eternal door. (writing contest)

a door to new beginnings.

t/w: swearing, use of alcohol

The Door of Eternal Peace. It was said that this door would grant new beginnings to those who dared jump into it, for this door was at the end of an infinite well. For those with desperate, pure souls, the Door of Eternal Peace would silently grant them access to their wishes. For the other ones, well... let's just say they weren't nearly as lucky as them.

"I love you.", mumbled Athena in her sleep.

Falling. Into nothingness. It was such a relief for Athena Black. Her dreams were her only safe place. No, her nightmares were her only safe place. It all changed when her beloved one died during the Battle of Hogwarts. A Death Eater; Draco Malfoy. He was her stability; her sanity. He was the light in her darkest days. They certainly looked like the liveliest couple, before... well, before it happened. This is why Athena's dreams and nightmares were her favourite part of the day. Filled with sleeping potions, they were dreamless and gave her the feeling of falling. She somewhat felt free in these dreams; not chained down by guilt, fear, sadness.

"Athena. Enny wake up. We have to go."

There it was. What she'd feared most out of the whole world. She had started living — quite literally — on Draco's bed at an inhabited Malfoy Manor, only getting up to shower and go to the bathroom. Athena was forcing herself to inhale his scent until it would disappear, leaving her body aching for more; something she would never be able to have anymore.

Athena slowly looked up from the silky black sheets stained with her tears; the only physical proof of last night's events. Her eyes tiredly scanned the dark and messy room, squinting in the penetrating daylight before landing on her best friend, who was now walking hurriedly towards her. She realized, for the fifth consecutive night, that Draco wasn't holding her.

"Enny come ON! They're almost here and we have to leave within the next 2 minutes if we want to make it out alive. I know it must be hard but please, do it for us, remember-"

Whatever Annalise was about to say next was drowned by Athena's loud sobs. It hurt Annalise, seeing her best friend like this. She used to be such a lively bird, she thought sadly. Annalise quickly crossed the room, sat near the edge of the bed and placed a comforting arm over a sniffing Athena.

"Hey, it's alright. It's going to be okay," she cooed, "I'll help you pack. We don't have much time though, so I'll pick you some clothes and you take three things of Draco's you want to bring. How does that sound?"

Athena weakly nodded before softly whispering, "Okay". She picked the three items in no time; Draco's cologne, his unsent letter to her and his wand. Her gaze fell upon a mirror, and she intently analyzed herself; knotted up hair, pale features and skinnier legs; she hadn't eaten nor gone out in a coupleHer eyes landed on his sage green hoodie, before debating whether to wear it or not. While this little conflict was going on inside her head, Annalise had already organized her clothes and charmed them to apparate to wherever they were headed. She sadly watched as her best friend unsteadily walked over to a chair and quickly threw a hoodie over her head. The two engaged in a big bear-hug, which was interrupted by rapid footsteps and shouts from downstairs, snapping them back to reality.

"Okay, we have to go now. Take my arm," said Annalise softly

" 'Mkay. Where are we going?"

The footsteps were just down the corridor.

"You'll see. But to give us a little more time", she announced, winking, "Nebulus."

Just as the fog began to spread in the room, the wooden door separating Draco's bedroom from the corridor flew open. There, in the middle, stood a furious looking Lucius. His long, platinum blonde hair — which reminded Athena of Draco's — was resting messily on his shoulders. A hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes and his eyebrows scrunched up in confusion as he recognized Athena in the middle of his son's bedroom. Whatever he was about to say was drowned by the familiar crack! of Disapparation, and the two girls were gone, leaving a very baffled and raging Lucius Malfoy behind.