Just like last time, Enzo was at the bottom of the stairs, just watching everyone as they played games, danced, and did many other things. “You sure you're not going to join the party this time?” I asked him

“Yes, I am sure” 

“Then why are you here if you're not going to join the party? I don’t want to sound rude but I’m just wondering” 

“No, it’s not rude. I guess I just don’t want to feel left out, like at least I was here” He shrugged.

“Hmm, well I’m gonna go, see you around” I left him and found my friends. 

Jamal was laughing and then he saw me “Hey Y/n, you want to play Truth or Dare with us?” 

“Not really” I replied

“Come on, your no fun” 

“I’m fun, I just don’t like participating in activities that may end up with me kissing someone or even touching someone I barely know, among other things” I explained 

“What's your problem with kissing people?” 

Olivia nugged him and rolled her eyes “Ignore that question, that was dumb”

“How was that dumb?” He asked her

“Some people just don’t like kissing people, or may have bad past experiences” 

“Yeah” I replied “I’m going to go, I’ll be around” I walked away. 

Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder “Drink?” Theo asked. I turned and saw his smiling face with a bottle of firewhisky in his hand.

“Sure” I took the bottle, opened it, and took a drink. It burned more than I remembered but I didn’t show it. I got him a bottle and handed it to him. We hung out and talked for a bit but I was starting to get a headache so we left the common room and went to the astronomy tower. Theo walked to the railing and then lit a cigarette and started smoking. I walked up next to him and he looked at me. “Can I ask you or talk to you about something?” I asked

“Uh, sure, what do you want to talk about?” 

“Ok, so I'm probably going to sound weird or something talking about this being who I am but when I become my other self, as you know, or maybe don’t, every time this year that it had happened then once last year I smoked, so… I don’t know how to say this-”

“You're craving them, even if you don’t like them and you know they're bad for your health?” He guessed 

“Yeah… does it ever go away, do you know?” 

“No, I don’t know, I have never tried to resist it, plus it helped me forget about things at home, that's including the drinking” 

“I’m sorry this is probably so awkward to talk about” I turned and leaned on the railing, facing away from him. 

“No, it’s ok, but I’m probably not the best to help you get out of it, since I don’t really know anything about it” 

“Yeah” 

“So… is there anything else you want to talk about, any more questions?” 

Thomas appeared a few feet away from me “Yeah, give me a second” I walked over to him.

“We need to talk”

“Theo, I will be back” I told him, turning to look at him. Thomas held my hand and we appareted to my room and put a silencing spell on the room “What did you want to talk to me about?” I asked cautiously

“You, and father” He started “Father wants you to get the mark over Easter break, he thinks you're ready” He looked into my eyes “I’m sorry. Father also doesn't want anyone else except other Death Eaters to know about this”

“So Mattheo or Theodore can’t know?” I asked

“Yes” He confirmed

“I can understand Theodore not knowing but, not Mattheo” 

“I know, but you can’t know yet, I asked father. Do you understand?” 

“Yes” I replied looking down 

“Good, I will be at the party, see you at midnight?”

“Sure” I apparated back to the astronomy tower. Theo was still there. 

He looked at me “Everything ok?”

“No. You put veritaserum in my drink” I realized “And I am craving cigarettes, I’m not ok” 

He chuckled “You want one?” He asked 

“No- yes” I covered my face and shook my head “Why?” I muttered to myself 

“What’s going on up here?” Mattheo asked, stepping out onto the tower

“Y/n is having an internal crisis” Theodore commented 

“I am not” 

“You technical are” 

I rolled my eyes “What’s going on?” Mattheo asked me but I kept my mouth shut and he looked at Theo “Why aren’t any of you talking?”

“I gave Y/n veritaserum” He shrugged 

“Well then do you want to tell me what’s going on?” 

“That's not for me to tell” 

“Well why won't you tell me, Y/n?” 

“I don’t want to deal with your reaction, then your going to tell Thomas and I’m going to have to get his reaction which is probably going to be worse than yours” 

“Just tell me” 

“No, it’s embarrassing” 

“Then why did you tell Theo?”

“Because he’s not my brother so it’s not the same” 

“How about this, I will not tell Thomas about it” 

“He will find out some way” 

“Please, just tell me” 

“I’m not going to tell you but if Theo want to he can, I’m not stopping you” 

Mattheo looked at Theo and he rolled his eyes “Y/n is craving cigarettes because of her other self” 

Mattheo looked back at me, he just stared at me. I put my head in my hands “I mean… it makes sense, now that you say it, I wonder why I didn’t think of that sooner” 

“And I have no idea what to do” I commented 

“Well the better option is to just not smoke again, just stop and deal with it, but if the other you comes back again they are probably going to do it again so, it’s really your choice. I wouldn’t think any less of you no matter what you choose, but just know, it gets harder to stop the longer you do it and like you always say, it’s bad for your health” 

“I figured” 

Thomas appeared again. He saw Mattheo and walked over to us “Sorry to interrupt but father wants to see us, we have a task” He told Mattheo “You two are going to be ok without us? Theo make sure she dosn’t do anything stupid or get kidnapped” He smiled at me and Theo.

“We will be fine, leave me alone” 

They left and it was just me and Theo again “It’s almost 12” He commented 

“Almost time for the new year” 

“Yeah, I’m going to go back to my room”

“May I join you? After all I have to protect you” 

I laughed “Yeah, I probably can protect myself and you better then you can” 

“Hey” 

I grabbed his hand and a second later we were in my room. I changed into some cozier clothes then we went out to the balcony.