Monster

Parchment 20: Warning

Waiting at the door, in the common room, I stay still. If I let him know I'm here then I may as well have not planned this. The familiar voice comes from outside, then the painting opens up, just a few more steps, come on!

Stopping in his tracks he looks around, I cross my fingers and hope ever so much that he just will move a little more!

He takes a step to the side and the string breaks! My smile widens as my brother hangs by his foot with his wand in hand.

"Nebula? Ah, I thought you weren't in here.." Andrew says giving a small smile, stepping out of the shadows I flip him over and cut his bonds.

"Well, you must be surprised that I was, or else you wouldn't have seen that little trap, but actually that was meant for you, I'm just seeing if it works for another person, as you know," Andrew laughs and nods his head. There comes a small time of silence and I just, once again, runs towards Andrew and hug him tightly.

It's not an awkward silence but one that had no need for words, just motion's that made a time spans shrink.

"I've missed you so much, the last time you visited me was my first year at Christmas, what has been going on?" Andrew sighs and hugs me a bit tighter, his heart also starts to race. Something that upsets him, I can tell...

"It's mother and father Neb. Things are rough between them, and I don't know why, I ask mum what's wrong but she says it's just between her and father, I can't help but worry Neb.." Letting go I lead him to the couch near the fire, laying my hand on his shoulder he rubs his eyes due to stress on what is currently weighing on his mind.

"Mum and dad will find a way Drew, they always do," I say trying to encourage him a little bit, he gives a smile but then it fades. His face scrunches up into one of crying and grief.

"But what if they don't Neb, what will become of mum, what will become of us, sure I have a girlfriend but our relationship is on the edge due to this, I just, can't stand it anymore Neb.." He cries, I pat my lap and he lays his head down upon it, running my fingers through his dirty brown hair as he continues to cry.

"It's going to be okay Drew, I promise, even if things don't appear the best right now.." I whisper down to him, his grip on my knee gets stronger, he tries holding in the tears but can't.

If I ever try to hold in tears I break down even harder, I know that from very personal experience.

"Thanks, Neb, I hope they do.." I give a small smile down to him, I pull a blanket from behind the couch, a spare I keep around only during break. I lay it over top of his body, hoping he will get some rest.

"Now, you can rest, you're safe here with me, I can promise you that, Snape didn't take away my wand this time.." Andrew chuckles at the memory of that. Soon he closes his eyes and the only sound coming from him is of breathing through his nose, along with the steady rise and fall of his chest. I might as well sleep, for it is very late, later than I thought it would be. I rest my hand on his head while my other arm is tucked in my sleeve, behind Andrew's back. My hand gripping my wand, just in case, just in case...

。。。

Morning comes along faster than I thought it would, the last day of Christmas break has come, that means Mavis, Harry, Ron and Hermione will come back soon! Stretching out I see Andrew still on my lap, but what I don't see until a few seconds later is a lurking shape near the door. I hold my wand close in my hand, I'm ready to strike if I need to.

"What are you doing here." The voice hisses, that voice can only be one person and one person alone.

"Malfoy..." The blonde hair comes out from the shadows, he doesn't have his wand out, yet, but neither have I.

Will this be first year all over again? But reverse time?

"I'm here with my older brother if you don't mind," I reply honestly, yet filled with annoyance due to Draco's more rude behavior.

"Older brother, Andrew?" He laughs and gives a smug look at him while he sleeping. Taking steps closer my grip gets harder in the ironwood. "I hope a Dementor gets you, Andrew Quest!" Draco smirks walking towards his own room, letting out a held breath I see Andrew's eyes open wide. Did he hear what Malfoy said? And if he did, how will he react.

"Andrew..?" My voice doesn't come out loud like it should, but it's more quiet and subtle. He looks up at me with reddened eyes, wrapping his arms around my waist he lets out a sharp breath.

"I saw father, Nebula," I freeze just for a few seconds, inside and out, just the name or title feels like I'm always being watched, "h-he had you, and, and I couldn't do anything because I didn't know and I couldn't stop him from hurting you!" Andrews grasp just gets tighter and tighter around, till I almost couldn't breathe.

"Can't breathe.." I mumble, my face starting to turn a light shade of purple, he lets go around me and moved up to my shoulders instead.

"But Neb! I saw the whole thing!" He cries, his body shaking around as if he just came out of a pool of ice.

"Andrew, shh," I continue to run my fingers through his mixed colored hair, "it was only a nightmare. I'm okay, and you're okay, father isn't here, we're both safe.."

"But you aren't safe Nebula," Andrew sits up and grabs my shoulders, his fully serious face on.

"Andrew, you're scaring me.." I reply to his sudden words, he keeps the same face. I feel the knots in my stomach start to come together in their mangled form, not leaving, just getting worse.

"I'm sorry, but you need to leave early."