Draco and his mother waited for Adelina outside of Madam Malkin's. When she finally arrived, she had a bag of robes in her hand and a smug smile on her face.

"Adelina, dear, did you not hear that we were going to a different store." Draco's mother asked. "You can go in and return those if you'd like."

"I see no point in returning them." She replied coolly, "They're good fabric, and I do not feel the need to have myself measured again."

Mrs. Malfoy paused for a moment, and then said, "Well, if that's how you feel, I suppose we can go down to get your books now."

Mrs. Malfoy walked a few paces in front of Draco and Adelina, giving him a chance to confront her.

"If I didn't know any better I'd think you were on the mudblood's side." He snarled.

"I am not on anyone's side, silly boy, I just bought some robes, surely that does not make me a muggle sympathizer." She laughed.

"You saw the type of people that shop in there!" He retorted.

"Yes, I did, I saw three teenagers who had no intention of starting trouble and one obnoxious boy who couldn't keep his mouth shut and is—how do you say—more trouble than he is worth." She stopped to look in the window of the Owl Emporium, and Draco caught a look at her reflection in the mirror.

She is beautiful. He thought. And to think, one day she will be all mine…

"Oh, and by the way" She began, fixing her hair in the window, "If you want to cover up a Dark Mark, its best not to shout about it."

This last comment took Draco by surprise. How did she know about his Dark Mark? Had she seen? Had Potter seen?

"Why such a powerful man would need a sixteen year old boy to fulfill some important task is beyond me." She continued. "But if you do need to remain under cover, it is best to not start fights in the middle of crowded stores."

"You—How do you—" He stammered.

"Don't worry, the shop owner did not notice, I am sure, but the Potter boy, he may have."

"I hate him." Draco muttered. "Potter, Granger, and Weasel…I hate all three of them."

"Why?" Adelina asked. "Because they outsmart you?"

"They do not outsmart me!" Draco cried.

"Oh yes, well tripping over your robes did seem to catch them by surprise, but in the end it is you who fled and not any of them." She picked up her bags and began to walk in the direction of Mrs. Malfoy again.

"I don't need this from you." He said through gritted teeth. "You have no idea what—"

"I know exactly what I am talking about, silly boy." She laughed. "And don't try to convince me otherwise. If you would like for me to pretend like you were the big hero in that scene, you were not."

They followed Narcissa Malfoy into Flourish and Blotts, and were immediately handed a list of books.

"These are the things you two need for school." Narcissa said. "Your grades and OWL scores have been sent to Dumbledore, and you have been approved for the elective classes you chose."

"Of course I have." Adelina replied.

Mrs. Malfoy walked up to the front of the store, and Adelina watched as she maneuvered her way through the crowds of people.

"Draco, show me around this place I have no idea where to find any of these things."

Silence.

"Draco?" Adelina called, "Draco where are you?"

He could hear her as he hid behind a bookshelf, now was the perfect time to escape. Knockturn Alley was only a little bit down the way and Draco needed only a few minutes to conduct the business he had came for, and to slip back into Flourish and Blotts.

He hurried down the crowded streets, quickly passing by Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. The shop was filled with anxious children, and seemed to be doing rather well.

At least some of the Weasley's are making some money. Draco thought. It won't mean very much when the Dark Lord gets rid of their entire family of blood traitors, though.

He laughed to himself. Soon the day would come, when he and the rest of the Dark Lord's followers would rule. Granger would be a servant. Maybe he would even take her on as a maid in his household, and she could live with the houselves she loves so much. The Weasley's would be gone, executed as blood traitors. And Potter, oh how Draco hoped he could be there for the day that Potter was killed. The most glorious day in the history of the Death Eaters.

Draco slipped into Knockturn Alley; little did he know he was being followed.

Adelina was not the type of girl to allow herself to be left behind. As soon as she had seen that Draco was missing she slipped out of the old bookstore and began to search for him. She knew where he was going, but she hadn't the faintest clue how to get there.

Knockturn Alley. She thought. Where in the world is Knockturn Alley.

She wandered aimlessly down the road, before finally deciding to enter the joke shop and ask for directions. Before she even entered the door she was plowed down by the three teenagers she had seen earlier.

"Watch where you're going!" She shouted.

"Oh, I'm sorry." The red haired boy said, "Hey! You're that girl from Madam Malkin's."

"Nice of you to buy the robes." The girl said.

"Well I didn't want to waste my time going to another shop."

Harry, who had been busy looking for something on the streets, quickly turned to her and said, "Do you know where Malfoy went?"

"Oh, trying to settle the score are you?" She laughed. "Well I have not the faintest idea. When we are married I will have to teach him not to run away like this."

"Married?" The red haired boy exclaimed. "You're going to marry Malfoy?"

"That seems to be the arrangement." She replied nonchalantly.

"Oh, so you didn't have a choice in it then." The Granger girl sighed with relief.

"No, if it had been my own choice he would be taller, but here I am, and he is my fiancé."

"Pity" Harry Potter sympathized. "You seem like a decent person."

"Draco Malfoy is not so bad." Adelina replied. "Besides, I am not as nice as you think."

"I'm sure he's told you about us." The Granger girl scoffed.

"Yes," Adelina said. "He has. You are Granger, you are Weasel, and you are Harry Potter."

"My name's not Weasel." The red haired boy replied. "It's Ron Weasley."

"Okay Weasel boy." Adelina replied. "I must leave now, I have to find Draco."

"So do we." Harry muttered.

"Well I know he's going to Knockturn Alley, but I haven't the faintest clue where that is." She said, looking around.

"Figures." Harry replied. "Look, we'll take you there if you promise not to tell Draco we came with you."

"On a normal basis, I would not make deals with strange boys I meet in alleys." She replied. "But seeing as my fiancée, and only companion just left me alone in some book shop that smelled like cats, I will agree."

"Excellent." Harry said. "This way."

She followed the trio down the street.

"That's him, isn't it?" Granger whispered. "Turning left?"

"Is that Knockturn Alley?" Adelina asked pointing to the dark cobblestone street onto which Draco had just turned.

"The very one" Ron said. "wonder what he's doing down there…"

They all turned to look at Adelina as though she were going to give out more useful information.

"I do not inquire as to where Mr. Malfoy goes on his daytime strolls through dirty alleys. All I know is that he left me in the bookshop, and when I see him I'm going to hit him over the head with my purse." She replied. "Now stop staring at me as though I'm going to tell you more, I've probably already said to much, and since you three are so involved in insulting my future family it is probably best if we part ways now." She quickly scooped up her things and followed Malfoy down the alley.

"Wait!" The red haired boy called after her, "What's your name?"

"Adelina" She called back, "Goodbye Weasel boy."

Draco slipped into Borgin and Burks hoping to get the business over with quickly.

"Mr. Malfoy." Borgin greeted. "I received your letter, but I don't quite understand you—"

"Save it, Borgin." He said. "Do you know how to fix it?"

"Possibly," he replied sheepishly, "I'll need to see it, though. Why don't you bring it in to the shop?"

"I can't." Draco said sharply. "It's go to stay put. I just need you to tell me how to do it."

"Do what?"

Draco heard a familiar voice call out to him. The unmistakable Spanish accent marked with arrogance, made the persons identity obvious before he turned around and saw Adelina Castillo standing in the doorway.

"You know it is very rude to leave your guest stranded in a book shop with your mother." She said. "It took me ages to find this silly place."

"How did you—"

"Never mind that" She waved her hand at him. "Now continue on with your business, while I have a look around."

Draco cleared his throat and began again. "Can you tell me how?"

Borgin shot a nervous glance at Adelina. "Well, without seeing it, I must say it will be a very difficult job, perhaps impossible. I couldn't guarantee anything."

"No?" Draco sneered. "Perhaps this will make you more confident."

Adelina turned to look at the precise moment Draco Malfoy lifted up he sleeve to reveal to the shop keeper the Dark Mark that had been burned onto his arm.

Borgin gasped and stared at Draco, his eyes full of fear. Draco reveled in the fact that he had now officially established himself as above the shop keeper. He glanced over Borgin's shoulder to see if Adelina was watching him. Their eyes met for a moment, and then the conversation continued.

"Tell anyone," said Draco, "and there will be retribution. You know Fenrir Greyback? He's a family friend. He'll be dropping in from time to time to make sure you're giving the problem your full attention."

"There will be no need for—"

"I'll decide that," Malfoy spat. "Well, I'd better be off. And don't forget to keep that one safe, I'll need it."

Draco motioned toward the cabinet sitting in the other side of the room. Adelina saw the piece, and immediately realized what was going on.

"Perhaps you'd like to take it now?" The man asked.

"No, of course I wouldn't, you stupid little man, how would I look carrying that down the street? Just don't sell it."

"Of course not…sir."

Borgin bowed deeply and Malfoy smiled at this show of respect.

When I complete my task, He thought, everyone will treat me this way.

"Come on, Adelina, we have to hurry back or mother will noticed we are gone."

The girl strode out of the shop but was stopped by the store owner.

"Are you Miss Adelina Castillo?" He asked. "I'm so sorry for not introducing myself. I am Borgin." Once again, the man bowed deeply.

"Very nice" She said. "I must be going now."

"Come back any time." The slimy man called after her.

"So, are you going to thank me or no?" She asked Draco as they walked back into Diagon Alley.

"Thank you for what?" He asked. "Following me when it was obvious I wanted to be alone?"

"No" she replied calmly. "For giving you whatever idea it is that you have had."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"That was a vanishing cabinet in there, and by the looks of things you will be using its partner to help you with your 'task'."

Draco paused for a moment, trying to think of a witty retort. But then, in a sudden out-of-character moment, he just simply said, "Thank you."

This took Adelina by surprise and it caused her to reply, "Your welcome."

It was probably the first time in their entire lives; the two had actually said those words and meant it.

"When I finish this" Draco began, as they entered Flourish and Blotts. "It will wipe the smirks right of their faces."

"Who?" Adelina asked. "What are you talking about?"

"Harry, the Weasel, and the mudblood" He said. "Who else?"

"I do not see why you are so caught up on blood." She said. "Obviously this Granger girl is not stupid."

"She's the best in our class little-know-it-all." He grunted.

"So this 'mudblood' who is supposed to be so much less magical than you are, is actually a more capable witch than you are a wizard?" Adelina laughed. "Silly, don't you think?"

"Aren't you proud of your heritage? Aren't you proud of what that brings?" He asked.

"I am happy that I am safe from attacks." She replied. "I am happy that I live in a nice house and am well respected in the Wizarding community. But do I believe that all of the reasons I am wonderful comes from my blood? No, I am wonderful because I am me. I could be born to two muggles and I would still be just as amazing as I am now." She replied.

"I don't understand you." Draco said.

"Ah, well, I do not feel the need to explain myself to the likes of you. Now where is—"

Before she could finish a shriek could be heard from across the store.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" Narcissa Malfoy cried. "I have been looking everywhere!"

"We were at the joke shop." Adelina lied. "I found this place to be horribly boring and I wanted to spend some quality time with Draco."

Mrs. Malfoy smiled. "Oh—well—that's lovely—I've already got your book so—I guess we can be going—"

"Excellent." Adelina said. "I did not much like this place."

"Well, don't forget we're going to dinner tonight." Draco reminded her. "So I hope you're not too tired."

"No," Adelina smiled. "I am not too tired."