Chapter 21:

Eve breathed in the cold morning air, and a smile tugged on her lips.

Heaven.

She and Piper were walking briskly beneath the morning sun towards the Quidditch Pitch.

'I'm glad there's finally someone else who wakes up early' Piper chattered away enthusiastically 'the others don't get out of bed until just before breakfast.'

'Anastasia seems to get down to breakfast quite early…she's not normally in the Dorm by the time we get back.'

'Yeah, well she's only ever done that since you've been here' Piper rolled her eyes.

Eve scrunched up her nose and frowned.

'Why does she hate me so much?' Eve asked quietly 'even more so that the others?'

Piper stopped abruptly mid-step and turned to face Eve.

'Nobody hates you Eve' she told the girl firmly 'they don't know you!'

She continued walking, picking up the pace as the Quidditch pitch came into sight and continuing to talk as she did so.

'If they bothered to get to know you they'd like you just fine! Ana's like that because of her –'Piper slammed her mouth shut, her cheeks blushing and her eyes shifting awkwardly.

'Because of her what, Piper?' Eve urged.

'Nothing' Piper replied, too quickly 'now, I'm going to practise the Chybarski dribble today, I showed you that one in the book right?'

Eve nodded, her eyes studying the girl suspiciously at the sudden change of subject.

'So you can tell me if I'm going wrong…here' she pulled out a book from her bag and handed it to her friend 'you can look at the photo and check that I'm doing it perfectly…not just right, perfectly, okay?'

'Okay' Eve smiled despite her confusion, the passion Piper held for Quidditch nearly rivalled the Weasley Twins' passion for pranks…nearly.

After an hour of furious flying, earning a heated sweat from Piper and a sore throat for Eve, who had spent the previous sixty minutes calling up suggestions to her friend, Piper descended and took a seat beside Eve with a deep sigh.

'I better get onto the team' she growled, her face, however, still alight with humour.

'You will!' Eve promised, reassuringly.

'There's a lot of competition this year' she informed her friend solemnly 'and all it takes is me to make one silly mistake, you know how flying is'

'I – erm – don't, actually' Eve shrugged.

'What!' Piper spluttered, her face dropping dramatically and her eyes bulging wide.

Eve grinned at the expression on her friend's face.

'I'm sorry…but you have never played Quidditch?' Piper clarified, flinching as if the words were painful to form.

'Actually, I've never flown at all.'

If possible, Piper's eyes bulged even further and her jaw dropped another inch.

'I-I don't know…how can you not have – b-but –'she stuttered, her mind struggling to process such abominable information.

Eve merely chuckled.

She watched her friend's face for a moment, eventually Piper's flabbergasted expression faded, her mouth closed and her eyes became filled with purpose.

'Right' she stated firmly, nodding to herself 'I'm going to give you your first flying lesson, Eve'

Eve's face dropped.

'Steady yourself! Steady – no, stop wobbling –'

Piper's exasperated cries were futile, as with a loud shriek, Eve wobbled ominously and fell all of two feet off of her broom.

'How did you even manage that?' Piper cried 'You have further to fall when you're actually standing up!'

Eve grinned at her friend's frustration and shrugged.

'It's a lot harder than it looks!' she replied calmly 'maybe I'm better just staying on my feet –'

'Nobody's better on their feet' Piper scoffed 'look, try again.'

Sighing, Eve scrambled to her feet, held her arm out once again.

'Up!' she called, and caught the broom firmly in her hand as it sprung upwards from the floor.

'That's it!' Piper grinned 'now, mount it!'

Eve followed the instructions, scrunching her nose with apprehension as she gently kicked off of the ground.

She hovered a few feet in the air, hardly daring to breathe as her hands shook, and the broom began to wobble vicariously from side to side.

'Steady Eve, steady it!' Piper instructed 'just – just breathe!'

Eve nodded sharply, taking a deep breath inwards and exhaling slowly.

With each breath, Eve found her hands steadying and grinned triumphantly as the broom slowly, surely, began to balance.

'Piper!' she called, happily.

'Well done, Eve!' Piper grinned 'now, lean forward slightly and you'll move'

Eve tilted her body forward and let out a loud cry of excitement as the broom began to move forward.

'I'm flying!' she called 'I'm actually doing it!'

'I know!' the smile was evident in Piper's voice 'if you lean left or right you'll turn and when you're ready, lean a bit further forward and you'll begin to land –'

Eve leant experimentally to her left and felt the broom gently curve, moving in a circle until she had turned back towards Piper, she made her way back to her friend and landed firmly on the ground.

'I did it, I did it, I did it!' she laughed, springing on her toes.

Piper grinned at the girls excited expression, still feeling bemused that it was possible for someone to be brought up without learning to fly.

'Did your mum not like flying, then?' she asked casually.

Eve froze at the question, before forcing her body to relax.

'I don't think she minded flying' she replied 'but she never really played at school, I think it was my Dad who played Quidditch actually –'

Piper had tensed with surprise at the mention of Eve's father and she turned to face the girl in response.

'T-that's why I've never played…i-it's not like I've ever met him' she muttered.

'You've never met him? Not even once?' Piper pushed, hungry for information.

'No, I was raised by my mum' Eve replied tightly 'erm – are you going back up to the castle now?'

Piper blinked at the sudden change of subject.

'I- er – guess so' she nodded.

'I'll meet you at breakfast, I'm just going to take a walk – get a bit more fresh air'

Piper understood that she wasn't being invited to join Eve in her walk, and nodded thoughtfully.

'Okay' she finally beamed 'I'll see you at breakfast – oh and, Eve?' she paused as she had turned to return to the castle 'you'll be flying like a professional by Christmas'

Piper's wide grin was infectious and Eve felt her lips twist in response, before waving as she turned in the opposite direction to her friend.

Eve meandered along the edges of the forbidden forest, her mind in a flurry a thought. She silently cursed herself at the near slip up with the mention of her father.

As her senses absorbed the nature around her, the strong aroma of the pine trees, the cold moisture of the morning air and the bright glow of the early sun, she allowed her mind to wander.

It was nice to be alone in the quiet, escaping from the whispers and stares that followed her through Hogwarts corridors.

The sound of a snort from her left caught her attention and she smiled as her eyes fell upon the skeletal horse-like creature that was grazing calmly at the forest's edge.

'Hello' she greeted the creature softly, creeping forward slowly.

'WEASLEY!'

Eve jumped as an angry yell broke the quiet atmosphere, a few birds flew from their places in the forest's trees and the horse-like creature before her bolted into the depths of the woods.

'I'VE GOT YOU NOW!'

The angry voice sounded once again, this time at a closer proximity, and instinctively Eve reached for her wand, just as the bushes rustled and a red-faced, angry man scrambled into sight.

'You!' he gasped in a raspy voice 'have you seen two red-headed boys?'

Eve blinked in surprise as the Hogwarts caretaker glared at her as he waited for a response.

'Well?' he demanded 'I haven't got all day, girl!'

'Do you mean the Weasley twins?' she asked politely 'because I just saw them running that way'

She pointed in the direction of the castle and smiled innocently.

'I knew I had them!' he wheezed, baring his yellow teeth in what Eve assumed was a triumphant grin 'I'll have them hanging by their toes by this evening!'

She neither had time, nor had anything to say in response, before Filch scurried away in the direction she had indicated, muttering furiously under his breath.

A snap of a twig jerked her attention once again towards the forest, and her gaze was met with two identical grinning faces.

'I knew there was a reason that we kept you!'

'I'm not a pet, George' Eve replied softly, raising an eyebrow at the boys' toothy grins.

'Well even so, you'd make a bloody good pet, anyway' Fred told her brightly 'kind of a mixture between a…between a….'

Both boys cocked their heads to the side, examining her thoughtfully.

'Between a puppy?' Fred suggested.

'And a Pygmy Puff!' George completed.

'What's a Pygmy Puff?!' Eve asked incredulously.

'Ah! If we told you that we'd have to obliverate you!' George replied, tapping his nose.

'That's top secret Weasley information, Evie' Fred continued, throwing his arm around her shoulders and leading her back towards the castle 'but if you're lucky, you might get one for your birthday.'

'Speaking of which, when is it?' George fell into step beside them.

'When is what?' Eve blinked.

'Your birthday!' both twins replied in unison.

'My…birthday' she tried the words on her tongue 'I don't really know, I'll have to ask mum and dad'

She didn't notice the incredulous looks shared between the two boys, and then the identical glint of conspiracy that followed as two pairs of brown eyes lit up with an idea.

'We better hurry up' Eve continued 'at this rate we'll only just make it to breakfast before lessons begin, and I can't be late for first period, I've already got detention tonight!'

'What!?' the twins both spluttered, their eyes popping out and they froze mid-step.

'Detention?' George clarified.

'You?' Fred added.

'Yep' she replied glumly 'with Umbridge'

Both boys winced at the mention of the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor but before they had a chance to respond, a loud, anger-fuelled cry, interrupted them

'There you are! Stop!'

'Sorry! Gotta go, Eve!' they cried, turning on their toes, as Filch pelted towards them.

Fred scampered away, and George held back slightly, his eyes meeting hers and his expression strangely serious.

'Listen, Eve...the detention with Umbridge - be careful all right? From what I've heard about Harry's detentions they're pretty grim -'

Eve nodded silently, her eyebrows knitting together and with a nod George followed after his brother.

'You! How dare you lie to me!' Filch spat as he reached her.

Eve groaned.

What was it her mother had said? 'Everyone will love you' she grimaced inwardly, from the sounds of things, she most definitely was a Black.

Doris Piper had emerged fresh faced from her shower, and after throwing her Hufflepuff robes on, grabbing her school bag, she rushed down her dormitory staircase, attempting to tie her hair back in a ponytail as she went.

'Running late, Piper?' Elias' voice sounded and she nodded brightly as she fell into step with him.

'You?' she asked.

'Well, yeah, but only because I enjoy sleeping' he informed her pointedly.

'Sleeping's for when you're dead' she replied brightly 'and breakfast is for eating – so come on!' she grabbed his arm and dragged him into the Great Hall.

'You're way too strong for a girl' he muttered.

'And you're way too weak for a boy' she retorted lightly 'Morning, all!'

She beamed around at her small group of close friends.

'Where's your shadow?' Anastasia asked archly, and Piper frowned.

'Come on, Ana, leave it out' she replied calmly, slipping into her seat beside Althea.

'Eve's really nice' she added.

Anastasia scoffed 'about as nice as the daughter of a Serial Killer can be.'

'Ana, we still don't know for definite that Sirius Black even is her father' Elias reasoned 'if she's a half-blood then Black is quite a common Muggle surname.'

'Oh it hasn't been confirmed has it?' Anastasia replied shrilly, and Piper noticed the grimaces reflected on each of her friends' faces.

Piper did not have to ask Anastasia to elaborate, as with a slightly unnecessary amount of force the girl slammed a copy of the Daily Prophet onto the table in front of her.

Piper lent over, along with Elias and both exchanged glances as they read the front page headline.

Sirius Black's Secret Daughter Discovered at Hogwarts

'Oh' Piper breathed, reading on.

There are many mysteries surrounding the notorious Serial Killer, Sirius Black; his infamous escape of Wizarding Prison, Azkaban, and now, the sudden discovery of a secret daughter.
Eve Black, a new student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has entered her fourth year, appearing barely two years after her murderous father's escape. It is rumoured that Eve is daughter to the known fighter against You-Know-Who in the first wizarding war, Alina Blake, who was Black's girlfriend from their days at Hogwarts and was reported missing, believed dead, in the first war.

A source close to Ms Blake has exclusively told the Prophet 'Alina was concerned over how the public would treat the daughter of Sirius Black and as such brought up her daughter with a sheltered lifestyle, but she feels that it is now time for Eve to experience the Wizarding World, starting with Hogwarts.'

However, it seems that Eve has inherited far more from her father than expected, as with only a few weeks into her first term at Hogwarts she has already received a detention.

'She's quiet…but weird quiet, not good quiet' a fellow fourth year pupil informs the Prophet 'she was sorted into Hufflepuff but not Slytherin…but then Sirius Black wasn't in Slytherin was he? And look how he turned out!'

The pupil is fair to voice her concern; Sirius Black killed twelve innocent Muggles in broad daylight, a clear sign of insanity which is an attribute that may have been passed on to his only known heir. The question that the Prophet poses, is just how little has Eve Black had to do with her father? And is it safe for Hogwarts students to be roaming the school alongside the daughter of a known Serial Killer, one whom only two years ago reportedly broke into the school

Who exactly is Eve Black? Why has she only appeared now? And most importantly, are your children safe?

'Wow' Elias whistled.

'Well we'd already assumed it anyway, this is just…confirmation' Althea noted calmly, her eyes studying the expressions on her companions faces.

'Yes, it is confirmation' Anastasia snapped, her jaw tense.

'Well I for one may have a word with Professor Sprout ' an affected voice sounded from the left of their group 'it's just like Skeeter said, Sirius Black broke into Hogwarts a little under two years ago without assistance…I don't know what Dumbledore is thinking providing a Serial Killer with an inside man'

Althea rolled her eyes at Gwendolyn's input, and exchanged a glance with her friends. She wondered, not for the first time, how the girl had come to be sorted in Hufflepuff.

She watched Piper open her mouth to form an angry retort and then freeze before the words formed upon her lips. Piper's green eyes widened with shock and it seemed as if the entire Great Hall had fallen to a hushed quiet, and the usual merry chattering dimmed to a flurry of whispers.

Althea scanned the uncomfortable expressions on her friend's faces and the smug smirk belonging to Anastasia.

She opened her mouth to question their strange behaviour, when a voice from behind her caused her to falter, just as Piper had done.

'W-What's going on?'

Althea closed her eyes in a grimace as Eve's soft voice met her ears. She turned slowly, her heart sinking into her stomach at the concern in the girl's wide grey eyes.

'Eve –'she began, but was interrupted.

'We know everything, Eve' Gwendolyn announced haughtily, judgement written across her face.

Eve frowned.

'What d'you –'

'Here!' Anastasia's voice was cold; causing Althea flinched at the tone, and she shoved a copy of the newspaper into Eve's chest.

They all watched quietly as Eve, with shaking hands, straightened out the copy of the Prophet and scanned the front page.

Eve's cheeks, if possible, paled further, and her eyes flickered with a combination of shock and fear. Slowly, she raised her pupils upwards from the paper and met with those fixed intently upon her.

'You shouldn't be here' Anastasia told her coldly.

'Ana!' Piper hissed.

'No, I'm speaking the truth, her kind –'

'Shut up, Ana' Davey warned lowly, with no trace of the merry gleam that normally held residence in his blue eyes.

Althea flinched at the cool atmosphere that surrounded the Hufflepuff table, it was something that very rarely occurred within their House and that seemed to escalate the mood.

Althea's eyes shot straight to Eve, waiting for the girl's expression to crumble. She could see the pain register in the girl's eyes and she caught the slight tremble in her lips as the tears threatened to fall.

'You should be ashamed' Anastasia spat, malice clear in her tone.

Suddenly Eve's expression changed. Her eyes flickered to Anastasia, firmly holding the girl's gaze for a moment. Her soft expression hardened, her jaw set firmly and her eyes remained steady, almost arrogantly as she slowly regarded the girl in front of her.

'I am not ashamed of who I am.' She announced coolly.

The group stayed silent for a moment, and Althea felt a wave of admiration for Eve as she held her ground.

'And you shouldn't have to be' she replied, scooting to her left slightly to make room for her to sit down.

Eve hesitated for a moment, as she acknowledged the raging glare she was receiving from Anastasia.

'Oh no you don't!' a jolly voice called from behind her, announcing the appearance of one of the Weasley Twins.

George grinned widely at Eve as her shoulders relaxed with relief. He forced the bright expression to remain firmly on his face, despite wanting desperately to draw his wand on the girl that seemed to be giving Eve grief about the article in the Prophet.

A new candidate to test our products on he thought maliciously, before he brought his attention back to Eve.

'Well done, Evie' he smirked 'you've managed to beat Harry for the front page!'

Eve blinked, before a small smile ghosted the corners of her mouth.

'Come on, Eve' a second voice sounded quietly from behind George 'come sit with us today.'

Eve's eyes fell upon Harry and a wave of appreciation flooded through her.

She nodded silently, and followed his lead to the Gryffindor table, allowing George to place a protective arm around her shoulders, almost shielding her from the conspiring glances and whispers that followed her.

On the Hufflepuff table, five students remained silent, shame flooding through them as they watched the girl walk away.

Althea leant over to Anastasia looking pointedly at the girl.

'It wasn't her fault' she said softly.

Anastasia's hard expression fell slightly, and her eyes flickered back to the silhouette of Eve, before she tore her gaze away and continued to eat her breakfast, not saying a word to anybody.

On Slytherin table, many eyes watched with amusement the interaction with Eve Black, her fellow classmates, and Potter, but one face remained blank.

One face masked the anger that erupted inside of him as Eve allowed Harry Potter to lead her to his table, but the silvery eyes could not mask the irritation which formed as George Weasley's arm rested across her shoulders.

'We'll walk with you to your first class' Hermione smiled at Eve as they exited the Great Hall.

'Thanks' Eve mumbled.

'You'll learn to ignore the stares' Harry informed her 'They either get bored, find something else to talk about, or you just get used to it' he explained, although Eve was able to detect the trace of irritability in his tone and judging by the glances exchanged by Ron and Hermione they had noticed as well.

'I'm hardly used to being around so many people, let alone being on the front page of a newspaper' she grumbled, and Harry nodded in understanding.

'I really do wonder sometimes what this world is coming to!' a voice sneered from behind them, and Eve's heart began to thump erratically in response 'when the pathway of Purebloods is blocked by Mudbloods, Bloodtraitors and the Bastard of a murderer.'

'Shut it, Malfoy' Ron immediately snapped his face red and his fists curled tightly.

'No wonder you get your Mudblood to do your essays for you, Weasel. Your inability of forming an intelligent retort never fails to astound me' Draco drawled.

Eve stared at him, stunned by his words bastard of a murderer?

She pursed her lips as the desperate need that she always experienced when she saw Draco faded and instead was replaced with anger.

'Your parents may be married Draco, but criticizing someone for having a murderer as a parent is a bit rich coming from you, isn't it?' she asked coolly, her head feeling strangely light as she formed the words and her heart thudding against her ribcage.

She felt the shocked stares she was receiving from Harry, Ron and Hermione.

'Well bloody said!' Ron grinned.

Draco glared darkly at her for a moment, and Eve felt her dread quickly replace her anger as she waited for his response.

'I've spent long enough in the company of filth, move' he barged past them and swept along the corridor, Crabbe and Goyle staggering clumsily after him.

'That was brilliant, Eve!' Ron continued, laughing loudly and patting her on the back.

Eve couldn't share his amusement however, her heart had sunk far too low to be uplifted any time soon and sadness was embracing her with its cold, wet clutches.

The rest of the day she managed to keep virtually isolated from her peers, in History of Marriage she took one of the front row seats and intently took notes, leaving the classroom at the end of the lesson before anyone else had even finished packing up their bags.

She continued in this fashion, choosing to go for a walk during her lunch period and taking action on one of her father's pieces of information and seeking out the Kitchens rather than attending dinner.

'Erm…is there anything else Miss wants?' Eve was abruptly disrupted from her own thoughts and drawn back into the present by the high-pitched voice of a House Elf.

Glancing quickly at the clock she felt her stomach lurch.

'No' she smiled at the Elf, although the action felt hollow 'I have somewhere to be.'

With every step she took towards the office Eve felt the sense of doom expand in her chest. She took in a deep breath as she stared at the Office door and exhaling shakily she knocked three times and waited.

'Come in' a voice simpered from inside.

Umbridge's beaming face was the first thing that met her eyes, but the glee in the woman's expression held a malicious glint, causing Eve's stomach to flip nervously.

'I'm here for the Detention, Professor' Eve said awkwardly.

'Oh I have not forgotten Miss Black, and it's Professor Umbridge' she corrected 'you can join Mr Potter and Miss Day by taking a seat'

It was only then that Eve realised she was not alone in serving her detention, Harry and a second year Gryffindor were already seated and Eve immediately met Harry's eyes.

His emerald orbs burned into hers and he nodded supportively, his expression remaining stoic.

Eve sighed, returning the glance and silently seating herself in the desk beside Harry.

'Mr Potter, I am sure you are aware of what is expected of you this evening, so you may begin' Umbridge's eyes gleamed as her lips curved upwards and Eve noticed the twitch of Harry's lips as he fought down a retort.

'Miss Day, Miss Black' Eve's attentions immediately snapped back to her Professor 'you shall be writing lines this evening'

Slowly, almost tauntingly, Umbridge meandered across the room, placing a quill on each desk

'Miss Day, I'd like you to write I will not disrespect my elders' Umbridge informed the small girl 'and Miss Black…' Umbridge's eyes flickered to rest upon Eve and she licked her lips as if she were a predator preparing to devour her prey 'you will write insubordination will not be tolerated.'

Eve glanced around her desk as she lifted her quill, her brows furrowed; she opened her mouth to address Proffessor Umbridge.

'You don't need ink'

Harry's voice was low, and as she caught his eye a shudder ran through her.

The sharp cry from the second year behind her confirmed her fears, and slowly, refusing to acknowledge the Professor whom she could sense was intently watching her, she lowered the quill to her parchment.

Insubordination will not be tolerated.

'Are you all right?' Harry asked in a low voice as they left the Office.

Eve nodded firmly, her face pale and her head coated slightly with a thin layer of sweat.

It was funny, how pain never seemed to differ in terms of relativity. For the last fourteen years, Eve had experienced agony and torture of the most unbearable variety, but despite such experiences, immunity for smaller levels of pain was never obtained.

She clutched her hand tightly, cradling it into her chest.

She could barely form words as her mind was no longer present within Hogwarts.

Her eyes were latched on the trail of blood trickling along her white skin and her heart was thudding as memories of waking up, drenched in the blood of some poor stranger whom had been her victim the previous night, flooded through her mind.

'Eve?'

'I'm fine' she whispered.

Harry's eyes softened, and his hand rested on her shoulder for a moment.

'Use Essence of Mertlop if you can, it helps with the stinging'

She nodded.

'Eve?' a hesitant voice interrupted and Althea stepped from the shadows, Piper alongside her.

'We wanted to speak to you all day, but when you didn't turn up to lunch or dinner…' Piper trailed off, and Eve shuffled her feet nervously.

'We don't care, Eve' Althea told her 'we're your friends and we don't care who your father is, we don't care.'

Eve's mouth slacked, and the dark memories that had been resurfacing were immediately forgotten as she stared in surprise at the two girls.

Harry had seemed to relax, knowing that Eve wasn't alone.

'I'm going to take her back to the common room' Harry indicated to the trembling second year beside him 'will you be all right?'

When Eve didn't respond, Piper turned to Harry shyly.

'She'll be fine, we'll make sure she gets back to the common room.'

Harry nodded and after thanking them he turned away, leading his fellow Gryffindor with him.

They stood in silence for a moment, before something caught Althea's eye.

'Eve!' she gasped 'what's happened?'

Eve's eyes shot to Althea's and tentivally she held out her arm, showing the cause of the blood.

'Eve!' both girls gasped.

'Are you all right?'

'I can't believe she's did this!'

'That evil toad!'

If she wasn't so dazed, she probably would have chuckled at their reactions, but she just blinked slowly.

Althea smiled reassuringly at the girl's daze and put her arm gently around her shoulders 'come on, we need to go and sort that cut out –'

'Oi! You three, what are you doing out of bed!'

Piper jumped violently and Althea let out a high pitched squeak of surprise.

They turned in unison, expressions nervous as the fifth year Prefect marched towards them.

'Did you not hear me?' he sneered 'I said what are you doing out of bed'

'W-we were just…we were just –'Althea stuttered.

'You were just what?' as he reached them, the cold silver eyes of Draco Malfoy bore down on them and both girls took a step backwards, towards their friend who was standing silently behind them.

'We came to collect Eve from her detention' Piper finished with an air of confidence that she was not truly feeling.

'E-Eve?' both girls blinked at the foreign stutter in Draco's voice.

Draco apparently noticed it too and straightened his back.

'Twenty points from Hufflepuff for breaking curfew' he told them coolly 'now you can leave Eve with me and the two of you can return to your Common Room.'

'B-But she's hurt!' Piper argued.

Draco jerked his head to stare at Eve at the girl's words and his face darkened.

'A further ten points for arguing and unless you want detention for a month and to lose another fifty points, go, now' he growled 'I'll deal with Black.'

The two girls looked at each other with fright, before glancing apologetically at Eve and obeying the prefect.

When their echoed footsteps could no longer be heard, Draco turned his attention fully upon Eve, whose head was bowed, her eyes focused on the hand she was tightly clutching.

'You're hurt?' Draco's voice broke the silence.

Slowly, with a shaky breath, Eve lifted her head, raising her eyes until they locked with his.

She couldn't find the energy for any of the previous anger and hostility that had built between them. In the cloak of night, his eyes were no longer cold, no longer unfeeling. As they gazed intently upon hers, emotion flowed from them.

She saw the concern and the internal struggle that he was experiencing, she even thought she detected pain.

But most of all, when she met with his eyes, she felt safe.

He was the one person who knew her more than anybody else in the world, who had been her sole support for almost the entirety of her life.

She threw herself into his arms, hearing a surprised 'oomph' at the impact, and she clutched him desperately.

After a moment she felt him respond as his arms wrapped around her, one cradling her head and pulling her tightly into his chest.

'I'm not supposed to get hurt here' she whispered.

'You won't be' Draco whispered 'not again.'

A/N: Thank you so much for your reviews you're all amazing! To those who haven't got an account and i couldn't reply, thank you as well! I can't respond to some of them as it would give away too much of the plot!

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