The following two weeks were transforming into something almost completely unbearable. His housemates talked nonstop about their parents, or, if they received letters, of how their parents progress was growing. At every meal, they looked up keenly, hoping for any sign of an owl, hoping that a Daily Prophet or more letters were coming along with them. Draco was amazed that no one, especially the professors, hadn't suspected anything yet.

Perhaps they didn't think that the Slytherins at this school were untrustworthy. Knowing Dumbledore, he probably though the letters were from their loving families, and he'd smile in his unsettling way as he looked over at them, whilst they were tearing their letters open.

Bloody stupid Headmaster.

Classes went on normally, except the homework that they received was much more elevated than the piles in previous years. Draco was grateful, however, because it gave him an excuse to stay out of most of his housemates' discussions, while they chose to put their own homework off until later.

Except for one day where Blaise chose to walk over to him. He had a letter in his hand. Draco assumed he had some 'oh-so-wicked' news on what the Death Eaters were doing now. When Draco got in the mood enough to where he didn't care about hardly anything at all, he began to wonder why his housemates liked this news so much, and why their parents, whom were supposed to be on the run, were sending their children letters to a highly guarded school.

"Hey Draco," Blaise said casually, dropping the letter on top of one of Draco's schoolbooks. The envelope was dirty and slightly worn. "This is for you. The owl over there brought it in." Blaise turned to point at something sitting on the windowsill.

Draco glanced to the spot where Blaise was pointing and felt his stomach instantly drop. The large black owl with the silver talons and unnaturally mean glint in its eye was perched there, watching him.

"Oh," Draco muttered, "Thank you."

He tore his eyes away from the owl, wondering why it hadn't left yet; last time it had flown off almost right away. Draco was hoping that it wasn't expecting some sort of... response.

Draco looked back down at the letter. He picked it up and turned it over in his hands, recognizing the thick scrawl on the front. It was labeled with his name. A small jolt of fear shot through him; he knew that he'd rather not open this. The fireplace was only a few strides away...

"Are you going to open it?"

Draco jumped, his head snapping back up to look at Blaise. He had forgotten that they boy was still standing there.

"Yes, get away! Privacy, Zabini!" Draco glared at him.

"Alright, alright!" Blaise lifted up his hands in an apologetic motion, and then began walking away with a slightly agitated expression. He was shaking his head.

Once the boy was gone, Draco turned his attentive gaze back onto the envelope. He found himself closing his eyes, wishing that it'd just go away.

"Stop, please... please... don't do this... please..."

"You're a stubborn boy, Draco..."

"... you'll allow me to punish you..."

Draco opened his eyes again, feeling tears build at the corners of his eyes. He used one hand to wipe them quickly away, and he stood up in a way that was sure to draw in some glances. But he didn't notice. Without providing an excuse for it, as his housemates were now watching him carefully, he walked slowly up to his dorm with the note still clutched in hand and his homework abandoned.

The door slammed shut behind him as he entered his dorm and walked over to sit on the edge of his bed. He made sure that he was alone before he looked uneasily down at the letter. He was too nervous to hesitate for much longer, so he opened the letter cautiously and began to read:

Dear Draco,

I hope you haven't told anyone. I trust you've learned well enough by now, however cowardly you've proven to be.

I must tell you that I am doing well and that not one lead on our whereabouts is provided to the Aurors.

I'd like you to meet me in the Forbidden Forest near your school tonight. Do not worry, I know you have heard that Hogwarts is guarded by dementors. It is not; I have gotten word that Dumbledore had refused.

Quite fortunate, but foolish on his part, when seven Death Eaters are on the run.

I will see you soon. Send this back with the owl to let me know you've received this. I will find out if you have thrown this letter away. Let no one follow you, and tell no one of this meeting.

L.

Draco sat staring at the letter for several more minutes, already feeling a painful clenching feeling in his chest. It suddenly became hard to swallow.

He wanted to curse something. How could they let letters like this pass through without inspection! Didn't they know that a fair few Slytherins might have contact with the escaped Death Eaters? Especially himself?

His father was certainly taking a risk in getting in touch with him. Draco only wished that his father wasn't so lucky as he thought himself to be.

And Draco knew that If he told someone of where his father would be tonight, he knew that he'd find out. He'd run further away and punish him later. Draco also knew that if he didn't show up or send the letter back, he'd somehow find out about that as well. He knew this from before, when his father was... well, Draco just knew that you could never get away with anything when Lucius was your father.

And he was scared. Scared of what would happen if he dared to disobey his father again.

Therefore... before he went off to dinner with the rest of his house, he went back downstairs to tie the letter onto the owl's leg. It nipped dangerously at his finger, probably hating him for making him wait that long, and then took off into the darkening sky.