d o v e

s e v e n

"That old bastard is a bloody liar," Draco said angrily, standing up. "He knew how dangerous it was to send you there, and he did it anyway. He's mad! He could've killed you!"

"Draco-" she started, standing up and walking towards him.

"He lied to you. He took your life from you. Aren't you angry?"

"He didn't. I-"

"He knows no good comes from messing with time, it's basic knowledge. I can't believe your friends let you do that. I always knew Potter would-" Draco sighed, stopping mid-sentence before he said the wrong thing. "Why'd you show me all of this?"

"You asked," she explained. "I thought telling you everything would convince you to trust me. You need someone to confide in."

"I'm not going to let you carry this burden with me," he frowned, now understanding why she's suddenly so concerned for him. "You've obviously dealt with enough."

"Please. I swear to you, I'll take this to my grave. Talk to me," she begged.

Draco sighed, looking down at his feet for a moment in thought before looking back up at Alexandra. Right now, he trusted her more than anyone.

"There's something called a vanishing cabinet I'm meant to find here in the Room of Requirement. It creates a passage into the castle," he gave in, feeling a strong sense of relief. "I'm to mend it."

"And I reckon you'll be killed if you don't?" Alexandra asked, noticing the fear in his tone as he explained the task at hand. He nodded, and she frowned. "There's more you're not telling me."

"He's sent me to kill Dumbledore."

As soon as those words left his mouth, Alexandra's heart fell to the floor.

"Oh, my god," she gasped almost breathlessly.

"I was told if Dumbledore doesn't die that night, I do," he continued.

"I will kill you, and the Malfoy boy."

"I shouldn't have said anything," Draco retracted, noticing the pure fear filling Alexandra's eyes. He thought she was afraid of him, but it was the opposite. She was afraid for him.

"No," she assured, grabbing his hand. "No, it's alright."

She gently held the end of Draco's sleeve, rolling it up when he didn't protest. She traced the mark with her thumb as Draco seemed to fall slightly more calm. Alexandra, to Draco, was the only constant in his life. After all these years, she's stood by him. Despite everything he's done, he never changed in her eyes.

"You're putting yourself in danger," he told her, referring to her involvement with him in more ways than one.

"I'm not afraid," she said, looking up at him. She was honestly terrified, but she couldn't admit that to him. Not now. "Are you?"

Draco hesitated, but then shook his head. Like Alexandra, he lied.

"Good," she smiled, stepping back. He held his breath for a moment before clearing his throat.

"Same time tomorrow, then?" He asked. She nodded, answering his question. He nodded as well, composing himself before walking out of the room. As soon as the door shut, Alexandra let out an extremely deep breath she had been holding in followed by a scream. During her few moments alone, she took it upon herself to let out all of the anger and fear that had built up inside of her. She screamed and cried as loud as she could, knowing nobody could hear her. When she had finally began to calm down, she laid flat on her back and took deep breaths as she stared at the ceiling above her. Standing up and fixing her robes, she exited the room as if nothing had happened.

On her way out, she couldn't help but notice a bright green apple sitting alone on a small table. She smiled lightly, picking it up.

"Took him long enough."