Secrets (D.M)

dumbledore

Adeline was sitting in the library, past curfew. Filch didn't seem to care about searching the library anymore, so she was fine.

Adeline shone the dim light towards the old book page, lighting it with a soft golden glow.

Adeline mouthed the words she was reading. 'The first Wizarding War was a brutal war. Leaving multiple people dead. Some, injured. This war took place in 1970, right up until 1981- when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named disappeared, for over thirteen years.'

There was shouting outside. Adeline closed the book and clutched it in her hand.

She ran out of the library, following the crowd.

"Adeline." Pansy said, out of breathe.

"I think I know what's bothering Draco."

Adeline's eyes widened. "What? What is it.?"

Pansy bit her lip. "Wait."

They joined the crowd in the courtyard, everyone was crying.

"What hap-" Adeline saw Dumbledore lying on the ground, lifeless.

"Oh my..." Adeline covered her mouth. Her tears falling on to the side of her hand.

"Luna.." Adeline hugged her. "Now he's gone.. that means nothing's stopping Voldemort from.."

"Don't say his name." A boy behind them said.

Adeline shook her head. "Nothing's stopping him from anything."

"That's true.. I'm sure nothing too bad will happen.."

* * *

Adeline headed to the library, clutching the book.

She was about to place it back on the shelf.

"Adeline?" Said a familiar voice.

"Who's there?"

Draco appeared out of the shadows, his cheeks red, blotchy looking. From crying. His hair all messed up. He'd been pulling at it again, he was all sweaty.

"Draco. I didn't know Dumbledore was that special to yo-"

"He wasn't but.. It's my fault he's gone."

Adeline's heart dropped. "What?.."

"I.. I didn't kill him. I didn't."

"He was killed, murdered?"

"Yeah.."

"By who?" A shiver ran down her spine.

Draco wiped his eyes. "Snape. But it's my fault. He swore to protect me."

"Protect you from what?"

Draco hesitated. "The Dark Lord asked me to kill him." He looked down. "To kill Dumbledore."

Adeline's heart was racing. "So.. You didn't do it?"

"No, of course not. I'm too much of a wimp."

"You're not a wimp.. From choosing not to kill someone!" Adeline grabbed his hand. "It's good that you didn't!"

"Yes.. But if I did.. I feel like I wouldn't regret it in the end.. What if I'm just a terrible person?" A tear fell down his cheek. "I don't understand why you would ever date me! I'm a complete monster."

Adeline bit her lip.

"I'm a cruel person. I was brought up bad, and nothing can change that now."

"But-"

"Why did I have to even try to kill him. Why didn't I stop myself? With the necklace.. and the bottle filled with poison..."

"Draco-"

"I'm actually a terrible person. There's no going back."

"DRACO-"

Draco was panicking. "You're going to leave me, and I don't blame you. If I were you, I'd never had given me a chance! Let alone stay with me for a year."

"DRACO! STOP KNOCKING YOURSELF DOWN!"

Draco's eyes were filled with tears, he was struggling to breathe. His voice was all raspy.

"Draco- Get a drink. Don't panic like this!"

Draco held his head, and pushed his hair back in-between his fingers. "I don't need to drink anything."

"Yes you do." Adeline grabbed his hand. "What do you mean.. as in you actually tried to kill him?"

"Yeah.. The Dark Lord would kill me if I didn't. He would kill my family. My mother.. My father."

Adeline's eyes went glassy. "Would he?"

"Yes, but I didn't stop myself from following his orders. And that's what makes me a horrible person."

"No-"

"Yes, and now Albus Dumbledore's gone. There's nothing stopping him from attacking the school." Draco sat down in an old, scabby chair. "He's going to attack. Just to get Potter."

Adeline sat down next to him. "Like another.. War?"

"I s'pose... yeah."

Adeline covered her mouth. "But.. multiple people died in the first.."

"I know. And it's all my fault."

"No."

"YES! IT IS!! I should've fallen off that Astronomy Tower. Not him." Draco cried. "At least Dumbledore could've protected you all!"

"Draco don't say that. Don't let me hear you say that again." Adeline grabbed his hand. "McGonagall is a great witch. She can protect us."

Draco nodded. "I suppose. But still. I'm the main reason he's dead."

"You've mentioned that."

Draco's head collapsed into the palms of his hands.

"Look, at least you didn't kill him. That would've been the worst thing."

"Snape's the one who has to live with the fact knowing he's killed him." Adeline rested her face on her hand.

"Yeah.. But he wouldn't have to, if I didn't agree to kill Dumbledore!"

"But.. If you didn't agree, you'd be dead right now, and so would your mother and father."

"Yes." Draco wiped his cheek.

"He's a horrible person Draco." Adeline told him. "And don't tell him I said that!"

Draco forced a laugh. "Thank you. You made me feel better."

Adeline smiled. She didn't know how to feel on the situation.

"I love you, cubby."

"I love you too."

* * *