Little Miss Mudblood

Chapter 33: Ultimatum

  The battle rages on. I already have cuts all over my face and arms, my pants are ripped. I lost track of my friends. We got separated once things started. I keep my eyes peeled for Draco, who I haven't seen since before dinner. Where could he be?

  Abruptly, I get hit with a spell. I go down as the pain scorches through me. I get up, just as I'm about to throw a curse back, Draco jumps in front of me. He throws a spell, grabs my arm, and whisks me away into a surprisingly deserted hallway.

Pushing me up against the wall, he pins me there with his mouth opening mine, his tongue explores my mouth. This is different than anything we shared before. It's deep and long, all our emotions go into this, because this really could be our last. We breakaway, tears streaking our faces. I pull him into a hug, breathing in his scent of apples. I want to remember the feeling of his arms around me and his smell forever.

"You mean so much to me. I will forever be grateful for how you have changed me for the better. I'll love you forever, Artemis."

I look up at his eyes, fear is soaked in them. "I love you, Draco Malfoy. Thank you for teaching me that I could love again."

We stay in that embrace until we hear screams around the corner. It's Ginny! I never let go of Draco's hand and rush with him to her. She is standing over a red headed man, who has both his ears. It's Fred.

I let go of Draco and kneel next to my best friend. He isn't breathing. I place his head in my lap and sob. Draco comes behind me and holds me. We take Fred's cold body to the Great Hall, one by one the other Weasley's come. Everything is a blur as I can't stop crying. Draco's arms never leave me, even when George comes and I hold him as well.

A shrill laugh comes from the entrance. It's Bellatrix coming to taunt us because of our loses. Draco tenses, "We have to go. She can't see me."

I stand my ground facing him, "No, you either stay with me now or never."

This isn't the time for ultimatums, but I can't leave my friends, who are more like my family. Shockingly, Draco slips away from me, his face conflicted.

"I can't. I'm sorry." And just like that he left me again.

I can't feel sorry, not now. I watch him run out. Mrs. Weasley goes against Bellatrix, making her turn into ask. In this moment we all walk outside to continue the fight.

Once out, we see Voldemort, he proclaims, "Harry Potter is dead."

I go still. And that's when I see Hagrid, holding a very still body. My breath hitches.

Ginny shouts out in anguish. I grab her as she tries to run to him, I hold her against me. I know exactly how she is feeling in this moment. Voldemort is speaking, but I can't stand to listen, until he says a name.

"Ah, Draco, my boy. Please come here where you belong."

That's when I see that white haired boy, who keeps leaving me, walk towards his Dark Lord.

I push away from Ginny and run towards him. "Draco! Stop! You have a choice, choose us, choose me!" It all comes out as I'm running.

George grabs my arm and pulls me in before I get too close. I look at Draco, begging him to come back. His eyes tell me he is sorry, but he goes into the embrace of Voldemort. I'm left shattered again.