TRAINING WHEELS

THE BATTLE OF HOGWARTS

It all started on the Astronomy Tower. Amora argued it started in the library, but Draco always thought it was this spot where it all happened. The night of the Yule Ball, when he'd finally gathered the courage to kiss her. It wasn't perfect – in fact, the whole ordeal was quite pathetic and sad, actually, but it was where Draco had finally thought, 'fuck it, I have to have her' and gave into his urges. Sure, it wouldn't have happened without the library, but once he kissed her everything had changed. He could no longer ignore her weeks at a time, or pretend he didn't have feelings for her.

He didn't think he would ever come back here. Not after what had happened to Dumbledore less than a year ago. As he clutched the railings right where their old headmaster had fallen, he couldn't help but see the green flash right before his eyes, and hear the manic cackles of his deranged aunt behind him.

A hand on his arm brought him back. Reminded him of all of the late night kissing sessions or of how he would bring Amora closer to the edge and teach her not to fear heights. He glanced down at the girl curling up against his arm, resting her head on his bicep. Amora's dark hair flapped slightly in the wind as they stared out across the many lights of Hogwarts. From here, it didn't really look like chaos at all.

Draco didn't say anything. Now felt like both the best and worst time to really pour out a speech of how much he truly loved her, and he knew that she didn't want to hear it right now. They couldn't be emotional, not when the battle was so close to taking place.

Harry had disappeared in search of the diadem what felt like ages ago, and the rest of Hogwarts were rushing about, trying to secure the castle the best that they could. They were both terrified that tonight's efforts wouldn't be enough. Tonight, either Harry lost or he won. Draco himself couldn't imagine the pressure he was feeling right now. Potter must have it in the back of the head that either he saves everyone tonight or he dies trying.

"I thought this would be comforting before it all kicks off," Amora muttered stiffly. "It just feels..."

"Eerie," Draco finished for her, earning a nod of agreement. "I know. It feels like we should be doing something, but all we can do is wait."

Amora sucked in a deep breath. "Yeah. I... I think we should try and get the others down from the dungeons."

Draco glanced at her. "I agree. My only concern is, well, people like Crabbe, Goyle, and Greengrass being let out."

Amora was slightly worried about that too, especially considering how all three seemed to have a personal vendetta against her, but she would rather release all of the Slytherins and give them the choice. She knew the majority would make the right one. Besides, it wasn't like –

Her train of thought was cut off by sudden blue swirls shooting into the air. She felt Draco grow stiff beside her, their heads tilting upwards slightly as they watched beams of magic slowly trail up. It almost looked beautiful, like a firework display, and then they came crashing down and hit the defensive dome around the school. It caused vibrations through the grounds. Amora felt it in her bones.

"Holy shit," Draco breathed, stunned.

They didn't stop. They began to look less like fireworks and more like entire explosions, like lightning shooting and spreading and deteriorating the magic that the Order had set up. More and more came – hundreds, if not thousands, very, very slowly breaking away the invisible shield.

Amora clung to Draco tighter. "They'll be in soon."

Draco couldn't look away. He felt sick, knowing he could have been on that side. That his parents were probably on that side.

"We need to find the —" He was cut off by an explosion further away, but it seemed to shake and vibrate like an earthquake.

There was a sudden burst of vibrant red in the distance, and the stands of the quidditch pitch began to crumble to the ground immediately. Draco sucked in a huge breath.

"Fuck," he said. "Fuck. Okay, we need to move. Erm, we'll see where abouts needs help the most – Amora, are you – are you sure you don't want to leave right now? I will take you to the Room of Requirement myself and get you out of –"

"I'm staying," Amora exhaled shakily, grasping his fingers. "I'm fighting."

"I just need you to be sure, and if you're sure then I need you to be safe –"

Amora grasped the sides of his head and pulled him down into a kiss. Her lips worked against his in a hard, passionate motion, and he quickly kissed back, pouring all of his desperation and anxiety into it. Amora's nails grazed into his white-blond hair for a moment before she pulled back breathlessly. Draco stared at her, his lips ever so slightly swollen.

"That was to shut you up," she whispered and the pair shared a tiny, knowing smile.

D.M + A.B

Students and teachers were running around everywhere. Amora struggled to keep up with Draco's pace, his long legs working their way down the staircases much faster than hers, but his hand didn't release hers – not even for a second. They could hear the rumbling sound of Hogwarts' defences crumbling from outside of the castle, and Amora had to swallow her fears.

"I need to find Potter," Draco said quickly, "He has my wand. Then you can have yours, and I can have my own and we'll be better protected. The Death Eaters are getting too close to getting inside – we need to find him fast."

Amora nodded in agreement. "He's probably in the Ravenclaw common room, or –"

"Malfoy!"

Their heads both whipped around to face Shacklebolt heading towards them, his robes bellowing out behind him. Draco and Amora paused, Draco's hand falling from Amora's as he marched to meet him halfway.

"I need you to check on the Wooden Bridge. Professor McGonagall has some of your classmates getting ready to destroy it – I need confirmation that it is going as planned – otherwise, Death Eaters may gain access to Hogwarts through that," Shacklebolt explained.

It was strange to see Draco receiving orders from an Order member – it was very easy to forget that he was a double agent at times. Amora stood beside him.

Draco ran a hand through his hair. "Right. Amora and I will head over –"

"I have a different job for Buckley," Shacklebolt said, "We need more defences on the left side of the castle. Tonks and Lupin tell me you were with Dumbledore's Army. Now that I think about it, I remember you from Dumbledore's office."

Amora nodded. "Er, yeah I was, but –"

Shacklebolt seemed to sense what she was going to say. "We need you on the other side, Buckley. Otherwise, they'll infiltrate that way. It's obviously not ideal to use students, but seventh years are our best bet, and we need all of the help we can get."

Draco held a stern face. "We're sticking together."

"Mr Malfoy, this is a battlefield. You cannot hold hands if you're scared," Shacklebolt said, "I don't see anyone else holding their sweetheart's hand. If it means so much to you, once you've reported back on the wooden bridge, you can accompany Buckley and the others on the left side of the castle."

Draco clenched his jaw but then gave a reluctant nod. "Fine."

"Good. Thank you." Shacklebolt patted his shoulder and then turned direction, his eyes landing on Leon. "Hey, you!" He called.

Draco and Amora whirled to face each other and he pressed his hand to her cheek. "I'll be fifteen minutes maximum," he promised.

Amora nodded quickly and leaned up, pressing her lips to his for less than a second. "Stay safe," she told him.

"Stay safe," he repeated.

Amora grasped her wand and took off in the opposite direction of Draco. She turned her head over her shoulder before she could go around the corner, watching him walk away. He marched quickly, his shoulders broad with the width of his black suit, and he looked nothing but sure. Amora tried to seep some of his confidence into herself.

She could do this.

This was fine.

Everybody else was doing it.

Amora went to climb the stairs when her eyes landed on the entrance to the dungeons a few feet away. Her mind automatically went to her friends – to Pansy, Theo, and Blaise who had been working tirelessly all year with Dumbledore's Army. Three of the bravest people she knew, people who were defying their parents' wishes and everything they'd grown up learning, people who were being pushed down to the dungeons like criminals.

She figured Remus and Tonks could wait an extra ten minutes or so. Her legs were moving before her head could process it, anyway. Amora was down the stairs and moving through the ominous corridors of the dungeons within seconds. All she had to do was follow the yells of disapproving Slytherins, one in particular louder and bolder than the rest.

"You stupid squib!" Pansy yelled, "Come back here and let us out right this moment!"

Amora turned a corner, freezing when she found all of the Slytherins behind bars. Anger ignited inside of her like a fire as she darted forwards, wrapping her hands around the bars that Pansy was holding onto. The Slytherin girl choked in relief at the sight of the Hufflepuff. Theo and Blaise were grinning from behind Pansy.

"Amora!" Pansy cried, "What's going on?"

"The Death Eaters are about to get in," Amora rambled, "And I'm about to get you lot out of here."

Theo grinned, holding onto one of the bars. "Try Confringo on the lock. Our magic doesn't work behind these bars."

"Okay," Amora agreed, pointing her wand at the huge lock keeping them shut inside. "Confringo!"

There was a small explosion of fire around the lock and it immediately snapped open and came apart. The door swung open as soon as Blaise touched it and all of the Slytherin screamed cheers, running away immediately. Pansy, Blaise and Theo sort of stuck to the sides, letting everyone pass until it was just them. Pansy grabbed Amora's arm as soon as she was out.

"Merlin, you're amazing," Pansy breathed.

"Where's Draco, Amora?" Blaise said. "He said he'd come and get us at some point."

"Draco's by the wooden bridge, he's been given instructions by Shacklebolt," Amora quickly explained. "I'm supposed to be helping Tonks and Remus on the left side of the castle. I'm sure that they would appreciate your help too."

Theo spun his wand around his fingers expertly. "Of course. Wait – Amora – have you seen Evangelina?"

Amora furrowed her brows in thought. "I don't think so. Is she of age?"

"Her birthday's next month, so no," Theo replied, "Does that mean she's gone?"

Amora nodded quickly. "After you guys left, McGonagall ordered anyone younger than seventeen to evacuate. That means she's far away and safe, Theo."

"Thank Merlin," Theo breathed. "I guess all I have to worry about now is my father finding out I've, er, never really been on his side."

Blaise grabbed Theo's shoulder. "It will be okay, Theo."

Amora led the way to the left side of the castle, Pansy hurrying right beside her. Theo and Blaise strode behind, the three Slytherins and the Hufflepuff searching for Remus and Tonks just as Shacklebolt had requested.

It was very sudden the way the crumbling dome surrounding Hogwarts shattered completely. There was a large burst of blue light, so intense that it shone through all the windows of the huge castle, and as Amora rushed to look out of it, she saw its flakes falling from the sky, coming down in blue fiery whisps.

Pansy sucked in a breath from next to Amora. "They're in," she whispered, and the words made Amora's stomach feel more hollow than ever.

"Draco needs to get a move on, especially if he's by the bridge," Blaise muttered.

That made Amora's stomach flip. She immediately took off in the direction that they had just come from, ignoring the calls behind her from her friend. She had to get to Draco – if he was anywhere by the bridge right now then that was bad news. Death Eaters would flood it.

And Draco was no ordinary Hogwarts student – he had betrayed all of those Death Eaters. No doubt would most of them want their revenge, or to bring him to Voldemort to set an example.

"Amora, wait!" Theo called from behind.

She paused, waiting for her friends to catch up when all of a sudden the windows around them burst. All four teenagers ducked to cover their heads with their arms, eyes squeezed shut as glass sprayed everywhere. Blaise was quick to get to Amora, keeping his head down as he planted his hand on her back.

"Don't run off!" He scolded, "You want to get to Draco, we're coming with you, Amora. You don't have to do things on your own."

"Come on then," Amora said quickly, "Hurry."

They could hear the screams and yells of incantations and terror, coming from both adults and older teenagers alike. Amora raced down a set of stairs and found herself in the foyer, and she only narrowly avoided a spell being shot in her direction.

"Stupefy!" She yelled back, sending the Death Eater flying, his body smacking against a crumbling pillar.

"Merlin," Blaise muttered, jumping over his unconscious body as they continued their way down.

People would try to attack them, but each time, one of them had a spell to ward them off. Amora was glad that her mother's wand seemed to be working just fine for her, and she could only hope that her wand would answer to Draco in the same way. If she had willingly given it to him and she wanted it to work, then it should do.

Death Eaters were Apparating everywhere. It seemed that the wards had broken that stopped Apparition being possible, for they formed out of darkness and attacked anyone they set their eyes on.

"Protego!" Pansy cast as soon as a man Apparated in front of them on one of the staircases. His spell bounced straight off of her shield of protection.

It gave Amora enough time to Incarcerous the Death Eater. They watched as thick ropes wrapped themselves around him and tied all of his limbs together, his body toppling backwards and going straight down the stairs. He smacked into every single one painfully on his way down to the bottom.

Pansy grinned across at Amora, but Amora's eyes landed on someone at the bottom of the stairs – Leon was clutching his arm which was bleeding heavily, his face pained and his head resting back against one of the walls. He lay by rubble. The castle was already crumbling down around him. There was an explosion nearby but Amora barely registered it.

Theo saw what she was looking at and grabbed her shoulder. "Let Blaise and I find Draco. You two help Holloway and meet us back around here as soon as possible."

Amora hesitated but then gave a firm nod. "Find him fast," she said, though she already knew Blaise and Theo would do their best.

Pansy grabbed Amora's hand as they raced down the steps, avoiding a fallen part of concrete bannister and the unconscious Death Eater at the bottom. People were fighting a few feet away when Amora made it to Leon, who released a dry chuckle at the sight of her.

"Oh, thank Merlin," he muttered and moved his hand away from his injured arm, revealing a deep scratch. "Greyback was attacking someone – I, Lavender Brown, I think – I think I got him off in time. I hope I fucking got him off in time."

He was trembling as Amora smoothed back some of his hair which was damp with sweat. "I'm sure you did," she said, her voice shaking.

"I have no magic to fix it," he laughed bitterly. "Fuck, it hurts, Mora."

"Shut up talking then and save your breath," Pansy huffed, looking clearly distressed as she examined his arm. "C'mon, Holloway, we need to get you to Madam Pomfrey, she's not far, thankfully. I don't have any dittany or anything on me."

Leon huffed and rolled his eyes as the two girls moved to take an arm over their shoulders. "Great. Fifteen minutes into the real fight and I'm already fucking injured. That's so peak for me."

"Leon," Amora grunted breathlessly, "Your legs are working - help us out a little here."

"I'm losing blood, Amora!" Leon cried back, "This is it! I'm gonna die from a scratched arm!"

"You're not going to die, you twat!" Amora seethed back as they hauled him into the Great Hall where Madam Pomfrey was tending to students already hurt. "You survived far worse from Greyback before. You'll be patched up and back out fighting in no time."

"You're so lovely to me, Mora," Leon breathed, laughing almost deliriously as Madam Pomfrey rushed over. "Hey, Pops."

"Please help him," Amora murmured, her brows knitting together with concern.

"Of course, Amora," Madam Pomfrey smiled warmly, despite the obvious stress written across her face as someone wailed out in agony from their spot on the floor a few feet away. "Stay safe."

"I will. You stay safe too, Poppy."

Pansy grabbed Amora's hand again as the two girls left the Great Hall.

"I think we should try and find Lavender Brown," Amora said, swallowing nervously. "If Leon barely got away, she might..." She shook her head in fear.

"Okay, that sounds like a plan," Pansy said nervously, glancing around. "Where do we start?"

"Probably down the corridor we found Leon," Amora said, leading Pansy down it.

They avoided two different Death Eaters on the way down it, and they even passed Ernie and Terry. Amora's stride was cut short by an arm flying out in front of her. Pansy's eyes were trained on something, wide and horrified, her lips parted in shock. Amora's question died in the back of her throat, following Pansy's gaze until it landed on Lavender Brown herself.

However, Lavender wasn't okay like Leon had hoped. He hadn't managed to save her.

Lavender's curls, which Amora remembered vividly from staring at the back of them everyday for hours during OWLs season, were sprawled across the concrete ground, and her blue eyes were wide but unfocused, her lips parted but not releasing any breath. There was blood splattered across her Hogwarts uniform, claw marks decorating her body.

That wasn't the most horrifying part.

"Lav! Lavender!" Parvati howled, salty tears leaking over Lavender's body as she tried to hold her to her body. "Please, Lavender! Please!"

Padma whimpered, "Parvati, we have to go —" she tried to tug her twin sister away.

Memories of Amora trying to hold Cedric one last time whilst her mother attempted to pull her back flooded her mind. It dawned on her there and then that if she were to die tonight, she would die the same age that Cedric died. And it only then really hit her how young Cedric was, and how, just like Lavender Brown, he had so much left to do.

Pansy's hand clamped over her mouth and Amora felt like she could be sick, hot tears immediately springing to her eyes as she shifted her head to look away. Pansy grabbed Amora and pulled her close, as if the true danger of this war had finally dawned on them both. Amora had never wanted to get to Draco and the others quicker.

Pansy seemed to have the same idea. Their grip on each other's hands was tighter than before, desperate to the point where it almost hurt. Amora didn't want to see Pansy in Lavender's place. She didn't want to have to lose anybody else.

"Confringo!"

The voice snapped so quickly that neither girl had time to process it, and it had come from behind them. Their hands separated as they darted either side of the corridor, shrieking as the ceiling caved in above them. It crumbled down to the floor, a slab of concrete only missing Pansy's shoulder narrowly.

Pansy had her wand pointed but the Death Eater was too quick. "Stupefy!" He hissed, and Amora recognised the voice immediately.

"Pans!" Amora cried, darting to climb the rubble and get to her friend to protect her, but she made it merely a step before she was hit with the Cruciatus Curse.

She hadn't even heard Amycus speak the incantation, and she hadn't seen the familiar beam of magic light. It hit her in an instant, her body crumbling as she screamed a shrill sound and withered. It had been so long since she had last suffered this spell, and she could safely say that she hadn't missed it in the slightest bit.

The sound of feet crunching on broken glass and other materials filled her ears as the curse wore off and Amycus loomed over her weak body. She moved to grasp her wand which was by her side, but Amycus stood on her wrist. She heard a crack and felt a pop and she screamed again, stomping her feet out beneath her as she tried to get away.

Amycus jabbed his wand against her chin. "You murdered my sister, you dirty blood traitor."

Amora couldn't believe she was going to die at the hands of Amycus Carrow. She thought that if she did die tonight, it would be a little cooler than this. Maybe she'd die saving someone, or it would be tragic and in the arms of someone she cared about, but she supposed the world was cruel and real life didn't work like that.

No matter what she said right now, she was going to die. She could lie and apologise, then she would be brutally murdered in a pathetic, Peter-Pettigrew-like way, or...

"And your sister cried like a little bitch," Amora breathed.

She had no idea what spell was hurled at her next. Amycus spat it in a fit of rage, and it was probably so dark that it would never in a million years be taught at Hogwarts. It felt like all of her bones were twisting beneath her skin, like someone had a hold of each end of every single individual piece and was turning and turning further than possible.

Amora's scream was loud enough to echo down dozens of nearby hallways, her body withering as she felt her ribs do something strange. They sort of bent in and she felt as though she could feel her lungs puncture, her air suddenly feeling slow as she choked and spluttered. A crimson liquid began to coat her lips, her fists scrunching up.

Her screams vibrated all the way to a corridor right outside the Room of Requirement. Draco pulled himself up from the ground, panting slightly, Blaise's hand on his back as Theo clambered to his feet on the other side. He was faintly aware of the three Gryffindors who had just saved them from Crabbe and Goyle's Fiendfyre also exchanging looks.

Draco didn't care about getting his wand off of Potter anymore. He took off running in the direction that he heard Amora in, clutching the Hufflepuff girl's wand tightly in his hands. Blaise and Theo were somewhere behind him, they were saying something, but all he could do was think about Amora. Amora, Amora, Amora. What was happening to her?

They found a corridor that had mostly been caved in by the war, but further down, amongst a huge pile of debris, Pansy lay unconscious, and a few feet away, Amora was being tortured by Amycus Carrow. An indescribable amount of both rage and concern flooded Draco's veins and he darted forwards.

"Expelliarmus!" He spat, seething with rage.

Amycus' eyes widened and he turned around, putting his hands up defensively at the sight of the three Slytherin boys. "Malfoy, I –"

"Crucio," Draco spat. This was the first time he'd done it without being forced to by the Dark Lord – the first time he had properly meant it.

He watched with satisfaction as the Carrow man dropped down a little further away from Amora, screaming himself, withering about pathetically. Draco loved that Alecto was feeling the same pain he'd put Amora through – the same torture he'd committed on Hogwarts students as young as eleven.

When he stopped, Amycus was panting and crying. "Please!" He begged, hands trembling as he lifted them up. "Malfoy, please! Have mercy! I'll leave the girl alone –"

"The damage is already done," Draco spat, "And I already made up my mind about what would happen to you months ago. Avada Ke–"

Theo and Blaise both lurched forwards and grabbed Draco's arms. "Draco, don't!" Theo cried, "That kind of dark magic will never leave you. And it's not who you are. Leave him here in pain. Let someone else deal with him."

Draco tried to yank away from them with gritted teeth. "He's hurt Amora –"

"Draco," Amora whimpered, cutting both boys off. Draco was over there in a flash.

Blaise sneered down at Amycus' unconscious body as Theo rushed to Pansy's aid, whispering a quick Rennervate until her green eyes flickered back open.

"Amora," Pansy choked immediately, reaching up and grasping Theo's shirt. "Where's –"

"She's right here," Blaise called, looming over Draco's shoulder.

Draco's hands were shaking slightly as he placed Amora's wand down beside her. He grasped the back of her head and pulled her into his lap, frowning when she winced and coughed out. There were tears leaking from her brown eyes, and her skin was extremely pale. As his hand touched her face, his thumb swiping at the blood spilling from her lips, he swore they'd gone the same colour.

"Amora, it's okay," Draco whispered quickly, "We're going to get you to Madam Pomfrey."

Amora made a little sniffling noise as she weakly grasped his wrist – it felt like she was barely touching him, making his heart ache.

"Please be okay," Amora mumbled.

Draco nodded quickly. "Yeah, yeah. Amora, you're going to be okay."

"No..." Amora muttered as she felt her body be picked up. "No, I want... I want you to be okay. If I go."

"Don't talk like that," Draco snapped, but he ended up choking, his glare crumbling as he glanced down at her, taking strides longer than he ever had before towards the Great Hall. "Don't you dare, Amora Buckley. I've promised you a family and a home and a big library. And our trip to France. I have to translate for you, remember?"

Amora's tears were hot and fast down her cheeks. She could faintly hear Pansy's sobs from somewhere behind them. Theo was talking quickly, but she had no idea what he was saying.

"I love you," Amora choked, "I love you so much, Draco."

"No, no!" Draco boomed, "No, we said we wouldn't say that! Not until it was over!"

"It feels over," her voice croaked, she weakly moved her hand to rest against her heart. "I can't... I..."

Draco slammed open the doors to the Great Hall. "Poppy!" Draco howled, instantly gaining looks from over injured patients – including Leon, who was nearly fully recovered. "Poppy, help me! Help us!"

Madam Pomfrey came running over as Draco carefully rested Amora's body on one of the cots. Leon was right there, his eyes instantly burning when they laid eyes on her pale skin and bloody mouth.

"What – What the fuck happened?" Leon cried.

"Amycus Carrow," Blaise hissed.

"I'll kill him!" Leon roared, "I'll kill the bastard –"

"Not right now, Holloway," Blaise muttered, watching anxiously as Madam Pomfrey began to cast diagnostic charms, waving her wand over Amora's body as her eyes fluttered open and shut, open and shut again.

"Oh dear," Madam Pomfrey muttered, her eyes slightly wide, her skin paler than usual.

"What is it?" Draco demanded fiercely. "Poppy, what is it?"

Madam Pomfrey waved her hand and dove to help Amora immediately. "I'm going to do my best, Draco. Please try to stay as calm as possible."

Pansy sobbed as she pressed her face against Theo's chest, who wrapped his arm around her. "It's all my fault! I never heard him coming!"

"It's not your fault, Pans," Theo croaked, "She'll... Amora will be –"

"Don't finish that," Pansy hissed, "Look at her. She's –"

"Shut up, Pansy," Draco hissed, kneeling down beside her head as he brushed her cheek with his thumb – she was even getting cold to touch. "Amora, I'm here. I'm here, darling."

"I'm going to need to bend a lot of her bones back into place," Madam Pomfrey announced, "It's a very difficult and risky spell. I'm afraid it will cause Amora significant pain. I can cast a spell to numb it, but... Draco, you may want to hold Amora's hand for this."

Draco choked a little at the irony. It was bitter and he hated every single moment of this. He reached out and grasped her hand. His was so much bigger than the third year – dwarfing hers. She wasn't as hysterical as she had been when she was thirteen, either. Mainly because this looked like a shell of Amora. Draco was sure she was fighting for consciousness, little incoherent murmurs falling off her lips.

"Amora, can you hear me, sweetheart?" Madam Pomfrey called soothingly. "I'm about to try and help you, okay? It's going to hurt a bit, but Draco is here. All of your friends are here. Do you understand?"

Amora's eyes were scrunched closed, her brows furrowed. "Mhm..." She made a little groaning noise.

"What happened to her exactly?" Theo asked, "Do you know?"

"This is dark magic," Madam Pomfrey said regretfully. "I'm unaware of the spell, it may be an original, but I'll do my absolute best to reverse it."

"When you say 'absolute best'..." Leon swallowed.

"I can't guarantee a thing," Madam Pomfrey whispered and then began to wave her wand over Amora's body and mutter incantations, her face stern with concentration.

Amora began to tremble slightly, her lips parting so that she could weakly cry out. Sweat coated her pale skin, her hand weakly squeezing Draco's. Draco's heart was pounding out of his chest and he swore that if Amora was okay after this, then he would never in a million years take her for granted again. She was his everything, and he couldn't afford to lose her. He meant it when he told his parents that he went wherever she went – he wouldn't be able to handle a world without her by his side.

"Come on, Amora," Theo whispered.

"Is it working?" Draco demanded.

"I believe it is returning her bones to their natural state, yes," Madam Pomfrey said. "Please do not interrupt again."

Draco looked like he desperately wanted to say something else, but he forced his mouth shut to let the school nurse get on with trying to help Amora. He couldn't help but want to snap at Madam Pomfrey to hurry up or do something that would absolutely one hundred percent ensure her recovery, but he knew she knew more than him. He just hated not doing anything. All he could do was hold her.

Amora swallowed thickly in pain, her eyes screwing shut. She then coughed a little, some more blood pouring past her lips. Draco cursed quietly, his heart simultaneously tugging and falling into the pit of his stomach. He already wanted to turn around and go and murder Amycus himself – even if Amora made it.

Please make it. Amora, please.

He wasn't aware that he was crying until he felt the hot tears tickle at his jaw before dropping down onto his own lap. Draco's spare hand quickly wiped them away, but they were only coming back hotter and faster. He felt Blaise place a hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged him off quickly. Any comfort would make this feel final, and Draco wanted this to be clear – this wasn't it. This wasn't it for Amora, or him and Amora – she would make it. She had to make it.

"Amora, sweetheart, can you hear me?" Madam Pomfrey cooed from above the teenage girl. "You need to stay awake if you can, okay? Keep those eyes open."

Draco's gaze flickered back to her face. He was horrified to see how tired she looked. Part of him wanted to allow her rest, merely so she would be out of all of this clear agony, but the larger part of him only gripped her hand tighter and adjusted his body so Amora could see his face clearer.

"You heard Poppy, darling," Draco said, his voice thick. "Keep those brown eyes open, yeah? I want to see them. Don't close them just yet."

Amora's lips parted like she wanted to say something. He felt like he was literally watching the life drain from her weak body.

"Okay, Amora, take a sip of this please–" Madam Pomfrey grabbed a flask from her side. "Draco, please help her lift her head a little."

Draco's large hand moved to her nape, adjusting it ever so slightly so that she could gulp down the golden shimmery drink being held out to her. She made a groaning noise of pain, one of her hands twitching to place over her chest. When she finished, Amora released a small, rattly breath and placed her head back down on the thin pillow beneath her.

"How is she doing?" Pansy urged, sniffling and still clinging to Theo's side.

"I just gave her a small sedation potion," Madam Pomfrey said. "It should keep her asleep for the next half an hour and allow the magic I used on her body to work even quicker and more effectively. I would say, though, that your Amora is going to be just fine, Miss Parkinson."

All of Amora's friends released heavy sighs of relief. Draco choked back a small sob, biting down on his thumb as he tearily glanced from Amora's sleeping figure to Madam Pomfrey.

"Poppy, I owe you everything," he said, his voice slightly scratchy now. "I... Should I still gain my family's inheritance after this war, I want to pay you back. Whatever money you want, a house to yourself, the most expensive medicine kit on the market, I don't care–"

"Draco." Madam Pomfrey placed a hand on his shoulder. "I have been doing this job for many, many years. In return for helping Amora, all I ask is that the two of you keep safe. And that you continue to love each other. I've watched the two of you since your third years, when Amora came in from her accident with the Whomping Willow. You deserve each other so much."

Draco swallowed and gave her a shaky smile. "Thank you, Poppy."

"Of course," she said and then reached to brush some of Amora's hair out of her face. She turned to the rest of the Slytherins and Leon. "Would the four of you mind if I spoke to Draco in private for a second?"

Pansy furrowed her eyebrows, but Theo nodded quickly. "Of course. We'll be by the door."

Leon hesitated to follow the three Slytherins. He gave Draco a small but firm nod, but it told Draco everything. Draco nodded back in understanding, and then he was left alone with the unconscious Amora and Madam Pomfrey, who, despite just having saved a student from her literal death bed, looked quite sad.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news," Madam Pomfrey murmured quietly, "But I believe you deserve to know. Of course, I assume that you didn't already know, considering you didn't ask."

Draco's eyebrows were screwed together in complete confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Madam Pomfrey released a shaky breath and patted Draco's hand. "Draco, when I ran the diagnostics charm... Do you have any idea what I saw?"

"What is it?" Draco swallowed thickly. "Is Amora okay? You just said she was okay –"

"Amora is okay, yes," the nurse confirmed, "But... Oh, I'm sorry, Draco. Amora was pregnant."

..

sorry this chapter took a while -- theyre the last couple so i want to get them how i want them and it's taking a while. i think the next one is 100% the last chapter, which is SO SAD :(, and i think i will genuinely cry when i can't write draco and amora again :((

i have posted my pansy parkinson fanfic tho, so if that's your thing then feel free to check it out :))

many thanks for reading and i hope you enjoyed it <3333

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