Breath-Drarry COMPLETE

Chapter 54

—Harry POV—

When normal scars (that last forever) heal, they're supposed to simply fade into nothing more than a minuscule bump slightly lighter than your own skin. If anyone knows that about scars, it's me, anyway.

But magical scars just stay in that grotesque scabbed-over phase, where it looks like somebody very angrily drove red ink into their skin. The dried blood is what makes the scar visible, for the most part. That's why the scar on my forehead never grew up into my hairline as I grew. It's why the scar on my forehead also looks not more than a month old.

It's why I cover the scar Professor Umbridge gave me. Because it never faded the way a normal scar would. It just... stayed.

I must not tell lies.

My right thumb came to rest on the tip of the first letter, dragging slowly down. I held back the odd urge to pick at the unnatural and rough protruding lines on my otherwise smooth hand.

I must not tell lies.

This morning, when I'd woken up, I realized the transfiguration was down- my magic only cut off on me when I'm sick, and I most certainly was not sick.

I must not tell lies-

There was a knock at the door. I sighed, my head falling back against it as my hand fell from where it was.

"I'm busy,"

"Do you have diarrhea again like you did two days ago?" I cringed at Draco's question.

"No, just busy."

"Well, dinner is almost ready," he replied, his voice softening slightly. "...are you okay?"

I glanced at my hand again. I must not tell lies.

Even after trying for the entire day, I haven't been able to cover it back up. Why is it that my transfiguration wore off?

I stood slowly, flushing the toilet to make it seem as though I'd been using it, and rinsing my hands in the sink. The way the water flowed over my scar distracted me for a moment, but before I could get lost in thought for long, the door opened, revealing Draco. I jumped slightly, turning off the sink and drying my hands, making sure the scar was covered by the towel. His arms came around my waist, turning me around and moving in for a kiss. My hands were still slightly damp when I moved them around his shoulders.

"I love you," he whispered, tone sweet and smile soft.

"I love you too," I mumbled, moving for us to be closer together.

"I made us a good dinner, tonight. It's a bit fancier than our usual," he told me between soft kisses. I smiled.

"I can't wait, thank you." We shared one last kiss before he pulled away, grabbing for my right hand to bring me downstairs.

I would agree that Beef Wellington is significantly fancier than our usual. The last time we'd had it was on one of our impromptu dates. But this time, Teddy and Scorpius were here to try the meal as well. I silently wondered how difficult it would have been if either of them were picky eaters, like Rose, who still doesn't like it when any different foods touch, and likes fruit more than almost anything else.

"How's Professor Longbottom doing?" Teddy had asked it out of nowhere. It made me pause. I'd nearly forgotten about him...

"He's well," responded Draco. I looked up at him.

"Luna's been sending Owls," he explained. "Neville is in therapy right now. They're trying to help him regain higher order thinking processes, but he's been making exceptional progress."