"Zabini really got what was coming to him" Fred smiled as he wrapped his arm around Gabrielle's waist.

"It certainly didn't feel really good to say though, dragging out his families secrets in front of everyone. I have a feeling this will not be the last I hear from Zabini"

"Dare I say, that the little ferret may have told them to sod off"

Gabrielle laughed as they walked their way around Hogsmeade, it was one of those rare times that the two of them had time alone together. "One day it will be like this," she sighed "when it can be just you and me...and by some extension George"

"He would be absolutely useless without me" Fred laughed "one day soon, Gab. We will be together always"

"Say something funny quickly before this turns really soppy"

"And I'm sure when that does happen, you are going to regret it" Fred winked at her. He knew that emotions, particularly affectionate words, made her uncomfortable. All she knew were resentment and hate filled comments from her father when she returned home a Gryffindor and not a Slytherin like he has wanted. But, since being around him, she had definitely improved from when they first started dating. Plus, Fred wasn't one of those people that was sappy, but for Gabrielle, he made an exception.

"I sure will" she kissed him on the cheek.

"We better get you back to Hogwarts, it'll be dark soon" Fred nodded at her. There was a saddened look on her face, she didn't want him to leave. "Hows about I walk you as far as it can allow me?"

"I am not going to refuse a suggestion like that" she smiled at him.

They were making their way to the footbridge, struggling to make their way through the snow. They could see Harry, Ron and Hermione in the distance. "Do you think, that Hermione would just get it over with and ever tell Ron how she feels?" Fred commented. Gabrielle looked at Fred in surprise. "It is so obvious"

"Well, if she ever slips me veritaserum, I can honestly say I never told you" Gabrielle winked "plausible deniability"

Suddenly, there was a floating body in the air, suddenly being violently being shaken around in the air.

"Katie!" They could hear faint yelling in the distance.

"Fred!" Gabrielle she exclaimed. Fred wrapped his arms protectively around her as he held his wand out in defence.

"Stay here" he ran toward what was happening.

Gabrielle quickened her pace. Her heart was racing.

"I warned her! I warned her not to touch it!" She could faintly hear. From the distance she could see Harry, Ron, Hermione and another person standing by. Hagrid appeared and carried her back to the castle.

Fred stopped and assessed what was going on around. Just in case something were to happen again. He knew dark magic had been involved. "Fred" Gabrielle approached him, he wrapped his arm around her again and held her close "what was that?"

"I don't know" he shook his head, he then turned to look at Gabrielle "you be careful, got it?"

"I promise" She sighed and looked up at him worryingly "it was Dark Magic, wasn't it?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was Malfoy"

"Fred!" She scolded him

"Gabbie, you were thinking it too" he answered. She did want to argue, to defend Draco. But, he was right. She was thinking it.

—

The next Quidditch match of Gryffindor versus Slytherin was coming up soon. Ron was stressing about the upcoming match and Hermione and Harry had just found out that they were invited to Slughorns dinner. "I got an invitation as well" Gabrielle smiled "I guess I wasn't as bad at potions as I thought" she lied. She knew exactly why she was selected, Professor Slughorn taught her father and he was a brilliant at his craft of his specialisation in Quidditch brooms, although she was flattered, she hated the idea that she was being treated special because of her father, as he was the reason she was being treated so poorly by the Slytherin students in the first place.

"Are you going to bring someone?" Hermione asked

"I would ask Fred, but I know he's not the kind to do these sorts of parties with teachers no less" Gabrielle chuckled. "I am happy to go alone, what about you? Are you going to ask Ron?"

"Gabbie!" Hermione looked at her in surprise "why would I want to bring Ron?" She played it off.

"I didn't want to say this, but I saw what you did at Quidditch try outs. I think its sweet" she nudged her slightly.

"Promise you won't tell anyone" she blushed.

"I promise" she smiled "but I can't promise I won't tell Fred"

"Why?"

"…we made a bet" she grinned sheepishly.

Draco had been at the Room of Requirement, he had done another test on the vanishing cupboard and placed the tiny bird inside. It had vanished within seconds after closing the door. A tiny feather left behind. He held it up and examined its plumage. "What are you doing?" Gabrielle's voice interrupted him.

"Nothing" his heart was racing. He was caught off guard, he didn't anticipate her to be arriving so soon. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought this was the usual time we would meet" she said confused "or have you forgotten I have the tendency to arrive a little early?"

"I forgot about that" he said bleakly. Gabrielle looked at him, he was starting to look paler than he was usual, which is impossible as he was already quite pale. But this was different, he looked gaunt, the dark circles around his eyes were starting to show.

"Are you ok?" Gabrielle asked as she slowly approached "you look…paler than usual and that…sorry to say Draco is-"

He turned to look at her "I'm fine" he cut her off.

"Okayyyy" she looked at him confused "are you ok?"

"I'm fine!" Sighed exasperatedly "Char…just…leave it, please"

"Fine" she sighed angrily "Let's…just…talk about something else then," she noticed the cage behind him was empty "what happened to Miette?" she said as she walked over and took the feather from his hand. Hid sleeves were rolled up and she could slightly see the Dark Mark.

"You named the bird?" he rose his brow at her.

"All pets need a name, Miette happens to mean 'little thing' or...crumb" she giggled "where is she?"

"I put her in the vanishing cabinet"

"Why would you do that?"

"Char…" he began "its.."

"You are sending someone here" her eyes widened "you wanted to test it to see if it still worked" she shocked her head

"Char, please" he tried to stand between the cupboard and Gabrielle.

She saw a green light slightly escape from the crevice of the cabinet "Draco" she shook her head and walked over to the door.

"Char don't!"

She moved past him quickly. She flung the cabinet doors open and inside, the tiny singing bird was dead. She turned to look at him, eyes glazed. "I'm sorry..." she whispered to him "I have to tell Dumbledore what you're doing" she said as she ran past him.

He panicked he took out his wand and aimed it directly at Gabrielle who was had almost made it to the door "I'm sorry to do this Char," he said shakily. She turned around, fear in her eyes. "Alter memoriam!"

Note: I know the charm Obliviate is the known memory charm. But, research shows that this is irreversible. So I used a different charm that Draco would use on her, so he is able to reverse it if he so chooses.