Chapter 57.
"He smiled? Merlin Mags, you must have done well."
Magnolia was laying on her bed, completely exhausted, discussing her evening with Pansy, Daphne and Tracey. The boys were still out at Quidditch practice, but Magnolia hoped they would be back soon, it was already dark by the time she had left Professor Snape's office. She was looking forward to telling Draco about her accomplishment but if the boys were going to be much longer Magnolia didn't know if she'd be able to stay awake.
Professor Snape hadn't let up on Magnolia after her first attempt; he had invaded her mind time and time again throughout the rest of the evening- eventually scolding her for using Draco's voice as an anchor. Luckily for Magnolia, her head of house had been discreet enough to not let her brother know who's voice it had been she was clinging on to. After that, she hadn't been able to focus at all, partly through her own frustration that he had picked up on what she had done wrong and not even commented on her being able to resist him, and also through pure exhaustion.
The twins unofficial lesson had ended when Harry saw a corridor that he was sure was the Department of Mysteries. Professor Snape had all but thrown the pair out once Harry had started firing questions at him. Magnolia couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed, no matter how tired she was, at the end of the evening. Her brother may not understand the urgency for them to learn Occlumency, he may not understand the danger they were in, but she did. One thing that Professor Snape had said had stuck in Magnolia's mind, even coming up as he rifled through her memories.
Professor Snape had told Harry that it was important for Magnolia to be able to protect her mind from 'attack and manipulation'. It had never occurred to Magnolia that her own thoughts or feelings towards Tom Riddle could have been a result of Legilimency. Her dreams, of course she had considered, especially after Harry's. Her confusing feelings of safeness and the easy way she could be around Tom- maybe that wasn't her own though.
Maybe someone had been manipulating her mind all this time? Or maybe it was just wishful thinking. When her Professor had been in her mind, she had felt his presence there like she had felt his physical presence in front of her. She had never felt that in her mind before, except with Barty Crouch Jr.
The following morning, Magnolia finally saw Draco, who had spun her around the empty Common Room as she told him about the night before. She was still tired, but luckily had slept well. As Magnolia and her friends reached the Great Hall, they were greeted by stunned students, shocked and fearful faces and worried quiet chatter. It was just moments before Magnolia saw her brother storming towards her, the Daily Prophet in his hand. As he approached, he practically threw the paper at her.
"I bet you're all happy." Harry spat at her friends, as Magnolia gasped at the papers headline.
Mass breakout from Azkaban. Ministry fears Black is 'rallying point' for old Death Eaters.
Along with the headline, ten photos took up the entire front page. Magnolia quickly read through all of the names of the now free Death Eaters, one standing out to her. The photo showed a crazed looking witch, her dark curly hair a tangled mess and a menacing grin on her face. Magnolia felt a chill go down her spine. Draco's aunt and Sirius's cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, had broken out of Azkaban.
Magnolia ignored the quarrel that was going on next to her, instead scouring through the article. She grimaced and practically growled as she read Cornelius Fudge was placing the sole blame on her God Father although she was sure that Sirius found it funny. He enjoyed reading the articles about his latest whereabouts and the Ministry's theories on what he was doing. At least twice in the Summer break, he had laughed out loud and wished he was where the Ministry was placing him- 'Nicer weather then here, that's for sure!'
"He's getting stronger then, more confident." Magnolia mumbled, barely being heard over the Gryffindors and Slytherins next to her.
"The Ministry will have to admit it soon, otherwise it'll be like the first time all over again mum and dad were saying."
Magnolia glanced up at the boy who had responded to her, the only one who had heard her at all it seemed like. George was standing in front of her, to the side of his brother who was taking part in the argument beside them. Magnolia didn't have the energy to stop her separate friendship groups from arguing and so instead just sighed and walked out of the Great Hall with George by her side.
"How are you feeling after last night? You look better then Harry did when he got back."
"Tired, but we need it to work."
"Yeah, I heard Harry Ron and Hermione talking this morning over the paper about Harry hearing You-Know-Who last night." George replied casually.
Magnolia pulled him to a stop on the steps leading out of the Castle and on to the grounds, "What do you mean Harry heard him last night?"
"Er- I thought- Did Harry not- I'm sorry Nola, I thought you knew." George stumbled over his words, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment.
With a stern face, Magnolia span around and stormed back into the Castle, almost walking into the person she was looking for. Harry glanced between his sister and George, before his own features fell into a look of acceptance at the rant his sister was about to throw at him. He had acted stupidly last night in their lesson with Professor Snape, probably simply because of the Professor that was teaching them, and he allowed the Dark Lord into his mind as a consequence. Harry needed to learn to that whatever link he had with Lord Voldemort needed to be severed.
The rest of the month seemed to disappear in front of Magnolia's eyes. The Occlumency lessons were coming along, although Harry was struggling a lot and Magnolia's worry over her brother made it much harder for her to focus. Most of the rest of Magnolia's time was spent huddled somewhere with her friends studying. She was finding classes the day after her twice weekly Occlumency lessons incredibly difficult to focus on because of how tired she was, and she knew her schoolwork was faltering. Luckily, her Slytherin friends rallied around her to help where she was struggling.
One evening, Magnolia sat with her head in her hands, her thumbs massaging her temples, as Theo tried to explain the latest potion they were creating in class. She was getting more and more frustrated as he continued talking, the words not seeming to make any sense to her with everything else rushing around her mind. It wasn't long before she noticed Theo had stopped talking and was instead whispering to Draco, who kept glancing at her with a worried look.
"Lia and I are going out." Draco announced as he stood, holding his hand out for Magnolia to take.
"Draco, I can't- I have to get this essay done."
"Theo will do your essay for you, and once you've had a break, he'll go through it with you again." Draco replied sternly, "Now, go get your coat and gloves and let me help you."
The fiery determination in his eyes made Magnolia realise that she was not going to win this, and perhaps he was right, she did need a break. With a quick kiss on his cheek, and a thank you to Theo, Magnolia ran down the stairs to her Dorm room to retrieve her coat and gloves and was still putting them on when she got back to Draco in the Common Room. He quickly took her hand and led her through the Portrait into the school halls. As they wandered out through the doors to the grounds, Magnolia took a long look around, making sure that her brother at least wasn't out there.
It was dark across the grounds, and Magnolia wondered where Draco was leading her, but happily followed him as he confidently led her. Magnolia glanced at Draco as they walked, a small smile gracing her lips. She felt so safe with him, so comfortable and confident herself. She knew that she would never need to question where he was taking her, because he would never lead her into danger. Although, she was slightly concerned when she saw the Quidditch Pitch, completely lit up, come into view. Moments later, her worry escalated as she and Draco walked on to the middle of the empty pitch.
"Draco, what are we doing here?"
Draco's only response was accioing his broom to his side. Magnolia took one look at his light-hearted and mischievous smile before backing away a few steps.
"You aren't getting me on that thing."
"Come on Lia, I promise I won't let you get hurt. I'll be on it with you the entire time, and we don't even have to go high." Draco persuaded.
"No way. You know I don't like heights."
"Yes, I know."
"So, why do you want me on a broom? I'd be terrified."
Draco sighed, stepping closer to Magnolia to take her hand back in his own and look into her eyes as he tried to explain everything he wanted to tell her as well as he could.
"You would be scared to begin with, we all were when we first learnt to fly. However, there is something about the freedom of flying, being completely separate from everything beneath you, being able to be just you, the broom and the wind against your skin. When you fly, it's just you and the natural elements. There is no one expecting anything of you, you're your own entity. The thrill of knowing you could go anywhere, do anything. On a broom, you are entirely free. Like a bird, able to fly wherever it wants without any consequences."
Magnolia could feel Draco's thumb softly stroking her hand as he spoke, "I want you to experience that. Your mind empties in the air, and I think you need that."
Hesitantly, and with a deep breath, Magnolia nodded and agreed to fly with Draco around the pitch. As if he could sense her unease about it, he wasted no time in getting them both settled on his broom, Magnolia's arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
"We'll start low, don't worry."
"We'll stay low." Magnolia almost laughed back.
Her heart stopped and her stomach lurched as she felt Draco kick them away from the ground and his broom lifted them into the air. Draco stopped their ascent only about six feet off the grass, as if he could tell that was enough for Magnolia to begin with. Her arms tightened around him, but he peered over his shoulder to check on her. She nodded, and he pressed the broom onwards, flying in a slow circle around the pitch, as Magnolia's heart pounded with fear.
The last time Magnolia had been on a broom was at the beginning of the year, when she and Harry had been collected from Privet Drive. As Draco slowly flew them around the pitch, careful not to make any sudden movements, and often glancing back to check on her, Magnolia could only smile at the difference between her previous experiences on a broom. Every now and then though, Draco would fly them ever so slightly higher, and Magnolia would have a wave of anxiety flow over her body.
She had to admit, Draco had been right; her mind did empty of all the thoughts she'd been trying to juggle recently, focusing only on the sensation of flying, of the cold wind rustling through her hair, and of Draco's body wrapped tightly underneath her arms. Glancing up, Magnolia noticed how bright the stars were scattered across the dark night sky with no moon to dim them. With a content sigh, she rested her head against Draco's back, allowing herself to enjoy the moment, the peace surrounding the two of them.
"We should go to Hogsmeade together." Draco said as he bought them back towards the grass.
"Don't we normally?"
"I meant, just us two. Without the others." He replied, looking anywhere but into Magnolia's eyes.
"Like a date?" Magnolia smiled back, clenching her hands in his shirt so he couldn't move.
Draco sighed, dropping his broom and resting his own hands on Magnolia's waist, "Yes, like a date. You've had dates to Hogsmeade before, I think it's my turn."
"Hmm, I'm not sure. Last time, I was properly asked." Magnolia teased, giggling as Draco's eyes narrowed.
"Last time, it was a bet that Weasley was lucky enough to win." Draco practically growled, "But if you want things done properly, then that is what you shall you get."
Magnolia smiled, staying quiet for a moment as she expected Draco to ask her properly. Her smile turned to a slight frown though, as he said nothing and turned to pick up his broom and walk away. After a moment, Magnolia jogged to catch up with him before he completely disappeared out of the Quidditch pitch and into the darkness.
She needn't have worried though, as she found him not too far away by the edge of the Forbidden Forest, holding his broom in one hand, and his lit wand in the other as if searching for something. Magnolia stood, confused, watching him until he bent down and then began walking back to her. As he approached, she laughed at the sight of what was in his hand.
"Will you do me the great honour of allowing me to escort you to Hogsmeade this Valentines weekend?" Draco asked, sounding as much like a Pureblood as she had ever heard, and handing her a small white flower, "Unless, of course, you're concerned it would be too improper to be on a date with me without a chaperone?"
Magnolia laughed out loud as her boyfriend, "I would love to go to Hogsmeade with you. And I don't think we'll be needing a chaperone."
"Thank Merlin for that." Draco mumbled as he kissed her.
On the way back to their Common Room, the pair didn't stop kissing very often. Magnolia repeatedly found herself pressed against the stone walls of the Courtyards and hallways, her hands in Draco's hair or gripping his shirt. She felt normal, and it was intoxicating. Draco and their friends always tried to make things as normal as possible, but recently they had all been worried about not only their O.W.L's but the more pressing and dangerous matter of the Dark Lord. So, Magnolia was enjoying the feeling of being a normal teenager for one evening.
Before the pair made it back to the Portrait of their Common Room, Draco pulled Magnolia behind a Tapestry and once again trapped her against the cold stone wall and his body, his arms on either side of her. His fingertips played with her hair, and Magnolia almost began feeling self-conscious at the intense gaze Draco was sending her.
"You know I love you, don't you?"
Magnolia almost didn't hear his whisper, her breath caught in her throat at the passion in Draco's words.
"Can I tell you something that you won't tell anyone else?"
Magnolia nodded at Draco, unable to speak. She felt paralysed by the sudden shift in the atmosphere around them. What had been playful moments ago, was now intense and filled the air around them with crackling electricity.
"I am going to do everything I can to keep you safe and happy. I don't care what I have to do, as long as I can come home to you at the end of it. I'm going to give you the life you deserve, the best life you could dream of."
Draco was closer to her now, his body completely against hers. His hands dropped from the wall, caressing down the side of her chest and stomach, coming to a rest on her hips. His head dipped, dropping a kiss on her temple, before his nose stroked against hers and his lips covered her own.
"I'm going to marry you, Magnolia Potter. And I'm going to give you the world you deserve."