"Dumbledore's dark secrets revealed, Rita Skeeter launches new book?" I read the Daily Prophet whispering, "What's this dimwitted joke of a woman writing?"

"Quiet down, Y/N," Luna hushed, "They might hear us."

"This is stupid," I sighed and looked out the window of Hogwarts express.

After Dumbledore's death, all of the magic world stood in shock knowing that the only truly powerful wizard was able to fight against the Dark Lord. The latter, now, was in control of the ministry, Hogwarts, and slowly was taking over the muggle world. The scariest part of it all? No one could or would do anything about it. Potter with his two friends was gone, Snape was now the principal of the school, all muggle-born students were now at huge risk, Death Eaters were calling all pure-blood families into their ranks as equals and the Trolley Lady was gone. All of us were in deep shit.

The cherry on top was the guilt I had to carry on my shoulders for letting Draco go and not warning anyone before the Death Eaters struck. As soon as we were woken up, we were informed about Death Eaters invading school via the Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirements. This came across as shocking to me as Draco never said anything to me about Death Eaters coming to Hogwarts and destroying all of it in one go. This was infuriating to find out as I'd hope Draco wouldn't go to lengths such as inviting his cool buddy Death Shitters to Hogwarts. So, naturally, I sobbed in front of the whole house in Leila's arms for about an hour.

'There was another article about Snape being a new principle," Luna said, "So what if-"

"-a Death Eater is going to be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Leila finished her sentence with a disgusted tone.

"Well, they already have Hogwarts," I said shrugging, "Might as well turn the students into killing machines or kill them, am I right?"

Neville chimed in, "Then in that case that happens, we need to focus on how we are going to defend ourselves against them."

"Speak of the devil," I said and looked toward the wagon's door through which entered a black devilish figure. It seemed he was looking for something rather than someone as he was looking around hysterically pointing his gun everywhere. He was searching the wagons for Potter, wasn't he?

"Hey dimwit, he's not here," I said standing up with my hands crossed against my chest.

"And you are?" the man asked in a monotonous tone.

"Y/N L/N," I replied nonchalantly, "take a picture too."

The Death Eater turned around aggressively and stormed out of the wagon slamming the door behind him. From that gesture, I'd assume a punishment would be awaiting me at school, wouldn't it? I regret anything I said now.

"Are you out of your mind?" Luna shrieked, "Do you want yourself killed?"

"Y/N, you can't be lashing out on a Death Eater whenever you feel like it," Neville nodded as if agreeing with Luna.

"Well, what's the point?" I answered looking down at the necklace the blonde gifted me, "Given the fact that the train inspector was a Death Eater, it's not like we are not going to get tortured by another one at school, are we?"

The four of us went silent. All of the students now knew that the situation at hand was far more horrid than any of us could imagine. This year was going to be the death of me, but this time, quite literally.

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As the students entered the Great Hall, we were escorted to our assigned tables sorted by houses by new members of staff, who were of course Death Eaters. The first years were sorted into their new houses like they always would by McGonagall, however, the only thing missing was the excitement it used to have. Even though we smiled and cheered for every student that was sorted into our house, I couldn't help but think how pitiful these kids were. They didn't even know what was awaiting them.

After the sorting ceremony, the usual celebrational feast started that we have every year, however, this time everything seemed too grey and glum to call it a 'celebrational'. There were whispers and clicking of forks and knives against plates heard throughout the hall. But it soon got dead quiet when entered none other than Severus Snape.

Snape aggressively opened the door coming in through the main entrance with his cape flying behind him. His face was usual: grey, dark, and tired from life. Even if he kills the man who trusted him most for years, he never seems to change. Truly pathetic.

As he got to the stage where Dumbledore used to sit, with a hand gesture he quieted down the few first years who wouldn't stop whispering.

"As you might be informed, there have been a few changes in the staff as of starting this year," Snape said with the same old monotonous voice, "The new Deputy Head will be Amycus and Alecto Carrows, welcome them as your superiors thoroughly. Welcome them as professors too as they will also be teaching Dark Arts and Muggle Studies."

Snape paused and looked around to make sure everyone understood what he meant, "Slytherin's new head with be Professor Slughorn. That is it for tonight," he finished quickly and stormed out of the hall as he entered. As if on cue, the heads of the houses escorted all students to their dorms. Slughorn kindly showed the first years the way to their dormitories while we followed him silently. However, to my demise, I was stopped by one of the creepy-looking Death Eaters.

"Are you L/N?" Alecto, I guess that was her name, asked me with a raspy voice.

"Yes, ma'am," I answered coldly. I tried my best not to sound intimidated but who wouldn't be scared to bits right now? This woman could have killed millions and I wouldn't know. She both looked and sounded terrifying. I wanted to go back home.

Professor Snape is calling you to his office, follow me," Alecto said harshly and dragged me up the stairs. This was it. I was sure to be dead in about 10 minutes.

As we turned left, I saw a statue of a Felix bird which was in what seemed like an entrance. The terrifying woman whispered a password to a door that led to a staircase that magically appear at the door entrance. She aggressively grabbed my arms and lead me up the stairs. As we got to the end, she opened the door and brought me into an office. It was gloomy and almost empty with a dark male figure standing behind the table with his back facing us.

"Professor Carrow, I won't be needing your assistance," Snape said harshly and shot Alecto out of the office. Then he proceeded to turn toward me and rest both his arms on the table.

"Miss L/N," he began speaking, "Do you know why you are here?"

I was too terrified to speak. I couldn't open my mouth to even put two words together.

"Speak," Snape snapped annoyed.

"No, professor," I answered playing with my robe nervously.

"I was informed about an incident involving badmouthing the staff on the train," Snape explained, "Usually, badly behaved students such as yourself would be punished in the form of the cruciatus curse being performed on them, however, you will be free to go with a warning if you answer a question very honestly."

Shivers went down my spine. What did he mean by performing the cruciatus curse on the students? Was this what Hogwarts really fell to? This was outrageous. How could a full-grown adult punish a student with a torturing cure which could lend them a direct ride to Azkaban? But I'd guess since Voldemort was now in charge, Azkaban was for muggle-borns now.

"Tell me, L/N," Snape began, "How did you find out about Draco Malfoy being a Death Eater?"

Did this really concern him at the moment? Was this a joke? Because I sure didn't find it funny hearing the name of someone I decided to leave in the past.

"Even an idiot would understand if they moved their brain muscles," I answered sarcastically with an eye roll.

"Did someone leak that information to you?" Snape sounded pissed.

"As I said, you have to at least have a bird-sized brain not to bloody understand that Draco Malfoy is a Death Eater," I answered trying not to lose it. I really didn't want to talk about Draco at the moment but I don't think Snape took the hint.

"But it would require 'bird-sized brains' or so you put it, to ask around for information, wouldn't it?" Snape asked lowering his voice.

"If I perhaps said that Harry Potter told me about Lucius Malfoy's family being involved in the Dark Lord's business, would you leave the matter alone?" I asked rhetorically. Technically, I was answering Snape's question so it would be below him to try to do anything. He wouldn't just take and point his wand at me. I stood there with crossed arms looking at Snape confidently. I knew he wouldn't harm me; it would simply be pointless.

"Like man, like a lover," Snape said with disgust in his tone, "Pathetic to know that Draco's lover is just like him. I was hoping to see potential in you, after all, you are smart for figuring everything out on your own and even learning a few spells from the Restricted Section only a Death Eater is capable of performing. However, just like Draco, you are a coward trying to put your ego forward as a defense mechanism."

"Draco is not a cowa-"I snapped back but was interrupted.

"Consider yourself lucky, L/N," Snape said with his hand forward as if a sign for me to shut up, "if it weren't for your exceptional skills, you'd be dead by now."

I felt like this was a farewell from him so I decided to turn around and leave. Snape didn't say anything so I figured I was free to go.

"However, do be careful, don't have your feelings out in the open. You don't want Draco to be in trouble, do you? Also, don't use vile language with your superiors," Snape added to his warning, "You are excused, go to your house."

After I left the office, I finally could catch my breath. I walked through the corridors trying not to think about Draco. Snape was partially right, if I had my feelings out in the open Draco could be killed. All of this was so tiring. I hope this nightmare would end. But would it end? I wouldn't know.

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a/n: i decided to continue the story till the end :D