This chapter contains mature content,
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'' And that's the only way? I have to die for him to be safe?''
'' No, dear,'' — '' The only to protect Draco is to combine your life with his. The second the process begins and you're not there to defend him — you will be dying — but only for a minute. When they understand that turning Draco into a death eater will kill you, they won't do it,''
'' But you must understand, Leiah — that this is only for a short moment, we will stop the second it becomes too much,''
'' Does it hurt? — Dying?''
'' No dear, merely to falling asleep.''
''I'm scared, Narcissa — what if they don't stop?''
''They will — they are not allowed to harm the dark lord's daughter,''
'' Will you hold me — when Draco can't?''
'' Of course, love. ''
I felt shivers racing down my spine, remembering what Narcissa informed me earlier, watching Snape brutally pressing his wand into Draco's arm — my heart pained the moment I caught his sobs shred through the room.
'' Narcissa,'' I gulped, peering up at the woman hugging me, sensing my chest stinging in pain — head cooed dizzy as my knees trembled, '' Narcissa, is this it?''
Her hands tensed around my figure, striving to keep me calm, '' I tried telling you this, Leiah,'' Narcissa's voice shivered due to her son's loud outcries, '' I tried.'' I shifted in her arms, clasping her neck, doing everything possible not to drop to my knees, '' The vow, Leiah. You're not protecting Draco from harm — therefore—,''
My sights searched intensely into hers as my cores twisted, '' Am I —,'' I swallowed, as the need for oxygen hurled, '' Am I dying?''
Her eyes ripped from mine, holding me close, '' Yes, dear.''
My body crumbled as my cheeks turned white, and all my mind was brought to was him — whishing what he wouldn't see this, hoping that the pain of the mark would consume him not to be bothered with me —
The pain prickled my bones, the desire of the vow to free him from harm smothered me, and then,
Everything became dark as my body collapsed to the ground,
Dream,
" What on gods earth are you doing, Draco?" I spoke between laughs. He glanced at me annoyed — striving to get the pieces together,
He rolled his eyes at the mess in front of him, throwing a piece of wood to the floor, " I can't do this, Leiah," Hands rushed through his hair, towing it back in frustration, " I have no idea how I'm supposed to do this,"
I caught quick steps towards him, stroking his back, " It's alright, darling - we'll figure it out together," Draco stared at me with soft eyes as he shook his head,
" How am I supposed to do this," He complained, pointing a finger towards me as he dropped to the armchair behind him, " When I can't even do that," Gesturing at the parts of furniture on the floor,
A trail of huffs left his flares as I placed myself on his lap, cupping his cheeks in my hands, " You know what?" I whispered into his head, planting a kiss on his forehead, " Let's not do this, right now," I smiled, causing him to pull me closer,
" Let's just be for a minute, and then we can deal with this,"
Draco looked at me, the way only he did, " What did I ever do to deserve you?" He gasped, admiring me as he tucked a curl behind my ear, a cold thumb traced circles on my cheek,
" Both of you,"
His hand moved down to my stomach, gently stroking it. The one ring on his finger felt ice-cold — the same ring I had on mine,
" I don't know what I would ever do without you,"
His words still caused butterflies to swirl within me, after all this time, " You would surely not have a crib without me," I laughed, looking towards the mess on the floor, he rolled his eyes at my mocking — trying to lean away as I pulled him back,
Staring into the blue eyes I still fell in love with every day, noticing the blonde strands of hair messy over his temples — but I wouldn't have it any other way — this was perfect — this was everything,
" I love you, Draco."
" I love you more, Leiah,"
_____
My body flinched, breaths heavy as I flung up in the bed — Darkness, everything around me held dark as I hugged myself, my skin felt sore, my insides ached, memorizing everything that happened — my hands sought to feel around me,
''Leiah — are you alright?'' Her voice caused me to cringe back again, '' Dear god —''
I couldn't even treat the fact that I was back in my room, at Hogwarts — all I could think about was Draco. '' Luna, where—'' I felt my throat dry as I coughed, her hand gently stroking my back, '' Have you seen Draco?''
Her brows furrowed, earning a blurred look from me, '' It's the middle of the night, Leiah — why would—,''
'' Luna, please,'' I snapped at her, running my fingers through my hair, feeling the frustration eating me up, '' Can you just — have you seen him?'' She merely shook her head, blond curls falling over her angelic features. I dragged my knees up to my chest, holding myself,
'' Where were you?'' She prayed, still staring at me, '' You were gone for days and I—'' My neck timed hers as I cut her off,
'' What?'' I gasped, feeling unclear, '' Days?'' I felt my insides coil once more, my chest heavy, '' I was gone for days?'' My mind was so clouded with everything that had passed that I couldn't gather the words leaving her lips,
'' I'm sorry — I have to,'' I blurted out before struggling myself off my bed. I hurried through the halls, in nothing but my silky robe — the stone covered floor scraped my bare feet as I found my way down the Slytherin chambers,
My knuckles clashed hard with Draco's door — and by that, his door slowed open but nothing, his room cooed vain, '' What?'' I murmured to myself, remarking the book I gave him the first night of studying together, gone - for the past months, he had it on his nightstand, on that exact spot - but not anymore,
I turned around in my steps, urging my way to Blaise's door instead, '' Blaise?'' I yelled, hurling my fists into the wood, '' Blaise — open right now,'' and he did; he twirled his door open, staring at me with hooded eyes,
''Leiah, what are you—''
I pushed past him into his room, looking around in the darkness as a shape rose from the bed, making me let out a harsh squeal, '' Dean?'' I raised, '' What are you—''
Blaise sheathed his arms around my shattering figure, spinning me around in his hold, '' What happened?'' He asked, planting a soft kiss on the top of my head,
I reeled my head, shaky sighs left my lips as I gathered my words, '' Where is Draco?''
Blaise wheeled away from my grip, granting Dean a rugged look, my brows furrowed, '' What? What are you not telling me?'' I shoved my friend away from me — staring at them both, '' Tell me, Blaise,''
''Leiah — you shouldn't,'' He spoke softly, straining to pull me back in, but I took a step back as I rose a brow,
'' Tell me where he is, Blaise,'' I repeated myself, but his views lowered to the ground, resisting to tell me anything. The disbelief rushed through me, not understanding why he would do this,
'' You know what? Go to hell.'' I shouted before throwing the door shut behind me.
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I sat at dinner with Luna — Hermione studied as always, and Blaise didn't even attempt to look at me after I urged him to go to hell — presumably for the better since I was still furious with him, for keeping things from me, for refusing to tell me where Draco was,
I slept in Draco's bed every night, crying myself to sleep in his covers. He's been gone for almost a week now, and every day it broke me even more — he was always the one who made me swear not to leave him, and then — he left me.
'' A penny for your thoughts?'' Luna smirked, taking a sip of her juice as I shook my head at her, deeply concentrated in my thoughts,
'' What?''
She huffed at my confusion, stretching a hand to brush hair out of my eyes, '' I said — a penny for your thoughts,'' Luna peered down at my hands, remarking my clenched fists — nails boring into my palms, ''Leiah, I thought I told you—''
'' I'm fine, Luna,'' I forced a smile, loosening the tight grip of my hands, '' It's nothing,''
'' It's not nothing — you can talk to me,'' I felt a curve forming on my lips at her terms as she gaped at me with the most humble of looks, her look.
I gazed away- evading the subject of the blond boy, staring out of the busy hall as she jeered at me, '' Well — I can tell you my thoughts.'' She restlessly scratched the wood of the table, '' I think Hermione is leaving me,''
Her words caused my neck to clasp back to hers, frowning, '' Why would you think that?''
I watched as her face fell, the crease in her cheek grew — like it always does when she's upset about something, '' I—, It's—,'' She held, turning entirely to me, '' She's been busy with the two boys from Gryffindor, you know — Ron and Harry, and I think they're up to something,''
My face twisted as I placed closer to her — looking surprised as she noticed, '' No—, No, god no, not like that,'' She chewed her bottom lip in uncertainty, '' She's not honest with me anymore,''
The look on her highlights caused my heart to melt. It made me feel something in all the emptiness, '' You need to trust her, Luna — she'll tell you when she's ready. Perhaps this isn't something for her to speak, '' My words caused Luna's eyes to stretch wide, leaning back from me,
'' Do you trust Draco?'' Her words made my insides bend, my heart to ache, '' Do you?'' She rose a brow, impatiently waiting for me to answer her,
" Of course I do," I blurted out, staring blank into her centers, " Of course I trust him," I felt my fingers exploring to touch my necklace — the necklace I never dared to wear because of Cedric,
" You see, you trust Draco even after he left you, here, alone. But if you asked me if I trusted Hermione, right now — I wouldn't be so quick to answer that question," Her sights dropped to her lap, " It's hard - you know,"
" I know, silly,"
_____
I laid exhausted in Draco's bed, as usual, crawled up underneath his sheets — doing nothing more than begging for him to be here, to have his arms wrapped around my body — that's nothing more than wishful thinking.
I felt myself fiddling with the necklace covering my neck for the hundredth time today as my mind strayed,
Flashback,
I flinched at the sounds of footsteps behind me, looking up at the boy sauntering up next to me, " May I?" He spoke softly, a hand scratching the back of his neck,
I rolled my eyes at his stumbling steps, " Had a little to much to drink, Malfoy?" I mocked him as he fell to his knees beside me,
" Maybe," Draco smirked, brushing the grass off his suit pants, " I don't kiss and tell,"
I felt a scoff leaving my lips at his words, glancing over his drunk self as he placed his hands behind him, staring out over the sunset — the golden strings of light flashed his skin, " So I've noticed,"
I allowed my sights to watch over the lake. Warm breezes of wind caressed my cheeks, " What are you doing out here?" He grinned, white teeth showing, " Shouldn't her majesty be enjoying her party?"
A trail of laughter followed his words, " You only turn sixteen once, you know," I shook my head at the blond boy, shoving a shoulder into his,
" Unfortunately," I spoke, " Besides, from the looks of it — you enjoyed the party for the both of us,"
His head fell to my shoulder as he pulled me closer,
" You look pretty tonight," I held my veins ice by the words leaving his lips,
" You're drunk, Draco — perhaps you should get some sleep," His head rose, blue eyes met mine as his fingers traveled up to stroke my cheek,
My breaths hitched by the touch of this freezing skin, " How do I not love you?" He slurred out before tending away, laying down on his back,
My heart fluttered at his terms as I watched him fiddling with his rings, " It's a good thing that you won't remember this tomorrow," I smiled, once again rolling my eyes at him,
" That's why I'm saying it," He chuckled between hiccups, " Wait," He heaved, hands flying down to his pockets to pull out a little black box, " Here-,"
Draco stretched his hand out, planting the box in my lap, " I picked it out myself,"
I looked at him as he smiled before resting his head on the grass again. I opened the little box with hesitant fingers before I saw the piece of jewelry inside, " Draco," I gasped, peering down at the silver necklace — blue diamonds embedded into the chain,
" It's beautiful,"
" Just like you," He breathed, eyes closed as he scratched his nose, " Happy birthday, Leiah,"
I stared shocked at him as he rose his head, staring back at me, " It really is a good thing that I won't remember this tomorrow,"
" Back to hate each other, right?" I huffed as he placed a hand on mine,
" Right,"
_____
I felt a tear surging down my cheek, holding myself tightly as I thought of it, and he didn't even remember because the later weeks, after giving me that necklace; he refused to speak to me — I didn't exist, I was nothing — but I didn't mind at the time — he was nothing to me too,
But now, he's everything,
Hours passed, tears rolled as my mind kept rambling — kept seeking for him,
I tossed and turned in the bed, breathing heavily into his pillow. The scent of him caused my heart to ache. I missed him so much — a week, without as much as a word was cruelty, the not knowing was torture — Narcissa didn't even respond to the letters I sent her, asking about what happened — they just left me, alone in the oblivion of not knowing,
My body cringed by the door unlocking, weak and confused I seated myself in the bed and there — he was,
Standing in the doorway,
Looking at me, blue eyes bored through mine,
And then — his face fell, a hand slapped over his mouth to cover his trembling lips, unsteady breaths leaving his throat. I couldn't move — my body felt listless in the bed, every thought imaginable echoed through my mind as I stared at him, noticing how battered he looked, how the dark circles under his eyes had turned purple, the sleek hair being messy, the light I always loved in his eyes flashed shallow,
" Say something,"
His voice made me wince again, fear tearing through his vocals, " Please say something,"
I sensed the nauseous feeling drowning me from within — all I wanted to do was to throw myself into his arms and hold him, but he left me,
He left me,
Without a word,
" For fucks sakes, Leiah — say something," He shouted, slamming the door shut behind him as the fallen look on his face turned hard,
" What?" I gasped, thrusting myself up in the bed as a questioning look lifted his temples, " What do you want me to say, Draco?" I waved, running my hands through my hair,
Jaws clenched as did his fists the second he caught onto my words, " Don't fucking do that, you have no idea—,"
" Then tell me, Draco." I cut him off, pushing myself off the bed, " If there's a problem, you talk to me—, not—, not just—,"
He lasts frozen, the sharp eyes bolting through mine as he ranged to settle his belongings down, " Not just what?"
I held before him, studying him all over, analyzing everything that's changed about him the last week, " You left me, Draco," I chewed my lower lip in doubt, my hands nervously towing the necklace, " You left me, and I don't know what you expect—,"
" I didn't fucking leave you," He shouted, arms thrown in the air, " I wouldn't do that,"
" But you did, Draco—, you left me, for a week, and then you march in here expecting me to—,"
A finger raised from the blond boy, pointing at me, '' No— you left me. You nearly died, in my god damn arms and I—, I couldn't,'' His strength failed him as he took dangerous steps towards me, shoving me back to the wall — components placed on each side to trap me in, " I didn't fucking leave you," He exhaled, minty pants satisfied my every sense, nose brushed against mine," I didn't—, I promise—, I just—, fuck—,"
He pushed himself off, pacing back and forth in frustration, ring coated fingers hauling at his hair, " Where were you?" I asked the exploding boy in front of me, '' If you didn't leave me — tell me where you went,''
He halted in his tracks, pale skin turned paler, almost as if he was scared, " No, I can't— it's too dangerous,"
The words devising his lips left me shocked — I caught a stride towards him as he took one back, avoiding my hand trying to touch him, making me blink quickly, " Talk to me, Draco— please," I begged,
He turned away. His back leveled me as I swallowed, thickly — afraid to pressure him. If there was something I knew about Draco, it was not to push him,
'' I can't Leiah,'' He breathed out, tensed shoulders sunk, '' I can't speak about this,'' He tended back to me, cold hands rubbed my cheeks as he pulled me into him, '' Please— trust me with this,'' I felt cold thumbs stroking my skin as my heart found its beat again — he came home,
My blue eyes stared through his, frosting palms find their way through my hair drawing me even closer, sealing the longing space between us, '' Fuck—,'' He groaned, shaking his head against mine, '' I missed you,'' The hand tangled in my hair arched my head back, a finger moved across my jawline, '' I missed you so much—,''
Draco's lips collided with mine as he forced our craving bodies to the wall — lips hungry for each other as he deepened the kiss. My hands tugged the buttons of his shirt as he squeezed my bare skin underneath the robe, '' Don't leave me again, Draco,'' I whimpered into his parted lips,
'' Promise me that you won't leave me again,''
He leaned away, lips were swollen, cheeks flushed, '' You have my word,''
With that, our mouths connected once more — hands running wild over each other, impatient lips flew down my neck, sucking on the tender skin, '' I'm not leaving you, ever again,'' He heaved between kisses. I drew my hands through his hair, thrusting his head up to match mine, straining my lips against his,
He pulled me back with him, laying me exposed on the bed as he towered over me, '' You're mine — and I'm never leaving you again,'' His words caused my heat to grow wet, shuddering breaths escaping my flares as I rammed him back, climbing on top of him — leaning down, brushing my lips against his as icy fingers roughly dug into my flesh,
'' You left me Draco—,'' planting soft kisses down his neck, across his chest, '' You left me and now— I want you to make it up to me,'' A trail of moans left his rims as I continued leaving pecks down his abdomen, tasting muscles clenching of my touch. My fingers tugging at the waistband off his boxers,
'' May I?'' I fluttered my eyelashes at him, sending him a sweet look as I fell to my knees — he merely nodded, eyes stared through mine in excitement, and I did. I pulled his boxers down, causing his length to fling out, pleasing my eyes as I took it in my hands, slowly pumping it up and down,
Draco fell to his back again, seizing the sheets with his hands as I softly kissed the tip, my tongue teasing his head, '' Fuck—,'' He moaned out, stiff hands flew to my head, as his hips rose to buck up and down, fucking my mouth — my wetness soaking wet of his efforts, drool sipping out of the corner of my mouth as he goes harder, '' I—,'' He grunted, '' I'm fucking—,'' His cock spurted white ribbons down my throat as his whole body tensed, '' Fuck—,''
Heavy breaths filled the room as I took his cum, wiping the liquid off my lip. He propped himself up by his elbows. Eyes narrowed in mine as he patted his tighs, '' Come here, darling,''
I did as told, straddling the boy my body longed for, feeling his dick throbbing below me, '' I want you,'' He spoke, pushing his spine up, sheathing his arms around my naked figure, '' I want to tell you something,'' His breaths warm against mine, his skin matching mine entirely. His blue eyes traveled down, noticing the necklace — a smile twisted in the corner of his mouth as he rose a brow,
My fingers brushed a few strands of blonde hair off his front, stirring my lips against his as he held me tighter, '' Tell me what?''
'' I—,'' He smiled into my lips, '' I love—,''
Both of our naked figures jumped apart as the door swung open, '' What the fuck—,'' Draco yelled, gawking at the boy standing in the doorway, '' Blaise, what the hell?''
'' Oh god—,'' Blaise faltered, turning around, " My bad,"
Draco dragged a cover over us, covering me with himself, '' Well — what the fuck is it?'' He bickered with his best friend,
" I didn't know you were back," Blaise said, nervously scratching the back of his head, " I'm sorry, but I have to talk to Leiah,"
After minutes of complaining from Draco, he eventually let me go. I stepped into Blaise's room, spotting him on his bed. I placed against the dresser, staring at him as he tapped his bed for me to perch next to him,
" I'm fine right here," I stated, sending him an annoyed look, " What is it?" A hurt look spread over his features, lowering his sights to the ground,
" I'm sorry - that I couldn't tell you." He huffed, brown eyes snapped back to look at mine, " Draco made me promise," I felt my cores twist at his words - knowing how difficult it is to betray the trust of the blonde one,
I took faltering steps towards him, seating myself close, " I know," I spoke softly, grasping to hold his hand in mine, '' I'm sorry — I was acting petty. It's not your fault,''
Blaise's face lit up at that, a simper rose on his lips, wrapping his arms around me and my heart softened at his touch, '' I love you, Leiah,'' He whispered into my hair, squeezing me close,
'' I love you too, stupid,'' Chuckles left his lips, favoring back to stroke a hand over my cheek, '' I really missed you, you know?'' He smiled, shaking his head, '' Remind me not to piss you off ever again,''
I playfully struck his arm, earning a scoff from my friend, '' I wanted to ask you something,'' He revealed, nibbling his lip in uncertainty before turning to his nightstand, pulling out a small box of flowers, '' Since the ball is around the corner and Malfoy is taking Pansy — I was wondering if you'd like to go with me,''
My brows furrowed as a toxic emotion flooded over me, '' What did you say?''
''What?'' He smiled, his face soonly changed in confusion, '' I was wondering if you—,''
'' No— the other part,'' I gasped, sensing my heart drop in my chest, anxiety chewing my nerves, '' The Draco part,''
'' Oh, yes — Draco is taking Pansy,''
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