It was midwinter, but Amara wasn't very cold. She was rather lost in her thoughts to care about the cold anyhow. She didn't realize how quickly her life had changed. Just a few years ago, the castle was her home away from home, filling her life with light and hope for her future. Now, Hogwarts was dark, lonely, and… no longer welcoming like home. The cool air began to sting Amara's face, bringing her back to the real world. Her hands came up from the balcony to hug her cloak around her body tightly. As she turned to leave, she saw she wasn't alone. "Draco?"

Draco couldn't find it in him to sneer at her, not this time. No matter his cruelty or harshness, Amara seemed to see right through him. They hadn't exchanged many words in their time at this school, but Amara knew how he was feeling without him saying anything at all. Perhaps it was a gift of hers, or perhaps the past they shared had created an unbreakable bond between them.

"Hello, Amara." Amara smiled as she stepped away from the balcony of the Astronomy Tower; Draco's face remained passive, but the kindness radiating from Amara was something he desperately needed.

Amara could sense how much Draco had changed. He no longer took the time to tease younger students, make comments about the blood status of others, or even to joke around with his friends. As they grew up, Amara was one of the first to realize that Draco only did these things out of his loneliness, out of his desire to be loved and wanted like Harry was everywhere he went. Other things he said or did was simply because he hadn't learned any better. He had the views of his father shoved down his throat, and they changed him from the inside out.

Draco was just born on the wrong side of it all. Come to think of it, Amara's childhood environment couldn't have differed too greatly from Draco's. They were both from pureblood, wealthy families whose ancestry could be traced back for eons. They were both the only child their parents had. They knew each other before Hogwarts, having been thrown into the same social settings on countless occasions. They may have been different on the outside, but Amara knew Draco when he was much younger, sweeter, and kinder. She knew that Draco, the real Draco, was hiding. He was too afraid of being himself. Draco feared that he wouldn't survive in this world, especially without Amara by his side.

Having sensed that they had settled into an uncomfortable silence, Amara stepped aside and began to make her way back to Ravenclaw Tower. "I was just leaving. Goodnight, Draco." Brushing some snow off of her cloak, she began to step past Draco and down the staircase, but he very gently grabbed her wrist as she did. His face was anyone but Amara wouldn't have been able to read. Except for his eyes: they always gave him away. Somewhat perplexed and also intrigued, Amara questioned him. "What is it?"

Draco hastily dropped her wrist. He, too, remembered the days when they spent hours together... when everything was easier. Once upon a time, Draco couldn't imagine a life where Amara wasn't his dearest friend. She hadn't been in years, and Draco knew it was his fault. Yet, she was the only one he could trust entirely, even after all this time. "You should have given up on me a while ago. I've been horrible to you. To Potter, Granger, and Weasley. Why haven't you stopped being so kind to me?"

Amara smiled sadly, reaching for Draco's hand and giving it a soft squeeze. "Because I know you." Without saying anything else, she turned away and began descending the winding staircase. She had to turn away before he saw the tears welling in her eyes. She did know him. She saw how he no longer ate well, his suits began to fall loosely around him, and the bags under his eyes were like bruises. Amara wanted to be there for him, but he had made it clear he didn't want her to be long ago. That didn't mean she would stop caring about him. Not now, not ever.

Draco watched her walk away, her steps echoing in the silence around him. He cursed his childish decision to push her away and hit the balcony in frustration once Amara was out of earshot. His envy of Harry Potter and the pressures his father put on him had driven him to make the worst decision of his life. Draco's eyes stared blankly out into the frigid night, ignoring the snowflakes as they settled on his dark suit. Nothing could compare to the cold building inside him, the cold that was threatening to destroy him...


Amara and Hermione stood in Slughorn's classroom. It seemed to let in more light than Snape's did, and Slughorn seemed welcoming, albeit a tad strange. He lifted the lid of one of his pots gingerly, waving his hand toward the class to let the pink fumes waft towards them.

Draco stood lazily, not quite paying attention. Granger answered the professor's questions as usual, and Amara added on to those responses. Before he could zone out any further, he straightened up and his eyes moved over to Amara. She was still across the room from him, but he could smell the light, floral scent of her perfume. He could smell a crackling fireplace, not unlike the one they sat by in the Grimaldi Manor. Above all, he smelled hot chocolate with cinnamon, something Amara adored even on blistering summer nights. He remembered opting for ice creams instead, and they ended up making a concoction of the two every time.

"That's a perfect answer, Miss. Grimaldi and Miss. Granger. I couldn't have said it better myself. Enlighten us, Amara. What do you smell in this potion?" Amara closed her eyes and took a deep breath, more so to steady herself. She had brewed Amortentia whilst practicing over the summer; she knew exactly what it smelled like to her long before now.

"I smell a warm, spicy cologne… like ginger and sandalwood. I smell a hearth and its smoke…. I smell vanilla ice cream and caramel…" Letting herself get lost in the scent once more, Amara opened her eyes and shook her head clear soon enough. Draco swallowed hard, his eyes falling to the floor. Amara also avoided his gaze. Did he smell their memories in the potion like she did?

"How unique, Miss. Grimaldi. Today, I'll have you brewing the Draught of Living Death. It's desperately tricky and disastrous should you make a mistake. In all my years, I've only had one student brew it successfully. Whoever can make the best batch shall win this… Felix Felicis."

The small golden vial glimmered in Slughorn's fingers. "One sip, and you shall find that you'll succeed in any endeavor." Out of the corner of her eye, Amara saw Draco glance up, his eyes transfixed on the vial. "You have one hour."


Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Amara were lounging in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room. "Amara," Ron began, " you spend most of your time here with us. Are you sure you don't want to ask Dumbledore to transfer you to Gryffindor?" She laughed and shook her head no. "I'm quite content with being in Ravenclaw, Ron. You three just need me around, so I stay here." Hermione smiled and came up to the couch where Amara was sitting to lean against her; Amara quickly wrapped her arms around Hermione's shoulders. "That we do, Amara. That we do."

"Besides… being in Ravenclaw, having Potions be my best subject… Those are things that connect me to my mother. I wouldn't want to ever let go of them." At this, Harry glanced up. Amara was the only one who understood the pain of losing a parent; she was the only one Harry could talk to about it. He gave her a soft smile, finally tearing his eyes away from the ratty Potions textbook.

"Merlin, Harry. How DID you manage to brew a potion better than Amara's today?" Amara raised her eyebrows at this. "I've been curious about that as well. The instructions said to use the juice of twelve Sopophorous beans. How did you know to use thirteen instead?" At this, Harry began to fidget in place. Amara lunged forward from the couch and grabbed the old copy of Advanced Potions Making out of his hands, flipping through it and reading all of the edits and notes. "This book belongs to the Half-Blood Prince. Who's the Half-Blood Prince?"


"Why is it that whenever anything happens, it's always you four?" Professor McGonagall questioned. Amara almost laughed. "Believe me, Professor. I've been asking myself the same question for six years." Ron was silenced by Professor Snape entering. He levitated the necklace and they all watched it turn in the air. "I think… Miss. Bell is very lucky to be alive."

Harry blurted, "It was Malfoy," without thinking. Snape lowered the necklace back to the case and turned towards him. "That is a very serious accusation. Do you have any proof?" Amara sighed internally and waited for Harry to try to get out of this one. "I just know." Hermione glanced at Amara from the corner of her eye and both girls were very obviously biting their tongues. "You just… know? How wonderful it must be to be you, Potter… The Chosen One."


Amara was glad that Harry had asked her to accompany him to Slughorn's Christmas celebration. Both of them were dreading asking others until Harry suggested they attend together as friends. They were greatly amused by Hermione's attempts to dodge Cormac McLaggen and were having a genuinely wonderful time. When Professor Snape relayed Professor Dumbledore's message of absence to Harry, she lingered close by, conversing with Neville and making sure he wasn't feeling lonely either.

Harry and Amara were considering calling it a night and heading back to their dormitories when Filch dragged Draco Malfoy in by the collar. "Found this one lurking nearby. He claims he was invited." Before Draco could say anything, Amara immediately stepped forward. "There you are, Draco! He's my date Professor Slughorn, he's just running VERY late." Professor Slughorn looks at Harry, shifts to look lingeringly at Draco, and then settles his gaze on Amara. "Very well Amara. Happy Christmas, my boy."

Draco manages a smile that much more resembles a grimace, while Harry glares towards Draco and questions Amara with his eyes from across the room. She mouths, "I'll explain later" to Harry before grabbing Draco's hand and pulling him to the side. Inside of expressing the hint of gratitude he was feeling, he stifled it. It was easier to hide under the false sanctuary harsh words provided. "Why did you do that? I didn't need your help, Grimaldi."

Amara winces internally but only smiles externally, a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "I just wanted you to stay out of detention, Draco. My mistake. Anyhow…" Her voice trails off as Draco's voice rings in her mind. He had never called Amara by her last name, not even in the six years since their relationship had become strained. "Do whatever you need to do here. I was just about to leave. Goodnight."

Draco doesn't stop her this time. He watches her walk over to Potter who leaves the party along with her, not before glancing back to glare in his direction though. Before Draco can beat himself up over how awful he was to the only person he trusted besides his mother, Professor Snape grabs Draco by the arm and pulls him out into the hallway roughly...

...

By the time Amara and Harry reach the corridor where they part ways to go to their separate common rooms, Amara walks with Harry. "I think I'll wait for Hermione in her room. I want to talk to her about this." Harry opens his mouth and closes it again. "Spit it out, Harry."

Harry sighs softly, stopping in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Amara… why? You know as well as I do that Draco Malfoy is most likely a Death Eater. Then why would you help him? Why would you help someone who would kill without flinching?"

This time, Amara winces visibly. "Harry, trust me. Draco is not like that. You may not trust him… but you trust me, don't you?" Her breath hitches in her throat as it threatens to close up with emotions, making it harder to keep speaking. "Has it ever occurred to you that Draco may not have had a choice in these things? Have you considered that Draco is paying for the sins and mistakes of his father?

"I knew who Draco was before all of this. Before everything went to hell. I know the true Draco is in there somewhere… One day, Harry, you'll see the same Draco I do." With that, Amara mutters the Gryffindor common room's password and enters, wordlessly making her way to the girl's dormitories.

Harry stands outside the door for a moment longer, thinking over Amara's words before somewhat ignoring them. Amara was too kind; she couldn't recognize the darkness in people because she saw good in even the most despicable human beings. It annoyed him (along with Ron and Hermione) at times. Yet… there had never been one time when Amara had misjudged someone in their lives. Was it possible that she was right again?


Amara had a splitting headache. Ron and Hermione were no longer talking to each other since Lavender jumped on Ron after the Quidditch match. Harry was trying to prove Draco was a Death Eater. She just wanted to sleep. Amara and Harry hadn't discussed Draco any further; she no longer had the energy to dissuade him. She didn't exactly know how she would react if Draco was truly a Death Eater, all she knew is that she would still love him the same.

She had always known she loved him. Even when he began ignoring her letters in first year. Even after they spent months without seeing each other across the crowded corridors of the castle. Amara had loved Draco since they were children; the way Amara loved… it would never go away. Draco probably didn't remember his childhood promise to marry Amara one day, but she did. It had been reduced to a memory and nothing more, but it was a memory she'd cherish forever.

Hermione was the one who understood Amara the most, despite Draco's cruelty to her. She saw reason before being carried away by emotions, and Amara appreciated that greatly. Hermione saw Draco through Amara's eyes simply because she stopped to listen to the truth about Draco's past.

As Amara excused herself, Hermione asked if she wanted her to come with. Amara smiled gratefully and shook her head, giving Hermione a quick hug before heading to the Room of Requirement. She was planning on having it take the form of her bedroom at home, needing its comforts. Hogwarts didn't feel like home… not like this.

As she turned the corner, she made out a head of platinum blond hair entering the Room of Requirement. Draco had paused momentarily before he entered, the doors promptly disappearing behind him.

Amara stopped where she stood, weighing the options before her. She knew she needed to help Draco, but she didn't know how. She didn't even know if she should. This was a decision she couldn't make on her own. She was going to write to her most trusted confidant above her friends… her father.

...

Dear Dad,

I hope you're safe. I know I'm not home to make sure you're taking care of your health, so please do so on my behalf. Things must be immensely hectic with the Order these days, Daddy; I'm so proud of you. I hope whatever you're doing isn't too dangerous.

While I'm always worried for you, I'm also worried for Draco. Since his father was imprisoned… he's changed. This change is different from the ones I've mentioned before. When he stopped being my friend, I knew that was his front: the facade he had up. Now… even that has vanished. I can see that Draco doesn't sleep or eat properly, and he won't let me or anyone help him.

You know I care for him, Daddy. I can't watch him like this and let him suffer alone. I want to help him, but how? I don't want to become the catalyst to the storm brewing inside him… I don't want to bring about his destruction.

Please tell me what I should do. I love you and trust only your opinion on this. You know me and you know Draco so well… help me, please.

Your loving daughter,

Amara

Amara didn't comprehend just how strongly she was feeling about this until she wrote it out in the letter to her father. The tip of her quill nearly snapped in her grip and the parchment crinkled harshly as she clutched it. As she signed her name and let go of her letter, Amara's body slumped forward onto the desk. Her father's response would bring her peace; his wisdom always did.

...

Ambrosi Grimaldi had just returned home after a few days. He, along with other members of the Order, was bringing families in danger of persecution to safehouses. As Ambrosi sat down with a cup of tea, his daughter's owl, Artemis, swooped in and dropped a letter onto his lap.

He soothingly stroked Artemis with one hand as he held Amara's letter with the other. As he read it, a smile formed on his face. The similarities between Amara and Lucianna were astounding. She was just like her. Ambrosi could tell how Amara was feeling and by the telltale crinkles in the parchment. Quickly getting some leftover bread for Artemis to munch on, Ambrosi wrote back to her, encouraging her as much as he could.

...

A few days passed before Amara received his response. As soon as Artemis dropped the letter near her plate at breakfast, she opened it eagerly, reading its contents within seconds.

My dear daughter,

I'm taking care of myself, darling girl. I promise. One day, you won't have to worry about my safety. We'll be safe, and this will all be over. Unfortunately, just this once, I cannot tell you what my current mission is (in case this letter falls into the wrong hands). Trust me when I say that I am safe. No harm will befall me. I'm working with Moony and we're looking out for each other.

I often think of Draco too, Amara. His life must have turned to utter chaos after Voldemort's return. Now, with Lucius in Azkaban… he's become the man of the house at 16. I would not be surprised if he has been forced to become a Death Eater. However, I believe you can save him. Dumbledore can keep him safe. Convince him to go to Dumbledore for help. I don't think he'll listen to anyone but you.

Angel, you could never bring about someone's destruction. If anything, you may be what he needs. As you've told me before, you know him better than anyone. Trust yourself and believe in your goodness as I do. He may push you away at first, but he needs you. You are the light he needs in these dark times. You will be his light just like you are mine.

Above all, take pride in the love you give. Before you were born, I was a simple man who loved his wife. After you were born and we lost your mother, I was a hero in your eyes but felt like a failure myself. No one taught you how to love, yet you did so wholly… so purely. This ability of yours is one you inherited from your mother. Your love saved me in the darkest time of my life, as hers did once. Your love can save all. Remember that.

Always here for you,

Dad

Her father knew exactly what to say, exactly what she needed to hear. Running her fingers over the words "Always here for you" once, Amara folded up the letter and headed to the Room of Requirement. If Draco wanted to put walls up, she would bring them down.


Draco held the bird in his hand gently, running the tip of his finger across its feathers. He had managed to get an apple to return whole, but he didn't know if a living thing would fare just as well. He set the bird into the cabinet, closing the door and ignoring its chirps as they became more frantic. "Harmonia Nectere Passus." He barely whispered the incantation but opened the door to find it was gone.

Amara was in front of Room of Requirement, pacing past the entrance a few times. "I want to enter the room that Draco Malfoy is in." She whispered these words both out loud and in her mind, pausing when the doors revealed themselves. She took a deep breath before she walked in, searching for Draco and not paying attention to the doors disappearing behind her.

When Draco called the bird back, he heard no chirping. His hands shook as he reached for the door. When he opened it, he inhaled sharply. The bird lay on the dark wood lifelessly, its neck snapped and resting at an unnatural angle. He picked it up, seeing it resting on his hand. One of Draco's tears slid down his cheek and fell onto the bird's tiny body.

He broke. It was too much. Draco had killed this precious thing. How many more would he have to destroy? How long before this absolute cold consumed him? He was lost. He didn't know who he was anymore.

Amara heard soft sobs coming from her left and rushed over to them, pausing when she saw Draco and the dead bird in his palm. Amara caught Draco before he fell to his knees. The cabinet loomed above them threateningly. Draco set the bird down before throwing his arms around Amara and clinging to her for dear life. Her heart thudded painfully as his anguish echoed against every object around them. "Amara... I can't… I don't… I'm so sorry…"

She held Draco close and let him cry into her neck. Her hand came up to smooth his hair comfortingly. "Shhh, I know. It'll be okay Draco. I promise." As she said these words, Amara knew maintaining such a promise would bring her to hell and back; it may be the one promise she made that she wouldn't be able to uphold. She would try her hardest though. For him, always.


"Stop it, Ron, you're making it snow!" Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Amara sat at the Ravenclaw table. Ron repeatedly looked up to glance at Lavender, who seemed to be digging a fork into the table. "How did I break up with her?" Harry, Amara, and Hermione shared a look. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to be rid of her. It's just… she seems a bit put out." Hermione cleared her throat. "When you were in the hospital wing, you… talked. I don't believe it was a particularly long conversation."

Ron pondered over it and laughed awkwardly. "I do remember something. But it can't be… I must've been completely boggled." Hermione barely veiled the disappointment in her voice. "Right…. Boggled." As Amara reached into her bookbag, her eyes fell to the doors of the Great Hall. "Harry… it's Katie Bell." Harry immediately shot up and went to go talk to her. Amara began gathering her things and was about to leave when she saw Draco enter. His face went white as he saw Katie speaking with Harry.

The air seemed to have thinned around him. Draco immediately turned around and all but ran out of the Great Hall, his hand anxiously tugging at his tie. He tried to breathe evenly but he couldn't. Bursting into the deserted bathroom, he stared into the mirror in front of him. Draco couldn't recognize his reflection. The tears wracked through his body. He clung to the cool porcelain sinks, letting them support weight entirely.

Harry had followed Draco, but he didn't realize Amara had followed him from a distance. The sound of Malfoy's pained whimpers momentarily rooted Harry to the ground. "You hexed her, didn't you? Katie." Something in Draco snapped. All of the guilt, anger, dread, and frustration he was feeling bubbled up and boiled over. Without thinking about it, Draco whipped around and cast "Stupefy!" in Harry's direction, which Harry blocked and countered seamlessly.

Amara stayed outside of the bathroom, but she could hear the fighting. She didn't want to go in. If she did she'd be forced to side with one of them. She couldn't betray Harry's trust in their friendship; she couldn't betray the love she felt for Draco. Yet, she didn't have to make a decision. It was made for her. When Harry shouted, "SECTUMSEMPRA!" she burst into the bathroom to see deep gashes forming on Draco's body, the clear water being overtaken by maroon.

Rushing to his side, Amara had her wand in her hand, though it was of no use to her. She didn't know how to save him. "Amara…" Draco looked up into her frantic but loving eyes. "I-I lo-" Before he could tell her, Professor Snape entered to see what had happened just as Draco's airway closed up with a rush of blood; his eyes drifted close from the bloodloss. Amara stood up wordlessly. She didn't trust her voice right now. Professor Snape ordered them to leave as he muttered a song-like incantation that drew the blood back into Draco's body, the wounds closing up one by one.

Harry felt guilty above all. He knew the spell was labeled for use on enemies, but he had no idea just how powerful it was. It was Harry's first time using such dark magic. Amara's reaction made things so much worse. They exited the bathroom silently, neither knowing what to say. "Amara, I-"

Amara closed her eyes in pain. The image of Draco lying in a pool of his blood was not leaving her mind. "Get rid of it, Harry. The book. Today." She walked towards the Hospital Wing, wanting to be there when Draco was brought up. "I'll be in the Hospital Wing." Harry watched Amara walk away, not knowing of anything he could say to make it better. "I'm sorry."

Amara froze in her steps. An apology seemed so unbelievably inconsequential. Draco almost lost his life. Yet, Amara knew Harry as well as she knew herself; Harry would not have used such a spell if he knew what it truly did. She turned around to smile as reassuringly as she could. "I know you are, Harry. I'm not angry with you. I just… someone should be by his side right now."

Harry didn't know what to think. Just a few weeks ago, Harry had considered Amara's kindness to be her naivety. Today, he realized it wasn't that. Not at all. Harry admired Amara's ability to be able to calm others around her even when she may have been breaking on the inside. Whenever he lashed out, Amara was the one who wouldn't leave him alone, no matter how much he wanted to be rid of her at that moment. It took immense strength to love someone when they did return that love. Harry knew Draco and Amara had been friends in their childhood; he knew Amara couldn't walk away from him.

"Oh, and Harry." Amara came back towards him, making sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. "To get the memory from Slughorn, it sounds like you need some luck. Exactly like the luck Ron thought he had his first match as Keeper." With that, Amara turned to head up to the Hospital Wing, waiting by Draco's bedside until he woke.


Draco didn't wake until the next day, and Amara had sat by his bedside. She hadn't been able to sleep all night, but she had dozed off by the time Draco woke up. It must have been around one in the afternoon when Draco's open eyes fell to Amara sleeping in a chair beside his bed, her knees hugged to her chest and her disheveled hair framing her beautiful face. He didn't want to wake her, but when Draco sat up and groaned softly to reach for some water, Amara's eyes fluttered open.

She was fully awake within seconds and very gently brought Draco back to the bed, pouring him a glass of water and handing it to him silently. Draco took a deep drink, his eyes not leaving her. Amara sat back down, neither of them saying anything, just looking at each other. So much was being said in the silence. They didn't need words to speak volumes.

"How are you feeling, Draco?" It was the first question that came to Amara's mind, but it was possibly the most complicated for Draco to answer. Physically, he was a little achy but alright otherwise. Mentally, his mind was racing with thoughts of Amara and the thoughts he didn't want to pay any attention to: the thoughts reminding him of the task he had to complete tonight. Emotionally, the numbness he had been feeling had been assuaged momentarily, but he knew it was waiting to take over him the second Amara walked away.

Draco didn't know how to answer, so he asked her a question instead. "How long have you been here?" Amara took his glass from him and set it on the table, sitting on the bed next to him. "Since yesterday. You've been sleeping for around 20 hours." While Amara had noticed Draco's health deteriorating weeks ago, Draco saw Amara clearly for the first time tonight. She, too, had bags under her eyes that mirrored Draco's. She had also lost some weight, not being able to eat well while being anxious about Draco.

"And did you sleep?" Amara shook her head, extremely grateful to the curtains surrounding Draco's bed, courtesy of Professor Snape. "Just a bit. I wanted to stay up in case you woke up." Draco clenched his fist by his side, wanting to embrace her but holding himself back. "Why?"

"Because I love you." It was the first time Amara had said the words aloud in a long time. It was the first time Draco heard those words from anyone besides his mother. He hardened, his face turning to stone. "Don't." He couldn't feel. It would ruin him. He would fail, and he couldn't fail. Too much was at stake.

When Draco felt the blood draining from his body, he would have welcomed death. He saw Amara and wanted to tell her he loved her before he was gone forever, but he was saved. If her face was the last he saw, he would have left this world happily.

Amara was more hurt than she would admit by this reaction, but she didn't let it show. "Draco, you get to decide whether you love me or not, not if I love you." She stood up, running a hand through her long locks. "I've loved you since we were kids, Draco. It may mean nothing to you, but you should know." Draco didn't know what to say. He wasn't exactly surprised by this; he knew she loved with unwavering resilience. How she did it was a mystery, but it was her greatest strength.

Draco was lost, and he didn't want her to get lost with him. She just couldn't love a monster like him. His greatest strength was pushing people away, and that's what he tried to do. He placed a fake sneer on his face and spit venomous lies out through his teeth. "That's pathetic, Amara. I haven't wanted you in my life for years. Get out, and leave me be. I don't love you, not even a bit." Amara smiled sadly, infuriating Draco.

"You're lying, Draco Malfoy. To me and to yourself." His eyes had grown dull and almost lifeless, but when he looked at Amara, she saw a spark in them. It was the smallest of flames, desperate to shine… desperate to be saved. Draco scoffed, but his act was slipping through his fingers. He resorted to telling Amara one thing he wished she never found out. Draco's pale fingers curled around his dark sleeve and tugged it up harshly, revealing the Dark Mark imprinted into his skin.

"Do you still love me, Amara?" Bringing his voice to a whisper and casting Muffliato quickly, he covered the Mark and growled angrily. He wasn't angry at her; he was angry with himself. "I cursed Katie Bell. I was the one who poisoned the bottle of mead which put Weasley in the Hospital Wing. I've been mending the cabinet to… do something much worse." Here, his voice faltered. Even when he was trying to push Amara away, he couldn't tell her he had to murder a man she looked up to. He couldn't tell her that he would be bringing Death Eaters into the castle, not the castle that was like home to her.

"So, I ask again. Do you still love me?" Amara took a long, deep breath. "Yes." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I love you because you have no choice in these matters, Draco. Something is forcing you to do this, likely the love you have for your mother. I love you because even though you bear Voldemort's mark, it is not one you would have willingly taken." She stood up to leave. "I will always love you, Draco. Because I know you. You deserve to be loved."

With that, Amara headed out of the Hospital Wing, tears streaming down her face unabashedly. She broke out into a run, barely avoiding people in the halls. Her feet thudded to a halt in front of the Gryffindor common room and she entered quickly. "Where's Harry?" Ron and Hermione shot up from the couch. "Amara?" "What's wrong?" "Are you hurt?" "Why are you crying?" They both asked her question after question; Amara wasn't sure who asked what.

"Harry's gone to search for a Horcrux with Professor Dumbledore." Hermione whispered to her, bringing Amara to the couch. Amara dried her tears. "Something will be happening. I don't know what… but something terrible will happen. And it'll be soon."

Ron and Hermione looked at each other wordlessly while Amara hugged her knees to her chest once more, resting her forehead on them. She felt like a failure. She hadn't been able to convince Draco to go to Dumbledore for help. She never had the chance to. Even if she had… Draco wouldn't have listened to her. His self-loathing had grown so unbelievably much. It killed her from the inside out. How could he hate himself so?

"What do we need to do, Amara?" Ron shifted his weight awkwardly, not knowing what else to say. "I don't know, Ron. I don't know."

...

Draco stared up at the ceiling of the Hospital Wing. Amara's last words to him ran through his mind like a song on repeat. She loved him when she shouldn't have. It would have been easier if she hated him, if she yelled at him. Her acceptance was threatening to save him. But he wasn't worth saving. He wasn't deserving of her love, no matter what she thought.


"Harry, no matter what happens or what you see tonight, promise me that you will stay below. Promise me that you'll stay hidden." Professor Dumbledore's voice was calm as always, but this time there was a slight edge to it. What it was, Harry didn't understand.

Harry was about to hesitate but he heard the sound of a door shutting closed. "Trust me." Harry nodded and hid below just as Professor Dumbledore asked. He watched Malfoy walk in. Within moments, Harry's suspicions were confirmed; Malfoy had disarmed Professor Dumbledore. He admitted to everything.

"Draco… Years ago, I knew a boy who made all the wrong choices. Please let me help you." Malfoy was crying, his hand visibly shaking. "I don't want your help! Don't you understand? I have to do this. I have to kill you. Or he's going to kill my mother. He's going to kill…" Draco couldn't finish his sentence. Dumbledore was the second person wanting to save him, and it was too much for him. Tears streamed down his face relentlessly, his voice nearly garbled by the emotions.

"Amara." Draco's wand almost slipped from his hand at the mention of her name. He made no move to confirm it, but both Dumbledore and Harry understood. "She would want you to hide, Draco. She would want you to save yourself." Draco began to lower his wand. "I know that! But I can't. Saving myself would only bring destruction to her. To my mother." Before Draco could say anything else, other Death Eaters burst into the Astronomy Tower, forcing Draco to straighten his wand again.

Harry was tempted to go up and to protect Dumbledore, but he had promised. He couldn't break that promise. From behind him, Snape showed up and pressed a finger to his lips, gesturing for him to be silent...

...

Amara was worried. She began to make her way to Dumbledore's office but heard a commotion from within the Great Hall. She froze in her steps when she heard Bellatrix's cackle. "You coward!"

Harry's voice broke through even the shattering glass as he ran after Snape. Amara followed it to see Harry casting curses at him, which Snape only deflected. "He trusted you! He trusted you, and you killed him!" The true meaning of Harry's words didn't register in Amara's mind until she saw the tear stains on Draco's face from a distance, illuminated by the fire on Hagrid's hut.

Dumbledore was dead. Amara joined Harry in throwing random spells at Snape, faltering slightly. Even in the darkness, the pain in Draco's eyes shone brightly. Snape ordered him to run, but Draco looked at Amara for just a bit longer before listening to him, wanting to show her he wasn't the one who killed Dumbledore. He couldn't do it. Amara nodded very slightly, before wrapping her arms around Harry, trying to pull him back. When she looked up again, Draco was gone.

"Sectumsempra!" Snape deflected one last spell before he finally snapped. "You dare use my OWN spell against me?" Amara stepped in front of Harry, making sure Snape couldn't hurt him. He ignored her, glaring directly at him. "I am the Half-Blood Prince."

...

The Dark Mark loomed above them all while Harry fell to his knees in front of Dumbledore's body. Ginny went to hold him while he sobbed. Amara took a silent moment to look around. Hogwarts had stopped feeling like a home to her a few years ago, but it had never felt unsafe. Hellfire was coming, and it was going to consume all.

Amara stood near her father, who had arrived with some other members from the Order. He had his arm around her and had silent tears streaming down his face. Ambrosi Grimaldi was not one who shed tears often; in fact, Amara couldn't remember the last time she saw her father cry. Yet, as Ambrosi's deep blue eyes swam in oceans of grief, Amara's throat welled up with emotions and they too spilled from her eyes.

Professor McGonagall's wand was the first to rise. She sent a light towards the Dark Mark, and many others followed suit. Soon enough, every student, Professor, Order member had their want raised, aiming to destroy the darkness encroaching over them.

They raised their wands in unity, in memory of their beloved teacher, friend, mentor, and so much more….


"Do you think he would have done it? Draco?" Amara swallowed hard, resting her head against Ron's shoulder, who wrapped an arm around her comfortingly. Harry glanced back at Amara, remembering Malfoy's hesitation and why he was standing in front of Dumbledore that night. "No. No, he was lowering his wand."

Amara felt a flicker of relief. She got up with Ron and the two of them joined Harry and Hermione at the balcony. "Next year, I won't be back. I've got to finish what Dumbledore started. This Horcrux is a fake… but I won't let it be for nothing. It'll be tough, but I'll let you guys know where I am when I can."

Hermione nudged Harry and spoke up. "Harry, you really can be quite thick sometimes. We'll be coming with you. All of us." Harry's eyes glanced at Ron who nodded solemnly and then shifted to Amara, who managed a small encouraging smile. "Of course, Harry. From Quirrel to the basilisk, from the second task last year to forming Dumbledore's Army, we've done everything together. And that's how we'll end this. Together."

The four stood side by side, staring out onto the Black Lake. Above them, Fawkes sang mournfully, soaring the skies in its grief…


Author's Note: That's the end of 6th year for Amara, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco. As always, I'd love your feedback/comments/reactions/constructive criticisms :)

If you'd like to read this chapter with GIFS integrated into it at various places, please go to my profile and click on the link to my Tumblr page. You will be able to find it easily.

XOXO, JustAThoughtfulAngel