Chapter Six

Kate and Draco lay under the plump shade of a birch tree, the leaves creating dapples of moonlight on their skin. They were in the Garden, but away from the Temple. Ready as Draco was for the Garden, neither of them was eager to visit the Temple. Kate had told him about her vision, the one about opening the box and they agreed they would stay away from it, for now. A special magic seemed to reside within the Garden, making its space seem bigger than it appeared on the outside. From where they lie, the great wall couldn't be seen and a brook babbled to Draco's right.

Earlier that day, Kate had gone to Dumbledore, to tell him of Draco and the Garden. It hadn't gone well. Neither Dumbledore nor McGonagall thought Draco had a chance of becoming the Guardian, even though he could see the Garden. Severus had taken Kate's side and agreed and Remus had sat quietly in the corner, not saying a word. The whole meeting had ended in Kate storming out of Dumbledore's office.

"So they don't like me. I've never cared about it before. Why start now?" he said, cold and bitter. His grip on her hand tightened slightly.

Kate knew he was trying to ignore their harsh words, act like it didn't matter, but she could see it clearly did. The frustration was in his eyes--they never lied to her, even if his words did. He stroked her hand absently and his eyes were closed, the blonde lashes creating dark shadows on his pronounced cheekbones. He was on the verge of sleep. Spending nights outside with Kate was wearing him out. He staggered through the day, half asleep. Kate had tried to get him to go back to bed, to take a break from their midnight walks, many a night, but he wouldn't hear of it. The magic of the Garden had helped some, rejuvenating him a little every day, but he was still exhausted. Kate rolled onto her side.

"You're the next Guardian, Draco. You know that. I know that. It wasn't right of them to say what they did. About you; about us. It wasn't fair. You deserve a fair chance."

Draco pulled his hands away and sat up. His eyes were shadowed from lack of sleep and shuddered when he glanced her way. "What if I don't want a chance? Did you ever think that I might have to leave?" he snapped.

"I know you have to leave. For the summer. But we'll have next year, you'll be back. We'll see each other then."

"You don't understand, Kate. My father…I'm going into the…family business." He stood and turned his back to her, ashamed. He said the last words like they were poison.

Kate knew what he meant. They couldn't see each other again. By this time the next year, he'd be a Death Eater. Kate couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You'd leave me?" she straightened slowly, whispering.

He didn't answer and didn't look back at her.

"Leave, then." Kate's voice was no more than a breath of wind and she tore out of the Garden.

Kate lie in bed, tucked under the blankets. The Tower was blistering hot and humid from the recent storm. Even in the insufferable heat, she was shivering. Her pale hands stroked Kali who slept contentedly in the warmth. She was, for once, Draco free. Lately, he chased her around at night like a demented wasp in a jar. He crackled with nervous energy, threatening to burn up at any second. And it had pushed her into the seclusion of her Tower. She couldn't face him. Nor could she believe he would walk away so freely from their responsibility. And from her, but she wouldn't and couldn't admit that just yet, that she was bound to him as she wanted him to be to her. She had trusted him and let him into the Garden. And he was leaving.

"Kate?" Remus' effortless quiet voice stirred her restless mind. Her lips had taken on a bluish tint and trembled as they ushered in shallow breaths to her parched lungs with a rattling sound. Kate felt a large hand, cool and reassuring and strong, on her forehead. Severus' voice mumbled something about a fire. She tried to open her eyes, but was soon breathing harder from the effort.

"She's ill." Remus said to Snape.

"No. Really?" Severus said sarcastically. In a moment, Kate could hear liquid swishing around in a vile then felt the chill of icy glass pressing her lips. A bitter, sickly sweet liquid more fluid than water trickled down her throat. A little at a time until it was gone. Soon, warmth seeped through her body, finding each individual vein one by one. Kate could sense their presence from their bickering, but her consciousness was slowly ebbing away and she lolled into a healing, dreamless sleep.

For weeks, Draco was restless. Between his classes and Quidditch practice, with the added homework and extensive studying for exams, Draco barely had time to visit Kate. Or as close to visiting as he could get. For a couple hours at the very least, he would sit back against cold stone at the base of the Tower. That was as near to her as he could be. Draco didn't dare to enter the Tower to see her face. He knew she was very ill. He'd heard that much from overhearing Snape and Lupin entering and exiting at all times of the day, muttering in subdued voices. Draco knew that if he broke into the Tower, the consequences would be severe. For both of them and he couldn't risk not seeing her at all when she got better. Another reason was he felt he didn't really deserve to see her. Not after the way he'd snapped at her in the Garden. That was weeks before and the guilt was building and building on his shoulders like a brick wall growing taller and longer every day.

Darkness had fallen and Draco pressed his back into the stone of the Tower as if by sheer force, he could push himself through the walls and see her. He was half asleep, eyes closed and arms resting on the knees of his drawn-up legs. He looked tired and worn out, sitting there. His champagne hair was untidy and he'd rolled up his sleeves to the elbow.

"Draco?" A male voice, deep and soft, prodded him.

"Yes? What do you want?" he muttered. Draco didn't care that he was breaking a school rule right now. He was too tired and too stubborn to worry about something as trivial as a silly rule. All that mattered was that he was there for Kate.

"I came to let you in. She's awake and asking for you."

Draco bolted to a standing position, staggering. His muscles were all mush and cramped from sitting crouched for so long. Remus steadied him with a hand and smiled slightly. He didn't like Draco, granted. But the boy didn't give up.

Draco nodded gravely. He understood. And disappeared into the Tower without a word. He loped up the countless stairs, all the way to the top. By the time he reached the heavy wooden door, he was out of breath and a splitting pain ripped unmercifully at his side. Tentatively, he pushed open the heavy door and let himself in. There were a few candles lit, providing some flickering light to the front room. But that didn't help him find Kate.

Surprisingly, Kali made a loud meow at his ankles. The graceful feline stared up at him with her big sapphire eyes and led the way out of the room. Draco followed her to another door. This one was open, and it was dark inside. Behind heavy curtains, a window was open and wind blew around the thick drapes to cool the stifling room. In the corner was a four-poster bed, curtains halfway drawn. Slowly, he slipped into the darkness, making his way toward the bed.

Kate was there, propped against the headboard. Her eyes were shiny white in the tiny fragments of candlelight that found their way down the hall.

"Draco." Kate was relieved he'd come. She didn't think he would. Not after she ignored him and locked herself into the Tower, making herself sick.

"Kate," he said brokenly. "I'm so sorry." Tears started in his eyes, wetting his light lashes. Draco crouched to the ground, making their eyes level.

Seeing him cry made the tears start in Kate's eyes. "No. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have run away, Draco." Soon, they had both calmed down and he held her hand. "Lie with me and get some sleep. Please?"

Solemnly, he kissed her hand and slid in next to her, laying over top of the blankets. At peace, like a stormy water settling after a downpour, they settled into sleep. Kate whispered to a sleeping Draco, relishing the warmth of his arm against hers and his hand wrapped around her own. "I love you, Draco."