In Times of War

by Unicornglitterpants

For Draco, there's nobody like her. For Genevieve, he's all that matters. Connections made in times of great strife are often easily broken. With both sides fighting against them, can they manage to beat the odds? Can a death eater and a muggleborn witch make it through the second wizarding war unscathed? Or will their love be their undoing? DracoXOC, Rated M for later chapters.

4. Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Unraveling Pt.1

"In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends."
- John Churton Collins

Genevieve closed her potions textbook and gave Draco a wan smile. "I suppose this is our last study session until next year."

Draco nodded, not really looking at her. "I'm going to miss talking to you," he mumbled, "I can't talk to my other friends the way I talk to you."

She nodded once, staring off at a shelf of books not far away. "It's only one summer, Draco, and then we'll be back and I can go back to tutoring you."

"I think I'll write you," he blurted suddenly, his cheeks a bit redder than usual, "I don't think Mother or Father would mind as much as I've let on and they don't need to know you're muggle-born anyway. You could be in Ravenclaw for all they know."

She could feel herself beaming. "Oh, that would be smashing, Draco."

Both of them feeling much better, packed up quickly and went their separate ways. Genevieve couldn't deny that there was a bit more bounce in her step. Aside from Katie Bell, Draco had become her very best friend-even if they didn't associate with one another outside of tutoring sessions. Their tutoring sessions had grown longer over the course of the year as instead of packing up and leaving right away, hey tended to stay until well after curfew in order to talk about other things.

She had already made quite a few plans with Katie Bell and Leanne Swit, a Hufflepuff second year, but she was really looking forward to her first correspondence with Draco.

It came at the tail end of June and was much less enthralling than she had expected, but Draco had been sure to tell her everything he had been up to thus far. That included all the dinner parties and balls he hated so much.

"They're so dull, Gen, there's never anyone my age, all they ever want to talk about is how many galleons they made this year, and they keep asking me if I've decided on any proper pureblood girls to marry. I'm going mad, I am. Mother actually made a list of girls from Slytherin and Ravenclaw for me. So far, she has her heart set on Millicent Bullstrode. Millicent Bullstrode! Thank Merlin Beckwith's not on that list. I'd rather live out the rest of my days in Azkaban than listen to that chit go on an on about how much better she is than anybody. How exactly did she get into Gryffindor? Is there a way to cheat when being sorted?

"Anyway, speaking of the list, but I hope you don't mind that I sort of fibbed to mother and told her that I was writing you and that I was sort of interested in you. I know it's horrible of me, but I'm just so tired of hearing about how wonderful these girls are. I go to school with them. I know what they're like and they're all ghastly. Why would I ever consider marrying one of them? I'm quite sure pureblood girls get dimmer with each generation.

"Sorry, yes, so I've told mother that you and I may soon be involved just to throw her off track. She's insistent on meeting you, but I've told her that I would appreciate it if they waited until the two of us decided whether or not we would like to pursue a relationship.

"Long story short, is summer over yet?"

Genevieve had been quick to reply:

"Bloody hell, Draco, are all pureblood families that fanatical about marriage? It's as if you're living in the Victorian Era. I'd ask if your mother has read "Pride and Prejudice" one too many times, but seeing as that's a muggle book, I highly doubt it. And Millicent Bullstrode is a gargantuan toad. Really, I'm beginning to question your mother's taste. At least she had the good decency to keep Rosamund off the list. I'd think her a bit touched in the head if she were on there. I feel wretched speaking of Rosmund in such a way, but...well, Draco. I haven't heard from her at all. I've heard from Katie and Leanne-even Alicia Spinnet-but not the girl who's supposedly my best friend?

"I'd love to go to at least one ball in my life. I may be on the bookish side, but even I can appreciate a beautiful ball gown. I'd have to learn to waltz first, but it would be worth your mother whatever you like, Draco, I don't mind. Hopefully, one day, you can tell her the truth about me and we can meet. I want badly to meet your mother some day.

"My mother found my notes for DADA and nearly lost it. She's convinced I'm doing learning evil things at Hogwarts and that we're all plotting to take over the world. She's threatened to pull me from Hogwartsand bar me from seeing any of my friends. Luckily, father calmed her down and she took it back, but I was fit to be tied when I found out. Seems she's been going through my trunk whenever I'm not home.

"I know the muggle world and the wizarding world are two completely different places, but it hurts that she can't accept me for who and what I am. I'm a witch. I'm...well I don't quite know who I am yet. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s aren't that far off and maybe I should start thinking of where I belong. Have you thought about it? I'm worried I won't fit in anywhere.

"Long story short, I can't wait to go back to Hogwarts."

And so it went for the remainder of the summer and their letters became more and more personal. Genevieve admitted she was worried about whether or not she was good enough to make it in the wizarding world and that she was worried she would lose her parents if she did. Draco admitted he was starting to have doubts about the validity of his family's blood purity fanaticism.

Receiving letters from Draco made the summer pass more quickly than normal and soon, it was time to return to Hogwarts for her fourth year. She nearly skipped the entire way onto the platform, ignoring the dour look on her mother's face. She sucked in her bottom lip in an attempt to reign in any squealing she might do at the sight of the Hogwarts Express. She darted onto the train and quickly chose a compartment, far too excited to keep from bouncing in her seat. She bounced over to the window and pressed her face against it. She was among the first to arrive; she would be waiting for quite a while before anyone joined her.

"Do you think she's gone barmy on us," someone whispered from the doorway.

"She looks absolutely barking, as usual," another voice replied. Genevieve leaped to her feet and threw herself at Katie and Leanne. "Oh, stuff it, you two!"

"You do realize you just saw us not two weeks ago," Katie question, unable to keep the amusement from her voice.

"Yes, and it was ages ago, I was barking for a couple days there," she said putting a hand to her head dramatically, "I contracted a high grade fever and was quite convinced I was the second coming of Morgan le Fay for almost a week."

The two giggled at her. "Oh, come off it," Katie howled as she shoved her housemate playfully.

"I think you're both of your rockers," Leanne joked, pushing her unruly black hair away from her face as she loaded her trunk onto the baggage shelf.

"Did you see Cedric Diggory on the platform," Katie cut in. "He's absolutely a dream, so fit."

"He's also a complete push over," Alicia Spinnet snorted as she shoved into the compartment. "You have the worst taste in men ever, Bell."

"Oh, and I suppose your taste is just impeccable considering you've been pining over Roger Davies for the better part of two years."

"Going on three," Angelina muttered as she shoved in behind her fellow chaser. Alicia shot her an indignant look. "Shut up, Johnson."

"Oh, like it was ever some big secret. Your eyes are practically glued to his backside any time that boy is on a broom."

"Guys," Leanne started, becoming just as nervous with the level of tension in the compartment as Genevieve was. "How ever do they manage to win a single game with the way the three of them are always going at it," Genevieve asked, never taking her eyes off the near shrieking match before them.

"You'd think they were all from Slytherin," Leanne whispered. The three Quidditch players all glared at one another for a moment before taking their seats.
Angelina blinked in surprise at Genevieve. "Hey, your hair's down. And it's a bit longer."

Genevieve nodded. Angelina smiled. "It looks good, Gen."

Katie pointed at her chest. "And her knockers have gotten huge," the brunette exclaimed. Genevieve smacked her hand away and scowled. "They are not!"

Alicia smirked. "They are compared to how big they were last year. What did you eat? Or did you go to one of those wizard clinics?"

Katie ignored her. "They're fantastic! Take your sweater off so we can see how perky they are!"

"Sometimes I wonder about you, Kates," Leanne murmured with a shake of her head.

"I think you're all barmy," Angelina said as she pulled out an issue of Witch Weekly. "How awful do you think Wood's going to be about Quidditch this year."

"I don't even want to think about it," Katie scowled. Alicia mirrored her expression, crossing her arms for good measure, "he can sod off if he thinks I'm going to go for one of his mental training schedules. If we can't beat the other houses using a normal training schedule then we should all just pack up now."

"That boy needs a hobby."

"He has one," Alicia replied, tossing a quaffle in the air, "it's called school." The other four laughed and Genevieve leaned back in her seat.

"Is it just me or did the third year boys go through a growth spurt?"

"They've definitely grown up. Some of them are right fit blokes now."

"This is a disgusting conversation," Alicia stated drolly. "Change the subject. I'm sick of boys."

"Well, what classes are you taking then?"

"Hey, where's Beckwith?"

"Who cares? Probably terrorizing Oliver."

"Figures."

The train ride to Hogwarts was relaxed and Genevieve didn't even mind it when Leanne set about braiding her thick mane of curling brown hair.

"Shove it," Angelina snapped suddenly, dropping her magazine and bolting upright. "Did you feel that?"

Alicia stopped tossing her quaffle just as the Hogwarts Express came to a screeching halt and the lights went out. Genevieve exhaled shakily and cringed when she could see her breath. It had gotten so cold so suddenly. Angelina lunged forward and kicked the compartment door closed. Katie pressed her face up against the window. "Guys, I see something. And it doesn't look friendly. It looks like it's wearing some sort of black cloak. Almost looks like a death eater!"

"Bell, get the bloody hell away from the door," Alicia hissed, latching onto the younger girls arm and yanking her backward. She tumbled to the floor and Alicia pulled her back against the other side of the compartment. Katie didn't even protest when her head collided with the back window, causing a dull thud to echo mutely throughout the compartment. The five girls jumped when a shadow passed outside the train. Leanne hissed, "What is it?"

"Whatever it is, there's more than one," Angelina whispered. Fear shown clearly in her dark brown eyes. "And whatever it is, it's not friendly."

"What if it's Sirius Black and some death eaters coming to kill us all?"

Suddenly, someone was screaming and the girls all clutched one another. Leanne whimpered and Katie gripped her hand hard as she wrapped her other arms around Genevieve. Genevieve reached across and grabbed onto Angelina, who scrabbled to grab a hold of Alicia. Together, the five of them sank onto the floor of the compartment.

They withdrew into each other, shielding one another. "We'll be okay," Alicia breathed over and over again. Someone else sniffled. The lights were still off, when someone threw open the compartment door. They all jumped again.

"Professor Lupin asked me to check the forward compartments. Is everyone alright," asked a masculine voice that would have been irritatingly familiar under any other circumstances. "MacDuff?"

Cautiously, Genevieve looked up, sniffing as she did so. Draco Malfoy was standing in the doorway, his lanky frame taking up almost all the space the doorway could provide. When had he gotten so tall? His white pressed shirt was untucked and rumpled and his hair looked unruly. He looked almost frantic for a moment and then his face was a cold mask. "Do you need me to get Professor Lupin?"

"I think I'm alright," she said, her voice quivering. She saw him tense the barest bit. He nodded once after a moment's hesitation and then disappeared, slamming the door shut before anymore could be said. The compartment was silent for a long while before Alicia final spoke. "When did Malfoy get so fit?"

"No kidding," Angelina said as she slowly pulled herself up off the floor.

Once they reached the station, Genevieve exited the train in a daze. It had been a dementor on the train. It had been looking for Sirius Black, whoever that was. All she knew was he was a death eater who had escaped Azkaban. She gripped her trunk and slowly made her way to the carriage, trying hard to brush off the oppressive, dark feeling of infinite despair that had settled in her stomach along with the appearance of the dementor. She didn't remember the carriage ride or the feast. She didn't even remember changing into her pajamas for bed.

It wasn't until the next day that she finally snapped out of her daze. It was breakfast and she had done nothing but shove her eggs around on her plate with the tip of her fork. For some reason, the sight of her uneaten cold breakfast finally snapped her out of it. She slammed her fork down on her plate and looked up to find her four friends staring at her. "I'm being ridiculous. No one was hurt and nothing happened."

"Look, there's nothing wrong with still being weirded out," Angelina assured her. "That dementor should not have been on the train. Sirius Black wouldn't be stupid enough to have been on the Hogwarts Express anyway."

The other three chorused their agreement. Genevieve shrugged. "I've just. That's my first time facing anything dark like that before."

Katie looked down at her plate. "Me, too."

"I-I think I'm going to head to class early." She stood and nobody tried to stop her as she hurried from the great slung her bookbag up farther on her shoulder as she hurried out of the castle toward Care of Magical Creatures. The class was meeting next to the black lake, She was just passing the tree line of the Forbidden forest when a pale hand shot out from behind one of the trees and grabbed her. She let out half a shriek before another hand covered her mouth. Her eyes widened in recognition and her assailant slowly moved his hand away.

"Sweet Merlin, Draco, don't do that," she cried, swatting him in the chest and then rubbing the palm of her hand. She gave him a funny look. "Have you been working out? Blimey, you're tall."

They stared at one another for several long moments, blinking. He was so tall now. He absolutely towered over her and his pale blond hair fell in his eyes, no longer slicked back. Draco Malfoy was no longer a boy. He was becoming a man.

Genevieve took a step back and wrapped an arm around herself, self-conscious of the changes of her own body. It seemed the Slytherin boy before her had also noticed as he was looking everywhere but at her as he shifted his weight from foot to foot uneasily.

"I just wanted to know if you were okay. After yesterday. On the train," he managed, casting a cautious glance toward her. She nodded hasitly. "Yes, I'm fine," she said quickly, her words coming out in a garbled mess. Her face was beginning to burn, which could only mean one thing. She was blushing. Bullocks. "Um, are-are you alright?"

He looked at her again, took in her flushed face and smirked in a way she had never seen him smirk before. "Yes, I'm alright."

She relaxed enough to fall back against the tree trunk behind her. "I didn't know things like that existed," she said in a voice that was much too subdued for Draco's liking. He gave her a sympathetic look. "Nobody wants to face a dementor, Vivvy."

She scowled at him. "I told you not to call me that the last time I wrote you."

He smirked again and Genevieve was suddenly aware of just how disconcerting it was. "Since when do I ever listen to anybody?"

"You can be such an arrogant berk sometimes," she said disbelievingly as she smack him in the stomach with the back of her hand. He grinned, shoulders shaking with silent laughter. They laughed together for a moment before Draco became serious again. "Look, Viv-Gen, This thing with Sirius Black, promise me you'll be careful. He's-he's a death eater and you know how death eaters feel about muggle-borns."

"But what about you?"

Draco turned away from her partially, sighing. "I suppose it's best you find out now instead of later." He took a deep breath and turned to face her. "Sirius Black is my mother's cousin. I don't know the whole story, but I know that at one time everyone thought he was a blood-traitor."

Genevieve merely blinked in astonishment at him. He rubbed the back of his head, nervous. "There's more."

Genevieve pushed away from the tree and put a hand on his arm, "What? What is it?"

"He's the one that killed Harry Potter's parents," Draco confessed staring at the leaf covered ground. When she didn't speak, he continued, "killed a bunch of muggles, too. A couple dozen, I think. Everyone was so proud when they found out."

"That's awful," she whispered. Draco nodded silently and Genevieve couldn't tell if he truly agreed with her or not. There was something in his expression that told her he was conflicted on many fronts. Hopefully, one day, he would be willing to tell her.

"He wouldn't hurt you...would he," she asked haltingly, swallowing hard at the bloody image of Draco her imagination conjured, "I mean, you're family."

"My family isn't exactly what you'd call sane," he replied, giving her a pained smile. She took his hand comfortingly, blushing once again when she felt how large his hand was compared to hers. They stared at their entwined fingers and she pulled away slowly so as not to offend him. Her scalp was tingling, which meant she was indeed blushing furiously. Her entire body felt as though it had been on fire and she was dunked in ice water to put out the flames.

Why was it suddenly so hard to look him in the eye? It was only Draco Malfoy. Draco, the boy she had tutored for two years and befriended over the summer. She cleared her throat and he swallowed thickly.

"Are you afraid? Of Sirius?"

"I never met him," he replied with a shrug. "You should probably get to class."

She nodded mutely, smoothing some imaginary wrinkles from her skirt as she turned away. "Genevieve," he called. She turned, ignoring the sharp pang of anticipation in her chest, unsure of what it meant. "Yes?"

"I know it's early in the year, but would maybe want to meet in the library after dinner," he asked, looking just as unsure of himself as she felt. It was confusing, how disappointed she felt just then. What did she have to be disappointed about? She nodded quickly. "It would be nice to talk and...I've missed you."

She didn't wait for his reply. She turned back around and hurried off, hoping and praying that her embarrassment would fade by the time she reached the other students. Care of Magical Creatures passed in a blur as did most of the day. It was the first time she could remember in which she spent the entire day in a daze.

"I've never seen you like this," Katie whispered as they headed toward the great hall for evening feast. "You've never blown off note taking. Ever. And you even forgot to write down your assignments for all your classes. Did you see the look on Snape's face when he asked you what the key ingredient to a Draught of Peace was and the best you could come up with was dried batwing? Which isn't even in it?!"

"I know, I know," Genevieve moaned, covering her face with her hand, "today has not been my day. I don't know what's wrong with me. My stomach's in notes, I can't stop shaking-I think maybe I've got the flu."

"You did look a bit peaky when you arrived to Care of Magical Creatures," Katie agreed, "I thought you were going to be sick."

Genevieve pursed her lips and tried not to scowl as they neared the doors to the great hall.

"Do you think they'll have bangers and mash? I'm not much of a fan, but for some reason, I'm craving it," Katie laughed as she rubbed her hands together jokingly. Genevieve smiled at her weakly and Katie patted her shoulder. "Honestly, Gen, you'll be fine. Maybe you're just having first day of school jitters or something."

"Maybe." Genevieve agreed, though she wasn't convinced-especially when she chanced a glance over at the Slytherin table and caught sight of Draco laughing at something Adrian Pucey said as he lifted his glass of pumpkin juice. Her heart thudded to an absolute halt and Genevieve was on the verge of panic. What was going on? She inhaled sharply when he glanced in her direction as well and winked.

"Oh, bloody hell," she breathed, feeling the heat creep into her face, "Katie, I swear on the sword of Gryffindor I'm going mad!"

Katie placed the palm of her hand over Genevieve's forehead. "You don't have a fever. Maybe you're just tired?"

"Maybe..."

"What's wrong with her?" Genevieve shook herself out of her stupor to find that they had somehow gotten from the doorway to the Gryffindor table, where Angelina was staring up at them in concern. Katie shook her head and shrugged. "She's just out of it."

She pulled Genevieve down beside her on the bench and began to pile their plates full of food. Genevieve poked at her food, fighting hard to keep from looking over at the Slytherin table again. The first time hadn't gone so well for her. She tried to focus on the chatter surrounding her, but couldn't. She had decided not long before that if she was going to talk to anyone about any of the secrets she'd kept to herself, it would be Draco and she wasn't sure if that was such a good idea now. She could hardly look him in the eye anymore.

She let out a long drawn out sigh and poked at her dinner roll. She looked up to Angelina, mouth open to tell her she was fine when she caught sight of Pansy Parkinson over her shoulder. Pansy was pressed up against Draco's side and she was laughing-no, giggling-much too long and much too hard at something he was saying. And he seemed perfectly fine with it. The dolt seemed perfectly fine with it.

"That ugly, dog-faced cow," Genevieve snarled under her breath. Angelina froze, spoon suspended in the air. She blinked. "Excuse me?"

"She's barmy," Alicia whispered, much too loudly and Genevieve's gaze cut over too her. The murderous scowl on her face caused Alicia lean back and away from the table. "I am fine," Genevieve gritted out. "I'm bloody brilliant."

Alicia held her hands up and nodded emphatically in agreement. "And you look it! Really! It's just-most people don't call one of their good friends an ugly, dog-faced cow."

"I didn't call Angelina that, I called-" She broke off what she was about to say and exhaled through her nose. "I was talking about someone else."

"Who? Was it Beckwith? You know she's still after Wood, right? He's having none of it."

Genevieve snorted and took a long drink from her glass of pumpkin juice. "Of course, he isn't. The bloke has half a brain and anyone with half a brain is far too smart to fall for a stupid chit like her."

Alicia choked on her pumpkin juice while Angelina coughed to keep from spitting out the piece of roast pheasant she'd just put in her mouth. Katie's jaw seemed dangerously close to hitting the surface of the table. But Genevieve didn't notice. She was much too busy slathering butter on her dinner roll with reckless abandon as she glared daggers at it. "Unless of course I'm giving him too much credit, and he enjoys snogging gutter slags."

"Not that I don't love what gotten into you-and I do love it-but what has gotten into you," Alicia asked, eyes sparkling with glee. Of the four, she had the largest mean streak.

"I'm just tired of watching a bunch of trollops flounce about the castle like their shit doesn't stink like dungbombs. I mean, if it truly smelled like roses the way they think it does, we'd all have our noses stuck so far up their pale asses we'd be able to see this afternoon's tea," she said coolly. By now, all immediate chatter surrounding them had ceased and there was a long drawn out pause. Again Genevieve hadn't noticed. She slammed her knife down on the table. "And the boys that fall for it! Are they really that stupid? Can they not tell that they're about to snog a toad-faced imbecile or do they just not care? Are they that desperate? I'd rather shag a dementor than one of those dolled up tarts!" She jabbed her finger in the direction over Angelina's shoulder. "Look at Parkinson. It's as if her parents dressed a bulldog up in frilly dress robes and raised it as their own. She has the vocabulary of a bulldog as well. I don't think there's enough makeup in the world to cover the ugly up on that thing."

Alicia started slamming her hands down on the table over and over while Angelina fell into her side. Both girls were laughing so hard they were on the verge of tears.

"Oh my God, I love you! I love you so much," Alicia wailed as she clutched her stomach. Katie bit her lip hard, trying her damnedest to keep from laughing. But it seemed that most everyone around them was keeled over with laughter. The only one not currently laughing was Genevieve. Instead, she bit into her dinner roll and scowled. "I think I may be PMSing. Or somebody spiked my pumpkin juice with Veritaserum. Either way, we've all had a very informative dinner."

The laughter increased and Genevieve looked at each of her friends in turn, feeling herself begin to truly smile. She felt better now; whatever it had been that had made her so angry was no longer a bother. She looked up into time to find none other than Pansy Parkinson sneering at their table with a superior look on her face. Angelina, Alicia, Katie, and several of the other Gryffindor students followed her gaze and burst into more laughter. Alicia actually pointed at her as she broke down again. Pansy scowled her displeasure and Genevieve felt it was her turn to smirk. Feeling incredibly bold, she leaned forward and Barked at her. "Woof!"

Nobody at the other tables had to be in on the conversation to know what that one sound implied and many of the students at other tables also started laughing. The entire Gryffindor table was positively howling with glee. Watching Pansy turn several shades of red was just icing on the cake. She was scowling still, though her proud and superior expression had faltered dramatically.

"Well, I think I'm done for the night," Genevieve proclaimed with a satisfied smile. "I'm going to go read in the library."

"There's the Genevieve MacDuff we all know and love," Alicia joked before waving her off and then tossing a smirk over her shoulder. Pansy answered with gesture that was not at all ladylike. The other girls chorused their goodbyes.

"Night, MacDuff," someone called and she waved in their general direction. Once she was out of the great hall and in the corridors she let out a long sigh and headed toward the library. Her nerves were beginning to get to her again. She was still not sure if she should tell Draco anything, but she didn't know who else she could talk to, no one who could help her.

The library was silent, save for the sound of Madam Pince, at her desk, shuffling through several scrolls. Genevieve smiled in greeting and journeyed to the very back of the library. It was dark and dimly lit, as it had been for the past two years. The familiar musty scent enveloped her and she inhaled deeply. She loved the smell of old books.

She sat down at their usual table and pulled a random book from one of the shelves nearest to her and crossed her legs under the table. The fabric of her skirt scraped roughly against the underside of the tabletop, catching on the wood, and she pulled it away gently so as not to tears any threads loose. As she did so, her knuckles scraped across what felt like markings carved into the underside of the table. Curious, she pushed her chair back and crouched down, crawling part way under the table. She pulled her wand from her pocket. "Lumos," she whispered, tilting her head up. There, burned crudely into the ancient wood of the table was "S.B.+P.P.". "S.B.," she murmured thoughtfully, "Sirius Black..."

Genevieve crawled out from under the table and lowered herself back in her chair. It was strange to think that where she sat, the table where she had spent countless hours tutoring Draco-the table she considered theirs-was the very same table where mass-murderer Sirius Black had possibly sat with his girlfriend while he attended Hogwarts. Had they been in love? Did he miss her? Or was she one of the people he killed along with Harry's parents? Had it all been a lie? Had this symbol of his love to her really been nothing more than a lie to make her believe he wasn't capable of doing those hideous things? Or was it true? Was she the only one he was able to feel anything for?

She was so focused on her thoughts she didn't notice Draco's arrival until he was sitting across from her. She gasped when she finally noticed him and then shook herself out of her thoughts. His brow furrowed in concern. "Are you alright? You look like something's bothering you."

She placed her hands on the table to keep from wringing them in her lap. It didn't keep her from chewing on her lip, though. She shifted in her chair and crossed her legs again, flinching when her knee brushed the scorch marks on the underside of the table once again. "Draco," she started, leaning forward, her violet eyes staring into his silvery grey ones solemnly, "I can trust you, can't I? You're my friend, honestly and truly, right?"

Sensing the seriousness of the oncoming discussion, Draco took hold of her hands in his. "Vivvy, you can tell me anything. I swear it, whatever secrets you may have, they're safe with me."

She nodded once and pulled her hand from his and reached into her pocket. Without taking her eyes from his, she slid something onto the table. Slowly, Draco lowered his gaze and picked up the item she had lain on the table. "A key? What's it for?"

"It's to my vault. At Gringott's."

"What did you get a vault for," he asked as he studied the key from all angles.

"I didn't." He switched his gaze to her instantly. "What do you mean you didn't? Witches and wizards-muggle-born witches and wizards-don't just have vaults waiting for them. It's not possible unless-" He stopped and Genevieve nodded. "Unless I'm not muggle-born."

"How long have you known," he asked softly. Genevieve swallowed thickly. "I got the key when I went to Gringott's for the first time. The goblin who gave it to me, he said, he'd been instructed to hold it for me. And then the sorting hat-" she stopped and cleared her throat, "the sorting hat...he told me, I was brilliant, as talented as my mother. That because of that I would do well in Ravenclaw, but I was more like my father. He said that we were both bred for Slytherin, but bound for Gryffindor."

"But you said your parents are muggles."

"And I wasn't lying about that," she replied, "they really are muggles. And I think this is the reason my mother is so terrified of magic. Because she knows it means I'm different from them. Because it shows I'm not really their child." She wiped at her cheek when she felt a tear trail down it. "Draco, I think I'm adopted."