"Unbreakable Vow."

The landscapes they rode past in the Hogwarts Express were white and frozen, and the air was cold enough to fog up the windows of the train on the way from the castle back to Platform 9 3/4 for the holidays. The weather aligned just perfectly with the chill that ran down Analeigh's spine at the two words Harry uttered as he recounted the events after Draco Malfoy gate crashed Slughorn's Christmas Party and was escorted out by none other than Professor Snape.

"You sure that's what Snape said?" Ron said hesitantly.

"Positive. Why?"

"Are you completely sure? Like, Snape definitely offered to help him?" Analeigh clarified.

"Yes, Leigh," Harry huffed, extending his legs on the empty seat and leaning against the wall. "It's exactly as I said: Snape said he swore to Malfoy's mother to protect him, then Malfoy said he didn't need it because he was chosen for the task. Malfoy sounded really agitated, too — or maybe he was annoyed that Snape didn't think he was capable of whatever's going on."

Analeigh and Ron, who sat next to one another, exchanged uneasy looks at that and let a tense silence fall over them. The only sound that broke it came from Analeigh's cat, Velvet, who purred contentedly as she curled up beside her owner's legs to sleep.

This didn't go unnoticed by Harry. Impatiently, he said, "What? Why are you two looking at each other like that?"

"It's just, you can't break an Unbreakable Vow," said Ron.

"I worked that much out for myself, funnily enough."

"You don't understand. Breaking a vow like that is..." Analeigh trailed off when a movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention. She glanced to the side and had to suppress a groan when she spotted the lovestruck Gryffindor girl standing right outside their compartment. With a sigh, she elbowed Ron sharply to the ribs.

"Hey, what —" he began, halting when Analeigh tilted her head towards the door. "Oh, bloody hell."

Lavender Brown visibly brightened up when she finally met Ron's eyes, even bouncing on the balls of feet excitedly. She calmed down after a moment, inhaled deeply, and let out a long breath that fogged up the glass window. She started drawing a large heart, following it up by writing R + L in the center. Analeigh, Harry, and Ron waited awkwardly as Lavender finished off her drawing by adding an arrow through the heart along with small lines on the sides to emphasize the heart. Whereas Analeigh kept flitting her eyes back and forth from Lavender and to the view of the countryside, Harry couldn't even watch at all. He resorted to fiddling with the pages of his Advanced Potion Making book previously owned by the still-mysterious Half-Blood Prince, as well as playing with his seat's arm rest like a bored child.

At long last, Lavender was done. She let out another hot breath to let her artwork stand out, and all Ron could do was force out a smile.

"I miss you," said Lavender wistfully, her voice slightly muffled from behind the door. She sent one last longing look at Ron before taking her leave, presumably to find Parvati Patil and her other close friends.

"Lovely," Harry said sarcastically once she was gone.

"You really won the lottery, Ron. Look at her, she's an artist," Analeigh teased. "I bet a Galleon that she'll want a couple's tattoo of that by the end of the year."

"Make it five Galleons for before Valentine's Day," Harry said with a grin. He sat up and shook hands with Analeigh, their behavior successfully ticking off Ron.

"Come on, guys," grumbled Ron, ears turning red in embarrassment as his friends laughed obnoxiously. "Besides, all she wants to do is snog me! My lips are getting chapped, look."

He leaned forward and got dangerously close to Harry, just inches away from his face. This caused the green-eyed boy to move away so far that he ended up backing into the headrest of the seat.

"Then I'll take your word for it," Harry said quickly. Ron then plopped back to his seat, much to Harry's relief.

Just then, another person had passed by and stopped right in front of the compartment's door. Thinking that it was Lavender again, all three of them looked up with mild irritation plastered on their faces. They froze when they realized that it was not the same girl — it was Hermione Granger. She paused as well, staring at her friends with an unreadable look in her eyes. It was almost as if she was contemplating on entering, but after a few seconds, her face hardened and she walked away without another word.

"Can't you guys make up already?" Analeigh sighed, hitting Ron's arm repeatedly.

"Get off," Ron shook her off. "It's not my fault she doesn't like Lavender. Why can't she just deal with it?"

Harry and Analeigh sent each other tired looks, having heard the same thing from Ron for weeks now; the same went for Hermione. The two of them were much too stubborn to apologize to one another and clear the air once and for all.

Clearing his throat, Harry went back to the topic at hand. "So, what happens to you? What happens if you break an Unbreakable Vow?"

"You die," Ron said simply, leaving Harry stunned. "Fred and George tried to get me to make one when I was about five. I nearly did too, I was holding hands with Fred and everything when Dad found us. He went mental... only time I've ever seen Dad as angry as Mum. Fred reckons his left buttock has never been the same since."

"Right..." said Analeigh slowly. "Passing over Fred's bum, Unbreakable Vows are obviously serious business, Harry. What would Snape need to protect Malfoy from, anyway?"

"It's obvious, isn't it? Voldemort chose Malfoy for a mission. That's why Snape is helping him. They're both Death Eaters."

"Harry —" Ron tried.

"Come on, you two!" Harry said in frustration, abruptly getting to his feet and taking them aback. "The signs are literally all there, and how else can you interpret everything I overheard? Why won't you believe me?"

"Because Malfoy's a kid," said Analeigh. "Sure, we're almost of age, but he's got the mind of a spoiled little boy."

"You know he's not a kid anymore. None of us are."

"Fine. My point still stands — would he really go that far? Do you really think he's capable of actual dark magic? For Merlin's sake, Hermione punched him before and he was literally a ferret once. He doesn't seem as dark and dangerous like he pretends to be."

"Actually, I do think he's capable of doing horrible things," Harry said firmly. "He's vile, believes he's above others, and despises muggle-borns. He's the spitting image of what a Death Eater is."

"What if he was just forced to be one?"

"What?" Harry narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Er... well, what if it wasn't his choice? Why would his mother go to lengths to make sure he got help? And you said so yourself that he seemed agitated the other night — maybe he was scared."

"Why does it sound like you're making excuses for him?"

"What? I'm not!" Analeigh exclaimed. But in hindsight, it sort of did sound that way. She was careless for letting this part of her personal life, one that she was trying to hide from her closest friends, get to her and cloud her judgment. It was all because she knew what her father went through — from being threatened to become a Death Eater at a young age, being forced to do terrible things, and eventually choosing to work with Dumbledore when he knew he couldn't go on living like that, not to mention the risks he took to ensure her and Cedric's safety during the Triwizard Tournament. Altair Heart was not a perfect man, but he did what he could to atone for his mistakes. His story was a rare one, and she was certain that if there were any others like him, their stories were left untold, too. And yet, here she was, defending a possible Death Eater because she was unconsciously trying to protect her own father.

"She is, isn't she?" Harry sought Ron for support.

"Er... well..." Ron spluttered, not wanting yet another fight to break out within their group.

"I swear, I'm not," Analeigh insisted. "Look, think about what the Order always tells us: Dumbledore trusts Snape. Doesn't that mean we should trust what Snape's doing, too?"

"You're starting to sound like Hermione," Ron commented.

"That should be enough for you to believe me since Hermione's almost always right."

Harry finally sat back down, though he still looked unconvinced.

"I still think something bad is going on," he muttered.

"Then bring it up with the Order," Analeigh said.

"Wait, seriously?" said Ron.

"Yeah. Worst-case scenario is that they'll brush you off. But if they see enough reason to look into it, then they will, won't they?"

Harry stared out the window, looking deep in thought. Mostly to himself, he said, "Maybe I will ask them."

"Great. Look what you've done, Leigh," Ron hissed.

"What did I do?"

"Now he won't be able to stop bringing it up the entire Christmas break! A bunch of Order members are gonna pass by my house, in case you forgot."

"Whoops," Analeigh shrugged, standing up. "Not my problem."

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Back to Hermione. I was in a compartment with her earlier, remember?"

"Why'd you even come here, then?" asked Ron.

"First of all, I wanted to hear what Harry eavesdropped on during the party," Analeigh said. "Second, I knew you two would buy sweets from the trolley and I wanted some for myself."

At that, Analeigh pocketed an unopened Chocolate Frog from the small pile of sweets at the edge of the seat. Not giving Ron a chance to protest at her stealing his food — which Harry had paid for, anyway — she picked up Velvet with her free hand, slid open the door, and slipped out of the compartment to make her way to where Hermione was waiting for her.

★ ★ ★

Analeigh could never get used to the twisting, compressing feeling of Apparating. Now, as she just finished one trip through Apparition, she still needed to blink a few times to clear up her vision. It was only then that the image of the Diggory Residence came into view.

After the more or less uneventful ride from Hogwarts to London, Analeigh was only back home for a day with her parents to unpack and catch up with them before she was set to leave again, albeit not for long. The very next evening, Cedric dropped by to pick her up for their Christmas dinner with his family, which was why she was now standing in front of their home in the middle of Ottery St. Catchpole, not too far from the Burrow where Harry and the Weasleys were undoubtedly celebrating at that very moment.

"I can't believe you're already seventeen and still can't Apparate," Cedric teased her.

"Hey, they'll only start offering Apparition classes this spring. I'll get there eventually," she defended. As if the universe wanted to poke more fun at her, she swayed unsteadily when she took a step forward, the nauseating effects of the Side-Apparition still lingering.

"Sure, you will," Cedric laughed at the irony, lightly tugging her back before she could fall forward. "Maybe you should get used to Side-Apparition first. Or maybe don't, since I'm sure you'd much rather prefer holding my hand like this all the time when we travel."

"It's only been five minutes since we reunited and you're already flirting nonstop," Analeigh poked his rosy cheek. "Classic Cedric."

"I can't help it. It's what you do to me."

The couple walked hand-in-hand up to the front door, the physical contact being their only current source of warmth as they stood against the harsh winds of winter. Cedric waved his wand a few times and muttered some incantations by the entrance. Once the protective enchantments were temporarily taken down, he unlocked the door and swung it open.

The inside of the Diggory's home was warm and inviting. A fire was roaring in the fireplace situated in the living room, and there were even several tiny, floating scented candles lit that emanated a wonderful peppermint and cocoa fragrance that was fitting for the season. A Christmas tree was set up at the corner of the room, and there were a few garlands and other ornaments hung around. Some of the decorations were immobile, as all Muggle ones were, but many of them were charmed and moved about.

"I think they're here!" an excited voice said from the kitchen. A second later, Mr. and Mrs. Diggory came running out to meet them.

"Happy Christmas, Analeigh!" Cedric's mother was the first to greet her, bringing her into a small hug.

"Happy Christmas, Mrs. Diggory," Analeigh beamed. "The Christmas decorations you put up are lovely. You've really outdone yourself."

"Oh, thank you, honey. You should see the gingerbread house I made."

After a bunch of greetings and small talk were exchanged, the four of them gathered at the dining table for dinner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Diggory worked hard to whip up a wide selection of food: beef wellington, roast potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding all the way down to treacle tarts and fruitcake. They always liked to put a lot of effort into Christmas, especially since they would do anything to make their only son feel special and loved any chance they got, but they did even more this time around. Although Analeigh and the Diggorys had already shared several meals together, this was the first time she had come over for Christmas.

"So, Analeigh," Amos Diggory began once they had settled down. "Cedric tells me Hogwarts has changed a lot since he graduated. What's been going on?"

"Oh, quite a lot, Mr. Diggory. For starters, Professor Snape isn't the Potions Master anymore," answered Analeigh.

"Well, why not? Was he sacked?"

"Oh, not at all. He's... well, he's our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor now."

"Galloping gargoyles! Cedric, my boy, didn't you say he's always wanted position?"

"That's right, dad," said Cedric, watching his father's reactions in entertainment as he munched on his food. "The older students always talked about it, so it eventually got passed down over the years and became an open secret within the school."

"Then who's the Potions Master now?" Amos went on.

"Professor Slughorn took over," Analeigh replied.

"Horace Slughorn?" Mrs. Diggory clarified to which Analeigh nodded at. "That's such a pleasant surprise! He was our professor back then, too."

"Yes, I can remember how he'd sometimes turn classes into a competition, asking us to brew certain potions for a prize. Those were fun," Amos said fondly.

"They were. I never won a Felix Felicis, but I did get a Graphorn horn once," Mrs. Diggory recounted.

"Ah, yes! I was so fascinated by it that I even followed you for days to get a closer look at it."

"If I remember correctly, it was more than a week."

"Are you sure you didn't do that just to get closer to mum?" Cedric grinned.

"You know me too well, son," Amos chortled. "To be honest, it was both. I was already interested in magical creatures and their properties back then — after all, I ended up joining the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, didn't I? But yes, your mother's beauty and charm drew me in even before that, so you could say I was hitting two Fwoopers with one spell."

"I suppose I should be thanking Slughorn or else your father wouldn't have had the courage to talk to me," Mrs. Diggory told Cedric, causing him to chuckle. "Anyway, I'm really surprised that he agreed to come back to Hogwarts. I thought for sure he'd stay retired. The man obviously loves teaching, but he's done it for so long already."

"Very true," Amos agreed. "I wonder what made him decide to come back?"

Analeigh sipped her pumpkin juice quietly, hoping they wouldn't pin the question on her. If they did, she'd have to pretend like she didn't know it was all Dumbledore's doing and must be of extreme importance since Harry was tasked to get closer to the man.

Fortunately, the conversation transitioned to other topics that allowed Analeigh to relax and focus on getting to know the Diggory family a little better. For one, Analeigh learned that Amos used to visit Hogwarts several times to help Professor Kettleburn and Hagrid with Care of Magical Creatures lessons and extra credit activities. He even shared a story of how he was once called to Hogwarts because a set of magical creatures had escaped, so he helped in recapturing them around the castle, although this happened even before both Cedric or Analeigh were in school. Mrs. Diggory also told stories of Cedric in his childhood — getting his first ever toy broom that sparked his interest in Quidditch, the first time he showed magical abilities as a toddler by causing it to rain only around his house when he didn't want to go to school that day, and how he'd accidentally turned Ollivander's hair from white to the colors of the rainbow when picking his first wand.

When the meals and dessert had been devoured and the festivities started to die down, it was time to put away the dishes and clean up. Analeigh offered to help, but Mrs. Diggory was too nice and immediately refused, instead giving her a cup of hot cocoa and ushering her and Cedric to the living room.

For a while, the two of them simply drank their hot cocoas to their heart's content. The occasional sounds of the fire crackling and the distant voices of Mr. and Mrs. Diggory still in the kitchen were background noise to the comfortable silence that had fallen. But when Cedric was first to finish his drink, Analeigh noticed something — he started fiddling with his mug, and his eyes were focused on the floor as if the patterned rug was the most interesting thing in the entire world. With a frown, Analeigh faced him.

"You look like you have something on your mind," she said. Only then did Cedric lift his eyes away from the floor.

"Sorry, I was... thinking," he said.

"Is something wrong?"

"No. Well, I don't know how to explain it. There's just something I wanted to say that I knew I couldn't tell you over letter."

Oh no, Analeigh thought. Is this going to be like those Muggle dramas where they reveal something horrible at the worst possible time? She once watched one with Hermione through their television (which Ron liked to call a 'tellyvision') where the male lead tells his girlfriend that he has a debilitating disease. There was also another one where the female lead finds out by chance that her boyfriend was unfaithful. And so, although Cedric said that nothing was wrong, the serious tone in his voice made Analeigh unsettled as she started to ponder on all the possible things that he might say next.

"What is it?"

"I joined the Order of the Phoenix."

It was far from the overly-dramatic scenarios she made up in her mind, so for a second, she relaxed. But when it sunk in that Cedric had just told her he was now part of the Order of the Phoenix — the very organization that was built to go against Voldemort and was full of witches and wizards who were willing to put their lives on the line — her heart dropped.

"Oh, that's... that's amazing."

Cedric wasn't sure what reaction he was expecting from Analeigh when he mentally prepared to tell her this news. He had pictured her happy, proud, angry, and even sad. But seeing her with her with her brows furrowed and mouth slightly agape, and with the way her tone and expression didn't match her words — it confused him. She seemed conflicted, and he hadn't been expecting this.

"You're not happy about this, are you?" said Cedric.

"No, I am! Well, not really. Wait, that came out wrong," Analeigh sighed, setting down her mug at the table and properly facing Cedric so that she could place her full attention on him.

"Do you not think it's a good idea, then?"

"It's not that... look, I'm proud of you. I really am," she said, gently grabbing his hands. "Joining the Order isn't something to take lightly, and they wouldn't accept just anyone given what we're fighting for."

"But there's something else, isn't there?"

"It's just that... well, I'm worried, Cedric," Analeigh admitted. It felt strange to confess how scared she felt about it, about something so life-threatening as joining a movement against dark wizards. It felt like it was only yesterday that she entered Hogwarts, young and eager to learn, and now there they all were, concerning themselves over matters much bigger than a Transfiguration test or Quidditch game. She was once again hit with the realization that their lives and everything going on in the wizarding world now was more serious than ever. "The Order is constantly going on missions that endangers their lives, and we both know all the risks they take every single day. I just... the last thing I want is for you to... to get hurt."

Cedric squeezed her hands and shifted closer to her. He said, "I will do everything I can to be careful while I'm in the Order. After all, I'm the one who got all paranoid about joining the DA before, right?" Analeigh let out a small laugh and nodded, urging for him to continue. "But I see now more than ever how important this cause is, and I know that I have the ability and will to contribute to it. And that's exactly why I wanted you to be the first to hear the news that I joined the Order — because you helped me see that this is worth fighting for."

"Then I'm honored that you came to me first," Analeigh said. "No matter how scary it might be that you've joined the Order, that makes it all the more admirable. And I know there's no better person than Cedric Diggory himself to be a valuable addition."

"Now, you're just saying that," Cedric said with a hint of amusement, waving her off.

"No need to be humble. You like the flattery, don't you?" Analeigh joked.

"When it's from my dad, no, it's embarrassing. But if it's from you..." Cedric cheekily draped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. "... I'll gladly take it."

Analeigh rolled her eyes playfully at his antics but gave in anyway, scooting closer to his side and leaning into him.

"Wait... so, you haven't told your parents?" Analeigh suddenly realized, casting a look over her shoulder in case one of them was lurking behind.

"No. I'll tell them soon, but for now, let's make it our little secret," Cedric whispered into her ear.

"When did you decide to join, anyway?"

"I think it's been on my mind ever since we graduated. I turned nineteen, I started working, and with You-Know-Who being back and stronger, especially after what you lot went through at the Ministry just a few months ago... let's just say I felt like there was more I could do than to sit around and wait. But it was only about a week ago that I really gave it some thought and talked to Dumbledore about it. I wanted to send you an owl, but it didn't feel right to tell you something so big over a piece of paper."

Analeigh hummed thoughtfully. "You're right. I'm glad you told me here and now, face to face. I might've had to send you a Howler to say my fill if it was through a letter."

Cedric chuckled and rubbed her arm soothingly. "Honestly, I wouldn't mind. It would be nice to hear your voice again, and it shows that you care."

"Of course, I do," said Analeigh. "So, you better promise to be safe at all times, okay?"

"Of course," Cedric mimicked her. "I wouldn't want my love to spend all her time just worrying about me."

Analeigh practically swooned at the way he addressed her. No matter how long they'd been together or how much Analeigh thought she knew Cedric, the boy always found away to surprise her and make her feel appreciated in the little things, even if it was through words alone. Unable to resist herself, she inched closer and pressed an affectionate kiss on his lips. Cedric returned it fervently, kissing her deeply and drawing her closer with his arm still around her. And when they parted, Analeigh smiled sweetly at him.

"I love you," she said.

"I like it when you say it first," Cedric said teasingly, receiving a scoff from Analeigh. "Just saying. And I love you, too."