Chapter One
Caleb
It's an exceptionally warm summer's day. The sun is shining brightly in the clear blue sky and birds are cheerily chirping from somewhere above us in the tree. Draco and I sit in the big willow tree in my back yard. It's a favourite spot of mine and I frequently find myself outside. I love feeling the sun on my skin, and spending all this time in the sun means my skin is beautifully sun-kissed. I get that from my mother. My father isn't so lucky when he spends too much time in the sun, his pale skin easily turning red. It's fantastic being home, sleeping in my own bed, and hearing my parents' voices and laughter every day. It's also nice to spend time with Draco, away from all the prying and judging eyes. My parents are surprisingly very supportive of my relationship with him, and he has lunch twice a week with me and my parents'. My father and Draco would discuss Quidditch at these lunches, and Draco would ask my mother about growing up with muggles. The conversations with my mother are particularly of interest to me. I know that Draco and his family despises muggles, and yet he'll ask questions because he is truly interested. It's clear from the warm feelings I sense that he feels comfortable here, he feels at peace.
We sit in the tree, our shadows dancing like two silhouettes on the ground beneath us, as time passes, and the sun moves. We are enjoying each other's company, talking and laughing. We would sometimes have deep and meaningful conversations, and other times we'd just joke around. I love seeing the easy-going side of Draco. Every part of me loves every part of him. I sit between Draco's legs, my back resting against his torso and his arms wrapped around my waist. We are content in this moment, wrapped in our little love bubble. Draco nuzzles my neck making me laugh. His fingers run down my arm and settles on my waist, the perfect position for him to tickle me, and he does. I shriek and jump, his skilful fingers tickling my sides. I lose my balance and slip off the branch. Draco sticks out his hand and grabs me before I can drop to the ground. I shrill with laughter, as he hauls me back up onto the branch, looking at him with nothing but trust. "That was close," I breathe, as I regain my balance, swatting his hands away from me. "I'd never let you fall," he promises, taking my hand and pulling me closer. "Say you love me," I murmur, my lips lingering against his. Draco meets my gaze, his grey eyes the colour of a dark storm cloud. Again, I am mesmerised by his eyes and the way he looks at me. "I love you," he breathes, indulging me, grabbing my bottom lip between his teeth. He sucks my lip between his, his lips soft and warm. I enjoy the taste of him, burying my fingers in his hair, easily losing myself in the moment, revelling in how effortlessly he controls the emotions that is coursing through us like hot liquid.
I no longer try to manage my Empathy around him. He is able to recognise when it becomes too much, and he'll draw emotions from me, happily sharing the burden. Draco pulls away from the kiss all too soon for my liking, resting his head against mine. "I need to go," he whispers, kissing the top of my head. I nod. I hate this part. He'll go and I'll have no idea when I'll get to see him again. Sure, he visits twice a week, but it's sporadic. He'll always just show up with no warning. We still have two-and a-bit weeks left of our break before we return to Hogwarts for our sixth year. It's uncertain times with the Dark Lord back. Families are living in fear, and every day promises unpredicted misery. My mother has become increasingly worried, and there are talks of shipping me off to family in the States. My father, the level-headed one in the relationship, has to continuously remind her that I'll be safest at Hogwarts. Draco gives me another kiss on the side of my mouth, before jumping down. He holds out his hand for me and helps me down. He takes my hand, and we head to the living room, hand in hand. There we stop in front of the fireplace. "I love you," he tells me, embracing me. He is warm, his hug feeding my soul. I hold onto him, inhaling his cologne. He always smells so nice, distinctly Draco. I smile as I detach myself from him, watching Draco climb into the fireplace and vanish in a puff of green flames.
It's been nearly seven days since Draco left that sunny day. I have not heard from him, and my letter has gone unanswered. I sit underneath the tree; the sky decorated with fluffy white clouds that are shaped into interesting shapes. The sun hides behind a dark grey cloud, the colour of the cloud reminding me of Draco's stunning eyes. I'm wearing jeans and a sweater, the day a bit chilly. I close the book I'm reading and lean my head back against the tree trunk. I recall the days before the world became a mess. I miss those days, I realize. The easy laughter, the feeling that tomorrow holds endless possibilities. Not anymore. Days are gloomy and everyone fears tomorrow. Will families still be together, will people be safe in their own homes? The uncertainty of it all is really depressing, and the pressure of my choices are starting to affect me more than I would like to admit. I also don't like that I haven't heard from Draco. It is making me feel uneasy. "You, okay?" Caleb says, joining me on the grass. He's obviously come to check up on me. My mother would've sent for him.
I open my eyes and meet his worried gaze, as I pull my knees closer to my chest. The birds hum above us as both me and Caleb sit lost in our own thoughts. He is troubled. I can feel it. He too is starting to be concerned for my safety in this forever changing world. I wait a few minutes for him to speak, but he doesn't. "Spit it out, Caleb," I sigh, turning my head to face him. I can't take the silence, or his concerned mood anymore. "I think you should come with me to Kansas," Caleb finally says, sounding unsettled. Caleb's brown eyes hold my blue gaze, and it is clear that as my best friend, he wants me to be safe. He was never a fan of me attending Hogwarts, and he sure as hell doesn't like that my life is tied to some prophecy. I shake my head, not trusting myself to talk. For so long I'd have done anything for Caleb. I love him like a brother. But I can't leave. I can't run away because it is getting too hard.
"I can't, Caleb," I finally admit, shaking my head again. Caleb drops his gaze and hugs his knees to his chest. After several moments of silence, he asks the question that's been on his mind. "Do you love him?" It's an easy answer, "yes." Caleb looks up surprised. I'm not sure whether his disbelief is because I answered so quickly or so truthfully. "You barely know him," he scolds, his disappointment palpable. I turn away from the tree to face Caleb and cross my legs. "What's going on, Caleb?" I question, looking at him. Caleb turns to look at me, his worry replaced by fear. "It's not safe for you here," he answers. Caleb is my Protector, but being at Hogwarts means that he can't do what is expected of him. Caleb loves me like family, and the thought of losing me scares him. I reach out and touch his hand. "I'm going to be okay," I state, feeling confident. I'm not sure why I feel so certain about my fate, but I do. "Please don't stay because of him," Caled begs, squeezing my hand.
I meet his gaze, smiling. "I have no choice," I say, truthfully. The reality is that I can't walk away. I can't leave Draco behind. Our love is unceasing, and as crazy as it sounds, I feel like I will die if I'm away from him. It's only been seven days and already my soul aches, and my body feels weak. "You can come back when all this is over," Caleb pushes, not backing down without a fight. I shake my head and get to my feet. The last thing I want is to fight with him, but he isn't listening. He is being selfish. "I can't," I snap, getting in his face. "You know what I suspect we are," I whisper, angrily. "So, you know I don't have a choice." Caleb stares at me, and I know he put two and two together from the conversations we've had recently. I shared my theory with him at the start of the Summer Break. Caleb takes a step back as if I've just slapped him.
He shakes his head. He promised to not breathe a word to anyone about what I'm suspecting is occurring between myself and Draco. I know he'll keep his vow to me. "I can't lose you," he breathes, grabbing my shoulders. He pulls me into a hug, resting his cheek against the side of my ear. "You won't," I vow, embracing him. Caleb wraps his free arm around my waist, holding me tightly. I know that if anything happens to me, he'll blame himself. I hate that I have to choose between my best friend and the boy I'm hopelessly in love with. Unfortunately, my fate is tied to the grey-eyed boy that so unexpectedly entered my life, stealing my heart and soul.