Chapter Twenty Six

Trigger Warning! Violence death, and loss of family member mentioned!!

𝚃𝚠𝚘 𝚈𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝙰𝚐𝚘

Explosions sounded everywhere along with the sounds of spells being shot echoed from every direction. A small group made their way through an untouched part of the castle, walking through the maze of corridors into they reached a door.

"Quickly, hurry"

The group were met with thick smoke but kept walking. More explosions sounded throughout Hogwarts and they were thankful that they got out okay. Walking down and small hill, the group stopped when they realized where they were going.

"Woah woah woah. We're not going in there!" One of them said.

The one leading the group sighed and turned around to face them.

"We don't have much of a choice. There are death eaters everywhere. The only place they won't go is through the Forbidden Forest, not deeply at least"

"No. This is mad. It's too dangerous!"

"You have a choice. You can either stay here and get killed. Or, you come with me where I can lead you to safety. Choice is yours and we are running out of time. I don't think you want them to get a hold of your friend here" the man said.

The group glanced at one another. With a heavy sigh they new they had no choice but to go with the man. He nodded his head and motioned for them to follow.

"I know a path that is safest. We will get there before sundown"

"Why are you helping us?"

"Because it is the right thing to do. And because you all have a part to play in this war" the man explained.

"You mean him?" One of they said motioning to someone else.

"When the time comes, she will rise and will help defeating him"

"Well?" Sylvie asked as Athena and her Sisters walked into the room.

She saw that Draco Malfoy wasn't anywhere present which she guessed that things didn't go as planned. Athena casually set her weapons on the table, watching as George and Dean sparred.

"They got the message. Draco Malfoy knows that we are alive and thriving" Athena told her.

"But I thought we agreed that you would bring him in. He can lead us to the dark lord! He can give us the information we need" Sylvie reminded.

Athena let out a bored sigh.

"Yes but I had time to reconsider. We went about this all wrong. He won't talk to anyone aside from me, and even then he won't talk if I'm around anyone. My best bet is to speak to him alone" Athena explained.

Sylvie crossed her arms. She couldn't argue with her because Athena knew Draco better than anyone. And either way, Athena was calling most of the shots. Perhaps Athena would go about this the more reasonable way but Sylvie liked to get her hands dirty. She sensed that Athena might be protecting Draco.

"And what makes you think he will trust you enough to tell you the dark lords plans? Much less his whereabouts?" Sylvie asked.

Athena froze. She thought about the night Draco helped Alexa and Athena escape Malfoy Manor. She remembered what he told her after they had kissed. If it was true,  then she believed that there still had to be a part deep down in Draco that hadn't succumbed to the darkness. She needed to believe that the boy she knew in Hogwarts, the one who confided her in a lot about his life was still in there. Athena wanted to believe that Voldemort hadn't snuffed out all the light from him.

"He won't. But he was my friend once. And if I can get through to him, he will tell me what I need to know" Athena said walking out of the training hall.

She entered her room and went straight to the shower. The hot water rained down on her, her muscles relaxing. She thought about the excessive training for the last two years. Her powers were improving but it wasn't enough to finish this war. Her thoughts then wandered over to Draco. It was weird seeing him again. The last time she saw him he had his wand drawn at her. Athena wondered why he spared her and let her escape like that. She wondered about a lot concerning Draco Malfoy. The boy had plagued her dreams on occasion that left her puzzled.

Shaking her thoughts away, she stepped out of the shower and dried herself off. After changing into some black leather leggings and a black long sleeve, she slipped on her combat boots and her long coat. Exiting her room, she walked down the corridors and entered another room.

"Athena! How are you dear?" Molly asked giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm alright. Just wanted to see how you are all doing"

Molly sighed and gave her a soft smile. She knew that she missed Fred so much. It was difficult for her to believe that her boy was alive but Athena was sure of it.

"We're doing fine, dear. George and Ginny are down in the training hall. I believe Bill and Percy are with Lee somewhere. And Arthur is with Remus and Kingsley" she said thoughtfully.

"Ah, I see. Well, just wanted to check in" Athena told her sending little Teddy a smile. The little boy had grown so fast and he looked so much like Tonks.

"Thank you dear. Little Teddy is here to keep me company. You go on, I heard you'll be going out again. Just...be safe dear" Molly said giving her a tight hug.

Athena hugged her just as tight knowing  just how much Molly feared whenever she went out on missions.

"Always am" she mumbled necked leaving the room.

Athena knew how difficult it has been for Molly Weasley. The poor woman was still worried about Fred and Charlie. She couldn't help but think of the worst. Athena tried to reassure her that she knew that her sons were okay. But just like many, Molly Weasley had lost hope.

"Hey, where are you off to?" Lex asked catching up to her.

"I need to find where Malfoy likes to hang out" Athena told him. 

Lex chuckled at her choice of words. They both walked into the weapons vault. Athena raised an eyebrow at him, watching as he armed himself with a few knives, daggers and his sword.

"What are you doing?" She asked him.

"Coming with you, of course. I know you're headed to Diagon Alley and you'll need reinforcements" he pointed out.

Athena hadn't been to Diagon Alley in ages and was rather nervous to see what state it was left in. What she did know was that not everything was destroyed when the war started. A few of the usual places was still left standing.

"I can handle myself"

"Oh right, the Knockturn Alley Vigilante. I'm sure they will love your return" Lex stated sarcastically.

She scrunched her eyebrows, eyes twinkling with amusement.

"I think my friends sarcasm is rubbing off on you. And I'm only there to catch just one person who might be able to tell me of Draco's movements. Can't infiltrate a place where he isn't staying at"

"Fine. I'll go as back up. I'll stay out of your way, deal?" Lex asked.

"Deal. We do things my way" Athena agreed.

Lex smirked and motioned for her to lead the way. The two of them left the gates of headquarters before they apparated away. They landed steadily on a building in Diagon Alley and Athena gasped at the sight of it. Diagon Alley was no longer the bright happy place that it was before. It looked dark and gloomy like Knockturn alley. It was depressing. She and Lex jumped down the building landing behind a small empty street.

Both of them changed into their animagus forms, Athena's white wolf and Lex's black  wolf. They stuck to the shadows watching as death eaters and other people that joined Voldemort occasionally passed by the alley they were hiding in. Lex and Athena changed back to their human forms, Lex holding his fist up then motioning with his head that a death eater was walking down the street. Athena waited until the perfect moment before turning invisible. She approached the death eater and kicked him into the alley way.

"What the bloody hell are you doing!?" He shouted at Lex.

Athena appeared right in front of the man causing him to yelped in fright. Lex snorted at the look on the death eaters shocked face.

"Draco Malfoy. You know him?" Athena asked the death eater.

"Of course I bloody know him! He's the dark lords right hand man alongside Lestrange!"

"Heh. This should be easy" Lex said from his place leaning against the brick wall.

"Where does he usually stay at?" Athena asked.

"What? Do I look like his fucking nanny?" The man spat at her.

Athena sighed, and kicked him in the stomach causing his back to hit the wall. The death eater groaned in pain, wondering how a little girl had so much strength.

"I'm going to ask you one last time. Where is Draco Malfoy?!" Athena shouted.

"I-I don't know!" He lied and she knew it.

He made a move to take out his wand but she disarmed him. Her threw a punch at her which she deflected simply. He went to punch her again- this time she grabbed his fist, twisted his arm around behind his back. She shoved him against the brick wall, the man felt his brain jiggle in his cranium.

"I don't care about whatever secret pact you dunderheads made about not spilling secrets. But you'll soon find that I don't...give..a damn" Athena hissed at him.

"I swear I don't know anything!" The man lied again.

"You're only making this worse on yourself, mate" Lex sighed as he inspected his sword.

Athena took out a dagger and pressed it on the man's neck, above a thick vein.

"You have three seconds to answer. I don't particularly want to go out and hunt down another one of your buddies" she said pressing the blade a little harder against his neck.

"Okay fine fine! When he's not out on missions from the dark lord, when he's not at Hogwarts, he stays in Malfoy Manor! I swear it!"

Athena frowned and looked over at Lex. Both wondered the same thing and thought they heard incorrectly.

"Hogwarts was destroyed" she told the death eater.

"No. It still stands! It's main headquarters! It's where he's building his army!" the death eater said.

Athena removed the blade a little causing the death eater to relax a bit. She could've sworn that Hogwarts had been destroyed, her home. It was something she wasn't expecting but the information helped a lot.

"Thank you, for your cooperation" she told the death eater before stabbing him in the heart.

The man groaned, blood spurting from his mouth as he slid down the brick wall. Lex was already looking at her already thinking of ways they could infiltrate Hogwarts.

"Alright. So what's the next move" he asks.

"I pay a visit to Draco"

𝙰 𝙵𝚎𝚠 𝙳𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝙻𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛

Draco walked through the gates of his home, the black smoke around him fading. He walked into the large house, a place he always saw as a prison now a place he sees as a refuge. It was no longer crawling with death eaters, but the occasional meetings would be held there. He went upstairs listening as the housekeeper told him that his father and mother were still at the Notts house.

Despite all the tragedy's, the deaths and the horrors, people like Draco's family were able to resume their old lives. He thought it was pathetic of course, and sickening. Draco knew for a fact that nothing was normal, not anymore.

He went into his room and locked the door. A flash of lighting lit up the dimly lit room as he walked into his bathroom. After splashing some water on his face at the sink, he looked at his reflection and allowed his mind to wander over to a few days ago. He thought of Athena more often than he liked to admit to himself.

From the moment he spared her and she ran away, he's thought of her. Athena was always on his mind at least once during the day and multiple times during the night. He'd wonder if she was alive and almost even went out looking for her himself; he couldn't, of course, not without rising suspicions. Seeing her a few days ago gave him the relief he needed. She might hate him, but at least she was still breathing. He left the bathroom and slipped off his long black trench coat that was still wet from the rain. Another flash of lighting lit the room revealing a figure standing by the window. Draco noticed from the corner of his eye and pointed his wand at them.

"Hello, Draco" the voice was familiar.

He narrowed his eyes seeing a head of blond hair he recognized. When they turned around his suspicions were correct. Athena stood there with her hands behind her back and a small smile on her face.

"Athena. What are you doing here?" He breathed.

"What? Two years and that's all you have to say?" She asks feigning being offended.

Draco wasn't amused. He wasn't sure if she was here to kill him.

"I'm not here to hurt you. I promise. I don't even have any weapons on me" Athena said

He gave her an unconvinced look. She rolled her eyes as her shoulders dropped.

"Okay, I take that back. I don't have any weapons currently in my hands" Athena reiterated.

Draco raised an eyebrow, glanced at the cuffs on her wrists each concealing a small blade. Athena looked down and inspected her wrist. A sigh left her lips when she realized.

"That's a lie also" Athena said sheepishly.

She noticed how tense Draco looked. Rolling her eyes again, she threw her hands up exasperatedly.

"Okay, come on. If I wanted to kill you, I would have already. You wouldn't have even been able to step one foot into this house. Okay? Now sit down, have a drink with me, relax, there is nothing worry about" she told him as she sat on one of the arm chairs next to the fire place.

Athena looked at him expectantly. His wand was still pointed at her but he lowered it. He cautiously made his way over to where she was at and sat on the armchair opposite her. A smirk made it's way on her face as she poured him a glass of vodka, knowing they were both going to need something strong to get through this conversation.

"Where have you been?" He asked breaking the silence.

"In hiding. Kinda had to since you, your master and your buddies took over Great Britain, part of France, Germany, and almost all of Europe"

"I have a feeling this isn't a casual visit" Draco said through his teeth.

"It can be casual. We can casually sit here next to this fire, drink some Vodka and catch up like old friends like those muggles do" Athena said beiges frowning. "Oh wait. I forgot, you hate muggles. Oops"

Draco winced at that, but didn't say anything about it. He watched as she poured him a glass of the clear alcoholic beverage then handed it to him. He grabbed it and took a sip from the glass.

"So. How did you get in here?" He asked going along with the "casual" visit she was paying him.

"You should really learn to lock your doors and windows. Times are dangerous. You don't want some random person walking in" she with a grin.

Draco gave her a lopsided smirk.

"Noted. So why exactly are you here? Why now?" He proceeded to ask her.

"Last time I checked I'm here to interrogate you" she reminded.

"You're here to torture me for information, aren't you" he scoffed and stared her down.

She blew a raspberry at him. Athena didn't come here to hurt Draco, it would be unnecessary. And...she didn't particularly want to see him in pain.

"No. No. You're going to tell me all that I need to know about your masters whereabouts "

Draco laughed lightly. He took another long sip of the vodka, the drink did ease put him a little at ease. Of course that's why she came here for- to question him and get any intel from him.

"And why would I do that Westenra?" he asked.

"Because you owe it to me. And because I know there is a deeper part of you that doesn't want to be this person" she told him softly.

His smirk faded and replaced with his signature scowl. Her words hit a little nerve. The last person that reminded him that he didn't need to be this person ended up getting tortured and killed. However, this was Athena. She could call him out on all his shit and he wouldn't lay a finger on her. Not her.

"You don't know me. Not anymore. The Draco you knew or thought you knew...is gone. He died that day when we took over. Hate to break it to you sweetheart, but this is who I am now"

Her expression fell slightly but he caught it. She held her chin up and kept her expression neutral, her green eyes boring into his silver grey ones.

"The dark ambitious moron hasn't been sighted since that day you dunderheads took over. There have been no reports of his movements. So I'll ask you this once time. Where is he?"

Draco studied her for a moment. The softness in her eyes was replaced with determination. Draco knew she wasn't going to leave without getting some answers. And quite frankly, deep down he didn't want her to leave. Suppose it was because some part of him wanted to help her which is why he decided to comply. He would give her just enough intel without saying too much.

"He travels between Scotland, England and France. He is overseeing some issues in Paris right now. There's a resistance on the rise and he's...taking care of them"

"Alright. And what is his next move? He's hunting down the rest of us. What are his plans?" She asked.

"To kill those who he deems weak and recruit the rest" Draco answered truthfully.

Athena thought for a moment. She glanced around the room for a few seconds before looking at him again.

"So he's built an army?" She asks even though she knows the question.

"He did"

"And he's still after me. He still wants me to join him" Athena asked in a low voice.

Draco clenched his jaw. The dark lord was still convinced that Athena would end up joining him. He talked about her as if she and him were destined to be together. Draco knew that for a man who couldn't love, he had a certain fondness towards Athena. Draco felt bothered about it.

"Yes" he said through his teeth.

She already knew the answer and felt silly to think that Voldemort would have changed his mind.

"Hmm. Okay and how often is he alone"

"Come on, he's never alone" Draco reminded her. He should know better than anyone. Voldemort never went out in public alone, despite being the most powerful wizard alive during this time.

"When is the time where's he is most vulnerable?"

"I can't tell you that, Athena"

"You're not going to cooperate?" She asked raising her eyebrow.

He brushed a hand through his messy platinum blond hair. Draco tended to get frustrated easily. This was one of those moments.

"I have been cooperating. But there are things I won't tell you. I'm sure you can understand why"

She stared at him for a few seconds. Athena wasn't stupid. If Draco let spill everything be knows and Voldemort finds out, he will get tortured or possibly killed. She, of course couldn't let that happen. Athena wasn't sure why she was going easy on him; maybe it has to do with the fact that she cares...

"Fine. We will continue this some other time. Take this" she said handing him a small white object.

"What's this for?" He asked coldly.

"It's a Moonstone. It's connected directly to the one I have. Should you ever need to contact me, hold it in your hand and say my name in your mind. It will lead me to you" she explained.

He watched as she downed the rest of her drink the stood up. Athena looked around his room some more seeing that it still looked the same from the last time she was here. Draco watched her, a twinkle in his eyes before he looked down at the moonstone in his hand.

"How do you know I won't betray you" he asked giving her a devious smirk.

Athena slipped on her coat then walked over to him as she reached her hand into her pocket.

"Because you let me go for a reason that day. You can keep denying it. But I know in your heart you are still the boy, the man that opened up to me whenever we'd hangout in the Astronomy tower" Athena said then set down the snow globe she gifted him on the coffee table in front of him.

"Perhaps someday I'll be brave enough to tell you how I feel. Since you didn't give me a chance that night you kissed me" Athena said looking at him in the eyes.

Draco watched as she opened the doors to the balcony, the sound of heavy rainfall pouring into the room. Athena stepped on the stone railing of the balcony before jumping off of it. Draco ran to see if she landed safely but saw that Athena was nowhere in sight.

'someday I'll be brave enough to tell you how I feel' what did she mean by that? He thought to himself....

George flipped a dagger in his hand, a habit he picked up over the last two years. He watched as Athena walked through the gates before they magically locked shut. As she approached him, he gave her a small smile and stood up from the steps he was sitting on.

"So, how was he? Still the same little prat?" George asked her.

"It was hard to tell. He was more...cold than anything" Athena said frowning a little not sure how to describe Draco.

To Athena, Draco looked the same, more mature, perhaps a little taller, he'd definitely gain muscle. But his surface was a lot more harder than before. Draco was like a walking statue, eyes void of any emotion, if anything ten times more than a few years ago. Little did Athena know that the reason Draco was this way was because of all the horrors he's seen and all that he was forced to do.

"You care about him, don't you?" George asked.

She gave him a questioning look to which he rolled his eyes. He never liked the thought of Draco pursuing Athena in any way when they were till in Hogwarts. But just like Katie, Leanne and almost all their friends, George has seen the Malfoy stealing a few glances of Athena.

"Come on Thee. You're my best friend. Of course I'm going to notice all the boys staring at you. Safe to say even I managed to scare a few off"

"And here I thought I was the scarier one" she she fake pouted.

"You're top five of the scariest people I have ever met if I'm being honest" George said rubbing his knuckles on the top of her head.

Athena laughed lightly, nudging his arm. George had been like an older brother and Fred. They'd always look out for her. She saw that he had come a long way, George's determination to fight was what kept him going- but just like everyone else, he had a certain empty place in his heart...

It was the next day. Hogwarts, the once majestic magical castle looked eerie and haunted. A permanent mist had now settled around the grounds, casting a depressing gloom. Draco walked through by the main courtyard, straight towards the great hall doors. He kept his head head high, occasionally greeting the free Deatheaters standing guard. The double doors opened and he made his way to the front, Voldemort stood at the platform, sat in the headmasters chair as if he were king.

"Ah, Draco. Do you bring any news?" He asked.

"I have scouts in every area. But there hasn't been a sighting yet" Draco said.

"Hm, we'll I'm sure it won't be too long. They can't stay hidden forever. Sooner or later, they will have no choice but to rise out of the ashes" Voldemort said with a wicked glint in his eyes.

Draco smirked in agreement, which pleased Voldemort even more. The dark wizard trusted Draco and knew he does his job well- which is why he made him his right hand man.

"Very well. You may leave. I'm sure you have much to do" he said dismissing him.

The Malfoy bowed his head, turned on his heel and started to leave. It was always nerve wrecking to be in the dark lords presence. It was like standing in front of death himself. A cold and evil aura radiated from him that made even the rough rest death eaters cower in fear. But not Draco... Draco had accepted the fact that this was his life now. This was the life his father so desperately wanted for him and now he had it.

"And Draco?" Voldemorts voice stopped him.

"My lord?" Draco asked turned in fading respectfully.

"When you find her, bring her straight to me...alive"

Draco clenched his jaw. He remembered how a Athena paid him a visit last night. From the moment a few days ago that Theo, Marcus, Terrence and himself reported that they saw Athena, Voldemort made her capture the number one priority. A part of Draco knew he had to follow his orders but he couldn't eat the thought of Athena being captured. With her out there, a tiny part of him helped hope that she could somehow end this.

"Of course, my lord" Draco promised before leaving the former great hall...

Lex and Kaz barged into the training hall. Sylvie and Athena turned around watching as both men walked towards them. They held serious expressions on their faces and pulled both woman to the side. George along with everyone glanced at them but didn't stop training.

"What's going on?" Athena asked.

"We just got word. Death eaters are roaming around a small town near Spinners End. Turns out there's a small group of wizards on the move. We need to get there fast if we want to help them" Kaz explained.

"Go" Sylvie told Athena and she asked no time.

Athena gave her friends a reassuring smile as she followed Lex and Kaz out of the room. They armed up and left headquarters, apparating to the small town. Lex noticed how tense Athena was. She never had the chance to see where Severus lived but now that she was in close proximity of the town he grew up in, made her stomach twist.

"You good?" Lex asked.

"Fine. How many death eaters were spotted"

"Eight" Lex replied.

She sighed and peeked out from the alley way they were hidden in. She noted a few of her Sisters on the roof and a couple of the Sons of Night in the alleyway across the street from them. Athena looked up and locked eyes with Alexa. The red haired assassin made a motion that the coast was clear. Lex, Athena and two other assassins quickly crossed the street and went through a shortcut in between houses. They made a turn only to aim their weapons at a group coming towards them.

"Please! Don't kill us!" A man said.

Lex realized this was the group of wizards and witches who were trying to escape.

"We've come to help you. Stay close and we will get you out of here" Lex told them.

"Oh! Thank you, thank you so much" a woman said carrying a small child in her arms.

Athena smiled and motioned for them to follow. They had to get to a safer place so that they could disapparated without any complications. The abandoned town was quiet as they swiftly made their way through the maze of homes and old buildings. Athena glanced up to one of the homes and motioned the assassins that they were ready to go. Before they could cross the street to the other side, death eaters started swooping in.

"Get down!" Lex shouted as an explosion occurred.

Curses and hexes were being shot left and right. Athena nodded her head at Lex, telling him she had this handled, before she ran out of the alley way and started shooting a few spells at the death eaters. A few assassins joined her, fighting hand to hand with the death eaters who landed around them.

Athena jump kicked one death eater at the same time she let a blade loose, the silver knife zipping through the air stabbing a death eater in the chest. An assassin stabbed a death eaters in the stomach causing him to double over and Athena did a roll on his back dodging a streak of red light from hitting her.

"We have to lead them away from the group!" Alexa shouted at Athena over the chaos.

More curses were shot their way. Feeling someone sneaking up on her, Athena slipped out a dagger, swiftly turned around and stabbed the death eater at the same time Lex lodged his sword in the man's back. He gave her a teasing smirk as they both pulled out their blades.

"If we could lead them away, Kaz can get these people out of there" Lex told her.

"Already on it" Athena made a signal to her Sisters and the rest jumped down.

The death eaters realized they were outnumber and ran away whilst some flew off. Athena, Lex and the assassins ran after them giving Kaz and the Sons of Night a chance to get the group to safety.

Lex, Athena and the assassins split up chasing the few Death eaters that were left. Athena ran through the empty streets chasing after one. She met a dead end and before she could go back, a bolt of green light zoomed over her head. She had ducked just in time and watched the death eater charge at her. She couldn't tell if it was a man or woman because they were wearing a dark metallic mask. They cast a few curses her way and Athena deflected each one.

"Avada-" the death eater was cut off when Athena kicked their hand causing the wand to fall from their grip.

The death eater threw a few good punches but they were no match for Athena. Athena went to stab the masked person but they grabbed her wrists and kneed her in the stomach. Athena's knees hit the ground as the death eater twisted her wrist in attempts to make Athena release the blade.

She looked up at the masked person making them think they've won. Athena releases the blade from her hand then uses her free hand to catch it and stabbed the death eater in the stomach. They doubled over, Athena then twisted the blade that was still in the persons stomach before ripping it out through their side.

The death eater fell to the floor with a painful cry. Athena huffed as she stood up and towered over the person. She heard them whimper and something about the sound made Athena stay. Kneeling down, she rolled off their mask and saw that it was a girl. Athena was left horrified because she realized who the girl was, a girl she'd seen at school many times.

"Astoria!?" Athena gasped as she fell to her knees besides the girl.

"No. No. What did I do?" Athena gasped as she started to apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.

Astoria sucked in a sharp painful breath as she slowly bled out.

"I-I didn't want to... do it... but he forces...those...who won't... bow...down" Astoria spluttered.

Athena's heart broke and kept applying pressure. She was angry and sad at the same times. She understood that Astoria might've not had a choice at becoming a death eater. Astoria knew it was no use, she knows that she was dying. The Greengrass took Athena's hands and gave them a squeeze.

"You have...you have to help...them...all of them. Draco...you need to...he needs you... he..." Astoria couldn't finish her sentence as she took her last breath.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at Astorias body. Lex ran up towards them but stopped upon seeing Athena breathing heavily. He noted how she held Astorias bloodied hand in hers and figured she must've known her.

"She was just a kid..." Athena said still in shock.

"It wasn't your fault. It was his. The dark lord is at fault here" Lex tried to assure her.

Lex offered her his hand. Athena took one last look at Astoria before taking Lex's hand and they both apparated away...

Once back at headquarters, Athena didn't bother talking to anyone. She took refuge by the fountain in the East garden, a place she used hang out a lot as a child. Her eyes stared at nothing while she sat there. Killing would never get easy for her despite her having killed hundreds. Astoria wasn't an enemy to her, not by choice at-least. The girl was merely a pawn, a victim, a chess piece in Voldemorts game and her anger bubbles even more.

Remus sat down next to her. Lex had told him she was having a difficult time and he wanted to check in on her. Athena always wore her heart on her sleeve, she felt deeply, perhaps more than anyone- and Remus knew that could also be a dangerous thing.

"You didn't know, Thena. You had your orders and she had hers. At the end of day you weren't enemies, but two people trapped in this wretched war" Remus told her.

"I still should've at least-"

"Athena. It. Was not. Your. Fault. She could've been anyone. She could've been Fred, Leanne , anyone and you still wouldn't have been able to stop it"

She sniffed and looked to the graveled ground.

"War is a nasty nasty thing. And I reckon things are only going to get worse. But you need to hold it together. We are so close to ending this but we can't go loosing our heads. Alright?"

Athena smiled since he sounded so familiar to someone.

"You sound like Sirius" she smiled fondly.

Remus couldn't help but smile either. Then memory of his best friend will always remain with him.

"Yeah, well, that's what happen when you grow up with him. If he were here he'd probably be having a ball fighting off evil"

Athena laughed lightly. Remus was most definitely right. He smiled seeing her a little happier now. Remus always tried to make at-least one person smile everyday. It's what they needed, some kind of joy. Athena hadn't genuinely smiled in a very long time- so seeing her lips turned upward, was a very refreshing sight.

"So. Mission report? How is it all looking out there in the world" Remus asked referring to the mission Athena just came back from.

"We have less enemies today than we did yesterday" she replied, a smirk on her face...

Quiet sobs and sniffling echoed in the room. A group of people in black were gathered around in a foyer of a grand house. A air of sadness and mourning was around them.

"No, no,no!" A woman cried.

Draco watched as Mrs. Greengrass brushed Astorias hair back. Her own forehead rested on her daughters. Daphne was knelt besides her sister, clutching her pale hand tightly. Daphne's sobs also echoed in the room.

"No! My baby!" Mrs. Greengrass cried.

"There, there. She was faithful and loyal. Your daughter served me greatly. And she would be celebrated until the end of time" Voldemort said before leaving the house clearly not caring about the girls death.

Mr. Greengrass sneered hatefully at the spot that the dark lord was formerly stood on. The agony in his eyes were clear as day. He looked at Draco and stormed over to him.

"I want them found! Whoever killed my daughter, I want them found and brought to me! Justice will be served! You find them, Draco!" The patriarch shouted. 

Draco glanced at Astorias body and then at Mr. Greengrass. It saddened him that Astoria was killed but for the most part he didn't feel anything. His eyes then glanced at the engagement ring on Astorias finger. It was kind of bittersweet to Draco. He didn't want to marry her to begin with but he never wished for her to die either.

"Do you hear me Draco!? I want their head! Whomever murdered my Astoria! I want them to suffer! I swear I will kill them myself!" Greengrass shouted causing his wife to cry even louder.

Draco only looked at him blankly before turning on his heel to leave. He clutched the small silver blade in his gloved hand that was used to kill Astoria and he knew exactly who it belonged to. Athena.

Draco Malfoy cursed silently due to Athena's knack of gaining more and more enemies. But he made a decision long ago that he would protect Athena. For a long time he knew he would do anything for her. He'd fight for her and he'd kill for her if it meant she was safe....even if it meant he loses his life in the process....

A few thousand miles away from the forbidden forest, a cover of fog engulfed the area. It was so thick that it camouflaged a very old cottage that the naked eye would miss. A small crackling fire filled the cottage with warmth. There were a few people in the cottage, two in the kitchen making a stew, one fixing the small old radio on the couch, another brewing a few potions and another making explosives.

The one tinkering on the radio let out a annoyed groan when two wires put together didn't work. He got up and walked to the door that was opened and stared at the lonely figure sitting on the rock facing the woods. They'd been out there for the most part of the day, but the sun was setting which meant everyone needed to be inside.

"How long do you reckon until he speaks again? It's been weeks"

"I don't know, but he's going to have to sometime. We can't let him lose it like that again"

The two persons now at the door stared at the lonely figure wondering when and how will this war end. The person having made the stew walked past the two at the door. They watched the man curiously as he walked over to the person sat on the rock.

"Here. Eat this. You won't be any good if you starve yourself" the man said in a thick Russian accent.

The person sat on the rock took the bowl and started eating. The man looked up at the sky watching the moon that was slowly appearing in the darkening sky.

"It won't be too long now. A short time and everything will fall into motion" the man said.

"How can you be sure?"the person said blankly.

"When the moon is full, that will be our sign"

Ooooooo things are gonna start getting chaotic real soon! Next chapter is when the actual fun begins!

What did you think of this chapter? It was kinda short but I'm saving the real craziness for the other ones coming up.

Draco and Athena had their little meeting! And there will be many more! Will Athena confess her true feelings to Draco?

And will Draco ever change sides? Dun dun dun!!

Astoria is gone! I wanted to do a major character death this chapter but didn't have the heart for it. Sorry Astoria 😩.

There's going to be a few character returns in the upcoming chapters! Athena might or might not be too happy about it. Any guesses on who they might be?

I'd like to know your predictions for the next chapter! And please don't forget to give this one a vote!

🤍🤍🤍

I'm torn between writing a Draco Malfoy fic or an Adrian Pucey fic!  Please let me know which story would you guys be interested in reading!