The dining hall was louder than usual. The peaceful quiet as students and teachers trudged sleepily to breakfast was long gone on this frigid Friday. The hall was joyous and filled with winter decorations. The usual floating candles were encircled by thriving wreaths of winter plants, and Peves was floating around with mistletoe, making sure to fly over different years and houses.

Hermione, Ron, and Harry are spending the winter holidays at the Burrow this year. Charley was working locally and would be there over the holiday. Fred and George had only recently bought a store in Hogsmede, and were still busy setting it up. Percy was still working; Bill was still in Egypt. The hall was full of people excited about winter break. A few, like Malfoy, were bragging about the places they were traveling over break. The Malfoys were apparently traveling across Europe, but most people were just happy to be home for the holidays.

"Hey Hermione, what 'cha looking at?" Ron asked trying to figure out why Hermione's interest was in the Slytherin table. "It's Cassy" Hermione said looking rather upset. Harry and Ron quickly saw why Hermione was so un-nerved; Cassandra usually sat by her brother and talked to the same people he did. This morning she was sitting alone at the end of the table surrounded not by rich kids in green, but by empty seats. Both of the Malfoy children and most of the wealthy Slytherins receive a lot of packages and pouches of money on all occasions; not often did they receive letters, and when they did they were generally tossed aside as interest turned to the gifts and toys. Today Cassy was sitting alone reading a regular sized letter; but neither of these things were un-nerving, neither of these things are really strange. The thing that really shocked them was that Cassandra was crying; not loudly, but not softly.

Large tears were rolling down her face in silence as she read and re-read the letter. No one was comforting her, none of her "friends" even noticed. "The brat deserves it." Ron said through a mouth full. Hermione hit him hard on the back and he spat food all over the table. Now most people wouldn't think that it's unusual to see someone cry, but this was Cassandra Malfoy. Most people show readable emotions on their face. Draco often showed fear, and happiness when bragging, but Cassy's emotions were only seen by very close friends. Her voice gave others slight hints, but when ever Harry saw emotion in her eyes they would just cut off; like someone slamming shut a door. Ron said that her eyes were empty, soulless even, but Harry and Hermione saw that they were just being blocked by cold, stone gray, walls. Hermione looked at Harry over Ron's head, as Ron wiped some spit and food from the side of his mouth. Harry understood. "Go." He said.

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It was the last night before the train left Hogwarts for winter break and most people were doing last minute packing. Ginny, Victoria, Harrison, and Noah were chatting in the common room. Hermione and Cassy were sitting on the bottom step of the east tower. Draco and Pansy were saying a rather long good-bye. "You'll send me owls right?" Cassy asked Hermione.

"I don't know why your staying! Really, barely anyone is staying at Hogwarts this year, and how could you turn down a vacation across Europe?" Hermione said after nodding yes. "The Creevey's are staying, so is Theo, Theodore Nott" she added. "Ooh and Adrian!" Cassy said winking mischievously at Hermione who laughed. (Adrian Pucey is a rather handsome Chaser for Slytherin, one year above Cassy and Draco.) "Anyway, I'll probably spend most of my time in Hogsmede and trust me I have enough money to enjoy myself! Enjoy your vacation, seriously!"She added as she hugged Hermione, being careful not to let her notice the pouch of money she slipped into the back pocket of Hermione's robes. "I will thanks!" Hermione replied heading up the tower steps, as Cassandra headed down to the Slytherin common room to say bye to her brother.

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Draco was sitting on his bed with only one bag left beside him, the rest had already been magicked onto the train, and the dorm room was otherwise empty. Cassandra sighed as she sat next to Draco on his neatly made bed. He turned his head and smiled at her, reminding them both of a time when they could tell each other anything; taking the blame and punishments for each other's wrong doings. This also reminded them of one time when Cassandra sat and cried on Draco's shoulder, and he just held her there all night slowly mending her broken heart. "Hey sis" Draco said his voice intruding the peaceful silence. "Yeah" she said turning to look at him again and marveling at how much he looked like father, yet how different they were. Lucius was handsome in a wicked way, while Draco was not yet even close to being wicked. At the same time he was noting how similar she looked to their mother. "Promise me something." Draco said looking straight into her eyes.

"Maybe." She replied looking back with an unwavering gaze.

"Promise me that no matter what I do, no matter what happens in the war, you'll always be my sister. Like it used to be." He added

"Some things are unforgiveable Draco," Cassy reminded him. "But I am, and always will be your sister, like it used to be." She replied and in this way they made a promise to each other, overwhelmingly stronger then any unbreakable vow, and in these few words the war was already being won.

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Everyone boarded the train and made it safely to platform 9 ¾, except for the few students and faculty that stayed at Hogwarts. Some who were afraid of the outside and some who just didn't know how to hide from themselves.

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Sorry for the wait, just to get a boreing chapter! :'( sorry just had to fill you in on whats going on, hopefully it will be worth it in the next chapter!!(which by the way will be one of my favorites to write.) I'm still unsure about the plot so email me if you think you can help!! ( I need someone who undestands the weasley twins, if there's anyone out there who can. :P)

Thanks for reading!! ~WLK