Chapter Seven
We Need Another Plan
Emily is asleep next me, her breathing even, her body warm. She is snuggled up against me, her hand on my chest, her leg resting on my thigh. She is beautiful, her skin smooth like satin, her dark hair a striking contrast against her pale skin. I study every feature of her face, from the little mole on the top of her lip to her long thick eyelashes. I'm not lying when I say I could look at her for the rest of my life. Meeting Emily was never meant to happen, our paths never meant to cross. Megan warned Professor Dumbledore and both her parents, did her best to protect Emily. Instead of keeping her away from Hogwarts, the people she loves, sent her into the lion's den under the impression that she'd be safe. None of them could have foreseen the danger Emily was walking into. She literally walked into me; our lives forever changed by that chance meeting. Emily stirs, nestling closer to me, as I wrap my arm around her shoulders, keeping her close. I had a restless night sleep, my mind preoccupied by what to do next.
We can't stay with Megan for the remainder of the war. The truth is that our only option is to separate. I return home for the duration of the war, Emily staying here. She'd be safe. If we're no longer together, then they won't be looking for her. At this moment in time, the Dark Lord is looking for me. He merely thinks Emily is aiding me in being on the run. If I return on my own accord then that means they wouldn't continue looking for her. The Dark Lord and my father would have what they both desire, me at home to do their bidding. I stare down at Emily, wondering how I tell her that I need to leave. She'll be heart broken. It'll also cause a fight, and that's the last thing I want. I hate the idea that I will hurt her when I leave. I lie in bed, Emily wrapped around me, pondering my options. I hear movement outside the room, Megan busy in the kitchen. I gently detach myself from Emily, getting up. I get dressed, leaving the room quietly.
I don't want to wake Emily, she deserves a sleep in. It's a luxury we don't always have. The fun of being on the run. Megan is in the kitchen digging around in a cupboard. She looks a little less intimidating, her body language more relaxed than when Emily and I abruptly showed up at her front door. "You can't leave her," Megan says, her back still turned to me. I lean against the door frame, crossing my arms. I forget that she can see the future. Professor Trelawney can see the future, but more often than not she's just making shit up for the sake of it. Her ability isn't what I'd call reliable. Megan on the other hand was born with her ability, the way Emily was born with hers. I wonder how much Megan has seen, and how much she's not sharing. "Leaving is not going to solve the issue, Draco," she continues, turning around to face me. She is holding a small pottle of herbs, her brown eyes fixed on me. "You can't protect her, not from Him." She is studying me again, and I wonder what my aura is telling her. I know who she is talking about without having her elaborate.
"He knows who she is, knows why you're on the run," Megan turns around, placing the herbs on the counter, returning to the cupboard. "He knows she's part Wiccan?" I question, my blood running cold. How would he have found out? It is a closely guarded secret. Only a few people in the know. "Even Wiccan witches and warlocks can be evil, the promise of power and immortality an easy way to corrupt even the purist of us," Megan turns again to face me, crossing her arms over her chest. "You honestly believe that Wiccans won't turn on their own?" Megan is right, power and immortality are the driving force for evil, the Dark Lord a perfect example. If a desperate Wiccan witch or warlock was approached by the Dark Lord, nothing would stop them from selling out their own family. "Is that why you and Elizabeth had a fall out?" I query, wondering if we can trust Megan. Nothing is more important than Emily's safety. If we can't trust Megan, then I need to get Emily as far away from here as possible. Megan chuckles, "I didn't sell out my family, if that's what you're wondering."
I study her, trying to assess if she's telling the truth. I draw on Emily's Empathy, trying to read Megan. Megan laughs, shaking her head, "I underestimated how powerful your connection with Emily is." Megan pushes away from the kitchen counter. "Elizabeth and I had a falling out because she wouldn't heed my warning about the dangers of keeping Emily with your kind," she leans her elbows on the kitchen counter. I begged her to take Emily back to our family in Texas," she meets my gaze, and I can tell she's sincere. "I knew that the longer Emily stayed in your world, the more likely my premonition will come true," Megan sighs. "I just wanted to keep Emily safe." Keep Emily safe, that's what it all boils down to. Emily has that effect on the people that love her. Megan, Severus, Caleb…all love her, all wanting to protect her. "You know who told Him about Emily," I say, uncrossing my arms, stuffing my hands in my pockets. "You know when they told the Dark Lord." Megan nods, standing up straight.
"Nothing good will come of me disclosing that information," she states, the betrayal she's feeling personal. I try again to get a sense of her emotions, hoping it would give me an answer. "Don't pry, Draco," Megan chastises. I stop trying to read Megan's emotions, letting go of Emily's ability. The traitor is someone that is close to the family. Someone that they trusted with Emily's safety. I'm not going to pry, the last thing I want is to see Emily hurt and betrayed by someone that she trusts. She might not survive it this time around. She's been through enough. Between losing Caleb, and missing her family, her heart is fragile. I barely managed to bring her back to me following Caleb's death, I won't risk this being what ultimately destroys her. Right now, I need to figure out how to keep Emily safe, and how to keep us out of the Dark Lord's grasp. If he knows about Emily, it won't be long until he figures out that we're Twin Flames, and use that knowledge to get us to do his bidding. I will not let the Dark Lord corrupt Emily. She at her core is pure, turning evil will kill her.
"You truly love her," Megan says, studying me, those brown eyes of hers knowing. It's like she can see into my soul. Maybe she can. I'm learning that Wiccan magic is complicated. With nothing to hide, I let her find what she's looking for. "You'd die for her," she looks surprised by that, her eyebrows pinched together. "I guess I'm not all bad then," I shrug. "Maybe not," she concedes with a smile. "I'm making eggs and toast," Megan turns towards the stove. "Want some?" she looks over her shoulder at me. "That would be nice," I say, moving towards the kitchen and to the fridge. I take out butter and orange juice, my familiarity with muggle life still something I'm coming to terms with. I place the butter and orange juice on the kitchen island, looking through cupboards, finding glasses and plates. Long gone are the days when elves served me, doing the mundane things I would think I'm too good for. In silence Megan and I work together to make breakfast. I use the silence as a time to contemplate my and Emily's next move. We don't have many options, I realise.
I hear footsteps, a door opening, and then Emily appears in view. She looks well rested, her skin a healthy glow. Emily meets my gaze, smiling. "Breakfast?" I ask, placing a plate with warm eggs and toast on it, on the counter for her. "Thank you," Emily says, taking a seat. Her smile warms my heart, our love pulsing through my veins. Megan turns around placing more eggs on a plate, smiling. "You two are too cute," she croons, looking between me and Emily. "Does that mean you approve?" Emily accepts the knife and fork I offer her. "Not at all, but you two are connected now," Megan states, dishing herself a plate. "So that means, that no matter what, I need to keep you both alive." Emily and I look at each other, before we turn our attention to Megan. "How do you propose we do that?" Emily asks, taking a bite of her scrambled eggs. "You need to disappear," Megan says matter-of-factly. Like it is that easy.
Where do we go where Death Eaters won't find us? The Dark Lord have eyes and ears everywhere. It must be how they keep on finding us. "And go where?" Emily asks the question I don't. "I'm working on that," Megan takes another bite of toast, contemplating. We eat in silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. Emily takes my hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. It's her way to tell me it's all going to work out. It's a common thing between us, both of us keep trying to convince the other that we're going to be alright. I'm not so sure. I'm on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Something will go wrong, it's inevitable. "You're each other's greatest strength," Megan interrupts my thoughts. "But we're also each other's greatest weakness," I finish Megan's train of thought. Megan nods, taking another bite of her toast. Megan meets my gaze, and I know that she's been coming up with a plan.
"I have been working on a spell," Megan begins. "A spell I'm hoping can disguise what you are, a spell that strips Emily of her powers." I shake my head. I don't like that. I don't like that one bit. That goes against doing what is best to keep Emily safe. "You can't take away her powers, it'll leave her vulnerable," I protest, getting to my feet. I will not let this be our only option. There needs to be another option. "We don't have another option," Megan snaps, getting off her chair. "I have to protect Emily, and it's the only option we have." I turn my back on both Emily and Megan, running my hands over my face. I really do need to shave, the beard I'm growing getting out of control. "We need to find another way," I demand. My world is falling down around me, the fear I'm trying to suppress breaking through my defences. How do I keep the woman I love safe? Emily gets up, taking my hand in hers, trying to help me stay calm. "We'll think of something else," she whispers, placing her free hand on my cheek. I rest my head against hers, closing my eyes, inhaling her scent. "I can't lose you," I breathe, shaking my head. The thought unbearable. "You won't," Emily murmurs, squeezing my cheek. "We'll find another way."