Chapter 16 – Still Have the Letter

April 6, 2001

I am going to tell Harry today.

I have already prepared myself for the confrontation, Draco's letter tucked in my pocket where I can easily reach it if I happen to need a bit of reassurance. There is a very good possibility that I might, given the fluttering of nervous butterflies seeming to multiply in my stomach as the time grows closer to when I meet with him. I'm still afraid of what could happen, of what Harry's reaction might be, but I'm not going to let that fear win and put this off any longer.

Harry needs to know the truth, needs to know that he's been deceived. And I know how hard that can be to grasp. The betrayal I felt with Ron, I didn't want to admit existed. But it did and I learned the hard way that things don't always turn out how they're supposed to.

Ron and I were supposed to be together, at least, that was what everyone told us. Harry still believes that. But Ron isn't who he used to be and it's time Harry sees that.

The morning, like most, was quite uneventful. A bit of paperwork, a few confirmation letters, setting up more appointments for future visits. It left me the time necessary to decide that today is the day. I will not wait another weekend. Harry Potter will hear my side to this story. So, as I worked this morning, I also ran through what I am going to say.

I will remind him of our friendship, of what we went through those years at Hogwarts, those days on the run when I stood by him even without food, in the cold, with the fear of death lurking behind us at every turn.

The lies Ron told broke us apart and I will not stand by and let it go any further. I will tell him about the breakdowns, the threats, of the real reason why I was never recognized as a war hero. I will tell him about the day Ron truly snapped, when he threatened to kill me in his anger, when he hit me, threw me to the floor. The day I realized what he'd become. I will explain the reason I left; not because I was caught cheating on him, but because I needed to get away from him for my own safety, for my own well-being.

I will tell Harry all these things and wait to see if he believes my words, if our friendship can be rekindled. I don't want to lose him forever, but I've accepted the possibility and it no longer controls me.

I will tell him; when I get back from lunch with Draco.

And no, it isn't another excuse to put it off a bit longer, Harry is on a case at the moment and won't be back until then. But I will be waiting for him when he does return.

Right now, I am enjoying the walk to the café. I'm in a surprisingly good mood today, appreciating every little thing, even the heavy rain that is currently pouring down on me.

My mood could be due to the amazing sleep I had last night. It was as if reading Draco's letter before bed banished Bellatrix Lestrange from my dreams, preventing the terrors she brings. I smile to myself. Yes. It was nice not to wake up with sweats and chills, terrified.

We've been trying to control the dreams for a while, because now, it isn't only my sleep they disturb. But nothing has seemed to work. That is, until last night, when I drifted off happily into a dreamless sleep and knew it would be a good day when I woke up.

My hair is drenched, my clothes wet, but I embrace the feeling. I can simply use a drying spell when I get inside anyway. Why not have a bit of fun in the puddles forming on the ground and truly feel the tingly drops of water on my skin?

Then, something changes. A shiver runs up my spine, a feeling of dread forms in the pit of my stomach. I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart. Surely I am only being paranoid. The fact that something bad is going to happen is only a theory with absolutely no proof to back it up. Nothing is going to happen now.

Then why has my previously wonderful mood suddenly taken a turn towards skin crawling fright? I subtly glance around. Nothing seems out of the ordinary.

I'm fine. I'm going to be fine. It isn't particularly busy today, but there are still some people walking here and there. What could possibly happen while I am out in public midday?

But the feeling remains so I quicken my pace. I'm being paranoid, like I have been all week and nothing has happened. I just need to reach Draco.

My eyes scan the area once more, still seeing nothing. The sensation of being watched, of being followed, of predatory eyes on me just waiting for the perfect moment to pounce, only gets stronger.

What if whoever is following me is disillusioned and the rain is hiding any imperfection in the spell? This isn't good. Could it possibly be that this moment is the reason for Narcissa casting the bond?

I keep moving, constantly watching, on guard. Reaching my hand into my pocket, I wrap my fingers tightly around my wand. I won't go down without a fight.

Suddenly, something hits me, throwing my body into the air. I crash to the ground in an alley between two buildings and know I'm in trouble. I scramble, desperately searching for my wand which has fallen from my pocket, ignoring the throbbing pain from where I hit the floor. I see it, my only hope of escape, my wand, on the pavement just out of arms reach.

Then it's gone.

My eyes widen, my heart racing out of control. I still don't see anyone! I get to my feet, ready to run, when I am hit again. My head smacks against the brick wall behind me, and everything goes black.


Author's Note:

Hello my wonderful readers! I hope you had an awesome week!

This was one of my shorter chapters I mentioned last time. In my opinion, it just ended there and I didn't want to force it, so I hope it's alright.

Some real action is happening now! What do you think? What's happening?

Thank-you so much to everyone who reviewed, you put a smile on my face every time. I appreciate you guys so much and love to hear that you like my story.

Next Friday I go on vacation for almost three weeks. Hopefully I'll have wifi and be able to post. I just want to keep you guys in the loop.

One more thing: I feel like I'm not as great at writing action scenes so, if you have any pointers, see anything I can improve upon in this area, I would love to hear it!

Thanks for reading, reviewing, favouriting/following! I hope to post next Sunday!