Two Sides of the Serpent // Draco Malfoy

Chapter Twenty-One: Love In Troubled Times

Once I returned home, I retreated to my room, locking the door behind me. Striding across the room I approached my desk where I dug in the drawer, retrieving the mirror given to me by the Lovegood's. I held it within my hands, focusing intently on Luna until I no longer saw my reflection. Instead, her mellow and compassionate features met my worry.

"Hello, Evelyn," she said softly, a faint smile on her lips.

I gripped the handle of the mirror tightly as I began to speak in a hushed whisper, jumping straight to the point. "I need to meet with you as soon as possible."

She nodded firmly. "Meet us at the address tomorrow."

And just like that, her face disappeared. I bore into my reflection for a moment longer before setting it down on the desk. I followed with grabbing parchment and sending a letter to Draco, keeping it short and precise.

Meet me here tomorrow.

-E

Folding it up and handing it to my owl, I skipped putting a wax seal, wanting to avoid as much attention as possible and keeping it cryptic. The hours were long and agonizing waiting for the morning to arrive. I tossed and turned all night, not getting a proper night sleep after the grueling images from the gruesome meeting played on repeat in my head, not silencing for even a moment.

Eventually, the sun began to break over the horizon. I rubbed my eyes, pushing out an exaggerated yawn. I rose from the bed, the cold sting from the marble floor felt good against my skin as I walked to the wardrobe. I dressed myself and sat in my room, the weight of the world pressing down on me. The morning was with a sense of urgency, its significance weighing heavily on my mind. It was a morning filled with paradoxes - a bright sun above and the dark secrets we harbored within.

As I waited for Draco's arrival, the room felt stifling, the tension in the air palpable. Minutes dragged on like hours, and the anticipation was nearly suffocating. Then, suddenly, with a soft pop, Draco disapparated into my room.

I sighed with relief, glad to see him.

"What's going on? Why did you need me here?" He wondered curiously.

"We're meeting with Luna. We need her help now more than ever," I said, my voice filled with determination.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise as he listened to my words. His concern deepened, but he maintained a calm demeanor, knowing that I needed his support in this moment.

"Meeting with Luna?" he repeated, his voice tinged with both curiosity and caution. "When? What is this meeting about, Evelyn?"

"We are going to tell her about what we heard last tonight. From there, "I paused, thinking about all the different ways this could turn, "Hopefully we are another step closer into the Order."

Draco's hesitation was palpable, his emotions warring within him. The weight of our mission and the complexities of our circumstances seemed to hang heavy in the air.

I spoke with unwavering determination, trying to infuse him with the same resolve burning within me. "Don't give up yet, Draco. No matter how hard this gets. We come into this world, burdened by the sins of our families. But the wars they fought are not ours to continue. Are you with me?"

He stood in a contemplative silence for a moment, I could see the conflict within him. He stared off into a void, the gears were turning, conjuring ideas and weighing the pros and cons of what could happen.

"Are you in or are you out?" I pressed, awaiting his response.

After a pause that seemed to stretch on, he finally broke the silence. "I'm in."