"Mum, Draco and I are going shopping!"

"Okay, sweetie! Don't be too long!" My mother called back from upstairs.

I sighed. If only she knew where we were actually going.

Draco apparated us to the Malfoy Manor, and I felt nerves kicking in. I'd never met the Malfoys.

"Hello, Draco!" His mother instantly greeted him as we got in. Her expression drifted to a kind smile as she noticed me, "You must be Evelyn."

I took her hug as she offered it, telling her, "It's lovely to meet you."

"And you! To think that Draco has kept you from us for so long!"

"My... My dad's not here, as you know," Draco said quietly.

Narcissa, as Draco had informed me, wasn't too worried about her husband's arrest. The Death Eaters were currently strong.

If only I could tell my mother. But she was so delicate about me feeling mercy for my grandfather that I don't believe for a second that she would trust that I was doing this for my own life.

"Hello, Draco, Evelyn. I have a special treat for you today," Voldemort hissed. His snake-like properties got under my skin, and I felt myself shiver.

Draco's hand took mine under the table, and I tried to pull away. It was too dangerous.

Still, he wouldn't let go.

"The Cruciatus Curse," the Dark Lord smiled as he walked, barefoot like always, into another room and ushered for us to follow him, "I gather you know of it?"

Draco and I nodded nervously.

"Only one of you may perform today," Voldemort smiled, showing grimy teeth.

"I-I will," Draco said quietly. "To make up for my failure."

Voldemort still hadn't forgiven Draco and his family for his lack of involvement in the murder of Albus Dumbledore, so it was a good cover up for me not doing any spells. If I had to, which I didn't as of yet, Draco promised he would do nonverbal magic so that I looked like I could.

He'd practiced it endlessly that year, perfecting it to a T so that he wouldn't let me down. And for that, I was grateful.

"Very good," Voldemort said as he told Draco to stop torturing the muggleborn he'd found. I was unaware of what they'd done.

Or if they'd even done anything. A mudblood was dirt to them whether they'd caused a problem or not.

"You may leave now," Voldemort informed us, "I wanted to see the both of you."

Draco and I rushed out, apparating immediately after saying goodbye to his mother. Draco began to pant and sweat as we got into Diagon Alley - we had to look like we'd been shopping.

I pushed Draco into a side alley and waited for him to calm down, which he did in no time. No matter how heartless anyone thought he was, he didn't like performing any of the Unforgivable Curses on anyone.

After all, unless you're a true Death Eater, who would?

We didn't really buy much. Draco got a coat for himself so he wouldn't have to borrow my father's again, and I bought a pair of black, fingerless lace gloves which puckered out in pleats around the fingers and wrist.

My mother was completely unaware of what happened when we got back. She smiled as she saw my gloves and the coat that hung over Draco's arm, gesturing for us to go upstairs and spend some time together.

As soon as he enchanted my room to be soundproof, just to be sure, I hugged Draco, pulling him into my arms like I always had since we joined Voldemort.

"It's okay," I whispered, stroking his hair. "At least you and I know you aren't doing it because you want to."

"That's the worst part, Eve," he said, trying to wipe his eye subtly. He failed and I passed him a tissue from my bedside table, "I'm doing something I don't want to. When will this end?"

"When the other side ends him," I told Draco, "And I really don't know when that'll be, Draco."