(1) 𝐍𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐇𝐄 | d. m

Chapter twenty-nine

Draco

"Well, isn't this romantic!". Bellatrix crept up on us, interrupting our intimate moment. I had fallen into Lane's arms, almost forgetting the troubling situation we had gotten ourself into, or rather, the situation I had gotten us into. I had never before been able to share my inner, most intimate thoughts with someone like that before, never mind admitting to myself that I was in a dark place and in dire need of help. I hadn't exactly been gifted with supporting and inspiring parents, leading me to bottle up every. single. feeling.

"You two are not... are you?", she continued talking, the sound of her voice resembling that of an old, sinister hag; despite her only being in her thirties. She was grinning, bobbing her head confidently, as I felt the beat of my heart turn more and more uneven. I felt a nervous wreck, not knowing what to do, all the while wishing I could escape this place in which I had been put. I was a daydreaming blackbird, longing to be free of its cage.

She started cackling ferociously, as if she knew what was about to happen, and that it would be to her advantage. Despite my growing vulnerability, I stood up, limbs shaking and mind racing with a million thoughts. This is it, I thought. It's now or never. If I dare take a risk, I'll be able to prove to Lane that we are in fact, on the same side. That I am worthy of her trust.

"Expelliarmus!", I shouted as I raised my wand, risking not only my own reputation as a follower to the Dark Lord, but my own life as well. It was clear to see, that I had caught my aunt off guard, as her eyes seemed to glisten with rage, and her body seemingly getting ready to call me out on my mistake. As the spell reached the end of the room were she stood, her wand seemed to fall out of her grasp, or more like jump out of her hand. I had indeed disarmed Bellatrix, and it was only a matter of time before she called my parents and the rest of the Death Eaters. Soon enough, they would hear of my betrayal. My parents would surely try and convince the others that it was all wrong; that I must have made a horrible mistake, anticipating something other than the disarming of my aunt. But I was ready, ready to finally stand up to the people who raced me to be someone that I didn't want to see when I looked in the mirror. I was ready to finally become the person I had always wanted to be. I was going to leave Draco Malfoy, the Death Eater behind, and instead step into the shoes or Draco Malfoy - the hero.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!", Bellatrix shouted angrily, making me shiver even more so than before. I was scared, terrified even, but I knew what had to be done, and now was the time to do it. "DRACO!", she stood baffled, her whole body language screaming 'mental
lunatic ', and I was starting to realise more and more what a great fit for Azkaban she really was. What happened next, happened so quickly that I could barely keep up with it myself. The sound of Bellatrix's crazed shriek and my own incantation of the spell, had surely caught the attention of my parents and the Dark Lord, who were gathered in the dark room down the hall. It didn't take long until they all returned back to the room in which the duelling was taking place.

"Draco? What are you doing?!", said Narcissa as she stepped into the room, my father following after, as well as some of the other Death Eaters. I stood silent, not knowing how to respond to that. What could I possibly say to her? No answer would be sufficient, they would surely only accept perfected lies, if only I was confident enough to say them. Lane took a hold of my hand, pressing it gently as a sign of moral support. I was now, face- to- face with my father and mother, wand still in hand, and gaze directed towards the tar haired witch that I knew to be my mother's sister. The room fell into complete silence for a bit, yet, words could not describe how loud it all felt. Lucius and Narcissa didn't have to utter a word, I knew what they were thinking. That I was a traitor, a disgrace to my family, unworthy of the Malfoy name. Unworthy of the mark upon my arm. And I knew I was, I just didn't care anymore. Or maybe I cared too much. I cared too much to let them hurt Lane, the one person who was able to convince me that life was so much more than just risking it for the sake of those who don't really care about you. No, I wanted more. So much more. It just took me forever to realize that I actually had the courage to stand up to my parents and the cause that they fought for. Because it wasn't just about that anymore. Everything had changed in an instance, and I was the reason. It was terrifying. Liberating, but terrifying.

"Sissy, it seems your son has betrayed us all. And for what? Some filthy half blood". Bellatrix scoffed, yet again putting her discoloured teeth on display. At first, I held my breath, thinking that both my mother and father would cast me off, mark me a traitor and refuse me. But then, it all changed, as my mother stepped forward, taking my hand in hers, facing her sister.

"I'm well aware of my sons actions as of late, sister, but I'm afraid I can't leave his side. He is my only son, after all". Narcissa didn't look at me at all, instead staring into the furious eyes of her impatient sister and squeezing the sweat-soaked hand that Lane wasn't holding. It was in that moment, that I knew my mother — was an ally. Lucius, on the other hand, refused to get beside me, staring me down as if I was some kind of vermin that needed to be dealt with. He just stood there, in the centre of the room, looking at me, not saying a word to reassure me. He was my father after all - what more could I ask of the man who taught me that blood status was more important than anything else?

"I don't think the Dark Lord is going to be too pleased with your actions sister. In fact, I think I should be the one to put this right myself". Bellatrix raced her hand in a sudden motion, casting another curse our way, but this time, it was by use of another's wand. And by the looks of it — the wand she was in possession of — was no other than my father's. She had somehow managed to pull it from his pocket when neither one of us was looking, and now she was ready to fight the both of us. My father, on the other hand, was nowhere to be seen, and had in all probability Apparated out of the chaotic scenery.

As curses and spells bounced off the walls, the room was filled with loud crashes and bangs, colours surfacing like fireworks on fourth of July. The duel, or dare I say battle, lasted for what felt like forever. Lane was by my side, and so was my mother. I never thought I'd live to see the day when my mother and Lane would fight on the same side of the battlefield, yet here I was. And man, did it feel good.

"Come on sister, is that all you've got?!", Bellatrix yelled, her face turning more and more sinister-looking and vile. I had always been scared of her, wanting nothing more than to please both her and my father, desperate for their affection. Of course, I never truly got what I needed from them, nor my mother, and here I was. Finally realising my own potential, and what my life should have looked like, had my parents shown me love. Maybe this battle was bound to happen, maybe only good things would come from it, and maybe I wasn't the only one finally understanding the severe cruelty of the Dark Lord's ways.

Lane let go of my hand, cursing Scabior, all the while trying to stay on her feet. It was all dramatically protracted and I couldn't wait for the whole ordeal to be over with. For my father to accept me, and for light to finally prevail over dark.