Life of a Black (Sequel to Life of a Malfoy)

New Friends Old Enemies

I pulled my traveling cloak hood tighter around my head and crossed my arms as the wind blew against my thin layered clothing. My hair whipped across my face and the chilling air threatened to immobilize me. I needed to stop and warm up, but I couldn't. There was no time. I was about to be late.

I walked further along the outskirts of the castle and past the dementors to come upon the quiet, nearly vacant village. I looked down the road cautiously to see Madam Rosemerta's empty and closed. Zonko's was boarded up, with multiple wooden boards nailed across the door. I tucked my hair back into my hood and kept my head down as I ducked past the dark streets and off the road.

A shiver ran through my body as I approached the shrieking shack. I pushed open the creaky door and stepped into the open room, illuminated by wandlight.

The ice blue eyes met mine as soon as I stepped foot in the doors.

"Alexandria."

"Draco," I breathed. He sat up from an old wooden chair and met me halfway. His arms closed around me and he wrapped me in a tight hug.

He let me go, but held onto me at an arms length. His eyes filled with fear and terror.

"Are you okay?" he started. "What have you guys been planning? Where have you been all this time?"

"They're going to break into the Ministry, Draco," I hissed, afraid of being heard. I reminded myself that there was no one in the vicinity but us.

"But not you?" he asked.

"No, I left them."

"Why, though?" His white blond hair shone in his wandlight and his dark shadows underneath his eyes were even more visible.

"They needed something, something to defeat him," I said, knowing fully that it wasn't an answer to his question and hoping to redirect the conversation.

"The Dark Lord?" I nodded. "Be careful, Alexandria. The name's taboo. Go anywhere and say it and you'll have a whole lot of snatchers on you."

There was a pregnant pause in the room as I let his presence soak in.

"What's happening, Draco? What is he planning?"

"He's already gotten control of the Ministry and Hogwarts. Hardly any Mudbloods-" I glared at him "-sorry, muggleborns - are even there anymore. The Carrows are Snape's puppets, and Snape's his puppet." He sighed.

"Have you spoken to my brother recently?" I asked. "I-I spoke to him the other week and he was taunting me.. Something about a spy? He made it sound like there was a spy.. Female, pureblood." I paused, recounting our conversation. "She's close to the Trio."

Draco's eyes lit up in recognition.

"Oh," he said.

"Who-?"

"Ginny Weasley."

"Ginny? Ginny Weasley?" I gasped. "Draco, what are you-?"

"She's spying on her family. Everything she knows is being reported back to the Dark Lord. He holds her closer than Nagini these days.."

My mind swirled with information and an almost permanent frown rested on my face. Ginny Weasley was a traitor to her family.. A traitor to the trio...

"Why would Ginny do that?" I asked him. None of it added up.

"I don't know, she must have her own personal reasons... But no one knows that I'm here. I'd be murdered if anyone found out."

"Your secret is safe with me, Draco," I said, a soft smile on my lips.