Chapter Six:

My heart's beating faster than I thought possible. I have but two options, deny, or run. Well, those aren't my only options, but I don't think I can choose the path of admittance. I admit I am scared of what is to come, so scared I have not made no action. Might as well speak…

"Who's Sierra?" Hmm… As you can tell, I am very brave right now. Okay, no. I'm actually embarrassing myself. Mother would be so ashamed. Not that she isn't already.

The violet eyes darken once more and I find myself fearing her abilities.

"You know damn well who she is." She growls and I am shocked. Never in my life have I heard her curse. How much have I missed?

"I swear, I don't know." The calmness of my voice returns and I find that I'm able to hold up a mask of innocence. Something I do not hone.

"She was my friend, but she's been lying to me. Faking her death to the expense of others. Making the one person who truly loves her become a suicidal. I can't believe she would do such a thing." She gazes at me with pure disappointment. "Don't lie. Your insignia is enough to identify who you are."

"You still remember it. After all these years." I stare at the floor in shame, in sorrow, in failure.

"How could I forget it? It was the last thing Draco ever touched, that we ever saw. We died that day."

"So did I."

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Hmm… She remembered.

My eyes rest upon my brother, Blaise. He hates me and the feeling is mutual. My fists clench. He wasn't bestowed with this curse, he would have been the one gazing at me, not the other way around. You shall pay little brother… But how?

What's this? His blue eyes that are so similar to my own are filled with worry. For who? Ah… yes, Francesca. I believe Sierra will have to agree to my requests more often, or else two more shall suffer.

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"What is she hiding!" Harry hits the wall with his fist and I cannot help but flinch. His temper has gotten no better. But my heart asks the same. What is she hiding. That note was blanked out for a reason and none of us are going to rest 'till we discover what. We all are very determined and we all hate a secret going unsolved. Especially me, Ginerva Weasley.

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The silence surrounding us is unbearable and the only thing I can say is, "I'm sorry."

Her eyes are large and unblinking, as realization dawns upon her. "You're alive." A whisper of regret, though I can't understand why. "Don't be sorry. I played a part in this." She leans on the wall besides me and continues with a soft cry. "I knew there was something different about you, but I told no one. Now that I do know, I can only think of spreading it, letting everyone know that you're alive and alright, but that seems so wrong…"

I sigh. "There is nothing wrong with that. It would be the logical thing to do, take away the pain and replace it with joy, but that can't happen." I pause here and take a deep breath. "All this time, I've wanted someone to find out and then again I don't. Francesca, you were my greatest friend and you have no idea how much it hurts to make Draco suffer, but I have no choice. All I can do is hope that one day I can redeem myself despite the fact that he'll hate me."

"He won't." She reassures firmly. "He misses you more than you know, trust me. I've contacted him as much as possible, but it is very difficult to keep in touch with someone in his condition. It's the same experience as talking to a wall; depressing, pointless, and unsatisfying."

I wince at the small hints she is throwing at me,

It's all your fault. He's not with us mentally anymore, hardly. He's just an empty shell that will never be full again until you go back to him. Tell him it's going to be alright… alright.

"I still cannot tell him, Hervana warned me not to do so. I assume she is the reason you have so unceremoniously arrived at Hogwarts without warning?" Change the subject Sierra, it might help. Of course it won't. She is the brilliant one, she doesn't let small details go without looking into them. Much like myself.

"Yes, she is. How do you know that she is right in telling you to hide?"

"And how do you know that she is right in telling you to come here? We are nothing but family Francesca. She is basically our older sister, there is no denying that. Her word is law…"

She cuts me off, "As is yours. You are the Queen of Serpents and we are the Serpentine Family. Our purpose is to follow you, not the other way around. Not counting your being the Slytherin Ice Prin…"

"No. Don't say it."

"Don't be ashamed of it. It's an honor! Nothing more nothing less."

"It is a disgrace."

She sighs in defeat and slides down the wall thereby sitting upon the ground. "You were my only friend Sierra. Please, come back to us. We'll make sure nothing happens to you."

"It's not my murderer that I fear."

"Who then?" She gazes up in concern and confusion. I wonder how long it's been. Most likely they'll come looking for her.

"It's…"

Don't tell. Something whispers to me in a deep voice that I know all to well.

I'm going to make you a deal. I shall contact you when necessary. Lie, or your friends will experience more pain than they already do. Francesca shall be first. So weak, so easy to break…

No. Don't, I won't tell.

Good girl.

The voice is gone and I continue, hoping to cover up my dazed expression and moment of silence.

"It's nobody. I have no clue."

"Then why hide?"

"Because I must."

Author's Note:

First of all, I'm sorry that this took forever for me to write. I had absolutely NO inspiration and I wanted to make this longer, but I can't think of anything. Soo... yeah. My friend is reading this all before you so HAHAHA! She forced me to write that I swear. Okay no. Well, maybe yes, but that's for you to figure out. : D Hehe.

Laterzz,

Queen of Serpents

P.S. Umm... This is one thousand words shorter than the rest of the chapters so sorry.