Tala

"So what's going on out there? Why do you want us to take sides?"

~Who's who? Goodies, badies, I just wish they'd leave us alone!

Draco

"The Dark Lord is trying to finish Salazar Slytherian's work of perging Britain of Mud-bloods-"

"Mud-bloods?" Tala interrupted.

"Yeah. Muggle borns, or half-breeds or less. See, he's trying to put purebloods back to where they're supposed to be, in charge. Others are trying to stop him."

~She seems interested. Maybe I can get her to join the Dark Lord! Or maybe he'll like to know so he can speak to them.

"So what's he up to right now?" She questioned.

"Last I heard my parents say was that he's searching for a bride."

"To keep order?"

"Mmmhmmm." He said stuffing pheasant into his mouth.

"What about you? Pureblood I take it? Looking for a bride?"

*He swallowed almost immediatly and nearly choked. He cleared his throat and gazed at her with a half curious and half suspicious glare.

"Just asking." She explained calmly, but I knew better.

"You make it sound as if you're interested."

~I just hope they don't kill me before I have a chance to get to know if they'll join the fight.

Tala

"I didn't think it was that obvious." I replied, taking my eyes away from his.

~Gee. Wonder if that's going to get him thinking about staying.

*He starred at her with pleasure, and tried to continue the conversation...

"So, what about you? Are you looking for someone?" He asked after a short silence.

"Not really. I'm not of age,...yet. In about a week I'll start looking."

*There was another short silence, when a guard stepped into the room.

Guard

~This looks suspicious.

"Tala. I don't mean to interrupt, but people have been seen at the edge of the forest. What would you like us to do?"

*Tala rushed to her feet and hurried to the door when she realized she was leaving Draco to dine alone.

"Will you be okay on your own for a while?" Asked Tala in a conserned fashion.

"Can I come?" Asked Draco, trying not to look as if he were scheming.

*The guard grabbed Tala's arm and whispered something in her ear. Tala then turned her attention back to Draco.

"Stay here." She demaned, and she was gone. Draco took this to his advantage. The tiger followed him down a vine ladder and into the forest. After a little while he had reached the edge of the forest and could see Hogwart's castle. He made a mad dash for the building. Officials had seen him and made a desperate action to find a higher authority. *He was taken inside and was allowed to rest. The next morning Fudge came bursting into the room and was immediately stopped in his tracks by the still watchful tiger.

"What the hell is this beast doing in here?! Someone get it out!" He exclaimed. But all attempts were failures, as it stayed at Draco's side and did what Draco wanted.

"Leave it. It's mine." Draco stated. "What do you want Fudge? Here to ask me how I got back? Who took me? What?"

"All of the above." Replied Fudge cooly. "I need you to tell me who took you and for what reason. You're a very important part of the wizarding society. Why, your family's money alone, powers much of the economy here..."

"Save the flattery. I know all that." He cleared his throat and continued, "I was taken my the magi in the forest. The girl's name is Tala. My father's there as well; sick and injured. They took me for trespassing into the wood."