41: To the Dark Side

After only half an hour of rest, you heard a march of footsteps growing louder and louder every second passes.

You looked towards Draco.

Fear was crawled over his face; Draco could tell the same was for you.

No doubt it was Voldemort and his army.

Everyone around you started to stand up and walked towards the courtyard to see what was going on.

Your hand quickly reached Draco's, gripping it tight. Draco could feel your hold on him shaking, giving him the hint that you were scared.

He grasped your hand back a little tighter, giving you some reassurance.

"We'll be fine, Lia. Just like you said." He said softly, trying to calm you, not showing his own fear.

It's amazing how just one sentence from the right person could calm you almost instantly.

Draco's voice helped carried your fears away within a flash, soon you found yourself not worrying about anything anymore. The feeling of being afraid of the outcome of everything disappeared like it was nothing, instead, it was replaced with an abundant amount of affection and appreciation for the man you love right beside you.

You tighten your hand around him, letting him know you were not afraid anymore.

"No matter what happens, I'll always love you, Draco." You gazed into his eyes, holding his hand strongly.

"And I you, my love." He leaned forward to kiss your forehead and you closed your eyes, content with the feelings of his lips on your temple.

You took a deep breath, preparing yourself for what is about to happen.

You kept your grip firm on Draco's hand as you marched with him toward the arrival of the Death Eaters.

It was as if time itself slowed down, you could feel the blood rushing through your body as you got closer to the courtyard. With each step you took, you could feel the cold air hitting your face and the air around you warms up slightly as you walked into the opening of the courtyard.

As you entered the scene, you saw Voldemort's army along with their leader at the front of his cavalry. You scanned his army, finding Hagrid amongst them with Harry in his arms.

Your heart broke at the sight of Harry and Hagrid; the last hope of the wizarding world is gone. But he looked like he was finally at peace, all his life had been chaotic. Seeing him in peace now weirdly gave you some relief for the brunette you knew. As for Hagrid, he looked sad and with grief filling his expression, unlike the cheerful half-giant you met when you first arrived at Hogwarts.

You looked through the battalion of Death Eaters again, a patch of platinum blonde hair caught your eye.

The father of your lover within the sea of death Eaters. You looked at the man who ruined Draco's life, blood boiling the second you saw him. Beside the blonde man was his wife, worry plastered her face as she searched the crowd of students in front of her.

Her eyes stopped beside you, at her son, Draco Malfoy.

You glanced to Draco, noticing his sad frown as he locked eyes with his beloved mother.

You could tell that he was having an internal battle with himself, contemplating if he should go to his family for the sake of his mother.

Or... staying here with you.

You didn't know whether he would choose you or his mother.

But you do know that if you had to... you would let him go.

You promised him that you would stick by him no matter what. But if it comes to him losing his parents or you, you would rather have him lose you than his parents.

You know what it's like to lose your parents, you know how bad it could go. So you weren't willing to let Draco go through that emotional pain. You could be replaced easily, but not his parents.

"Draco." You heard as you felt Draco grip on your hand shook a little bit.

You looked back to Lucius Malfoy, him reaching out to Draco, telling him to come to his side.

Draco was frozen to his feet. He struggled to decide whether to stay or go.

But the entire time, he still kept a firm grasp on your entangled hands. It was clear that he doesn't want to leave you here alone, but he also can't just abandon his parents.

"Ah yes, Draco." The Dark Lord turned to him.

You could feel yourself pale, Voldemort was now looking in both you and Draco's direction.

It was not just his gaze, you could now feel everybody's gaze on both of you, but mainly Draco, waiting for him to make his move.

You turn to the Death Eaters again, accidentally came face to face with Draco's mother.

Even though you were both on the different opposites ends of the courtyard, her face expressed a lot to you.

She was looking at you with a face that was so desperate as if pleading to you to let her son go.

Your eyes flash to Draco again, he was staring into space, who is still pondering on his decision.

You internally smiled sadly at yourself, for you had already helped him make that decision.

Draco would hate you for this.

But you'd rather have that than the other outcome.

You carefully brought your free hand to his wrist that was holding your opposite hand, you pushed against it and slipped the hand that Draco was holding away from his grip, making him let you go.

As soon as Draco loses his grip on you, you took a step back, away from him, letting him go to his mother. You just watched as Draco hesitantly took his first steps forward, his first step of reuniting with his parents, and...

His first steps of leaving you behind.