Holding On| Letting Go

[BeautifullyxMad]

Reserved for newmommy1993

The day started off somber, and for the first time in Magical History, everything was closed in the magical community. The Ministry was shut down for the day, and everyone was to gather at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for a memorial service for all those who had lost their lives in the war just a little over a year earlier. Ryan Lockhart looked herself over in the mirror of the small room she had in her apartment. Her hair was straightened, and her black dress hugged her form. She threw on her black leather jacket and slipped into her shoes just before she clasped her silver angel wing necklace on. She turned slightly and she saw her mother standing there in the doorway with Ayden. Ryan's face softened when she saw the mop of curly blond hair and the bright blue eyes belonging to the young boy. Once he was set down he ran over and Ryan picked him up and held him close to her as he cowered in her shoulder.

"Has he spoken yet?" her mother asked and Ryan shook her head.

"Not yet, but even you said it could be a stress thing. He was brought into a stressful world and when he's ready, he'll talk." Ryan said, playing with Ayden's hair. "We have to go, I'm supposed to meet Oliver. He's wanting to see Ayden before this, so are his mother and father. I mean, Mrs. Wood watches him twice a week, but she still loves seeing him." Ryan said, and Ayden smiled to his mother and then buried his head in her shoulder as she carried him. She grabbed her purse, tucking her wand inside of it before she disapparated and found herself, with Ayden, outside Oliver's parents' house where he had said he would be.

She knocked on the door and Mrs. Wood answered. "Ryan! And Ayden, come on in, Oliver should be down in a few minutes. How's my big guy?" Mrs. Wood asked Ayden when Ryan set him down and he hugged the woman around the knees and she looked to Ryan. "He's not said a word yet?"

"Not yet. I know he will though. Just got to give him time." Ryan said, watching Mrs. Wood pick up Ayden.

"Oliver! Ryan and Ayden are here!" she called up to him.

-&-

Draco's suit was all black for the day. Though many people disliked what he had done and who he was, since the war had ended, everyone became much more accepting of him, especially after Harry came out and said that Draco had saved his life. Draco, in some way, was portrayed as an unlikely hero in the events of the previous year, and he couldn't think as to why Harry decided to put him on that pedestal. Still, in his mind there was one person there, Taylor. He would be attending his last year of school at Hogwarts, finally, since the last year had been used to rebuild the magical school.

Still, he had one week, and tonight was the first time he would have been to Hogwarts since the last battle of the war. It would be one of the first times he would see Taylor since the war had ended, but at least he would get to see her. She may have been a Gryffindor, but there had always been something about her. He loved the way she acted, and how she was. She didn't judge him the way others had, and though their friendship had been hidden, he thought that they could finally show their friendship. With the lack of separation since the end of the war, things were definitely looking up.

"Come now Draco! We need to be leaving!" his mother called up to him, and Draco fixed his shirt again before heading down stairs. When he got to his mother, they disapparated to Hog's Meade. They would be taking a carriage from there to the school with others who showed up.

[newmommy1993]

Oliver Wood woke up that morning feeling like he had since the war ended... somber and withdrawn. The only person, people actually, he felt up to being around and speaking to were Ryan and little Ayden. He buttoned up the white undershirt when his mom told him Ryan and Ayden were here. "Be down in a minute!" He called back. He put on the black jacket that matched his pants and combed his fingers through his hair. He walked downstairs and greeted the duo with a smile. "Hey, buddy." He said, picking the little boy up. "Hey." He turned towards Ryan and gave her a welcoming one armed hug. "How are you?" He asked, but knew it was a stupid question from the start.

His mom came back with a cup of tea and she handed it to Ryan. "Come in and sit, dear." She said, taking Ayden from Oliver. "You two talk, I'll tend to little Ayden." She said, bouncing the little boy on her hip as they went into the next room. Oliver put his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth. "So, um." He couldn't think of the slightest thing to say. Oliver just sighed, looking around before his eyes fell on Ryan. "I know how hard this as been for you, Ry. I'm here for you, though." He said, dropping his voice to a soft whisper. Oliver could feel his eyes burning, but fought the tears back. He checked the time on his watch and cleared his throat. "We better get going, its almost time for it to be starting." He said softly.

Oliver took Ryan's hand in his own. Even after all these years, his strong feelings for her never went away, not even when she married and had Ayden. Since the very first day he laid eyes on her, his feelings only grew stronger. The day she married was a hard day for Oliver, but he supported her, and he supported her when she found out she was pregnant. From every day after that, until they died, he'd always be behind her, even though the chance of them being together probably wouldn't happen, Oliver would be there when she needed him.

~ ~ ~

Taylor wiped a lone tear away. She had been up extra early that morning. She dressed in a pretty black dress and black flats. After fixing her hair in a pretty ponytail, she clipped on her beaded necklace and gold flower earrings. After putting on neutral colored make-up, Taylor went into the kitchen where her dad was drinking coffee, a somber and sad look on his face. "Hey, daddy..." She whispered softly. He looked up and gave his daughter a warm, but somewhat forced, smile.

She poured her a glass of orange juice and sat down in front of him at their small two person table. She took a sip of her juice, but kept her gaze down at her fumbling hands. When she was nervous, she usually had fumbling hands. Her dad had on dark jeans, a velvet colored shirt, and a black dress jacket. "You about ready to go, hun?" He asked his daughter. Taylor looked up and nodded. "Yes, if you are." She finished the last of her juice and put the glass in the sink, along with is coffee cup. They finished getting the last of their stuff and put on their jackets, since it was a little chilly.

After they loaded up, her father started the car and they headed to the memorial. She sat back and closed her eyes, thinking of her good friend, Draco. Everyone she knew didn't really like, or any of the Slytherin house, but he had been nothing but kind to Taylor, and for that she trusted him. She hoped he was there, she knew she'd need him at a time like this. Sighing, Taylor leaned back and relaxed.

[BeautifullyxMad]

Ryan looked at Ayden and when she heard Oliver's voice, she watched as her son made his way over to Oliver and was brought into the arms of his godfather. Ayden, since the end of the war, had been her first and only priority, and she hadn't taken time off for herself because she knew that her son needed her more than she needed to be there for someone else. Oliver gave her a one armed hug, and she returned it, placing a kiss to his cheek. She moved away and watched Ayden be taken off by Mrs. Wood who seemed glad that Ayden was there. Oliver asked how she was, but she didn't respond. How could she say she was? She didn't know, but his next words struck her and she gave him a softened expression.

"I'll be here for you too. Being busy keeps my mind from wandering away from, keeps me from being depressed. Besides, I can't really show how I'm feeling... I have to be strong for Ayden." she told him, and when he took her hand she nodded to him, but removed hers momentarily. "Let me go say bye to Ayden real quick first. I know your mum will bring him, but I don't want him to get scared." she told him, and she had looked to her forgotten tea cup when she saw Ayden in with Mrs. Wood. Ayden smiled up to Ryan and ran over to her and she hugged him and kissed his forehead. "Mummy's going with Oliver now, can you be a big boy and be brave for Mrs. Wood?" she asked him, gently and he smiled and nuzzled his head into her shoulder, nodding a bit. "Alright. I'll see you soon, sweetheart." she stood up and ruffled his hair a bit before joining Oliver and taking his hand.

She disapparated them and when they reappeared, it was just inside Hog's Meade where others were standing, waiting on the carriages to go to the school. Ryan's eyes were still a picture of stone. She barely cried over Ian. She loved him, yes, and he gave her Ayden whom she loved dearly, but death hadn't affected her the way it did others. She knew it was because of the work that she did, and when she was at work, near the veil, she could speak with him. With Ian, and others, but she wasn't always working at the veil.

She looked to Oliver, and removed her hand form his to take his arm. "Can you believe it's already been a year?" she asked him.

-&-

Draco's eyes watched as others apparated to the spot, his father would be released from Azkaban within the next year and the only reason Draco and his mother weren't there was because of Harry Potter. His mother lied and said he had been dead when he lived, and he hadn't turned him in to Voldemort. As glad as Draco was to have finally found his place, he knew that his friendship with Harry Potter would raise questions. In the last year one had developed, but as he looked around, it wasn't for Harry or his other friends. He was searching for Taylor. She needed him and he needed her. He knew that much would be certain today.

"What's the matter, Draco?" his mother asked as they waited in the group for the carriages and when they arrived Narcissa began moving towards one. "Are you coming?" she asked.

"I'm going to wait on a friend of mine." he told her. "I'll be there soon, mum." he said to her. She nodded to this and got onto the carriage with a few other adults. Most of the early crowd were older, but then he saw Oliver Wood and Ryan Lockhart. He remembered them from when he went to school. They were always seen together, but he remembered Ryan being on the arm of another man. A man who he watched die. He had walked out and saw her cradling his body before she got up and fought more. She was stone, and it was probably a good thing.

He continued to look around when he saw Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnegan, Luna Lovegood, and a few other people his age arriving to get in the carriages and when he saw her he gave a small wave and waited for her. Taylor was there... Finally.

[newmommy1993]

Oliver waited patiently as Ryan went to say a quick good-bye to her soon. Once she returned, then disapparated to Hog's Meade. Once arriving, Oliver could feel the tense energy around him. Everyone was filled with such sorrow, but why wouldn't they be? It was a sad time for everyone. They all lost loved ones in the battle. Ian, one of the Weasley twins, who Oliver was very close to, and a few other good people. He looked towards Ryan and gave her a firm smile. "No... I can't, it seems much longer... but it doesn't feel that way." He said and cleared his throat.

Their carriage soon arrived and Oliver helped her up into it, he soon followed in behind her. They were the only ones in as the carriage took off. Oliver pulled Ryan closer to him, resting his cheek on top of her head. "What do you think it'll be like? At the service...?" He asked her in a soft tone. Oliver looked out at the passing scenery. In the past, going to Hogwarts school was joyous, fun and exciting. This time, it was sad and, well, sad was the only way that could explain it. The carriage jolted to a stop.

Oliver got out first and helped Ryan. "I don't think I've told you how amazing that dress looks on you yet, have I?" He commented, trying to lighten the mood a little bit. He looped her arm around his as they followed the line of people, all dressed in black as well. He picked his phone up and answered, talking to his mom. When he got off the phone, he turned it off and put it in his pocket. "Mum will be here soon with Ayden." He said as they took two vacant seats, leaving another vacant one next to Oliver empty for his mom when she came.

~ ~ ~

They parked outside an abandoned building. "This is where we'll do it." He said and Taylor nodded. At their house, it was too public to do magic, they had real nosy neighbors, so they usually found an abandoned place and would go from there. After they locked up the car and went inside, checking for bystanders first, they were soon traveling to Hog's Meade.

Once arrived, Taylor instantly spotted who she was looking for. "Dad, I'm going with a few friends, I'll see you there, okay?" She asked. Her father nodded and Taylor gave him a small hug before heading to Draco's direction, making double sure her father was out of sight. She gave Draco a smile when she reached him and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a hug. "Hey." She whispered softly, nuzzling her nose into his neck. She really did miss him, and she hated even more keeping this from her father.

These were times she wished her mom was here. She was just so confused as to what to do right now. Sighing, she sat back, staring at Draco.

[BeautifullyxMad]

[Do you mind using bigger font? That's really hard on my eyes.]

Ryan allowed herself to walk with Oliver and when they sat in the carriage together, she rested her head on his shoulder and felt his head lean against hers. It was nice to know that in the whole world, she still had someone there for her. He spoke and she looked to him with her eyes and sighed. "The same as any I've seen before. People will cry, others will try to hold together, but almost everyone will grieve, whether they tear up or not. Everyone will, it's natural." she told him. She had quite a bit of experience in the area. As an unspeakable, though she was unable to talk about her job, she had to understand how people would react. She had to understand everything about death. and mourning. It was a rather depressing job, but she had always been good in those areas.

Oliver helped her out of the carriage and she gave him a soft smile. "Thank you, you don't look too bad yourself." she said to him, and at the news that his mother would be there with Ayden soon, she was glad to hear it. She knew he would behave for Mrs. Wood, but she also knew how he could be a little terror. She loved him still, and this weekend they were having her take off work. She had thought about putting in her resignation for a while, to become a healer, but she wasn't sure about her choice yet. She still had time to do it, and she knew that if she did, Oliver would be the first to know.

His Quidditch stuff hadn't picked up again yet, so she still had some time with him, and she looked to him as they sat there, waiting for the service to begin and she gave him a look. "I have work this weekend. Would you want to come with Ayden and I to the park? I pinky swore him I would take him this weekend. He may not be talking yet, but he knows what a promise is." she asked him. When Mrs. Wood came in with Ayden, the little boy ran over to her and she lifted him into her lap and he handed her a rose and she looked at him. "For me?" she asked and he gave her a nod and she placed a kiss to his forehead. "Thank you." she said to him, and he settled in to his mother's lap, sitting forward and looking around at everyone with bright, wide eyes. Ryan, instinctively, wrapped her arms around him, as if to keep him safe, and when he reached over and tugged on Oliver's jacket, he moved his hand into Oliver's and Ryan looked at him, and smoothed her son's hair back, holding his other hand with the arm she kept around his middle.

-&-

Taylor's hug was welcomed to Draco. He had missed her and hearing her speak into his shoulder allowed him to relax a little bit. "Hey." he whispered back and he ran his hand up and down her back. She smelled good, and she looked good as well. It was amazing what a year had done to this girl before him and he loved that she still wanted to be his friend. No one else seemed to be around and he helped Taylor into their carriage, and then sat beside her.

"How've you been lately?" he asked her, quietly, and as the carriage ride went on, he didn't know exactly what to say to her. They wouldn't be able to be seen together too much because of her father and his mother, but at least right now they had time together. The carriage was stopped before it really got going, for a woman who looked striking similar to Oliver Wood and a young child.

"Sorry for stopping your carriage, it was the last one." she apologized and the boy cowered into the woman's arms and she held him close to her as the carriage went on. Draco moved to sit beside Taylor and he looked over to her and held her hand, gently.

Upon arrival at the school, Draco let the woman out first and then he helped Taylor out and looked at her. "Catch me after this is over?" he asked her, gently, and when he got his answer he walked over and sat with his mother while they waited for the services to begin.

[newmommy1993]

Oliver thanked her for the compliment. Quiddich would be starting soon, so he wanted to take this free time to spend it with Ryan and Ayden. He looked up as Mrs. Wood and Ayden and greeted them with a smile. He watched as Ryan took the small boy in her arms and sat down, him on her lap. Oliver turned his attention to her when she asked if he'd go to the park with them. He smiled sweetly. "You know I'd love to, don't even have to ask." He said. Oliver was touched when the young boy put his small fragile hand in Oliver's larger, strong hand. Ayden was a sweet little boy, and it was touching to see him handing his mother a red rose.

He gently squeezed little Ayden's hand. "I swear, he is the best little boy I've seen." He said. At only two, he had yet to say his first words, but all babies developed at different rates, at least that was what Oliver always heard. He turned his attention to his mom, who gently tapped him on the shoulder. "You know, I saw Draco Malfoy with that Brighton girl. Taylor, I think is her name." Oliver looked up and turned around, and sure enough he saw Draco and the pretty brunette talking before going their own way. A Gryffindor with a Slytherin, and they were actually getting along? Hogwarts really was changing.

Oliver turned back to the front as the music started playing, the start of the memorial.

~ ~ ~

Taylor wasn't sure how to reply to his question? How had she really been? She sighed and shrugged. "As best as I could be. My dad is a little worse though, he was close to some of these people, but I never really knew any of them on a personal level." She told him. "You?" She asked, looking at him. Almost as soon as it had started, the ride stopped and a older woman and a young boy hopped on. "Oh, it's fine." Taylor said to the woman. She had one of those kind faces.

When Draco took her hand, she gave him a soft smile and gently squeezed his hand. They got there just before the memorial was about to start. "Always." She said as Draco asked to meet him after. She then made her way to her father and sat down beside him. "What took you so long?" He whispered to her. "Sorry, Dad, I was on the last carriage." She whispered back. He nodded and put his arm around his daughter, pulling her close to him. "I was worried, that's all." He admitted. "Dad, I'm fine. I can defend myself. I love your concern though." She said and rested her head on his shoulder.

The soft music began to play, letting everyone know the memorial was about to begin.

[BeautifullyxMad]

Ryan's fingers played with Ayden's tiny hand and when the music began, she felt Ayden moving a little and she loosened her grip on him, and he soon turned and held onto Ryan's neck, his eyes tearing up at the music. She watched him let go of Oliver's hand and held onto her, his tears dampening her shoulder and she brought her arms around him as the people began speaking in the service. "Sh... It's okay, sweetheart. Mummy's here." she whispered to him, and she could hear him swallow hard, and he looked up at her and his face broke her heart. He looked so down, and she kissed his forehead and she played with his hair.

"Be brave, little man." she whispered, and he looked at her and tears came into her own eyes. She was trying so hard to be strong, but seeing her son in tears without being physically hurt. She hated seeing him so down and she brought fingers to his face. "It's okay, baby. Cry." she told him, and she brought his head into her shoulder and she listened to the speakers, and when Ayden got too restless she politely excused herself and sat outside the Great Hall with her son in her arms. She set him down and knelt down. She fixed his hair, and looked at him.

"It's okay to be sad, baby. I promise." she whispered, tears falling down her face. "See, mummy's sad too."

Ayden looked up at her and took his hands and wiped her tears. That caused Ryan to smile a little, "Want to go back in?" she asked him, and he nodded his head and they went back in, hand in hand.

-&-

Draco sat with his mother and the two were quiet for a while, but when the music began, she grabbed hold of his hand and patted it. Draco had lost friends, he watched one burn to death in the Room of Requirement, but he had gained something. A sense of who he really was. He didn't want to fight, he just wanted to be himself, and he finally got to do that. However, it seemed like everything was coming down again, and he loved that everything was calming down, but when it seemed that way it was crashing down again. The memorial service, though it was turning out really nice, was breaking people's hearts.

He felt his mother tighten grip on his hand a a few people walked out to calm down, mostly with young children, and he sighed a bit and put his arm around his mother. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he sighed a bit, watching everyone. He couldn't help, but to look over to Taylor and then he looked back ahead as the people began speaking.

[newmommy1993]

Oliver looked over at Ayden and frowned. The little boy was crying into his mother's shoulders, so he was smart enough to know what was going on. He took Ryan's hand and gently squeezed it when he saw a tear roll down her cheek. He felt like letting out some tears himself, but he had to be strong for them, and for everyone. Oliver nodded as Ryan excused herself and walked out, along with a few other mothers with crying children, and just some people who needed time. Oliver looked back ahead as they spoke now of Fred Weasley.

This was the hard part for Oliver. Fred was on of his good friends, one of the only people besides his twin brother George, that he could rely on. They went to school together until they graduated. Clearing his throat, Oliver looked down at his hands. His mom placed her hand on top of his, patting it gently. Oliver gave her a smile, and spotted Mrs. and Mrs. Weasley, along with George, Ginny and Ron. Harry and Hermione were sitting in the row behind them. George looked somber, a solemn and serious expression on his face. One side of his head was still bandaged up from where he was missing an ear. Oliver wasn't use to seeing George like this, he was always so carefree and goofing off. Both Weasley twins were.

Oliver looked back up as Ryan walked back in. They were now talking about Ian, Oliver took Ryan's hand and leaned closer to her. "They may ask if anyone would like to say anything, are you wanting to go up? I can watch Ayden while you do." He asked her softly.

~ ~ ~

Taylor's hand was hurting slightly from where her father was squeezing so hard. They just finished honoring the memory of Fred Weasley, now they were honoring someone named Ian. Taylor excused herself and stood up, giving Draco a quick glance, hoping he'd follow her out to the Great Hall. The atmosphere was just to depressing for her. She scooted through her row of people and then walked up the aisle, opening the door and standing out in the Great Hall, leaning against the wall. It felt nice to just take a breather for a moment.

Closing her eyes and sighing, Taylor opened her eyes and jumped to see Luna in front of her. "Geez, Luna. Do you have to sneak up on people every time?" She asked, putting a hand over her chest. Luna just giggled softly. "I'm sorry. I was only checking to see how you were." Luna said, her expression turning serious. Taylor gave her a smile. "I'm fine, thank you. Just needed a break, that's all." She said and Luna nodded. "Okay, I'm going back in now. Good-bye." She then went back inside.

Taylor watched as the door opened and closed. She wished Draco would hurry, she really needed her best friend right now.

[BeautifullyxMad]

Ryan looked over to Oliver when they began speaking about Ian. She had taken back her name, something that most people were skeptical about, but like they had with the others, they asked for someone to come up and speak and she stood. "I would like to." she said, and she turned to Ayden and placed him on Oliver's lap. "I'll be right back." she told him, and she made her way up to the podium where Professor McGonnagell very graciously stepped aside. Ryan nodded to her and people began sitting up slightly. She closed her eyes and looked over the people when she saw Ayden looking up at her.

She began. "I know a lot you here didn't know Ian, but he was a great man. He was kind, caring, and loving. A wonderful husband, and though it wasn't for long he was an amazing father. Sometimes I wish that he were here to see our son, but I know one thing. He didn't die for nothing. No one listed off today did." she said and she walked away from the podium and picked up Ayden and held him close to her and played with his hair. She gave him a soft smile and he pointed to her and she moved closer and he played with her necklace with intent and she soon reached around her head and took it off before clasping it around him.

"Uncle Henry gave me that." she told him and he smiled, sadly. The service was getting ready to end, and Ryan stood, Ayden on her hip. "After this do you want to go to the park and feed the ducks? We have to go home and change first though."

He nodded and she smiled to him, slightly, her eyes shifting to Oliver. "Come with us." she whispered and soon the service was wrapped up and she walked out with Ayden in her arms. Her reached over to Oliver and held onto him and Mrs. Wood walked over.

"I have to be getting home. I'll see you Tuesday, Ayden." she smiled and soon she was off with the others and Ryan looked to Oliver.

"Ayden and I have to go home and change to go to the park. I think you still have some clothes at the apartment from when you got stuck there when you dropped Ayden off this summer. You should come with us. Ayden will love it." she said and Ayden nodded his head.

-&-

Draco noted Taylor leaving and the look she gave him was all he needed to see. He waited a few minutes, and right as Ryan finished speaking on Ian, Draco excused himself and found Taylor outside and put an arm around her. "I hate this." he grumbled a bit, pulling her close to him. He did. He hated having to hide his friendship with her, he hated having to do a million things to keep her from getting in trouble. He just wished that for once he didn't have to worry about someone else being judged for being friends with him. It was how it seemed to go lately, and frankly he was sick of it. He just wanted to be.

He rubbed Taylor's shoulder, and leaned his head against hers. She was the one person, though all of this, who believed in him. Who saw he was a good person. Who knew that there was something redeeming about him. He had confided in her about his task about killing Dumbledore just after the war ended because he knew telling her while Voldemort was alive would put her life in great danger. She had been there when his father was sent to Azkaban. Not just the first time either. He had written to her to get it all out because he knew how her father was.

He soon heard the music pick up and he helped her up. "The service is getting ready to end. We better get back in there. Is there anyway I can see you after this... where you won't get in trouble?" he asked her.

[newmommy1993]

Oliver watched as Ryan placed Ayden in his lap and went up to the podium. She didn't say much, but what she did say was touching. Oliver smiled warmly as Ayden looked up, listening to his mother. When she was finished, Oliver handed the little boy back to Ryan. The closing music soon started, ending the service. Oliver looked at Ryan and smiled. "I would love to go with you." He whispered back.

When the service ended, everyone stood up. Most stayed behind to talked to family friends and give their condolences, others spoke to the professors of the upcoming school year. When Oliver's mom said she had to go, he nodded and gave her a small hug as he watched her walk off. Oliver turned his attention to Ryan as Ayden reached for him. Oliver took the little boy, holding him close. He smiled and nodded. "I think I do, I wondered where that polo shirt went to." He said teasingly.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked Ryan.

~ ~ ~

Taylor glanced up, a sad smile reaching her face as Draco embraced her. "Me to..." She grumbled. Having a secret friendship was a lot harder then she would've ever thought, but it was worth it. Draco was an amazing person to her, despite what everyone else always said. She looked up and frowned as the closing music drifted towards them. The door opened and people came filing out. "Yes, meet me at the park at five, it'll give us time to change. We'll have a picnic, or something." She said softly. She gave him a quick hug before disappearing into a crowd of people, looking for her father.

She found him easily, chatting to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Taylor greeted them with a sympathy smile and a friendly hug. After talking for a few more minutes, Taylor and her father were heading back to Hog's Meade in a carriage, where they soon ended back up in the abandoned home and into their car, going home.

When they pulled into the driveway, Taylor went inside. She just wanted to get out of these dark, depressing clothes. She hated wearing all black. After digging through her closet and picking out something pretty and neutral, Taylor asked to borrow the car. They would be starting school next week, only a few days away, and she wanted to spend as much time with Draco as possible.

He was a year ahead of her, she was only a sixth year, so she would still be in school when he left. Sighing, she parked in the parking lot at the park and sat on a nearby bench, waiting for Draco.