Desired | Draco Malfoy & Theodore Nott, 18+

58

Isla walked through the darkened hallways of the ministry. Something inky covered the walls. Marble, it looked like black marble with white details carved into it.

Her eyes flickered to Theodore, her fingers intertwined with his as he walked close to her. Keeping steady next to each other, holding the other moored and solid as they marched into something unknown. Neither knowing how this would play out.

Mila held onto Leo tightly. Isla could nearly see how her hand was shaking around the boy's arm. She was so scared for them. So scared that she didn't quite know what to make of it.

Perhaps this was the last time they ever got to hold each other. The kiss they shared before they had to walk into the courtroom could be their last.

It hurt all of them thinking about it. It pained them so brutally, knowing that the two had built something so strong, so beautiful, only to have it questioned, talked against.

Isla knew the couple. She knew that they'd most likely break without the other. They had been in love for years, the war, the uncertainty of the world keeping them apart when all they wished were to be together. And now, when they finally gave it a chance — everyone wanted to rip them apart.

''It will be okay,'' Leo spoke, silently against Mila's lips. His hand cupping her jaw, stroking his thumb along the curve of it, ''No matter what. It will be fine. I promise.''

Isla turned around. Tears shredded in her eyes as a heartbreaking sob cleared Mila's throat. Theodore grabbed her, his arms wrapped around her body as he mumbled into Isla's head, ''He's right.'' He said, ''It will be okay. One way or another, this will be okay.''

Isla nodded, trying to take his word for it, but she wasn't convinced. None of them were.

They simply said what they thought was needed at that moment.

Her head tilted back, looking up at the brunet as he stared down at her, ''I don't think it will.''

''Don't say that,'' He whispered, shooting a sorrowful look in Mila and Leo's direction, ''Let's hope it will, for them.''

Her lips arched into a bitter smile, looking at what he did. Seeing the two holding each other tight, whispering promises, and sharing the last minute of freedom together, ''For them...'' She whispered lowly.

Loud thuds of someone walking began to echo down the hall, making Theo's head snap in that direction, ''Malfoy.'' He said, clearing his throat and letting go of Isla, ''Nice of you to join us.''

The blond didn't bother sparing the brunet as much as a glare as he halted right where Isla stood, eyeing her down, ''Can I talk to you?''

Her breath hitched, peering up at Theo. He gave her a gentle nod, ''I'll take them inside.''

Both Isla and Draco looked after them as they entered the courtroom, standing close in utter silence for minutes before she took a step back, looking at him instead, ''What?'' She asked, still hurt by the prior night's argument.

Draco sighed. Pushing his lips tight as his eyes snapped all over her, taking in every detail she carried, ''I want to apologize.'' His voice was cold, penetrating, ''For yesterday... for all the days before that.''

Her brows lifted, a confused mantle took over, ''What?'' Nearly scrunching her nose now, she frowned, ''You want to apologize? That's a first.''

''Don't—'' He swallowed hard. His fingers dragged through his hair, ''Just—'' Another sigh, ''I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said what I did, and I shouldn't have treated your friend like that.''