Dare - Draco Malfoy

Chapter 45: Tonight

Draco:

I feel her body under mine move slightly. I let more space between us, still holding her. I kiss her forehead. My hands caress making goosebumps appear on her. It is cold in here and now we are both still, my skin feels icy.

I pick up her shirt from behind her, still keeping her near. I don't want to let go. Not yet.

I rest it over her shoulders. I pick up my own clothes. I help her get dressed. Leaving her only to get her jumper on the floor by the bookshelf.

I get back to her as she is buttoning up her shirt. I lightly nudge her hands away and finish her myself.

She leans back, watching me doing the same on my own shirt. She looks amused, her legs swinging on either side of me.

Her hair slightly ruffled, a small streak laying over her mouth. I move it, caressing her lip with my thumb.

She kisses it before I move it.

"I like 'baby' " She breaks the silence.

My lips curl. Hers follow.

"So, tonight.." She speaks again.

She is calm, I'm certainly not. At the thought, my heart bounces in my throat.

"I still think you should let me—"

"I have to do this" She speaks over me.

I open my mouth to speak but she takes her hand to my cheek. I place mine over it.

"It's gonna be okay"

She keeps saying that. Reassuring me it's going to be okay. I want to believe her. I want to be the one making her feel like it is going to be okay. I feel powerless, out of control.

I look at her.

"I know".

-

We've been in this room for hours now.

"It's nearly one"

She says checking her wrist watch.

"Want to get some lunch?"

I nod smiling. I am hungry.

She picks up her bag, zips her jumper up and invites me to follow her. I take her hand, interlocking my fingers in hers.

"Tonight." I call

"At midnight, meet me here."

Her eyes stare back into mine.

"Do you still have the coin I gave you?"

"Yes"

"I will keep a lookout for you. Keep it with you"

"Okay" Her voice is feeble.

I let her hand go, she turns to walk towards the exit.

"Maeve..." I call again.

She turns, a lightness in her eyes, about to vanish at my next words.

"The cabinet is ready. I am not the only one who knows Dumbledore is away"

Her eyes fill with terror. I get closer to her.

"I'll wait for you. I'll get you all the time you need."

Her eyes narrow in terror.

"Then you'll go back to the common room and not move until the morning."

I try to hide the worry resonating in my words but my tone is far more scared that I want it to sound.

"Draco—" Panic in her voice.

I pull her close, by the hand I am still holding. I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight.

"Promise me you'll stay in"

"I will"

"It's gonna be okay"

Maeve:

Sleep, like most nights lately is not a threat to the plan. My eyes are blood shot, staring at the ceiling. I wore my pyjamas over my jeans, a sweater ready at the edge of the bed.

It's 11 o'clock.

The room is quiet. The fire popping as it dies. My breathing controlled in concentration. I look around the dark room. Aria, Isy and Pansy seem to be asleep.

It's 11:15.

I keep turning to see the time, going as slow as ever. My stomach burning. I am shaking, but the room is warm.

11:35.

Aria is wheezing in her sleep. Isy's snoring quietly. I turn to Pansy. Her leg curled up over the blankets, lips parted.

I lift myself quietly and open the drawer in the bedside table. I slide my hand inside, careful not to make anything move inside. I feel the coin, grab it and let it rest next to me on the bed.

At 11:50 I stand. Tiptoeing to the end of the bed I grab my sweater and pull it over me. I scan the room once again. Then lean over the bed to take the coin and drop it in my jeans' front pocket.

I pick up my shoes, fix my wand in the back pocket and take a deep breath in. I turn the door knob praying it won't creak and once finally out with the door closed behind me, I exhale closing my eyes.

I walk down the stairs and sit on the last one to put my shoes on.

I stand still as I slide my wand out, silently pointing it at myself. A white power enters my body, flowing from my head all the way through to my feet. I raise my hands to my eyes, the lack of visible mass gives me a kick of terrifying confidence. With one last intake of breath I march out of the common room door.

I don't meet anyone on my way to the seventh floor, the consciousness of my complete camouflage allows me some carelessness at the many sounds of the castle. I check my watch as I turn the same corner, it is exactly midnight. A throb in my chest as my eyes make out a dark outline. The shadow turns and stands still. He must have heard me, but he can't see me.

"Revelio" I breathe.

I stare into his eyes, icy and focused.

He stares back. My head full of things to say, my mouth unable to speak.

"Do you know the way from here?" He breaks the silence with a whisper. I nod.

"Remember the coin" His tone attentive.

I tap my pocket. He nods, biting his lips.

"If it burns hot leave whatever you are doing and go back to the common room. And when you are back safe, hold the coin in your hands. I'll know you made it. Okay?"

She looks up at me, attempting an expression way too courageous than she wants to be.

"You know what to do" He whispers again.

I take in a chocked breath, lifting my head high. I point my wand at myself for the second time tonight but before I can make any spell he opens his mouth again.

"Maeve..."

A single word holding so much, desperation flooding every letter. His eyes close. My hands find his. His forehead rests on mine.

"Be careful".