The One Who Could've Been

Emergency Evacuation

Did Anna never tell Cedric she and Draco were cousins? Probably not. Which is exactly why this is bad, really bad. I just had to get to him before he did something stupid. You know, like guys tend to do.
Draco was quick to notice Cedric was not in the room. He slowly pulled away from Anna and signaled at her to look over at Cedric. His eyes flooded with tears, Anna stood up and began approaching him. Only for him to say, "just get away from me. I should've known something was going on when you didn't come to me."
"When I didn't come to you?! You were the one who couldn't even look at me after seeing my mark," she screamed.
"Can you really blame me? You support Him of all people."
I intervene in Anna's defense and explain that she wants nothing to do with Voldemort or his marking of loyalty.
"Anna's birth mother is Draco's aunt," I say with restraint before looking over at Anna to ensure she was alright.
"I- I had no idea. Anna I'm sorry." Cedric reaches for her hand as his glimmering eyes shine above hers.
"Little too late for sorry, bud." Draco throws a punch in Cedrics face and knocks him unconscious.
"Draco what did you do!" Anna exclaims in shock.
Hell even I was shocked. I expect very little from Draco, safe to say I didn't expect this though.
Anna helped Cedric up off the ground as he regained consciousness. In an effort to conceal a full blown fight breaking out, I hold Draco back by holding onto his wrists tightly. Had he wanted to, he could have broken from my grip quite easily. I suppose you could say he just respected my wishes not to witness Cedric's death by beating in that moment.
Safe to say no one died that night. Except maybe my deeply buried hope that I didn't have feelings for Draco. Cause boy did I like this man.

Professor Dumbledore called for an emergency meeting Sunday night at 11:43. Whispers amongst students varied from those of troubled students, to punishments for certain houses, to whispers of war.
"Settle down children." Professor Dumbledore projected confidently.
"They're here"
I felt my heart drop down to my stomach as those words left Professor Dumbledore's lips. We knew exactly who she meant. Those around us however, not so much.
"We must evacuate the premises at once. This is to be done with diligence and caution. All of you are to return to your homes as Hogwarts is withstanding an emergency shutdown effective immediately!"
Only thing that took effect immediately was the surge of utter chaos.
Draco appeared more distraught than afraid. He kept his head down, his gaze directed at his shoes. I approached him and asked who he was avoiding because it was obvious something was wrong.
"I don't want to go home," he divulges. "My father will have me fight against you. We both know you'd lose against me."
He smiles and cracks a joke. Deep down I can see that he's just using humor to cover up his fears.
"You don't have to always stand behind your father Draco. You don't have to just obey his every command like a slave."
"Try telling him that," he complains sarcastically.
"Fine, I will." I really would if it meant I could ease his pain.
He grabs my arm and tilts his head, slightly shaking it with kind forgiving eyes.
"Please Nicole, don't."
"So is grabbing each other by the arm our thing now?" I try to lighten the mood with a joke. Usually he'd reciprocate my laughter and we'd move on. Not this time.
"Promise me you won't go anywhere near my father? Please."
Never did I think I'd receive a plea from Draco Malfoy.
"I won't, I promise."
He releases me from his grip. The moisture from his sweaty palms lingered around my wrist.
War is here.