You and me

Part 17 - What next ?

I sat in a secluded hallway, trying to regain my composture. I couldnt go into the common room this way.
My body ached and my heart ached even more. The more I tried to relax, the more difficult it got.

I was afraid. For Draco. For me. For our family. He was going to kill someone. But the look in his eyes suggested even more damage.

Professor Snape swore to protect him. That means, Draco should be safe. It WAS an unbreakable vow, after all. He had to keep it !

After an hour of this, I walked back to the common room, and found Harry sitting there with Ginny in his arms. I returned his map, thanking him, and went up to the dormitory. I sat on my bed, thinking about the night. I was scared beyond words.

The next day, Harry was gone. Draco was nowhere to be seen as well.
"Hes off with Dumbledore, I think" said Hermione, during dinner."Whats with you ?"
They were all looking at me.
"You look pale" said Ron. He pushed a goblet of pumpkin juice towards me.
"Have it" he said. "You need it"
I took a sip from it, my hands shaking.
"Are you ill ?" Ginny asked.
"No" I said. After a pause, I changed my mind.
"Yes, I feel wierd"
"Come on, lets go to bed" she said.

Something didnt feel right.

Half way through to the common room, we heard a loud explosion. There were students screaming.

"Whats that ?!" Ron said, running to a nearby window.
We went towards him, and looked out of the window. I was almost sure that I saw him running into the Dark Forest, with someother people. I backed away, my back hitting against a stone wall, and my head throbbing.
We saw as Professor McGonagall, and Tonks, among a few others, fighting Death Eaters.

"Run !" screamed Neville, urging us all to run to safety.
"Harrys gone after them !" Neville said ." Snape and Malfoy !"

I felt sick hearing it. Draco must have done it. He must have. Why would Harry go after him otherwise ?
Through the window, we saw the Dark Mark in the cloudy sky.

                               * * *
There was a crowd of students and teachers below the astronomy tower.
Dreading each step, we reached.
My knees felt weak, seeing what I feared the most.

Albus Dumbledore's lifeless body lay at the bottom of the tower. We could hear soft muffled sobs. I couldnt believe it. I couldnt believe that Draco could have done it. That this great man, admired by so many, was really gone.

Harry sat by his side, crying, and Ginny holding him in her arms.

                             * * *
It was last day of school and there were rumors that Hogwarts will no longer function. Either way, with the promise I gave Draco, I knew I wont be returing.

I found Harry near a window, looking out towards the the lake. There was one last thing I needed to know.
I walked up to him, and stood beside him.

" Harry"
He looked at me with tired eyes.
"Im sorry for your loss" I said.
He nodded.
We were silent for a monent.
"Did he do it ?" I asked, my voice breaking. "Did Draco do it ?"
"No" said Harry. "It wasnt him"
I stared at him.
"He wouldnt have done it" Harry said. "It was Snape"

It was so selfish, but I felt relief. I was breathing heavily, as if something was suffocating me till now.

I turned to him again, and asked, "So...whats next ?"
"Not school anyways" Harry said. "I have some things to finish"
And for the first time ever, he looked at me with trust. He knew that I was aware of his mission.
"And I hope you succeed"
He nodded.
"I hope so too"