"Hello?"
The tree wasn't moving. It was odd. The Wamping Willow always moved. Absently, you pushed a strand of loose hair behind my ear that the wind had brought loose from your bun. For late fall it was fairly warm this year.
You sat in front of the very tree that had sent you to the medical wing last term. Being a fifth year you could have gone to Hogsmead with Draco today but something just felt, how do you put it, off?
Cross legged you sat on the dry, dieing grass in your favorite sweater and Ravenclaw robes.
Picking up a pebble, you threw it. It hit the tree square in the trunk with a satisfying 'thunk'. The tree didn't even flinch.
"You okay? Why are you out here all alone?"
"It's sick." You responded absent mindedly.
"What's sick?"
"Just sit down and shut up Draco." You said, not taking my eyes off the tree.
Doing as he was told, Draco sat down beside you.
"What are we looking at?" He asked.
"The tree, stupid." You said with an eye roll.
"Why? It's just a stupid tree." Draco said.
"And you're just a stupid boy," You say as you got up and walked towards the tree.
"You're worse than Loony," Draco muttered.
"There is nothing wrong with Luna. She is much smarter than you, especially when it comes to old magic."
Walking forward, you placed a hand on the tree. It seemed to shiver slightly.
"Draco, look." You said turning to him.
"What in the name of..." He sputtered.
"All of the magic in Hogwarts seems to be draining. Didn't you see the owls? Or maybe the paintings? Or better yet the moving staircases?"
"No. It can't be." He said, wide eyed as he got up to stand next to you.
"You don't think?" He was inferring what you both feared.
"You-Know-Who." You answered.
"We should head back." He said with a worried expression.
"It's almost dusk, we need to get supper." You added.
Walking together back to Hogwarts, the air felt much brisker than it had before. A particularly cold breeze wafted down your sweater, causing you to shiver.
"Here," Draco said while passing you his yellow and brown colored scarf.
"Thanks," you said while wrapping it around your neck.
"You don't think they might send us home, do you?" He asked with a slight quiver.
"Probably. My parents won't want me back until summer, I'll have to speak with relatives," you added.
Stepping closer to you, Draco put his arm around your waist. Setting his head on your shoulder lightly he let out a loud sigh.
"We should just stick together. You know? Like get a flat together in London or Paris or something." He stated.
"What would your parents think?" I asked.
"They wouldn't care. "
"Sure they wouldn't," you joked.
***
At the arrival to the Great Hall, many students gave you odd looks. Draco just shot them dirty looks and you kept walking.
He walked you right over to the Ravenclaw table.
"So just think about it. You can't say I can't afford it." He said haughtily.
"I already said sure, what more do you want? A written agreement?" You joked.
With a slight smile making its way to his angelically pale face, he turned to his table and walked off.
"Draco Malfoy made you an offer?" Luna Lovegood asked.
"One I can't refuse." You added.
"I see, well, at least you seam happy." She said.
"Very," you replied.
With that Professor Dumbledor walked up to the podium and cleared his throat, and once the hall quieted down he spoke.
"As many of you might have felt, there is a drainage of the magical sort here at Hogwarts. That being said, the ministry of magic and myself included, believe it would be best to send students home."
A loud uproar of protests rolled over the crowd of students.
"That also being said, I believe only the fifth years and above would be needing to go. The following students would be required to
continue their studies from home until we can find the cause of all of this."
"Give us a reason first!" Shouted some Gryffindor boy who sounded Irish.
"The remaining students will have shorter classes and a free class each day. We must remain vigilant and on no circumstances should any of you, and that means all of you. Shall not constitute a petition or go on a hunt for the cause. We all love it here, but we all must grow up at some point." Dumbledore said as he stepped away from the podium, and sat down with his fellow professors.
"Do you have a place to stay?" Luna asked me just as our food appeared.
Reaching out to get some pumpkin juice you said, "That was the offer from Draco. We are getting a flat together."
At that Cho Chang spoke up from a few seats down to our left. "Draco? As in Draco Malfoy?" She said.
"Yes. Draco as in Draco Malfoy. He's my boyfriend. Has been for years now." You said not looking up from your plate of food.
At that she didn't say anything. She just continued to chatter with her friends as if she hadn't said a thing.
After finishing up your plate of food you bid farewell to your fellow Ravenclaws and went to go pack.
At the very bottom of the stairs to the Ravenclaw common room you heard someone yell.
"Hey, wait!" Draco shouted as he weaved through the passing students.
Running up to you he pulled me into a tight hug.
"What is this for?" You said with a chuckle.
"Marry me?" He asked.
A few students stopped dead in their tracks. Gawking at you both but Draco continued.
"I have been in love with you for a long time." He said, while running his hands over his pant creases nervously.
"Yes. I will." You said with a smile.
At that he brought his lips to yours in a hurried kiss.
Then you both left to pack up. Leaving Hogwarts was by far one of the hardest things you'd ever been asked to do but at least a part of Hogwarts would always be with you, in both the knowledge you gained and the people you met. Leaving marked the end of a chapter in your life, but soon you would be starting anew with Draco.
