"So, I stay at the Lestrange house, yeah," began Marvel, 'And Rabastan, well, he's decent- doesn't talk much, really- but Rodolphus has got to be the biggest prat in the entire world. So basically, he and Lucius- their pretty tight- walk around, pretend they own the place- and, of course, when you-know-who comes to give orders and crap, they hide in the nearest closet." He laughed, then abruptly stopped and turned red. "Sorry, that wasn't that funny."

I shook my head. "Nah, it really wasn't."

He turned even redder. "So, uh, want to go to the Three Broomsticks?"

"Actually, there's this place I really like, it's called Madam Puddifoots- do you know the place?"

Apparantely, he did 'know the place', because his face twisted into a look of absolute horror. "Um, I-"

I burst out into laughter. "Yeah, the Broomsticks sounds good."

He let out an obvious sigh of relief. "C'mon." he grinned- obviously getting his 'mojo' back. "Let's go."

I sighed, walking awkwardly hand-in-hand with him to the Three Broomsticks.

'It does seem weird, doesn't it- a normal date, in among all of this.

He smirked at me. "All of what- being a death eater, or a blood traitor?"

I smirked back. "Both, I suppose."

We walked along the path- through the woods. We were planning on taking a visit to the so called "shrieking shack"- I, knowing the real reason for the shrieking, him, having no idea.

Eventually, the small house was in front of us. "Want to go in?" I asked mischievously.

"No way!" Marvel backed away. "I am not going in that thing!"

"Ah, stop being such a wimp, Riddle."

"Fine, let's see you go in, then!" He challenged me.

"No problem." I replied, and jogged in.

The 'horrors' of the Shrieking Shack had never bothered me, for I knew that the 'horrors' were really just my best friend. But now, with the cool wind drifting through, making the door creak open all on it's own... well, it seemed a little ominous.

Suddenly, my head felt like it had burst into flames. They flickered across my entire body.

Your loyalty is not ensured... said a voice I recognized very well. Red eyes loomed above me, pale skinned hands brushed harshly across my face. The flames licked across my body, and I disappeared into a world of pain. The last thing I saw before I blacked out was Marvel's concerned face looking over me, picking me up, shouting for help...

The hospital bed was hard, almost as a rock, and I winced as I sat up. Propping myself on one elbow, I surveyed my surroundings. James, Remus, Peter, and Sirius were leaning towards me.

"You okay?" Moony asked, concerned. Our argument had been forgotten.

"Yeah." I said. It was true- I felt fine. Scared. But fine.

"I can't believe that bastard. What, he wanted to take you on a date, just so he could curse you? That-"

"No, James! That's not how it happened. It was... Voldemort."

His eyes widened. "What?"

"I think he knows. About you guys."

"What?"

"When I'm hanging out with you guys, I'm a 'blood traitor'. I hate it, but it's true. And Voldemort found out."

"Well... you can't hang out with us then, you shouldn't, if he'll hurt you."

"No way." I shook my head. "I'm not leaving you guys. Never."

Sirius sighed. "Cousin, he might be right. We don't... we don't want to see you hurt."

"I don't care! I want to hang out with you guys, I can't be alone!" I was being selfish, but they nodded.

"Okay." said Remus. "He's obviously got a spy here..."

"Malfoy." I answered instantly. He had been hanging around, acting strange, but I had thought nothing of it.

"We need to come up with a system that lets us... oh! The map! Do you have it?" Prongs asked.

"I think so," I replied, digging around in my pocket until I caught onto the piece of parchment. "Okay, here. Now, I also wrote some names, we should be able to enchant them to move with the person along with the-"

"Hang on, I got this." Prongs cut me off confidently. "Padfoot, a bit of help..."

"What?"

"I need your wand."

"What?"

"Well, I came up with an incantation that should make the names move, but there may be a couple of problems, which should probably be able to be counteracted, but only if I have a second wand, because-"

"Alright, Prongs, alright, we get it, you're secretly brilliant. Don't go all Moony on us now." Sirius rolled his eyes.

James stuck his tongue out and picked up the drawing. "Nice." he said, and then whispered a few unintelligible words under his breath.

He handed it back to me. "Hey, look, there's filch! And... quick, use the invisibility cloak, Pomfrey's about to walk through that door!"

They all ducked under the cloak just as Pomfrey walked through the door. "Were you talking to someone, dear?" she asked.

"Nope, Madame Pomfrey, just chatting with myself, the boredom is unbelievable." I laughed.

"I still don't know what happened..." she wondered. I do, I thought grimly. But I said nothing. "I suppose you can go." she nodded. "Just don't play any quidditch or anything-"

"But Madame Pomfrey, the match against Ravenclaw is tomorrow!"

She sighed. "I suppose. But no injuries!" she shook her finger at me, and I nodded.

"Whatever you say, madame Pomfrey."

After she left, they ducked out from under the cloak. "That map is awesome." Moony proclaimed, and we all nodded.

"Hey Moony, is it around your time of the month? You're looking a little grouchy."

Moony glared at him. "Shut up."

"Sorry, sorry." James backed away.

"Sorry, I think Prongs is just a bit excited for that... Period of time." Sirius joked.

"Yeah, it'll be bloody awesome!" Peter piper up. We all looked at him.

"Now that is just gross." Prongs said.