-24-
Frustrating Break-Downs, Carefree Days and Final Battles

Summary: She barely even knew him. Draco Malfoy was just one of those kids she passed in the halls between classes or asked to borrow a piece of parchment from when she had none. Thanks to the Dark Lord, however, Aurelia Finn and Draco Malfoy will soon find out they have a little more than just age and house in common. And maybe a little bit greater of a task than just "that Charms essay due next period" under way.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my made up character and plot. J.K Rowling owns all else.
Warnings: Sexual Situations, Violence, Character Death, Substance Use/ Abuse, Adult Language, Book 7 Disregarded, Book 6 Events Slightly Altered
A/N: OH MY GOD! It's over. This is it everyone, the final chapter of Unexpectedly Acquainted. I hope you've all enjoyed it. It's come very far and, frankly, I'm proud of myself. Well, enjoy it. Chapter 24 :)

"Good morning," Draco smiled as he saw Aurelia enter the Common Room. He kissed her sweetly on the lips.

"Hi," Aurelia replied blankly.

"You're up early," he grinned. Aurelia gave him a half-hearted smile in response. "Are you alright?"

"If I say no, will I have to tell you why?"

"I would like that."

"I'm fine."

"Aurelia, what's the matter?" Draco persisted. She shook her head. "Come sit."

"I'm fine," Aurelia insisted.

"Barely," he disagreed and led her to the couch. "Now, tell me what's on your mind."

"I'm fine," she repeated once more.

"Are you--are you crying?" he asked as he saw Aurelia's eyes clearly for the first time. She shook her head. "Please? Tell me?"

"Okay," she sighed. "I just don't want to sound…ugh, hormonal, I guess would be an appropriate word."

"It's fine. Just tell me," he pushed.

"It's just this war. It's killing me. I have this…feeling that things will go badly. I don't know, maybe I'm just a pessimist. I don't regret joining, I don't. I just wish that things would have gone a little differently. This is all a little too much. You may be thinking I sound a little moody because a few months ago I was throwing a fit because I didn't feel involved enough but that's not it. I just don't want to be so…crucial to everyone's future.

"This isn't right. I'm eighteen years old, for crying out loud. I think I was so caught up in a being part of it that I didn't even realize how involved I would have to be. Not in the good way. I mean, I just feel like I have the weight of the entire world on my shoulders. Or, my stomach, rather," she chuckled slightly. "I just don't want everything to turn disastrous and by that I mean I don't want him to die.

"I know, none of us do but my desires are fuelled by something a little more. The truth is, I don't think I can handle it. I won't be able to lead us into another war. I don't think I'm strong enough. No matter how much I would love to pretend that I am, I'm not. Frankly, I'm too damn stubborn. You remember what I was like when I first had to start training over the Easter holiday. I was completely stubborn. I don't think I have what it takes to be anyone's leader. What were they thinking? Me? Were they out of their minds?

"I may seem calm and I may seem ready for this sometimes but the truth of it is, that I'm not. My mind just keeps yelling at me. It keeps telling me 'Aurelia, give up now because you have no idea what you're doing!' And to be honest, my mind is right. I'm literally panicking on the inside. The panic doesn't show but I'm so bad on the inside that I feel like I'm losing my mind half of the time. I just want to lock my self up, away from the world, until all of this nonsense is over."

"Aurelia," Draco wrapped his arms around her and cradled her head against his chest. "I promise you that everything will work out. I promise you that I will always be there to help you. You can do this. You can do anything. You're strong enough for this, I swear."

"Draco, what have I done to you?" she shook her head with a smile. "You've grown up."

"Thanks," he chuckled.

"Let's go get some breakfast," Aurelia finally sighed. "I'm terribly hungry."

"Sounds good," he agreed and led her up to the Great Hall. Pansy joined them after a few minutes and the trio ate together. They decided to join most of the student body out on the grounds to relax in the warm after-exams atmosphere that lingered in the air.

"Okay," Aurelia pondered. "The Giant Squid against…a herd of Centaurs."

"Squid," Pansy declared without thought. "Easily. The Centaurs wouldn't have a chance. He has the advantage of the water."

"Exactly," Draco agreed. "He'd just need to grab them with a tentacle and drown them."

"Fine," Aurelia huffed. "Draco?"

"Erm," he thought for a moment. "Professor McGonagall against…Professor Dumbledore."

"McGonagall," Aurelia said suddenly.

"Why?" Draco asked.

"Easy," she smirked. "Dumbledore's dead."

"Right," Draco roared with laughter. "But say he weren't."

"Dumbledore," Pansy and Aurelia said in unison.

"Pansy?"

"Hippogriff against a thestral," she said.

"That depends," Aurelia remarked. "Can the hippogriff see the thestral?"

"Erm…no."

"Then I vote on the thestral."

"No," Draco shook his head. "I think I would go with the hippogriff."

"How can the hippogriff win if it can't see it's opponent?" Aurelia argued.

"Have you ever been mauled by one of those things?" he asked with widened eyes. Pansy began laughing uncontrollably, no doubt remembering the incident in third year. "It wasn't funny!"

"Yes it was!" Pansy laughed. Even Aurelia couldn't help the smile that was playing across her lips.

"You didn't seem to think it was funny when you were fawning all over me because I was injured," he smirked.

"Below the belt," Pansy muttered, her laughter stopping abruptly.

"You know, you two should be glad I'm not the jealous type," Aurelia shook her head.

"Thank goodness for that because I probably wouldn't be getting away with as much as I am now," he replied suggestively.

"We are so through," Aurelia said and turned away from him.

"And yet, this still gives you chills," he said as he kissed her neck, his husky voice tingling her skin.

"Ahem," Pansy cleared her throat. "Third wheel isn't a comfortable position."

They pretended to ignore her. She made jets of water erupt from her wand, leaving both of them drenched. They returned the favour, oh so kindly. Forgetting all of their worries, the three engaged in a magical water fight. They spent hours outside. It almost felt as though they were little children again. Fooling around and having a good time, not worrying about the things going on around them because this was what they needed. Exams were over and they were free to do as they pleased for the remainder of the school year.

"Well, I'm exhausted," Pansy said, doubled over with her hands on her knees.

"Ditto," Aurelia panted.

"I think it should be about time for dinner," Draco suggested. The two girls nodded and skipped to the Great Hall. Once in the Entrance Hall, Draco stopped dead in his tracks.

"Draco?" Aurelia turned around to look at him.

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked sceptically.

"Erm, fine," Aurelia replied slowly.

"Right," he nodded. "I have to use the toilet."

"That was odd," Pansy mused as Draco ran off in a different direction.

"Just a little."

Aurelia shrugged and continued into the Great Hall with Pansy. Making their way through the crowd, the two girls took their seats at their now-usual places at the end of the Slytherin table. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood, now doubt still giddy about the end of exams. Aurelia herself let her mind wander to N.E.W.Ts as she ate. She was sure that she managed at least an E in all of her classes. She'd definitely studied hard enough to achieve that much.

"No!" Aurelia suddenly exclaimed.

"What's wrong?"

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," she muttered under her breath.

"Reli, what's wrong?" Pansy asked.

"I think I failed my Herbology exam," she shook her head.

"Oh not this again," Pansy groaned. Aurelia tended to make it a habit of thinking she messed up somewhere on her N.E.W.Ts ever since her very first exam was over on Monday morning.

"I'm serious!"

"Give it up, Aurelia, you did fine! I won't be surprised if you got Outstanding in every subject."

"I'm doomed," she shook her head solemnly.

"Drama queen," Pansy mumbled.

"What's that?"

"Nothing."

Pansy attempted to distract Aurelia from any thoughts about N.E.W.Ts for the rest of dinner. It worked for the most part. Halfway through, Aurelia became a little uneasy about Draco's absence.

"Where is he?" she groaned.

"Maybe he went back to the Common Room," Pansy shrugged.

"I'm going to go look for him. See you later?"

"Later."

Aurelia stood up from her place in the Great Hall, scanned the room quickly and left. There was a sinking feeling in her gut that maybe, just maybe, something wasn't right. That's silly, she thought. He's probably just tired, nothing to worry about. Only, when she got back to the Common Room, Draco was no where in sight. She tried the Boys' Dormitory but all she found were five unmade beds, a case filled with empty butterbeer bottles, clothes strewn across the floor and a few things she rather have not known the identity of.

Aurelia was sitting comfortably on the couch in the Slytherin Common, rubbing her stomach when Draco finally came in.

"Come with me," he said abruptly, not bothering to explain where he had been.

"Where?"

"The Shrieking Shack," he replied.

"The Shrie--Draco, what are you talking about?"

"Just come on," he urged and Aurelia obeyed.

He led them outside and across the grounds towards the Whomping Willow. Aurelia didn't have time to ask questions as Draco levitated a branch to touch a knot at the bottom of the trunk. Instantly, the tree stood still and Draco motioned for her to follow him towards it. The two slipped into a small hallow opening near the ground and were soon inside a tight passageway. Draco continued to lead her down the passage without uttering a word. Once they were in front of an old wooden door, Draco kissed her gently on the lips, told her he'd be just outside and left.

Aurelia cautiously placed a single hand on the door handle, as though hoping to get some sense of what was going on. She held her hand in place for a long while before turning the brass handle and pushing open the door. She came face-to-face with the Dark Lord himself.

"My Lord," Aurelia bowed quickly, recognizing the figure before her.

"Miss Finn," he hissed, not looking at her. "I have some news for you. Potter is in the castle."

"In-in the c-castle, my Lord?" she stuttered nervously.

"Yes, and it seems only a matter of time," he said almost to himself before looking straight at Aurelia. "There will be a battle, Miss Finn. A large one. I want you out of it."

"My Lord!" Aurelia began to protest.

"Do not argue!" the Dark Lord barked. "So long as you are next in line for my throne; so long as you are carrying that child; Heir of Salazar Slytherin, offspring of the great Lord Voldemort! So long as you are in your current state, your life will not be in jeopardy! Is that understood?"

"Y-yes, my Lord," she nodded feebly.

"Good. Now listen closely as I will not repeat myself," he said, settling his booming voice. "You will stay locked in your Dormitory. I will have a few of my finest guarding you. While you are in there you are not to persuade, ask, plead or magically force any of the guard to let you leave. Understand?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"You are not to attempt contact with anyone outside of your Dormitory. Understand?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"You are to remain inside that Dormitory until informed otherwise. Understand?" he repeated for the final time.

"Yes, my Lord."

"Good," he hissed. "Now get going! And send me Draco Malfoy."

With one last bow, Aurelia retreated out of the door and through the long passageway back to Hogwarts Grounds. She saw Draco standing just inside of the Whomping Willow's entrance, waiting for her.

"Draco," she whispered behind him and he whipped around, startled.

"What did he say?"

"He wants to see you," she said softly.

"M-me?" he asked. Aurelia nodded and Draco left her as he went through the same passage.

Aurelia stood waiting for him for nearly fifteen minutes. She couldn't get her mind off of what was to happen. A battle. A large one. That was what the Dark Lord had told her. What could happen? Who could die? Pansy? Her father? Draco? No. She mustn't think about these kinds of things. She must think only the positive. They would win. Of course they would. How could they not? The Dark Lord was the greatest sorcerer in the world! No one could defeat him. Especially not a teenage boy that always gets by merely on luck.

"Aurelia," she heard her name behind her and turned to see a very pale Draco Malfoy.

"What did he say?" she said to him just as he had to her.

"He said I am to stay with you in the Dormitory," he stated simply. Aurelia, overcome with joy and relief, launched herself at him.

"Oh, Draco I was so scared," she whimpered into his shoulder.

"Why would you be scared?"

"I thought-I thought that if you-you went out there that you could-could-d-die," she said finally, barely able to force the words out of her mouth.

"Everything will be okay," he rubbed her back gently.

"Draco, I," she paused and took a deep breath. "Draco, I love you."

He did not hesitate for even a moment before saying, "I love you too, Aurelia."

A smile spread widely across Aurelia's face. She couldn't contain how happy she was at that moment. She was, perhaps, the most important person to the Dark Lord right now. She was being held safely in the arms of a man that she loved. She had a very promising future ahead for herself and her unborn child. She had everything she could have ever wanted. Then, with a sharp pang, she realized it could all disappear in the matter of seconds.

"We need to go," Aurelia said shortly and felt Draco nod before they went back to the castle and into the safety of the Slytherin Dungeons.

Aurelia walked into the Common Room and looked around at her housemates. They didn't seem to have a clue of what awaited them. They were all chatting, carefree, with each other. She saw Pansy in the corner, talking with a sixth year and a wave of affection swept over her for the girl. She saw small eleven-year-olds playing Wizard Chess near the fireplace and felt guilty for the way she mistreated the little ones in the past. They were so young and didn't deserve what was to come. They all were.

"Aurelia, hurry," Draco urged as he pushed her towards the passage to the Girls' Dormitories.

"What are you doing?" Aurelia asked, turning back around when she noticed Draco was not following her.

"I have to stay out here. You know full well that I can't go through there," he nodded his head towards the Girls' Passage.

"Draco, no! I refuse to sit through this battle not knowing would could be happening to you! Take me to your Dormitory."

"Aurelia, I can't. You know I can't. The Dark Lord specifically said--"

"Bullocks to the Dark Lord!" she exclaimed in a hushed tone so that no one around them could hear. "I don't care! I need you with me. You mean more to me than any of this!"

Draco seemed to think painfully about this and finally said, "Alright, let's go."

"Thank you," Aurelia smiled and the two of them went to the Boys' Dorm.

"Will you be alright in here?" he asked as he led her to his own bed.

"I'll be fine. Draco, get Pansy. Please, you need to find Pansy and bring her in here."

"Aurelia, you can't do that. You know full well that you can not do that," he shook his head. "We're already breaking one rule by keeping you in here instead."

"Draco, she's my best mate."

"I know," he nodded sympathetically. "She'll be fine. She's strong and she's damn good at what she does. She'll be fine, I promise."

"Never make a promise you can't keep," she whispered so low that Draco didn't hear her.

It seemed that only a few seconds passed until three very familiar Death Eaters came into the Dormitory, accompanied by Draco who had gone to fetch them. Aurelia didn't acknowledge them at all. She simply stayed sitting on Draco's bed, staring at an unimportant spot on his bed covers. Draco sat silently beside her and pulled her into his arms.

Aurelia would have guessed that it was weeks. Years, even, before everything ended. All she could do was think about those that she would lose. Those that were important to her. She wished that her father and Pansy could have been in this room with her. She could only imagine what they must have been going through. Even if she couldn't guarantee that they were still alive.

She could hear the screams, the crashes, the explosions, the cracks of curses being thrown and every other unpleasant sound of a battle. She could hear them distantly at times and other times as though they were right outside her door. It was almost surreal to think that she was sitting right in the midst of a very active war. All she did was sit and breathe rhythmically while other people were out there, dying.

She was almost at the point of breaking down. She thought that she wouldn't be able to take it anymore. She almost contemplated whipping out her wand, placing the Imperius Curse on the four people in the room with her and forcing them to allow her to leave. She knew better though. And, before she could even think another thing about it, she noticed that the noises outside had quieted down. Seconds later, two men burst into the Dormitory. All four of her protectors drew their wands but the newcomers didn't acknowledge them. They simply removed the masks that were covering their faces to reveal very solemn expression. Finally, one of them spoke.

"The Dark Lord is…dead."

It echoed through her ears just as though someone took a large church bell and rung it directly next to her head. He was gone. The most powerful wizard to ever walk the Earth, was gone. Aurelia wanted to drift away and not come back for decades until the shock had subsided. However, when her eyes readjusted themselves to reality, she noticed what was going on around her.

The other six people in the room had all removed their own masks and hoods. They had now slowly fallen to their knees. Each one of them faced her with their head bowed and a loud murmur escaped each of their lips.

"My Lord."

A/N: Tear, tear, tear. I'm so sad. I can't believe it's over. I'd really love to thank all of my readers! Special thanks to all the people that favourited this story or put it on their alerts. And an extra special thanks to everyone who reviewed. Thank you so much guys! You've made it all worthwhile.

Well, I'm sure you're all upset it's over. I know I promised that journal fic. However, I'm thinking about not doing it. I'm actually thinking about writing a Lily/ James story. I don't know yet. I would love it if you guys kept your eyes open for my new stuff. There's bound to be something coming soon.

If you have never taken the short time it requires to review before, now would be the best time to do so. It's all over guys and I would really appreciate some feedback. Did you like it? Love it? Hate it? Reviews will make me euphoric right now :)

Once again, thank you to everyone who read! I love you guys :) Farewell!