Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 6 (Summer)- Ch. 156

At some point on the train ride, Céline had fallen asleep on Draco's shoulder for a couple of hours. Then they all chatted some more. Draco, after a few hours, had to go do some of his prefect duties.

Tracey and Daphne also had left to go look for Theo and Blaise, leaving Céline alone in the compartment.

As they drew closer to London, Céline anxiety began to increase. She only hoped that her plan would go smoothly and she would avoid seeing her mother. She knew she wouldn't have to worry about her coming to the UK, her mother never liked traveling out of France if she didn't have to.

But if she saw her mother at home, she doubted that the conversation would go well.

All thoughts were interrupted by the door of the compartment opening. Céline looked over to see Harry standing there. She hadn't really seen him for a couple of days.

"Oh, hey Harry." She smiled at him. He walked in and sat across from her.

"Where are the others?" He asked her.

"Draco is doing his prefect duties, and Daph and Trace went to find Theo and Blaise." She said shrugging. "How are you feeling today?"

"I could be better, not really excited to go back." He said. "S'pose there's nothing we can do about that."

Céline hummed in understanding. She felt the same way. A thought came across her mind and she sat up straight. "Well... maybe— did you want to come with me instead?"

He looked at her confused. "Aren't you going back with Ron to the Burrow?"

"No," she shook her head, "Mrs. Weasley offered, but I declined. I'm going back France to grab a few things and then head to our manor in Gloucestershire. You can stay with me, if you'd like. Merlin knows there's plenty of room in that place."

"Wait, you're going back? Is that safe to do?" He asked, his eyebrows creased together.

"Well, I don't know if it'll be safe, but Tonks and Professor Lupin will be with me, so I can only hope."

"I think it's better to just go back to the Burrow." He said.

"You aren't the only one to think that. Daphne, Tracey, and even Draco said the same thing." Said Céline. He looked a little surprised that even Draco suggested she go with people he hated. "But I've made my choice. It's something I need to do." She paused for a moment. "I... don't think I see myself returning to that place anymore. So I want to get as much of my things as I can carry and leave."

"But isn't going to be the same thing when you get to the other house?" Harry asked.

Céline sat there quietly for a moment, thinking about what he said. Harry wasn't wrong. Leaving one house just to go to another, isn't really leaving and getting away from it all. "I suppose you're right about that." She said. "But it works for now. At least until I leave Hogwarts... my mother wouldn't come to the other manor. She values her time too much to be chasing after me... but I'll just stay there for two years, then I'll figure it out." She leaned in a little bit and looked at the boy sitting across from him with hopeful eyes.  "So? Will you come with me?"

Harry sighed and shook his head. "As much as I would like to, I can't." He said. Céline leaned back into her seat, looking a little disappointed. "There was something that Dumbledore and I talked about. He said that I needed to go back to the Dursleys, even if I personally don't want to. It's the only place that Voldemort can't get to me. I'm safe there. I can't really explain it-- it's a bit complicated."

Céline nodded not really understanding, but if Dumbledore said its the best place for him,  who was she to doubt him. Harry looked at his watch and stood up.