_____

" So I could really use your help."

_____

She once again stared darkly at her own reflection in the mirror, struggling to face herself. Adrian was gone, but the cruel words he left her with still scored within — still, ever since the night she'd spent with Malfoy in the library, everything eased. The air felt lighter, nearly painless to breathe, and waking up in the mornings along with falling asleep at night wasn't one of the hardest things for her anymore.

It was as if the magic Draco had put her through lifted a weight so heavy off of her chest, and it numbed all the ache she felt inside.

Adrian was still in the wind, aiding the Death Eaters on their mission to serve the Dark Lord, and even if that didn't bother her — she couldn't shake the feeling of being upset about it. He had yet failed to send her a letter or even visit her once.

Amelie cherished her time alone with Draco and Theodore — the two Slytherins who did everything possible to stay by her side and to shield her from the vile boy Adrian had left behind.

Blaise had made it his purpose to ensure he followed every step Amelie took and be there for every falter.

With a knock, slamming against her door — it hauled open, and Theodore happily marched inside, '' Good morning.'' He grinned cheekily before he flopped down to her bed. He held his tells for a few seconds to take in what she was doing.

'' Admiring yourself in the mirror again, are we?'' He mocked her as she turned back to the mirror. Her fingers grasped at the hem of her shirt to make sure that no bruises were showing.

'' On the other hand, why would you do that?'' Theo kept going as he noticed her lack of response, '' You already know that you're the most beautiful human being there is.'' He quieted down behind her as she spun around to face him.

'' You don't mean that.'' Amelie huffed annoyingly, chewing on the inside of her cheek as she strode closer to him, '' You just have to say that because we're best friends.''

She bent over him to pick up her robe that was resting on the far edge of her bed — but the second she did so, Theodore snatched her by the arm, and he wrestled her down into the mattress.

The adorable smile he usually had smeared to his lips curved to reveal his dimples. Her senses filled with the scent of honey — Theo always scented like honey.

'' I'm not saying that because we're best friends.'' His messy brown curls fell over his eyebrows, '' I'm saying it because it's true. Don't ever think otherwise.''

Theodore climbed off her, standing tall next to the bed as he reached his hand out for her to take,'' Fine,'' She groaned, taking his offered hand in hers, '' What are you doing today? I saw that you didn't have any classes—''

'' Nothing.'' He was quick to cut her off, scratching the back of his head as they strolled through the Ravenclaw tower, '' How did it go with Malfoy the other night? I forgot to ask about it.'' He pushed the massive wooden door leading out in the corridors open, wavering his hand for her walk ahead.

Amelie sucked in a harsh breath as she thought of it, as her mind once again reached the blonde boy, '' It went... well, I suppose.'' She smiled, seeking to hide it by hugging her books closer to her chest, '' Or I hope it did, he said it was good for being the first time.''

She peered up at the tall boy walking beside her, only to notice that the muscle in his jaw slightly ticked, '' That's good.'' He spoke stiffly as he frowned, '' I have to go—''

He halted in his steps, tugging her back as his eyes flickered to the end of the hall, and out of curiosity — her eyes snapped to the man holding at the end of it.

Her eyes grew wide as a smile arched upon her lips, '' Why didn't you tell me your father is visiting?'' She almost giggled in excitement before she slipped out of the hold he had of her arm.

'' Amelie, wait—''

'' Mr. Nott—'' She smiled even broader, sauntering into the arms that were being held out for her, '' How are you, sir?''

His father chuckled darkly before letting go of her, and his eyes dragged across her.

Amelie had always loved Theodore's father. He was one of the kindest men she had the pleasure to get to know and one of the only Death Eaters who didn't punish their children, but that did not stop his father, Theodore's grandfather, to grant her best friend the abuse Mr. Nott refused to curse him with.

'' Everything is good with me, Amelie. How is your father, does he—'' The man in front of her held his talks as she felt a chest being pushed up against her back. '' Theodore,'' His father grumbled at his son's presence, " You failed to tell me that young Amelie here was free to join us."

Theodore's whole figure tensed, and Amelie instantly caught on to what this was about — his mother.

" I didn't want to bother her. She has classes she needs to attend to—"

" Nonsense, son. I'm certain that Amelie would love to come with us, isn't that right?" Mr. Nott's eyes fell upon her as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat. Theodore shrugged before stepping up beside her — his shoulder struck hers, and his head tilted.

Amelie couldn't help but roll her eyes at her best friend and his acts before gazing back at his father, '' I would love to come.''

_____

'' These were beautiful, right?'' She held up a bouquet — the pastel colors of white and beige pionies mixed with the strands of green leaves caught her attention, '' They remind me of—''

'' No. Not those,'' He snapped back, snatching the posy out of her hands before hauling them back into the bucket, '' I want...'' He sucked in a breath. His green eyes eagerly searched for the perfect bouquet as his fingers stroked the petals.

'' These—'' Theodore smiled, grabbing a bundle of red, majestic roses, '' These are perfect,'' He took a shoe back as he held it up between them. '' She would love these, don't you think?''

Amelie quickly nodded, and the waver of being proud of her best friend lingered in her chest. This was a day she knew he loathed, yet, every year, he managed to keep his head high, swallowing the sorrow she grasped tore him in two.

'' Why didn't you tell me that you were going to visit her today?'' Amelie questioned him, making his face sink in a guilty look. His fingertips nervously twitched around the flowers, '' I always go with you. So, why didn't you want me to come with you this year?''

He let out a sigh as he narrowed the green eyes in hers, '' You seemed so happy, with Adrian not being here, and becoming friends with Malfoy... I didn't want to ruin things for you.'' Theodore hushed, the dimples faded into his lightly tanned skin, and he looked sad, confused, bothered.

The brown-haired boy who always confided in Amelie, no matter what either of them seemed to be going through — he always talked to her about everything, but not now. Now he was trying to shut her out, in a way he'd never done before.

Her hand stretched to brush a curl off his forehead before her thumb stroked over his cheeks, '' No matter what I am going through, or what you're going through. You need to talk to me, Theo, because I would drop it all for you. You know that.''

Amelie's head tilted at the bouquet in his hands, '' This is something we do, Teddy. Not just you — we.'' Her face shifted into a grimace as she playfully pouted at him.

'' I know—'' Theodore whispered, and hodded sights grounded as his shoulders sunk, '' I'm just... I don't know. I'm sorry, okay?''

Amelie felt a smile as it played on her lips, and she stepped inches closer. With her arms around his neck, she pulled him in, hugging him, '' It is you and me, Teddy, and don't you dare forget that.''

They walked alongside each other up the cashier — where his father patiently waited for them to be done. He was having a joyful conversation with the lady behind the desk, '' Done already?'' Mr. Nott greeted them as he placed a comforting hand on Amelie's shoulder.

The chilly autumn breeze swirled through her hair, and the grit crackled underneath their steps as they walked their way down the gravel path, right down to where the stones were placed next to the lake. Typically, when you're laid here, they place you up on the hill — but not his mother. Theodore wanted her to rest peacefully, away from everyone, and she did.

Her gravestone stood gracious, right where water matched earth, in the middle of two sides, two elements, exactly how it held when she was still alive. Mr. Nott walked ahead, nodding for the two of them to stay behind.

He wished to be alone with his late wife, and he always sought to talk to her before Amelie and Theodore did, '' Preparing her for what's about to come,'' He usually joked in attempts to lighten up the mood.

Theodore's mother was more than an angel. She lived to be the sweetest, kindest human being Amelie had ever met, but as spoken on the day she laid on her deathbed, the day she was taken from them, too soon,

'' She will live in the hearts she left behind,'' Amelie breathed out at the look of Theo's father as he hunched down next to the stone. She was always emotional here — more than she usually would be.

She felt a warm arm as it wrapped around her, pulling her into his chest, '' I love you, Amelie.'' Theodore mumbled into her hair, and even if his tone was kept low — she could hear how the notes in his voice were on the edge of breaking.

'' Never leave me. I can't stand another person leaving me, Amelie.'' He hummed as her arms reached around him,

'' I promise, Teddy.''

'' There you go, she's all yours—'' His father grumbled, taking long strides past them to sit down on the bench by the hill.

'' You go ahead. I'll be right back.'' Theodore looked at his father before he sprinted after him. He didn't want his father to morn on his own because ever since his mother passed away — Mr. Nott has gone to the lengths of using substances to ease the haunted mind he possessed.

Amelie slipped down next to the stone, with her spine against it. '' I missed you, Ella.'' She whispered, and the tips of her fingers grasped at some blades of grass to roll in between them, '' I miss you so much, and I can take a wild guess and say that you're probably missing us just as much.''

Amelie dragged her knees up to her chest as she tucked her chin into the hold, '' Teddy is doing fine, I think, or I hope — he's been distancing himself from me, Ella, and I don't know what to do.'' She huffed, '' It has always been the other way around, you know? It has always been him trying to break down my walls, but now...''

Amelie couldn't finish her sentence because the look of Theo, along with his father, made her smile.

'' But I would lie if I say that I'm not scared because I am. I'm terrified that he will leave me. I'm afraid that he'll just wake up one day and realize that this isn't what he wants anymore. That he doesn't want to be a part of the Death Eaters, and the only way out of it is—''

Her eyes prickled in tears, and the thought of losing the one person who's still keeping her sane in all the madness almost suffocated her.

'' So I could really use your help.'' Amelie's throat cleared by a sob, and her hand moved to wipe the tears off of her skin, '' I could use some help because I can't lose him. I have lost enough, and if he leaves me — then I have to leave too.''

Her palms settled on the soil-covered ground as she pushed herself of it, standing tall in front of the rock, '' Thank you for bringing him to me, Ella. Thank you for blessing me with Teddy because I have no idea what I would've done without him.''

Amelie's hand brushed over the stone as she settled the flowers next to it, '' These nine years without you have been difficult, but somewhere along the line, I like to think that you're still here with us, every step of the way.''

The images of her still being here plagued Amelie's mind. Theodore's mother didn't live to be a cherished lady. The other wealthy Death Eaters loathed her because she was the only one out of hundreds who took the muggles in defense. She was unbelievably young, kind, and nothing a Death Eater should be, but Theodore's grandfather trapped her in ways similar to how Amelie was chained to Adrian.

And on the day she turned twenty-three, Teddy's grandfather cursed her just enough for them to find her, barely alive, nine years ago.

Amelie's head shook as her hair spilled over her shoulders. '' I love you, Ella, and I promise to take care of your son.''

_____

Blaise sent Amelie the evilest of glares as he slipped down on his seat next to hers. He huffed loudly to get her attention, '' Where were you last night?'' He snarled through question, slamming his books onto the desk.

She cringed by the loud sound, and her eyes immediately flickered to please his, '' I don't know what you—''

'' Don't lie to me,'' He snapped, turning wholly around to face her, and he completely overlooked the fact that the students around them were paying attention to his acts, '' You weren't in your room, and not in the bathroom, so, where did you go?''

Amelie choked on her bravery, too scared to tell him the truth about where she had been even if it was more than harmless, '' I went to Pansy's room, she needed help with something...'' She sought to lie, and she looked more than startled at the boy placed beside her. His fists clenched around the spine of his book, '' I promise, Blaise. I didn't—''

'' You embarrassing—'' He raised his voice, '' You know that I have to tell him about this, right? That you just lied to me.''

Gasps of the nosey students echoed throughout the classroom.

'' Mr. Zabini,'' Snape growled out, marching his way up to their desk. His hand slammed against the worn wood, '' If I hear you talk to Miss. Avery—''

'' No. You know what? Detention for you, Mr. Zabini.'' Snape snarled once more while he shot Amelie a slight nod.

She could feel herself sinking further down in her seat as every student looked at her — whispering, mumbling to what Blaise did, and she was more than ashamed. She felt exposed, embarrassed as if someone had caught her doing something forbidden.

Even if Amelie was well aware that this wasn't on her and that she did nothing to deserve this — she still felt at fault.

'' May I be excused, Professor?'' Amelie asked him politely as every head shifted to hers — she didn't want to be here anymore. She was scared, terrified by the looks she was given.

'' Yes, you may,'' Snape answered sternly without even looking at her. The second she had gathered her books, ready to flee the moment she had feared for so long, Blaise's hand yanked her wrist back, and suddenly he stood dangerously tall next to her.

'' If she's leaving. I have to—''

'' No. You're staying right here, Mr. Zabini, or do you wish for your mother to find out about this... situation?''

She rushed out to the corridor with quick steps, headed to her room with the belief that her overworked mind could find some peace. She didn't want to see anyone, nevertheless have to talk to a single soul — she just wanted to be alone.

But the second she stumbled around the corner — she crashed right into a familiar chest, and before she even held the chance to fall back — the cold hands her skin seemed to be craving grabbed her.

Draco kept her steady on her feet as his gaze fell upon her, and he noticed after not even a second of looking at her — the flushed cheeks, along with the beaten mantle her features held.

'' Avery, what—'' He cleared his throat, '' What happened?''

She stayed silent — and Amelie's lack of words caused him to grow impatient with her. He didn't have time for her stalling anything, so without a thought of what he was doing — he dragged her with him into a deserted room.

Draco closed the classroom door behind them before he loosened his grip to peer down at her, and there it was again — the second Amelie's beaten eyes parallelled his, the hurt, caring look glinted through them, '' Now, Avery. Tell me what happened.''

Still, Amelie didn't know if she dared to. Even if she, somewhere in all the confusion around the blonde boy standing in front of her — realized that he'd flourished to care for her, she still recalled all the hell his missing temper could bring upon a person. Blaise deserved Draco's missed temper more than anyone for treating her the way he did, but Amelie wouldn't be Amelie if she allowed someone to get hurt.

Draco's cold fingertips brushed against her ear before he gently tucked a wavy piece of hair behind it, '' You know that I can ask anyone in this school what happened, right? So the best thing would be for you to tell me before I go ahead and do just that—''

'' Don't—'' Amelie swallowed the hesitation she felt in the cage of her chest, '' I'll tell you... I just need to—''

The second he pulled his touch away — her eyes unexpectedly flickered to his arm, and she noticed that the sleeve of his robe had hitched up, inches over his skin.

Her eyes widened as her breaths faltered by the look of his ashen skin, and the rolled-up sleeve revealed the mark.

The dark mark.

_____