Forsaken

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Chapter 5: Optimism

It's been two days since Voldemort told us we were going to go back to Hogwarts next week. We haven't figured out a way to get to Snape without anyone thinking us suspicious. So far we've worked out that it's got to be Danica that does the talking. She's Snape's niece. We've thought about injuring ourselves to get us some potions but realise that we'd have to be pretty injured for any Death Eater to even look at us. Not to mention they'd probably just get one of the mums to come in. If we needed a potion, well, it would probably be a stock potion.

Basically, we were stuck. Stuck, stuck, stuck. Stuck with a capital S.

On the good side, Draco had managed to conjure up a "Yes" after hours of Pansy nodding her head and repeating the word over and over again.

Sadly, we can't seem to get him to shut up about Voldemort or Potter.

We were all mentally exhausted and tired of trying. It was a good thing that at this point, Snape came into the room. We all looked terribly surprised to see him.

He walked straight over to Draco and examined him for a moment. He seemed satisfied, then turning to me he said, "Zabini, we're taking him to Hogwarts."

I just look at him confused. "We were planning on it. But how?"

He lifts a vial from his pocket. "Come here, Nott," he says, as he turns to Draco and plucks a hair gently from his head. Draco made no indication that he was in any kind of pain. I would swear that Snape looked a little put out, but that would be an insult to our dear Potions teacher. Slytherins are all supposed to be brilliant at schooling their emotions. Meaning that at the moment Draco was being a pretty good Slytherin. That had to have hurt.

Nott comes toward us. "Drink this," Snape says to him. "Then do the best Draco Malfoy impression you can. I'll take it to the Dark Lord, and he can come to Hogwarts."

I stare. "Why would you want Nott to do it?"

"Because in case you haven't noticed Zabini," Snape scowls. "He does the best Malfoy impression of the lot of you."

I watch as he drinks the potion and is transformed into Malfoy. I have to admit, as I watch him answer Snape's questions, that it's almost as though Draco's come back with us. Snape stops recording long before Nott begins to change back. The real Draco doesn't seem at all interested in the fact that he has a double. If Draco were behaving normally he'd be furious and pointing out the faults in the fake one.

I sigh. I miss Draco. As though aware, Draco turns to me and a smile almost tugs at his lips. Higgs throws a sock. I have no idea where he gets them from. I swear I buried the last one. And a Death Eater incinerated the first. He must be stealing them.

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The weekend arrives, and we're all lined up in age order. We've all tried to spiff ourselves up a bit. Amazingly, Higgs has managed two socks, though I suspect he's just taken them from his trunk though we aren't supposed to. I'd dob him in, but they're just socks. Though my more sadistic side really, really wants me to say something to teach him not to throw socks. I'll just wait 'til we get to Hogwarts and he's unprepared. Not to mention I'll have my wand then.

Rodolphus Lestrange scanned the line, staring intently at Draco before deciding he was okay and moving on. I let out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding. A cliché, I know, but hey, I worry about Draco. I think you may have noticed.

Finally, the Death Eater who was watching the gate nodded his head, a clear indication that we can all walk through. We do, and there are several carriages waiting outside, carriages that each belong to the families of the children returning home. To homes that would be void of adults. Voldemort might let the children out for a week to recover and prepare for school to avoid blowing his cover, but the parents would have to stay and do his bidding.

I find the familiar carriage with my family's crest emblazoned on the door. I get in, and peer out the window as my driver waits for his turn to depart from the headquarters. I see Snape taking Draco away, helping him into a carriage. Draco's bound for Hogwarts where Snape will help him. But all of a sudden I can't let Snape take him. I can't let him take him to Hogwarts. To be there before Dumbledore's scrutinizing gaze. I clamber out of my carriage and stalk toward the one Snape has just entered. I knock on the door impatiently.

"Professor," I say worriedly, when he opens the window to speak to me. "Let me take care of Draco, please."

He looks at me. His eyes pierce through me, evaluating. Finally he consents with a nod. "I suppose being with a friend might help him more."

"Thank you Professor," I say, as Snape helps Draco out of the carriage. He's momentarily confused before he fixes his gaze on me.

"Blaise," he says, and I almost fall over in response. He's remembered my name.

Snape gives me something like an approving nod, though he isn't one to show any emotion besides anger. "I think it will help."

And I get into my carriage with Draco.

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The week passes tiresomely. I cannot bear to see Draco like that. So exposed. So vulnerable. He was the best of all of us. And now he doesn't know who he is, let alone who anyone else is. So when I cannot bear it anymore and feel as though my own mask will evaporate, I head to Diagon Alley by myself, leaving Draco with only the house elves for company.

I just intend to purchase Draco's and my school supplies. I don't intend to take long. Normally I order everything, but this time I just want to get away from Draco. If only for a moment. So I can pretend that everything is normal. That Draco is at home in his own house, tormenting his house elves as he does. But every time I ask for two of something, I am reminded. Draco's not Draco anymore.

It pains me when I see the Gryffindor trio and their extras laughing as they walk down the alley. I have everything I need now, but I cannot help but watch them. They are so carefree. Well, I amend as I take a closer look at Potter's face, most of them are. There is something lonely in his gaze. Heartbroken. It's the face I know I'd see if I let down my mask for a second when I stared at myself in the mirror. I never thought I'd share anything in common with Potter.

It makes me want to speak with him. To tell him. As they walk past, completely ignoring me as always, I can feel the dim crackle of power following them. It makes me want to tell him everything. I know he'd understand. But, I note, looking at the faces accompanying me, they wouldn't. So I can't speak to him now. It will have to wait until Hogwarts. I hope Draco has that long.

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A/N: Been a long time, hasn't it? But I just reread this story and I love it. I don't care if you don't love it, but I do. I shall take pride in my work. But if you actually like this story, the fact that I love it means that it'll be updated more frequently from now on. Hooray for you.