Mature content ahead. This chapter contains scenes of self-harm and emotional trauma. Please read with caution.

_____

The gravel crackled beneath our steps as we hurried our way up to the entrance; my fingers felt numbed of how tight Draco had been squeezing them - he refused to let go of me; he held onto me as his life depended on it, the whole way here.

My eyes snapped to his shaking body when I saw his fists coarsely collide with the wooden door before us, " Calm down, Draco, please." I pleaded, feeling the frigid breeze towing at my flushed cheeks,

He ignored my words as he caught a step back from the door, unbuttoning his black blazer to pluck his wand out, but before he had the possibility of doing so - the door twirled open, and a startled Narcissa peered out, '' Draco, what on earths-,'' She arose, but hushed down the second her orbs placed on mine and her eyes turned soft in a heartbeat,

''Leiah?''

Draco didn't even bother to greet his mother; he urgently forced himself past her into the mansion,'' We need to speak with you.'' He demanded, spreading his hands over his silky hair, '' It's urgent, is father home?''

She shook her head at his question and took a step out to the cold to cloak her sleeves around my small figure, '' I missed you,'' I whispered into the locks of her hair, hugging her back tightly - breathing in safety the surrounding her,

'' I missed you, dear.'' She leaned back as a smile curled up on her red painted lips, '' Please,'' Her tone was soft and calm as always - gesturing for me to enter her home, and I do - my views flickered all over the remarkable entry, even if I have spent numerous occasions here - Narcissa and her taste in furnishing never ceased to amaze me,

'' Beautiful, isn't it?'' She smiled at me as I twisted around to view her elegant figure, '' It was a gift from your mother if I'm not mistaken.''

I peered over at the statue placed into the far corner of the hall, '' I thought that it could bring some light into these-,'' She holds, glancing at me with pleading eyes, weaving her fingers together in uncertainty,

'' Into these hard times,''

'' Mother, we don't have time for this,'' Draco muttered, making both Narcissa and me look at him - his hands are tucked into his pockets, striving to conceal the fact that he's visibly fuming - staring impatiently at his mother,

'' Draco, please.'' She begged, not charmed with her son's behavior, before taking hurried steps towards him, " I'm so glad to have you home," she spoke softly, drawing him into a warm hug - warmth rinsed through my variety when I heeded how much peace it brought him - holding his mother, " Shall we?"

All three of us took place around the table in the saloon - they indeed did have a beautiful home, the walls covered in paintings from other eras - the crystals dangling from the ceiling sparkled in the shades of the rainbow when the sun caressed them.

I gazed over to Draco, wishing for him to satisfy my eyes, but he didn't spare me a single look as he seated himself next to me. Why is he acting like this?

Narcissa calmly planted her hands onto the table, twining her fingers together - nodding for her offspring to speak his mind, '' What is all of this about?''

Silence,

Draco's breaths hitched, and he didn't utter a single word; he stayed quiet for moments, chewing on his bottom lip, his veiny hand nervously tugged at his jaws - blue eyes were dropped to the table as his fingers hauled at his rings - he looked so bothered,

I rolled my eyes away from him, giving his mother a humbled smile, '' I don't know why Draco felt the need to bring-,'' I rose, but the instant he caught on to my words, he cleared his throat sternly, hewing me off, making me bite my lip in hesitation,

'' She harmed someone, mother.'' He revealed, gawking intensely into his mother's eyes, his fists clenched around the edges of the wooden table, '' She fucking harmed someone,'' He spoke once more. I felt the rim of my mouth twist in disbelief as I shot him an evil glare -

My sights lowered to the table again before I sealed them - my arteries iced by the thought of Adrian - still feeling his hands keeping me down with force - still tasting his lips aggressively forced against mine - still hearing the sound of his belt clinking to the ground,

I zoned out of reality, striving to do everything imaginable not to cry - don't you dare start crying right now - he doesn't deserve your tears.

I caught the blonde-haired boy and his mother arguing - shouting - blasting back and forth, but my mind was too clouded by everything else to pay them any attention - I didn't want Narcissa to know about this - I didn't want to bother her, she had too much to deal with already,

My mind clocked back to the present when I felt Draco's hand is seeking for mine - thrusting his fingers in between mine as he shot me a hurtful frown.

'' I want him gone, mother.'' Draco steamed, hewing his mother off, causing me to wince by the sound of his loud voice as his hold found its way down to my thigh, clasping it roughly,

'' I want him gone, for good.'' I sensed his fingers biting deeper into my flesh as his temper flunked - I immediately freed my nails from my palms, settling my hand on top of his to calm him down, '' Draco, please,'' I begged as my eyes pooled,

'' No,'' He roared at my trembling form, causing me to let out a shaky breath, '' He touched you, and I thought I made myself clear when I said that no one touches you.'' His broad, furious eyes narrowed in mine as his breaths once again hitched, '' I want him gone.''

'' I know, Draco.'' His mother cleared, bursting through the heated tension between us, as her eyes darted between our blue ones, '' He will be. I will see to it, myself,''

She let out a heavy huff as she brushed the textile of her shoulders off, '' But for the other part, Leiah.'' Her centers stared deeply into mine, '' We haven't been honest with you.''

I instantly felt weak - anxious - worried, not prizing what they held from me this time.

'' The reason your father wanted you home, that night, was in order to-,''

'' Split my soul in two - I know.'' I spoke silently, scoring Narcissa off, a feeling of relief pouring throughout me- striving to gather myself, " Lucius told me, "

" Yes, dear. But there is a reason why the dark lord needed to split your soul," She stretched, watching me with pleading eyes.

" What?" My eyes darted between her and her son's - my breaths ragged and the feeling of relief faded away in a heartbeat, " What is it?" I sought to clench my fists together again - to ease everything - but he didn't let me; he gently planted his hand on mine,

Narcissa inhaled sharply through her nose, tensely sweeping the table in front of her, " He wants you to be a death eater - and that can only be done if you caused someone harm," She holds,

No,

" You caused Adrian harm, Leiah."

My heart stopped pounding, causing my skin to drain of color.

This can't be happening,

This can't be real,

Flashback;

'' One day, I won't be here anymore. I won't be here to protect you from every horrible thing your father sought to put you through, and I need you to promise me something, Leiah.'' My mother spoke softly, cupping my cheeks in her tiny hands as a tear rolled down her pale skin,

'' He will come for you one day, and if I'm not here, I need you to promise me to be strong, to be brave, to carry this legacy - our legacy - on with grace. I need you to promise me to never give in and to never give up. I need you to be the woman I always have known you to be.''

I looked at her with wide eyes as she tucked a curl of hair behind my ear, '' You are deemed for greatness, my love.''

She wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into the safest of holds, '' Promise me, Leiah. I need you to promise me that.''

'' I promise.''

_____

I felt a sinking sensation suffocating me from the inside - what if my mother knew about all this - what if she knew that this was deemed to happen - what if that's the reason she left me?

I shook my head at my thoughts, trying to pry that feeling off me when it struck me, like thunder from a clear, blue sky - Narcissa's terms embraced my mind, '' We haven't been honest with you.'' -

''We''

" Say something," Draco's voice prompted me back to being as my neck snapped to him - my sights ran wild over his face, trying to seek the answer I needed - did he know about this - did he know that my father wanted for me to become a death eater?

And then - I saw it.

How the guilt of misleading me tortured him as he did everything possible not to reveal it - but his eyes never lied.

I lock my eyes closed as a tear rolled down my pale cheek,

He lied to me,

I tried to gather the small pieces of strength I had left within me before my eyes flayed open again. '' You knew?'' I doubted him, my voice breaking in despair,

" You knew - and you didn't say anything?" His eyes held bolted in mine as the crease in his forehead grew wide - the grip around my thigh loosened,

He ripped his sights away from mine - looking down at the table, not owning the nerve to look at me, knowing what he did - knowing that he lied.

I felt myself swallow thickly before forcing my seat back; it caused his hand to slide off my thigh. " I'm sorry, but I can't do this right now," I spoke tranquility as I wiped the tears coating my cheeks before storming off,

I heard Draco shout my name as he forced his chair back, but I couldn't look at him right now. I didn't want to because he promised me not to lie, and he did.

He lied.

_____

I didn't leave my bedroom the rest of the night, not even when Narcissa called me down for dinner -

I didn't want to see him - I was too unsettled and the one person I wished for at this moment was Luna - she was the only one that could calm me down in times like this - she always spoke the wisest things, at the precise times - she would curl her arms around me, my front holding on her shoulder while she hummed her gentle words into my head,

'' Of course, you have the right to be upset, silly, but please, remember to choose your battles. ''

And it was the most real thing I prized, her comforting me; she always grasped how to do this. I reeled my head at my thoughts, clutching my stomach - maybe I should've joined them for dinner after all,

I tasted the stinging feeling in my stomach increase the longer I overlooked it, causing me to pace around in my room, restlessly, striving to shake the feeling away - I peered out of the enormous windows coating the walls - darkness.

This place indeed had changed these last couple of moons - and not for the better,

I caught reluctant footsteps down the stairs, scared to death that Draco will show up out of nowhere - he has a habit of doing so - '' May I come in?'' I asked Narcissa quietly, witnessing how she's holding, completely noiseless with both of her palms placed onto a counter, her head sunken in frustration -

She turns around in a sudden move and her whole grimace softened at the look of mine, '' Please,'' She pressed, '' Would you care for some tea?''

With her apron still hugged around her waist, a mix of blonde and brown curls falling over her shoulders as she sauntered up to me, tenderly tucking a lock behind my ear, '' I would love that, thank you, Cissy.'' I smiled as she rose a brow at the nickname I ceded her with, effecting me to frown, '' If you want me to keep calling you-,''

''Nonsense, dear.'' She smiled, stepping up to the counter '' I love it,'' I felt the warmth rushing through my variety because of her, how she always contrives to be this kind and courteous even if everything in her life is on the brink of falling apart,

I took a seat at the table - listening to the loud sounds of her doings; it sounded safe, at home, hearing the potts slammed against one another, the sound of the water boiling. She looked at me with gentle eyes as she seats herself next to me, putting two cups of hot, steaming tea in front of us, '' Is it mother's favorite?'' I asked, a simper arced onto my lips as I remarked the sugary lemon scent,

'' No, it's supposed to be lemon.'' We both laugh out simultaneously, impersonating what my mother used to say when she was served with anything other than her sweet lemon tea.

She hushed her laugh down, scowling her eyebrows together as she lifted the mug to her flares, '' I miss her,'' Narcissa uttered quietly, taking a sip of the fuming tea as I glanced at her with big eyes, '' I miss your mother very much.''

'' But not as much as you do, of course.'' Her centers pleaded for mine as I spurted her a slight nod,

'' I miss her so much it hurts, at times. It's just that - She's-,'' I huffed out, lowering my views to the furniture, '' I don't know her anymore, Narcissa. There's a lot of things she never told me, and the longer she's gone - the more secrets I find out about,''

My terms left her placid; she merely stared at me with troubled eyes before lunging over the table to squeeze my hand in hers, '' That's not true, dear. You know your mother, she would never do such a thing to you.'' Her words reamed right through me - she was right, how could I ever question her, the person who gave me life, and then gave her life up - to keep me safe.

I shook my head, clasping the heated mug with my hands, '' I know - I'm sorry,'' I mumbled into the edge of the cup before tasting the burning tea firing down my throat,

Narcissa cleared her throat, tensely pricking the bulge of her mug, '' I have to speak with you about something - or about two things actually,'' Her eyes narrowed in mine, drawing a bewildered look from me,

'' Of course,'' I spoke, silently - nervous about what she required to talk about,

'' First of all - I did not get the chance to tell you how sorry I am for Adrian and the way he treated you,'' My puffs hooked at her words, looking away, '' I want you to know that he was expelled, immediately, and is no longer a student at Hogwarts,''

I sensed my eyes snap back to hers, a sinking sensation flooding over me, '' What?'' My lower lip quivering as I let out a shaky breath,

She gracefully bowed her head - noticing the startled look on my form, '' Unfortunately, it will take a day or two for his transfer to go through, and I don't want you anywhere near that boy until he's gone - both you and Draco are more than welcome to stay with me,'' She spoke, softly as a smile climbed her rims, '' It's so lonely out here, and I would love the company,''

I squeezed her hand in mine again, as we clutched each other's fingers, '' Of course,'' I gasped out, thankful for the woman seated before me, '' - and thank you. You didn't have to do-,''

'' Don't be silly, dear.'' She lectured, her smile still glued to her red lips,

A moment of silence laved over us as I marked her profile twist in emotion, '' There is something else,'' Her voice cracked in uncertainty as she cleared it for a second time, '' It's about what happened - with the curse,''

I swallowed thickly - my elbows placed on the table, hugging myself, '' What about it?''

Her eyes shunned mine, gawking out in the hollow kitchen - I felt my heart hammering hard inside my chest, not grasping if this is another thing Draco suffered to tell me, '' You mentioned a feeling you had when you cursed Adrian - have you ever felt that before?''

Her eyes flickered back to mine as she watched me shake my head, '' Would you mind to explain how it felt?''

I chewed on my lip in difficulty before signing out an unsteady breath - seeking to find the words to describe how it felt, '' I felt powerless in my own mind - almost as if I wasn't the one in control if you know what I mean?'' I urged, my hold around myself tensed, '' I think that was the first time I felt pure hatred, it was - dark - like my mind was clouded by something,''

I huffed at my terms, understanding how ridiculous it sounded, '' I'm sorry - I know this sounds-, mental.''

She gaped at me with wide eyes before reeling her head - standing up to put her mug away. I could tell that she wasn't satisfied with my answer, quite the opposite - she seemed frightened, favoring against the counter, '' Narcissa, what's wrong?''

Her black eyes matched my mistaken ones, '' I believe that there's a reason you harmed Adrian, Leiah. But it's not because he-,'' She rested, still to overthrown with his actions to talk about him,

'' It's alright,'' I encourage her, ceding her a humble smile.

'' It's not because he forced himself onto you. I believe that you have the same mind your father has,'' She uttered as I stood up; her words made me drop the cup to the floor - porcelain shattered everywhere as both of us cringed at the clinking noise it caused,

'' I'm so sorry, let me-,'' I rose, but she clutched my wrist, hauling me back before I had the opportunity of dropping to my knees,

'' Let me take care of that." She smiled, "Would you do me a favor and please go and talk to Draco,'' She met my questioning eyes, cupping a hand around my cheek, '' Please, dear. He was distraught at dinner,''

I felt my heart hurting, deeming about Draco and how I treated him earlier -

Even if he lied, and he did, he did lie - I lied too, I lied first - I left him,

'' Are you sure-,'' I asked Narcissa, gesturing down at the crushed ceramics spreading the floor,

'' Of course. Now, off you go.'' She heaved, waving her hands for me to leave, and I do.

Marching my way up the stairs - through the dimmed hallway - and down to the end, it - halting right outside of Draco's door, sensing my heart beating out of my chest,

I let my knuckles strike the dark wooden door, and not even a trice later, he swung his door open, '' What?'' He seethed, still visibly upset, but I couldn't bear myself to argue as my sights gazed over him, standing before me, looking more handsome than usual in his black suit, '' Well, what do you want?''

I gulped, my sights traveling back up to please his, '' Can I talk to you?'' I hushed myself down, trying not to look down at his shirt, being half unbuttoned, overexposing a little bit of his toned torso, a smirk curled up on his edges when he marked how much I resisted not to look,

'' No,'' He grinned, before roughly clutching his hands around my throat, tugging me closer to him, sealing the heated space between us in the doorway, '' If you came here to talk, you can go ahead and leave,"

I chewed my lower lip as I peered up at him; his eyebrows rose in a swift movement, practically daring me to leave, '' You know what?'' I swallowed as his grip around my throat tensed,'' I'll just go then,''

As those words jumped my edges, he quickly let go of my throat as I shoved him back, '' What the fuck-,'' He growled out, returning the favor by forcing me into the wall behind me, booting the door closed,

I felt the corner of my mouth twist at his actions. His hands sought to grasp my waist, '' Don't tempt me,'' He staked me once more, thrusting his body onto mine, and I craved him - his touch did things to me,

Things I couldn't even begin to describe,

I met his dull stare, nearly stumbling lost into those enchanting, blue eyes, '' Or what? '' I smiled, my bottom lip sucked in between my teeth, '' Are you going to fuck me again?'' I taunted him,

But he didn't budge, staring at me for a severe moment before his face softened at my words, '' No, not today,'' He spoke truthfully, '' You have been through enough," He caught a step back as he shot me a guilty look,

Still standing against the wall, I let my arms fall to my sides, taking a deep breath, '' I'm sorry for walking away, before,'' I hushed down as my sights lowered to the floor,

He looked at me in silence, without a word leaving his lips - shrugging his shoulders, causing a few strands of blonde hair to fall over his pale forehead, his cheeks slightly flushed at my apology,

'' Come here,''

_____

The tepid water soaked over my figure as I flayed my eyes open - trembling as I glanced at the towering - pale - handsome boy before me; he stood there, watching me wide-eyed,

I sought for his cold hand, grasping it to draw him into the streaming shower jets. His arms gained their way around my waist as his chest hugged my back, '' I didn't mean to lie,'' He scoffed, sounding severe but yet not - stiffening the hold of my waist,

I felt a slight smile curl up onto my lips as I huffed, '' Was that supposed to be an apology, Malfoy?'' His arms shifted me around in a sharp move, meeting his stare,

'' No,'' He snarled as he rolled his eyes, groaning loudly, '' Yes.''

I let out a muffled snicker, stroking some of the soggy strands of hair out of his eyes, '' Apology accepted,''

His eyes narrowed in mine, jaws clenched as my fingers moved down his wet features - studying every detail, touching every flaw, '' I have a question for you,'' I spoke, seriously

His eyes searched deeply into mine, neglecting my words, making me roll my eyes at him, '' What's your favorite meal? - like your absolute favorite-,''

'' What?'' He hewed me off,

I chewed my bottom lip again, trying to strangle the chuckle eager to leave my lips as I mocked him, '' Yes,'' I huffed, '' What's your favorite meal?''

His brows furrowed as he threw me and frustrated glare, seemingly feeling pressured, even if it was such a simple question, '' What does that have to-,''

''Just answer the question,'' I cut him off. His lips mangled to a thin line, visibly annoyed with me,

'' Fine,'' He shouted, ''Cornish pasties.''

The amused look on my profile paled at his confession and his whole face twisted - his icy fingers bolted into my naked flesh, ice-cold rings stinging, '' What? What's wrong with that?''

'' Nothing,'' I grinned - actually disgusted by his favorite food - arching my head back to embrace the melting water washing over us as I had a solid grip of his arms,

A smirk grew onto his edges as he cupped my cheeks, angling my head back to look at him, '' What's yours?''

I tore my sights away, turning around to level the liquid again, '' I'm not telling you that,''

'' No,'' He breathed out, '' Don't tell me you still like eating that-,'' His smirk still coated to his rims as sarcasm broke through his hoarse voice,

'' Stop it,'' I chuckled, turning around to slap his arm, '' Stop it, Draco,'' His fists clutched around my wrists, holding me in a steady grip, and my mind wandered, imagining his touch, his skin on mine, his length pounding into -

'' Are you done?'' He spoke, devilishly as he rose a brow making me clock out of my heated thoughts, gawking at him,

I let my head fall back, huffing irritated at him, before he spun me around in his arms yet again, my back heavy to his chest as he planted soft, tender pecks on my shoulders, his hands spreading up and down my arms - a path of goosebumps trailed behind him as he goes, my heated skin in a mixture with his cold one,

I love you,

That was everything I could think about,

That was everything I wanted to say,

Everything I wanted him to know,

Everything I needed him to know,

Was that I loved him,

I don't even know how it's possible for a human being to love someone in that raw - honest - pure way that I loved him in,

It felt strange, longing for someone you hated most of your life, to crave someone you couldn't even look at, at times - to care for someone that betrayed you - to love someone who could shatter your heart in a blink of an eye - to let someone have that hold of you,

_____

He sheltered me into a towel and steered me to his bed, mildly tucking me in between the blankets before he laid down next to me, watching me with wide eyes,

'' What?'' I smiled, stretching the crisp layers over my flushed body - his eyes sparkled in the moonshine, his pale skin brightened up like porcelain,

He truly is beautiful,

But he didn't answer; he merely settled himself closer, his arm tugged at my waist, pulling me closer, '' Draco?'' I breathed out, sensing his puffs of minty breath fanning my skin,

His face was an inch from mine, our noses brushing against each other - and without a second thought -

I pushed my lips onto his,

His hand flew to the back of my neck, dragging me even closer between the covers as our kiss deepened. I felt a stream of courage as I climbed on top of him with our lips still glued to each other,

I straddled him, with a sheet shrouded around me as he pushed himself up in the bed, leaning against the headboard,

He pulled away, eyes snapped to mine, '' We don't have to,'' He breathed out, heavily as his grip around my spine tensed,

I felt a smile twisting in the corner of my mouth before I dipped down to his lips again, caressing them gently, whispering into his parted rims, '' But I want to,''

My words shipped him off the edge, his hands exploring my naked back as my hips grounded over his length - my hands sought to clung around his neck, and he propped himself up even more, almost sitting up against the headboard,

'' Fuck, '' The blonde one grunted out, his chest massively moving up and down into mine as his lips explored to mark my neck, '' You have no idea how much I love this-,'' He panted in between pecks, nibbling on my delicate skin, my heat grew soaked,

I threw my head back, granting him even more access to my throat - tasting his bulge throbbing underneath me,

It was something with the way he touched me,

The way his skin felt on mine,

That drove me insane - mad - wild,

His head yanked back as cold hands found their way up my thighs. '' Up,'' He demanded, and I obeyed - without another thought, my lips located their back to his as he tore the sheet between us away, devising both of us exposed - bare - naked,

I once again felt his thick cock hungrily waiting to enter me as he shot me a bold glare. I let my hips rock back and forth over him, the moist flares of my pussy slid perfectly over his dick - tilting back, looking at him as I'm doing so,

His eyes shot all over me in the darkness highlighted by the moonlight peering through one of his windows,

I felt my hips move faster as his tip teased my clit, '' Fuck,'' Draco groaned in pleasure as his fingers dug into my skin with force, one of his hands dived down to urge his eager bulge inside of me - and I let out a loud, shaky gasp when he does,

I shut my eyes closed, whimpering by his size harshly thrusting inside me, my nails delving into his skin, as pleasure satisfied my every nerve,

One of his hands locked up to my neck, gripping tightly around it - craving for me to open my eyes, and I do - I stripped my centers open to meet blue eyes,

I stared into his orbs for a fleeting moment as my hips rocked in high speed - this position caused me to feel everything - to feel every inch of his throbbing cock sliding in and out of me with force - my walls clenching around him, sensitively,

I felt waves of pleasure shudder through my whole existence as his hands found my hips again, grasping them coarsely to encourage me to rock harder - '' Fuck, darling, I fucking love-, '' He hewed himself off, my forehead sagging against his, eyes bored into one another - drops of sweat coursing down his temples over to mine,

'' Promise me something,'' He moaned into my severed lips, thrusting mercilessly as my hips served on top of his,

I felt my insides clench, the tingling feeling taking over my entire being as I fucked him - as he fucked me, '' What?'' I gasped, biting his lower lip,

Draco slowed his pace down, lightly shoving himself in and out of me - staring intensely into my eyes as we breathed the same air, '' Promise me to be mine, no matter what,'' He sighed,

I promise,

I promise to be yours,

Forever,

I looked at him with wide eyes; his words caught straight through my heart as I nodded,

'' I promise,''

A shy smile grew onto his edges, almost a cheeky smile as he looked at me with soft eyes. I leaned in once more, gently kissing his lips, '' I promise to be yours, no matter what,'' I spoke as I shot him a sweet look, but he missed his speed,

Draco stayed slow; his eyes were starved - hungry - needing - but his touch was kind - soft - loving - the slow pace caused my bones to clench again, even if I loved the severity he always fucked me with - this was different - better, my body had time to embrace every thrust - every sense,

'' Draco, I'm-'' I cried, my fingers flew to the headboard as my fists tensed around it - pushing my chest closer to his. He wrapped his arms around my waist, hauling me even closer, making his dick stretch spots I didn't even know existed, '' Draco, I'm cumming,''

His lips grazed my breasts, sucking on my nipples as he stayed pushing into me with tamed moves, '' Cum for me - fucking cum for me,''

And I did, my whole existence shivered as my eyes pooled - I arched my back and his body was so close to mine - feeling his sweaty skin slide towards mine as he pounded me from beneath,

'' That's my girl,'' He cooed into my breasts, hitting harder and harder - every thrust went deeper and deeper through my orgasm '' Fuck - I'm'' He grunted, his grip around me stiffed as warm, white ribbons filled my pussy,

His head immediately sunken into the crook of my neck, both of us out of breath, '' Never leave me again,'' His words scored into my soul, as I felt his chest heavy against mine, '' Fucking promise that you'll never leave me,'' His eyes begged mine, his touch pleaded me,

'' I promise, Draco,''

_____

I tossed and turned anxiously in the sheets of his bed.

Something felt - wrong,

He slumbered peacefully beside me, his eyes sealed, his chest lightly moving up and down - I felt myself smile at that - resting next to him,

I loved him,

I turned around to him again, and his fingers felt heavily on my waist as I buried my front into his chest, tasting his minty breaths fanning the top of my head - our heartbeats clocking in the same pace,

Even if everything around us was on the edge of bursting - I couldn't help but feel relieved and at peace here, with him,

I felt my eyes shift heavy as his warm skin hugged my flushed cheek - my mind traveled, into the imagination, the dreaming of things,

"Leiah,"

"Leiah, you need to wake up, dear,"

"Leiah,"

I gasped as my breaths hitched, jolting out of bed with my sheet shrouded around me - her form stood restlessly before me, eyeing me down,

" Narcissa, what are you doing?" I yawned, rubbing my warm knuckles into my cloudy eyes - not certain if this was a dream or not, " It's late,"

Her eyes pleaded mine before catching down to look at her sleeping offspring - her lips smoothed into a thin line as her eyes pooled,

" I'm sorry, Leiah. I truly am, but I need you to come with me," She spoke quietly, trying to conceal the truth that her voice split in panic. " They are already on the way,"

She rushed out of Draco's room, and I stood there, covered in a silky green sheet, nearly feeling my heart melting by the look of Draco, blond strands of hair messily framed his temples,

I shot the sleeping boy a guilty look before I poured off after Narcissa, hearing her heels echoing through the hallway, " Narcissa, please talk to me," I begged, seeking to find an answer in her watering eyes - but nothing, they cooed blank, " Please,"

She turned away from me in a brief moment, aiming to wipe her falling tears before peering back at me as I stood confused in the steps of the stairs, " Who's coming?" I asked again, feeling creeps crawling up my back, " It's the middle of the night? Who could possibly-,"

Her jaws clenched as she took a step up towards me, hewing me off - her hands cupped my cheeks, tucking a hazel-brown lock of hair behind my ear, gawking deeply into my centers, " Do you remember what I told you last year - about Draco?" She gulped, nearly suffering her oxygen, " About what he has to do? What he has to become?"

I huffed out, feeling every emotion imaginable rushing towards my edge, my courage being torn out of my chest,

This can't be happening,

Not Draco,

Please, anyone but him,

He's not ready,

I watched emptily into her kind eyes as I swallowed thickly," Yes,"

My heart stopped beating by the breaking look on her face; her lips parted, doing everything possible to form the words she's thinking. She looked so frightened for her son,

Both of us flinched by the sound of thunder and lightning embracing the Manor - I stared at her with panic tearing through my eyes,

" It's time. They will be arriving any minute now. "

_____