A/N: Sorry again for the late update, it's just, I went on vacation and stuff and I'm real tired. Here-Here's a chapter.

June 26, 1998. Day Eight, 8:00PM

"This firewhiskey is something I could get used to," I said, swirling it around in a glass. Draco and I were out on the balcony and I was sitting in his lap again, leaning against his stony chest as I sipped a glass of firewhiskey.

"Lately, I've been thinking about the future," he said suddenly. I stiffened with fear. How long was I going to be here? I'd never thought about the future, which was very..not me. But then again, who was I anymore?

"Really?" I asked uncomfortably.

"Yes, I figure you don't have much of a family to go back to and if...maybe..someday..."

"If I want to marry you." I finished for him, trying not to tense at the sentence. He nodded, and looked out back onto the sunset.

"I...Let's just give it some time, okay? I don't know, I'm...." I mumbled. He kissed the top of my head.

"Anything for you, pet, when you're ready" he said, and I blushed. I hated names like that. I got up promptly, walking back in through the tiny door and down the stairs. I loved Draco dearly, but how long could I last like this? It was a constant tug-of-war on my swelled heart that would never cease to exist, no matter what I do. I could live for today, or prepare for tomorrow. But no matter what I did, I need to make a decision soon. Someone was after me....and I wanted to know who.

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June 26, 1998. Day Eight, 1:00AM

I snuggled deeper into the covers when I felt myself being lifted up from my bed, and I opened my eyes frantically but was relieved to see it was only Draco.

"No, leave me be, Draco," I mumbled, half-asleep. "Wh-what's the problem?'

"You, my dear, sleeping alone, that's the problem," he replied, his bare feet softly tapping on the creaking floorboards as he shuffled, my body in hand, to his room. I saw the green and silver reflected onto window as he laid me down on the bed. It was too hot for covers, so I cracked my neck, sighed with relief as my upper back felt plushy and soft now that I relieved myself of the tension. I felt his arms pull me closer to him and I smiled in the dark, snuggling into the pillow.

"Good night," he muttered.

"Ah, ah, good morning," I laughed quietly.

He sighed. "I hate you and your logic."

" If you want to be possessive, it's just 'i-t-s, but if you want to be a contraction, it's 'i-t-apostrophe-s." I sang, the Muggle school song ringing clearly in my ears. I could hear his scoff and feel his breath against my neck as he did so.

"I'll always love you," I heard him say.

"I know, me too," I said tentatively, turning around and pressing his lips against mine. But something was slightly different; his lips were, as usually, soft and warm against mine, but I felt mine harden and become colder. When I let go, he started at me.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"I don't know," I lied before giving a devilish grin. "Do you want to try that again?"

"You bet," he said slyly before kissing me even deeper, and this time I was more relaxed, and not tensed. When he let go, his face was still close to mine, and I could see the intensity and passion in his eyes. He was so close I could hear him breathing and I could feel his breath against my face, sounding like quiet, ocean waves crashing on a shoreline. The sound was soothing and I closed my eyes.

"Now, that's most definitely better," he breathed, and I nodded. I'd never been so close to someone physically without actually kissing them. I could feel my heart crashing onto my chest over and over again, as if he had some sort of affect on me.

"You're heartbeat is too rapid," his silky voice murmured, touching my face lightly with his index finger. "Don't do that. You might have a panic attack, hypertension, high blood pressure.."

"I wonder what's the cause," I also whispered, blinking slowly. What was I thinking? Why would I ever want to leave this warmth, this security, the feel of his hands on my skin, the sound of his breath, the smell of his body? I inhaled his spicy scent, and sighed with a dazed look on my face.

"I do too," he said thoughtfully before turning away. I rolled my eyes, but they snapped open and I sat up instantly. Something was wrong, I could feel it.

The door opened with a loud creak, then slammed loudly with a sickening crash. I sprung out of Draco's arms, and he jumped also. I looked at the floor and saw canisters, several. I tiptoed out of bed, my feet squeaking on the floorboards. I picked one up, inspecting it when my eyes widened.

"Draco, get up and run, now," I said as calmly as possible. I looked back down at the can; knockout gas. I looked at the warning labels.

"Not without you!" But before I could argue, blue gas sprayed out of all of them at the same time. I panicked dropping it and felt myself get weak. My legs felt like noodles and I swayed.

"I said RUN!" I shouted grabbing his hands and trying to make my way to the bathroom, feeling my legs droop heavily. When I stumbled inside, panting, I crawled to find long towels. I tied it around Draco's mouth and nose.

"Don't breath it, it'll kill you, we need to get out n-now," I said, tying my own, breathless.

"Let's go!" he said, voice muffled. As I tumbled out of the bathroom, trying to get through all the blue fog and shrouded me and Draco, my towel became loose and dropped to the ground. We both froze and he stared at me with wide, fearful eyes. My legs limped instantly and the power to breathe was disabled.

"Claire!" the voice echoed through my mind before all went black. I think I'll sleep now, yes, rest...

rest most definitely seemed good..

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"Isn't she the prettiest witch you've ever seen?" I heard a voice chuckle.

"Meh, I've seen better, come on, wake the old ones," I heard a louder, more commanding voice say. I opened my eyes and there was complete darkness. I tried to get up, but only stumbled for there was a chain, strapping me to the grimy wall, which it's grain was breaking off into my hair. My head was pounding, and where was Draco?

"So..what's your name?" the first voice asked slowly.

"Claire Terversa," I breathed, trying to grope my pocket for my wand. the persons rough hand put a hand on my chin and pulled it towards him roughly. I pulled off a pretty good snarl in the dark.

"Don't touch me!" I snarled, the pounding in my head ceasing.

"I know you're lying," the man's voice hissed. "Now either tell us the truth or.." he sighed. "No use. Forget it. Thanks anyways."

"You're giving up now?" the other, loud but high-pitched voice squeaked.

"Yes, why try?" he sighed. "No use. You can't give any info out of this one." I heard footsteps and leaving when I heard the horrible squeaking of new, fancy shoes against the pebbly ground as he walked towards me, and I heard him(I was sure it was a man) kneeled towards me. Even through the dark I could feel his sinister presence and shivered at the chuckle that ran through my head and bounced off of the walls. I felt a sharp pain of a needle going into my hand and I whimpered loudly before the man yanked it out harshly. I heard more footsteps and a door creak open. I shook my head around violently, for things I didn't remember and had never seen before. There was a huge pain surging through my body and I screamed in agony.

"We'll be back. Draco can't protect you forever," it snarled before slamming the door shut.

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June 29, 1998. Day Eleven, 7:50PM

"Oh, Claire!" I heard a voice from afar. Everything was so close and loud, and very, very dark. "Claire, don't die, I can't have you die!" My throat was so hoarse and I was so sore, I could barely use the energy I had to open my eyes.

"Can you hear me?" I heard the panicked voice give a small choked, dry sob. "Don't die!"

"Draco, are you there?" I asked in a deep, hoarse voice that surprised me.

"Yes, yes, I-I'm here." He took my hand and squeezed it tightly so that it was lost in his. Everything was still dark.

"Turn on the lights," I moaned softly. He slowly stroked my forehead and that's when I realized my eyes were still closed. I opened them and blinked profusely, the orange light from the horizon shining on me.

"Love, you're a total mess," he breathed in my ear as he carefully lifted me up and walked back down the sidewalk.

"I can walk," I said hoarsely, and he let me down. I did put my hand on his arm and I wobbled with him home. As soon as we got in, I collapsed on the couch.

"I couldn't call the Ministry, since I'm in hiding, and I can't call the Muggle police because we're just not Muggles," he explained to me worriedly.

The room began to shift slightly and I felt light headed. "Wh-what time is it?"

"8:00," he said, checking his wristwatch quickly. I took a pillow, propping my head against it as I scratched my frizzy hair. I looked down at my shirt and was surprised to see it ripped at places, hanging on my now thin form.

"How long has it been?" I asked, and for some reason tears formed in my eyes.

"Three days, and I'll answer all your questions later, but you need some food," he said, carefully pulling me to my feet. I finally realized the hunger I felt all of a sudden, and the dryness of my mouth ad throat.

"Yes, please," I said, clearing my throat. He pulled all the cupboard doors open and tried finding some canned food, ending up with ravioli he cooked on the stove top as I sat at the kitchen table. He brought it to me, spoon included, and I smiled.

He kissed my forehead and sat down with me, my hand in his again. "I'm so glad you're okay, you really have no idea how painful these past few days have." I nodded and spooned the soupy mixture and meat-filled pasta uninterested, the shadow of despair hanging low above me.

He noticed my expression. "Do not worry, love, everything will get better," and he kissed me again. But he was so, so wrong. Everything was going to get worse. Poor, naive me just didn't know just how badly it would.

A/N: So, there you have it. This story is coming to a close soon.