Where Your Loyalties Lie

Chapter Sixty-Nine: I Promise

I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror as I smoothed out my dress. There was nothing out of the ordinary planned for today, except for the death eater meeting tonight, but given the fact that it was my 17th birthday, I thought why not dress up?

"Katie, are you ready to go down to breakfast?" Draco called from the other side of the door.

"In a minute!" I yelled back, quickly picking up my brush and running it through my hair a few times. "Ready!" I announced as I reentered the bedroom.

Draco looked up from staring at the floor to see me. His eyes scanned over my body, taking in my outfit as he walked over to close the distance between us. He locked me in a tight embrace then stepped back with his hands still on my waist to look at me again.

"You look incredible," he whispered. I giggled at his reaction and felt a blush cross my face. "Seriously, how did I get so lucky to have you in my life?"

I smiled and gently pulled his lips to mine. "I love you," I told him when we parted.

"I love you too. Happy birthday, love," he replied.

"Thank you. Should we head down to breakfast?" He nodded and stepped away to grab my hand and lead me down the stairs.

About halfway through breakfast, Dad came downstairs to join us. "Good morning. Happy birthday, sweetheart," he told me, stopping to give me a kiss on the top of the head before making his way to his seat.

"Thanks, Daddy!"

"I have your gift upstairs. I'll give it to you after we finish eating." I smiled and nodded before continuing to eat my food.

Once we were done eating, Dad led me up to his room and handed me a package wrapped in emerald paper. I set it on top of the bed and carefully unwrapped it to reveal an enormous potions set complete with a new cauldron, phials, scales, and ingredients.

"Well? Do you like it?" he asked when I didn't respond right away, too busy taking it all in.

I turned to face him, beaming. "I love it! Thank you so much!"

"Anything for you, sweetheart." I hugged him and he wished me a happy birthday again. "I have to get going. The Dark Lord has asked me to gather some information for tonight's meeting. Have a good day," He told me.

"Alright, just be careful please," I replied. I grabbed my new potions set and exited the room so he could prepare to leave. After setting it in mine and Draco's room, I was about to go find Draco when I heard a knock at the door. Hurrying to answer it, I found that there was no one standing in the hallway. I stuck my head out and looked down the hall to see Draco walking towards the stairs. "Draco!" I called out to him as I tried to catch up.

He slowed down and I managed to catch up. We walked down the stairs in silence. As soon as we had reached the bottom of the stairs, Draco turned to me and cheered, "Race you to the garden!" before speeding off towards the doors.

After my mind had processed what just happened, I raced off after him. When I reached the garden, I caught sight of his blonde hair as he turned a corner and I hurried after him. "Draco!" I yelled, laughing at our childish behavior. Turning the corner, I lost sight of him and couldn't find him again. "Draco? Where are you?" I called out, circling around.

Arms wrapped around me from behind and picked me up, causing me to shriek in surprise. The sound of Draco chuckling caused me to relax and laugh along. "Dracoooooo! Put me down!" He obliged but pulled me to his chest tightly as soon as my feet hit the ground. "Draco?" I questioned.

"I'm never letting go. I don't want to ever let go," he insisted.

I couldn't help but let out another laugh. "Draco-"