𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖 | Draco Malfoy

EIGHTEEN | remember I loved you

Theo isn't home when Blair enters her house, just as she expected. Blair steps over the threshold with a sigh, placing her heavy trunk down in the hallway. It's so quiet in here.

Blair pats the snow from her coat before taking it off, kicking off her shoes. Christmas eve, and she's going to be all alone with a serial killer on the loose.

"Merry Christmas, B." Blair mutters to herself as she steps into the living room, catching sight of the Christmas tree Theo must've decorated with Pansy. Red and white, his favorite colors for the holidays. The same every year.

When Blair's phone buzzes in her pocket, she doesn't flinch this time. It's becoming part of her life now.

"Home sweet home, beautiful."
"All alone? How sad.."
"How are your friends doing? Still alive?"

She's never had a text like this from Anonymous before. What do they mean with the 'still alive'?

Blair picks up the Daily Prophet from the table, the one that Theo must've read with his morning coffee today. She hasn't read the recent news.

"IS THE SHADOW GONE?"
"This vicious serial killer hasn't committed a crime since last week. At his most recent crime scene in Hogsmeade village, at least twenty people died, their injuries anything but small. Young or old, the victims were innocent, yet robbed of their lives. But what made the Shadow stop? The Ministry advices everyone to stay calm, and look after your loved ones. If you can, stay inside and lock your doors and windows with every protective enchantment you can think of. If you ever come across a suspicious man who may resemble the description of the Shadow, please report to the Department Of Magical Law Enforcement in the Ministry of Magic. Every tip counts.

We don't know what this man's face looks like, all we know is that he's tall, muscular-looking and has been seen wearing a black cloak with a Death Eater mask. Ministress of Magic Hermione Granger asks everyone to stay safe and take care."

Blair puts the newspaper down, her heart heavier now. Even though she's glad that the Shadow hasn't committed a crime since last week, she's still terrified to be back home all by herself. Theo may stay gone all night or come back around three in the morning, she never knows with him and his work nowadays.

Blair flinches from a few hard knocks on her front door. She sighs, reminding herself that serial killers don't usually knock. It's probably just their neighbor from a couple blocks away, wishing her a Merry Christmas. Mrs. Duns has always been kind.

She stalks towards the door and pulls it open, her eyes widening at the sight of Atlas. He should not be here. He is angry with her, and the absolute last thing she's been counting on is him. But he's here, and he's holding a white rose in his hand, and she's still so glad to see him— as her friend.

"I-I thought you weren't coming." Blair says.

"I may be mad at you, B, but I know how scared you are, and I'm not letting you spend Christmas eve all by yourself." Atlas says, giving her the rose. Blair knows that gift is unnecessary, that he didn't have to, but her chest lightens with relief because he did.

"I'm so sorry." Blair says, taking the rose from him, pulling him inside. "We both need time to think, we don't have to talk about it tonight." Atlas says stiffly, pulling off his coat. Blair thinks back on Anonymous, on the awful task they gave her. She can't sleep with Atlas, it would ruin everything.

They take a seat together on the sofa in the living room, and Blair looks at what Atlas's holding. The Evening Prophet. "He was only two blocks away from here. I couldn't risk it.." Atlas says, showing her a quick glimpse of the front page.