Even at Our Worst

Chapter Twenty-One

I frown, sitting back from my knees and leaning against Pansy's legs. "Well, then, I think I ought to leave them to it."

Pansy coughs behind me, and then whispers quietly, "Violet, you can't really think a group of students has any chance—?"

I shrug. "No, probably not." I turn over my shoulder and raise a brow at her. "But it can't hurt, can it?"

⧏ ▴ ⧐

December 25th, 1997

Theo and I sit in the common room, playing a game of chess feeling a thorough lack of Christmas cheer. Mother managed to get us out of coming back to the Manor for the holidays, although Draco wasn't afforded the same luxury.

"Maybe we should just go to sleep," I huff, my cheek plump as I smash it into the heel of my hand. "Knight to D3." I watch the piece hop across the board and smash into the side of one of Theo's pawns, knocking it from the board.

Theo shakes his head. "Bishop to F6." His piece slides towards mine, resting diagonally now from my rook. "He'll call."

I analyze the board for a moment, squinting as I map out possible moves. He could have me in check in five, but I could have him in three. "Rook to B2," I say, then continue with a sigh, "It's almost midnight. He isn't calling."

Theo tosses one of his pieces that has already gotten out lazily in the air, deftly catching it back in his hand. "He'll call," he repeats. "Pawn to H5."

Surrounding us on the floor is a selection of gifts our friends left us before getting on the Express for the break. Blaise set charms around the pile to ensure we couldn't open any until Christmas Day. I'm wrapped in a thick, deep purple, woolen sweater from Pansy, the turtleneck tickling my chin.

All of the guys chipped in and bought Theo a new broom. Us girls commissioned him a TWIN-Q sweater, which he now wears across from me.

"Queen to—"

There's a faint rustling from a slab of glass sitting on the table between us, and in an instant I'm on my feet, knocking over the board in the process.

"Oi—!" Theo exclaims. I make my apologies as I rush around to his side of the table, kneeling beside him as I grab the mirror and hold it up between us. Theo matches my anxious stance, his shoulder pressing into mine and our heads resting on each other as we wait for another indication of movement.

"Draco?" I whisper, my hands grasping my thighs tightly in anticipation. Another second passes before the glass fogs and shifts. When it clears, Draco's face appears before us, wide-eyed and smiling.

Theo's sigh of relief moves his body against mine, and I feel my lips break out into a grin. "Told you he would call," Theo mumbles, although his face betrays his joy and surprise.

I knock my shoulder into his, leaning toward the mirror. "Are you alright? It's quite late—"

"Fine, I'm fine," Draco insists, his head reflection faltering as he turns over his shoulder, and then back to us. "Have you been listening to the radio?"

"Merry Christmas to you too," I roll my eyes, and he returns a smirk. "Of course we have. Padma let me know what channel is covering— well, the reality of the situation."

"So you've heard about Lovegood?" He raises a brow. Theo and I nod in response. Draco sighs, pinching his eyes shut. "They have her here—"

"What?" Theo shouts suddenly.

"So the Manor is a prison now, too?" I scoff, sitting back on my heels and crossing my arms. "Draco, you have to get out of there—"

"You know that isn't an option, Violet."

"We could explore other ways to remove the Mark—"

"Burke!" Draco groans, "It's not realistic—"

"Fuck realistic!" I slap my hand on the wood floor, pulling the mirror towards my face. "I'm worried sick about you, constantly—"

"Alright, you two, break it up," Theo says slowly, his hand rising to my shoulder. "I think we all know we're in a fucked situation, so let's have a little sympathy for each other."

Draco and I both glare in Theo's direction in turn, and he huffs. "Or continue to fight until someone catches Malfoy shouting at himself in a mirror. Fine by me."

I bite my tongue now, groaning at Theo and then turning back to Draco. "Just— be careful, please."

Inside of my chest, my heart tenses. I feel paralyzed by love so overwhelming, I fear the loss of what we've been able to build together. I search his eyes through the glass, seeing his features harden with understanding.

"I will." He nods. His lip twitches, the smallest of smiles. "Promise."

I smile back. Theo makes a gagging noise that I ignore.

"And Merry Christmas," Draco smirks before his face disappears, the fog in the glass swallowing him up before abruptly switching to reflect Theo and I, our faces pale with worry.

"He seemed well," Theo says optimistically, standing to stretch. "Now, I told Trace I would call her over the floo." He nods his head to the fire behind him, eyes widening in urgency.

I smile back, popping a fizzing whizbee from Crabbe and Goyle into my mouth, taking all the time in the world.

Theo huffs, and impatiently gestures towards the girl's staircase.

"Oh," I say innocently, widening my eyes as I follow his instructions. "Did you want me to leave you two alone?"

"If you'd please." He rolls his eyes as he plops down in front of the fire, snatching up the bag of floo powder from the mantle on his way down.

I smile proudly to myself, snagging a few more candies before I pat Theo affectionately on the head and turn to head upstairs.

"C'mon Darcy." I pat the back of my thigh, scanning the common room in sight of movement. After the third tap, a white and grey cat-like creature appears from behind the couch, purring as he prances towards me, finally brushing against my legs. I scoop him up and cuddle him against my chest, bringing him upstairs with me to settle on the foot of my bed.

From the pocket of my robes, I pull out a small note, tacking onto my wall with a sticking charm amongst my collection of photos and memories from the last seven years.

A kneazle to keep you company, since I remind you so much of one.

With love,

D.M.

⧏ ▴ ⧐

I hope no one checks that chess strategy, because I was just picking pieces and positions with no rhyme or reason

see everyone in a week or so :) will keep you updated on the next chapter's progress via Instagram (aedxx17) or my conversation board! also still posting on tiktok! (same user)