All I Ask Of You (Sequel to "The Point Of No Return (Draco Malfoy)"

Chapter Seventeen

A/N: All I Ask Of You has 18 chapters. As you can see, the story is coming to an end in the chapter after this one. Thank you to everyone who reads and loves this series. Please keep commenting and voting! And enjoy!

            “Did you hear about Sirius Black?”

            “Natalie?”

           

            I stared out the window from my seat on the train, hoping I would wake from the dreadful dream my life had become. Maybe the train will go off the tracks. Maybe the Dark Lord will come and murder me. Or better yet, maybe he’ll take me to join him.

            “Natalie?”

            I looked at Lucinda, right in her eyes; they’re so full of innocence. How she was sorted into Slytherin was a mystery to me. She was the most goodhearted person I’d ever met. Lacey in Slytherin wouldn’t surprise me –I had a theory the trouble we got into caused my placement- as she always had a rebel side. But Lucinda, she was good. Lucinda was pure light in a world of darkness.

            “He’ll come back.” She said softly.

            I blinked morosely, returning my attention to the beautiful scenery I had most definitely taken for granted over the past two years.

            “He could kill him.” I finally said.

            I could see her shake her head from the corners of my eyes. She didn’t think so? “He wouldn’t kill Draco. His family has been loyal to him.” She argued.

            I sighed. “He would kill anyone, Luc. Me, you, Professor Dumbledore, and even Draco; even his parents. He kills. It’s what he’s best at.”

            “Well this sounds like a cheerful conversation.” Aly said as she and Kay returned to our compartment with snacks.

            “Stop being a Debbie Downer, Nat.” Kay added, referencing the phrase I used to describe her occasional negativity.

            They got settled and distributed the candy. Aly held out a chocolate frog for me but I shook my head. I didn’t want it. I couldn’t eat.

            As I watched the hills roll on and on I thought of the detention I got in Defense Against the Dark Arts. All of a sudden I could feel the etching of each letter into my skin. It hurt just the way it did when it happened, months ago.

            And then I was back in Draco’s arms, pulled into his warm chest, counting the beats of his heart, breathing in his familiar scent. I felt at home. I felt safe. I was safe from Umbridge and her insanity. I was safe in the arms of the boy who-

            “Natalie!”

            I looked over at Kay, who was calling my name. “What?”

            “We’ve been talking to you. What’s wrong?” I could tell from her expression that she was concerned and I didn’t blame her. I didn’t know what was happening to me and who knows what I looked like.

            “I’m fine.”

            “Okay.” She said gently. “If you don’t mind, what did Draco actually say to you?”

            I did mind.

            “He’s protecting me.” I replied.

            “Protecting you? From what?” She asked in disbelief.

            “I don’t know.” I paused, taking in their immediate reaction of ‘he must be lying’. “Something’s wrong and he can’t tell me. His father’s in trouble and needs him. If anyone finds out we’re together they could kill me.”

            “And you believe this?” Aly asked skeptically.

            “I begged him to reconsider. Trust me, if there was a way, I wouldn’t let this go.” I wouldn’t let him go.

            Out the window was a lake I couldn’t remember seeing before. It was my fourth ride on the Hogwarts Express, but the first ride didn’t count. I was too busy trying to wrap my head around the fact that I had a twin. I was too busy confusing two worlds that had suddenly been morphed into one.

            Just like that I was introduced to people who would change my life. And to think it all started at our kitchen table in California. If my parents hadn’t told me about Monica I’d still be a normal public school student. Lacey would still be my closest friend. Evan Millson might have even asked me out.

            But my parents told me I have a sister… and that she’s a witch. And don’t forget that I am too. I came to Hogwarts and I met my roommate Lucinda and her friends Aly and Kay. I was warned by Hermione Granger and Harry Potter to stay away from Draco Malfoy. I fell head over heels for Draco Malfoy. And then my life became a combination of the best and worst it’s ever been.

            “Natalie,” I heard for the third time in an hour. “It’s time to go.”

            Lucinda reached for my hand and pulled me into a hug. She squeezed me tight and let go. “Everything’s changing, yes, but it’s not goodbye.” She gave a weak smile and led the way off the train.

            Stepping onto the platform I looked up and sure enough there we were. Nine and Three-Quarters. I followed Lucinda to the end of the train to get our trunks and smiled slightly to my friends as we said our “see-you-laters”.

            “Write me over the summer. Layla should be quite busy!” She nodded towards the deep chocolate colored owl in its cage, resting on top of her trunk.

            “Only if you write me.” I said.

            “Deal.” She hugged me again. “See you in August.”

           

“See you in August.”