To my reviewers:
Sailor Star Keeper: Ooh, thanks so much. My Draco…real… that's a big compliment. –curtsies –
Xiao-Mao: A million thanks for reading my story.
FSI: You are weird. But I like you.
fairy-lights1: Aw. I'm admired. Heehee. Thanks for sticking with me from the beginning. You're awesome, and I love you.
Artificial Tears: Really? Do you mean that? Wow. I'm blown away. I've been saying this a lot, but thanks, thanks, thanks. I'm happy that I had a chance to share with you this story.
Too Twisted: … "laugh so freaking hard"? Erm, well, this story is kind of a sad, angsty one… Well, I'll assume you're talking about something else, then. Oh, and when I said I needed friends because I am lonely, I meant on my LiveJournal, y'know? Friend me there, if you also have a LJ.
DragonSpirit7037: Yes, it's over. I'm sort of sad to see it go, but most of me is relieved that this is finally over and done for. (Mostly because Draco/Cho doesn't claim my fanfictioning heart anymore) Yes, I suppose Cho will have that little part of her that regrets hurting Harry like she did… And a LJ is a LiveJournal. My online journal, you know? I try to make it really funny… Read it when you have the time! (Also, if you get your own LJ, you can list me as a friend.)
Elektra05: Teehee. Thank you for that demand. However, alas, I probably won't be avidly writing D/C fics anymore. But I will be writing, be sure of that.
LiL-Miz-Chief: Oh, your review touched me right here. – taps heart – I just think it's shoddy work because I really didn't sit and plan this like I ought have. I'm really going to miss all of you… your reviews have giving me such pride and happiness. – swiffle –
Honey Mocha Citrus: It's a problem that I have. I am doomed to forevermore write sad stories. I can only do humor when writing my own life stories (observe, my LiveJournal). And that is only because my life is such a scary, laughable process. I am trying, though. I'm trying hard with more light-hearted romance and parody.
Neverland-Dream: Thinking processes are GOOD. I encourage and applaud them tumultuously. Take long to plan, and your stories will be of great success. That is where I failed, see. I just leapt right in, and I really regret it.
Author's Notes: Thank you for sticking through with me for my long journey of fanfiction discovery! This is my first baby, and it will always have a hold in my heart. I have so many things to say, and that is why there is a "Chapter Ten" of author's notes. (Be sure to proceed to the next "chapter" after you read this one.)
Chapter Nine
Sky
The world lies in chaos. The Dark Side is finally overthrown – but at what cost? Millions of Muggles caught in the crossfire of the Final War perished. A little less than three quarters of the Wizarding population is gone, threatening to die out completely. A would-be valiant triumph is now a fantasy long forgotten.
Somewhere, two lovers lose themselves in each other, forgetting for a moment the ails of their marked days, trying not to regret, to not sit and loathe the what-might-have-beens. With every touch, every kiss, they forgive each other, forgive themselves. They join in warmth, heat, and passion.
Draco's mouth is hot and damp, tracing patterns on Cho's skin. With every nip, lick, kiss, Cho feels a piece of herself return. Draco's impeccably creamy white skin in candlelight makes her self-conscious, but Draco makes her feel loved in every possible way. And there is nothing more wonderful, more pleasurable, than this.
In the heat of things, it makes everything seem worth it. It is unbearable…it is so good. It is like before – a homecoming. And when it is over, they lie beside each other, breathless and loved. Draco reaches over and captures Cho's lips in a hot, sticky kiss. It is in these moments that they feel most right, most confident…most tolerant of life. It is bliss, and Cho places her hand on Draco's chest and focuses on nothing else.
----
The last of the Death Eaters were being rounded up and either thrown in prison or executed. Draco Malfoy, himself, was in hiding. They would not let him off easy. Nothing less than the capital punishment would suffice for being in the highest rank of Voldemort's army. The highest form of suffering was reserved for him. Would he receive the Kiss? Would his soul be sucked out by a hooded beast, which once stood alongside him in battle? Perhaps the Light Side had yet to regain control of those monsters, but he did not want to wait to find out. Something must be done.
Draco glanced over at the bed. He frowned as Cho's sleeping form caught his gaze. She was hindering him. Some narrow escapes they had made were too close. Far too close. He gripped the back of a chair tightly. His heart clenched with fear as he recalled the moments when they were just inches away from promised death.
Although he had debated with himself many times, he just couldn't bring himself to let her go. She would be spared, he knew. Not many knew of their relationship. But if she were found aiding the cold-blooded murderer, Draco Malfoy, she would be harshly dealt with as well. Draco had many chances to leave: during the middle of the night when she was asleep, he could've easily slipped away, placing only a note beside her, explaining and apologizing a thousand times.
He could've spared her from his fate, knowing that somewhere she was hating him for abandoning her yet again, cursing him, letting an eternity of tears fall from her face. He could take that. If she was safe, heartbreak was little, so long as she was alive. He would continue on this trek of certain perish alone.
He came close to it – many times. But at the last moment, Draco always saw her pleading face, remembering how she made him swear a hundred times never to desert her again. And he never wanted to. After all, Draco Malfoy was a man of selfish motives. Everyone knows that.
Now was the time they can finally be together. The war was over, Voldemort dead. He can love her freely like never before…if only he wasn't on the run for his life. It's funny how the universe can be so ironically cruel. But it wasn't. Funny, that is.
----
Cho stirred, waking from sleep. Her usual first thought of consciousness – Oh, no, he's left me – clutched her brain. A frantic glance around the room reassured her. "Draco," she murmured, locating him sitting at a desk.
He looked over with weary eyes. She had never seen Draco so tired before. She made her way over to him. "What's wrong?"
It took him a while to respond. "I'm so tired." Taken aback, Cho reached for his hand. Draco never admitted any weakness.
"Of course. You must be…come sleep a little, won't you?"
"No, I'm tired of – of running." Cho pulled on Draco's arm, encouraging him to the bed. He didn't budge, and she gave him a quizzical look. "I'm tired of hiding and being afraid. Afraid for me, and especially you." He closed his eyes and massaged his eyelids. "Time is running out."
Cho, who'd never voiced her own doubts, stayed quiet.
"This is hopeless. We can't run forever." A frustrated annoyance crept in his voice. "It's only a matter of time before they catch us." He looked up at Cho. "You must understand that I would rather die than fall into the hands of the Light Side."
Cho furrowed her eyebrows, fearing the meaning of Draco's words. "What are you saying?" She dreaded his answer.
"When I'm captured, they will torture me…then, probably administer the Kiss. Either that, or good old fashioned beheading. Something to that nature… We can't run forever," he repeated. "They're so close…so close. We are but a hair away from capture."
"So you're going to kill yourself? Commit suicide, is that what you're planning?" Cho said angrily.
"Well I wasn't going to put it so blatantly…" Draco sighed. "We've gone over this before. I don't want to wait for torture. They'll catch me one day, and even if they don't, I'd never rest… I didn't think I had the will to go through with it; I've been too stubborn – that has always been my problem. But I'm a practical person. I see reason."
Draco looked broken – broken but still trying to piece himself together with flimsy glue that kept sliding apart and making a great big mess. He was always so enchanting; he was silver, crystal…he looked so delicate and bright; he was strong, though – he forces himself to be.
Something about him attracted Cho from the start. He was original, unique, and there was no one in the world quite like Draco Malfoy. He was a shining star – never to be ever kept under full containment. And Cho knew he was proud. That same pride was driving him to do what he wouldn't do before.
"I won't give them the satisfaction of catching Draco Malfoy," Draco announced, reinforcing Cho's thoughts. "They're gaining on me…I'm afraid – " Draco whispered, "I'm afraid I won't survive the night."
"Don't say that." Because the words sent cold shivers through Cho's body. I just got you, I just allowed myself to love you again. She clasped his hand with her own.
"There is no other option." And his tone was brisk and business-like again, as if he was discussing politics, and strategic moves. Draco's jaw was set.
"Then I will die with you." Cho hated the way those words sounded.
At this, Draco stood up. "No. You will leave me. You can be spared and live your life."
"What life? I'll have none knowing you are dead."
"Stop it. You're stronger than that."
"Draco, I won't lose you again. I'll follow you even to death."
Draco hanged his head in frustration.
"Don't feel guilty. This is my choice…"
Draco's face held a rare emotion, and opened his mouth to say something. He was interrupted by a high-pitched sound.
"What's that?" Cho asked, alarmed.
"It's the protection spell I cast. They're here. We must leave immediately." Draco's voice was taut with fear. He pulled Cho quickly out the door. The night air was freezing, and Cho stepped closer to Draco for warmth.
Draco pulled out a vial and a small dagger from his robes. In the blink of an eye, he had slit a small cut on his wrist with the knife. Cho made a small noise of surprise as he did this. Draco then nimbly let the blood from his wrist drip into the vial filled with a swirling silvery substance. He shook it a few times, and then threw the potion far away from them, where the glass blew apart and released a pale smoke.
Draco grabbed Cho and disapparated.
----
The winds were much stronger here. They had apparated to a tall mountain cliff. Cho could barely see Draco through the darkness, but the looming void of the fall was clear. Her heart raced several kilometers a second. The ferocious wind threatened to blow them both right off the cliff, and what seemed to be a destructive storm was brewing. The thick, ugly clouds were closer than they should be, and constantly moving.
"Draco…what are we doing here?" But she already knew the answer.
Draco's eyes were glassy and wide, like he couldn't believe they were here. He looked younger than fifteen. "I need to ask you one more time to leave me," Draco said directly into Cho's ear over the howling air stream.
"Never," Cho swore, clutching even closer to Draco, determined not to be afraid. And it was here that she was never more sure of anything than this.
"I wish – " Draco swallowed. "I wish it hadn't come to this. This… this goes against everything I believe in."
Cho nodded against his chest, loving him, her body seized up in anticipation. They were breathtakingly close to the edge. They had their arms wrapped around each other, Cho facing the drop. If Draco took one step back… She felt cold and warm at the same time.
"I love you," Draco said softly but fiercely, and somehow, Cho heard him over the screaming gales.
"That's all I ever wanted to hear…" Cho gasped hoarsely. She shut her eyes.
Draco leaned backwards, and then they were riding the wind.
----
The sky was calm, with stars winking closely all around. If someone reached up, they could cup a glowing light in their palm. Swirls of cosmos surrounded, and it was silent…because it seemed sacrilegious to ruin the perfect mystic space. Whorls of white and stardust spiraled prettily in intricate patterns that held all the secrets of the universe. But then, maybe it was all just spinning nonsense. However, everything was beautiful, and flawless, and warm. One could never feel alone.
I will go down with this ship,
And I won't put my hands up and surrender.
There will be no white flag above my door.
I'm in love…always will be.