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Chapter Text

Home was supposed to be your safe place. A place where you let your guard down. But that wasn't the case for Alexandra Tasso and it hadn't been since her third year at Hogwarts. All Alex wanted to do was enjoy her life but as the years went by the more and more she had to suppress herself. She knew everyone at Hogwarts saw her as a rich little pure blood witch, but she wanted to be more than that.

She wanted to bring light back to pure blood families. Her family along with the Malfoy's were known as the only pure families left. That itself went straight to her father's head.

"Oi!" Alex jumped at the pounding of her door and looked away from her window that overlooked their personal Quidditch pitch. "Mum said you better be packing!"

Nicholas pounded on the door again. Alex sighed, "I'm on it!"

Underneath her three windows was a long bench that Alex used to always read and take naps on. She got up and reached underneath her bed pulling out her trunk. She picked it up placing it on the bench before walking over to her closet. She opened the door and stepped in. She quickly gathered up her school uniforms when her bedroom door busted open.

"Merlin! Nick, is knocking too hard for you?" Alex muttered sticking her head out. Her brother quickly closed her door behind him. He plopped down on her bed and Alex froze when she saw the look on his face. "Go on spill."

"Guess who is coming for dinner?" Nick muttered. Alex shrugged as she placed her uniforms in her trunk. "The Malfoys"

Alex froze and slowly turning to face her brother.

"With the Dark Lord."

Alex felt the air leave her lungs as she stared at her brother. She took a deep breath and controlled herself before walking back into her closet. She grabbed a few dresses studying each one wondering which ones she wanted to take.

"Rumor has it Draco was given a task."

"Bloody hell." Alex muttered, "A punishment for his father getting caught." She held up two dresses and her brother pointed to the one on the left. She nodded placing that one up before gathering the others placing them in her trunk.

"I'm surprised Draco didn't tell you." Nicholas muttered.

Alex snorted, "you're joking, right? Draco hasn't spoken to me since the Yule Ball."

They both used to be so close and then the Yule Ball happened. She went with Theodore Nott and the moment Draco found that out, he completely ignored her.

"Was it the Yule Ball or the fact you snuck information to Potter the whole year." Nicholas muttered as Alex headed over to her dresser. She sighed but kept quiet, the beginning of her fourth year, she ended up cursing Pansy Parkinson into a pug. The punishment was being Dumbledore's assistant  the entire year. She didn't just help Potter about information in regards to their tasks but also told Diggory.

Of course, Snape found her out and ratted her out to her father.

"I just wanted a Hogwarts victor." She muttered mostly to herself.

"Oh really? Didn't you also warn Potter about Umbridge last year and also helped them escape to the ministry?" Alex tensed up and slammed shut her dresser drawer turning around glaring at her brother. "Don't give me that look. You did it to yourself."

Her father found out about that and nearly beat her to death when she got home for summer. She was on complete lockdown every since. She was ready to be out of his grasp and get back to school but Alex just knew he would bribe someone to watch her.

She dropped some more clothes into her trunk before grabbing her school books. She paused and slowly looked at Nicholas, "You don't think?"

"Oh absolutely. The Dark Lord is going to give you a task as well... as punishment." Alex dropped her books onto her bed and stormed out of her bedroom. She quickly headed downstairs making her way towards her parents' offices. She walked through the library and sighed in relief when the door to her father's study was closed meaning he was gone. Her mother's study door was crack slightly.

She quickly walked over to it knocking on it.

"Come in." Alex stepped in shutting the door behind her. Her mother was a tall and thin woman with brown curly hair that always made Alex jealous of. She had bright green eyes and overall just a gorgeous woman in general. She was sitting on her couch reading. "Hello Alex."

"Is it true?" Alex said quickly sitting across from her in an armchair. Her mother sighed and slowly closed her book placing it on the coffee table.

"I told him I wanted to tell you." She whispered.

"Since when does Nick listen." Alex hissed, "Is this a punishment?"

Penelope Tasso sighed and that's all Alex needed to hear. She stood up and let out a shaky breath pacing around her mother's study, "Haven't I learned my lesson?"

Penelope stood up and crossed her arms over her chest studying her daughter, "it has been hell for you, hasn't it?" Alex wouldn't look at her mother but stared at her desk that had a few family pictures on it. "Potter is our-"

"He's 16 just like me. Just like Draco. He's not-"

"Do not!" Penelope yelled cutting off her daughter. Alex didn't even flinch. Penelope cleared her throat and sat back down picking up her book again. "Dinner is at 6. Don't be late and wear something nice."

Alex nodded and turned to leave.

"And please get your brother to heal that cut on your face. It's distracting." Penelope said opening her book again.

"Maybe tell your husband to take his rings off next time he decides to beat me, eh?" Alex snapped slamming the door behind her.

000

She stared at herself in the mirror, her brother was able to heal the cut but it left a faint scar right near the corner of her lip. She had dark brown hair that looked black, she had braided a few pieces back to get them out of her face. She had her mother's eyes. She wore a simple black dress with dark green heels. While her mother was tall and thin, Alex was short and curvy. Throughout her childhood, she was always told how beautiful she was. How she had the perfect body, but all Alex could see in the mirror was a useless pathetic girl.

She gripped the edge of the sink and sighed closing her eyes. Her hands were constantly shaking since her talk with her mother. Her brother didn't exactly ease her mind. She wanted to take off and leave but they would find her. There was no escaping her family or their lifestyle. She was stuck.

"Alexandra." Her brother said walking into her room. She opened her bathroom door and he gave her a grin. "You ready?" Alex slowly nodded and glanced over at her fully packed trunk. "Al." She looked up to see Nicholas's face had soften. He walked over to her and lightly grabbed her by her shoulders, "I have your back, sis."

Nicholas and Alex walked downstairs to see their mother waiting by the front door. Her mother was wearing her nicest dress she own and was wearing all of her expensive jewelry. Seeing that didn't exactly make Alex feel better. She stood next to her mother and a few moments ticked by before she felt a rough squeeze on her shoulder causing her wince.

She looked up to see her father, Alexander Tasso in his best robes. His hair tied back and his face freshly shaven.

"Best behavior, Alexandra." He squeezed her shoulder again.

"Perhaps don't bruise her, father." Nicholas hissed pulling his father hand off of her. Nicholas and her father locked eyes, the tension in the room thickening by the second. Nicholas was a protective brother, as much as he got on her nerves and made fun of her... she always knew he was in her corner. He was the one that was able to pull her father off of her. He was the one that talked her parents into taking her to the hospital.

She would be dead if it wasn't for him.

Both looked away from one another at the sound of a knock at the front door. Alex took a deep breath as she watched their house elf, Ellie, open the door. The moment the door opened, it was as if all the warmth was sucked out of the Tasso Manor.

The dark lord himself stepping into the house with Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix right behind them. Draco stepped in last closing the door behind him. The Dark Lord chuckled coldly and stepped closer to the family, his robe billowing behind him as he walked.

"My lord, what a pleasure!" Her father bowed and stepped in front of Alex as if to hide her from him. "We have the most exquisite dinner planned for your arrival."

"Your children." Voldemort looked directly at Nicholas. This was the first time, Alex or Nicholas had seen the dark lord. Alex will admit one thing, her parents did a very good job at sheltering them. She knew her father was a death eater, but her mother made it clear she wanted her children safe from that lifestyle. Alex wasn't exactly sure what changed.

"Nicholas, my eldest. He is head boy this year. Top of all his classes and-"

"Move." Voldemort said. Alexander moved to the side to show his daughter. Alex made sure to keep her face as blank as possible. She wasn't about to allow him to scare her. He didn't deserve it. Voldemort glanced over at Alexander again.

"Alexandra, my youngest." Alex could see her father's hand begin to shake. "She's a prefect. A chaser on the Quidditch team along with being the top of her class."

"She is the trouble maker." Voldemort moved suddenly grasping Alex roughly by her chin. Nicholas and her father jumped at the sudden movement, Alex even saw Narcissa place a hand on her mother's arm as she tried to move towards them. Alex however didn't flinch even though every ounce of her was screaming at her to run or push him away... Alex didn't move nor did she look at the man in front of her.

"The Harry Potter fan." He dug his nails into her skin, again she didn't move. Alex's eyes had been locked on the ceiling as he spoke, but as he spoke to her, she couldn't help but catch his eyes as he spoke of Potter.

"Not a fan." She hissed, her eyes narrowing. She expected a punch or a curse, but nothing came. He simply roughly shoved her backwards as he chuckled loudly.

"So much fire behind those eyes."

"My lord-" her father stepped forward. Voldemort waved him off. Her father took a deep breath, "Shall we have dinner now?"

Her father led them down the hallway to their dining room. Voldemort sat at one end of the table as her father took the other side. Alex sat between Nicholas and Draco with Bellatrix across from her. The house elves brought out the first course which was some kind of soup, honestly Alex suddenly didn't feel the need to eat.

She forced it down though. They ate in complete silence until they got to their main course. Before Alex even lifted up her fork, Voldemort broke the silence.

"Draco, would you say Alexandra is popular among the males?" Alex nearly dropped her fork but quickly composed herself, Draco however choked on his drink at the question. Draco composed himself before glancing over at Alex slightly like he was expecting her to tell him what to say.

Alex nudged him and he finally looked back at Voldemort, "I'm not sure how to answer that, sir."

"Alexandra, I suppose you have heard that I have given Draco a task." Voldemort stood up. All Alex could muster was a nod.

"My lord, may I suggest we go to the sitting room?" Alexander quickly stood up as Voldemort stepped towards Alex. Her father led Voldemort out of the dining room with the others falling behind them. Nicholas grabbed Alex's arm slowing her down.

"Just keep quiet unless asked a question." He whispered, she nodded. They all sat down with Draco, Nicholas, and Alex remained standing. Alex's heart was beating so loudly she was sure that everyone could hear it.

"Draco has so graciously agreed to take on quite a difficult task." Voldemort stood walking towards her. "I have heard you have been quite the difficult child to handle, therefore I believe I have just the right task to keep you busy this year."

Alex gripped the sides of her dress nervously. She honestly wanted to throw up right then and there but she held her ground.

"Draco will need assistance this year and I have assured him, you will be more than willing to help." Voldemort grabbed her by the neck. He squeezed and she slowly nodded as she let out a weak cough. "You will be at his call at all times. You will obey him." He brought her closer to him, "if I even get a whisper about you disobeying him in the slightest, you will wish you were dead." He squeezed even tighter. "Am I clear?"

"Yes" she choked out barely.

"And since you have already caught the attention of Harry Potter, this task is for you and you only." Alex began coughing even more as her eyes began to water. "You will rather information for me. Seduce him, if you must."

Alex felt her knees start to give out as she tried her hardest to remain calm, but as the oxygen left her lungs... she had no choice but to struggle against his hand.

"If you do not complete your own task, the punishment will be most dreadful for you."  Her vision began to blur at this point. "You will belong to me. You will become one of my followers."

"My lord!" Penelope yelled standing up. Alexander quickly stood up pulling his wife back down in her seat. Voldemort released his hold on Alex and she gasped out loud. He slammed her onto the ground, her head slamming hard into the marble floor.

"Leave us." Nicholas quickly bent over and with the help of Draco, picked up Alex carrying her out of the sitting room. The room spun as Nicholas directed Draco to take her to the library. Nicholas kicked open the door calling out for Ellie. They placed her on the couch and Nicholas lightly grabbed her face looking over her.

"Going to have a nasty bruise. It already swelling. Ellie-" Nicholas called, "Ice and bring us some tea as well. Quickly."

Nicholas lightly tapped her on the cheek, "Speak to me."

"That fucking bastard." Alex choked out pushing Nicholas away from her.

She stood up and swayed ever so slightly pushing her brother away again.

"Has it been like this all summer?" Draco asked, Alex looked over at Draco finally. She took noticed that he had lost weight. He had dark circles under his eyes and his once perfectly tamed hair seemed to be out of sorts as if he had been running his hands through it in frustration.

Draco Malfoy clearly hadn't had the great summer he was used to.

"Nick was the one that took me to St. Mungo's the first time. Paid off the healers." Alex snatched up the bag of ice Ellie brought in. She placed it to her head and propped herself up against the wall taking a deep breath. "Fire whisky."

"Absolutely not." Nicholas snapped.

"Mix it with my tea then, Ellie." Alex said patting the house elf on the head as she ran past her.

"Oh real smart, drink with the dark lord here."

"Oh shut it." Alex hissed, she turned her attention back to Draco, "So, do you know why I was chosen to help you?"

Draco began to nervously twist his hands together staring down at them, "You were the first person I thought of. I don't know why but when he asked what I needed- said I got one" he looked up, his eyes wide with fear. He took a deep breath, "I said your name without even thinking! I had no idea your father was there! Also didn't know HE had overheard your father ranting about you! It was like word vomit, I swear!"

Alex remained calmed because looking at Draco panic in front of her made her quickly realize he was telling the truth. Alex looked over at her brother, who had slowly stood up from his place staring at Draco. Not angrily like Alex suspected, but he looked terrified.

"What's the mission, Draco?" Alex asked, already preparing for the worse. Draco hesitated and gulped.

"To kill someone by the end of the year." He barely said. Alex slowly lowered the ice pack from her face taking a slight step towards him watching him closely as she did so.

"Who?"

Draco looked up finally, "Albus Dumbledore."

Alex felt the ice pack fall from her grasp scattering ice on the carpet. She felt her heart stop beating for a moment.

"You. Useless. Ass!" Alex screamed sprinting towards Draco, Nicholas quickly grabbed her, yanking her away from Draco as Alex yelled even more insults at him as she struggled against her brother. She finally shoved him off of her and choked out a sob placing her hands on her head. This could not be happening.

"One of the most powerful wizard of all time and you are supposed to kill him!" She shook her head as more tears flowed down her face. "And what is the punishment if we don't succeed?"

"Death." Draco whimpered.

Alex shook her head and dropped down in a chair. Nicholas plopped back down, his face had gone white. Draco was also crying alongside Alex, almost as if it finally occurred to him what he was supposed to do.

Alex chuckled shaking her head, "You signed my death warrant, you know."

"Alexandra." Nicholas hissed.

"No, he fucking did! How in Merlin's beard am I supposed to help him with that along with completing my task!!" Alex felt sick as she stood up again to pace, "being at his every call, so much so everyone is going to think we are a couple therefore Harry Potter will completely distrust me."

Alex stood there staring at the bookcase in front of her. She suddenly realized her fate.

"I can only complete one task. Complete yours and I live but I become a death eater. Ignore yours, I die. So I suppose I just have to figure out which sounds more interesting." Alex whispered mostly to herself. Draco stood up and lifted up his sleeve, there on his forearm was the dark mark in all its glory.

"It's not too bad."

Alex slowly watched him lower his sleeve back down, "I don't want to die."

Alex walked over to him studying him closely, "Trust me it's not too bad."

Alex left the library leaving a stunned Draco. Nicholas sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose standing up.

"I always knew she was a strong one, but now I wonder if she has finally given up." Nicholas began cleaning up the ice Alex had dropped onto the ground. Draco finally controlled himself and realized that no matter how much he didn't want to put her through this... he had to force her in order to survive because without Alex's help...

This would be Draco's last year alive.

Chapter Text

"And here I was excited to be back." Alex grumbled to Nicholas as she handed off her owl. Alex hadn't gotten much sleep, Nicholas was able to heal her bruise but it was still very well seen so Alex had no choice out to leave her hair down and pile a bunch of makeup on.

"Like I explained on the ride here, it's just going to be better if you listen to Draco." Nicholas grumbled picking up her trunk handing it to the man before picking up his as well. Alex rolled her eyes and walked away with him.

"Do you know how suspicious it's going to look?" Alex hissed as she began looking around for her friends. They always met outside the train every year. It was very well known throughout Hogwarts that Draco and Alex were not on friends term. She was a traitor according to him and the rest of the Slytherin house, him showing attention to her over night was going to turn some heads.

"Who cares!"

Alex glared at him as if saying I do without saying it. Of course, he would say that. Nicholas was Mr. Popular, girls loved him and guys wished they were him. Draco always looked up to her brother or so it seemed, it always made Alex jealous. As much as she wanted to ignore Draco and pretend nothing was wrong, she knew that couldn't be the case this year. Alex hated to admit it but dying wasn't an option plus she knew her guilt wouldn't allow herself to let Draco get himself killed.

"Tasso!" Alex and Nicholas turned around to see Draco heading towards them.

"And I'll take my leave." Nicholas patted her on the head before climbing onto the train. As Draco approached her, she quickly took note that this wasn't the same Draco that was at her house last night. His hair was in perfect order. He wasn't as pale and the dark shadows under his eyes were heavily faded which made her wonder if he had makeup on.

He looked well rested or at least that's how she was reading him. "Sit with me." The sentence alone confused the hell out of her. How would her sitting with him on the train help him murder someone?

"Alex!" Alex turned around to see Daphne Greengrass, Ruth Sutton, and Mya Fletcher. Ruth was a short and curvy girl, she was constantly changing her hair and this year it looked like burgundy won. She was the first person she met when she came to Hogwarts, they quickly formed a friendship. Mya was in Ravenclaw, she was a tall thin girl with shoulder length ashy brown hair and big green eyes.

"I forgot you were friends with a half-blood and a Ravenclaw." Draco muttered as Alex waved at them. "Get rid of them. C'mon."

Alex sighed biting her tongue in order not to cause a scene by cussing him out right there. Her brother's voice echoing through her head. Draco could really ruin her life if he wanted to and by the smirk on his face, he knew that. She growled and walked over to her friends thinking of an excuse.

"Talking to Malfoy? Thought he hated you." Daphne chuckled.

"Yes unfortunately against my will, I have to go sit with him." Alex muttered.

"We have sat together every year since second year... you can't be serious." Ruth looked beyond hurt and a ping of guilt hit Alex. Ruth and Mya were truly her best friends. Daphne was more of good friend who tended to go about her life when they bored her.

"It shouldn't be for long. Prefect duties. I'll meet up with you all later" Alex lied, she knew that Draco wasn't going to let her out of his sight. They all gave her a wave before climbing onto the train, Daphne muttering about going to find Theodore Nott.

Alex walked back over to Draco and followed him onto the train, they headed towards the back of the train and Alex pulled Draco to a stop when she spotted Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini ahead of them.

"You cannot be serious." Alex hissed.

"What are you on about?" Draco hissed right back.

"Parkinson! She hates me, I turned her into a pug remember?"

Draco smirked and leaned close to Alex, "Oh I know. Now shut it." He grabbed her wrist pulling her along with him. Pansy was lightly talking to Blaise as he helped her place her bag above the seats. Pansy face broke out in a grin the moment she spotted Draco.

"Draco!" She went to hug him then paused when she saw Alex behind him looking everywhere but at Pansy. "What the hell is she doing here?" She gritted her teeth glaring at her while Alex finally looked at her forcing a smirk on her face.

"I invited her." Draco snatch Alex's bag out of her arms.

"Parkinson. Zabini. Good to see you." Alex felt Draco push her down into the seat and she growled thankful that she was by the window. Perhaps, she could throw herself out of it.

"Tasso, looking fit as always." Blaise Zabini plopped down across from her with a smirk on his face. Pansy nudged Blaise as she sat down next to him. She looked her up and down, whether she was sizing her up or checking her out she wasn't sure and she wasn't about to question it. Pansy should know she as no match for Alex. Fourth year should have told her that.

"Why did you bring the traitor?" Pansy hissed.

Alex rolled her eyes, "Is it because I cursed you or perhaps I am a decent person?" Being called a traitor never bothered her in the slightest, it honestly made her laugh that she was deemed a traitor because she treated everyone no matter their blood line with respect.

Pansy growled and reached for her wand when Blaise stopped her, he quickly whispered something to her and she sighed as Draco glared at the both of them. Pansy sighed and nodded, she turned her attention away from Alex as the train launched forward.

"Draco, how was your summer?" Pansy asked.

"Easy enough." Draco shifted nervously in his seat, "Not too excited to be back honestly. Would rather pitch myself off the astronomy tower than start another year here."

Alex's heart stopped, she slowly looked away from the window and noticed the demeanor of Draco changed again. For just a brief moment, Alex saw that scared Draco again. He quickly covered it up as Blaise snorted.

"Amused, Blaise?" Draco smirked when Blaise's face changed, "you'll soon see what I'm capable of."

"Draco, can you hand me by book from my bag?" Alex quickly said standing up. Draco groaned and reached up grabbing her bag. He pulled out her book handing it to her, she grabbed his hand. "Shut your mouth. You're getting cocky." She said in a hushed whisper before sitting back down opening her book.

Surprisingly, Draco said nothing nor did he react, he simply just sat back down. They rode in silence for the next hour and Alex could not be more thankful. She was tired of Pansy already and that was saying something considering she was one of her dorm mates.

Alex jumped when she heard a large crack as the cabin filled up with smoke. Draco and Blaise both quickly jumped up with their wands out as the other cabins began screaming. Alex stood up and glanced around nervously. She felt something bump into her but as she looked around she saw that none of them were even close to her.

"Boys, relax! It's probably just a 1st year messing around." Pansy said looking over at Alex.

"You know the Weasley twins opened a joke shop. Probably something of theirs." Alex muttered, she pushed Blaise back in but Draco didn't move so Alex went towards him. "Something bumped me." She whispered.

He nodded knowing she was warning for him to be careful with what he said. Alex sat back down opening her book again when she heard movement. She looked up and saw that Draco noticed it as well. They locked eyes knowing that they were being spied on in that moment.

Another hour passed and they finally arrived at Hogwarts. Pansy and Blaise stood up collecting their belongings. Alex went to stand when Draco placed a hand on her knee stopping her.

"You two go ahead." Pansy nor Blaise put up much of fight, just nodded heading on their way. The moment they were gone, Draco grabbed his bag before grabbing Alex's handing it off to her. He closed the door locking it and pulling down the curtain.

"Didn't mummy ever tell you it's rude to eavesdrop?" Draco turned suddenly pointing his wand at the top the rack. Alex heard a thud onto the ground and knelt down pulling off the invisibility cloak off of Harry Potter. He was frozen but his eyes slowly drifted over to hers. Draco leaned down yanking Alex away from him pushing her backwards.

Draco pocketed his wand and looked down at Harry before standing up fully picking up his foot slamming it into Harry's face. Alex gasped.

"That was for my father. Enjoy your trip back to London." He hissed throwing the cloak back on him.

"Draco, we can't-" Alex began but quickly stopped talking when she saw the look on Draco's face. She had never seen him so angry before in her life. Draco was always one to throw out insults but she had never seen him actually hit someone. She truly thought he was all bark but now she wasn't so sure of who he was.

"Shut up and get going." He hissed pushing her forward.

Alex stopped looking back and wondering if she could play stupid, she could help Harry. She went to open her mouth to think of an excuse to go back when Draco grabbed her roughly by her upper arm yanking her along with him.

"Let me go." Alex hissed.

Draco stopped pulling her close to him, "You belong to me, remember?"

"I belong to no one." Alex shoved him off of her and began her way up to Hogwarts.

000

"Alexandra Tasso!" Alex looked up from her trunk to see Pansy storming in with Daphne trying to keep the peace. Ruth turned away from her wardrobe and raised an eyebrow at Alex, who looked bored of the conversation already.

"Pansy Parkinson?" Alex said dryly.

"Are you or are you not seeing Draco?" She squealed. Daphne finally gave up on trying to hush her and walked over to her side of the dorm to begin unpacking. Alex ignored her and began organizing her school bag for tomorrow. "Answer me!"

"Merlin, you'll break the windows!" Ruth hissed. Alex was lucky that she was stuck with only three roommates instead of the normal five. She would give her wand to replace Pansy though.

"He's mine!" She squealed even louder this time.

"I wasn't aware he was property." Alex folded her uniform up nearly on before closing her trunk placing it on top of it for the morning. "Besides squealing won't make him yours. Maybe barking might."

"You!" She whipped out her wand from her cloak and all Alex did was snort.

"Oh please! Parkinson, put it away." Daphne muttered, "I'm trying to relax. You know she'll beat you."

Pansy hesitated for a moment before tossing her wand onto her bed and began getting ready for bed. Alex picked up a journal and threw on a sweatshirt heading down to the common room. It was just after 9pm and Alex wasn't the tad bit tired.

Alex saw the fire was slowly dying and by the looks of it she was by herself. She picked up a candle on one of the desk walking over to the fire to light it. She placed the candle on the bookcase nearest to the windows. With the Slytherins being in the dungeon, they only had a few windows. Those windows had benches underneath them, every now and then you would see something swimming along in the Black Lake. It was rare though considering how dark it normally was.

Alex didn't sit there to watch for the creatures, ever since she was a child the sound or even the look of water seemed to calm her. Almost as if it put her in a trace. This was her spot, she rarely sat by the fire on the couches unless Ruth was there.

The windows were large, reaching all the way to the ceiling. She always wondered if the windows were charm because one simple crack in the glass, they would all be dead. That never scared her though. Nothing nowadays did anyways.

"Can't sleep?" Alex didn't even have to turn to see who it was.

"Not with your girlfriend wailing." Alex looked away and opened her journal. Draco strolled over plopping down near her on the bench. He leaned his back against the window and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I wasn't aware I had one, so I suppose that's news to me." Draco whispered.

"Pansy Parkinson is always gushing about you. Are you at all surprised?" Alex chuckled pulling out her quill to begin writing. "Beside I thought you enjoyed her. Dated her at one point?"

"I broke up with her at the end of last year." Draco shifted in his seat, "realized I didn't love her."

"How did you come to that conclusion?" Alex asked not even looking up.

"I was too comfortable. I asked her to the Yule Ball at the last minute, just stuck with her." Alex slowly looked up at him. He was staring ahead of them his eyes slightly hazed over as in deep in thought or remembering a detail he had once forgotten. He looked tired, again it seemed like he was a completely different person than he was on the train just hours ago. "You went with Theodore Nott, right?"

"I did." Alex lightly chuckled to herself, "Ditched me once at the ball though. Caught him snogging Daphne actually."

That caught Draco's attention. He finally looked over at her but she was too busy writing to even notice his glance. He studied her for the first time all day. Her hair was thrown up in a messy bun, showing the faint bruise on her temple. It was barely noticeable. Her knuckles were bruised rather it be from an old injury or fresh from the night before.

The once tan and pretty girl look pale and exhausted, but what was even more shocking to him was how beautiful she was still.

"And you're friends with her?" Draco snorted.

"If you're asking me if it broke my heart, the answer is no." Alex had a sad smile on her face, "More embarrassed honestly." Alex looked back over at the window watching the reflection of the moon sneaking through the darkness of the lake. "Don't tell him this but I only agreed to the date because I didn't think anyone else would ask me."

"Blaise asked you didn't he? As well as that Hufflepuff." Draco began counting them out as Alex studied her journal.

"How do you know all of that?" Alex whispered.

"Blaise whined about it for nearly a month. You know there are no secrets at Hogwarts." Draco didn't want to tell her that he had asked around that year to see if he even had the chance to ask her. That was his plan the moment he had heard about the ball.

They stayed silent, all that was heard was the scratching of Alex's quill and the crackling of the dying fire.

"When did you realize your father was a death eater?" Draco was stunned by Alex's question. She was back to staring out the window at the lake.

"Second year. But I always knew, he never hid it from me." Draco muttered, Alex just nodded.

"Qudditich World Cup actually." Alex whispered. Draco nodded sadly. "We got separated after our father's ditched us. I ended up getting kneed in the face by a death eater. As I was passing out I heard them begin to freak out because of who I was. I finally came to and ran into Potter with his friends." Alex trailed off, "I remember seeing the dark mark in the sky. The ministry surrounded us, Arthur Weasley watched after me until I found you."

Alex sighed and leaned her head against the window, "I overheard him getting absolutely attacked by my mother when we got home. Nick broke the news to me later, I had always known. He did pretty well at hiding it from us though."

"Consider yourself lucky." Draco grumbled standing up stretching.

"This was the Draco I knew growing up and who was at my manor last night." Alex began, Draco paused looking back at her, "I don't know the Draco that was on the train."

She watched as Draco's shoulders tensed up, he turned back around and walked back to his dorm. Alex closed her eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. She was hoping he would have explained himself, but Alex needed to get that out of her head. He wasn't the same boy she grew up with. Both of them had changed drastically over the years.

She just wished their lives were like how they used to be. Life was easier back then. She closed her journal and headed upstairs to get ready for bed.

Chapter Text

Alex was the last to wake up, she quickly threw on her uniform and grabbed her bag heading towards the Great Hall. She didn't get to sleep till well after midnight, her mind racing about the one boy she hadn't thought about in years. After her talk with Draco last night, she couldn't get the look he gave her out of her head.

He looked beyond broken.

Alex saw Ruth studying the newspaper as she sipped on some tea. The Great Hall was surprisingly empty. Breakfast had only just started about 10 minutes ago, she was expecting it to be packed. She sat across from Ruth and Professor Snape walked over handing her the schedule. She muttered a thanks before filling up her plate with food.

She hadn't eaten much the night before due to Draco's spilt personality.

"I wonder where everyone is." Alex muttered.

"Probably over slept. How did you sleep?" Ruth muttered closing the Daily Prophet folding it up nice and neatly.

"Rubbish, honestly." Alex opened up her schedule and read through it before handing it over to Ruth to compare. As Ruth studied both of the schedules, she looked up to see Draco walking into the Great Hall with Blaise and Theodore Nott. She was expecting him to walk past her and sit where they normally did towards the head of the table, but Draco stopped plopping down beside her.

Ruth looked up and raised an eyebrow before looking over at Alex. Alex just simply shrugged not really in the mood to think of an excuse. He continued to talk to both Blaise and Theo like nothing strange had just occurred.

"Nearly all classes together. Except you're taking Ancient Runes instead of Divination." Ruth made a face.

"Divination is a crock of shit and you know it." Alex chuckled, "have any classes with Mya?"

"Transfiguration and Herbology." Ruth muttered, she glanced back over at the Ravenclaw table to see Mya talking to Cho Chang. "She got here before I even did. That's saying something." She took a sip of her tea as Alex munched on some toast, "History of Magic first thing might kill us."

"Are you taking Slughorn's advance potion class?" Draco asked nudging Alex.

"Yes, I assume you are as well. You beat me last year if I remember correctly." Alex muttered.

"Of course. I guess that means you have a free period after that class as well." Alex just nodded as Ruth studied the schedules again.

"Damn, I have charms then my free period." Ruth grumbled handing back Alex's schedule. Before Alex could even pocket it, Draco took it from her to study it.

"Sutton, I thought you could read. Guess not?" Blaise chuckled. Ruth rolled her eyes and tossed a piece of fruit at him. "Thanks I love strawberries."

"You're a pain." Ruth grumbled, "what are you three doing over here? You forget where you lot normally sit?"

"Why wouldn't we want to sit next to two stunning women?" Blaise winked, Alex snorted and Ruth busted out in a loud laugh.

"Oh please. I'm the traitor and she's a half blood. Very well hated among the Slytherins." Alex chuckled, "nice try though."

"You two are friends with Daphne." Theo added.

"And you absolutely embarrassed the hell out of Alex by snogging her at the Yule Ball." Ruth muttered causing Alex to kick her underneath the table. Ruth winced and rubbed her shin as Alex awkwardly drank some juice. "Not that Alex cared." Ruth added as Alex sent her another glare.

Ruth finished up her breakfast and excused herself to go get her bag for class. Blaise and Theo left shortly after her as Alex sat there awkwardly with Draco. After a few moments of silence, Alex began to gather up her things when Draco placed a hand on her thigh causing her to freeze.

"I have a plan." Draco whispered. Alex just nodded knowing what he meant. She went to stand up again when he gripped her thigh causing her to stop moving once again. "After our potions class, I will show you."

Alex nodded quickly wanting him to let her go. She wasn't scared of him but she didn't like how frozen she was. Sure, she had messed around with a few boys but none of them were as touchy as Draco was being right now. She hated not knowing how to respond.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" He smirked leaning closer to her.

"No, of course not." Alex hissed grabbing his hand yanking it off of her thigh. "You don't have to be touchy."

"Actually I do." He grabbed her wrist yanking her closer to him, she blushed and glanced around the Great Hall to see if anyone was watching them "I have heard a few rumors about you."

"About what? What are you-"

"Good morning, Draco!" Alex pulled back away from Draco as Pansy walked over with a smirk on her face. "Not her again." She muttered glaring at Alex. "Draco, you'll-"

"You'll treat her with respect or stay away from her." Draco snapped, Alex took this opportunity to finally get up from the table. She threw her bag over her shoulder and quickly walked out of the Great Hall. Draco glared at Pansy, she sighed and walked over to her friends as Draco sat there fuming.

His eyes traveled over to the Gryffindor table to see that Potter and Weasley were watching him closely. He had to hide the smirk from his face as he got up from the table. After all the years of knowing and hating Potter, one thing he knew for certain was that if Draco started showing sudden interest in Alex... Potter would most definitely reach out to Alex.

So in a way, he was helping Alex. Along with helping himself. Blaise had let it slip that he was either going to go for Ruth or Alex this year. Every year since third year, Blaise took it as a challenge to pinpoint one girl to throw all his attention on. Last year was some girl in Hufflepuff that he ended up dating for a few months till he got bored.

Alex may be known as a traitor especially after last year, but it was well known that she was very popular with the fellows. Draco thought it had to be a mix of pissing their parents off knowing they were dating the trouble maker Tasso and the fact that Alex had not dated a single guy ever since the Yule Ball.

She wasn't just popular among the Slytherins, but with every house. Last year, Draco had overheard Alex telling her Ravenclaw friend last year that she couldn't even focus on studying with constantly being bothered while she was at the library.

He needed all her attention on him. His life was on the line after all. Draco stepped into the History of Magic classroom to see Ruth and Alex sitting in the back of the room talking. Draco plopped next to Crabbe, who was sitting to the right of them.

"Don't you find it weird that Draco Malfoy is showing you attention?" Ruth whispered.

"Never really thought about it. He's just probably following in Blaise Zabini foot steps." Alex quickly said. "Are you still seeing that 7th year?" Alex quickly changed the subject. Ruth chuckled and began to gush about this new guy in her life.

Draco studied Alex again this time he could really see her, not just the shadows of her from the dying fire. Her dark hair was half way pulled back, her bruise being completely gone. She had color back in her skin and her once pale pink lips looked plumper and darker. Her eyes though, no spell would be able to hide the pain behind them. As much as she chuckled with Ruth, Draco could still see the sadness in Alexandra Tasso's eyes.

And for some reason that thought alone made his heart flutter.

000

"Ah Miss Tasso." Alex paused and gave Professor Slughorn a soft smile as she placed up her potion book. "I was very excited to see you in my class. Your brother was in my morning class, such a bright young man."

Alex felt Draco nudge her as he walked past her.

"Yes, I was very excited to hear you would be teaching this year. My father-"

"Yes, I remember your father." Slughorn's face changed at the mere mention of her old man. She nodded and excused herself not really wanting to know what her father had done to him. As soon as she exited the potion room, Draco took hold of her wrist pulling her down the hallway with him.

"I'm a Malfoy. He wasn't at all interested in me." Draco grumbled after a few moments.

"Father calls him the collector of students. He hates him, sounded bitter about him." Alex muttered as they began to climb the stairs. "Seems more interested in Nick though. The future healer." Alex adjusted her bag on her shoulder and glanced down to see Draco still had not let go of her hand.

"Where exactly are you taking me?" Alex asked as he slowed down in front of an empty wall. Alex raised an eyebrow as Draco closed his eyes facing the wall. She was about to open her mouth again when two double doors appeared. He stepped forward pushing opened the doors, Alex quickly followed behind him.

Once they entered the doors shut and Alex looked around the insanely large room that was filled to the brim of all sorts of things.

"The Room of Requirements." Alex whispered dropping her bag to the ground.

"Well you aren't a complete moron. Come along it's right up here." Draco nudged her as he past by her. Alex quickly followed behind him as he easily walked through the maze of different magical and forgotten goods. Her eyes darting from item to item to make a mental note to check it out before leaving.

Draco stopped in front of a large white sheet that was draped over something large. He stepped up to it yanking it off in one movement. It was a large cabinet with dark wood panels around it and an interesting door. She knew the moment she saw it she knew what it was.

"A Vanishing Cabinet is supposed to kill our Headmaster?" Alex asked looking up at Draco with a raised eyebrow.

"No, you idiot." Draco snorted, "He wants Death Eaters there when it happens. This is how I'll get them in."

"You'll need a sister cabinet." Alex muttered walking up to the cabinet studying it closely. Pieces of the wood panel were broken off all together or barely hanging on by a nail. The door handle was barely handing on and the door itself looked like it had been kicked in.

"Borgin and Burkes has one. I brought it over the summer-" Draco watched as Alex ran her hand over the panels. "I had done some research when I was first told about it. I figured Hogwarts had to have at least one somewhere."

"I hate to tell you but I doubt this one works." Alex whispered.

"We will mend it."

"Mend it? Draco, it's not a broken chair. It's a magical artifact, if we do this incorrectly then your plan goes to ruins. Plus, we will have to do some major research on ensuring that this cabinet will match with that one." Alex stepped backwards crossing her arms over her chest.

"And that's where you come into play." Draco smirked stepping closer to her, "You'll use that smart little head of yours." He lightly picked up a piece of her hair that was resting on her shoulder. Alex smacked his hand away and took a step back.

"Will you stop! You don't have to put up some playboy front right now. No one is here." She growled. "So, I do all the research for you and what do I get in return?"

"The rumor is you're dating me." Draco snorted picking up the sheet again.

"Oh please." Alex rolled her eyes.

"I know the ladies love me plus-" Draco was in front of her in a blink of an eye, he lightly grabbed her chin forcing her to look up at him. He had wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her into his chest. "Plus my attention on you will confuse Potter. He'll be coming right to you."

"And what makes you so aware of that?" Alex placed her hands on his chest trying to push him off of her but he didn't budge.

"He was spying on us on the train. He's suspicious about something." Draco finally let her go. Alex didn't say a word, she just sighed and looked up at the cabinet as Draco replaced the sheet onto it. She hated to admit it but Draco was probably right.

"When exactly are you supposed to kill him?" Alex asked as they walked towards the doors. Alex picked up her bag.

"End of the school year." Draco's cocky personality quickly changed at the mere mention of his task.

"This could take months to mend."

"That's why you are to focus on that while I decide on how to kill the bastard." Draco muttered opening the door. They walked down the hallway in silence, her next class was Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Gryffindors. Draco pulled her to a stop and covered her mouth as she was about to curse him out.

He mouthed Potter as she peeked around the corner. She saw him walking in the direction of the DADA classroom and he was by himself. She quickly reached into her bag pulling out her journal and pretended to flip through it as she walked towards him.

He didn't seemed to be paying any attention at all to her or anything around him. He looked to be deep in thought as he walked which gave her the perfect opportunity to get in front of him. She slammed into him causing her to fall onto the ground.

"I'm so-" he paused when he realized it was her, "Tasso." He offered her his hand and he helped her up along with picking up her journal she had dropped. Alex tried to look as embarrassed as she could and made sure she looked uncomfortable to be even speaking to him. If Draco was right, this would prove it.

"I've been meaning to speak to you since I saw you on the train." He began, "You tried to stop Malfoy but didn't."

Alex placed her journal in her bag and nervously chuckled, "I don't have a clue what you're talking about." She began walking again and Potter pulled her to a stop.

"Look you-" Potter glanced around, "Slowed down the others so we could get to the ministry, I never got to thank you."

Alex didn't have to act surprise by that, she gulped and took a step away from him. The mere mention of her helping him brought back all the terrible nightmares she had dealt with this past summer.

"I supposed that probably caused you some-"

Alex felt a shiver go down her spine, "please don't."

She wasn't acting now. She felt like she was being set up possibly by Draco. Was this a trick to get her to fully support him? She felt her hands begin to shake at the idea that he would be so cruel to do something like that to her.

"Are you alright?" Potter placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Oi!" Alex flinched snapping out of her panicked mind as Draco appeared with Blaise Zabini. "Hands off!" Draco lightly pulled her away from him and pushed Potter roughly backwards. Draco looked over at Blaise and nodded, Blaise stepped forward wrapping his arm around Alex's shoulders pulling her away which she couldn't believe how thankful she was for him.

"Stay away from her." Draco hissed, "You have caused her enough problems already."

Potter looked at Draco confused for a moment and Draco chuckled, how stupid could this boy be?

"Do you really think she got off with a firm talking to?" Draco hissed.

"What are you talking about?" He asked as Draco turned to leave.

"She was beaten because of you." Draco chuckled, "Her pretty little face was bruised and bloody... all thanks to you." He could see the panic fill Potter's face as his eyes drifted behind Draco to watch Alex, who was lightly talking to Blaise.

"Why do you care? You hate Tasso for helping me." Potter muttered. Draco felt his fist flinch at his side. He was shocked as rage filled his body as Potter spoke about Alex. Of course, he cared about Alex! She was all he could think about for years. She was smart and beautiful along with being absolutely terrifying.

Ever since third year, he just wanted to be near her at all times.

"You stay away from her." Draco growled.

Draco wasn't acting anymore. The boy that used to be so protective over her came back with force that nearly left his breathless. No one would hurt her. Not even the dark lord himself.

000

After her last class, Alex made her way to the library. It had been a few days since her run in with Potter and her talk with Draco. Monday and Tuesday, she was busy with homework she didn't even think about research. Draco actually asked her this morning for her notes, when she told him she hadn't had time, she expected him to blow up at her but he was surprisingly kind about it.

Alex found a table towards the back of the library and pulled off her cloak placing it on her chair before pulling our some parchment. She picked up her journal and scanned through some of the titles of books that might help her. Quickly memorized it before going from shelf to shelf gathering books. She dropped off three before heading back out to collect some more.

"There you are." Alex whispered standing on her tippy toes trying to grab a book. She couldn't reach it and was about to pull out her wand when a hand pulled it down for her. "Blaise, didn't realize you knew where the library was." Alex took the book from his hand.

He smirked and leaned up the bookcase, "such a sharp tongue."

"What do you want?" Alex asked as she walked towards another bookcase as Blaise quickly followed behind her.

"What makes you think I want-" Alex turned around and shot Blaise a look, he sighed and looked around nervously. "Alright fine. Ruth Sutton. Rumor has it she has a boyfriend." Blaise handed her another book and Alex raised an eyebrow at the sentence that escaped his lips.

"Oh please. You mean to tell me you're interested in Ruth." Alex chuckled walking away, "And rumors are right. He walked her to class today."

"Who is he?" Blaise hissed as he jogged after her, she ignored him and placed the books on her table. "Oi, Im talking to you!"

Alex rolled her eyes, "Robbie Smith"

Blaise's eyes widen and he looked away as Alex plopped down in her chair, "That loser."

"If I remember last year, you and Draco nearly worshipped the ground he walked on because he was named this year Captain." Alex chuckled picking up a book, "and I quote 'we will surely get the cup with him leading us'" Alex looked up, Blaise was staring at the books on the table. She quickly flicked them over and hissed for him to get lost.

Blaise stood up and was about to leave when he stopped walking over to her dropping his head, "My mother said Draco was given a task and dragged you along with him."

Alex tensed up but kept her eyes glued on the book in her hands.

"You know Draco has made it clear to all the Slytherin boys that you are off limits." Blaise whispered leaning even closer to her. "Ruth wouldn't approve of what you are doing. I would hate-"

"Don't threaten me." Alex hissed locking eyes with him, "Do you really believe she would trust you over me? If you wish to threaten me, act it out." Alex growled. Blaise didn't flinch and Alex didn't back down at all.

"He can't protect you forever." He hissed backing up.

"I don't need his protection. I'm in my own hell, try it and see how badly your life will be." Alex slammed her fist into the table as he stormed away. She sighed and shook her head. She opened her book again and began reading once more.

Two hours had ticked by and Alex knew she needed to call it a day, dinner would be served in the next thirty minutes and she knew she had to eat something. She had three pages of notes, that should be enough for the day. She'll come back tomorrow.

She slowly began to return her books to the sleeves making mental notes where she needed to go to tomorrow. It would be easier for her to just come here every day instead of trying to hide the books in her dorm.

"Hermione!" Alex ducked behind a shelf as she heard Potter approaching. She saw Granger placing up some books as Potter jogged over to her. Alex took notice that she looked beyond irritated with him.

"If this is about Alexandra Tasso or Draco Malfoy, I don't want to hear it." Granger hissed. Alex placed the last book up and leaned into a bookcase hiding herself within its shadows.

"Since third year, he has hated her because she isn't a monster like him... now all of sudden they follow each other around. It's not adding up!" Alex felt her heart drop, Draco was dead right and she hated to admit it... this was definitely going to help her. 

"Feelings change, Harry. Listen if Malfoy was right and I hope he isn't. You're putting her in danger just talking to her. Leave her be and focus on your studies." Granger's voice began to fade as they began walking away.

Alex could feel the panic welling up in her chest, she quickly threw her cloak back on and gathered her things. She suddenly wasn't hungry anymore. First she had Blaise threatening to tell Ruth, she was helping a known death eater. Now Harry fucking Potter could even see that something was up with the two of them.

This task was meant to be a secret, but again Draco was right.

There were no secrets at Hogwarts.

Chapter Text

Alex sat down on the ground with her notebooks spread out in front of her. It had been two weeks since Hogwarts started back, Alex had finally gain enough knowledge to begin working on the cabinet. She looked at her watch on her wrist and sighed. She lightly banged her head against the bookcase she was sitting next to.

Dinner was in five minutes and she knew she needed to eat. She had ended up skipping breakfast to finish some homework and also skipped lunch to gather more notes. After dinner, she and Draco agreed to meet in order to brainstorm some plans. She put her notebook back in her bag pulling herself to her feet.

She quickly headed back to the common room to meet up with Ruth. She yawned and stepped through the portal and dropped her bag off in her room. She saw Ruth speaking to Daphne by the fireplace and let out another yawn as she approached them. She was beyond exhausted, she was so thankful today was Wednesday and she planned on sleeping all weekend.

She never realized juggling her school work along with helping Draco would drain her so much.

"You look like shit." Daphne muttered as they left the common room.

"Still look better than you, eh?" Alex smirked. Daphne rolled her eyes when Ruth let out a chuckle. Daphne had been pretty awful the past week and Alex couldn't figure out why she even still wanted to hang out with them, Alex saw Mya up ahead and called out to her. Daphne made a groan and quickly excused herself.

She shoved her shoulder into Mya's as she passed her. Alex raised an eyebrow as Mya said nothing but just rolled her eyes. Alex slowly looked over at Ruth, who sighed. Mya wasn't the type of person to not stand up for herself so the fact that Mya didn't punch her then and there shocked Alex as well as Ruth.

"What was that?" Alex asked nodding her head in the direction that Daphne left in. Mya looked behind her and shrugged, "Oh please."

"Daphne doesn't concern me." Mya muttered as they rounded the corner. Alex stopped and looked at Ruth and Mya. The fact that Ruth was silent while that occurred, brought a chill down Alex's spine. Something was not right. Blaise threat echoed throughout her head as she studied the both of them.

Mya and Ruth stopped just ahead of her. Ruth slowly looked at Mya and Mya sighed walking slowly towards Alex. Alex subconsciously took a step back as Mya walked towards her, Mya took notice and stopped holding up her hand.

"Al, what is going on with you?" Her voice was soft and gentle, Ruth stood behind her looking absolutely terrified. She was nervously glancing around and nervously chewing on her bottom lip. "There have been rumors and we are just worried."

"What rumors?" Alex's voice cracked. She was trying her hardest to remain stone faced but she knew her two best friends saw right through it.

"Parkinson said you were beaten this summer... said your parents work for you-know-who." Mya began.

"We noticed the bruises when you first arrived and you have been sneaking around." Ruth said suddenly, Alex could see the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Alex waited for them to continue, she could see the hesitation on both of their faces as they stood before her. She was trying to decide if they were scared of her or scared what she may do.

"Spit it out." Alex hissed.

"We promised each other in third year... we would never judge one another and would protect one another." Mya whispered, "and we aren't about to break that promise."

"You're our sister. Let us help you." Ruth said stepping closer to Mya. Alex felt the tension release from her shoulders and she stepped forward holding her hand out to them. She held her hand out flat palm up.

"For your safety, I cannot tell you but trust me when I say-"

"She's safe." Alex turned around to see Draco strolling towards them with his hands in his pockets. "I will make sure of it."

Alex could see the hesitation on both of their faces as Draco walked towards them. Alex gave them a reassuring smile with her hand still stretched out, "Do you trust me still?"

Ruth walked forward and  placed her hand on top of Alex's, Mya followed suit. Alex gave them a smile and Ruth looked back at Draco as they lowered their hands, "I'll tell you right now, Malfoy, I'll kill you where you stand if one hair is harmed on her head."

Draco gave her a tight nod.

"Control your dogs by the way." Mya hissed as Alex walked away with them. Draco followed them and they said goodbye to Mya as they walked towards the Slytherin table. Alex froze when she saw Daphne and Pansy giggling with one another with Nott and Blaise sitting across from them looking bored.

Ruth grabbed her wrist as she made her way towards Pansy, "Save it for another day. Not here."

Alex sighed knowing she was right, she really didn't and couldn't risk landing herself in detention right now. She sat down next to Ruth and began to prepare her plate. She didn't realize how hungry she was till she actually saw the food in front of her. She felt eyes on her and looked up to see Draco studying her as Blaise spoke to him.

She quickly ate as Ruth gushed on and on about how Robbie asked her out to Hogsmeade next weekend. She felt someone sit beside her and glanced over to see Draco, he leaned down close to her ear.

"Meet me there at 7. Don't be late." His breath on her ear and neck sent a shiver down her spine. She didn't feel uncomfortable but what concerned her was that she kind of liked it. He stood up and brushed her hair lightly off of her shoulder.

Alex knew exactly where he wanted her to meet him. She took a deep breath trying to control herself. She couldn't believe how fluster he just made her just by whispering in her ear.

"Ruth." Alex looked up to see her brother.

"Hi Nick!" Ruth smiled. He gave her a nod.

"May I borrow my sister?"

Ruth just nodded as Alex stood up saying she would see her later, she followed her brother out of the Great Hall. They walked in silence till they got to the courtyard. No one was around and Alex realized this was the emptiness she had ever seen it. Alex plopped down on a bench and took notice that Nicholas was looking around.

"Anymore bad news and I may drown myself in the lake." Alex whispered.

"I suppose you found out the rumors going around Hogwarts." Nick's voice was soft as he sat down next to her. "Parkinson has started a campaign it seems like."

"How unfortunate for her." Alex muttered. Nick snorted beside her and threw his arm around her shoulders kissing her cheek.

"Tell me what I need to do and you got it." He whispered. All Alex could do was nod. They spoke for about thirty minutes before Nick excused himself. Alex found herself sitting out there staring up at the sky as the sun began to set. This year was nothing like how she imagined it to be, she was beyond exhausted.

She was so tired, she didn't have a chance to feel bad about her life. She didn't realize how long she had sat there till she looked at her watch and realized she had to meet Draco in fifteen minutes.

000

Alex watched as Draco looked through all her notes as Alex stood there staring at the cabinet.

"How long will it take?" He finally asked.

"Does he have to be dead by New Years or the end of the school year?" Alex muttered.

"School year." She felt herself relax.

"Three to five months to repair it. Probably two months to master the spells." Alex took her eyes away from the cabinet to see Draco staring at her. His face had gone completely white and the only reason she could tell he was shaking was by the papers in his hands.

"We don't have time." He dropped her notes and roughly ran his hands through his hair. He began pacing while Alex stood there watching him. She didn't have the energy to stress out. She didn't even have the energy to do anything. "Well?" He finally snapped at her.

Alex raised an eyebrow, "Can I go now?"

He was in front of her in a blink of an eye, she stumbled backwards slamming into the cabinet. She flinched and her eyes widen when he roughly grabbed her by her neck. Alex stared into his icy blue eyes that seemed to be blazing with pure anger.

"You would be fucked if it wasn't for me." Alex hissed. She winched when he slammed her into the cabinet and a loose nail caught on her cloak. She growled and pushed him away from her with all of her might. He stumbled and she slapped him as hard as she could in the face. He grabbed his cheek and looked up at her. "Do that again and I'll let him kill you." She growled.

"We don't have time, Alex!" Draco yelled rubbing his cheek as Alex began to pick up her notes.

"Oh shut the fuck up!" Alex yelled back, "I am exhausted! I've been working on this since day one" she hissed angrily waving her notes in the air. "You know how much sleep I have gotten since then?" Alex could feel all her frustration being released as she spoke.

Draco just stood there stunned but said nothing.

"It's Wednesday and I have slept a total of four hours since Saturday!" Alex hissed, his eyes slightly widen as she spoke. "I'm doing this for you. All my school work and trying to figure out what the hell to do with my task. I'm sick!" Alex paused to catch her breath and felt her eyes welding up with tears. "Then I get threatened by Blaise Zabini for not helping him bang my best friend and NOW I have a pug face bitch telling everyone that my father beat the shit out of me!"

Alex threw her notes angrily at the ground and turned away from him as she completely lost it. She was never one to feel sorry for herself, she had always picked herself up and kept going, but she didn't know if she could do it anymore. Death seemed like such a wonderful option at this point, the easy route... but she couldn't do that to Draco. He was dealt a shitty hand just like her.

"I'm sorry." Alex froze and slowly turned around to see that it was actually Draco, who had just spoke. "I don't know what to do and I'm-" Draco sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "I'm absolutely terrified."

Alex stared at him, in all her years of knowing him... she had never heard him apologize to anyone let alone tell anyone he was scared.

"We are both just stressed. I promise you, we will get this cabinet fixed and working perfectly as soon as I can." Alex stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder causing him to look up at her. "I'm sorry I slapped you." She lightly placed her hand on his cheek and he winced, "You're already bruising."

"I deserved it, I shouldn't have been so aggressive." Draco chuckled, "I always knew you were tough but bloody hell." He rubbed his cheek stepping back to help pick up her notes. "Now what is this about Blaise threatening you?" He handed her notes.

"Oh he just is interested in Ruth and wants me to break her and Robbie up. Said he'll tell her I'm working with you." Alex shrugged and put her notes up back in her bag. "I'm not afraid of Blaise Zabini."

Draco walked over to a mirror and waved his wand over his cheek. She packed up her bag and waved her wand over the sheet causing it to float and cover the cabinet again. Draco picked up his bag as well and they left. Both of them were lucky that her brother had ended up being Head Boy, he made sure their prefect sections to patrol was near one another and near the Room of Requirements. 

Both of them quickly patrolled before heading back to the Slytherin common room together. The moment they stepped into the common room, Blaise and Theodore Nott ran over to them. Both of them looked furious. Alex raised an eyebrow and looked up at Draco, who also seemed confused.

"Did you see?" Blaise hissed.

"See what?" Alex asked. Blaise gestured to the bulletin board that was to the left of the fireplace. Alex walked over with Draco behind her and noticed a Quidditch poster. She picked it off the board and read it.

"What the hell?" Alex whispered as she read it.

"Well?" Draco grumbled taking the poster from her. "He expects us to all try out again for a spot!" Draco looked at Alex, who was too busy staring at the fireplace. "I've been the seeker since second year! How dare he?"

"And all day Sunday as well. We always have the Pitch the third Saturday for try outs! We only need a new beater and chaser."Blaise complained, "Why are you so quiet, Tasso?! Shouldn't you be upset, you're the only girl you'll be the first to go."

"Don't say that to her, git." Nott growled nudging Blaise roughly.

"That's exactly what he is doing." Alex whispered.

"Say something to Sutton. She's banging him." Blaise grumbled. Alex shook her head and headed towards the stairs to go to bed. She didn't want to think or even speak to anyone at the moment. Draco grabbed her wrist stopping her.

"I don't want you working on the cabinet for the next three days. We will start working on it Monday. Rest." He quickly whispered to her.

"We don't have time."

"Yes we do. With your help, we can do it."

All she could do was muster a quick nod.

"I'll handle Blaise, Pansy, and whatever else." Draco quickly turned and climbed the stairs to the boys' dorm. Alex took a deep breath, she was so confused after today that all she wanted to do was sleep so that's what she did.

000

All Alex did for the past three days was go to class, eat, and sleep. She typically missed breakfast so she could get even more sleep. Blaise stayed clear of her, she wasn't sure what Draco said to him but apparently it scared him enough to avoid her all together. All the rumors that Pansy had started were snuffed out quickly, Pansy was deemed a liar and that was that.

All was going well, but today she would be fighting for her spot on the team. The one thing that she was actually excited about this year. The one thing she was looking forward to.

"You are going to have a long day. You need to eat." Ruth whispered as Alex pushed around the eggs on her plate. Ruth had apologized non stop to Alex since she found out what Robbie was pulling. She even spoke to him about it which apparently caused a massive fight.

"Ruth. I am not hungry." Alex grumbled.

"Eat." Draco muttered plopping some bacon on her plate. Draco had been glued to her hip so naturally the rumors were in full swing that they were a couple. Alex had brought it up to him multiple times saying they needed to put a stop to them but Draco would never say a word, he would just smirk and change the subject.

It was getting so bad that even Ruth and Mya was making jokes about them dating. What bothered Alex the most was how flustered she got every time that topic was brought up or when Draco decided to be flirty to fluster her even more. He was really enjoying himself.

"Al, you're going to be fine! You'll stay on the team no problem." Ruth said smiling. Alex tossed down her fork and got up. She heard Ruth sigh and Draco grabbed an apple quickly following her munching on it. They walked in silence all the way to the pitch and separated to go get changed for the try outs.

Alex quickly put on her uniform and pulled her hair up before grabbing her broom from her locker. As she entered the pitch, she saw all of past members with a handful of first and second years. She walked over to Blaise and Draco quickly taking note, again she was the only female on the pitch.

"Apparently pure blood witches still think they are too good for Quidditch." Blaise grumbled lightly nudging Alex. Alex rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Are you implying that Tasso is not of pure blood?" Nott muttered.

Draco snorted, "her blood is purer than both of you combined."

The pitch went silent as Robbie Smith walked into the pitch. Robbie wasn't the most impressive looking guy. Average height with average built, he had shaggy black hair and dark brown eyes. One of the things that Alex took notice that all the girls loved was the fact he had both ears pierced. His all over look and demeanor screamed I'm a bad boy.

"Hello all, I'm Robbie Smith- the Captain this year. Welcome to the Slytherin Quidditch tryouts." He gave a grin and his eyes drifted over to her. She took a deep breath and tensed up, "those in Quidditch uniforms will be fighting alongside you for a position on our team! Now, we will go through each position on the team, you will play as if you are in a match. First off, chasers!"

He pulled open a parchment and began reading names off the list. "And finally Alexandra Tasso."

Alex walked forward and Robbie tossed her a quaffle which she caught with ease.

"I will be keeper. Beaters will be in the sky along with you. Seekers will be watching, I have a different task for you lot." Robbie climbed onto his broom and took to the sky. Alex went to climb onto her broom when Draco placed a hand on her shoulder stopping her.

She looked up at him to see him glaring up at Robbie as he took his position.

"I don't trust him. Be on your guard." Draco muttered. All Alex could do was give him a nod before taking into the sky. Normally, she would have told Draco to relax that he wouldn't do anything to hurt her since he was seeing Ruth, but the look in his eyes... something was off and she felt the tension as soon as his eyes landed on her.

Alex tossed the quaffle to Robbie and waited for instructions. He tossed the quaffle back and forth with his hands before tossing it back to Alex.

"Tasso is known as the best chaser in Slytherin history." He smirked and Alex felt her hands tighten around her broom. "Let's make this a little more interesting, shall we?" He looked around at the beaters and chasers waiting for his go ahead. "Steal the quaffle from her or knock her off her broom, you'll automatically have a spot on the team."

She felt all eyes on her.

"Tasso, five goals and you'll be on the team."

"Smith, that's bullshit! One girl against all of us! Even I think that's cruel." Blaise yelled.

"If you wish to not partake, you can leave now." His voice was calm and deadly.

Alex tossed the quaffle back and forth between her hands locking eyes with Robbie. She knew he expected her to turn and run, but if anything he just opened a whole new realm of stubbornness that he knew nothing of. She was going to wipe that smirk off his face and she was going to get her goals. He thought he outsmarted her but he was dead wrong.

"Give the order." Alex smirked, "This ought to be fun."

She watched as he picked up a whistle blowing it before flying towards the goals, but Alex was faster. She shot past him and toss the quaffle easily into one of the hoops. Robbie froze along with the rest of the team, the new recruits' eyes wide and jaws slacked. Alex smirked as she flew away from the goals, "I believe that was a score. So 1 of 5."

Robbie pointed his wand at the quaffle and it shot towards him. Alex heard chuckling and looked to her left to see Blaise laughing, "I nearly forgot how good she was!"

Robbie tossed it back to her and blew the whistle again, Alex remained still. She heard movement to her right and dove down, she glanced behind her to see two recruits slam into one another. She ducked as another tried slamming into her. She dodged each and every attack towards her. She finally got tired of dodging them and quickly scored.

"2 of 5!" Alex yelled over her shoulder, she could have sworn she heard Robbie growl as he went to retrieve the quaffle. Alex ducked as a bludger whizzed past her head. She glanced around at the others and noticed a shift after that last play.

"Careful now. Slytherins will be Slytherins." Nott muttered flying by. Alex wasn't exactly worry about not making the goals she needed, what was starting to make her nervous was the look on some of their faces. They were getting nervous about failing and Alex hated to admit it but she was a girl. She was weak in their eyes.

She had barely caught the quaffle when she felt someone slam into her from behind knocking the wind out of her. She gasped out but remained on her broom with a tight grip on the quaffle. She swung around and slammed her heel into his broom sending him flying away from her.

As she flew towards the goals, right after the threw it, she felt a body slam into her knocking her off of her broom, she easily caught her broom handle.

"Well done! MacWell is our first chaser. You may dismount." Nott flew over to Alex and yanked her back onto her broom. She thanked him and rubbed her shoulder. William MacWell was in fourth year and he was big, well over six foot and full of muscles. She felt like she was hit with three bludgers all at once.

"You alright?" Nott asked as Blaise flew over as well. Alex just nodded, glared as Robbie flew over to them.

"Tasso, can you continue?" Alex nodded.

"This is ridiculous. He could've killed her just now." Blaise growled.

"It's fine. Two more goals." Alex wheezed, "you were so focused on me that was an easy shot."

Robbie glared at her and shoved the quaffle into her arms.

"Remind me to tell Ruth about this." Alex muttered to Blaise and Nott. Alex flew back to her starting place and heard the whistle.

Alex had been at this for more than an hour and half now at this point. She was one goal away from finishing this. The only reason she got the fourth goal was because she was hit in the gut so hard, the quaffle barely made it in. She leaned over and rested her forehead against her broom, she knew she was in rough shape. Blaise had tried to save her the last time but was forced into her knocking the quaffle out of her hands.

"One more goal." Nott patted her on the back. She sat up and wiped the blood off of her chin. She was exhausted so she knew there was no way she could keep this up much longer. She glanced around as Robbie tossed the quaffle to her. She could see how frustrated he was becoming which was giving her all the energy she needed.

She saw how tired everyone else was, she took off even before the whistle and was shocked when she was swamped by the others. Something was not right. She stopped just short of the goals and heard her name being called but it was too late.

A bludger slammed into her left arm while another slammed into the back of her broom knocking her right off except this time, she couldn't grab her broom. She felt the wind whipping past her as she fell and all she could do was close her eyes, waiting for the impact of the fall to occur. But it never came, she opened her eyes to see to Draco holding the back of her shirt.

"Gotcha." He gasped out. Alex let out a sigh as he helped her onto his broom taking them to the ground. "Where are you hurt?" He asked looking her over.

"I think I'm fine just going be sore. Thanks." Alex grinned up at him as she began to move around her left arm checking to see if it was broken.

"Alright, back at-"

"That is quite enough!" Alex turned around to see Snape walking onto the pitch looking absolutely infuriated. "Ms. Tasso, change and go to the hospital wing."

"Professor, I'm-" Alex stopped when he shot her a look. She nodded and took her broom from Nott as she walked towards the locker rooms.

"Now. Try outs are over." Snape snarled as soon as Alex was gone, "Smith, you have gathered enough information on who should be on the team." Robbie dropped his head knowing that he was in a lot of trouble. "We shall decide if you are still a Captain later. Change and be in my office within the hour, understood?"

"Yes, sir." Robbie muttered. He turned to leave with the rest of the team when Snape's voice stopped them all.

"Luckily Mr. Malfoy is quick on his feet or Ms. Tasso would be dead." Snape placed a hand on Draco's shoulder stopping him as the others left. "A word?" Draco just nodded and followed Snape off the pitch.

Snape glanced around for a moment before finally clearing his voice, "I assume you know about the vow I made to your mother." Draco tensed up but just nodded, he remembered how furious he was with his mother when he found out she made an unbreakable vow with Snape. This was his mission, he didn't need his protection.

"I will say this. Alex is being watched closely. He wants her very badly to fail and will do whatever it takes to break her." Draco felt his heart drop and looked back at the locker rooms before looking back at Snape.

"Are you implying that he paid off Smith to nearly kill her? Why?" Draco hissed, he had figured the dark lord would try something sneaky but he never imagined this which was Draco's first mistake.

"Not to kill her, but to take all forms of happiness away from her."

Draco felt his heart break as Professor Snape walked away. Everyone knew how good Alex was at Quidditch and how much she loved it. Taking that away from her would cause her to spiral. Draco walked into the locker room and began changing, he looked over at Robbie, who was grumbling about Snape interrupting him.

"Mate, she's going to go to Sutton."

"Oh please, I'm not worried about that. Ruth is wrapped around my finger." Robbie snorted and Draco glanced over at Blaise, who was glaring at him. His hand tightly gripping his locker. "I won't be sad if she dumps me... I guess I'll just go for Tasso. Heard she likes it rough anyways."

Draco tensed up.

"She obviously loves getting knocked around." Him and a few others chuckled. Draco stormed over to him and grabbed him by his collar shoving him up against the lockers. Two of his mates moved towards Draco but Nott and Blaise pushed them away easily.

"You have a death wish, don't you?" Draco hissed.

"I'm just saying I believe the rumors." Robbie chuckled.

"What rumors?" Blaise asked.

Robbie snorted, "oh that's right! They would keep it a secret from you, eh?"

"Parkinson is jealous I dumped her. That's all." Draco hissed slamming him into the lockers again.

"Oh not that. That's old news." Robbie smirked, "apparently that Gryffindor, she dated last year wasn't too nice to her."

Draco felt his hands tighten on his collar. He had absolutely no idea that Alex had dated anyone other than going on a dates with Nott a few times before the Yule Ball. Draco slowly let go of him and he heard something about Alex under his breath and before Draco knew what he was doing Robbie was on the ground with a broken nose.

"Keep her name out of our filthy mouth." Draco spat.

Chapter Text

Alex closed the door behind her locking it. She didn't go to the hospital wing like Professor Snape told her to because she was just going to go see Nick later, giving him some practice for his future. She was aching from head to toe and all she wanted to do was soak in a bath so she found herself in the Prefect Bathroom.

She dropped her bag off by the sinks and limped over to the tub turning on the water dumping some bubbles that they had sitting to the side. The tub itself could hold at least six people, there was also showers in the back of the bathroom along with toilets and sinks.

Alex quickly undressed and slid into the tub sighing in relief as the warm water wash over her sore muscles. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She didn't even bother looking at her body in the mirror, she knew it was riddle with bruises and cuts. Hell, she couldn't even change back into her normal clothes. All she did after Snape dismissed her was gather her clothes put her broom up and head straight here.

She cracked open an eye and looked around the bathroom. This was rarely used as a bathroom, Alex had definitely walked in on a few people having sex. She never really understood why they never locked the door. I guess when you are that ready to fuck someone, a door is the last thing on your mind.

"I thought Snape told you to go to the Hospital Wing?" Alex let out a scream and quickly covered her chest with her arms, standing there was Draco. He simply dropped off his bag and kicked off his shoes.

"What are you doing? I locked the door for a reason!" Alex hissed.

"I'm joining you and I unlocked it." Draco muttered pulling off his shirt. Alex stared at him wide eyed, she always knew he was well built but she had no idea his body looked that good. No wonder Pansy Parkinson was so obsessed with him. "Locked it back though." He began unbuttoning his pants and Alex quickly looked away.

"I don't think I invited you." Alex muttered pulling her knees up to her chest trying to cover as much of herself as possible. "Besides how did you know I would be here?" She heard Draco get in and finally looked up to see him relax as the water washed over him.

He looked over at her and smirked, "Relax, I have seen plenty of tits. Yours won't be any different. And I didn't, just wanted to relax for a bit."

"Meaning Pansy Parkinson's." Alex slowly relaxed realizing she was covered by the bubbles luckily.

"You think she's been the only one?" Draco leaned his head back resting his arms on the edge.

"I mean I have heard rumors about the Slytherin sex god." Alex chuckled nervously.

"I gotta ask though-" Draco sat up and moved over closer to Alex. Alex felt herself slowly tensed up but also for some reason she was growing more and more comfortable with being in a tub naked with him. She would be a damn liar if she said she didn't find him attractive, she definitely did. Hell, she had a crush on him till third year. That was the year she realized she was no match for him.

"Go on." Alex muttered.

"Are you a virgin?" Alex jerked her head over to him to see a giant grin on his face from her reaction. "I know Nott went on a few dates with you-"

"Nott was actually my first kiss." Alex chuckled,  "our second date, he kissed me. Then ditched me for Daphne Greengrass." Alex sighed at the memory, "you know I go around and always say I didn't care, it didn't bother me but it did." She stared off almost going into a trance just bring up these memories, "I felt so special especially since Blaise asked me the next day. I got all pretty brought this gorgeous dress... he danced with me twice then disappeared. I found him an hour later with his hand half way up her dress in the hallway."

"A green velvet dress with a slit on the right side."

"Yes, you remember?" Alex smiled looking over at him. He was sitting beside her but not close enough to make her uncomfortable. She wondered if he did that on purpose.

"Absolutely. I couldn't take my eyes off of you. Had your hair in these big curls with this cool looking bun." He scooted a little closer to her and Alex found herself wanting him closer.

"Yes, mum hired a hair and makeup artist for me. She had my hair all the way up and I hated it so when I got back to the dorms, I did it myself. Ruth roasted me, glad someone liked it." Alex smiled at the memory, even after she found Daphne and Nott making out, she still had fun.

"You sure this isn't broken?" Draco lightly ran his hand over the massive bruise on her upper arm.

"I'll get Nick to look at it." Alex whispered.

"Alex." Draco lightly grabbed her chin forcing her to look at him, she felt her breathing hitch at how close they were to one another. "You have to promise me something."

"Depends on what it is."

"You are being watched closely-"

"I figured Robbie was hired by him." Alex said sadly, "I thought it was so odd that the mighty proud pure blood Robbie Smith took interest in Ruth. She doesn't come from money and her father is a muggle." Alex tried looking away from him but he held her firmly, she felt his other arm wrapping around her waist pulling her closer. "I just don't understand why he wants to make me so miserable."

"He wants you to fail so he can have you." Draco whispered.

"Merlin, I hope you don't mean romantically because I'll have to drown myself." Alex chuckled. Draco chuckled and shook his head slowly letting go of her chin but kept his arm wrapped around her waist. "But why me?"

"Well think about it like this-" Draco pulled her closer to him, "You're Alexandra Tasso. Your family has the purest blood. Rumors are constantly circling about Nicholas and Alexandra Tasso, the smart and gifted students. Powerful and gorgeous."

"I hope you mean me not Nick in regards of the gorgeous part." Alex muttered.

"Yes, I mean you." Draco looked down at her and they locked eyes. Alex gave him a little flirty smirk before moving back a little bit from him. Draco grumbled something to himself before he grabbed Alex by the back of the neck pulling her towards him crushing his lips into hers.

Alex only stayed frozen for a moment before wrapping her arms around his neck pulling him even closer to her. She felt his other hand travel up her back as he nibbled on her lower lip, she felt the kiss deepen as she crawled into his lap running her hands up his chest.

Draco pulled back out of breath, both of their face flushed. She watched as Draco's eyes traveled down.

"Actually, yours might be the best I have ever seen." Draco grinned staring at her exposed chest. Alex rolled her eyes and smacked him on the head as she climbed off his lap. She sat back down feeling a little self conscious and found herself covering herself again.

Draco sighed, "Come here, darling." Alex didn't move and Draco moved closer to her, "There's a reason I haven't fought against the rumors that have been spreading about us."

"Oh yeah?" Alex muttered.

"Because I want that so badly to be true." Draco brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear, "You're beautiful, smart, and-"

Alex kissed him cutting him off. She pulled back and smiled at him, "Now this is the Draco I grew up with."

Draco sighed, "But we can't go around throwing it in everyone's faces."

The smile slowly dropped off of Alex's face. So, he just wanted it to be a secret. He wanted her on the side. Old memories came back to her mind that she forgot were even there. She tried to forget what all happened last year but Draco just brought it all back up. Her insecurities that she had gotten past slowly resurface.

"If the dark lord finds out we are actually a couple-" As soon as Draco said that, she felt herself relax.

"He'll use us against one another." Alex finished his sentence. Draco kissed her cheek and got up getting out of the tub. Alex watched him pick up a towel and began drying off. Alex quickly released the plug in the tub and got up, Draco paused putting on his pants and looked Alex up then down as she grabbed a towel.

She had the perfect curves that most women would die to have. She was short but her legs looked long, tan, and muscular. She was perfect. She wrapped her towel around herself drying herself off. She looked over at Draco and raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Alex asked.

"I didn't think you could get better." Draco whispered as she dropped the towel, she began slowly getting dressed. Draco found himself watching her every move in awe that he actually got to put his lips on hers, not only that but got to see her fully.

Alex winced as she tried putting her bra back on. Draco snapped out of his lust filled thoughts and walked over to her helping her.

"We are going to the hospital wing." Draco muttered picking up her shirt.

"I'm fin- oh shit." Alex quickly pushed him away and grabbed her arm swaying. Draco just gave her a look and she sighed as he finished putting her shirt on. "Alright, fine."

000

"A nice little fracture and two bruised ribs from the looks of it." Madam Pomfrey grumbled as she searched through her medicine cabinet. She found what she was looking for and walked over to her handing her a blue vile. "Drink this twice a day for three days, you'll be good as new!" She began making up a sling and helped Alex put her arm in.

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy for dragging her in. Such a stubborn girl. Go on now, plenty of rest." She muttered helping Alex off of the bed.

Alex muttered a thank you before following Draco out. She was pouting all the way to the Slytherin common room, while Draco carried her bag and his. He had a smirk on his face the minute Madam Pomfrey told them she was pretty badly hurt.

"Go on." Alex hissed as they reached the dungeons.

"I told you." Draco muttered. He stepped up to the portal and muttered the password following in behind Alex. Alex was surprised to see Nicholas sitting by the fireplace looking worried. He looked up and sighed when he saw it was Alex. He quickly got up and walked over to her pulling her in for a hug.

"Snape told me what happened. What did that fucker do? I'll skin him." Nick hissed looking her over as Draco dropped off their bags at the couch.

"She has a fractured arm and two bruised ribs. She'll be fine in three days if she takes her potion." Draco muttered placing the vile in Nick's hand.

"So, everyone knows what went down I guess?" Alex asked sitting down by the fire place.

"Naturally, heard Smith has detention for a month. Also cost us 50 house points." Nick muttered, "Snape asked my opinion on what should happen to him."

"What did you say?" Alex asked.

"Take him off the team."

"Did Snape tell you why he did it?" Draco muttered sitting next to Alex. Nick just slowly nodded and looked between the both of them. Draco had leaned back resting his arm on the back of the couch, Nick couldn't see but Draco was lazily running his fingers along her neck as she sat there. Alex found herself staring into the fireplace to avoid meeting her brother's eyes and also to hide the fact that Draco had cause a giant blush to appear on her face.

"I'll protect her." Draco said after a moment of silence. Alex looked over at him and then looked at Nick, she was honestly expecting him to laugh and tell him to fuck off but she was surprised to see a smile on her brother's face.

"You saved her today. Zabini told me. Said you were on your broom flying towards her before anyone realized. Also said you punched him in the face." Alex jerked her head to look at Draco, stunned. Sure, he had expressed to her today about how he cared for her but Alex honestly still thought he just did it to get a kiss out of her or more. Not that she would have complained.

But the fact that he saved her and punched Robbie for her, maybe he really did mean it back there. She wasn't used to a guy showing that he actually cared about her. They sat in silence for awhile before Nick excused himself saying he had to go work on homework.

The moment he heard the portal door close, Draco snaked his arm around her waist pulling her closer to him. Alex relaxed against him as he lazily ran his thumb over her hip bone as they sat in silence watching the fireplace.

"What did Robbie say?" Alex whispered.

She felt Draco tensed up as she asked that, that made her heart sink a little bit wondering what he said that seemed to piss Draco off that much.

"You dated someone from Gryffindor last year?" Draco muttered watching how she reacted, he felt her tense up for a second before she let out a sigh.

"I knew it would come out eventually." Alex sounded so sad that Draco almost wanted to tell her to forget about it. "He never wanted anyone to know about us. Always thought it was odd." She shrugged, "I really did fall for him hard. There were so many red flags but I didn't want to see them or wanted to believe them."

"What were the red flags?" Draco asked, he studied her face and it was blank of emotion but he could see the pain in her eyes.

Alex really didn't want to talk about this anymore but she knew she had to. She hadn't even told Mya or Ruth this, she just figured they would judge her for not running when she did. But for some reason, she knew Draco wouldn't.

"First three months were fantastic then he started getting impatient about me not fucking him. Finally talked me into it, after that he was so possessive. I couldn't talk to anyone." Alex felt a shiver go down her back at the mere memory of that time. She hid it so well or at least she thought she did.

Draco reached for her chin pulling her attention back on him, she didn't have to say the words. He knew exactly what he did to her without her saying it. He saw it all over her face.

"Give me a name." He whispered. Alex could see the anger in his eyes, she figured he probably caught on what she was implying or perhaps Robbie told him exactly what that monster did to her.

"Draco, I appreciate-"

"A name." He was firm raising his voice just above a whisper.

Alex sighed, "Noah Moss."

Noah was a year ahead of them, was on the Quidditch team and made average grades. He was a quiet kid and had very little friends, but the one thing he had going for him was his looks. He was the definition of tall, dark, and handsome.

"When did it end?" Draco asked.

"I broke up with him a month before Potter and his friend escaped to the ministry." Alex whispered, Draco nodded and sat back letting go of her chin. He looked to be deep in thought, his hand balled up in a fist at his side.

"Has he bothered you since then?"

"Sent me a few owls over the summer. He tends to stare at me when I'm in the Great Hall." Alex knew she shouldn't have told him that but she just couldn't stop herself.  "What did Robbie say?"

"Said that he wasn't worried about Ruth because he had her wrapped around his finger... if she dumped him, he would go for you because he heard you liked it rough." Alex looked away as she felt the tears weld up in her eyes. Draco sat forward as she pulled away from him to hide her face from him. He leaned his head on her shoulder kissing her neck, "I'm going to take care of this. No one is going to speak of this again."

Alex believed him in that moment and trusted him. She slowly nodded and heard the portal open again. Draco let her go and scooted back a little still staying near her. Alex looked and saw that it was Ruth. She quickly got up and froze when she saw her face. Her cheeks were red and her eyes glossy from tears.

"Ruth, are you okay?" Alex asked stepping towards her. She stopped and looked Alex over, her eyes widen when she saw the sling and the bruises on her face. Ruth hesitated, she almost looked like she was about to race towards her and hug her, but Alex saw a change in her best friend in an instant.

"Are you happy with yourself?" Her voice was rough with tears as she snapped at Alex. Alex looked confused and took a step back from her friend which cause Draco the stand up.

"What?" Alex whispered, her eyes tearing up again.

"Robbie is suspended from Quidditch for a month along with detention for who knows how long!" Ruth bellowed. Alex flinched and stared at Ruth as her heart broke. Robbie successfully turned her best friend against her.

"He nearly killed me." Alex finally snapped.

"Oh please! No one wants you on the team. You should have walked away! This is his last year." Ruth choked out a sob. Alex stared at Ruth with her eyes wide, tears actively flowing down her cheeks.

"That's enough! Whatever he told you was a damn lie. Ask anyone." Draco yelled stepping towards them. He looked over at Alex to see her shaking from either pure rage or sadness.

"I really like him! You almost ruined everything." Ruth screamed, "You're such a bitch. Stay away from me." She sprinted up the stairs and Alex stared up the stairs with her eyes wide. She didn't even know how to respond to that.

"Draco." Alex whispered.

"Yes" Draco whispered back walking towards her. Alex turned towards him, the sadness gone from her face and was replace with anger.

"We are going to destroy him." Alex hissed. Draco smirked and nodded, he stepped towards her and wrapped his arms around her.

Robbie Smith was going to wish he was dead.

Chapter Text

"She won't speak to you either?" Alex muttered as Mya pulled her to the side of the Great Hall. It had been a few days since the Quidditch incident along with her fall out with Ruth.

"No because she knows I'm on your side, I saw the abuse first hand." Mya hissed. Mya had came to the Slytherin common room later that night, luckily Draco was coming back from patrolling and let her in. Mya had told Alex that something inside told her to go watch the try outs for herself. She was in a panic when she couldn't find Alex. "Told me I was brainwashed and a moron." She whispered rubbing her arms.

"She and Daphne switched beds. Apparently gave her some money to do so." Alex muttered. Alex's eyes drifted to the front of the Slytherin table to see Ruth sitting with Robbie and his friends, she looked beyond bored and Alex even took note that she hadn't touched her food at all.

"He has to be behind this. Put her under-"

"Mya, he's as dumb as one can get... no he is definitely behind this. He has something on her." Alex dropped her voice as Parkinson and Nott walked into the Great Hall laughing about something.

"This is Ruth. What could she have possibly done?" Mya shook her head and looked over her shoulder as Luna Lovegood waved at her. "I gotta go. Keep me update." She gave Alex, a light squeeze on her right shoulder before heading back to the Ravenclaw table. Alex sighed and her eyes traveled back to Ruth. They locked eyes for a second.

"Oi!" Alex looked away first to see Blaise waving her over. Alex sighed and plopped down across Blaise and next to Draco. "Sutton still ignoring you?"

Draco glared at him as Daphne nudged him in the side causing him to wince.

"Yes, unfortunately." Alex muttered as she began to scoop some food onto her plate. She began to eat as she listened to Blaise telling some awful story about some girl who has been sending him letters non stop since this summer. She reach for the mashed potatoes when she felt eyes on her. She looked up to see Noah Moss.

He was walking to the Gryffindor table with some girl, his brown eyes were locked on her and a slight smirk on his face. She was so startled that she dropped the spoon causing mashed potatoes to fling all over Daphne and Blaise.

"What the-" Daphne began but stopped when she saw the look on Alex's face, "Are you alright?"

Noah looked away and Alex felt sick to her stomach. She shook her head and muttered something before quickly leaving the table before anyone could question her. Draco raised an eyebrow till he looked up to see Noah Moss watching Alex leaving.

"That bastard." Draco hissed.

"Is she okay?" Daphne asked actually looking concern. Blaise and Nott followed Draco's graze before slowly looking at one another then looked at Draco. Without Draco even mentioning a name or giving any explanation on what was going on, both boys knew that guy was on their shit list.

Draco went back to eating and within thirty minutes when he saw Noah get up, he did as well. Blaise and Nott stood up as well but Draco shook his head quickly. Nott plopped down right away while Blaise hesitated for a moment before finally sitting back down. Daphne still looked beyond confused.

Draco quickly caught up with Noah Moss, "Oi!"

Noah turned around and raised an eyebrow when he saw Draco standing there. Once he realized who it was, a smirk took over his face, "I figured she would tell you eventually."

"Don't think I didn't see that back there." Draco growled stepping closer to Noah. His hand in his pocket gripping his wand, he so badly wanted to blast that smirk off his face. He was loving every minute of this.

"I'm not allowed to look at her?" Noah tossed his head back laughing loudly, "Please those are just rumors, do you actually believe everyone thinks you two are dating?" He put his own hands in his pockets walking closer to Draco with this air of pure cockiness around him. The smirk never leaving his face.

Draco said nothing.

"Alexandra Tasso is basically pureblood royalty, right? Why would she date you? Sure, the Malfoy's are in the top 10-"

"And your family has a rogue sister. She was recently arrested, wasn't she?" The smirk on Noah's face slowly began to fade. "Father said her trial is tomorrow. You realize her father owns one of the largest attorney's agency in Great Britain."

"Funny, I thought your father and hers were death eaters." Noah was trying to mask his anger was failing, Draco saw right through it.

"And yet you decide to beat Alex and make her life a living hell."

"She has no backbone when it comes to men, her father and brother have always been there to rescue her so she would never risk looking weak in front of them." Noah's smirk returned to his face, "I'm not afraid of you or her."

Draco chuckled and rolled his eyes, "We shall see, eh?"

Draco locked eyes with Noah. He backed away slowly turning down a hallway near him. He shook his head when Blaise appeared out of the shadows as he past him. They didn't speak at all for awhile till they reached the Slytherin common room. Draco paused and Blaise stopped as Draco faced him.

"Eyes and ears on him at all times, he comes near her-"

"Say less. Nott, Crabbe, and Goyle?" all Draco did was nod. Blaise chuckled and muttered something under his breath that sounded like, "this ought to be fun." He turned around heading back down the hallway most likely looking for them.

Draco quickly muttered the password and jogged into the common room. All he wanted to do was check on Alex, the look on her face was haunting. He quickly sprinted up the stairs to the girls common room. The girls common room used to have a curse that wouldn't allow any boys to enter their common rooms, but Blaise and Draco were able to break the curse towards the end of third year.

Snape still hadn't figured it out or he did and he just didn't care. He knew her dorm was the last door on the left, he made his way there and jumped when Pansy came walking out letting out a little scream.

"Merlin! What?" Pansy gasped out grabbing her chest, "Forgot you knew how to get up here."

"Alex?" Draco asked glancing behind her at the door. Pansy rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Not here. Ran in grabbed a book then took off again." Draco nodded and muttered a thanks when Pansy called out to him again. "She looked freaked out. Is this thing with Sutton that bad?"

"It's not her."

"Everyone knows I'm not a fan of Tasso, but I have roomed with her for six years along with Sutton. They both aren't doing well." Pansy whispered, she glanced around as if making sure no one but him overheard her. Pansy wasn't just some jealous girl, she actually had a big heart when she wasn't putting up a front for everyone to see. That always drove him crazy, but he also couldn't complain because he knew he was the same way.

Draco nodded, he honestly didn't know what to say to that. Everyone could see the pain in both of their eyes. He turned and jogged back down the stairs, out of the common room. He knew exactly where she was. At least he hoped that's where she was.

000

Alex let out a yelp as she flung backwards, the panel that she was just trying to pull off remained on the cabinet. She groaned and jumped up brushing off some dust that was on her skirt. She wasn't sure how long she had been here and she wasn't even sure what time it was, but the thing that brought her comfort was the fact she was honestly not thinking about anything but this damn cabinet.

Which was what she wanted in the first place.

"There you are." Draco said storming into view as Alex grasped the panel again.

"Yes. Here. I. Am" Alex growled as she began tugging on the panel once again. Draco watched her struggled for a bit till his eyes traveled to the front of the cabinet on the right side. The once damaged broken panels looked brand new, no breaks in the wood, no nails sticking out, and those panels looked like they were shining now. Draco watched as Alex cheered as she finally ripped off the panel she was working on.

"You fixed those?" Draco asked pointing to the new panels.

"Ah yes-" Alex wiped the sweat off of her forehead, "Not too hard."

"You were able to completely mend the front of the cabinet in an hour and half?" Draco whispered placing his hands on the panels.

"Once I got the first one situated, the rest was easy. Now this one" she held up the panel she just ripped off, "took me about twenty minutes."

Alex winced and looked down at her hands to see a few fresh new cuts on them. She sighed and walked over to her bag pulling out some tissue placing it on her bloody hands. Draco studied her and noticed that her sling was laying on the ground.

"Have you taken your potion today?" Draco muttered, already knowing the answer to his question.

"Yeah, finished it." Alex muttered.

"Bullshit." Draco snatched up her bag pulling out her vile.

"It taste horrible and I feel perfectly fine." Alex muttered walking back towards the cabinet. Draco lightly grabbed her arm pulling her to a stop. She tried shoving him away but Draco didn't budge.

"I told you to take it easy. Stop being stubborn." She tried pushing him off of her again but he held her firmly in place. "Why are you being like this?" Draco growled.

"BECAUSE I HAVE CONTROL OVER THIS!" She screamed so suddenly that Draco finally let go of her taking a step away from her. She let out a shaky breath and looked away from him, "I can fix this. I can mend this. But-" she swallowed hard trying to regain control of herself. "It seems like this year, I don't even have control over my own happiness."

Draco didn't know what to say and honestly he knew no matter what he said, it wasn't going to make her feel better.

"Robbie Smith takes one of my best friends. I have no idea how to help her! Now I have Noah Moss bothering me aga-" Alex trailed off and stared off deep in thought. She was always so careful about hiding Noah's letters when he sent them. She didn't even open the letters when she got them this summer but she did remember a theme last year and this summer.

Her dorm was trashed a handful of times, she always assumed it was Ruth and Daphne's cats fighting, but this summer her room was trashed twice in the same way. She never realized that the letters she was about to get rid of seemed to disappeared.

"He's been following me. This whole time." Alex whispered.

"Who?" Draco found his voice cracking as he asked her, it was something with the look on her face that sent a shiver down his spine.

"Robbie Smith." She shook her head, "are his parents death eaters?"

"I don't know." Draco whispered. Alex slowly looked over at him and he sighed, "Unless they are in the inner circle, I wouldn't know. Those are the only meetings I'm included in."

Alex said nothing but walked over to her bag throwing her notes back into it. She threw it over her shoulder and headed towards the door, while Draco stood there wondering what was he supposed to do.

"Are you coming?!" Alex yelled over her shoulder. Draco jumped to life and quickly followed behind her. She didn't speak again till Draco noticed they weren't going to the Slytherin Common Room like he thought.

"Where are we going?" Draco asked.

"Professor Snape." She said simply.

"It's nearly 8:30, where do you think he is?"

"He will be grading papers till about 9:15 then he will go to the kitchen to get a sweet before getting into bed by 10:45." Alex muttered as she jogged up a few steps ahead of Draco.

"How the bloody hell do you know that?" Draco hissed as they turned the corner.

"You forget, Draco, I was Professor Dumbledore's assistant for a full year. He told me the daily schedule of each Professor in case he needed me to go fetch them." Alex shook her head at the mere memory of having to chase down Snape a handful of times for the old man. That was the year Alex finally realized who Professor Snape truly was.

A double agent. A smart move on his part though.

Alex stepped into DADA classroom and saw Snape slouched over looking over some paperwork. As soon as Draco stepped in Alex loudly slammed the door being sure to lock it. Snape stood quickly to his feet as Alex dropped her bag on a desk walking towards him.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Snape bellowed.

"Robbie Smith. His parents are death eaters, yes or no." Alex watched as Snape slowly looked over to Draco, who was leaning against a desk watching the scene unfold in front of him. One thing that made Alex so incredibly sexy in his eyes was that she literally did not give a single shit.

"Tasso, I-"

"Oh please. C'mon! Draco doesn't know the entire workings of being a death eater quite like you." Alex locked eyes with Professor Snape as Draco couldn't help but smirk as he watched her. It was damn near a beautiful sight.

"His father, yes. As Draco probably told you, they are not within the inner circle like your parents." Snape slowly sat back down.

"Then how in the hell did he manage to land the role of trying to make my life a living hell." Alex muttered, Snape hadn't shown much emotion when they walked in but now he had a light smirk on his face. Impressed by the young witch. "Is it because his father knew this task would interest him?"

"Perhaps."

"So, that's why Smith began going through not only my dorm but personal bedroom as well. He showed the proof to him and he was hired." Alex hissed, "Please tell me I'm wrong."

Snape sighed and looked over at Draco, who had begun looking concerned as Alex spoke.

"Unfortunately, you are indeed right." Snape droned slowly sitting back down behind his desk. Alex nodded and turned away from him trying to control her breathing. "And you must use that information to your advantage, which I assume you have already begun to plot the downfall of Smith."

"And he involved Moss because he used his sister's trial against him."

"Your father is-"

"Yes I know but I need to ensure that I have every possible outcome covered. Ministry job?" Alex asked turning back to Snape.

"Private investigator for the ministry. Work rather closely to the aurors."

Alex nodded and picked up her bag tossing it at Draco, who barely caught it. He cocked an eyebrow and glanced between her and Professor Snape. She smirked, "Don't wait up."

"Where are you going?" Draco hissed but it was too late, Alex had left leaving the door open. Draco looked over at Snape, who had went back to grading.

"Are you sure you know what you got yourself into, Mr. Malfoy?" Snape mumbled.

"He didn't give me a choice, sir." Draco whispered mostly to himself.

"I meant Ms. Tasso."

"Oh" Draco chuckled, "Absolutely, sir."

000

Alex leaned over gasping for air and leaned against the nearby wall.

"Fucking Ravenclaws." She hissed, she had sprinted here all the way from the DADA classroom and considering how exhausted she was, perhaps this upcoming Qudditich match was going to be a pain in the ass. She saw a flip of black hair ahead of her and jogged closer to the person, she quickly saw it was Cho Chang and sighed in relief.

At least this one seemed to like her.

"Chang!" Alex called out, Cho turned around and gave Alex a little smile when she realized who it was. "Do you happen to know if Mya is here?"

"Erm, most likely. I'll-" Cho paused, "Are you alright? You look ill."

"Oh yeah, just out of shape apparently!" Alex chuckled awkwardly trying to slow down her breathing, "Can you get her for me?"

Cho nodded, " Do you need some water as well?"

"You got jokes-" Alex muttered under her breath, "I'm fine! Thanks!" Alex added cheerfully as Cho disappeared. Alex closed her eyes and leaned up against the wall closest to her taking a deep breath, her mind racing as she waited.

"Merlin!" Alex opened her eyes to see Mya walking towards her with her Ravenclaw cloak over her PJs, Alex glanced around and grabbed her wrist pulling her over to a little hiding spot on the opposite side of the Ravenclaw entrance. "What is so important?! I was about to go to bed."

"It's not even 10 yet." Alex grumbled.

"What is this about?" Mya hissed smacking Alex on the shoulder.

"Smith has been following me for a year." Alex said quickly.

"What?" Mya hissed.

"Look I can't explain much but-"

"Alex, you have always been upfront about your parents being death eaters and we promised to never ever judge you."

"Yes, I know and it does have something to do with my parents but something else as well. That's why he's been following me." Alex gasped out, "Look his father works for the ministry private investigators-"

"That's how he's brainwashing her!" Mya said suddenly causing Alex to jump. "Ruth's mom just got a job in that department as the secretary!"

Alex sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, she had a feeling it was something like that but she had idea how close her mother was to the enemy. She knew her father was a muggle contractor or something like that, she knew they weren't wealthy so this job at the ministry was probably helping greatly with Ruth's schooling.

"Does your family work at the ministry?" Alex had a bad feeling he would probably go after Mya's family as well once he realized that Alex knew what was going on.

"Mum works at the St. Mugos and my step dad works on magical artifacts for the ministry. Dad, well I don't even speak to him anymore so I wouldn't know." Mya muttered, the look on her face let Alex know she knew what she was thinking which brought some comfort to her.

"I have an idea. Don't worry." Alex patted her on the arm giving her a smile.

"What can I do?" Alex thought for a moment and smirked.

"I need you to find any dirt you have on either Robbie Smith or Noah Moss." All Mya did was nod before Alex took off into a run. Alex wanted to get to the owlery as soon as she could. She wanted to get a letter out to her father as soon as she could.

Chapter Text

Alex stared blankly into the fireplace, it was roughly two in the morning and she finally gave up and came down to the common room to catch up on her homework. For the past 30 minutes, she was just thinking. She had sent her father a coded letter, she knew he wouldn't respond till the morning or possibly the next day but her mind was already racing.

How was she going to take down Robbie? How was she going to get Potter to trust her? And most importantly when was she going to be able to help Draco with the whole murder plot? Not to mention fixing that damn cabinet.

She heard some rustling and snapped out of her thoughts looking around the common room.

"Alex." She slowly turned her attention to the fire place to see the logs had morphed into her father's face. "Alex!"

"Dad?" She hissed jumping off the couch kneeling in front of the fireplace.

"There you are. I got your letter." He whispered, Alex looked around to make sure she was still alone. "Snape helped me find the right fireplace."

"I assume you understood it?"

"Of course, that's why I'm here now. Listen, I don't have a lot of time." He hissed quickly, "Are you positive it is Robbie Smith?"

All Alex could do was nod.

"Bloody hell." He muttered shaking his head.

"And the Moss family?" Alex muttered back.

"His sister is definitely facing Azkaban-" her father paused, "She got caught with her father and is taking the brute of the crime."

"Wait a minute." Alex was finally piecing together everything, "Moss is a death eater?"

"Oh yes. His daughter received the mark on her 19th birthday." He whispered, "Heard she is almost as crazy as Bellatrix." He paused and sighed, "I have to go, I'll contact you as soon as I can. Stay close to Draco or Nick."

Her father disappeared as quickly as he appeared. Alex felt her heart begin to race as she stood back up. The room was beginning to spin and she felt sick, she placed her hand on her chest feeling as if her heart might stop at any moment. It was just getting worse and worse by the second, she finally sat down on the couch and couldn't stop shaking.

"Tasso?" She looked up to see Pansy. Pansy's face dropped the moment she saw the look on Alex's face. She jogged over to her without thinking and sat down beside her rubbing her back. "Deep breaths."

"I-" Alex couldn't even find the words to speak, her chest kept tightening up at the mere thought of her conversation with her father.

"You're hyperventilating." Pansy said in a panic, "Uh put your head between your legs. Let me get a cloth. Breathe." Pansy jumped to her feet and disappeared for a moment. Alex flinched when she felt something cold on the back of her neck.

That soothed Alex for only a moment it felt like.

"I heard a noise." Pansy muttered rubbing her back as she spoke, "I have had these before, it will pass soon."

Alex knew it wouldn't at least not for her, it didn't just disappear like Pansy said. Pansy quickly realized Alex's panic attack was not like hers and the panic reappeared on her face, "Have you had this before?"

All Alex could do was nod.

"Tell me what I can do to help-" Pansy sighed, "that was dumb to ask... you can't speak. Keep breathing! I'll be right back."

Pansy disappeared, Alex couldn't tell you how long it was but she heard movement and finally looked up to see a worried Draco sprinting towards her throwing on his robe as he did.

"Pansy, go get Nicholas. He might have a potion."

"It's 2:45 in the morning." Pansy hissed.

"Go!" Draco growled lightly pushing her. Pansy grumbled to herself taking out of the Slytherin Common Room. Draco took her hands, "Your name is Alexandra Tasso. You're 16 years old, you'll be 17 in May. Your favorite color is purple and your best subject is Transfiguration but you always say it's Potions." Draco squeezed her hands, "Now me."

Alex took a deep breath and closed her eyes tightening her hands on his. "Draco Lucius Malfoy." She gasped out, "Dark green. Birthday is June." She took another deep breath, "Potions."

"Good good. Now let's do a memory, shall we?" Alex slowly nodded, her breathing becoming more under control as he spoke. "Do you remember when we were 10, around Christmas time. The Malfoy Christmas Party."

"Black tie event. Only 40 invited." Alex whispered.

"That's right. Do you remember what happened?" Draco asked.

"Yes, you poured butterbeer on Crabbe." Alex slowly opened her eyes, "He made fun of my dress."

"It was a purple dress." Draco smiled and Alex felt herself relax just at the grin on his face. A real Draco Malfoy smile that was incredible rare. "Had some ruffles all along the bottom of the dress."

Alex was about to open her mouth when the portal door opened and in sprinted Nick with Pansy right behind him. Nick sat down quickly beside Alex and handed her a small vile, she took it and dumped it into her mouth.

"I'll get Snape to excuse you from your morning classes. You look exhausted." Nick kissed her on the cheek. All Alex could do was nod, Draco released her hands and Pansy wrapped her arm around her shoulders leading her upstairs. "What got her to calm down?" Nick whispered.

"Memories." Draco whispered staring up the stairs that they had just gone up. "Have they been bad again?"

"Been getting worse and worse honestly since Christmas of last year. The summer she was having them every other night." Nick reached into his robe and held out three more viles placing them in Draco's hands, "I'll make some more soon. Her not sleeping is not helping."

Nick patted Draco on the back and let out a yawn. He said his goodbyes leaving Draco just standing there. Draco looked down at his hands to see they were shaking slightly. He slowly sat down where Alex was just sitting, he remembered the first time he had his first panic attack and he also remembered Alex's first as well.

Both of them had haunted him for years.

000

"Tasso." Daphne hissed shoving Alex's shoulder. She didn't move an inch. She had been asleep all morning and Daphne had dragged Pansy back up to the common rooms after lunch to check on her. They had been trying to wake her up for five minutes now.

"Is she even alive?" Pansy muttered bending over to make sure she was actually breathing. "Tasso! Get up! You have class in fifteen minutes!" Pansy yelled shaking Alex again.

"She won't be up probably till tomorrow." Ruth muttered walking into their dorm. She walked over to her chest and pulled out the books for her next few classes.

"How do you know that?" Daphne asked as Pansy jumped on Alex.

"She had an attack?" Ruth paused looking up. Pansy stopped messing around with Alex and faced Ruth.

"How do you know about that? I only told Daphne at breakfast." Pansy muttered crossing her arms over her chest.

"Nick makes a mighty calming potion, typically knocks her out for a solid 24 hours." Ruth said placing the last book in her bag, "Alex sleeps like rubbish, lack of sleep causes her attacks to get worse. Probably haven't slept in two days-" Ruth frowned and shook her head throwing her bag over her shoulder. She went to leave the dorm when Daphne grabbed her wrist pulling her to a stop.

"You know she needs you. I'm sure whatever-" Daphne began.

"She's better without me. Thanks for watching out for her. I'm sure Nick told Professor Snape to excuse her for the rest of the day. Make sure someone gets her homework, she'll be furious when she wakes up." Ruth gave Daphne and Pansy a weak smile leaving them.

"I guess we better get going. I'll check on her during my free period." Daphne muttered. Pansy nodded and picked up her bag again, she went to follow Daphne out of the dorm room but paused walking back over to Alex. She flicked her hard on the forehead before sprinting out of the room.

After Draco's last class, he made his way to Alex's dorm. Pansy told him she was still sleeping, but Draco had made his rounds collecting her work for her. She owed him for this. He quickly muttered the password causing the portal to the Slytherin common room to open. There were a few students working on some of their homework while others seemed to be gossiping with one another.

Draco quickly dropped off his things before heading towards Alex's dorm. He placed his ear to the door and heard nothing so stepped in. Alex was still curled up under her sheets lightly snoring with her arm thrown over her face. He walked over and placed her work on the bedside table and began to look around for some parchment to leave her a note.

"Draco." He paused and looked over at Alex to see she was still fast asleep, but now she had a smile on her face. "You're the best." She whispered in her sleep, "I'll do anything."

Draco felt himself smiling as he watched her continue to sleep talk. He wasn't sure how long he stood there watching her but what scared him the most was how precious this moment was to him. He had actually missed her today. No sassy comebacks. No eye rolling. No telling him or Blaise they were lacking brain cells.

Draco leaned forward brushing some of her hair off of her face, she snuggled up against his hand and sighed contently.

"You're in love." Draco jumped and turned around to see Pansy standing there.

"What?" Draco hissed quickly withdrawing his hand from Alex. Pansy stepped into the dorm room tossing her bag on her bed.

"You're in love with her." Pansy said again, her attention turned to Alex. A glare appearing on her face as she studied Alex. "She's everything I'm not." Her voice trailed off as she stared at Alex, Draco didn't know what to say or do in that moment. "She's beautiful, kind, smart, and overall a better person than me."

She walked towards Alex and Draco found himself getting nervous as she got closer, "I saw the way you looked at her during the Yule Ball... everyone was looking at her and she didn't even notice. She was focus on having fun with her friends."

She sat on the edge of Alex's bed.

"I found her crying that night after the ball. I have always been so jealous of her. I didn't hate her, I wanted to be her." As Pansy spoke, Draco quickly realized this was most emotional he had seen her ever. "The object to Draco Malfoy's heart." She nodded her head towards Alex.

Draco swallowed hard slowly looking down at Alex.

"You tried to hide it all those years. I always knew it was going to be her." Pansy placed a hand on Alex's leg, "You tried to suppress it, tried to hate her but you just couldn't."

"Pansy-" Draco began.

"It's okay, Draco. Really it is." Pansy smiled, a real smile. "Father wouldn't tell me much. Said it was better that way but he did say that you chose her during a meeting."

Draco looked over at Alex.

"She was the first person I thought of." Draco said, "I don't know what it is about her but-"

"I understand. I read a book this summer about soul mates-"

"You don't believe that shit." Draco chuckled.

Pansy shrugged and smiled, "I have to believe in something, don't I?"

Draco shook his head, he sighed and said his goodbyes to Pansy quickly walking to his dorm room. He sighed in relief when he saw he was alone. He took a deep breath and plopped down on his bed placing his head in his hands. He knew he must have hurt Pansy, but he couldn't fake his feelings for her anymore.

Every waking moment he thought of Alex, he didn't know why but he obsessed with her. Even when she was supporting Potter. He always thought Alex was beautiful and smart, he just thought he was lusting after her because he knew she was too good for him. He wanted something he knew he didn't deserve or needed.

Now that Alex was with him nearly 24/7 helping him, he was seeing a whole new light to her. A light he didn't think exist honestly.

"There you are." Draco looked up to see Blaise. He walked up to Draco and handed him a folded up piece of parchment. Draco raised an eyebrow before unfolding it and reading through it. As he read, the more and more angrier he had become. He looked up to see Blaise was waiting for his reaction.

"When?" Draco growled.

"Crabbe intercepted it this afternoon. Slid out of his bag." Blaise muttered, "Smith isn't going to give up till Alex jumps off the Astronomy Tower. The game is in a day and I wouldn't be surprised if he tries something." Blaise actually looked concern as Draco reread the letter Smith had given to Moss.

"I think I have an idea, but I want Alex involved." Draco grumbled.

000

Alex pinched the bridge of her nose as Draco showed her the letter from Smith. She had only been awake for an hour and half before he found her down in the common room catching up on some work.

"It makes more sense with what your father said." Draco muttered. Alex just nodded feeling sick as she sat there. "Does he even-"

"Oh yes, he does." Alex sighed, looking everywhere but at Draco and when she finally did look at him, he had a smirk on his face. A look of determination took over his face and Alex couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in confusion. "Wasn't expecting that?" Alex mostly muttered to herself turning back to her potions work.

"Suppose you can get Moss to meet you after the Qudditch match?" Draco asked.

"Probably." She shrugged not really thinking much of how excited he seemed to be. They dropped the conversation as Alex went along with her potions work as Draco worked on his Transfiguration essay. Alex flipped the page in her book and sighed when she realized she had accidentally moved her bookmark.

She paused when the title of the chapter caught her attention. Poisons. The moment she saw the word, she remembered back to her working for Dumbledore back in fourth year. Dumbledore tend to enjoy mead every now and then especially on Friday evenings or Sunday afternoons.

Alex slid her potions book over to Draco and nodded her head to the chapter. He read over it and looked up at her confused. Alex glanced around and dropped her head a little bit, "he enjoys mead on Friday evenings and Sundays."

Draco quickly caught on and nodded sliding the book back towards her.

"I'm looking into something." He whispered, all Alex did was nod to let him know she had in fact heard him.

"After class tomorrow, I'll finish one side up." Alex muttered, the fact she hadn't been able to really work on it had begun to really stress her out. She was shocked how comforting it was to work on it, nothing else matter just her fixing up an old vanishing cabinet, as long as she didn't think about what they are going to use it for.

She knew if she even thought about that, she would lose her nerve. She took a deep breath and looked back up at Draco. He had lost the color in his face, he had dark circles under his eyes. She had noticed he looked beyond miserable even though he was trying to put up a front when she was with him. She saw through it, Draco wasn't a killer. He wasn't even a good bully, he was all talk. He knew what to say to cause a sting but nothing to destroy a person.

Draco grew up knowing his family was pure, his family was the best. When you grow up thinking that, you become it. She didn't think he was a monster whatsoever. She knew everyone else did. If he was a monster, he wouldn't be working so hard on this task. Draco knew Voldemort wouldn't just kill him, but his entire family.

He was doing it solely for his mother and father. Draco did love his family. He loved his friends, he was protective as a friend would. He honestly just didn't know how to express himself, emotions weren't a Malfoy speciality.

If Potter was put in his position, he would do the exact same thing Draco was doing. Alex looked up suddenly when that thought occurred to her.

"You know you should probably hide the fact that you just figured something out better. Either people are going to think you're stupid or you have finally lost it." Draco muttered without even looking up from his essay. He finally looked up when he dipped his quill in his ink.

"I can't lose it if I never had it to begin with." Alex mumbled back. Draco snorted and shook his head going back to his work.

Alex nodded and went back to her potions work, not realizing that Draco had stopped working to just watch her and he realized suddenly Pansy was right.

Chapter Text

Alex stared blankly ahead as Draco ate silently beside her. Within the next two hours, she would be back on the Quidditch pitch for their first game of the season. Typically this day would bring her so much happiness but if anything she felt sick.

Slytherin vs Hufflepuff.

An easy win normally but Alex just knew Smith was going to plan something.

"I mean truly Weasley as Keeper, we ought to win this cup this year no problem." Nott chuckled glancing over his shoulder at the Gryffindor table.

"Heard he can't save a goal to save his life." Blaise chuckled, "Everyone knows since Potter is captain he was going to get him on no matter what."

"Alex, you haven't touched your breakfast." Daphne and Pansy had begun to really grown on Alex the past couple of days. After six years, she was finally seeing the real them. She just wondered if she was just too stubborn to see it all these years or if they finally matured this year.

"I had a bite of toast." Alex muttered.

"That won't give you energy, now will it?" Alex looked up suddenly to see Ruth sitting down next to her nudging her to take the orange out of her hand. Alex grabbed it and stared at her, it was as if she was dreaming and Alex truly didn't even want to wake up if she was.

As Alex stared at her blankly, she felt her slid something onto her lap. Alex was so stun, she jumped when she felt Draco place his hand over whatever Ruth placed on her lap. Ruth disappeared as quickly as she appeared and a few minutes later Robbie and his friends walked into the Great Hall laughing.

Alex grabbed the piece of parchment from underneath Draco's hand and unfolded it. She quickly read it with Draco and Blaise reading over her shoulder, she felt her eyes widen and slowly looked over at Ruth, who had just kissed Robbie on the cheek as he sat down beside her.

"How exactly are we supposed to protect her?" Nott hissed throwing on his Qudditich shirt on. The rest of breakfast, Alex remained completely silent and on the walk over to the pitch to get change for the match, Draco could have sworn he saw tears in her eyes. She was so tired.

Draco laced up his shoe and looked up, he found himself staring at himself in the mirror across from him. Blaise had mentioned to him a few times, he looked sickly and Alex had mentioned it as well. He just thought they were just being paranoid but now he was really seeing himself. His eyes were so tired, he knew he hadn't been sleeping and he knew Alex wasn't either.

This mission was killing the both of them and he hated himself that he dragged her into it, but he had no idea what else to do.

"I'm not worried about her." Draco muttered picking up his broom. Nott and Blaise stared at him like he had grown two extra heads.

"Please if anyone is protective over Alexandra Tasso... it would be you." Blaise snorted.

"She can handle herself." Draco muttered.

"I can't tell if-"

"Oh I get it." Blaise chuckled picking up his broom. Nott looked over at Blaise and raised an eyebrow as Draco exited the locker room. "I nearly forgot."

"Care to share, Zabini?" Nott hissed.

Blaise smirked, "The Tasso tantrum?" Nott glanced over at Crabbe and Goyle to see if they knew what Blaise was implying. "Fourth year. Pansy Parkinson. Ring any bells?"

"That was a one time thing plus Parkinson sort of deserved it."

"Was it?" Blaise chuckled, "Second year was some girl in Ravenclaw. Third year was Granger. And last year was Draco himself, twice. She lets the anger build till she can't control it anymore. She has been pretty well behaved this year, don't ya think?"

Draco saw Alex standing ahead of him ready to take off for the match, she was staring up at the sky and that's when Draco noticed how dark the sky was. It was going to rain from the looks of it possibly even storm. Alex had a smirk on her face.

"Stadium is getting full." Alex muttered as Draco stood beside her.

"You seem more relaxed." Draco muttered as she looked up at him with a smirk still plastered on her face.

"Now, Draco, you know I have at least one friend in every house. If Smith wants to try and murder me today then he ought of look out." Alex muttered, as it began to rain.

"Ah Sophie Vance." Draco mumbled and Alex just nodded. Draco knew her and Vance used to be a lot closer in first and second year but slowly drifted apart over the years, but they definitely respected the hell out of one another.

"She might have well been a Slytherin. For a Hufflepuff, she sure is ballsy." Alex felt excited in that moment. It had been a while since she felt hopeful and even thought Smith planned to try to take her out during this game, she was excited to have an actual match against Hufflepuff. The thought of having to talk to Moss later was at the back of her mind, all she wanted to focus on was proving a point to Smith.

She could not be broken.

"Where?" Draco hissed as a few of the others began to appear.

"There is no plan. I'm just going to ambush him." Alex hissed back glancing over her shoulder.

"That doesn't sound like a good idea."

"Trust me, I know him and this is the best way. You can't give him time to weasel himself away." Alex muttered, she placed a hand on his arm as she walked towards the others. "Draco, do you trust me?"

This time Draco was the one that became flustered as Alex stood close to him. She smirked when she noticed the blush appear on his face. He quickly nodded gently pushing her hand off of him.

A clap of thunder snapped Draco out of his daydream. She gave him a smile and mounted her brooms with the others before Draco realized what was happening they were flying out into the storm to begin the match.

000

Another goal from Slytherin by Alex Tasso! Slytherin leads 100 to 60.

They had been playing well over an hour and half at this point, the storm hadn't let up at all. Alex pulled her broom to a stop as Blaise and Nott flew past her towards the Hufflepuff chaser. Alex searched the pitch for Draco, she finally saw him and he looked up at her.

"Will you hurry up! I'm freezing!" Alex yelled to him as a clap of thunder sounded.

"I'm working on it!" He grumbled back, but Alex didn't hear him. Blaise flew over to Alex and wiped the rain off of his face as he stopped.

"Heard the Hufflepuff seeker say he hasn't seen the blasted thing since the middle of the game when they both almost had it." Blaise said, Alex groaned and looked down at her hands that were staring to get pruny. She was exhausted, all of them were. "We ought to just call it a mercy win."

"I'm just curious when-" Blaise quickly kicked Alex away from him. Her eyes widen when a bludger flew right past them slamming into the stadium causing the Slytherins behind them to scream.

"You alright?" Blaise asked. Alex just slowly nodded waiting to see where the bludger would reappear. When it didn't both of them slowly looked at one another nervously, Alex could hear Snape checking to make sure everyone was okay and Alex heard them call for a time out to investigate.

Alex scanned the Slytherins locking eyes with Ruth who was standing next to Pansy and Daphne and while Smith was joking around with his friends. Ruth finally looked up and looked up at Alex. They stared at one another for a moment, but Ruth looked away saying something to Pansy and Daphne. Suddenly they moved away from Smith, him not noticing in the slightest that Ruth was not with him anymore.

Her and Blaise regrouped with the others, Alex glanced over at the Hufflepuffs where they were meeting as well. To the left of them in the stadium, she noticed Sophie wearing a hoodie. Sophie was a short and pretty girl with long shiny black hair that looked perfect with her tan skin. Sophie smirked and gave such a small nod that Alex barely noticed.

The whistle blew alerting them the match was back on. Alex looked over at the Hufflepuff stand and noticed that Sophie was gone.

"What do you have plan?" Alex glanced over at Draco. Alex smirked over at him before flying off. Alex caught the quaffle from Blaise and began her way towards the goal.

Looks like Malfoy has spotted the snitch!

"TASSO!" She could hear Nott screaming at her from behind. She pulled her broom to a stop and came face to face with a bludge, it froze in mid air. The entire stadium grew silent as Alex stared at the bludger. As suddenly as it stopped, it shot backwards away from her making a sharp right turn towards the Slytherin seatings. The bludger stopped right before the rows of Slytherins, who all stared up at the floating bludger terrified. It hesitated for a moment before disappearing into the crowd not touching a single student but the moment it noticed Robbie Smith, it lunched itself  right into the gut of him.

Malfoy catches the snitch! Slytherin wins!

The stadium erupted into applause and screams, Alex watched as Snape and two other professors raced towards Robbie but just like how she expected, no one was worried at all about the asshole.

Alex quickly landed and dismounted her broom, she didn't give Draco nor anyone else the time to give come talk to her. Her mission wasn't over just yet.

She knew as long as Moss saw her then he would definitely put two and two together. And one thing about that man is that when he figures things out he goes right to the source.

So, Alex took the long way to the Slytherin locker rooms, she gently pushed past any one who got in her way. She heard a few congratulations headed her way but she said nothing. She saw him up ahead and quickly ran ahead, Sophie saw her and yelled her name. Moss quickly jerked his head in her direction.

Alex smirked when they locked eyes. The moment she gave Sophie a little wave, she began her way back to the locker room. She stepped into the locker room quickly placing up her broom. She plopped down on the bench and began untying her boots when she heard the flap of the tent opened.

"It was you, wasn't it?" She turned around to see Moss stepping into the room.

"I think you might be lost. This is the Slytherin girls changing room." Alex snapped placing her boots up.

"Like I haven't seen it before." He snorted.

"You have no proof." Alex muttered pulling off her robe tossing it onto the bench to dry.

"Do you take me for a fool?" He stepped towards her. "You can't play dumb. Malfoy already outed you out that you figured everything out."

Alex rolled her eyes and stepped towards the back to hang up her robe. She ignored him and heard him approach her. He grabbed her arm and yanked her around to look at him.

"Careful." Alex mumbled as his gripped tighten on her arm. "Your sister is facing life. It would be a real shame if my father dropped that case of hers." He didn't flinch but tighten his grip on her arm more. Alex just smirked. "Do you really think my father would have taken it if I hadn't put the idea in his head?"

"You thought if you helped Smith, she would be safe. Get real. Smith has no pull whatsoever, now I on the other hand... do" Alex chuckled as he quickly let go of her. "Robbie Smith was sloppy, I was quickly able to realize what he was doing after that little stunt he pulled and once I found out about your sister.... Well it all made sense. Noah Moss does everything for his family."

"You just admitted to-"

Alex answered him by pulling up her sleeves to show her blank forearms.

"I can either be your enemy or an ally. Either you save your sister's life or-" Alex was cut off by Moss grabbing her roughly by the throat slamming her into the wall behind her. She let out a gasp as he tighten his grip on her throat.

"Do. Not. Threaten. Me" He hissed between his teeth grasping her harder as he did. Alex saw Moss tense up and noticed a wand pressed hard against his neck.

"We mustn't touch what isn't ours, eh?" Draco hissed shoving his wand deeper into his neck. Moss slowly released his grip on her neck and Alex let out a gasp stumbling away from him. Moss slowly held his hands up and turned around, Draco did not once loosening his pressure on his neck.

"You alright, love?" Draco asked.

Alex let out a cough, "fine. I'm fine."

"Now sit down and listen to her." Draco hissed, Moss didn't budge so Draco kneed him in the gut. Moss let out a gasp and went to reach for his wand. His eyes widen when he noticed it was gone. Alex let out another cough and pulled out his wand from behind her back.

Once Moss noticed he was helpless, he slowly sat down.

"You're going to help me and Draco destroy Smith or say goodbye to your sister for the rest of her life... actually they might even give her a-"

"FINE! I'll do it!" Moss hissed. Alex smirked and rubbed her neck.

"Good choice. Now unfortunately for you, that lets you off the hook for her but not me." Draco hissed, "I warned you, Moss."

"Draco-" Alex began. Draco shot her a look that sent a shiver down her spine, she quickly nodded. Draco didn't scare her but the look in his eyes made her feel a way she had never felt before. She felt safe. She felt needed. She felt loved.

"Now here's what's going to happen." Alex said as Draco slowly lowered his wand as Alex explained what she wanted Moss to do for them.

000

Ruth helped Smith into the common room. He was nearly crying as she walked him back to the common room.

"Heard that nasty bludger shattered most of your ribs." A voice called out by the fireplace. Draco placed his hands in his pocket turning away from the fireplace with a slight smirk on his face. It was nearly 10pm at this point and apparently Smith had caused such a fit that they finally released him.

"Yeah, I was attacked." Smith hissed.

"Well, I think you deserve it." Nicholas said as he stepped off the last step from the entrance. "Ruth, we can take him up to his dorm for you."

Ruth just simply nodded and began to walk away when Smith roughly grabbed her by her wrist yanking her back towards him. She let out a whimper which caused Blaise and Nott to appear out of the shadows with their wands drawn before anyone could even gather what was happening, Smith was hit in the shoulder by a spell, causing him to stumble backwards letting go of Ruth.

Ruth's eyes widen and Draco glanced behind him to see Alex with her wand raised stepping into the common room from the stairs.

"You touch her again, I'll kill you right here and now." Alex's voice was deadly, her eyes seemed darker than normal and the look on her face was terrifying, it was the look of a woman who was tired and ready to kill.

"Ruth-" Smith called out to her but Alex stepped closer cutting him off.

"Did you hear the good news?" Ruth raised an eyebrow. "Father needed some extra hands due to his agency growing and since Mrs Sutton has gotten the best reports... my father hired her." Ruth's eyes suddenly widen as she realized what Alex had just said.

Ruth was free from Robbie Smith.

"Ruth." Alex nodded her head in the direction to the staircase, Pansy and Daphne standing there waiting for her. Daphne held out her hand and motioned her forward, Ruth took one final look at Smith before jogging over to Daphne and Pansy, who quickly helped her up the stairs.

Draco stepped over to Alex and dropped his head to her ear placing his hand on her lower back. Alex's eyes were locked on Smith, who looked scared.

"Leave him to me." Draco whispered, her eyes never left Smith and her hand remained firmed on her wand that was still pointing at him. "Alexandra."

She slowly began to lower her wand at the sound of her name on his lips.

"Ruth needs you." That sentence is what finally snapped Alex out of her rage. She nodded and placed her wand back in her sweater pocket. Draco watched her walk over to the stairs once Alex disappeared up them, "Let's have a chat."

Alex paused when she reached the girl's dorms. For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to go to her dorm so instead she stepped into the bathroom. She quickly glanced around to make sure she was alone before she stepped over to the nearest sink that had a mirror over it, she placed her hands on the sink taking a deep breath trying to calm down.

She slowly looked up and brushed her hair back to show the bruise on her neck that she had gotten from Moss earlier that day. She was wondering if she had finally just lost it because she honestly almost killed Smith right then and there had Draco not stepped up.

Was she finally becoming the one thing she never wanted to be.

"Thank you." Alex jumped and turned around to see Ruth standing there awkwardly. Alex quickly fixed her hair over her bruise taking a deep breath to calm herself, she put a smile on her face and gave her a nod.

Ruth sprinted towards her and wrapped her arms around Alex tightly sobbing right on Alex's shoulder. After what Alex saw in the common room just now, she knew she must have had to same relationship that she had with Moss last year... that honestly made her feel sick.

Had she told Ruth about Moss, maybe just maybe she would have know that Smith was all talk that he had no say in destroying her family. Alex pulled her back and gave her a smile.

"Now, let's go get some sleep or hell let's drink some fire whisky, eh??" Ruth nodded and was about to turn around when the smile dropped off her face.

She brushed back Alex's hair and Alex found herself mentally cursing that she forgot to heal herself.

"What happened?" Her voice was soft.

"Quidditch." Alex said suddenly.

"They are hand prints... those hands are-" she took a step closer, "Does Draco know?"

Alex wondered how she knew it wasn't Draco.

"I know Draco would never put his hands on you. Alex, who?" Alex pushed her hands away and put a smile on her face.

"It's all good. I'm fine, now come on. Let's get you to relax." Alex opened the bathroom door and Ruth knew that meant the conversation was over.

Chapter Text

Alex hissed pulling her hand away from the cabinet. She pulled out a piece of wood from her finger and stared up at the cabinet growing frustrated. It was Sunday after all, she should be relaxing or studying but no here she was.

She had been in here since 7 that morning and she knew it must have been past lunch at this point.

"Almost done." Alex glanced behind her to see Draco had brought her some food.

"The top and the front are left then I'll start working on the enchantments" Alex whispered as Draco placed her food on a nearby table before holding out his hand to help her to her feet.

"Nothing magical just some mashed potatoes." He muttered.

"They made mashed potatoes for lunch?" Alex grumbled picking up the bowl he had brought. He must have remembered this was one of her comfort foods. How he remembered she wasn't sure because frankly she had forgotten.

"I had the elves make you some."

"Please tell me-" Draco rolled his eyes which caused Alex to chuckle.

"I was very respectful" Draco muttered as he walked around the cabinet. "Didn't want the earful"

Alex couldn't help but smirk as she placed another spoonful into her mouth. At a vey young age, Alex always got onto Draco for being so mean to the house elves. It made her happy that she knew she made an impact.

Draco took a step back from looking at the cabinet before glancing back at Alex, who was staring off not really looking at anything but Draco took notice how tired she looked.

"How long have you been awake?" Draco asked.

She simply held up three fingers still not looking at him. She had only slept a few hours before she finally gave up and went down to the common room to catch up on some school work.

"Went up to the owerly at 7, grabbed a muffin and been in here since." Alex muttered before finishing off her bowl and placing it beside her. She stretched and her eyes finally falling onto the cabinet again. "And you?" She could tell by his eyes, he hadn't slept like her.

"Fell asleep at 3, woke up at 6."

"This can't be good, can it?" Alex muttered walking over to the cabinet and going right back to work. "People will begin to grow suspicious."

"Potter has always been of me, this year will be no different except this time he's correct." Draco snorted. Draco stared at Alex as she began to repair the next panel. "He must believe I have ruined you."

Alex froze and tensed up, she honestly kept forgetting that she was supposed to be gaining  his trust, she was so focus on Draco's task. At least now, she had one less thing to worry about and that being Robbie Smith. Her father sent her an owl this morning that Smith was so badly beaten by Draco that they sent him to St Mugos. He wouldn't tell anyone who attacked him which was honestly smart on his part.

"Moss. Have you spoken to him?" That question confused Alex. She looked up at him and raised an eyebrow wondering why would she speak to him.

"No, why would I? He did his part for me." Alex shrugged turning back around. "You asked me not to after all, still don't even know what was said after I left."

"I may have hired him for something." Draco muttered. They remained silent for the next hour, Draco helping her when she needed it but pretty much stayed out of her way which Alex was thankful for. Alex had gotten this process down to a science at this point and she didn't want Draco causing anything to delay her progress. Most men would have been hurt by that, their ego bruised and beaten but Draco respected it and loved it.

He loved an independent woman and Alex was the real definition of that term.

"Have you taken the time to look around here?" Alex muttered.

"No, not really." Draco muttered realizing that Alex was standing up glancing around. He raised an eyebrow.

"It's the Room of Requirements... it might have something useful for us." Her mind began to wonder over their tasks, mostly Draco's. There had to be other impressive magical artifacts in here that they could use, they just needed some time to actually look.

"I doubt it." Draco whispered, his whole attitude changing as Alex brought up his task. He was no longer relaxed, all it seemed like was that he wanted to do was leave. "I got some stuff to deal with. Don't stay in here too long." And Draco left with that.

Alex sighed, she knew he was holding back a lot and she couldn't get mad at him he because she was doing exactly the same thing. She knew he felt guilty for getting her involved and if Alex was being honest with herself, she knew deep down that this was fate. If Draco hadn't mentioned her name during that meeting, the dark lord still would have gotten her involved in some way. He was out to get her and she needed to know why because surely it wasn't because of her father.

Alex stood up and stretch, she had done enough for today but before she went back to the common room for a well deserved nap... she wanted to have a look around. Something was just calling for her. She recovered the cabinet and cleaned up before picking a direction, walking that way not really knowing what to look for.

There were the most random things scattered around, extra chairs, tables, mirrors and some other junk she couldn't even make out. Some had thick dust over it while others had not a trace of dust, almost like it had magically appeared. And maybe just maybe all of them did. But this would also be the perfect place to hide something.

She didn't know how long she was searching but she hadn't really found anything. After nearly an hour, she knew she should head back to the common room. She began to walk back towards the direction of the cabinet to get her bag when she tripped over something. She tumbled to the ground and knocked over a coat rack in the process. She cursed and saw that she tripped over a sheet.

She stood up brushing the dust off of her, she leaned over picking up the coat rack and pulled up the sheet, she froze when she noticed the sheet was over a bookcase. Something told her to pull the rest of the sheet off  so that's exactly what she did.

She tossed it to the side and saw a three shelved bookcase, she ran her hand over the top of it and when she did she noticed the beautiful dark oak underneath all the dust and spider webs. She picked up the sheet again cleaning up the bookcase, again something seemed so familiar about it that she felt drawn to it.

The dark oak wood matched her father's furniture in his study perfectly, she knew most of that furniture was past down from his father's manor. She noticed each shelf was filled with books that were covered in dust just like the bookcase. She knelt down and lightly blew the dust away before taking her hand brushing the rest of it off.

She picked up a black leather bound book and looked for a title but saw none. She opened it and dropped it as suddenly as she picked it up.

On the front page in messy handwriting was:

The Tasso's Family Secrets
Volume I

"It's real. It's actually real." Alex whispered in complete disbelief. She had heard stories from her father growing up that her great great great grandfather hand wrote all these journals but they disappeared when her grandfather died when she was only 7 years old. Her father had been looking for them for years.

He was obsessed with finding them, but Alex never knew why. She just knew if her father wanted to find them so badly, something had to be in them that he didn't want getting out. She picked up the book tucking it under her arm before placing the sheet back over the bookcase. She purposely placed the coat rack on the edge of it and placed some other breakable items on it so if someone messed with it, she would know.

She quickly left.

000

Philippos Tasso

Alex stared at the name for no telling how long. This journal was over a 100 years old and it was in the perfect condition. A little dusty but there was no wear on the cover and the ink looked as if it was just written a few days earlier.

She didn't even know who that was in relation to her, she hadn't even heard of this man and yet here was his journal in her lap. She had heard from her father that these journals were from her great great great grandfather but this was definitely not the name of that relative. If she remembered her family tree correctly that is.

"Here we are. The most extensive one I could find." Nicholas whispered plopping down a rolled up parchment in front of her. He plopped down across from her. They were sitting in the corner of the Slytherin common room and it was approaching midnight quickly.

"Where?" Alex asked as she untied the parchment.

"Had Otto snatch it out of father's study. I'll sneak it back in when I give it back to him in the morning, apparently helping the other house elves for the week." Nicholas explained. All Alex did was nod before rolling out the parchment between them.

"Bloody hell, this starts in the year 1625." Alex whispered, "Father wasn't kidding when we said our family was there from the beginning."

"No telling when our family started tracking our history, but it all starts with Eros Tasso and his wife, Emilia."

"Merlin, they had eight kids." Alex cringed at the mere thought of having one kid let alone eight. "Only two boys, the eldest and youngest."

"Eldest married twice. No kids with the first wife, only married two years before she died. Second wife had three sons. Youngest had a son, looks like his wife died in child birth." Nicholas muttered.

"Wait a second." Alex's eyes darted over the names and quickly noticed something. "He should be right here, but-"

Nicholas nudged her and her eyes followed his finger. He was the great grandson of one of the daughters of Eros. She was the second eldest daughter and her name was Lena. She married a man and had three sons. The middle son, Dimos, had a son. The Philippos Tasso.

"I don't understand, he isn't a true Tasso. His real last name should be Hatzi." Alex muttered sitting back and staring at the family tree.

"Al, you notice anything else that's off?" Nick muttered. Alex raised an eyebrow and shook her head.

"You are the first female Tasso since 1645. Those are considered Hatzi's and even then the last female was born in 1876. Actually the bloodline seems to have died out around the 1960's." Alex snatched up the family tree studying it. She quickly grabbed some parchment and before copying the family tree. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to do some research. Here-" Alex rolled up the family tree tying it back before handing it off to Nick. "I'll let you know what I find." Alex muttered as he stood up stretching.

"Don't you think, you should be focusing on other things than that?" Nick said as Alex gathered up her things. "You know-"

"I can do more than one thing." Alex shrugged.

"You are already doing your task and his... now this."

"Ever think this could help both of the tasks. You never know-" Alex gave him a smile as he stared at her like she had grown another head in that moment. "It's 1 in the morning. Good night." Alex watched as Nick muttered something to himself before exiting the common room. When she was sure he was out, she step back into the common room plopping down in front of the dying fireplace.

She knew she wouldn't get any sleep tonight, she had ended up taking a nap and surprisingly felt the most well rested she had been in awhile. She unfolded the parchment she had just wrote on. Her eyes locked on her name, how was it never brought up she was the first girl in centuries?

000

Alex stared down at the food in front of her. She wasn't hungry. All she wanted to do was go to the library. Today was dragging on and on, she was finished up with her classes and Ruth dragged her to dinner saying she was losing too much weight. Whether that was an accurate statement, Alex didn't care.

"I'll see you guys in the common room later." Alex muttered after 20 minutes, Ruth paused her conversation with Daphne turning her attention back to her, but Alex was already walking out of the Great Hall.

Alex quickly made her way to the library. She found her normal spot in the back and froze when she saw Draco sitting there with his nose in a book, looking exhausted. He wasn't at dinner and he wasn't in their last class together either. Something was going on with him and Alex knew no matter what she said, he was not going to open up to her. And what made her even sadder was the fact that was fine by her.

If she didn't press him, then she knew he wouldn't press her either.

"You're in my spot." Alex grumbled tossing her bag roughly on the table causing him to jump slightly.

"It's a rather cozy spot." He muttered going back to his reading. Alex rolled her eyes and pulled out her journal that she had place the piece of parchment in. She quickly looked over it before placing it back into her journal. "I didn't say you could join me."

"Fuck off, it's my spot." Alex hissed. Draco slowly looked up from his book and raised an eyebrow. He smirked.

"Where's your name?" His smirk grew but when Alex didn't flinch but smirked right back at him. She pulled out her wand and tapped the table twice. The top of the table glowed purple and her signature slowly appeared in the oak table.

"There." Alex muttered pocketed her wand again. "Been there since fourth year too."

"Did you curse it as well, you lunatic." Draco hissed.

"Don't tempt me, that is a rather good idea." Alex plopped down in the chair opposite of him and began to pull out her quill and whatever else she needed. Her eyes slowly drifted to the spine of Draco's book and raised an eyebrow.

"Curse objects. I should have known that book would given you a snarky comeback. Normally it takes you a while to think of one." Alex muttered nodding her head towards his book when he sent a glare her way.

"It's research."

"Be careful, Potter might see you and grow even more suspicious." Alex joked but notice Draco tense up as she stood up from the table. "Heard he was at the Qudditich pitch with Weasley. Granger was talking about it at dinner."

She slowly watch him relax as she walked away. She could feel his eyes on her for a moment before she disappeared around the corner. She made her way to the back of the library. She knew there was a section over families within the wizarding world. That was how she found out her and Draco's family were one of the oldest pureblood families left.

Her eyes darted from spine to spine reading whatever she thought would be useful to her. She saw a title that just drew her in the moment she saw it. She grabbed it and opened it, Dark and Powerful Wizards.

Alex flipped to the index second and saw that each chapter had its own wizard they wrote about. Alex nearly dropped the book when she saw the last chapter had a very familiar name. She quickly flipped to the last chapter and read the first few sentences. She quickly rushed back to the table quickly slamming down the book causing Draco to flinch sitting up straighter. She ignored him when he asked what her problem was before she pulled out her family tree studying it.

"Bloody fucking hell. I gotta find Nick. See ya!" She quickly packed up her bag racing over to main desk to quickly check the book out before she began sprinting her way to the Head Boy dorm hoping she could catch him heading back after dinner. She rounded the corner and saw him talking to someone outside of the Great Hall. She called out to him as she reached him, she quickly grabbed him by his wrist pulling him down the hallway pushing him into an empty classroom.

"What are you doing, Alex?" Nick hissed as she slammed the door behind them.

"Look. Look." Alex thrust the book into his hands flipping to the last chapter. "I haven't read all of it but read the first couple!" She watched as Nick's eyes darted across the page, "He is a true Tasso. Look here-" Alex said pulling out the family tree. "He never married, we didn't pick that up but his cousin, Atlas Tasso, had four sons. LOOK!"

Alex nudged him again, "He and the three sons died all at the same time. Dimos Hatzi adopted Philippos Tasso, who was only 2 years old."

"The wife was never listed if I remember correctly."

"Oh she was, but her name was scratched off. I remember thinking back to father telling us about the Black's had a family wall that they would burn off any members that wronged them. She must have done something."  Alex remained silent as a thought occurred to her as she finished her sentence. Nick looked at her sadly and sighed.

"Suppose she murdered her husband and children? Philippos survived?" Nick asked.

"I don't know but I know deep down he is the key to something. Something big, I just have a gut feeling. Finding out who he was could save not only me but Draco as well."  Nick looked at his sister and couldn't help but smirk because the look on her face was that of the most determined witch he had ever seen.

If Alex Tasso could save everyone involved she was going to do it, no matter if it killed her.

Chapter Text

*this chapter contains mature themes towards the end of the chapter*

The month flew by, the weeks seemed never ending. Alex felt herself finally losing it. The cabinet was completely mended, now she was just working on the charms. That was the part that becoming damn near impossible.

Alex stumbled away from the cabinet with tears flowing down her face. She was so frustrated and beyond exhausted. Nothing was going right and Draco was being absolutely no help whatsoever. He had been avoiding her for the past week and it was starting to piss her off.

"Not going well?" Draco stepped into view and Alex glared at him. She picked up her notebook that was near her and threw it as hard as she could at him, which he easily ducked.

"What the hell?" Draco yelled.

"Where have you been?! Wasn't aware I was the only one solely working on this?" Alex bellowed picking up another one of her notebooks throwing it at him. Again he dodged it. "And what have you been doing, huh?!"

Alex stormed towards him and he grabbed her wrist as she went to slap him. He gently pushed her back and his eyes widen when she let out a scream before plopping down onto the ground in a heap of tears. He just stood there not really knowing what to do.

Alex couldn't believe she was completely losing it in front of him right now but she had been holding in all of this sadness and anxiety for so long, it was coming out whether she wanted it to or not.

"I can't do this." She whimpered.

"I know this is hard but-"

"Do you?! I'm fixing this fucking thing for you. Juggling school, Quidditch, and trying to get Harry Potter to like me! I DON'T EVEN LIKE MYSELF" She bellowed causing Draco to flinch.

"You do realize I'm doing that also." Draco muttered, "minus the Potter situation."

Alex had calmed down slightly and was now just blankly staring ahead. Draco was right, he was dealing with all of this bullshit just like her. He looked exhausted just like her but he wasn't attacking her like she had just done to him.

"Why did you pick me? Why do you mess with me?" Alex whispered.

"What are you talking about?" Draco felt his heart drop.

"Nicholas is friends with the daughter of Death Eater that was at that meeting... well he says friends, pretty sure they are more than that." Alex's voice held no emotion as she spoke, she just stared ahead not meeting Draco's eyes.

"He was going to call me in to become a death eater and you stopped him. You said give her a task and she will prove you wrong." Alex slowly got up, "I was brought up first by my father then apparently the look on your face caught his attention. You lied about it"

She looked at him.

"You don't even like me." Alex hissed.

Draco grew angry, "I have been very opened about my feelings for you!"

Alex leaned down and collected her notes handing them to Draco. She pointed out two spells, "Those are already completed."

Alex calmly picked up her things and all Draco could do was watch as she packed everything up. Something more was going on with her.

"What did you find out?" Draco said as she began to walk away. She froze. "About that family member of yours." He watched as her shoulders tensed up. "That is in the past, whatever he did does not mean you are like him. You're Alexandra Tasso, not some git from a hundred years ago."

Draco had tried to warn her that reading all those journals could really mess with her head.

She slowly turned around, "He was like him..."

"Alex-"

"You told me, didn't you? I just need a break, okay? Sorry." She gave him a strain smile and left. Alex knew she was overreacting, but she just was a wreck. She couldn't sleep, all she wanted to do was read those stupid journals and be left alone. She had told Nicholas about what she had found out.

"Are you surprised? We aren't exactly from a long line of good witches and wizards."

He had done truly terrible things to anyone who he thought was beneath him. He was truly a vile being almost as bad as Voldemort. He honestly would have ended up being like him had he not been killed at age 40.

Alex tossed down her bag and plopped down on the ground. She had found herself coming out by the lake more and more to just think. She just enjoyed watching the water, she always enjoyed staring out the window in the common room but being outside was just more relaxing right now. Perhaps it was the cold starting to set in.

"Are you alright?" Alex let out a yelp and jumped turning around to see Hermione Granger behind her. She was clutching a book to her chest and looking worried. "Sorry didn't mean to scare you."

"Just thinking." Alex turned back around staring at the lake.

"You're been out here quite a lot recently." She could hear her step closer to her. She was on the verge of telling her to leave her be when an idea hit her. Alex had to hide the smirk that was trying so desperately to appear on her face and made sure to put on an act.

"Potter has you spying on me, eh?" She snorted shaking her head. Hermione didn't say anything at first but sat down beside her on the ground.

"He's becoming obsessive." Hermione chuckled. She felt Hermione's eyes on her. "I have noticed you have been looking ill lately."

Alex snorted and pulled her robe tight around her as a gust of wind went past the two of them.

"Just a lot going on lately." Alex whispered, she knew she looked awful. She felt just as awful as she felt. "I knew my family wasn't the best but I never expected to find out what I did. I always tried to undo what my family did, I guess you can't fix everything."

"You're a good person, Tasso." Hermione muttered.

"But Draco isn't." Alex couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"I didn't say that-"

Alex stood up and brushed off the dirt off of her skirt, "Tell Potter to mind his own business and leave Draco alone. We have enough to deal with."

Alex picked up her bag and made sure to drop a piece of parchment as she stormed away. She finally let the smirk take over her face as she made her way back into the castle. Hermione picked up the parchment to see it was a list of books Alex had recently checked out.

"Oh dear." Hermione whispered, she folded it up and placed it in her bag to show Harry and Ron later.

000

Alex was thankful it was finally Friday, she had no Quidditch practice and she was planning on sleeping the whole weekend. After Draco and her argument on Sunday morning, he had done just as she had ask. He left her alone only really speaking to her during class. He sat with her for lunch and dinner but never said much.

She hated to admit it but she missed him. She missed joking around with him but she knew she had to take some time away from him. She needed to ground herself before she completely lost her mind.

After her last class, Alex went straight to the dorm to get a nap in before dinner. She opened the door to her room, she could hear sobbing. She stepped in closing the door behind her to see Daphne curled up on her bed with Pansy sitting beside her rubbing her back as she cried.

"What has happened?" Alex whispered tossing her bag onto her bed slowly walking over to the pair of them.

"Theo dumped me!!" Daphne screamed.

"Haven't you two broken up before?" Alex knew they were always on again and off again for years, she didn't really think it would be such a big deal. Daphne nor Nott ever seemed bothered when they broke up.

"This time it's for good." Pansy muttered as Daphne let out another loud sob.

"He said he didn't love me anymore!" Daphne jumped up, "He has been acting weird all summer and he finally admitted to cheating on me!"

Pansy began trying to calm Daphne down again but Daphne began pacing around the dorm. She turned towards Alex, "You need to find out who it is!"

"Me?" Alex hissed.

"Yes! You're dating Draco! Draco can find everything out!"

"We are not dating. We aren't even speaking, Daph." Alex said quickly grabbing her by her shoulders to stop her from pacing. "You two have always been kind of toxic for one another. Maybe this is a good thing!"

"I was going to marry him! I love him" she screamed before plopping face first onto her bed. Pansy sighed and lead Alex out of the room to speak to her.

"We just gotta calm her down and she'll see it's for the best." Pansy whispered.

"Hasn't she been talking about leaving him?" Alex whispered back. All Pansy did was nod. They both looked at one another as they heard another scream followed by a crashing noise. Everyone knew that Daphne Greengrass always had to be everyone's favorite.

Alex sighed, "Give me an hour or two."

"Thank you." Pansy called out to her as she headed towards the boys' dorms.

All she wanted to do was take a nap and here she was to haunt down who the hell Theodore Nott could be sleeping with. She climbed the stairs to the dorms and headed straight to their dorm that she knew was towards the back on the left.

She opened the door.

"LOCK THE DOOR" Alex screamed quickly covering her eyes as Ruth quickly pulled a shirt over herself as Blaise fell off the bed with a thud.

"Who just storms into a room without knocking?" Blaise yelled back pulling his pants back on.

"Really? You can't stand him." Alex muttered gesturing to Blaise, who glared at Alex.

"He grew on me the past two weeks" Ruth chuckled, she climbed off of his bed and Alex quickly realized they were just heavily kissing. That was a little bit more of a relief.

"I don't have time for this. Draco. Where is he?" Alex asked.

"He said he had to meet someone-" Alex turned to leave slamming the door shut behind her. She quickly jogged down the staircase quickly leaving the common room. She had an idea as to where he would meet someone.

He wouldn't meet to far away from the common room considering the dungeons had plenty of dark hallways and secret passages. She began walking and froze when she heard some talking ahead. She pressed herself against the wall and inched her way closer. As she got closer, she ducked into a hiding spot and peaked around the corner to see Draco's white blonde hair.

She had to hold back a gasp when she realized he was talking to Noah Moss.

"It's absolutely dreadful down here." Moss hissed nervously glancing around.

"It's a dungeon, I didn't realize you didn't have a brain." Draco hissed, "Stop stalling, do you have it or not?"

Moss simply held out his hand, "Payment or no deal, Malfoy."

Even though Alex couldn't see his face, she knew he was rolling his eyes as he reached into his robe.

"All 150 gallons" Draco growled shoving the bag into his chest.

Moss dropped his bag onto the ground and began dig through his bag. He pulled out what looked like some kind of long box and stood up holding it out to him.

"I suggest-"

"I'm well aware." Draco snapped, "Appreciate the business. Now get out of here."

Moss quickly picked up his bag and Alex quickly stepped into the shadows so Draco couldn't see that she was spying on him.

She closed her eyes and didn't hear any foot steps so she slowly peaked out to see if maybe he had gone elsewhere.

She stepped out of her hiding spot and began heading back towards the common room. She was only half way when she was grabbed getting pulled roughly to the side.

She let out a gasp when her back was slammed into wall. Her chin roughly grabbed and she was face to face with Draco.

"What are you doing?" He hissed.

"I was looking for you." Alex hissed, she quickly took notice that he was absolutely furious. His fingers were digging into her jawline as he held her against the wall.

She quickly took notice that he wasn't scaring her like she would have thought. She still felt safe with him, she knew he wouldn't hurt her even though he was furious.

"I thought you needed time." He growled.

"You hired my old abusive boyfriend." Alex growled back, "Shouldn't I be the one upset?"

Draco slowly released her jaw and took a step back from her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hallway. He began to take her a way she had never seen before and she lightly pushed her into a room. He closed the door behind them.

"Where the hell are we?" Alex muttered as Draco lit a candle in the middle of the room. It looked to be an old office. He walked over to the fireplace lighting that as well. The room had a giant oak desk, empty book cases, and a few dusty leather couches.

"I can only assume Slytherin's old study. Found it with Crabbe and Goyle in second year." Draco reached into his robe and dropped a box onto the desk. Alex stepped forward and noticed it to be a jewelry box for a necklace. Alex went to open it and Draco slapped her hand away. "It's a cursed necklace. Don't."

"Why and how?" Alex muttered.

"Dumbledore. Moss has a side hustle that I had heard from a few students. He has a connection with someone who works on the dark market." Draco muttered leaning against the desk.

"You brought a necklace for Dumbledore?"

"Yes, I have an idea." Draco stepped closer to her again, he grabbed her hand in his causing her to look up at him. "I know you feel like you have been the only one working towards this but I've been focused on this. I should have told you but I-"

"How are we supposed to work together if we are constantly fighting?" Alex whispered, "We are both mentally drained and it's only October."

"Alex, I have meant everything I have said to you." Draco stepped over to her placing his hand on her hip. Alex refused to look at him keeping her eyes glued to the fireplace that was burning beside her.  She didn't know what he was doing but she wasn't just going to melt in his hands like he was expecting her to no matter how much she wanted to. Draco had recently had an control over her that she had never experienced before.

"I know you are tired, but look at me." Alex finally looked up at his icy blue orbs and slowly felt herself beginning to melt as he pulled her closer to him. He took his free hand and brushed a few piece of hair behind her ear as they locked eyes. "Alex, promise me something."

"Possibly." She whispered.

"Promise me you're not playing with my emotions." Alex was half expecting him to say something off putting causing her to smack him but the look on his face, she knew he was being serious. "Please tell me I'm the only one. You're mine."

"I belong to no one, Draco. Not even you." Alex whispered, she expected him to look irritated but instead he had his famous smirk on his face. "You should know-"

Alex was cut off by Draco crushing his lips into hers, pulling her tightly against his chest. Alex hesitated for a moment knowing exactly what he was doing but all thought of that went out of her head when he lightly grabbed her by the back of her head. She roughly began pulling on his tie as he picked her up placing her on the desk, the kiss deepening as he did.

Draco roughly pulled off his tie and began kissing her neck as he began to pull off her robe. Clothes began flying around the room as the fire cracked beside them and the sound of lightly moaning paired with it.

Alex quickly pulled back trying to unbuckle his pants as he laid kisses across her chest.

"You're bloody perfect-" Draco moaned as she pulled his lips back up to hers, she smirked against his lips as his hand went up her skirt pulling down her tights. He finally yanked them off after Alex pulled off his pants pulling him towards her again. It was in that moment both of them quickly realize how badly they wanted one another. Draco and Alex froze as both of them realized they were both completely naked, they were breathing heavily staring at one another also wondering if this was truly okay.

"What?" Alex breathed out sitting up from the desk, propping herself up by her elbows.

"Is this what you want?" Draco, himself, was shocked by the question. Any bloke within Hogwarts would be dying to be in his place. He wanted this, he had always wanted Alex in this way but for some reason, he was hesitant to take her right then and there.

"I'm naked, aren't I?" She whispered, she pushed herself up and slid off the desk. The look on his face, Alex knew if she wanted him... she would have to make the first move. She slid her hand up and down his chest, lowering it slowly towards his member. She heard him take a sharp intake as she grabbed it. "But I do want to hear you say something before you either bend me over this desk or I take you to that couch..."

Draco quickly nodded smirking as she kissed his chest.

"That I'm the only one."

"You're the only one. You are constantly in my thoughts. Day and night." He murmured taking a step back as she pressed herself to him moving him back. Alex crushed her lips into his as she pushed him back causing him to plop down on the couch.

Alex climbed onto his lap and let out a moan as she sat down. Draco gripped her hips with his hands thrust into her, they both breathing heavily as they thrusted against one another. Alex biting down on his shoulder as they began to speed up. Draco placed his hand over Alex's mouth as she got louder.

She thrusted against him causing him to drop his hand letting out a grunt of pleasure as she continued.

"You need to stop." Draco moaned. Alex knew he was close, she didn't know how explain it but she could feel it. He sounded almost desperate as she continued, she was almost there herself. She grabbed his head and leaned down right beside his ear.

"Do it." She whispered.

Within a minute, Alex grunted as Draco thrusted one more time into her. Both of them stared at one another breathing heavily. Draco brought her lips to his and gave her a gentle kiss. He cupped her face and gave her a grin.

"Well, I was not expecting my day to end like this." Draco whispered as Alex slowly slid off of him to lay down on the couch beside him. "That was-"

"Incredible." Alex breathed out.

"And by far the sexist I have ever seen you." Draco said getting up and kissing her on the lips again. He quickly pulled on his boxes as he walked back over to the couch as Alex began to get up to dress herself. She went to grab her skirt when Draco grabbed her hand pulling her back over to the couch to cuddle with him.

"I do have one more question to ask of you."

"Anything darling."

"Who did Theodore Nott choose over Daphne?" Draco looked over at her confused.

"Nott dumped Greengrass? About bloody time, they have been miserable together for the past year." Draco muttered into her shoulder. "I don't know but I'll find out for you." Alex nodded and began playing with his hair, they sat in silence for awhile just enjoying the warmth of one another.

"We still need to be careful-" Alex began.

"No, I want everyone to know." Draco muttered.

Chapter Text

Alex stared ahead with her open notes sitting on her lap. Draco was busy working on the cabinet, he would mumble something before lightly waving his wand over the cabinet. He had his sleeves rolled up past his elbows and his tie lying loosely around his neck. They had headed straight here after their last class. Draco had her read off the instructions for the enchantments but wouldn't let her lift a finger.

"I'm starving." Alex whispered as he walked over to her picking up her notes studying them.

"Me too. I can't think straight." He handed her back her notes, "Dinner time." He nodded his head towards the grandfather clock that was near them.

Draco offered his hand and pulled her to her feet. They cleaned up before heading out towards the Great Hall. They walked in silence for a little bit. Alex letting her mind wonder and not really being present in that moment.

She had so much on her mind, she didn't even know where to begin. She flinched when she felt someone grab her hand and looked over to see it was Draco. She raised an eyebrow, in all of her years of knowing him and seeing him with different girlfriends, he never once saw him being touchy with any of them.

Pansy was always constantly complaining when they were dating that he would never hold her hand or put his arm around her. She hated it so as Draco held her hand, she could help but wonder what made her so much different that Pansy Parkinson.

"You're overthinking." Draco muttered as they rounded the corner. She rolled her eyes trying to let go of his hand thinking that he probably didn't want to be seen holding hands. He pulled her towards him, "I wasn't lying about what I said the other day. Everyone is going to know you're mine."

"I'm not an object." Alex grumbled back as they walked to the table. She could feel eyes on them but turned her attention back to Draco, who had just let a snort out and rolled his eyes at what she had just said.

She let go of his hand to sit down but as she turned she saw somewhat of a hurt look on Pansy's face. She plopped down next to Ruth and began to fill up her plate while Draco spoke to Nott and Blaise.

"Where's Daph?" Ruth finally asked.

"Won't get out of bed." Pansy muttered, "you haven't heard the rumors?"

Both Alex and Ruth shook their heads, quickly glancing at one another.

"He's seeing some Hufflepuff" Pansy hissed nodding her head towards Nott. Alex slowly looked over at Draco who was leaned forward as Nott whispered to Blaise and him.

"Pansy, you have to know they aren't good for one another." Ruth muttered, Pansy sighed and nodded.

"She's still my best friend."

"You know what the say, the way to get over someone is to get under someone else." Alex muttered, taking a bite of her food. She felt eyes on her and looked over to see Ruth smirking, and Pansy grinning. "What?"

"So is Nick single?" Pansy asked.

"No." Alex said firmly.

"C'mon, everyone knows she has a thing for your brother?" Ruth whined nudging Alex. "She's been love stricken since 2nd year."

"Not happening." Alex muttered again.

"It will get her to stop moping and shutting up." Pansy muttered, Alex hesitated for a moment. She sighed and closed her eyes pinching the bridge of her nose. One thing about Daphne that Alex would never be able to stomach was the fact she was by far the whiniest person, she has ever met.

Alex groaned and glanced down the table at her brother, who was talking to his two best friends. She got up and walked down the table and plopped down beside him causing him to raise an eyebrow at her.

"Are you fucking anyone currently?" Alex asked bluntly.

Nick choked on his drink and his friends busted out laughing at the reaction. Nick quickly wiped his face and grabbed Alex by the arm yanking her out of the Great Hall. "What?!"

"Answer the question. This is already painful enough." Alex growled as she noticed Nick glancing up and down the hallway.

"How is that your business? And how dare you-"

"Daphne Greengrass." Alex said cutting him off quickly. He raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat crossing his arms over his chest trying to act like he was unbothered.

"What about her?" What Alex knew that no one else knew was Nick had a crush on Daphne as well. He never acted on it since she was his sister's dorm mate. And he sure never admitted to it but Alex knew the tell-tell signs of how he acted around someone who he found attractive.

"Theodore Nott dumped her and she is wailing non-stop, she always thought you were hot." Alex spat out the word hot like it had burned her tongue.

"So I'm sloppy seconds?" Nick rolled his eyes.

"Look, I'm giving you the information. You do what you will with that information." Alex patted him on the shoulder and was about to walk back into the Great Hall when she suddenly wasn't hungry anymore. She sighed and made her way back to the common room to get an early start on some homework.

She hadn't made it very far when she heard some arguing up ahead. She paused ducking behind a statue when she realizes it was Potter.

"Leave me alone." Alex felt her blood run cold when she notice the other person was Noah Moss.

"Just listen to me!" Potter grabbed his wrist as he tried to walk away. Potter looked almost deranged. "Alex Tasso. What is she to you?"

"We used to date. She hates me." Noah growled pushing him away from him.

"I'm worried that she is in danger, I need your help."

"What are you going on about?" The more Potter spoke the more Noah looked like he was about to deck him right then and there. Alex had been hearing rumors that Harry Potter was becoming obsessive. She was seeing that the rumors were in fact true.

"She's dating Draco Malfoy now. He is-"

Alex could feel her chest starting to tighten. She couldn't tell if it was from panic or if it was from the sheer rage that Potter was trying to turn everyone against Draco.

Noah snorted, "If anyone should be worried, it should be about Draco Malfoy."

Potter didn't say anything. Noah smirked and looked at him, "You don't have a clue about her family, do you?"

"She's different."

Alex almost let out a yelp as she was grabbed, a hand covering her mouth. She was yanked into a nearby classroom. She looked up to Draco pressing her body against his as he peered out of the door listening to the two of them speak. Alex couldn't even try to listen, all she could focus on was the fact that his hand was on her lower back.

She could feel his tone chest against hers and she hated admit it but she felt like a silly school girl with a massive crush. She was growing more and more flustered especially when he pushed her into the wall.

Draco looked down at her, "you could use that to your advantage, I have-"

Draco and her locked eyes, Draco quickly took notice that her chest was firmly against his and the look she was giving him. Before either of them could even fathom what happened, Alex yanked on his tie pulling her even closer to him and Draco scooped her up with one arm. Their lips collided and Alex wrapped her legs around his waist as he stumbled backwards. He plopped her down on a desk and found himself hungrily pulling up her skirt.

He began pulling down her tights as she reached for his belt, he stopped her hand. She blushed thinking he was telling her to stop but was shocked when she saw kneel down in front of her.

She was about to ask him what he was doing, when she felt his tongue on her.

"Oh fuck." She whispered grabbing a clump of his hair as she laid down.

000

Draco stared up above him with a grin on his face.

"What are you grinning about?" Blaise asked walking into their dorm room.

"She taste better than she looks." Draco muttered, he groaned thinking about the past hour he had just spent with Alex in that classroom. The more he was around her and the more he had her in that way, the more and more became obsessed with her. "She's going to ruin me, isn't she?"

"I don't think I have ever seen you this crazy about a girl." Blaise chuckled.

"She's funny, smart, gives the best kisses, and bloody hell-" Draco sat up. His mind rushed back to the conversation he had overheard between Potter and Moss. His mind snapped out of his giddy hazy and he grew serious causing Blaise to groan muttering about how he just wanted to hear the dirty details.

"You're up to date on the latest Hogwarts gossip?" Draco asked.

Blaise raised an eyebrow, "You have never been one on knowing the scoop on drama."

"What is being said of Alexandra Tasso?" Draco scooted to the end of his bed and watch as Blaise put away some clothes.

"Mate, it's only going to piss you off. Better to leave it alone." Blaise muttered.

"I overheard Potter talking-"

"Do you read the Daily Prophet?"

Draco snorted, "not after the trash they spread about my family during father's trial."

Blaise walked over to his bag pulling out a folded up newspaper. He straightened it out and handed it to Draco. Right on the front was a picture of Alexander Tasso leading some man from the courtroom whispering to him as they went.

"He's a lawyer-" Draco quickly shut up when he realized who it was. "Shit."

"Yeah, the daughter is getting the dementor kiss next month and father is facing life in Azkaban." Blaise explained, "you and Alex told him her father could get them out of this. He's not going to handle this well, he's going to go right after Alex."

Draco shook his head, "He already has."

Draco quickly stood up and pulled on his shoes, "Where is she?"

"Dorm."

Draco took off out of his dorm and headed straight towards the girls' dorm. He gently pushed out a few first years out of his way and slammed open the door to Alex's dorm. Pansy and Ruth jumped, they were holding the Daily Prophet in their hands looking nervous.

"Where is she?" Draco asked quickly.

"Her route for the night. Draco, he's-" He cut off Ruth by slamming the door behind him. Moss knew she was listening, he saw her leave with Nick. He was baiting her. He wanted her alone. Alex promised Draco, she would wait till Draco came up with a game plan but he saw the anger in her eyes.

She surely wasn't going to listen to him. This man had threaten not only her task with Harry Potter but theirs as well. Moss knew too much and he was pissed.

Draco truly thought he was just being his normal pissy self but deep down he knew better. That's why he asked Blaise. Had he had seen the Daily Prophet earlier, he would have never let her out of his sight.

Draco sprinted down another hallway that was on her route and felt sick when he still hadn't found her. He took a deep breath trying to think where else she would go or possibly where he could snatch her.

He was about to take off into a run again when he heard commotion in the distance. Draco took off into a sprint pulling out his wand as he did. He reached the area where he thought the noise was coming from and heard nothing.

He stepped forward and slipped slightly on something wet. He looked down and his eyes widen when he saw blood.

"Alex" he whispered.

"ALEX" he yelled this time.

Alex tried breaking free the first time she heard Draco call her but Moss held her tightly with his hand over her mouth.

He had surprised her and hit her over the head with something. She was fighting though, she wasn't going to die so easily. Alex rammed her knee into Moss groin causing him to release his grip on her.

She took her chance and sprinted away screaming for Draco. Draco could hear her screaming in the distance and took off running towards her, he rounded the corner to see her.

"Alex." Draco was to her in seconds. Her head was bleeding and she was holding onto his shirt for dear life. She wasn't panicking like he imagined she would be. She was trying to tell him something but all that was coming out was gasps.

"Malfoy. Tasso."

"Professor!" Draco didn't realize how panicked he sounded till Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape came running towards them. "She was attacked."

McGonagall quickly reached into her robe pulling out a piece of cloth holding it tightly to her head. Once Draco realized Alex was safe, he took off. He could hear Professor Snape calling for him but he completely ignored him. He followed the blood and stopped, Moss was gone. His first thought was to head straight to the Gryffindor tower but Snape caught up to him grabbing his arm.

"Let me go, I'll kill him!" Draco growled but Snape shoved him up against the wall holding him in place by the scruff of his cloak.

"You know who did this?"

"Noah Moss. Have you not seen the paper?" Draco snapped, Snape released him only a little bit and looked deep in thought.

"Listen to me." Snape hissed, "You do not know who did this to her."

Draco stopped struggling and stared at Snape with disgust, "Excuse me?"

"You hired him, did you not?"

Draco said nothing but looked away, he knew exactly where he was going with this and it made Draco sick.

"Trust me." He pulled him along, "She needs you right now."

They rounded the corner and Draco felt his heart stop when he saw McGonagall trying to calm Alex down. Draco brushed Snape off of him jogging over to Alex. He lightly grasped her face with his hands and he saw her face immediately relax.

"Look at me." Draco whispered. She slowly nodded and locked eyes with him, she took a deep breath and felt her grab his arm. Draco was trying his hardest to think of a way to tell her to not say who attacked her.

"Ms. Tasso, do you know who attacked you?" McGonagall's voice was gentle and calm, she rubbed her free hand up and down her back trying to soothe her as her other hand held the cloth on her head.

Alex never took her eyes off of him. She took another deep breath and slowly looked over at McGonagall, "No. No I didn't see them."

"Very well. Let's get you to the hospital wing." She patted Draco on the back as he slowly released Alex.

000

"Nice gash, probably going to have a mean headache later but you will be alright." Madam Pomfrey said smiling as she tied off the bandage she had wrapped around her head, "Possibly a black eye but come back and I'll heal that up should it appear."

"Professors, a word please." Dumbledore muttered gesturing for McGonagall and Snape to follow him after Madam Pomfrey. "Are they free to go?" Madam Pomfrey simply nodded, Draco held out his hand and Alex took it.

She felt him wrap his arm around her waist leading her out of the hospital wing, it was close to 10pm at this point. Blaise and Nott pushed themselves off the wall opposite of the hospital wing. Alex rested her head against him as they walked, she was wondering why Dumbledore would just easily let them go. Snape must have told them to escort them.

"He's going to pay, Alex" Nott muttered, Alex felt herself tense up at the mere mention of that. Draco tighten his grip on her.

"Not a word and no acting without my say so." Draco hissed. Both of them nodded and Alex relaxed a little. Draco and Alex both knew that if they had to handle this a certain way in order to keep their tasks under wraps. They entered the common room and Ruth jumped up from the couch sprinting towards them. Pansy and Daphne hung back by the fireplace.

Ruth wrapped her arms around her and gave her a tight hug. She kissed her cheek and whispered that she was thankful she was okay. Pansy quickly walked over to Alex and shocked her when she pulled her into a hug. Daphne hesitated when she saw Nott standing close but shook her head quickly walking over to Alex pulling her in for a hug as well.

"Let's get you-" Daphne began.

"Can I have moment with her? I'll walk her up." Daphne nodded and the slowly cleared out of the common room leaving just Draco and Alex alone. She walked over to the couch closest to the fireplace and sat down.

Draco saw the Daily Prophet sitting on the table near by. Draco picked it up and handed it to her before sitting down beside her as she read it. She didn't really react that much, she honestly couldn't because honestly she saw this coming. Her father had warned her last week as the trial began, there was just too much evidence against her and he knew that if he pushed to hard, it would grow suspicion.

"He warned me." Alex whispered.

"Your father will-"

"No, we handle this on our own. Too many people getting involved could blow our cover." Alex stood up and walked over to the dying fireplace tossing the paper into it. She watched as it caught on fire and slowly began to burn.

"Alex, I swear to you-" Draco stood up walking towards her, she slowly looked up at him as he placed his hand on her shoulder. She felt safe under his gaze. "He is going to pay for what he did to you."

Alex just nodded as Draco placed a kiss on her forehead. Alex was about to turn and leave when she felt Draco scoop her up into his arms, "I'm staying with you tonight."

Alex couldn't help but smile, "Thank you."

As much as Alex hated to admit it, she was growing more and more attached to Draco. She didn't want to be anywhere else but with him. She just hoped that would bite her in the ass later,

Chapter Text

Madam Pomfrey was right, Alex had a big black eye the next morning but she didn't heal it or have Madam Pomfrey heal it. No. She wanted everyone to see it. She wanted talks. She wanted him nervous.

"Any pain?" Pansy asked as Alex filled her plate with food. The moment she had stepped into the Great Hall, all went silent and every single eye was on her. All Alex could do was shake her head.

"May I eat-" Draco looked up and snapped at Goyle to move down so Mya could sit across from Alex. She gave Draco a smile and a nod before sitting down next to Pansy. Pansy sighed and slid the pitcher of orange juice towards her. Pansy was never a fan of Mya, mostly because she was a Ravenclaw. "You look awful." Mya finally muttered as she filled her plate as well.

"Good." Alex muttered.

"What's the hot gossip?" Ruth asked.

Mya sighed and looked over at Draco. Ruth followed her eyes as did Alex, Alex quickly tensed up and took a deep breath.

"Many think it's suspicious that Draco found her." Mya muttered, "But if you noticed he's not here." Alex looked over at the Gryffindor table and noticed his typical spot was in fact empty. "Those who have read the paper..."

"It's 50/50." Blaise muttered.

"More like 20/80"

"With Draco-" Alex began but was cut off by the smirk on Mya's face.

"Actually it's the opposite. Cho Chang is Team Draco." Alex felt herself relaxing, if Cho Chang stated that Draco Malfoy was okay in her book, over half of Hogwarts would believe it. "Cho says that Draco looks too much in love to do such a thing plus everyone knows Alex would wreck him if he tried."

"Granger is coming over." Ruth hissed nudging Alex. Alex watched as she paused and looked back at Potter for a second. Alex perked up, did Potter put her up to this? Alex glanced over at Draco, who seemed to have caught that as well. She took a deep breath and approached them.

"Tasso." Granger muttered.

"Granger."

"I'm sorry." She gave her a curtly nod before leaving the Great Hall. Alex gave her a nod that she was sure she hadn't had seen. That wasn't supposed to be what she was going to say. Potter sent her over to ask who attacked her or something along those lines. She didn't have the guts. No, she knew it was wrong.

"She doubts him." Alex whispered, this caught the attention of Draco and unfortunately caught the attention of Mya as well. She raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything but Alex just knew she would question her later. At least that gave her time to think of an excuse.

The rest of the breakfast was quiet and Alex was growing exhausted with all the stares and whispers as she pass through a group. Alex was walking with Draco and Blaise when she saw Professor Snape approaching them.

"Professor Dumbledore would like to speak to you. You are excused from your first class." All Alex could do was simply nod as he turned walking towards his classroom.

"I'll walk you-"

"No, you'll be late. It's not too far from here." Alex quickly said cutting him off. She gave his hand a little squeeze before she walked down the hallway before he could gather what was happening. She knew he meant well, but she also could take care of herself. He just surprised her yesterday.

She kept her head down and thought of what she needed to say and what she needed to avoid. She knew Dumbledore had to expect that Alex actually knew who attacked her, that's why he was calling her to his office. Maybe he thought that Draco had made her nervous and that's why she said she didn't know.

She stopped in front of the statue and took a deep breath.

"Chocolate frogs." At least that was his password last year. Snape didn't say anything else so Alex was just assuming that would work.

"Ah I forgot to tell him to new password. Perfect timing. I was just coming back from breakfast" Alex jumped slightly and turned around to see Dumbledore walking towards her holding a cup of tea.

She said nothing but took a step back.

"That wasn't wise of me to sneak up on someone who was recently attack." He gave her a half smile, "Lemon drop."

The statue began to move and Dumbledore gestured her to go first. She nodded and stepped onto the staircase that appeared. She stepped into his office and watched him as he took a sip of his tea walking towards his desk.

"I'm assuming you know why I have called you to speak with me." Dumbledore gestured for to sit down and Alex reluctantly placed her bag down. She sat down and kept her eyes locked on the man in front of her.

In all her years at Hogwarts, Alex never fully trusted her headmaster. There was just something about him and even when she was working with, he just made her question his intentions even more.

He reached into his desk and pulled out a folded up Daily Prophet. He unfolded it and Alex felt her breathing hitch but kept her face blank of any emotions.

She leaned forward and studied the page that he was showing her but said nothing.

"Had I had seen this yesterday, I would have put you under protection." He began, "Have you seen this?"

"I've seen it." She said quickly.

"Were you aware your father was taking this case?"

"No" she lied, "father doesn't tell me about his cases"

All he did was nod and frown a little, "I wish your father would have told us."

"With all due respect, sir, what does this case have to do with my safety? My father is constantly taking on difficult cases, this was no different"

"This one involves a fellow student's family. I would hate to believe that a student would attack another due to their parents-"

"If I knew who did this, do you truly believe I wouldn't rat them out?"

"No I do not think you would." Alex found herself tensing up. "You are a very proud and strong woman. I believe you along with Draco would take matters into your own hands"

Alex tried to blank her face of any anger for as long as she could. She knew he was reading her like a book and she wanted it to stop. She could feel her shoulders growing tense as her breathing picked up.

"You're angry and I understand-" she stood suddenly stepping towards him slamming her hands down on his desk.

"I do not know who attack me and I am not some monster, you seem to think I am." She hissed, she was expecting him to yell at her or something but instead he grinned giving her a nod. "Am I excused, sir?"

"Absolutely, Ms. Tasso." Alex stepped away and picked up her bag tossing it over her shoulder. She head towards the staircase when his voice stopped her, "when though you do not know who attacked you, for your protection I have sent Noah Moss away."

She paused, she turned around to look at him. She just gave a stiff nod and left without another word.

000

Alex found herself sitting in Snape's office with Draco pacing behind her. Snape sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as Draco began mumbling to himself. Alex rolled her eyes, grabbed Draco's wrist, "Sit. Down."

Draco yanked his wrist from her grasp and sat down in the chair beside her.

"Continue, sir." Alex muttered.

Snape sighed and unfolded the letter sliding it towards Alex, he looked absolutely exhausted and Alex didn't know if it was because of  what happened or if it was just them in general. Alex would honestly understand if he was just sick and tired of them. Hell, she was tired of them.

Alex leaned forward and took the letter in her hands, her eyes darting over every sentences trying to soak in all the information that was in three short sentences from her parents. Draco stared at her with a worried expression on his face and he began nervously turning his ring on his right hand.

"They want to pull me out of Hogwarts for the time being." Alex whispered. Draco stood up so suddenly, his chair fell backwards causing a crash inside the quiet office space. He rubbed his hands over his face and faced away from them. "The Dark Lord has forbidden it." Alex mumbled causing Draco to spin back around to face her.

"Noah Moss is being dealt with accordingly." Snape added.

"Is he dead?" Alex whispered.

"No, the Dark Lord is currently trying to find Noah Moss. Professor Dumbledore has hidden him and his mother for the time being." Alex swallowed and nodded staring down at the letter in her lap.

"He needs to pay." Draco hissed.

"We have other things to worry about." Alex muttered putting the letter into her bag. "This is definitely is going to make things harder for us. Dumbledore is going to be watching us closely."

Snape nodded, "Mr. Malfoy, may I have a moment alone with Ms. Tasso? I'll escort her back to the common room."

Draco looked over at Alex before picking up his bag and leaving Snape's office. Alex was honestly surprised that Draco left so willingly. That let Alex know how much Draco trusted Snape, but deep down Alex didn't trust anyone except Draco.

"You lied to him."

Alex swallowed hard and looked away from Snape, her eyes locked onto the fireplace. The letter didn't state that they wanted her home, they were stating how Draco have failed them and how disappointed Voldemort was in the both of them. Alex wondered if it was even from her parents, she knew they were never proud of her but they also never said it out loud.

"Draco doesn't need to know everything." Her voice sounded colder than she wanted it to, but the confusion was over taken her mind.

"Draco has a plan, he is hesitating." Snape stated.

"He doesn't want to do it. He's being force to be something he is not." Alex finally left his office.

As she exited, she noticed Draco waiting for her. She should have known he wasn't going to let her walk to common room by herself. Every since the incident he was glued to her side which was nice but also annoying at the same time.

They began walking back to the common room side by side, after a few moments of silence, Draco wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her close to him. She knew his love language was physical touch but this seemed staged. This felt like they were being watched something was off.

"I was mentioned in the letter, wasn't I?" Draco finally asked, that's when she realized he was bringing her closer so no one could possibly eavesdrop on them. Alex felt herself tense up and she knew he was reading her like a book.

"Yes, he states he needs to see action." Alex gulped, "They are already claiming we have failed."

She felt him tense up but as she looked up at him, his face remained the same. Cold and emotionless.

"I have a plan. You know I do."

"Then we need to put it into action as soon as we can." Alex whispered.

"I-" Draco began but stopped suddenly shaking his head, "This weekend. Hogsmeade." Draco muttered the password walking them into the common room. Draco kissed her cheek before heading up to his dorm. He looked beyond broken and it made Alex feel sick.

He didn't deserve this. She plopped down on the couch in front of the fireplace and felt herself dissociating as she sat there. She didn't hear the common room door open and she didn't even feel the spot next to her sink down as someone sat beside her.

"You do realize you also have to protect yourself and not just him" Nick muttered looking at his sister, she looked exhausted and on the verge of tears.

"Alex." He was firm but Alex didn't even flinch at it. "You were given the order to befriend Harry Potter. What exactly have you done for that?"

"His eyes are on me, aren't they?" Alex muttered.

Nick looked at her confused.

"He's asking about me. Following my every move. He thinks Draco is controlling me and brainwashing me. I'll play into that" Alex stood up and Nick watched her climb the stairs.

"What did she mean by that?" Daphne asked Nick as she appeared from the shadows. "Who is watching her?" Nick gave her a grin and shook his head.

"You know her. She's full of it." Nick held out his hand to Daphne, "Ready?"

Daphne blushed and nodded grasping his hand.

000

Alex brushed her hands off of the dust after she threw the sheet back onto the cabinet. It was almost ready, just a few more practice runs and they would have it settled. She picked up her bag and heard a whisper as she began to walk away from the cabinet. She felt a shiver go down her spine, she knew it was just her here.

She had been in here for hours, she must just tired. She didn't even remember falling asleep last night so that had to be it. She let out a yelp when she felt a gust of air shoot past her. She heard the sheet fall to the ground and groaned. She turned around and felt her heart stop when the sheet was no where to be seen, it had just vanished into nothing.

"Where-" she was cut off by the cabinet that began shaking. At least she thought that originally but she noticed it was just the door.

She could feel herself run cold and felt her heart rate pick up but she couldn't move whatsoever. She was glued to the spot watching as the door handle began to turn. It slammed open so suddenly that it caused Alex to trip over her own feet landing straight on her back. She again was frozen to the spot, she knew she needed to run or grab her wand but she was too stun to do anything.

Alexandra

It was as if a dark fog exited the cabinet, she blinked and saw a man slowly climbing out. He was wearing a dark suit with an even darker floor length cloak. He had dark hair that was slicked back into an elegant ponytail.

He grinned and Alex finally realized who it was.

Hello dear cousin. I heard you are just like me.

ALEX

Alex's eyes shot open and came face to face with Ruth and Pansy. Both of them looked absolutely terrified. Ruth was holding Alex down by her shoulders while Pansy stood near the bed with a wet washcloth.

"Bloody hell." Ruth gasped out finally releasing her, "That was terrifying."

Pansy helped Alex sit up as Ruth stumbled backwards away from her bed. Pansy placed the cold washcloth to her face and Alex jumped. She took it from Pansy and noticed there was blood on it.

"You were clawing at your face." Pansy whispered.

"I'll heal myself-" Alex whispered, she looked down at her sleep shirt to see she had completely sweated through it. "What?"

"It was a night terror. You were just tossing and muttering for about 20 minutes which woke us up. Then when Pansy tried to wake you up, you started talking and before we knew it you were screaming." Ruth muttered finally standing up fully.

"You were talking in another language." Pansy whispered sliding down the wall, letting out a shaky breath as she did.

"It was Greek. I've heard her speak to her father like that." Ruth added.

Alex just held the washcloth to her face staring off. She could hear Ruth and Pansy talking about her back and forth, but after an hour, they went back to sleep and Alex was sitting up in a trance. She wondered what that nightmare meant. Was it even a nightmare? Her eyes slowly traveled over to her bedside table that held the second volume of his journals. This journal was about him being a teenager, she had just finished the chapter of his 16 year old birthday party.

All she had known about him was he was powerful or he made himself out to be powerful. That could have been an illusion. She slowly scooted over to the edge of her bed and picked up the journal tossing it back and forth between her hands.

For a moment, she thought about tossing it in the fire place down in the common room. But considering why cold their room was, she wondered if the fire had finally gone out for the night. As the temperature dropped, the dungeons became colder and colder. That was the only thing Alex truly hated about the Slytherin common room.

She slid on her slippers and threw on a hoodie that she had resting on a chair near her bed. She clutched the journal to her chest and slid her wand into her pocket. She traveled downstairs and saw it was about three in the morning. As she walked into the pitch black common room, she knew her suspicions were correct.

"Lumos." She whispered. She placed the journal down on the couch and picked up a few logs tossing them into fireplace. She flicked her wand to the log lighting them on fire. As the fire grew, Alex tossed a few more logs in before sitting down on the couch placing her wand back into her pocket.

She picked up the journal again and instead of tossing it in like she had planned, she opened it and began reading again.

One of her biggest mistakes.

Chapter Text

Alex took a deep breath and stared at herself in the mirror. It wasn't her looking back at herself, it was a stranger. Her hair looked a mess no longer shiny and thick but dull and thin. She had dark circles under her eyes that no amount of makeup or concealment charm could cover.

She had dropped so much weight since she had begun the school year. No amount of food or sleep could save her it seemed. She needed to meet Draco downstairs in 5 minutes, but she couldn't drag herself away from the mirror.

She could easily call it off or postpone the deed but she knew if Draco didn't show Voldemort, he was in fact actively trying to kill Dumbledore. He would surely kill Draco and she didn't have the heart to let that happen.

She grabbed her purse and beanie stepping away from the mirror. She jogged down the stairs and entered the common room to see Draco standing in front of the fireplace with his hands deep in his pockets staring at the flames.

"Ready?" Alex finally choked out.

"No." He muttered, "but don't have a choice" he whispered as he passed her. She quickly caught back up with him and he grabbed her hand giving it a little squeeze that she returned.

They walked in silence all the way to Hogsmeade. Draco pulled her to the side just before they really entered the village.

"Remember the plan?" He whispered.

Alex took a deep breath, she quickly nodded. He opened his jacket and in the inner pocket was the box that held the curse necklace. She quickly took it from him and place it in her purse.

"Our goal is Madam Rosmerta. I will take care of that." Draco whispered, Alex nodded shivering as a gust of icy wind went through the both of them. Alex really truly wondered if it was the cold or if it was due to what they were about to do.

"Are you sure?" Alex asked as he grabbed her hand again.

"I've practiced it enough times." Draco grumbled.

"And if she isn't there?" Alex stopped as they approached the Three Broomsticks.

"She's always there. Order a butterbeer then go to the bathroom." Draco muttered yanking her along once again.

The plan was simple enough but Alex knew better than anyone that their luck wasn't exactly the greatest. Draco would use the Imperius curse on Madam Rosmerta. Once he did that he would tell her to curse a student to bring the necklace to Flitch saying it was a gift from her.

Alex's part was to hand off the box to whoever came into the bathroom by order of Madam Rosmerta. The only complex part was getting Rosmerta away so Draco could place the curse.

At least that's what Alex had told him. It was the safest option in her opinion that way no one could see Draco lurking around.

Alex found a spot in the corner of the room and ordered two butter beers. Rosmerta brought the pair the glasses and as soon as placed Draco's on the table, Alex whispered a curse and the glass shattered.

"Oh dear! Are you alright?" Madam Rosmerta gasped looking for a cloth to clean up the mess.

"Just sticky" Draco grumbled.

"Bloody hell. Follow me, let's get you cleaned up! I have no idea how that happened." Draco stood up and gave Alex a quick nod, so quickly that Alex almost didn't notice it. Draco followed behind her and Alex gave it a few moments before she chugged down her butterbeer heading to the bathroom.

She ducked into a stall and took a deep breath. She looked down at her hands to see she was shaking.

"Get it together." She whispered yanking her purse off of her shoulder and quickly ducking under the stall to see if anyone else was here.

She opened her purse and pulled out the necklace box and closed her eyes waiting to hear if someone came in. A few more moments ticked by and that felt like an hour.

The door opened finally and Alex flushed the toilet. She stepped out holding the box behind her back as she did. It was Katie Bell standing there, her eyes hazed over ever so slightly.

She jerked her head over to Alex and grinned, "Alexandra Tasso, you have a present for Dumbledore?"

Alex stepped around her and locked the door quickly again, Alex made sure they were alone. Alex held out the box to Katie.

"Do not open it. Count to 15 slowly after I leave then you may leave. Give to Flitch from Madam Rosmerta for Albus Dumbledore." Katie nodded and took the box.

Alex quickly took a deep breath before stepping out of the bathroom. She began her way back to their table but froze when she saw Potter and his friend enter.

She felt someone grab her arm and pull her away. She shook her head and noticed Draco pulling them out of the three broomsticks.

"I thought we were going to stick around?" Alex asked as she tripped over some thick snow. He caught her and made sure she was okay.

"That's what the plan was till Potter decided to stroll in. If he sees us, he'll know something." Draco said quickly wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Well, if that's the case I need to go-" Alex was cut off by Draco yanking her behind a nearby building. "Draco-" he quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

Her eyes traveled and Alex quickly realized why Draco looked so panicked. Noah was standing with a group of his friends with his hood on his head.

Alex reached for her wand and Draco shook his head. He finally moved on and Draco yanked her along with him.

"Another time." Draco growled, "As much as I want to snap his neck."

Alex glanced over her shoulder at the store she wanted to go check out and sighed, another time for that as well. They began their walk back to Hogwarts not really speaking to one another. Alex heard something and stopped. She looked back and saw Katie Bell in the sky screaming, her eyes widen.

"Fuck, she opened it." Draco hissed grabbing her hand and pulling her into a run towards Hogwarts. Alex could barely keep up with him. She kept tripping in the snow but every time Draco would yank her to her feet. They both didn't know why they were running, no one knew it was them.

But they were panicked and when you are in a panic, you run.

000

Nick tossed in another log to the fireplace as Draco paced around his room. The head boy dorm was huge. Nick had his own fireplace and not only did his room hold his bed but he also had his own mini common room that had a couch and a desk for him. Alex sat in front of the fireplace trying to warm up but at this rate, she was wondering if she was cold from the snow or from what they had just done.

"Potter saw me at least." Draco smacked his hand over his face, "That wasn't meant for her!"

"Draco, we need to stay calm." Alex whispered.

"Calm?!" Draco snapped, "I just probably killed an innocent girl!"

"She's not dead." Alex whispered.

"And how do you know?" Draco growled.

"I feel it, I don't know how to explain it." Alex felt cold and numb, she should be freaking out just like Draco was but for some reason she felt nearly nothing. There was something deep down in her gut that made her think this could work in their favor especially Alex's. Draco and Nick argued back and forth for a little bit but Alex remained silent.

One look at his sister, Nick knew he didn't need to panic.

"Look at her." Nick hissed nodding his head towards Alex, who was staring into the fire not moving an inch. Draco looked over at Alex and then back at Nick. "She's plotting."

Nick smirked and lightly chuckled which caused Draco to glare at him for being so relaxed over the situation.

"She's going to play this into your favor and hers." Nick stood up and walked over to his bed pulling off his blanket tossing it towards Draco. "You two lay low here. Get some sleep, I'll get you guys some food."

"How do you know?" Draco asked nodding his head over to Alex.

"I've seen that crazy blank stare once before- Alex is a scary witch when she wants to be or if she feels back into a corner." Nick pulled on his cloak, "when she said you aren't going to die and she's not going to be Death Eater, she meant that. To her core." With that being said, he left his room.

Draco looked back at Alex, again she didn't move and Draco sighed knowing Nick was right. He needed his sleep. He hadn't slept in the past few days. He plopped down on the couch wrapping the blanket around him.

But he couldn't find himself able to relax, his eyes were glue to Alex. She hadn't move since her brother left and that was 20 minutes ago.

"Alexandra." Draco called out. She didn't flinch, she didn't even move. He called her again and again nothing. He quickly jumped up growing concern, she always responded when he called her by her full name.

He walked over to her to see her still staring blankly into the fire place but this time she had tears in her eyes. Draco knelt in front of her lightly grasping her hands in his.

"Talk to me."

"Why is this happening to us?" She choked out.

Nick began to open the door but pause when he heard his sister speak.

"I don't know, love." Draco's voice was gentle and reassuring. The total opposite of what he was when they first appeared at his door nearly an hour ago. "We will eat and sleep. We will figure this out."

"I already have a plan." She whispered.

"For now, let's rest. Just you and me" Draco quickly cut her off. A part of him didn't want to do anything but be with her. He didn't want to plot. He didn't want to even think about what they had just done. All he wished to do was sleep and eat.

He grabbed her hand and only flinched away by how cold she was. Draco was confused, she was sitting right in front of the fireplace, how was it she was this cold?

He let go of her hand and place a hand to her forehead. Again she was freezing.

"Alex..."

"I've been like this since last night. I don't feel it much, just tired" Alex muttered, "I just want to sleep."

"What's going on?" Draco looked up to see Nick walking in with two plates of food. He quickly put them on the table and walked over to the pair. Draco gestured to Alex's forehead and Nick place his hand on her forehead before jerking his hand back.

"She said it's been like that last night." Draco pulled her into his arms and she snuggled up against him as Nick placed a blanket around them.

"Al, you gotta stay awake. Okay?" Nick yelled over his shoulder as he raced over to his desk.

"I think I've been cursed." Alex whispered as Draco ran his hands up and down her back.

"Why do you say that?" Draco asked looking over at Nick, who had frozen in place. "By the necklace?"

"The journal. I had a dream about him last night. He said I was like him." Draco and Nick both knew who she was talking about the moment, she said the journal.

"Where?" Nick asked in a panic.

"It's in my dorm." She whispered.

"Keep her awake." Nick sprinted out of his dorm.

000

Draco nervously placed his hand to her forehead again and sighed in relief when he noticed her body temperature was still returning to normal.

"Draco, get some sleep. We will take turns watching her." Daphne muttered.

About an hour and half ago, Draco and Nick carried Alex back. They wanted to wait as late as possible so no one would question what was wrong with her. Just like Nick as expected, Alex had been cursed by the latest journal. Draco was able to figure out the counter curse and Nick brewed a potion to bring her body temperature up slowly.

Since Draco had to carry her upstairs, he unfortunately had to give them the run down on what happened to her. He knew she probably didn't want they knowing about the journal but he had no choice.

Ruth was so upset while Pansy and Daphne didn't seem at all shocked.

"Why didn't she tell us?” Ruth asked sitting on the edge of her bed.

"I only knew because I saw her with the journal. I'm not even sure how she found it" Draco lied. He could see the doubt in all of their faces, he knew as much as they knew Alex nearly told him everything. She was with him constantly.

"I'll take first watch." Ruth finally grumbled, sliding into Alex's bed with her. Draco knew he couldn't argue with them, he knew they were right. He was absolutely exhausted.

He began his walk back to his dorm when he felt someone stop him. It was Pansy and she looked absolutely furious.

"It's him, isn't it? You and her are endangered!" Pansy hissed nervously looking around to make sure she wasn't speaking too loudly.

"You should know to keep your mouth shut." Draco hissed back glaring at her. He was furious, she could put Alex's life endangered.

"How can you allow her?"

"Allow her? Are you shitting me?" Draco spun around and stepped closer to Pansy. "No one tells Alexandra Tasso what to do. The dark lord did and that's his downfall. She allowed herself, if she truly didn't want this she would be dead already."

Pansy stood there stunned as Draco left. Draco was so protective over Alex, she never imagined that he would put her in harms way like that.

Draco kicked off his shoes the moment he got to his bed. Blaise stopped reading and looked over at Draco. The look on his face let him know to not say a word to him. Draco's face was contorted into a mix of rage and sadness. A look Blaise had never really seen before on his face.

It was always a smirk or nothing. Draco plopped down on his bed and found himself staring up at the ceiling not really being able to relax. His mind was on Alex like most of the time but he felt guilty for what they did to Katie Bell.

"Any rumors I have missed?" Draco spoke finally.

Blaise snorted and shook his head, truly thinking that Draco was just joking around. When he looked over at Draco and saw that he seemed to be waiting for an answer, Blaise found him growing serious.

He cleared his throat, "Katie Bell is supposed to be transported to St Mugos in the morning."

Draco felt himself letting out a breath, he didn't know he was holding.

"No one knows who attacked her. She's been unconscious since Hagrid brought her to the Hospital Wing" Blaise turned the page in his book.

"Apparently Potter and his friends were with her when it happened. They questioned them but there's no way they are intelligent enough to pull that off."

Draco felt his blood run cold.

"Alex. She alright?" Blaise asked after a few moments of silence.

Draco said nothing and rolled over onto his side because truly he didn't know. Blaise knew the conversation was over and went back to reading. After about three minutes, Draco yanked the curtains around his bed close and felt the tears beginning to flow from his eyes.

He couldn't stop, he pulled his blanket above his head and curled up into a ball. All the pain. All the depression. All the anger. All of it was finally leaking through.

He was sure it would be the pressure of everything that finally made him break down but instead it was because of Alex. He wasn't worried about his life anymore. He was worried about hers.

That in itself put the fear of  Merlin in his blood.

Chapter Text

It had been a few months since the incident with Katie Bell. After a week and half, the rumors died down and no one said anything else. Just like most of every drama that started at Hogwarts.

Alex jumped when Draco dropped a book onto the table roughly.

"You're jumpy, love." Draco muttered as he sat down.

"You nearly broke the table." Alex grumbled back, "Did you get the letter as well?" Alex whispered turning the Malfoy Christmas Ball invite in her hands.

Draco's demeanor changed quickly as she brought up the letter, "Unfortunately."

Alex reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded up letter. She handed it to him and he glanced it over, "Yours a tad bit different than mine."

"I'm sure yours is from your parents and not the dark lord himself." Alex whispered. She took a deep breath feeling frustrated tears forming in her eyes. "Maybe we should just run away."

"We will be found out quickly." Draco muttered slightly chuckling at her. He rolled his eyes and went back to his potions essay. They silent for a few moments before Alex chuckled lightly at an old memory causing Draco to look up with a raised eyebrow.

"Remember last years?" She shook her head smiling.

Draco smirked, "How could I forget that dress?"

Alex looked up and leaned back in her chair.

"Long black dress with two slits on either side, the back was completely open and it was low cut." Draco looked off and grinned. He leaned forward and studied Alex for a moment. "I wanted so badly to rip that dress off that night."

Alex blushed tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear, "Is that why you were so touchy and talkative that night?"

"That and I was absolutely smashed." Draco chuckled, "I got smashed for two reasons."

"And they were?"

"Pansy and I were fighting all that night, she wanted me to come to her family's Christmas brunch. I told her I couldn't that I already had plans." Draco reached across the table and grabbed her hand. "Then you walked in. I really thought I stopped breathing. Every single eye was on you and just like the Yule Ball, who hadn't noticed. Made me want you even more."

Draco squeezed her hand.

"I felt beautiful that night. For the first time, I was sure of myself. Mother was furious but father talked her down. I was shocked I really thought my father was on my side for once." Alex chuckled, "No, he was showing me off like a prized pig."

"Nick found the letters a week later and showed me. It was like every thing Noah ever said was true then." After Alex got back from the holidays, she didn't even put up a fight with Noah. She just let it happened.

"That's why you helped Potter that year." Draco whispered, "That was the only control you had."

Alex nodded and squeezed his hand back, "Sorry, uh let's get back-" she went to pull her hands away from him when he tighten his grip on hers. Not enough to hurt her but to bring her comfort, to stop her from shutting down again.

"That night, I knew I had to break things off with Pansy." Draco whispered. Alex raised an eyebrow confused. "I couldn't get you out of my mind that entire night. Every giggle. Every smile, I wanted directed towards me. Only me." Draco smirked.

Alex sat there stunned.

"And I am not losing that ever. Alexandra, I promise you... I will protect you." Alex felt a shiver go down her spine. The look in his eyes, the tone in his voice, he truly meant it. All of it. Alex could feel the seriousness as he locked eyes with her. A wave of confidence washed over her, this was the real deal. Wasn't it?

"Thank you." Alex whispered giving him a grin. He gave her one back and slowly released her hands. They went back to their homework, both of them feeling somewhat awkward having expressed themselves so much in that moment but it also brought both of them relief and comfort. They had each other.

"I think we should go with your plan." Draco muttered, Alex looked up from her essay to see him pushing a book towards her about poisons. "I've done some readings. Here's what I'm thinking. You focus on that and I focus on the spells. Once we get back, we put everything into play."

"Sounds like a plan but you're better at potions than I am." Alex muttered.

"Bullshit. The only reason I did better on the O.W.Ls was because you didn't get to finish your test. Still beat Granger which was impressive in itself." Alex chuckled at the memory of Umbridge kicking her out because she stood up against her for smacking Pansy in the hand with her wand.

"Let me go grab some books to finish up my essay then we will get dinner." Draco stood up and as he passed her, he leaned down placing a gentle kiss on her forehead which cause Alex to giggle and blush bright red. He still knew how to fluster her and she loved it. It made her feel alive.

She went back to her essay and finished up, she looked up thinking Draco had return but froze when it wasn't Draco sitting in front of her but Harry Potter.

"Tasso."

"What the hell do you want?" Alex hissed looking around looking for Draco or anyone that could come save her. She had been avoiding him since the Hogsmeade trip. She didn't understand why but just looking at him made her realize she was going to fail her task, she was going to become a death eater.

"Let me help you." He said suddenly.

"Help me? What are you going on about?" Alex was putting her best acting to the test. She could see the concern look on his face and a part of her wanting to tell him everything. Maybe he could help them. That thought only lingered for a moment though. Harry Potter would never be able to help them nor would he understand.

"Malfoy is not-"

"You shut your mouth right now." Alex hissed leaning towards him. "You have absolutely no idea what he has been through and you never will."

"Moss-" He began but Alex again quickly cut him off.

"He attack me. He raped me and beat me to a pulp when I was with him. Do not even mention that spawn to me ever." Alex slammed her hand down on the table causing Potter to flinch. Alex could feel the frustrated tears lining her eyes and she watched him stumble over his words.

"Alex?" Draco whispered to himself as he saw Potter trying to talk to Alex. The look on her face let him know that she was not in a good head space. He raced over to her and knelt down in front of her.

"You alright?" Draco asked gently. Potter stared on shocked by how quickly Draco softened the moment he saw Alex upset.

"Yeah, he just won't-"  Alex spat out before Draco turned to glare at Potter. The look on his face was completely stunned, in that moment Alex knew what she needed to do.

"I told you to stay the hell away from her." Draco hissed glaring at Potter.

"I didn't mean-"  Potter again tried to stand up for himself.

"Get lost!" Draco pulled her into his arms and Alex quickly wrapped her arms around his waist. She gave him a quick squeeze to let him know she was okay just putting on an act. "I'm not telling you again."

"Listen I can help-"

"No you can't! Fuck off for once, stop being a hero." Draco hissed. Alex heard movement and heard the chair move aggressively.

"Is he gone?" Alex muttered into his chest.

"Now he is." Draco muttered slowly letting go of her. She quickly dried her face and sat back smiling up at him. "You scared me."

"Well, he did irritate me at first but I saw the look on his face. Thought I would play into it." Alex grinned.

Draco groaned and smirked down at him, "Can you please not turn me on in the library?"

Alex smirked as he began packing up his stuff. He paused when she just watched him for a moment. He leaned over a whispered in her ear causing a bright blush to appear on her face, she quickly gathered her stuff as well.

000

Alex was going through a trunk that her mother sent her for the Malfoy's ball. Apparently they would be going straight to Malfoy Manor once they got off the train.

She sent five gowns and told her to pick out which ones she wanted and any she didn't want to send them back. Alex felt like this was a trap but she didn't know what exactly for.

Alex flinched when the door to her dorm slammed open and in rushed Ruth an excited look on her face.

"Blaise invited me to the Malfoy Christmas Ball!" She screamed, showing the invitation to Alex. Alex smiled, excited that one of her best friends would be there with her but heart began to sink at a realization.

She quickly took a deep breath and quickly put an excited look on her face.

"I just need a dress!" Her grin grew it seemed like, "I can't believe my parents agreed to it! They even invited him to Christmas at our house!"

"Well, I have some extra. Take a look and pick one." Alex gave her a smile. She stepped back and Ruth began to look through them.

"These are going to be too small." Ruth frowned.

"Good thing Daphne knows how to alter clothes. Remember she took in my dress for the Yule Ball." Alex watched as she study each one. "I just forgot I left something in Draco's dorm! I'll be right back."

Ruth nodded and went back to studying the dresses quickly. Alex made her way straight to the boys dorm. She stormed in and slammed the door behind her causing Crabbe and Goyle to jump.

"Out!" Draco yelled at them. They both jumped off of their beds walking out of the room. "Ready for round two?" He smirked.

"Blaise is bringing Ruth as his plus one." Alex gasped out. His face dropped and he studied Alex for a moment.

"And she knows nothing?" Draco asked. Alex simply shoot her head. "Okay, don't-" Draco paused when he saw that Alex's eyes were welding up with tears. "Darling, don't cry." Draco was to her in three strides and pulled her into his arms.

"I can't lose her again." Alex choked out.

"And you're not. Okay, I will talk to Blaise and get him-"

"She's so excited!" Alex whimpered. Draco sighed and nodded. "She knows they are death eaters but that's it. The Dark Lord will surely be there."

"You need to talk to her."  Draco muttered against her head.

Alex slowly nodded and released him stepping back. He gave her a quick kiss and wiped the tears away.

"And I can be there." Draco tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"No, I can do this." Alex took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders back trying to relax. She quickly left before she lost her nerve. She quickly got back to her dorm and stepped in expecting just to see Ruth but Daphne and Pansy were there now as well.

"That blue one definitely." Daphne said as Ruth held up a dark blue gown.

"Yes, it will look fantastic with your eyes too." Pansy smiled and leaned forward touching the fabric of the dress. She began gushing about the dress again with Ruth and Alex felt her heart swell with happiness to see how well all of them were getting along with each other.

"Alex! Please tell me you weren't thinking about keeping this one?" Ruth asked.

"Uh no" Alex smiled, "I was leaning towards the dark green one or purple one."

"That black one is stunning!" Pansy gushed picking it up and studied it. Alex handed her the dress and Pansy looked at her crazy. "You're being serious?"

"Mother already paid for them all. I was just told if I didn't like any of them to send them back." Alex smiled when Pansy threw the dress on her bed pulling her into a quick hug. "Plus I wore black last year. Can't be repeating colors now." Pansy let go of her and began talking with Ruth about ways to style her hair.

Daphne was eyeing the high low dark green dress, Alex handed it to her. She was leaning towards the purple one the moment she pulled it out of the trunk anyways. Daphne quickly thanked her and Alex walked over to their door locking catching the attention of all three of them.

"Ruth, I think we need to talk about you going to the ball." Alex muttered.

"Oh c'mon, Alex!" Daphne began.

"Ruth. I know I told you a little bit of my parents but this isn't just going to be a Christmas Ball." Alex started, she quickly noticed the change in Daphne and Pansy the moment she mentioned that. They finally realized what Alex was saying. Ruth placed the dress on a hanger and slowly sat down on her bed. "He is more than likely to be there."

Pansy cursed and shook her head.

"I didn't think about it being death eater... meeting." Daphne whispered mostly to herself.

"Blaise wanted to talk later... do you think he's going to disinvite me?" Ruth sounded downright depressed which broke Alex's heart even more. "I told you I would never judge you for what your parents do."

"Ruth." Alex gulped not really knowing how to bring this up to her. "Draco and I-"

"Will speak to Blaise on your behalf!" Pansy said cutting Alex off. Alex looked confused and Pansy looked at Daphne for backup. Daphne quickly jumped up and began comforting Ruth while Pansy pulled Alex to the side.

"Do not tell her he has given you a task." Pansy whispered.

"She'll find out-"

"No, we will get her out of there before any mention of it. Telling her is too dangerous for the two of you." Pansy hissed quickly. Alex was too stun to even argue with her. She watched as she and Daphne began to tell Ruth how exciting the ball was. The grin reappeared quickly as they spoke to one another. All Alex could do was stand there with tears in her eyes, she never expected this to happen between them.

Alex was sure they would never get along and here was Pansy being protective over her. The two of them taking the stress right away before she even had to stress. She took a deep breath and blinked away the tears finally joining in on the conversation.

Chapter Text

Alex sighed and plopped down on the floor watching as Draco repeated the spell once again. The cabinet was completed mended at this point. They were just finishing the final touches before they left for Christmas break.

"That should be good for tonight." Draco whispered mostly to himself. Alex yawned and stretched before holding out her hand to Draco to ask him to help her up. He pulled her to his feet and she walked over to the sheet that was nearby. "Are we doing on time?"

"We are a month ahead of schedule when we get back, we hit the ground running." Alex muttered pulling out her wand waving it over the sheet.

Alex went to reach for her jacket when Draco grabbed it helping her put it on. She thanked him and gave him a grin, lately she had been seeing a completely different side of him. One that she hadn't seen. He was loving. Caring and protective.

He held out his hand to her and she took it. They headed out of the room of requirements.

"We better go that way. I think Slughorn is having his Christmas party." Alex muttered walking in the opposite direction but Draco didn't budge.

She stopped and looked back at him. His once relaxed and somewhat happy face turned to frustration in an instant the moment she brought Slughorn up.

"Why weren't we invited?" The question threw her off. She just stared at him. "We are in the top of the class. I'm a Malfoy, and you're a Tasso."

Alex felt her heart drop because she wondered if he knew that her brother was invited, she only knew about that was because Daphne was so excited that Nick had asked her to be his date. It had bothered Draco all year that Slughorn did not seem interested in either of them. He didn't want to collect them and for some reason that really bothered Draco.

"That doesn't bother you!" His voice was sharp and Alex saw a completely jealous and enraged Draco.

"No." Alex said truthfully, "We have a lot more important things to worry about plus he's-"

Draco dropped her hand and began walking in that direction. Alex cursed and sprinted after him, the sound of her heels clicking behind him. As she jogged after him, she was whispering for him to stop but he wasn't listening in the slightest. As they rounded the corner, she could hear the music from the party.

Draco stopped and Alex nearly ran into the back of him. She grabbed his wrist and was about to pull him away when she felt a hand on the back of her neck. She gasped and turned around to see Flinch, who had roughly snatched up Draco's arm.

"What are you two doing?" Flinch hissed digging his nails into Alex's neck. Alex flinched and tried to pull away from him but he held tight.

"We are prefects, you moron!" Alex hissed.

"We were invited!" Draco growled trying to yank his arm away from Flinch.

"Then why are you two sneaking around?"

"We weren't-" Alex was cut off by him roughly yanking them towards the party. For such a frail man, he sure had a strong grasp on them and Alex just knew his long nails were scratching up her neck. She made a mental note to deck Draco for getting them into this mess. All because his pride was hurt, absolutely ridiculous.

"Professor!" Flinch yelled, the music was cut off and Alex took notice how dressed up everyone was. Here was Alex in a black skirt and black turtle neck with high heels boots. She and Draco definitely didn't look like they were invited. "I caught these two sneaking around outside, claim they were invited."

Alex noticed Daphne holding back Nicholas, who looked beyond furious that Flinch seemed to be man handling her. Snape walked up with Professor Slughorn.

"Fine! We were going to crash." Draco growled, "Get your hands off of us already!"

"Professor, allow me to handle Tasso and Malfoy. I'll escort them out." Snape muttered, Slughorn simply nodded. Draco yanked his arm away from Flinch and pulled Flinch's arm off of Alex as well.

"Touch her again and I'll skin you." Draco hissed pulling her close to him.

"Let's go." Snape hissed.

"Certainly, Professor." Draco growled glaring as Snape as he gestured them to follow him. They stepped out into the hallway again and they began walking towards the Slytherin common room.

"I never expected Tasso to allow you to behave so stupidly!" Snape hissed, "A mistake like that cannot-"

"We do not need you lecturing us. We have everything under control and Alex does not tell-" Draco was cut off by Snape grabbing him by his collar slamming him into a wall. Alex gasped and made her way towards them when Snape lightly pushed her back.

"This isn't some game, this is the dark lord! Let me help you." Snape hissed.

"I don't need your help!" Draco growled, "He chose me!"

"I promised your mother! I made an unbreakable vow."

Alex felt her blood run cold and she noticed Draco tensed up as Snape kept talking.

"You made an unbreakable vow with his mother?" Alex whispered, she thought she had been quiet enough but both of them slowly turned their head towards her. "What were the terms?"

Snape slowly released Draco. Draco had paled even more so than he already was, Snape wouldn't even make eye contact with Alex. Alex found herself shaking from head to toe from anger.

"What. Were. The. Terms?" Alex hissed through her clinched teeth.

"Alex, let me explain." Draco made his way towards her but Alex slapped his hands away from her glaring at him.

"You shut up." Alex hissed, "answer me!"

"I would give my life for Draco." Snape said quickly, his eyes darting around the hallway. Alex shook her head and felt her throat begin to tighten as a realization hit Alex like a curse.

"So, you have always known you will be kept safe if we fail?" Alex whispered.

"Alex- just"

"Does my life have no meaning to you? To either of you? What about me?!" Alex felt the tears welding up in her eyes, "What's the truth? Am I even needed in this mission? Was this just a ploy to get me to become a death eater?"

All the bad gut feelings she had since the start began to wash over her like a wave. She felt her chest tightening and all she wanted to do was get away from Professor Snape and Draco, so that's exactly what she did. She took off into a sprint, she heard Draco calling out for her but she didn't stop. She didn't know where she was going but she just let her legs carry her.

The cold air hit her in the face causing her to stop in her tracks. She realized she had ran all the way up the Astronomy Tower. She felt herself gasping for air as she stood in the middle of the tower breathing heavily. It was snowing outside, she watched as the snow actively fluttered to the ground below her. She slowly stepped towards the railing and leaning against it trying her hardest to catch her breath. The cold air stung her lungs as she breath and she could finally feel herself coming to terms with what just happened.

Draco was always protected. His mother made sure of it. She didn't hesitate to run to Snape for help, she knew this task was nearly impossible for two 16 year olds.

But what did her parents do? They shoved her right into the task. Knew she would be forced to become a death eater or worse killed but that didn't scare them. She was always the last choice, the last thought. She was always there to save the day.

As she stared up at the night sky that was grey with snowflakes falling to the ground, her hands gripping onto the railing. She wasn't as cold as she thought she would be out here. All she was wearing was a skirt and a sweater, but she wasn't shivering like she would expect. She felt numb, but it wasn't from the snow or the wind.

She had never felt so alone in her life. She always held on to the fact that it was going to get better. Her brother was always there to bring her some comfort, but for how long was that going to last. He would be graduating this year, he would be starting his own life.

*trigger warning: thoughts of suicide*

She watched as the snow floated down to the ground. It seemed peaceful. Her breathing began to finally get under control. Her mind went back to the day they were on the train coming to Hogwarts this year.

"I would rather pitch myself off the Astronomy Tower..."

Draco had said that to Blaise, she hadn't really thought about that at all. She just took it as Draco being his overly dramatic self. But as that sentence repeated in her head, she felt herself loosing her grip on the rail. Her eyes locked on the snow that was clinging to the ground and the castle below her.

It would be over quickly. She wouldn't even feel it. Everything would be fine. No more worrying about her school work. No more worrying about becoming more of a disappointment. She wouldn't be sad anymore or alone... she would be free.

That thought alone made her climb slightly on the railing, her eyes glued to the ground below.

She wouldn't have to be a murderer.

She threw one of her legs over the railing.

She wouldn't have that disgusting tattoo on her forearm. It would be over soon, she wouldn't have anything to worry about.

She leaned forward pulling her other leg up. She felt nothing, she had no control over what she was doing at this point. Her eyes locked on the snow cover ground.

She was on the other side of the railing now. The cold air whipping against her as she continued to stared down at the ground with a light smile on her face.

It was going to be okay.

She leaned forward.

"NO! ALEX!" She heard the scream but she didn't turn around nor did she stop. She dropped one hand off the railing and was about to let go completely when she felt pressure on her sweater.

She was yanked back hard against the railing causing her to gasp and her eyes widen when she realized where she was.

She jerked and her feet went out from underneath her causing a scream to escape her lips. She was waiting for the feeling of weightlessness but it didn't come.

She felt someone grab her around her waist easily yanking her back over the railing.

Her and the person slipped in the snow.

"Are you dumb!?" She finally looked up to see Draco beside her. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" He yelled as she stumbled to her feet. She felt herself quickly moving away from him.

"ANSWER ME!" Draco screamed, he was to her in two strides grasping her by her shoulders.

Alex couldn't form a single sentence because the look on his face was like nothing she had ever seen in all the years she had known him. It was a mixture of pure terror and anger. His face was flushed and his eyes lined with tears as he shook her once again.

"You were just going to leave me?!" Draco hissed. Alex felt rage go through her and she slapped him across the face causing him to release her stumbling backwards.

"Not everything is about you!! You are never alone! You don't have the right to lecture me" Alex bellowed.

"You are going to kill yourself because you're mad at me." Draco hissed still holding his cheek.

"No." Alex said gritting her teeth, "I am tired of hurting. You're loved! Your mother is willing to do whatever it takes to save you! My parents threw me into this life and never looked back!"

Draco slowly lowered his hand and the look of anger disappeared off of his face.

"You fail this... you'll live. You will have a life. You will have a wife and children. Probably even a career. You know what will happen if I fail?" Alex felt the tears flowing out of her eyes. "I will die. He will kill me."  Her voice cracked.

"I am a girl. I am worthless. I was not wanted. I never have been and I was always okay with that but I want a life! I was to be something! I want a family!" Alex suddenly realized why she had gotten so upset with Draco. She wanted to have a life with him. She was so willing to do anything for him, protect him and she never so much as hesitated... she was in love with him and she hadn't even known it.

"You are wanted, Alex." Draco said, his voice had softened. "And before you say your brother doesn't count, he does and you know it.' Alex gulped trying to control her emotions. "I wish I had a brother that cared for me like Nick does for you." Draco gave her a small smile, "He would burn the entire wizard world for his baby sister. That's why everyone knew you when you came to Hogwarts. He threatened every single person who looked at you."

He took a small step towards her.

"He is worth more than both of your parents combined." All Alex could do was nod. "You have Ruth, Pansy, Daphne, and Mya. Ruth and Mya have been there since the beginning, Pansy and Daphne just took some time to get over their jealousy of  you."

Alex couldn't stop the tears as Draco spoke to her. She hadn't even thought about them.

"And me." Alex looked up to see him in front of her now. Alex gulped and locked eyes with him. She knew he lusted after her and she was okay with that. She knew he didn't love her the way that she loved him.

"Draco-" she began but the look in his eyes caught her off guard.

"Do you know how often I have been up here thinking just like you have?" She saw the tears in his eyes and her heart dropped. All those times she couldn't find him... was he up here alone?

"I would be so close to actually doing it but do you know what stopped me?" He asked her and she found herself shaking her head.

"You, Alexandra." Alex found her breath getting caught in her throat. "Your face would appear in my head. You finding my body or having someone tell you what happened, the scream, the tears... it would stop me dead in my tracks"

He was now freely crying.

"And the thought of you moving on. Finding a husband that was not me made me want to set this entire castle on fire." He grabbed her hand.

"What are you saying?" Alex doesn't know why she asked that but she did.

"I love you-" Draco placed his hand on her cheek, "since third year. I always played it off because I thought I wasn't good-"

Alex quickly grabbed Draco by his sweater pulling him to her. She crushed her lips into his with no hesitation. He quickly wrapped his arms around her pulling her even closer to him.

All the love she had mustered in her body went into that kiss. She wanted him to know how much he had saved her. How much she loved him too.

She pulled back and grasped his face, "I love you too. I always have. I was just an idiot."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't tell you about what my mother did. I was so-"

"No more secrets." Alex whispered.

"None." Draco whispered before kissing her again.

But that was a lie.

000

Draco looked up from the daily prophet to see Alex digging through one of her bags. She had been looking for a book to read on the ride back to London for about five minutes now.

"Darling, I think you might have forgotten it." He muttered folding up the paper. Alex paid him no mind but kept searching. Draco finally reached for her hand stopping her. Her hand was clammy and it was shaking. She froze in her spot and slowly looked up at Draco, who looked concerned.

"I'm fine." Alex stuttered out.

"You're lying." Draco mumbled easily pulling her to her feet, pulling her into his lap.

"I just really wanted-" Draco grabbed her chin pulling her attention back to him again. Alex sighed, "the ball is in two days."

"And I won't be able to keep my hands to myself." He muttered pulling her lips to his. Alex felt herself relax into his touch. Ever since that night in the Astronomy tower, they were glued to one another. It was like a dream she didn't even want to wake up from.

"We will have to be on our best behavior." Alex whispered.

"We can always sneak off which I do have a question for you- ever done it on the-"

"There you two are!" Alex slid off of Draco's lap sitting beside him when Ruth and Blaise entered the cabin.

"You found us, unfortunately." Draco muttered as Alex nudged him as Blaise helped Ruth place her bag above as Ruth sat down. Draco picked up the Daily Prophet again reading it.

"Ruth is nervous. She had a few questions." Blaise plopped down placing his hand on Ruth's knee.

"You show up in a pretty dress. You dance. You eat. Blaise sneaks you out and bangs your brains out. Pretty- ow" Draco hissed rubbing the back of his head that Alex had just smacked. "Fire away." Draco hissed when Alex shot him a look.

"I know there is a certain way to conduct yourself-"  Ruth sighed and began nervously playing with a loose thread on her sweater. "I don't want to embarrass anyone."

Alex sighed and looked over at Draco then at Blaise, “if anything you’re going to be embarrassed of us.”

Ruth looked confused and glanced over at Blaise, who just nodded.

“Ruth, our families are not good people.” Blaise muttered.

“You’re blood but-“ Ruth began.

“We are made to do something to protect those we love.” Draco said without looking up from the Daily Prophet. “Would you do the same?”

Alex looked from Ruth to Draco, she was frozen. She couldn’t speak up to silence Draco or rush Ruth from the room. All she could do was stare wide eyed at Draco wondering what he could possibly say to her. Ruth stuttered over her words whether it be from the cold stare Draco was giving her or the sound of his voice.

“I will do anything to protect her. You must know that.” Draco said placing his hand on Alex’s knee. “I don’t care what it is. I’ll do it for her safety. Would you do the same?”

“Of course.” Ruth whispered, “I see the way you look at Alex.”

Draco was about to say something when the train came to a stop. Alex looked out the window and noticed they were back at the station. The four of them could hear the commotion of the students grabbing their bags exiting the train. Draco handed her bag to her as Blaise did the same for Ruth.

Draco and Blaise walked ahead of them, Alex began to follow them when Ruth stopped her pulling her back into the cabin. She quickly pulled Alex into a tight hug, “Whatever is going on, I will always be on your side.”

Alex felt her eyes welding up with tears but squeezed her back, “Blaise will protect you. Stay by him and if he says it’s time to go.”

“I go.” Ruth muttered, pulling back giving Ruth a smile. Alex gave her a smile and they walked off the train together.

Draco was talking to Nick as she approached them. Ruth had dragged Blaise over to meet her dad, which Alex almost wanted to watch. The look on his face showed just how terrified he was but went without a fuss.

Alex walked up and saw that Daphne was saying goodbye to Nick before heading off after her sister to meet up with their mother.

“Draco.” Alex saw Narcissa waving at him a little bit away. He sighed and grabbed her hand tugging her along. Nick following behind them to say his hellos to Draco’s mother. Narcissa lightly jogged up to Draco grabbing him into a tight hug. “My sweet boy.” She whispered.

Narcissa let go of Draco and Nick said his hello. Narcissa pulled Alex into a tight hug which caught her off guard. Alex looked nervously over at Draco, who looked just as confused as she was. Alex patted Narcissa on the back and she pulled back keeping Alex at arms length.

“Your mother asked if I could pick you two up.” Narcissa looked sad, which turned Alex’s stomach. Something was not right. Her mother was always the one to pick them up. That was the one motherly thing she seemed to enjoy doing. Alex always wondered if she just liked looking good in front of the other parents.

“Is everything alright, Mrs. Malfoy?” Alex asked, “You seem worried.”

Narcissa placed what Alex could best describe as a fake smile on her face.

“Our driver is just outside. I’m sure you lot are tired.” Narcissa squeezed Draco’s shoulder as she passed. She grabbed Alex’s hand and tug her along with her. Alex looked back at her brother and Draco, who looked just as confused as she was. She didn’t have the heart to pull her hand away.

It was nice to feel a mother’s touch.

Chapter Text

Alex stared out the window of her room inside of Malfoy Manor. Draco's room was only a few rooms down from hers and across the hallway was Nick. They had gotten back to Malfoy Manor, a few hours ago and Alex had not moved since she was shown the room.

Something was not right. Something was off. She heard her bedroom door open but again she did not look away.

"Anything?"

"No. Draco and I have found nothing." Nick muttered plopping down on her bed. "We will have dinner within the hour. Perhaps they will show."

Alex could only nod.

"House elves won't speak and the floo network around here have been blocked. The-"

"Wards are strong around the manor." Alex finished for him. Nick cleared his throat and nodded. "You see what is happening, don't you?"

Alex finally turned from the window and took a deep breath when she met her brother's eyes, "we are being held captive."

"But why?" Nick muttered as Alex sat down across from him. She shrugged and placed her head in her hands, she had been trying to think of anything for the past few hours. She had one theory but she knew the moment she mentioned it, Nick and Draco would completely shut it down. They sat in silence for awhile till Nick mentioned about getting cleaned up for dinner.

Alex stood up and rubbed her clammy hands on her pants as she walked over to her suitcase to look for something to wear tonight. In typical, pureblood fashion, they dressed nicely for dinner. Her dark jeans and purple sweater wouldn't cut it for dinner. She quickly found a dark green long sleeve dress. She placed it on and walked into the bathroom to fix her hair when she heard tapping on the window.

She quickly noticed her owl resting on the ledge waiting patiently for her to open the window. She quickly opened the window and he flew in landing on the dresser. He lifted up his leg and found a parchment on it.

She pulled off the parchment and nearly dropped it when she noticed dry blood on it. She shakily opened it and noticed the handwriting right away. It was her mother's handwriting.

Alexandra,

I will be at the ball. Stay close to your brother and Draco. Lock your door at night and keep quiet. I love you, I shall see you soon.

Alex felt her blood run cold and jumped when her door opened again. This time it was Draco with Nick behind him rushing into her room. They too had a letter clutch in their hands looking concerned. Draco closed the door locking it and quickly walked over to Alex.

"Your mother?" All Alex could do was nod as Draco handed her the letter he received. His letter was asking him to stay glued to her and Nick's letter said just about the same just an added love you to his.

"Yours has blood on it as well." Alex whispered. Draco took them back to her and quickly walked over to the candle that was lit beside her bed. He set the letters on fire. Alex watch him clean up the ashes tossing them out her window. Alex gave her owl a treat and he flew out window.

"Let's go." Draco closed her window and Alex picked up a pair of heels throwing them on.

000

Alex sat between Draco and Nick. Across her sat three empty chairs with place settings. Narcissa sat beside Draco while both of the heads of the table had place settings as well with chairs.

"Are we expecting someone, mother?" Draco cleared his throat finally as the house elves began to fill their glasses.

"Yes." She nearly whispered. Alex felt her stomach drop as she heard the door open. Narcissa quickly stood up and gestured for us as well. Alex gripped the table taking a deep breath, foot steps nearing them.

Lucius Malfoy came limping in first. She heard Draco let out a breath as Narcissa went to greet him. He grabbed Narcissa giving her a quick kiss.

"Draco, my son." Draco gave a faint smile before walking over to his dad giving him an awkward hug. Alex found herself smiling. Draco wasn't as close to his father as he was to his mother but he still loved them.

Alex was about to move towards Draco when Alex grabbed her wrist stopping her. She looked back at him to see the Dark Lord rounding the corner with Bellatrix behind him.

Professor Snape was not too far behind them.

"The Tasso siblings. A pleasure." Voldemort's eyes fell on Alex within a second. Nick's hand tighten on her wrist and she even felt him step closer to her. "Come here."

Alex looked up at her brother who had slightly stepped in front of her. Alex pulled her wrist from his hand and stepped around him.

She walked over to Voldemort keeping her head down not wanting him to see the fear in her eyes. She heard him come towards her but again would not look up.

He grabbed her roughly by the chin forcing her to lift her head to look at him. She didn't so much as flinch but had she looked behind her, she would have seen Professor Snape stopping Nick and Lucius stopping his son.

Alex, however, kept her closure even though she was absolutely terrified, she would never show him.

"Any news on your mission with Potter?" He spat out Potter like a curse word.

"Well, if you are asking if he trusts me. I would go with no." Alex hissed. His nails digging into her skin but again she did not flinch in the slightest. "He is beyond paranoid. His friends grow weary of him."

His grip relaxed.

"Harry Potter is not dumb nor is he not suspicious of everything. His friends on the other hand-"

"The girl."

"Can be manipulated." Alex hissed.

Voldemort pushed him away from her and she tripped falling backwards. She winced and felt someone pull her to her feet. She glanced to see that Draco had pushed past his father.

"You alright?" Draco whispered as she brushed down her dress. All Alex could do was nod. Draco lightly brushed her chin as the blood from his grip appeared.

Alex lightly pulled his hand away from her as Voldemort studied the two of them.

"Shall we eat, my lord. Your travels must have left you hungry." Professor Snape said quickly.

Voldemort's eyes traveled away from the couple and glanced towards Narcissa and Lucius.

"Yes, Lucius is probably famished." Lucius bowed his head a little and nodded. Draco reached for Alex but Nick pulled him away quickly mumbling something to him. Nick grabbed Alex's hand pulling her along.

"Keep your head down. Eat. Excuse yourself." Nick muttered giving her hand a squeeze before pulling out her chair for her to sit down. Alex sat down and quickly placed her shaking hands in her lap.

She felt Draco reach over and place his hand on top of hers. She didn't look over at him and she didn't feel his eyes on her. She knew Nick must have said the same to him.

The house elves brought in the salad first.

"My lord, I cannot thank you enough-" Narcissa began.

"I need all my supporters near me. Alexandra, your studies have been going well I assume." Alex looked up at her salad.

"She is top in her class as of late." Professor Snape said speaking for her which she was thankful for. "Draco is very close behind her."

"I supposed the mud blood is leading." Lucius grumbled.

"Not in all classes." Professor said before picking up his glass taking a sip of his wine.

"I am impressed that given their tasks they are able to keep up with their studies."

That was the last of their talks till the main dish of steak came out. The adults had their conversations about the upcoming war. Alex pretended to be bored and focused solely on her meal but she was taking mental notes.

She was mostly listening for anything she could us but also listening for any news of her parents. Something was not right and she didn't know what it was but she definitely felt off about the whole situation.

"The boy is dead." Alex looked up suddenly and felt her blood run cold. They were just speaking about her getting attack at Hogwarts.

"Moss?" Alex choked out.

"Well of course, dear." Voldemort smirked and Alex felt sick. "He was causing me a great deal of issues and with your father-"

Voldemort was cut off by Nick dropping his fork causing everyone to look over at him. Alex felt herself gripping the table as she tried to control her breath.

"They have not been told?"

"No, my lord by the request of their mother." Narcissa said quickly.

"What has happened to my father?" Nick said quickly. Alex placed her hand on his arm as he went to stand up. The adults remained quiet while the dark lord sat there with a smirk on his face but said nothing. "What is going on?" Nick almost sounded panicked as he grabbed her hand.

"Do you know of your sister's connection with Noah Moss?" Professor Snape asked.

"Severus." Narcissa began.

Snape looked over at Narcissa.

"They are adults. Let them know, Cissy." Bellatrix chuckled taking a sip of her wine.

"They are children. Teenagers." Narcissa hissed protectively, "their mother forbid it."

"And yet we live like adults. Given tasks for adults. Taught to grow up quickly. But now everyone wants to treat us like children." Alex spoke before she really thought it through. She was furious. "But now when we ask as to what happened to our parents, we are children once more."

"Alex." Draco hissed while surprisedly Nick made no move to stop her.

"We are being held here like hostages." Nick hissed.

The silence was loud and Alex stood up slamming her hands on the table. Narcissa flinched and nudged Draco, who sat there too stunned to do anything to stop her. Across from her, Bellatrix  giggled and smirked while Professor Snape locked eyes with her trying to reason with her.

"You want me to manipulate Harry Potter and murder the headmaster. I have done everything you have asked! What has happened to my parents?" Alex finally directed her question directly towards the Dark Lord himself, who looked beyond amused.

"And yet the old man is still alive." His voice was as cold as his eyes, but Alex did not weaver.

"Noah Moss raped me. Beat me and threatened me countless of times." Alex hissed, she felt Nick tense up beside her. "He is dead because I wasn't smart enough to see that you used him as a pawn. Had my father not-"

"Your father knew what he did to you."

Alex knew the color was gone from her face as he spoke.

"He did not take the case because you told him you could use it as leverage. He did it because I ordered it."

She felt her chest growing heavy and felt herself breathing heavier as he spoke.

"And he lost because I ordered it." He stood up and met her eyes, again Alex did not weaver. "I wanted to see what you were capable of." He grinned. "You out did yourself, I must say."

"Alex?" Nick whispered causing Alex to finally look over at her brother and then over at Draco, who looked just as confused as her brother.

"She wasn't attacked by Noah Moss. She lured him there."

Alex gripped the table as she felt the panic grow in her chest even more. She did not take her eyes off of him. She was ready. She had mentally prepared for this moment for months, she knew he wouldn't be quiet about it.

He was cornered and like a typical snake, he was ready to strike.

"Asked him to meet her with the possibility of saving his family or rekindling their relationship, I am not so sure."

"And yet you speak without knowing." Alex hissed.

"Alexandra." Professor Snape warned her but she ignored him. Most people would have been killed on the spot for speaking back to the dark lord but all he did was smirk as she stood there fuming.

"I knew all about his sister and father. He told me everything." Alex hissed, "Do you believe me to be so daft?"

Alex stepped away from the table slowly making her way towards Voldemort. She felt Nick try to stop her but she slapped his hand away. Draco had gotten to his feet looking on concerned but was frozen to the spot.

"It would be the case of the year. I knew my father would take it, he just needed a nudge to bring the case to you." Alex felt the smirk appear on her face as the grin slowly left his face as she spoke. "Noah Moss was on the Qudditch team with Harry Potter, he did respect Moss."

"Harry Potter is paranoid this year as you know." Alex knew she needed to shut up and sit down but something had taken over her where she wanted him to know she outsmarted him. "His eyes glued to Draco so why not give my name to Potter as well."

"Moss was already paranoid as well. His sister's case."

"Are you stating you used the boy to gain sympathy from Harry Potter?"

"No. I'm stating I put the doubt in their heads."

"And here I thought you were too busy with Draco's task. Since you two have not made-"

"Enough. What has happened to my father?" Alex snapped.

A smirk overtook the Dark Lord's face as he stood up, his eyes seeming to darken as he watched her movement. The panic swelled in her chest as he walked closer to her, but she held her composure.

"Just like you, your father does not know when to keep his emotions under control. You has a mouth on him." She watched him as he raised his wand towards her again she held her ground.

Cruico

000

Draco dabbed a wet cloth on Alex's forehead. She sat up suddenly and Draco quickly picked up the trash can beside him. She threw up again and Draco sighed rubbing her back. She pulled back and rubbed the drool off of her lip.

"This is terrible." Alex muttered plopping back on her pillow again.

"Yeah, well he did just torture you for 30 minutes." Draco mumbled handing the trash can to the house elf that was standing near by.

"Have you had this done before?" Alex whispered as he handed her a glass of water.

He nodded, "A few times. Never threw up afterwards though."

Alex heard the door open and cracked an eye open to see Nick walking in with some ice along with some bandages. "How's the head?" He asked sitting on the edge of  her bed. "Nice healing, Draco, barely a scratch. Put this on your head."

Alex took the ice that was wrapped in dish towel. Alex placed it on her head and winced as the coldness reached her forehead.

"House elves are still scrubbing the blood off the carpet." Nick lightly chuckled before picking up her right hand waving his wand over it. "Father has a concussion and a broken left shoulder. He's forbid to leave our manor, mother should be here for the ball."

"And Alex?" Draco asked.

"No concussion and no broken bones, gashes healed up pretty well. Suppose we don't need these bandages. Well done, Draco." Nick smiled smacking him on the shoulder. “The nausea should past. You have always had a weak stomach.”

“Have either of you had it performed on you?” Alex asked.

“Unfortunately, many a time.” Draco muttered giving her a weak smile. Draco looked over at the house elf that was still cleaning. “Leave us.”

The house elf quickly left.

“They tend to listen in for mother.” Draco muttered, “Actually, Nick-“

“Absolutely. I’m heading to bed. Come get me if you need me.” Nick leaned down kissing Alex on the cheek before leaving her room.

Draco lightly grabbed her hand before letting out a shaky breath, “You cannot speak out anymore against him. I have always loved your fiery personality but not now.”

Alex looked over at him, he wouldn’t meet her eyes since he pulling her off of the dining room floor. He was actually the one that pleaded with the dark lord to stop, Alex even swore she heard him pleading to torture him instead. Draco’s eyes were blood shot, Alex knew he must have been crying when she passed out. He was paler than normal, Alex felt so guilty. Normally, she would have gotten irritated with him but she found herself not minding at all.

“During the ball, you stay near me.” He gripped her hand harder. She didn’t say anything but just blankly stared away. Was this now what she had to do? Keep her mouth shut and let a man protect her. Is that all she was good for? Her planning.

“Alex.”

“Yes.” Alex took a deep breath looking over at him, “Of course. Glued to your side.”

She forced a small smile on her face, Draco nodded and leaned forward kissing her on the forehead.

“Let me go shower and get ready for bed. I’ll stay-“

“You don’t have to. I’ll lock my door and put some spells. I’ll be fine. Nick was right across the hall and you down the hallway. You’ll hear.” Alex watched him hesitating but finally just nodded giving her a kiss telling her good night.

She watch him leave and the moment he left, she locked the door behind him. She took her ice and walked into her bathroom dumping the melting ice into the sink. She walked over to the crawfoot tub, she turned it on and plugged up the drain while she dumped some fancy soap into the water.

She stepped over to her sink again and finally looked at herself in the mirror. She had dried blood in her hair and bruises forming on her face. She quickly undressed and noticed all the bruises on her shoulders.

Before she even knew what was happening, she broke down in tears. She found herself shaking, it was all finally sinking in on what just happened. All the pain she had felt. She screaming of her brother and Draco, even the worried look from Professor Snape but what stuck with her the most and what chilled her to her core-

He was laughing. He actually enjoyed it. That shouldn’t surprise her but for some reason it did.

The Dark Lord laughing at her pain is what made her so sick.

When she woke up in Draco’s arms with him looking terrified. She made a promise to herself, when she got back to Hogwarts…

She needed Harry Potter’s help.

Chapter Text

Alex stared at herself in the mirror. The ball would begin within the hour and she had finally finished her hair. She glanced out into her bedroom to see one of the house elves steaming her dress. Here she was thinking this dress would make her feel beautiful and perfect, but now she was terrified to even leave her room.

Draco had tried to get her to come out or for her to let him in but she was absolutely terrified. She heard her door open and stepped fully out into the bedroom, she felt relief wash over her.

"Alex." Her mother was wearing a green flowy dress that had small embroidered flowers stitched throughout it. She had a shaw over her shoulders that was shade darker than the dress itself. Her hair was done in an elegant bun and she wore the most beautiful pearl necklace.

Alex was to her mother in two strides and wrapped her arms around her, she felt the tears leaking from her eyes. Her mother pulled back and hushed her, "You'll ruin the makeup, my dear."

Alex took deep breath and nodded.

"You can leave us now." The house elf was gone within the second.

"Father?" Alex choked out as her mother walked over to her dress.

"He is fine. Now let's get you dressed and down stairs." Alex stared at her mother for a moment. She had hidden the marks with makeup and charms but her eyes told a horrible story. They looked beyond trouble, barely able to keep it together. Alex had never seen her mother so vulnerable in her 16 years of life. She was always such a strong and serious woman, but this was a different woman now.

Alex took off her robe and stepped into her dress. Her mother began to lace up the corset back while Alex finally looked at herself in the mirror. She had braided her hair in a unique bun, her eyes were smoky color with a little bit of purple glitter in the corner of her eyes. She wore dark lipstick, she remembered wanting to look dark and mysterious. The dress was a dark purple with a corset top that had sleeves off the shoulders. She had a slit on the right side and a small train. It was an absolutely stunning gown and she just wished she was wearing it to a better party.

"Stunning." Her mother whispered helping her into her heels.

Alex smiled and found herself looking over at the window. Her mother muttered about heading downstairs.

"We could run." Alex whispered causing her mother to freeze at the door. "Right out that window. Duck into the surrounding woods and just run."

"We could not." Her mother nearly spat out that sentence.

"We could-" she quickly shut up as her mother shot her a look.

"We will do our duty with a smile on our faces. Understood?" She hissed.

"You can't-"

Her mother grabbed her chin causing her to let out a whimper. That fragile woman, she saw moments before was gone and now she looked like a caged scared animal that was cornered.

"We are Tasso's. We will stand proud and fierce. Like we always do." She slowly released her chin and picked up her wand that was on her bedside table thrusting it into her hands. "Downstairs in five minutes."

She backed away and walked out of her room just as suddenly as she appeared. She let out a shaky breath and gripped onto the corner of the bed taking deep breaths, she composed herself and walked over to her trunk to pull out a wand holder that she used last year. She strapped it to her left thigh that was completely covered by the dress and secured her wand in it.

She walked over to her mirror and threw a smirk on her face. She stared at her reflection and grew sad. This is not the life she was wanting. This is not how her 6th year at Hogwarts was supposed to go. Her eyes drifted over to the window again.

She could run.

"You wouldn't do that to Draco." Alex looked over her shoulder at Nick. He was gripping onto the door knob looking sad. Mother must have visited him as well.

"How is this fair?" Alex whispered.

"Unfortunately, life is not fair. Especially for us." Nick muttered, he held out his hand for her.

Alex looked towards the mirror one more time before taking a deep breath placing the smirk back on her face. She picked up her dress and walked towards Nick placing her hand in his. He placed her hand in the crook of his elbow leading her down the hallway. They got to the flight of stairs and Alex paused feeling her stomach drop.

"Al."

Alex nodded and picked up her dress again as they made their way down the stairs. Their mother walked over to them giving them a tight hug before leading them to the ballroom.

The ball had started about 10 minutes ago. Typically the most important family would be announce as they entered which Alex always hated with a passion. They were not royalty.

"Introducing Penelope Tasso with her children, Nicholas and Alexandra Tasso."

There was a polite round of applause as the doors to the ballroom opened. Alex gripped Nick's arm apparently so hard that he placed his hands over hers to calm her down. Her mother walked over to Narcissa kissing her on both cheeks before hugging Lucius. Draco walked around them making his way to Alex, she found herself smiling just seeing him. He wore an all black suit but his tie matched her dress perfectly.

She let go of her brother's arm and placed her hand in his. He brought her hand up to his lips lightly kissing her knuckles.

"You know every time I see you, I think there is no way she could look even more beautiful and I'm always wrong." Draco whispered. Alex grinned and squeezed his hand. He gave her a smile back.

"Alex." Alex turned around to see Ruth. Her hair down in curls and makeup on.

"Oh wow." Alex whispered pulling her in for a hug, she hadn't seen her wear makeup since the Yule ball.

"His mother had a makeup artist. It's not too much?" Ruth asked nervously playing with her hair. Blaise took her hand and kissed her cheek causing Ruth to stop fidgeting. The heard the door open again and the Nott family was introduced. Alex politely clapped and froze when she saw who was on the arm of Theodore Nott. Ruth grabbed her arm also in shock.

"Is that Mya? Mya Fletcher?" Ruth hissed. "Our Mya?"

"Isn't that your Ravenclaw friend?" Blaise asked them. Mya had her hair half way pulled up in beautiful waves, she wore a black dress that had on strap that went across her chest sitting in her left shoulder.

Alex subconsciously grabbed Draco's arm crossing him to look down at her. Her face was pale white and her hand was clammy. Draco placed his hand over hers and leaned down next to her ear, "I had no idea, he was dating her. He would never tell us."

"Alex, you alright?" Ruth grabbed her other arm.

Alex pushed both of them off and picked up the hem of her dress quickly walking towards Mya. She couldn't hear Ruth nor Draco telling her to wait. All she saw was Mya laughing nervously with Theo.

"Alex." Mya lightly pushed Theo to the side, "I'm so sorry-"

Alex quickly pulled Mya into her arm catching her off guard. Alex didn't know why she felt the need to hug her but she did. This was truly her worst nightmare. She never wanted either one of them to see this side of her. An evil side of her life. She had no idea what was in store for them tonight.

"I told Theo this was not a good idea." Mya whispered holding her tight.

"Mya. You are-"

"I know I know, but-" Mya pulled back and Ruth came up to them hugging her as well. Draco walked quickly over to Theo muttered something to him. "I think I'm more worried about Daphne."

"Don't be. Look at her, gawking at Nick and holding onto him for dear life." Ruth muttered nodding her head towards the food table where Nick was getting them butterbeer, his arm wrapped around her waist grinning.

"He thought this was a good way to introduce me as his girlfriend... I thought he was mad." Mya chuckled nervously, "I wanted to tell-"

"You stay glue to your dates. The both of you." Alex said quickly.

"Yes absolutely." Mya nodded.

"And when they say it's time to go, we go." Ruth nodded grabbing Alex's hand. Alex gave them a weak smile. "And no matter what happens, you will always be our best friend." Alex felt her eyes begin to well up but she quickly blinked them away. She knew they said that now, but she had no idea what Voldemort had up his sleeve.

"Mind if I borrow her?" Draco asked taking her hand. They nodded and Alex let him lead her away. He interlaced his fingers with hers and pulled her closer to him. They walked into a corner of the ballroom and Draco pulled her into his arms.

"Maybe he won't show up. Last year he never showed." He whispered into her ear as she gripped onto him. "Take a deep breath." Alex did as he asked and pulled back straightening up his tie that she messed up.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." He whispered.

"You can't always. And I don't expect you to." She whispered.

He leaned down and gave her a kiss, he lightly ran his thumb over her cheek, "And later I can't wait to show you just how much I love that dress on you."

Alex smirked and was about to kiss him again when the room went silent as another person arrived. Lucius gestured Alex and Draco to come over, Draco led them over to his father.

Lucius walked to the middle of the ballroom and smiled.

"I want to thank everyone for coming to the annual Malfoy Christmas Party." Lucius grinned even bigger as everyone began to cheer and clap. "Now we have a very special guest tonight!"

Alex felt her heard drop and felt Draco wrap an arm around her waist. Alex glanced across the ballroom to see that Blaise had whispered something in Ruth's ear before she stepped closer to him. Her eyes glanced around the room to see that Theo had done the same to Mya, and Nick had pulled Daphne over to Alex and Draco.

"The Dark Lord has granted us his presence tonight!" The doors opened and a chill went through the ballroom. Alex glanced around to see that Blaise had stepped somewhat in front of Ruth while Theo ducked themselves deeper into the crowd.

"Keep your eyes down." Draco muttered in her ear. She nodded and scooted closer to him if that was even possible. Nick had stepped up and grabbed Alex's arm with one hand while the other was wrapped around Daphne.

As Voldemort walked past people, they bowed. Alex watched as Theo quickly pulled Mya's head down and Blaise nudged Ruth. Alex watched as Nagini slithered by Voldemort as he reached Lucius in the middle of the room. He patted Lucius on the back and gestured for him to rejoin Narcissa.

"I am so thankful to have all my supporters in one room. This holiday season is even more joyous than previous years!" He clapped his hands together, "I have entrusted two very important Hogwarts students in a task that will move our cause even further. Even closer to success!"

A round of cheers and applause echoed throughout the ballroom. Draco pulled her closer to him but Alex couldn't relax. He had something more up his sleeve, she just had an awful feeling. Alex glanced over to her mother who seemed to be holding hands with Narcissa as she spoke with her mother. She seemed so upset and Alex wondered if this was the first time, her mother had seen Voldemort since the attack on her father.

She was wrong.

"I would like to call forth two very special people. Nicholas Tasso and his sister, Alexandra." Alex felt her blood run cold and glanced over at Nick, who looked just as scared as she was. She felt Draco's grip tighten and noticed Daphne looked panicked. "Come!"

Nick and Alex stood frozen to the spot till Lucius lightly shoving Nick forward. He grabbed Alex's hand tugging her along with him but Draco did not release his hold on her.

"He promised." Draco muttered pulling Alex back. It wasn't until Lucius stepped forward releasing his hold of Alex did Nick was able to walk towards the Dark Lord. It was all a blur for Alex, she searched the room for Blaise and Theo so she could get them to leave. She had a feeling what was about to occur and she did not want her best friends to see it.

Voldemort stood between them hands on their shoulders, the coldest snapped Alex back to reality as she locked eyes with Blaise, who was out of breath then she glanced over to Theo, who wouldn't meet her eyes.

They couldn't get them out. The room was locked down. Finally Alex looked over to Draco, who was being held back by his parents with tears in his eyes. He looked panicked.

"I think it is time for these two lovely-" his hand gripped tighten on her shoulder bringing her back, "they deserve the part. They will be my new supporters. My new death eaters." Alex felt her heart stop and she slowly looked over at Nick, who would not meet her eyes.

"I haven't failed you yet." Alex muttered quickly, they had a deal. Only if she failed would she become a death eater. She again looked over at her mother to see her staring at the ground. Finally, it hit Alex what was happening. They were being punished for their father. Alex watched in horror as Voldemort asked both of them to kneel before him. Both hesitated.

"Sir, I-" Nick began but was quickly cut off by two death eaters forcing him to his knees.

Two walked towards Alex and gripped her by her arms, she heard commotion behind her and before she glanced back she was forced to the ground.

"Now, no need to mess up that pretty dress." Voldemort muttered placing his hand on her hand as she struggled against the men that were holding her. She glanced over again to Draco, who locked eyes with her. He stopped struggling against his father and the tears finally began to fall. She knew right then and there that Draco had tried everything to protect her from this fate. He was beating himself up and she knew this would ruin him if she let him.

It's okay. She mouthed to him. I love you

She could hear Nick beside her grunting in pain but she blocked him out, she refused to look over at him. She held Draco's eyes and that was the only thing that was keeping her calm. She couldn't and wouldn't give this bastard the satisfaction of seeing her scared. She already showed him she was weak when he tortured her.

"Well done, my son!" Alex felt sick as she noticed Nick laying on the ground with blood pouring from his arm.

Alex felt him take hold of her wrist but again she did not look away from Draco. He mouthed for her to take a deep breath and she did. All she felt was fire on her forearm. Once the fire subsided it felt as if he had taken knives digging them into her skin over and over again. But she didn't not look at him. She did not scream. The tears lined her eyes as the pain subsided, she felt him release her arm.

"Well done, my child."

Alex finally looked away from Draco and locked eyes with the red eyed bastard in front of her.

"I was trying not to get blood on my dress." Alex hissed. She felt the death eaters release her and she finally looked down at the fresh dark mark on her arm. Voldemort began to laugh and again there was a round of applause in the ballroom.

This was the first time it felt forced.

Chapter Text

Alex stared down at her bandage arm, she noticed a few blood stains on her dress which normally would have upset her but right now she felt nothing. Daphne was sitting on the leather couch in the middle of the study with Nick's head in her lap. His bandaged free arm over his face concealing the tears that Alex knew that were running down his face.

After they were forced to get the mark, they then had to pretend like they were happy, be paraded around the room like a prized animal. Alex stood in the middle of the of room staring at the door waiting for Draco to come back. Whether he was gone for 10 minutes or an hour, she wasn't sure when he left she nearly had a panic attack, she had been glued to his side since the ceremony.

The door opened again and Alex looked up to see Draco. She took a deep breath to settle down but Draco saw that, he was to her quickly grabbing her hands muttering to her that everything was alright which to her surprise calmed her down.

The door opened again. This time it was Nott and Blaise.

"Are they safe?" Alex asked quickly.

"Yes, all is okay with them." Draco whispered.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't get them out in time." Nott muttered. Alex gripped Draco's hand and stared at Nott.

"What do you mean?" Alex hissed.

"We tried-" Blaise began.

"They saw me get the mark?!" Alex bellowed, Blaise flinched. "I asked you two to do one-" Alex yelled stepping towards them but Draco pulled her back.

"Calm down, love. They did what they could." Draco lightly grasped her face in his hands. "You have to calm down. You're weak as it is."

"They want to see you." Nott said stepping forward. "They are worried."

"They wouldn't be worried had you kept your promise." Alex hissed pushing Draco off of her and walking towards them. She was pulled back and she glanced back to see her brother stepping in front of her as Draco tried to distract her.

"Please forgive her. As you are aware, it's been a lot" Nick forced a smile on his face. "Alex, I will go see them."

"Nick, I-" Daphne began but he shot her a look. She simply nodded and sat back down.

"They are-" Alex struggled against Draco but he held her tight.

"Alexandra." Nick cut her off with a firm voice causing her to flinch. "Draco, you will take her upstairs to your room. She will not be alone tonight."

His voice was cold and firm, Alex stared at the back of Nick's head, her eyes filling up with tears. She looked over at Daphne, who looked defeated.

"Very well but Daphne will be with you." Alex gasped out finally. Daphne stood up and nervously twisted her hands in her hands. Nick nodded and held out his hand to Daphne. She smiled lightly and grabbed it.

Once they all cleared out of the study, Alex could feel the tears flowing from her eyes. Draco sighed and pulled Alex back into his arms. He pulled her into his lap and let her have a complete breakdown.

Draco kissed her on the temple and whispered to her, "Take a deep breath. I'm going to go get my room ready for you. Get all your things. Are you okay in here by yourself"

Alex nodded and he wiped her tears away. She scooted off of his lap and he gave her another kiss before leaving the study. She stayed in the study by herself for about 5 minutes before the panic set in.

She stood up and picked up her heels that she had kicked off. She picked up the hem of her dress and stepped out of the room. She knew she needed to wait for Draco but she also knew she needed to stay busy.

She heard commotion up ahead and followed the sound staying close to the shadows.

She could see Draco pacing with Lucius.

"He promised!" Draco hissed.

"Did you think the Dark Lord would stick by what a 16 year old begged him?" Lucius hissed grabbing Draco roughly by the arm.

"I took the dark mark for that reason!" Draco hissed yanking his arm away.

Lucius laughed and looked around quickly, "No, you took it-"

"I fucking took it to keep her safe!" Draco snapped, "Everything I have done is for her. Always have been and always will be! I told you this."

"Draco, dear, calm down" Alex finally notice Narcissa walk into view. Draco ran his hands through his hair and let out a shaky breath.

"I want an audience with him." Draco hissed.

"You're joking. What are you-" Alex couldn't hear the end of it because she was yanked into the kitchen nearby.

Alex reached for her wand on her thigh when a hand stopped her.

"Professor Snape? What are you doing here?" Alex asked as he slowly released her wrist.

"Watching over my students." He said, "There are some things you must know."

"If it has to be with Draco, I do not want to know" Alex was honestly surprised by that sentence that came out of her mouth. Snape raised an eyebrow but all he did was nod.

"You have grown."

"I know I surprised myself just now." Alex muttered, "He is trying to protect me. I have to trust it right."

Snape took a deep breath. He patted Alex on the shoulder as awkwardly as you would think. Alex turned to leave when Snape called out to her.

"I know you need no man to protect you, but it is best for you to stay quiet for the time being."

Alex smirked, "But sir, when have I ever listened?"

"A woman that does not fear anyone is more deadly than the killing curse" Professor Snape almost had a smirk on his face as he walked past her.

Alex peeked around once she exited the kitchen to see that they had all left. She took a deep breath knowing deep down she wanted to tell Draco she heard everything but also knowing he would shut down.

She quickly made her way upstairs and was about to walk to her bedroom when she saw the door open to show Draco carrying some of her stuff out.

"Alex." Draco whispered.

"Thought you might want some help." Alex choked out. For some reason, seeing him gather her stuff up by himself, with no help from house elves, brought tears to her eyes.

"I got everything." He gestured to his arms then looked at his closed bedroom door. "I haven't-"

Alex walked over to the door opening it and stepping into his room. She walked over to the fireplace and lit it quickly, she heard him come in behind her closing the door. The fire lit up his room, not much had changed since the last time she was in his room.

The colors were still dark green and black. Family pictures and awards were seen on the wall.

Draco placed her things down and then kicked off his shoes. Alex walked over to his bed and studied his bedside table that held a candle, the first snitch he ever caught, a book, and a framed picture of them. Alex felt her breath catch in her throat. It was from last year's Christmas ball.

He was holding a glass of fire whisky and she was holding a glass of wine. He leaned down whispering something to her. She rolled her eyes smacking him on the arm but as she looked away from him laughing. The look on his face changed. The smirk he wore like a mask faded.

His eyes softened and a real smile appeared on his face as he lightly put his arm around her. A look of pure love. A look that made her eyes tear up again. He was always there.

"My favorite picture of us." Draco said, "We were pretty buzzed."

Alex dropped her shoes onto the ground and turned around rushing towards him. She grabbed him by his tie pulling him to her lips. He gripped her by the hips hungrily kissing her back. After a few minutes, Draco pulled himself from her lips.

"Easy. Easy-" Draco tried but was cut off by her kissing his neck and pulling off his tie. "Alex." He groaned.

"Tell me to stop and I will, but I'm fine" Alex whispered pulling away slightly. Draco answered her by picking her up and tossing her on the bed as he yanked off his shirt.

Alex giggled.

"How the fuck do I get this dress off of you?" He grumbled kissing her neck as she unbuckled his belt.

0000

After the Christmas ball, Draco and Alex stuck to themself. Exchange gifts and relaxed, what they needed. Now, reality was back. They were on the way back to Hogwarts, Draco explained how to hid her mark. The more she thought about it, the sicker she became.

Alex stared blankly ahead as the train launched forward. Her knee bouncing up and down as Draco scanned the Daily Prophet.

After about five or so minutes, Draco placed his hand on her knee stopping her. She blinked and looked down at his hand.

"Sorry." She muttered.

"Nothing is going to happen to you." Draco muttered not even looking up from the paper. He squeezed her knee but kept his hand there.

"They are going to come looking for me." Alex muttered.

"Obviously, you have been ignoring their owls for a week." Draco muttered.

"Draco-" Alex froze when she saw Blaise walking down the hallway towards them. She moved to get up but Draco lightly pushed her back down.

"You share a dorm with Ruth. Stop it." Draco hissed as she swatted his hand away from her.

"I can't-"

"Yes. Yes you can. I'm right here." Draco muttered grabbing her hand. Blaise opened the door, poking in his head.

"May we sit?" Blaise asked. Draco gave a nod and Alex tighten her hand around his. Blaise walked in first then Ruth followed by Nott and Mya. Blaise plopped down next to Alex as Ruth stayed standing.

Mya nudged Ruth but she didn't move. Nott plopped down pulling Mya down with him.

Alex felt her heart start pounding in her chest as she avoided Ruth's eyes.

"Ruthie-" Blaise whispered, "Sit down."

Ruth slowly looked over at Blaise and slowly dropped her bag sitting down next to Mya. They were silent for a moment, Draco went back to reading the prophet. Blaise pulled out book to read and Nott had his head resting against Mya's shoulder as she looked over her Christmas homework.

Ruth stared out the window and Alex stared down at the journal in her lap, her hand still gripping onto Draco's.

"So, will you just ignore us the rest of the year or let us help you?" Ruth spat out.

"Ruth!" Mya hissed as Blaise groaned.

"What she means is-"

"I didn't have a choice." Alex said quickly cutting Mya off. "You two don't know or don't know how it's supposed to be in our families."
J
"Alex, we know." Mya whispered. "I know you are not proud of what happened. We have always told you-"

"You aren't your parents." Ruth hissed cutting off Mya. "We can help-"

"Absolutely not." Blaise hissed, "And I told you that you will not take part in that." Ruth tensed up and looked back at Mya, who gave Mya the same look Blaise was giving Ruth.

"It is not up to you." Ruth hissed.

"You're right. It's mine." Draco muttered as Alex went to speak up. Ruth glared at Draco for a moment before looking back at Alex.

Ruth chuckled shaking her head.

"Alexandra." Draco muttered as he simply turned the page of the daily prophet. Alex glanced over at him and met his eyes. The look he gave her, told her everything.

"Drop it." Alex said quickly. "Everything is fine." She forced a smile on her face holding out her hand to Ruth.

"You need our help."

"She does not." Draco snapped.

Ruth went to speak again when Blaise stood up grabbing her arm pulling her out of the compartment. Alex sighed and went to follow them to diffuse the situation when Draco grabbed her wrist pulling her back into her seat.

"Leave it." Draco muttered.

"He's right. Let Blaise calm her down. Maybe she'll listen to him." Mya said quickly grabbing Alex's hand, "I'm so happy you're okay."

All Alex could do was squeeze her hand tightly back before slowly releasing her hand sitting back. Blaise and Ruth came back about 20 minutes later, Ruth's face was red and tear stained. Blaise looked beyond stressed as Ruth walked past Alex, she lightly placed her hand on her shoulder giving it a squeeze before sitting back down.

Blaise gave Draco a tight nod who returned one back to him. Alex stared at the same page for what felt like another hour before she finally had enough.

"I'll be back. I'm going to the bathroom." Alex whispered, Mya looked up giving her a smile while Draco just gave her a nod as she stood.

She made her way down the hallway when she heard Draco's name. She stopped and peeked in to see Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. She pressed herself against the wall that was near the bathroom and listened.

"And what did Snape say exactly to Malfoy?"

"I made an unbreakable vow with your mother." Alex felt her heart stop. He had overheard them after they were kicked out of Slughorn's Christmas party. "What happens if you break one?"

"Well you die." Ron muttered, "and Tasso took off when she heard this?"

"Yeah, she was really upset. Crying." Harry muttered, "Something must have happened over Christmas."

"Probably realized he is a shit boyfriend." Alex's fist clinched around her wand. "And you're on this whole Malfoy being a death eater again?"

"I think he dragged Tasso into it."

Ron snorted, "Women can't be death eaters."

"What about Bellatrix?"

"She's a whole different breed, mate." Ron muttered, "Tasso would be the worse mistake for him to make."

It was silent for a moment, Alex was gathering Harry was probably looking at him odd.

"Mate, she is tied with Hermione in basically every class. She is a strong woman. She's smart, way too smart. If he crosses her, she'll take him down easily."

"You think?" Alex flinched when she saw Lavender stopped in front of their cart. She breathed heavily on the glass before writing on it. Alex chucked when she heard a nervous chuckle come from Ron. Alex stepped into the bathroom.

She quickly locked the door behind her and let out a shaky breath. She splashed some water on her face bringing her back. She knew Draco would never agreed to what she was thinking but it was the only way she could save them.

She winced and her hand flung to her left arm. She pulled back her sleeve and watched as the snake before to move slightly. She winced again as it moved and yanked down her sleeve as there was a knock on the door.

She let out a quick breath and shook her head as her chest tightened. She made sure her sleeve was down and unlocked the door opening it to see a very upset Hermione.

"Granger, you alright?" Alex found herself asking before really thinking.

"Fine." She lightly pushed her out of way and stepped into the bathroom. Alex took a deep breath again and made her way back to her seat.

She had finally decided what she was going to do.

000

Draco handed her bag to her as they stood up as trained pulled into the station. Draco stepped out first and Alex held back grabbing both Ruth's and Mya's wrist. They looked at her but said nothing as their boyfriends walked ahead of them. They stepped off the train and Alex slowed down behind them.

"I do need your help but it must stay amongst the three of us. Understood." Alex said quickly. Mya nodded, chuckled linking arms with her like they were gossiping. Ruth quickly caught on placing a grin on her face.

"I need the support of Harry Potter." Alex said quickly.

"How?" Mya asked.

"Hermione Granger. She is head of all of them whether he wants to admit it or not. She is the brains. If she trusts me, they will be more willing to listen." Alex muttered.

"And how the fuck do you think you can do that?" Ruth muttered.

"She is having some boy troubles I have seen. In love with Weasley but he's dating Lavender." Alex's eyes traveled over to Hermione, who was staring at the back of Ron's head as he held hands with Lavender.

"She isn't that self absorbed." Mya muttered, "She's more logical than that. You would have to do more than help her get Weasley."

"Which is why, I will lead with that then get her to trust me" Alex smiled when Draco glanced back at her. He stopped and waited for her, Mya unhooked her arm from her and walked over to Nott, who was always waiting for her.

Draco wrapped his arm around her waist as they waited for the next carriage. Ruth and Blaise were lightly talking to one another.

"Break is over." Draco muttered.

"Was it even a break?" Alex muttered back as a carriage stopped in front of them. Mya and Nott climbed in first followed by Blaise and Ruth.

Draco stepped up into the carriage first holding his hand out to her. She went to grab it when she felt eyes on her. She turned to see Harry Potter staring at her. She had to hid the smirk on her face as she took Draco's hand.

"Oi, put your eyes back in your head!" Draco yelled at Harry. She watched as Harry rolled his eyes turning to Ron, who looked like he was being actively groped by Lavender.

"It looks like Weasley is getting tired of getting his balls handled." Nott chuckled as their carriage lunched forward.

"Please, do you really think he is shagging her?" Blaise chuckled.

Alex watched as they rounded the corner, Harry was staring at Ginny Weasley now. Rather lovingly.

Alex smirked again.

Chapter Text

"You better not be bothering me with nonsense." Alex hissed turning the page of her book. She was sitting in the library study or that's what it looked like. Actually she was waiting for someone.

"I apologized-" Cho Chang was standing at a bookcase right next to her looking at a book she had pulled off the shelf.

"Tell me or get lost." Alex hissed back.

"They have been fighting more. Apparently he is getting to be controlling. Also the male Weasley and Brown are having problems" Alex gripped her book and quill tight out of frustration before taking a deep breath.

"And how am I supposed-"

"Add some added drama." Cho said quickly. Alex slammed her hand down causing Cho to quickly put her book down walking away. She took a deep breath and gather her belongings before storming out of the library.

She headed towards the Qudditch pitch knowing that Draco was at the pitch blowing off steam. The past week had beyond frustrating for the pair. They were running out of options. And the amount of times, her mark was burning was beginning to set her on edge. He was moving and he was moving fast. They didn't have much time left.

She kept her head down as she traveled through the courtyards towards the pitch. This weekend was an upcoming trip to Hogsmeade and as she walked through groups, she could hear gossip that she didn't pay any attention to till she heard a name that stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Yeah, I heard Bell should be returning to school within a few months." Alex glanced over at a group of Gryffindor's talking. She slowed her pace and lingered.

"Have they figured out who cursed her?"

"No, she is so heavily sedated... heard they are close to a cure though."

Alex adjusted her bag on her shoulder as the group walked away. She shook her head to try and get control of her emotions before she kept going on her way. She still had yet to ask what curse was on that necklace. She tried to forget that ever happened to be honest. Draco would completely shut down at the mere mention of that incident. They had tried to keep tabs on the gossip of it so they would be prepared but lately Alex had honestly been too stress out to think about it.

Today, she was slapped in the face with it and truly set her on edge.

As she neared the pitch, she could see a blur in the distance. She was hoping that was Draco and she hadn't missed him, considering he did tell her he was heading out there about three hours ago. She entered the pitch and sighed in relief when she saw it was in fact Draco. He was practicing stealing the snitch. He had just caught it when she had entered.

She dropped off her bag and when she turned around, Draco was gone again. She raised an eyebrow and walked towards the middle of the pitch. She was half tempted to go get her broom to fly around as well. As she walked the snow that was left on the ground crunched under her shoes. The wind picked up knocking loose her hair that was stuck underneath her scarf that she hurriedly threw on as she stormed out of the library.

She looked up into the sky to see if she saw Draco at all. The sky was overcast which let Alex know that it would probably be snowing again later. She sighed, growing cold and frustrated, she was about to scream for Draco when she heard a noise to her left. She looked quickly and saw a blur of gold pass her. She felt something around her waist and before she could blink, she was pulled into the sky.

She let out a yelp and heard a chuckle behind her. Draco easily pulled her onto his broom placing her in front of him.

"That was not funny, you ass." Alex hissed as he stopped flying.

"It was absolutely hilarious." Draco smirked, his cheeks pink from the cold and his hair a mess from the wind. She quickly stopped being mad at him and just studied him. "I'll have you know in three hours, I caught it nearly 20 times." He grinned as the snitch zoomed past them.

"You seem relaxed. More so." She smiled back brushing his hair off his forehead.

"It's hard to been tensed in the sky, isn't it?" Draco tighten his hold around her waist.

"I would normally agree but I am actually kind of tensed right now." Alex chuckled, she grabbed his cloak as the broom moved slightly.

"You are normally so comfortable up here." Draco teased.

"Well, on my own broom, Draco. My ass is barely on this."

"I would never let you fall. Ever." Draco muttered, "I've caught you before, haven't I?"

Alex's mind went back to their first practice of the year. They almost killed her, but Draco grabbed her. She remembered the year before she had gotten knocked off her broom and Draco caught her again. Now that she thought about it, she started on the team, every year she normally got knocked once or twice off of her broom... Draco had always caught her and slowed her down from falling to her death.

"Now that I thought about it. At least a dozen times." Alex chuckled.

Alex chuckled and blushed when Draco kissed her cheek. In one fluid movement, he reached out snatching something to the left of her head. He grinned and opened his hand showing her the golden snitch.

"Not bad." Draco muttered, Alex grinned seeing him brighten up. This was the most relaxed she had seen him the entire year. It made her happy and sad at the same time. He lowered them to the ground and quickly began putting up things as Alex debated with herself whether to tell him what she had heard or keep the quiet for now.

"Now, love, what is bothering you?" Draco picked up her bag before she could reach for it.

"What makes you think something-"

Draco looked at her and she sighed, he knew her too well.

"I heard of news of Bell." Alex muttered. Draco didn't tensed up like he normally did but Alex could tell he was also putting on an act. "She's in and out of consciousness still. Said she'll be back in a few months. She's gotten better."

"We have to hurry." Draco muttered.

"Draco, the chances of her remembering it was us-"

"I don't care. I do not want to be here when she returns... I can't look at her." Draco quickly walked away from Alex. She hated this. They should be stressing out about their exams. Not this. She felt her hand fly to her arm without really thinking before jogging after Draco.

"I have a plan. A better one than previous." Draco said quickly grabbing her hand as they got closer to Hogwarts. "You said he enjoys a nightcap, correct?"

"Oh yes, but that was during fourth year. You know stressful times." Alex shrugged.

"And what was it? What did he enjoy?" Draco asked.

"I believe mead, every now and then whisky. Fire whisky." Alex muttered as a group of Hufflepuff girls walked by. Alex raised an eyebrow when two of them stared giggling looking at Draco as he completely ignored them.

"Favorite type?" Draco asked holding open the door to the castle for her. She stepped in and Draco was quickly beside her taking her hand in his.

"I don't know that much." Alex chuckled, "I did make myself a shot of fire whisky for myself a couple of times."

"You hate that stuff. Won't even kiss me when I drink it." Draco muttered chuckling.

"Because of fourth year." Alex chuckled, towards the end of the year, Dumbledore was drinking a lot more at night. She still didn't know how he didn't realize, she was absolutely smashed a few times. That was an interesting year.

"You were a wild one then, eh?" Draco muttered, "Anyways, I'm almost done with my research."

"ALEX" Alex whipped around to see Ruth sprinting towards her. Alex raised an eyebrow and glanced over at Draco, who seemed just shocked by the panic on her face as she neared them.

"Did you do something?" Draco asked. Alex just shook her head.

"Let me borrow her!" Ruth grabbed her hand yanking her down the hallway. Alex looked back at Draco shrugged and gave her a wave before walking into the Great Hall. Ruth shoved her into a nearby empty classroom and slammed the door behind her.

"What in Merlin's beard is going on?" Alex asked as Ruth caught her breath.

"They broke up." Ruth finally gasped out. Alex again looked at her confused, "Weasley and Thomas! In the hallway, like an hour ago."

Alex grinned, "Do we know why?"

"Jealousy. She went completely mental on him!" Ruth gasped out bending over gasping.

"Merlin! Ruth, you need to work out more." Alex chuckled patting Ruth on the back.

"Shut up! It was a lot of running looking for you." Ruth plopped down in a nearby chair.

000

"That mixture might make him explode." Alex muttered looking over Draco's notes. It had been nearly a month since they got back from holidays. They were in the room of requirements every other night either working on the cabinet or the poison.

"That would kill him." Draco muttered.

"Yes, but we also need a body to show the death eaters, we are sneaking in." Alex grumbled causing Draco to nod, "That cabinet is near completion."

"And the spells that we have not mastered?" Draco snapped.

"It will come along."

"We have murdered three rats." Draco hissed.

"Just like we are about to do to our headmaster." Alex chuckled amused by her own joke, but when Draco remained silent, she knew she probably should have kept quiet. She looked up and felt her quill fall from her hand.

Standing there studying the cabinet was not Draco, they were wearing his uniform but his blonde hair was gone and his slender, muscular body morphed into an unfamiliar body. This figured was studying the cabinet intently. Humming to himself. He stood up and Alex noticed the dark hair.

"You have mended it well, cousin." Philipos chuckled knocking on the cabinet a new times, "not fully mended though."

Alex realized she wasn't as nervous as she was the first time she came across him. She felt relaxed. Felt like he was there to help her.

"What do you mean?" Alex slowly stood up.  He gestured her closer and she stepped up to him. He stepped away and Alex saw nothing at first but as she knelt down she noticed a panel had begun to lift up and a few nails were missing. "How did I miss that?"

"It will not work with those spells till that is fixed." Philipos placed a hand on her shoulder and knelt down beside her. "Have you ever wondered why mending this cabinet was so easy for you to do?"

"I did a lot of research." Alex muttered.

"My father created that idea and I put it together. Created it if you will." Philipos stood again and walked away from her. She stood up and watched him move around the room. He was shorter than Draco and was thin. Very thin. His dark hair was shorter than it was last time. It wasn't in a ponytail but was slicked back like how Draco used to do his hair when he was younger.

That's when Alex realized, this was 16 year old Philipos.

His robes weren't Slytherin though, but Ravenclaw.

"You were in Ravenclaw, but the-"

"The only one to ever not be sorted into Slytherin. The Malfoy's were not pleased." He grinned.

"You were friends with Draco's relatives?"

"Friends and dated the youngest one." He picked up her bag looking through it.

"Why did you curse your journals?" Alex asked. Philipos stood up and smirked. He said something to her but she couldn't make it out. His lips were moving but nothing came out.

Alex jerked awake and let out a gasp grabbing her chest to make sure she was actually awake this time. It all felt so real. She looked around and noticed she was in the library, she stared down at her parchment and saw notes from her beast class from today. The last sentence was smudged. She reached into her bag that was laying on the table and began looking for a mirror to see if she had ink on her face.

She found it and sighed in relief when she noticed her face was clear of ink. She began to pack up her things when she noticed it was only thirty minutes till dinner. She paused when she noticed an extra book in her bag that she had never seen.

She pulled it out and looked at the cover before dropping it and jumping from her seat staring at the book wide eyed. She found herself pinching herself making sure she was still awake.

"Miss Tasso, are you alright?" Alex jumped and turned around to see the librarian.

"Yes- yes ma'am. I thought I saw a spider." Alex stuttered out, she leaned down picking up the book and her bag. She quickly left out of the library and once she was a good distance away, she stared at Phillpos' journal in her hands.

"I got rid of all of them." She muttered mostly to herself. She had burned a few and returned the other ones to the Room of Requirements, she made sure to hide them.

"There you are!" Alex jumped and shoved the journal into her bag. She placed a fake smile on her face as Mya and Nott walked towards her.  "Malfoy has been looking for you."

"Oh. I fell asleep in the library. Heading to dinner?" Alex asked. She just hoped she wasn't acting odd and they wouldn't question her. Nott nodded and seemed to buy it while Mya gave her a look like she saw right through her act.

They walked to the Great Hall talking about the upcoming Qudditich match against Gryffindor.  Alex was not looking forward to that match to be honest. Draco was telling her that Ron Weasley was absolutely trash. She wondered what Draco had up his sleeve to embarrass the Gryffindor team. Every year, he came up with something. Normally, he did it to distract them into playing awful so she never said anything.

This year was different. She could not have Draco pissing off Harry Potter.

They entered the Great Hall to see Draco speaking to Blaise, who looked like he was arguing about something. Alex walked over to them and Blaise looked pissed, "Does she know?"

"Know what?" Alex muttered as she piled her plate up.

"Malfoy is quitting the team after this game." Blaise hissed. Alex paused and looked over at Draco, who looked absolutely down right depressed. Draco had mentioned he was thinking about but she didn't realize he was serious. He loved the game.

"Then you'll be really upset to hear that I am too." Alex muttered causing Ruth to begin choking on her food. Blaise quickly patted her on the back and she drank some water. She began going on and on about how both of them loved the sport and were fantastic at it. Alex wasn't listening, she had blocked her out and was eating, she felt Draco's hand on her thigh. She dropped her hand down grasping his hand into hers.

It was her and him till the end of time.

She was sure of that.

Chapter Text

Alex slid on her Quidditch uniform for the last time. She really didn't want to give it up. But she also didn't have time for the training or practices, she had already missed three practices. She was letting the entire team down.

Also, she just didn't have the heart anymore. She had too much on her mind already.

"Is this the right choice?" Alex jumped and turned around to see that Draco had entered the room, plopping down on one of the benches.

"Meaning we should have never rejoined?" Alex whispered.

"You almost died." Draco muttered. Alex chucked subconsciously rubbing her shoulder that she had hurt months and months ago. She even had a few scars from that day.

But I didn't

Is what Alex wanted to say anything but instead just sighed walking over to him sitting next to him. "It's getting too close." Alex mumbled. As the days went on, she could see Draco starting to panic.

"We could run you know. Right now. Get on our brooms and just fly." Alex was mostly joking when she said that but the look of relief on Draco's face let her know he was really considering it.

"You don't have to play this game. I can cover for you." Alex whispered placing her hand on his knee.

Draco shook his head placing his hand on top of hers.

"Let's finish this." Draco stood up and offered his hand to hers. She took it and they walked to meet the others, who had begun to line up. Alex took a deep breath and picked up her broom.

She hated playing in the rain too. On top of that it was cold rain. She knew tonight it was supposed to start snowing again. She jumped onto her broom following the rest of the team. The moment she entered the stadium, the once feeling of excitement turned into fear.

She froze and gripped onto her broom tightly. Something felt off. Something felt dangerous.

"Alex."

She slowly looked to her right to see Draco staring at her looking concerned.

"Do you feel it?" Alex whispered. Draco slowly nodded and glanced at the other Slytherin's who seemed just as tensed as they were. It was lightly sprinkling but the sky was jet black.

No thunder or lighting. Just darkness.

It reminded her of World Cup. Right before she saw the dark mark in the sky. She felt panic swelling up on her chest and could have sworn she felt her mark on left arm stinging.

"Draco-" the whistle blew and the team off.

They locked eyes with one another.

"Stay alert." He mouthed before taking off in the direction of the snitch. Alex nodded and took off after Blaise, who had successfully grabbed the quaffle. She shot past him and he tossed it to her.

She watched as Weasley followed her movement and she easily made the first goal.

Points to Slytherin! Alright Tasso!

She quickly joined back to the group and saw Potter fly up to his friend patting him on the back. Her eyes traveled back to the sky. She had to end this game. Something was not right.

"Spread the word, anyone going towards the goal needs at least three others" Alex hissed to Nott as the rain before to pick up.

"Overwhelm him? Mercy call?"

"That or bad weather. Something is not right, Nott" he quickly nodded and took off without questioning her. Alex scanned the stadium for Draco but did not see him or Potter.

Alex quickly caught the quaffle again and Blaise was right behind her with Nott.

And another goal by Tasso! C'mon Gryffindor get it together!

Alex flinched as a bludger went right by her head. She glanced around to see where the beaters were but none were in the direct that it came from.

She saw Potter up ahead barking orders at his team mates. That's when she noticed the how odd the balls were moving. She watched as one of her beaters hit one and it went in the opposite direction.

"It's cursed." Alex hissed. She began to fly towards one when another one appeared stopping in front of her. She held her breath and watched as they went around her heading straight for Potter and Draco.

She cursed and took off towards them.

She slammed into Potter and the bludger just missed his head.

"What the hell?" Potter yelled but she quickly pushed him again as the other one almost hit him. "What is going on?"

"They are cursed!" Alex yelled.

Alex was about to yell for Potter to move again when Alex had one slam right into her broom knocking her off.

"ALEX" she heard Draco scream.

She watched as both of them spun around chasing after her. Draco kicked Potter away as another one went for him. It hit Alex right in the arm.

Her left arm. She knew it was broken and she also knew that she had not covered her dark mark either. Draco caught her and landed on the ground with her as the game was paused.

"You alright?" Draco whispered.

"My arm is broken." Alex hissed as she tried to move it. She watched as her team ran towards them along with some professors. "My mark" she hissed again.

"Follow my lead" Draco muttered as Professor Snape got to them first. They locked eyes and Snape did a quick nod before muttering that it was okay.

"Is she alright?" Potter shoved his way to the front. The look of panic on his face. She glanced around and saw everyone looked worried.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." Alex muttered.

"Do not move, Ms Tasso." Dumbledore muttered.

"Professor, it was cursed." Potter said quickly as Professor McGonagall shot down the rogue balls. "Tasso noticed first."

Professor McGonagall lightly placed her hand on Potter's shoulder, "Albus"

"This match is canceled! Get everyone back to their common room now." Dumbledore bellowed. Snape and Draco helped Alex to her feet. They quickly took her off the field and straight into the changing room. Snape quickly getting to the door as Draco placed Alex on the bench.

"Lead everyone away. Quickly." Snape muttered to someone before locking the door.

"Okay, let me-" Draco went to move her sleeve up and she whimpered pulling her arm away. Draco lightly took it back and felt on her arm, Alex muffled a scream. "It's broken badly." Draco whispered pulling back the sleeve.

Snape got to them quickly and cursed, "More than likely crushed."

"Can you heal it?" Alex hissed as they moved her arm again.

"It's too-"

"You have to! My mark will be seen and I cannot-" Alex got dizzy and noticed Draco flinch grabbing his arm.

"Is he calling us? Now?!" Draco hissed, "how the fuck-"

"I will handle him and you will lose this arm if not done correctly. A concealment charm will work long enough!" Snape pulled out his wand tapping it to her inner arm. Her mark disappeared in seconds. "Go."

Draco nodded and picked Alex up. Snape held open the door and right as Draco came out Ruth and Mya ran up.

"Is she-"

"Her arm is badly broken. C'mon!" Draco hissed nodding his head for them to follow him.

000

"You need to stay the night. It's going to be a painful process. I need to keep my eyes on you." Madam Pomfrey hissed as Alex tried to get up.

"Alex, you're staying." Mya hissed placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine!"

"No, you are not. You will stay." Dumbledore muttered walking in with Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall. Alex sighed and winched when she went to move her arm that was in the sling. Again.

"It was nearly snapped in half." Draco mumbled. He was sitting on the edge of her bed looking stressed and irritated as she tried getting out of bed again this time Ruth was the one that kept her still.

"Professor, may I speak to Ms. Tasso and Mr. Malfoy alone?" Professor McGonagall pulled Madam Pomfrey away while Dumbledore muttered that he would escort Ruth and Mya to the Great Hall. Snape carefully watched as McGonagall walked with Madam Pomfrey to the very back of the hospital wing.

"It was a way to scare him." Snape whispered.

"Funny enough, I have figured that much out." Alex growled,

"Why were we being summoned?" Draco asked quickly.

"Two members were in the stadium. They had cursed them. He was summoning them back." Snape walked over to Alex bedside table and studied the potion that Madam Pomfrey had just given her after she healed her arm. "Thankfully it looked like Alex was protecting Draco and not Potter. He's furious that Alex was injured."

"This is going to slow everything down. We don't have time for this." Alex hissed, "the longer I'm down, I can't fix that damn thing."

"Alex-" Draco began.

"No- I am fine. I can handle pain. Get me out of here." Alex hissed again. Snape took a deep breath and looked at Draco, who looked just as frustrated.

"We cannot put your life at-"

"My life is already at risk! His as well. Our family. Don't be stupid." Alex growled cutting off Snape as he tried to reason with her.

"Enough." Snape snapped causing Alex to flinch which Draco quickly took notice of. "Rest. End of discussion. Draco, dinner."

"I'm not-" Draco was yanked off of the bed and shoved towards the door. Draco looked back at Alex and she quickly shook her head. Snape was already irritated plus Draco was already losing too much weight.

Alex sighed and flinched as a sharp pain went through her arm.

"Drink this." Alex looked up to see Professor McGongall holding a glass out to her. Alex felt hot and she could tell her breathing was labored. She was hurting badly. Alex hesitated. The color of it looked to be a sleeping potion. "You do not want to be awake during this process. I've been there before."

"You played Quidditch?" Alex asked taking the glass from her.

"Oh yes. Chaser." Her smile was sweat and caring.

Alex knew she was right and as much as she hated to admit it. This was pretty painful. She took it in one sip and gagged before handing the glass back to her.

"Let's get you settled." She helped Alex get comfortable and as soon as Alex relaxed, she had fallen asleep.

She wasn't sure how long she had slept but she was growing more uncomfortable. She was about to wake up and ask for more of that potion but she felt a shift on the edge of her bed.

Keep your eyes closed, pretend you're asleep.

She had heard that voice in her dreams before but now she was hearing it in her head. For some reason, she listened.

"Harry!" It was a very loud whispered. "Leave her be. You heard them. No visitors."

"She saved my life, Hermione. I need to speak to her." Harry hissed back. She heard a sigh and footsteps.

"Tasso." Harry lightly tapped her leg but Alex didn't budge. "I just wanted to thank you. You saved my life again.... Last year and now. I owe you a lot and I never got to thank you. I know you were punished."

"I don't know what is going on between you and Draco but you're better than that. He is cruel and you are not." Alex fought everything to not say anything.

"But I will say he seems better now that he has you. Let me help you get out of whatever mess you're in."

Now you can use that, cousin.

"Harry Potter! Leave her be! OUT" Madam Pomfrey screamed. "I won't let her boyfriend stay! What makes you any better! Out!" She felt Madam Pomfrey yank him off of her bed and then she heard the doors slam.

Alex waited till she heard Madam Pomfrey leave when Alex finally opened her eyes and sat up. She took a deep breath as the pain shot through her but shook her head as if she thought she could shake the pain away.

She glanced over at the clock that was on the wall. It was just past midnight which made Alex wonder why Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were wondering around at that time.

She laid in bed for hours just staring at the ceiling breathing through the pain. After three hours, she got up changing her clothes which was difficult to do.

She left being careful to be as quiet as she could.

000

"Malfoy!" Draco woke up with a start to see Blaise standing over him. He groaned, rolling over to go back to sleep. Snape had giving him a calming potion last night so he could actually sleep and it really knocked him out. He heard Blaise sigh, "Alex is missing."

Draco sat up quickly, "What?! Why didn't you begin with that?"

He quickly threw on some clothes and sprinted down the stairs to see Snape talking to Ruth and Nick. Draco glanced at the grandfather clock across the common room and noticed it was just a little bit past 6 in the morning. That would explain why they were still in their pajamas.

"Draco." Ruth whispered, she had her arms wrapped around herself looking beyond worried.

"Madam Pomfrey noticed she was gone when she went to give her potion at 5am." Nick muttered.

"Why are you just now telling us this?" Draco growled walking quickly towards Professor Snape. Draco felt someone grab his arm stopping him and realized it was Blaise.

"Professor Dumbledore wanted us to do our research first." Snape mumbling.

"And you can't find her!" Nick bellowed.

"I was just explaining to them that at midnight Potter snuck into the Hospital Wing to speak to Ms. Tasso." Draco stopped listening at the mention of Potter. He began to rack his brain on what he could have possibly said to Alex to get her out of bed. He was also wondering why he would think that would be a good idea anyways, what made him think Alex would want to speak to him.

He thought back to the Quidditch pitch and what Potter was saying during the chaos. He was acting as if she had saved the wizarding world.

Draco knew where she was. At least, he had an idea. He didn't wait or even said a word, he simply sprinted out of the room. He heard Snape call for him but he didn't stop. She had been acting off for a while now but Draco didn't want to press. He knew he should have but he didn't want to start a fight.

He heard Snape call for him again and could hear footsteps behind him. He quickly picked up his pace dashing up the stairs. He hid noticing Snape and Nick sprint past him.

Draco gave it a few moments before he took another way to the Room of Requirements, he wanted a moment along with Alex. He wanted her to actually tell him the truth.

He closed his eyes and his eyes opened there was a door in front of him. He quickly entered the room.

"Alex!" He called out. He froze waiting to see if she answered. She didn't. His heart drop and he took off towards the cabinet, he rounded the corner and saw Alex laid out on the ground.

"ALEX" He screamed, he was to her quickly and noticed vomit not too far from her. She was laying on her stomach. He rolled her over and noticed she was shaking. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head.

"Alex." He shook her but she didn't wake up. "Fuck." He pulled her into his lap and saw her quick her breathing was. He held his fingers to her neck and noticed how fast her pulse was going.

"Alexandra! I need you to wake up!" He slapped her face lightly.

There was a curse on the cabinet.

Draco jumped at the voice and yanked out his wand, he glanced around and saw nobody. Had he gone that crazy already?

Had I known the cabinet was cursed, I would have never mentioned the damage that was stopping the spells.

Draco glanced to his left to see the cabinet and laying on the ground were tools that Alex had used on the cabinet. He hadn't even known, she never mentioned the cabinet needing fixing.

But she fixed it, she fought it.

"What the hell is going on?" Draco grumbled glancing around the room.

Oh! You will not see me. Only Alexandra can. I'm her-

"Philpos? Her very much dead cousin."

Yes, well I was going to explain this to her but you shall work. Since, she found my journals and read them... I'm her protector. A very complex spell I created! I truly thought no one would find my bloody journals.

"I really have lost it." Draco muttered.

She is so in love with you so I know you are worthy of knowing.

"Well, how do I break it?" Draco hissed.

Draco jumped as a book flew past his head.

Page 245, third paragraph.

Draco quickly laid Alex back on the ground and stumbled over to the book picking it flipping to the page. He read it over and began to think of how the hell, he was going to make this potion. Half of the ingredients, he would have to break into Snape's office to get.

He wasn't planning on telling anyone that he had found her here. He heard some movement and looked up to see a vile appearing on the table.

Did you forget what room you were in?

Draco tossed the book to the side and picked up the vile rushing back to Alex's side. He opened her mouth and poured it in.

After a few moments, Alex let out a gasp and her eyes returned to normal.

"Draco?" Alex began coughing.

"Don't you ever do that again!" Draco hissed pulling her in for a hug. She muttered something against his chest and he quickly realized he was crushing her injured arm.

He muttered an apology.

"Merlin, I hurt so bad." Alex muttered.

"Let's get you back." Draco muttered picking her up.

"Cabinet is working."

"That doesn't matter." Draco whispered as she laid her head against his shoulder.

"It does." She barely got those words out. Draco had never run so fast to the hospital wing. Fear propelled him forward. She was breathing normal but he was just terrified.

He kicked open the door to the hospital wing calling out to Madam Pomfrey.

"Oh goodness!" She hurriedly picked up the hem of her dress gesturing Draco to put her down in the bed she was in hours ago. "Where was she? You!" She pointed to a nearby student. "Run to the headmaster! Tell him she was found."

The student took off out of the hospital wing while Madam Pomfrey studied Alex.

"She's freezing. Must be in shock. Quickly, Mr Malfoy, grab those blankets" Draco did as he was told.

He held wrap Alex in them as the hospital wing doors slammed open once again.

"Where was she?" Dumbledore said quickly. Professor Snape and McGonagall right behind him. Professor McGonagall lightly place her arm around his shoulder moving him out of the way.

"Astronomy tower. She likes- she likes the air. Calms her." Draco barely got that lie out. His eyes never once leaving Alex as Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore looked over Alex.

"We should get you-" McGonagall began but Draco shook his head.

"She is just in a tad bit of shock. Draco, have a seat. I'll have breakfast brought to you." Professor Dumbledore pulled up a chair. Draco just slowly sat down taking her hand.

"Sir-" Dumbledore shook his head cutting off McGonagall. She nodded.

They finally left Draco alone. He took her hand and took a deep breath.