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Draco's Choice

Chapter 7

I changed the time of Dumbledore's death to alter the storyline slightly. Basically, he has already died and it's Viola and Draco's final year of school. At the same time, Harry, Ron and Hermione are searching for the Horcruxes.

Viola

"Viola!" Molly called from the bottom of the stairs. "Viola, dear. Its time for school!" She yelled again, and dodged a falling Fred as he tripped over George.

""Boys! How many times have I told you not to mess around! You have your own shop now! You should be mature!" Molly's shrieks grew fainter and fainter as she walked away from the stairs.

I stared at myself in the mirror. Molly had cut my hair. Never in my life had I had hair this short, Molly had styled it so I had a blunt, short, full fringe to add weight to my face. The curls stopped just above my chin. They were more like waves, but it was still odd to look at. I had lost a lot of weight, actually, more than I thought I ever would. So much that Molly had started to feed me up again, but my appetite still hadn't returned.

The funeral had been terrible but it was even worse when, deep down, I thought Draco might turn up. But it was a small affair, just the Weasley's, my mum's sister, Harry, Ron, Hermione and a few of Vienna's friends and my stepdads work mates. I buried my closest family in the ground and held on to my sobbing aunt, while she promised that I could stay with her and her three million cats. I had politely declined and said I would be looking for a flat of my own when I turned eighteen in a few months. For the time being I said I would be staying with the Weasley's. After the funeral we had gone back to the burrow and sat in silence for a while, Molly made us a huge feast, but I just went to bed.

A lot had happened recently, a lot of death and grief. First Dumbledore getting murdered, then more attacks on Muggles and there was even a mention of Harrys Godfather dying. Now my family is gone, I needed to find out what was going on, and soon.

Now it was time for my final year of Hogwarts and I had not seen hide, or hair of Harry, Ron or Hermione. I had asked around but the Weasley's just got shifty and teary eyed whenever I mentioned it. But I was determined to know the truth before I went back to school…

Draco

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. All the air had been sucked out my body, and I was left gasping fro breath. Hot, burning cuts slashed against my skin. All I could think of was agonyagonyagony.

Then it suddenly stopped.

"That, pretty boy, is the Cruciatus Curse. You better get used to it, you'll be using it on all sorts soon enough." Alecto Carrow cackled and walked away.

I was left in the torture room, which had recently been installed under Hogwarts. I breathed heavily and started to make my out upstairs. The school was under a new leader, Snape. I was to be Voldemort's eyes and ears around Hogwarts, as well as being his errand boy when needed. Oh joy.

I was about to make my way up to my dorm room when I overheard our great leader himself. I peeked in through the keyhole and saw Voldemort talking to Snape.

"Draco did a fine job with the house fire and the placement of the Dark Mark in that little Mudblood house the other week." Voldemort mused, and started pacing back and forth.

"Yes, my Lord. He did a fine job indeed." Snape replied, in his nasally, monotonous voice.

"Yes, unfortunately, he missed one of the girls. One of the Mudblood girls, I mean." Voldemort stated and placed his long fingered hands under his cloak. Nagini slithered out and up his arm.

"Who might this girl be, My Lord?" Snape replied his hands placed behind his back.

"Miss Viola Hathaway, Severus. I believe she is in your Potions class. I wish for you to keep a close eye on her. I feel that she may be disruptive in her grief." Voldemort said, and slithered away, like the snake trailing behind him.

I couldn't breathe very well, it felt like I was under the Cruciatus Curse again, only much worse. Tears sprung in my eyes and I felt sick.

"Draco, please come here." Snape said, and I entered the room.

"I killed her family." I whispered, and sank to the ground.

Viola

I smiled as I saw the familiar castle loom ahead, the carriages that pulled us chugged along nicely in a rhythm that put me at ease. I was in a carriage with Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom and Ginny. They all grinned when they saw the castle as well.

"Home again." Ginny smiled and edged closer to me in the seat, she patted my hand in comfort.

"Yeah, home." I whispered.

A lot of my friends and familiar faces smiled sympathetically at me as we made our way into the castle, some even complimented my new look, but I mainly got sad stares and even a few sneers. But I didn't see the ice cold gaze that I craved.

After the sorting and the feast, Snape stood at the huge lectern, centred at the head of the teacher's table. I saw Professor McGonagall glare at him over her glasses.

"Students. I am delighted to announce that the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers will be the Carrow siblings. Please treat them with the respect they deserve. Also, Dementors will be stationed outside the school ground, to keep us safe in these troubled times."

I eyes the new teachers with disdain, Mr. Weasley had told Gin and I about them when we finally squeezed the truth out of him before we got on the train. Alecto and Amycus Carrow, two of the most vicious Death Eaters around.

Mr. Weasley had told us that a war was coming, Voldemort had returned, obviously, and he was trying to kill Harry. The reason I had been left out of the loop was because everyone was worried that I couldn't handle it due to my family's death. But I had persisted, insisting that I could keep my mind off my grief and on top more important things, like how I could help with this war. He had also mentioned that Harry, Ron and Hermione had gone off searching for something that would kill Voldemort, whatever it was, I wish them luck.

Ginny and I got up to head to our dorms; we were halfway there when I noticed my bracelet was missing. It was my sisters, and I had been wearing it ever since she died.

"It must have slipped off in the hall, I'll catch up with you in a sec." I called over my shoulder and jogged back to the Great Hall.

It was empty, save a few students milling around.

"Accio bracelet." I said, and the little silver charm bracelet flew out from under a desk and into my palm.

Satisfied that it was safe, I gave my favourite charm, a small letter 'V' for Vienna, a kiss and headed back to the dorms.

"Miss Hathaway, might I have a word?" I nasally voice called after me.

I turned and saw Professor Snape heading my way.

"Good evening Professor." I said amiably.

"Good evening, Miss Hathaway. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. If there is anything I can do, do not hesitate to ask." He said and gave me a curt nod before swishing away in his long black cloak.

I was a bit surprised; Snape never struck me as someone who cared if anyone was upset.

I headed down the corridor, running my fingers over the familiar rough stone, and breathing in the smell of Hogwarts. Suddenly a hand grabbed my wrist, and pulled me into a broom cupboard.

"Viola, its me." I knew that voice. Even in the pitch black I could tell where he was. I threw my arms around his tall frame and nuzzled my head into his shoulder, breathing in his smell.

"Draco." I whispered.

I turned my head up, just as he was looking down and our lips met. He was like a remedy, a cool balm to soothe the burning grief and sadness that still raged inside me, no matter how hard I tried to hide it. We pulled apart and he kissed my forehead, we stood like that for a while, locked in an embrace.

"Viola, I missed you." He whispered against my hair.

"I missed you too. I needed you." I said back. I had needed him, more than I realised until now, suddenly, with no prior warning, I was furious.

"Yes. I did need you, actually. I needed you when my mum died, when my stepdad died and when my little sister died. Oh wait. They didn't die. No. They were murdered. I needed you when they told me that they didn't know who the murderer was. I needed you when I buried my family! Draco, where were you?" My voice cracked and a few tears trailed down my face.

He pulled me close to him and held me tight as my breathing calmed down, I placed my hands on his chest, gripping until I relaxed and calmed down.

"I was there, Viola." He said.

"Where?" I replied, not understanding.

"I was at the house. Your house, the night of the fire." He said, my eyes had adjusted to the darkness, so I could make out his face in the black.

"How, what? I don't-I cant- You're not making any sense." I shook my head, not comprehending what he had said.

" Voldemort gave me a task, it was to perform the Dark Mark once everyone in this house had been disposed of."

"Disposed of." I whispered and pushed off him, I fell back into a mop and some brooms. My knees gave way and I crumpled to the ground. He was suddenly there; he pulled me onto his lap and held me close.

"You were there!" I wailed and sobbed into his chest.

Draco

Merlin. She was so fragile, I could feel her in my arms shaking and sobbing. Her hair was shorter than the last time I had seen her and she was so thin. I could feel her bones through her robes as she cried against my chest.

What have I done?

Snape had told me that it wasn't my fault her family had died. If I hadn't done what Voldemort had said then I would have died. But still, better my death than Viola immersed in grief.

"I'm so sorry, Viola." Whispered into her hair and kissed her gently on her damp cheek.

"I never want to speak to you again." She said, looking into my eyes.

I nodded I knew this was coming.

"Bye, Draco." She said, and left the broom cupboard. Leaving me on the floor.

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Annabelle xxoxoxoxoxo