This chapter contains scenes of violent actions. Please read with caution.
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'' Maybe we should just run away together?''
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She loves him. She loves him. She loves him.
She has to love him — there's no other way out of this for her. It's either loving the boy who turned out to be her biggest nightmare or dying.
Amelie found herself desperately knocking on Theodore's door, not holding any truth in how she got here, how she managed to leave the scene she had walked in on moments before. Her knuckles collided heavily with the wood as she sought to wake him up,
She knew he had gone to bed already — he usually went to bed early because he loved waking up before sunrise.
Studying the sun as it traveled across the mountain line, with his dearest book in his hand in the hours when no one else was to be awake, lived to be one of his favorite things to do.
'' Please, please, please, be here.'' Amelie whispered to herself, '' Please wake up.''
Her hands kept slamming against the timber, harder and harder with every struck — it wasn't even on her mind at this time that she could've been using her wand. Her mind was clouded,
Not even a minute later, following several pounds on his door, Theodore finally swung it open, and there he stood. The boy who always came to her rescue. The boy who made the strains of pain easier.
He stood confused, nearly disorientated in his newly awakened state. His hands curled up into fists as he scratched them against his drowsy eyes,
The instant his arms fell to his sides, exposing his bare chest — he clocked her skin.
How the tears that had been falling, left prints, how the tip of her nose grew red as if she had been rubbing against it to dry the lost liquid.
'' What happened—'' He sought to speak, the instant her ears noted the weary tones slipping his tongue, her arms flew around his chest.
She buried her head into his warm skin, draining him of the warmth he always sought to grant her with. Theodore held her back, as close as he possibly could.
He backed fully into his room again, with her still hugged around him. It felt as though she couldn't breathe. The continuance of her having her heart broken made her tremble.
Amelie's entire body shook violently as Theo bent down, burying his head into her shoulder, and there they stood, for what felt like hours.
Just holding each other.
His hands stroked her back as she whimpered, trails and trails of sobs fled her throat as they burned into his skin,
Theodore's insides wrenched, his heart shattered for her. He couldn't bear to see her like this.
" Tell me, Amelie." He whispered, " Tell me what Adrian did."
Her head shook — she didn't want to. She didn't want to tell him because the moment she said it out loud, it would become real.
Her nose brushed against the softness of his chest, " He—"
" He—"
Another sob escaped her throat,
" He was with—"
She sucked in a harsh breath as she felt her body following the gentle movements he made. He softly swayed them from side to side,
" He was with Pansy again."
Theodore's whole body tensed as he huffed, and instead of staying still with her, he slowly dragged her with him. He placed himself on the edge of his bed, pulling her in between his legs,
" You look pretty today." He mumbled as she leaned back and a shy smile arched in the corner of her lips at the compliment,
He always knew how to make her smile, even in a heartbreaking moment like this — he made her blush.
" There she is," Theodore smiled back, tucking a wavy strand of hair behind her ear, " There's my pretty girl."
Her eyes rolled as her hand rose to wipe her tears off with the edge of her sleeve,
He stretched his hand up to match her doings, his palm against her cheek as his thumb stroked the liquid away,
" No one deserves those tears, love. No one. Remember that."
She smiled again, still standing in between his legs, " Except you."
Theo chuckled, rubbing circles on her chin, " No one except me then."
He looked at her in a way only he did, almost feeling her cracking heart, '' I love you, Amelie. You know that, right?'' He pulled her inches closer, '' Just say the words, and I will end him.''
'' I know.'' She answered, quietly, '' I know, Teddy. I love you too.''
The missing beat of her heart found her again as Theodore pulled them back, making her lay next to him on the soft sheets of his bed.
His shoulder next to hers as she sought to look for his hand — she took it in hers, braiding their fingers together in the silence,
'' You're plotting, aren't you?'' Amelie finally giggled out at his quietness, '' You're not killing Adrian, you know?''
A loud groan scored him as his head tilted to the side, his bushy brows furrowed, '' Please, just let me—''
'' No.'' She hewed him off, her forehead fell against his, '' We're not killing anyone.''
He groaned again, rolling his eyes at her as he peered down at their fingers. Nothing but their beating hearts echoed the silent room,
'' Do you think we will make it?'' He hushed down, " I mean, do you think we can beat this?''
She found herself staring at him, nearly breathless. His green eyes dragged to hers as she fell lost into them, '' I know we will.''
Theo's fingers tensed around hers, '' Do you promise to stay with me forever, then?'' He reached their hands up in between them, gently planting a kiss on the spine of hers,
'' Forever, Teddy.''
Amelie flinched as he propped himself up on his elbows, rolling over to the side so that he almost laid on top of her, '' No matter what?''
She smiled at him. The brown strands of hair were a complete mess upon his head, '' No matter what, Theo.''
His eyes narrowed, his breaths hitched, and she could see that flash of fear flicker in his eyes — even if he didn't tell her, she knew. She knew how much all of this frightened him.
Theodore never wanted this. He never wanted the mark or the legacy his friends craved to get. He wished to live in peace, to do what he dreamed of,
'' Promise me you won't let the mark change me, Amelie.'' His head sunk to the crook of her neck, '' Please don't let it change me.''
'' I would never let anything change you. You know that.'' She mumbled into his hair, scrunching her nose at it tickled it, '' I promise you that.''
'' Maybe we should just run away together?'' She whispered. His head arched as he looked at her confused, and his eyes pooled.
'' Would you do that for me?'' He smiled through his pain, '' Would you actually run away with me?''
Her hands brushed through his hair, '' You know I would do anything for you,''
But he simply ridiculed at her words, scoffing at her, '' Right... You can't even leave that bloody boyfriend —''
'' Don't.'' She hushed him.'' You know that I don't have a choice... My father,''
He cut her off by pushing a finger up to her lips as he looked up at her. '' I know, love. I know,''
Amelie fell asleep in Theodore's arms that night. She hadn't done so in a long, long time, but tonight — tonight she needed to.
Adrian had done this so many times before, cheating on her wasn't a rare thing, and every time it hurt a little less. She was dreaming about the day he would fall in love with someone else and finally leave her — maybe then, she could stop drowning,
Amelie didn't feel anything anymore. She was numb, a lifeless body wandering through life without cause.
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As the sun tickled her eyelashes — and the dawn arrived. She peeled her eyes open.
'' Amelie, are you in there?''
The hoarse voice infusion with the loud banging on the door made her flinch. She shot up from her resting position, and her eyes dragged over the room in complete confusion to where she was.
The book, lying on the nightstand, caught her attention, and she, within seconds, realized where she was.
It was a copy of Romeo and Juliet.
It was Teddy's favorite book, and he had been carrying it around with him for ages, ever since she gifted him with it, all those years ago.
'' Amelie—'' Adrian growled from outside the door again, and the severity in his shouting made the windows clinker. '' Amelie. I swear to God.''
Theodore seized a deep breath from beside her as he jolted up from the mattress.
His hair was messy, his eyes drunken in sleep as he brushed his knuckles against them. The green eyes stared at her in doubt before they caught another boot — slamming roughly against the door.
'' Is he—''
Her nod hewed Theodore off, and he slipped off the bed, spinning around confusingly to where his clothes could've been.
'' Amelie, this is the last warning.'' Adrian threatened once more, but the second Theo's eyes caught the pile of clothes on the floor — the door flung open.
The vile eyes placed on Amelie in a heartbeat. Adrian eyed her down, watching as she sat folded into Theodore's green sheets. The tips of her fingers grasped around the fabric harder, and she was terrified.
She knew what that darkened, provoked look in his eyes meant — and that she could do nothing to stop the beast she had woken.
Adrian's eyes snapped to Theodore as he stood in nothing but his boxers, and that was more than enough for the cruel boy to lose his mind.
The heartless boy lost it, utterly by the look of them, and he rushed up to Theodore, making the brunette's spine struck the wall.
'' You disgust me, you know that, Nott?'' Adrian seethed, '' Taking advantage of helpless young girls. Is that what you do, Theodore?''
Theo blinked quickly as Adrian stepped closer, '' We didn't do—''
'' Don't you dare lie to me.'' Adrian's teeth gritted, accusingly pointing a finger close to Theo's face,
'' Never lie to me, Nott.''
Amelie felt the panic of them bickering grow within. She couldn't just sit there and watch as Adrian keep threatening Theodore's life. She needed to do something.
'' But I'm telling you, Adrian. All we did was sleep—'' Theodore didn't even stand a chance against the raging Slytherin as his hand snaked around Theo's throat, making the brunette heave for air.
'' What was that?'' Adrian snapped, raising a brow as his fingers gripped harder around his skin.
Amelie forced herself off the mattress, stumbling her way up to her boyfriend and her best friend,
'' Adrian, stop.'' But her whimper left her lips weakly, and all Adrian did was laugh at her.
His neck clocked hers as he grinned devilishly, '' Isn't this what I warned you about, Amelie? Didn't I tell you to stay away from this pathetic excuse of a boy?''
Theodore's hands clawed at Adrian's arms, but nothing — the boy, didn't even budge.
'' I wasn't—'' Amelie swallowed the cry she felt coming, '' I didn't do anything, Adrian. I'll go with you, right now if you want me too just don't hurt—''
'' Don't—'' Teddy choked out, '' Don't go.''
Her eyes pooled as Adrian's eyes flickered between the two best friends.
'' I see.'' Adrian smirked even broader, '' Choose, Amelie.''
She frowned. Her hands on his arm as she tried to pry him off.
'' Don't, please. I'll do anything, just let Teddy go.'' Her grip slipped off of him, and she stepped back, showing the cruel boy that she was giving up.
Adrian couldn't possibly do anything to her that he hadn't done before, but Theo didn't deserve this — all he did was comfort and fix what Adrian broke the night before.
She would continually break herself if it means that Teddy stayed in one piece.
Amelie didn't have many friends. She couldn't spend time with anyone while having Adrian around, and the person she had been confiding in her whole life was Theodore.
Teddy was her savior.
'' So you're giving up?'' Adrian mocked her, loosening the hold of Theo.
Her jaws ticked, '' Yes. I'm giving up.''
'' That easily?'' He questioned her again, eyeing her down, '' That's a first.''
'' Just don't—'' But before she could speak her mind. Adrian's fist collided heavily with Theodore's jaw, and he fell more than helplessly to the floor.
Amelie gasped as Adrian turned to her. His eyes darkened, '' That's the problem, Amelie.'' He hissed, snatching a handful of her hair.
'' You seem to confide in everyone and give up so easily for anybody but me.'' His face held close to hers, '' And that you shouldn't do.''
He pushed her away, making her body fly into the wall next to them.
'' Maybe I should have a word with Malfoy more often,'' He grinned as he peered over his shoulder to look at the boy still struggling on the ground.
'' He was more than happy to tell me about your little meeting in the halls last night,'' He taunted her breaking self, '' One more time, Amelie.''
'' I dare you.''
His eyes narrowed in hers as he shot her a disgusting look, and then — then he stormed out.
Leaving her wounded on the floor next to her best friend.
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Amelie stood outside the classroom, ready to get the last period for the day over with so she could sneak up to the hospital wing and see her best friend.
She took him there after Adrian had marched out of Theo's room yesterday morning. The broken jaw needed to be fixed in ways Amelie had no knowledge of.
'' Where is the sidekick?'' Draco leaned onto the wall next to her, his shoulder against hers, and that simple touch — made her wince.
But during the years of abuse — Amelie has caught on to how to hide it, how to flinch within, for no one to notice.
She didn't answer. Amelie stayed quiet as Draco nudged her to the side again, '' I asked you—''
'' And I don't want to answer that.''
Her cold tone made Draco frown, '' Well. Someone is in a bad mood.''
Amelie simply swallowed the blonde's statement. She knew that she wasn't getting rid of him. They had this class together almost every afternoon, and Draco — somehow always stayed close to her during it.
He didn't know anyone else in that group of students, and it terrified him — to be shown off as lonely.
'' I don't know why you are all mad and rude to me today, but I'd watch it if I were you. No one talks to me—''
'' I can't do this,'' Amelie mumbled as her head shook. She gripped the books she had hugged to her chest harder before walking away from the blonde one.
Her steps echoed throughout the empty hallway as she made her way to the only place she knew she could find an ounce of peace.
The bookshelves stood majestic around her as she slid down next to her usual one.
It was quiet, calm in between the books.
She always loved being in libraries. She had one of her own at home, and when she spent time in the haunted house, her childhood home — she never left it, mainly because her father never once took a step into it.
Her head fell back, and the dust glimmered at the afternoon strokes of sun.
She breathed it in slowly, carefully. The silence was the best part.
No one was here to tell her what to say or what to do. No one was here to rob her of her dignity or her human rights.
She was alone, in the utter quietness.
'' What was that about?'' Draco's spine rolled around a corner as he raised a brow towards her, '' Why did you run off like that?''
Amelie flinched, deeply buried into her hidden thoughts and the act of him sneaking up on her made her jolt off the floor.
'' What are you—''
'' I asked you a question, Avery.''
'' And I told you that I didn't want to answer.''
Draco's tongue rolled on the inside of his cheek as he stared her down, '' And why is that? Why don't you want to answer a question as simple as this one?''
Her face fell into sorrow, and she could feel that every breath she sought to take hurt.
'' Because this is your fault,'' Amelie mumbled, keeping her sight grounded.
She couldn't look at him — knowing that Theodore got hurt because of Draco and the lack he had of her privacy.
'' What was that?'' Draco kept his tone severe, nearly accusing.
'' Nothing.'' She felt small, threatened by his large frame towering over her small one, '' I'd like to go now.''
Draco frowned. The crease between his brows grew, '' Where are you going? We have class, Avery—''
''To the infirmary—'' Her eyes grew wide as she met his grey ones, and her teeth sunk into her bottom lip.
He wasn't supposed to know.
'' Why are you going to the infirmary?'' His eyes stayed in hers, watching as her mind spun. She needed to come up with a lie, fast — but no matter how hard she tried to.
Amelie couldn't lie.
Her jaws tensed, and her eyes flickered, '' Theodore.''
'' Nott?'' Draco sounded more than surprised, '' What is he—''
'' Don't.'' Amelie took a shoe back, '' Don't ask me questions about this,''
She didn't want him to know that, what he had told Adrian the night before — hurt both her and Teddy. She didn't want Draco to understand what Adrian was doing to her.
No one could know.
'' And why is that?'' Draco stepped closer as she kept walking backwards, '' Why can't I ask what happened to Nott?''
It was as if he realized something because his face shifted in amusement.
'' Did Pucey teach him a lesson?''
Amelie's veins iced. Her breaths hitched in the back of her throat, '' I—''
'' You, what? Maybe you shouldn't spend that kind of time with Nott, and none of this would've happened.''
Draco still had no clue what had passed, but as the boy he lived to be — he kept going.
Her eyes fluttered closed as she felt more than trapped in the situation she found herself in.
'' Is that hard on you, Avery? Knowing that I told your little boyfriend what you and Nott were doing—''
'' You have no idea of what you're talking about.'' Amelie fired back, narrowing her eyes in his.
The tamed temper she strived to contain failed her.
'' Don't I?'' Draco laughed, his hand slammed against his chest, '' You see, Avery. It looks to me like you did this to yourself.''
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