Since chapter 3 was just a passing chapter, i posted chapter 4 next just so you guys wouldn't riot against me or whatever. haha Again, i don't own anything.

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Chapter 4

At dinner time, almost all of the students of Hogwarts were able to at least say hi or catch a glimpse of Isabella Malfoy. It quite irritated the witch that she almost resorted to jinxing the annoying students so that they could leave her alone. 'Like a shiny new toy', she thought darkly. 'You'd reckon they haven't seen a normal person.'

And by dinner time, she was already suffering from a migraine because of the countless girls asking her what it felt like to be a Malfoy. And by that, she was ready to get up from her seat as soon as Dumbledore, a rare occasion that he's present, announced dinner. She bolted right out of her seat at the Head table earning her a raised eyebrow from her Uncle. She smiled apologetically and escaped the Great Hall. Once out of the prodding eyes, she let out a sigh of relief and leaned on a nearby wall.

"Thank Merlin." She said out loud to no one.

Her head was aching and she was tired as hell so she decided to claim her bed at an early hour. She stepped out from the shadows and decided to trudge up the Astronomy Tower for a quick moment of self inflicted pain, missing Edward. She fought so hard today not to think of him at every opportunity, and now that she was all alone, she was almost suffering from an Unforgivable because of the ache that her former lover left; her broken unmended heart.

On her way to her hidden quarters, she caught movement at a nearby suit of armor. Her room was situated at the seventh floor so it was rare to come across any student at this hour since everyone was at the Great Hall eating dinner. Silently, she reached for her wand tucked into her boots so fast that her attacker was caught off guard and bumped into the armor, making a loud clanging noise.

"What are you doing here?" she said, retracting her wand.

"Just wandering around." Harry answered, his cheeks tinted slightly for being caught.

"You're not supposed to wander around. You should be at the Great Hall." Bella looked at him sternly. His subtle movement of hands caught her attention.

"What's that you holding, Harry?" She questioned. The boy looked at her intensely as he hurriedly tucked a sort of glittery dark material into his bag.

"I don't trust you."

The statement shocked the blonde girl. Of course she understood where this was coming; she did her research after all. She knew about her brother and Harry's rivalry and the fact that Sirius Black, Harry's Godfather was killed by her very own batty aunt.

"I understand. I don't mean to pry, sorry." Bella answered solemnly as she bowed her head a little.

The boy who lived looked at her incredulously and then shook his head. He thought she was going to shout at him and jinx his sorry behind to the Great Lake for disrespecting a professor. He thought of every violent reaction from the Malfoy, anything but that.

"No. S-sorry. I didn't mean-" he stuttered, feeling guilty at his tactlessness.

"Of course you mean it." Bella smiled. "You don't know me at all! For all you know, I could be a werewolf or something." The reference made Bella cringed, remembering a certain someone.

"One of my father's best friends is a werewolf." Harry defended.

"Of course." Bella smirked. "Heard all about that. I quite remembered that since it was the time my brother taunted that hippogriff."

"You knew about that?" Harry looked at her, surprised.

"Who wouldn't? It was practically in the Daily Prophet and my brother wouldn't shut up about it during the holidays." She rolled her eyes.

"You didn't believe him being attacked?"

"Are you calling me dumb?"Bella looked at him teasingly as the boy's cheeks turned pink in the hazy light the torches were giving. "No, I didn't. He was snogging the press and the attention, obviously he's lying his ass out."

Harry, shocked at her use of a vulgar word, smirked at her. "You got that right."

Bella smiled at him and motioned for him to follow. They walked a few paces to the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, the one opposite the entrance to the Room of Requirement. Bella tapped her wand to the tapestry twice and it morphed into a door.

Harry's eyes widened and amazingly, it didn't fall out. He followed the Malfoy inside and awkwardly looked around the room. How come this room didn't show up in his map?

"Please take a sit." Bella said. "Tea?"

Harry shook his head no and sat on a very comfortable light green chair. The room was big, almost as big as Dumbledore's office but not as extravagant. It was decorated with light blue and green wallpaper and the furniture were painted a soft cream color and touches of gold that made the whole room seem bright.

Bella sat opposite Harry, a cup of something in her hands. She looked at him expectantly after taking a few sips. Harry looked at her nervously, feeling like something dreadful was about to come despite the rooms comfy atmosphere.

"So, How are you Harry?" She asked casually.

"Fine, Professor."

Bella waved her hand it him, "enough with the professor. I'm only a year older than you lot."

"How is that possible?" Harry looked at her confusedly.

"Graduated two years early." Bella answered.

"Is that even allowed in Hogwarts?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't study here." Bella smiled. "I studied in America. But I don't think Professor Dumbledore allows early graduates."

Harry looked at her stupidly. Of course. That's why he hadn't heard of her before. He groaned inwardly at his stupidity.

"I didn't realize. I'm sorry."

"It's alright. You weren't the worst. Some of my relatives thought I was dead." The confession made harry feel sorry for her, death eater or not. But then again, her family is a Slytherin factory so they wouldn't care much about her.

"Why would they thought that?" Harry said.

"Two years ago I left because of the Dark Lord rising. I panicked, because I wasn't as prejudiced as I used to be and so I ran. My parents and brother were devastated but they let me go. They were the only ones who last saw me. And Professor Snape."

Harry watched her reliving her memory, just staring into the flames. The pain in her eyes were reflecting back to his.

"Professor Snape?"

"Yes. He is my godfather. Draco's too." Harry's eyes widened at the revelation. He knew it! Snape was also involved in this. Somehow.

"Then two years later, here I am. Trying my best not to be a coward anymore and help my family from the Dark Lord." Her eyes held so much emotion despite its icy color that Harry thought the grey orbs will melt. Bella smiled at him halfheartedly, and in her face, Harry saw years of pain and hardship. There's loss and heartbreak too, making him look away. He doesn't want to be reminded of his losses right now.

"But why Hogwarts?" Harry asked again, his curiosity still burning.

"Dumbledore, of course. And also to keep an eye on Draco." She smiled. "I'm pretty sure he'll do something stupid eventually."

Harry smirked at her. He was starting to like her even though she's a Malfoy. He could relate to her at some level and for that, he respect her. She's not fooled easily and he liked that.

"So." Bella looked at her watch and stood up. "I think it's best I let you head to your tower. It's way past your bedtime." Bella grinned at him as he bowed his head shyly.

"Right." He said, following her to the door. "Thank you for your time."

"No prob. Come by whenever you want." Bella smiled one last time and watched him go. When she was sure he was gone, Bella closed the door with a smile on her face.

But before she could, movement caught her eyes. Opposite her door, the blank wall was moving. Her eyes widened as a huge double door appeared. And out came her brother.

His face was stoic and his body tense. He looked around for any sign of life and Bella held her breath and sank further in the tapestry that conceals her door. When he thought the coast was clear, he headed to the opposite direction Harry went to and was out of sight.

The next morning, Draco woke up with a stiff neck and an aching back. He was sleepless and he felt like his bed was made of rock instead of whatever soft material people use to make beds. He trudged around his dorm, robotically getting his day started.

He was quite frustrated last night. His plan to transport the Death Eaters into the castle was failing. The Vanishing cabinet in the Room of Requirement was supposed to be easy as pumpkin pie but then the results he conducted with the apple was not successful. He pulled at his hair, getting the mannerism from his sister whenever she was frustrated or nervous.

"Flippin' hell." Moaned Blaise Zabini as he trudged into their shared bathroom. He scratched his stomach and gave out a lengthy yawn.

"Morning!" he greeted the blonde. Draco gave him a grunt and went to the sink to brush his teeth.

"Big day today, yeah?"Blaise said as he turned on the shower. "Ready to kick some Gryffindor asses?"

"What?" Draco said. What is this idiot blubbering about?

"Why, Quidditch! Don't tell me you forgot that today's the first quidditch match?" Blaise poked his head out from the shower to look at his best friend but he was already gone.

"Yep. Nice talking." He grumbled.

Draco was in a hurry. He was such an idiot for not realizing that today was the match. As much as he wanted to whip some poor Gryffindor asses, he's got better things to do. He put an announcement in the Common room about his replacement seeker, taking note about giving a reward after the match, and made his way to the 7th floor.

In all actually, he doesn't really give a murtlap's ass about playing quidditch anymore. He got a task to fulfill and a family to protect.

When he reached the blank wall, he paced three times and the door appeared. When he was about to reach the handle, someone called his name. His body tensed and slowly, he glared pitchforks to the person who dared call him.

Bella was leaning casually on a wall, her arms crossed against her chest and her smirk placed on her lips. Of course, who wouldn't have dared none other than his sister?

"Fancy seeing you here, brother."

"What do you want?" he snapped, not having the patience for his nosy sister.

"Don't get all snappy. Just wanted to know what my dear brother is doing." She pushed away from the wall and walked slowly towards him. "You know, I might be seeing things last night but I saw someone snooping around these halls. Sneaking way past curfew is just not acceptable, Draco. People might think… you're up to something."

Draco glared at her instead of showing his surprise at being caught so easily. He should really be more vigilant.

"Well?"

"Come on." Draco growled and yanked her wrist to drag her into the room. Behind him, Bella was smiling triumphantly.

"Don't gloat." He hissed at her.

"Not gloating." But of course, the girl still was.

The room was huge and was filled with mountains of different things. Draco maneuvered their way almost at the end of the room and stopped in front of a cabinet four times the size of the two of them combined.

"What is this?" Bella asked as she touched the carvings in scripted on the black wood.

"That is my plan."

"Yes, I'm sure that elaborates it entirely." His sister sneered.

"It will transport the Death eaters into the castle without alarming the wards Dumbledore put up." Draco explained smugly.

"I don't think portkeys are-"

"That's not a portkey. It's a Vanishing cabinet. The other one is in Borgin and Burkes where the death eaters will wait to be transported here after Dumbledore…falls."

Bella let out a deep breath and steadily faced her brother. She nodded at him after a few minutes, determination etched on her face.

"I'll help. I'll be the one transporting them here. And you do what needs to be done." She said seriously.

"But… I can't." Draco whispered, his head bowed. "This is the only plan I got."

"You have to." Bella pressed on. She laid a comforting hand on his shoulder and squeezed.

"I know. But I'm not a murderer!"

"For family." Bella said. "Our family is our duty. You of all people should know that, Draco."

Draco let out a shaky breath and nodded at his sister. "For family."

Bella patted him on the back and directed him back to where they came in. They walked slowly, taking the time to let their words and promises sink in. Both were determined, same motive but different goals.

On their way down, Bella bid him a pat on the back, saying something about researching something, and promised to see him later. Draco gave his sister a confused look but let her go.

He was on the first floor already when he spotted Hermione Granger walking silently towards the Great Hall. Draco smirked, despite his brooding mood earlier, and purposely bumped into her.

The girl yelped in surprise but thankfully didn't lose her balance. She looked up at him with confused eyes and when she realized it's him, she stepped a foot away and glared.

"Malfoy, You prat!"

"Oi. Granger, you don't have to throw yourself at me every time we see each other. I mean, I know I'm good looking and all.." Draco smiled smugly at her blazing face.

"If you haven't noticed, I was minding my own business! You were the one who bumped into me. Purposely if I might add." Hermione hissed. She hadn't even started her day and she already wanted to kill him.

" Don't flatter yourself, Mudblood." Draco scoffed.

"Well, then stop bumping into me! You're an eye sore as it is, I don't think I could really take you touching me."

"Yes, I'm sure you'll faint with just my expert touch."

"faint? From horror maybe!" Hermione growled.

"Please. It's much of a horror to me than it is for you, I can guarantee you that."

"Why don't you just drop dead, ferret!"

"With you here, gladly!"

"You insufferable scum!"

"Stuck up bookworm!"

By the end of their tirade, the two were glaring chainsaws at each other and were breathing heavily from anger. Even though they rile each other up, they were both thankful for the presence of one another, though both won't admit it out loud. It actually gave them the opportunity to lash out just for the heck of it.

Hermione, having done for the day, decided to storm off and head straight to the Great Hall. Draco on the other was confused. The row with Granger was just the thing he needed but he was feeling somewhat yearning for more. Of what? He doesn't really know.

Feeling hungry, Draco followed Granger's lead and headed for the Great Hall. The students were energetic and talking excitedly about the upcoming match; Slytherins were booing and insulting every Gryffindor passing by and Gryffindors being louder than usual.

Draco plopped down on his seat and ignored the curious stares of his fellow house. It was quite a shock for the blonde to back out from a match, especially one against Gryffindor. Breakfast passed by and before they know it, it was time for the match.

As the whole castle was busy watching the match, Draco grinned at the perfect opportunity and hastily trudged his way up at the Room of Requirement. He looked both ways, being cautious than ever and slipped inside the room. He let out a sigh of relief and walked the lengthy room with purpose.

"Right." He arranged his coal black blazer and reached for his wand.

He rounded the corner and stopped when he saw someone standing near the cabinet. His heart pounded against his chest, his head swimming with possibilities if he ever got caught. I could get expelled.

Then his second thought was, I'll just obliviate him. It's easy. Not risky.

With his mind made up, he turned with his wand ready and was greeted by a wand pointed on his chest. His body went rigid and he looked at his oppressor nervously.

"Told you I'll handle this." Bella muttered darkly.

"I'm not exactly keen on just handing you my assignment." Draco bit back.

"Yes, yes. Poor you and your ego." Bella said sarcastically.

"This is given to me! Not you!" Draco snarled. Bella looked at him, smirking.

"And what about killing Dumbledore? It's your task too."

"I'll get to that when I'm done with this one." Draco gritted his teeth.

"Procrastination won't get you anywhere. This isn't some game you play with your snotty friends, Draco!" Bella said aghastly, lowering her wand and pushing away from her brother.

"I know that! Our family's honor and life depends on my task. I'm taking this seriously am i?"

"No. You're not. You're just wasting time. And this isn't about mother's or father's life. It's about yours." Bella said coldly, staring at her brother with a blank face.

"What are you.."

"If you fail, the Dark Lord will kill you as punishment to our father's imprisonment."

The weight of her words punched Draco in the face. Well it felt like it anyway. Of course he wasn't a fool; he had his suspicions when the Dark Lord gave him this task. It was a big task after all. But with his Aunt Bella telling him he should be proud at being chosen wiped his suspicions. He was a fool to believe her.

"Is that why you're here?" He whispered. "to make sure I succeed?"

"Yes and No." Bella answered. She hated the fact that her brother was in this situation. No sixteen year old should be worrying for his life, he should be worrying about his dates or having a girlfriend. Not this. It's just unfair.

"Once I heard about the task of yours, I immediately went to our mansion. The Dark Lord was there and I begged him of helping you. He was fine with it and then I accepted Dumbledore's offer of being an assistant." Bella looked at her brother steadily.

"My job is to make sure you succeed in this task, but if you fail, I'll be the one finishing the job."

"What?"

"It's either that or mother being killed. I have no other choice." Bella said tiredly.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Draco pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried not to get angry with his sister. Bella looked away, remembering a certain vampire doing the same thing when frustrated.

"I thought you wouldn't need to know. I thought you got it all covered." Bella answered weakly. "Anyway ,you don't have to worry on this one," she nudged her head at the cabinet's direction. "I got it all covered."

"How?" Draco looked at her in awe.

"Just a little tweak here and there." Bella answered vaguely. She grabbed her brother's arm and led him out of the room.

"come on."

"Where are we going?"

"I am going to get ready for Slughorn's dinner party. You are going to support when the Slytherins lose. You're the captain you know. There's like a code or something."

"Hey! I want to come to Slughorn's dinner party!" Draco whined. "And it's not like my team needed my support." He grumbled.

Bella patted Draco's cheek sassily, "Appearances, brother. We must socialize. You of all people should know that."

With a wink and a wave, his sister was gone.