The Girl Who Lived (Draco Malfoy x OC)

The Nightfall

September 17th 1996

Harper had one hell of a day, and that was an understatement.

It wasn't her coursework that was driving her mental either, it was in fact one of her friends. Parvati Patil. They weren't elbow to elbow, best of buddies or anything - Pavarti didn't do her hair like she did Lavender's - but they were always on good terms. Which is why Harper couldn't understand the sudden animosity the Patil twins held against her.

It all started in the morning after they received a letter from their parents. Harper was told via Hermione that the twins parents wanted them to return home. Of course, they blamed Harper. Because it was always Harper's fault.

"You've put strain on their family," Lavender tried to explain as they assisted Hermione in the library. Her loyal bookworm self was returning students books to their rightful position. "I'm sure it will wear off soon."

Harper raised a red-binded, Herbology book, the item floating out of her hand to slide itself into its respective spot. "Not likely, you should have seen the way Padma glared at me. Like Cruella de Vil level."

"Who?"

"Nevermind," Harper gruntled. "I'm expecting her to hex me soon."

"Now that's just unheard of," Hermione said. "The twins would never."

"And I don't think they actually blame you, Harp. It's not your fault there's evil in the world threatening lives and forcing parents to withdraw kids from school." Lavender said, levitating another book away.

No, it wasn't Harper's fault there was evil in the world, but perhaps it was her fault it was back.

The dark shadow of a memory lingered on her for the remainder of the night. She would never forget the pain and horror of the cemetery. How terrified she was to literally fall into a nightmare. The cold-blooded death of Cedric Diggory, the sight of Wormtail cutting his hand off and the pain of him drawing blood from her arm. And on top of it all, the absolute terror that struck her from the rebirth of Voldemort himself. It was the worst experience of her entire life, she couldn't imagine anything worse.

She dreamt of the graveyard that night. Even after a year Harper was haunted by the memory. She woke up, her cheeks wet and her body bathed in a cold sweat. The sheets were twisted around her limbs due to thrashing in her sleep. How could she even call it a nightmare if it didn't leave her presence when she was awake? Drawing her legs close to her, she slid out of bed, her legs trembling in its aftermath. Everytime she woke up from a nightmare, she needed fresh air.

The cold wind of the night swept over her like water. Harper found herself standing in the centre of the Stone Bridge, relishing the refreshing air that blew the cobwebs out of her head. She pulled her dark robe closer, a birthday gift from Lavender, keeping her arms shielded from the breeze. She sat down between the thick balusters, the high handrail above her, and swung her legs over the edge - sitting on the very edge of the landing. Hermione hated whenever she sat like this on bridges, afraid she would topple over and fall to her death. But Harper liked the perspective it gave her, to be as close to the edge as she could without going over.

"You could fall!" Hermione would scream.

"I could, or I could sit and admire the view," Harper would reply.

She smiled at the memory, enjoying the peace she had without her friend reprimanding her. It wasn't that Harper was a daredevil seeking a thrill, she just enjoyed being fearless. And after the dreadful dream she just had, she needed to feel fearless.

⋄⋄⋄

He wheezed. Then he gargled. Then he snorted. Draco pulled his pillow over his head, infuriated by Crabbe's incessant snoring. He may as well had been bloody sawing logs in his sleep. It would probably be quieter! Impatient, tired and downright sick of it, Draco whipped up and pointed his wand at Crabbe's bed.