We arrived at Hogwarts to a mixed reception.

There was a huge round of applause for Harry of course, but due to the fact that I had tortured most of the school, I barely got a clap.

Harry was keen for us to locate the next Horcrux, but all I wanted to do was find Draco. I had no idea if he'd returned to school after the Easter holidays, but it wouldn't hurt to look.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked as I ran for the door after our greeting in the Room of Requirement. It wasn't mine and Draco's room, I couldn't help but notice - but apparently it was one that Harry had used once to teach an underground Defence class.

"I just want to check something in the Slytherin common room," I barked, feeling a flicker of irritation at the sneer creeping on Harry's face as the word Slytherin left my lips.

"Why? We're here to get Horcruxes, not to go and play with our old friends!"

"I won't be long, Harry, besides you've still got to work out what the next Horcrux even is first!"

I stormed out without waiting for his response, practically running all the way down to the dungeons.

The common room was dark and empty, it was very late and I assumed everyone must be in their beds. I crept over to my father's portrait and uttered the ludicrous password.

I knocked gently on Draco's door, before slowly opening it. My heart felt heavy at the sight of the empty bed. I had been hoping with everything that he would be there.

Suddenly desperately needing to feel close to him, I curled up on the bed, nuzzling my head into his pillows, and sighing with pleasure as I caught the faintest whiff of his scent.

I missed him so much, it was like a physical pain. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine he was here with me, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tightly to his body. I thought of all the times he had made love to me, and I wished so much I could take comfort in him right there and then. My body yearned maddeningly for him.

My eyes sprang open as guilt gnawed at me. Harry was right. I was here to destroy Horcruxes, not to lie here and wallow.

Sighing, I dragged myself up off the bed. I needed to get it together. Draco wasn't here, and I just had to accept that. I just had to pray that wherever he was and whatever he was doing, he was safe.

And it was at that moment when my left arm seared in agonising pain. The Dark Mark was burning. I clutched it tightly, gasping out loud.

This could only mean that Harry had got himself caught.

And my father was on his way.

...

Draco jumped out of the shower, hurriedly drying himself. He could have sworn he had heard a noise coming from the bedroom.

Cautiously opening the bathroom door, he peered around. All was silent and still. He shrugged, thinking he must just be jumpy after feeling the call of the Dark Mark.

He had to go and see Snape immediately, he decided, grabbing a suit from his wardrobe and throwing it on. He paused briefly, as a familiar scent wafted under his nose.

Looking around, he shrugged. He must be imagining things through his misery and tiredness.

Before he could question his madness any further, the sudden sound of Snape's voice filled the room, summoning everyone immediately to the Great Hall.

Draco's heart thudded, that could only mean one thing.

Potter was here.

He threw himself out of the door and rushed out into the common room, suddenly certain he hadn't imagined that noise coming from his room at all.

And he certainly hadn't imagined the scent.

The scent of his beloved Astrid.

...

I ran up from the dungeons as my uncle's voice echoed around the school, demanding that everyone must convene immediately in the Great Hall.

My heart was thudding, I had no idea where I was to find Harry and the others. Our time was running out and I knew that tonight was the night that I had to tell Harry about the final two Horcruxes.

I needed to find him - now.

Students started streaming out into the hallways, all bleary eyed and befuddled looking. I got caught up in the flow and was forcibly swept along with them as they all made their way up to the Great Hall.

I felt panicky - I didn't have time to hang around and listen to my uncle conduct an impromptu assembly. The need to let Harry know about the Horcruxes seemed suddenly more urgent than ever.

But somehow I was forced into the Hall and had to listen to my uncle telling the whole school that there was no way Harry Potter could get into Hogwarts. His eyes drifted over the students and they rested briefly on mine as we exchanged a knowing look. If he was surprised at my presence, he didn't show it.

So, I don't think he was too shocked either, when Harry came storming in and started yelling at him.

And then, to my horror, Professor McGonagall arrived and started duelling with Snape along with the rest of the Order. I could see he was pretty much outnumbered having only the Carrow's behind him.

"Stop!" I cried, trying desperately to run across the hall to help my uncle, pushing students aside as I reached for my wand.

I felt arms circle my waist, pulling me back just as one of the Carrow's curses missed me by millimetres.

"For fucks sake, Astrid - are you trying to get yourself killed?!"

My heart stilled at that familiar drawl.

I looked up into his beautiful pale face as his white-blond hair fell messily over his twinkling silver grey eyes.

"Draco!" I cried, turning at once to face him and throwing my arms fiercely around his neck, my whole body surging with love at the very feel of him. "I didn't think you were here. I came to your room. You weren't there."

"I know," he growled softly, pulling me close to him, "I was in the shower - thinking of you as it so happens."

Screams flew up around us as the duel grew more intense. Without further hesitation, Draco pulled me further into the crowd, away from all the blasts.

"But, Severus!" I cried, trying to stall back, "we've got to help him!"

"We can't," Draco insisted, determinedly pulling me to safety. "He knows what he's doing, Astrid, trust me."

He didn't stop until we reached the Entrance Hall. I looked back in time to see my uncle fly out of the window.

"No!" I cried, as the Great Hall filled with cheers.

"It appears that your headmaster, to use the common phrase, has done a bunk!" I heard McGonagall roar out jubilantly, to more loud cheers.

Draco pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly to him. "Don't let it upset you," he murmured, soothingly, "he had to pretend to be the bad guy, remember?"

"But he wasn't," I sobbed, tears spilling from my eyes, feeling horrendously emotional all of a sudden.

"I know, Astrid," he said sadly, stroking my hair as I cried into his shirt.

A loud rumbling sound shook the castle and I looked up in fear. Draco stiffened as he held me tightly to him, his eyes darting around nervously as lights flickered hauntingly off and on.

My father's voice filled the room. He was here.

And he wanted Harry. And he was giving us an hour before storming the castle.

"Come on," Draco muttered, letting his arms drop from around me and grabbing my hand.

"Where are we going?" I whispered urgently, allowing him to drag me up the stairs.

"Somewhere safe," he said, ignoring my protests. I needed to tell Harry about the Horcruxes before the hour was up.

"Please," Draco implored, looking at me with pleading eyes, "please, just let me keep you safe for a little bit longer."

So I let him.

I let Draco take me back up to the Room of Requirement.

Back to the room he had originally asked for us.

Back to the Room of Hidden Things.