stars • d.m

4.5

Estella Raney did not go straight home once she got off the train. Instead, her mother, Draco, and she traveled further to the beach. Apparently, Draco had been planning to fast-track their trip to help Estella cope. A change of scenery, he described it. She chucked at his cheesiness. It was the first time she smiled since the incident.

Draco's mother did not join the three for this trip as she was busy with "issues at home". Still, her generosity extended as far as letting the three occupy their seaside cottage. Clara Raney was on edge as she did not fully know how to feel about staying in a stranger's home, especially when the stranger was not present. So she decided to make the stay shorter than planned.

She was currently in the kitchen starting to cook dinner as the sun was setting. Out the window, she could see the young teenagers wandering in the sand as the waves crashed across the shore.

Her worry for Estella was deep. She wished she could do anything to take away her pain. Alas, this was the fate they were dealt. So, she did her best. When Jacob Raney died, Estella secluded herself completely. It was a hard time but it was to people's best advice that Clara gave her the space she needed. While it worked the first time around, Clara was worried about this situation.

Estella did not say much since they left Hogwarts. She was calm, a bit better than she was before, but was still quiet. It was hard for Draco to read her. In her mind, she was piecing things back together. Trying to find wonder in the things around her. So there she stood, stick in hand, drawing lines in the sand.

"What are you drawing?" Draco asked.

Estella shrugged.

"I'm going to go sit near the water if you want to join me?" He continued.

"Okay," Estella replied. Just what he wanted.

The two made it to the edge where the vast body of water touched their part of the world. They sat on the wet sand, not caring that their clothes would become the shore's victims. Estella watched the water flow over her feet and then retract like a deep breath. She looked up into the horizon as she grabbed handfuls of sand and then let them fall between her fingers.

"We're so small," Estella broke the silence.

Draco understood what she meant. The ocean can do that to you. 

"You're going to be okay, Estella."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know you. You'll refuse to be anything but that. But also because I'm going to make sure of it."

"I love you Draco"

Draco's head turned towards the girl. Did he hear her right?

"D-do you mean that?"

"Of course I do. I've known for a while but I think a part of me was still hesitant to believe that this was all true. Mind you, we hated each other this time last year."

Draco stayed silent as she seemed to want to say more.

"You've changed so much, Draco. Even if you don't see it as love yet, you've shown me love in ways I didn't expect. And with...this, I'm realizing how scared I am to lose you. I don't ever want to say goodbye to you," Estella said with tears welling up in her eyes.

"You won't ever have to, I swear it on my life, Estella," Draco said, cupping her face and wiping her tears away with his thumbs.

"I love you too."

Draco placed a kiss on her lips and remained there until she pulled away. Estella placed her head in the crook of his neck as he wrapped his arms around her. The two watched the waves of the ocean crash one after the other.

They didn't know what the future held. What would change. What would come to light. Who would make it out alive. In that moment, however, it did not matter. They were there together on a beach healing and loving with all they had in them.

With the sun setting, they knew the stars would be out soon enough. Oh, how they would shine for the Ravenclaw and Slytherin.

A/N:

Hey, so that was the end.

LMAOO almost ten years of writing this book and this is the end. I'm at a loss for words honestly. If you've been on this journey, I owe you my life. If you're new, hi! This is probably an insane read for you. Mind you, I started writing this when I was sixteen. I'm about to be twenty-four next month. Like what the-

I don't think I could leave the story unfinished. The thing is, I've had more planned since the beginning. And I feel weird about leaving those unfinished.

So will I continue? I can't be too sure. I've grown so much. I'm a literal adult now with major responsibilities. But at the same time, I love what I started. It's so fulfilling to see this book become complete. I just can't help but wonder...

I don't know. But I do know that I'm happy. I appreciate you. Thank you for reading. Truly.