| Girl on Fire |

113

VERONICA MALFOY

"For fucking Merlins sake! What the hell is the matter with you?!" Draco yelled. Mattheo and I had just walked into the doors of the school, and we were faced with Draco and Severus. "What happened?" Severus asked. "There were some complications." I said. "Complications? Of what kind?" he asked. "Did you find-" Draco started. Before he could finish, I cut him off. "No, we couldn't find the mudblood or the Weasel." I said. He looked at me strangely. But before he questioned me, Alecto Carrow walked over. "I was told that the king and queen were back." she said. "Clearly." I said. "Is there something you need? Or did you just come over here for fun gossip?" Mattheo said sarcastically. "No, of course not. Your father sent a letter." she said, handing it to him. He took it reluctantly and she stared eagerly. I rolled my eyes and scoffed. "You're dismissed." I said in a clipped tone. She huffed and left.

Mattheo opened the letter and his eyes darted back and forth as he began to read the letter. "What did he say?" I asked. Mattheo sighed. "Potter was spotted after breaking into Gringrotts." he said. My face fell. "We just left them a few hours ago." I whispered to him. "They must have come up with some sort of plan." he said. I nodded. "What do we do?" he asked. "Snape and I will figure something out, you go to DA's safehouse and talk to them. See what they know." he said. "And what about Draco?" I asked. "He's going to find out eventually, love. Better now than later." he said. I nodded. "Draco, come with me." I said as I took his arm and started to lead him out. "Where are we going?" he asked. "You'll see." I said. We walked through the corridors and halls and just before the entrance to Slytherin, we stopped. "Ronnie, what's going on?" he asked. "Draco, please. Just wait." I said. I spoke the password and we went inside. "Gather all the boys and bring them to my dorm. I'll get Allison." I said. He fronwed. "What do I tell them?" he asked. "Tell them I have something to tell you guys. It's important." I said. He nodded and left. Then I went to Allison's dorm and knocked on the door. "Alli, it's V!" I called out. A moment or two passed and the door opened. "V! I thought- where have you been?" she exclaimed. "Can I come in?" I asked. "Of course, yes. Come in." she said. "The boys will be here in a second." I said. "I don't really feel like partying. We had to watch the Carrows practice the unforgivables on first years and- I don't know- I've felt sort of sick ever since-" she began. "That's not why." I said. "Oh, um- ok." she said. A second passed and there was another knock. I opened the door and the boys began to file in. "This better be important, V. We were about to blaze up. It's been a long day-" Theo started. "It is. It's important." I said. They all nodded and sat down throughout the room. Then I took a breath.

"I've been lying to you guys." I said. "About what?" Draco asked. "My loyalty." I said.  Their faces dropped and Draco's eyes widened. He jumped up and he quickly clamped his hand over my mouth. "Are you mad?!" he exclaimed. I pulled away and shook my head. "Don't worry, I've put wards on this room. Silenced inside and out." I said. He nodded hesitantly and sat back down. "Ok, V. What are you talking about?" Allison asked. "Since the beginning of the year, I've been acting as a spy." I said. "Bloody fucking hell." Enzo mumbled. "I don't understand. What the hell are you saying?" Blaise said. "Helping the DA, using Carrows weakness, using the black market. I betrayed the Dark Lord for Potter and his side." I said. They stared at me. "No." Draco said. "What?" I said in confusion. "Shut up! Just- just be quiet. Don't ever say that again!" he exclaimed. "It's the truth." I said. "No!" he yelled. "Draco-" Allison started. "No. She's gone mad! This is crazy!" he said. "Draco, listen to me-" I started. "No- just stop–" he started. "Draco." I said firmly. "Let her talk, mate." Theo said. Draco crossed his arms. "I was naive. I didn't know what I was getting into with the Dark Lord. I was tired of feeling powerless and abused because of Marcus, so I made a deal with the devil. But I was wrong. He didn't give me power, he took away my power. And my dignity and my safety. All of it. Then he took my mum and you guys too. That was the final straw." I said. "Merlins sake." Draco mumbled. "I have to stop him. I have to. And Potter is the only one who can do it." I said. "You'll go to Azkaban." Blaise said. "Maybe. But I'm at peace with that. Because you guys will be safe." I said. "But we need you-" Allison started. "And I need to protect you, Alli. I won't let him touch you. I can't let him use you the way he used me." I said. "What does Mattheo have to say about all this?" Draco asked. I shifted on my heels and looked down. "Fucking hell. He knows, doesn't he?" Draco said. "Yes. He's been helping me." I said. "You're telling us that Mattheo Riddle is a spy against his father." Enzo asked. I nodded. "This is fucking mad." Draco said. "I know. But it has to be done." I said. "Not by you! Make someone else do it! Make someone else be the martyr! Potter lives for that shit!" Draco yelled. "Draco, it's what mum would've wanted." I said gently. He swallowed the lump in his throat and blinked back tears. "I can't lose you too." he said. "You won't." I said. Then I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him. "I love you." I whispered. "I love you too." he replied, his voice shaky.

All of the sudden, there was a knock on the door. Everyone jumped and I flinched. "Relax. It's probably just Mattheo." I said. I went to the door and opened it. But to my surprise, it was Pansy. "Headmaster Snape is requesting that all students report to the Great Hall." she said. "Why?" Draco asked as he walked over. "Ask the queen, I'm sure she knows." she scoffed. I rolled my eyes and shut the door. They looked at me with concern. "I don't know..." I said.