Moving right along to chapter 23! Wow, we're getting close guys!

Thank you for all of the favorites from: Sammy-O Luvs the Ice, and nefieslab

Also for the reviews: Wini, DizzyPotter, xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, and also to Lily (I'll respond at the end)

Enjoy!


Our Time is Running Out

Parchment 23: Foreboding

She was out for what seemed like only a few seconds, she opened her eyes. Her vision was blurred, but she could make out a nicely detailed ceiling. It resembled one she had seen before, at Malfoy manor. She shot up, and looked around the room. She was, for certain, sitting next to the fireplace, where she'd sat during Christmas eve.

"How?" she asked, staring at the fireplace, and calming the buzzing noise in her head.

"Ah, you're awake" said Narcissa, from across the room, "good, then I can fill you in."

She was sitting in a chair to Lixella's right, she closed her book and set it next to a small glass of wine, sitting on a nearby table.

"What? Mrs. Malfoy? Why am I here?" she asked.

"oh, dear" Narcissa chuckled, "because you are important to Draco, of course."

She gazed out of the window. "He's about to kill Dumbledore. If he doesn't, we'll be killed. My only son" she said distantly, "about to become a murderer. All because, his father made a mistake. It's so cruel!"

"I agree!" Lixella exclaimed, "I can't believe he has to do this, it's just so…so"

"stupid? Childish?" asked narcissa, "Voldemort is too scared to face Dumbledore himself. So, instead, he sends someone that he knows wants to prove their worth. Someone who is too young to understand, just yet, what he has gotten himself into."

"I think that when he goes to face him, he won't be able to do it." Lixella said, "Not because I think less of him, but I know that he's a better person than that."

"Yes, he is. He just can't see it in himself. I can only hope that Snape will keep his promise to me. That he'll protect my son, and carry out the deed."

"It's a terrible thought, to wish the act of murder upon someone else" said Lixella, "but, Mrs. Malfoy, I hope that Snape does it, as well."

They both gazed out of the window for a while. Lixella was looking up at the moon, wondering where Cordellia was.

"how long was I out for?" she asked

"about an hour, I thought you would never wake up"

"oh…wow"

"I'm glad he has you, Lixella" said Narcissa, still gazing out the window, "I'm glad that…that you two found each other. Sometimes I think, that he doesn't listen to me anymore. That he just goes off in his own head, and tunes me out. He's getting to that age, but…you seem to be able to whip him back into shape."

"I suppose so" Lixella said

"No, Lixella, it's true. You keep him in check, and he provides you with an outlet. You both do, an outlet for your anger. It's a good thing to have. I hope you two stay that way. I hope you two stay together."

"Gosh" Lixella stared at her, wide eyed, "thank you Mrs. Malfoy"

"How many times do I have to tell you, dear?" she said, "call me Narcissa."

"Thank you, Narcissa" Lixella said.

Lixella curled into the right corner of the couch. She was thinking about death, and murder. There seemed to be a terrible theme of it this past year. It started with her parents, and now, she may even join them. She was confused, about the banshees, her future, and even about Draco. She pulled her knees in, and wrapped her arms around them. Then, it came to her, that familiar feeling, a feeling that she hadn't felt since winter, the sickening fear that evil was close by. Any minute now, Voldemort would probably come waltzing in with the news, the outcome of tonight's events, that determined so many people's future.

She looked over to Narcissa, who was staring out of the window. Lixella couldn't help but stare. Here sat a woman who, through everything, could still keep her composure. It impressed Lixella. She had been through so much this year, her husband's imprisonment, her son becoming an assassin, having Voldemort in her dining room every other week, and the ministry constantly knocking at her door. For the longest time, Lixella had thought her mother to be the strongest woman she knew. As of now, Narcissa had, surely, taken that title. She was quite a mother, constantly worried for her only son, who seemed to just shrug it off. Lixella hoped that, one day, she could love her kids as much as Narcissa loved Draco. That is, if she ever has kids, if she even survives tonight.


"Come to the other side, Draco" said Dumbledore, trying to hold himself up, "We can keep you and your family safe."

Draco stood there, his wand drawn, pointed toward Dumbledore, ready to kill. However, no matter how he tried, he couldn't bring himself to utter the spell. They had been standing there for a good few minutes. Draco had a clear open shot, but he couldn't do it, he couldn't bring himself to take Dumbledore's life. It almost made him sick, the fact that he was too weak. What would everyone think of him? When he returned home, only to say he was a failure. Would they even say anything? Would his mother and Lixella be unhappy with him, at all?

"You don't understand" he said, "I have to do this!"

He couldn't accept Dumbledore's offer. It seemed easier, to change sides and run forever, but he knew that running was a bad idea. What would become of his father, who was locked away in Azkaban? They couldn't simply break him out, and run away. And, what of his friends? Voldemort would surely go after them, too. Not to mention that Dumbledore knew nothing of Lixella. Voldemort could get a hold of her much quicker than the order could. Draco suddenly realized just how many lives were threatened, because of him. This whole time, he had thought it was just Dumbledore, what a fool he'd been.

"just promise me you won't, make the wrong decision" he heard Lixella's voice in his head. This whole time, he'd thought that what he was doing was right. When, in reality, he couldn't have been farther from it.


Lixella and Narcissa had been sitting in the same room for about an hour now. The silence hung in the air, boding only terrible things. It was so quiet that Lixella could hear a wolf howling off in the distance. She was still curled up in the corner of the couch, feeling just as nauseous as she did during winter. Then, the door swung open, and Lixella's spine shivered in fear. Voldemort walked in, accompanied by a man that Lixella had seen before, but couldn't stand to look at. He had tattered clothing, and a pudgy face. His face resembled that of a rat, and his posture was hunched over. Patches of greasy hair covered his body.

"Good evening, ladies" said Voldemort as he entered, his black cloak billowing behind him. "Such a marvelous night isn't it?" he asked, walking over to the window.

Neither of them answered, Lixella tried to look away, Narcissa just sat, staring out of the window, her expression never changing.

"Lixella" Voldemort said, turning to her, "I was told that you were able to get the vanishing cabinet working, thus, allowing the death eaters into Hogwarts. Is this true?"

"Yes, my lord" she said, swallowing her fear, "Draco and I were able to get it working properly."

"Good match" he said, then turned to Narcissa, "You must be a proud mother, Narcissa. Knowing that your son has been able to accomplish all of this, and on his own. I'd dare say that he's more fit for the job than even his father."

Narcissa said nothing. Lixella knew that if she opened her mouth, only hatred would come out. It was awful, watching Voldemort harass her for things that he himself had caused.

"It must feel wonderful, knowing that your only son is about to become the murderer of one of the greatest wizards in the world. What more, that he will be doing it for the sake of you, his father, and those he cares for."

Narcissa just took another sip of wine, swirling it gracefully in the cup. Lixella was thoroughly impressed by her ability to not show a single emotion. It was as if she didn't even acknowledge that Voldemort was standing next to her, harassing her existence.

"Now, if the mission should fail" Voldemort said, taking a seat in a nearby chair, "Then I'm sure you both understand the consequences, correct?"

They nodded.

"Wonderful, so, is there any news on the matter, Wormtail?"

Wormtail removed a coin from his pocket, and held it to his mangled pointed ear.

"n-none as of yet, my lord" he said in a shy voice.

Lixella felt as if she was about to vomit. However, it was not so much from the situation, as it was from Wormtail's mere existence. She had seen the effects that being a death eater had on people. It wasn't a rewarding experience, for sure. She had watched Draco, this whole year, change from a boy full of snark and swagger, to someone who just looked like they'd had their soul torn apart. However, Wormtail was a case that she just didn't understand. Not only did he look completely broken, he also looked like vermin.

"No news on the subject?" asked Voldemort, "That isn't a good sign. Hopefully we will know soon. In the mean time, I was wondering, Lixella, if you had heard about your cousin Arthus?"

"No, my lord, we haven't spoken since Christmas." she said.

"Interesting, have you been reading the prophet?"

"No, my lord"

"Well, there's a nice little article in there, about his disappearance." his voice almost slithered through the sentence, "Apparently he has gone missing, might you know why?"

It hit Lixella like a sack of bricks. Arthus had told her that he was working for The Order. Perhaps, Voldemort had found out about his betrayal.

"I had no idea that he was missing, my lord"

"Of course you didn't. I'm sure you had no idea that he was being used as a spy, either, did you, Lixella?" he asked suspiciously.

"Arthus was a spy? For The Order?" she asked, in a rather convincing tone, "When did he join them?"

But, before Voldemort could question her further, a loud 'pop' came from the foyer . They all stood up, Narcissa looked to Lixella and nodded. Both of them were ready to face whatever was waiting for them. The group made their way out to the foyer, lead by Voldemort. They entered to find Snape, Draco, Bellatrix, and four other death eaters.

"Well…" said Voldemort, eyeing them.

"It has been done, my lord" said Snape, "Dumbledore lies dead, in the Hogwarts courtyard."

"Well done, Severus" he said, "It seems that keeping you at Hogwarts all these years, has proven to be rewarding. Lives have been saved tonight, thanks to your efforts." he turned to Narcissa and Lixella, who were standing by the entrance to the living room. "Now that Dumbledore is out of the way, we must go after the ministry. I will see you all soon, when I have devised a new plan."

He then apparated away, leaving only a shadowy black cloud. Wormtail followed behind him, apparating out of sight. Once the two of them were gone, Narcissa rushed over to Draco, and hugged him tight. Lixella was sure that Narcissa had never been happier to see her son. She then turned to professor Snape, and hugged him as well.

"Thank you, Snape" she said, nearly to tears.

Draco hugged his mom one last time, then headed over to Lixella.

"Dear god! I am glad to see that you're alive." Lixella said as she hugged Draco.

"Glad to see that you're alive, too" he said.

"So…" she started sheepishly, "you didn't do it?"

"No" he stared at the ground, "I couldn't. In the end, Snape had to."

"I'm so proud of you, thank you" she said, hugging him again.


Lixella laid in her bed, her mind was far off in the distance. She was thinking about school, life, and Dumbledore. It was such a terrible blow to the wizarding world, taking away one of their great leaders. At this moment, Voldemort had the upper hand, he had just taken the queen in a game of chess, without even warning his opponents. All that was left to stand in his way, was Harry Potter. Lixella wondered if Harry could handle it all. If he could handle taking down Voldemort without anyone to guide him. She could only hope that, within the time he had spent with Dumbledore, that he had learned, at least, where to begin.

Then, a thought crossed her mind, would she ever see Harry again? Or any of the friends that she'd made this year? The time that she'd spent living here, had been such an interesting experience. Now, everything was about to change.

Her door creaked open, but she didn't bother to turn over to see who it was, she was too wrapped in her thoughts. Faint footsteps walked across her floor, around the bed, and stopped right in front of her.

"Scoot over" said Draco. Lixella moved to the other side of the bed, and he climbed in with her. He wrapped his arms around her, and held her close, she did the same.

"What if your mom comes in here?" she whispered.

"Lixella, I nearly killed someone tonight." he said, "I don't really care, anymore, if I get caught in bed with a girl."

"I knew you wouldn't kill him" she said. He scooted back, gazing at her with anger.

"Why, because you think I'm too weak?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"No" she said, pulling him back towards her, "Because I knew that you were a better person than that."

He laid down on his back, and she rested her head on his chest.

"Draco" she said, "It takes a lot more to stand up and say no to someone like Voldemort, than it does to kill a person. You're not a murderer, because you aren't that cold hearted. And, yeah, this all sounds really sappy…" he chuckled, "but, it's true. I want to make sure that you know that, what you did tonight, or rather what you didn't do, was the right decision."

"You think?" he asked.

"yeah, it was" she said. She lifted her head up, and kissed him. It was long and passionate, she wanted him to know just how much she loved him. She smiled as they separated, and resumed laying on his chest. She laid there for a few minutes, taking in his scent.

He just kept one arm wrapped around her, not wanting to let go. That night had been hell for him, and being able to just hold Lixella was enough. The fact that she was alive, made him feel like he hadn't failed anything. He wondered, if they really knew what they were in for.

The rest of the year was going to be such a terrible test on the two of them. She already couldn't handle being a death eater. But, now that Dumbledore was dead, Voldemort wouldn't hesitate to use her as his weapon. Her will power was going to be tested soon, both of their's was. But maybe, just maybe, if they stayed together, they could get through it all.


THE END...FOREVER! nope, i'm kidding, just for now!

So anyways, thanks for reading, please review if you can, I'd really appreciate it ^_^ and have a wonderful day, or night, or evening, or whatever XD

Lily: so i know that you reviewed chapter 10, but i'm going to respond here. Thanks for the review, and seriously, I ADORE THAT SONG SO MUCH! I wish i could sing like that!

xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: thanks! it's funny because i was thinking of pairing the two, but then someone actually agreed with it so i was like , eh, what the hell! I'll ship tehm together!"

DizzyPotter: do carry on, I enjoy it ^_^ and I love Bellatrix, she's such a crazy person.

Wini: I know, I hate waiting for chapters to be posted! and thank you, I try to post my stuff quickly because I hate waiting around for updates, it turns me away from the story!

Thank you for reading guys, please review and I'll see you soon :3