When Darkness Falls and Hope Rises

Olivia Montgomery's POV

"No," he says, annoyed.

I grin and bop his nose. "You're so cute when you're angry." He grabs my wrist and pulls me closer—closer than we already are.

"Cute or hot?" he asks, that sultry tone making my heart skip. His minty breath brushes my lips, and suddenly I'm craving him. I try to sound tough. "W-What? No, I'm not."

He smirks. "You know you can't lie. Why bother?" Then he pecks my lips.

He flops down with his head in my lap while I go back to reading The Real Quest of Quartz. Maybe I'll finally find out why Mom left me her necklace. "Why are you always reading that book?" he asks, looking up at me.

I trace the necklace at my neck. "You know your mother gave this to me that Christmas, right? She said it was mine from my mother." He nods. "Hermione and I did some digging. Turns out, it has magic—it's rose quartz." He sits up straighter. "So you think the magic in it can help us defeat—"

"Maybe. Or maybe not. We don't really know," I say, flipping a page. Then I stop. "Look," I point at the binding—there's a page missing. Draco grabs the book, inspecting it. "Someone tore this out."

"Maybe there's another copy?"

"I highly doubt it," I say, standing and staring out the window. "I've searched every book in this library and others. No other copy. Nothing about the quartz anywhere." He sighs and tries to change the subject. "Hey, you know, my Patronus changed."

"Really?" I turn to him.

He waves his wand. "Expecto Patronum."

A roaring lion bursts from the tip and jumps onto him. I laugh and sit back down beside him. "Do you know why that happens?" he asks. I smile and cast my Patronus—a sleek female lioness. The two circle and play around the room.

"They change when you go through some big emotional phase—like falling in eternal, unchanging love," I say, cheeks flushing. "And since many of your happiest memories probably involve me, I guess we have 'complementary Patronuses'—male and female of the same kind."

He sighs, smiling. "Guess I fell in love then." And he leans in to kiss me.

Our lips meet perfectly. From the very first kiss, I knew no one could make me feel this electric spark like Draco does. Today, his kiss melts every piece of me.

I pull away, and he pouts. I giggle, push him onto the bed, climb on top, and kiss him again.

Draco spends the whole day with me in my room—kissing, making out, taking breathers. But now, it's time to get ready for our engagement party.

"Meet you in a few hours, darling," he says cheekily, pecking my cheek. Then Narcissa bursts into my room, yelling, "You're not ready yet?"

"I was—"

"Get on! Who were you waiting for?" she snaps, making me jump. "Careful, mother," Draco calls from the hallway. "That's your future daughter-in-law." I roll my eyes. I shower, change, and come back to find Narcissa and Bellatrix waiting to help me get ready.

"I'm glad Draco found a girl like you, Olivia," Bellatrix says as I slip into my dress. I keep my mouth shut—say nothing now I would in front of Narcissa. "Thank you, Bellatrix. That means a lot," I say as Narcissa zips me up.

"Oh, and from now on, you have to call me Aunt, because that's what Draco calls me," she adds, combing my blonde hair.

Really?

"Sure," I say, raising my eyebrows at her.

Narcissa helps me into heels, styles my hair into a bun. I put on winged eyeliner, blush, and dark lipstick. "There," she says, smiling. "You look lovely." I stand up and catch my reflection in the mirror. I smile.

I'm getting engaged to the love of my life.

Life couldn't get any better.

Well, yeah, it could. 

I wait in the room with Bellatrix while Narcissa leaves to check on the party. I glance out the window—the sky couldn't look more perfect tonight. Thousands of stars twinkle overhead, sparkling in the velvet darkness.

The gardens look completely transformed. Dark candles float in the air, casting just enough light to make the shadows dance. Black wooden tables are set for dinner, covered with deep green cloths. White plates and empty glasses sit neatly in place. In the middle, there's a space cleared for dancing, and at the front, two grand chairs sit on a little stage.

I spot Narcissa shouting at the house-elves, ordering them to arrange the chairs properly. I can't help but chuckle at the scene.

Slowly, the gardens fill with people—most look like Death Eaters. Then, one figure catches my eye.

Severus Snape.

My smile fades. I swallow hard, and my mind drifts back to everything that happened today at the Astronomy Tower.

"She loves you, you know," Bellatrix's voice breaks through behind me. I turn to smile at her. "She told me Draco had been involved with someone..." Bellatrix continues, talking for what feels like forever.

"Is she ready?" a voice calls from outside. "Yes, my lord," Bellatrix answers, and suddenly I know it's him. "Ah, my beautiful daughter," he says, stepping into the room. "I think they're ready, my lord," Bellatrix tells him. Voldemort offers his arm.

Things I do for love.

I take his arm, and we head down together. I'm so uncomfortable the entire walk, silently waiting for him to let go and for Draco to take his place.

We step into the gardens and walk to the front. Draco looks stunning—handsome as ever. 

He catches my eye and smiles wide, offering his hand. I quickly slip mine into his, leaving Voldemort's grasp behind.

"You look lovely," Draco whispers, kissing my cheek.

I blush, smiling. "You look handsome too."

"All right, can we get the rings?" Narcissa says sweetly, and the house-elves bring them forward.

We each pick a ring from their boxes and hold out our hands for each other.

"Consider this my promise ring," Draco says softly, so only I can hear. "I promise to keep you happy in every way I can. And I promise that I'll marry you one day—when all of this is over. I love you, darling."

He slips the ring onto my finger, and I can't help but smile. "I love you too, Draco," I say, sliding his ring onto his finger.

The crowd erupts in applause. Narcissa playfully bumps Draco's shoulder and pushes him forward. He cups my cheek, leans down, and kisses me tenderly.

"Woohoo!" Narcissa cheers from behind us, clapping loudly.

We smile and keep dancing, and soon the others join in. I glance around and catch Voldemort talking to Snape. Then he looks my way and smiles. I quickly tear my gaze away and look back at Draco.

"Hey, you seem tense," I say, both my hands resting on his chest. His arms come around my waist, pulling me closer. "Yeah, I think I pulled a muscle in my back," he replies, stretching lightly.

"I'll help you with it later," I say with a smile, but then I feel a burning gaze on me.

I look around and spot Astoria Greengrass staring at me like she wants to kill me.

"Um, why does Greengrass look like she's gonna murder me?" I ask, glancing up at Draco. He turns his head to look at her. "Oh, well, before I was engaged to you, I was engaged to her," he says awkwardly.

"What? When were you planning to tell me this?" I ask as we stop dancing and he leads me to sit down for dinner.

"Um—"

"You weren't even planning on telling me?" I say angrily.

"Why does it matter? It wasn't like that was going to change anything. I wanted to be with you, from the start," he says, placing his hand over mine. "It was just a verbal arrangement between our fathers—you know how mine is," he adds. He kisses the back of my hand and looks back at me.

"Alright," I say, trying to calm down, and we start eating.

The party ends, and we head back to the Manor. Draco and I share his room. He strips down to his boxers, and I change into my night clothes. "Get on your stomach," I say, tying the knot on my robes.

"What?" he asks, wide-eyed.

"You said you pulled a muscle on your back, right? I'll give you a massage and loosen it up," I say as he lays down. I sit on his thighs and drag my fingers along his back.

"Don't tease me now, darling, when I can just flip us over and fuck you till the war is over," he says, and I giggle.

"Why do I like the sound of that?" I say, kissing his back.

Using the pad of my thumb, I press slowly on his back, increasing the pressure when I hear him moan. I move lower and then back up again.

"Oh my, Olivia. That feels amazing," he moans, and I keep going for another hour, stopping only when he starts snoring softly.

I lie down beside him, looking around his room for the first time. On his bedside table, there's our picture from the Yule Ball. I pick it up and watch the moving image—me looking at Draco, then making a silly face at the camera, while his gaze stays fixed on me. He smiles so widely, like he's been in love with me since fourth year, even if he'd never admit it.

I set the photo down and sigh. 

All I can think about is what the trio is doing. Have they found any Horcruxes? How many? Have they destroyed any? Where are they right now? What are the Order members up to? How's Hogwarts? How's Blaise? Theo? Rafael? Everyone I care about?

I have to do something. Voldemort's after the Elder Wand. He's been searching for it relentlessly.

I need to be with the trio, to help them. If I stay here, with Draco, Voldemort will win.

I look at Draco and smile. He looks so peaceful. I glance down at the ring on my finger and scoff happily. Yeah, we're young—but who cares? We're happy. That's all that matters. Happiness and love. And right now, I have both.

I'm wide awake when Draco pulls me against his chest, and I realize he knows I'm awake.

"I wish we could go back to the start, Draco," I whisper, tears welling up in my eyes.

"When everything was simple... when we were happy. When fights were just between friends—not good or bad. When we could go home to our parents during the holidays. When all I worried about were assignments and exams, not Death Eaters or him. When silence was peaceful, not something that's eating us alive," I say, turning to face him.

He cups my cheeks gently and whispers, "Let's go."

"Where?" I ask, surprised as he pulls me up from my seat.

He leads me to the balcony—the place of our first kiss. Two chairs sit there, waiting, but tonight the sky offers no comfort. It's dark, empty—no stars, no moon. Draco sits down and pulls me onto his lap. "Everything will be over soon," he murmurs into my ear.

"You don't know that, Draco," I say, eyes fixed on the dull sky. "I don't know. No one does," he replies. I look at him. "What happens then? What will you do—what will you do if he wins?" he asks, voice tight. I watch his lips.

"You already know the answer to that, Draco," I say, standing up. "With me on his side, right now. Harry's not going to win. He doesn't stand a chance," I say, gripping the railing. "I'm supposed to be with them—destroying You-Know-What—but I'm stuck here," I confess, feeling helpless.

He comes up behind me and kisses my shoulder.

"Then escape," he says softly. "What?" I turn to him, eyes wide.

"Yes. Help them—"

"No, I can't. He'll—"

"Did he threaten you, too?" Draco interrupts, voice sharp. I sigh heavily.

"If I escape, your life and your mother's will be in danger. I can't risk that," I say, shaking my head. "No. Montgomery, I told you—I can't live in a world where you're not in it," he says, tears shining in his eyes as he cups my face.

"We'll come up with a plan. You're our only hope. You're my only hope," he whispers, kissing me and not pulling away.

Weeks pass. Draco and I haven't come up with a plan, and even if we had, it's full of danger.

Early one morning, an elf knocks on my door. I open it and say, "Yes, Siofra?"

"Mistress LeStrange would like to see you downstairs," she says. I nod. What could she want so early? I change into a dress and head down.

"Yes, Aunt, you wished to see m—" I stop cold when I see Hermione on the floor.

I look around—Bellatrix is talking to a goblin, Lucius sits near the fireplace, Draco sits with his head in his hands, and Narcissa stands protectively near her son. The moment Draco hears me, he pulls me close.

"D-Draco, what—"

"Don't say anything. This could be your only chance," he says quietly. Bellatrix sneers, "This one won't be quiet." Ron appears from near the stairs, shouting, "Like hell."

"Expelliarmus!" Harry casts, and Bellatrix's wand flies from her hand to his.

Before Lucius can react, Harry stuns him. Draco pushes me to the side near the stairs—I fall and hit my head on the stone, blood flowing immediately. "Stop!" Bellatrix yells, pressing a knife to Hermione's throat. "Drop your wands. Now!" she commands. I stand up.

"Pick them up, Draco," she orders. He obeys and moves beside me. Ron and Harry watch us, confused. "What the hell?" Ron asks. Draco only did it so they'd know I was here. Bellatrix sneers at Draco. "Well, well. Harry Potter, all shiny and new for the Dark Lord."

"Call him," she demands. Draco looks around. I shake my head and plead silently. Harry notices Draco hesitating, furrows his brows, and looks at me. Lucius rolls up his sleeve, ready to call Voldemort.

Suddenly, a screech echoes from the ceiling.

Dobby is loosening the chandelier.

In seconds, it crashes down. Draco pulls me close to protect me from the glass shards.

Harry lunges at Draco, snatching the wands back. He stuns Lucius again, and they all gather, ready to Apparate. "Stupid elf! You could've killed me!" Bellatrix yells. Narcissa moves to cast a spell, but Dobby disarms her.

"How dare you take a witch's wand? How dare you defy your masters?" I look at Draco. He nods.

"Go. Go. This is our only chance. Escape, Olivia," he says softly, so only Harry and the others hear. I kiss him. "Go, darl—" he starts, but I cut him off with another kiss. "Dobby has no master. Dobby is a free elf," he says and pushes me toward the group.

I stumble, but Harry catches me, holding me tight around the waist. I look at Draco.

Harry and Draco share a small, silent nod.

"Dobby has come to save Harry Potter and his friends," Dobby finishes just as Bellatrix throws her knife into the air. "No!" I yell and jump in front of it before it can hurt anyone.

Dobby Apparates us away. I fall to the ground, the knife buried deep in my stomach.

The cold ocean waves wash over me, chilling my skin, but the pain from the stab feels burning hot.

"Harry," I whisper weakly. He rushes to my side.