Disclaimer: no nothing.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has helped my plot come along.

Chapter Eleven

Brynn awoke to something lightly pecking her arm. Her eyes fluttered, then she turned, looking at Draco sleeping peacefully beside her. She had thought it was him poking her, but after looking back, finding that the annoyance was still occurring, she found her owl, Vesta, with a small scroll tied to her leg.
After untying the small note from her leg, she fed the owl and lit her wand tip. After looking at Draco, who was smirking in his sleep, she began reading her letter from the Ministry of Magic. She hadn't received anything from the Ministry since she'd begun teaching, but the emblem upon the parchment registered immediately upon view.

3 June

Miss Brynn Flatley,
Due to the unfortunate circumstances at hand, we wish for you, a
registered Auror, to commit yourself to the Ministry of Magic for the
summer. As we know you are a teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry, there should be no problem in committing yourself for
just the summer holidays.

Sincerely,
Annika Toscitch
Witch Relations

Brynn gazed at Draco, who was still sleeping peacefully. She knew he was too innocent to understand many of the things that she underwent as an Auror, and she realized that the idea of Voldemort was just like a scary movie to him: in the moment he was frightened, but over a carefree period of time, the fear slipped away and was forgotten.
Truthfully, Brynn knew that she and Draco were too different to make something work between them. However, hurting him was something she really didn't care to do. But she knew this summer, which had been designated as one to stay on with her sister, would be dreadful for their relationship. He wouldn't be able to understand or respect what she would be doing.
She rose from the bed and sent the Ministry's letter to Dumbledore, hoping he would reply soon. After watching Vesta depart, she began showering. Yes, it was the middle of the night, but she really didn't feel comfortable lying with Draco any longer—it would just make her feel guilty now.
Later, sitting in the kitchen, she watched as her sister poured coffee from her Muggle coffee maker, spooning cream and sugar into the steaming glass.
"I don't know," she said to Niamh.
"And this is...very important?" Niamh asked. She was her father's child from a previous marriage, so she really didn't understand the supremacy of Voldemort.
"Yes. I know I should do it."
"So what are you so worried about? The man sleeping in your bed? Please! If every woman in history gave up a great opportunity for a man, where would we be?"
Brynn looked at her plate of food, knowing that her sister was right.
"Well?" Niamh demanded.
"I know you're right. You're always right," Brynn smiled at her.
"I know I am. And I know that your heart isn't even with this...this boy anyway," she spit. "It was with...what was his name? Oliver. I know you had someone special last year, and you made a big deal of it, but I'm sure you know that Oliver was the one you messed everything up with. Who knows? Maybe the reason you've dated so much was because you were trying to find another Oliver. You need him. I know you do."
"How did this turn into a discussion on my love life?"
Niamh laughed, and Brynn thought how evil it sounded. "It always does, doesn't it?"
She's one to talk, being forty and unmarried.
Just as Niamh left for work at a Muggle office, Draco appeared in the kitchen doorway.
"I was looking for you, love," he said as he walked into the room, seating himself next to her. "Why are you up so early?"
"Um, Draco, let's talk," she said, rising to get him something to drink. "Is tea alright?"
"It's fine...er, why do we have to talk?"
"Well, it's just..." She sat the tea in front of him, juxtaposing it with a decanter of milk. "Some things have come up."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I've been called back to work as an Auror for the Ministry again."
"Because of...Voldemort, you mean."
"That's right."
"But we've just begun the summer together. I thought we could—"
"Well that's the thing, isn't it? I really think that I should focus my attention on the Ministry right now...I have some unresolved business I need to rectify."
"So you're leaving me?"
She looked at him. "No, not leaving. I just need a break over the summer so that I may be able to heal some spots. I'd like to devote my whole self to you, but I really can't right now."
His head fell, and she reached out to touch him. "It's not you, Draco, really. There are just things about me that would make you..."
"Make me what?" he asked defiantly. "I love you unconditionally."
She began to grow annoyed with him. "Draco," she sighed, "you're too young to understand unconditional love."
"No, I'm not! I would love you no matter who you've been with, when, where, what you used to be! I never want to leave you!"
"I was beginning to care for you and suddenly we're fighting! If you loved me so fucking much, why aren't you letting me do this one little thing? You know I'll come back to you! It's for one fucking summer!"
He looked at her. For a moment, she wasn't sure what he'd do, and then he advanced toward her to hug her.
She backed away, looking disgusted. "I'm a bit angry right now, I don't feel like hugging."
"Well, I'll just leave then."
She looked at him. "You do that."
He began gathering his things, and she watched as he began walking toward the door. She had the urge to hug him and tell him not to go, but all she managed was "Draco, if you understand true love so much, you'll understand that we'll find a way to make it work."
He slammed the door.