Chapter 7: You're following behind me, but I'm the only one running forward

A/N: A little character development in this chapter. Also thanks for the favorites, adds, and reviews! You guys are awesome :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Getting ready for the ball that night was a big affair. Crystal had still not gotten over what her mom had said. And if any of it was true, why should she have to go to this ball anyways? If she wasn't actually a Nott, for all she knew she wasn't a pureblood and rather a half-blood. Voldemort wouldn't want that now would he? But whether or not that was true, her mother still got her dressed in an elegant deep crimson dress robe. And at 8 'o clock they arrived at the Malfoy manor, the whole 'family'.

"Theo and Crystal, be good." Their father said quickly before planting a kiss on Crystal's forehead. Crystal tried not to cringe. Ever since the Dark Lord had found favor in her, it seemed to her that her father had been trying to erase any harsh emotions and act like he had always loved her like he loved Theo. But that didn't matter, she knew he didn't actually mean it. She was still just a tool. That's all she would ever be was a simple tool.

"Draco will be busy mingling still, do you want me to get a butterbeer and you can sit over there?" Theo asked after their mother and father had left. Crystal just nodded. Her brother wouldn't tell her, but he was clearly jealous of the attention she had been receiving as of late. And he knew her, he knew her well enough by now to know she was not enjoying it. No she was far from thrilled.

"That would be lovely." She smiled to her brother's question. She knew that he had been being bitter with her. But she didn't care. The minute this break started, it was made clear to her what she had to do. She had to talk to Dumbledore. She had to make it clear where her alliances stood before it becomes too late. She didn't want that. She would fight for what she believed in. She would make her mother proud.

Smiling to herself she took a lonely seat away from the dance floor and waited for her brother. But she didn't have to wait long. Her thoughts could barely carry her away and he was back.

"Here" he said softly, but loud enough for her to hear over the music.

"Thank you, Theo." She smiled politely all the while in her heart hating the stiffness between them.

"Sooo…" he smiled turning to her. He couldn't help but notice the fatigue look in her eyes. She looked awful. Not just that, she was look thinner. Had this whole thing been weighing on her that much? Maybe he was over thinking it. He knew she hated this attention, but maybe she really really didn't want it. He had been overly judging her. She didn't deserve that. She had always been so sweet. And what about Draco? She made Draco so happy whether she knew it or not. "What are you going to do sis?" He finally questioned after a silence had formed. He was letting his thoughts get the best of him. He couldn't do that. Composed, he had to stay composed like all purebloods.

"Do about what?" Crystal raised her butterbeer and wet her lips. She couldn't help but smile. Her brother may have been a slimy Slytherin but she knew deep down he was a sucker for being loyal. He had to stick to his friends and family no matter what. And she could tell slowly that bitterness was fading over the last couple days but, it was still there. It was there even now. She could feel it with every breath she took.

"Well, you've been…lying" He said simply, still not fully answering her question. "You know" He went on once he noticed she was still confused. "About the Dark Lord." He finished.

If Crystal wasn't a trained tool, she would have spit out her butterbeer. She couldn't believe she was about to get a talk from her brother. "Hardly" she frowned "I haven't been lying at all."

"Please we all know you have it in for Potter." Theo rolled his eyes. That's what all the Slytherin's thought at least. That she wanted Potter. She hung out with him enough and always seemed really close. Though that seemed to be changing, they did notice her spending an awful lot of time being hushed up with the Twins. At least they were purebloods…as much of scum as they are.

"Why does everyone think that? Are you blind? He kissed Cho the other night." Crystal let out a heart heavy sigh. Deep down inside, yes she may have had a thing for Harry, but once it became apparent he liked Cho, she started to steer away from him, Ron, and Hermione and found herself spending time with Neville. And when she wasn't with Neville, it was the twins. And she didn't mind. She felt finally, like she found where she fit in. That was enough for her, knowing there was somewhere she belonged.

"Cho? Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw seeker?" Theo questioned as he furrowed his brow. He couldn't help but study his sister, clearly she was a little upset by this but yet at the same time she seemed okay.

"That's the one." Crystal smiled "No really, I'm happy with my best friends who are all purebloods I might add." She threw one last smile before she took another sip of butterbeer.

"But they are traitors." Theo said without a second thought.

"That's based on their parents. You never know about them." Crystal responded. She knew it wasn't true. They would never join Voldemort and his ranks, but Theo didn't need to know that. If she wasn't going to make it out of here a live she would have to pull some strings. She would have to make her story and her live wrapped in pureblood lies.

"I suppose you could be right." Theo sighed, she was good. He knew she was good. And he knew she was up to something. Yes, she had softened up a lot since she had been at Hogwarts but from that he had grown to know her emotions a million times better. She had to be lying. She wanted to escape. He knew it, but what could he do? If he says anything she'd be more trapped than she already was and he, as her older brother, did not want that.

Crystal couldn't help but reach out and grab her brother's hand. He was so sweet and loving. He had always been this way. She knew he was only looking out for her, but would he still look out for her if he knew? Would he still be this good of a brother if he knew she was only his half-sister? Would that matter to him? He stuck by her even though she was in Gryffindor, the rival house…so maybe he would stay by her in all her choices.

"I'm sorry" A beautiful silky voice interrupted Crystal's thoughts. Slowly she turned to Draco standing there looking as handsome as ever in elegant black dress robes accompanied by his famous charming smile. "I know you two were talking, but I couldn't help to notice how stunning you looked." Draco got down on one knee in front of Crystal, she held out her hand with a puzzled looked. Draco ignored the look and gently planted his lips on the back of her hand. "Would you care to have this dance with?" He smiled.

Crystal didn't know what to say. She blinked at Draco a couple of times wondering what he was playing at. She thought his tone was weird. He sounded sincere and his words were filled with passion and truth. How could she say no to that? "Of course Draco" She smiled and let him lead her out to the dance floor. Draco was a true gentleman the whole way through they danced and glided across the floor, while eyes of parents or Death Eaters, depending how one looks at it, watched with jealousy.

"You know I meant every word I said Crystal, you are beautiful." Draco couldn't help but smile. She was beautiful and right now she was all his. There was no Potter, no Longbottom, no Granger, and no Weasley's here to steal her away. It was finally just him and his favorite girl in the whole world. This felt so right to him as they held each other close and swayed to the music.

Crystal couldn't help but blush, she was not used to this attention. It wasn't just Draco's words it was also all the stares that they were receiving. But it was one stare in particular she couldn't shake off. "Thank you, Draco." Crystal smiled despite it all. She was enjoying herself. This had to be the most fun she was having in a long time. It had been a while since she went to a ball. To be honest the last one she was at Draco and her were just wondering around the manor laughing and telling jokes. To be here dancing, it felt like ages ago. It felt like they had finally grown up.

"No need to thank me, I'm merely stating the truth." Draco let out a soft laugh as he twirled her.

"Draco Malfoy speak the truth?" Crystal nearly laughed.

Draco noticed it right away and let out his biggest smile yet. She was getting so much better. Her feelings were opening up more and more. Especially her smile, as much as he hates to admit it, it had to have been the Weasley Twins doing. "I don't lie, not to woman at least." Draco laughed.

Crystal raised an eyebrow, before she could retort though, Draco spun her away from him and then softly brought her back in grace. "What about the tim-" Crystal started but Draco cut her off.

"Doesn't count" He said smoothly.

"Or the time when-"

"Doesn't count either, Crissy" Draco smiled. He hadn't had this much fun in ages. His heart was practically radiating love. He couldn't be happier.

"Draco?" Crystal broke the happiness and let her face become void of emotion.

Draco felt his heart fall the minute he heard her voice. It was back to the cold usual self. He tried not to sigh. This evening was going so well. "Yes, Crystal" He said feeling his voice fall into formality.

"I'm still mad at you, I hope you know that." She said simply. She meant it too. She just wanted this evening to be perfect. She always loved Christmas Eve just for the fact she usually spent it was Draco having so much fun. Why should this time be any different? She knows she should drop the grudge, but her best friends! People who actually treat her well! How could she do that to them?

"I figured" Draco still smiled despite the fact. "I think you'll change your mind once you see what I got you for Christmas."

"I doubt that." Crystal smirked "You are forgetting my parents are richer than yours. I can have anything I want. How could you possibly get me anything that I don't already have?" Crystal teased and stuck out her tongue.

Draco couldn't help but laugh. "Excuse me? Do we need to take a tour of the manor?" He teased right back "I think you will find my manor is a lot bigger."

"Yeah I think we do because you will only prove me right, that you are a big fat lair." Crystal said simply while letting go of him to cross her arms playfully over her chest.

Draco smirked and held out an arm for her to take. Gladly she took it with a cocky smirk that mirrored Draco's. They ignored the stares and the questions and walked out of the dance hall for Draco to begin a tour that she knew oh to well.

"And over here we have the west wing's sitting room." Draco carried on as they passed every room in the west wing. After the west wing, he would bring her to the north, east, than the south and back to the west. They had had this agreement before and they gladly played along each and every time.

"And right here we have the blue room, which is held to many instruments from all over the world." Crystal interrupted as she let herself into the blue room.

This was one of Crystal's favorite rooms. Draco and her had many fond memories of escaping balls to go to this room. It was their little safe place where they could escape and play melodies to each other. Each song would get harder and harder as they tried to impress one another. Draco would always play the violin; it was his favorite out of all the instruments he could play. And Crystal would always play the flute. Sometimes they would switch it up and play the grand piano that sat elegantly in the back left corner by the grand window. But today for old time sakes they went straight for their usual.

Crystal grabbed her silver flute with a grin as Draco grabbed his violin. They stared at each other and both were about to play their favorite song, but Draco stopped her and pulled the flute away from her face and ushered her to the couch that sat in the corner.

"Crystal, as much as I would love to hear you play you haven't been looking well." Draco said sternly as he put both of the instruments gently on the ground.

"You were just saying I was beautiful moments ago." Crystal growled as she stared at the floor.

"You are beautiful" Draco sighed and grabbed her chin gently, forcing her to look at him. "But you look really ill. Is something bothering you?"

"Not at all, I've just been a little sick." She lied. She knew full well what was going on. It was all this sicken attention for the Dark Lord. What would she tell her friends when she got back to school? How could she possibly face them? It was becoming more apparent to her they were from two different worlds. And she wanted to be a part of her friend's world and not a part of this. Even if Draco thought it was the biggest honor yet, she couldn't see it that way. If she stayed would she not have to fight her friends?

"You want to go back to Hogwarts don't you?" Draco asked after a couple moments of silence. He knew her well enough. Over the last couple of days, the only time he saw her was when she was made to follow the Dark Lord around and every time she was around him, she looked like she wanted to throw up. But she stayed strong and remained calm at all times.

Crystal let out a sigh and laid down on the couch dramatically. "It doesn't matter to me where I am."

"Oh please, you are hating every moment of this. You don't have to lie to me." Draco commented. "Look, I can ask mom if you can stay here for a while." He suggested as he rested his hand on her face and stroke it lightly.

"It's alright" Crystal smiled. She admired how much he was trying to help and how much time he had been spending to make her happy, but she didn't want that. She wanted to do this on her own. "Maybe I'll go over to the Weasley's."

As soon as her words were out of her mouth Draco couldn't help but drop his hand at the smug smile on her face. "No you won't. I'll ask mom" Draco scowled.

"It was a joke" Crystal covered her mouth with her hand as if she was laughing.

"I didn't find it funny, at all." Draco glared.

"You obviously have no sense of humor." Crystal pointed out.

Draco couldn't help but gap at her before letting out a laugh. Coming from her, not that was comical. "Crissy, we should get back to the ball, someone is sure to notice you are missing."

"My boyfriend probably" Crystal couldn't help but smirk as she got up and put the instruments away.

Draco watched her the whole time. He could help it, she was everything he ever wanted. The only thing was, deep down she was a blood traitor. He knew that now after how much she fought their up-bringing, but he didn't mind for some reason. He knew her future was with her, so with confidence he stepped forward and held both of her hands in his.

"Crystal, I wanted to wait to give you your Christmas present, but" Draco smiled sheepishly at her and slowly got down on one knee. "Seeing you here, now in this room, our room" Crystal watched him curiously as he went in his back robe pocked and pulled out a simple black box. "I can't help but realize how gorgeous of a woman you've become." Draco continued to hold her gaze as he slowly opened the box to reveal a beautiful silver heart shaped locket.

Crystal couldn't help but let out a gasp. It was beautiful. No, beautiful wasn't even the right words for it as she stared at the Malfoy crest that lay in the heart, with a soft green interlay within the engraving. Crystal watched through eyes that were starting to swell as Draco pulled it out of the box and put it around her neck. She was at a loss for words. A symbol like this was only something Draco could give her. This was not only a symbol of their friendship but a symbol of their childhood. Draco held proud to his family name ever since she could remember, so by Draco giving her something with the family crest on it, meant he was giving her a part of himself. And that was more than Crystal could ever ask for. So much that Crystal could only stare at Draco with hands clasped tight over her lips as tears streaked down her face.

"Draco" Crystal said in a soft whisper. "Thank you" She cried through her hands.

Draco smiled and got up off the floor. Gently he pulled her hands away from her mouth and pulled her into a hug "No thank you." And he meant it too. He owed her so much. She had given him the world in his mind. Even if she didn't realize it, she has helped him grow into the boy he is today. Especially through the experiences he has seen. He didn't care if she really wasn't a Nott, No, that didn't bother him at all, as long as she was a live that's all that mattered to him. He knew of course, he knew. He had overheard his mother and her mother talking. And knowing who her real father was didn't bother him at all. He was proud to call her his best friend.

Crystal sniffled and wiped her tears away. "Let's get back" she said weakly as she grabbed Draco's hand. She had surprised herself. They had not held hands in such a long time. It felt oddly natural. And just like that, in that moment that their hands were held tight by one another's all her troubles, fears, and anxiety washed away with a simple smile exchanged between the both of them. Together with hope they went back to the ball where they carried on the night dancing in each others arms.

Christmas came and went. Crystal enjoy every minute of it and even every minute of her break until the night before they were leaving for Hogwarts. Crystal and her mom had been enjoying each other's company laughing and talking. It was something they were never able to do when Crystal was a child, but now that the Dark Lord found favor in Crystal, her mother was able to talk without Mr. Nott growing angry.

"Mom" Crystal held back her laughter for the 100th time as her mom was telling more stories from her childhood.

"I'm serious, I was such a rebel. And who could blame me! Sirius Black was well, probably like Draco." Her mother laughed and hugged her daughter's pillow. They had been sitting on her bed since after dinner and continued to share stores. Of course, it seemed like her mother had a lot more to share then Crystal did.

"But you were betrothed to Dad!" Crystal commented with horror. She could never go against her betrothed, if she ever was.

"Oh please, everyone knew I fancied someone else." Her mom said with a dreamy sigh.

"It wasn't that Black guy was it?" Crystal asked with curiosity as she inched forward towards her mother.

Her mom couldn't help but laugh "Heavens no, he was just a great kisser." She sighed "No it was someone else. But you know…I had to stick to what your grandfather Baskerville wanted." She smiled warmly. "I hate it too you know. A good friend helped me through it though." Her mother said thoughtfully as she looked off in to the distance. "That's why I was so hopeful for you in America! You were free to be your own person. And look at you. I'm so proud of you."

Crystal grinned "Thanks mom, but…"She wanted to mention about the Dark Lord. But she didn't need to. Her mom felt the same way. Even if her father was thrilled, her mom was hurting inside to know that her baby girl was free up until now. Words were flying. The Dark Lord wanted her. And that scared bother her and her mother.

It scared her mother more than it scared Crystal. Her mother was so afraid. She was afraid of him finding out that she wasn't favorable. That she was the child of lust. She was a child born out of hate of the situation she was in. She never wanted to marry Mr. Nott, but what choice did she have? A pureblood has to do as they are told. There is no way around it. But Crystal did, not anymore.

"I know sweetie." Her mom said as her face completely changed. She was no longer cheerful, but her face was creased and you could see the age show through. It wasn't just the age that showed through, it was the sleepless nights, the meals without eating, and the long hours of contemplating.

"It will be okay, I'm going to get away." Crystal didn't know why she trusted her mom so much at this moment, but she wanted someone to know. She was planning to get out. No, she was going to get away from here.

Her mom wanted to respond but there was a knock at the door that made them quickly stand up formally. "Come in" Her mother said, fearing the worst that it was the Dark Lord. But to their luck it wasn't, it was Theo.

"Sis, someone's here to see you in the East Drawing room." Her brother said quickly before leaving.

Crystal swallowed hard before turning to leave her room without a second thought. Her brother didn't say who it was, which means it was probably Voldemort. She didn't like the thought of that. She was having such a good evening, one the best in her own manor. She wanted to leave that in her mind and take it with her back to Hogwarts. But it didn't look like she could, the minute she entered the room she wanted to turn right around. Her instincts were right. It was Voldemort waiting for her and her alone.

"Come child, let us talk." Voldemort's face twist into a cold sinister smile as he welcomed her in. He watched her she took a seat across from him at the desk that sat in the back of the room. He had been waiting for this moment and too see her looking healthy mad his mood even better. So he had failed once more in gaining the prophecy, but he would soon have Crystal on his side. She would agree. There is no way she would not. "I've been giving this a lot of thought." He started simply.

Crystal watched him with attentive eyes. She had a general idea of what he wanted to say and she was not enjoying the thought at all. She had been feeling better until this moment, for at this moment her stomach rolled and she started feeling faint. But she didn't want to give herself away so she stayed calm and looked as alert and excited as she could.

"I would like it if you would join me to rid this world of filth and join it in purity." He asked as he twirled his wand in his hands. "I would like you to be one of my Death Eaters."

Yes, this was exactly what Crystal thought would be his words. And his words were of no comfort. She started losing control. Her stomach was ready to throw its contents out. She had to think of something. She had to remain calm. "I do not know what to say. This is an honor, my Lord." Crystal said as she held back any urges she had at that very moment. She lied, but she didn't care. She didn't want to get hexed, cursed, or in trouble in general. Not until she was able to break free.

"It is an honor, which is why you should accept." Voldemort said with his anger rising. He expected her to say yes right away. If she really was the pureblood he had known her to be, then she would have.

"I cannot!" She said quickly despite the fact that she saw his anger right away. "I will be no use to you, my Lord!" She cried, as she wormed her way out of this, unknowing to him.

His temper was rising. He didn't see her point at all. He was a couple seconds away from hexing her unless she had a good reason. No one says no to Lord Voldemort, no one. "And how would someone as smart as you be of no use?" He said through gritted teeth.

"Simple, I have not finished my schooling and I am underage. I would like to at least make it through my 5th year before I join you." She said while hanging her head. She knew he was upset and she wanted to reverse that. She wanted him to see it her way. She wanted to make her way out of this and make to Hogwarts in time to let Dumbledore know.

"I see" Voldemort let her words repeat in his head. It seemed like she had a point. No point in rushing, she will still be in school which will hardly be useful to him. Why wasn't she older? She was so smart and brilliant. Surely he could use her on the team when he broke his Death Eaters out of Azkaban. If only she was old enough. "You are right, let's see how your OWL's go. We shall talk at the end of the school year. You may go." He ordered.

She didn't give it a second thought. She left before he could ask anything else of her and before her heart felt any heavier.