Even at Our Worst

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July 28th, 1997

I sit across from Theo in one of the smaller dining rooms on the second floor, picking at my breakfast. He frowns at his own plate, not seeming appetized.

"How're your— lessons?" Theo says under his breath, eyes checking the door behind my back.

I nod as I take a bite of a biscuit. At least the Manor has excellent food. "I'm improving a lot. Draco says so, at least."

Theo swipes his tongue over his teeth, then takes a sip of water. He seems to consider his next words before speaking, leaning back in his chair. "Even after all this work, you'll never be prepared. I hate to be honest, but I have to be, Vi." His teeth bite at his cheek, eyes grazing over the table without ever meeting mine. "The pain— I know you'll be able to bear it, but— it will be the worst thing you ever experience."

My lips are parted as I observe him, his eyes now focused on my glass. I wonder how many times he's had to experience that pain, but, before I can ask, he drops his fork down onto his plate. "I'm not feeling hungry." He mutters and stalks out of the room.

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July 31st, 1997

"Well, it hardly seems fair that you're always going through my mind when I never get to look into yours."

I lie back on the cool, wooden floor of my bedroom, a hand over my head, nursing a headache. I haven't been able to work out healing myself, yet, but this time Draco had a potion brewed and ready for if I overworked myself in our lessons.

Draco sits behind me on the bed, his hand dangling over the edge to meet mine.

"I told you," He turns over onto his stomach, peering down at me. "I'm an open book."

"So, that's an invitation?"

He laughs. "If you can find your way in— look all you like."

I sit up defiantly, narrowing my eyes. "What, you think I won't be able to?"

He shrugs, smirking now. "I think it's time we go to bed—"

"No, now I want to try!" I huff, trying to meet his eyes. He artfully dodges my glance. I've never tried Legilimency before and would need to keep eye contact even to have a decent shot at it. He turns his back to me, swinging his legs over the opposite side of the bed. "Draco, come on—"

"Perhaps another night." He shrugs, smiling wider. I hate that he's enjoying this.

"What happened to the open book?" I scramble around the side of the bed until I kneel before him, looking up. His cunning smirk flickers into a smile before settling back in place. He leans down, a hand coming to the back of my head and tangling in my hair as he pulls me up to meet him, lips chasing mine.

I shake my head, pulling my lips away from his. His eyes flutter open, slightly confused, and I take my opportunity. Looking deep into the blue, I hiss the spell out under my breath.

When I'm in, all I see is black. It feels like a whirl as I enter, watching my room fade away, replaced with a stark nothing. Ice begins to splinter at the edges of my vision, and back in reality, I can feel my fingers growing cold. My thoughts call out into the abyss, searching for something to latch on to—

I'm thrown abruptly from that dreadful space, and find myself splayed out on the ground, leaning back on my elbows.

"What— what was that?" I say incredulously, staring up at him in horror.