".. I don't think Slughorn's interested in Death Eaters."

Evanora snapped to attention, her heart pounding in her chest. Theo gave her an odd look, as she had been resting against him, but didn't say anything. Blaise sat next to her, looking bored. He had been the one to say the words, and Evanora suddenly wished she had been paying attention.

"Well, who cares what he's interested in? What is he, when you come down to it? Just some stupid teacher." Malfoy yawned, drawing Evanora's attention. "I mean, I might not even be at Hogwarts next year, what's it matter to me if some fat old has-been likes me or not?"

"What do you mean, you might not be at Hogwarts next year?" said Pansy indignantly, ceasing the grooming of Draco's hair at once.

"Well, you never know," said Draco with the ghost of a smirk. "I might have -er- moved onto bigger and better things."

"No one likes a braggart, Malfoy," Evanora said sharply, raising an eyebrow. "I'd keep my mouth shut, and my voice down, if I were you."

"It isn't like anyone is around," Theo shrugged, tightening his arm around her. "It's just us."

Evanora wasn't so sure of that. She had heard something shifting above them, but yet, when she looked up, nothing appeared to be there. However, with the task she and Draco were given, they couldn't be too careful. She had no idea why he wasn't taking this more seriously. They had to kill Dumbledore.

Draco met her eyes, silencing her. His eyes glanced upwards, and she wondered if he had noticed the same thing she had. He continued speaking with the others, ignoring her words of warning. It was like he was unphased by the thought of sneaking Death Eaters into the school. Of killing Dumbledore.

Her hands shook. She wasn't ready for this, she wasn't prepared. Yet, the mark that would forever reside on her arm said differently.

"You alright?" Theo asked quietly, pressing his lips to her temple.

Evanora nodded, not trusting her voice. What could she say? There was nothing she could do about it. There was no failure, that only meant death for her and Draco, and their families. She stared down at her pale hands, clasped together with Theo's.

Theodore Nott was her best friend, and had been since they were three. She grew up with him, both of them belonging to the Sacred Twenty Eight. There were never any secrets between the two, until now. Not that Theo was aware. She didn't plan on telling him, either.

Hopefully Draco would be able to keep his mouth shut. He had a lot more confidence around them now, than he had on the night of their initiation.

As Draco went on, insinuating the Dark Lord had given him a prestigious job, Evanora felt anger creeping up on her. Did he honestly think this was good? That the Dark Lord expected them to succeed? Couldn't he see that this was punishment towards their families? Her father, because he had denied the Dark Lord to escape Azkaban the first time he left. Lucius, because he had failed at the ministry. Was Draco so blind he couldn't see that?

"I can see Hogwarts," said Draco, clearly relishing in the effect he had laid on them. "We'd better get our robes on."

Evanora stood with Theo, shrugging on her robe and slipping a scarf around her neck. Theo stood behind Goyle, speaking to Blaise, as he waited for his turn to grab their luggage.

Goyle reached up for his trunk, hoisting it down with a grunt, and Evanora could have sworn she heard a gasp of pain as he did so. It didn't seem to come from the three waiting their turn, and she narrowed her eyes, glancing once more at the seemingly empty space.

The train slowed to a jerky crawl, and with a final lurch, the train came to a complete stop. Goyle threw the door of their compartment open, and muscled his way out into a crowd of second-years, punching them aside. Crabbe and Zabini followed, and Theo held Evanora's hand as he began to walk out with them.

"Go on without me," Evanora told him quietly, glancing over at Draco. "I need a moment."

"With Malfoy?" Theo asked, shrugging when she nodded yes. "Alright. I'll take your trunk for you. See you inside."

Pansy left next, at Draco's orders. That left Draco and Evanora alone, and Draco seemed less than happy about it.

"Draco, you have to be careful," Evanora began, watching as Draco walked over to the compartment door, shutting the blinds so no one would be able to see inside. "You don't know-"

"I didn't say anything I didn't care for others to hear," Draco cut her off, ignoring her gaze and digging in his trunk. "Now go. You'll worry Theo. You and I can talk later."

Evanora paused, glancing up again towards the luggage rack. She could have sworn someone was hiding there. "Alright."

She left then, disappearing into the throng of students. The air was different this year, not full of uncontained excitement and joy like years prior. Instead, a gloom hung over everyone's heads. Whispers were more muted, everyone seemed to be appraising the other. Perhaps she was overthinking things, spurred on by the black ink forever embedded in her arm.

Someone bumped into her then, stepping on her foot, and she looked up to glare at a familiar boy with red hair and brown eyes. Ron Weasley. He eyed her tensely, without saying a word. The girl next to him, Hermione Granger, an effortlessly beautiful muggle-born, swatted his arm.

"Sorry," Ron muttered, eyeing her distastefully.

Evanora opened her mouth, ready to snap back with a, 'watch where you're going, Weasley", but it died in her throat as she remembered who his friend was. Harry Potter, the boy who was the Dark Lord's nemesis. She shut her mouth, swallowed hard, and rushed past them with her heart pounding. Thinking of Harry, made her think of Dumbledore, and thinking of Dumbledore made her want to throw up.

Thankfully, she spotted Theo's mop of brown hair disappearing into a carriage. Hurrying towards it, she flung the door open with more force than necessary, startling her friends.

"Merlin, it's a bloody door," Pansy muttered, her hand fluttering to her chest.

"Don't be so dramatic, Parkinson," Blaise smirked. "You're just upset it isn't Draco."

Pansy flipped him off, crossing her legs and fluffing her hair. She did look disappointed to see it was Evanora, rather than Draco, who entered the carriage.

Evanora had just sat next to Theo when the door opened again, and Draco re-entered, adjusting the sleeves of his black suit. He sat next to Pansy, who immediately draped an arm around him and began petting his hair.

"Why'd you take so long," Pansy whined, gazing up at Draco.

"Had some business to take care of," Draco said, his tone making it clear that that was all he would say on the matter. "I can't believe we've got another year of this rubbish to sit through."

"It's not so bad, Malfoy," Blaise remarked, glancing over at Pansy with a grimace as she kept petting his hair. "You've got your own personal puppy dog."

"Shut it, Zabini," Pansy snapped sharply, glaring at him. "You're just upset no one wants to touch you."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that, Parkinson," Blaise narrowed his eyes, a vein in his jaw clenching. "I'm just more selective with you partake in activities with."

"Guess it's too much to hope we'd get by without their usual nonsense," Theo muttered to Evanora, his lips brushing her ear. "Next time, we'll have to get a separate carriage."

Evanora nodded, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Theo placed his hand on hers, brushing his thumb over the back of her hand. He could tell she was upset, but he didn't question her. Theo was good like that.

Too soon, they were at the castle, and Evanora felt her stomach lurch as the carriage rolled to a stop. The Slytherins all exited, joining the crowd of students walking into the Great Hall. Evanora glanced over at Draco, wondering if he was as upset as she was.

He looked as he did every year. Confident, pompous, swaggering into the Great Hall with a smirk on his face. The only thing that gave away his possible nerves, were the dark circles under his eyes.

Too soon, they were seated at the table in their usual fashion; Draco, Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle on the left side, with Blaise, Theo, and Evanora on the right. Evanora was sat across from Draco, who was still acting like nothing was wrong, whereas she had now reached a point where her chest was heaving just like it had the night she had gotten her freedom taken from her.

"Evanora, are you alright?" Theo was concerned now, but he asked the question quietly so as to not draw attention to her.

She focused on her breathing, nodding her head. She had to be alright. She had to get through this fucking dinner, and then she would be in the silence of her room. She could fall apart there, when she was alone.

Except, if you fall apart, you and your family die, that nasty voice in her head reminded her.

"Get a grip on yourself, Yaxley." Draco muttered towards her, his eyes flashing with annoyance.

"Shut the fuck up, Malfoy." Evanora snapped back, her thoughts reverting to the smug pompous ass who sat across the table.

Draco sneered at her, and turned his attention back to Pansy. The sorting hat gave a song, Dumbledore spoke about nothing of importance, and the feast commenced. Their usual conversation happened over the feast, talking about how each other's summers had gone, what the latest gossip Pansy had picked up was, and, eventually, unfortunately, the conversation was steered towards Harry Potter.

"I got him back, for what he did to my father," Draco disclosed, a smug smile on his face. "That was the business I needed to take care of. Stunned the scarhead, and broke his damn nose. He ought to be halfway back to Kings Cross by now."

While the others congratulated Draco, laughing, Evanora felt sick once more. How could Draco carry so much hatred in his heart? When had the schoolboy taunting turned into assault?

As though summoned by his name, Harry Potter walked into the Great Hall then, his face covered with dried blood to back up his story. The boy walked swiftly to the Gryffindor table, most likely aware that everyone had turned to stare at him from his entrance. He sat next to Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger; and as he looked over at the Slytherin table, Evanora turned back around just to see Draco miming the shattering of a nose. Their other housemates laughed, but Evanora once again felt sick. The little food she had eaten during the feast was threatening to make a reappearance, and she focused on staying calm.

Dumbledore began his final speech of the night, announcing their new Potions professor, Slughorn, and stating that Snape would take over Defense Against the Dark Arts. This was not new to Evanora, as Snape had mentioned that during one of their meetings. Did Dumbledore know that Snape was still an active Death Eater? The hook nosed man that he trusted, was helping in the downfall of the wizarding world.

Once again, Evanora felt sick.

"Now, as everyone in this hall knows, Lord Voldemort and his followers are once more at large and gaining strength."

The silence in the room seemed to tauten and strain as Dumbledore spoke. Draco had began hovering his fork in midair with his wand, acting unbothered by the words the Headmaster spoke.

Evanora tuned out the rest of Dumbledore's speech, a sudden headache overtaking her. It had to be the stress, she knew, and that frustrated her. How was she to get through an entire school year when she was barely able to make it through one simple dinner?

Finally, at long last, they were all excused from the tables to head to their rooms. Evanora was the first to stand, and she hurried out of the room without caring to wait for anyone else. She didn't care if that made her stand out, she needed to be alone.

By the sound of the footsteps behind her, she wasn't the only one.

"Go to the astronomy tower." Draco Malfoy muttered to her as he brushed past her, his shiny black shoes squeaking against the floor.

Evanora paused for a moment. Should she go? After a moment's debate, she decided she may as well. They needed to speak anyways, to try and figure out a clear plan for the task laid out before them.

The astronomy tower was empty, aside from the silver haired boy standing near the ledge. Evanora walked in hesitantly, her dark hair lifting and twirling in the wind that came from the open tower.

"Were you followed?" Draco asked, looking back towards her.

Evanora shook her head, walking towards where he stood with his ring clad fingers gripping the railing. He stared out at the night sky, and Evanora did the same. Maybe if she looked hard enough, she could find an answer.

"You have to get a better control over yourself," he advised, his tone cold. "You were shaking like a leaf and breathing like a cow. You'll draw too much attention to yourself."

"What am I supposed to act like," Evanora scoffed, looking at the silver haired boy. "We've been assigned an impossible task. Two impossible tasks. Sorry that I keep having bloody panic attacks over the thought!"

"The reward will be worth it," Draco replied, looking at her with disgust. "We have to do this. There is no impossible. It has to be possible, or we die along with our families."

"I wouldn't really care if my father died," Evanora blurted out, turning back to look at the sky. "And at this point, I dunno if I would mind much if I did either."

"Stop talking out of your arse," snapped Draco. "I don't want my family or I to die. If you want to die, then jump off this tower now. I'll make sure I get this task done. I knew you wouldn't be up to it."

"What exactly is that supposed to mean?" she demanded, turning to the boy and crossing her arms. "You think I'm incapable of getting it done?"

"Obviously," Draco sneered, glaring at her. "You could hardly get through dinner without nearly dying. As if you'll be able to get anywhere with either of the tasks. It's all up to me."

"You know what, Malfoy," Evanora narrowed her eyes, a plan forming in her head. "Let's bet on it. Whoever completes the first task of getting them here, is the one who gets the glory of the second task."

She found, if she could separate Voldemort from the tasks, it was easier to think about. She had always been competitive, cunning. As a Slytherin, she had to be. So if she could make her brain pretend that this was a harmless bet between her and Malfoy, perhaps it wouldn't be so awful to think about.

Draco narrowed his eyes, his lip curled. "You're on, Yaxley. We meet here, every Thursday evening around nine, to go over our progress."

"Why Thursday?" Evanora questioned, appeased that he agreed to the bet.

Draco shrugged. "Would you rather a different day? Does it really matter much?"

Evanora shook her head no, looking back out at the stars. She felt a little better, pretending that this was all a harmless bet between the two of them. Perhaps Draco did too, as he seemed to be less tense.

"We just need to get it done," Draco swallowed hard, his jaw clenched. "Once it's over, it won't be so bad."

Evanora nodded. They stood there for a few more minutes, looking at the stars, before she excused herself. She needed to sleep, and pretend her life was normal. Draco bid her goodnight, and she left alone to the Slytherin common rooms.

Everyone else in her dorm was already asleep. The soft sounds of her roommates snoring slowly pulled her to a restless slumber.

hello! hopefully everyone enjoys. let me know!

-TheFlyingGraysons