Similar to what mother always used to say,

" Soulmates are more than just lovers,"

And she was, she lived to be more than everything,

My soul chose hers, and a soul tends to never forget that.

Her life paralleled mine in the most perfect of ways, and without her, nothing would ever shine the same again,

My tears poured as I felt her small body turn cold in mine, her chest stopped heaving, her pale skin faded further,

And that was it,

She was gone — and it was all my fault. I was supposed to protect her, and I didn't. I failed her, and I would live to pay the price for doing so.

My sobs echoed loud throughout the room, hushing the arguments behind me as I held onto her. I wasn't ready to let her go. How would I ever be able to let her weak, vulnerable body go? I wanted to keep her in my arms forever, dead or alive.

I wished to look into her eyes for eternity, to feel the safety and comfort she always granted me, to be alongside her wherever that sought to be,

" Draco," Lucius snarled, his voice broke through my numbness, making me flinch back to look at the men standing behind me, " Make her stop. The dark lord will return any minute now,"

Draco stood frozen. He merely looked at his father, his insides broke for me, his mind clouded by my loss, and he felt my pain, in a way he had never done before,

" Draco, now." His father hissed again as I felt Draco's cold hands wrapping around my waist, trying to pry me off my deceased best friend,

Iced fingers dug into my flesh as he pulled me into his chest, lifting me from the floor, " No, no please," I begged through tears, " Please. I can't leave her,"

" I promised not to leave her,"

My head fell into the crook of his neck, seeking comfort as he hugged me closer, " We won't. We won't leave her, I promise." He mumbled into my head before letting me down on my feet,

His hands flew to my cheeks, cupping them in a way only he did, " But I can not lose you. You have to keep yourself together, if only for a short while," His thumbs traced circles on my drained skin, wiping the stained tears off, " We won't leave her,"

I found myself lost in his blue eyes, the eyes my heart craved for, melting by the way the blonde strands of hair fell messy over his forehead. He looked exhausted, vein, the dark circles under his eyes stained purple, his skin almost ashen — I knew he played a part in Luna coming here. Still, I couldn't be mad at him. I was in no position to hate him because he was all I had left.

He rested his forehead against mine, feeling the soft skin lightly — this was everything. He was everything.

'' Weakness—,'' My father snaked behind us, causing us to jump feet apart, '' I never cared for weakness —,'' He continued as he strolled closer, embracing us in the coldness following him,

I stayed clear off his eyes, too startled to face him as I felt his wand pushed underneath my chin, arching my head back to level him, '' But now, when one of your fragilities is—, '' He held, peering down at Luna's slain body, a grin raised on his lips while slowly looking back at me, '' Gone — we may do what I brought you here for,''

The frozen blood within me fumed at his words, the way he found joy in her death — the way he mocked me for it. I drew my wand, without hesitation, forcing it into his chest as I met his shocked views,

'' You think this makes me one of you?'' I seethed, eyes pooling as I forced the wand deeper, '' If you ever think that this makes me on of you — that this shows you my loyalty, you're more then wrong, father,'' His eyes bored straight through mine, burning my soul,

'' I did this for her because you chose to hurt her, you decided this —, not me,''

My father's lips bent in pleasure, teeth showed in a cheeky smile, '' Silly, silly girl,'' He laughed, glaring down at my wand pressed into his chest, '' I'm aware that her death won't show me your loyalty,'' He grinned, taking a track back, letting my chin off his vile hold,

'' This was nothing more than a test, dear,''

I felt my jaws clenching, my centers caving, '' Draco, come—,'' My father whispered, gesturing for the blonde boy to stand next to him, and he did, he walked close to my father, evading my stunned self, '' I have a task for you,''

My eyes locked in my fathers, his eyes smothered mine, '' Yes my lord,'' Draco uttered, but barely — his body shook, violently and I could see how frightened my fathers presence made him, '' Draco—, I want you to do the honors,'' He chuckled, darkly,

'' I demand you to give my daughter my mark,''

I lost my every sense at his words. My eyes grew wide, so did Draco's as he snapped his neck to face me, '' I order you to turn her into one of us,'' He said, his finger pointed at himself — a moment of silence suffered, hearing Draco's trembling breaths heaving heavily,

'' I—,'' He stuttered, his lips quivering as I noticed how much this tore him apart, the choice he had to make between my father and me — me and the safety of his own family,

'' Do it—,'' I spoke, my vocals shyly shredded through the surroundings as I rose my head to parallel theirs, '' It's alright, Draco,'' I forced a smile, trying to bring him the bravery to please my wish,

The fallen look on his face dropped further, the ashen skin nearly turned white, '' I don't—, I can't—,'' His eyes flickered, his chest moved roughly,

'' Draco—, '' His father tried to warn, '' You need to do this,'' Draco didn't spare his father one single look, his blue, flustered eyes clocked mine, as dread washed over him,

'' Draco—,'' I spoke softly, neglecting the two men beside us, '' I want you to, it's okay — I promise,'' I lied, but in need to, because if I didn't — I knew what my father would too, he would take Draco away and make his family live through worse than hell,

I swallowed, shutting my eyes as I shoed closer, breathing deeply before halting before them, my eyes met Draco's, and even if this was a moment of fear, a memory that would haunt me forever — I cherished the truth of him being here, of him being the one to do this,

I winced, by the touch of Lucius wrapping his arms around me, holding me in a steady grip, '' Don't be scared,'' My father taunted me as he noticed my blood rushing faster, my cheeks burning in warm tears, '' Feeling is for the weak, and following this —, you will never be weak again,''

Lucius's hands strived to find my arm, bending it up before tearing up the sleeve, leaving my pale skin vulnerable for Draco to look at, but he refused to — his eyes searched for mine, pleading for this to stop, the look, that precise look in his eyes was enough to break me in two,

This did thing to him. This caused him unwelcomed pain, '' I love you, Draco,'' I whispered, almost inaudible, only for him to hear, making his eyes broad, jaws clenched as he swallowed, harshly. His lips parted, in need to say it back, but me nodding my head at him, reassuring him that I already knew, hewed him off,

I knew he loved me, more than I could ever come to understand — he was here, he was always here, even when he claimed to hate me, I knew. Some part of me has always known that he would grow to be more than just the cruel, heartless boy I hated,

I believe that we both knew, even when we didn't,

The cold soaring feeling of Draco's wand digging into my skin caused me to whimper, making Lucius tighten his grip around me, '' Don't be afraid, Draco —,'' My father urged, glaring at the both of us from feet away, '' You are doing her the greatest of favors,''

" You are giving her the purpose of life,"

Draco's pale hand shook fiercely, fingers tensed around the shaft of his wand as my father shifted closer, placing his hand on Draco's. My eyes sealed, my mind shutting down as I prepared for the pain. The need for oxygen heaved the second the spell scored through my skin,

I shut my eyes, my body weakened as cries continually left my lips in agony. Draco's voice tore through my ears as he almost cried out,

'' I can't—,'' He breathed, '' I can't do this—,''

'' She's hurting—,''

'' Please don't make me do this—,''

My eyes clocked wide, sensing the stinging feeling of a thousand knives boring through my skin as the ink took its place, the outlines of the dark mark severely coated my forearm,

'' Please stop—,'' I cried out in torture, making a grin surface on my father's lips, pushing Draco's hand down to dig deeper — to hurt more,

I suffered my breath as he pulled the wand away, stumbling back in Lucius' arms, '' You see—,'' My father seethed, '' You will show me loyalty, and you will follow me, it's in your blood,''

With those words, he snatched me by the arm, dragging me closer to Draco, '' Now that you are proven to be one of us, both with life taken and the mark engraved in your skin — our beloved Draco here is destined the same faith as you,''

The icing breaths from my father fanned my neck as he forcibly pulled my wand out, '' Lucius, would you do the honors?'' He spat, making me cringe in his presence, scared to death as I leveled Draco's eyes — the fright shredding through them seemed overwhelming,

He had given up. He sought to give in — to let this happened because hurting me, being the one to doom my life for the worse, was too much for him. He had done everything possible to keep me safe, to protect me from all the madness in this world, and now, he couldn't,

In his world, in the mind of someone who never felt anything but hatred and pain, this was torture, to cause the one person who made him feel, the one person who made his cold heart, warm, harm,

'' I don't—, '' I breathed out, my lips shaking as I tried to step back, '' I can't do this—,'' My thoughts surrounded the truth of the unbreakable vow,

My father swiftly drew his wand, aiming it towards mine, and by the twist of his hand, my body froze — the control I used to have fleed as my hand clenched my wand firmly, pointed straight at Draco, '' The power of magic, my dear,'' My father grinned, darkly,

'' You have no choice in this — you will do as I please, and I want you to grant this boy, my mark,'' His words slowly dripped off his tongue, vocals raspy yet low,

Lucius dragged the sleeve of Draco's jacked up, enough for me to once again see the scars from the last time he had to go through this, " Now," My father demanded, and my wand twitched in my hand,

The edge scratched against Draco's pale skin, blood sipped the marks of ink as I did everything not to. The boy's scream cut through my heart, his begs and pleads of torture broke it completely,

" Draco—," I whispered, hoping to shred through the trance of hurt, " Draco look at me, please," And he did, his pooling eyes reached mine, lips quivered as he tried not to cry, " Close your eyes, Draco, close your eyes for me,"

I closed my eyes, so did he, my mind striving to get to his — similar to what Luna used to do for me when I was the one hurting.

Leiah's flashback for Draco,

'' Stop that,'' Draco huffed, annoyingly, making her eyes snap away, cheeks blushed as he caught her staring, '' How many times am I suppose to tell you not to stare?''

A giggle left Leiah's lips as she turned in her chair, away from the blonde boy, '' So what if I enjoy looking at you?'' She smirked, her eyes leveling the book placed in front of her, '' You have a handsome face,''

Her words caught him off guard, earing a shocked look to rise on his temples, '' Then don't stop—, '' He told her, '' Don't ever stop looking at me like that,''

She snapped her eyes straight to his, glancing deeply into his blue views, '' I want you to look at me, just as you did now, forever,'' She rose a brow, feeling his cold, ring coated fingers brushing against her warm cheek, tucking a curl behind her ear,

Her eyes rolled at his words, her skin flushed by the gentle touch, '' Do you love me, Draco?'' She asked him, kindly, '' Do you love me in the way you read in books — you know, so much it hurts?'' Her blue eyes hesitatingly looked away, almost feeling ashamed for what she just had asked him,

She shook her head at his silence, '' Don't answer that,'' She mumbled, pulling away to look down in her book once again — her patience and the embarrassment of him not answering her turned overwhelming as she slammed her book shut, standing up,

'' I'll see you at dinner, alright?'' She whispered, still not meeting his eyes, the eyes that kept longing for hers. He could look at her for hours without ever growing tired. She was everything for him,

'' Don't do that,'' He spoke, harshly, his hand wrapped around her wrist as she tried to walk away, '' You didn't give me the chance to answer,'' He yanked her back as he stood tall in his shoes, leaning his back against the table,

He pulled her closer, in the way he loved to do, he loved having her close. It calmed him, even if he at times would never admit to it,

'' I'm not good with feelings,'' He mumbled, blue eyes bored through hers with honesty, '' And I won't repeat this because you know how my life has been, '' She nodded at his words, his fingers clenched into her waist as he pulled her just a little closer, enough to feel her scent, to sense her warm breath,

'' I—,'' He rose but quickly hushed, she tilted her head at his tries, before her hands found his cheeks, arching his head up to look at her,

'' It's okay, Draco — let's just —,'' He cleared his throat, making her chew her bottom lip, her hands dropped to the sides,

'' I never knew home. I never felt at place or peace anywhere, really, '' He halted, looking deeply into her eyes, '' But that was all before I watched you that night in here, in this library while you studied and the way you chew that bottom lip of yours, made everything easier,''

She sucked in a breath, nearly scared to realising it, '' I know I was playing a part at first. I know I hurt you by doing so, but I wouldn't have it any other way if I had the chance to do it all again — because all of this, us, lead me here and the feeling of never knowing home, the constant anxiety of never feeling at peace—, ''

'' Vanished, because of you. You taught me that sometimes a home could be another person,''

Her eyes watered, her body trembled. Draco had never spoken to her in this way before,

'' And it never made sense to me, how I was able to feel that with you, but love never makes sense,''

He licked his bottom lip, his veins rushed, '' I love you, more than you could ever come to understand, and I need you in ways I never believed to be possible,''

'' And that is a funny thing, you see—, Draco Malfoy needing someone,''

'' But I do. I need you, and I know that you need me to,''

'' I always will. I will always need you, and I will always want you. You have made it impossible for me to even think about the thought of ever being without you,''

'' You have a place, Riddle, you have a place in my heart that no one else could ever have,''

She nearly suffered her breath as her hands flew to his neck, hugging him utterly — his arms wrapped around her waist, the blonde strands of his hair tickled her skin,

'' Thank you,'' She queried into his neck, her nose brushing against the pale skin, '' Thank you for this,''

He held her with everything he had, and he planned on doing so for as long as time let him. He knew that the future was unknown, that life was uncertain, and he knew that he could lose her at any moment, so he did what he could,

He held her now, the girl his cold heart belonged to, the girl who taught him how to love,

And he did,

Draco loved her,

_____

My eyes clocked open, meeting his, his lips parted, '' How did you do that?'' He stumbled, both of us noticing my wand had dropped to the floor, '' How did you make me see—,''

'' Quiet, Draco—,'' His father snarled, hauling away from his son as he stepped to stand next to my father, both of them stared at us with might, '' You will be used to the feeling the mark grants you,'' Lucius spoke again,

I swallowed thickly, looking back at Draco as he held his arm, the dark mark sored his porcelain skin, '' We will send for you when your presence is needed,'' My father hissed. With that, their black cloaks swirled around them and in a blink of an eye, they were gone,

Leaving us alone in the place that I once called home,

My eyes flickered down to my arm, the ripped shirt revealed the ink, the cursed mark,

His mark,

I came to realization with myself the second my eyes grounded on Luna's faded body,

She was dead,

Luna was dead,

Draco's heaving breaths caught my attention, peering up at him through teary eyes,

He was a death eater,

And so was I,

I was a death eater now,

And everything was fated to change.

_____