The Mark of a Death Eater

Merry Christmas, Eve

Merry Christmas, Eve

The next day, I spent the entire day in Diagon Ally, alone. I woke early, grabbing my purse and dressing in clean robes. I crept silently, down the stairs, hoping not to wake anyone. Luckily, I managed to avoid them all, and left a a note on the long dining table, telling them where I was.

The shops, with all their wintriness and Christmas decorations, made me home sick for my family. Rigel especially. It brought back memories of us as children, playing in the snow outside, skating on the lake near the house. It was he who taught me how to skate. I missed my brother so much.

The first thing I did was buy gifts for everyone, since I'd very intelligently forgotten about Christmas gifts.
I found a blue stoned necklace for Narcissa Malfoy, a set of flying gloves for Malfoy and Zayn, and, as after thought, McLaggen.
Then I remembered the exquisite jewelry both Malfoy and Zayn gave me for my birthday, and decided to get them something else as well.

I spent a bit of my time -okay, most of time time, at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. I tucked my hair into a snow cap, and kept my face down, but the shop's remarkable and no one could take their eyes off the goods, so I needn't have bothered.

After spending most of my gold at their shop, I left for Gringotts to get more money. The cart ride lifted my spirits and I'd all but forgotten my woes when I found myself in Knockturn Alley. In B&B's, I could see the cabinet through the glass. I knew that before we left for Hogwarts, we'd have to pass through here to pick up a few more things from Borgin. I knew that Draco would probably ask me if I had a chance to take a look today, but seeing the cabinet created a spiral of misery in my stomach, so I turned my back and walk to the more cheerful holiday shops.

I stopped by the pet shop, simply out of habit, before remembering that I'd left Asteria at Hogwarts. Shame crept on me, just a little, at the thought of me forgetting to bring along my owl.

I went on to buy a new book for Arrianne, perfume for Daphne, a fancy cloak for Astoria, and, despite my pride and brain kicking me, an amethyst necklace for Ginny Weasley.

At the post office, I send everyone's gifts to their respective places, and, weighing Ginny Weasley's necklace in my hand, decided to give it to her through Asteria.

When I went back to Malfoy Manor, it seemed empty. At the top of the stairs, to my surprise, was Asteria, perched on the dark banister.
"Snape sent her." I started. Malfoy was leaning against my room window. He had a light blue sweater on, a colour I'd never seen him in, and in the dying sunlight, he looked almost handsome. I stared at him for a second.
"Hey," I said breathlessly. Then I felt stupid got thinking he looked good.
He smiled a little, as if he read my mind. "Snape sent her," he repeated.
"Snape was here?" I asked. Malfoy shrugged. The casual movement, as opposed to his usual haughty nature took me off guard. "No, he sent her with a note." He twirled a piece of paper between his fingers. Another casual gesture.
I shook my head a little to clear it off my unusual thoughts, and stretched out my arm for my owl to hop onto it. She didn't make a fuss, and I felt guilty some more for neglecting her.

I carried Asteria over to my windowsill and scratched through my bag for a quill.
I attached the necklace (in a lavender box) with a letter: Merry Christmas Genevra Ginger. Once I sent it, I was surprised that I didn't regret it too much.

"Want to go down to the gardens with me?" Draco asked. I jumped a little, then scolded my stupid racing heart.
"Sure," I replied.

We walked down to the garden in silence. Draco lead me over and past the blooms and a fountain, and stopped by an open view. He spread out a large blanket under a big tree, and we sat with our backs against it, watching the sunset.

After a while, he stretched his arm around my shoulder, and pulled me close to him, but I didn't mind. The garden was beautiful, and he was warm, so I leaned my head against his shoulder and he drew both his arms around me, locking his fingers together.

Wrapped together in the fading light, I felt an absurd feeling of safety around me.
"Happy Christmas Eve," he laughed a little, "Eve."
I laughed with him, understanding the joke.
My initials spelt EVE, it was what my parents affectionately called me.
And then, remembering my parents, somewhere else, brought me back to the reality of where I was, and I realised just how fragile my happiness was.

There was a meeting at day after tomorrow. I was going to be tested. My death was possible. I wasn't just afraid. I was completely and utterly terrified.