Bulletproof Heart | A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction | Sequel to Desolation Row

Chapter 6

It had been a week since Snape had apparated into our living room, informing us that as much he could do to keep Draco and I safe was to try and find us somewhere else to live. We hadn't heard from him since. Each Draco and I had taken it in turns to cast protection spells on the house. We had been attempting to do it discreetly so that even a witch or wizard may not see them unless they attempted to bypass them. It was Draco's turn this morning. I had just had my shower and was currently pouring myself a cup of coffee, my back to the living room, when I heard a noise. Draco was in the back garden so it couldn't have been him. Clutching my hot coffee in one hand and my wand, behind my back, in the other, I crossed into the living room. Sat on our sofa, staring out of our window was Snape.
"P-please te-te-tell me y-you've foun-found so-o-mewhe-where?" I said, my voice hoarse as I stared at my ex-Professor.
"Ophelia, I am so very sorry."
My heart dropped. There was nowhere for us to go. Lucius Malfoy knew where we lived but Snape couldn't find us anywhere safer to move to. Bullshit. He just couldn't be bothered or he was too busy protecting his own arse. I heard Draco shut the back door and cross through the archway into the living room. Turning to face him, I felt a tear course a path down my face. Draco rushed over to me, pulling me into a warm hug and rubbing my back. I was aware of him yelling at Snape but I was trying to block it out. Snape was apologising profusely before I heard his offer to put his own protective spells on the house.
"No," I said defiantly, turning to face Snape, my tears having now ceased. "W-we can't p-p-p-put you in an-an-anymore dang-anger. Hel-helping us so ov-ov-overtly will only be det-detrimental to you."
Snape nodded before he looked up at me.
"I do have good news, however," he began, searching my eyes. "Madeleine and Edward have been moved to Beauxbatons Academy."
My heart stopped before I slight smile of relief played on my lips. My siblings were safe. They were with Elisa's siblings and they were safe.
After that bombshell of good news, Snape prepared himself to leave. I wasn't nearly as mad at him as when he had first arrived and I even shot him a sympathetic smile when he left. Looking up at Draco, I smiled broadly.
"Th-they're s-safe, Dray. My s-sib-siblings are s-safe."
Draco nodded and pulled me into a hug. At least among all of this there was something happy we could focus on. Our list of happy things seemed to be growing. We had Elisa's pregnancy to look forward to on top of Duchess's and now the knowledge that my twins were going to be safe. It was almost like we wouldn't have to worry about the war that was eventually going to crush us all but I didn't want to be that naïve, I know we'd have to face it one day, just not today.

We had six days until Halloween and for some reason, Draco had been pressing that we go and buy muggle Halloween decorations for days. Today was the first day that I hadn't felt like I was going to collapse if I didn't get at least three coffees down my throat before 10am; I had managed to sleep a full night last night. Finally, I was able to fall into a normal sleeping pattern again and surprisingly I wasn't plagued by any nightmares or panic attacks. We were preparing to head out and I was currently attempting to remove Buchanan from where he had decided to sleep on my jacket.
"Buck, c-c-come on." I negotiated, trying to pull it out from underneath him.
It took me a further 10 minutes but eventually I was ready to leave. We had studied the bus timetable for hours and had rehearsed what we were going to say. Muggle transport was neither one of out strong points and it was safe to safe we were both terrfied. Having memorised the name of where we had to get off, I clutched my muggle money tightly as we waited at the bus stop. It wasn't long before the bus pulled up and we stepped on. We successfully gave the driver our money and collected our tickets before sitting as close to the front of the bus as we could. I wasn't going to lie, we were both fascinated by the whole endevaour as we listened closely to the tinny voice that came through the intercom, naming each stop. It wasn't too long before the name I had memorised was called out over the intercom and I pressed the red button on the pole beside my head. Dazed, the both of us stepped off the bus and into the chill of the street. We shared a brief look of amazement - muggles sometimes! - before heading down the road in the direction of the Halloween store. As Draco and I drew level with the door, I grinned. I rarely visited muggle shops but whenever I did I was always fascinated and bought the most unnecessary items. As we wandered through the doors, I grabbed Draco's hand and smiled boradly at the assistant stacking shelves near the entrance. All we actually needed was a costume each but I knew we would end up with a hell of a lot more.

I was right. Draco and I were sat together on the bus, a full plastic bag each. A few people in the shop had given us weird looks as we piled anything and everything (including matching costumes for the cats) into the basket but we didn't care, we were way too excited about what we were buying to actually care. The bus journey seemed much longer on the way back but I'm sure that was down to the anticipation of getting home.
When we finally did get home we were so excited to get inside that we nearly collided with a young boy getting on the bus.
"S-s-sorry!" I said, smiling at his as he turned to look at me.
His electric blue eyes made contact with mine and a jolt went through me. I was reminded of the only time I had taken muggle transport before when my father took my siblings and I for an adventure but I wasn't sure why that memory was suddenly so vivid. I was pulled out of my reverie by Draco leading me from the bus and onto the pavement. I shook my head and started down the road, towards the house suddenly very excited about our purchases again. Draco laughed and followed me down the road, pulling the key from his back pocket and opening the door for us. Buchanan and Duchess gave us very disgruntled looks before prancing off into the front room (Buchanan would get very offended if he heard me say that he pranced). I dropped my bag on the stairs and gave it a longing look before Draco chuckled.
"Lia, you can't start putting up decorations six days before Halloween!"
"S-s-says who?" I asked defensively with a laugh. All Draco did was shake his head and laugh, following our cats into the front room.
I trailed closely behind and threw myself down on the sofa, letting out a heavy sigh. For someone unknown reason, this strange muggle tradition was becoming increasingly important to me. It was a break, a way out, an escape from this fucking war and fucking hell did I need that right now.

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Hey guys!!

I hope you all enjoy this chapter, writing domestic Drophelia is one of my favourite things to do!! I'm sorry I haven't updated for a while, I've been sitting my GCSEs and that's menat I haven't really had any time to write but I promise that once they're over I'll slip into a proper pattern again!!

Anyway, thank you so much for reading, I love you all so much!!

- Izzy xx