| Girl on Fire |

72

TIME JUMP: 2 DAYS

VERONICA MALFOY

It's happening today. I know it. Today is the day my brother becomes a killer.

I can't save him and it kills me.

Draco never told me when he was doing it or his plan but I can tell. He has been acting differently. He didn't sleep all night and he hasn't said a word all day. I wish he would talk to me. I wish he wouldn't have to carry the weight of this solely on his shoulders. But he feels he has to. I still have to keep Harry distracted. And I have no idea how. But I'd better figure it out.

According to Granger, Harry left with Dumbledore this morning. Draco is planning to do it tonight. So in theory, I have about 1 hour to find Harry and get him as far away from Dumbledore as possible. First, I have to get Mattheo. I can't do this alone. And he's the best at being bad.

I quickly dropped by my room to change and pack because I had a feeling we would be leaving in a hurry. I showered and did my hair and then I said get dressed. I put on a white button up and tucked it into my skirt. Then I put on my thigh high stockings and my shoes. I wore my favorite locket and grabbed my wand and coat. Then I left.

"Mattheo!" I said knocking on his door. A few seconds passed and he opened the door. He looked at me and smiled. "Veronica, are you-" he started. "It's tonight, isn't it?" I asked. His smile faded and he sighed. "Yes," he said calmly. He stepped back and I went inside. He shut the door and we both sat down. "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked. "He wouldn't let me," he replied. I nodded. Just as I thought. He still wanted to protect me.
I have to protect him too.

"I don't know how to distract Harry." I said. He looked at me with concern. "Where is he right now?" he asked. "I'm not sure. Granger said he left with Dumbledore this morning and they'd be back tonight." I said. He nodded. "I think I know where they'll be," he said. Then we left.

We stood at the first floor of the Astronomy Tower and heard the crack of apparition. Then the voices. "Don't come out until I say, ok?" I said. "What? You want to make an entrance?" he asked. "I had to sleep with him for the entire year, I've earned this." I said. He smirked and nodded. He stepped in the shadows and I stood at the foot of the stairs and listened.

"Go, take this and hide it. Whatever you hear or see, don't come back." Dumbledore said. I walked up the stairs and Dumbledore and Harry saw me. Harry froze and I smirked.

"Veronica? What are you doing here?" he asked. "I could ask you the same." I said. "Miss Malfoy, what we were doing has nothing to do with you." Dumbledore said. I just laughed. "Oh, it but it does." I said. "What are you talking about Veronica?" Harry asked. I looked at Dumbledore. He was calm. Too calm. "He knows." I said. Dumbledore gave me a look of understanding. "Yes, I do," he said. I laughed to myself. "You've known the whole time, haven't you?" I asked. He nodded. "Know what? What are you talking about?" Harry asked. "And you wonder why we all hate you." I said glaring at him. "Miss Malfoy-" he started. "You never cared about us. Any of us. It was always the Gryffindors. Always Harry Potter. You never cared about Me or Draco. You never cared about what our father did and I know you knew. You never cared about Allison or Blaise or Enzo or Theo. Anyone who wore an emerald and silver tie was cast away. Treated like we were nothing." I said. "Miss Malfoy, you know I never-" he started. "Don't bother. I'm not particularly interested in your lies. You may be able to con everyone else into believing you're the good guy. You may be able to trick Harry but not me." I said. "Miss Malfoy, the choices I made were difficult. But that's my job. Heavy lies the crown." he said. I scoffed.

"I used to want a crown. Then I realized, I simply prefer a sword." I said. Harry's face fell. "Veronica, what is going on?" he asked. "I'm sorry Potter, but we aren't nothing anymore." I said.

There were more footsteps and I turned around.

Everything goes according to plan.