I knew that I had to do this, and I knew in my heart that I could, it was a matter of actually doing it.

I cried. I cried for what I’d had to do this morning, for where I was stuck now, for the thought of possibly never seeing my parents again, for the uncertainty of my next few months, for all those young Hogwarts students receiving their acceptance letters at the worst possible time, for Dumbledore, and for everything in general.

“Take care of that rose.” He said, pointing to the one on my food tray. It’s… special.”

"Granger, you don't know me at all. Just stay out of my business."

The door creaked open and Narcissa Malfoy stepped in the room, giving me  a small smile.

“Well, we better get started, we have a cat to rescue.”

 

I began walking, towing a reluctant Malfoy behind me. Neither of us taking notice of the man who had been following us all day.

There was a rush of wind as a train pulled up to the platform. He grabbed my hand and pulled me up.

"You aren't the only one who can use Polyjuice, love." He said, smiling at me.

“But you’ve changed,” I said slowly, “and that’s all that matters.”


“Is it?” he asked, his storm gray eyes for once looking hopeful.

I wanted to break something. I wanted to yell and kick and scream and somehow release all this pain that had taken up residence in my heart.

Trying to empty my mind and block my thoughts of everything, Hermione especially, was far more difficult than I could have imagined.

Was my heart ready for this?

I couldn’t help but gasp as I turned around. The wall was gone and instead, there was a large room. Not just a room, but a library.

He froze for a moment and I could tell he was in shock. I’d managed to do it again, I had the worst timing.