"Is everything okay, Professor Abbott?" McGonagall noticed the look on her face and the interactions between her and Draco.
"Honestly, I'm not really sure. Professor Flitwick, can I speak with you privately for a moment?" Amethyst replied and turned her attention to Charms professor.
"Of course." Flitwick led the way into one of the rooms behind the head tables.
"Draco?" Neville noticed how tense Draco was and the exchange between him and Amethyst. "Draco?" He laid a hand on Draco's shoulder when he didn't respond.
"Sorry." Draco snapped from his thoughts. He looked around the Great Hall and panic set in. "Where's Amethyst?"
"She went to speak with Flitwick. They've been gone for a while." Hannah answered. "They went to one of the rooms behind the head tables."
"Oh." Draco glanced around the room and spotted Flitwick with McGonagall and Hagrid. He made his way over to them. Dimitri was standing with Harry and Ginny but watching Draco's movements.
"I haven't seen Draco like this since our sixth year." Harry commented. "Tonight really shook him up."
"He probably blames himself for not protecting her initially and then struggling with whatever other emotions he's gone through since." Ginny added. "And Amethyst had her own emotions to sort through."
"…" Dimitri just sighed and continued to watch Draco as he exited through a door behind the head tables. Harry squeezed his shoulder.
"Amethyst?" Draco called out. Panic set in when there was no response. He even stopped breathing and then could hear the faint, muffled sobs coming from somewhere near the fire place. "Amethyst?" He made his way towards the sound. She was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall with her knees tucked against her chest. "…" He pulled her into his arms.
"…" She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest while she just let her emotions go.
"I shouldn't have let my guard down and let you out of my sight…" Draco's voice was tense and even cracked as he forced the tears back. He would not allow himself to give into the tears - he had to maintain his composure for now. "I should have protected you."
"I let my guard down, too. I shouldn't have gone into the restroom alone. To put you through that… I'm sorry." She pulled away so she could see his face. The expression in his pale grey eyes made her take a step back. "I'm sorry." She repeated as she turned her back to him.
"Is this it then? Barely together a week and we're already over?" He could feel his heart shattering, but he wouldn't blame her. He began to think of what to tell Scorpius… how he had messed things up.
"If that's what you want. I'll understand if it is." She tried to swallow the heartbreak. Her carelessness had caused Draco to feel things he had never wanted to feel again. "I wouldn't blame you if you hated me…"
"What?" Draco said louder than he meant. "What are you talking about? I don't hate you, Amethyst, how could I? Why would I? I screwed up. I failed to protect you from Kyle. If Dimitri hasn't gotten to me in time…" He shook his head, not wanting to think about what could have happened. "Amethyst, I don't hate you. I could never hate you. But I would understand if you hated me."
"I could never hate you, Draco. I never have and I never will. I caused you to feel anger - to the point of wanting to kill someone - because of my carelessness. I…" Before she could finish, she found herself wrapped in Draco's arms. Before she could even register what was happening, she felt his lips crash onto hers. There was a force behind this kiss that made her freeze. When she realized that it was love and desire, she let her body take over.
"…" As soon as he felt her freeze, he wondered if he'd crossed a line. He hadn't meant to put so much force behind this kiss but the moment his lips touched hers, he wanted to erase whatever Kyle had done. He relaxed when he felt her respond the way he hoped she would. After a minute, he pulled away and rested his forehead against hers. They were both panting.
"Draco…" She whispered his name and rested her hands on his chest.
"You are not to blame, Amethyst. I'm going to worry. I'm going to be protective. I'm going to feel murderous anger if something like tonight happens again. That's the price I pay for loving you and I wouldn't change it. Any of it."
"You're not to blame either, then. Kyle and Pansy are at fault. They are the ones who plotted and acted. Now they will face the consequences." She kissed him lightly before wrapping her arms around him.
"As much as I would love to stay just like this, we should probably head back to the feast." Draco said but made no attempt to move. "Scorpius looked rather concerned earlier, especially when you were dancing with Dimitri."
"Probably should explain a little then. McGonagall looked a little concerned, too." Amethyst replied but she, also, made no attempt to move.
"What were you speaking with Flitwick about?" This time Draco pulled away a little.
"Wandless magic. Silent, wandless magic." Amethyst watched realization play across Draco's face. "I'd also like to try wandless magic against the acromantulas. Not by myself." She added before he could protest. They headed back into the Great Hall, hand in hand. They approached Professor McGonagall first. Amethyst nodded towards Dimitri who was still standing with Harry.
"You have certainly gone through some things these past few weeks, haven't you?" McGonagall looked at Amethyst. "We will need to meet on Monday to discuss the acromantulas. If possible, I would like Bane present, or at least one of the centaurs. But rest tomorrow."
"I'll send a message to Bane first thing tomorrow to give enough time for a reply." Amethyst said.
"Then rest." McGonagall was firm.
"Yes, Professor." Amethyst smirked and then she and Draco made their way over to Scorpius.
"Is everything alright?" Scorpius looked between his dad and Amethyst. He was also aware that the man Amethyst danced with earlier was watching them rather intently.
"There was an incident earlier, but everything is fine now." Draco said.
"When my dad ran out of the room?" Albus asked.
"That was it." Amethyst glanced at Dimitri. "The man I was dancing with earlier, the one standing with Harry and them, is my half-brother. I can't say any more right now, but don't worry, Scorpius. Your dad and I are good." She leaned into Draco's shoulder. Draco kissed the top of her head before turning his attention to his son.
"Let me know if your grandmother brings up Pansy again." Draco said.
"Okay." Scorpius wouldn't question things tonight. He could tell Amethyst and his dad were struggling with something. He could also see how tense Harry was. Almost like he was expecting something else to happen.
"Enjoy the rest of the Feast, you two." Amethyst said before leading Draco to an empty table. They pretty much stayed at the table the rest of the Feast. As it got later, more and more students started to head to their respective houses and after a while only a handful of sixth and seventh years remained. It was around 3:00a when the remaining students dragged themselves to their houses and then all that remained were the adults. Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Neville, Hannah, and Dimitri joined Amethyst and Draco at the table. Hagrid had long gone to his tent and McGonagall was giving a few House elves some instructions. Flitwick was making his way to his room but stopped by the table first.
"Amethyst, I would like to discuss the change in curriculum when we get a chance. But please get some rest and don't worry about it too much right now. I know Professor McGonagall wants to discuss the acromantulas on Monday."
"Of course, Professor." Amethyst replied though she could barely keep her eyes open.
"Let's get you to your tent." Draco helped her stand. They all headed out into the courtyard.
"What's going to happen next?" Amethyst looked at Harry and then at Dimitri.
"Pansy, Goyle, and Kyle will go to trial. Chances are they will be sentenced to Azkaban but I'm not sure for how long. Kyle may be facing some unrelated charges." Harry answered. "Dimitri will not be charged with anything. I wasn't the only Auror in the room when he was questioned and we came to the decision that he wasn't part of the plot more than witnessing. He also alerted Draco that something was going to happen. In addition, he got Draco when something did happen." Harry added. "He has agreed to act as a witness if we need him." Ginny leaned against him. "We can talk more tomorrow. Dimitri, I've spoken to Professor McGonagall and a room has been set up for you for tonight."
"Okay." Dimitri turned to Amethyst. "We'll have time to talk." We pulled her into a hug and smirked when he felt Draco hesitate to loosen his hold.
"Yeah." She hugged him and also smirked when she noticed Draco still had a hand on her waist. It wasn't because he was jealous or didn't trust Dimitri, it was because Draco needed the reassurance that she was okay. Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and Dimitri headed inside while Neville and Hannah stayed a little longer.
"How is Dimitri related?" Neville asked. They only knew a little of what was going on. "Assuming he's one of those Karkaroffs."
"Boris and Rachel's grandson." Amethyst answered.
"Boris and Rachel's only had one child…" Hannah knew a little more because of her father.
"Illyana. My mother." Amethyst yawned.
"That would make him your brother." Hannah replied. She could see Neville making the connection.
"Half. Apparently, Illyana was married before she met my father. I'm not sure of the specifics, but her first husband was killed in a duel some time after Dimitri was born. Illyana put him up for adoption to keep him away from her parents. She also knew she couldn't raise him by herself at that point in time. She then ran away and eventually met my father." Amethyst explained.
"So also related to the Death Eater, Igor Karkaroff?" Neville asked, still piecing things together.
"Boris and Igor were cousins. Not sure how close on the line though. As far as we are aware, neither Boris nor Rachel were Death Eaters. Just their familiar, but they were known supporters of Voldemort and the Dark Arts." Draco finally spoke.
"Illyana wanted nothing to do with her parents, especially not after Boris tried to kill my dad." Amethyst stifled a yawn.
"He what?" Neville's eyes went wide. Hannah looked between Draco and Amethyst.
"Let's talk more later." Draco said, noticing that Amethyst was barely keeping her eyes open. Hannah nodded and pulled Neville with her back into the school. Draco led Amethyst into her tent.
"…" Amethyst rested her hands Draco's chest, and sighed. "I don't think I thanked you…"
"Thanked me for what?" He was confused.
"Coming to my rescue." Smirked at the words she used.
"There is no need to thank me. Besides, you took out the main threat on your own." He kissed her forehead.
"Not just with Kyle. With the acromantulas that night. The acromantulas the other day." She looked into his pale grey eyes as she moved her hands to rest on the back of his neck.
"I will always come for you." He winced at his words and then kissed her. It was just supposed to be a light kiss, but it quickly became much more. When he finally managed to pull away, he stepped back. "I should get inside…" They could not do what he wanted right now. Not as unmarried professors, especially not at Hogwarts. There could be no reason for anyone to come after Amethyst or himself for conduct unbecoming - something he was certain his own parents would try.
"I love you, Draco Malfoy." She kissed him lightly on the lips.
"As I love you, Amethyst Abbott." He kissed her forehead and then, reluctantly, headed inside the school.