Dedicated to my darling Kady. My best friend from across the sea.

Gabrielle apparated into her room after spending the night over at her boyfriend's house. She had to come home as her father had ordered as they had special guests coming over and it was imperative that she be there. Her clothes were already laid out on the bed by her house elf, Pepper. She looked over at the dress that lay before her. Emerald Green that fit her figure perfectly. She sighed and got ready for dinner and put on all the clothes and jewellery that was placed there for her to wear. She looked at the mirror, took a deep breath and waited until she was summoned to come down for dinner...she had no idea what this dinner was about and who would be joining them.

Draco and his family had made their way through the front path of the de Famille's Mansion. "Its been so long since we've been here" Narcissa looked around "the garden is beautiful as ever"

"I understand why Deus wanted us to keep away, he was embarrassed of his daughter. Poor man, having a daughter that associates herself with Mudbloods and halfbloods. She's an embarrassment to the family"

"Don't say that about Gabrielle, father" Draco looked at his father.

"She's a humiliation, Draco. A traitor to her own kind. Remember that when you see her. And I hope you make her realise the mistake that she has made every time you see her at school" Lucius looked sternly at his son. Draco wanted to say something but he stopped when the door had opened. Pepper the house elf was there to welcome them.

"Master Lucius, Mistress Cissa, Master Draco" she bowed and squeaked "Master Adadeus and Mistress Veronique are waiting for you" she let them in. The family had made their way through the hallway that lead into the dining room. All the plates were set out immaculately, they used the finest crystal glasses and plates. From what Draco could tell, this was a special occasion that they were invited to the de Famille house.

"Lucius, Narcissa, Draco" Veronique smiled at them in greeting "welcome" she said as she gave each of them a kiss on the cheek while Adadeus followed shaking hands with Draco and Lucius and then kissing Narcissa on the cheek. They all had sat down where they were allocated. Draco sat and looked across from him, Gabrielle was no where to be seen.

"And your...daughter won't be joining us for dinner?" Lucius asked.

"Oh, right" Adadeus sighed "Pepper! Fetch my daughter. Our guests have arrived"

"Right away" she squeaked as she disappeared from the room.

Up in Gabrielle's room Pepper had appeared "It's time, Pepper?" she asked. Pepper nodded "Come on then" she sighed as she made her way down the stairs. She ignored all the harsh words that her father's ancestors were saying to her as she made her way down the halls. That's what happened on a day to day basis so she managed to tune them out. She made her way into the Dining room and saw who their guests were. Her heart fell to her stomach as she saw Draco sitting where she would be sitting in front of.

"Ah, Gabrielle" Adadeus said to his daughter as she approached them. Draco looked up and although he physically contained his reflexes, his jaw dropped mentally. "Its about time you joined us"

"I'm sorry father, I had matters that I had to attend" she kissed her mother on the cheek and then sat down at the table. There was no way either Draco and Gabrielle could ignore each other now.

"Are you going to say hello to our guests?" Adadeus said through gritted teeth.

"Of course, how rude of me, father" she nodded "Mr and Mrs. Malfoy" she bowed her head and then looked at Draco as she was going to utter the first words she would have ever said to him in 5 years "Malfoy" she nodded. Draco nodded in response. Now that she was up close and sitting in front of him, Draco took a good look at Gabrielle. In all the 5 years he had seen her, there was always a distance kept and that he ignored her for most of the time that he didn't even notice that she had grown into a woman, a really beautiful woman. Her curves were very noticeable in the dress that she was wearing, it was very flattering compared to the Hogwarts uniform that made her seem like a shapeless plank. He forgot how blue her eyes were and how much her dark long hair flattered that. She had lost the baby fat and had obviously got into shape. Draco couldn't admit this out loud but she was beautiful. Gabrielle sat on the other end of the table avoiding all eye contact as much as possible, she did notice Draco had changes too, his jaw had become more prominent, he had lost weight and had toned up over the years. His eyes, were still grey, they hadn't changed and were still the same as she remembered. The food appeared and they started to eat. Everyone sat in silence as they ate until Veronique decided to speak.

"So Draco, how is school?"

"It's fine, thank you Mrs. de Famille"

"Of course he's doing fine, he's a Slytherin. Bold and proud" Adadeus beamed at Draco "unlike some" he coughed. Gabrielle looked at her father and smiled. She had learnt to take her fathers insults aside and ignore them. Lucius couldn't help but chuckle at his friends jibe at his daughter.

"So, Lucius...I bet you are wondering why I asked you and your family here tonight"

"It was something that played on my mind, yes" Lucius answered "why this needed to be a dinner affair I couldn't understand, an owl would've sufficed"

"Not when Lord Voldemort has returned and is starting to recruit us back slowly but surely. I was wondering whether or not you have been in contact?"

"Try, last year" Lucius boasted.

"So you're in then?" Adadeus nodded "I was in contact too last year, that whole thing with the ministry rubbish. I wanted to choose my battles carefully and Lord Voldemort understands that as I am high up in ranking" Adadeus nodded. "But the time has come, there are plans that must be played out and I understand that he has already chosen a place to create his headquarters"

"And...where would that be?" Lucius looked at his friend.

"I'm glad you asked...yours" Adadeus answered "but I'm sure you were going to be notified soon"

"I have news of my own too" Lucius nodded. Gabrielle had been half listening to the conversation that was taking place. She wasn't too interested. All she wanted to do was eat, smile and fake niceties until dinner was over so then she could enjoy the solitude of her room away from the insults and curse words.

"Oh?" Adadeus asked questioning his friend.

"Draco has been chosen for a special mission" Lucius smiled proudly at his son "he's been marked"

Gabrielle's eyes shot up and looked at Draco, she was so shocked she knocked over her glass of water which shattered on the floor. Draco looked at her, looking at him. He knew the reaction that she had and he wanted to tell her what it was, but he dare not speak to her. Gabrielle looked at the shattered glass on the floor that she had knocked. "I'm sorry" Gabrielle said softly "I don't know what came over me" she looked at her mother.

"That's ok my love, we can fix that. Reparo" Veronique waved her arm over the glass and it was fixed. Veronique bought the class next to her daughter and filled it back up with water "Aguamenti"

Gabrielle's gaze was back on Draco. He shifted slightly because he could feel her eyes on him, although he looked away. "Father, I don't think they need to know"

"Of course they do" Lucius grabbed his arm and showed Draco's dark mark. Narcissa looked as shocked as Veronique was. Veronique held Narcissa's hands under the table, the two wives had to hide how upset they were about the conversation that was taking place.

"So there it is, congratulations son, you are one of us" Adadeus patted Draco encouragingly on the back. Draco removed his arm from Lucius' grasp and covered his forearm back. He looked at Gabrielle wanting to say something, to explain. But he couldn't. "So, I will be sending word out to a few of the others that have been contacted and we will receive word from Lord Voldemort when we will have our first meeting at your place" Adadeus looked at Lucius. Adadeus was always a higher ranking death eater, because of his rank in wizarding society, it made him a powerful ally and was able to do things undetected.

"Gabrielle" Draco tried to whisper but she couldn't hear him. She was in too much shock that she had to get out of there, she felt sick.

"Mother, may I please be excused? I've suddenly lost my appetite" she said as she stood up.

"Oh my darling, you don't want to stay for dessert?"

"I don't think my stomach can handle that right now" Gabrielle lied. She just wanted to be out of there and fast "Thank you for dinner, and thank you for coming" she looked at Lucius and Narcissa, completely ignoring Draco. She couldn't look at him any longer than she had to. She made her way down the hall and back to her room before anyone could do or say anything.

"Gryffindors" Adadeus laughed. Lucius laughed. Veronique her husbands comment about her daughter and continued to eat.

"May I, be excused also?" Draco asked. Everyone looked at him confused "I need to use the bathroom"

"Of course" Veronique nodded "do you need to know how to get there?"

"I remember" he smiled as he made his way down the hall.

"So, what is this task that Draco has to do?"

"We are yet to be told, but if he does pull this off, Lord Voldemort will be most pleased"

Gabrielle was in her room, getting changed whilst still trying to process what had just happened. Her friend that she used to know, was now a Death Eater. Draco Malfoy was nothing but a stranger to her now.

Draco had approached a mahogany door and knocked, hoping it was the door that he remembered. Gabrielle reacted to the knock on her door, but didn't say anything. "Gabrielle..." Draco began. She stood up and walked over to her door and pressed her ear against it with her left hand placed on the door as well. "I..." he struggled to find the words to say to her, he looked down and saw a shadow at being cast. He knew she was standing on the other side of the door "I'm sorry if I was somehow involved in putting you off of your dinner, it wasn't my intention. I'm sorry. I hope you feel better soon" he added. Gabrielle closed her eyes at what he had said. She took a deep breath but no words could come out, she had nothing to say. But she remained at the same spot. He took a deep breath, he knew she wouldn't say anything, the damage that had been caused the last time he spoke to her had been done. That was the one thing he regretted the most. The only thing he could do was press his hand against the door for a few seconds and walked away and returned to the dinner.

This chapter was deliciously angsty.