Chapter 16- I Did It

Another Saturday morning, or rather afternoon and the dorms were nearly empty. The students were enjoying the wonderful sunny day that the night's storm had pulled behind it. The April showers had led to a bright spring afternoon. Few stayed inside the castle as the warm weather brought students swarming around the grounds. Aliana was an exception.

She lay breathing deep and even in her bed. The curtains were still pulled taught and her brightly lit wand continued to glow. The only disturbance was a strong arm holding her tightly against his chest. His flawless pale face gazed upon her own; his eyes were grazing her features, drinking in the forgotten.

The surprising feeling of being watched crawled under Aliana's skin and forced her eyes wide open. She found herself startled at the face looking back at her. His brilliant blue eyes were awake and filled with joy. It was as if she was staring into the eyes of a child; a newfound innocence emanated from the blue. As he blinked once more the innocence was replaced with sorrow. His joy was replaced with regret.

She allowed her hands to reach up to his face, to touch him, and to remember everything that she had forgotten. Her fingers traced his forehead, his brows, his ears, his jaw, before they rested on his lips. Her fingers dared him to be silent, and to not speak the truth.

"Miss me?"

A sweet smirk reappeared before Aliana's eyes and she laughed. She laughed, and he laughed. They lay in the empty dorm, undisturbed and laughing to their hearts content.

"This is so like you," Aliana began as she found her way out of the laughter. "To break my heart and come back, not to apologize, but to make me laugh like a crazy person."

Even at her joking manner Draco's face fell. His eyes lost the laughter they had been carrying and reverted to staring heavily at his hands.

"I--"

"Oh, God! I was just joking Draco. Really, I'd rather you not apologize. Lets just leave it, okay?"

"Yeah, but… You know I am sorry though, don't you?"

"Yes, I know you are," Aliana managed after a long sigh. "But you really shouldn't be. I don't deserve your apology. I deserved what you said to me. Maybe not for the reasons you said them but for reasons that no one else has been able to act on."

Aliana stopped as she couldn't control the tears falling down her face any longer. Draco moved to hold her tighter but she pushed him away and stared up at him with her stunning green eyes.

"I've done some awful things Draco. Things even you couldn't imagine doing."

"Alli, what are you talking about? Is this about a dream you had last night, is that why you're so upset?"

"No, God no, Draco. You don't understand. I've hurt people, I've hurt people beyond belief. They deserved it, some of them, but not all of them. Most of them were just innocent people."

"Alli, you're scaring me," Draco moved his hand to pull her face towards him. "You're a good person. I don't know what you're talking about. Just calm down and tell me okay?"

"Alli, look at me!"

She strained her head towards his catching him off guard. Her eyes were flicking back and forth between her beautiful green eyes and a haunting dark black.

"I don't deserve this Draco. I don't deserve you."

As Aliana sank her head into his chest her eyes slowly faded into their sweet emerald. Her breathing hitched and the arms holding her tightened their grip.

"It's okay Alli. I don't care what happened. We're both here and we're both safe. Everything is fine."

"No its not!"

"Alli, you need to calm down--"

"You don't get it Draco!" Aliana was yelling now. "I did it."

"What… what did you do, Alli?"

A/N: Okay, it's extremely short but I really needed to get an update out!! Hopefully I can get out of this rut but I am honestly not too happy with the story and really just wish it was finished… I'll try and keep it up but some reviews would be gladly appreciated to keep me going!