Double Trouble || Draco Malfoy x Reader

A Flutter of Hope || one-hundred and twenty-eight

Lying upon an old oak stump was perhaps one of the magical world's most dangerous artifacts. It's taunting, glittering emerald green testing all those who wish to dare destroy it.

Harry stared at the Horcrux in disdain. Without a word to those around him, he lifted his wand and flicked his wrist to the left. The locket spun swiftly in its place, but remained whole.

There was a small groan of frustration amongst the group.

Harry wiped his forehead, taking another frustrated step forward. "Dissendium!"

Again, the locket spun around and around with little to no damage done. Harry gritted his teeth and dragged a pair of rough hands through his hair. Before he could raise his wand, I stepped forward in his place, my hand raised and shoulders up tight.

"Let me," I whisper. Harry dropped his shoulders and took a step back. My wand, which had been at my side, slowly rose into the air when finally— "Incendio!"

Flames engulfed the locket and its metal flesh turned a bright, scarlet red. Everyone glanced up, a glint in their eyes, but within a few seconds, the flames died along with all hope.

"Nothing..." I sighed.

"Expulso!" Draco's voice rung out from behind me. The tree stump exploded, but the locket remained unmarked. Clearly unsatisfied, Draco took a few steps forward, his brows knitted together and his gaze sharp—

"Confringo!"

The ground beneath the stump cratered, but the locket remained yet again, untouched. Draco lowered his wand, cursing under his breath. But Harry continued on, firing a succession of spells, looking almost possessed.

Hermione stood on the opposite of me, studying Harry until finally— he stopped. Everything was silent except for the quiet rustle of leaves shifting in the wind above.

The locket sizzled softly against the forest floor. Harry dropped his shoulders with a sigh and kneeled to the ground. He took the locket by its chain and slung it around his neck.

"What're you doing?" Hermione lifted a brow.

"We have to keep it safe until we can figure out how to destroy it." Harry sighed deeply.

"I can put it in my bag—,"

"No." Harry snapped.

Draco took me by my arm and took a step back— wary of Harry's mood.

"Seems strange, mate." Ron finally spoke. "Dumbledore sends you off to find a load of Horcruxes, but doesn't bother to tell you how to destroy them. Doesn't that bother you?"

Harry regarded Ron only briefly, but with nothing to say, he stalked off.

"Odd isn't it," I mutter softly. "Being in middle of nowhere— trying to destroy a part of You-Know-Who's soul rather than being back in Hogwarts."

Draco nodded slowly. "Very,"

~

Voices surface over the static coming from Ron's radio. Harry and Hermione were outside, and Draco was laying out a heap of blankets for me to lay on later in the night.

In need of some fresh air, I drew back the opening of the tent and poked my head out. An immediate breeze hit my face, and the crisp smell of forest pine seeped into my senses.

Draco turned his head around to see what I was doing— only for the corners of his lips to lift into a smile. He thought I looked beautiful in the amber dusk, so he just stood there alone, studying me.