the girl with all of the choices

o n e h u n d r e d t w e n t y - o n e

words

may second- bridges to terabithia

~ Addison ~

It had happened. Voldemort was dead. Voldemort was dead and the battle was over and Draco and Theo and Blaise were safe and I was-

I was bleeding from a slicing hex that had torn through my shoulder. The memory registered as Draco's hand moved over it, prompting a swell of pain to radiate out, a whimper pulling from my lips.

He backed up immediately, his eyes searching mine with a nervous fervour as he asked his silent question.

"I'm fine," I reassured him, plastering on a small fake smile. "It was just a slicing hex, so I'm sure-"

He pulled his hand up in front of both of our faces, our gazes falling to it. His usually pale skin was tinged with blood. Bright red blood. 

"We need to get you back inside," he said determinedly, his hand around my waist as he turned us around and started us towards the Great Hall at a fast pace, one that I couldn't tell if Blaise and Theo were keeping up with.

"Draco, I'm fine-"

It was a split second. A fumble of my feet from underneath me. The slight blackening of my vision around the edges. He caught me, his arms around me, caging me in as he kept me upright. Only another second until his arms were under my knees and my side was against his chest, my head lulling into the crook of his neck. He had carried me like this before, but I couldn't remember when. It was safe. He was safe. Warm and safe and comforting and I could just close my eyes-

A loud rumble was heard from his chest, but I couldn't understand his words. I could feel the vibrations under my palm though, steady with his heartbeat but frantic at the same time. My sight was swimming with black, sending alarm bells ringing through my head. Something wasn't right. But in the same breath, everything had to be right. I was in Draco's arms, his body warm against mine, the tone of his voice effusing through my ears and into my soul. It had been so long since I had seen him, since I had been with him, since I had felt his skin under mine. There was no way that anything could be wrong. 

Movement, and then there was no warmth anymore. I couldn't feel him. I couldn't hear his voice. I could only see black. I tried to speak, but my words didn't make sense. Another moment and my hand was warm. His warmth, I just knew it. I thought there were fingers around mine, so I squeezed. A second later, pressure on my hand, a squeeze back.

Something cold on my lips, a liquid flowing between them. I almost choked, but I managed to swallow it, knowing that Draco wouldn't do anything to hurt me. His hand squeezed mine. It was warm. He would keep me safe. 

Almost instantaneously, there was light. Light and sound and warmth. I was in the Great Hall, gasping for air as the pain from the hex radiated down my back, Draco's hand steadying me as he stood over me, to the side of where I was sitting on a chair. 

"I didn't see her get hit," he muttered frenetically, squeezing my hand tighter as he spoke to someone behind me. "I don't know who did it or what exactly they laced their magic with."

"That's all right, Mr Malfoy," the voice cooed back, its tone intense and focused while also motherly and caring. "Hold her still please, this will hurt."

Draco moved so that he was in front of me, taking my other hand as he crouched in front of me, his eyes widening as he inspected me. "Addie, can you see me? Can you hear me?"

I nodded, unable to speak as another flare of pain flickered between my shoulders.

His hands left mine, sliding up my arms as he chided, "You need to stay still, okay? Professor Sprout has to get the remnants of the curse out. Nod to tell me you understand."