Chapter 40.

Magnolia felt like the day of the Final Task crept up on them. In no time at all, Magnolia was sat with her brother at the Gryffindor table forcing him to eat breakfast. The only real distraction Magnolia had had from her brother's upcoming task was her exams and the amount of studying she and her Slytherin friends had been doing.

Draco had been particularly helpful as a study buddy, both knowing that once they had finished there would be a reward at the end for them. Their dorm mates had learnt to knock before entering the Dorms now, all of them sick of walking in on the pair snogging when they forgot to pull the curtains.

Magnolia had gone on strike with pulling the curtains after Blaise and Theo had teased her for the entire evening when they had found the curtains drawn around the pair. Draco had growled at the boys to leave Magnolia alone eventually.

Magnolia was drawn out of her happy memories when Hermione spat her drink out on the paper she was holding, before trying to hide it. Ron had grabbed the paper then, reading it and shouting as well.

"Hey, Potter! Potter! How's your head? You feeling all right? Sure you're not going to go berserk on us?"

Magnolia scowled at Draco when she heard him shouting from across the Great Hall and snatched the paper from Ron's hands.

'Harry Potter 'Disturbed and Dangerous''

"Oh, for Merlin's sake. Today of all days." Magnolia mumbled as she began to read Rita Skeeter's latest article. "Ha! 'Only Monday last, midway through a Divination lesson, your Daily Prophet reported witnessed Potter storming from the class, dragging his poor twin Magnolia behind him, claiming that his scar was hurting too badly to continue studying'."

"My poor twin, eh?" Harry chuckled, "Ah, look there's more: ''Potter can speak Parsletongue.' Reveals Draco Malfoy, a Hogwarts fourth-year, 'There were loads of attacks on students a couple of years ago, and most people thought Potter was behind them after they saw him lose his temper at a Duelling Club and set a snake on his own sister. Our Professor's had to step in to protect her from him, she's a powerful witch but defenceless against her brother's tantrums.''"

Magnolia sank into the bench as her brother was reading.

"'Some fear that Potter might resort to the Dark Arts in his desperation to win the Tournament, the third task of which takes places tonight, after seeing the injuries he inflicts upon his caring sister during so called training sessions. At least at Hogwarts, Magnolia Potter is protected from her twin brother by her friends in Slytherin House, including Draco Malfoy who seemed to have quite a romantic twinkle in his eye when he spoke about the red- headed beauty.'"

Harry scoffed as he finished reading the article out loud, "Gone off me a bit, hasn't she? Loves you now though, Mags. As if things weren't bad enough, she's telling the world Malfoy fancies you!"

"Yeah, right." Magnolia half laughed, conscious of her brother's watchful gaze, "I think we need to be more concerned that she knew about what happened in Divination."

Luckily for Magnolia, her diversion away from the Draco topic was easy and as soon as the others were discussing how Rita Skeeter could have known about Harry's faint, she excused herself to get ready for the History of Magic exam.

Magnolia was sat in an alcove, waiting for the exam to start, and watching other students walk past her. She could feel them staring at her and hear the whispers they shared about her.

"Can you believe Draco Malfoy likes Harry Potter's sister?"

"Why would he fancy her, they argue all the time and he hates her brother."

"I can't think of any two people less suited."

"They would make a cute couple though, they're both gorgeous."

"Maybe it's her way of rebelling against Harry."

"My friend in Slytherin says they've always bickered- maybe because they've been trying to hide their feelings?"

"And did you see them dancing at the Yule Ball?"

"They've definitely gotten closer; they sit together in the Common Room all the time now."

"They've always sat together in the Common Room; they've got the same friends."

Magnolia leaned her head back against the brick wall, sighing, and turned to look out onto the grounds. She heard familiar footsteps coming from down the corridor, and the whispers stopped. Magnolia looked back out towards the corridor that was now empty, except for Draco.

"You left the Great Hall quickly."

"I wanted to get ready for the exam."

Draco smiled, "You're more than ready for the exam."

Magnolia just smiled in response as Draco perched next to her, wrapping their little fingers together.

"You're angry about the article." He stated.

Magnolia shrugged, "Not angry exactly. Confused. Why would you do an article with her like that about Harry? Why mention me?"

"She just asked me a question, I answered." Draco glanced down to their hands, "And I don't know how you came up. I just said it. It isn't like it a lie; he did set that snake on you and the teachers did have to get involved."

"And I'm defenceless against him, am I?" Magnolia probed, looking at Draco through her eyelashes.

"I didn't mean it like that." Draco replied with a frown, "I meant, you don't like to go against him. You care too much about him, and he uses that against you."

"I'm sure he'd say the same about you."

"Probably," Draco shrugged, "But he doesn't know me like you do, he doesn't know our relationship."

Magnolia smiled and leant forward to give him a small kiss. He smiled back at her and leant his forehead against hers. Magnolia knew they shouldn't be doing this where anyone could walk past, especially after the article, but she was enjoying it. She wouldn't want Harry to find out like this, she should be the one to tell him, but she had already decided to wait over the summer to see if she and Draco could last whilst they weren't seeing each other every day.

Later that day, after a horrible History of Magic exam, Magnolia was sat between Tracey, Daphne, and Pansy on the stands around the Quidditch pitch. Magnolia had wished Harry good luck before dinner, deciding not to sit with him when Mrs Weasley acted cooler towards her and Bill made veiled jokes about her and George getting over the 'Malfoy speed bump'. Magnolia could tell they had both read the article that morning.

Draco was sat behind her with Blaise, Theo, Crabbe and Goyle. They were all looking down at the pitch which had been overrun with the massive maze. Several Professors were stood around the edge of it, and soon the Champions walked into the grounds.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin!" Ludo Bagman's voice echoed around the stadium, "Let me remind you how the points currently stand! Tied in first place, on 85 points each, Mr Cedric Diggory and Mr Harry Potter, both of Hogwarts School! In second place, with 80 points, Mr Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute! And in third place, Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!"

It started quickly after that, Harry and Cedric went into the maze first, shortly followed by Krum and then Fleur. Magnolia sat back in her chair, leaning her head against Draco's arms which he had rested on the top of her chair as he leant forward, she knew this could take a while. Around her, chatter started between students as the time ticked past.

"Miss Potter, a quick word."

Magnolia sat up at Moody's gruff voice. She hadn't heard him approach. He was watching her intently, already half walking away as if she would follow him.

"Actually, Professor, Lia was feeling a bit faint, so I think it's bet she stay sat where she is." Draco replied.

"If she's faint, I best take her to the Hospital Wing to see Madam Pomfrey." Moody growled back.

"It was Madam Pomfrey who said to keep her here, for now. The fresh air is supposed to be helping and walking down all those stairs isn't a great idea, is it?"

Magnolia could hear Draco's voice harden at Moody's insistence that she go with him. She was glad that Draco was helping her, she definitely didn't want to go anywhere with Moody. The Professor huffed and stalked away, Magnolia turned to Draco and thanked him.

She turned back around suddenly when a scream erupted from the maze. Magnolia stood up, clutching at the stand in front of her. She knew it wasn't Harry, it sounded like Fleur, but she panicked about what could be in that maze that would make Fleur send up red sparks to be rescued.

Minutes later, and the maze was quiet again. This time, she heard the clunking of Moody's wooden leg approaching her. She sat back down, allowing Draco to put his hands on her shoulders soothingly, and Pansy and Daphne to grab her hands.

"Miss Potter."

"Not now!" Pansy snapped at him, as pained cries echoed from the maze around the stadium.

Magnolia pulled her hands away from the girls' and clutched her head. She had heard those screams before. In her dreams, she heard screams like that a lot. In her dreams, someone was being tortured when they made that noise.

The cries stopped and red sparks shot up from the maze. Who were they for? Magnolia didn't know, and she hoped it wasn't Harry who had screamed like that.

"Miss Potter, it really is very important you come with me."

Moody looked frustrated. He sounded frustrated. Magnolia frowned, why did he want her to go with him so badly. She could feel the pull in her mind as he tried to get into her head and threw up a memory of her and Harry talking that morning to keep him away from other memories.

"The Champions' families are meeting by the edge of the maze."

Magnolia could see how hard Moody was trying to act nonchalant, but she could see how tense he was. He was gripping his cane so tightly his knuckles were white, she could see the sweat forming on his forehead, and he seemed to have a nervous tick of licking his lips that she had never seen.

"I don't see anyone else down there." Pansy replied, seeing how concerned her friend was.

"You have to come with me!" Moody launched at Magnolia.

Magnolia felt herself be pushed backwards as Moody's hand grabbed at her wrist and tried to yank her towards him, and Draco was suddenly stood tall in front of her. The other boys had stood now too, and they moved the girls further behind them with Magnolia.

"Don't, touch her."

Draco's voice was full of fury, and she could see him shaking with anger too. Magnolia's heart was pounding, her wrist hurt from Moody's tight hold and she was sure it would bruise. Around them, other students were watching with interest, it was the most excitement of the Task so far. A teacher practically attacking a student.

"It is imperative that Miss Potter comes with me." Moody growled again.

"Unless we all go, Lia isn't going anywhere with you." Draco's tone left no room for argument, and Moody sent Magnolia one last look before turning and stomping away.

Draco immediately turned to her and gently picked up her wrist, turning it over and softly touching it. His eyes were like fire, and Magnolia could tell that he was still trying to calm down. He had jumped in front of her so quickly when Moody grabbed at her, she smiled at him as he inspected her wrist for any damage.

"Why are you smiling?"

"You're so protective." She whispered.

"You've been cautious of him all year. And no one grabs at my girl like that."

Magnolia could see Draco's smirk as he said that and stepped closer to him.

"Doesn't the sappiness of it make you sick?" Theo's voice came from beside her.

'I'll take good care of you.'

Magnolia gasped as she heard the voice in her head; Tom Riddle's voice telling her what he had told her in the Chamber, what she had heard around the Dementors. She span around, Draco's hands on her waist, looking for the owner of the voice. It had sounded so clear, like Tom was stood right beside her.

"Lia?" Draco, grasped her face between his hands to stop her frantically looking around, "Lia, what's wrong?"

"Him. I heard him." Magnolia could feel the panic rising through her body, she couldn't control the shaking, "Something's wrong Draco. Something's very wrong."

"It's ok, sit down. Let's just sit down."

Magnolia shook her head, "Harry- where's Harry. It's been too long. He should be out of the maze by now. Where is he!?"

"Maggie… calm down, it's ok."

"No, I need to get to Harry."

Murmurs began building around Magnolia, but no one was looking at her or her friends anymore. They were all looking at the opening of the maze. Her name cut through the din of the other students shouting, crying.

Harry was screaming for her; she could hear him; she could feel the terror in his voice. Magnolia wrenched away from her friends and Draco and ran to her brother, pushing people out of the way and tripping as she went. She could only focus on her brother's terror.

As Magnolia skidded to her brother's side, she let out a sob. Harry was holding Cedric's body to him. She had never seen a dead body, not that she could remember at least. Magnolia wrapped her arm around Harry as people spoke around them, she couldn't listen to what they were they saying; the pounding in her ears drowned out any noise.

What felt like hours, but also just a second, passed before Magnolia felt her and her brother being pulled up off the ground and away from Cedric's body. They were replaced instantly by his father, sobs wracking his body and Magnolia was glad she couldn't focus on the sound. Harry wrapped his arms around Magnolia, pulling her close to him and holding her tight as they were ushered away from the Quidditch pitch.

"Don't leave me… don't leave my side Maggie… he'll take you… you can't leave my side."

When they were ushered into Moody's office, Magnolia snapped back to reality. This wasn't right.

"What happened, Harry?"

"Cup was a Portkey." Harry mumbled, "Took me and Cedric to a graveyard… and Voldemort was there… Lord Voldemort…"

Harry's grip on Magnolia tightened. His eyes looked crazed, he was pale and shaking, Magnolia had no idea what he'd seen in that maze but whatever it was had terrified him like nothing else ever had.

"The Dark Lord was there? What happened then?"

"Killed Cedric… they killed Cedric…"

"And then?"

Harry wouldn't sit in the chair offered to him, instead he stood on weak legs clutching on to his sister.

"Made a potion… got his body back…"

He had his body back. Magnolia briefly wondered what he would like now. The Tom Riddle she saw in her dreams would be nothing like the Lord Voldemort that had risen, she thought.

"And the Death Eaters came… and we duelled…"

"You duelled him!?" Magnolia cried, "Harry…"

"Got away… my wand… did something funny… I saw mum and dad… they came out of his wand…"

"Voldemort's back, Harry? You're sure he's back? How did he do it?"

Magnolia felt sick. Moody was too interested in this. He was excited, she could tell by how jittery he was acting, by the tone of his voice.

"He took stuff from his fathers grave, and from Wormtail, and me."

"What did the Dark Lord take from you?"

Magnolia frowned; Moody said his name like he worshipped it. Something was very wrong. She needed to get her and Harry back to the crowds, away from Moody, back to Dumbledore and Draco.

"Blood."

Magnolia glanced down at Harry's arm; a long, bloody, jagged cut stood out on his pale arm.

"And the Death Eaters? They returned?" Moody breathed.

"Yes… loads of them…"

Magnolia saw Harry pausing, he was thinking he was remembering.

"How did he treat them?" Moody asked, oblivious to Harry's quietness, "Did he forgive them?"

"There's a Death Eater at Hogwarts! There's a Death Eater here! They put my name in the Goblet of Fire, they made sure to get through to the end, they were supposed to get Maggie there-"

Magnolia froze. She was supposed to be there? Magnolia gasped and looked away from her brother to Moody. Her heart pounded as he looked back at her wide eyed. She slowly started pulling Harry back, trying to get to the door.

"Karkaroff." Harry said, not knowing why his sister was moving them ever so slightly, "It must be Karkaroff…"

Magnolia tried to keep moving ever so slowly, to not bring Moody's attention to them moving.

"Karkaroff?" Moody laughed, "Karkaroff fled tonight when he felt the Dark Mark burn upon his arm. He betrayed too many faithful supporters of the Dark Lord to wish to meet them… but I doubt he will get far. The Dark Lord has ways of tracking his enemies."

"Karkaroff's gone? But then… who put my name in the Goblet?"

"Harry…" Magnolia mumbled quietly.

"It was I who did that."

"No, you didn't." Harry shook his head, "You didn't do that… you can't have done that…"

"I assure you I did." Moody smirked and pulled out his wand, "He forgave them, then? The Death Eaters who went free? The ones who escaped Azkaban?

Magnolia pushed Harry a little behind her, clutching her own wand in her pocket.

"I asked you, whether he forgave the scum who never even went to look for him. Those treacherous cowards who wouldn't even brave Azkaban for him. The faithless, worthless bits of filth who were brave enough to cavort in masks at the Quidditch World Cup but fled at the sight of the Dark Mark in the sky."

"You." Magnolia breathed, "You conjured the Mark."

"I told you Harry," Moody continued, "If there's one thing I hate more then any other, it's a Death Eater who walked free. They turned their backs on my master when he needed them most. I expected him to punish them. I expected him to torture them. Tell me he hurt them, Harry.

"Tell me he told them that I, I alone remained faithful… prepared to risk everything to deliver to him the two things he wanted above all… You… and Magnolia."

Magnolia froze. She hadn't been delivered to Voldemort, but if she had gone with Moody she would have been. Harry was though. Harry been to hell and back. Moody was telling them everything now; how he had been the one to put Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire, he had been the one to get to Hagrid to show him the dragons, he had told Cedric to open it under water knowing that Cedric would help Harry, the book he'd given Neville at the beginning of the year was supposed to help.

He had been the one to clear Harry's path in the maze; cursing obstacles out of his way, stunning Fleur, casting the Imperius Curse on Krum in a bid to take out Cedric as well. Magnolia and Harry were clutching at each other now like their lives depended on it.

"Who knew the hardest part of my mission here would be Magnolia." Moody pondered, "I couldn't put her name in the Goblet, no, she is to be protected… she shouldn't face the difficulties of the task. I tried to get them to use that Weasley instead of her in the lake, but they wouldn't accept it. And allowing Rita Skeeter to out you, I was foolish to allow that woman anywhere near you. You were to remain forgotten until the right moment.

"And trying to get you to trust me. I didn't think that would be so difficult. When having dreams about the Unforgivable Curses and the Dark Lord, why would you not talk to the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Auror at that! I gave you so many opportunities. You will be my one regret tonight, failing to pass you to the Dark Lord with Harry. Never mind though, I still have time. The Dark Lord didn't manage to kill you, Potter, and he so wanted to. Imagine how he will reward me… when I deliver Magnolia Potter to him and tell him I killed Harry Potter."

"Stupefy!"

Magnolia felt her body freeze and fell backwards away from her brother. She could still hear and see everything. Moody was bragging and waving his wand around. Magnolia saw Harry whip his wand out of his pocket as Moody raised his own.

"Stupefy!"

Moody was thrown backwards, and Magnolia could see Professor Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall stood in his doorway. Professor McGonagall went straight to Harry, Professor Snape to her. She could see his eyes run over her, looking for any obvious injuries as he unstunned her. He was angry. He was furious.

"They will stay, because they need to understand." Professor Dumbledore was telling the Transfiguration professor.

Dumbledore swiftly sent Professor Snape to get a bottle of Vertiserum, and Professor McGonagall to escort a large black dog to his office. Magnolia breathed a sigh of relief; Sirius was near. Magnolia stayed where she was on the floor, Harry moving to sit beside her and wrap his arm around her, as Dumbledore began opening a trunk.

Dumbledore explained that Professor Moody was not Moody, but someone using a Polyjuice Potion to stand in as him. The real Moody was held captive in his own trunk. As the minutes ticked by, Magnolia saw the fake Moody begin to change, before her eyes he became the boy from Dumbledore's memory. Barty Crouch Jr looked terrible.

Professor Snape and McGonagall re-entered the office then, Professor Snape handing Dumbledore a small bottle. Dumbledore dragged Crouch into a sitting position and forced him to drink the Vertiserum before beginning his questioning.

Crouch admitted that he had escaped Azkaban because his mother swapped with him when she knew she was already dying. He told them all that his father had kept him under the Imperius Curse, and forced him to live under an Invisibility Cloak, how Winky had talked Crouch Sr into letting his son attend the Quidditch World Cup.

"It was carefully planned. My father led myself and Winky up to the Top Box early in the day. Winky was to say that she was saving a seat for my father. I was to sit there, invisible. When everyone had left the box, we would emerge. Winky would appear to be alone. Nobody would ever know.

"But Winky didn't know that I was growing stronger. I was starting to fight my father's Imperius Curse. That was when I first saw the Potter twins and remembered how badly the Dark Lord wanted her by his side. She helped me, gave me a moment of clarity. It was like waking from a deep sleep. I found myself out in public, in the middle of the match, and I saw the boy's wand sticking out of his pocket in front of me."

He carried on, Magnolia feeling sicker as he explained how Lord Voldemort had come for him after hearing he was still alive, how he had placed Crouch Sr under the Imperius Curse and set Crouch Jr free of him.

"He asked me whether I was ready to risk everything for him. I was ready. It was my dream, my greatest ambition, to serve him, to prove myself to him. He told me he needed to place a faithful servant at Hogwarts. A servant who would guide Harry Potter through the Triwizard Tournament without appearing to do so.

"A servant who would watch over Harry Potter and his sister. Ensure Harry Potter reached the Triwizard Cup, turn the cup into a Portkey, which would take him to my master. Oh, my master was gleeful when he realised I remember Magnolia Potter. I was to watch her too, to look after her, and ensure she was safe and well before delivering her to him."

Magnolia forced herself to stop listening then, she couldn't take anymore. Knowing Lord Voldemort was so desperate to have her by his side had rattled her. What did he want with her? What would he do to her? What would he turn her into if he had her?

When Crouch Jr was finished, Magnolia and Harry were taken to Professor Dumbledore's office. Magnolia felt numb and couldn't take in what was happening around her. All she could feel was Harry holding her. At one point, another set of arms joined Harry's. She looked up and saw Sirius' ashen face peering down at her.

Magnolia didn't listen very well as Dumbledore told Sirius what had happened, what Crouch Jr had told them, and questioned Harry. She caught her name a few times; how disappointed Lord Voldemort had been when she hadn't appeared, how he was waiting for her.

Soon though, they were taken to the Hospital Wing and Harry was given a sleeping potion. Magnolia sat on the chair next to him, leaning her head on the edge of his bed, Sirius leaning against her leg with his head in her lap as Snuffles. If she hadn't had been so freaked out by what had happened and what had been said, she would have laughed at Madam Pomfrey's face when Snuffles trotted in.

Hours later, everyone but Magnolia was asleep in the Hospital Wing. Harry was snoring quietly, and Snuffles was curled on the floor on her feet, occasionally letting out a small growl or yap, and twitching his paws. Magnolia sighed and looked out the window.

She stood up, suddenly feeling claustrophobic in the Hospital Wing. She practically ran out the room, trying to be as quiet as possible, and made her way to the Courtyard where she sat on the floor and gazed up to the stars.

She hadn't been there for long when she was startled from space by footsteps hurriedly approaching her. Everything hit her at once; Harry almost dying, Cedric dying, Lord Voldemort being back and wanting her with him, Barty Crouch Jr spending the whole year trying to ensure she would there tonight, and Magnolia burst into tears when she saw Draco run towards her.

Draco held her for what seemed like hours whilst she sobbed and listened when she told him what happened. She could feel his arms tighten around her as she teared up again, the panic evident in her voice when she told him that Lord Voldemort wanted her for something.

He had been worried about her when he saw Moody dragging her and Harry out of the Quidditch pitch, but he hadn't been able to get to them because of the crowds. Draco told her he had been frantic all night, not able to sit still, until Kaida had strutted towards him and led him to the Courtyard.

They sat together in the courtyard for the rest of the night, Magnolia resting against Draco's chest until she finally fell asleep against him. She woke up when the sun had risen, still enveloped in Draco's arms, his head resting on the top of hers, and his legs wrapped around hers. He looked peaceful as he slept; Magnolia was loathed to wake him up, but with Sirius in the Castle and the two of them sat in such a public area, she knew she had to.

Magnolia and Draco parted ways when they got back into the Castle; Draco going back to their Common Room to let their friends know she was ok, and Magnolia going back to the Hospital Wing with Kaida weaving between her legs.

Harry still wasn't awake, but Snuffles was. She stared at him, shocked, as he turned back into Sirius and pulled the curtains around Harry's bed. Magnolia sat back in the chair she had occupied the night before, Kaida jumping onto her lap, and Sirius leant against Harry's bed.

"How are you doing?"

"I'm ok now, just worried about Harry and what's to come."

"Ok, now? After breaking down with the Malfoy boy?" Sirius' eyes flashed. "Why didn't you talk to me?"

"He's easy to talk to. He has been since I came to Hogwarts." Magnolia told him, tired of keeping so many secrets, "We have a mutual understanding that what we tell each other goes no further. We get things out of our own heads with each other."

"You need to be careful, Princess. With You-Know-Who back, not all of your friends in Slytherin can be trusted anymore. I think it would be wise for you to distance yourself from them."

Magnolia scoffed, "You sound just like Harry. All Slytherins are evil, right? Don't worry about the fact they've only ever tried to keep me safe before. Tell Harry I'll be back later, I need a shower."

Magnolia stormed out of the Hospital Wing then. She didn't stop to listen to the whispers that surrounded her or the glances from the students heading to breakfast. She didn't stop until she was safely back in her Dorm room. When she was showering, she could hear the girls chatting, and the boy's voices join them soon after, waiting to blanket her into a group hug when she stepped out of the bathroom.

The End of Term Feast was a sombre occasion, a memorial for Cedric. Magnolia just moved her food around her plate as Dumbledore told the school how Cedric had died, and how the Ministry of Magic was trying to cover up the truth.

She was actually glad when she was sat on the train with her friends heading away from Hogwarts. Harry had wanted her close to him but had relented when Theo and Tracey had insisted they wouldn't let Magnolia out of their sight and would get him immediately if something happened. Tracey explained on the walk through the carriages that she had only relented, because she knew how worried she was in Harry's shoes.

As glad as Magnolia had been to get on the train, when it pulled into Kings Cross, she started to panic. Draco grasped her hand as her friends hugged her goodbye, all telling her they would write to her over the summer.

"I don't want to let you go." Draco murmured against her lips.

They were both standing in the compartment, Magnolia's arms were around Draco's neck playing with collar, and his hands were resting on her hips.

"I don't want you to either."

"How am I going to get through this summer without seeing with my very own eyes that you're safe and well?"

"How will I?" Magnolia replied.

"You know me, Princess, I'll always be well if you are." Draco replied, a twinkle in his eyes.

"Princess?"

Draco shrugged, "Thought I'd try it. It just seemed… right. Like it fits you."

Magnolia smiled. Sirius called her Princess. Maybe her dad had too. And now Draco had taken up the habit himself. Magnolia agreed with him, it did seem right. He was the Slytherin Prince after all, and now she was his princess.

"Promise you'll write?" Magnolia asked, before the pair parted ways for the summer.

"I promise. You do too, if I don't hear from you, I'm coming to Muggles' place myself." He warned.

Magnolia giggled, she couldn't imagine Draco in Privet Drive, but she promised she would write to him too. They walked to the door of the train, and Magnolia spotted her brother walking through the barrier. Before she could jump off the train, Magnolia felt Draco's little finger wrap around hers and turned to him.

"Be careful this summer." Draco's voice had changed from the light-heartedness from moments before.

"I will." Magnolia nodded.

"I mean it, Lia." Draco's eyes burned with intensity, "Can I tell you something that you won't tell anyone else?"

Magnolia nodded, unable to reply to his desperate tone.

"I've loved being with you these past few months… and I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."

Magnolia stepped closer to him, "Can I tell you something that you won't tell anyone else? I feel the same. And I miss you already."