A/N I'm so sorry its been awhile, everyone! I finally was allowed to go back to work and they've been packing on the hours so my updates might not be as quick, but I will still be updating. Don't worry, I have't lost interest in this story at all! This chapter may end with a little twist, but I'm interested to see what y'all think so drop your guesses at the end of the chapter with that beautiful review button!

Briar POV

Laying on the ground in the middle of the meadow in my Animagus form, I keep my mind open in case Draco calls for me. When he told me to go hide in the woods, I could feel my Animagus already trying to take over. What he doesn't know is I reached out to feel around the mind of his visitor. I know it's Parkinson and I know why she's there. Apparently, she's engaged to my Draco.

Settling my head on the ground, I can't help the crushing weight of jealousy and betrayal that rips through my heart. When I was in Pansy's mind before, I could tell she had been planning to confront Narcissa and Draco about her engagement to Draco ever since she heard the news of me dying which makes my entire body tense in anger. It has been barely three months since my "death" and she was already trying to make a move on Dray.

Snap.

I whip my head from off the ground and snap it towards the sound on my right. Scanning my surroundings, I don't see anyone, but my ears are raised in alertness as I continue to look around.

Snap.

I turn my body and jump to my feet when I hear the sound behind me now. Inching away from the sound, I can feel the fur raising on my back in fear. Taking a calming breath, I remember my training with Snape and take a deep breath. Closing my eyes, I push my mind out to the surrounding woods and feel for anyone there, but don't feel anyone.

Tilting my head in confusion, I open my eyes and focus on scanning the area as my mind pushes out farther when suddenly, I can feel someone's anger. Suddenly alert, I shift through that mind and find two things: they're very close and they're here for me.

Snap.

Draco POV

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on edge and I can feel my skin prickle at the thought of having to be with Pansy. Clutching my hands into fists, I can hear my mother speaking with Pansy, but none of it makes sense.

"Ms. Parkinson, your contract with our family was terminated. Your parents met with me and my husband a few months ago to annul the marriage contract so there is no engagement," my mother explains. Pansy smirks.

"That is correct, but since that was so Draco could be promised to someone else, someone who is now dead; my family would like to revisit that contract." I can tell from her smile that she is enjoying the thought of Briar being dead way too much and it snaps my resolve to stay quiet.

"Get out of my house, Parkinson," I growl. She looks at me in shock and she takes a step closer to place a hand on my shoulder.

"I know this must be a hard time for you, Draco, but now you can spend your time planning a future with someone worthy of you," she says with a phony smile. I shove her hand off of my shoulder in disgust and can feel my fists clench even tighter. I can feel my fingernails digging into my skin.

"Listen, you little bit…"

"DRACO!" I freeze and turn my angry glare towards my mother who stares at me in disapproval. Clenching my mouth shut, I watch her face go from shocked to one of calm anger. Turning her stare to Parkinson, I can tell Pansy is about to be iced out by my mother so I keep a knowing smirk on my face as I turn to watch Pansy.

"Ms. Parkinson, a contract between our families would be most opportune in light of Ms. Griffin's unfortunate passing," she starts. I turn my face to her in bewilderment. What in Merlin's name did she think she was doing.

"Mother! I will NOT marry…" My mother holds up her hand to cut me off.

"However," she continues, "I would never promise my son to someone as heartless as you. Ms. Griffin hasn't even been dead for three months and you're already here trying to trap my son into marrying you? My, Ms. Parkinson, how the morals have fallen. Do you have any self-respect at all?!" Parkinson looks at my mother in shock.

"I…" She starts, but my mother isn't finished.

"You obviously don't if you think I will force my son into a loveless marriage. Ms. Griffin may be gone, but I saw how happy she made him and I will be damned if I ever push him into a marriage with someone that makes him miserable now that I know how happy he can be. I have Ms. Griffin to thank for showing me how protective, loyal, and extraordinarily happy my son can be with the right woman. You, Pansy, will never be that woman. Get the hell out of my house. Now," my mother growls. Turning my head back to my mother, my shock rivals Parkinson's because I have never seen my mother like this. Hearing the floo network, I know Parkinson has left, but I can't stop staring at my mother in awe and pride.

"Mom," I start, but I can't think of anything else to say. She turns and smirks at me.

"Where do you think you got your loyalty from?" I smile and chuckle before going to wrap her in a tight hug.

"Thank you so much," I whisper as I hug her tighter. Her hands rub my back soothingly before she chuckles. I pull out of the hug to look at her.

"No, thank you. I've always hated that girl. It felt good to bitch her out," she says. I stare at her with my mouth open in shock.

"Language, Mother!" I scold teasingly to which she responds with an eye roll.

"It was well used language. Go find Briar and then get to bed. It's been a long day," she finished before placing a kiss on my cheek and walking farther into the house. Turning to walk out the glass door that leads to the garden, I see it's officially night time. The sun has set and I have to fight a shiver when the wind swirls around me. Shivering slightly, I reach out mentally to try and contact Briar, but start to get concerned when she doesn't respond.

Where are you, love? She's gone.

No answer. The first place I want to check is the meadow because I know that's where she would feel the safest. Trying to rush there in a timely manner, I can feel the wind picking up. Taking my wand out, I cast a quick warming spell on the black sweater I'm wearing and can feel the sweater trap my remaining body heat inside. The wind still had a harsh bite to it, but my shivering was under control now.

Finally making it to the meadow, Briar isn't there. Reaching my mind out to her mentally, I can feel she's somewhere around here, but I can't see her.

Bry, you can come out. We need to get back inside before it gets any colder.

My only response is the sound of a twig snapping on my right. Whipping my head to the side, I take in the sight of her eyes through the trees and I let out a sigh of relief, but it's short lived when I realize she isn't taking any steps to come closer to me. She is also hiding in her Animagus form and I can tell she is a shivering slightly when the wind picks up again.

I tilt my head at her in confusion and wonder why she hasn't moved.

"Love, we have to get inside. You'll freeze to death out here," I say soothingly. She stares at me for a few moments before looking around. It's then that I notice she's scanning the area like she's waiting for someone to jump out at her. Looking around me, I don't notice anything out of the ordinary, but I can feel the caution in her mind. Taking a step towards her, I see her take a step back. Pushing aside the hurt I feel, I start to feel anxiety growing because something had to have happened if she stepped away from me.

Taking my wand out, I use a simple tracking spell to search for anyone in the surrounding area, but can only make out three bodies; me, my mother at the Manor, and Briar. Turning to look at her, I tell her as such.

"We're the only ones here, baby. We have to go home now before you freeze. Please?" I stare at her pleadingly as I notice she is shaking more violently. Taking a glance at the manor, I start to think of ways to get her there if she refuses to change back, but the sound of rustling catches me off guard. Briar steps out of the brush and walks to me with her head down. Her hands are rubbing her arms to try and keep the warmth in as she refuses to meet my eyes. Scanning down her body, I can see some dirt on her clothing, but chalk it up to her just being out here for so long today. That is, until I see a bruise on her neck.

Before I can say anything, she rushes past me and starts speed walking to the manor as her entire body shakes. What concerns me is now I'm not sure if she's shaking because of the cold or being of the bruise I can see peeking out of her turtleneck. Walking after her, she ignores my calls of her name and I have to push my anger down when she continues walking away from me even when she's in the manor.

"Briar!" My voice is raised enough now from anger that I see her flinch a little.

What in Merlin's name happened in the meadow while I was in here?

My yell seems to make her want to get upstairs much quicker, but my mother walks in with a smile making her falter. I see her glance at my mother for a moment before scurrying away up the stairs. Now, I'm in full out panic mode when I see the sadness and horror on my mother's face.

She rushes to me and whispers at me angrily.

"What in Merlin's name did you do to that girl?!"

"I didn't do anything!" My mother looks at me disbelievingly at me.

"She looked terrified and she had dried tears on her cheeks, Draco! Why was there dirt all over her?!" I grasp my hair in my hands and can feel frustrated tears welling up in my eyes, but I push them down.

"I found her like that! She wouldn't even come out of the woods for me and she kept…" I trail off and remember how she kept looking around the forest like someone was going to jump out at her and attack her.

Was someone in the meadow waiting for her when Parkinson got here?

I can feel my eyebrows drawing together in confusion and I can feel a headache brewing in the back on my head.

"Has she said anything?" My mother thankfully seems to believe me as her tone has softened significantly. I shake my head.

"She hasn't said anything since I found her, mentally or verbally," I conclude dejectedly. My mother nods her head.

"Don't push her," she says and I look at her in confusion. "Be there for her, but don't push her. Something obviously happened, but she won't open up until she's ready so just be patient with her and let her come to you." I nod my head in understanding and can't help, but blame Parkinson's existence for Briar's mood. I can't help but think that maybe Briar looked into her mind and knows more than she let on when I told her to go hide.

Walking towards the stairs, I make my way up to my room and find the room empty. Raising my eyebrow, I'm about to go check the rest of the Manor for her when I hear a thud from the bathroom. Treading cautiously towards the opened door, I peak around the corner and finally see her, but the sight breaks my heart. Standing in front of the mirror, I find her shirtless and scrubbing her arms raw before moving up to her chest. Her bra is soaking wet by now and I can hear her hushed sniffles as her gasps for air bounce off the walls. Rushing to her, I take the washcloth away from her and try to shush her. Gathering her into my arms, she grasps onto the front of my sweater and buries her face into my chest, but not before I can see her cheek is red.

Rubbing my hand up and down her back, I can feel her body shaking as her sobs are starting to calm down. Kissing her head lightly, I brush her hair back from her face and I can see how large the bruise is that was peeking out of her turtleneck before.

"Baby girl, what happened?" I whisper and I can feel her pull back slightly until she can look up at me. She shakes her head at me and pushes her face back into my chest as she starts sniffling again.

What the hell happened while Parkinson was here?

A/N What do you guys think happened to Briar? Leave your guesses below and click on that adorable little Review button below! Have a great week, everyone and stay safe!