Hello. I haven't been updating lately and I apologize. A typhoon just hit our country and I am still in a state of shock. Your prayers would truly be a help.

I've had this chapter on hold for the passed two weeks, but now I have finally finished it. I will be updating not to worry, but it might take a few more days. Still, I am glad your R&Rs keep coming. Thank you only so much. Your Thoughts and ideas are always still welcome.

~Leemah

X

"I'll be waiting on the bridge."

Leah found it hard to lift her feet with every step that she knew she was getting closer. Her heart was pumping so hard in her chest she could feel it and hear it in her ears.

"I hope to see you. I hope you'll come."

When she caught sight of the bridge, she let out a breath. People were walking on and off it alone or with company and she realized then she would be walking on it alone, but getting off it with him.

"Truly, Draco Malfoy."

It was a struggle physically and mentally to get herself up there. Her palms were sweating heavily and she wiped them on her jacket just before looking around to find anyone familiar. A blonde boy, she thought. Just look for a blonde boy...

There were so much people all of a sudden, coming in from both directions squeezing through to get to each end. In her mind, Leah laughed. This must be some sort of fate. Getting to him, being a struggle. And she was right.

To both of them it was an entirely inexplicable moment to see each other for the first time in a year. Their eyes met at the exact same moment. Draco had turned to look at the crowd, and Leah had just squeezed through lovers holding hands. And when he saw her, he broke into a meaningful smile, while Leah—still recovering from the throng of people—gaped.

Draco was the first to approach. As the crowd continually swept in, he pulled Leah to the side of the rails, avoiding the mass. Leah was only very aware of his touch.

"You picked a rather unusual place to meet." Leah said, looking around.

"I like a thrill."

He was smiling. Leah looked at him for a brief moment, amused. He, on the other hand, hadn't taken his eyes away from her.

"You look healthy."

The moment Draco saw her, he knew nothing had changed. That hole inside of him that was born when he left her had only grown every day, but here—now, it suddenly began to patch up. Her beauty was still more than breathtaking. Her black hair was cut a little shorter in style, framing her face so that her jawline was more pronounced which also put more accent to her lips. Those lips. The only lips that tasted sweet to him. The only lips that had him realize how much of life he was missing before they first touched. And her eyes, dark and curious as always, that just had a way of making his chest surge with so much desire for her...the effect was still there. There as he stood before her, seeing her and looking at her, remembering what it was like when he first realized he was, indeed, in love with her. The feeling hadn't changed.

Leah stifled a laugh. They were walking through the streets aimlessly, keeping a careful distance from each other.

"What's so funny?" Draco asked, laughing a little. Leah shook her head, smiling still.

"I look healthy?"

"Yeah.. You look good. That's what I was originally going for, but I was unsure. It might be a little inappropriate."

She looked at him briefly, head to toe, then turned to focus on their path again.

Draco Malfoy. The man that changed her world. And here he was walking next to her, again. It seemed so long ago, but really only a year. The pain made it seem so much longer. Here, next to him, Leah felt helpless. What is that feeling that makes you just want to break down and cry out everything inside of you when the one you loved was next to you, oblivious of how every beat your heart made was because of them? How can this man be everything she wanted, but being next to him hurt? His very presence made everything around her as vapor. It had to be love.

"It's all right. You look good too." she said quickly. He laughed this time and she threw him a bewildered look.

"We're really doing this? Really? Exchange nice little compliments, probably steer to a topic that we honestly couldn't give a damn about. Discuss a little over what we missed out in a year, and all the while pretend as if we've never meant more to each other than a couple of...childhood lovers." he glanced at her as he finished.

Taken aback, Leah studied him, there was a curious and slightly offended look in her eyes. She had her hands in her coat pocket where inside they clenched in anxiety. She could feel her nails digging into her palms.

"Well, what do you want to talk about?" was all she could mutter, head bowed.

"You." Draco replied instantly. He was looking at the path they were taking. When they had met earlier, he was sure he wasn't followed. He had never felt so free of suspicious eyes, of troubling labor, but that had changed now. He felt a sudden alarm in him rise.

Draco looked around, eyes darting to every corner. Though the streets were busy with innocent, ignorant people, he knew that somewhere close, someone was watching. He didn't wait for Leah to speak as he took her arm, gripping it securely, but gently.

"What's wrong?" Leah read the warning on his face. They stopped walking.

"Let's get out of here." Draco started, leading them to one of the walkways between two buildings.

"Afraid of people? I don't know anyone, Draco. I hardly think being caught by anyone will be dangerous."

"You don't, but I do. Let's get to your hotel, shall we?"

"Do you know where I'm staying? It's at the-"

"Hush. Don't say it out loud." Draco snapped between his teeth. The walkway had lesser people and even lesser as they turned to a secluded corner. Draco peeked out to both sides while holding Leah back, and then moved closer to her when he saw everything was clear. He could tell she was beginning to panic when he wrapped his arms around her.

"What are you doing?" Leah gasped, moving back.

"Relax. I haven't gone mad. We're going to apparate. It'll be a little discomforting, but very quick. Take a deep breath."

"Apparate? A deep bre-!"

They disappeared and a breeze blew by, sending leaves to scrape the ground under the steps of regular people as they walked on.

A crack whipped the air. Out of nowhere two sets of feet touched the ground.

"What did you just do?" Was the first clear sentence out of Leah's panting Draco could make out. He had sent them to the roof deck of a building where Leah could see many other rooftops of shorter buildings close by.

"Apparition. Never heard if it? It's one of our modes for traveling." Draco said calmly, dusting the edges of his coat and brushing back his golden hair. "You did an excellent job."

"Don't ever do that. Ever. Again." Leah demanded with a more stable tone. "Where are we?"

"Roof deck of your hotel, I believe." Draco was looking around now, making sure they were on the right one, but careful not to stand too close to the edge.

"Roof deck of the Marriott West?" Leah had a hard time swallowing the thought. She hurried to the edge. "How did you know this is where I'm staying?" she yelled against the wind.

"Leah, please! Not too close to the edge!" Draco called out when she was looking over the rail, her body practically sticking to it. She was laughing in amazement.

She also forgot how much he hated heights and recalled the moment they went cliff diving at La Push—she, rather.

"Leah Clearwater!"

She spun around, but it wasn't because he sounded more serious. Inside, her heart began to ache.

"This is all you, isn't it?" She asked, unmoved in her place. "This was all your idea."

Draco stood speechless.

"You told them to bring me here. Didn't you, Draco? It was you who brought me here."

"Leah, can we please go inside?"

But she stood there for another moment, thinking. Hoping. Hurting.

It was Draco's hand that pulled her and soon they were inside the hotel, making their way to her room as if nothing had happened, silent.