March 28.

1 year since I had engulfed myself in this murderous war. 

It was a twisted yet satisfying feeling to know this birthday wouldn't be spent weeping. 

From 5 culprits it had leveled to 2. 

The masterminds.

FLASHBACK. 

I viewed from afar witnessing the moment of my mother's death.

"Tell us where it is and we'll leave you and your daughter alone!" The blonde enraged man threatened.

My mother said nothing. 

One by one each of them picked a separate dagger for themselves and spun my mother around stabbing her and the women with filthy curly hair laughing the loudest and others syncing their laughs with hers.

Finally, the blonde man twisted his dagger into my mother's stomach where a child had been growing, ending the life of my mother and her unborn child. 

They showed no pity, no mercy, no remorse, no anything but laughs and a strangled disappointment. 

I hid and hid and hid from the monsters searching for me, only to be found by the lady who had placed me in the orphanage. 

 "Darling, I'm talking to you!" 

Draco snapped me out of the horrific flashback. 

"What were you saying again...?" 

"We should host a party to celebrate your birthday.."

"There is no need."

"Oh come on, just friends and family!" Draco began insisting. 

With an annoyed state of mind, I reluctantly agreed. We were standing in my office, the window wide open when we both heard a loud cry of a toddler. Both of us investigated the scene in shock and curiosity.

"Do you personally think you'll be a good mother?" Inquired Draco.

My heart sank. Draco's comment was quite unexpected.

"Do you think you'll be a good father?"

Draco's expression was still. No emotion. 

"No."

I wanted him to elaborate. My eyes searched his sharp features looking for a detailed answer. 

"I think I would have to blame my father for this one. Don't get me wrong Emerlyn, I love him I really do. I see that he's made mistakes and has tried to mend them. However, during my youth years..." Draco cut himself off.

He had never dived this deeply into his parents.

"During your youth years?"

His face crumbled with sorrow. His eyes watering. His eyelashes low.

"He was never present. I mean he was there physically and emotionally...I don't think he knew even the slightest things about me...and whenever I tried to confront him he shoved gifts and presents down my throat...." Another halt. 

"But never an apology...it was almost as though he forgot he had a son... I don't know why it felt like that...but it just...felt....as though he was always occupied with something else more valuable than his only child.."

It was today I realized how different my and Draco's worlds really were.

I had the curse of no parents.

Draco had the curse of a parent. 

I moved a few steps closer as an initiation of comfort. "As a child, I adored those gifts and loved the feeling of being spoiled by my father but as I grew into an adolescent, I think I wanted a word of comfort than a pathetic gift.."

He let out a sniff and I rushed to him melting into him. It was a hug of assurance and acceptance that Draco nor I would be capable of being parents let alone raising a child.

"I don't think it's suitable for us to be parents.."

I never had a mother figure. How could I be one?

"We'll grow old together and live alone together..."

That would mean the end of the Malfoy bloodline. The end of the passing of the necklace.

We shared a hug longer than it should've been. It was serene. 

A loud knock disturbed our silent hug alarmed by the sudden noise Draco and I let go.

Only to be greeted by Pansy Parkinson. Draco walked out the door leaving me in this awkward position. 

"Happy birthday, my dear co-worker." She smiled but it wasn't kind. 

"Suprised, you remembered."

"How could I not?"

She stepped in handing me a small gift. "Don't think I've given up yet, Draco will be mine."

This fire of jealousy still hadn't burnt out. Coward.

"You can leave."

"Don't underestimate me, Medea." 

Was it a warning or a threat?

                                                                         - - - - - - - - 

I had managed to kick Pansy out somehow. 

Flipping through the same pages that Tom had given me, I sensed my earrings vibrate.

I forgot these earrings existed.

"Great to hear from you, Emerlyn."

"It's a mutual feeling, Tom." 

Another flip. 

PASSAGE: 

The necklace soon changed purposes as the population grew the count of necklaces declined. From once being a commonly shared necklace it turned into an impossible mission to locate this jewel. 

Its name changing into. N.T.K

The Necklace that kills.

Families murdered one another. People of their own tribe murdered one another. Betrayal and greed became common in the name of this necklace.

All for money and power.

                                                                         THE END.

That was it?

"Emerlyn, listen carefully." Tom directed and I diverted my attention to his. 

"Listening..."

"On April 24, Bellatrix will be going to Leith Hill on a solo trip...that's your best chance to spill some information out of her and perhaps even murder her.."

"How did you even figure out Bellatrix is going to Leith Hill on April 24?" 

The world paused.

I heard a vase crash to the floor right outside my office. "Hold on Tom.."

I stepped outside to inquire about the noise-the person.

Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco. Please don't be Draco.

No one. 

"Everything alright?"

"I'll talk to you later..."

                                                                    - - - - - - - - - - 

"It's a pleasure to see you, my dear.." Narcissa greeted. Her lips curled. 

"Oh, happy birthday." Bellatrix walked in following Narcissa's lead.

Then, Lucius.  His name tasted like iron and filth.

The urge to strike them both with the killing curse at once was tempting. 

I preferred stabbing though.

                                                             - - - - - 

"I didn't know we'd see a day where both the two killers would come  to celebrate your birthday.." A thrilled Serena commented as I showed her around the house. 

"Neither did I."

"Is...Mattheo here?"

I blinked. "Invited him..but Draco told me he's out of town.."

I passed by a mirror reflecting on the glamorous velvet red gown, a half updo, and a matching red mask covering my eyebrows. I think this was the most dressed up I had been for my own birthday. 

"What a pity..." I studied Serena, dressed in a baby pink off-shoulder gown with a matching pink mask decorating her face and a low bun.

                                                                         - - - - - - 

The end of the party had arrived. The majority of the guests had left, it was really just Draco's family left. I slid the mask to my head and pulled the tight mask off me. 

The urge to fall asleep was noticeable in my red eyes-barely open. 

"I like your daughter-in-law" chirped Bellatrix from a distance chatting with Narcissa.

I was too drowsy to hear any sort of conversation. Time felt slow. 

"Emerlyn," Lucius said, with no emotion.

In front of me stood Lucius.

All that weariness and tiredness cracked as I became alert and observant. "Uhm..yes?"

"Do you mind if I steal a minute?"

I sat up straight. 

"No, of course, not-how about you take a seat!"

The urge to murder was ticking so loudly in my mind, it felt as though it would explode any moment.

He took a seat. "I know we haven't had many discussions but you are my daughter-in-law." He spoke blue gaze against hazel.

"And as for you, I announce you as Dobby's master- an  exceptionally old and obedient house elf of mine." Lucius declared motioning his head sideways to reveal that Dobby had been behind him the whole time. 

Dobby flashed an awkward smile along with a wave. 

Oh, Lucius. You're going to regret this.

A/N: Someone's dying next chapter.