#draco fandom

Three days ago, he had found himself in front of the Burrow. His jaw clenched, and his fingers twitched. He didn't really know why he was here. What he had done could not be forgotten by a simple apology. But he found himself grieving Fred's death. It was his fault he was dead. They wouldn't want to see him, especially George. Yes, he would actively show his dislike for the Weasleys, but he still grieved that they lost their child. And George lost his twin. He can't imagine what he must be going through.

Suddenly he looked up to see Molly had spotted him, and she was making her way to the front door. But when she opened it, he was gone.

Two months later, Draco was finally able to leave the house. The sunlight felt brighter than usual, or maybe the solitude was getting the better of him. He kept his head down, trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

He tried looking for shops that had fewer customers. Within the next ten steps, he found a cafe. It looked brand new. In fact, it was so new it looked like he was the first customer.

The cafe looked cosy. He observed the artwork that was on the wall. It suited the minimalist look of the cafe.

"You want something?." Draco flinched and turned to see a girl beside him. Her apron was covered in flour and chocolate, he smelled a hint of vanilla off of her, and the dim light above her made her look angelic. Even though she looked his age but the bright smile on her lips made her look a few years younger.

"Uh...no, I am...I am just looking around." Draco thought his response was good. He wanted to remain forgettable. He kept his eyes on the paintings despite his earlier distaste for them. But he couldn't pay attention to them. The scent of vanilla grew stronger.

He realised she was closer, looking at the paintings too. She was still smiling. That made Draco frown. She cleared her throat. "Let me know if you need anything. I will be behind the counter. Not like I can go anywhere." She awkwardly smiled. He didn't want her to stop smiling. She felt like a breath of fresh air. The scent of vanilla on her didn't help either.

Draco looked at the delicious treats that were on display. He couldn't remember the last time he ate. His stomach grumbled. The girl wordlessly went behind the counter to reheat a chocolate pastry.

"Here." She handed him the dessert with a sweet smile. Draco offered his own little smile as he ate the pastry. His eyes fluttered, and he stifled a moan. Being the only heir to the Malfoy family, he had access to all kinds of luxuries. He had tasted all kinds of expensive and imported desserts, but they all failed in front of this simple pastry.

"Did you like it?" As much as she tried to hide it, Draco was still able to detect a sense of insecurity in her, a feeling he was too familiar with. And while Draco had initially thought to just pay for her efforts and leave but he felt wrong to go without saying anything.

"It's actually good," Draco told her, avoiding looking into her eyes. "When did you open this shop?" he asked nervously, but her sweet smile and calm voice eased him up.

"Last week. And you are my first customer." Draco couldn't help but smile at her optimism.

"Well, I am sure you will get more customers." As soon as he said that they heard the door creak open and an elderly woman slowly made her way to the counter.

"Hi...do you sell cookies?" she asked sweetly, and the girl excitedly nodded before she went into the kitchen. The old lady smiled at Draco, and he smiled back. But Draco frowned. He felt like he had seen this old lady before. He couldn't remember where. Suddenly he felt her cold, wrinkly hand on his cheek. "It's not your fault."

Draco forgot how to breathe for a second and saw as the girl came back and handed the lady cookies. He looked at her wide-eyed as she sweetly thanked the girl and went away like nothing happened. Leaving Draco in his thoughts.

Weeks went by, and the crowd in her cafe grew. Drace was one of them. He was a regular now. He often had a craving for her sweet treats. He eventually learnt her name when he accidentally spilt his coffee on her counter when she opened her hair to relieve the pain in her scalp from holding it in a bun all day.

"Y/n L/n, such a sweet name." he smiled at her as he helped her clean her counter. Even their conversations were regular now. It took him time to open up to her, but eventually, she became his sunlight after a dark storm.

"Thank you, I like your name too. It's unique." she looked up to see him looking at her lips and immediately looking away. She felt her cheeks warm but didn't point out that she caught him staring. Y/n wanted him to be comfortable around her and not overwhelm him with her blooming romantic feelings for him.

"Oh, I have a new dish on my menu. Wanna try it?" Y/n excitedly offers, wanting to impress the blonde man.

"Only if I get a discount." Draco cheekily smiled, and that was the first time she saw him come out of his shelf. She smirked, and Draco thought she couldn't look more beautiful. "Better you are getting it for free."

"Why am I special?" he asked as he leaned on the counter, trying to look smug, yet internally he was shaking nervously. "Nah, just my guinea pig."

He liked the sound of being hers. The amount of time he had spent here in her company, where he knew at first he was an insufferable twat, but her patience and kindness and her sweet treats had slowly broken down the walls he had created.

"Would you like to go out someday?" Draco was surprised at his own confidence. He tightly gripped the counter, anticipating her rejection, when her sweet voice comforted him again. "I would love that. Where are you thinking?"

He was immediately at a loss for words. "Uh...uhm...nowhere...really. I was thinking maybe we could explore the town. I haven't been outside in a while, so maybe you could take me to your favourite spots?"

"Ok, tomorrow after I close the cafe?"

Draco nodded. "Yep, it's a date." he quickly walked towards the door, his heart healing at the sound of her giggles.

The mirror in his room now showed a different reality. His face looked healthier. His smile dropped for a minute as the thought of his parents crossed his mind. He will talk to them. But not now. Today he will spend time with Y/n.

When he got out of his house, he immediately spotted her. She smiled when she saw him. Her appearance felt brighter than the sunlight. Does she know she is beautiful? That when she is in front of him, he forgets about the world and his problems.

He swallowed thickly when she got closer. He fixed his hair and clothes, offering her his arm. "Shall we?"

"Ohh, what a gentleman." his breathing got heavier when he felt her gentle touch on his arm. He didn't deserve her. She didn't know the crimes he had done. She doesn't know the person he was in the wizarding world. For her, he was just another man. But she will stop smiling at him when she knows what he has done.

His train of thought was stopped when he felt her warm palm on his arm, her eyes focused only on him. He wanted to cry, beg for forgiveness but he felt too numb to even move.

"Are you ok? It's alright if you changed your mind about this."

His eyes teared up to see that she really meant what she said. Y/n took his hands in her hands looking up at him. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I...I am sorry I just need some time. I am ok." He will tell her when the time is right and he knew he can trust her as he watched her smile assuredly at him.

"We don't need to rush. I am here for you."

He watched her eyes flutter as he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Draco cupped her cheek looking into her eyes "Thank you so much." He gently brushed his nose with hers. "Can I?"

"Please"

Draco heard her breath hitch when gently kissed her lips, now cupping her face with both his hands, his heart overpowering his brain as he deepened the kiss when he felt her kiss back. They broke the kiss breathlessly looking into each other's eyes. "I'm sorry"

She smiled and pecked his lips. "Don't be, I like this. I like you."

Draco smiled widely. "Would mind if I kissed you again?"

She smirked. "I would if you won't."

And he did. He didn't know what he felt for her, or what it was but he felt ready to figure out his feelings for Y/n. He hugged her and wondered what was in store for them now?

CHAPTER 1 - The Child in the Abbey 

YEAR 1 

CHAPTER 2 - Wool’s Orphanage 

CHAPTER 3 - Diagon Alley 

CHAPTER 4 - Tea Time

CHAPTER 5 - Slugbreath 

CHAPTER 6 - Keep the Fatheads at Bay 

YEAR 2

CHAPTER 7 - Therstals 

CHAPTER 8 - The True Heir of Slytherin 

YEAR 3

CHAPTER 9 - The Favor 

CHAPTER 10 - To Be So Lonely 

CHAPTER 11 - Hogsmeade 

CHAPTER 12 - The Corrupted Patronus 

CHAPTER 13 - The Man at the Abbey 

CHAPTER 14 - A Tale of Two Towers 

CHAPTER 15 - The House of Lestrange 

YEAR 4

CHAPTER 16 - A Lady in the Making 

CHAPTER 17 - The Quidditch World Cup 

CHAPTER 18 - Train Talk 

CHAPTER 19 - Anmesia 

CHAPTER 20 - The Triwizard Tournament 

CHAPTER 21 - Twitchy Little Ferret 

CHAPTER 22 - A Gambling Problem 

CHAPTER 23 - Next Time Just Ask 

CHAPTER 24 - The Yule Ball 

CHAPTER 25 - The Black Lake 

CHAPTER 26 - The Second Task 

CHAPTER 27 - Two Promises 

CHAPTER 28 - The Last Task 

CHAPTER 29 - Make Ups and Break Ups 

YEAR 5

CHAPTER 30 - A Growing Weed 

CHAPTER 31 - Answers  CHAPTER 32 - Summer Really Sucked 

CHAPTER 33 - Dog Life 

CHAPTER 34 - Tea Time - Last Updated 01/11/2022

You walked along the empty halls of the castle, patrolling for any students who may be out of bed after hours. You were chosen as the prefect for (y/h) and were determined to do the job properly. 

After finishing your rounds, you began to head back to your common room, eager to feel the soft comfort of your bed. 

You turned around the corner, too entranced by the thought of sleep, that you didn’t notice the person standing in front of you. 

You bumped into them, apologised and then glared up at them, realising that you were still on duty and that they should’ve returned to their common room an hour ago. 

“You’re out past curfew, I’m afraid I’m going to have to write you up for detention...Malfoy.” Your authorial facade’ faded after realising who you had bumped into. 

He smiked down at you, aware of your change in attitude “No I don’t think so.” 

You force yourself to meet his gaze, regaining your composure “What do you mean no? You’re breaking the school rules. Therefore, it is my job as prefect to punish you.” 

He smiles darkly at your words, before leaning forward and placing both hands against the wall beside your head. You shift backwards and feel the cold stone wall press against your back. You were trapped. Now in the mercy of this sadistic pureblood.

“Are you going to punish me?” He questions, his eyes staring daggers into your soul “Or will it be me who punishes you?” 

That was the day that you met your boyfriend Draco. You couldn’t help but be drawn towards his dominant persona and he instantly seemed to know how to get under your skin, making you crave more. 

After that night, he began to stroll around the castle after curfew, almost daily, and was sure to be caught by you doing your rounds. 

You tried to ignore his flirtatious remarks and lustful gaze, but soon enough you caved in. 

You ended up pulling him into the nearest classroom, his mouth instantly crashing against yours. The kiss was heated and desperate, you could tell he had been dying to feel your touch. 

He had flung the books and equipment off of one of the desks and placed you, seated onto it. He stood in front of you and you put your legs around his waist in response. He deepened the kiss and then began to trail light kisses down your neck. His stroked his hand across your thigh, edging under your skirt before stopping abruptly and turning away from you “Is something wrong?” You had asked and he glanced over at you, smiling warmly.

“It’s nothing love, I just don’t want to risk moving too fast... I really like you Y/N.” At that moment your heart melted and you had realised that you were in love with Draco. 

He had asked you to be his girlfriend afterwards, but you both decided to keep your relationship a secret. Mainly because you were muggle born and he didn’t know how his parents would react, but also because you enjoyed the thrill of having no one around you aware that you two were together and you enjoyed sneaking around, in order to not be seen. 

You smile to yourself, recapturing the memory and glance over at Draco sitting on the Slytherin table. Your eyes meet and you can’t help but blush, you were so lucky to have him. 

Or so you thought.

Did Professor Snape actually think she was stupid?

Probably. Ellar Lestrange had tried to kill her. How- why on Earth would she ever considering being around him ever again? An unpleasant chill went down her spine at the thought of being around him. She thought of the crazed look on his eyes as he attempted to drown her, his rough grip on her body, his cold lips. Consider it done Snape.

It wouldn’t happen again.

However, the thought of getting even – the need to make him feel just as small as he had made her feel – the thought was more than tempting, but how could she hurt him? As far as she knew it didn’t look like Ellar had a weakness. She tried to empathize with him, to think of his intentions and have the benefit of the doubt yet couldn’t reach a conclusion.

‘Mr. Lupin, I apologize it has taken so long for me to write to you back. I hope the gloves I sent you fit you well. I’m not the most skilled knitter so I have enchanted them with a charm that should keep your hands warm (it is still a work in progress, so I hope the charm sticks).

Hogwarts has been well Hogwarts. I’m happy to be home. Work has been keeping me busy. I have a lot to make up to from last year and every year I get more and more clients. It can get exhausting, but work is work and I shouldn’t complain.

The Yule Ball was fine-‘

It wasn’t. The Yule Ball was a complete catastrophe. Not just for Nel but for almost every student that attended.

‘-I went stag. Found a dress from the ‘Come and Go Room.’ Did you know Hogwarts has a secret room? My friends are-‘

She looked up from her scribbling to see Daphne and Theodore playing and holding with each other’s hands in the middle of the Slytherin table. Both of them completely lost in each other’s eyes. Some Durmstrang students glared at them with revulsion at the romantic public display of attention. Nel almost threw up. To think she wanted that to be her and Ellar Lestrange only a couple of weeks ago. Leanne who was sitting next to Tracey in the Slytherin table was showing her the latest photographs she had captured of the Whomping Willow shaking off some snow. Both were also completely absorbed with each other leaving Nel to constantly feel lonely or like a fifth wheel.  

When they asked why she had returned to the dormitory with parts of her clothes soaking wet she lied and said it had been a prank by the Weasley twins. When asked who had been the one behind the anonymous flower arrangement, she, again, lied and said the person never showed.

“Was it Ellar?” Daphne had asked leaning over her bed, eyes wide in astonishment.

“No,” Nel said dully. “Why would he send me flowers?” She rolled her eyes dramatically. Another lie. None of them questioned it. Specially after the showdown that went on in the Yule Ball.

Of course, all of them were too engrossed with each other to noticed how she had begun to avoid the Black Lake. How she began to make excuses not to run around it in the mornings with Tracey and Viktor, how she starred at the green tinted windows in the Common Room it with unease, nails burying into skin leaving half-moon crescents in her palms, or how her breathing would become irregular when in the presence of a large body of water or even the mentioning of the lake.

She tried to compartmentalize. To push the memory to the back of her head. To ignore the painful memory of your lungs screaming and burning for air. The dark coldness of the underwater and the crazed look on that maniac’s face.

If you’re lying to your friends, you are doing something wrong. However, she felt like they wouldn’t understand. If they knew- if any of them knew it would only complicate things. If Snape, a Hogwarts professor, wasn’t able to do anything what help could her friends be? It didn’t seem like Ellar had a weakness. Even Professor Snape had said it himself, his reeking privileged had saved him from Azkaban once before. They might give him a piece of their minds but that would be about it.

In regards of her other friends- Harry was too impulsive, so were the Weasley’s- even talking about it- it would just be problematic. Even Nathair was absent since he was hibernating the cold winter somewhere inside the greenhouse.

Then again, these weren’t things they talked with each other. The less they knew about each other the better.

She wanted to talk to somebody who wouldn’t be biased to judge, someone who would just listen-

Her eyes left the letter she was writing and slowly wondered a couple of seats away to Draco who was pointing at something in a magazine Zabini was showing him, no surprise probably roasting someone. He was a good listener; he was good at this kind of thing.

“Why is Saintday starring at me?” Blaise narcissistically asked Draco when he felt a pair of eyes on him. “Think she’ll ask me to Puddifoot’s?” He laughed in reference to the pink Tea Shop were students usually went on dinner dates at Hogsmeade. She turned away quickly when Malfoy turned in her direction. Her mind went to that same place it had the night after the Yule Ball. The grip around her pen became a little tighter when she felt her face burning from the embarrassment of the memory.

‘My friends are great.’

She dotted that statement harshly.

‘I haven’t been practicing my Patronus charm as much as I should be. Other than that, professor, I was wondering,’ She wanted to scratch off the word professor. It was a force of habit to call him that. ‘Have you ever heard of Ellar Lestrange? He used to be a student at Hogwarts.’ He’s also a real foul git.

‘Other than that – I hope you are well professor. Hopefully by the next time we meet my Patronus will be fully functional.

Take care, - Nel’

Looking over her shoulder she fed a piece of sausage to her owl which had been loyally perched on her shoulder all this time and handed it two sealed letters. One for Lupin and another for Cedric who was just a couple of tables away.

‘Meet me outside in 5.’ The note read.

Cedric read it and their eyes met from across the Great Hall. Looking up he nodded with a lazy smile and made his way outside.

“Where are you going?” Tracey asked when she saw her friend rise without saying a word.

“Common Room,” She half lied. “See ya,” She said curtly.

“Nel you’ve been acting very wei-“ Tracey didn’t get to finish her sentence, her friend leaving her hanging. “Weird,” She dead panned and turned to give Leanne an irritated look. “I think she’s just upset about the Yule Ball,” the Hufflepuff suggested.

“I mean something did happen with Lestrange, right? People say she went mad and struck him, then he sent her flowers- you’d think she’d be elated. Didn’t you say she fancied him?” Moon added to the group of Slytherins. Daphne pinched the bridge of her nose irritated at the missing puzzle piece.

She was missing something, but what was it?

“Ced,” Outside of the Great Hall, Nel greeted the older Hufflepuff as they walked down the corridor in no particular direction. “Ever heard of the ‘Come and Go Room?’” She asked with particular interest.

Cedric looked a little confused by her question. “You mean the Room of Requirement?” He arched an eyebrow.

“The Room of what?” Her expression mimicked his.

“Come, I’ll show you,” He said turning in the direction of the moving staircases and leading her up. “Is this what you wanted to talk about?” He asked as they headed up the stairs to the seventh floor.

No. She wanted to tell him about what she knew about the lake. She wanted to tell him- someone about what had happened with Ellar Lestrange that night. About how his mother would most definitely kill her in cold blood for wounding the pride and joy that was her only son. She didn’t want to think of Cloelia rigidly sitting at home with her palms flat on the dining table as she plotted her vengeance against her. “I want to see you go mad,” the Beuxbaton student’s cruel words still haunted her. The thought of the dark water-

“No,” She said quicker than she intended. Wanting to shut out the memory of the dark water. “It’s about the Second Task of the Tournament. I am more than certain it’s at the lake. Are you prepared to go underwater?”

“Underwater?” Cedric’s thick eyebrows burrowed deep in thought. “Yes. Unless you can grow gills, I have a feeling you’re going to need some help in that department.”

“How do you know this?” He asked curiously.

She could’ve confessed. Told her about what Ellar had done to her and how Professor Snape knew. How Snape had been there and had done nothing about it, but it brought so much shame to her. It had been her fault in the first place, for being there, for trusting Ellar, for putting herself in that situation. Besides- what would Cedric do about it? Nothing. Ellar was beyond privileged, it would come to his word against her and in the end his, being a Lestrange, weighted more. It weighted enough to get him off the hook from Azkaban.

“Never mind that,” He shrugged. “Anyhow-“ Cedric said as they entered the Seventh Floor. “Here it is,” he finished with confident as they stopped in front of a large empty wall across from a tapestry of Barnabas the Barny trying to teach trolls to dance ballet.

She was silent for a moment looking for the entrance to the Room of Requirement. The door must be really small, she squinted her eyes to try and see.

“But there’s no door,” Nel observed.

“One thing about Hogwarts is, nothing really is what it seems,” Cedric reached for her arm and pulled her along as he walked away. She was more than perplexed by the missing room.

“The Room of Requirements only reveals itself to those who require it,” He explained as the two walked in front of tapestry three times. It was then that he stopped a massive door with intricate swirling carvings then revealed itself to the two of them. It even seemed to slightly shimmer. “Tricky, aint it?” He said with his hands on his waist.

“How-How’d you?” She looked at him wide eyed with a broad smile.

“Walk in front of the tapestry three times while focusing on an intent. If you do it correctly the room and whatever you desire should appear.”

She made a mental note of this. “How do you know about it?” She looked at him oddly.

A coy grin grew across his face and he ran a hand through his neat copper hair. “Well,” He chuckled. “Prefects use it as a snogging room,” he said cheekily. He laughed at her stunned expression. “Why? Are you thinking of having some company over?”

She slapped his arm and looked away hoping he wouldn’t notice her flustered reaction.

“Knock yourself out,” He once again laughed. “That reminds me-“ He waved his finger. She noted he was stepping away from her. “I have an idea. Meet me outside the prefect’s bathroom in half an hour.”

“What?” She turned back to look at him with that same confused look she had been wearing on her face all evening long so far.

Xxx

It would take hours- no days. To look through all of the vials, books, trunks, boxes and other magical trinkets that are all inside of the room. And who knew what Cedric meant when he said the room would shift into whatever its user required.

Elowen even lost track of her time and arrived outside the Prefect’s Bathroom later than expected. She waited outside but Cedric never showed. Maybe- she looked around the corridor shiftily hoping no other prefects or professors would be doing rounds tonight. Maybe he was already inside?

“Hello?” She croaked as she crept inside of the Prefect’s Bathroom. She was distracted looking up in awe at the animated mermaid stained glass windows and the massive organ like fountain that was pouring down a rainbow of water that descended into a bubbly lagoon that she didn’t even realize Cedric half underwater. Did people actually come and bathe in here?

“Took you long enough!” He laughed a little and swam towards the edge and reached for the golden egg he had received in the First Task.

Normally she would’ve had a clever retort at the tip of her tongue, but the sight of the dark water grounded her in place. He didn’t seem to notice her rattled reaction. Her eyes were frozen on the water. She knew it had a bottom. She knew Cedric wasn’t struggling. She knew she wouldn’t fall. She knew she wouldn’t drown, but the memories.

The vivid feeling of her lungs burning for air as salty lake water flooded her mouth and choked the air out of her suddenly came back to her.

“Well come on then,” he waved his hand over in his direction still wearing a cheery grin. She didn’t share his enthusiasm. “Welcome to the Prefect’s Bathroom. You’ll be able to use it next year. If you are chosen to become a prefect. I think you’d make a rather good one.”

The cold darkness that engulfed her beneath the lake still pricked at her with the sight of the dark water.

The fact Diggory was shirtless and in the water didn’t cross her mind, she didn’t snap out of her fearful trance until she heard a dreadfully familiar laugh.

“Is this the- handsome boy – you brewed that foul-smelling Love Potion for?”

Moaning Myrtle.

“Myrtle,” Nel dropped her name from her mouth with much nasal distaste. The ghost girl’s remarks cause her to snap out of her trance and drag her heavily grounded feet towards the pool.

“I would disagree,” She said woefully with a bit of an incredulous laugh answering his comment.

Nel? Prefect? Could you imagine the chaos and havoc? Students would be getting points for jinxing people on her shit list.

“You brewed a Love Potion Nel?” Cedric laughed; his eyebrows arched in surprise. “Maybe the snogging room will come in handy!”

“The only snog Snelly Nelly is getting is from a Welsh troll,” Myrtle cackled and Nel wished she could toss something in her direction. Both ignored her.

“I am not getting in the water Cedric,” She warned kneeling on the edge.

“Are you sure?” He rested his elbows on the edge. “Waters nice,” He said splashing some warm water in her direction. She stiffened up petrified. Again, he chuckled slightly interpreting her response as a girlish nervousness.

“I was thinking-“ He pondered for a moment. “Since the task is underwater, what do you think would happen if I sink the egg underwater?”

Xxx

“You have to come!” A week later Tracey was pulling on Nel’s hand as she insisted her friend came to attend the Second Task of the Triwizard tournament which would take place in the Black Lake.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do,” She lied shiftily nervously playing with her book bag’s strap. Never in this lifetime would she admit she was afraid and less to a room full of Slytherins. “Oh, come on,” Tracey insisted still pulling on her friend’s hand. “It’ll be fun! Leanne even got butterscotch popcorn for us!”

“Thanks Trace, but I’ll pass really,” Nel averted her eyes and kept them glued to the floor. She withdrew her hand from her friend’s coldly.

Tracey looked at her with a concerned expression. “You’ve been acting really odd lately,” She said with a hand on her waist.

“Odd?” Nel kept busy by tossing meaningless items inside of her bookbag. “Odd how?” She dodged the subject tossing in more parchments, ink, an extra quill and a pillow. Wait- she didn’t need a pillow. She put the item back in her bed and took in a deep breath her eyes moving from one end of the Slytherin dormitory to the other eventually focusing on Mildred’s cat.

“Nel,” Tracey said softly as she took a seat on the edge of her friend’s bed.

“You can talk to me – to us – your friends. About anything, really-“ She said tenderly her worried eyes still lingering on her roommate.

“There is nothing going on!” She snapped in return. She didn’t even realize she had raised her voice. “Nothing Trace! Stop being so damn bloody nosey!” She shut her book bag before standing up and storming out of the room. Tracey sat stunned at the volatile reaction.

Halting by the door, Nel rested a hand on the door frame. “Trace- I’m…” She turned with her head lowered. “I’m sorry, I-I shouldn’t have snapped. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that,” She hesitated before walking back to the bed. “I’m sorry,” She pinched the bridge of her nose and Tracey suspected she was wiping away tears that dared prick at the inner corners of her eyes.

She sat in the bed next to her and Tracey took her hand in hers patting it sadly.

“Who do I have to kill?” Tracey laughed slightly which in turn made Nel break into a smile. “Was it Malfoy?” This time she spoke in full seriousness.  

Feeling drained Nel held her breath. “Draco?” She shook her head and put her head on her friend’s shoulder before sighing deeply. “No, not this time.”

“Draco?” Tracey was in turn more than surprised at her casual use of his name. “That’s new,” Tracey huffed slightly before nudging her shoulder up. She was about to further press on the topic when Pansy Parkinson walked into the dormitory. “Forgot my binoculars,” She tossed over her shoulder not paying the two Slytherins much attention.

“By the way my money’s on Potter,” She added with pomp before walking out.

“’On Potter?’” Nel repeated still with her head comfortably resting on Tracey’s shoulder. How odd for Pansy to be rooting for Harry in anything. “Interesting choice,” was all she commented.

“They’re not betting on winners,” Tracey said with an exhausting sight. “They’re betting on who’s drowning first.”

Like that Nel’s head jolted up as she sat extremely straight and looked at Tracey with a horrified expression. “What?” She gaped.

Tracey couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s reaction. “Calm down,” She said through small laughs as she attempted to comfort her friend. “Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic will be there, there’s no reason why anything could go wrong.”

The thought of Harry or Cedric or Viktor or even Fleur de la Couer whom Nel had never exchanged a word with drowning made Nel want to retch. She pictured the horrifying image of pale body floating in the contrasting waters of the Black Lake. She paled at the thought and felt her stomach twist uneasily. There it was again that tight sensation in her throat.

“I’ll catch up,” She croaked after a moment. Tracey hugged her and promised they would save her a seat since Daphne and Theodore were probably already there waiting for them in the audience bleachers.

Xxx

The day was freezing. Air was cold as strong gusts of wind blew through the eager crowds which sat on the bleachers in a makeshift dock in the middle of the Black Lake. It was definitely not a good day to take a dip in the freezing waters.

The Ministry of Magic sat in the audience as a spectator, next to him sat Lucius Malfoy, on the same row was Albus Dumbledore, Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch.

In the row below Tracey looked around the crowd anxiously. She sat in defeat when she came to the realization her friend was nowhere to be found.

Lowering her binoculars Nel blew a hair out from her face in great frustration as she watched from a far. There was no way she was going to walk across a bridge and sit in a dock for who knows how many hours waiting for anybody to come up from the water. She was safe and sound witnessing the events from the edge of the lake actually standing on solid British soil.

A gun had been fired and the contestant had been underwater for some time now.

Sighing she once again picked up the binoculars and this time observed as the champions got ready to take a leap. She knew that Cedric would use a Bubble-Head Charm one that he had endlessly been practicing in the Prefect’s Bathroom. She helped him practice, convincing herself that it would be ideal to know, especially when in such a close proximity to a large body of water. She was curious as to what the other champions would use.

“What are you doing here?” A voice that ran a chill down her spine struck her.

She said nothing and stammer a little imagining how ridiculous she probably looked standing alone on the edge of the Black Lake witnessing everything from a far.

“You’re scared of the lake. Aren’t you?”

Irritated she again lowered her binoculars yet didn’t turn around, her gaze remained fixed on the end of the dock where the Second Task of the Triwizard tournament was happening.

“So perceptive of you,” She said dryly.

“Why?” She could hear the pebbles on the edge of the muddy lake crunching under his feet as he approached her side. His voice, it sounded like he had genuine concern. Yet with Malfoy it was hard to know if he was being sincere or not. “Are you here to make fun of me?”

He stood there for a moment “I’m not,” like Tracey’s earlier his voice was soft, unthreatening, he sunk his hands in his black jacket’s pockets shielding them from the bitter winds.

Her lips were tightly drawn into a line. She still didn’t want to look at him. Wasn’t his father in the audience? Why was he here with her?

Unsure of what to say she was silent for a moment.  

“You were right,” She decided to break that silence. She hadn’t even realized she was biting her lip, nodding her head slightly with a distant look of disdain in her eyes. He looked at her with curiosity.

“Lestrange,” She thought of the perfect way to describe him. “He’s a monster.”

She didn’t notice how his expression hardened when he registered the apathetic look in her eyes. That son of a bitch. He wondered just what was going through her head. His eyes looked for any trace of injury on her exposed skin, but it was hard to see beneath the gloves, scarf, knitted cap and all winter gear.

“Seems to be quite fixed on you as of the late. Sending you flowers and all.”

“How?” She finally turned to face him. How was it that he always seemed to know?

“The Weasleys can barely afford to breathe, Potter is too daft to send something so elaborate. It has to be someone with a strong intent that can afford such an unimaginative gesture,” He looked at her with full seriousness. “Alright Sherlock,” She rolled her eyes wearing a half smile before once again focusing on the tournament through her binoculars which were strapped around her neck.

“What did you call me?” He asked sounding offended by the unknown word.  

“Muggle reference,” She added wearing that same coy smile. The moment was short lived. The smile wiped from her features as there seemed to be some action in the tournament.

“I think Krum is coming up-“ She described. “Is that? With Granger?” She squinted through the glass making sure she was seeing correctly. “You’re missing the task,” She said to Malfoy hoping he’d go away and return to his father’s eyes to witness the tournament. Instead he said nothing and took the binoculars from her and she was tugged to his side by the short strap that was around her neck. He didn’t apologize for standing so close to her, nor did he seem to care.

She could smell his strong cologne. Could see the beauty marks and freckles on his pale skin.

She didn’t mean for it to happen, but her heart picked up pace. This time there was no alcohol involved. She stood on her tip toes hoping to keep a distance between the two. Struggling to keep her balance standing over the slippery pebbles. Slipping she braced onto his arm to hold herself up. “Sorry,” She mumbled ducking her head.

“Fancy a swim Elowen?” A voice that sounded like nails on a chalkboard interrupted. Ellar stood a couple of feet away from them about to cross the bridge which lead to the makeshift island were audiences were viewing the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He wore a smug smile as he hid his hands in his coat’s pockets.

Malfoy glared at the Beuxbaton student with hatred.

“Cowering behind Malfoy. How typical,” The other shot. Nel didn’t even realize she was hiding behind Malfoy, or maybe he had pushed her behind him. Did it really matter? Triggered she stepped forward and whipped her wand ready to hex him. Yet her hand was held back. Draco gave her a knowing look. He knew when to pick his fights. She didn’t.

“Woah, woah, woah,” Lestrange raised his hands up mockingly. “Might want to put a leash around her Malfoy. I heard she bites,” Ellar bit down on the edge of his lip with a wink before haughtily walking away with his head tossed back as he retreated. His loud laugher a faraway echo from the windy spot where Draco and Nel were standing.

Nel kept her head lowered not wanting to think about what had happened with Ellar. After all it had all been her fault.

“Nel,” She felt a rough hand on her shoulder turn her. “What did he do?”

Sullenly she simply shook her head in small movements. “What did he do to you?” He repeated his tone stronger, grip on her arm tighter. “Nothing,” She lied dismissively , like she had rehearsed a thousand times. “Tell me,” He ordered. “He forced himself on me,” word vomit. She hadn’t even realized she’d said it. “Kissed me,” She paused. “And then tried to drown me in the Black Lake,” She admitted not wanting to look at his judging eyes. She waited for him to blame her just like she blamed herself from the shame of it. “Son of a bitch.”

Draco wasn’t looking at her he instead marched in Ellar’s direction beginning to cross the wood bridge. Lifting his wand dishonorably hexing the teen with his back turned; Lestrange was propelled high into the sky and across nastily splashing into the lake’s water. His father, the audience and everybody else would’ve been way to distracted by one of the champions emerging from the water to even realize what he had done. “And coming up!” Ludo spoke as he continued to narrate the events of the tournament to the audience.

Nel watched with her mouth ajar again bringing the binoculars to her mouth as Ellar spat out some cold water and rise up in the tournament. “Is that a student? Somebody get that fanatic out of the winter waters!”

Students in the audience pointed and laughed.

Wearing a triumphant and very satisfied smile Draco flipped his wand in his hand before turning to face Nel. Lowering her binoculars, she rubbed her eyes and buried her face in the palms of her hands.

“Nel?” He called her name quickly approaching her. Again, she could hear the pebbles shifting under his steps. “Are you crying?” He asked sounding more blatantly surprised than concerned this time.

“No,” She removed her hands and wore a broad smile she attempted to hide behind her knuckles.

Satisfied Draco looked back at the audience from a far. He let out a laugh when he saw the way Lestrange was pitifully fished out of the freezing cold water by a Beuxbaton Professor. People laughed at him as they did.

There was a blank space in Elowen's timeline, and she hadn't even realized it. It wasn't until Harry reminded her before a Transfiguration class one day about what had happened the other day in the school's corridor. That when she knew there was something very wrong. Apparently, the last person she had been seen with was Professor Snape. And, so she decided to ask the professor himself about her absence of memory. He simply said she had successfully made it to his office for a lesson and left. He guessed she had probably crossed or upset a Seventh-Year or so who had done this to her, which given her reputation as a troublemaker wouldn't be too surprising.

However, that had been days ago.

Presently Elowen was sitting in the Quidditch pitch stands cheering for Tracey who was training her Quidditch skills with Madame Hooch and some other enthusiastic players. Random students were scattered amongst the stands sporadically and she couldn't help but notice a particularly excited Hufflepuff girl that was taking photographs of the training at the very front. She was almost acting as if she was at the Quidditch World Cup and not some random practice. Somewhere in the audience sat that ghost that Nel had met last year. What was it that Malfoy had called him? Sulking Simon?

She couldn't help but stare at the transparent ghost. He wasn't like the other ones in the castle who seemed to have lived hundreds of years ago. He was modern even more than Moaning Myrtle. He wore a Hogwarts uniform too however; she couldn't tell what color his robes had once been. She didn't think he'd notice her blatant starring and became startled when he actually turned to shoot a nasty look in her direction.

"I know you're wondering," he spoke. If alive he would've probably been around the same age. She looked away hoping he wouldn't approach her and continue the conversation, but he did. "Everybody wonders." He added taking a seat next to her.

She tried not to converse with the ghostly boy and focused on keeping her head forward and eyes focused on Tracey who was performing some very elaborate flying loops at the moment.

"All I know is that I was killed," he sighed miserably, sinking into the bleachers, half of his translucent body vanishing.

She didn't want to interact with him, but her morbid curiosity got the best of her. "By a flying bludger?" She guessed.

"No," He spat at her with narrowed eyes. An angry expression crossing his features. "Dying is strange-" He said once again levitating to her side, his voice sounding calmer. "I don't remember how it happened, when or what it felt like, but I remember my friends were there."

"Your friends?" She questioned.

"I was tricked. Dared to come down here at midnight." He explained with bitter resentfulness.

"What?" She asked intrigued turning her legs in the direction of the ghost.

"Sorry we're late!" Distracted she turned back to see Theodore and Daphne who were reaching her side. Again, turning she saw that the ghost had vanished. Great. Just when the story was getting good.

"Hey!" She greeted standing up and gathering her bag. "Glad you guys could make it, I think they're almost done," She said standing up and getting ready to leave.

"Where are you going?" Daphne asked as she took a seat next to Theodore.

"Detention before dinner. Remember Defense Against the Dark Arts?" She said to the two, who sighed remembering the disturbing episode of the

first day of DaDa class.

xxx

So far they have had a werewolf, an idiot, and Voldemort himself as a professor. How bad could Professor Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody be?

"Alastor Moody," The former Auror wrote his name on the board with chalk, dotting the 'y' harshly before turning to glare at his students. His mechanic mad blue eye darting and twitching as it focused on their bored faces.

"Ministry malcontent. And your new defense against the dark arts teacher. I'm here because Dumbledore asked me, end of story, goodbye, the end. Any questions?"

There wasn't a single hand raised up. Even Hermione kept her hand down and observed with kooky professor with apprehension. "When it comes to the dark arts, I believe in a practical approach. But first, which of you can tell me how many unforgivable curses there are?"

Alright, maybe Mad-Eye was more competent than some of their former professors. By now Lockhart would've made the class take a quiz on what his favorite color was and Quirrel would've barely finished stuttering out his name.

Hermione raised a hand to the air, eager to participate. After a moment passed and he didn't call on her she decided to answer, "Three, sir."

"And they are so named?" He asked without missing a beat.

"Because they are unforgivable," Hermione answered on cue "Use of them will..." Moody then interrupted before beginning to scribble madly on the board.

"Will earn you a one-way ticket to Azkaban. Correct. Now the ministry says you're too young to see what these curses do. I say different! You need to know what you're up against, you need to be prepared, you need to find somewhere else to put your chewing gum other than the underside of your desk Mr. Finnigan!" How on Earth had he seen that with his back to the class? !

"Aw no way, the old codger can see out the back of his head," The Gryffindor spoke what everybody in the room seemed to be thinking.

Mad with sudden anger the professor threw the chalk he was holding all the way across the room in Seamus Finnigan's direction. The boy barely managed to dodge it.

"So, which curse shall we see first?" His head turned around the classroom for a second. "Weasley!" He exclaimed.

Ron's face turned white, "Yes..." He squeaked comically.

Mad-Eye Moody proceed to describe and actually practice the Three Unforgivable classes before the class. First was the Imperius one. A curse that made Elowen visibly stiffen enough for Tracey to nudge her side and ask her if she was okay. Even Harry noticed this from across the room. A large spider was thrown across the room levitated over an unsettled class.

"Don't worry, completely harmless," he said dangling it on top of Ron's red hair. It almost looked as if he was going to pass out. "But if she bites... She's lethal!" He cackled as he dropped the spider. Rom grimaced in horror.

Across the classroom several Slytherins laughed loudly.

"What are you laughing at?"

Moody then tossed the spider across the room for it to land on Draco's face. Which was cue to the Gryffindors to laugh just as loudly as he let out a high-pitched scream that even made some of the Slytherins bring cover mouths to hush their laughs. He turned pink from the embarrassment after slapping the spider away from his face.

Moody proceeded to showcase the second spell. The Cruciatus curse. This time particularly picking on a tall Gryffindor boy. Nel didn't remember ever speaking to him, but she did remember stealing his toad in the Hogwarts express during their first year. The Professor proceeded to torture the spider with magic. The arachnid wriggled and squeaked loudly with pain. Its limbs crumbling up and bending in unnatural ways as he did so.

Longbottom stood seeming as if he himself was the one being tortured. A look of twisted pain crossed his features as his eyes blankly starred at the spider. Nobody said anything. Students held their breaths.

Disturbed, Nel didn't realize she was leaning over her desk to take a look closer at the spider with morbid fascination.

"Stop it!" Granger interrupted. "Can't you see it's brothering him? Stop it!" She shrieked as she looked back at the disturbed boy.

The professor ceased his torture and saw the pained expression on the student's pale face. The spider which was still crying out and squeaking was placed in the desk before Hermione who looked at it horrified.

"Perhaps you could give us the last unforgivable curse Miss Granger?"

Equally disturbed. Hermione shook her head weakly, biting back painful tears in empathy for the spider. Other marveled in disbelief at the fact that Know-It-All Granger had grown quiet from the distressing experience.

"The Killing Curse," A soft voice which sounded loud in the deafening silence in the room turned all heads to the Slytherin side of the room. Tracey looked at her desk mate with some concern in her surprised eyes.

"Ah," Moody again lifted up the spider and instead placed it in front of her desk. "The Lestrange girl, are you?"

"It's Saintday," She corrected. "The one and only," Nel added in what would've been usually been a playful tone but this time came out a serious.

"Interested in the Dark Arts?" He leaned in close. His twitching large blue eye starring down, almost as if memorizing every inch of her face. Despite the uneasy closeness the girl remained composed and silence was her answer. Moody brought a flask to his lips and took a long sip before trembling and turning his attention back to her. Bet whatever is in there isn't pumpkin juice, that's for sure.

"Professor Flitwick says you're quite adept at Charms," he licked his lips, or his tongue stuck out she wasn't sure which was which uncontrolled gesture he had done. "As does Professor Babbling." The Professor of Study of Ancient Runes. An elective which most students dreaded but the Slytherin actually found to be interesting despite the thick textbooks she had to read.

"I'm interested in spell works and the origins of them," She finally answered with her hands knitted together resting on the desk.

"Very well then," Mad-Eye gave a step back. "If you could demonstrate the third and final Unforgivable Curse?"

Murmuring scattered around the room at what the Professor was suggesting. Was that ethical? Let alone legal? Eager eyes watched in morbid fascination, some betting hostile Saintday wouldn't hesitate in killing the spider.

Nel looked down at the spider which miserably twitched before her on the desk. If anything, it would be a mercy kill.

"No," She refused sternly.

She was sure that this was probably illegal. Moody did not seem pleased. His eye rolled around wildly and his bulldog like jaw clenched tightly.

"For the sake of teaching I will now demonstrate how the Imperius curse works on a human. Thank you for volunteering Ms. Saitnday."

Hermione was about to cry out how illegal that was before with a flick of his wand her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth rendering her silent.

He pointed his wand back to the girl sitting before him and in horror the class saw as through a strained breath, with shaking shoulders she was brought to her feet. Anger blazing in her eyes. The feeling of not being in control more than familiar and frustrating. It was just like back under Cloelia's roof.

Not being in ownership of your own body. She couldn't think of anything more dehumanizing.

She resisted. Teeth grinding. Jaw clenching tightly.

'Do it,' she could hear Moody's hypnotizing words echoing inside of her head. 'You know the words,' he continued. 'You will enjoy it...'. She wanted to do it. Her body was moving to do it. It would be fast, it would be a mercy kill, it was for the greater good.

Her arm trembled as her hand was raised wand being pointed at the pitiful spider.

Resist. Fight it. Control yourself.

That wasn't her voice. It was Snape's. His voice was echoing the chambers of her mind. It had become ingrained after sessions with him. There it was again, that mental image of a metal safe slamming shut, the dial spinning wildly before clicking and shutting Professor Moody out.

"Attack!" She shouted in a foreign tongue as a snake erupted from the tip of her wand and launched directly at the professor's face.

Somebody in the back shouted, "You attacked a professor!"

Some students loudly shrieked at the large snake in the room. Moody actually grabbed it with a hand and threw the hissing snake out of the classroom's window in one swinging motion. Further disturbing the class.

"Avedra Kedravra!" Moody said and for a moment Nel thought he was pointing at her but instead the suffering spider that was in her desk let out one final squeak before turning over dead in a flash of a bright green light.

"The killing curse. Only one person is known to have survived it. And he's sitting in this room," he shifted his and the class's focus to Harry. Without another word Nel packed up her books and walked out of the classroom fuming ignoring the looks she was getting, or Tracey's concerned "Are you okay?"

Xxx

After that episode Mad-Eye had been reprimanded with a slap to the wrist. He explained he was applying old teaching methods and that he would soon use the Imperious curse on the entire class so they could learn how to resist it.

On the other hand, Nel had to serve detention with a teacher of McGonagall's choice. Seeing as Sprout needed the help she was assigned to her.

"I have to catch some rats that are eating Sprout's shrivelfigs," She explained with a lazy shrug. Let's be real, there could be worse punishments.

Daphne winkled her nose in disgust. Theo shook his head running a nervous hand through his hair at the memory of the first DaDa class.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked sincerely with concern.

She ignored his question and flashed him a playful smile which disguised her true disturbed emotions. "It'll be fun," she said jokingly before heading to the greenhouse. Daphne wasn't sure if she meant it or not.

Inside of the greenhouse Nel tossed her bag to the side and pulled her wand out ready to catch some rats. Afterall, Sprout never said anything about not being to use magic. Hearing a rustling noise, she turned ready to attack only to point at that tall Gryffindor boy Moody had been awful to the other day in class. He let out a yelp before stumbling back and dropping a large pot making it crack and spilling black soil everywhere.

Longbottom was it? All Elowen knew about him was that he wasn't said to be very bright, he was also terribly clumsy and forgetful. Be it anybody else she would've offered to help but she couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Sorry," She apologized sincerely when she realized he was looking up at her with what she couldn't interpret to be fear or disdain. She pointed her wand at him, and he flinched bracing himself for the attack but instead the pot stuck itself together with Reparo looking brand new and was lowered to a side. Turning to the Gryffindor who was still sitting on the ground she pointed at him "Scourgify," she charmed ridding his uniform of all dirt and other stains.

She was expecting a 'Thanks' but instead he shot her a dark look before walking past her. She couldn't remember ever doing something personal to him (besides stealing his toad and putting him in a teapot).

"Are you here for detention too?" She asked a little taken aback at his coldness.

"No," He spoke after a moment as he lifted up what looked like a heavy sack of soil and walked over to where the pot was before he began to fill it. His tone made it seem as if he wanted the conversation to be over.

"So, you're here for fun?" She asked slightly wrinkling her nose in surprise. He tossed the sack and turned to glare at her. Easily staggering a head maybe even taller than her. Regardless of his meanness she didn't feel intimidated by him. Let's be real, Longbottom was like a harmless goldfish compared to the pirañas that she lived with.

"Did... Did I do something to you?" She asked uneasily. "I'm sorry about your head, he was left unharmed. I promise." She couldn't help but laugh a little there in the end.

"You know what your family did," he spat darkly in her direction. "My family?" She looked at him perplexed. "Longbottom, is it?" She said tailing after him as he crossed the greenhouse to reach for a small tree seedling he was transferring to the larger pot. "Er- I'm an orphan," She cleared her throat stating the well-known fact. "As far as I know, I don't have a family."

"You're a Lestrange aren't you?" He suddenly turned making her almost bump into her. "I live with them," She admitted. "They have guardianship over me, but that is all. No name claims or blood relation," She narrowed her eyes in confusion at his strong distaste. He looked at her for a long moment, his eyes hard, before he pinched the bridge of his nose. He muttered something to himself before letting out what sounded like an exhausting sigh and wiping tears that were beginning to prick his eyes. "I-I'm sorry," He apologized after a moment and shook his head.

"You're Elowen Saintday," He acknowledged. He had known her since their First Year at Hogwarts and despite being knowing for hexing and playing mean tricks on others, she had never tried to pull a fast one on him before.

She nodded and still looked at him oddly. Neville had to remind himself she wasn't one of them. She wasn't Bellatrix, or Rodolphus or Rabastan Lestrange. It was hard enough knowing that one of their children was on the school premises.

"And you are?" She stepped next to him, hands at her sides, wand still on her hand.

"Nobody," He brooded.

"Nobody's really nobody," The girl couldn't help but shrug being more than familiar with the ugly feeling of feeling worthless. Longbottom looked at her for a moment and again shook his head before lifting up another large pot and letting out a loud scream when he found a coiled snake hiding behind it. He held on to the pot tightly and cowered behind the Slytherin. For a Gryffindor he didn't seem very brave to Nel.

"Ugh, what an ugly snake," Nel winced when she saw the brown snake with a black diamond zigzag pattern and bulging orange red eyes.

"Ugh, what an ugly girl,"

The snake shot back reminding her that the reptile could understand her. It wasn't any common snake, it was an adder, or the only venomous snake native to the British Isles. Judging by the bulge in its stomach it was safe to assume the rat problem had been taken care of.

"Wait-"

She said looking at the snake carefully.

"You,"

She realized.

"You were in our Defense Against the Dark Arts class,"

She knelt down to look at it at eye level. Longbottom looked distraught at the sight of the girl so casually conversing with the viper.

"You summoned me!"

The adder stretched its neck and hissed at her upset.

"What's it doing?" Longbottom piped when he witnessed the aggressive gesture.

 "Right," She admitted, ignoring the disturbed Gryffindor. She had never tried that spell before and wasn't expecting it to work, she wasn't sure how it even worked. Did it just summon a snake, any snake from any part of the world?

"Sorry about that, I wasn't expecting the Professor to throw you out of the tower's window." "You try being tossed out of a window and living to tell the tale. I don't even know where my home is anymore. One moment I'm eating some eggs perfectly content at home the next I'm being tossed at a lunatic's face," it nagged as it slithered to the ground and began calmly slithering away from the two students.

It was then when a lightbulb went off in Nel's head as she approached the snake and actually picked it up.

"Unhand me child!" The adder demanded hissing at her, flashing two large threatening fangs. "Why don't you stay here?" She offered. "You can eat all the vermin you want, it's always warm and nobody really comes in here. Except for Professor Sprout, people in detention and well him," she gestured towards Longbottom. "I can smell the fear in him," The adder made a noise which sounded like a chuckle while turning to look at Longbottom.

"Be nice,"

Nel whispered still holding the large snake in her hands, it slowly began to coil around her arm seeking the warmth of her body.

"I'll make it up to you?"

She offered negotiating with the animal. The adder made a biting motion to her arm but stopped when it realized she didn't flinch out of fear. This human, considering she could even communicate with it. She wasn't ordinary.

"Call me Nathair," The adder introduced before slithering down her body "Pleasure, Elowen Ssssaintday. I'll be around..." With that the adder vanished into many of the growing vines of the greenhouse.

She had almost forgotten that Longbottom was standing there looking perturbed at what he had just witnessed.

"Well, that takes care of the rats," She flashed him a pleased smile while clapping her hands as if dusting them off. "Want to head back to the Great Hall? They are picking the champions for the Triwizard Tournament tonight."

The two decided to head back to the Great Hall and along the way Nel learned that he boy's name was actually Neville and that he was actually good friends Harry, Ron and Hermione. Herbology was his passion too, that's why he usually hid away in the greenhouse and tended to Madame Pomfrey's plants.

Back in the Great Hall the tables were still half empty since it was early for dinner. Nel bid a hurried goodbye to Neville when she spotted Ellar sitting alone at the end of the Ravenclaw table. He appeared to be lost in thought eyes skimming over a small book mindlessly.

Running her fingers through her lose hair and adjusting her headband she fixed her uniform before approaching him.

"Salut!" She greeted unannounced taking a seat across from him in terrible French. It was best not to ask if she could sit and set herself up for rejection.

"I've been practicing my French see?" She chirped happily. "Soon I'll be trilingual, if you count Parseltongue," she made an attempt at a poor joke.

Ellar cracked a small smile and put his book away. Regardless he didn't say anything. He simply looked at her with a lazy smile he was known for wearing.

"So," She began racking her brain for conversation topics. "Did you place your name in the Chalice?" She asked propping her head on her propped elbow and leaning forward with interest.

His lips contorted and he gave her a look. "Why would I ever do that?" He said arching an eyebrow. "Eternal glory is for fools," He scoffed looking down at the glowing chalice that stood tall on a podium in the middle of the Great Hall. She frowned a little at his reaction. She would've put her name in. Maybe not necessarily for eternal glory, but...

"It's strange," To her surprise he shifted the topic of conversation. "Being back here at Hogwarts."

Her ears perked at this. She had never mustered enough courage to ask him about his past at Hogwarts. According to what Malfoy had said he had been expelled and Greengrass had simply said he wasn't good company to keep around.

"What do you mean?" She asked in her best lying voice, fully well knowing he had once been a student here.

"I used to be a student here," He smiled at her charmingly. "Didn't you know that?" He narrowed his eyes in what her guilty conscience interpreted as suspicion.

She did.

"No," She lied again with a slight smile tucking a strand of lose hair behind her ear. She was using the same voice she would use on Cordelia Wool when asked if she knew who had been responsible for swiping all the sweets from the kitchen, or who had broken the mirrors in the girl's bathroom.

"Do you miss it?"

"Sometimes," He admitted. "I was actually in Slytherin, same as you, same as my whole family. We would've been house mates."

Here it was. The moment she had been waiting for. It was the perfect moment to ask. "Why did you transfer to Beauxbaton?" She asked lightly tilting her head to the side hoping to appear more charming.

Part of her wondered what the real story was. Maybe Malfoy had once again been lying to her, just to throw her off for the sake of his own amusement. Another part of her wanted him to lie, wanted to see what elaborate lie he could cook up to eschew her from the truth but was surprised when he admitted to his errors. "I was expelled actually."

She looked at him a little stunned at the revelation and with a look implored him to elaborate. Ellar again flashed her a coy smile before running a hand through his messy curly hair.

"I used to be the Slytherins Seeker and there was an accident," He shook his head apathetically. "Nothing conclusive, but you know how it is. It's not like our House has... the best reputation. You know?" He clicked his tongue. "They were looking for an scapegoat and well, there I was," he raised up his hands and shrugged innocently.

The story made the Slytherin feel angry. It sounded exactly like something Dumbledore would do. He would most definitely pin whatever had happened on her House just as long as he didn't have to deal with it. As long as his precious Gryffindor remained pristine and untouched. Glaring at the old man from across the GreatHall she shook her head in disapproval.

"What?" Ellar laughed a little at her upset reaction. "Don't be upset, it can't be undone," He reached over and patted one of her fisted hands. She could've melted in the spot. More students suddenly filled the room and the Lestrange boy stood. "See you around, Elowen," he shot a teasing wink in her direction before leaving the blushing girl alone.

Nel was in a dreamy haze. She was so stupefied by the interaction with her crush that she didn't even realize Tracey wasn't at the Slytherin dining table. She didn't hear even hear Pansy Parkinson make a snide comment at her appearance. Barely even had a reaction when the Champions were selected actually snapping out of it shaking her head and clapping when Viktor Krum was selected as the Durmstrang champion. His school cheered loudly and began banging their fists on the Slytherin table.

"Don't tell me you're acting like a First-Year schoolgirl just because that French prick held your hand?"

It was almost like a fly. A most annoying buzzing at her side that she hadn't realized was there until it got too close. How in the world did he even know?

She hadn't realized Malfoy was sitting next to her. Clapping politely, shooting him a side-look she jabbed her elbow in his direction making him wince lightly at the aggressive contact.

"For your information he just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time," She rolled her eyes at him explaining Ellar's expulsion from Hogwarts. "Something went wrong and Dumbledore wanted somebody to blame and no surprise he chose the Slytherin," She shook her head slightly still angry at what the Headmaster had done.

"You actually believe that load of bull he just spoon fed you?" Draco chortled.

"The Champion from Beauxbaton... Fleur Delacour," Dumbledore announced. The Beauxbaton students cheered loudly, as did the Ravenclaw table since they were their guests, and a beautiful blonde girl stood up and practically danced her way to the stage.

"Why- would he lie – to me?" She hissed out lowly, still lightly clapping her hands without much enthusiasm. "Question is, why wouldn't he?" She raised her eyebrows awaiting to hear his brilliant reasoning, "He's a slimy git, he doesn't need a reason to tell the truth."

"Or to lie," She shot back with a glare before again turning her attention to the Headmaster. Whatever. Same as always Malfoy just wanted to get under her skin.

Finally, it was time for the Hogwarts champion. Dumbledore caught the last paper to erupt from the chalice. "Cedric Diggory."

Pretty Boy Diggory! The Great Hall went wild. With students roaring and cheering as the handsome boy proudly took to the stage with the other two champions. Many of the girls in the table were giggling. Of course, leave it to the perfect boy to be selected. If Nel's money was on anyone it would've been on Cedric.

"Excellent! We now have our three champions! But in the end only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions, this Vessel of Victory the Triwizard cup!"

'Only one will receive the prize of 1,000 Galleons.' The girl thought ambitiously, somewhat bitter she didn't have an equal shot at getting the money. It was almost 5,000 British Pounds!

People were cheeringly wildly thrusting their fists up in the air animatedly when the Goblet suddenly turned a bright shade of red and without a warning another name was spat out. Dumbledore took it an read it.

"Harry Potter. Harry Potter?"

Xxx

"Say," later at night. Nel realized that Tracey was gone and wondered to herself out loud. "Did anybody see where Tracey went?" She asked the other Slytherin girls in the dormitory. Most of them already being in their pajamas.

Millicent shrugged while petting her cat. Pansy didn't even bother in answering. "Last time I saw her was at the Quidditch pitch," Daphne spoke turning over her shoulder from her vanity as she applied some night creams on her face in order to prevent wrinkles. Get real. They still weren't even pass their acne phase.

"I'm going to look for her," Nel said slipping on her black school shoes and pulling her emerald robe over her shoulders. Nobody had even realized that Tracey was gone. Specially after the commotion of Harry Potter having been chosen as the Triwizard tournament's fourth champion.

"What?" Pansy finally called looking up from a TeenWitch! magazine she had been reading which featured somebody named Sabrina. "I won't let you!" She said sitting up. "Every year you cost us the House Cup!"

Without turning back flickering her wand over her shoulder Nel casted a Horn tongue hex at her. Judging from Pansy's muffled voice, she smirked to herself satisfied it had worked as she exited the room.

Walking around the corridors holding a Lumos charm. Nel wondered for quite some time but found no sign or trace of her best friend. Which was... odd. Tracey wasn't the type to vanish like that and certainly not alone and without warning. She gave up after some time and reasoned she had probably already returned to the Slytherin Common Room or something amongst those lines. Maybe she had been stuck polishing her broom all afternoon and lost track of time? Or maybe she was actually in the library studying for midterms? Who knew?

Nel was presently rounding around the Grand Staircase crossing to the West Lower Floor, slightly distracted by all the floating Jack-O-Lanters and strings that decorated the ceilings and pumpkins on the floor that she had a late reaction to a nasty scene in the corridor.

Three Gryffindor Seventh Years were picking on two First-Year Hufflepuffs. It hardly seemed fair. The Three Gryffindors were levitating them upside down and tossing and lowering them up in the air violently in nauseating spins. It would be a miracle if they didn't throw up.

"Oi!" Elowen had to intervene. "Hardly seems fair, doesn't it?" She asked stepping towards the scene with her hands buried in her pockets. Regardless of her presence they didn't stop.

"If it isn't Lonelily Nell," One shot a sneer into her direction. "Come on, Snell, we're just having a good time," another laughed as the bullying continued.

She looked at the young Hufflepuffs which were red-faced and crying uncontrollably with a bored expression on her features. "Doesn't look like it," She sucked the inside of her cheek.

"Let them go," She ordered the Gryffindors in a flat tone.

"Yeah? Or what?" The third Gryffindor said also turning to acknowledge her allowing the Hufflepuffs to slap on the stone ground harshly.

"It won't be pleasant," She warned. "It's all so unnecessary isn't it?" She sighed exhausted by the bullying culture at Hogwarts.

One turned to her and blasted a hex in her direction. She deflected it expertly and shot back with "Alarte Ascendare!"

She casted and the three were levitated in the direction of her wand up against the ceiling roughly, the impact so hard a cloud of dust coated their bodies before slamming down to the ground. Back up again, and then down, slamming both into the ceiling and ground, almost like some twisted yoyo.

The Hufflepuffs watched in awe. Without much care she tossed them to the side where they rolled in the ground before crashing into one of the corridor's walls.

Another weakly raised a hand ready to defend himself when she beat him to it.

"Expulso!" She carefully casted a fireball in their direction which made them scatter for their lives and up in the direction of the Grand Staircase. "Glisseo," She casted with a vile smile as the stairs suddenly turned into a polished ramp and the three fell on their faces pitifully sliding down as she casted more fireballs in their direction. It took them a painful while to scamper away while shooting verbal curses and ill insults in her direction.

She laughed triumphantly before turning to look at the First Years with a scary smile. They looked at her terrified with large swollen eyes as she approached them.

Stretching out her hand she waved her fingers requesting a payment for services. After all, this type of elaborate hexing did not come for free. One stuck a hand inside of his pocket and pulled out a butterbeer lollipop and a dust bunny. Not her favorite but it would do. (Especially considering she was banned from the Three Broomsticks.) She stuck it in her mouth and savored it.

"My services don't come cheap kids. I'll be in the library if you need me. Next time don't forget your money," she said with ease as the two eleven-year olds scurried away fearfully and a little grateful.

Pleased with her work, satisfied with her payment she was about to return to the dormitory when a voice made her stop cold in her tracks.

"I'd heard you were good at charms, but I can see that was an understatement," Jumbled up by the unfamiliar voice she turned in shock to see Cedric Diggory, Hufflepuff Prefect and now Hogwarts Champion standing by the exit that lead to the Courtyard.

Shit. She bit down on the round lollipop making a loud cracking sound.

"You're Elowen Saintday, aren't you?" He approached her cooly, his walk tall and confident as he did without reeking of arrogance. Nel could've choked on her candy. "I think we've met before, but people call you- what is it... Nel?" He guessed correctly.

"My friends call me Nel," She eyed him oddly waiting for him to take away points from Slytherin House or send her straight to Snape for some well-deserved detention. "Aren't you going to take away points?" How long had he been standing there for? How much had he witnessed?

"Nah," He said shaking his head with an easy smile. "I don't like bullies either. Besides, how could I? You were defending my house."

She eyed him suspiciously.

Why... on Earth...

Was Cedric Diggory...

Talking to her?

Out of all people...

She felt younger, more naïve, actually dumb, maybe even insecure standing next to such an accomplished student. It was rumored that Diggory was truly a golden child, top of his class, gifted Quidditch player, he was incredibly nice, and of course dashingly handsome.

"Is it true you do favors for people?" He asked smiling at her. That smile that he knew would make anyone do anything for him.

"You know it's true," She says and began to walk away from him. He followed. Afterall the Hufflepuff Common Room is in the same direction as the Slytherin one. She didn't even congratulate him for being selected a Champion for the tournament.

"Think you could do a favor for me?" He asks making her stop in her tracks.

"My favors don't come cheap Diggory."

"I might need your help," he stopped walking as the two descended into the dungeons. "I know you know things. That you're well connected with the castle and well everything that happens in it. I need you to help me figure out what the Three Task of the Triwizard tournament will be," He admitted.

What in the world? A mischievous smirk stretched across her lips.

"Isn't that cheating?" She tapped her chin more in mocking than actual thought.

"It isn't as long as a teacher doesn't help us," he explained.

"Alright," She nodded agreeing to his initial terms. However, she had to set her conditions. "If I help you figure the tasks and you win... Then you'll give me fifty percent of the prize award."

"What?" He laughed at her incredulous suggestion.

"What? A girl has got to eat," She frowned slightly at him. There's no such thing as a free meal. He had to remember he was dealing with a Slytherin, not with somebody more kindhearted from his own House.

"Five percent," He negotiated.

"No way." Shaking her head, she began to walk away, "Thirty?"

"Ten."

"Twenty-five. Take it or leave it." Was her final offer.

Cedric was quiet for a moment, crunching some numbers in his head. "Fine, you've got yourself a deal," he agreed, and they shook on it.

"This stays between us. Understood?" She warned while shaking his head.

"I'm going to be Ministry of Magic one day. This has to stay between us," He said shooting a sly wink in her direction.

"I'll ask around, see what I can find out," Nel said ominously before turning away without bidding the Hufflepuff goodbye.

Just like that she had made 250 extra galleons this year; All she had to do to get them was poke around and see what she could find out anything and everything that she could about the Triwizard Tournament. How hard could that be?

Turning around to enter the Common Room she ran into Tracey who was sneaking back to the dormitories.

"Trace!" She called her name. Stunned the girl paralyzed having been caught on sight. "There you are," She grabbed her hand. "I was worried sick," She said as they entered the Common Room.

"Did you stay up counting all the whisks in your broom again?" Elowen asked shaking her head slightly with a worried expression.

Since the incident with Draco in the hospital you had become inseparable and you spent hours simply sitting by his side, making each other laugh and bringing him sweets from Honeydukes. 

When he was finally strong enough to walk, he insisted on walking hand in hand down the corridor towards the Great Hall for dinner and when you entered the whole school seemed to be staring at you two. 

You hear Draco sigh, before turning to you and smirking “Might as well let them all know who you belong to.” Before you can react, Draco puts his hand around your waist and pulls you towards him, dipping you and then kissing you deeply in the entrance to the Grand Hall. 

You instantly melted into him and a blush formed on your cheeks after hearing several gasps and harsh whispers from the students.

When Draco finally releases you, he winks playfully, a devilish glint in his eye and drags you over to the Slytherin table, your legs barely being able to function after such an ordeal. 

You couldn’t believe how much Draco had eased up in the last week, all thoughts of his Dark Mark pushed to the back of his mind. However, you knew it was something that couldn’t be entirely forgotten and you would have to deal with it sooner rather than later. But you decided to enjoy this day as normally as possible. 

Except it was already far from normal, as the whole school had just found out about your relationship and you were now sitting among the Slytherin’s, with Draco’s hand resting on your inner thigh. 

You shifted nervously, you hadn’t been properly introduced to his friends before. 

“Everyone this is Y/N. My girlfriend.” He smiles in your direction and you swallow, waiting anxiously for a response. 

Soon enough you are being surrounded by greetings and questions, all of which were made for you to feel welcome and you were shocked at their friendly behaviour. 

All except one. 

Pansy Parkinson was currently glaring daggers at you and gripping the table with all her strength. 

You smiled sheepishly at her, feeling bad that Draco was using her to protect you and you didn’t want to cause any conflict, knowing they used to be good friends. 

“Don’t smirk at me you fucking bitch!” She shrieks at you, causing the whole school to once again stare. 

“I... I wasn’t...” You stutter, but she ignores you and stands up in anger. 

“You’re nothing but a boyfriend stealing whor-” Before she can finish her rant, Draco stands and faces her in your defense. 

“Listen Pansy, don’t talk to her that way. She didn’t steal me, we were together before I dated you and I’m sorry to tell you this but I was only willing to go out with you to protect Y/N. I’m sorry I used you, but this truth is I never stopped loving her and I only see you as a friend and I hope our friendship can remain. That is if you forgive me?” 

You watch as Pansy’s face shifts from rage, to shock, to upset and you feel a clench in your stomach at the sight of her tears. 

She looks between you and Draco before running out of the hall, tears flooding down her cheeks. 

Draco watches after her, before slowly sitting beside you “I’m sorry she called you them things in front of everyone.” 

You rest your head on his shoulder reassuringly “It’s okay, I understand why she’s upset. I’d probably call myself those names as well if I’d lost out on you.” 

Draco places a light kiss on your head in response and you both sigh. 

After dinner you make your way to the dungeons with Draco and his friends, after having them invite you over. 

You were glad you got on with his friends well and that they were so accepting of your relationship.

You once again began to feel nervous after nearing the Slytherin common room. You had never been inside before and was anxious to see inside, afraid it may be decorated like an actual dungeon or torture chamber, which the Weasley twins swore it was. 

So when you walked inside and admired the elegant light fixtures and furniture, you were completely taken back. It was wonderful inside and you were impressed by the easy going atmosphere. 

You sat beside Draco on one of the sofas by the fire and looked out at the window and into the lake?

Draco notices you staring and laughs “The Dungeons are underground by the lake, so we get a view of the inside of the lake, rather than the surface. It’s pretty cool actually when you spot the different types of sea creatures swimming around. It’s like a whole other world.” 

You smiled at him, intrigued at seeing a whole new side of Draco and all the Slytherin’s for that matter. 

You spent the whole night down in the dungeons and when you began to drift off by the warmth of the fire, Draco offered to walk you back to your common room. He was such a gentleman. 

You walked side by side, laughing occasionally and trying hard to avoid the lingering question ‘So what happens now?’. 

When you finally reached the entrance to your common room, you turned to face Draco.

“Thankyou for walking me back.” 

“It was my pleasure.” He winks at you, causing you to blush instantly. 

You stand in silence for a while, considering whether to discuss the elephant in the room “So erm, now that people know we are together, it’s only a matter of time before the news spreads outside of Hogwarts.” 

Draco sighs and runs a hand through his hair “I know. Which is why I was hoping to introduce you to my parents during the next Hogsmeade trip.”

He looks at his feet, bracing for your reaction. 

You fling your arms around his neck and look into his eyes hopefully “Of course! That sounds wonderful!” 

He spins you around and laughs joyously, before planting you firmly on the ground and pressing his lips against yours. 

You once again melted into him and felt him pull you closer, trying to close the small gap between you. 

Once you finally pull away, your smile falters. 

“What is it Y/N?” Draco asks and you pull on the sleeve of his robes. 

“What about this?” You ask as you stroke along the fresh mark on his skin. 

Draco’s face whitens and he sighs “I was starting to forget about that. There’s nothing I can really do about it now. If I ignore the Dark Lords orders, he will kill me and most likely my family and maybe even you...”

You lift up his chin with your hand, forcing him to look into your eyes “We will get through this.” You try to reassure him “We will get through it together.” 

He smiles at your optimism “I’m so glad I found you.” 

You laugh at his reaction “We found each other and that’s how it will be. Me and you against the world.”

“Forever.”