d o v e

f i f t e e n

Alexandra was surprised, but happy, when Draco didn't reject her. Instead, she felt his body relax as he pulled her closer to him. He knew the minute he pulled away he would be brought back to the dark reality that is his task, and that is something he didn't exactly miss in the moment.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then," Alex said, pulling away. She smiled, leaving Draco in the hallway as she walked back to her friends. A smirk grew on Draco's face as he watched her walk away, heading back to his common room with his chin held high.

The next morning at breakfast, both Alex and Draco were obviously eager to meet again. Alex kept playing with her food while Draco's leg shook erratically under the table.

"What's gotten into you, mate? One day you're acting like a dead man walking, and now you're bouncing off the walls. Valentine's Day treat you well?" Crabbe joked, making his friends laugh. Draco noticed Alexandra get up, and he was quick to follow her. With people constantly walking in and out, his rather daft friends didn't notice.

After Valentine's Day, Draco and Alexandra's weekly meetings quickly turned into daily ones. Hermione and Ginny knew, but Harry and Ron were still oblivious as they had been to everything recently. That was until Harry noticed both of them looking rather disheveled one evening at dinner.

"You seemed more accepting when she told you she slept with Tom Riddle," Ginny pointed out when Harry began complaining.

"Snogged, and that's different," he defended.

"How so?" Ginny tested, crossing her arms. "According to you, they're both equally horrible. The only difference is that one man makes her fear for her life while the other makes her smile. You've got no real proof that he's anything more than an arse, and, until you do, you should at least act supportive."

Harry sighed, sitting back in his chair and continuing to read his book while Ginny kept herself busy away from him. Meanwhile, Dumbledore finally decided it was a good time to check in with Alexandra.

"Has he visited?" He asked.

"You knew he would?" Dumbledore nodded.

"When did he visit last?"

"Before the holidays. I haven't necessarily been allowing him to visit, sir," Alexandra explained. "It's not the most exciting of interactions."

"Well, I'm happy to tell you that they're not required. However-"

"They affect how he treats myself and my friends in the future. I know," she told him. "I'm not exactly expecting to live through the war. I've accepted that. I've done my part at a great expense, and I'm not willing to continue."

"That is not why I called you here," Dumbledore smiled. "I wanted to congratulate you on your success. If it wasn't for that split second of distraction in the Department of Mysteries, I'm afraid I may not have succeeded in defeating him in the moment."

"So, my job is done?" Alexandra asked hopefully.

"In the past, yes. You must now focus on your job for the future," he explained. Alexandra frowned, about to protest when he continued. "You must survive. That, I am confident you can accomplish. You're a bright and powerful witch, Miss River. Do not doubt yourself."

"Is that all?" Alexandra asked, practically begging to leave. Dumbledore nodded, letting her go.

"Oh, Miss River," he called, causing her to stop in her tracks. "Give Mr. Malfoy my warmest regards, and feel free to take a candy on your way out.

Dumbledore smiled at the girl as she walked out of his office, relaxing when she didn't take a candy. Alexandra, however, was frustrated. Since returning, she's had a great distaste for Dumbledore. All he's done is lie to her and use her, and she didn't believe he would ever stop. More recently, she's been wondering if he's lied to any of her friends as well. He wasn't to be trusted, especially now, but there was still a small part of her that somewhat appreciated him for it all.

"The candles have finally burnt out, I see," Alexandra joked, noticing how dark it was in the room as she entered.

"Come here," Draco encouraged, putting his hand out. "Take my hand and close your eyes. I want to show you something."

"Alright," Alexandra said skeptically, doing as he requested. There was a strange sensation as she felt the room change around her; even with her eyes closed she could tell that there's significantly less space around her. She opened her eyes to find herself in a room filled with what simply resembled clutter. "Is this where it is? The vanishing cabinet?"

"Yes," Draco whispered, holding her hand as he guided her to it.

"I hope you know I'm going to be here with you. I can't let you do this alone," Alexandra frowned, hating that Draco was given this kind of task at such a young age. She knew he wasn't capable of doing it, but she would never tell him that. That is something he's meant to figure out on his own.

"They can't see you," he protested.

"I don't care," she fought.

"You don't understand," Draco continued, his voice growing louder. His breathing picked up and became increasingly more staggered as he struck up the courage to admit something he never thought he would. "Killing Dumbledore isn't the only thing he sent us to do that night. He wants you as well."

"Then let him take me," she said confidently, despite being utterly terrified.

"I can't do that," he cried. "I can't."

"You have to," Alexandra whispered, holding his hands tightly in her own. "I'd much rather him capture me than kill you, Draco."

"Alexandra-"

"I won't let you lose your life over mine when I could very well survive this."

"What if you don't?"

"Then I don't," Alexandra shrugged. "I've been preparing for this from the moment I met Tom Riddle. I'm ready. I need you to promise me you won't try and stop me. Please."

Draco nodded, taking ahold of her hand. Not making the promise out loud made it easier for him to lie to her.

"They're going to take you to the Manor. I'll be there with you," he told her. "I'll protect you, I swear it. I'll make the unbreakable vow-"

"Don't be silly," Alexandra chuckled. She appreciated his concern, but she would never let him do such a thing. She'd obliviate his memories of her before letting him risk his life for her and her mistakes. "Show me what you've done."

Knowing very well he was unsuccessful in transferring live things at the moment, he decided to backtrack and show her what he's done with inanimate objects. Focusing more than he's ever done before, he easily sent an apple to the sister cabinet and back. She smiled, picking the now bitten apple out of the cabinet and holding it in her hands. "It's brilliant."

"It could be better," he said, obviously not greatly confident in himself. She walked towards him, playing with the collar of his suit jacket

"You'll make it better. I know you will," she smiled, hopefully giving him some of the confidence he needs.

"Imagine what Potter would say," Draco chuckled, almost not believing how encouraging she was being. Not only did she offer to be there with him, but she said she would give her life away to save his; something he didn't realize she had already been doing.

"Do you want me to kiss you?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I do," he smirked, pulling her close to him.

"Then maybe you shouldn't mention Harry."