June 1999

Exams are in a week and my anxiety is crippling. I have never been more stressed for the end of the school year. 

I was sitting at Michael's desk. It was the last day of school today so I decided I would just bring all my stuff to his room. 

"You have literally studied more than any other human being on earth. Ever," he concluded walking over from the bed where he was lying, to go to sleep. He stood behind me and rested his hands on my shoulders. 

"I just don't want to miss anything." He cupped my face from behind me and kissed my forehead. 

"Darling, I promise you will do just fine. Have a break, you can study some more tomorrow."

"Alright." I closed my books and put away my quill, yawning. Once I switched off my laser focus I realised I was dead tired. I turned around on the chair, barely able to keep my eyes open and he noticed and laughed. 

"See, you're exhausted, here." He lifted me so that I was standing and guided me to the bed where he laid me down, taking off my socks, because he knows I hate sleeping in them. He got in next to me and cuddled me close like usual, me already falling asleep as he turned the lamp off. 

"You have made yourself so stressed. Promise me you will take care of yourself next week."

"Mhm, I promise," I replied, not grasping what he was saying fully. He chuckled. 

"I'm serious," he protested, running his fingers through my hair.

"Tell me that I'm your North Star again," I said, smirking. "Do you remember what it is?" I questioned.

"Only star that is stationary, the star that all other stars revolve around." I opened my eyes and sat up, that sounded too textbook-like. 

"You are such a smart... git. You knew everything that I was saying the night of your birthday."

"Technically yes. But I preferred you telling me."

"I thought that I was teaching you about the stars which is something I am passionate about."

"You were, in a way. I just liked hearing you talk about it, you made it sound magical."

"Don't sweet talk your way out of this." 

"Come back to bed," he said, as I had stood up, crossing my arms.

"No."

"Okay what is this really about?" He asked, and I stepped back further looking to the ground instead of meeting his eyes. 

"It's about the fact that you pretended not to know anything about the stars while I rambled on about crap you already know."

"Technically I didn't pretend, you never asked, and I was happy to hear you ramble, you're adorable. It's why I love you. So please tell me what this is about." I picked at the skin around my fingernails, and looked away from him. 

"We're in Hogwarts, we live here and have the luxury of seeing each other all the time. I'm happy, at the moment, but mentally I'm weak and I'm just worried that I won't see you as often after we graduate and I cannot handle that. I'm also worried about what will happen... with us. I'm scared, I'm really scared. I have this gnawing feeling that something is going to happen, I feel it itching in my skin. It's like there's a ticking bomb in my head counting down until another person I love dies." 

I took a deep breath as my chest grew heavy during my breathless vent. I finally looked up and met his eyes, worry pooled in them. He stood up and walked over to me holding my hands in his. 

"Firstly, I want you, all I want is you. Now, next week, and until I stop breathing. So when we leave here, wherever you go, I will be. You think you won't survive being away from me but Davina love, you are my oxygen, so it is physically impossible for me to stay away." 

I smiled, my eyes glistening with tears and I held them back as I leaned up to kiss him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him. He lifted me up and wrapped my legs around him as he carried me back to the bed. 

He brought me into him protectively and assumed his serious tone. "You're anxiety about something happening is just that... anxiety. You are here, safe, with me, and nothing is going to happen to you. But don't keep these feelings in either or they'll eat you alive."

"I'll try."

"Promise me."

"I promise."

"Okay, now get some rest, we've got a big week ahead."

"I love you Michael."

"I love you too my little Davina."

<><><><><><><>

"I did it, we've finished. No more school." I almost couldn't believe the words I was speaking as we walked out of the hall from our last exam. Memories of when I first came to Hogwarts flayed about in my mind and I saw Draco ahead and he smiled. I ran to him and hugged him.

"It's only fitting that I start and finish school with my best friend," he said and I stood, looking up at him, smiling. He kissed my forehead. 

"I'm just happy I don't have to sit any more exams."

"I'm just happy we survived." My smile dropped slightly.

"Well, not all of us," I said, thinking of Mattheo and Cedric. 

"Sorry."

"No, it's okay." Theo, Enzo and Blaise joined us and we all began walking down to the dungeons, arms flailing on each of our shoulders. 

"It is finally time, for our last Slytherin party," Theo said. 

"Let's get drunk!" Blaise said enthusiastically and we all laughed. 

<><><><><><><>

We were all on the floor in the boys' dorm, having pre-drinks. Michael had come down and was sitting also. I was always most happiest with my friends. Seeing them all, it made me forget about whatever I'm stressing about. I'm glad Michael was here. It always made me uneasy when he was down in the dungeons because Slytherins were not very fond of... outsiders. And that's putting it nicely. 

"Get a room!" Blaise shouted, already tipsy. The boys laughed, Enzo a little hesitantly, but he laughed. Michael had been kissing behind my ear and whispering how much he liked my clothes. I giggled and looked at Michael.

"We have one it's just far away."

"You guys aren't leaving, the party is just starting, come on let's head down," Blaise said and jumped up, losing balance and continuing for the door. We all got up and followed but I hung back a moment staring into a specific part of the room. Michael turned and held my hand.

"You coming sweetheart?"

"Um, yeah, just give me a moment." He followed my gaze and stepped toward me, placing a kiss on my forehead before walking out and closing the door behind him. I assumed he was waiting outside the door, he doesn't like to mingle with the other residents of this particular house. 

I walked over to the empty space. Empty drawers, closet, and a perfectly made bed with no creases in it. I sat on the edge of the perfectly made bed and exhaled. His scent still lingering in the air, mine too. I touched over the side table, the lamp, I remembered how he kept my book here so I could read to him. 

His room was cleaned last week for the end of the school year and I had taken all his belongings and put it all in my room at the Malfoy's. It wasn't cleaned earlier because I had stayed here and Draco threatened the elves if they dared to clean it. But he can't threatened them anymore because we don't live in the castle as of tomorrow. 

"It's all happening so fast, but I know that everything will be okay. Draco and I bought an apartment with our money that is rightfully ours. I went to my gringotts vault with the key I had taken from my father. It had more in it than last time because I inherited everything he owned after he died. My family home is withering away seen as how no one lives there anymore. Draco found his key so all was well.

"Michael is looking for a place near Draco and I which is convenient because he wants a job at the ministry which is near our place. Draco got a job as an apothecary's assistant, and I'm so proud because I knew that's what he wanted. I still don't know. But I find comfort in it now because I have all the time in the world. Plus, you never knew what you wanted to do. I think you would've been a great auror. Of course I would've hated every second because I'd be so worried, but I feel like you would've loved it. 

"I know you stick around. I know you'll always stick around. Knowing that helps me go on, I don't think I could without that knowledge. Even though I'm not one hundred percent sure when you're near, I will carry you with me. Forever. I'm okay, I'll be okay." I stood, wiping the tear that fell. I reached the door and I turned one last time. All the memories of my time spent in this dorm, with Draco... with Mattheo. I walked out and as expected Michael was leaning on the wall adjacent. 

He came to me and held me. "Don't be sad."

"I'm not." He looked down at me as if to say don't lie to me because you can't and he lifted my wrist proving that I was indeed sad as the bracelet we shared was shining blue. "Okay fine. I'll try not to be."

I'm going to regret these bracelets. 

<><><><><><><>

"Of course you all are hungover the day you leave Hogwarts. I told you guys you were drinking too much." Enzo was talking but none of us were listening. Even Michael was hungover. 

I remember Theo telling me before we all started drinking that he predicts Enzo won't get drunk and I had asked why and he said that Enzo told him he doesn't trust himself around me when he's drunk. Last night that news didn't bother that much but today it was absurd. Hopefully now that we don't live in the same castle things will get better. Maybe he'll meet the new love of his life. 

We were at the station and our bags were in and we all were in a booth. I was sitting on Michael next to the window with Draco beside us and Blaise and then Enzo and Theo across us. 

"You know there's room for you to sit," Theo said gesturing to the space. I didn't say anything because I knew. 

"She is perfectly comfortable," Michael said calmly, although there was a hint of iciness in it that made Theo look away. I laughed as Michaels hand rested on my upper thigh. My bracelet turned red and I was almost embarrassed when I remembered that only Michael and I can see them. 

"I guess Michael is coming with us when we get to our place," Draco said. 

"Well he wants to see the place and lengthen the time before he has to go home."

"I still haven't found a place."

"You will." I said and then I turned to the others. "What are your guys' plans?"

"I am travelling for a bit before I get a job and do all that adulting stuff," Blaise stated.

"Where you off to?" I asked. 

"Greece."

"Very nice. Let me guess you're going to Mykonos?"

"How'd you know?" He asked and I just looked at him blankly. 

"The partying and the girls."

"You know me so well." I just laughed. 

"We're travelling too, but instead of it being fun we're going to go to Auror training." I stiffened slightly, thinking about Mat but then I smiled.

"That's great, really."

"Good pay," Blaise said.

"Riddle told me he liked the idea of being an Auror," Draco said and glanced at me when mentioning him, I think he didn't say his first name on purpose. I just smiled and stared out the window and Michaels hand intertwined with mine. 

I looked down seeing a shade of purple circling my wrist.