TWISTED [D.M.]

03

Eleanor thought highly of herself, so it was hard to admit that the self-centered blonde little tosser that she grew closer with over the years was actually stronger than her.

With a shot of firewhiskey, she vowed to try and change that this year.

"Hurry up, Eleanor! Get your bum over here," Pansy yelled over the loud music, seeming to have gotten almost everyone together. "Have another drink."

"More like a shot." Goyle said slimily, handing her a shot glass filled with auburn-looking liquid.

She laughed, taking it. "If I didn't know any better, all you knobs plotted to get me so drunk so that I'd get trained in a lavatory here somewhere later."

Theo winked at her. "Can't reveal my master plan, sorry love."

Eleanor pouted, elbowing the lanky brunette. He grabbed her arm before she could retract it herself, wrapping it around his waist.

Clinking glasses with everyone, including Malfoy, Eleanor tipped her head back, allowing the warm liquid to shoot down her throat.

"Come on, let's dance!" Pansy exclaimed, gripping onto Crabbe and Goyle's arms, pulling them to where Blaise was situated. "Come on, you lot!"

"I'm good." Eleanor smiled, Draco agreeing.

Millicent smiled at her, before following Pansy. "Don't mind if I do. Theo?"

"Alright." he turned to Eleanor. "I'll be back. Don't have too much fun without me."

She laughed, shaking her head. "I could never."

Eleanor Morgenstern seemed to be a very well-liked person. For what reason? She avoided trouble and was fiercely loyal to those who are graced to be called her friends. Most especially, she knew how to have fun. Even though what happened during the summer had changed her for the most part - she was not ready to let go of that rebellious part of her.  If at one point, all she'll ever be remembered for is a Death Eater . . . it didn't matter now. Right now, she'll be remembered for the good, ridiculous times with her friends.

As she watched her friends fool around, she noticed Draco taking another shot. He cleared his throat, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. "Ah. I needed this."

"Same here." Eleanor smiled, her eyes closed.

"Want another one?" He stretched out his hand with another shot glass, a smirk evident on his stained lips.

Eleanor raised an eyebrow at him, debating his offer. Shrugging, she said: "Fuck it."

She reached for it, tipping her head back once again. Draco joined her in the process. Once done, she slammed the glass down on the table, his eyes following her every movement.

"Didn't think you had it in you to let loose anymore, Morgenstern."

Eleanor looked up at him through her long, dark lashes. "You don't know me like that, Malfoy."

He cocked a prominent brow at her, sliding over another glass to her on the table.

"So be it." She smirked, taking the glass into her hand.

-

"How are you? You know, since what happened." Draco quietly asked, as he stared into the fire place, the orange and red embers being reflected in his eyes.

The party had cleared out by 12AM. By then, Draco and Eleanor were the only ones left in the Common Room.

They stopped drinking an hour ago after deciding to join their friends on the dance floor. At this point, the alcohol was losing its effect on Eleanor. Also, Draco's solemn presence was helping her sober up.

"Okay," She bit down on her lip. "I mean, as anyone would be if you were forced to be a Death Eater by your own circumstances."

"If you look at it that way, I guess. But we are chosen, you know. We were given an important task."

Eleanor refrained from snapping. What did she expect? Draco was a pure-blood aristocrat who had been raised by parents who have been said to be His followers since the first Wizarding War.

"Yeah, I know." She nodded. "I just wish . . ."

"That we weren't such a big part of it?"

She was surprised that he understood exactly where she was at. "Yeah, I mean . . . if our plan backfires, His entire plan of action . . . is screwed."

"We'd be screwed." Draco nodded. "Yeah."

"Yeah."

"So . . . " Eleanor started. "Who do you reckon knows?"

Draco chuckled, beginning to twiddle with his fingers. The reflection of the fire making the front strands of his hair appear golden. "Zabini, Crabbe, and Goyle, those I'm certain."

"Ah. Makes sense." She looked upset.

"You alright?"

"Yeah . . . I just wish everyone in our circle knew. It would make things a lot easier."

"Like Nott and Parkinson?"

"Well . . . yeah. This whole thing is already hard. Sneaking past them would make it more frustrating."

"Especially Theo, I take it?"

A frown settled on her face as she turned to face him. "What do you mean by that?"

His face cold and empty, he answered with: "Nothing at all. You two are just close."

"Oh."

"So . . ." She continued. "When do you plan on beginning work on the Vanishing Cabinet?"

"I don't know," He admitted with a sigh. "We'll figure something out."

"I hope so. I'm scared to find out what'll happen if we don't."

Truth be told, Eleanor knew exactly what would happen if they were to fail . . . and that was why she was terrified. They couldn't afford to screw up.