(1) 𝐍𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐇𝐄 | d. m

Chapter twenty-one

Neville's hand felt cold in mine. We readied ourselves the best we could, hoping to come out of the fight unscathed, but a part of me also knew, that the odds weren't really in our favour. They had us surrounded, and we were two high school students against a group of blood thirsty Death Eaters, all feverish for our heads. The best we could do, was to have each other's backs.

"EXPELLIARMUS!", I heard myself shouting out the words of a disarming spell, hoping I could at least get a head start, protecting myself from any lethal jinxes. In my head, there was a weird sort of silence, yet the room was filled with cracks and flares and all kinds of sounds. I was battling Bellatrix and Scabior, whom seemed anxious to be the one to kill me, and I got the feeling he recognised me from somewhere. Neville had turned around and was now casting spells and jinxes at Greyback and some other Death Eaters, that refused to show their faces, instead wearing masks.

"Come on - you can do better than that!", Bellatrix taunting voice was enough for my endorphins to kick in. It was as if this was all a game to her, a wicked game of cat and mouse and I wasn't the mouse, no, I was the cheese. It was obvious that she took pleasure in seeing me fight for my life and I was scared, any one could see that. However, the more she provoked me, the more I found the strength and will to fight back. This was until, she found my weak spot.

A part of me almost knew it was coming. It's weird, but I had the feeling she knew more about me and my life than I did. Probably because she was one of Voldemort's closest confidants and thus knew about the fate of my parents. However, that didn't keep me from feeling utterly nauseous and bewildered, when she finally mentioned them.

"You're parents would be so embarrassed for you if they knew of your weakness. You're pathetic!". The mentioning of my parents was enough to throw me right over the edge. I knew that losing control for just one second, would mean the end - and I did. Her words echoed in my mind and threw me off track, resulting in my concentration being broken. "CRUCIO!".

The pain that followed was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. It was as if a million tiny daggers were driven into my body, causing me to become even more confused and disoriented than before. I knew what had happened and that in order for me to make it out alive, I would have to get back up on my feet. Yet, the pain was so excruciating, that I couldn't even try, and when I heard Neville's screams after me, I realised I was close to losing consciousness. I knew, somehow, that this was it. I was, in all probability, dying at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange. Imagine my surprise, when the last person I expected to see, somehow showed up, in that exact moment, catching the attention of everyone in the room.

"STOP! STOP IT! You're killing her!". Draco's voice seemed rasp and distraught and his appearance was surprising to everyone.

"Draco, dear. The girl is filthy, a disgrace to our world. She doesn't diserve to live. Let her go. Let her go, and all will be as it should be". Bellatrix tried to reason with Draco, but the worrying frown upon his face seemed to stay plastered on. He seemed scared, reluctant to disobey his aunt, and the rest of Voldermort's followers. However, he also seemed to have gained more bravery, strength and resilience. It was as if he was finally ready to switch sides.

Draco's sudden appearance cast a glimmer of hope into my eyes, but it also made me utterly surprised. Why had he come now? The fact was, I was happy to see him. We hadn't spoken in forever, and my decision to ignore him had caused me to feel dejected, even more so, than finding out the shocking news of our past. Him showing up, somehow made me regain the strength to stand up. Bellatrix still had her wand pointed at my chin, a malicious smile upon her face, but seemed more unsure than before. As I regained my footing, I also saw the fear in Draco eyes. He was still afraid, but here he was.

"Draco! You're here!", I found myself growing more and more anxious to wrap my arms around him and tell him how sorry I was. Sorry for not speaking to him for over six months. Sorry for disappearing off the radar. Sorry for lengthening the distance between us. But there was no shortage of silence, and I could sense that he was still uncertain about everything. However, I clinged to the hope of him being there to save our skin. Perhaps he would show the rest of the world the person I had grown to feel for. Instead, he looked my way, though not directly in my eyes, and said nothing. I was forced to speak up once more.

"No Draco, listen to me—". I felt the tip of Bellatrix's wand touching my chin, shutting me up for a split second. However, I refused to stay silent, no matter the threat. If I was going to die, then I wouldn't die silent. "Whatever they are making you do. You don't have to do it. Trust me". I felt the tears forming behind my eyes, as actors getting ready for the curtains to drop. That's when his eyes finally met mine, and I could sense his strong emotions. He was frightened to death, unsure of everything in his life. This was truly a moment that could go anywhere. We had a fifty percent chance of making it out of there alive, and it all depended on the actions of Draco Malfoy.

"I just-". I felt the tension building in the room as everyone had their eyes on him. "I think there is a better way to go about killing them. I think we should take them to the Dark Lord".

I closed my eyes, angry and sad that our one chance at making it, slipped through our hands. I felt the tears streaming down my face, just like rain drops agains the window of a car. I kept my gaze at Draco, intensely focusing my eyes, as if to let him know I would never forgive him for what he had just done. I think that he was just as baffled by his own actions as we were, as tears formed in his eyes as well.  "NOOO!", I screamed at the top of my lungs, feeling like the betrayal was more hurtful than any Unforgivable curse.

"You're absolutely right. Well done, Draco". She put a hand on his shoulder, and he seemed to try his best not to shrug back. I could see that he was hurt, perhaps blaming himself for the choice he had made, but I didn't care anymore. I didn't have the strength to care about someone who would only break your heart and throw you to the dogs. "Throw them in the cellar with the rest", Bellatrix pointed to Greyback and Scabior, who took pleasure in taunting me and Neville. Neville, who had survived the Crucio curse as well, was looking anything but pleased. I had never seen him so filled with rage, and he had a bleeding wound on his forehead from crashing to the floor in the midst of the fight. "You-you BASTARD!", he screamed at Draco as we were taken to the cellar of the manor. The last thing I saw, was the malicious and spiteful grin of Bellatrix, and the regretful frown upon Draco's face.

I will never forgive you for doing this to us.