Protective [D.M]

114

Before I left to go to the dance, I sat down on the bed and took a deep breath in and out. I let myself fall on my back, my head landing on the white pillow.

Once again the tears started forming in my eyes, but I didn't want to stop them even after spending time fixing my makeup. I felt that I had every right to be sad and show it, but only in this room.

Tears rolled down from the corner of my eyes, making their way onto the white pillowcase, leaving wet marks on it.

I wrapped my arms around my stomach, squeezing it tightly. I felt angry, sad, and confused all at once. I wanted to rip this wine-red dress off of me and throw it back at Theo's face.

Once so pretty dress had become disgusting for me. I couldn't wait to get out of it, but it wasn't an option right now.

Even though I felt betrayed, by the person that had earned my trust over a short period of time, I couldn't just stay in this room and let myself bury myself in the misery. I had to do something about it. Well if there is anything to do.

I wasn't a hundred percent sure what death eaters exactly do, but I knew they're bad. I didn't want to become one of them, I had to put up a brave face and fight it.

I sat back up on the bed and took a final look in the mirror. Lightly wiped the tears, and got up from the bed.

Grinding my teeth with nerves, I walked down the stairs to get to the ballroom. Theo had told me that he would be waiting for me inside, so I had to go in all alone.

The huge door to the ballroom was open, and some people were still going in. I approached the door and looked in.

Right in front of me was a big staircase down to the dance floor, also a balcony on the left. The balcony was empty, but the dance floor was littered with people, mostly dressed in dark colors.

I took a deep breath and stepped over the doorstep and walked up to the staircase. From the top, I right away noticed Theo, who was standing right next to the bottom of the staircase on the right.

He noticed me immediately and flashed a smile. I smiled back while trying to calm down my heart which was beating out of my chest. You could probably see it pounding through the fabric of the dress.

Before stepping on the stairs, I looked around the room. But my eyes stopped on the blonde head of hair, a pale face with it, looking straight up at me.

Draco was standing on the other side of the staircase. He looked at me worried, but I didn't look at him for long. After all, I believed him to be the one who wanted me to join too.

But close to Draco was standing Snape. His eyes were also glued to me. He seemed tired, almost like he hadn't slept well.

I felt an urge to just run to him and apologize to him for all the pain I've caused him. However many things he had kept from me, he was still trying to protect me from what might happen today.

I walked down the stairs right at Theo. He put out his hand and I took it. He right away brought it up, spinning me in place.

"You look beautiful," he said, looking me up and down. I smiled in response.

Suddenly he pulled me closer by my hand, his face getting extremely close to mine. He grabbed the side of my face, tilting up my head a bit and getting even closer.

I knew he wanted to kiss me, but I couldn't bring myself to do this. At the last moment, when our lips were about to meet, I turned my cheek to the front, also giving him a light kiss on the cheek.

He pulled back, looking at me somewhat confused.

"Everyone is looking at us," I quickly came up with an excuse.