"The Vanishing Cabinet," he said, pulling down the cover that had been strewn over the triangular box, "it's meaning is right there in the name."

"It makes things disappear," I took a few step back, batting my hand at the dust particles making their way into my esophagus.

"But," he said, pulling open the door with his slender fingers, "when things disappear, where do they go?"

"Heaven?"

"No, you dimwit," he said with a scowl, "I mean where do they go on earth? Things don't just disappear."

I stared into the depths of the box. "Things come back dead. . ." I said, softly. "Your mother has the other one, am I right? Are you sending things back and forth?"

"It works as a portal, Steele," he said, pulling out his wand. Swishing it over his palm, an apple shot out from nowhere, landing in his hand. He placed it in the Vanishing Cabinet, shutting the door. A few moments later, he opened it up.

Empty.

"It's gone," I stated the obvious. "Does your mother have it-oh."

Borgin and Burkes. The second cabinet.

Draco shut the door again, muttering something under his breath. When he opened it again, the apple sat there, whole.

"I was expecting it to be rotten or something," I said, reaching forward to pick it up. My finger brushed something wet. I turned the green apple around, only to see that there was a huge whole in the side where a bite had been take out. I let the apple drop to the floor, wiping my hand on my robes. The apple rolled, stopping against Malfoy's polished shoes.

"Borgin and Burkes to here," Draco said, reaching down to pick it up. "It forms a straight tunnel. It's the only way to get in and out of-"

"In and out of Hogwarts," I completed in a low whisper.

Draco Malfoy was opening up an entrance for Voldemort.

"I have to," Draco said almost weakly, shutting the doors. "I have no choice."

"But you do have a choice," I said, almost losing my calm attitude towards him. "Anyone can see that you do. You're safe at Hogwarts. No one can apparate in or out and you know that-"

"You don't understand, Elvira." He slammed his fist against the door, making me jump a bit. "What happens when I have to go home? What will I do if he finds a way in using someone else like those dimwits Crabbe and Goyle? What do I do then? He will kill me. To be honest, I don't care if I'm the one he kills. My mother . . ." He pressed his fist between his ribs, taking in a deep breath, eyes closed. He opened them. "You said you wanted to help me."

"I will help you."

"Then don't say this to anyone. Even Dumbledore can't protect us now. He's strong, but Voldemort is getting stronger."

"No one is stronger than Dumbledore," I scowled. "You have a choice, and I hope you make the right decision. I expect better of you, Draco."

"Dumbledore won't be around long enough to protect us," Draco said under his breath, and I frowned.

"And how are you supposed to know that? You can't just sneak up on Dumbledore. The person that tried to poison the mead and curse the necklace to kill Dumbledore clearly didn't think what he was doing through

Malfoy rubbed his tired eyes. "I just want a break. I want sleep." He was shaking.

"So don't do this. I'd rather you slept."

"Steele . . ."

"Malfoy."

"I'd rather I slept as well," he said, defeated.

"Does anyone know about the Cabinet?" Malfoy shook his head.

"No one in the school."

"Fine. But I'll be watching you. I won't say a word, as long as you promise me you will think about this before you do it." Was in wrong to believe in him? Maybe that's what he needed. Someone he could trust, and then this would all be over.

As if trying to remind me that it still existed, the blond boy pulled up his sleeve, baring the Dark Mark once more. He looked me dead in the eye.

"As long as it's with me," he said slowly, the snake almost alive on his arm, "you'll be putting your trust in the wrong person."

I reached forward, taking his wrist and pulling down the white sleeve. I patted his arm.

"You need rest." Maybe if he had some sleep, his head would clear up.

It's wrong, my head told me. You can't keep this to yourself the school will be destroyed if he let's him in. Tell Dumbledore.

No. Not yet.

* * *

"We saw you disappear off of the map with Malfoy," Harry said later that day. I'd been studying on a bench in the courtyard, enjoying the warm sun on my face, when the three of them appeared out of nowhere.

I squinted up at his face. "Do the three of you travel together? A package deal?"

They exchanged looks. "No. I mean-are you going to answer the question?"

"There was no question."

"Oh. Right."

"Did you learn something about the Vanishing Cabinet?" Ron asked. I held a hand over my eyes for shade, so I could see them better.

"Did I? No. I thought that was Hermione's job," I commented.

"I've looked through every book that exists in Hogwarts and have found nothing. The information is in the restricted section," she said. "I haven't been able to get in there because you have the invisibility cloak."

"You can have that. I won't be needing it anymore." I continued reading.

"Did something happen with Malfoy?"

"Not at all. Did you hide the potions book?"

A dark blush rose on Harry's cheeks. "With Ginny? Yeah."

"So that means Malfoy is okay, right? He didn't end up dead after the spell?" Hermione asked.

Ron looked at her, puzzled. "And why should you care if he's dead or not?"

"I don't. I just needed to make sure Harry didn't kill anyone."

"He's not dead, he's fine. But," I said, trying to find a way to get them off my back, "he's sick. He hasn't been sleeping. I pulled him somewhere quiet where he could tell me without someone listening-the Room of Requirement. You know his father is a Death Eater . . . That much is obvious. He's been worried about what that means for him, since his family is so close to Voldemort."

I silently applauded myself.

"He is a Death Eater. There's proof everywhere you look."

I nodded. "Maybe he is."

"Dumbledore wants me to meet him. Something important-Horcrux related-is going on. Keep an eye out, Elvira," Harry said.

They left, then, walking away together. They did everything together. Sometimes I envied them . . . Sometimes I thought it was better off alone. I had Tracey. That's all I needed.

I squinted to see Malfoy walking across the grounds passing by Harry as if he didn't even know who he was. Harry turned, almost confused at the sudden lack of interest coming from the boy.

I knew Malfoy had worse things to worry about than the next prank to pull on them, or who could come up with the worst name to call each other. I knew.