall, "I I don't understand," she said.
Draco took her hand in his, "It is very hard to explain to someone who was brought up away from it all." He thought, 'this is how Dumbledore must have thought when he explained things to Potter.' He stood quickly, startling Izabella, "Professor Dumbledore," he said, pulling her up and towards the exit of the common room, "he will have the answers".
The wall was barely open before Draco pulled Izabella through the opening. He pulled her down the corridor, up the stairs to the entrance hall, then on to the second floor, stopping in front of a statue of a gargoyle.
"What are we doing here?" asked Izabella.
Not answering, Draco paced the hallway, until he spotted Dobby, the house-elf coming around the corner. Running towards Dobby, Draco shouted, "Dobby, the password to get to Professor Dumbledore's office, what is it?"
Dobby's eyes, normally the size of tennis balls became even larger when he saw Draco running at him. Backing away slowly Dobby said, "Draco Malfoy, Sir. Dobby knows the password, but also knows that he should not tell it to students." Looking past Draco, Dobby saw Izabella standing near the gargoyle statue. "Sir, Dobby does not know who the young Miss is," asked Dobby, "is it she that needs to see Professor Dumbledore?"
"Yes. The password, NOW," demanded Draco.
Dobby walked to the gargoyle statue, looking curiously at Izabella. With Draco following close behind, Dobby nervously said, "Dobby, does not know the young Miss, but Dobby wants to say hello."
"Hello, Dobby. I am Izabella," she said smiling down at the house-elf.
"Izabella is Professor Snape's daughter," Draco said through clenched teeth, "she needs to see Professor Dumbledore."
Dobby's eyes widened again, "Miss Izabella Snape, forgive Dobby, please. Dobby did not know." Turning to face the statue, "Sherbert Lemon," Dobby whispered. Suddenly the gargoyle moved and the wall opened, to reveal a spiral staircase. Draco stepped onto the bottom step, pulling Izabella behind him with Dobby following along. The stairs moved upwards on their own.
At the top of the stairs, Draco rapped on the door urgently. The door opened slightly and Draco pushed it open fully. Dumbledore was sitting behind a huge claw-footed desk. Draco entered the office as if this was something he did everyday. Izabella however, hesitated at the doorway until Professor Dumbledore motioned for her to come in.
"I have been expecting you, Miss Snape," he said softly, his eyes twinkling. "Please sit, both of you. With a wave of his hand two chairs appeared.
Izabella walked slowly towards Dumbledore's desk and sat down, Draco sat in the other chair.
"What can I do for you this fine night?"
Draco spoke up, "Professor, Izabella wants to know about her mother. She asked me, but I thought you could explain things better."
Turning to Izabella, "What is that you wish to know?"
Izabella looked at Draco; he nodded and whispered, "Go ahead."
Turning back to Dumbledore she replied, " I know that my mother was sent to Azkaban. I know that she is a Deatheater."
Dumbledore glanced at Draco, who said, "I told her about her mother," he sighed, "and my father."
"I see," said Dumbledore patiently, "what is it that I can help with?"
"I want to see my mother."