Thick Smoke

Risk

The moon raised high on the sky and illuminated the manor and the grounds around, especially the lawn which seemed never ending. The clouds hovered over the manor and every time the wind picked up or rain poured down, mist would cover the manor and hide the horizon from the eyes of those inside.

Eliza found herself in front of the window in the library, surrounded by books and house elves who were tidying it up quietly.

Ever since she had that discussion with Snape a few days ago, Eliza's been coming to the library every night. She'd stand in the same spot in front of the window and stare ahead with no expression whatsoever. Those green eyes darkened even more as reality settled in and she let go of the little hope she had.

That was how Draco found her one night, her hands hanging loosely alongside her body and eyes sore.

Unfortunately, Draco wasn't the most fit person to tell her that everything will be alright because he knew those words were meaningless. Darkness was spreading throughout the whole world and nothing could stop Voldemort's ascendance.

"Potter was moved last night," He announced walking closer, "Alastor Moody was killed in the process and one of the Weasley scu-brothers was wounded." He informed her.

But Eliza only blinked and looked down at her hands; those long fingers were covered in blood even if it was only theoretically. She could have been there, protecting her friends but instead, she was confined in a cold house whose inhabitants were scared for their lives.

The blond sighed and ushered the house elves to leave.

"What do you think they are doing now?" He asked once they were left alone.

"He's all alone." She whispered.

It was amazing how tall she got over the years; she was almost one head smaller than him and she was incredibly thin after all the torture she's been through. But she wasn't complaining.

Draco sneered, "I doubt it. It seems there will be a wedding. In such dark times, a Weasley decides to marry. It doesn't even surprise me with their-" He stopped when she hit him.

"At least someone's still positive during the war."

"Not for long." His voice was full of sarcasm and irony and she was tired of it.

Eliza walked towards the door with a heavy heart and heavy steps. Once she entered her room, she took a long look around and sighed. She was so, so lonely.

Draco left early next morning saying that he needed to buy stuff for Hogwarts. He wandered the streets of Diagon Alley, a light chill going down his spine when he noticed that every store that used to brighten his childhood was either closed or destroyed. It was a bad sight and the silence was spreading quickly.

He wanted to buy something for her, especially because she looked like she needed something to brighten up her mood. The blond sneered at the silly store of the Weasley twins and passed it quickly.

Going down the street, he was wondering what exactly Eliza liked. He never asked her anything personal and he didn't even help her during those three months of terror. His family has literally become prisoners into their own house and no one was allowed to get Eliza off the propriety.

While being immersed in his thoughts, Draco ignored his surroundings and the person following him from the shadows. The shock came when the blond was pushed against the wall in a darker corner of the same street, right across Olivander's.

"Where is she?" It was the husky voice of a man who's been working too much.

Draco glanced over his shoulder but couldn't see much. The man turned him around and pointed the tip of his wand at his pale neck.