and I stand with you

twenty-one

Late one night I was sitting in front of the vanishing cabinet, flipping through a book on how to fix it, when I came across a weird spell I hadn't seen before. Most of it was in Latin, but I tried my best as I waved my wand at it.
"Semel fractis iam paratum." Red sparks flowed from the tip of my wand, and suddenly the cabinet looked brand new. A little dusty, but nonetheless fixed. I took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping in. I waited until the whooshing sensation was over before I opened the door, and it creaked loudly, echoing in the dark room.
"You've done it!" Bellatrix rose from the shadows, an evil smile across her face. I nodded, looking down at the floor and kneeling in front of her as I was always instructed to do. Her heels clicked on the cold floor as she walked to the front of me, patting my head like a dog.
"Brilliant." She whispered, kneeling down so we were eye to eye.
"I hope I have pleased you." I said firmly, but not too firm as to upset her.
"Oh darling, you've done wonderfully." Her voice was raspy, as always, and held a tone that chilled me to my core. Something though, as wild as it may be, sparked calmness in me, and I stood with her as equals.
"Can I meet with him? Will you take me?" I eagerly asked her, and she started laughing.
"You can call on him whenever. You've got the mark, Black. You're one of us." She dug her wand into her wrist, and dark clouds appeared around us both.
"Bella. Octavia." We both bowed to him, before we started to explain why we called him.
"No-" he interrupted Bellatrix, looking directly at me, "tell me why you call of me, Octavia." He stood deathly still.
"I've fixed the cabinet, my lord". I told him, turning to show him it was behind me. He walked forward, touching the wood with his long pale fingers, and nodded.
"Well done, Octavia. I knew you'd prove useful." He told me before disappearing once more. Bellatrix helped me back into the cabinet before giving me a grimly smile.
"Give Draco a kiss for me, won't you?" I nodded and went to shut the door, but she stopped me to say one final thing.
"Big things are coming. Best to be prepared to fight." Her wicked smile covered her face once more before she shut the door and I was returned to Hogwarts with a whoosh.

I rushed to find Draco in the common room, who was sitting with a few other students, ignoring them talk.
"Get out." I deadpanned to the rest of them, and they gave me a scared look before all running to their dorms.
"Draco, I did it. It's done. We don't have to worry about fixing it anymore." I smiled, but frowned when I remembered we weren't completely finished.
"Just a little longer before we can have a normal life." He grabbed my hand, and I gave him a sincere look.
"I tried to give him a hexed necklace but a girl from another house touched it." He scoffed, and I peaked my head at him.
"It didn't work." He rolled his eyes, throwing his head back.
"We will figure it out." I assured him, before falling asleep on his shoulder.

I hoped we would figure it out, but I knew it would be a long time before we would.

Whatever the Dark Lords plans were, didn't take into action for the rest of the school year. So, as summer came, my aunt invited me to her house for the summer. I accepted for the second year in a row, but not to get information for the Order this time. Narcissa was lovely, and I felt like I needed to be with Draco. When I entered my old room, it was like nothing had changed since last summer. The bedding was the same, everything was a tad cleaned up, and some of my things still remained from last time. A small black box sat upon my desk, with a tiny red bow adorning the top. I picked up the note next to it.

Octavia
There isn't a way to forget you.
F.W

I opened the box, and inside was a dainty ring, with a thin band, and a couple simple jewels.
"Oh, wow." I audibly gasped, reading the note once more. Fred had found a way to put this here, to make sure I got it. I slowly slipped on on my finger, and the metal heated up around my skin quickly. It wasn't enough to burn, and I felt it cool down just as quickly as it got hot. I furrowed my brows as I looked at it, wondering if it was charmed. I touched it once, and it warmed up once more. It must be charmed.
"Octavia?" Draco opened my door and I shoved the box in my drawer before facing him.
"Hi." He pulled me into a hug.
"What's wrong?" I asked when he didn't let go.
"I'm just stressed." He sighed, and I felt his whole body relax from the tense state against me.
"Me too." I pulled away, sitting down on the edge of my bed. I grabbed Dracos arm and pulled him down next to me, seeing a flash of silver on his wrist.
"You still wear this?" I looked down at it.
"Of course." He cupped my cheek, looking down at me.
"You smell good." He smiled, rubbing his thumb on my bottom lip.
"I always smell good." I giggled, pushing him backwards onto the bed. I climbed on top of him, and he slid his hands up my thighs.
"I missed this." I kissed him, going for more with each touch. A knock on the door telling us breakfast was ready interrupted us, and we pulled apart laughing when we heard the footsteps go away.

And everything, for once, was just remotely normal.

Of course, nothing ever stays to a dime of normalcy.

When I got a letter from the order telling me I needed to come help, I dropped everything and aparated away.