𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 ✔︎ ━ 𝖱𝖨𝖣𝖣𝖫𝖤

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐄: 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

I pulled my clothes back on and got settled with my thoughts. Tom also got dressed, but this time into a white collared shirt and black dress pants. It was hysterical. He went from nude with me in the shower to a business meeting outfit.

"Have an event to be at?" I joked, looking through the mirror as he buttoned the buttons on the shirt. He looked up, a hesitant smirk resting on his face.

"I always dress like I'm about to give a speech. Get used to it." He said slyly, cuffing the sleeves of his shirt. I sighed and folded my arms over my chest, leaning against the black marble sink.

"You're really quite-" My words were cut off suddenly by commotion in the nearby hallway. The walls in this house were thin, so thin I could hear footsteps scoffing the floors in the hallway to the left.

Tom didn't even hesitate to become my rescuer. His hand grasped onto my arm and he pulled me close. He picked up his wand from the countertop and pointed it in the direction of the closed bathroom door.

I held my breath.

It could be anyone that would appear through those doors. I squinted my eyes together and hoped for the best possible outcome- though I didn't even know who that person may be.

Then the door bolted open, and in the doorway stood four familiar figures. Draco was in the front, blond hair swept over his forehead. His face was frightened and tired, but he clutched his wand dearly.

The next face I focused on was Kiara. Her curly brown locks stood out among the rest. She also had fear drowning her face. She stood next to Draco, clutching her wand just as tight.

The next face was Harry Potter himself. I've never said a word to him, or even looked his way, but he was still here. His expression had more bravery than the rest, even as he stood behind Draco and Kiara.

The last face was that of Hermione. Her expression carried the same as Harry's. She stood just behind Kiara, almost hidden by her hair. They all paused in the doorway, taking a second to take the situation in.

I turned toward Tom for just a split second, but I'm glad I did. He pointed his wand at the group, and his lips were parting to cast a spell. "Don't!" I shouted, pushing away his hand that held the wand.

The moment I spoke he sealed his lips and turned toward me, anger dwelling in him. He wanted to protect me, keep me as his, and I could see that, but there was no way I'd let my friends get hurt for my mistakes.

I looked back to the four figures in the doorway. "Put your wands down." I said firmly. They looked at one another, obviously confused. In my defense I would be too.

I turned to Tom. "That goes for you too." I said evenly, raising an eyebrow. He looked at me and sighed, then lowered his ground to the wand.

I turned back to the group, glad to see they had all followed my wish. "We've been looking for you for days. Finally we got a lead here. It took us a day to clear the spells, but we're here, and we're ready to take you back." Kiara offered, a sweet smile on her face, even despite the fear in her eyes.

"Indeed. None of us have rested a blink since you've been missing." Harry added with a bit of hesitancy in his voice. I turned to Tom, who's free hand was clenched into a tight fist.

"Well come on. What's stopping you?" Draco asked with a bored sigh. He obviously had better things to do. But since my... Recent affairs with Tom, I wasn't exactly keen on heading back to Hogwarts, where I'd be bombarded with homework, tests, and social anxiety.

"I- I can't." I said quietly. They all looked at me, at the same thing and everything. Each of them wore the same expression; concerned, confused, frightened. Kiara tilted her head.