Somewhere I Belong

Goodbye
You came into my life
Like something straight out of the sky
Gave me what I thought was love
But ended up in disguise
Those words you told me
They made me open up my heart
But now I'm torn apart

Seen your eyes
Heard your lies
Now it's over
Say bye, bye
Made me cry
Can't describe my pain
That's why I'm saying Goodbye

- "Goodbye" by Krystal Harris

********

Dumbledore rose in the Great Hall the following morning. Hermione paid her full attention. For some reason, she thought of what she had been thinking the night before about Malfoy. She ignored it, and waited for him to speak.

Dumbledore was having an especially hard time with what he would say. He was an experienced man, so he was well prepared, but he was hoping something like this wouldn't happen.

Dumbledore began, "Settle down students. I have some alarming information. Two students have been missing for a few days from Hogwarts. We believe it has something to do with the Death Eaters roaming the school grounds at night. I will not disclose their names at this time, but I would send a word of caution to those who have a disregard for the rules." He looked almost sternly over to Harry, Ron and Hermione. They cast confused glances at each other, and continued with their breakfast.

********

Alex opened her eyes. She remembered falling asleep in front of the little fire. What she didn't remember was Draco laying right against her. His chest moved as he breathed, brushing her back slightly as he did so. She decided to just let him sleep. She threw some sticks into the dwindling fire, starting it blazing again. She kept looking over to him, from the rock she sat on, almost expecting him to wake and confess he was lying. Something inside her wanted to forgive and forget, but there was still a part of her that was skeptical. She glanced at him as he slept. His face was completely relaxed. She liked seeing it that way. There were no smirks or sarcastic looks. He seemed more real. She shook her head, confused with her own thoughts. She turned back to the fire.

"Alex," he said quietly in his sleep. She turned to look at him, staring hard. He tossed slightly in his sleep, and then became still again. She laughed to herself, and stood. She was startled from behind by none other than Lucius Malfoy.

"Well, now I found your hiding place," he said derisively. Alex gasped at the sound of it, and Draco's eyes shot open. He bolted upright to face his father.

"Did you two sleep well?" Lucius asked, noting Draco's shirt was missing.

"How d-did you find us?" Draco stammered grabbing his shirt and shoving it over his head.

"Well, you left a fire burning, and it left something like a smoke signal," Lucius said leering at his son.

"What are we going to do?" Alex whispered to Draco, but loud enough for Lucius to hear.

"You're both coming with me. We have some business to take care of," Lucius said, more seriously.

"No, were not. Right Draco?" Alex asked, looking over to Draco. She saw that feeble look crossing his face. She remembered that look from when they had abducted her that night.

"Don't be silly Alexandra. I sent Draco to come looking for you and to bring you back. You didn't really think he came out here because he wanted to, did you?" Lucius drawled. Alex blinked. He had done it again. She had trusted him, and he had once again deceived her. Tears slid down her face as she stared at him. Lucius laughed maliciously. Voldemort appeared at the mouth of the cave at that moment.

"Did you find her?" he asked sternly. Alex guessed he must not have been very happy to find out she got away.

"Yes my lord, Draco found her," Lucius said leering at Alex.

"What do you want from me?" Alex said around her tears.

"You mean you still don't know?" Lucius asked, sounding annoyed. Alex shook her head and wiped her eyes on her sleeve.

"You are an eternus. You have the power to take away pain and injury. You are nothing short of a life giver. That pendant that you think is just a keepsake is the holder of your rare power. The gem is a very powerful jade who's power can only be triggered by you, or someone with your power. There are only thirteen others like yourself in the entire wizarding world. Your power is still fresh because you haven't used it yet. You have the power that can replenish Voldemort to his original state, and help him to conquer the light side," Lucius stopped.

"B-but that can't be. My pendant was just my mothers. She never told me about it. You're lying," she said, confused and trying to take in what was just said.

"No, I assure you, I'm telling the truth. Have you ever even worn the pendant? Have you tried to figure out the engraving?" Lucius asked.

"Well, no," Alex said, not knowing what to make of everything.

"It's a shame that such a valuable power was given to a Mudblood like you," Lucius scoffed.

"If I can heal, and give life, then I bring people back from the dead?" she asked.

"Not exactly, but I'm not sure how it works. You won't be needing to know that much information anyway. You will sacrifice yourself to Voldemort, purging yourself of your power, or we'll kill you. Either way, you have no choice. Don't try my patience Mudblood," he added. Draco stood frozen. Alex continued to cry. She didn't understand what was going on, but somewhere inside her, she felt as though she'd known and understood all along. She silently remembered the engraving. Use this when you need it, but keep it forever safe. Be watchful of deceitful hands, this key they'd quickly take. Existence relies upon it, and this you know is true, remember that you have my love, and that the answer lies in you.

"Hurry up girl, you don't have much time," Voldemort hissed. Draco hated watching her cry. He had to tell her.

"Alex, I have to give you..." Draco started, but Alex cut him off.

"Don't talk to me. I hate you," she spat. Draco cringed, but swallowed hard and didn't speak.

"What is it going to be? Will you sacrifice yourself to the Dark Lord? Or will I be forced to kill you myself?" Lucius asked, getting irritated.

"I will never sacrifice myself to you, or anyone. Ever!" she shouted through tears.

"Fine, I'll get this over with," Lucius said, pausing to take out his wand. Draco's hair stood on end. His palms were sweating, as he stared at Alex, standing almost fearlessly in front of his father. She wore a look of protest, but also one of extreme fear.

Without warning, Lucius pointed his wand at Alex and shouted, "Avada Kedavra!" Alex curled, and put her hands up over her, trying to shield herself from the death curse. Draco didn't think. He pushed off the ground with his feet and flung his body in front of Alex, knocking her out of the way and intercepting the curse as a flash of green light illuminated the cave.

********

Alex couldn't breathe. It felt like she was being strangled. She looked slowly down. Draco was sprawled on the ground at her feet. His face looked solemn, his eyes closed. He almost looked as though he were taking a nap, but Alex knew he wasn't. Lucius just stared, his jaw hanging down. He was unable to comprehend what he'd just done. Alex slowly dropped down to her knees so that she was kneeling next to him. She touched his face with her finger. His skin felt cool and artificial. She swallowed hard, trying to avoid the tears coming quicker than she could stop them. Reality was beginning to sink in.

"What are you waiting for? Kill Her!" Voldemort hissed demandingly.

"But Draco...he's...what have you done?" Alex said between sobs.

"He jumped in the way. I didn't mean to..." Lucius trailed off. Alex cradled his head in her arms as she cried. She felt so alone, so helpless. He had sacrificed himself so she would live. He had jumped in front of the death curse to save her. She couldn't believe the last thing she'd told him was that she hated him. Her cries echoed off the walls of the cave. Then she reached over to grab his hand in hers. She noticed he was holding something. It was felt cold and smooth and Alex gasped when she saw it. It was her mother's pendant. That was what he had wanted to give her.