''Isla?'' Mila carefully placed her knuckles onto their door, gently striking the wood before shoving it wide enough for her to peer in, ''Are you awake?''

The sleepy girl raised her chin from Theodore's head, looking startlingly at Mila, now standing in the doorway, dressed in nothing but her nightdress. Frowning slightly, Isla let her fingers brush over Theo's spine, ''What happened?'' Her voice heavy, drunken from almost falling asleep, ''Did something—''

''I need to talk to you.'' Mila's tone was shaking, her hand gripping the door trembled, ''It's important.''

Isla nodded quickly. She pushed herself up, making a groan escape Theodore's throat as he rolled off her, falling to his stomach with his arms tucked underneath his pillow.

She wrapped her arms around herself, following Mila out in the hallway, ''Did something happen?'' Isla asked worryingly, ''I thought you guys were asleep?''

The darkness thickened around them as Mila closed their door, wishing for complete privacy, ''This isn't working, Isla.''

Panic began to pound its way through her veins, thinking of what she and Theodore had done in Malfoy's room a few hours prior. She was scared that they'd heard them, that she was going to be granted a lecture for how wrong she was by doing what they'd done.

''What—'' Isla gulped on her words, slowly dragging her nightdress up to cover the reddened marks of Theodore's initials, ''What isn't working—''

''The trial is tomorrow, and this isn't going to work. This whole testimony you are giving. It won't work. His father is putting on a whole trial, Isla. He won't cave for what we have to say.'' Mila felt as if her knees were caving, so scared and afraid of what all of this would lead to, ''He has a vendetta against Leo, you know that. You know what his father thinks he did to their mother. He doesn't know it's Ava. He doesn't know it was his sister—''

Isla felt her pulse slowing down, relieved that this had nothing to do with her and Theodore, yet it stirred a nauseous feeling within her, hearing what Mila said.

''I know—'' Isla nodded, comfortably, ''I know that wasn't him. Ava confessed it to me years ago, but Leo wanted to take the blame— Mila, no.''

She knew where this was going, and she had made a promise to Leo never to reveal the truth of that night. She promised to keep that secret safe.

''He's punishing him for that.'' Mila's eyes glinted at the soft strokes of moonlight finding its way in through the windows, ''He couldn't charge him back then because they were kids. And it's been too long to do it now, so he's doing this to make up for the fact that their mother... got hurt.''

''Mila...'' Isla took a step towards her, ''If you're thinking about doing what I think you are...He will never agree to do this. He would rather go to Azkaban than to let Ava go down for this.''

''Not...'' The brown-haired girl looked away, hurt illuminated in her brown eyes, ''Not if we do it without telling him.''

''No,'' Shaking her head, Isla refused, ''Absolutely not. He will never forgive us—''

''What am I supposed to do then?'' Mila's hands found her hair, tugging it back by the roots, ''This isn't working, Isla. I know it won't work. He won't change his mind just because of what we have to say! His father will rule against him, and he will be sentenced to Azkaban!''

''You don't—'' Isla kept her tone down, not wishing to wake Theo and Leo up, ''You don't know that. Draco said that there's a whole group of people that needs to agree with him to rule against Leo. His father can't make this decision on his own. It has to be an equal vote in his favor. And how do you know that it won't work? Draco really thought this through, Mila. He's confident—''

''If he's confident, why did he get us a runaway box? If he were sure that this would work, he wouldn't do that. He knows it won't work. He knows it, I know it, and I think you know it too. They will never choose the word of a couple of teenagers over the Minister's.''

Isla quieted down, her shoulders slightly sunk. She did know it. She just didn't want to think about it. She knew that the possibility of the Ministry granting Leo mercy was low.

Sighing, Isla portrayed so much sorrow, ''What do you need me to do?''

Mila shot a quick look over her shoulder, making sure that the door to her and Leo's room was closed before she nervously looked back at Isla, ''You were there that night. You were with Leo when it happened. You are the only one who can bring that up in court, and I can't—'' Clenching her jaws, she tried to breathe steadily, ''I can't be the one to do it, Isla. He'll never forgive me, and I won't be able to keep it together on that stand.''

Isla frowned, confused, ''And you think he'll forgive me? He won't. I promised him, Mila. I promised never to talk about that night ever again. This isn't my secret to tell.''

''Please—'' Mila had tears in her eyes, frightened. She was so scared, ''For us, Isla. Please.''

Looking away, she pinched her eyes shut. Her chest ached because she knew somewhere so deep within herself that this was their safest bet, that she couldn't be selfish with this. Isla would happily take the fall of Leo's rage and let them be together.

''He'll hate me,'' She said, silently before she brushed her hands over her face, down the long strands of her hair, ''We need to be smart about this. I need to... I need to bring up more things, more of the ways Ava has hurt us....'' Her mind was working, reaching every memory she hadn't thought about for weeks, ''The letter, the polyjuice the night of the party, the spell she fired towards Draco at the beginning of the year, and if that's not enough....''

She looked back at Mila, ''I'll come clean about that night. I'll tell him the truth, but I don't want to do it in front of people. I want to do it in secret, with him only. This is going to be hard enough on Leo. I can't make it a public matter, not this.''

Mila nodded, her hands still shaking at her sides, ''And you'll think that works? That he'll believe you? We don't have any proof that she did those things—''

Isla stayed quiet, looking down at the ground.

Mila frowned, ''Or do we, Isla? Do you know something I don't—''

''I do...'' Isla had been holding onto it, Blaise's memories. The tiny vial he gave her the night of that party. She never told anyone about it, all because she knew that Leo would have destroyed it. His sister was a lot of things, he used to say, but he was still his sister, and with the father they grew up with — that meant a lot to him, even if it meant nothing to Ava. So Isla hid it, keeping it safe in the bottom of her bag.

''I have something that speaks for what Ava has done to us, all she's been plotting. I have... I have Blaise's memories. She's...'' Isla felt bad for keeping this from them, for never uttering a word that could've stopped this, ''She hurts him, and she threatened him to take his memories away if he didn't obey her, so he gave me a vial with everything she wanted to do to us.''

''And you had that all along? You had proof, and you didn't—''

''You don't understand,'' Her pulse stressed again, ''Leo would've gotten rid of it if he knew it existed. He's... He would never do that to Ava, and you know that. Keeping it a secret was the only way to go. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about this, but... I couldn't, Mila. I couldn't risk it.''

''And we can use that? If it comes to it?''

''We can,'' Isla didn't know what to feel anymore. It all felt wrong and right and right and wrong, and she couldn't figure out how to manage what she just agreed to, ''We can and we will if it comes down to it.''

''I'll make sure that you testify last, and if everything goes to hell....'' Mila lowered. She was so scared again, so terrified, ''If Draco's plan doesn't work, you put ours in motion, right? You're last. We'll see how it goes, and....''

''Nod.'' Isla said, giving a bitter smile as she placed her palms upon Mila's shoulders, ''If you feel like it's not working, I'll look at you, and when you nod at me.... I will do what you want me to do.''

_____

They did.

Isla and Mila did what they both feared so gravely, and now — now Leo was standing with his arms crossed, his sight bored in hers.

''What the hell is this about?'' Mr. Green seethed from his chair, slamming his fists into his desk. He had guards taking them into his study the second Isla spoke the way she did in court. The very instant she said those doomed words, he sent his servants to take her away. That didn't end well. Both Draco and Theodore retaliated and followed.

''Don't you dare speak to her—'' Draco fired but was held back by Mila, placing a hand on his arm to calm him. He stared down at her as she shook her head at him, knowing that nothing good could come of this.

''Miss Clarke,'' The Minister said again, harder, ''How do you dare speak such accusations in court against my daughter without proof? She did nothing of the kind—''

Isla looked away as she sat in the chair across from his. She was pushed down to it the second those men took her into the room. She didn't speak. She didn't want to speak with Leo in there. Isla didn't want to continue what she'd started while he looked at her.

''Miss—''

''Isla,'' Leo spoke from behind her. His tone was heavy, bothered, and if she listened close enough, she could hear the betrayal, ''Don't.''

He knew what this was. Of course, he did. Leo knew exactly what she planned to do, and he didn't want her to do it. She'd promised him not to, yet they sat there, all because she chose to betray him.

Theodore folded his arms over his chest, standing next to Draco with Mila safe between them. The tension in the room was thick, greatly so. They couldn't risk that any of the Ministry workers tried to take Mila away. Isla asked them to keep her safe.

''Miss Clarke,'' The Minister once again called out for her, and every time he did, his voice turned darker, ''Either you speak up regarding those ridiculous accusations you made, or you stay quiet, and I'll hold you in—''

''I have proof,'' Isla looked right at the floor, not lifting her gaze. She refused to, almost. Too scared to either level Leo or the Minister's, ''I have proof for all the accusations I made.''

He cleared his throat annoyingly before he let out a deep sigh, ''You have proof? For what exactly? A stolen letter? Polyjuice?''

''For your wife, and what happened to her.''

The room was hushed. All eyes were glued onto her shaking body as she kept staring down at the ground. Leo grunted quietly to himself, clenching his jaws. Draco and Theodore looked at each other with so much confusion spiraling around them.

The boys had secrets of their own, and they never realized that Isla did too.

''Don't you dare speak about my wife!'' He yelled out, pushing his chair back as he stood up, ''You ungrateful child. Don't you dare speak about my family when you know who your father was. You don't have that privilege in here—''

''You—'' Isla locked her jaws, lifting her gaze to where he was standing. Rage crossed fury, ''You know what happened that night. You know exactly who did what, and I'm not going to be quiet when you crucify your own son for something he didn't—''

''Isla!'' Leo pushed off the wall, hewing her off before she could speak what she craved to utter. His steps were hurried up to the desk, standing between the girl and the Minister, ''Father,'' He mumbled, ''Postpone the rest of my trial until tomorrow. I'll speak with her.''

The man was heaving. His chest rose and fell roughly behind his dark cloak. He looked at his son, his skin reddened in anger, ''You better keep her tamed, boy, or I won't be held accountable for what I might do.'' He said harshly before he stormed out of the room, his servants followed, and the door was slammed shut with the loudest of thuds.

It turned quiet again, so quiet.

Her pounding heart could be heard from miles away as she propped herself up a bit, sighing out, ''Leo—''

''Don't—'' Leo snapped, turning around and staring down at her, ''What the hell are you thinking, Isla? Are you out of your God damn—''

''Watch it,'' Draco rose a brow from where he was standing, slowly shaking his head at him, ''Never speak to her what way.''

Theodore tilted his head, smirking dryly at Leo to agree with what Malfoy said, ''I'd listen to him.''

''You would?'' Draco grinned, slightly squinting as Theo shrugged, ''Well, then I'd listen to him if he says that he'd listen to me.''

''Really?'' Theo raised both of his brows, ''Well, in that case, I'd—''

''Not now,'' Isla looked at them, frustrated with their lack of focus, ''You two can flirt later, but not now.''

''Flirt?'' Draco's jaw dropped, ''I'm not fucking flirting with anyone.''

Mila's eyes widened, nearly feeling the pressure from the two squeezing her body between them.

''Right,'' Theodore simply rolled his tongue over his bottom lip, smirking at what Isla said, ''We are definitely not flirting, love.''

Her eyes spun annoyingly at the two boys before it landed right back on Leo, ''I know, alright? I know you don't—''

''Oh, so you know? I told you never, Isla — never speak about that fucking night—''

''Then what am I supposed to do?'' She shouted, throwing her arms out as she stood up, ''Your own father is sending you to Azkaban, Leo! What the hell am I supposed to do? What is she supposed to do?'' Isla pointed her finger at Mila, standing with tears brimming in her eyes, ''Do you really just expect me to—''

''You—'' Leo cocked his head, looking right at his girl, disappointment, so much disappointment crowded in his eyes, ''You put her up to this? Didn't you? Isla would never—''

''Don't you dare blame her!'' Isla caught his attention again, ''Don't you dare blame her for trying to keep you out of prison. Don't blame her for what I did.''

Leo scoffed angrily, ''So you expect me to believe that this was all you? That you were the one that came up with this? Isla, you have kept your mouth shut for years. You never spoke a word—''

''She cursed your mother, Leo! She cursed her with one of the cruelest spells there is, and she let you take the blame. Your own sister, Leo! And yes, I kept my bloody mouth shut because you asked me to. I stood by, and I watched you take the blame for something she did, but I'm not going to stand here and watch as he puts you in jail for it!''

Theodore looked at Draco. His face shone in sorrow. They didn't know. No one except Leo, Isla, and Ava knew what had happened that night, several years ago.

Ava wounded her own mother, leaving her paralyzed and unable to speak. She was trapped in one of her stages where she didn't see right from wrong, where she was so furious that she, at the age of fourteen, doomed her mother for life, and she let Leo take the fall for it.

''So you did this for me? Because you care so damn much about me? And not because Ava humiliated you—''

''I did it for her!'' Isla's finger was once again pointed directly at Mila, ''I did it because she can't live without you, and no matter how upset you are with me right now, you can't live without her. You don't stand a damn chance in a place like Azkaban, Leo, and you know that.''

He stared at her, his eyes broad and filled with rage.

''I did it for her, because believe it or not, Leo, this wasn't working. He wouldn't have granted you any mercy, and you know that. He was sending you away, and I refuse to apologize for keeping you safe. I won't be sorry for saving her from a lifetime of missing you.''

''That wasn't your damn choice to make!'' He raised his voice, dragging his fingers through his hair. Never had Leo looked at her as he did now, ''You promised me, Isla. You fucking promised me never to speak about it, to let it bloody be, but instead you march in there, and you do the exact opposite of what I—''

''I did,'' She fired, standing her ground, ''I did, and to be honest, I'd do it again. I'd choose you over Ava in a heartbeat, and not only because she did what she did to your mother. But because I've seen how hard it's been for you to be held accountable for something she did. Your father hates you. He thinks you're the one hurting her, and I won't stand by that anymore. So I took the chance, and I told the truth for once.''

''The truth?'' He nearly chuckled out, darkly, ''You're a walking lie, Isla. You and your fucking bloodline—''

''Don't,'' She snapped, her eyes nervously flickered, and the panic of what he was about to stay stormed within her, ''Don't do that. That has nothing to do with this because this, Leo — this has nothing to do with me. I didn't do this for my sake. I did it for Mila and for you, and no matter how stuck up you are with the thought that your father will suddenly change his mind, I can see that he won't.''

Leo swallowed hard as he lifted his gaze to above her head, staring at their friends, ''So that's it? I have no say in how to handle my own case?''

''Leo...'' Mila was looking at the ground, her body shielded by the two Slytherins, ''I know it feels unfair now, but—''

''But what?'' He pushed past Isla, and he stumbled forward, not truly sure where to stand or where to look, ''My sister will go to prison for this, I hope you all know that. She might have been a bitch to you, all of you, but she's still my sister and this....''

''Leo—'' Mila finally met his hurt sight, seeing the betrayal in his darkened irises. Taking a step forward, both Theo and Draco arched off the wall, following her movements, ''You have paid for what she did, for years. It's enough. I know you love your sister, but you're not going to Azkaban for her—''

Mila's hand reached forward, wanting to comfort him. Leo yanked away, shaking his head, ''Don't fucking touch me right now. I don't want—''

Withdrawing her hand, even Isla could see how tormented she was by all of this, ''Leo, it's not Mila's fault. I did this, be angry with me, but don't take it out on—''

''Fuck this,'' He said, still shaking his head in denial, ''Fuck this and fuck all of you. I'm not doing this.'' His hand sheeted around the handle of the door, tearing it open without as much as another word.

''Leo—'' Isla tried to march after him, but someone's fingers wrapped around her upper arm, keeping her from following the furious boy. She spun around, and before she knew what was happening, Isla found herself pressed against Malfoy's chest.

''Let him go,'' Draco whispered, close to her head, ''Let him calm down, and we'll talk to him tonight.''

Mila was standing with her arms dropped to her sides, her lungs out of air as she sighed, ''I can't—'' She trembled before she rushed out of the room. Leaving Theodore blinking in shock at what just happened.

''She can't be alone right now,'' Isla tried to push Draco back, fearing that she'd do something they all would live to regret, ''I need to—''

''I got her,'' Theodore smiled weakly at the sight of Draco having his arms around Isla, and no matter how much he wished to be the one to comfort her. He knew that she needed that blond boy as much as she needed him, ''I'll take her back to the house.''

''Theo—'' Isla felt so guilty. Almost being able to see how hurt he was that Draco was the one holding her in a moment like that, ''Wait—''

He didn't. He walked out.

She shut her eyes, her forehead dropping to Malfoy's shoulder, and with a heavy breath, she felt her skin shivering. Everything she meant to do good for was going straight to hell. No matter how Isla played this, no matter what happened next — it was doomed to fail.

Her mind didn't even have the strength to reach the second trial tomorrow. Nevertheless the trial, no one knew she was attending.

''We'll figure this out, Clarke.'' Draco muttered, his hand moved up to cup her jaw, angling her face to see her properly, ''He might be mad right now, but he'll come around. He always does, right?''

Isla clenched her jaws, nodding, stilly, ''About tomorrow, Draco—''

Come clean. Come clean. Come clean.

Tell him the truth.

''I...'' He sighed, narrowing his eyes in hers, ''I have some... business to attend to tomorrow. I tried to put everything off, but it's impossible to push this... meeting.''

Isla slackened a bit in his hold. Her figure became less tensed, her body caving to his, ''You're not....'' Clearing her throat awkwardly, she tried not to seem far too relieved, ''You won't be here?''

Draco slightly frowned, ''I won't... Not for the first few hours at least, but I'll join you as soon as I can.''

The hold her heart was kept in slowly faded away, releasing her from the fright of him catching her. Her secret would be safe, just for a little while longer until she could figure out what to make of it, how to tell him. She eased, more and more. He could feel it, ''Clarke? What's—''

''Nothing,'' She forced a smile, shooting a look over her shoulder not to meet his intense stare. His fingers brushed over her cheekbone, lightly brushing over her lips, ''It's nothing. I'm worried about Leo and Mila, that's it.''

''You sure?'' He didn't let go of that suspicious feeling he felt simmering inside. Her hands somewhat shook against his chest as she tried to play unbothered, ''You seem... tense.''

''I'm—'' Her smile arched broader, her eyes wide, ''I'm fine....'' Isla looked back at him, only to find him close. Draco was so close now. Towering her, his hands warm, marking her skin with heat.

He couldn't help but smirk at the way he caused her to feel nervous. He noticed the stutter in her breaths, the loss of air in her lungs as she leveled his silver eyes. Biting down his lower lip, discreetly, he let his thumb drag hers down, ''God—'' He cocked his head, feeling the sweet taste of her breaths fan against his chin.

''We should...'' Isla just blinked, her words faded, ''We should go look...''

Draco held her close for minutes before he nodded slowly, ''We... totally should...''

''I think it's for the best if we...'' Isla arched her neck further, wanting to see more of him.

His other hand snaked around her waist, pulling her in the last longing inches, ''It's definitely better if we...'' Draco breathed. The tips of their noses almost brushing along the other, ''If we—''

''Yeah,'' Isla panted, her chest tightening. Her fingers softly splayed out over his chest, ''I think we should go... so nothing...''

''Happens,'' He cut her short, breathing the same air, ''We wouldn't want anything to happen...''

''No—'' She was shaking, the tension was so tense around them, ''We don't want that....''

''We don't...'' Draco moved his hand down from her jaw, gripping her shoulder and creating space between them.

He backed away — so did she, ''Not yet, at least.'' He grinned provokingly before he stepped past her, heading for the door.

Isla rose a brow, rolling her eyes at him, ''Not ever.''

Draco sucked his inner cheek in, nodding for her to walk ahead of him out the door, ''A man can dream, Clarke.'' He taunted as she passed him. Her skin blushed at the moment they just had.

_____

Isla breathed out. Her fingers tangled into the edges of her dress, her wand tightly hugged in her balled fist. It felt like she couldn't breathe. Not knowing if it was the fact that she, once again, had to relive Fred's death or if it was the possibility of everyone finding out who she truly was.

She knew that Leo's father would be occupied with his son's trial, which meant that this one got a different judge. She was happy it did. She knew that the Minister would do everything in his power to sabotage for her after what happened yesterday.

Theodore's hands gripped her by her waist, pulling her back against his chest as he mumbled into her neck, ''It will be over before you know it.'' He could feel her body as it shook, ''And I'm here the whole time.''

Isla nodded nervously as she let her head lean back against his chest, ''Are you sure? You don't want to be with Leo and Mila? It's starting—''

''And let you be all by yourself?'' Theo stroked his palms over the span of her arms, comforting her as good as he knew how. ''No. This is important to you, and therefore it's important to me. Besides, Malfoy will be there shortly. He wasn't supposed to be gone for more than a few hours. He knows what to do.''

She nodded again, too shaken to speak more. This was hard for her, putting herself on display as she was meant to do now, but she wouldn't have it any other way. This was for Fred, and to make sure that his memory was honored.

She stood there, outside the closed doors for minutes, just letting him hold her before the metal clicked open and magically shoved wide.

She gulped. He squeezed her arms tighter, ''You got this.'' He whispered.

She did. She did. She did.

Oh, how Isla hoped she would manage to do this.

Her steps into the room echoed. All eyes fell to watch her stumble up to the chair. Theodore slowly let her go before he took a seat at the stands.

''Your wand,'' A man, dressed in a dark cloak, muttered as he appeared next to her, reaching his hand out.

Isla stretched her arm out, allowing the man to read the identity of her wand before he turned around, nodding to the lady seated high up behind the podium, ''It belongs to the witch.''

The lady smiled politely, ''Your name, miss?''

Isla cleared her throat, nearly stuttering out her words, ''Isla Clarke.''

The scribbling of another lady mirrored through the silence.

''And how are you related to the Weasley's? Considering you don't have their last name—''

''I'm—'' Isla breathed, gripping the arms rests of the chair. She held onto the wood as if her life depended on it, ''It's Isla Grace Clarke Weasley.''

The lady's eyes slightly broadened, nodding for the other woman to change her name, ''Relation to the deceased?'' She asked.

''Cousin,'' Isla swallowed the parched taste in her mouth, feeling the pads of her palms as they were beginning to sweat, ''My father was one of the brothers of Arthur Weasley.''

''Oh?'' The lady looked startled, ''I didn't know Mr. Weasley had any siblings.''

''It wasn't known,'' She blurted, causing a few hums to spread throughout the room, ''My father he... He sided with the Death Eaters at a young age. He was... disowned after that.''

''I see...'' She still smiled, showing support, ''Well, that's something you'll have to explain once we get started, but first — I'd like for the charged to be here.''

Isla shook her head, ''The charged?''

''Yes, dear. We have been gathering as much information we can on your cousin's case, and we have been able to find a person that can be held responsible for what happened to him.''

She couldn't speak. She couldn't think.

All that clouded her mind as the lady waved her hand, making the metal doors click open again was what she had feared since Christmas — since Draco told her the truth of what happened on that courtyard.

Steps echoed behind her. Theodore slammed his palms into the fence of the gallery area, standing up.

''Mr. Malfoy!'' The lady greeted, ''Thank you for joining us.''

Isla sorry heart stopped, and she didn't know if it would ever start beating again.

_____