I blearily opened my eyes, looking around Fred and George's old room which was now mine for the summer. The smell of bacon drifted up from downstairs, and I wrinkled my nose, feeling too sad to eat.

My thoughts went straight to Draco and my stomach knotted uneasily as I wondered how it was for him being back home without his father there. It had only been a week since we parted at Kings Cross station, but it felt like forever ago.

A gentle knock at the bedroom door interrupted my thoughts as Molly poked her head inside.

"Breakfast is ready, my dear!" She said cheerily as she greeted me with a warm smile.

"I'm sorry, I'm not hungry," I mumbled sleepily. And I really wasn't, as the mere thought of eating made my stomach swirl uncomfortably.

Molly frowned, looking down at me. "Yes, you do look a bit peaky, my dear. I'll bring you up a nice hot mug of chamomile tea. That should perk you up."

Her head disappeared as the door closed behind her. I slowly sat up, looking hopefully at the window for a sign of Draco's owl. His last letter wasn't very informative - just him telling me that he missed me and to keep my promise to stay safe. He mentioned nothing about his mother, or about his home life, whatsoever. I had immediately replied, sending my letter back with his owl, but that was three days ago now, and I hadn't heard a thing back.

It was making me feel sick with worry.

But I had to believe he was okay.

As the days went on, The Burrow got very crowded very quickly. Both Harry and Hermione turned up, and as another surprise - so did Fleur.

"Bill and I are going to be married!" She gushed as her arms wrapped around me in greeting.

She looked so happy it made my heart twist in sadness.

That very morning that she had arrived, I had finally received an owl from Draco after an entire week of silence.

Aurora, it's too dangerous for you to write anymore. Don't reply to this. Stay safe. I love you. Draco.

Nothing else. His scrawl had seemed rushed; hurried.

The constant knot inside my stomach tightened. I longed to see him again; to feel the reassuring beat of his heart as I lay my head down upon his chest; to feel the snaking of his arms around my body, making me feel safe and secure.

I found myself running to the bathroom where I reached the toilet just in time as the vomit left me.

The fear was crippling me.

*****

Draco stared at his mother. His heart pounded furiously in his chest.

"Please tell me this is some sort of sick joke?"

"Do I look like I'm joking, Draco? It's what the Dark Lord has ordered."

"I won't do it mother. Is it not already enough what I've been tasked?!"

"If you don't agree then we'll all be killed!"

Draco wanted to kick something. He couldn't do this. He thought about Aurora and he felt a cold horror fill his heart. He'd only just got her back and now he was going to lose her all over again.

Only this time for good.

*****

Diagon Alley was a shell of its former self.

I looked around in horror as the shops that had once been lively were now sat derelict and empty.

I clutched Ginny's arm suddenly feeling the ground swaying beneath me.

"Are you okay?" She asked, frowning.

"No, I-" I paused, closing my eyes as a horrific wave of nausea passed over me.

"Silly girl! You should have eaten breakfast!" Molly chided, tutting over at me.

The truth was, I had been feeling too sick to eat. Draco's silence had me frantic with fear. I couldn't eat and I barely slept. And when I did try and eat, I would just vomit it straight back up again.

I was just so desperate to know that Draco was all right. But I kept to his wishes and never replied, despite how much it was killing me.

Little did I know, I was just about to find out.

Needing to get new robes, Harry, Ron, Hermione and I split off to Madam Malkin's, with the promise to meet the others in Fred and George's new shop after.

I heard him the second we entered the shop, my heart stilling at the familiar drawl.

"...not a child, in case you haven't noticed, Mother. I am perfectly capable of doing my shopping alone."

His voice was coming from behind a rack of dress robes. The four of us froze as the white-blond haired Slytherin sauntered out in a handsome set of dark green robes, heading straight for the mirror to examine himself.

His eyes widened ever so slightly as they rested on our reflection over his shoulder, his whole body stilling.

My heart pounded in my chest, I went to step towards him but at the same time as Harry grabbed my arm, Draco gave the merest shake of his head as his reflected silver grey eyes pierced mine.

"What's wrong Draco? Do they not fit?" Came the voice of his mother as she appeared by his side.

She too clocked our presence and didn't bother to hide her disgust as her eyes landed on Harry.

"You." She spat coldly. "I'm surprised you'd show your face around here after the little stunt that you pulled at the Ministry."

"Really?" Harry laughed, stepping forward cockily. "Going to get a few Death Eater pals to do us in, are you?"

Narcissa and Draco both wheeled on the spot, glaring furiously at him.

Madam Malkin came scooting into view, squealing and clutching at her heart.

"Really, you shouldn't accuse - dangerous thing to say!"

Draco's mother just smiled unpleasantly at Harry.

"I see that being Dumbledore's favourite has given you a false sense of security, Harry Potter. But Dumbledore won't always be there to protect you."

Harry looked mockingly around the shop.

"Wow... look at that... he's not here now! So why not have a go? They might be able to find you a double cell in Azkaban with your loser of a husband!"

Draco made an angry movement towards Harry.

"Don't you dare talk to my mother like that, Potter!" He snarled.

"It's all right, Draco," his mother said, restraining him with her thin white fingers upon his shoulder. "I expect Potter will be reunited with dear Sirius before I am reunited with Lucius."

"Harry, no!" I cried, as he whipped out his wand in an instant, Draco drawing his, too.

Madam Malkin dithered for a moment on the spot, then seemed to decide to act as though nothing was happening in the hope that it wouldn't. She bent towards Draco, who was still glaring at Harry.

"I think this left sleeve could come up a little bit more, dear, let me just-"

"Ouch!" Draco bellowed, slapping her hand away, "watch where you're putting your pins, woman! Mother - I don't think I want these anymore-"

He pulled the robes over his head and threw them on to the floor at Madam Malkin's feet.

"You're right, Draco," Narcissa said, casting a contemptuous glance at Hermione, "now I know the kind of scum that shops here... we'll do better at Twilfitt and Tatting's."

And with that, they both strode towards us, where the door lay behind us.

Draco hesitated as he reached me, our eyes meeting.

"Draco?" I whispered, my heart racing fearfully.

His lips parted, as though he was about to say something.

"Draco, come!" His mother warned, her eyes darting frantically between the two of us as she hovered in the door way, waiting for her son.

Draco's eyes flashed apologetically before he turned and strode after his mother, slamming the door behind him.