amnesia | d.m.

chapter 44

I approached the Owlery with quick steps, eagerly waiting for Ambretta's letter of return. And there it was. An owl swooped down low and dropped the envelope in my hands before perching on a stand next to me. With shaky fingers, hoping for nothing but good news, I opened the envelope, studying the words written in its vague context.

TZ,

By the time you see this, I've already left the country because of my father. I can't tell you where I am, of course. But we're safe and we're okay.

I'll continue to try writing to you with the best of my abilities but it's you who I'm worried about. Please take care of yourself and stay safe.

Hopefully, this will be over soon.

-A.S.

ps: the letter will burn within 5 minutes of opening

And sure enough, it did. It began to slowly turn to ash and dust from bottom to top, leaving me with nothing but the thought of her words. At least she was safe, that, I was thankful for especially because her father was a muggle. And the Death Eaters were rounding up all the muggle-borns and killing the muggles. It was sickening, horrific. I couldn't believe I was living through a war with people filled with so much hate.

Footsteps echoed about the Owlery, a familiar Slytherin robe coming into my line of sight. My eyes focused on the icy blonde boy as he approached me with a hesitant glance.

"How's Sphinx?"

"Safe." I said, feeling my voice falter for a moment. Draco cocked an eyebrow, approaching me slowly in his robes.

"If she's safe, then you've got nothing to worry about...right?" he asked with confusion. I looked away and shook my head.

"It's not that..." I whispered, feeling my legs give away slightly. I latched onto the railing for support. Draco didn't approach me, he simply stood in his spot, frozen. "The last time I saw you...you nearly killed our headmaster." I blurted. Draco's knuckles turned white as he squeezed his hands into fists, yet he remained frozen in his spot.

"Y-you're not...afraid that I'll hurt y—"

"No." I muttered. "No, I'm just...having sudden flashbacks." I whispered. He was silent. "I was there that night." I mumbled. "At the Astronomy Tower." Draco shot me a look of utter surprise, desperately trying to read my features. "I was there with Harry."

"Let me help you."

"Draco, you are no assassin."

"I was there when you disarmed him, I was there when you stared him in the eye with the utmost fear."

"How do you know what I am? I've done things that could shock you!"

"I was chosen."

"I was there when you showed him the mark, Draco."

"I have to do this."

"I have to kill you."

"But you want to know what I learned that night, Draco?" I asked as I neared the boy again who had fearfully taken a few steps away, afraid that he would hurt me again. I inched closer, rest a hand just over his sleeve.

"Or he's gonna kill me."

"I learned that you didn't have a choice that night. I learned that Dumbledore saw something in you, when no one else did. You were just...just scared. You didn't want anyone else to get hurt." I reached up and caressed his cheek. He sunk into it, closing his eyes and sagging his shoulders a little in relief. Draco reached up silently, and placed his hand over my hand. And that simple exchange said everything. Thank you.