Forever And Always | D.M

Chapter 31

Waking up this morning, I felt the dampness on my cheeks and realized I had been crying all night. I was haunted by memories of Draco, but I knew it was time for me to move on and leave the room we had both once shared. Although it was hard to do, I knew it was the right thing to do.

I sit up in bed and try to collect myself. I take a deep breath and wipe the tears away from my face. I can feel the heartache pulsing through my chest, and I know that this is going to be a tough day. I try to muster up the strength to get out of bed, but my body feels heavy as if I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.

As I stand up, I feel a sense of emptiness wash over me. I know that this is the end of something that was once so beautiful, and the realization hurts more than anything I've ever felt before. I take a few steps towards the window and glance outside, hoping to find some solace in the beauty of nature. But the world outside is just as gray and lifeless as I feel inside.

I sit back down on the bed and try to make sense of it all. How did we get here? How did the love we once shared turn into something so ugly?

I try to focus on the present moment, and the day ahead. I know that I have to face the world, even though I feel like I'm falling apart inside. I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am strong, even though I don't feel like it right now.

As I entered the hallway, I saw Ginny walking towards me with a look of worry on her face. "What's wrong, Ginny?" I asked, concerned.

Ginny looked at me and took a deep breath. "Sofia, we have a problem," she said, her voice trembling. "Snape knows that Harry was spotted in Hogsmeade."

My heart sank as I heard those words. We knew that Harry had to stay hidden, and being spotted in Hogsmeade could put him in danger. "What are we going to do?" I asked, my mind racing.

Ginny looked at me and took another deep breath. "We need to come up with a plan to make sure Snape doesn't find out that he's here in Hogwarts."

I nodded, knowing that Ginny was right. We had to act fast and come up with a plan to protect Harry. As we walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but feel grateful for having Ginny by my side. Together, we would do whatever it takes to keep Harry safe.

•••

Marching in a straight line with my classmates, my heart was pounding in my chest. We were making our way into the Great Hall, where Professor Snape, the new headmaster, was waiting for us. I could feel the tension in the air as we all waited for him to speak.

"No doubt many of you are curious as to why I have gathered you here at this hour," Snape began in a smart tone. "I have been informed that earlier this evening, Harry Potter was spotted in Hogsmeade."

There was an audible gasp from the crowd, and I could feel the murmuring around me growing louder. Snape's next words made my blood run cold.

"Anyone who attempts to aid Mr. Potter, whether they be a student or staff member, will face a punishment that is proportionate to the severity of their offense. Additionally, any person found to have knowledge of these events but does not come forward will be held accountable as if they were equally guilty."

I could feel the weight of his words settling on me. I had always been a supporter of Harry, and the thought of being punished for helping him made me feel sick to my stomach. But then something unexpected happened.

Harry himself stepped out from hiding in the crowd, and my heart leaped with joy. He had always been a hero to me, and seeing him standing there, defying Snape, made me feel like anything was possible.

"It seems, despite your exhaustive defensive strategies...You still have a bit of a security problem, headmaster," Harry said, and I could hear the smile in his voice as Ron, his family, Hermione, Neville, Fleur, and two others walked into the Great Hall. "And I'm afraid it's quite extensive."

He continued with an authoritative tone, "How dare you stand in the same place as him? Tell them exactly what happened that night. Reveal to them how you stared him in the eye, a man who trusted you, and yet you still took his life."

Snape raised his wand towards Harry, and the air around us was electric with anticipation. However, Professor McGonagall intervened, standing protectively in front of Harry and engaging in a fierce duel with Snape. As Snape fled out the window, I couldn't help but cheer as McGonagall declared him a coward.

But then something strange happened. Harry fell to the ground, and I could hear Voldemort's voice in my head, telling us to give him Harry and no one would get hurt. My heart was pounding in my chest as I looked around.

Voldemort's voice grew louder in my mind, I knew that we were in danger. Hogwarts was under attack, and we needed to do something to protect ourselves.

•••

As I made my way toward the exit of the Great Hall, I could sense the growing panic among the people around me. The war between us and Voldemort had finally begun, and it was clear that we were in for a tough battle. I could hear the sounds of spells and curses being thrown in all directions, and I knew that I had to do my part in this fight.

But before I can step out of the Great Hall, I felt a strong hand grab my wrist, pulling me back. I turned to see Fred, his face filled with determination and a hint of fear.

"Sofia, you can't go out there alone," he said urgently, his grip on my wrist tightening. "Please, be careful."

I looked into his eyes, feeling a rush of emotion wash over me. For months, I had been struggling with my feelings for him and Draco, unsure of what I wanted.

"I will," I said softly, feeling a surge of courage. "But you be careful too."

Fred leaned in, his lips meeting mine in a passionate kiss that took my breath away. For a moment, I forgot about the battle raging outside, lost in the intensity of his touch.

As we pulled apart, Fred looked at me with a mixture of longing and sadness.

"Sofia, when this is all over, come find me," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "We need to talk about us, about what's going to happen."

I nodded, my heart racing with excitement and fear as Fred released my wrist and turned to join the battle outside. I watched him go, a sense of longing filling my heart. But I knew that I had a job to do, and I couldn't let my feelings distract me.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the Great Hall and into the chaos of the battle. But as I fought alongside my friends, my mind kept drifting back to Fred and the kiss we had shared. I knew that, no matter what happened, I would find him again and we would face the future together.