We had returned to school after winter break and I was walking with Harry to the Quidditch pitch for the Hufflepuff versus Gryffindor game.
"So remember how we overheard Malfoy talking to Snape after the party?" Harry asked.
"Mhm."
"Well I've been thinking, and Malfoy has been acting weird lately..."
Weird is an understatement. He's been sneaking around even more and he looks so sick that it breaks my heart.
"...I think he's involved with the Dark Lord," Harry finished.
Well, he's not wrong but it's not like I'll tell him that either. I may not be with Draco but I won't go against him either no matter how screwed up his situation is.
"You've gone quiet," Harry commented.
"Yeah, sorry. I don't think so...he wouldn't do that."
"You're not just saying that because you two dated right?" Harry questioned.
"No, of course not. I just can't imagine Draco doing anything like that," I explained.
"Well people do things we don't expect," Harry murmured. "Can you meet me tonight at least? I need to show you something."
"Sure..."
-
"Lizzie, are you sure you're okay to play? You seem out of it," Zach said as we warmed up for the match.
"Yes, I'm fine."
We mounted our brooms and flew onto the field. I took my place in the middle across from Harry.
"Good luck, Potter."
"You too."
It was a snowy day, and I shivered as Hooch went over the game rules. I glanced up into the stands which were loaded with students dressed in red and yellow - but no Draco. I don't know why I thought he'd be here or why I hoped he would, but I was slightly upset when I didn't see him.
When the snitch was released, we both took off in pursuit of it, bumping shoulders and trying to push each other off the snitch's trail while the snow beat down onto our faces.
After chasing the snitch for a while, we both lost sight of it. I flew above the Hufflepuff student section where several students cheered for me.
A sudden sick feeling came over me. I squeezed my eyes shut and clutched my stomach; I was feeling a bit dizzy from all the stress that's built up over the past few weeks.
"Let's go, Lizzie!" they would all cheer while clapping rhythmically.
Dylan flew over to me, a look of concern on his face. "What's wrong? You look sick."
The student section chanted as Dylan and I talked which only made me feel more sick.
"I'm fine. I just need a minute."
He nodded. "I'll be back in a minute. Just keep an eye out for the snitch.
"Lizzie doesn't look too great..." someone murmured from the student section below.
My vision began to blur and the voices began to fade. The next thing I knew, I was falling through the air and several people were screaming. I hit the ground hard and blacked out.
-
-
-
I flinched as I watched Elizabeth slam into the ground. I wasn't supposed to be at the game, but I wanted to be there for Elizabeth even though she doesn't exactly know I'm here.
I watched as all the other players hopped off their brooms and ran towards Elizabeth. She looked unconscious and I had to stop myself from running over to her.
However, this is exactly why I didn't want her to play Quidditch. I knew she would get hurt, and yet she didn't listen to me.
Professors ran onto the field to Elizabeth who was put on a stretcher. From what I was able to see through all the curious students craning their necks to see, Elizabeth had thankfully woken up.
-
I stood outside the hospital wing and peered through the doors. All the Rosewoods with exception of Vanessa were in there. I locked eyes with Oliver who walked over to me.
"Go away. If Vanessa even sees you lay eyes on Elizabeth, she'll be killed, so leave."
"I just wanted to make sure she's alright."
"She's fine. She's awake and nothing seems to be wrong. Now go."
I nodded and took one last glance into the infirmary. Elizabeth was sitting up and talking which eased my nervousness just a bit.
-
It was late at night and I was leaving the Room of Requirement. On my way, I walked past the infirmary to see if Elizabeth was still there, and she was.
I looked around to see if anyone was watching. It won't hurt anyone for me to go see her this late at night. I quietly opened the door and walked over to her bed. She was asleep so I sat down next to her bed.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
To my surprise, her eyes opened. She blinked away the sleep and then looked at me. Her green eyes studied me for a moment before a look of sadness appeared on her face. "You can't be here."
"I know. I just wanted to see you. I'll leave."
I began to stand up, but I felt her grip onto my arm. I turned back around to see she was crying. "Wait."
I stopped and by the look in her eyes, I could tell she wanted me to stay. "You're not afraid of getting caught?"
"I just need you," she murmured.
I bit back my smile and climbed into bed with her. She lay her head on my chest and I held her close to me. I was by far the happiest I've been in weeks with her being in my arms again.
Within minutes, she was asleep. I stroked her hair softly and fell asleep, too, and had the first actual good sleep in months.
-
"Mr. Malfoy."
I woke up to Madam Pomfrey's face right next to mine.
"What?"
"Why're you here?" she asked sternly.
I glanced down at Elizabeth who had just begun to stir. Was it not obvious why I was here?
"I just wanted to make sure Elizabeth was alright. I'll leave now."
She nodded, clearly annoyed. I kissed Elizabeth's forehead before slipping out of the bed and hurrying off.
I entered the Slytherin common room and my horrible mood crashed right onto me again when the screech of Vanessa's voice filled my ears.
"Where the hell were you!?" she cried.
"Working."
"Well can you just finish up that stupid cabinet already? The sooner it's done, the sooner we can marry, and the sooner we marry, the sooner Elizabeth knows her place."
"I don't love you. Never have, never will. I'm only marrying you so I can keep my mother alive," I sneered. And Elizabeth of course, but mentioning her would buy her a one-way ticket to death, and that's the last thing I wanted to do.
"Whatever. We have the rest of our lives together."
I cringed at the thought because I'll be expected to have a family with Vanessa but the thought of even touching her sickened me.
"Leave him alone, Vanessa," Pansy shouted from a nearby armchair.
"Jealous are we?" Vanessa commented.
"No. I just realized Draco's heart only beats for one person," Pansy said hotly.
"Me!" Vanessa exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around me.
"No," I said, pushing her off me.
"Yeah, whatever helps you sleep at night, Vanessa," Pansy added.
I gave Pansy a grateful look as Vanessa started to yell at her. I took that moment as an opportunity to flee the common room, so I ran to my room and locked the door.
Oliver looked at me, his nose crinkled. "Spending time with Vanessa?"
"What?" I asked.
"I can smell her nasty grandma perfume," he explained.
I lifted my sleeve and took a small sniff. A loud gag escaped my mouth when I smelt a mix of oranges, lemons, and some other scents that shouldn't be combined. That bitch wears so much perfume it rubs off on me with just one touch!
"So I take it you weren't with her intentionally?"
"No. I stayed with Elizabeth in the hospital wing."
Oliver looked at me and I could tell he wasn't too happy about it. "If she gets killed because of you, I swear you will never see the light of day again."
"She won't. I left before she woke up this morning."
He nodded but still seemed unhappy.