PART 20

DRACO seated himself in his assigned place in the Potions classroom , eyes focused ahead as he steadily avoided the inviting gaze of a particular Ravenclaw. Melanoid walls rose from the rugged floor , out to a ceiling none could make out. Jars and vials of herbs drowned in medicinal liquids , unicorn blood and animal organs embellished the shelves of wood , and an air of tepidness lingered over the students , choking their oesophagus with frigid iciness. 

Heads bent over respective cauldrons , the Ravenclaws and Slytherins concentrated on brewing their respective Elixir to Induce Euphoria potions , keeping up low , civil murmurs of conversation in between. 

Evanna's irises persisted over her cauldron , a sheen of sunflower amber settled over the liquid of flawless consistency , manicured finger nails tracing the circular rim of the cool cauldron. Draco had watched as she had taken notes without once looking down at her parchment , before moving with impossible adroitness to brew the required Potion - eventually earning Ravenclaw twenty points for the perfect piece of work , before finally settling casually on her seat , and silently staring on at her cauldron , as though calculating how it could be even more superior the next time round.

Simultaneously , her skirt lifted ever so slightly - Evanna not paying much mind to it , as she produced a book from her bag. But Draco's conscience told that she was perfectly aware of how numerous boys and girls in the room ogled at the exposed skin , a small smirk tugging at her lips.

He scowled at all those gawking at Evanna , effectively making them squirm under his hard stare as all directed their eyes back to their bubbling cauldrons.

He despised his soul for wandering back to the fateful Saturday - three days ago at Hogsmeade. Evanna had sounded genuinely disappointed , but Draco couldn't still help but distrust her.

And her calling him darling.

It was a gesture of intimacy , and warmth crept up his cheeks as his brain repeatedly reminisced that one word - forgoing all the others she had said. As if Evanna herself had entered his mind , and purged him of all the gruesome thoughts regarding her entity - and he just could not bring himself to care about her loathsome inclinations , rather relishing in the feeling of her.

Weak. He repeated in his mind. How could just one 'darling' , make him melt ? Evanna Frey was ,  perhaps , a delinquent in the making - and being around her , could bring him more danger than he could fathom. It could , in a matter of moments , taint his reputation in the pureblood society , tarnish his academic brilliance and further rub obsidian over his already blackened name. Being close to her could prove to be hazardous , she was no saint afterall.

You are no angel either.

Draco's mind was conflicted , and with the passage of every second he tightened his grip around the quill in his palm , finally snapping it into two - and yet continuing to write with it. His , mercury gaze often drifted towards the enchanting brunette , her regal features drawn into a lazy smirk as she stared back at him.

Flustered , he was unable to maintain eye contact with her. His perception of hers was driving him insane , his breaths quickening and his brain going into a frenzy - losing himself within a labyrinth , a maze in which he had trapped himself - with walls even more impregnable than those made by Dionysus himself.

What are you doing to me , Evanna ?

                                                                      _______________________

"May I join you ?", Draco heard a soft voice interrupt his thoughts. Occupying an isolated corner , hidden away behind towering shelves of books and drowning into the familiar yet comforting vellichor of old books - Draco hadn't expected to be noticed , or  to be approached. The boy , afterall , was aware of the ambience of hatred he radiated - even though he didn't mean it.

Truth be told , he had not expected Evanna Frey to be standing in front of him - and yet a sense of relied washed over his features when she stood there. The last few weeks of school had been synonymous to hell - with Umbridge fashioning absurd rules on the daily , and most of his friends lingering near Evanna after their first meeting at Hogsmeade.

Faint crescents of amethyst ringed the skin under her coruscating sapphire eyes. Her semblance reflected exhaust , although her smile was sprightly as ever.

Draco found himself nodding , and he was inwardly grateful when she chose the seat opposite to him.

"What are you doing ?", She asked politely , pulling a book out from her bag - her eyes on the parchment that sat in front of Draco - desolate of any words other than the obsidian ink that had bled from the quill to write 'Astronomy Essay' as the heading.

"Oh , just the Astronomy Essay", Draco said with a slight shrug of his shoulders. Evanna's lips curved upwards , and she nodded - before her eyes suddenly widened.

"Draco I am so sorry !", She whispered out of the blue , a frantic look in her eyes.

"What ? Why ?", Draco enquired , raising a brow.

"I was tutoring you last year in Astronomy , but we stopped after a few lessons because I was chosen for the Triwizard Tournament", Evanna explained with a sigh.

Draco let out a small chuckle , shaking his head as he clarified ,"No matter , Ana. You were busy , and possibly forgot about it. But whatever classes we had had before atleast cleared by foundation of the subject."

The Ravenclaw's rosebud lips curved upwards into a small , grateful smile , as she opened her book - turning it to the page where she had left it. But instead of her blue eyes tracing the words on the page , and instead of Draco concentrating back onto his homework , the two began talking. Basking in the tranquility of the library , the two friends conversed - for once , without restrictions of time or personal goals. For once , Evanna was not the untouchable sculpture one could only admire from afar nor Draco was just another worshipper in the crowd.

In the matter of a few hours , they discussed Quidditch , their shared hatred for Umbridge and school - both forgoing the glistening silver 'I' badge shining on their shirt collars , and the eight-inch distance rule between boys and girls.

What Draco failed to realise , was that Evanna was the sun - in all her shining glory. And if he flew too close , his waxen wings would melt from the heat - like those of Icarus , sending him plummeting down to his death.

And yet ,  he could not stop loving her.

                                                                          _____________________

Evanna held her wand , fingers curled tightly around the intricate work of wood , silver light emanating from it's tip - causing an echo of the illumination to bounce off the walls , her feet traversing through the dark corridor with considerable expertise. Extinguishing the light , she placed her palm upon the mercury sheen of the concrete wall. 

A mahogany door materialised upon the previously bare wall , her ring-clad , pallid fingers curling around the silver door knob - as she pushed it open. Her irises were greeted by the familiar sight of a dimly lit room , the emerald flames of the flickering , waxen candles casting dancing shadows across the pristine furniture that wreathed the expensively draped room. Pillars , gilded in gold and quintessential swirls of pure aurora crystals , flanked the walls , royal blue curtains of riverine velveteen concealing the windows from vision.

A marble hearth , peridot flames dancing within , radiated most of the little light present in the gigantic place.

Seven students , six Slytherins , one Hufflepuff - huddled around the couches that were scattered in front of the hearth.

"I apologise for calling in a meeting at such a late hour", Evanna said with a charming smile , putting her wand back into it's holster that hung from the leather belt that hung around her waist , holding her loose olive trousers in place.

Pushing her hair behind her ear , she walked towards the table made for eight , taking a seat at the head of it with an air of casualty. Her satchel dropped from her shoulders , onto the caramel sheen that lingered upon the wooden table. Her lustrous hair spilled behind her , as she watched the seven others immediately take a seat on either side of her.

"Where's Draco ?", Goyle asked , who had been enthusiastic upon been given the idea of joining the Third Alliance. As much as it displeased to include him and Crabbe for they had hardly any superiority in spell work , Evanna did include them. The Crabbe and Goyle families were not popular among masses , nor exceedingly wealthy. They did not possess a strong foothold in the Wizengamot either , and their intelligence was rather conflicted. The above things juxtaposed heavily against the others present at the table , and yet - Evanna had allowed them in , due to their burly figures , intimidating appearance and blind faithfulness to the one they worshipped.

Previously it had been Draco , and now it was Evanna.

Evanna twirled her wand with elegance , slender fingers stroking the tip as she answered in a low voice ,"He is not going to join us any further."

"Why ?", Pansy questioned , raising an inquisitive brow.

The Ravenclaw's eyes flitted towards the girl with raven tresses , speaking once again in a voice softer than an equinox's zephyr -"A few complications."

She rose from her seat , hands folded behind her back as she continued ,"Whatever we do outside of classes , these meetings - especially during Umbridge imposing absurd rules- is of high risk. I hope you keep that in mind.

"Not a word shall travel outside of these four walls to anyone whatsoever. Should it reach prying ears , I shall not hesitate to punish the one who is at fault."

At these words , Evanna lingered behind Daphne's chair - immediately putting a finger underneath the blonde girl's chin , lifting her head up to meet her eyes. Dragging her nails under the delicate skin , Evanna grinned as Daphne's words choked inside her tightening throat.

"However extreme the punishing methods be , however miniscule the crime be - I will not hesitate to make a decision."

Swiftly pulling her fingers away , Evanna continued working down , not an ounce of fear or distress in her angelic voice. - each word carefully pronounced in a vivid british lilt ,"Words of our illegal activities should not reach Draco's ears - and if any of you slip up , I hope you are aware of your consequences. Since all of us , except Cedric , are a part of the Inquisitorial Squad - we must also be careful in our perception of Umbridge's rules as we don't need her to get a hint of another club formation other than the one formed by Potter and his little band of Gryffindors."

"All the rules will be formed by me , neither of our families should get a trace of our alliance either unless any of you want to die premature deaths at the hands of the Dark Lord himself."

Slipping back into her seat , her consummate nails tapped the surface of the table - and she spoke ,"I hope all the rules are clear."

Hushed whispers and nods followed. Each of their eyes were ablaze with dancing flames of fear , disguised well against similar waves of powerlust - irises glistening with various flickers of emotions , bearing similitude to an everlasting forest fire.

It was surprising to see even Cedric Diggory , with his arched brows furrowed and honey eyes somewhere between the barest hints of awe and agreement - respect her decisions. But then again , the Diggorys had always been an ambitious family , despite being predominantly in Hufflepuff. This ambition and grit , was what explained the presence of scant few Slytherins in their so-called 'unscathed by evil' family line. Even had Cedric not had an ounce of ambition , which was fairly untrue , he would have helped Evanna - as an act of gratitude. Evanna had known that saving the boy from the hands of evil , would only end up with the golden boy at the lap of the devil. Gratitude , was a funny thing afterall.

Evanna's hands slid into the rim of her satchel , producing a bundle of neatly folded , fine amber parchment. Standing up , she took one of the many copies , laying it in front of her , as she gestured everyone to focus.

Evanna tapped her wand against the coarse texture , whispering softly the words that lingered in the air ,"I solemnly swear I am up to absolutely no good."

Immediately , the once blank parchment unfolded itself , a beautiful emblem of a violet albatross at flight , embedded deep within the front - the Frey family emblem.

A smirk tugged at the corners of her lips - as the entire outlying map of the castle appeared on it , along with hundreds of names and lingering footsteps. She watched as their lips parted with awe , and Theo asked with an air of curiousity ,"Is that - is that McGonagall in her office , and is that Filch patrolling the corridors ?"

"It is", Evanna nodded with certainty. Gaps rang around the table , as Evanna passed one map for each of them , fingers glossing over the names that appeared in a sophisticated cursive - eyes shining with amusement.

"Whoever you wish to see , whenever you wish to see , wherever you wish to see - the map shows you without a single flaw."

Reaching over to tap the map in front of her with the intricate tip of her wand , Evanna muttered an incantation under her breath as all of them watched - eyes fixated towards the parchment map.

Within the blink of an eye , the map of Hogwarts dissolved into a swirl of onyx ink , morphing into the map of the Forbidden Forest.

"Did I say that the map shows you the location of anyone and everyone in any part of the world ?", Evanna whispered with a smile of malice , wand simultaneously pressed against the map , as it once again transformed into a map of London , Diagon Alley - to be specific. 

"There is a charm on this , the Homonculus Charm to be precise", Blaise said , examining the map with calculating eyes.

"Absolutely", Evanna grinned , sitting back down on her chair. The day she had borrowed the Marauder's Map from the Golden Trio - she had multiplied them by using a simple duplication spell. Upon delving more into the Homonculus Charm , she had altered the maps according to her benefit. However , although she had drawn inspiration from the Marauder's Map - she decided to alter the the sentence that would provide access to the information within slightly.

"These maps can only be opened by those of the Inner Circle , that is - all seven of you. Keep the maps safe , I have handed it to you for your use in the time of need. Should need be , I can also take the map back. In the wrong hands , it is exceedingly dangerous - so be careful. Also , anyone else other than you seven in the third alliance - that is , Warrington , Shafiq and Yaxley should not get a hint of these maps. Don't open it in front of others to avoid suspicion - do not lose it as I won't make you another copy", Evanna spoke , nimble fingers twirling the hilt of her wand. "Clear ?"

Audible voicings of agreement echoed around the enormous room , a quiet hum of approval escaped the Ravenclaw's lips. Her gaze fell to the mercury watch resting atop her wrist , as she spoke in a soft voice - "We have to dismiss today's meeting a few minutes later. Remember as you step out of these walls , not a single word regarding this shall be spilt. Do not even discuss amongst yourselves. Especially you , Cedric - Umbridge despises Hufflepuffs."

With that , her demanding presence rose from the chair - speaking about the objectives of the next meeting. And within those four walls , it was as if she already held the throne , fingers brushing over the rubies and scintillating diamonds encrusted within the armrests of gilded silver - eyes circling the crown of gold , blood of her enemies dripping from her arms.

                                                     __________________________

"You're late", Draco said in a dismissive voice , rolling his eyes as the familiar Ravenclaw fell into step beside him. Despite trying his best to disguise his inner flurry of emotions , his breath hitched in his throat as her fingers subconsciously brushed against his.

"I apologise", She said , a hint of her mockery laced in her velvety voice , as they walked shoulder to shoulder - eyes darting around the corridor as their feet created an echo across the stone walls , in search for anyone out of bed.

"What were you up to even ?", He asked.

"Just some studying with Pansy and Blaise , darling", She said , lying through her teeth as her lips curled upwards slightly into a pearly smile - a breath of satisfaction rushing through her veins as Draco blushed.