The next few days were difficult for Cassandra as she wondered the halls feeling empty, as if she was hollow, numb, which she very well might have been. The only ones who really knew her saw the difference immediately. She was no longer the smart, confident girl that captured the hearts of many but a shell of herself, thinking the worst. She never knew just how difficult her life would become in just a few hours. She was sitting down for breakfast while listening to her dorm mates prattle on about the honors of serving the dark lord when the morning post fluttered down to the recipients. To Cassandra's surprise she received a letter from the manor. Looking at the bird with a quizzical expression she turned to look at Draco. Seeing the owl arrive he was also staring at her with a questioning glance. She removed the package from the owl and moved to open the letter and was shocked to read it.

Cassandra,

It has come to my attention that you have decided to refuse the mark. Might I remind you that it is a Malfoy tradition that all who hold the name must carry the mark of our lord. To do his bidding is an honor that is not to be decided lightly. I await you decision. Might I remind you to think wisely you wouldn't want to decide anything that would place your friends at risk now would you? By the way how is your friend Xander Valipour? His family is pureblooded aren't they but they refuse our lord and his way preferring to stay neutral. Very dangerous in this day and age you never know who to trust one might decide that they are, more light. I await your decision.

Lucius Malfoy

Her hands shaking she looked quickly to the Ravenclaw table. Seeing Xander state at her he mouthed "What is it." But she was already up and moving out of the hall at breaking speeds. Not wanting to answer any questions but on her way out the door she ran into a hard body. Losing her balance she braced herself for impact but it never came, arms wrapped around her midriff. As she looked up she realized who she ran into the last person she ever wanted to have contact with but also the one person she wanted to see the most.

"Whoa… are you ok." George asked not removing his hands from her waist. He stared at her with those blue eyes and her resolve almost broke. She needed to talk to someone, He could help her, but he hurt her. Could she trust him or would he just run and report her, getting her thrown into Azkaban.

"Fine" she replied stonily not wanting to reveal anything to the blue-eyed boy.

"No you are not, what's wrong?" He questioned again sensing something wrong. He was one of the few people who could read her emotions like a book.

"Like you care" she quipped refusing to stare at his face. She wanted to hate the boy but couldn't. It was too hard for her.

"I do care." He said softly. Cassandra stared at him and saw emotions flash through his eyes she would have begged to see a few days ago but now, everything was far more complicated.

Cassandra was about to reply when she looked over Georges shoulder to see Xander and Draco making their way towards them. Quickly removing herself from his grasp she saw a frown grace George's features at the loss of contact but she was not able to think too much about it, as two figures approached.

"Weasley what are you doing, you should be leaving don't you think?" Xander asked coldly, he still refuses to forgive the Gryffindor for the way he treated Cassandra.

"Yeah Weasel… scat we have to talk to my sister." Draco continued very nearly imitating Xander. He always copied those around him in Cassandra's opinion but his friends were too stupid to realize this, so he got away with it.

"Guys its ok I almost fell and Weasley grabbed me." Cassandra explained to the two protective boys in front of her while she knew George was hurt by her use of his last name she really didn't care at this moment, they were not together and she was about to ruin her life; the feelings of others were a last priority in her mind.

"God you must now disinfect yourself for coming in contact with such filth." Draco's smart-alek remark came, Cassandra whom was usually tolerant of her little 'brother' felt like smacking the brat at the moment. He will never learn. He will be the next Lucius that must not happen.

Xander interrupted her musing before she could act on them, "as much as I like to squabble Cass we need to talk, Draco go back to your meal." He ordered the boy.

"I do not take orders from Ravenclaws."

"Then take one from your sister, go back I will fill you in later ok." Cassandra was getting fed up with her little brother's attitude and wanted to just be alone with Xander. They needed to talk about the recent tune of events

"Fine, but I want to read the letter father sent you." Draco told the girl. Staring intently at his sister as if he knew what was said.

"How do you know it was father?" Cassandra questioned startled at her brothers correct guess. Did he have something to do with this?

"The seal is from the wax in his office. Mother never goes in there." Cass nods her head and Draco throws one last sneer in the direction of George before stalking off towards the Slytherin table. The trio was silent for a moment before George spoke.

"Cass…"

"You to George." Xander said staring straight at Cassandra ignoring the boy. He saw the letter, he knew what was happening and had a feeling his knew what was going on but needed to have confirmation form the girl.

"Now see here something is wrong and I want to help." Cassandra winced at his wording remembering the night she found him with the whore. Xander told him to ask for help but now she very well doubts that he wants her to ask for help from the boy.

"Sorry Weasley but you lost the right to my private life a while ago." She said staring at the red head coldly. "Let's go." Cassandra stalked off making her way towards the grounds. George watched the pair leave silently unaware of the danger they were in.

Leaving the Hall Cassandra is vaguely aware of the sunshine or the sound of students laughing all she could hear was the blood pounding in her ears, the heartbeat of her heart beat faster and faster until she felt as if she was going to die. Everything was to mush for her to take. She felt as if she was going to explode any minute. Stopping by a deserted spot by the lake Cassandra stared out towards the vast space filled with water. Drawn in by the peacefulness that was apparently never meant for her. She would be strong, nothing will harm her or her friends.

"Cassandra what is wrong?" Xander touched her shoulder slightly but that was enough for her resolve to crumble. Turning she hugged her friends and cried. Cried for her lost life, cried for her lost love, cried for the lives she will be forced to take. He held her for what seemed like forever as she unloaded her woes. Once she stopped he pushed the hair from her face and repeated the question.

Fishing in her pockets she produced Lucius's letter. Ashamed at the predicament their friendship placed him in, she broke from his grasp and walked a few feet away. After a few minutes she turned to look at her friend. Xander was gripping the letter between his now white fingers staring at the writing as if he would like nothing better then to kill the words written upon the aging parchment.

"Xander I am so sorry you have no idea I will do what he wants I can't see your family suffer I …" Cassandra rattled on not caring in anyone heard. She needed him to understand that this was not her idea. She would rather die then see his family get hurt. They were like a second family to her, after they got over the Malfoy name and saw that she was different.

"Stop." Was his short response, he looked up at her with his dark eyes. Ashamed at herself, she back away even further bracing herself for his harsh words, but they never came. "This is not your fault. It is that monster you live with." He moved forward towards her, taking her hands in his. If anyone passed by it would appear as if they were having a romantic moment and not a crisis. There was a very good chance they were going to die before the war ended and this just solidified their fates. It was to much for two sixteen year olds to take.

"But if you never met me we wouldn't be here." She tried to reason, she felt ashamed. She was the reason for this. She brought death to his family.

"Precisely, you have made the past few years worth it. Hell you have no idea how happy I am to have met you." Xander replied still holding her hands.

"But…"

"We will find a way around this." He attempted to reassure her. He needed to reassure her for he himself was beginning to think that they were doomed. They needed to keep hope alive for with out hope they were doomed to die.

"No… I am going to do what he wants." Cassandra admitted with a heavy heart. She didn't want to become a deatheater but it was the only way to save her real family. She needed to make sure they were safe.

"Cassandra that is insane. You can't become one of those things. If you survive this war you will be placed in Azkaban!" Xander exploded releasing his hold on the girl pacing back and forth attempting to understand her logic. It was flawed; becoming a deatheater was not the answer according to Xander.

"Then so be it. It saves those I care about. The guaranteed safety of all of you is the best thing for this war. If we lose then Voldemort wins we are all safe. If we win then we still live. This is the only fool proof way to ensure our lives."

"This is ridiculous we need to go to Dumbledore." Xander ignores her previous statement. He needed to get help.

"We already tried that once remember. It didn't work he just ignored us." Cassandra said softly but forcefully to the boy he didn't understand. They were nothing in this war, just pawns.

"We'll do it again. I will not let you do this." Whirling around to state at his friends his eyes blazing with an unknown emotion, he was terrified. No only is he risking losing his family, his life and his friends but also his sanity. This war was doing thing to people that would once be thought impossible.

"Too late I already agreed." Cassandra bluffed. Awaiting his enraged reaction and she didn't have to wait long. Cassandra never lied to her friend but had to this was a decision she didn't have a choice to make. It was either live and take the mark or refuse the mark and everyone dies.

Xander let out a frustrated scream as he faced the girl."You see those students!" he yelled pointing to the distance where a read headed boy, Black haired boy and a frizzy Brunette were walking; the golden trio. "Those are the people you have to kill. Are you prepared to kill innocent people? People you thought of a friends!"

"Of Course not" Was the incredulous reply. "How could you think I would be prepared to kill?"

"Well you better be cause if you don't you will be killed!" Xander exploded his voice rising with every word. People were beginning to look their direction as they were not able to hear the words but knew something was happening, some pointed while others just stared but no one dared move closer.

"So be it." Was the resolute and stoic reply, she was going to face her fate and not run.

"Damn it Casandra, you are not thinking straight." He pleaded with her. She needed to realize the ramifications of her decisions.

"No I am for the first time in a long time. I will do it I just hope you will still be there for me." She said moving closer to her friend, "I can't do this alone; I need someone to ground me to reality. Can I count in you." She looked into the face of the boy she regarded as not only a friend but a brother, he was the only thing stable in her life and she needed that right now.

Staring at her for a second his shoulders slumped as he moved forward his arms enveloping her, "Of course I will. You are the best girly friend a guy could ever ask for. I just wish you would go to somebody." He rested his head on top if hers holding her with dear life, as if she would disappear the moment she was released.

Moving her head slightly she responded, "I know but there is no one. Anyway I am the perfect Deatheater, I heard Narcissa say to me once. "Just like her sister Bella." Cassandra said with a face of disgust, although it was hidden by the black fabric of the mandatory school robes.

Suddenly Xander pulled from her and held her at arms length staring down at her five-foot five frame. "You are nothing like her. For once you are prettier, saner, smarter, and have a soul." He told her with a smile trying to make light of the situation.

Returning the smile with a strained one of her own, "You know just what to say to make a girl feel better."

"Always do." He said cockily sounding surer then he really was. Silence engulfed the pair for a few minutes, each thinking of what to say next. Finally Cassandra breaking the silence, "We will be fine right?" she turned back to look at her friend.

"Yeah we will get through this don't worry. Anyway who will be the best maid when I eventually get married?" he smiked as she pushed away from him giving his a confused look.

"Married??Best maid?? What are talking about? Is there something you have not told me?" She gave him a mock stern look, temporarily forgetting her woes.

"Well I don't really have any guy friends so yes best maid." He said cheekily, "and don't worry it won't be for a long time, if ever."

"I can handle that." She said as she moved away, stretching her muscles. Staring at the grounds she realizes that there is a substantial decrease in students.

Coming up behind her Xander whined, "Good I am hungry, that damn letter ruined Breakfast we might be able to get a little bit before classes start." He walked past her moving towards the Castle. Cassandra failed to follow and after a few steps the lack of sound he turned back and stated at the girl, "Cass you coming?"

Staring at the grounds then turning towards her friend she smiled, "I am not too hungry you go ahead I want to think for a bit." Xander smiled at her understandingly and nodded his head. "Just don't think about it. Just forget for today" He told her.

"Alright, now get your food and let me be." She smiled and laughed as Xander ran towards the Castle, mind clearly set on the bacon.

Staring at the lake Cassandra thinks back on a life she once had and wanted again. She wanted the love of a mother, a father, aunts and uncles and finally she wanted to decided for her own. Resolving to protect those she still has she turned towards the castle and walked back. No longer a girl but now a woman.

Lucius,

I'll do it just leave them alone. That will be the deal.

Cassandra

Cassandra,

I am pleased at your wise decision but might I remind you that I do not take orders from a child and neither does our lord. I will keep your suggestion in mind but that is all I can promise. You will receive your mark once you return home. If you tell anyone our deal is off.

Lucius

A/N: I have decided to make this story longer. so please review. i like getting comments.