It took a while for me to become fully awake. I felt awful, tired, and sore, and I was uncomfortably aware that I'd slept in my wet clothes last night. But I finally opened my eyes, curled into a ball on the bed. That's when I saw Draco, fully dressed and leaning against the door frame. He just looked at me for a long moment, tenderness and slight pity in his eyes. "We're not going to fight anymore." he said quietly.

I looked at him. "What?"

He shrugged. "Every time you go out into the field after we fight, you're closer to death than any other day. Also, Terry told me not to stress you out. So, from here on out, it's going to be damn peaceful between us."

I curled tighter into my ball. "How?"

"Ferdinand."

I peeked at him through the arms I'd wrapped about my knees in front of my face. "What the hell is Ferdinand?"

"The word we're going to say if one of us notices we're fighting." he said. "If one of us says it, we're not allowed to speak for the next five minutes, no matter what."

"But what if it's important?"

"Then it can be discussed peacefully." he answered. "After five minutes."

I groaned. "Fine... Can you make me some tea?"

I heard him chuckle slightly. "Yes, darling."

. . .

The atmosphere in the Auror offices on Monday was somber, at best. We'd lost a good man, and one of many people's dear friends. Everyone was pitching in to help pay the funeral expenses.

I was barely holding it together. He'd died because of me. No one else knew what happened in that alley. He'd seen the Harbingers and told me to go left. But I didn't see the fourth wizard, so I got boxed in and was unable to help Troy when he needed me. It was a rookie mistake. Something I should have grown out of a long time ago.

Harry found me leaning against the wall with a mug of hot coffee in my hands, staring into space. "Em," he said quietly, looking as though he was unsure how to approach me. "Look, we've been over this a million times, you didn't kill him." I stayed silent, so he went on. "And, you know, depression isn't good for unborn children. They could become genetically depressed, or something."

I looked at him, eyes raw from the tears. "Don't bring it up. Please, don't."

"Come on, Ember," he said exasperatedly. "You've already decided you're going through with it. I don't see why you keep getting worked up-"

"I said," I growled, giving him a dark look. "Don't. Bring. It. Up."

He stared right back. "Listen to me, Ember. People die and get hurt in this job. That's why we signed a waver. So if you think for one second that I'm going to let you feel sorry for yourself, think again. You're my best friend. Therefore, you're not getting away with anything."

I looked at him, then, unexpectedly, my eyes filled with tears. His gaze softened, and he took me into his arms, holding me close. "It's alright, just let it out. Come, on, you're safe."

"Damn hormones." I sniffled, causing him to chuckle. "Please don't tell Draco about this. He'd never let me leave the house again."

"What are friends for?" he asked.

. . .

Good gravy, this is a short chapter. My bad, y'all, but there was nothing more on this subject, so one we move to Draco's side of things! Btw, the whole Ferdinand thing is something we used at band camp for when someone said something that might offend you. It really works!