Double Trouble

Chapter 9- Malfoy Manor

Months have gone by without Veronica, and it has not been easy. I would catch her eyes once in a while and she would quickly look away. My tasks as a death eater are becoming more and more stressful. Stress has been taken over my body as I have not been eating much. All I've been thinking about is other assignments I can take on besides bringing the twins to the Dark Lord. I've been spending my time in the room of requirements practicing my vanishing cabinet spell. We were getting ready to leave the school for winter break, which meant I needed to succeed in my assignment or I will be punished or killed.

Veronica's POV

We returned to school. I needed winter break to get away and clear my mind. I tried my hardest to not think of Draco, and Sage did a good job trying to occupy me. It is time to go back and get my life together, without Draco. I caught a small glimpse of Draco in the halls while I was walking with Sage out the courtyard. He looked like hell. He looked like he hasn't slept in months and has rarely been eating. It hurts me to see him like this. I wanted to run over and give him a hug, but I know I can't. I shouldn't. I don't need him anymore. I sat with Sage and her friends outside. Sage was catching snowflakes on her tongue while Harry was throwing snowballs at Ron. After a couple of minutes the boys settled down and we discussed our holiday.

"Harry...you know it's probably time." Hermione said. We all knew what she was talking about. Harry needed to get rid of the Half-blood Prince's potion's book.

"I know." He said upset. Apparently while spending Christmas at the Weasley's, one of the hexes that was written didn't go well when Harry used it on one of the gnomes that roams the Weasley's garden. It bounced off hitting Ron causing him to repair his nose.

"Come on. I know a good place." Sage said grabbing Harry's arm and they walk away to destroy the book. I continued to hang out with Ron and Hermione and their awkward tension. I saw Milly walk by and I got up and walked towards her.

"Hello, sis." She welcomes me with a hug and we continue to walk. "How have you been?"

"I'm hanging in there. But better." She smiles at me and then looks away.

"I know I promised to not talk about him, but I am worried about Draco. V, Axel says he hasn't been eating and he is paler and skinner." I looked away knowing what I saw was true. Something isn't right, and I know I'm not the one who's doing this to him.

"Have you tried talking to him?"

"Please, he is more emotionless than he was before you. He's not even speaking to Crabbe or Goyle. Not even Blaise, and we all know about their bromance."

"Yeah, that's not normal."

Draco has been disappearing a lot lately. I asked to see Harry's marauder's map to see where he's been going but he ends up disappearing. I started to get worried and afraid for his safety. After I found out he is a death eater, I've been extremely nervous and terrified for his life. I want nothing more than to run away with him and live feeling safe together.

"V...it's been weeks."

"Okay?"

"You've been watching Draco for weeks now. Just give it a rest." Sage said with worry in her voice. I slowly handed Harry back his map and looked away with embarrassment. I don't know why I'm so addicted to watching him. I guess because watching him meant he was still alive. It gave me some hope to know he was still okay.

I finished up my dinner with the other Slytherins. Once again, Draco didn't show up to dinner. This time was different though. He hasn't been here for the whole weekend.

"Hey, wanna walk back together?" Pansy asks holding Goyle's hand.

"Oh, um no thanks. You guys go ahead. I need time to think. Going to take the long way." I smiled and walked away. I started to walk the opposite way giving some time to clear my head. I turned down the hall and everything went stiff and black.