_____

'' I have nightmares too, you know?''

_____

Amelie reached over the kitchen counter, eagerly looking out the window to see when her friends were to arrive.

She hadn't seen either Pansy or Hermione for months, and she was more than excited to meet them again — to hear everything that had been happening in school when she was away.

'' Do you think she kept the baby?" Theodore mumbled from next to her, staring out of the glass, '' I mean, she was still pregnant the last time I saw her.''

'' Of course, she did." Amelie felt a curve upon her lips as two large hands placed on each side of the bench in front of her,

Draco pushed his chest against her back, trapping her in his safe embrace.

'' She did.'' Draco muttered, shooting Theo an evil stare, '' And Nott, don't think we're done talking about this.''

'' About what?'' Theodore's hands flew up in defeat as he backed away from the two, '' I only did what she asked me to do,''

Draco huffed, rolling his eyes at the brunette before he looked down over the girl in his hold. He felt as if he needed to be close to her, to watch over her.

The moment he wasn't there last time — it all went terribly wrong, and he couldn't risk her getting hurt one more time.

Amelie's eyes dragged over his hands, and her fingers stroked across the rings coating them before trailing up over the popping veins embedded into his skin.

Draco smiled, feeling her touch upon his in the most simple way.

'' Are you feeling better?'' He asked her, slowly as his lips pushed into the back of her head, '' I still think you should go upstairs and get some rest—''

'' I'm alright, Draco.'' Amelie whispered, tilting her head back into his chest, '' But thank you for checking up on me.''

Draco's hand wrapped around hers. He didn't bother that her best friend was standing next to them — he had lost so much time with her already, and he wasn't going to waste another second.

'' You should rest. You haven't slept properly for—'' Amelie rose,

'' I'm fine.'' Draco cut her off, still standing with his body pressed to hers, '' I'll sleep later.''

'' God.'' Theodore rolled his eyes beside them, '' Can we not do this when I am here?''

Amelie let out a peel of soft laughter to his comment, but Draco didn't. His body tensed at the brown-haired boy.

'' Nott, if you don't keep that bloody mouth of yours shut. I know a great spell that can do it for you.''

''Draco,'' Amelie whispered, turning around in his arms to face him. Her eyes fell upon the blonde one, and even if she was supposed to tell him to not mock her best friend — she couldn't.

She watched as the grey eyes studied her. Her fingers stretched up in between them to stroke a silky strand of hair off his forehead.

He loved it when she did that.

'' Be nice, Draco.'' She smiled, pulling her hand back, but the second she did — his hand gripped hers, gently shaking his head at her before he reached her knuckles up to his lips, kissing them carefully.

'' I am nice.'' Draco mumbled into the spine of her hand, looking softly at her, '' This is me being nice.''

'' Really?'' Amelie frowned, trying to conceal the smile she so encouragingly held onto.

'' Really.''

'' Can I ask you something?'' Amelie hesitated, sucking her bottom lip in between her teeth.

She was nervous, even when she knew she didn't have to be. Draco never judged her — he never held her responsible for anything, and he usually let her do as she pleased.

'' Mhm.'' He hummed without taking his eyes off her, observing the features he would never grow tired of.

Amelie grimaced. Her fingers twitched in his hand as she pulled her touch away.

'' May I...'' Her face shifted into shame, and she couldn't help but regret this.

'' May you...'' Draco took after her, '' What?''

'' Can I cut your hair?'' She blurted out before she could change her mind.

Draco's brows furrowed as Theodore burst out in laughter.

Amelie could feel her cheeks flushing in color as she shot Teddy a glare. His taunting made her feel even more embarrassed.

Her heart pounded roughly within.

'' You want to cut my hair?'' Draco said, confused.

'' Yes.''

'' And why is that?'' He took a step back, his hand brushing over the blonde strands, '' Is there something wrong with my hair?''

'' No—'' Her note desperately louder, '' I didn't mean it like that. I just... I don't know. I just wanted to try and cut it.''

She smiled nervously, in the complete need for him to say yes. '' I'll let you cut mine if you want?''

Draco huffed, '' I can take you to a hairdresser, you know?''

Amelie's head tipped to the side as she looked disappointingly at him, '' Now, where is the fun in that?''

He stared at her, watching as the breathtaking girl in front of him smiled most graciously.

There wasn't anything he wouldn't let her do. He could never say no to that adorable curve on her lips — even if it regarded cutting his hair.

'' Fine.'' He muttered, taking a step back as his hand dropped to his side, '' But if it turns out bad—''

'' It won't.'' Her eyes flashed in hope as his body shifted in warmth because of it.

He would tear the world in two just for her to look at him like that.

Even a small thing as this one made her visibly happy, and he couldn't wait to make her this joyful every day, for as long as time let them.

'' They're here,'' Narcissa called out from the hallway, opening the front door.

All three heads snapped to the side, watching as the two girls stepped inside the manor.

'' Hermione.'' Amelie breathed out, nearly shoving herself past Draco to rush up to her friend, and Hermione wasn't slow to follow,

She stretched her arms out, wrapping them tightly around Amelie as she slammed herself into the chest she'd missed so badly.

Amelie breathed Hermione in, smiling in a way she hadn't in a long time. She missed the girl hugging her. More than words could come to explain.

'' I missed you, Ams.'' Hermione gasped into her hair, holding her tighter. '' God. I have missed you so much.''

'' I missed you more, Mione.'' Amelie whimpered back, and she could almost feel tears pooling in the corner of her eyes. '' I missed you so much more.''

The two girls hugged each other for minutes until Theodore placed a hand on Amelie's shoulder, making the girl tilt her head to face him.

'' My turn.'' He grinned before his eyes flickered to Hermione.

Amelie let go of her friend as she looked back at Draco. He stood leaning against the counter, his hands tucked into the pockets of his suit pants.

'' Hi, Amelie.'' Pansy caught her attention — her tone gentle, '' I wasn't sure if I should've come here. I didn't know if you wanted to see me.'' She excused herself.

The last time the two were together was an emotional moment for them both. Pansy was, after all, pregnant with the boy Amelie once believed that she loved so deeply.

Amelie's face fell into an agonizing one, and her heart ached for the brunette as she traced a hand over her shoulder, '' Why would you ever think that, Pansy. I am more than happy to see you again.''

The girl's shoulders sunk, and she held a gaze of glimmering relief, '' Thank you.'' Pansy whispered; a hand stroked over her clothed stomach.

'' Oh my god.'' Amelie gasped as she watched the bump showing, '' Pansy.''

Pansy smiled as Amelie's hand slammed over her mouth and without hesitation, '' May I?''

The pregnant girl nodded softly — she almost seemed happy by Amelie's reaction as she unzipped her jacket, leaving her belly on display.

Amelie felt the warmth rush through her — even if it was Adrian's, even if it was a heartbreaking matter, she couldn't help but be excited.

'' Do you know the—''

'' Madame Pomfrey says it's a girl.'' Pansy smiled, placing her hand on top of Amelie's to guide her hand over her stomach.

'' A girl...'' Amelie whispered as she let the palm of her hand brush over the fabric of Pansy's shirt, '' That is something else.''

Her eyes in tears as she looked back at Draco again, smiling from ear to ear, and he bowed his head towards her.

It was beautiful to him, seeing how she was so selfless in something so vicious.

Adrian had cheated, and he had made another girl pregnant. Still, Amelie was able to find happiness in it.

He admired that about her, more than anything — how a haunted mind could be so caring.

'' Do you have a name in mind?'' Amelie peered up at the girl again, '' I mean. If you're comfortable telling me, of course.''

" We do." Hermione caught up on the conversation, sounding more than proud, " I came up with it."

Theodore smiled at the girls, '' Tell us about it then.''

'' It's Aimee.'' Pansy settled both of her hands on her growing belly.

'' Aimee...'' Theodore quietened down, looking down at Amelie beside him, '' That sounds familiar.''

'' It's because it is.'' Pansy's eyes leveled Amelie, who stood as frozen with a tear rolling down her cheek,

'' It's the closest we could come to Amelie.''

'' And it means beloved,'' Hermione pitched in again, her hand brushed a strand of hair off Pansy's shoulder.

They all looked at Amelie, standing shocked in front of them. Her hand shook as she quickly wiped the tear away,

'' Even if she was made out of violence, she's still loved.'' Amelie whispered, '' It's perfect.''

Pansy held a hand over her mouth, letting a muffled sob out before her arms clung around Amelie, hugging her and all the pain Pansy had cost her — away.

'' Thank you.'' Amelie cried into her hair, '' Thank you for being here.''

Pansy leaned back, shoving the messy strands of hair out of Amelie's face, and she gazed over the selfless girl — praising her for being so gentle, knowing that she had caused her so much harm by involving herself with her boyfriend.

'' No.'' Pansy dried her own tears with the sleeve of her jacket, '' Thank you.''

'' I'm sorry to interrupt this very...'' Narcissa stood with her shoulder against the doorway, gesturing with her hand into the dining hall, '' Precious moment, but dinner is ready.''

_____

Amelie laid in her bed, feeling as the crisp sheets hugged around her skin.

She couldn't fall asleep — all her mind reached was the two girls, sleeping in a room down the hall from her, and how it felt safe to have them here.

How everything felt completed in a time so unsure.

She was still frightened because she knew that Draco would be searching her memories soon, and all the hurt, all the suffering that usually came with it, would be lived through again.

Not only for her sake but for the blonde one's too, after all — she could watch his mind as he looked through hers.

Amelie tossed and turned in her covers, trying to ease her working mind, and after hours, in the middle of the night — without another soul awake, just as she was on the firm, gentle edge to falling asleep,

She flinched.

Her body jolted by the horrifying screams he was letting out — he was having nightmares again.

Draco had slept peacefully with them at the cabin, and it was almost as if she had forgotten about them.

His haunting shouts. His heartbreaking cries.

She pulled the covers off herself and on her bare feet — she tripped her way down the hall.

The cold air sored at her skin as she looked around, making sure that no one would see her in the thin layer of a nightdress she wore.

'' Draco?'' Her palms against his wooden door, '' Draco, are you awake?''

But the blonde didn't let out a word. He whimpered in the world of imagination, and she hurried up to the bed, climbing over his massive mattress,

'' Draco.'' She whispered, slowly as she tucked herself closer to him, leaning her spine against the headboard, '' Draco, it's alright.''

He had drips of sweat flooding down his forehead. His chest rose and fell violently as his nerves trembled.

Her arms wrapped around his shoulders for him to tilt his head against her chest, '' It's alright, Draco. I'm here now.''

Draco's arm threw across her, sheeting around her entirely as he buried his nose into her shoulder. He was still asleep — or on the close edge to waking up, she wasn't quite sure.

'' Draco.''

'' Mhm.''

'' Are you awake?''

'' Mhm. I am now.''

Amelie felt a smile on her lips as she stroked her hand over his exposed back, '' I'm sorry, go back to sleep.''

'' No.'' He mumbled, still with his head against her chest.

'' No?'' Her brows furrowed, '' Why not?''

'' Because when I do. You'll leave.'' He breathed out, his arm around her tensed, '' And I don't want you to leave.''

Amelie could feel as her heart slightly broke for him. She didn't know he felt like that. She thought he wanted her to leave, and she didn't want to bother him.

'' What if I stay? Will you sleep then?'' Her voice airy, looking over his pale skin.

'' No.''

'' Draco...'' She slipped down entirely onto the mattress, facing the grey eyes, '' Why won't you sleep if I stay?''

He looked at her. The corner of his mouth arched as he tried to hide it, '' Because then I'll be missing the one night you decide to stay in here.''

The tips of her fingers brushed over his arm, feeling how goosebumps trailed after her.

'' What if I...'' She nearly held her breath as his fanned her skin, '' What if I always sleep in here? Would you sleep then?''

Draco scoffed, rolling his eyes at her in the darkness, '' Don't say things you don't mean.'' He muttered, shifting to lay on his back,

'' I'm alright, Amelie. You can go.''

Amelie's face shifted into a concerned grimace as she moved after him, her chin on his exposed chest, feeling how his toned muscles flexed underneath her. She sought to get his attention again,

'' But what if I want to...?'' Her tells held so low that he barely heard her, '' What if I want to sleep in here with you?'' What if I'm lonely, sleeping alone?''

Draco's head fell back to face her, and his eyes glinted, '' Really?''

'' Really.'' She stared back at him softly.

'' Then I guess I don't mind falling asleep.'' Draco's fingertips touched her cheek, and her head sunk onto his shoulder completely.

He wrapped his arm around her, smiling for himself as she tucked herself inches closer and her leg crossed over his.

'' I have nightmares too, you know?" Amelie whispered as her breaths shifted heavier — and within seconds, her head tipped to the side.

She fell asleep, in the easiest way she had ever done before — without even noticing.

Draco placed his head against hers, pushing his lips onto her forehead, and he held her. He held her so close that he could feel her heart beating in bearing with his.

He knew that it was time to use the magic he possessed to search her memories again — even if he didn't want to. He needed to.

They had been waiting for too long, and they couldn't pass this on for much longer.

His eyes dragged over the peacefully sleeping girl next to him as her head traveled over the line to her imagination — and all he sought to think about was whether she would be his sheltered lighthouse or his windiest storm.

Perhaps, a perfect mix of them both.

_____