Loving Bittersweet (Part Three of You Will Be The Death of Me)

Loving Bittersweet Chapter 17 Part 2

Leianna

I had heard the story of Dumbledore's sister, and I knew it wasn't a happy one. The situation that resulted in her death is not one people tended to talk about. Regardless, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl in the picture. She had died too young, a lot of life was left for her to live.

"I hope she brings news of Harry," Ginny says to no one in particular. I glance towards her. Just from the short time I was away from her I could tell worry had taken its toll on her features. She looked so much older.

"Or anyone in general," Neville adds, "We haven't' heard any news of anyone since before the attack in the muggle world last week."

I send a questionable look towards Neville. I didn't understand how a painting was capable of giving valuable information from the outside word, when Hogwarts was so compromised by deatheaters.

"This painting is connected to a secret tunnel," He explains, "It leads to Hogs Head Inn."

"Really?" I ask looking back to the painting, "And do you use it for more than just information?"

"Of course," he replies with a smile, "But we have to be careful," he smile falters some, "Even Hogsmeade is not safe."

I say nothing, I should have assumed that much. It wouldn't be easy to escape or have any enjoyment with Voldemort running everything. Instead I watch as the painting of Dumbledore's little sister stops as lays a note down. She then turns and begins her journey back the way she had come.

" I got it," Ginny exclaims as she walks towards the painting. As she approaches it, the painting swings back, just as the entry to the Gryffindor Tower does, and she reaches inside taking the small parchment paper up in her hand.

She opens it eagerly, "It's about Harry," she says shortly as she continues to read, "They think he has been spotted near here."

A lot of people looked worried, as if they feared what exactly that might mean. Others, looked relieved, even joyed, as if something good was going to happen.

I personally had mixed feelings over the matter. I would be thrilled to see Harry, but I didn't want him to risk being caught by Voldemort or one of his followers. Every hope that could be left would be gone, he was our only hope in defeating Voldemort.

"Let's not read too much into it right now," Neville states breaking the silence, "It's not one hundred percent certain."

I followed his eyes to Ginny, who looked even more worried than before.

"Exactly," I state, "Perhaps its just a stunt to see how we all will react, maybe they think they could get information from us if we show a reaction to such news."

This causes Ginny to look up, "Possibly," she says, "You both are right."

I send her a sympathetic smile.

Everyone begins walking away, back to maybe whatever they were doing before. I took the opportunity to go talk to Ginny.

"So tell me," she says as she places the note in her pocket, "Tell me what happened with you after you were taken with Draco."

"Nothing much, we hid," I explain, keeping my answer broad.

"Must have been difficult, being around him, just you two, for such a long amount of time," she says.

I knew where she was hinting the conversation to go... She wanted to know if anything had happened between Draco and I.

"It wasn't as bad as you could imagine," I explain, "We hid in the muggle world."

This causes her eyes to widen, "The muggle world?"

"Yeah," I state, "With an old couple, I actually enjoyed being around them."

"And they never found out you were a witch?"

I knew she saw the frown appear on my face, "Not until we were caught."

"Are they okay?" she asks sounding concerned.

"I think so," I reply, "I really hope so."

Our conversation began to die off. So I begin asking her more about school, about how things were now. It wasn't until she said we needed to get ready for classes before we stopped talking.

I was really nervous about going to classes, would they torture me like they did the first years? After all, it was know I am part of Dumbledore's Army as well as a close contact of Harry Potter. Either way, I was bracing myself for hell that I can only assume I would receive.

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Draco P.O.V

Draco paced from one end of the headmasters office to the other.

"Are you positive she is here?" Snape, the new headmaster asked Draco.

"She has nowhere else to possibly go," Draco explained, "So can you ensure me that she will be okay regardless if she is here or not."

Snape let out a deep breath, "If she is here, I will try my best to make sure the Sweary girl is left alone by the other professors," he state, "Under one condition."

Draco stops pacing and looks to his old professor, the one who had always put out an effort for him.

"Stay here at Hogwarts as well," Snape states, "You know it is safer for you."

"I plan to, if she is here," Draco replies taking a seat in one of the chairs in front of Snape's desk.

"Regardless, you stay," he tells Draco standing.

"Fine, I will stay." How could he deny the new headmaster.

"Good, if that is all, I think you should return to your common room and prepare for your classes, you have a lot to catch up on."

Snape turns from Draco dismissing him. 

Draco stands and begins making his way towards the exit of the office.

"Snape," he says stopping. He turns to see he has the Headmaster's attention, "Thank you, for everything.

Snape says nothing, just nods his head to Draco and turns his attention elsewhere.

Draco didn't know what to expect once he walked into the Slytherin Common room. He once held such power over the other students, would he still? He would at least try to seem the same as before, as if nothing had changed.

It was worth a shot at least.

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Leianna's P.O.V

As I walked down the hallway I tried not to notice the difference in the school. It seemed so dark, so dead. The hallways use to be so alive, so full of joy, but now were only filled with silence.

"Class is this way," Neville states quietly. I followed him in silence, that was until someone grabbed me by the arm and threw me into the wall with a hand over my mouth.