Black and White

27

"We saw Malfoy sneaking around Borgin and Burke's," Ron tells me on the Hogwarts Express. "Any idea what he was doing there?"

"No," I answer. "But that shop is full of Dark Arts stuff. Draco told me Uncle Lucius used to go there all the time. Maybe he was just selling something. The Ministry has searched the Manor more than a few times."

"Maybe," Ron says, but he doesn't sound like he agrees.

"So, where did Harry go?" I ask. "We're almost to Hogwarts."

"He didn't say," Hermione replies. "Maybe he got distracted."

He doesn't come back by the time we have to get off the train, so we guess he must be on the platform, but we don't see him there, either. We get on a carriage, and are pulled to the gates. Once we are there, however, it takes a minute to realize what's happening. There are aurors waiting, searching everyone. When we finally make it to the Great Hall, I leave my friends to sit at the Slytherin table. Draco is nowhere to be seen yet, either. After nearly ten more minutes, he slumps into the seat beside me, resting his chin on his fist.

"You should eat something," I tell my cousin after a few minutes of silence.

He seems to startle out of a trance. "I'm not hungry," he lies, then looks me over. "You look better."

"I'm not sure I could look much worse than the last time you saw me," I answer honestly. "Are you ok? Is it your mission that's got you all worked up?"

"I said don't ask me about it," Draco snaps.

I raise my hands in surrender. "I'm not asking what the mission is. I just want to know if you're ok."

"I'm fine," he lies again. To stop me from asking anymore questions, he starts eating his food quickly, leaving no room for words.

Well, at least I succeeded in getting him to eat. He doesn't even protest when I shovel a second helping of pudding onto his plate.

Then, I see Harry and Luna walk in. There's blood on Harry's shirt, and his nose is bleeding. Draco won't look at me.

"Draco, what did you-" I start to ask.

"Nothing he didn't deserve," Draco says brusquely, and I know that's the best answer I'm going to get out of him.

"The very best of evenings to you all," Dumbledore says, drawing everyone's attention. "First off, let me introduce the newest member of our staff, Horace Slughorn."

Everyone claps. Well, minus Draco, who's gone back to sulking.

"Professor Slughorn, I'm happy to announce, has agreed to return to his old post as potions master," Dumbledore continues. "Meanwhile, the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts will be taken by Professor Snape."

Considerably less people clap, remembering how the classes were when Snape had to fill in for Lupin three years ago. I don't clap because I'm too busy remembering what Lupin told me over the summer. That Snape is my uncle.

"Now, as you know," Dumbledore goes on, "each and every one of you was searched upon your arrival today, and you have the right to know why. Once, there was a young man who, like you, sat in this very hall. Walked this castle's corridors. Stepped under its roof. He seemed, for all the world, a student like any other. His name: Tom Riddle."

The room bursts into whispers. I take Draco's free hand under the table, squeezing it tightly.

"Today, of course, he's known all over the world by another name," Dumbledore tells us. "Which is why, as I stand, looking out upon you all tonight, I'm reminded of a sobering fact. Every day, every hour, this very minute, perhaps, dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle's walls. But in the end, their greatest weapon, is you. Just something to think about. Now off to bed, pip pip!"

"That was... cheerful," I mumble as we all collectively stand, beginning to make our way to our houses and dormitories.

"Go ahead," Draco tells me as he falls behind.

Sighing, I go, but am stopped as I hear someone yell my name. I turn to see Harry, and Draco ends up passing me as I wait, Pansy hanging from his arm. She bangs her shoulder against me, but I bite back the urge to hex her on the first night.

"Harry, your Common Room is the other way," I smile. My smile falls, however, at the serious look on his face. "Harry, what's wrong? How's your nose?"

"It's fine. Listen, you need to keep an eye on Draco," he tells me.

"Look, if this is about his task-" I start, but Harry interrupts.

"No, it's something else," he says. "Um, on the train, I overheard Draco talking to Zabini and Pansy. Something about he wanted to jump off the Astronomy Tower."

I gasp, clasping a hand over my mouth. Harry places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he goes on. "I just thought you should know. I know, I don't care much for him, but I don't want him dead. And if anyone can get through to him, it's you."

Forcing myself to take deep breaths, I nod. "Ok, ok. I'll keep an eye on him," I promise. "Thank you for telling me."

"Of course," Harry replies, pulling me into a quick hug.

By the time I reach the Common Room, Draco is nowhere to be seen. Gritting my teeth, I walk up to Pansy.

"Have you seen Draco?" I ask.

"Yeah," she answers, turning back to Blaise Zabini.

"Could you tell me where he went?" I try again. "I need to talk to him."

"Why don't you just leave him alone?" Pansy glares.

"Because he's my cousin, and unlike you, I actually care about him," I seethe.

"Ok, ok, enough," Zabini interrupts before a fight breaks out. Probably, he doesn't want a repeat of the time I hexed him. "He went to bed early. I'll tell him you were looking for him, but I don't think he's in the mood to talk."

"Thank you," I answer, before heading to my own dormitory.

However, well after midnight, I find I still can't sleep. Not after seeing Snape again, now with the knowledge that he is my uncle and godfather.

Old habits die hard, and I end up on the couch in the common room, across from the dying fire. I'm almost asleep, when I hear the footsteps. They get closer and closer, and I pretend to be asleep, curled on my side. I hear whoever it is kneel down beside the couch, and feel a blanket being draped over me.

"I'm sorry I can't tell you what's going on, Lucy," Draco's voice whispers. "All I know right now is, if I fail, he's going to kill me."

I can tell he's crying, but I know if I open my eyes, he'll pull away again. So, my heart breaking, I keep pretending to be asleep.

"I have to find the cabinet," he sighs. "I'll be back before breakfast."