All the lies // D.M.

4 - Truce

Cathleen Avery

When I entered the common room, the emptiness hit me like a wave of relief. Finally, I could exhale without feeling the weight of other noisy eyes on me because everyone else was still in class. I technically should be in the potions classroom but I couldn't—there was no way I could focus, not now. What I needed was space and time to think.

I sank into the cold black leather sofa, pressing my hands against my face, trying to hold it together because I fell apart last time, shattered into tiny little pieces.

The last time I left Dumbledore's office, my emotions overwhelmed me, and I lost control but no matter how hard I tried, my mind circled back to that moment, when I was shattered into tiny little pieces.

I ran, tears blurring my vision and lungs burning with the cold air as I gasped for breath. I ran until I couldn't anymore, until the snow beneath my feet crunched with every step and the icy wind burned at my skin until my legs gave out and I collapsed into the cold ground, the snow soaking through my tights. An ear-piercing scream from deep inside echoed through the empty land, carrying all the pain that consumed me.

Suddenly footsteps crunched through the snow and stopped beside me. I could barely see through the tears as I glanced up, scanning the figure that appeared — expensive shoes and belt and then, kind eyes, filled with concern.

"What happened?" Holden's voice was soft, and careful as he knelt beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder.

I couldn't answer so I shook my head and sobbed, unable to form the words. His warmth contrasted with the bitter cold. "You should go inside," he said gently. "It's too cold to sit in the snow in just a skirt and blouse."

"I can't," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He didn't push, only wrapped me in the soft fabric of his coat. "Do you want to tell me what happened? I heard the scream."

"I can't," I repeated, feeling the tears well up again.

"Okay," he whispered, "We'll just stay here." His thumb gently rubbed circles on my shoulder. That simple gesture sent a wave of warmth through me, and for a moment, I didn't feel so alone.

"Please tell me you're crying because you got expelled," a different voice dragged me back to the present, and of course, it had to be him. The one person I couldn't stand to see right now, the one person who somehow managed to always be around when I was at rock bottom.

Why does the universe hate me?

"Why are you not in class?" I muttered into my hands, not even bothering to look up. Maybe he'll go away if I pretend I never saw him.

"Forgot my book."

The surprisingly normal answer made me glance at him. He was leaning against the wall, casually waving the book in his hand and I rolled my eyes.

"Now that you have it, you can leave me alone and go back to class," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Funny. I thought you had that class with me."

I groaned, letting my head fall back against the sofa. "Can't you just leave?" I stared up at the ceiling. "Just leave me alone," I whispered.

"What did Dumbledore want?" Draco asked, his tone less smug than usual, but I was in no mood for questions.

"Seriously, Malfoy. Will you stop asking me questions?" My voice cracked, but I didn't care. "You told me to leave you alone, so do me the same favour."

"Was it about your father?"

That question hit me like a punch to the gut and I shot up from the couch. "Okay, let's go to class. Maybe that will shut you up."