The shit really was about to hit the fan.

Because there, in the centre of the drawing room where Draco had just been summoned by his aunt, stood Potter, looking as though he'd been competing in a Muggle duel with Mike Tyson.

And lost. Terribly.

He flinched as his father hurried to his side, pulling him eagerly towards Potter; trying not to gag at the stench of wine on his breath as he begged him to identify the prisoner.

"I- I can't be sure," Draco muttered, desperately stalling, looking anywhere but at his old school rival.

Because there was no doubt in his mind that it was Potter. And if he got caught now then it would all be over; a question mark above his and Blaire's future that he was so determined they would have together.

It almost seemed as though they were going to be saved from summoning Voldemort, but then everything went wrong when his aunt decided to go crazy over some sword and started torturing Granger.

And, as a fucking chandelier crashed down upon his head (Potter using the opportunity to snatch his wand right out of his hand); Draco once again found himself drowning in the depths of despair.

******

Fuck this, I thought as ear piercing screams and horrified yells echoed hauntingly within the Manor's vast walls.

Thinking quickly, I threw on the Death Eater cloak I'd worn on my way into this place and marched out of Draco's bedroom; wand aloft and poised at the ready.

I strode down the landing with confidence, adrenaline masking my fear. It wasn't difficult to know where to go; just follow the screams.

As I descended the stairs, I noticed a crowd of Death Eaters and Snatchers all gathered in the hallway below; each and every one of them distracted by the commotion coming from the open doors of the drawing room.

The cloak enabled me to blend in as I shouldered my way through the spectators, thanking Merlin I wasn't a short arse.

Finally, I managed to reach the front of the crowd blocking the doorway, and as I peered into the impressively large drawing room, I had to stifle a horrified gasp.

For, pinned to the floor, was Hermione Granger; screaming and wailing in terror as Bellatrix Lestrange appeared to be cutting deeply into her arm with a shiny blade.

And everyone was just watching. Including Draco, who was stood by the fireplace in between Narcissa and Lucius, looking white as a sheet.

I tried to think quickly; but it was difficult with all the horrifying sounds around me. If I drew my wand on Bellatrix in front of all these Death Eaters then I risked getting us all killed.

But if it was Draco being tortured like that, I knew I'd do it without a second's hesitation.

So, with a racing heart, I raised my wand- ...and got barrelled aside by Harry Potter and Ron Weasley who jumped into the drawing room like a couple of Power Rangers, zapping everyone left right and centre.

I mean, I had to admit - it was pretty cool.

The Death Eaters and Snatchers who had been watching, all ran for their lives like the cowards they really were, leaving me standing alone out in the hallway.

So, shrugging my shoulders, I positioned myself just behind the door and helped Harry and Ron out by trying my best to parry the hexes that were being thrown at them.

But unfortunately, it seemed Bellatrix had gotten the upper hand when she held a dagger up to Hermione's throat.

I managed to conceal myself outside in the hallway behind the door, my chest heaving heavily as I tried desperately to think about what to do next.

But then, as luck would have it, a chandelier dropped onto everyone's heads.

Glass and crystal shattered everywhere and, despite the cover of the Death Eater hood, I still held my arms up to protect my face.

Everything happened so fast, and I looked up in time to see the golden trio twisting in the air as a dagger flew towards them.

The next thing I knew, Bellatrix was wailing like a wounded animal face down on the floor as Draco came skidding towards me; his face covered in bloody cuts.

"Blaire?" he spluttered, wild panic in his eyes as they landed on mine through the slits in my hood. "You need to get out of here, they've called him. He's coming and he's going to be fucking fuming."

"Then you must come with me," I insisted, my heart racing in my chest out of nothing but fear for Draco's safety. "I'm not leaving without you."

Before he could answer, however, Narcissa swiftly stepped over to us.

"Come with me," she ordered brusquely, addressing me. "You can use the fireplace in my bedroom. I'll owl Severus to let him know to expect an early arrival. You'll be safe at Hogwarts."

She immediately swept down the hallway towards the stairs, beckoning for me to follow.

"Drac, please," I begged as he grabbed my arm and pulled me up the staircase, his grip extra tight so I couldn't shrug him off. "Don't make me go without you."

"You can't be here when he arrives," he said vehemently, his jaw clenched tight, "hell is going to break loose and I won't put you in danger like that."

"At least come with me," I implored, knowing I was clutching at straws but needing to try anyway.

But Draco gave his head a mournful shake. "I can't, Blaire. You know I can't. I have to stay here and take what comes."

"But he could kill you," I said, my voice coming out hoarse and shaky in my panic. "Please don't make me leave you here, Drac."

The second we reached the top of the stairs, Draco pulled me into his arms, pressing his lips ardently against my temple. I could feel the furious pounding of his heart beneath his chest as I clung to him.

"It has to be this way, Blaire," he murmured; his voice muffled in my hair. "I need you safe. I need you safe so that we can come back together; because we will, I promise you."

I tilted my head up to look up at him, panic weighing down in my chest at the thought of being torn apart from him again.

"Drac, I-"

"I'm yours," he said quite suddenly and with fierce conviction as he cupped my face in his hands. "You asked before what we were; but it's simply that - I'm yours and always will be, Blaire Zabini."

The breath left my body, and despite the severity of the situation we were in, I found my heart filling with a great warmth as I looked up into his grey eyes; eyes full of complete love and affection.

Before I could respond, a door swung open further up the landing, and Narcissa appeared on the other side.

"Come now, Blaire," she spoke, interrupting us gently but also with a tone of urgency, "I'll get your stuff sent on as soon as things settle here."

And the moment she said that, Bellatrix's loud screech could be heard clearly from downstairs as she lay into Lucius for being a useless shit.

"HE'S GOING TO KILL US AND IT'S ALL DOWN TO YOU AND YOUR FUCKING PATHETIC MALFOY GENES! MERLIN, YOU MUST BE GOOD IN BED FOR MY SISTER TO STICK BY YOUR SORRY ARSE!"

"For fuck's sake," Draco muttered under his breath, as he dropped his arms from around me and hastily led the way over to his mother.

We stepped inside the grand bedroom just as Narcissa swept over to the impressive fireplace and threw powder into the roaring brightly lit flames.

My heart raced in my chest as I turned back to Draco, not wanting to say goodbye.

"Go, please," he begged, his face looking genuinely pained.

I reached up on tiptoes, brushing my lips softly against his, causing him to emit a soft sigh.

"I'm yours too," I whispered in his ear, trying to ignore the fierce lump that had formed in my throat.

And, as I stepped into the fire, glancing one last time at Draco, I wondered with an ache in my chest when we would see each other again.

Turns out, we didn't have to wait long at all.

******