|In The Dark|

71

3 DAYS LATER...
THEODORE NOTT

"I'm fine." Draco said as he started to get dressed. "Draco, you need rest. You're still recovering." Anna said. "Mate, you lost a lot of blood. And I don't need you tearing your stitches." I added. "I said I'm fine," he snapped. I sighed. "I've let you two whinge and whine for 3 days. I can't miss more lessons or people will get suspicious." he said. "But you need-" Anna started. "I need to get dressed. And you two need to leave." he said sharply. "Mate-" I started. He looked at me and forced a smile. "I'm not going to kill myself, Theo." he said, his voice filled with sorrow. My face fell. "Just go. I'll see you guys in the Great Hall." he said. I just nodded and led Anna out. I shut the door and we stood in the hall. "Are you sure we should leave him?" she asked. "You know Draco. He doesn't like to be fussed over." I said. "I don't care. He almost died." she said. "Belle, we did our best-" I started. "Did your best with what?" I turned around and Astoria was walking up to us. My face paled and I forced a smile. "Nothing babe. Just a homework assignment." I said. She nodded and kissed me, slipping her tongue down my mouth at the last second. I meant it to be a quick peck but Astoria ran her hands over my body and gripped my hair, kissing me passionately. Then she pulled away. Anna stared at us with bright red cheeks. "Hi Annabelle," she said with a smile. Anna glanced up and nodded. "Hi Astoria." she said. "What are you doing in the snake's den?" Astoria asked with a laugh. "Buying cigarettes." she mumbled. Astoria nodded. "I should go." Anna mumbled. As she left, I swear I saw her wipe a tear from her cheek. "Tori, I have to change into my uniform." I said. "I'll come. I love a good striptease." she said. I smiled and nodded. We went into my dorm and I started to change. "What was Anna really doing here?" she asked. I looked over quickly. "Buying cigarettes." I said. "From you?" she asked. I nodded. "I thought you wanted her to stop." she said. I shrugged. "I told you I gave up on her." I said. "Doesn't seem like that." she mumbled. I finished tying my tie and walked over to her. "What does that mean?" I asked. "If you hate her so much, why do you still call her Belle?" she asked. My face fell. "Everyone else in the whole school calls her Anna or Annabelle. But not you." she said. I shrugged again. "It's a habit, Tori. You know I love you." I said. She kissed me. "I guess," she sighed. I looked at her and smiled. "If it bothers you, I won't call her that anymore." I said. She kissed me again. "Thank you, babe. I love you." she said. I forced a smile. "Love you too." I said. "You know, we have some time before breakfast." she said with a sly smirk. She started to kiss down my chest as she sank to her knees. "Tori, you don't have to-" I started. Before I could finish my sentence, my belt was off and my trousers were down.

ANNABELLE LUPIN-BLACK

I sat anxiously with Pansy and Blaise waiting for Draco and my heart was racing. He was taking forever. I had gone back to my dorm, got dressed and come down here and he still wasn't here. I was just about to lose it and go look for him. Then he walked in and I sighed in relief. Draco sat with us and kept his eyes down. "Well, well, well, look who decided to show up?" Blaise said. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes." Pansy added. Draco gave a forced smile. "Where have you been, mate?" Blaise asked. "I was sick." he mumbled. "Are you feeling better?" Pansy asked. He nodded. I squeezed Draco's hand under the table and he gave a small nod. Then Theo and Astoria walked in and sat down with us. "Sorry we're late. Theo and I got a little distracted." Astoria said with a chuckle. I looked down and Draco gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "Attaboy." Blaise said. Pansy elbowed Blaise and he shrugged. They continued to talk and I stayed quiet. So did Draco. "Annabelle probably has another prank coming up, don't you." Theo said. I looked up at him quickly. Everyone gave him a strange look. "What did you call her?" Pansy asked. His face faltered and he shrugged. "Her name is Annabelle. I called her Annabelle." he said. I felt my heart sink into my chest and I nodded. "Dad said to lay off the pranks until Snape cools off." I said quietly. They nodded. I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes and I couldn't fight them back. "I'm going to smoke." I mumbled. "I'll come with you." Pansy said. "Me too." Blaise added. Draco got up as well.Then Theo and Astoria started to stand as well. "Why don't we all go? I could use a smoke-" Theo started. "No. You should stay here. With Astoria." Blaise said. "Mate, come on-" Theo started. "Just stay here, Theo." Pansy sighed. Then she wrapped her arm around me and led me out. We sat down on the grass and Draco sat next to me. I laid my head on his shoulder and tears fell down my cheeks. "I shouldn't be crying. I pushed him away. I did this. It's my fault." I said. "Maybe, maybe not. But we all know Astoria is the one keeping it that way." Pansy said. Draco held my hand and wiped my tears. "I know." he whispered. I gave him an out. But it doesn't make it hurt any less that he took it. I'm not Belle to him anymore.