_____

''Come here.''

_____

''Teddy—'' Amelie gasped. Her eyes prickled in tears as she rushed her way up to his bed. She slipped down, right next to him, and he grunted out, noisily in pain.

''Careful,'' He mumbled painfully, yet a smile coated his lips as he let her nestle closer, ''It—''

Amelie propped herself up on her elbow, gazing over her friend as she frowned, ''Don't you dare scare me like that again!'' Her head shook, letting go of all the fear she held for him, ''I promise you, Teddy, if you ever—''

''I won't,'' Theodore made a face, nearly a mocking grimace, ''I won't scare you like this again. I promise.''

Amelie's nerves eased. Her eyes flickered across her best friend. Perhaps he'd be alright after all, but even if he were — it still nagged her that he'd been doing things without telling her.

She did have a grave deal of matters to sort out herself. It wasn't a rare thing, but Teddy, hiding this from her even if she did — that was more than unusual.

Theodore's sight dragged across Amelie, studying that tiny crease in her forehead and the haunted eyes as they soothed calmly, ''Wait—''

A hushed pause trapped them, ''Amelie...'' Theo's eyes narrowed, looking dubiously at the girl, tucked into his side with her fingers dancing across his chest, ''No—''

Amelie's lips arched, her nose brushed against the thin fabric of his shirt, ''No, what?'' She couldn't suppress that growing smile of hers — it was unworkable.

She didn't want to tell him, yet she couldn't wait to do so — to simply spill that she was here again. That her mind had eventually loosened the excruciating hold it had of her heart. That she lived freely within the coat of herself again.

''It's not possible...'' He exhaled, his shoulders sunk slightly, ''When? This morning?'' The note in his voice rose louder as the excitement of his friend, finally being here, in her right mind — sparkled.

Her head tipped gently as her forehead struck his arm and the corner of his lips twitched. Theodore —without notice, allowed the arm he had nestled around her, drag her up until she was practically laying on top of him.

''Amelie...'' He whispered, folding his arms around her as her chin buried into his chest. She blinked quickly, staring up at him from below, through her lashes, ''What happened—''

''Where were you?'' Amelie strikes back, tilting her head a bit as the soft strands of her hair followed. He adored that look of her — the kind yet worried grimace she held, ''I woke up, and you were just gone.''

Theodore nodded, his head against his pillow as he stared down at her. His veins ached slightly out of the exhaustion he'd felt, but he didn't mind her lying on top of him. He loved it. Theo had failed to feel her for months.

When she finally came back to him — she wasn't the Amelie he'd lost, and now, even if she didn't know how to admit it, how to say that it's her again — he knew it.

This Amelie — this pure yet strong-minded form of her wasn't anything to compare. She was remarkable, and she was more than everything seemed to be. This wasn't the girl he'd left in her bed yesterday.

This wasn't the girl whose head had been toyed with, and her feelings steered. This was Amelie — the human who overcame every single demon in her life. The girl who took every sinful act that was forced upon her and shifted it into strength.

She didn't have to tell him, to speak it out loud for him to notice it. He'd known her for as long as he could remember, and he spotted each detail he didn't think was possible to see.

''I know...'' Theodore huffed with a solid loop of treachery in his voice, ''I didn't think you'd notice, I hoped to be back before you woke up—''

Her neck arched, her eyes narrowed in his, ''Why were you covered in blood?''

Theodore gulped. His jaws clenched and unclenched for a brief moment as he tried to defuse the startling question.

He didn't know that Amelie searched his wand as he was unconscious, but that tiny glint of valor in her stare caused him to believe that she knew more than she was letting on.

''I wasn't—''

''Don't lie to me,'' Amelie hewed him off, rising more above him until she was completely straddling him, ''I know you, and we don't lie to each other.''

Amelie's brows knitted at the missing of truth. If this were about anything else — he'd come clean already. He'd never hide anything he didn't seem fitting, yet he did so now.

''Theodore, please—''

The green eyes snapped from hers as his head shook slowly, pushing himself up a bit against the headboard with her still glued onto him, and she followed the act.

''I can't—'' He paused, feeling as the guilt trapped him. He loathed lying to her. He felt more than disgusted for doing so, but there wasn't a way he'd think of that could bring out the truth in this.

He had to lie.

''I can't tell you—'' He watched as her sight dragged off him and her body slackened from where she was seated, but he was quick to stop her from shoving off him, ''Amelie, please...''

He caught her jaws in his hands, gently tilting her head back to face him, ''Don't.''

Theodore's thumbs brushed over her cheeks soothingly as she sighed loudly. Amelie didn't want to give in to this, but as her eyes matched hers and the panic mixed with desperation hooked her attention — she couldn't keep it going.

He'd never lie to her if he didn't have the most valid reason to do so, and she had to trust him — she knew that, and she did.

There wasn't a person — except the blond boy who constantly robbed her of her breath — that she trusted as she had faith in Theo.

''I know, alright? I know this is hard for you, but I need you to trust me with this,'' He spoke lowly, staring straight at her, ''I would never do anything to hurt you.''

Her sight dropped to his chest, revealing the soft skin underneath his buttoned shirt. It was wounded. His coat ruptured in tears and cuts, but he'd never admit to it.

Amelie felt as her heartbeat swelled in her ears, and she nodded leisurely. She tried so hard not to look at it, the scars he'd been given, but it was nearly impossible.

''I know,'' Amelie breathed, still bowing her head tenderly, ''I know you wouldn't.''

Theodore's fingers moved up to her ear, tucking her hair behind the shell of it as he let a curl arch on his lips, and simply as he began to draw away,

''What—'' Amelie snapped. Her hand snatching his as she bent his forearm up in between them, ''No—''

Her eyes prickled in tears.

''No, Teddy, don't—'' She stuttered, shaking her head, ''Please tell me you didn't. Please, please—''

She was hyperventilating, breathing so fast as the ink in Theo's arm rolled over his skin, moving in strange ways. Amelie had seen the dark mark many times — it wasn't new to her, but the rawness it brought, the sense of shade wavered her.

Reminding her of her father and each vicious act he'd caused upon her as she meant to calm down. Theodore stared at her, shocked at what he'd done. He held the truth of the mark from her for weeks — all because he didn't wish for her to suffer.

Theo noticed as the sleeve of his shirt had slipped up, revealing the skull and the snake nestling on his innocence. It fed off him, drained him of every ounce of happiness he'd ever felt.

''Theo—''

''Amelie,'' Theodore tensed his grip of her jaws, holding her steady as he bent forward, yet with her in his lap — he let her head tip to his shoulder, burying her in all the safety he brought, ''It's alright, love.''

Shivering skin as the tiny goosebumps stung her senses. Her hard breaths sogged the fabric of his shirt, and he wrapped his arms around her fully.

''Don't cry please,'' It was half a plea. He begged her not to take on any more pain — she carried enough of her own.

''I'm not—'' Amelie sobbed out, letting her own hands travel across his shoulder before locking behind his neck, ''I'm just—''

She was shaking, and he could feel it, every strain of vibration moving through her — Teddy felt.

''Shhh...'' His hand cupped the back of her head, putting pressure upon it as she cried. Her fingers clawing at his neck, ''It's alright, Amelie. I promise, just don't cry, please.''

Feeling as her chest heaved close to his. Her body pressed against Teddy's, ''I'm sorry—'' Amelie leaned back, her hair spilling all over as his hands dropped to her waist,

''I'm sorry I left you. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you when you needed me—''

Amelie seized a deep breath. Her eyes flickered to his as she let her arms fall off his shoulders, dropping to her lap between them, ''I wasn't here... I wasn't here when you needed me, and I'm sorry—''

Theo watched the tears as they rolled down her skin, pooling in her eyelids, and her cheeks paled, ''You had to—'' She sobbed out again, ''You had to do this all alone, and I never wished this for you.''

''I wasn't—'' Theodore sought to smile, tilting his head as he hooked their eye contact, ''I wasn't alone, and you never have to apologize to me for what happened. This wasn't your fault.''

Amelie swallowed, tracing her knuckles up to her eyes to wipe the streaming tears away.

He sighed, loudly as he let his forehead rest against hers, ''I love you, and this isn't your fault, it's not mine, and it's not Draco's — this needed to happen, this was something they needed to do.''

Amelie felt a chilly wave within her as the Death Eaters was being mentioned, ''They did this to me, not you.''

''But I—'' She gasped, feeling his thick curls as they tickled her nose, ''I wasn't here—''

''That's not your fault, Amelie,'' Theo stated again. His hands on her back tensed, ''It will never be your fault, no matter how hard you try to convince yourself that you're to blame — you're not. This will never be your fault.''

His words struck her — her heart racing as he let her nose brush along the spine of hers before his lips pushed into her forehead, ''I love you, Amelie, and this isn't your fault.'' Theo's chin settled on the top of her head, holding her tightly as she let herself cave into his touch.

''I missed you,'' Amelie whispered, closing her eyes and hugging him back, ''I missed you so much it hurt.''

Theodore smiled, sealing his eyes too at the feeling of her body clinging onto his. He'd missed her more than she'd ever come to understand, ''I missed you more.''

Teddy held her softly in his arms even if he was exhausted. He'd choose her healing over his own every time. It was almost as if she fell asleep there — her knees on each side of him, the side of her head against his chest as he held her.

Draco caught from down the hall — the sound of her crying, and he, without truly thinking another thought, looked into the room they were in. His head hammered, and warmth flushed within him as she watched the girl he'd sacrifice it all for in the arms of her best friend.

He watched them for minutes, leaning against the doorway with his arms folded across his chest. Draco couldn't disturb them — not now. She was finally back with him, indeed, but she needed someone that wasn't him, and her best friend craved her.

With an airy sigh and a nod tipping off his head. A curve shyly climbed his lips, and he walked out.

This was all he could ever wish for, her having the two people who made her complete, back, and solid in her life.

Amelie stayed with Teddy that entire night — not once did she leave his vulnerable side. She slept in between the small talks they had, so did he. Both of them were exhausted from what they'd been through.

A well-needed moment of peace.

_____

''Are you alright?'' Draco crossed his arm over her shoulders, inching her closer as he spoke into her hair, ''We don't have to do this today. We can go home and come back another—''

''No—'' Amelie breathed. Her eyes flickered across the massive house in front of them before her neck arched, bending her head back to look at Malfoy, ''I need to do this, I can't put it off any longer.''

He caught how grave she was when it came to this, to collect what she needed from her childhood home and leave it behind — never to look back on it again.

''Or you can tell me what you need, and I'll get it for you—''

''Draco,'' Amelie said, turning in her steps to face him. She stretched up on her toes, placing a soft kiss on his cheek, ''I'm alright. I promise.''

He melted right into her touch, stroking her back gently — yet he frowned, looking severely at her from a foot away, ''Amelie—''

''Draco,'' She fired back, knitting her brows and standing plain on her feet again, ''I'm fine, but if you want to wait outside, then you can wait—''

''Like hell I am,'' Draco sighed, shaking his head at her. Showing the disapproval he felt for what she wanted to do. It was already in the hour of gloom — darkness spread around them as she stepped away from him, walking up to the main entrance.

Amelie stilled. She didn't move a muscle as her eyes dragged across the name on the door, and she couldn't help but feel a soring loop of pain as it bolted through her.

''Avery...'' She whispered to herself, smiling before her palms pushed into the wood, shoving the door wide open. It took her a few minutes to alter the home she fled.

Nothing looked the same since she last saw it — it was clean, properly looked after by the maids her father had left behind. Everything held in total order, yet it didn't.

''So...'' Draco mumbled, standing behind her in the doorway, ''This is your house, yeah?''

He almost sounded shocked — surprised that she grew up in a household similar to his. He'd been here, once, but never could he imagine what was happening behind the closed doors. Never could he believe that her father tortured her and hurt her in the ways he did.

They didn't seem like a broken family back then — they seemed normal. Simply as any other Death Eater family would, but they were far from it — he'd learned that now.

''It was... at least,'' Amelie whispered, crossing the doorstep, ''It hasn't been for years.''

The foyer was the same, massive as the black tile floor flashy shun by the dimmed lights. The furniture coating the walls held majestically, and the statues polished as ever.

Amelie unsurely walked inside, her eyes snapping in all directions as she caught Draco closing the door behind them.

''It's beautiful,'' He stated, looking around curiously, ''I don't think I've seen more than in here.''

Amelie nodded, her fingers grasped at the ends of her dress, nervously to be back to the place she'd worked so hard to escape — but it wasn't all bad. Not every memory she held for this house was haunted.

''It really is beautiful...'' She mumbled, taking a few strides past the hallway into the kitchen, and she stopped, watching the dark-colored marble fit together with the black painted cabinet doors.

It used to be a bright color. She could recognize how she and her mother painted this whole kitchen yellow when she was a child — but her father loathed it and punished them with shading the whole room dark.

Her steps up to a cabinet echoed as her fingers slipped around the handle, opening it as she smiled. It was still there — her father had forgotten to paint the inside of one single door, and it was yellow, lightly so.

''What are you smiling about?'' Draco's shoulder rested against the doorway, his eyes glued on her as he folded his arms, ''What is so special about that cabinet?''

Keeping her smile as she shook her head, ''Nothing...'' Amelie hushed, tracing her fingers over the color. She closed it again, walking back to where he stood, and she allowed her hands to brush over his chest before she slipped out in the hallway again.

Amelie walked through the corridor, avoided looking at the family pictures hanging on the walls — but Draco didn't. He stopped ahead of every single portrait, studying them thoughtfully.

He'd never seen her as a child before.

He remembered meeting her at a young age, but he couldn't recall how she looked. She was indeed adorable.

Amelie walked into the dining hall, peering around before she caught the massive windows, spreading from the ground all the way up to the ceiling. The tips of her fingers sogged the glass as she stared out.

It was the most breathtaking view — the whole lake they lived near was on display from here.

Her mother was treated just as badly as Amelie was, and she always told her child how she loved this house — because of all the windows and how open it felt here. Her mother never had that within herself — she was trapped and chained to Amelie's father, so all she could do was to have a house that wasn't hidden.

Her head tilted back as Draco's hands snaked around her waist and her spine pushed into his chest, kissing her head. He let his lips linger, breathing both her and the view in for a mere second.

''Are you still alright?'' Draco muttered as her arms folded over her chest, tangling her fingers with his, ''We can leave whenever you want—''

''It's so late, Draco...'' Amelie huffed a sigh, ''Perhaps we should stay here tonight.''

Malfoy nodded, his chin placed on the top of her head, ''If that's what you want, we'll stay.''

She smiled again, melting right into the boy holding her. He was never this caring nor gentle with anyone but her.

''But...'' His fingers gripped her waist tighter, arching his spine to whisper in her ear, ''I want to see your room.''

Amelie scoffed quietly as her eyes rolled, ''Well...'' She mocked him, taking a stride forwards before turning around to face him, ''Then you have to find it.''

She bit down her lower lip, earning a hiss to fall of Draco's lips by the look of her. He tore his sight away, gazing over the room before he aimed around, walking his way out, and she followed.

Amelie strolled behind him, chuckling to herself almost as he searched through every single room in the house — it was a lot of them, and it all caused him to feel frustrated. It wasn't until he reached the third floor he felt as if he was getting closer.

''Wait—'' Draco groaned, stumbling across the floor in a hallway as his eyes caught a yellow-painted door. He pointed towards it, raising a brow, ''Is this it?''

She didn't say a word, only looking at him as he pushed the door open and he marched inside. Amelie lingered for a slight minute — she didn't feel ready to take this step yet. To walk inside the room, she'd been hurt in so many times.

Catching as Draco mumbled to himself, she couldn't hold it. She was curious about what he was saying, and she walked to the doorway.

''So...'' Draco smirked, spinning around to survey every detail of her pearly painted room, ''This is your room, I see.''

Amelie hummed in response. Her shoulder angled against the wood of the hall.

''It's...'' He rose, tracing his fingers along with the books that held utterly perfect in her bookshelf. Not a novel out of place.

''What?'' Amelie whispered nervously, her fingers tangled in front of her, ''What is it?''

Malfoy's eyes snapped to hers as he smiled. She was so precious — standing there, on edge, her fingers twitching around the other. She looked timid almost.

''It's not what I expected.'' He admitted, cocking his head as he kept on observing the furniture, ''It's bright and... so you, for some reason.''

''So me?'' Amelie chuckled, furrowing her brows at the boy, ''What does that mean?''

''Yeah. I didn't think you'd have a room like yourself, perhaps something more—'' Draco grinned to himself as he halted by the massive window, staring out over the lake, ''Dark.''

''I don't like dark-painted bedrooms,'' Amelie held her position in the doorway, scared that if she'd walk inside — she'd never get out again.

It was her mind — even if she was free now. Unchained to do as she pleased, the trauma of setting a foot inside the room she'd never found shelter in was terrifying.

''Why?'' Draco asked, shoving his hands into his suit pockets as he turned to level her, ''What's wrong with dark bedrooms?''

''It's—'' She let out a bothered sigh, shaking her head slightly, ''I had it, once before my mother let me repaint it, but it felt like I was trapped and the light when the sun came up didn't really go anywhere, so...''

Draco nodded slowly, ''I see.''

He didn't need her to tell him just how cramped she was in here — he saw it immediately without reason. The rest of the house had been bearable. She didn't resist it as much as she did with this room. Still, he didn't know how to form the words, how to ask her if she wanted to leave or do something else instead.

''Amelie—''

''I'm hungry,'' She hewed him off, making his eyes broadened as his face cloaked in confusion, ''I'll go make us some dinner, and you can just—''

''Amelie,'' Draco said again, harsher this time, adding pressure upon her name, ''Come here.''

His arms reached out, the tips of his fingers curled, gesturing for her to step inside. Even so, she stalled it. Her head shook, her wavy strands spilled across her shoulders, ''I don't—'' Amelie choked out before she mangled her lips into a firm line.

''I'm here,'' Draco mumbled, backing away until he stood far across the room, his spine pressed against the wall, ''You're safe when I'm here.''

''I know—'' Amelie whimpered, her toes curled together as she sought to restrain the heavy feeling in her chest. It felt as if a weight tore through her.

''No one else is here. It's just you and me,'' Malfoy's head tilted, watching her softly, ''It's just you and me, and no one can hurt you.''

The shaking of her head slowly shifted into a nod as her eyes hooked in his. The air felt arid, cutting blades in her lungs when she inhaled.

''I know,'' She said again, lowly, ''I don't think I can—''

It tormented Draco to see her in this state. Terrified by the walls in her own room — he'd been through that once before himself, and he managed to let go of the feeling.

''I know you can. You can, and you don't have to do it alone, Amelie, but if you don't want to, that's more than alright.'' He took a breath, a deep one as he kept his sight on her, ''We'll go downstairs and—''

He hushed. Arching a brow as she closed her eyes and her fingers curled into fists. She stepped inside cautiously.

A string of warmth flushed through him as he tried to conceal his smile of proudness. It was fulfilling to watch her walk inside something as to him — was as simple as a room, but to her — it was graver than her most dimmed nightmares.

Amelie's eyes still bolted shut as she took a few more steps inside before she flinched, flaying her lashes wide and looking frightened at the blond as he gripped her arms mildly. She wasn't devised for the touch he brought her — yet she allayed into it without falter.

Her forehead resting upon his chest as he held her, guardedly, ''As I said—'' Draco groaned, pushing his lips into her head, ''You don't ever have to do this alone. I'll meet you halfway.''

Her head bowed against the fabric of his white shirt, feeling at it soothed upon her skin. The withered wind in her lungs eased as she melted into his hold. It turned passable again, not too hard nor too plain.

They remained there for minutes, him draining her off all the fear she carried for this room.

''Are you still hungry?'' Draco mumbled, bracing his arms around her, ''I can make you something?''

Amelie raved out her breath, nodding stilly, ''Thank you,'' Her note kept calm and balanced, ''I'd love that.''

He took a shoe back, running his hands along her bare arms as his thumb gently stroked the marks carved into her, ''You'll be down soon then?''

Her eyes widened, and she smiled shyly. He knew even without asking that she wanted to stay put in here for just a minute more.

Amelie peered after Draco as he walked out, hearing the replica of his heels as he stepped down the stairs before she looked around.

It portrayed exactly as she'd left it. Not one single thing out of place from when she was still here over a year ago. Her father hadn't taken his rage out on her things as he used to. He merely left it untouched.

It was hers now — all of it. This entire house now belonged to her, along with the memories hidden inside it. Amelie didn't want it. She wished to have no part of this plagued home anymore.

The weight she held onto and had done for years — slowly let go of her as she smiled. It wasn't painful. It didn't hurt at all to unhand the memories she'd created and lived through here because she knew there would be new ones.

Better ones she didn't have to fear — ones that she could mold and shape on her own terms, together with the blond boy her heart heavily pounded for and her best friend that was waiting for her back home.

It trickled her. The truth seeping around her as she thought about it, carefully walking her way out of the room — sparing the faith of her living with Draco now. Her having a home that earned and fought for her, not one that robbed her of everything she'd ever worked for.

Ironic, she believed. To find shelter in a human that was meant to take it all away from her, and instead, he granted her with the key reason to live.

Her Draco.

Amelie felt a pouring emotion of warmth as she closed her hand around the doorknob, giving her room one last look before she sealed it and left it, along with everything it meant.

_____

Draco stared at her, gawking at what she was doing — watching as she pinned bed-linen across her dining table. His head shook, his face held in a muddled grimace.

Twisting around, Amelie smiled as she arched a brow at his untidy expression, ''What?'' She questioned, bending back down to fix the pillows and the covers she'd placed underneath the table.

''What?'' He mimicked, shaking his head again, ''What do you mean what? What are you doing?'' His arms folded over his chest, straightening his spine, ''Why are you building a... tent?''

Amelie chuckled at him, shrugging to his comment before she stood tall again, her hand stretched in the air for him to take, ''Come here.''

Draco's jaws clenched, gazing right at her as her head tilted, ''Suit yourself then,'' Amelie mumbled, and she turned around, slowly letting the stripes of the dress slip of her shoulders before it fell to the ground.

His whole body tensed at that. He couldn't see her too clearly — the room in the midnight hour held gloomily, but the outlines of her frame caught his breath to hitch in the back of his throat.

She quickly dragged her nightdress over her head and crawled below the fort she'd been piling.

Draco threw his head back, groaning quietly underneath his breath as the image of her — exposed and bare glued into his mind. Even when he couldn't see her properly, she'd still take his breath away.

With a thick swallow — he shoved his shoes off, unbuttoning the shirt that smeared to his chest, and unbuckled his pants to nestle up next to her.

''Took you a while,'' Amelie already tucked herself in. The covers were high over her chin as she peered up at him, sloping down beside her, drawing the covers over the both of them as the chilly air tickled her skin for a mere second.

''It did,'' Draco muttered, bridging his arms around her to bring her up to his chest.

Amelie followed the movement, unwaveringly — her head on his skin as she let the tips of her fingers dance over his bare chest.

She could feel how his toned muscles flexed against her touch, and she arched her neck, bending her head back to look up at him in the darkness, ''Are you okay, Draco?''

His eyes fell from above to match hers instantly, staring deeply. If she didn't know better, she'd feel how it burnt her soul.

''I am,'' He stated, cooly, ''Are you?''

Amelie allowed her nose to brush along his ashen skin, voiding every ounce of home he brought her, ''I will be...'' She whispered, nearly inaudible, ''With you, I will be.''

Malfoy nodded, hugging her inches closer as he slacked down to her level. His face near hers, ''Are you sure?'' He mumbled, letting their noses touch.

She felt as if her head held heavy upon his arm, bowing it, ''I am,'' Her note breathy, ''I will be, I promise.''

''I know you will,'' Draco breathed, laced with warmth, ''You'll be okay for the both of us.''

Amelie smiled at that, sensing as his fanning ghosted her lips before his eyes closed. His hand moved over her arm, across her neck, landing on her jaw, and he pulled her in, entirely.

Draco kissed her slowly.

Amelie strained her body to his, her leg shifted up to cross his, and she deepened the kiss. Drowning her with all the emotion he had. He gave her everything — every shred of safety he poured over her.

He felt how much she needed it and how much he craved to give it to her.

Malfoy sensed her skin as it smoothly grazed against the palms of his hands. He knew he'd grow impatient. He couldn't have her like this for much longer without losing his tamed temper. It was torture — feeling her body as she clung onto him, not being able to prey on her as he wished.

Amelie tangled her fingers in his blond stands, kissing him back gently for moments before Draco groaned, shaking his head as he tore the embrace in two.

She blinked quickly, surprised, ''What—''

''Not today,'' He mumbled, gripping her hand intertwined with his hair as he bent it down in between them, ''You're not ready yet.''

''Draco...'' Amelie sought to speak back, to defend her case and stand her grounds about this being her body and her choice — but she knew he'd never let her.

She'd been back for a few days, and she knew — deeply hidden within herself that she wasn't fitted for what she wanted them to do.

He once again saved her without her knowing it.

''Thank you,'' Amelie closed her eyes, still lying half on top of him as he hummed back, threading both of his arms around her on the dining hall floor that she'd covered with pillows and covers.

''Sleep,'' Draco yawned, settling his chin on the top of her head, ''You need to sleep...''

She could at once hear as his breaths slowed and his pulse eased. Draco's body caved into hers, and he fell asleep.

He was exhausted.

Amelie laid next to him, hearing as he took breath following breath, but she couldn't rest herself. She was tired, indeed, yet her body wouldn't still. It was held on edge, and she couldn't weaken the tension she carried inside.

She even braided her hair. A messy loose braid gathered her long hair as she sought to make the time pass, but nothing — her skin rose to crawl, and she felt trapped.

With silent movements, she struggled out from underneath the table, placing a soft kiss on Draco's head before she sneaked her way out of the room. There was only one location in this house she felt as if she could flee to — her mother's.

There was a room, hidden in disguise, that her mother always showed her in the attempts they made to escape her father's ruthless acts.

Her hands settled on the hallway wall, right beside the massive portrait of their family as her forehead leaned against the paint, and she whispered, 'Atlas' underneath her breath — not a second later, the wall shifted into a door, and she stepped inside.

Amelie gasped, a curve arched bitterly on her lips by the look of it. She hadn't been in here for nearly a decade. Still, it was all the same.

The harp her mother usually played on when her father had a drop too much to drink stood as majestic as it always had done, next to the window, with the moonlight as it brightened over the instrument.

She used tender steps, walking up to it, before she halted, letting her fingers stroke along the golden metal. Amelie slipped down on the bench next to it. Her nightdress hitched at her thighs as the coldness of the material she was seated on stung at her skin.

It wasn't painful — seeing this piece her mother cherished so dearly. It brought her more comfort than she'd ever imagined.

Her toes against the floor as she drew a harsh breath, feeling as the braid fell over her spine, tickling her skin.

It was a wash of relief, welling over her as she let the tips of her fingers brush a flat line over the strings. Her senses filled with the sound of heaven, bringing her back to the times her mother played it.

Amelie did just as her mother taught her, letting her lashes flutter close, her breaths controlled, and her fingers dancing across the twines.

The sound of gentle flows of music echoed throughout the house, and she didn't realize as she was caught up in her doings — that the blond had woken up, stressed that she didn't sleep next to him.

Draco rushed through the house, following the heavenly tones before he faltered in the doorway to where she sat.

He gulped at the sight of her. She looked like an angel to him. The moonlight glimmered at her bare skin. Her nightdress hugged around her body perfectly. Her hair was loosely braided.

He couldn't do more than admire her. His shoulder fused with the doorway as he praised her in silence. Simply watching as she played the beautiful notes.

Amelie smiled to herself, caught up in the soft music before goosebumps trailed along her spine, feeling as Draco slipped his arms around her.

He didn't say a word as her body moved with his, and he brought her to his lap. His exposed skin on hers, every nerve she owned held on edge.

She felt happy — at peace as she let go of the harp. Her hand traveled to his, gripping it carefully. Letting her fingers intertwine with his in the quietness, not a word needed to be spoken.

Malfoy's breaths scored hotly on her shoulder as she started playing again, but this time — she let him create the tones with her.

The untied hand he still owned moved her braided hair from her back, letting it spill over her shoulder instead, and he tenderly kissed her skin.

Draco's lips honored her shoulders, kissing her so softly that she almost gasped at the sensation.

For minutes he caressed her that way, kissing her neck, shoulders, spine — everything he could from behind her as she played the harp.

He littered kisses all over her skin.

Amelie could barely focus anymore. His lips on her body felt similar to what she believed paradise would feel like, and she let go of the strings, slowly standing up, to turn around and settle herself on his lap once more.

Draco's hands didn't falter from her frame once. He couldn't let go of her even if his life depended on it.

Her sight flickered across his features, adoring him with all she had. Draco's chest arched closer to hers, and her arms clung around his neck.

Their noses brushing along each other.

"I love you," Amelie breathed out, her air tasted so sweet on his lips before she connected them, kissing him lovingly, "I love you." She said again, in the total need for him to hear it.

Because she did, she loved him more than words could ever testify, more than feelings could be solved, and more than touch could ever be shown.

It wasn't simply words to her. It wasn't something to be said in the heat of the moment. Amelie loathed promises and vows because no one ever kept them to her, but he did.

Malfoy would always keep his words when it came to her, and she knew it. He'd never fail her or leave her. He'd never harm or hurt her. He'd never do anything for her to feel vulnerable. That was all her.

Draco had grown up with the literal belief of being unworthy if he'd ever owned weakness. That wasn't anything possible to him.

Malfoy men don't care. They are cared for, as his father used to say.

He did care. Draco couldn't dream of never caring for her. Amelie was indeed the reason for all the good in his damned life. The very cause to why he became worthy and why he traded his vicious ways.

He made her strong. He made her powerful, and she made him human. She made him weak, vulnerable, and that lived to be his greatest strength.

"Really?" Draco groaned, tightening the grip of her waist, closing the last longing space between them. Her knees felt cold on the bench, but she couldn't be bothered — he made her warm enough.

"Really," She felt a smile thinly ghosted on her lips as she whispered against his, her fingers clawing at his neck.

"Mine." He said, laced with more honesty and force than ever, "You're mine, and I love you."

He did.

Never had anyone loved someone as much as he loved her, even if he knew it wouldn't last long.

He'd always love her, no matter what struck between them, but she — Amelie could easily break at the tips of his fingers, and she would.

She would break, and it was simply a matter of time before he had to tell her.

_____

The art for this chapter is illustrated by @ dar.a_art (on Instagram and Tumblr)