Sixth year started when the seventh seal broke.
Boom.
It was a buzzing sound that shattered the clouds and Jegudiel was poised stoic as he looked down his nose.
I watched in agonizing wonder as he gestured his arm out and hail and fire mingled with blood dropped off his robes and fell to the earth. Burning up the trees and flowers.
Boom.
Selaphiel's wings stretched out, twitching and yawning, ready to take flight.
The mountain he threw burned and crumbled into ash, disappearing in the oceans which transformed into crimson.
Boom.
Gabriel stepped forward, rolling his shoulders and sobbing, his tears dripping with toxicity and he poisoned the waters of the earth.
Men dying left and right from drinking its bitter taste.
It was all they had left to purge the thirst they felt clawing at their tongues.
Boom.
With his ember eyes Uriel stood up, thrusting his sword at the sun, its light bleeding out and catching the blade in an eternal flame. Casting the world in a void of darkness.
Not even the moon could save us now.
The final call before the trumpets of woe.
Boom.
The fifth one jumped, people screamed as they watched Michael plummet to the unforgiving ground.
My breath hitched.
Then his wings unfurled.
His voice a wail.
Woe, woe, woe, to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!
The Star then fell.
The ground shattered, and from the bottomless pit inky blackness seeped out like a gash.
I barely had time to blink before scorpion tailed war horses tore out from hell. Their teeth sharp with golden crowns made of thorns.
Boom.
Raphael commenced the second woe.
Leading troops of a hundred million. Spreading plagues of fire and smoke and brimstone.
My eyes watered. I tried to call out to you but ash caked my insides.
Boom.
I cried when Barachiel lowered the golden trumpet from his lips, a cruel smile adoring his features and his nimbus was that of gods glory.
Heaven screamed.
The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.
I wanted to hold you.
It was all over.
Humanity had perished.
The world ended.
Or at least that's what it felt like.
You were different. Something had happened over the summer.
We didn't talk.
So I couldn't ask you.
My answer was found in a prophet.
I paled.
You gave me nothing when I walked up to you, whispering my condolences.
I know death changes people but it hurt to see you this way.
You still smiled but I knew that starlight inside you had dimmed.
Thank you, Abraxas.
And then you walked away.
Funny, it was usually me who did that.
War reached everyone. Seeping through the cracks of the castle, flooding, drowning us. Making us scared.
Hogwarts was supposed to be safe.
And perhaps it was, physically.
But no one could stop the emotional damage that walked through its doors.
You hung onto Scott and it hurt but I did nothing.
He was your boyfriend, of course you'd seek comfort in him and not me.
What have I ever done for you?
He's still a piece of shit.
And he's your boyfriend.
The first months passed and slowly you began to be lighter. The flowers finally shaking off the heavy dew.
But your stem would forever be bent.
Thorns had grown.
You'd always be a mourner, the title was now draped over your shoulders like a cloak.
But it'd never weigh you down.
Not unless it rained.
We didn't talk.
For me it felt like the longest time, the seconds ticking by slowly as if the hands were coated in molasses.
I nearly killed my self when I saw you in the stands.
You were even wearing green.
You were cheering and smiling, whistling and rooting for my side.
For my team.
I was captain after all.
And you were rooting for me.
I nearly killed my self as I lost balance on my broom.
All I could see was you. The other faces disappeared. The crowd was swallowed whole and you stood on your own throne, the wind brushing your hair and your cheeks were flushed and your eyes wrinkled in the corners as you shouted.
Damn you.
I didn't even see our chaser shoot the winning goal.
The crowd rushed from the stands.
I flew down, dropping off my broom and stumbling.
Where were you?
I needed to find you.
Olive gripped my arm, saying such sweet things and congratulations.
I ignored her and found you.
You were surrounded by your fellow birds of prey.
But shit, you were wearing green and-
I nearly tripped.
You had my number painted on your cheek.
Ophelia?
Your name wasn't new on my tongue.
I whispered it in my dreams.
You spun with the grace of a ballerina. I was too close and you stepped back but I danced forward.
Our bodies caught in a pas de deux.
Well done, you said kindly.
You smiled but I knew it wasn't the same.
Thanks.
My voice was pathetically quiet and I could feel the beat of the eagles' wings on my back as your friends stared.
I looked stupid as I pointed a hand to your cheek.
Oh, you flushed, right. It was your first game as captain so I just thought... you trailed.
My eyes were glazed over as I watched your mouth move.
Sorry-
No, I shook my head, words finally coming back to me. It's fine. Thanks.
You nodded, lingering a moment longer, waiting for me to say something else.
Hell, I was waiting for me to spit something out.
I'll see you in potions, and you bowed your head and turned.
Don't.
My mouth tasted sour at the word and you raised an inquisitive brow.
Come to the celebration.
I should really shut up.
This was stupid.
In the dungeons?
I should tell you never mind.
Yes.
You bit your lip and my stomach pooled, the sensation similar to when tobacco seduced me.
Can I bring a friend?
You didn't say your boyfriend.
I smiled.
Sure.
Music was loud, you were laughing. Your body twirled and I wanted to grab hold of the emerald scarf you were wearing and kiss you.
My drink turned into mud at the thought as it slid down my throat.
What was wrong with me?
I needed to stop wasting my time on such fantasies but goddammit you make it so difficult when you look the way you do.
Shaking my head, I turn away.
I hear you gasp.
Looking over my shoulder you're drenched.
For a moment I thought it was honey coating your skin before I noticed Olive smirking with an empty cup.
I shouldn't have invited you.
I shouldn't have thrown you into the snakes pit.
Your friend guided you out, throwing a glare over her shoulder but not at Olive — at me.
I knew I deserved it.
You turned, offering me a smile but I didn't have time to bask in it as Olive grabbed hold of my shirt and kissed me.
The next morning you didn't say hello.
We didn't talk.
I've never seen you look annoyed before.
There was some relief when I knew it wasn't directed at me.
In the library your brows were furrowed, hair tied up in a knot of sap and your hands stained black.
You were working on an essay.
I loved watching you write.
You wrote with the fervor of an Oracle. Your knuckles white around the quill as if you were dangling off a cliff.
If you didn't finish your sentence you'd fall.
Every few moments you'd pause and take a deep breath and readjust your grip, but before reality could stomp on your fingers, you bit your lip and started again.
It wasn't until you finished your fifth page that you looked up at me and I blushed.
I fucking blushed.
Do you need something, Malfoy?
Ouch.
My constant companion of confidence ran away with its tail between its legs.
You've never called me by my surname before.
Of course not.
My tone was neutral, but it lacked its usual cruelty.
Then quit staring at me.
You brushed your hair back and smudged a cloud on your cheek.
I watched with bated breath.
Standing up, you slung you're bag over your shoulder and clutched your essay to your chest.
You made to walk past me but I stepped in your way.
Craning your neck up, you glared.
That was new.
Please move.
I didn't say anything as my hand reached up and cupped you're cheek.
Your eyes widened.
You didn't move.
My thumb gently wiped away the tarnishing ink.
We stared at each other for a long time.
Or perhaps it was only a few seconds.
I couldn't bring myself to pull away.
Your skin was so soft against my palm. I felt unworthy.
If I touched you for too long my sins would claw at you and get under your skin like a parasite.
I pulled back.
I wanted to apologize for what Hornby did, I said quietly.
Oh? Your voice was a squeak and I had a hard time stopping the small grin threatening to yank my cheeks back.
There was a tense pause.
Where'd you get the scarf? I asked.
You looked confused. It was fascinating. You never looked like that.
What scarf?
The one you wore to the game.
Oh.
More silence. The candles hovering overhead flickered and your eyes glowed. You smiled. You were blushing suddenly.
Tom gave it to me.
The bastard wasn't even here and but I felt his nails tear through my back, ripping out my spine to get to my heart and he squeezed a hand over it.
Stopping the pulse.
Am I dying?
I was still being punished.
And this was by far more excruciating than any unforgivable.
The world was definitely ending.