1 9 9 3, October 31st

"You're late."

Draco said tapping his foot with one of his arms crossed over his chest. The other one was resting on that ridiculous arm sling.

"And you're still wearing that ridiculous thing," she stated walking up to him. He was totally faking his hippogriff injury and she knew it. Madame Pomfrey could heal bones in minutes, everybody knew that. He was just doing this to get Hagrid's hippogriff executed and make the man miserable.

It wasn't fair.

Nel wasn't wrong when she had assumed that Malfoy being the pompous peacock that he was, was going to be extremely well dressed for their trip to Hogsmeade. He wore a black turtleneck sweater; matching dress pants and his brand leather shoes. He also accessorized with a ring on each hand.
Not wanting to be underdressed she wore that black sweater she had received for Christmas last year over an old white turtleneck sweater and a brown glen check skirt that reached above her knee.

"Fifteen minutes," he said without looking down at his watch.

"Excuse me," she drawled out sarcastically. "I was busy dragging my feet here."

She'd never let him know she was busy throwing the little clothes she had over her shoulders being unsure of what to wear. She wouldn't put it past him to judge her choice in fashion. He took in her appearance yet to her surprise said nothing.

"We'll have to wait for the next carriage," he said shoving his hands into his pockets. She eyed him carefully from the side of her peripheral vision as she reached his side. She swatted his injured arm and instinctively he flinched and grabbed onto her lower arm stopping the attack.

"I knew it," She said triumphantly. "You're such a phony," she pulled her arm back to her person. "You're not even hurt!"

"It was a reflex," he argued back. "You try getting hurt by that beast and live to tell the tale. I almost saw my life flash before my eyes," he said dramatically. She couldn't help but laugh at his theatrics.

"You're so dramatic. Have you ever considered doing theater?" He had an irritated look on his face. "No, I'm serious. I'd love to see your rendition of Hamlet," She teased poking his arm. He shrugged off her touch not bothering to ask just what Hamlet was.

"Where are Crabbe and Goyle anyway?" She asked casually, fidgeting slightly looking over her shoulder seeing if they were coming up any moment now.

"It's just us two," she heard him say.

Nel didn't want to look at him. There was something awkward about the whole situation. She said nothing in response and stood next to him. She noted there were no other students around, probably because they had already left to Hogsmeade.

The carriage pulled up and she froze in the spot. It was being pulled by therstals. Those filthy creatures that terrified her. He seemed oblivious to this considering he probably couldn't see them.

"Come on," He said walking forward.

It took him a moment to realize she wasn't following. He stopped and looked back realizing her eyes were fixed on the blank spot in front of the carriage. Malfoy shot her an irritated look before grabbing her by the wrist and leading her to the black carriage. He opened the door for her and help her up. She couldn't help but feel disconcerted by his uncharacteristic polite manners. He looked at her shaken expression and how her eyes continued to be fixed on that blank spot in front of the carriage.

"Is this really so terrible for you?" He asked making her snap out of her trance. She shot him a look and elbowed his 'injured' arm again. She turned away from the horses of death instead turning her attention to him. Between the two evils maybe Draco wasn't the worse one.
"Believe it or not there are worse things than you Malfoy."

He rolled his eyes as the two rode the Road to Hogsmeade. The road lead through the Forbidden Forest and numerous mountain fields surrounding the castle. It was rather beautiful.

He rolled his eyes at her comment.

"How's your ingenious plan to keep Parkinson away going? Half of the school already knows about our outing. I'm surprised she hasn't come for my throat yet."

"Well," He said with a smug smirk. "I am rather popular," he declared arrogantly. "Don't confused fame with infamy," she retorted without missing a beat.

"Parkinson should be at Hogsmeade ready to hunt me down. So be ready if you spot her."

Of course, she'd be ready, wands up and everything. Parkinson wouldn't hesitate in sending a hex in Nel's direction for the pettiest things. She didn't want to imagine what she'd do when she found out she was at Hogsmeade with her 'Drakey,' Nel mentally gagged.

"Also – I am not doing your homework or carrying your books." She wore a no-nonsense type of look on her face which meant these were nonnegotiable terms for her. "If anything, you should carry mine."

"What do I look like? Your servant?" He scoffed at her terms. "Besides, I am injured, in case you haven't noticed," he said lightly waving his 'injured' hand. She hit him again, not hard, and he let out the most dramatic painful moan she had ever heard.

"Such a diva," she grumbled as they arrived to Hogsmeade. "I can't wait for this to be over with…"

Nel had a feeling that this week was going to go by at a painfully slow. I'd be hell having to be with stuck up Malfoy enduring Parkinson's hateful looks. However, the thought of having one clue, that one thread that could lead to her family kept her going.

Soon they arrived and Hogsmeade proved to be just as magical and maybe even more beautiful than Diagon Alley. Ochre and autumn colored trees decorated the mountain side background of the village as students wearing sweaters of red, green, yellow and blue and other witches and wizards walked around the streets.

Again, Nel was in awe. It reminded her of her introduction to this magical world. She was sure she was never going to stop marveling at the wonders of this world. Draco instead walked around eyeing everything curiously. He wasn't taken aback in awe, but he was intrigued by the quaint wizarding village.

Nel didn't even bother waiting for Malfoy and ran towards the first store to the right. It was a raggedy building with a sign that read Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. She peered through the glass window with a smile looking at the many quills and other writing utensils. Some of the quills were exuberant made with large ostrich feathers, others made with phoenix, and even Galapagos finch. Quill tips made out of gold, black and silver and many different ink colors. Getting one was tempting. There was some readable ink that could be read under any type of lighting, amethyst colored ink, and mood changing ink.

"Are you getting one?"

She had almost forgotten that Malfoy was with her.

"It's tempting," she admitted not taking her eyes off a small black feathered one. She had saved enough to treat herself to something nice. However, it wouldn't be savvy to spend it on a pen. Specially if an emergency were to arise.

"Why don't you just get it?" He repeated. He knew that she could afford it. Afterall she had been doing the majority of Crabbe and Goyle's schoolwork for the past three years. Surely, she had to have amassed enough to afford a quill.

"Because I don't need it," she explained. "My quill works just fine," she sighed. Maybe she'd treat herself for it for her birthday tomorrow or maybe even for Christmas.

"But you want it," he insisted. He looked at her oddly. He really didn't understand this simple problem. If she wanted it and she could get it? Why didn't she simply do it? Why limit oneself to the simple pleasures of life like this? She looked at him somewhat irritated. Of course, he wouldn't understand. Malfoy was the type of brat that had probably never been denied anything in his life.

"There's a difference between wanting and needing. I'll come back for it when I need it." Growing bored with the conversation not wanting to stick around and buy the quill she turned to look down at the other magic stores down the street: Gladarag's Wizard Wear, Sprintwithces Sporting Needs and of course Honeyduke's.

"Come on, let's go!" She made way to Honeyduke's Malfoy walking behind her. Honeyduke's had a sickeningly sweet, nutty, nougat flavor when you walked in. The store was warm and over packed with students. Specially since it was Halloween and they were giving away pumpkin pastry samples. Neither said much to the other as they ogled the many candies on the shelf displays and pointed at giant lollipops that other students were eating. When they reached the counter Nel pointed at some lemon bars that were in the back of the display and the large man behind the counter obliged packing some up for her.

She was about to pay when a hand reached over her shoulder and placed the money on the counter. She turned to look at the Slytherin boy with surprise.

"I don't need you to," she said in a hostile tone. She wasn't about to be Malfoy's charity case.

"It's only proper," he responded in a civil tone. She realized he didn't get anything and the two exited the shop.

"Thank you, by the way," She said when they were outside, regretting having been so rude at his polite gesture. "Don't mention it," he said hands in pocket turning away from her.

"Look!" She pointed out at a building further down the street. "Zonko's!" She practically bounced in her step more than excited to go. "I'll meet you there," he said ominously before walking away. Nel didn't even wait to see what Malfoy she instead jogged up to the store and peered inside of the window. If the line to get to Honeyduke's was long the line to get into Zonko's almost went around the store. A small crowd of kids and teens were also pressed up against the window glass looking at some of the prank items and toys on display. Obediently Nel went back to the line to wait for her turn. She had made up her mind to patiently stand and wait to enter the shop when something caught her attention.

Across the street she saw Draco walking around suspiciously. He looked over his shoulder and more hunched in a matter that was unnatural for his attention seeking nature making him look almost suspicious as he walked into the shop across the street.

What was he hiding?

She stood in the unmovable line alone for a couple of minutes before she decided to go after him.

She didn't if she had decided to follow him due to the curiosity or the boredom of waiting in line for an hour. She approached the old building and read the painted name on a board Maestro's Music Shop.

Why on Earth would Malfoy want to go to a music shop? She didn't know what she had been expecting, maybe a store filled with dark sorcery and dangerous artifacts – but this?

The bell rang as she walked in. Instruments of all kinds even some that she had never even seen lined up the many shelves and rows of the dusty store which reminded her of Ollivanders. A piano by the entrance had been bewitched to play itself in accordance of whatever tune it had last heard. There were a handful of other witches and wizards hanging around the store reading sheet music and comparing instruments and other accessories. There was a lovely song in the air a melancholic tune that welcomed any guest in. She began curiously wandering around the store with both of her arms held behind her back. For a moment she even forgot why she was in the store, completely distracted by the odd trinkets. It wasn't until she turned around a bookshelf that she came to a surprised halt.

That lovely mellow music that had been playing.

It was Malfoy.

He stood in the darkness at the end of the store almost hidden behind a bookshelf with a violin in his hands playing a tune that was unfamiliar to her (Gymnopedie No. 1). His eyes were closed as he was deeply focused on his performance, the music and the moment. His fingers moving expertly with the violin's chords. His 'injured' arm out of its sling using the bow. Elowen hadn't realized she had been gawking at him without shame until he opened his eyes. Startled played a scratchy chord almost dropping the musical instrument from the shock.

How could such a horrible person like Malfoy make such beautiful music?

"Nel," He sputtered her name and lowered the instrument. She didn't even bother in correcting him. "You tell anybody about this, and it'll be the end of you. I swear it by Merlin's beard!" He threatened angrily raising a finger and pointing in her direction.

"You play the violin?" She asked in surprise ignoring his sudden embarrassment. Malfoy was so odd, why would he be embarrassed about having such a skill? Why would he be embarrassed of having the power to create beautiful music? It was ironic really, for a person that was constantly seeking attention for him not to want a musical spotlight? She simply found it to be really odd.

"Some," he admitted with rare modesty. She was looking at him with what he interpreted to be fascination. "Why did you stop? It was nice," she complimented. "It was very nice, actually," she said lightly swaying as she stood. Her hands still behind her back holding her bag of sweets.

"You like Satie?" He asked. She didn't know what that pretentiously pronounced word meant or was. "What?"

"Never mind," he murmured still holding the instrument.

"Why have I never heard you play before?" She asked leaning against the wall, genuinely curious. Surely, she would've heard him at this point. Specially after three years of living in the Slytherin dormitories.

"I don't bring it with me. Do you know what would happen if any of the brutes that live with me laid a hand on my precious?"

His precious- oh damn. Nel assumed he was referring to his violin. She was pleasantly surprised and bit back a small laugh. So, Draco did actually care about something that wasn't himself.

"You're laughing," he said self-consciously his tone rougher than he intended. Already feeling mortified that he had been caught in such a vulnerable state and specially by her. Out of all people.

"I'm not," she said but couldn't help but laugh lightly. "Play something," she asked him kindly.

She didn't even realize that she was now standing next to him. Feeling hyper conscious about the closeness he inched away giving a step back and once again picked up the instrument. He was thoughtful for a moment before selecting his piece, L'estro Armonico Op. 3, No. 6.

He began playing with a couple of bold strokes.
She looked at him enthralled, almost in awe. She had never heard such powerful music like this, and much less in person. He couldn't help but smile slightly at her childish expression of wonder.
He played terribly well, like the greedy songbird he was only coming to an abrupt stop when the doorbell chime interrupted him.

"Let's get out of here. Before someone we know walks in," he said swiftly putting the instrument back in its place.

"I don't get why you're so embarrassed," she said as they walked out. "Best I can do is whistle. You're a musical prodigy and you hide it?" She poked nosily.

"It's personal," he shot her a glare which meant she should stop asking questions. However, she wasn't going to back down so easily. Exiting the shop, she saw two mops of red hair across the street.

Fred and George looked appalled by the company Nel was keeping shooting both of them a nasty look. Draco gladly returned it and walked past them to greet his posse of Slytherins outside of Zonko's.

"We heard the rumors but we didn't want to believe it," Fred began.
"Malfoy? Really?" George added wrinkling his nose in digust.

"He's a complete git."

"An outstanding arsehole."

"A real bastard."

"There's no worse company to keep around."

"I know," She let out an irritated sigh. "Trust me, I'm not here willingly."

"Could've fooled me," Fred crossed his arms over his chest. Not that she cared whatever his emotions were. Her relationship with the twins did not extend further than managing mischief and a business partnership.

"He's holding something over my head," she confessed to both of them.

"Godric, that flabbergasted leech," George began to pull his wand out of his sleeve ready to hex the third year.

"It's only for a week. I'll be free after that."

Hearing laughter she looked over her shoulder and saw Malfoy and the other Slytherin jokes looking at the three of them and sniggering at what looked to be an inside joke. She frowned at this. There was an ill feeling about it that made her feel self-conscious as if they were laughing at her.

"He's up to something," Fred said in a serious tone. "I know it," He pulled his wand out.

"Don't worry," Nel tried to appease them both. "If he crosses the line, I'll make him regret it," she promised. And boy would she be true to her word.

"Show me what you got at Zonko's!" She asked her associates excitedly peering inside of the bags they were holding.

Nel heard crunching in the ground and she turned to see Draco standing a couple of feet away from the three of them. The twins exchanged an unfriendly look with him before the Slytherins left. At this point Nel had already opened her box of lemon bars and had shared some with the Gryffindors. She waved the twins goodbye and left.

"Lemon bar?" She offered with uncharacteristically generosity as they returned to the carriages. He said nothing simply shaking his head. He looked a little different now. He walked with his head lowered and he didn't seem at ease or even intrigued by the village as they walked back. Nel turned to look at a large clock that hung by the entrance of the village. No wonder she was hungry. It was almost lunch time, she'd have to be back at the school soon to meet up with Lupin before the Halloween Dinner Feast.

The two walked into the Three Broomsticks and Draco insisted on walking straight up to the bar. He leaned over over-confident, "Red currant rum," she said cooly. "On the rocks," He pretended as if he'd forgotten that Nel was with him. "Oh, and a butter beer," he looked over his shoulder looking down at her as if she were lame for having a non-alcoholic beer.

Madame Rosemerta, a no-nonsense type of woman looked at him with an arched eyebrow. "I'm old enough to be your mother," she spoke in that same cool voice before placing two large butterbeer mugs on the table. Elowen couldn't help but laugh at his lame attempt to get alcohol. Who even liked drinking that stuff? Gross.

The two sat on a small booth in front of a window across from each other.

Most of the people inside of the Three Broomsticks were familiar to the Slytherin girl.

Draco's roomates were sitting on a nearby table obnoxiously making whooping noises, behaving less civil than the monkeys at the London Zoo. On another table was Pansy, seething with anger sitting with Millicent and Daphne. This didn't please nor displease Nel, Draco didn't even seem to notice. Even Ron and Hermione where in here with some other Gryffindors.

"What's up with them?" Nel asked shooting a death glare at the Slytherin boys. "Why do they keep starring at us?" It was almost as if they were waiting for something to happen.

Draco was uncharacteristically silent. Shrugging off his silence she took a sip from the butterbeer. It was warm, delicious and tasted like spiced butterscotch. It was definitely worth all the fuzzing about.

"This is really good!" She said happily. Again, Draco ignored her comment and avoided her eyes as he took a drink from his own mug.

"So," she began. He was dreading her asking about the Slytherin lads again, or even worse, about his secret musical abilities. "Are you going to tell me what you know?"

"If I tell you, you'd be out of here in a split second," he kept a challenging gaze on her.

"I won't," She promised.

He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He couldn't tell if she was lying or not.

"I promise," She repeated. However, he had made up his mind. He didn't believe her. He leaned back on the booth and crossed his arms over his chest in a pose that demanded an explanation.

"Hogsmeade is beautiful. I got my lemon bars. This butterbeer is great," she said raising up her mug in a toasting gesture. "And you haven't been a complete arse and a half. I'd be tempted to stay. Today hadn't been half bad," she half smiled at him sincerely. It had been a pleasant outing.

"Then maybe you should run out of here," His tone was dark, eyes lowering to the table. Her expression morphed into a confused one. "What?" She asked perplexed by the sudden shift in his mood.

"Leave," He said warningly.

She was about to ask what the hell he was talking about when a third person joined their party. Blaise Zabini plopped himself next to Malfoy and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"I see it and I don't believe it," he began his eyes were fixed on the girl's face but in his tone, she could tell he was speaking to his friend. "You actually managed to get Saintday to act like a human for once."

She narrowed her eyes at the dark boy, fighting the urge to utter a dull and confused 'Huh?'

Draco's silver eyes bounced from her perplexed expression to Zabini's haughty one.

He really hadn't meant for this to happen.

Earlier in the week Crabbe and Goyle had been asking Malfoy about their plans to go to Hogsmeade this weekend. The three wanted to go and try one of each of Honeyduke's products. Draco told them to do whatever they wanted to do since he'd be visiting the village with Nel Saintday.

"With Saintday?" Zabini who suddenly walked into the dormitory asked as if he had just said the name of a disease. "Why are you going with Saintday?" He asked again wrinkling his nose in distaste.

Nel wasn't an easy person to like. She was hostile to most. She also wasn't the prettiest girl in their class, but she wasn't the most rotten looking of them all. Of course, with cheap clothes, choppy bangs and dull hair that reached her shoulders you bet someone like Zabini wouldn't have spared her a second glance. Not to mention she had no surname or a single galleon to her name.

Draco felt judged under his friend's gaze. Crabbe and Goyle were also looking at him oddly. So, he did what he knew how to do best. He lied.

"Just a bet I have going on with Flint," he lied with ease bouncing a stress ball on his 'uninjured' hand. "We want to see if Saintday is actually half Hagraven or not," he laughed cruelly lowering his eyes as he alluded to the horrid bird like monster. Would it have been easier to tell them another lie? That he was forcing her to go to Hogsmeade with him? Or maybe the truth? The fact that he often enjoyed her company. Was that so terribly wrong?

"Yeah?" Zabini laughed loudly at the comparison. "How much?" He said plopping himself at the foot of Malfoy's emerald green bed.

Crabbe and Goyle exchanged a confused look. As far as their dim heads knew, there was no bet. "Nothing, really," Malfoy shrugged. "This I'm doing for fun."

Zabini let out a low whistle. "You and Saintday, Hogsmeade," he shook his head in disbelief. "This I gotta see."

Which was when Theodore Nott walked in and exited the room just as quickly shook by what he had just heard.

"So are you?" Zabini jabbed. "Half a Hagraven?" He laughed before taking a sip from his own butterbeer he had been carrying.

Draco didn't want to look at Elowen's hurt expression. He had tried to warn her. To get her to leave as conspicuously as possible. Meanwhile Blaise was eyeing her attire up and down. He noticed the contrasting sweater and arched an eyebrow. Somehow it looked familiar to him. Blaise was known for being the quiet Slytherin but when he spoke it stung.

"Oh," He said after a long sip.

Besides it was no surprise he was being so terribly rude. Blaise was friends with Pansy. He'd do everything in his power to help her at any time. No matter the circumstances. "You actually…" He looked between the blonde and the brunette sitting in the booth with him. "Ohhh," he clicked his tongue. "You actually thought the two of you were…?" He began laughing before finishing that statement.

Friends? Nel filled the spot he had left blank in his speech. The nearby boys at the Slytherin table who were eavesdropping were beginning to laugh a little louder. "You really thought this was a date, didn't you? Even brought out your nicest sweater and all."

No. That was definitely not what this was.

She was hurt. She looked at Blaise with a callous expression. How could someone be so cruel? Turning her eyes to Draco she looked at him with an incredulous expression. He wasn't going to say anything? He wasn't going to correct Blaise? Tell him the truth? Come out clean and defend her?
From the looks on his face, he wasn't.

Her nails had been gripping the skin of her upper legs so tightly that half-moon marks were beginning to form on them. A familiar anger from the humiliation began boiling in her temples brining in a terrible migraine. Her eyes now turned into black angry slits fixed on the blonde before her who looked paler than usual. This was his last chance. Either he told Zabini and the rest of the lot the truth or she'd make him pay for this – gravely. She'd make them all pay for this.

Again, he didn't.

A wizard and his owl were perched outside of the Three Broomsticks calmly sipping on a cup of tea. It really was such a lovely afternoon. A storm seemed a distance away. Until he noticed something odd. His porcelain cup lightly rattled and upon closer inspection he noticed a halo forming in the golden liquid. He lifted it up analyzing it and it was then that he felt it. The sudden vibrations on the ground.

He barely managed to move out of the way before the explosion. The Three Broomsticks blew up. The window and entire side wall was blown to a mess debris of brick and wood. Inside the remains of the curtains and booth had been set ablaze. Blaise removed his coat which had caught fire. Malfoy was aggressively trying to pat down the flames that burned the sleeves of his sweater.
Students ran array away from the incendio, there was screaming, broken mugs and other broken windows from the explosion. Other brave wizards stepped forward to put the fire out.

Nel didn't stop to take responsibility for her explosive temper. She quickly walked back to the carriages and got in the first one alone. She didn't even bother with her uneasiness around Therstals. Hot tears were beginning to threaten to spill from her eyes. She wiped them off before they could break the barrier of her eyes.

Arriving at Hogwarts feeling no remorse and already late for lessons with Lupin she stormed into the professor's office where Harry and him were already waiting for her.

Both took in her appearance her disheveled hair, the torn sweater, the skin stained with soothe and small glass cuts on her face.

Lupin and Harry exchanged a look. Both shock and concern in their eyes. Harry didn't think he had ever seen anybody bearing so much anger. Not even his Aunt Petunia when he accidentally destroyed her garden that one-time Uncle Vernon fell out the window and broke an arm because of him. Nel was livid. Harry had a feeling that whatever it was what had happened they'd find out soon.

"Nel," Lupin began carefully hoping the nickname would ease her flaming temper. After all anger was a sudden and impulsive reaction. "Perhaps we should try this another time? You see the spell requires you to be in a calm state of mind-"

"I am calm!" She snapped. She not calm.

Lupin pondered for a moment. She'd attempt a Patronus and she would probably fail. What could be the worst that could happen? She'd try and fail again and again until she got tired. Maybe it would even be good thing since it would allow her to blow off some steam.

She whipped out her wand and braced herself. Ready to think of her strongest memory she could. Ready to cast the incantation. The words already memorized in her head. Harry stepped in front of the Boggart which turned into a Dementor.

With a deep scowl on her face, an aching soul and a heavy heart she pointed at the dark creature before her. "Expecto Patronum!" She shouted. As the anger pulsed through her being instead of joy.

It all happened so fast.

She was taken aback when instead of a pure white light an obsidian one with tints of burgundy was casted. She was so shocked she dropped her wand almost as if it had burned her skin.

Whatever spell she had casted; this dark orb instead attacked Harry. Leeching the energy out of him almost like a dementor.

"Expecto Patronum!" Lupin was quick to act, and a silver wolf erupted from the tip of his wand. The spirit chased off and vanished whatever vile thing had come out from her cursed wand.

Harry fainted.

Rushing Lupin turned to face the Boggart ready to cast riddikulus at it. However, he stopped. He heart faint painful sobs and witnessed a truly horrifying sight.

The Boggart has shifted.

Lupin saw two girls in his office.

Nel Saintday had a twin.

One of the girls was smiling with malice, savoring the horrible moment. Enjoying the pain and destruction it had created. The other was emotionally wounded and crumbled into a sobbing mess.

He couldn't tell which one was the real one...