Disclaimer: I own nothing except Amara, but not her ancestry… oh well.

AN: I think this'll be the last chapter updated while school is out. But hopefully I'll stay in the groove. R and R!

Riddle Me This
Chapter Five-

Draco wandered down the corridor the next day to breakfast. He was still in a daze that he had hit Amara. He was furious at what she had said but why was he as so stupid as to hit her? Her words had sent a shiver down his spine and even though he would never admit it out loud, he was terrified at what she would do to him.

When Draco arrived at the Great Hall, he sat down and began buttering a piece of toast as the mail arrived. The other students suddenly buzzed with excitement. As his owl dropped his newspaper in front of him he found out why. The headline was 'Hermione Granger spotted in London' and beneath it was a picture of the busy-haired girl standing at the edge of the London Bridge, or at least what was left of it.

Where are the other two? He wondered. His eyes dropped further down the page to the article.

'Hermione Granger, 17-year-old girl and companion of Harry Potter, who has been missing along with him and Ron Weasley, has been sighted. She was seen yesterday evening at the remains of the London Bridge, which was destroyed by Deatheaters only a week ago. Potter and Weasley were not seen and their whereabouts are still unknown. We can only assume they are with her.'

Just as he finished reading a great white owl dropped a letter in front of him. The front of it said 'Draco Malfoy' in a familiar tiny, neat scrawl. With the other people leaning over him to read the paper, Draco tucked the letter out of sight, promising himself to read it during his first free period.

Even though that was his plan, Draco ended up shunning his friends off and sat alone in his first class. He pulled out the letter and opened it; his hands were almost shaking in anticipation.

Draco Malfoy,

I know you've been wondering about us, and all three of us express our sorrow that you did not get to join us (Ron was forced). We have missed you since you left us at Harry's house (I can't say the address in case this is intercepted, but you know he inherited it). Why didn't you stay? I know we were all a bit cruel to you at first but it was just doubt. It takes the boy's a little longer to forgive and forget than me.

Anyway, our search for the Horcruxes has taken us to London, as I'm sure you've seen, as I was stupid enough to be seen. We might be taking a side-trip to Lord Voldemort's father's house. Harry knows where it is and there might be some hints as to where the goblets or even maybe hints of what the other Horcruxes might be. How is everything at school? We have heard a rumor of a Riddle attending now? Is this true? Please remember, I know that's its hard, but we are your friends and we are working very hard at ending Lord Voldemort's rule. Please keep us updated on the home front.

Sincerely,
Hermione Granger

Draco folded the paper and stuffed it back into the envelope. She actually wrote to him. She had promised just before he left 12 Grimmwauld Place, three weeks before term began, that they would keep him updated but he had his doubts.

It still amazed him that she would consider him a friend. After his mother's murder, a spy from the Order of the Phoenix that was based in his home, had taken him, blindfolded, to the headquarters, where he was then relocated to Number 12 Grimmwauld Place where the Trio was spending the summer.

At first he stayed in his room and they avoided each other at all costs. Eventually Mrs. Weasley coaxed him into eating and he then had forced interaction with them. Over the course of the summer they had warmed up a little. Granger was the first to speak to him, but of course even though she and him were always the ones to trade insults, she was much more willing to forgive than the others.

It was still cold in that house, so Draco left before term started and stayed in The Leaky Cauldron. He had a better chance of recovery there.

The bell rang and Draco had his first free period. He wanted to look over the letter again and since he didn't trust his fellow Slytherins he didn't want to do it in the common room. He spotted an empty classroom and went inside closing the door behind him. When he turned he saw Amara Riddle standing there staring at him; she had a letter that was at least two pages long.

"What are you doing here Malfoy? Sneaking about behind people's back like your Father; trying to find a end to an impossible means against impossible odds that will ultimately be your downfall?" Amara said snidely, taking a few steps toward him, folding and pocketing the long letter.

Anger rose in him at the mention of his Father. In his fury, he raised his fist. Amara smiled and went face-to-face with him, meeting his glare.

"You would strike me twice?" She turned her cheek to the bruised side as if she was daring him. Draco's breath caught in his throat as he lowered his fist, his senses returning to him. But in his second of unsurely a fist came barreling at his face. It hit him full force and he was slammed onto the wall behind him.

Amara rushed to him and pinned him against the wall and held down his arms so that he couldn't get to his wand. She leaned close to him and growled, "You speak about my family; I speak about yours."

"Then maybe we should both be silent." He replied. Even though the situation was defiantly not right, Draco couldn't help notice how close Amara was to him. Their bodies were almost touching. He could feel her breath on his lips and it was exhilarating. She was so beautiful. Her short black hair fell perfectly over her eyes and covered her bruised cheek just enough. Her lips were slightly apart in her fury and her eyes were shining with something he had never seen before. Perhaps rage; perhaps not.

Before he knew what he was doing, Draco leaned forward and pressed his lips against her. In shock, Amara let go of his arms and stepped back. He put his now-free hand on the back of her neck and ran his fingers through her silky hair.

Amara didn't respond at first but she seemed to come to her senses. She pulled away forcefully and knocked him to the ground. He looked up at her, fear and hurt filled his eyes. She placed her foot on his neck, choking him. She increased the pressure and Draco gagged. He instinctively grabbed her ankle, trying to let some air into his lungs.

"Keep you traitorous lips away from me." She spat. Then Amara removed her foot and stepped back. Draco stood up slowly and wiped the blood from his nose.

"Why do we do this to each other?" He whispered, looking forlorn. Amara looked unsure. She bit her lip then turned and stalked from the room, her eyes slightly wider and wetter than normal. She had looked almost vulnerable.

Draco stood there, staring at the empty space that she had once stood in. How could I have ever hated her? Then he took the letter out of his pocket and stared at it. Then again I had hated them.

The bell rang and Draco left the empty classroom and headed towards his next class, which he just happened to have with Amara.

AN: Why do I feel so bad leaving this here? LOL