The stairs leading up to Dumbledore's office were so secure, you couldn't hear anything outside of the walls. The silence made the sound of Io's footsteps echo, no matter how quiet she tried to be. She walked by the griffin statue often, but she never stopped to think what it was hiding.

Io raised her fist to knock on a large wooden door, but before her knuckles could reach, the door swung open revealing the grandeur of Dumbledore's office. All the portraits of previous headmasters paid her no mind. Some were reading, some were sleeping. Others were missing from their frames.

Dumbledore sat behind a large mahogany desk. There were trinkets strewn about, but at the center was a large book which he was currently scribbling away in.

"Good evening, Ms Visage." The headmaster peered over his half-moon spectacles. His smile was always warm, and the tone of his voice was consistently friendly. "And where is Ms. Visage?"

Io stumbled forward, leaving the door ajar. "She got held up by a friend, sir. She'll be here in just a moment."

"Very well." Dumbledore stood, pushing his large gold-trimmed chair back. He started making his way down the few stairs that separated them. "How are your studies coming along? Have you learned anything new during your time here at Hogwarts?"

"Yes, sir. I'm particularly enjoying Professor Snape's Defense Against the Dark Arts classes."

"I figured you would." He gleamed. "And what about friends - have you made any friends?"

"Erm - a few." Io started to think but could only count the amount of people she spoke to regularly on one hand.

Dumbledore laced his fingers together, resting just below his waist. The length of his white beard brushed his hands. "As I recall, you've grown particularly close with Mr. Malfoy - and Mr. Potter."

Io was… somewhat shocked that Dumbledore knew this. Then again, he is an amazing wizard, and it shouldn't be a surprise at all. Aside from the professors who have the sharpest eyes (with the exception of Professor Binns), the portraits are always muttering. They probably see more than she dared to imagine.

"It's good to have friends." He said with a cool, calm tone.

The sound of footsteps reaching the metal stairs just behind Dumbledore's head brought Io's eyes up to a familiar face.

"Uncle!" She ran to meet him as Dumbledore watched with silent fondness as the two hugged after having been apart for months.

Altair Visage wore a long woolen peacoat. His glasses hung just at the very tip of his nose, and his black and white hair was pushed back in a fashionable manner. "Good to see you've kept my niece alive and healthy, Albus."

"From what I've heard," the elder put a hand on Io's shoulder. "She's managing well enough on her own."

"Uncle Altair!" Another voice emerged. Aster greeted their uncle with another embrace. "What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting you in London?"

"The Leaky Cauldron was kind enough to inform me that the Floo network here could go directly to Professor Dumbledore's office." Altair glanced over. "Thank you again. I see Aster is also alive and healthy - although, you do look a little stuffy. Why are your eyes red?"

Aster tapped just below her eyes with cold fingers. "Nevermind, it's nothing important really."

Dumbledore directed them to a more open area of his office. "We were just discussing Io's friendship with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter. It seems their paths frequently cross."

"I see." Altair pushed his glasses up. "Girls, do you still have those trinkets I gave you?"

Both girls reached into their pockets, Io holding out her moonstone, Aster with her jade. They'd almost forgotten they existed as moving them from pocket to pocket was just a habit after having them for months.

"Good. Albus, shall we?"

Dumbledore turned to face the twins. The look in his eyes was still pleasant, but now it was more serious. "Girls, I hope you understand that I have immense trust in your uncle, and therefore, that trust has been inherited by you both."

"Of course, sir." Io spoke.

"That being said, what I am about to tell you, I must insist it does not leave this room or the ears of anyone in it."

Aster nodded, not once breaking eye contact as he spoke.

"Very well." Altair cleared his throat. "Let's get on with it."

Dumbledore's smile returned to his face, and it did not suit the mood of the room. "Girls, I am well aware of the prophecy your uncle witnessed. My death is inevitable, and from what I understand, the manner is no clearer to you than it is to me."

Io hesitated at his casualness over the subject. "You knew? All this time?"

Altair stepped forward. "I told him. I could not have you two coming all this way without him knowing why."

"But then why are we -"

Aster cut off her sister's thoughts. "Why are we here then?"

They had never heard this kind of voice from their uncle before. Of course, there were times when he'd reiterate the seriousness of the situation, but this was much darker than they could have imagined, almost resembling Professor Snape at the start of the term. "There are some things we must keep secret, and some we must not. Fate cannot be changed, and many have died in the pursuit of changing one's fate. The most we can do is understand the circumstances because it is in those circumstances we know why events played out."

"It is, as I understand it," Dumbledore started to explain. "A student who has been tasked by the Dark Lord to murder me."

"A student?" Io's voice nearly cracked at the insinuation. "But who -"

"Draco Malfoy."

If there was ever a moment in Io's life when time truly felt like it had stopped, it was this one. No one could find the words to respond or dispute Dumbledore's words. Altair just kept his eyes on the twins, taking note of the befuddlement on Io's face and the impending rage on Aster's. Neither of the gentlemen really knew to what extent Draco and Io's complicated relationship was, and from this reaction, they could only assume.

"With all due respect, sir." Aster broke the silence. "If Draco is… Is he a Death Eater?"

"I'm afraid so."

Io's head was spinning. This couldn't be true. She started to think back on how fervent Harry seemed at convincing her Draco wasn't a good person or how he recoiled when she grabbed his arm after Aster's duel. He was always secretive, but no level of secrecy would ever lead her to believe something as horrible as this.

Aster continued, voice steady. "Then my words still stand. If Draco Malfoy is a Death Eater, I don't want him anywhere near my sister."

"Io," Dumbledore turned to face her. "Is this also how you feel?"

"I, um…" Io started rubbing her arms as the cold sweat met the fabric of her sweater. "I don't know what to think."

"Do you recall the Gryffindor chaser, Katie Bell, who was put in the hospital wing last month?"

Aster instinctively held Io's hand. "Yes, there were rumors that she'd been cursed."

Dumbledore nodded. "She was indeed cursed. Harry Potter was very quick to inform myself as well as Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape that it was Mr. Malfoy's doing. Though I believe the curse was meant for me, and not Ms. Bell."

"No!" Io couldn't hold back. "Draco can be awful, he can be stupid and stubborn, but he's not a murderer!"

All at once, the pieces seemed to be fitting together. Seeing Harry follow Draco after Slughorn's party was all due to his uncanny hunch that Draco was involved. He'd been suspicious this entire time.

"Draco, he… I saw Harry sneak out of Professor Slughorn's Christmas party. I think he wanted to know what Draco was up to when Professor Snape kept him out to speak to him privately."

"You must not let him know this information has been given to you. Do you understand? Events must fall as they are meant to."

Aster pulled her sister behind her. "But, sir -"

"All in due time, Ms. Visage. I have the utmost faith that you and Io will come to see how the pieces fit in time. That being said, there will be a day when you return from London that I will need to speak to you both if I have found the information necessary to proceed."

"So you want me to be friends with him?" Io couldn't process this well enough.

"Friendship, as I understand it," Dumbledore now faced her specifically. "Is a very complicated term. I simply suggest letting things happen… Naturally."

There was no way he could have known about the kiss. Only Aster knew - and Pansy but only by chance.

"Sir, I hope you can see that knowing all of this will complicate things."

Dumbledore backed up, shoulders now relaxed. "I do see that. But you are not here to prevent my death, only to be present and around those who have a part to play. Just as your uncle said, neither you or Mr. Potter can challenge fate."

"What she means, Professor," Aster struggled to find the words. "Is that we suspect Draco has a connection with Io. A connection of different means."

Dumbledore needed no further explanation, and only nodded to himself. "Then if that is the case, there is hope that he is not lost."

"Girls," Altair spoke up for the first time since the heavy conversation started. "Please grab your trunks and meet me back here. Professor Dumbledore has kindly allowed us to get back to the Leaky Cauldron via his floo flame."

Without comment, Aster hastily grabbed Io's hand and pulled her out of Dumbledore's office. Io followed along, still letting everything that was said sink in. Draco was a Death Eater, and Harry knew. Draco really did curse Katie, and yet when he was with her, he held himself back. It was all too much.

"I can't believe this!" Aster argued to herself. "They seriously expect you to entertain this ridiculous notion that being friends with Draco is safe for you!" She continued to tug Io along until they reached the common room.

Aster had nearly calmed down were it not for the only person standing in the middle of the room.

Just as Io had commented before, Draco Malfoy had impeccable timing. It looked as if he was one of the last to leave the dorms, but he didn't look upset that he was alone. He was just standing in front of the fireplace, staring at the flames.

"I'll go get our trunks." Aster squeezed Io's hand before letting go and running up to the girl's dormitory.

Draco turned to face her.

"I thought you'd be gone by now." She spoke. Even after learning everything, she still somehow felt at ease.

While he didn't respond, the look he gave her made it seem like he was waiting for her to keep speaking. The common room was still and quiet, just the cracks and pops from the fire keeping the ringing at bay.

Io's eyes stayed on him, steady and focused.

After a few seconds, a thought dawned on her. "You're an Occlumens, aren't you?"

Draco almost sneered. "Have you been trying to read my thoughts?"

"No, I haven't really tried to… Not until now, I suppose. I guess I could have just asked what you were thinking."

"Don't bother." He turned away again like the fire was calling to him. "I won't be around long enough for you to figure out anything."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Io felt a twinge of offense.

Before Draco could come up with an excuse to either diffuse or fuel the tension, Aster reappeared, two trunks levitating in front of her. She lowered them to the ground, struggling with hers and Io's bags in the other arm.

"I hate to disrupt this tense moment." Aster said jokingly. "Here's your bag -"

The weak toss didn't make it more than a few feet, crashing to the floor. The sound of glass shattering pulled Draco's attention back to them as an overwhelming aroma enveloped the room.

Io reached down to her bag. It landed on one of the pockets which was now soaked damp, the fabric now glimmering like it had been coated in pearl dust. Touching it to inspect the damage, the smell now reached Io's nose.

Draco fervently appeared in front of her, snatching the bag and running his finger over the pocket just as she had. His face suddenly changed, hastily grabbing his trunk and leaving without another word. His footsteps were loud with panic and frustration.

"What the hell just happened?" Aster's mouth was agape. "And why does it smell like cinnamon in here?"

"Cinnamon?" Io shook her head. "But I smell… Apples."

Aster took a moment to turn about the room. "No, I definitely smell cinnamon."

Io finally opened the pocket, and the shattered vial of Amortentia just stared back at her. It was then that the aroma became overwhelmingly potent, apples and cedar with a mild hint of sandalwood. Thinking back on their lessons, she remembered the chapter on Amortentia. The scent was different to everyone, enticing them with the aromatic notes of who they desired. Aster must have caught the scent of someone else because to Io it was entirely different. Realizing this just meant everything was much more complicated than she could imagine.

Lifting her fingers up to her lips, she inhaled deeply and the aroma entered her bloodstream like a drug. She could almost feel her eyes roll back in euphoria.

It was the distinct scent of Draco Malfoy.

Draco made his way out of the castle. He kept his hand at his side, fingers outstretched like he'd just touched something filthy. Before stepping out the massive doors, he reached out, now looking at the same pearl sheen on his fingertips.

The smell was still faint, and he didn't know whether to plunge himself into the Black Lake to be rid of it or let himself get high on it.

With hesitation, he lifted his hand to his face.

Lavender and honey. The sweetest honey he'd ever smelled. But it also smelled like morning dew and juniper berries. It was intoxicating, and Draco had to hold himself back or else the substance would be stuck on his lips.

This was her scent - her perfume, the notes of pine on her hair, the taste on her kiss. It was so intoxicating, he nearly stopped himself from letting his fingers touch his tongue.

"Draco, come."

Narcissa Malfoy emerged out of the darkness, a house elf at her side. The elf put a hand on Draco's trunk before apparating to Malfoy manor. Seconds later, it reappeared with a snap, taking a hold of its mistress and master's hands. Another snap, and the Malfoys were gone.