Healing // d.m.

| 59 |

THE quietness outside the Mansion was sending Draco into overdrive. Something was wrong, terribly wrong.

But Theo's demeanour, combined with Potter's emotionless face confused him. Why was everyone so calm? The people second in line just went in 10 minutes ago per Potter's instructions and not a single person went out. Not even the casualties.

"Something's off." Draco finally had to get it off his chest. A dozen people turn to look his way, their eyes squinted with scrutiny.

"Don't say that, it's a bad omen." An auror seethed.

"No, something is definitely off." This time he directed it at Potter, "Don't you think it's weird that not a single person got hurt?"

The same Auror scoffed, "Are you wishing our people would get injured? Maybe you're still one of them."

Even up to this very moment, when they were at the tip of the iceberg, there were still some of them that didn't believe him. Even when he repeatedly proved to them where his loyalties were, no matter what he did, it would never be enough.

Instead of him, Theo snapped and charged the tall scrawny man and Draco had to hold him back by his waist. The Auror looked at them in disgust, "Animals."

"Let me go, Draco!" Theo screamed, he must have felt the dread too.

"They're not the enemy, remember?" Draco had to remind him what the stake was. Killing them was not worth it. Theo shrugged him hard and paced the small clearing of land where they stood, waiting for Potter's command. He would enter along with them.

It dawned into him then. His father was there, so close to where he was. His own flesh and blood, killing off the people he now calls family. Catherine showed him that revenge was not everything, but it does not mean he won't take the chance to slaughter him in parts when the time comes.

Catherine.

She's safe. She's at the tower with Klaison.

Draco tried to repeat it a million times over in his head. He saw the signal, he saw the mark but somehow his body didn't believe it.

Something is wrong.

He glanced at Potter, catching his eye. Silently begging for him to believe the uneasiness he was feeling. Please do something.

Finally Potter nodded, "Go check."

Draco didn't need to ask further. He grabbed Theo by his arm and apparated them both to the Clock tower.

------

Draco knew his sleeps were always cursed with nightmares but now one of them is coming to life.

She was not here.

------

"How?" Catherine looked at Greg, her second question raw with the intensity of her disbelief, "Why?"

She didn't feel like fighting anymore, she was not going to hurt her best friend's husband. Gavina and Greyson.. Oh God, her beautiful little munchkins. Her brain still refused to believe that this was really happening.

Greg had to use both hands now to keep his wand pointed straight and upright. He was shaking from head to toe with violent tremors. His face quivering with tears streaming down his cheeks. His eyes still red and the sheen of sweat covering his whole body.

"I didn't have a choice." His voice was breaking and it broke her heart.

"What do you mean?"