I sighed, “so, if you all know what is good for you - you won’t fly tonight because trust me none of you will survive”

Hermione’s head shot up from that, “Why not?”

“The Dark Lord is in the air tonight and he will kill every last one of you until Potter is dead” I sighed, “I hate to break it to you all”

“No time for apologies - I believe we have a plan to invade” the Dark Lord said and rose from his seat - his snake like features glistened in the candlelight before his crimson eyes ran over everyone in the room and then fled from the room

“At the time… you were worth it, Tilly” Zabini said, “I just cocked up in a big way and it was my fault that you ended up with Malfoy and not me”

I sighed and nodded, “I suppose”

“I’m still sorry for that” Zabini said.

“It’s a new year, just forget about it” I smiled.

“Take it from someone who knows Draco well. You have to cut it off because he will make the end brutal if you let him do it” Violet shrugged, “I know it’s hard to think about… but it’s best to do it while you can than to wait around on a miracle that is never going to happen”

I could’ve cried, but I resisted, “Really?”

“My boy” Lucius smiled, “you’ve grown”

“That’s because you haven’t seen me in a year or so, father” Malfoy said with bitterness in his voice.

“I didn’t choose to go, Draco” Lucius grunted.

“I didn’t choose to be here, father” Malfoy said, “sometimes it’s necessary”

“I know” I said and pinched my lips together, “I can handle myself”

“You didn’t the first time, who says that you will this time?” Malfoy asked.

“Is that doubt in me?” I asked.

“Yes, it is” Malfoy said, “because I don’t want to be the one to wipe up your tears afterwards”

“Oh trust me” I growled, “I WOULD NEVER COME TO YOU!”

“Tilly” Draco sighed and put his plate down at the side of the sink and put his hands on my hips, “I don’t want to hurt you”

“You just did” I muttered.

Draco grunted, “I’m a heartless, Tilly”

“Tell me something that I don’t know” I said and took his hands away from my waist.

I visualised it and I thought about every tiny detail and then my hand started to shake and I could feel it happening right in the core of my body

Neville looked at me, his eyes looking like he was trying to search me for some sort of trick, “You attacked a teacher”

“I’ve done worse” I said and looked at Seamus, “it was for a friend, so it was worth it”

“It was stupid” Neville sighed.

I nodded, “I know that."

I felt like I should never have been away from the feeling that I had for him, I shouldn’t have tried to push myself away from him when I clearly didn’t want to. I was scared of being hurt but being away, hurt me and him as well, and I wasn’t worth that much.

“Don’t promise that, if you don’t intend to keep the promise” I muttered.

He smirked, “You really don’t understand what kind of idiocy I would go through to be with you, do you? Look Tilly, you mean the world to me and we may fight like we hate each other but that’s never going to be the case. I’m going to be with you all the way”

 

“You seem to be getting on with these lot fine” Hermione said.

“Only because I’ve encouraged them to get ready to fight… I feel it. I know it’s coming” I shrugged, “and now that Harry is here, I’m pretty sure that there is a chance that the battle is going to happen here in Hogwarts”

Hermione’s eyes narrowed, “You really think that?”
 

There was silence and then just as I turned to look, all of the Death Eater’s I had been fighting were gone. Summoned by their Almighty Master.

“Aren’t you going to go?” I asked, “they still believe you are on their side”

Draco shook his head, "I promised you that I would stay and that is exactly what I am going to do, Tilly Anderson. I don't care about them anymore"