"Will you be behind me?" He had whispered.
"Don't look back." She had replied, a hopeful smile lingering on her face.
"Why?" He squeezed his eyes shut.
"Because you won't see me..." She had said, letting go of his grip. "But don't worry. I'll always be here."
"Please don't do this. Please." He had pleaded, not wanting to say his last goodbye just yet. He wanted to turn around, he wanted to tell her to not do this.
"I love you, Draco, and always remember that." She whispered.
The crowd of Death Eaters were smirking. They wanted to see the boy in despair, they wanted to see him break.
"Do it!" They had cheered, howling with laughter as the duo stood together.
"I love you." The girl said, giving one last wish of hope. Then, she collapsed, her arms flailing beside her.
No, no, no, no. The thought had sat in his mind like fog. A tear slid down his cheek. he wanted to scream, he wanted to shout, he wanted to just let go of the grasp. He wanted to just... fall off his ladder of hope.
But that wouldn't be what she wanted him to do, that wouldn't help him. He kept that in mind, even though it hurt him to think about it.
"Goodbye..." He whispered. That word seemed as if it was a chore to say - and it was. "Goodbye..." He finally whispered quietly before backing over the side of the Astronomy Tower.
