Standing Alone

Part 23

I stay with Draco until he wakes. I become relieved when is see his crystal blue eyes looking at me.

"Draco" I whisper

"Hey Holly" He croaks and clears his throat

"I was so scared." I say and put my head on his chest

"Me too" he says and strokes my hair

We stay like this for a while and it was calming. It was pure comfort. I never imagined I would ever be here with Draco Malfoy but he is more than he appears to be. He hides behind this vicious mask but inside he is lost and in need of love and comfort.

"Holly" Draco says softly and I look up at him. Before I could speak, he pulls me close and his lips collide with mine. I froze for a second not sure what to do but soon I take Draco's lead. It doesn't last long. He pulls away with a smile.

"Thanks for staying with me." he says his eyes shining

"You're welcome." I smile back

I walk into a quiet common room.

"How could you?" Harry asks

"What Harry?" I ask exhausted

"Malfoy? He's a bloody Death Eater! Is that really who you want shagging you?" Harry yells

I become livid.

"You don't get to tell me who I can and cannot love." I say darkly

"That's even worse!" Harry cries angrily

"You nearly killed him! I'm the bad guy though." I argue

"He's the enemy! You're sleeping with the enemy! Trading secrets too?" Harry roars

"I'm not sleeping with him or anyone for that matter. And if you think that I would ever trade secrets then you clearly don't know me. I have more secrets than you can even begin to imagine." I say fiercely

"I can't even be here with you right now." Harry takes off to his room.

Angry tears roll off my cheek as he leaves.

"Are you okay?" Ginny asks softly stepping out of her hiding place

"No" I sob and she wraps her arms around me. She holds me as I fall to the ground letting all my emotions out.

"Shh, it's okay" Ginny whispers

After several minutes I stop crying and stand up.

"Thanks Ginny." I say softly wiping my face

"For you? Anytime." She tries to cheer me up

I smile and chuckle softly

"Let's go bed." I say and she nods

Harry and I avoid each other after our huge argument. I try and find Draco but I haven't seen him in a while. I hurt a little. I haven't seen him since our kiss. There was this fear that he regretted it and no longer wanted to see me. Ginny spent more time with Harry lately now that she wasn't with Seamus. I went back to spending time in the library reading books.

"Holly." Professor Snape calls as I'm reading

"Professor." I greet

"Follow me." He urges and I quickly pack up my books

We walk briskly to his office. He shuts the door and charms the room.

"Sir?" I ask concerned

"No one must know what is said here tonight." Snape says seriously

I nod and sit down.

"Harry is leaving with Professor Dumbledore; I will let Harry fill you in. You remember when I told you I knew your mother?" He asks

"Yes, of course." I say and pull out the locket I always wear

"Dumbledore is dying. He has been since summer." Snape confesses

"What are we going to do? We can't win this war without him." I say filter less

"No one can know this; he has asked me to do something. Something that could change the way you see me." Snape says softly

I can feel the tears in my eyes.

"What is it?" I ask

"He has asked me to kill him." Snapes hangs his head

I gasp in shock and shake my head.

"He wants me to do it to gain the Dark Lords trust." He continues

"You're a spy." I whisper

"Yes. I came to Dumbledore after your mother...when she died." Snape mumbles

"Be prepared. Death Eaters are attacking tonight." he continues

"Thank you for telling me the truth." I say softly

"I don't want to be a monster." I hear him whisper

"I don't see a monster Professor. In fact, I've always seen you more as a father figure to me. You've always been there to save me and to take away my pain. You know more about me than my own brother." I confess

There's a moment of silence, a moment of peace.

"I've never considered myself father material and it means everything to hear you say that." Snape says warmly

"I don't want to say goodbye." I whisper sniffling

I know Professor is not one to show emotion at all but he went out of his comfort zone and in this moment, he gave me a hug.

"It's not goodbye. Please stay safe. Even a letter once in a while so I know you're alright." he says pulling back

This is not the same man I grew up knowing. That man never showed he cared about anything, but I know he cares about me. I wasn't lying Severus was as close to a father as I was going to get. Not knowing if I'd ever see him again is too much to handle.

"Go on now. Remember not one word." he reminds me

"I won't. I promise." I say serious

I take one last look behind me at the worlds bravest man and take a deep breath.