Henrietta Potter And The Slytherin Child - (A 'Henrietta Potter' sequel) || D.M

73 - Hallow's Eve

I could feel him, I could feel the death he carried with him. I could feel him heading nearer and nearer towards the house where my parents were spending their very last moments.

My feet had started moving, and I found myself suddenly stumbling towards the exit of the church.

"Etta!" Draco called after me. "Etta, what are you doing?"

"I can't let them die," I choked, as I reached the doorway, throwing it open into the cool night air, "I have to save them."

"No! Etta!" Draco yelled, hastily striding across the church, panic choking his voice. "Don't be stupid! Please!"

But I didn't stop; I couldn't. It felt as though I was being driven by another force - a much stronger one than I'd ever known: a child desperately wanting their parents.

"Etta!" Draco bellowed right behind me, but it was as though his voice was coming from far, faraway.

I marched on, only half aware of Draco grabbing at my arms, desperately trying to halt me. But I shrugged him off, determined that nothing would stop me.

"Please, Etta!" He implored, managing to get a firmer grip on my arm so that I was forced to whip violently around. "Don't do this! You've got to let it happen - you know you do! This is what this has all been about!"

"DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?" I bellowed in his face, rage making me see only red. "I CAN'T JUST STAND BY AND ALLOW HIM TO MURDER MY PARENTS AGAIN!"

Tears were rolling down my cheeks as I tried to wrestle my arm out of Draco's painful grip. I could see the house up ahead and put all my concentration in getting there before Voldemort.

Finally, wrenching myself free, I broke into a run.

"MUM!"

I glanced back over my shoulder to see Albus running at full pelt towards me. He looked frightened, afraid.

I hesitated, looking desperately from my son to my parent's house, trying to fight the conflicting emotions going on inside my head. I felt panicked and frightened. I didn't know what to do.

"Shit, Etta!" Draco panted as he caught up with me again, pulling me fiercely to him. This time I didn't try to pull away - I just stood there numbly instead, watching as our son raced towards us.

"Bloody hell, Mum! Don't scare me like that!" Albus gasped breathlessly, having caught up. His eyes met mine and the fear in them made my heart twist horribly.

And, as my eyes darted between Draco and our son, I realised I wouldn't do it - I couldn't save my parents - because then I could risk erasing everything I had, and everything I had fought for - Albus, Scorpius, Draco.

A deep, unbearable sadness filled every inch of my being, and I collapsed sobbing against Draco's chest at the horrific knowledge that I had to let it happen. I had to let my parents die.

"We can go back now, my love," Draco murmured softly as he clasped his hand to the back of my head and pressed his lips against my scar, "we don't have to be here for it."

But something inside me told me so strongly that I needed to witness this.

"I'm letting it happen," I wept, wiping my damp face, "so I need to do this. For me... for them."

Draco nodded, understanding, "I'll be with you the whole time."

"And me too, Mum," Albus said, gently cupping his hand to my elbow, "you don't have to go through this alone."