Sixth year was definitely taking the toll on us. I couldn't blame Draco for stressing out, because his father was very particular on his education, meaning Draco needs to come on the top. But that doesn't mean I am going to dumb myself down to help Draco achieve it, he needs to work hard for that position. Competing for the top was Hermione Granger as well, meaning we all have competition, a tough one. Our N.E.W.T examinations were next year and I really needed to pass that.
Gathering our books from a rather boring lesson of potions with Slughorn, I headed in the direction of DADA, who now had Professor Snape teaching that class. God knows what happened to Umbridge last year, she never bothered returning. I guessed Snape finally has the lesson he wanted because DADA never seemed so dark.
Other than the Cruciatus curse which I had the terror of being performed on, we were learning another unforgivable curse, the Imperius curse.
"It places the victim under your entire control, if you were to cast it." Snape said. I didn't like the Unforgivable curses, why? Because casting them is unforgivable. There were three, the Cruciatus curse, the Imperius curse and the Killing curse.
Snape brought out a spider which was sparking Ron's arachnophobia and began demonstrating the first curse.
"Now who would want to perform the first curse, the Imperius curse?" Snape asked the class. The look on his face was serious, he wasn't joking about us using the Unforgivable curses.
"But professor! We aren't allowed to perform such curses!" Hermione argued.
"Silence. You will do as I say in my class." Snape glared at Hermione. Hermione opened her mouth to argue but I placed a warning hand on her.
"Don't. You'll lose points from your house. Besides, if you keep quiet, he wouldn't pick you." I whispered to Hermione. She bit her lip but stopped.
"Mr Longbottom, perform the Imperius curse." Snape commanded. Hermione looked away, squeezing my hand.
"No…..Sir." Neville stuttered.
"I said do it!" Snape shouted. Neville whimpered and brought out his wand.
"Imperio." he whispered pointing at the poor spider. He waved his wand, moving the spider about. He accidentally landed it on Ron who began yelping.
"Imperio." I said, gently moving the spider away. "Wingardium Leviosa." I whispered levitating the spider back to the case.
"Miss Darling. Do not interfere with students learning. Detention for you." Snape snapped. I hunched back in my seat scowling. What was his problem?
The next day at breakfast, I could see Harry, Ron and Hermione in a heated discussion, glancing back and all. Suddenly I heard Hermione say, "Katie Bell's back."
I looked up and saw Katie Bell. She was definitely back. Harry got up and walked in her direction. I continued eating my food while chatting with Pansy. Harry turned around and saw Draco. Draco looked nervous, lost and scared. What happened about him? What happened to the cocky, arrogant and happy Draco? I noticed the unmistakable eye bags and dark circles under his eyes. His grey eyes were faded, not a dark grey but a cloudy grey.
"I know you're going to ask me Harry, but I don't know who cursed me. I've been trying to remember, honestly. But I just can't." Katie said. Draco then began walking out of the room. Okay he was up to something suspicious. I pushed my food aside.
"I'm just going to the washroom." I told Pansy. She nodded and began talking to Blaise. These two boys were definitely up to something, and it wasn't good. Draco walked out first, then Harry. I think I can keep up with Harry's tracks.
Harry was walking quickly, turning in various nooks and crannies. He spun around, as if he knew I was trailing him and I quickly hid behind a knight. Once I made sure he wasn't looking, I continued walking, cursing his sense because I have lost his trail.
Taking the left turn, I began walking slowly. This was the bathrooms already. Taking slow steps, my thoughts were interrupted when I heard some sparks and loud noises from the male must be duelling, counter cursing and attacking. I heard windows and mirrors shattering and water running. Okay this was bad. I ran in, unaware of where the two boys are. The water splashed and drenched me, but I walked slowly. It was until Harry called out a curse I never heard of before.
"Sectumsempra!" he shouted and the sounds stopped. All I heard was silence and water running. I spotted Draco's blonde hair but it was lying on the floor. He was whimpering, shaking and crying in pain.
"Draco!" I screamed running to him. I crashed onto the tiled floor which was all wet, with blood mixed with water. I saw Draco was bleeding profusely, from every part of his chest. Tears streamed down my face as I buried my face into his bloody chest. I didn't know how to stop him from bleeding.
"What have you done?!" I screamed at Harry who stood there stunned. He was backing away. I heard more footsteps over my crying. I pulled out my wand to cast a curse on him but he was faster.
"Expelliarmus!" he said, flicking my wand away.
Professor Snape ran in, quickly and noticed Harry and me. He said nothing to me but glared at Harry who ran off. Coward.
"Step aside Miss Amelie." Snape said, but his tone was softer, worried. I moved out of his way, my white button up and tie stained with blood. Not mine but Draco's blood. My skirt was drenched in blood water as well. Snape began muttering a string of words I couldn't catch.
The blood from the water was slowly disappearing, as if it was going back into Draco's body. Slowly, the blood on his shirt was disappearing as well. Draco gave a small whimper and opened his eyes.
"Amelie…" he muttered, giving a small smile before closing them again.
"No no no no no. Don't die Draco." I said quickly, tears threatening to escape again.
"Don't worry Miss Darling. Mr Malfoy's all right. Would you care to explain why you are in the male's bathroom?" Snape asked snapping his head at me.
"I saw them both run out from the Great Hall and I followed, Harry and Draco I mean. Then I heard some noises and things breaking from the bathroom and I ran in, checking what happened. That's when I found Draco like this sir."
"Very well. Take Mr Malfoy to the hospital and tell him I'm waiting for him." Snape said, getting up. He lifted Draco up and I took Draco's arm and slung it on my shoulder, holding up his body. 'He used to be heavier.' I thought. He seemed lighter now. "And your wand Amelie." Snape said passing me my wand. I muttered a small thank you and escorted Draco out.
It seemed like the perfect time to be carrying Draco out of the washroom because everyone was literally heading to class and stopped in their tracks when they saw me carrying Draco out. Their jaws dropped at the sight but I ignored them. My clothes were bloody so they assumed I attacked Draco. But when Professor Snape stepped out, I think they thought otherwise.
"What are you students looking at? Get back to class." Snape commanded and they scuttled off.
Madam Pomfrey told me to wait by Draco at the bedside as she prepared some ingredients. I saw his chest rising and falling, which meant he was still breathing and alive.
"Amelie?" he coughed.
"Shh.. Draco, just sleep.." I whispered, running my fingers through his hair.
"I can't." he choked, pushing himself up. He winced at the pain and I pushed him down on the bed.
"You need rest. You were almost killed." I said in a soft stern voice.
"You don't understand, if I don't get up now-"
"But you have to-"
"I know you care Amelie. But I have a job to do." he said, pushing himself up. His sleeves was rolled up and I could see the mark visibly now. It was a coiled snake with a skull. I grabbed his wrist tightly.
"What's this?" I asked, in this case, demanded.
"Nothing." he shrugged, hastily pulling his sleeves down.
"It's not nothing if it's that big."
"Forget about it Amelie."
"But it-"
"I said forget about it!" Draco snapped and pointed his wand at me. He was never this angsty. His eyes flashed and he turned away. You know what. He's an independent wizard. He can do whatever he wants. I don't care. I'm sick of caring about him when all he does is snap back.
"Fine." I snapped and turned on my heel.
Draco's POV
"I said forget about it!" I snapped and pointed the wand at Amelie. It was a stupid thing for me to do. The stupidest. She looked so vulnerable and innocent but then a stony facade plastered her face. I turned away, not wanting to look at her when she was mad.
I was crazy about her. It was not Amortentia. Something about that day in the train when I called her a 'mudblood'. I was attracted to her. And the day at the Black Lake and the Yule Ball. Everything about Amelie was just perfect.
But I can't love her. It's too dangerous. The Dark Lord wanted her. It was the stupid prophecy made years ago.
-Sixteen years ago-
"The prophecy. Where is it?" Voldemort rasped. He had sent off his most loyal Death Eaters, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, to fetch the prophecy. The prophecy, of course, was to foretell his doom, tipped off by a cloaked stranger.
"Here master." Lucius drawled, passing Voldemort the cool ball of crystal. Voldemort snatched it from Lucius hand, testing the weight. White smoke swirled inside the prophecy.
"Tom Riddle." it began, it was a female voice. Dark, mysterious and low.
"I do not go by that name anymore. Call me, Voldemort."
"Very well then. I presume you want a glimpse of your future?" it spoke.
"Yes."
The Death Eaters were all seated on an elegant long black dining table at the Malfoy Manor. It was early January. Narcissa Malfoy was four months pregnant then, due for childbirth in June. It was gloomy and dark in the manor back then as well, not a single ray of sunlight. The house elves were locked in the kitchen, so that none of them could hear on Voldemort's plan.
"I see great power. But also demise. Mm, a child, born on the day of love to your unloyal followers-"
"The Darlings." Voldemort clenched his teeth. The Darlings if you guessed, were Amelie's parents. They were muggles. Only attending Hogwarts in their last year, but they were unable to harness magic. Born to wizarding families, they were Squibs, unable to perform magic. They were followers of Voldemort, but they were also scared. Seeking help from Dumbledore, they broke off completely with Voldemort and stayed under Dumbledore's protection.
"She will meet the boy, born in the end of July. Harry Potter. Together, they will be sorted into Gryffindor, possessing powers far more powerful than you. Bringing your downfall."
"No!" Voldemort shouted and banged the table. The crystal ball shook but it stayed put.
"But the child's destiny as well as yours can be changed." it spoke again. Voldemort looked up in curiosity. So did the Death Eaters. Never had they receive a prophecy that told them the future, but how to change the future. "Speak." Voldemort commanded.
"If the child was delayed to Hogwarts, she would live a muggle life until her fifth year. They will find her and bring her to Hogwarts. Upon being delayed, she will be sorted into Gryffindor, unless you charm the hat to put her in Slytherin. There, she will meet the future child of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy,"
They gasped as Narcissa clutched her pregnant belly.
"They will fall in love and she will be aiding their future child, and of course, helping you."
"I will not let a mudblood love my son." Lucius declared.
"But you may choose to kill the muggle. The choice is up to you." the prophecy spoke last before darkening. The white light and smoke from the crystal ball disappeared.
And so, Voldemort waited one whole month, for the birth of the child of the Darlings. Dumbledore's protection spell never lasted and their hiding was exposed.
Amelie was clutched in her mother's arms as Voldemort arrived. He could choose, the child could be his rise or demise, or not a bother at all. Instead, he used an Unforgivable curse on the parents,
the Imperius curse.
"Kill the child." he rasped. Blind to Voldemort, her father blindly raised his wand. But her mother wasn't easily convinced. She pretended to raise her wand, sparking up a green light. But, suddenly, she spun around and tried to hit Voldemort. Voldemort was enraged and killed her on the spot. Her father, tried to curse Amelie.
"Avada Kedavra." he father muttered. A spark hit her, causing the heart shaped scar because her father still loved her but he couldn't control what he was doing. She didn't die because he was a Squib.
Amelie received Parseltongue because her father was under control of Voldemort, thus a slight bit of power was transferred on her. But she wasn't a Horcrux because Voldemort didn't kill her, her father tried.
Because she passed out, Voldemort assumed she was dead and left the scene. The muggles found her and brought her up in the foster system. Until then, she was nearly hidden from all magical sources. Until Professor McGonagall found her.
-Now-
Amelie's POV
I stalked out of the hospital, bumping into Harry.
"Sorry." I muttered.
"What happened?" he asked. He was being nice. Considering I could've killed him in the bathroom.
"Malfoy being a jerk."
"When has there been a time he wasn't?" Harry teased. I glared at him and he stopped. "Alright, touchy."
"Should've left him there." I muttered.
"Don't curse him. He may be a jerk but- You know what he is a jerk."
I walked off with Harry, joking about Draco.
The next few weeks, I grew closer to the Golden trio even more. There was more studying in the library for me, Pansy was having loads of extra tutoring because she scraped through with an Acceptable.
"Hermione the exam is practically a year away. Why are we studying seventh year stuff?" I groaned as she piled on books.
"Because we, as muggles, really need to catch up."
"We're witches already. Not muggles. We were muggle born but we're now witches."
"Yeah, Hermione. Take a break." Ron said. Fred and George had graduated already and opened a joke shop. They didn't bother a job in the Ministry, says it's too boring and complicated. Personally, if the Ministry of Magic was being run by them, half the laws would be a joke.
"Please." I begged her with puppy dog eyes.
"Fine." she gave in and we cheered. The librarian, Madam Pinch gave us a stern look and we immediately quietened. Draco keeps disappearing from class more often these days. I need to check up on him, even though I said I didn't care. He looked more tired than usual, and weaker. He didn't even bother on Quidditch so another student was to take his place as Seeker, Harper. Though I am not keen on her skills as Seeker. She might as well be blind as a bat. No offense but she really couldn't play, compared to Draco.
"Oh gosh!" I exclaimed snapping my fingers. The Marauders Map! I've been wanting to ask them about it since last year.
"What's it Amelie?" Harry asked.
"I heard, there's this map you have. That you can track anyone anywhere?" I asked Harry.
"Yeah, Fred and George nicked it from Filch's table two years back. That's how Filch's knows our whereabouts. As well as that stupid cat Mrs Norris." Ron said.
"Could I have a look at it?" I asked.
"What for?" Hermione asked.
"Uhm…" I began. How do I explain I want to find Draco's whereabouts? "Need to look for someone."
"Okay…" they said in unison. Harry pulled out a blank piece of parchment and passed it to me.
"You're joking." I said raising an eyebrow. This was the Marauders Map?
"Of course not silly." Hermione said in her bossy voice. "You tap your wand and say 'I solemnly swear I'm up to no good'. And then, once you're done, you just say 'Mischief managed'."
"Is this a joke?" I raised an eyebrow again.
They shook their heads. I pulled out my wand and tapped the middle. "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good."
Ink began spreading around the parchment as it unrolled itself. It was wonderful, I could see everyone everywhere. I noticed Pansy and Blaise were rather close together. I wonder if Blaise had already asked her out.
"Thanks guys." I said. "Can I return this tomorrow?"
"Sure. By the way, there is one room that doesn't show up on the map. The Room of Requirement." Ron said. I nodded and slung my bag on my shoulder.
"Draco Malfoy." I whispered tapping my wand. I saw his footsteps, just outside the library. Bingo. He was rushing somewhere because the footprints were moving quickly. I held the map tightly as I trailed Draco Malfoy. This was beginning to feel like a spy movie. I followed him, turning in sharp corners and suddenly, he disappeared from the map!
"What the-" I said looking up. I was standing where he disappeared. I looked at the blank wall in front of me. Was this the Room of Requirement? If Draco was in a hurry, he obviously needed to check up on something he hid. Otherwise, why was he secretive about it?
'I need somewhere to hide things.' I thought. Nothing happened. 'I need somewhere to hide things.' Nothing happened again. 'I need somewhere to his things!'
Etching began appearing on the wall. Swirls and patterns until a door began emerging.
"Woah." I said looking up. A handle appeared and I gripped it tightly. I pushed the creaky door open slightly and closed it.
I was in a room. It was dark and dusty with loads of things cluttered about. Talk about hoarding. The door behind me disappeared and I took a deep breath. Now why would Draco stay in such a place like this? I walked slowly, avoiding bumping into things. I noticed most of the things here were covered in dust. Oh dear.
"Achoo." I sneezed. I shut my mouth. I was going to be caught. I hid behind something as footsteps came to my area. I backed away slowly, avoiding the huge goblet which was balanced on a tiny table. My hip accidentally bumped into another table and a huge necklace slid off, falling to the floor. The footsteps came closer to the necklace. I'm so stupid. I shouldn't have come here. But out in my eye, I noticed something in the corner. A cabinet.
I've seen that cabinet before. When I was at Hogsmeade and was held captive by Lucius and Bellatrix. Suddenly I felt a hard hand on my shoulders, grabbing me.
"What the bloody- Draco." I said.
"Amelie? What are you doing here? It's not safe here." he said.
"Not safe? Then what are you doing here?" I jabbed him in the shoulder. He took a step back and leaned against the wall. His fingers pressed on his forehead as he slide down to sit on the floor. His sleeves were rolled up and the mark was even more visible.
"There's something you're not telling me Draco. Please. I need to help you." I pleaded him as I sat on the floor next to him. "You need help."
He sighed and looked me in the eye. His grey eyes storming. "Promise me you won't freak out?"
"Promise." I said. This may be the decision that will change my life.
"I am a Death Eater. The Dark Lord chose me." Draco admitted. I gasped.
"You mean, you're like your…. your.."
"My father? Yes." he said. I was about to scream and run out but Draco held my wrist, rubbing circles on it. It was calming yet scary. "I'm not going to hurt you." he said.
"I trust you." I whispered. The next thing he did was unexpected. He tilted my head up and brought me closer to him. His lips made contact with mine and then we were kissing. He carried me up so I was sitting on his lap and kissing him. My fingers laced through his hair as he ran his fingers through mine. He bit my lower lip for entrance, which I gladly allowed. His tongue explored every inch of my mouth. Our tongues mingled together perfectly. He tasted so sweet and minty. We pulled away, gasping for breath. My first kiss. And it was perfect.
"That was amazing." I breathed, kissing him again. This time it was short and sweet.
"This may be a horrible time to say this but Amelie, would you uhm, be my girlfriend?" Draco asked, playing with my hair. I kissed him again.
"There's your answer." I teased, loosening my tie as it was getting hot.
"I'll take that as a yes." he winked and lifted me up.
"So what are we doing?" I asked, tapping at the cabinet.
"Woah, who says it's we?" Draco said wrapping his arms around my waist.
"I say. Whatever you're doing, I'm in." I said confidently. I know helping him would break about a million school rules, but I had no idea what we're fixing.
"Even though it might endanger your life?"
"Yes. So what are we fixing?" I asked, lifting the latch open.
"The Vanishing Cabinet. It's to help transport uhm…"
"Death Eaters inside the school." I finished for him. He nodded and kissed my forehead.
"Whatever happens, I will always protect you. Even from my family." Draco whispered.
We spent the next few hours doing a bit more of mending. Turns out, it was completely destroyed and Draco has been spending almost a year working on it.
I walked out of the Room of Requirement, hands laced with Draco. Receiving stares from other houses, I ignored them as we walked into the Great Hall for dinner.
At night I told Pansy the news.
"Yes! We can officially be related!" Pansy squealed.
"It's not like I'm engaged to him yet." I scoffed.
"Ah but you will be."
I smacked her head with a pillow. "Amelie Malfoy, has a nice ring no?" I said to Pansy. She smacked me back with her pillow and it was curfew. We switched the lamps off and dozed off. For the first time that night, I never did receive that dream.
The next morning, I received an owl right in the middle of my DADA lesson. It was from Dumbledore.
"You may leave the room Amelie." Snape said. After the bathroom incident, Snape was much more nice to me. I don't know why but he just seemed nicer. Though he was still bullying poor Neville. I help stick up for Neville sometimes and Snape doesn't question. That's good.
I walked to Dumbledore's office, hands shaking. Did Dumbledore find out about what happened in the Room of Requirement. In the note it stated something about lemon drops.
I tapped the gargoyle outside his office. It woke up with a jolt.
"Password." it snapped.
"Um, Dumbledore is cool?" I tried my luck.
"True but wrong."
"Umm, Dumbledore has got style?"
"Very true but wrong."
I spent the next five minutes telling useless passwords to the gargoyle. Until I remembered lemon drops.
"Lemon drops?"
"You may enter." the door swung open revealing a spiral staircase. Odd password.
Dumbledore sat at his table, writing something hurriedly on a piece of paper before sending his owl off.
"Sit." he said.
"Sir, what do you wanted to see me for?"
"I know about you and Draco Malfoy. How you are helping him fix the Vanishing Cabinet. And bringing in Death Eaters." Dumbledore sure wasted no time getting to the point. There's no point lying because there would be a truth spell or something.
"Yes." I mumbled, avoiding eye contact.
"I want you to help him." Dumbledore said. Wait what? He wants me to help Draco bring in Death Eaters that would possibly trash the school and kill him?
"Sir, why?"
"I have my reasons." he said vaguely. "Come child." he said ushering me to a corner. In that corner was a bowl, brimming with water.
"What's this?"
"This my child, is a Pensieve. It is used to view memories." he explained pointing to a humongous glass case. "I have every single memory of the student here at Hogwarts. Even yours and Draco's."
"I don't suppose you have my parents?"
"Indeed I do. The time has come, for you to know the truth about your parents. John Darling and Bella Lorne."
Dumbledore passed me two vials of liquid, each labelled carefully in cursive writing was my parents name.
John Darling
Bella Lorne
I poured a few droplets of my father's vial first and dipped my face into the water. I could vividly see flashes and images.
My father, in his teen years, in a muggle high school. It then changed to when my father was in Hogwarts. But something was different about him, he was a Death Eater! He was a Squib. He married my mother and forced her into the life of a Death Eater. Scared, they sought Dumbledore for help. But then, the images flash forward to night time. There was a baby crying. Both my parents had their wands pointed at me. My dad performed the Killing curse on me before Voldemort killed him. He was under the Imperius curse. My mother, tried to attack Voldemort but failed. Leaving behind the tiny scar.
I gasped as I removed my head from the water. Tears brimmed my eyes, soaking my face. My mother's memories were almost the same. Just that I could feel her love fighting against the Imperius curse.
"Professor, why did you wait to show me this?" I choked on my tears.
"Because Amelie. You need to be ready for the war. You have to know everything about your past."
"A war?"
"I can't say anything more. Return to your classes." he said and with a wave I was in Divination.
A war can't be happening. Impossible.