For the next month, Daphne avoided Draco like he had the plague. She was so embarrassed by what she had said and done that she didn't dare look at him for fear that he would shout at her, or worse laugh. She hadn't told Tracey or anyone else about the fight either; only Draco and Daphne knew the secret.

Making it that much worse, she thought, sighing to herself as she stared at the blackboard that Slughorn was writing on. As their new potions teacher, she was actually starting to enjoy the subject, and her marks were doing much better. Same with Defence Against the Dark Arts; now that Snape had what he wanted, he wasn't as bitter and spiteful when teaching.

Charms, however, was by far her best subject, and she was advised last year to possibly consider pursuing it as a career, although she wasn't sure what that entailed. All her other classes were a bore, made worse since she was in all the same classes as Draco.

Why did I take all the same classes as him!? God, I'm an idiot! Now I have to pretend like nothing ever happened, but at the same time try to be invisible!

"Are you even writing the notes?" Theodore whispered from beside her. Daphne shook her head out of surprise and scrambled to copy down what was written on the board; she was so enwrapped in her own self-pity that she forgot to pay attention! "God, you zone out worse than Blaise does." He remarked, giving Blaise a sideways glance. Blaise discretely gave him the finger and turned to say something to his potions partner, who happened to be Draco.

"Not like it matters; Blaise is wrapped right around Slughorn's finger," Daphne mumbled as she copied the list of ingredients off the board.

"Yes, well, once again, if my father wasn't an arrested convict, I would be there too," Theodore grumbled to himself. Daphne paused in her writing and made a small face to herself; she regretted mentioning it now since she was trying very hard to steer Theodore away from the idea that he would forever be living with his father's reputation looming over him. So far, she was failing miserably.

"Blaise just looks like a prat when he goes to those meetings," Daphne stated lightly, still feverously copying down the lesson.

"Slughorn is the reason why a lot of high-up wizards and witches have their jobs." Theodore retorted back. Daphne gave him a sideways glare but didn't reply. It's not like having him as a reference would do her any good; with her luck, she'd end up as someone's maid. Or, if she was really lucky, she'd be Draco's housewife. "Going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Theodore asked after a few minutes of silence, giving her the chance to catch up on the writing.

"Of course. I need to stock up on my candy, among other things." She said, smiling slightly to herself "You? Did you want to meet at the Three Broomsticks at some point?"

"Tracey and I are going to go on a walk." He stated in a less-than-enthusiastic tone "After that, I'm sure we'll meet up."

"You and Tracey?" Daphne raised her eyebrow and poked Theodore in the ribs, eluding to the hint that she got.

"It's just a walk, Daphne." Theodore rolled his eyes and kept writing.

"With just Tracey," Daphne added smartly. Theodore gave her a slight glare but said nothing. "Well, for future reference, I have nothing against my best friends dating." She pointed out before she pretended to be too involved with the blackboard to see Theodore's look of slightly offended horror.

Daphne decided to suffer through hanging out with Pansy and Millicent the next day in order to give Tracey and Theodore whatever privacy they apparently needed. Daphne had asked Tracey what their walk was about, and she had replied with a very devious smirk and told her it wasn't her business, but she would know someday what it was all about.

"I can't go into Honeydukes," Pansy stated firmly when Daphne mentioned it on the walk down the hill to the village. "I'm on a diet, remember?"

Not like it will make a difference Pansy; you can't keep him forever. Daphne thought and fought the urge to smile at her thoughts.

"That's fine; I'll go by myself if you want. How about I just meet you in the Three Broomsticks?" Daphne suggested. Millicent and Pansy exchanged quick looks (like they had to consult each other on everything they did) before they agreed and walked towards the other end of Hogsmead.

Good riddance. Daphne smirked to herself as she continued down the path and right into Hogsmeade, smiling all the while.

About a week ago, Pansy was crying in their dorm room to Millicent when Tracey and Daphne walked in. They pretended not to be listening to what she was blubbering about, but it was hard not to. Apparently, Draco had changed. A lot. He had a far shorter tempter (Which Daphne knew already) and was always spending hours with Crabbe and Goyle, whispering plans in the corner of the common room or up in their dorms. And Pansy was feeling very neglected by all of it. So she had settled that she needed to get his interest back by losing some weight. She was convinced that once he saw her again in the same light (whatever light that was before, it made Tracey make a face like she was going to vomit), and all would be well again.

Fat chance Pansy. Daphne thought as she grabbed a bag of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. Now that I know Draco doesn't love you like he used to, it's time for me to swoop in and take him for myself. She paused for a minute as she grabbed a handful of Chocolate Frogs. But how can I do that after I said all those things? I haven't spoken to him in about a month! He might find it suspicious if I just suddenly start talking to him. Daphne sighed again as she shoved a 3rd-year out of her way to get up to the cashier. I'll have to apologize to him tonight... or at least talk to him! She concluded as she handed the old wizard the money for her candy and walked out of the store.

She ran into a smirking Tracey and sufficiently bored Theodore at the Three Broomsticks a short time later. Tracey and Daphne had developed code names for Draco and Pansy; the carriage and the horse. This way, they could talk in front of Theodore about 'the horse is too old to carry the carriage' or 'the old, fat horse feels too attached to the carriage to give it up' without him understanding what or who they were talking about.

"I'm not sure why you two are so interested in a horse and a carriage, but I'm not going to even bother trying to understand," Theodore mumbled as he got up and went to the bar to get them drinks.

"So how do you intend on convincing Draco that now you're ready to snog his brains out?" Tracey smirked, lowering her voice only slightly. Daphne made a face and nodded her head towards the group of Hufflepuff's that were sitting behind them. Tracey only waved it off and waited for her response.

"I haven't figured that out yet... I mean, I still refuse to fool around with him while he's still dating Pansy, but I have to make my intentions known!"

"Well, I suggest you figure out a way soon. Pansy's actually looking a bit smaller now that she's not eating anything but carrots." Tracey remarked, a devious smile on her face. Daphne gave her a dark glare before she turned her attention to Theodore, who had returned with 3 drinks.

"That barmaid is out of it today! I swear, it looks like she hasn't slept in months!" he remarked as he handed the girls their drinks.

They sat around in the pub for a while longer before they had enough of the Hufflepuff's behind them making so much noise, and figured they should return to the common room. They had barely started back up the hill when they saw a commotion of people.

"Someone slip in the mud again?" Theodore muttered to himself. They stopped just far enough away to see one of the girls from Gryffindor lying on the ground, looking not very comfortable. Her screams were so loud that Daphne covered her ears to escape them. Just as she was about to suggest they go back to the village or something, Hagrid and Potter came from the distance. The giant only looked at her for a moment before he scooped her up and carried the screeching girl towards the castle.

"What the hell was that?" Pansy asked, now appearing beside Theodore. Millicent stood silently behind her, and from out of the corner of Daphne's eye, she saw Blaise and Draco step forward to watch the giant walk away with the girl.

"Is he going to feed her to an ogre or something?" Blaise chuckled lightly.

"The girl was just screaming like she was having a fit or something," Theodore remarked, looking over his shoulder at Draco. Daphne looked at Draco as well, watching his expression change to something that resembled rage.

"Draco? Are you alright?" Daphne asked quietly as the others were whispering gossip amongst themselves. He looked up at her, perhaps surprised that this was the first thing she had said to him in so long, or perhaps he was shocked that anyone noticed. He didn't say anything and just stared at her for a second, then turned and stormed back towards the village. Pansy noticed he was gone and ran after him (followed by Millicent).

"Well, what's got his wand in a knot?" Blaise laughed, now apparently joining them.

"Aside from Pansy?" Tracey remarked coolly, her eyes catching Daphne's.

"Oh, that! Theodore can tell you as well as I can; she never leaves him alone! She's pounding on our door at all hours of the night!" Blaise said, pulling his coat closed as they started to walk back up the hill.

"That and when we do let her in, you'd be lucky if your herbology earmuffs protect you against her whines and cries when he wants her to go away," Theodore added snarkily. Tracey smirked and poked Daphne in the ribs, but she pretended that she didn't notice. As she watched Draco until he was out of her sight, she wondered what his problem was now.

"Coming Daph?" Theodore called back to her, waiting with the others a few metres ahead. Daphne made a small face at being called that and then ran to catch up with them.

The news of what had happened to the Gryffindor chaser spread fast. By dinner time, the entire school had heard about her being cursed by someone at Hogsmead. And, as usual, everyone suspected the Slytherin's.

"Someday I'd love to hold up a sign that says 'you're next' to those little shits," Blaise muttered as he locked eyes with a Ravenclaw, giving them the evilest glare he could muster.

"Because that would really solve our problem." Theodore remarked, sniffing a quick laugh "Our problem is Potter steals all the glory in the school."

"That's because Potter is the only one who ever does anything like that! And the fact that Dumbledore loves him makes it easier for him! We all know that if we did half the things he gets let off for, we would have been expelled long ago!"Blaise remarked, at last breaking the staring contest with whomever he was glaring at, returning to eating his meal.

"Well, let them think what they want." Daphne remarked, at last, putting her fork down and picking up another dinner roll "They don't know anything about us, although they wish they did."

Theodore looked at her for a moment and then shook his head slowly "It doesn't matter what they wish or want to know; it's what they think they know." He looked up at the Ravenclaws, who were scowling at the Slytherins. "That's what matters."

Daphne sighed and looked over at Tracey, who simply shrugged her shoulders and continued to eat her soup. "I guess you have a point. And I guess if we were in another house, I'm sure we'd be glaring over at us too."

"There isn't any other house I would have been sorted into." Theodore chuckled quietly "I would have been disowned if I had."

"Harsh, but true." Blaise added, turning his head to look around the table "Wonder where Draco is... he said he'd be back by now."

"Pansy's missing too," Tracey remarked with a sour face.

"Well, never mind then. I'm sure we'll hear all about it tonight..." Blaise grumbled, pushing his now clear plate away from him; it evaporated out of sight instantly.

"Oh joy," Daphne growled under her breath. Theodore looked over at her, but she pretended like she couldn't see him. He then looked over at Tracey, who once again just shrugged and continued to eat. She was being uncommonly quiet today.

"Tracey, what's up? You're not your typical, quipping self." Daphne asked, smiling at her friend, who she hadn't had a chance to talk to alone today.

"My grandmother found out about my mum and dad." She said solemnly. "Poverty, here I come!" she said with sarcastic humour.

"What? Poverty? How-"

"My grandparents have always supported us. But now that she knows about my mother and father, they'll surely disown us."

"How horrible! You would think they would be over it by now." Daphne said, her face showing the sympathy she had for her friend.

"Never." Blaise interrupted. They both looked over at Blaise with expressions that could only be understood as 'Excuse me, do you mind!?' "Your mother's family was filled with prestige and pride; you think they're going to let something like marrying a muggle just slip by?"

"Blaise!" Daphne hissed at his tone. Blaise only made a face at her but didn't say anything else. There was silence briefly, and the Tracey finally spoke.

"Don't worry about it, Daphne," She said in a low tone. "Blaise can shove his pretenses up his ass because we both know that nothing would stop his mother from sleeping with anyone, regardless of bloodline."

"I'm leaving now," Theodore announced, standing from the table as Blaise and Tracey began to growl various insults at each other. "C'mon Daphne, just leave them to it." He said, taking her arm gently and pulling her up off the bench. As they walked away, they could hear the argument getting louder, and no doubt attracting a lot of attention, and Daphne was thankful to be taken out of there.

As Daphne and Theodore entered the common room, he told her that he had to go do some homework, and he ran upstairs to get it. Daphne sighed and leaned against the leather armrest of the black couches in the common room, looking up at the green-tinted skylight from the lakes cold water.

"Daydreaming, Daphne?" a snide voice remarked from the tables. Daphne rolled her eyes and lowered her vision, her glare meeting Astoria's.

"Taking a break from soliciting, Astoria?" Daphne smirked. Her sister's smug smile instantly faded, and she stood from her chair and walked over to her sister.

"My my, aren't you the jealous type?" she snarled. Daphne tipped her head back and let out a sharp laugh before she looked at her sister with the same patronizing face that their mother used on them.

"Oh, Astoria; someday, when you're older, you'll understand that not everyone wants to be like you." She smirked "Especially with a track record like yours. I see that your current boyfriend is in 7th year? Isn't he a little young for you? I thought you liked them at least 5 years older?"

Astoria's face was starting to turn a little red, and the anger was starting to build upon her face "That's rich! Coming from a girl who's only had one boyfriend in her entire life! And look who he ended up with in the end?" she glared.

"Astoria, I know it's hard for you to keep track, but you're no longer dating Blaise. And isn't it ironic that I didn't shell out everything on the spot for him, and yet I still managed to keep him for the same length of time that you did?" Daphne smiled like the devil, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Funny how that works, isn't it?"

Astoria's fists were clenched so hard that Daphne thought she might try and strike her. Daphne focused all her thoughts now on where her wand was; if this little harlot tried anything, she would hex her into next week!

"Daphne," Called someone from behind her. She whipped her head around and saw Draco, sitting in a chair beside the fire, alone. Their eyes locked momentarily, and he lazily gestured with his hand for her to come over to him. She felt a lump build in her throat and her face turn a little pink.

"If mother and father hear you're associating yourself with him, you'll never hear the end of it!" Astoria threatened quietly. Daphne turned back to her sister slowly and gave her another condescending smile.

"Really, nothing to blackmail me with except talking with my classmate? You're losing your touch." Her voice sounded like a predator that had finally trapped its prey. She reached out and patted her sister on the shoulder, then pushed her back from her so she could walk over to Draco.

He was sitting by the fire, staring into the burning embers. Daphne pulled up one of the other chairs, sat down, and waited. She wasn't sure what she was going to say or do, so she decided that it was best to let him start the conversation. She waited patiently, watching him instead of the fire that he was so focused on; he looked frustrated. It wasn't an expression that anyone saw very often, but was unmistakable when it appeared.

"I've been thinking about what you said." He said, still staring at the fire. It lit up one side of his body, making his hair look like a light shade of orange. It made Daphne think of what she always pictured their children looking like...

"Which part?" she asked quietly, her heart beginning to race again in her chest.

"Both." He remarked flatly. "You're right; this... situation... should bring us together, not drive us apart." He stated, and then in the first time since she arrived, he looked away from the fire at the crowd in the room. "Come and walk with me; I want to talk to you about something." He asked, standing from the chair and waiting beside hers. She sat frozen for a moment, and once she gathered the proper amount of strength, she stood slowly and followed him out of the common room.

Daphne followed Draco through the now dimly lit hallways of the school, not afraid of being caught. Since Draco was a prefect, he could walk around whenever he wanted, and not have to worry about explaining himself. If anyone asked what Daphne was doing out, he could simply say that he was escorting her to Snape's office or something.

All the while as they walked, Daphne tried very hard to keep her breathing calm and rhythmic, as opposed to the hyperventilation attack she was fighting off. When she saw what direction he was heading in, she almost fainted; the astronomy tower. Not only was it a popular make-out location, but it would be completely abandoned since there were no Astronomy classes tonight.

He planned this out well. She thought as she started to climb the stairs behind him. When they reached the top, she was a little surprised that he didn't go outside. But when she heard the howling wind on the other side of the wooden door, she understood why. Draco cast a quick spell on the stairway below them, making the steps icy to anyone who would try and climb up behind them.

"What did you want to talk about?" Daphne asked hoarsely, cursing her voice for sounding so pathetic. Thankfully, there were lit torches so he couldn't sneak up on her like he did last time.

"I want to tell you something." He said in a low voice, checking down the stairs every couple of seconds. "And you have to swear that you won't tell a soul what I'm about to tell you, or so help me I'll kill you." He added, his face clearly showing her that this was not a joke. Daphne nodded her head, but he shook his head slowly in response. "Not good enough; I want you to swear it."

"I-I swear." She replied nervously. He looked relieved already and listened down the stairwell for anything. When he heard nothing, he turned back to her.

"I have a mission." He started quietly, looking right into Daphne's eyes. "From the Dark Lord himself. He wants me to find a way to get Death Eaters into the school," Daphne raised her eyebrows at what he was saying, and he paused. "To kill Dumbledore."

"What?!" Daphne breathed, putting her hand against her chest to make sure her heart didn't give out. "How can he expect you to be able to do that?!"

"I can do it without the Death Eaters!" He shot back sharply. They both stared at each other in silence "I just need to figure out how to do it..."

Daphne paused for a moment, unsure of what to say. Draco looked away from her for a moment, back down the stairs again, checking. "What will he do if you fail?" Daphne asked, her voice barely audible. He looked back at her, and she could see the fear in his eyes.

"He'll kill my family" he replied quietly. Daphne felt the air escape her lungs and her skin go pale. She had heard stories of how cruel the Dark Lord could be, but this was different; this was real now. She found that she could think absolutely nothing to say to him, and just stood there staring at him with the terror evident in her eyes now. "I'm telling you this because I might need help at some-"

"Anything!" Daphne blurted out. Draco was startled a little by her outburst and looked at her for reassurance of what she had just said "Anything I can do Draco. I swear. I can't believe the Dark Lord would do this to you, but I'll try and help as much as I can."

Draco chuckled lightly and shook his head slowly "I can believe it. The Dark Lord is furious with my family, and is looking for an excuse to punish us." He said quietly, no longer looking at Daphne. "But I'm not going to fail." He said, sounding more like he was trying to convince himself "Despite what everyone thinks."

"I'll help you anywhere I can," Daphne told him again, pulling her robes tighter around her; the wind outside was beginning to penetrate the doors. "I'm not sure what use I'll be, but I'll try."

"Good." He said quietly, shivering a little from the cold wind outside. "I'm freezing up here." He remarked curtly "Let's get back to the common room before Pansy comes looking for me again."

At the mention of Pansy, Daphne's heart sank again. Although he said he had been thinking about both things Daphne told him, he hadn't mentioned the second one yet. Waiting for him to say something was like waiting for Theodore to smile; she knew it would come eventually, and when it did, it would no doubt catch her off guard.

Draco didn't mention the second topic at all that night. When they arrived back at the common room, Pansy was sitting there waiting and gave Daphne a very suspicious look. She felt her skin go cold and hot all at once.

Quick! Think! Steer her mind away!

"Oh Pansy, I love that bracelet!" Daphne remarked, walking away from Draco and standing beside where she was sitting, looking down at the silver jeweled chain around her wrist.

"Draco gave it to me for my birthday. Where were you two?" she remarked in a flat tone, giving Daphne a very obvious glare.

"Pansy, stop it. I told you I needed Daphne to help me with charms." Draco grumbled from his chair again. Daphne turned her head and looked at him, instantly catching on to the game.

"Yes, he's hopeless when it comes to, uh..." Daphne trailed off and looked at Draco, who stared back for a moment, then caught the hint.

"Petrificus Totalus!" he blurted out quickly "I can't seem to get it, but Daphne seems to have a gift for charms."

"Thanks!" Daphne breathed, smiling brightly. Pansy scowled, stood and walked over to Draco, taking his hand as an obvious sign of possession. Daphne nodded her head awkwardly and looked around desperately for something to do take her away.

"Well, I have some homework to do... I'll, uh... go now." She smiled to Pansy sweetly before she turned and walked to the stairwell that would lead her to her dorm.

Daphne told Tracey about Pansy's newfound suspicion of her but didn't mention what had brought it on. Tracey suggested that she play it cool, but wasn't really interested in talking about Pansy at that moment...

"I can't believe the tripe Blaise was talking about! He thinks his mother is on a different level than mine!" she laughed to herself, falling back onto her bed and staring at the ceiling above her "At least my mother has actually kept track of the number of men she's slept with... and I told Blaise that too! You should have seen his face when I said that!"

Tracey's ranting faded away out of Daphne's consciousness as she stared at the ceiling above her, her mind running through everything Draco had said. Even though she wasn't sure how she could help him, she was sure that she could offer something supportive. Until she felt her heavy eyelids close, she was plotting and scheming in her head. The last thought she had was

Greengrass's always help the Malfoy's... that's what father always said... but now everything's different, and I'm the only person in my family... maybe in this whole house, who is willing to help.

Then she finally let all the excitement that had worn her out take her into slumber.