The last months of school were hard. Everyone had to adjust to the knowledge that Voldemort is back for good this time.
Things got better when Umbridge was finally fired. Dumbledore reinstated, Fudge resigned, portraits were hung back up, and students weren't tortured in detention.
Hogwarts was back to normal, and it was well overdue.
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Sirius's death was unexplainably hard for all of us that were there that night. But Harry and I felt it's impact the most.
Harry has always been good at mourning and moving on with life, but this time was different. The only way we managed to get through it, was together.
It seemed that, even though all of our friends tried their best to help us, they just didn't understand. This type of pain doesn't go away. It can only be dimmed.
Most nights I would sneak into Harry's dorm and spend the night. It's the only way I could sleep nightmare free. Yes, my nightmares are still here, and they were now of Sirius.
Harry has been asking me about what my father had said to me when he was in my mind. But I couldn't bring myself to tell him. I can't even think about it. One day, maybe I'll tell him, but I couldn't now. Not now.
I couldn't bear the thought of leaving my friends and going home to the Malfoy's. I don't know what they'll have planned for me now that my father is back.
I'm not sure how I'm going to get through the summer. I pray that my parents don't try to get me to join them.
Once they find out I'll never join them, I don't know what they'll do to me.
It's okay.
I'll get through it.
I always do.
----
harry pov
I heard a knock on my door before it was pushed open to reveal her.
"Hey." I sighed.
I watched as Florence looked at my empty suitcase, then back at me. I probably look like shit. I haven't slept all night.
"Hi, what happened to packing?" She asked softly, moving further into the room.
"It's kind of hard to get motivated to pack when you don't want to leave." I said as I sat down on my bed.
"Are you going back to the Dursley's?"
"Unfortunately. Are you going back to Malfoy Manor?"
She sat down beside me on the bed. "Unfortunately." She answered, in the same sulky tone I had used.
"Are you sure it's safe? Going back to Malfoy Manor?" I asked her. My jaw tightened as I pictured her spending the summer with Malfoy.
She turned to face me with the same upset expression I was wearing. "It's not like I have a choice. I don't have anywhere else to go anymore." She closed her eyes, trying to block out the pain.
