WITHDRAWAL. draco malfoy

iii. real life boggart

« REAL LIFE BOGGART »

Up-tempto music mixed with laughters and footsteps of people dancing echoed as Lillian stood near the buffet, a small glass in her hand.

She observed everyone. Bill and Fleur dancing with the signs of passion burning in their eyes just by the way they looked at one another, Molly clapping and laughing, the twins smiling with happiness, Ron staring at Hermione who looked as beautiful as always in her red dress.

Sometimes, she wishes she could write a book about how it felt to be on the sidelines. To cherish memories but only once they're gone. To feel stuck because a piece of you is missing. To not know your purpose in this dangerous life.

She brought the glass to her lips and swallowed some of the clear liquid, instantly regretting it. She fought hard not to spit it out and heard someone chuckle behind her.

"You are still underage, Lillian, don't forget that."

She quickly put the glass down and followed Remus who invited her to sit around a secluded table. Strategic place so they could both talk without being bothered and still make sure no intruder would show up.

"So, tell me what's going on." Remus inquired. "I've noticed you being more distant ever since Scrimgeour visited the Burrow."

Lillian lowered her face as she looked at Harry who was talking with Luna. She felt completely powerless and had no idea how to be of any help now that the chaos had taken over the world.

"Lillian?"

"I've never faced my boggart." Lillian spluttered, finally looking at Remus. "I need to face my boggart. Do you know if there is one here?"

"Lillian..."

"Please." Lillian begged. "Please, Remus. I feel useless in all of this. If I know what terrifies me deep down, maybe it'll make me stronger."

In that moment, Remus felt the girl at her lowest point. And it wasn't simply a girl, without knowing, she somehow made Remus feel like he was back to his teenage years, when he was a Marauder enjoying his life alongside his best friends.

"Yes, I know where there is one."

. . .

Lillian and Remus stood in the attic, a place that was usually deserted and that the girl had probably seen just two times in her life. They were facing a large and dusty cupboard that looked frightening just by itself.

"I'll open the door, don't forget the spell, it's—"

"Riddikulus."

Remus nodded and slowly opened the door with his wand. The material creaked and the room became darker than it originally was. A dust of wind blew on her face and she faced an empty landscape.

The moon was shining bright —as it was full, and the sky was cloud free. The land was deserted, not a single plant could be seen. Some footsteps were heard inside the cupboard and a perfect version of herself walked out, followed closely by a doe.

The boggart made direct eye contact with Lillian, never looking away. The girl barely held her wand but she was shaking from both fear and cold.

"Are you sure you only have one deepest fear, Lillian?" the boggart claimed with a smirk.

The boggart-version of herself walked backwards, still looking at Lillian, and disappeared in the cupboard as the blonde focused on the doe with tears in her eyes.

The animal walked until it was just in front of the girl, lowering its head signaling it wanted her to pet it. Nervously, the girl brought her shaky hand towards the animal as Remus stepped forward with his wand pointed directly at the animal.

But he didn't need to do anything as when Lillian came in contact with the doe, the animal hissed in pain and crumbled down on the deserted land before everything vanished and it was only the closed cupboard she was looking at.

Lillian turned around with a sad look on her face as Remus gave her a hug. He didn't know himself how to interpret this boggart since the only thing it represented clearly was Lillian and the action of death caused by her.

However they didn't have the time to discuss as agitation could be heard downstairs, causing them to run outside.

Shacklebolt's voice could be heard coming from a blue rounded shape ball. "The Ministry has fallen. The Minister of Magic is dead. They are coming."

Some people started screaming, others apparated away from the Burrow. Lillian looked at Remus in worry, not knowing how she would be able to escape this place.

"Lillian, please, be safe. Don't forget you still have the trace and the Death Eaters know you're one of Harry's closest friend." Remus reminded rapidly as Nymphadora ran in his direction. "I'll be with your father."

The girl barely had the time to understand that they were running to the other side as she made eye contact with her father for a split second before fighting Death Eaters, leaving her alone in a corner as another Death Eater crashed the tent and made it burn.

"Lillian !"

Harry, Hermione and Ron were yelling her way as Harry had an arm extended for her to reach.

"I can't !" Lillian shouted. "I have the trace ! If I come I'll get you all killed !"

Pure panic shot in the two boys' eyes, realizing she didn't want to come with them and they would be separated.

"No ! Lilli, please !" Harry and Ron screamed in unison, desperately trying to reach for the girl.

Lillian stepped backwards, looking at Hermione. "Where?"

"Shaftesbury Avenue !"

And this way her three best friends apparated as Lillian ran inside the Burrow, "Accio broom".

She grabbed the bag she had planned in case something like this would happen and used her own spell to distract the Death Eaters as she lifted herself in the air, flying as fast as possible to join her friends.

Contrary to when she made it injured to the Burrow, this time the sky was definitely danger-free. But Lillian flew as discreetly as possible, which meant not being as fast as she could.

When she made it to the large avenue, she was an absolute mess. There were too many people, too much noise and the girl found herself confused as she held tightly on her broom and her bag.

Lillian walked for what felt like hours down the streets, looking inside every opened shop, and, even though she was surrounded by hundreds of people, she had never felt as lonely. Her world crumbled inside her as she sat on the cold pavement of the street. She had to face facts, she would not be able to find her friends.

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am i a horrible person? i'm really sorry i had originally planned for lillian to find them but it would've been too easy in my opinion and if you guys remember the previous chapters, it is actually important for lillian to find herself alone.

first, it's strategic because you don't want the Death Eaters tracking the girl (if she ever used magic) and finding Harry and also for many other reasons you'll know about later... but i hope you liked it and don't forget to leave a little comment ;) i rlly rlly love them like no joke