Living Death

- chapter fifty

"It's rather funny isn't it.." Hermione smiled fondly, looking out across from the Astronomy tower into the welcomed sunlit late morning sky, leaning against the railings beside you, "How we barely spoke during school yet.."

She turned her head and you followed her gaze as you both looked across to Ron, Harry, Neville and Draco who sat on some steps, discussing their scariest and bravest moments during the battle, forgetting their differences for what you hoped would be longer than a fleeting moment.

Draco looked across to you with a fondness and stood up to join you, earning you a typical look from Harry as he raised his eyebrows suggestively. You smiled a little bashfully and looked away from him and out across the grounds in embarrassment, knowing he was teasing you.

Draco approached you from behind, his arms snaking around your waist as he rested his chin on your shoulder, looking out across the view with you with a content sigh.

Hermione's hand rested on top of yours gently for a moment as she sent you a small smile, moving to go and converse with the boys as she left you and Draco to talk.

A comfortable silence overcame you both and you treasured the quiet, the wind had subsided and the air was calm but refreshing. It gave you time to breathe.

"We might not be watching the stars, but this is perfect" Draco hummed softly and you laughed slightly at his comment, you were glad you could finally stand in the tower without having to fear for your life.

You felt his lips gently kiss your shoulder before trailing to your neck, making you laugh a little more at his ticklish affections, scrunching up your face.

You head someone, unmistakably Ron, make a gagging sound behind you, shortly cut off by a slight thud and a low 'ouch' as Hermione clearly scolded him for his immaturity.

"Get a girlfriend and then you'll understand, Weaselbee" Draco turned to him with a smug smile that made you want to roll your eyes. You should've known he'd be this kind of boyfriend.

"I have a girlfriend actually!" Ron stated, matching Draco's smugness but Hermione's eyes widened beside him.

"Ron!" She shrieked and smacked his arm hard, her face bright red as she looked away from everyone shyly, but Ron seemed to still have a grin on his lips.

"Called it." Draco whispered in your ear with a smirk, his arms wrapping further around you as he turned his attention back to you.

"Called it but didn't call us?" You tilted your head up to his with a raised brow and noticed a slight redness had risen to his cheeks as he avoided your gaze.

"Well- That's different" He stuttered slightly and buried his face in your neck again as if to hide, his sudden bashfulness a little endearing. He'd liked you for far too long to admit.

"Sure" You smiled softly, lacing your fingers with his in front of you as you looked down at your arms.

The mark no longer pained you, the faint white scar of it left on your forearms wasn't haunting but instead a valiant reminder of your hardships; what you'd been through, those you'd lost and the battle fought. You weren't prepared to forget and honestly, you didn't want to, you'd been through too much.

You didn't live in fear of dying anymore, you'd greet death as an old friend when the time came, thankful for the life you had been able to lead.

It was only after death, you'd truly learnt to live.