Home To You (a Draco Malfoy Love Story)

The Battle of Hogwarts

Mel sat in the Room of Requirement alongside Neville and Lavender Brown, and the remainder of Dumbledore's Army - about twenty of them. Everyone else was either suspended, at home with their families or... worse. They'd been ousted from the castle - the Carrows and Snape had kicked them all out of school, but they couldn't get into the Room of Requirement. So this is where they sat, holded up for over two weeks. The door to the room opened, and Draco stepped in - the only Slytherin it would open for. He looked ill - he always did these days. Since they'd returned to school a month ago, it seemed like the light had left his eyes. It was hard to watch.

"Hello there," she said, trying to cheer Draco up with a kiss. He responded listlessly. "Hey - are you okay? I feel like you aren't holding it together well," she said.

"I'm not," he replied honestly. "I don't know how much longer I can do this, Mel. I'm so... tired."

"We have to believe that it's almost over, Draco. I know it's hard."

"How can you believe that, though? We've been saying that every day for months."

"Because if I don't believe that, I'd be feeling like how you were, Draco. I'm really tired too," she said, her eyes filling with momentary tears. "But we don't have time for that! We don't have time to be tired. Just one step at a time, right?" She squeezed his hand until he responded.

"Right." He checked the time. "I think I should head out - I have class in a bit, and then I have a patrol. I'll see you later."

"I love you, Draco. It's going to be okay."

"Love you too," he responded, before darting outside. She sighed. She sat with Neville for the next hour or so. Suddenly, they looked up. The painting that connected them to Aberforth's home had moved - Ariana was walking towards them, beckoning them to follow her. Neville and Mel looked at each other.

"You should go, Neville. See what it is," she said. He nodded, hopping up and walking toward the painting. He disappeared as he stepped inside the passage.

"It's probably nothing," Mel said to Luna. But she was worried. Every time Ariana came for them, Mel was always worried it was a trap. Every time, she was worried that they'd discovered the passage to Hogwarts, and that Death Eaters would flood the room, killing them all.

"Probably," Luna agreed, but they sat and watched the painting all the same. Every minute that ticked by worried Mel more. Finally, they could see Neville's figure coming back - but he wasn't alone. Her blood ran cold.

"Hey - up, and ready," Mel shouted. They drew their wands, standing back from the painting, frozen as the door opened. Neville popped out.

"Hey guys - I've brought some visitors," Neville said, with the widest grin Mel thought she had ever seen. Then he stepped aside to reveal Harry, Ron and Hermione. They were looking worse for wear, and like they probably hadn't slept in months - but they were here. The group roared with excitement, and Mel felt Luna's arms around her as she realized she was crying. It was as if the room had gotten lighter - Mel felt like the stone that had been crushing her lungs for months had disappeared. Replacing it was the bright light of hope.

"We're here, Harry. And the others will be here soon, too," Neville said, holding up the old DA Galleons they'd been using to communicate. "We're here to help you - with whatever you need."

"I'm so glad to see all of you. But I can't ask you to do that," Harry started, before Seamus cut him off. 

"Harry, we've been living in the Room of Requirement for two weeks. We've been tortured by the Carrows for nine months. This is our fight too. We're here," he repeated, and they all nodded. Soon, the passage was expanding again, as older students appeared - including the Weasley family. Mel looked at Ginny's face, which was shining with tears as she looked up at Harry and her brother. It felt like the tide was turning - there was a chance.