This chapter contains a scene of emotional trauma. Please read with caution.

_____

Draco Malfoy,

Weeks have passed since we got back, since she lost the person closest to her.

Since she lost her best friend.

The first days, she did nothing but cry. She took distance from me, and everyone else close to her, all she sought to do was to be alone — and I let her. She spent the nights sleeping in Luna's bed, sobbing herself to sleep as I watched over her from afar.

I would never leave her, not in her biggest time of need. She made my life worth living, she gave me a purpose in the most draining days, and now it was my turn to do the same for her, to give her meaning and to be the one taking care of her.

After almost a week, she stopped crying, and she turned utterly numb — not even the mark of ink carved into her arm made her feel, she was merely broken, destroyed to a point where she lost her right mind.

Flashback,

My head dropped, making my eyes flare open, vision dizzy by the lack of sleep. I couldn't sleep, and I haven't slept in days, all I sought to do was to look after her from feet away, in absolute silence — but she wasn't here. Luna's bed scored empty as I jolted up from the desk chair,

''Leiah?'' I called out for her, but nothing, the room deserted as I flung the dorm door open, searching through every hallway to find her,

I frequently called out for her in panic. The painful thought of her being out of my sight, of her being able to hurt herself or even worse, knocked the air out of my lungs,

I stopped in my tracks, feeling my chest almost breaking, my heart shattered when it clocked my mind — the only place I did not search to pieces,

It was with sharp, quick steps I rushed up the stairs to the astronomy tower, my breaths stuck in my throat as the tears burned behind my eyelids, hoping to every higher power that it wouldn't be too late,

My eyes placed on her beautiful self, her hands clenched around the metallic railing, her hair flowing gracefully in the lively wind, she shook, her entire body trembled before she flinched my the sound of my shoe on the cracking wooden floor,

Her head shifted to face mine, the moonlight lightened up her angelic features as I noticed her cheeks stained in tears, '' I can't—,'' She sobbed, her breaking voice caused my whole self to break right with her, this was the first time she's spoken to me in days,

'' I can't do this anymore, Draco—,'' Her heavy breaths, her whimpers of pain shredded me from within.

'' I stood—, '' She hushed, wiping off tears with the sleeve of her sweater, '' I stood right there, where you are standing right now, and I promised her, Draco — I promised her that it was her and I forever—,'' She slightly bent forward, making me step closer, scared to death that she would lose it and ultimately give in to her tortured mind,

''Leiah—,''

'' I stood right there, Draco — and then I—, ''

Her cries echoed loud,

'' I killed her—,'' She sniffed, her voice low, '' I took her life, and it turned us into—,''

Her breaths ragged, her cheeks drowned in the salty liquid,

'' We're doomed for life Draco, we are death eaters and I —,''

'' I can't do this anymore,'' Her head flicked back to stare out over the world, her small hands lightly letting go of the railing a little bit at the time, '' I love you, Draco — I love you so much, and I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me this year,''

Her words tore me in two, she wanted to leave me, she wanted to give up on me, and on herself, she wanted to give up on us,

'' Please—,'' I begged silently, feeling one single tear urging to fall, '' You promised never to give up on me,''

'' You promised never to leave me,''

She shook her head, her curls fell over her shoulders, constant heartbreaking sobs fleed her perfect lips, '' And where have those kinds of promises left me, Draco?''

'' I'm a mess, and I don't deserve you — you could be so much happier—,''

'' Don't you even dare finish that sentence,'' I nearly shouted, my blood fuming at her reckless words, '' You don't get to decide that for me — you're more than clueless, aren't you?''

She looked at me, startled, scared as I came closer, the torture she felt was too much. I knew that. I could see it, feel it. She needed to do this, but I needed her more.

I used gentle steps as I climbed the railing, positioning myself next to her, '' You're not alone,'' I whispered, placing my hand on hers, '' I will always be here — but if this is what you want if this is what you crave to do—,''

Her eyes glimmered in the shine of stars, the moon lit her up most breathtakingly, '' If you have to do this, to be with her,'' Her face softened, her lashes batteling the tears,

'' I will do too, because I need you, and I would never be able to live without you,''

Her mouth dropped, the lower lip trembling as she fully turned to me, shaking in emotion, '' Don't say that — don't lie to me,'' She whimpered, her hand's ice-cold below mine,

'' I'm not lying, Leiah. I promised to be with you, and I will, wherever that may be,'' My eyes bored through hers as she stared at me, her heart pounded hard at the touch of my hand, stroking her cheek, '' Please don't do this, let me help you,''

The touch of her head falling to my shoulder forced my whole heart back together. She hasn't shown me any signs of needing me for weeks, but now — now she did, and that was everything.

'' Promise never to leave me, Draco — I can't do this alone,''

Her breaths fanned heavily against the fabric of my jacket, my arms protectively sheathed around her as we stood on the far edge of the tower, her and me, now — a little less broken,

" I promise."

_____

The past week has been hard on all of us, her father has made multiple attempts to reach out to her, but I have done everything in my power not to let him, to spare her the devastation of another breaking truth, to free her from the chains of reality,

I stood emptily at the end of the bridge, waiting for the owl I knew was coming, and without another thought, the letter dropped to the ground, the squealing sound of the animal howled from afar as I reached down,

The Malfoy sigil coated the back as I ripped it open, both scared and impatient of what they needed from me, what my father craved to do this time,

'' Draco,

The dark lord has summoned you to come home,

I expect you to be here shortly,

We wish for you to leave miss Riddle behind and come alone,

Father. ''

My veins iced as I finished reading, my arms dropped to my sides in defeat. I felt my temper failing as the rain poured — the drops of sprinkles soaked. They took it away once more, the chance of a stride of calm weather with her, time to spend with the girl who grew to be everything,

I never held the chance in simply being with her, to lay with her in peace, to love her without cause, they consistently ceased us of the fate in happiness, to live in harmony,

The footsteps behind me echoed loudly throughout the empty courtyard, the steps of her heels close, '' Draco?'' She asked, her vocals smooth heavenly, '' It's in the middle of the night, Draco—,'' She shrugged as I turned to face her, her night robe wrapped firmly around her figure, hugging herself in the cold weather,

'' I received an owl from father.'' I snarled, feeling defeated by the fact of her not being able to live in peace, for us never to the left alone, '' I have to leave,''

The rain dropped over her, her body slightly trembling by the cold drips, '' Can I go with you?'' She huffed, frowning her brows in question as the breathtaking eyes stared through mine, '' I don't want to be here if you're not—,''

'' No,'' I stated, my voice tore hers apart, making her hush down as she stepped closer, concern spread on her temples as her hair now drenched, '' I need to do this alone,''

She nodded, chewing her bottom lip in the way that always provoked me — even out here, in the cold storm, she stood gracefully, her mind blew mine, her hand gently brushed strands of blond hair off my forehead, forcing a smile to arch her lips,

'' When?'' She mumbled, pulling her touch away, '' When do you have to leave?''

Her eyes blinked quickly. Her breaths almost hitched in confusion, '' Tonight.'' I spoke coldly, the need for distancing myself from her grew. It was already hard enough to be apart from her in the past, and to continue needing to leave her, broke my cold heart, the stony heart only she had the power to turn warm,

'' I see—,'' She whispered, looking back at the ground, stamping her shoes as the water splashed around them, '' Will you come inside with me before you leave —,'' Her eyes once again found mine, giving me the sweetest of looks — she was irresistible, her heart showed me mercy, the way she took my breath away,

I knew she needed me close to fall asleep, after finally agreeing to sleep in my bed again, she wasn't able to enter the world of imagination without me near, '' Of course,'' I nodded, finching by the touch of her hand reaching for mine,

She tried to walk away, she sought us to go to bed, but I couldn't. I needed to taste her, I needed to feel her warmth on my cold one, '' Come here,'' I muttered through the heavy rain, both of us sogged in weather as I pulled her in, my arms snaking their way around her waist,

I felt her breaths fanning utterly on my jawline as I held her, the way I wanted to keep her for the rest of my life, the way she was made to fit perfectly in my arms,

'' I love you, Draco—,'' She hummed into my soaked jacket, '' Thank you for choosing me, thank you for everything,''

Her words tore me apart as I peered down over her. She was made for me — we were made for each other, and that seems to be the way of life; eventually, everything connects,

So did we,

In the most heartbreaking way,

'' I love you more, ''

_____

I apparated myself home, standing on the stairs leading to the front door. Even if this didn't score as home anymore, a slight feeling of relief shredded through me in the constant longing for her.

Leaving her earlier was as hard as ever, and the concern for her safety became overwhelming the second my father opened the door, hurling for me to come inside. My eyes placed on my mother, standing in tears before me,

Her fallen look pained, her eyes exhausted, " Draco," She breathed out, " I'm more than glad to have you home," The feeling of her voice, her calming scent brought even more stillness,

My mother hugged me, held me close as the tears rolled down her drained cheeks, " I'm glad to be here," I mumbled into her hair, forcing a smile as she pulled away,

My father stepped beside her, brows frowned, the slight nod he granted caused crawling shivers down my spine, " Draco," He said coldly, flashes of concern shunned his eyes,

I shoed back from the both of them, hands shoved into my pockets, " Well, does either of you care to explain what I am doing here?"

Their eyes snapped to each other. My mother blinked rapidly, trying to defeat the tears, " Draco, the dark lord has granted you a task," She whimpered, her hand flew to muffle the cracks in her voice,

I felt my insides twist, the ink embedded in my arm stung at her words, " And it's with an importance that you see this through,"

" What is it?" I nearly snarled out, feeling my chest shift heavily in anxiety, " What does he want me to do?" My father cleared his throat at my mother's cries. This was too much for her. All of this grew to be the most hardest thing she has ever had to live through,

'' He needs you to,'' My father rose but quickly hushed by my mother storming off, leaving the room in pain — I swallowed harshly at her acts before flickering back to my father, staring him straight in the eyes as he collected the strength to continue,

'' He has wished for you to kill Harry Potter,''

I shut my eyes closed, my mind twirling at the terms he'd just spoken — breaths locked as I tried to calm myself, but to no use, the mark in my arm tore in agony, making me look back up at him,

'' He wishes for me to do what?''

'' He wants you to kill Harry Potter, Draco — and it's off great length that you do as told,'' He endangered, his hand brushing the blonde strands of greasy hair off his eyes, '' Or he will kill Leiah,''

The need for air became staggering, salty liquid burnt in my eyes as I tried to hide it, not to show any signs of weakness, just like he taught me to, '' If I do this, if I do as he pleases — will he leave her alone?''

My father bowed his head, jaws clenching, '' You have his word,''

I knew I shouldn't, and I knew that this would cause her to hate me, she would never forgive me for such an evil act, the most inhuman act of them all — she would gladly give her life to spare someone else's because it's her. She's selfless and has the heart of thousands, but I had to. I had to do this.

I have to be selfish with her, there is no way out. Her father knew how to toy with my feelings, with my need to protect her from everything,

She was my only weakness, and he knew that.

'' I'll do it,''

_____

Leiah Riddle,

I fiddled with the necklace hanging close to my neck, stroking it gently in remembering of him — Draco still haven't gotten back, and it's been nearly three days without as much as a letter, but I trusted him, more than ever,

He promised never to leave me again, he gave me his word that he would come back and after everything — I needed to believe him, I needed to have fate in the boy I would drain my soul for,

Missing him tore through my every nerve, every flush of blood rushing through my veins pained in the longing for him to be close, for him to hold me in the safety he brought — the comfort he winded me with after Luna's passing, and even though it been almost six weeks since she,

Died,

Since I killed her,

The memory of her lived lively within. I knew she was with me, even is she wasn't, because the friendship we shared, the life we went through together, is for eternity. It outlived death itself,

Luna and me, forever — just as we always told each other,

Me and my angel Luna,

Why is it that when the story ends, we all begin to feel all of it?

I flinched back, almost ripping the necklace off my skin as the door flung open, furious brown eyes snapped to mine, and without any chance to avoid it, her wand pushed to my throat, digging deeply,

I blinked quickly, searching for her eyes in my darkened room, '' Hermione, what are you—,''

'' Don't you dare speak to me, Leiah—,'' She threatened, teeth gritted, the wand forcing deeper as it scratched my skin, '' Is it true?'' She seethed, her voice shouting from the back of her tongue,

'' Did you do it?''

'' Did you really kill her?''

Her honest words caused my eyes to water, my mind drowning me from inside as I came to a realization — she didn't know. I never met her after the doomed night in my so-called home,

Hermione grew impatient at my numbness, her wand withdrew as she snatched my arm, urging the sleeve of fabric up to view the mark soaring my pale skin. Her eyes broad, her breaths almost missed her as she stumbled back, once again raising her wand,

'' It is true,'' She breathed out. The curls of her brown hair fell completely over her shoulders while shaking her head, she couldn't believe it. Her whole life, she had trusted me, confided in me, and now — I was the person who took the love in her life away,

I stood silent, not knowing how to speak to her, not owning the strength in confessing. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I sucked in a shaky breath, muffling the sobs eager to flee my quivering lips,

'' Why?'' She cried out, her hands tugging the messy locks, pulling them back in defeat, '' How could you do that—, how could you let her die?'' Her cries shredded me, the pleads in silence for this to be untrue almost suffocated me,

'' You were supposed to protect her — you were supposed to keep her safe,'' Hermione paused as she broke, her intelligent mine nibbled her sorrows, '' How could you let this—,''

'' I didn't have a choice, Hermione,'' I winced, feeling my knees weaken at her confrontation, '' He tortured her, my father casted one of the cruelest of spells, and it was either me doing what I could or her suffering for hours,''

'' I did what I had to do,'' Her eyes flashed in anger, her tanned skin sunk in ashen as she booted forward, her wand roughly collided with my chest,

Her nostrils flared, her insides crawled, and I had never seen her in this state, ever — her lips parted to speak but not a word left them as she tried to gather herself,

'' You did this, you took her from me,'' She accused, her wand scored devilishly, '' I told her not to trust you. I tried to keep her safe from you because nothing good comes your way, Leiah,''

'' You are worse than the curse itself, everything around you crumbles and I should kill you — I should kill you for what you did to her,'' Her words evil, her eyes narrowed, the tip of her nose scrunched as she kept going, she kept torturing me with the cruelty of her words,

'' She was the love of my life, and you took her from me—,''

I pushed her back. I tried to give her the space in healing, but she wouldn't surrender, not Hermione — the most strongminded of girls, she would never give in, her bones made to keep her from caving,

'' Yes, I did—,'' I heaved, my chest heavy, '' You lost the love of your life, you did, but I—,''

''But I lost my soulmate. I lost my every reason to live—,'' I lost the mastery of my own senses, the control of my mind, '' I lost Luna too, Hermione,''

She refused to utter another word; instead, she pinned the wand through the room, aiming straight at me, '' Give me one reason — one good reason for me not to kill you, right now,''

But the second she seized a deep breath, ready to punish me for my passing, she was shoved aside, her wand flew out of her hand to match his — Draco's spell startled her as she snapped her eyes between me and the blonde one. He refused to meet my eyes. He narrowed his enchanting, blue eyes in hers, using slow, dangerous steps closer,

'' What are you playing at, Granger?'' He snapped, making her stumble back to the doorway, without her wand, she prized the truth in having no chance against him, '' If you ever, and I mean ever go as much as a foot close to her again, you're dead,'' — with that, he threw Hermione's wand out of my room as she stormed after it,

I stood frozen, completely still as he slammed the door shut, the loud noise cut through my nerves, making me coil back. He pushed his palms into the wood of the door, repeatedly striking his knuckles in it,

'' Draco, please,'' I begged at his breaking, but he didn't hear, he shut me out as blood shattered across the timber, '' Draco—,'' I shouted, pouring up to him, pushing myself between him and the material,

He stopped, the instant blue eyes paralleled mine, the second he felt my lips pushing against his, '' I'm here, Draco,'' I whispered into his parted lips, sensing the overwhelming scent of mint, '' It's alright,''

My hands stroked his jawline as I deepened the kiss in need to feel him, to taste him after days apart — his hands flew to my waist, holding me close in welcome,

My blood flushed in pleasure. He was home — he came back, and even if this was a moment of devastation. I couldn't help but be happy, to feel the emotion of him being close,

Still clueless that the boy I loved, the boy I trusted with more than my life — had achieved the gravest of acts, he was lying to me, and I was held in the dark,

I smiled through the kiss, my hands forcing him closer, '' You're home,''

_____