till death do us part | draco malfoy

41.

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The Great Hall was buzzing with morning chatter as Juliet joined her friends for breakfast, though her mind was far from idle gossip and weekend plans. As she picked at her toast, she recounted, almost absently, how strange it was that the Whomping Willow had seemed to protect her the day before.

"I may be going mad but, it was practically... hugging me," she murmured, glancing up to see Padma and Elizabeth exchanging curious glances.

"Hugging you?" Padma inquired, "What's next? Will the bloody tree cradle you as well?"

Elizabeth scoldingly smacked the girl's hand.

"It felt... warm," Juliet said, ignoring padma. She let the thought linger a moment before shaking her head, deciding to get to the real matter on her mind. "But never mind that tree, I have bigger plans. I'm bringing Rasha here—she'll be safe at Hogwarts, and she is going to get a real childhood, not the life I had, isolated in the cabin." Her voice was firm, her decision clear.

Elizabeth's face softened with sympathy. "That sounds wonderful Jules but... do you really think Professor Snape will allow it?"

"Of course he won't!" Padma hissed. "He'll bury all three of us in our graves!"

"He doesn't have a choice," Juliet replied. "I know I've never disobeyed my father —"

Elizabeth and Padma peered over to an blonde among the Slytherin table.

"But," Juliet insisted, "I'm doing this no matter what. She can't live in an environment surrounded by darkness. She needs Hogwarts, she needs our light."

Just then, Draco appeared by her side, casually reaching over and swiping a smudge of honey from her chin with his thumb. The simple touch was enough to send a warm flush to her cheeks, and she looked down quickly, hoping he wouldn't notice. Draco smirked, clearly catching the pink in her face, but didn't comment.

"Rasha?" he asked after she quietly informed him of the plan, taking a seat beside her. "You're serious about bringing her here?"

"Yes," Juliet said, straightening her shoulders, a hint of defiance in her gaze. "I've made up my mind Draco —"

Draco quickly lifted an finger to her lips, subtly brushing over them and burning Juliet's cheeks. Padma and Elizabeth groaned loudly. 

"Before you give me an thousand word essay, I was going to so that I support you in any rescuing you make," he said quietly. "and I'll help you, whatever you need."

A warmth filled her chest at his support, and together, they finished breakfast with a newfound purpose. Soon after, Juliet led Draco down to her father's office, determined to confront him.

Snape looked up as they entered, his gaze shifting between his daughter and Draco with suspicion. Juliet didn't waste time, her voice steady as she spoke.

"Father, I'm bringing Rasha here. Whether you approve or not, I can't leave her with him alone."

For a moment, Snape simply studied her, his expression unreadable. Then he held up a hand, stopping her mid-sentence.