WITHDRAWAL. draco malfoy

iii. honeysuckle

« HONEYSUCKLE »

Lillian was trying not to think of Draco in Borgin and Burke, but it was evident that one of her friends would bring it up, especially as they were on their way to Hogwarts, mere hours from seeing him again.

Just the thought made her sick to her stomach and she closed her eyes, hoping it would help her not hear or think anything.

"So, what was Draco doing with the weird-looking cabinet?" Ron asked, making Lillian sigh desperately. "And who were all those people?"

"Don't you see? It was a ceremony, an initiation."

"Stop it, Harry. I know where you're going with this."

"It's happened. He's one of them," Harry added.

"One of what?"

"Harry is under the impression Draco Malfoy is now a Death Eater," Hermione explained.

Ron chuckled, "You're barking. What would You-Know-Who want with Malfoy?"

"Well, then what's he doing in Borgin and Burkes? Browsing for furniture?"

"It's a creepy shop. He's a creepy bloke," Ron said but nothing seemed to convince Harry.

"Look, his father is a Death Eater. It only makes sense. Besides, Hermione saw it with her own eyes!"

"I told you, I don't know what I saw," Hermione corrected.

"Well then, Lillian, you saw something, right?"

"Absolutely not. And seriously, who cares? Malfoy wouldn't hurt a fly even if his life depended on it."

Harry looked disappointed for a second before standing up, "I need some air."

Lillian watched Harry disappear with his invisibility cloak tucked under his arm but she didn't say anything, instead trying to sleep for the rest of the ride, her head spinning after the numerous nights she stayed up, her eyes and thoughts lost somewhere far away, urgently trying not to visualise herself killing Mulciber over and over again.

Ron and Hermione shared a knowing look, the situation Lillian was in troubled them more than the teenager thought. Indeed, she acted strong all summer, not showing she was exhausted, scared and feeling helpless but her friends saw right through her, somehow wondering how it was possible that she hadn't broken down yet.

Hermione had wanted to talk to her about it but Ron had been firm by saying it was probably one of the worst things to do considering Lillian was one of the most closed down person he knew when it came down to expressing her real feelings.

So they left her alone up until it was finally time to leave the train since they had arrived at Hogwarts, Harry still not back. Lillian shrugged it off and started eating dinner, understanding he might need some time alone as well.

"Don't worry. He'll be here in a minute," Ron said, stuffing his mouth with jelly.

Hermione started hitting Ron with her book, an unpleased look on her face. "Will you stop eating? Your best friend is missing!"

"Oi! Turn around, you lunatic."

Lillian narrowed her eyes at the pair walking towards them, Luna and Harry, who had blood on his nose and didn't look too good.