Disclaimer: All characters are owned by JKR.

Chapter 2: The Evadnes

"You will not question me boy!" Draco felt the back of his father's hand; something he was quite used to by now. In fact, he wouldn't be surprised if he knew it just as well as Lucius did, if not better. After all, he'd been personally acquainted with it, fairly often, since he was four years old. Unable to keep his feet under the force of the blow, he went spinning to the ground, but did not stand again. Instead, he kneeled down meekly before the man he called 'Father.'

"Yes Father." He hung his head and stared at the ground, not daring to look up even once. Lucius didn't like it when Draco made eye contact with him. Hell! His father didn't like most of the things Draco did, especially asking questions.

"Now, you know as a Malfoy, it is your responsibility to uphold the family honor. We have gotten wind that the Evadnes have a surviving family member. It is a girl; you know how powerful the females in their family are. She must not survive the summer. This is of great importance. Do you understand me?" His father's cold voice sent a foreboding shiver down his spine.

"Yes father," was all Draco said, his voice quiet and controlled. Still, he did not look up. The tall blond man turned and went to the door, looking disdainfully at his son who was still kneeling on the ground.

"Good." Without another word, Lucius disappeared through the door.

Draco rose as soon as he was sure that his father wasn't coming back. He frowned slightly, pale fingers tracing the ugly bruise forming on the side of his face, and winced. A concealment charm would hide it from his mother at dinner, and after that, he would be gone on the 'assignment' that his father had given him. He wouldn't have to worry about concealing it as long as his Narcissa wasn't around..

The Evadnes had been his family's rivals since before Hogwarts was founded. Considering how old Hogwarts was, that was definitely saying something. This family grudge had lasted a long time, and it was expected to continue with him and the Evadne's newfound heir. Of course Draco would do it; he did everything that was expected of him. Yet still, his father never gave him a single word of kindness. Lucius only ever commented on the things he did wrong, which seemed to be plentiful. In fact, it seemed everything he did was wrong.

Muttering a quick concealment charm, Draco hid the growing bruise. He joined his parents for dinner and conversed pleasantly with his mother before disembarking on his appointed task. Turning on his heel, he Disapparated to one of the many houses that his family owned. Conveniently, it was also located only a few houses down from the Evadne's residence. The Evadnes didn't notice because most of the time, the house was rented to traveling wizards, but his father had kicked the most recent tenants out a week earlier. Sighing, Draco decided to take a walk; outside, he would be able to keep an eye on The House.
There was only one problem. He looked into the mirror and saw his platinum blond hair shining back at him. It was like wearing a sign that said 'Look at me, I'm a Malfoy!' He took out his wand, muttered a spell, gave his wrist a quick flick, and his hair turned a striking raven black. Then with another flick of his wrist, he tanned his bleach white skin, and turned to look approvingly at his reflection. As long as the Evadnes and their nameless heir didn't look too closely at him, they wouldn't have a clue as to his identity.

He stepped out onto the chilly sidewalk, carefully closing the door behind him. The wind whipped at his face, stinging it a faint pink, and he pulled his cloak tightly around his body. Who gave the wind permission to be so bloody cold? Casting a glance at the Evadne's house, Draco began his slow walk, clutching a book under his arm. If he got tired, he could always sit on the bench conveniently located across from the Evadne's house and read.

Hermione couldn't fall asleep, so she simply stared out the window. The scenery flashed by in a multi-colored blur as they flew through the streets. They had made many stops, so by the time they got close to 57 Lanier Drive it was early in the morning. Hermione was the only one on the Night Bus, because it wasn't supposed to be running in the morning. Fortunately, for her, they made an exception. After all, it was the least they could to after accidentally passing her stop five times! She quickly got off and pulled her trunk out of Carter's not-so-capable hands.

Hermione gazed, open-mouthed, at the starched white houses, with their prime little gardens and perfectly cut hedges. It seemed that all the houses were the same. The only way her grandparent's house differed from the rest was the shiny brass 57 on the door. Taking in the scenery, she noticed, a boy, seemingly her own age, sat reading a book on the bench across the street. She stared at him, and found him vaguely familiar, but before he could look up, she spun around and knocked on the door.

A tall woman answered. Her piercing brown eyes grazed over Hermione in a scrutinizing manner. She rather looked like Professor McGonagall, Hermione realized, except much older and taller. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun and she had an air of importance about her.

"I'm sorry, but we aren't interested in buying any cookies," the older woman said smiling warmly at Hermione.

"Oh, no, I'm not selling cookies; I've come to see you. My name is Hermione, and I'm-" She didn't get a chance to finish her sentence, for as soon as she said her name, a bright smile lit grandmother's face. Without warning, Mrs. Evadne pulled her into a hug. At first, Hermione felt awkward, but soon enough, she smiled and hugged her back."

"Oh, I knew your mother would come to eventually!" The smile fell off Hermione's face, and caused her grandmother to take back her words. "She didn't, did she?" Hermione shook her head slightly, casting her eyes downward. "You found out for yourself, got mad, and ran away." Hermione nodded, her eyes filling up with tears. Why did you have to go and agree? Now she's just going to send you back, and you'll be in trouble! Her fears evanesced when her grandmother just laughed, and exclaimed, "You definitely are an Evadne."

"Can I stay?" Hermione asked hopefully. Behind her back, she crossed her fingers. Please oh please oh please...
"Stay? Of course you can stay! Edward!" The graying woman called over her shoulder.

"Yes?" Came a muffled reply, and an old man stuck his head out of a door down the hallway. He was bald, except for silver wisps of hair that made a 'u' around the sides of his head. There was a bushy mustache that occupied his upper lip and a smiling playing at his lips.

"Come here!" Mrs. Evadne yelled to him, slight impatience making her quirk her lips. The older man complied, a bit grumpily, and made his way to the front door.
Upon seeing Hermione, he smiled a bit, and leaned into his wife. "I don't want any cookies!" He whispered fervently, trying to determine the best way to send the little girl packing without hurting her feelings. The last batch of cookies he bought played hell on his digestive system.

The older woman scoffed. "Get here! This is your granddaughter!" He did a double take, but didn't have to be told twice. Immediately, Hermione found herself engulfed in another hug, and ushered into the cozy little house. Now Hermione knew why her mother hugged her a lot. It seemed hereditary.

Draco had looked up from his book just to see a chestnut-haired girl about his age knocking on the door. He strained to listen as the answering woman shouted over her shoulder, but all he could hear was the word 'granddaughter'. That was enough for him. He got up and went inside his house quickly before the Evadnes could spot him.

Author's note: This story is co-written. The first chapter was by me. This one is by my partner. We switch off chapters. Thanks for those who reviewed! Tell you're friends!