Disclaimer: I do not nor have ever owned the harry potter characters or series

Silence. The deafening, mind-numbing sound of silence. That's all that could be heard when everyone turned to look at Draco, each and every single one of them expecting him to chicken out, to join the dark lords side, as his parents hissed and called over to him.

"Draco!"

"Come now lad, come on."

"Get over here now!"

"DRACO!"

Draco shut his eyes, trying to blank out everything, his parents, the mutters of people around him and the guilt inducing indecision in his head. He knew where he belonged… didn't he?

"Draco."

Everything was silenced by that one voice. The voice that changed his world, his perspective on life, even the decision about being a death eater. He turned, looking at the tear stained face of Elphie Jones.

He looked at her like a wounded puppy would look at its owner, like a small child lost in the street, eyes full of worry, confusion and sadness.

"I don't know what to do." He whispered, his voice breaking with all the pent up stress and worry. Elphie stumbled over to him, not being able to walk properly as she had an injured leg, and pulled him into a hug.

"I just-" Draco broke off into quiet sobs as he buried his face in her shocking blue hair.

"Draco its okay, ssshhh, it's going to be okay." She sounded so full of hope and determination that it almost seemed impossible to hear her voice wobble and break.

Elphie pulled away from him, keeping hold of his hands like they were a lifeline.

"Go. Be with your family. Go and live and be happy, you deserve it Draco."

Elphie made no noise as the tears started running down her face, she let go of Draco's hands and took a step back.

Then the silence hit him again. Silence impregnated with tension and sorrow, the sort that you could cut with a knife.

"No." It was just a whisper at first so only Elphie could hear him. Then it became a clear solid statement.

"No!"

Everyone's eyes were on him. Watching with complete and utter disbelief. His parents slowly started to make their way backwards out of the crowd, terrified of the outcome.

Draco walked towards Elphie, taking her hand in his and using the other to cup her face. And he said right before their lips connected;

"I think you'll find that I'm not going anywhere without you."