Disclaimer: JK owns the universe. Me, I only own Enti.

A/N: The end is a bit sketchy. It's a bit of dialogue between Enti and Rita Skeeter, just so you know. Enti isn't talking to herself there. Enti is in regular script and Rita is italicized. :)


The rest of the holidays passed in a fun sort of haze. Conversation between myself and Narcissa became less forced and Lucius only gave me six more pop quizzes, although he was always watching me. I passed all of the tests flawlessly save for one on transfiguration. I had to transfigure a tea bag into a sword. First try, I got the actual sword part right, but my hilt was made of string. I got it the second time though, to Draco's great disappointment; he had been watching through the door's key hole. I didn't, however, hear anymore about Voldemort. That didn't matter to me though as I was enjoying myself too much to worry about anything else. Draco and I spent the days exploring his house, bowling with house elves in the dungeons, chilling - literally- outside doing various things, and staying up late playing truth or dare.

Christmas with the Malfoys was an odd experience in itself. They didn't go to mass or have a nice, calm Christmas dinner, but they did throw a large party on Christmas Eve each year. During the hours leading up to it, Draco had me under the impression that only the most important witches and wizards came and that it was the social event of the year. That was partly a lie. Yes, there were important witches and wizards there, about 15 or so with their children, but it was more dinner party than huge social bash. The adults talked about the Ministry and laughed their fake cold laughs while the children were shunted to the kiddy table in the corner, forced to amuse themselves. Draco and I abandoned the others after about 10 minutes of hearing why Suzie's mummy was better than Ashlin the mudblood's mummy. Christmas, thank the Lord, was calm and actually kind of pleasant. We opened presents in front of the fireplace in the living room where the large candlelit evergreen tree was and stayed in that room basically all day playing wizard chess and opening crackers and the such. I received a brand new Dark Arts book from Draco and another book called "Prominent Wizarding Families Throughout the Ages" by Samuel Proddington from Lucius and Narcissa. I gave Draco a Snow White type mirror that only gave him compliments whenever he looked into it ("I'm not that vain," laughed Draco dismissively, but ten minutes later he was carefully putting the mirror into the inside pocket of his robes.) and his parents gave him the newest broom in the series of Nimbus racing brooms, the Nimbus 2005. He spent most of the return trip back to Hogwarts talking about it and bragged about it to Crabbe and Goyle as soon as he set foot into Slytherin Common room.

"So, how was your Christmas, Blaise?" I asked after Draco had finished.

We were all sitting in front of the fire in our usual spots, me on the couch with Goyle and Blaise, and Crabbe, Parkinson, and Draco in squishy armchairs opposite us. No one ever sat in our spots while we were in the common room and I doubt anyone but 7th years sat there when we weren't around for fear of being caught. Geez, I never realized the power our little group had over people. People hated us or sucked up to us or were even afraid of us. Ugh, I doubt anyone would care about us on our own, save for Draco with his father and Crabbe and Goyle with their muscles. Hmph, things changed for Blaise, Parkinson, and I, though, but later for that.

"Oh, it was interesting," began Blaise, "We had the whole family over like I said we would, but then Samantha Macrose showed up."

"Oh, that's right," exclaimed Goyle stupidly, "That's that sister of yours that married the muggle."

"She's no sister of mine," continued Blaise bitterly, "and my mother feels the same way. She said if Samantha didn't leave straight away, she'd rid her of the shame of having a muggle for a husband. So Samantha says that mum would never do it because she cared to much about her daughter's happiness. So mum turns the muggle into a goldfish right there in the living room."

Pansy went into a hysterical fit of laughter at that and Crabbe and Goyle soon joined in. Draco smirked and Blaise gave a small grin before continuing, "So, Samantha Macrose starts crying and trying to pick up the goldfish that's just sort of flopping around all over the place. Mum goes to step on it, but Macrose gets smart and transfigures the goldfish back into its muggle form. By then the whole family is in the living room with their wands pointed at Macrose and the muggle. She starts crying, Macrose that is, saying how we'll regret turning her away after she's dead and gone. Then mum goes, 'No, we'll regret letting you get the chance to turn that dirty little goldfish back into a dirty little piece of shite. At least goldfish children would be more presentable than the lot of disgusting half bloods that you'll be turning out.' So the muggle tries to say something in defense, but changes his mind when he realizes that the wands are still pointed in his direction, and pulls Macrose to the door and leaves."

"My mum would have done the same thing. Then again, she and dad raised my brother correctly so that they wouldn't have to," said Parkinson with a nasty grin on her face.

I frowned and got up, feigning tiredness, and went up to my room. I remember being offended at how Mrs. Zabini treated her daughter, her own flesh and blood. I couldn't understand how she could turn Samantha away just because she married a muggle. I was sighing and figuring that that was just how things were when I got a knock on my door. It was Zabini.

"Hey," I said as I opened the door.

"Hey...That reminds me," said Blaise out of the clear blue, "I've been meaning to ask you, why do you have a room to yourself?"

"Oh," I said looking around. No one had ever asked me why, they had only accepted the fact that I had my own place away from the other dorms. I told him, "Well, I was late and all the rooms were taken, so they turned one of the smaller dungeons into a dorm for me. I like it though and that's all that really mattters."

"Oh, okay...," said Zabini slowly.

"Small talk because...?"

"Oh, well...er...you were acting funny in the common room and I was just wondering if you were alright."

"Oh, I just...well. Oh, for goodness sakes, Blaise, she's your sister! She practically raised you, I'm sure, and you push her away? I mean, I can understand it with your mom, I guess, but you?"

"No. I didn't push her away! I didn't have out my wand."

"Well, you didn't exactly try to help her."

"Why the hell do you care for anyway? She isn't your sister."

"No, she's not my sister, but that doesn't mean I can't feel for her. She's not the only who has a mother that hates her!"

Blaise started to say something but stopped, he had remembered my story. There was an uncomfortable silence then that was only punctuated by my fake coughs. I was about to tell Blaise that it was late and that he should probably leave when he broke the silence.

"Look," said Blaise quietly, "I'm sorry, about what happened with my sis, but that's in the past now, I can't change what's happened. She did practically raise me and next time maybe I'll stick up for her, but I doubt I will. I come from a real pure blood wizarding family and I was taught that half bloods, muggle borns, and muggles were low. Sticking up for her would mean turning my back on my family just like her marrying the muggle meant that she no longer wanted to be in our family. When push comes the shove and she really needs me, I will be there for her, but till then, she'll just have to learn to stay away from family gatherings."

"Fine, whatever, it's not my family. At least you'll be there for her when it counts," I sighed knowing full well that when push came to shove, my mother would be celebrating my demise.

"Anyway, Enticima, I didn't really come in her to talk to you about all this. After you'd gone, I mentioned that I would be becoming a Death Eater at the ball in June. Don't be so surprised, my mum and dad are making me do it so I can bring honor back to the family. Anyway, Malfoy says that you'd probably be at the ball, his father likes you so much. Which means you probably will become a Death Eater...But, well, I was wondering...It's customary to have a partner to dance with and...if Malfoy didn't ask you already because it seems like he would and if you don't decide to change your mind about becoming a Death Eater...Would you want to go to the DEB with me?" Blaise blurted out in one breath.

"What!" I said in surprise.

"You don't fancy me? Okay, I understand, Parkinson is available...," said Blaise mournfully.

"No, you idiot, I'll go with you. Draco hasn't even mentioned the ball to me in forever. I was just surprised that you asked, that's all."

"Brilliant," beamed Zabini, "I guess now I'll be having something to be looking forward to, eh?"

"Yeah," I said seriously, "You know what? I think for now we should keep this whole thing hush-hush."

"Hush-hush? Oh, yeah, of course."

"Pansy, she'd never let us hear the end of it, that's all."

"Yeah, Pansy," answered Zabini, knowing full well that I meant that I didn't want Draco to know yet.

"Good night then," I said while opening the door for him.

"Night, then. I'll be seeing you tomorrow," said Zabini who's smile had reinstated itself on his lips.

I closed the door, ran, and jumped face down into my bed with a huge grin planted on my face. I would be going to the DEB with Zabini and at the moment, I didn't want to think about anything else. But, I ended up falling asleep fully clothed and thinking about how Draco's power over us was strong enough for us to want to keep our plans temporarily a secret.

I awoke the next morning with a start, forgetting completely that I wasn't at Malfoy Manor. After I realized that Phoebus hadn't forgotten to wake me up, I looked at my watch and realized that I was late for breakfast. I showered, dressed, and gathered up my books, but when I got down to the common room it was deserted. Sighing, I realized I'd never make it to the Great Hall in time, so I headed instead to my first Monday class, History of Magic. I was halfway to HOM when someone called to me.

"Oy! Enticima!."

I turned around to see Hermione, Harry, and Ron walking toward me.

"Oh, hey," I said.

"How was your Christmas?" asked Ron while eating the rest of his toast.

"It was fun. I got two new books, one being a Dark Arts book. It should come in handy in case Draco decides to pull another one of his practical jokes."

Ron scowled at the sound of Draco's name and Harry and Hermione looked as if they both had caught a whiff of something sour.

"Anyway...how was yall Christmas?" I asked to lighten the mood.

"Our Christmas was okay. That is, up until Harry found out he had to take Remedial Potions with Snape," said Ron, licking crumbs off of his fingers.

Harry shot Ron a look and Ron smacked his forehead as if he had just remembered something. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Is it that bad that I know," I asked, taken aback

"No, of course not," said Hermione quickly, "It's just that Harry's a bit, er, embarrassed about it. He doesn't want many people to know."

"Oh, okay. Don't worry, I won't tell. You should be happy actually. Snape is terrific."

"Speaking about studies, Enticima, exams are coming and I was wondering if you'd like to join Harry, Ron, and I in a study group? It would be a good chance for us to study and even get to know each other better," said Hermione.

"Sure, that would be alright," I said, although I was dreading the thought of studying with the overzealous Granger.

"Good then. I guess we all should hurry off to class. We could meet up after dinner, maybe? Harry won't be there long though, you know, Potions."

"Sure, I'll be seeing you," I said.

We parted then, but I hadn't gone ten paces before I realized that I needed to ask Hermione if we had any Arithmancy homework over break. I ran after them, but came to a halt when I heard what Ron was saying.

"Now will you tell us why you invited her, Hermione? You know she's with that git Malfoy, plus she's getting so deep into the Dark Arts. She might as well have the Mark on her arm already, right, Harry?" asked Ron sourly.

Harry shook his head in agreement, but Hermione shook her head 'no' saying, "Well, that's just it, isn't it? If we start getting closer to her now, maybe we can wrench her away from Malfoy and the Dark Arts. Either that or we can get information from her about the Malfoys and what they're up to. It would sort of be like having an insider and that would be beneficial to the Order, now wouldn't it? Plus, she does know a lot of spells. She could teach us certain things and maybe tell us some Dark Arts spells to be wary of, and that would definitely be beneficial for DA meetings."

"You're mad and brilliant at the same time, you do know that, don't you Hermione," said Ron while shaking his head in astonishment.

Harry started to speak, but I couldn't listen. I walked away in blind fury, nearly knocking over two first years who crossed my path. /First, Malfoy and now Granger's trying to use me? Well, I'll take care of her in time. Still though, maybe revenge isn't needed. They know about the Order. Well, I guess that really was Ron's father then that I heard about. But what is the DA? I have unanswered questions, but if all works out, I'll know everything by the end of exams. Silly Granger, I bet she never that her own plan could be used against her./ I thought as I walked early into HOM. Blaise was already there so I took a seat next to him.

"Hey," he said smiling.

Blaise was so cute. I remember him better than most. It's hard to forget him. They way he moved, the way he spoke. He had the deepest brown eyes...You know, the sorting hat almost sent him to Ravenclaw. It was taunting him, saying he was too soft for Slytherin,...

If you need a moment Miss Haldara, I'd be happy to stop my pen. No, it's okay, Rita... Ha! As if that pen of yours would stop when something so juicy is happening. Just wait till later when I have more to say about Harry and Draco. You'll've struck real gold then. Oh, my dear, how could you think that I'd find joy in benefiting from your pain? All I have is the utmost sympathy for you. I know it must be hard for you to relive these memories, but I must ask you to do so, for our readers need to know all that happened in the fight against he-who-must-not-be-named from all points of view. Yeah, and because you need to be paid. You know, Skeeter, Granger should have squashed you when she had the chance... Of course, of course. I understand you exactly. The memories of the past are causing you to be bitter and annoying, but don't take it out one me. Take it out on the one's who made you feel this way by telling the whole of the Wizarding world what happened. You are such a yellow journalist, but I'll continue. Not because of your little speech, but because if I don't that pen of yours won't stop writing about how I'm "crying hysterically" and "going through old photo albums."

No, it's okay, Rita... Ha! As if that pen of yours would stop when something so juicy is happening. Just wait till later when I have more to say about Harry and Draco. You'll've struck real gold then. Yeah, and because you need to be paid. You know, Skeeter, Granger should have squashed you when she had the chance... You are such a yellow journalist, but I'll continue. Not because of your little speech, but because if I don't that pen of yours won't stop writing about how I'm "crying hysterically" and "going through old photo albums."