𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 | √

⎡108⎦

The year finally came to a close. Nostalgically, I strolled around the castle, reminiscing in the good in bad times. When I made it back to my room, I began to pack. To my surprise, at the bottom of my trunk, was a slightly torn Hufflepuff scarf. I pulled it from its place and shook out the dust, causing a picture to fall from it. It was the moving picture of Cedric and me at the Yule Ball. My eyes began to tear up as memories of me, and my first boyfriend flashed through my head. Finally, I rewrapped the picture into the scarf and placed it back into my trunk.

Cedric was gone. There was nothing I could do about it. But I had Draco, and he was all I needed.

I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in," I replied.

Draco walked in, ready to go. Pride hit me over him. He had earned redemption entirely in my heart

"You did it, Draco. Despite everything it took, and how hard it was, you pushed your boulder off the mountain."

He had no clue what I was talking about, but it didn't matter.

"You aren't your father's son. You've earned every inch of your redemption. And I'm... I'm really proud of you for that."

He continued to stare at me, with an unknowing look on his face scared me; it made me want to cry, hug him, and take a cautious step away at the same time.

I looked him in the eye long enough to let him know that I was completely serious and that I meant every word of it. Maybe it mattered to hear it from me, or perhaps it didn't mean a thing, but he should know. He had earned the right to hear it.

We made our way to Hogsmeade, the 8th years ahead of the mob of students. As we walked to the train, our eyes began to well with tears. This would be the last time our class was together taking classes. We were leaving Hogwarts, but this time we weren't returning for a new school year.

Together, the 8th years finally left Hogwarts, full of tears and goodbyes to classmates and favorited professors. Everything had come to close as the scarlet steam engine brought us back home.

. . .

A little after Hogwarts let out, the Malfoy's invited me over for dinner. This would be the first time I would go back to the Manor since the last school year as well as my first time without my dad accompanying me. This time, I would no longer just be a friend to Draco, I would be his girlfriend. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I was terrified. It was a special invitation from Draco's parents once they heard me and Draco started dating a few months ago. I got along with Narcissa fine; it was Lucius who was skeptical of our relationship.

As we entered the Malfoy Manor, my heart began to race. Old memories I had tried to forget came back as we passed through the gates. We made it to the front when I stopped. I didn't think I could handle going back to a place I had nightmares about.

Draco noticed this. "We don't have to do this if you don't want to, Love."

I shook my head. I wanted to do this.

Draco gave my hand he was holding a squeeze and together we walked into the Manor.

Narcissa greeted us with a very happy but worn down smile, and she led us into the dining room. I sat down next to Draco and across from Lucius and Narcissa. Lucius barely acknowledged my presence merely giving me a nod.

We are our food mostly in silence, and even though Draco and I were both legal adults, we still only spoke when spoken to. Once we finished our meal, the house elves took away the plates and left the four of us for a private chat.