-Chapter 19-

"Things are getting worse." Hermione muttered, shaking her head that was hidden behind the Daily Prophet.

The taste of Draco still lingered on her lips as Ally took a sip of her coffee, trying to wake up. The past few weeks she and Draco had been practically inseparable, spending almost every night together hidden in Draco's dorm. His dorm mates barley even bat an eye lash at seeing her leaving their rooms now in the morning, much to Ally's relief; her friends however were much harder to keep quiet. Besides Hermione who gave her a disapproving look, the other girls were jumping her every morning trying to figure out who she was sleeping over with at night.

With the war picking up, all Ally could think about was soon she and Draco would separate. No matter what paths were chosen, soon Draco would have to fall into step, playing the role of a Death Eater, and Ally was already having training lessons with both Snape and Dumbledore every other day, signaling that everyone knew that the war was coming to a head.

She twisted the ring on her right index finger. The feel of it small and delicate, and the feeling of love washed through her once more as the memory from the night before swept into her mind.

The sheets were wrapped snugly around Ally's naked body, relishing in the warmth of the warm body pressed against her, holding her tightly in place as a free hand ran lazily threw her hair. The silence was relaxing, the only real sounds was the gentle lull of each of their breathing.

Nighttime was their only alone time, the only time where the stress of the days could be washed away. It was like they were tucked away in a secluded world where the war wasn't happening, the outside world didn't exist, and the world wasn't split into the light or dark side. It was just Draco and Ally.

"Think back to a year ago," her voice was quiet, not above a whisper, "What would you say if someone told you we would be doing this right now?"

"What have a beautiful girl in my bed?" Draco snorted, "That's a no brainier Potter."

She grinned, rolling onto her stomach to give him a smack, "You're such a conceded man whore Malfoy!"

He grinned ruefully at her, "You asked."

Ally let out a sigh, "Yeah but with me?"

Draco's lips pursed at that, watching her expression carefully, "Truthfully Potter I have had a crush on you since the moment I laid eyes on you-"

Ally rolled her eyes, "You're lying!"

"No I'm not, I really did."

"You probably don't even remember the first time you saw me!"

Draco narrowed his eyes at her, "When I was 6 we were both at the park on the Upper Side of the Ministry, you were having a picnic with Lupin, you were wearing a green dress with pigtails that looked horrible, you had a scrapped knee and a scratch on your arm."

Ally wrinkled her nose, trying to reach that far back to remember.

"After a while Black and your Father showed up, they were teaching you how to chase a stick," his eyes rolled and a sneer, "It was overcast out, and yet they still made you wear this ridiculous hat that was orange and red-"

It was as though a light bulb went off in her head, "My Chubby Canons hat of course-"

Draco rolled his eyes again, "Only you would wear that Potter, I mean honestly the Canons they are practically the most ridiculous team, and their colors-UMPH." Draco startled, but the feel of soft lips pressing against him stopped him, because suddenly he had an arm full of Ally Potter, pressed tightly against him, kissing him sweetly and softly. When she pulled away Draco felt his breath catch in his throat, she was looking at him with such underlining love, like Draco was her whole world, her eyes were glassy, her cheeks flushed, but there was no denying that Ally Potter loved him.

"Draco," her voice was a whisper as she peered down on him, watching his eyes closely.

A smirk was starting to form at the corner of his mouth, "Yes Potter." his voice barley above a whisper. His heart was racing, his breath coming in shallow as he looked at the beautiful girl above him, and waited for the words that she was trying to form,

"I-" she bit her lip, frowning slightly, "Will you...what do you think will happen after the war?"

Draco frowned now, his eyes widening slightly at the question, "I...Well."

She was still staring at him that same underlining confusion in her eyes, mixed with love. Her breaths were low, her body warm as it laid above him. She looked so beautiful. And for a moment, a thought crossed his mind that what if after the war he never saw that face again. Never saw that black hair that smelled like strawberries, never felt those velvet lips again, never saw those piercing green eyes peering into his soul, never felt her body against his, never feeling that small hand slide perfectly into his own as though it belonged their all along, never had Ally Potter in his life. And in that moment he knew. In the last 9 months of his life Ally Potter had consumed him, wormed her way into his life, his thoughts, his heart, and she wasn't leaving. Any last happy thought he had occurred with her, the last laugh he shared, who he thought of in the morning when he woke up and the last one he thought of at night, when it was cold he wondered if she remembered her jacket, when it was hot he wondered if she drank enough water at Quidditch, when something bad happened he was immediately seeking her out to not only see if she was okay, but also to make sure she wasn't running off to do something stupid, his life had been consumed by Ally Potter, and the thought of her possibly not being in it absolutely terrified him.

He let out a sigh, his eyes narrowing at the girl above him, "I hate you sometimes Potter."

Ally felt her mouth drop open before narrowing her own eyes, "Why do you hate me now Malfoy." her voice held a mix of amusement and annoyance all at once.

Draco scowled, sitting up so Ally was still nestled in his lap, their eyes meeting as he crossed his arms and leaned back against the headboard of his four poster bed, "Because you have taken over my life."

Ally's mouth opened and closed for a moment, "Wh-What?"

"Because you have taken over all my thoughts and my entire life Potter, and I've only just realized this!"

She was peering at him, green piercing silver, "You realize you sound ridiculous right now-"

Draco scowled again, "Don't make it worse Potter!"

Ally sighed, her eyes closing in agitation, "You know what Malfoy if you can't even have a simple conversation with me without being a right arse," she was shaking her head, swinging her leg over as she started to climb out of the bed in a huff.

His arm snaked around and dragged her small body back, "Now Potter don't be dramatic." he taunted, a smirk forming on his lips.

She turned, her green eyes narrowed in his direction, "It's not being dramatic Malfoy, you do realize this war is coming to a head, and both you and I are at the center of it!" her words were laced with anger as she spoke, her green eyes seeming to brighten as she got angrier, "I think it is perfectly normal to wonder what your thoughts are considering once this comes to a head we won't be seeing each other all the time, and I was just thinking if I die what you might do afterwards!"

Now it was Draco's turn to glare, "Stop being dramatic Potter you aren't going to die-"

"You don't know that Malfoy, I could!" she huffed, continuing to glare daggers at him. "There is after all some crazy mad man coming after me, in case you've missed out on the last 16 years of our lives."

Draco's heart did an odd flip, his blood going ice cold for a moment at the mere thoughts, "You're just being dramatic-"

Ally sighed loudly now, irritating Draco ever more, "I'm not being dramatic I am being realistic!"

"You can't die Potter!" he growled out now.

"I could-"

"But you can't!'

"Why?"

"You can't die Potter because I'm in love with you!"

Silence. The room was dark, yet still Draco could see the outline of Ally's face, the way her mouth was shaped in an O, the clear sparkle in her eyes, the way her breathing was coming out in small puffs. They sat there staring at each other for a moment, Draco feeling like a babbling fool for declaring his love to Ally Potter by blurting it out like some common fucking Hufflepuff. It didn't help that Potter was just staring at him, not saying anything.

"Di-Di-Did you mean that?" she whispered finally.

Draco felt his cheeks flush all the way down his neck, fucking Potter, "Obviously Potter or I wouldn't have said it," he growled more out of embarrassment then in actual anger. Ally had this odd spell over him. Normally he was collected at all times, never having doubts, fears, and enver second guessed himself. But Ally made him feel unhinged, made him nervous, made him think and feel almost too much.

A smile, a breathtakingly beautiful smile crossed her face, making Draco's insides do a flip, "I love you to Draco." It was whispered so softly, with so much tender love and care that Draco thought his insides might literally turn to mush. And with that she was surging forward, capturing his mouth in another searing kiss, one that was filled with so much emotion. It was tender, but passionate, and searing, and it made his blood start to boil, his body reacting to the intensity. His brain started to feel dizzy as they pressed on, putting everything they had on the line, the bed sheets were pushed away as he yanked her small body down onto his, so every part of them was touching. A small moan sounded, and he grinned against her, letting her legs slide to either side of his left leg, feeling her slide onto him made him shiver. He took his free arm and wrapped it tightly around her waist, flipping them so she was below him now, giving him a goofy smile, her eyes dancing with amusement as she peered up at him

He grinned at her, "God Potter you must be blind not to have known."

She answered with a sweet kiss to his nose.

He sighed, leaning down so their foreheads rested against each other, "You aren't going to die Potter."

She winced now, her green eyes darting to his lips, before they reached his eyes again, "Well it's not the plan to anyways."

"You really think you're gonna die Potter, I've never seen you lose at anything."

"This isn't a Quidditch game Draco."

He grinned, "Exactly why I know you'll win, you barley even try at Quidditch and you beat everyone's ass, and I have no doubt you'll do it again Potter!"

Ally grinned at him, "You sound so sure of yourself."

"Because you Potter can never lose, you enjoy the thrill of the prize too much."

"There is no prize Malfoy, besides Voldemort being gone!"

His silver eyes were looking at her with amusement, "Wait here Potter," he growled, jumping off the bed, a rummaging sound, and then he was back, "Take this Potter," he slide a silver ring onto her middle finger, it had diamonds wrapped around it as it curved around her finger, it was stunning, and it slide onto Ally's finger like it belonged there all along.

"Draco," she whispered her eyes not leaving the ring that he had slid on her finger

"I planned on giving it to you properly but you always seem to ruin my brilliant plans, " he grumbled with an eye roll, before giving her a wink. "It's not a big deal or anything Potter, I found it and I thought of you."

Ally just blushed, as she stared at it. Draco didn't have to explain why he got the ring, she knew.

Draco clearly sensed that too because he cast her a grin, "So now when you're done with this war, you can come and get the real thing Potter," his mouth was next to her ear now, his breath sending shivers down her spine, "Because one day Potter you're going to be mine forever."

"Ally are you even listening to me!" Hermione growled, smacking her head with the paper.

"Oy!" she gave her a glare, "Hermione I am trying to enjoy what little peace I have in my life right now and enjoy my coffee!" she was more irritated then usual today, she barley got any sleep between seeing Draco, their love making, and training; the only time she actually had to decompress was during her morning coffee time.

Hermione gave her sigh, before turning back to her paper.

Ally sighed contently, continuing to drink her coffee in peace while the rest of the hall chatted on. Draco's words had a great effect on her last night, but with that undeniable happiness also came the realization that everything was about to change. The safe walls they were hidden behind currently were not going to be there to protect them forever. Soon word would get out about her and Draco, which would make him enemy number one on Voldemort kill list.

"What's wrong?" Hermione finally tutted, ignoring the glare Ally sent her way, "You're quiet, you are barley listening to anything anyone says, and now you're biting your lip!' she pointed out in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Nothing 'Mione." She groaned, trying desperately to not scream, "Please just let me not have to explain everything and give me time to just think without everyone else's opinions."

Hermione gave her a sad smile, "Do you really think that will work with me Ally?"

Small chatter surrounded them in the early morning hours, most of their peers were not even up for the day yet. Hermione always came to breakfast early, so this morning Ally decided to join her after leaving Draco's dorm, which she was now starting to regret. Though she loved Hermione to pieces, she sometimes could read Ally better then Ally could even read herself. Most days she valued that, today however was not one of those days. Sometimes it was nice to simply organize ones thoughts by themselves, come to your own understanding, your own conclusion. Ally felt she had to share everything with everyone all the time, and today she just needed to have her own time.

"Honestly Ally, you know it's not good to keep things bottled up all the time." Hermione tutted, "Everything's going to be okay, just tell me what's bothering you and we can figure it out. "

"This war is what's bothering me!' she snapped, narrowing her eyes more when Hermione continued to press her. "Can you fix this war Hermione?"

"It will be okay Ally-"

"NO IT WON'T AND I REALLY WISH PEOPLE WOULD STOP FUCKING TELLING ME THAT!" and with a slam of her coffee cup Ally was gone.

Hermione just stared wide eyed at the spot Ally had just gone.

A flash of red, "Merlin you sure know how to piss her off first thing in the morning," Ron quipped, immediately filling his plate with his food, "You didn't even let her finish her coffee."

Hermione just gave him a glare before jumping up and leaving the hall.

Ron shrugged, before continuing eating.

The wind ripped through the Astronomy Tower in the late evening hours that night, causing the trees to sway from far off, and for Ally to feel like the tower was actually swaying along with it. She had pulled probably a dumb move and had ditched classes for the day, wondering the halls with her map in hand before her feet eventually carried her up to the Astronomy Tower. She had pushed through cobwebs and lost items and found a cozy spot that she figured no one had ever seen in years, took a seat, and here she still sat. The wind was cold, causing her to wrap her jacket around her tighter, but it was also comforting, reminding her that she was still here.

It was odd really, feeling as though you were gone before you really were. The truth was though Ally kept much of it to herself, there was still an underlying thought that she may die in this war that maybe she wasn't ready to fight Voldemort, maybe she wasn't the one that could end this war; and that thought was almost paralyzing. The thought of leaving behind all those she loved and cared for to deal with the mess she couldn't fix herself. The thought of living without them was almost worse though. Ally wasn't scared to die, that was something she had come head to head with since she was a baby practically, but it was the paralyzing fear of either living without her loved ones, or leaving them behind to live in a world where Voldemort ruled.

Ally had never pretended to ever be more then she was, she was 5'4 110 pounds and could easily fly off her broom if someone pounded into her. How the hell was she supposed to kill Voldemort; did he choose her because she was a girl? Because she was so small? Because he knew he could beat her? The questions raced through her mind daily, what she wouldn't do to trade places with someone and not have the weight of the world on her shoulders.

She looked down at her finger that currently had Draco's ring on it and it brought her a moment of joy. But then again if she had traded places with someone she wouldn't have Draco, or Ron, or Hermione, or Dad, or Sirius, or Remus, or even Snape; no one that she cherished would still be with her. That was the point of living anyways wasn't it? Having the ones you loved with you, having that trust, the care, and that love that no matter what happened someone was there with you. Without them Ally would be no one. Merlin without them she probably wouldn't have made it this far; she would have been killed in her first year with the mountain troll.

The thought brought a smile to her face. Without her Dad she wouldn't have a life, without Sirius she wouldn't be able to pull pranks, without Remus she wouldn't have been able to read, without Ron she wouldn't have ever had a first best friend, without the Weasley's she wouldn't have had a family, without Hermione she wouldn't have made it past first year, without Draco she wouldn't know what love was, without her Gryffindor squad she wouldn't know what really friendship was, hell even without Snape she wouldn't know that you have to look behind the persona that a person puts out there. Without any of them in her life, Ally Potter would be nothing.

Her Mom had done that. Given everything she had, her life, to let Ally survive. How selfless can one person be? So many people told her how she had her mother's eyes, but she felt everyone forgot exactly how she died, what she sacrificed in order for Ally to survive, to continue on this mission and end this thing. On so many levels it was so wrong that she didn't still have her mother here, but look at the life she laid out of her, to continue to live, to grow, to learn, and to do what she knew she could do all along; win this war.

By the time she was done thinking a smile was splitting across her face, her heart pounding in her chest as she stood and looked out across Hogwarts, beautiful Hogwarts her home in a sense. These people, this place, she owed it to them and more than that even herself. To have a life after this war, to fight and win this war, to give it everything she could possibly give, and more than that to have a happy life.

Looking out once more at the night sky Ally closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before opening them again, looking up at the stars she gave a sigh, before turning and making her way back down the stairs slowly. She felt better then she had in ages, felt like she really belonged, had control again. Her stomach let out a small growl, and she vaguely turned towards the direction of the kitchens. It was late after all but she was sure Dobby wouldn't mind giving her something to eat, he made really good hot chocolate after all-

"Fuck" she growled out as an arm yanked her from behind and sent her sprawling into the muscular hard chest of a very angry Draco Malfoy.

"Fuck is right Potter!" he growled, if looks could kill she would be dead right now, "Where the fuck have you been you stupid scar head!" his eyes were tracing over every sections of her face, before moving down to her body as he accessed every inch of her body, as though checking for himself that she was genuinely okay.

Ally just stood there as he examined her, his blonde hair was wilder then she had ever seen it, indicating that he had run his hand through it multiple times in agitation, his robes were wrinkled, unlike his normally very straight immaculate robes that he took great pride in. His chest was heaving up and down as though he had just run a marathon, and his hand shook ever so slightly as he checked her over.

Silver eyes pierced hers as they narrowed into slits "Where the fuck have you been Potter this whole bloody castle has been looking for your scrawny ass!"

A blush fell across her cheeks as she opened her mouth to speak.

Draco wasn't having that though, "I enter the hall this morning to hear a bunch of Gryffiindorks whispering that you were missing, dead, Voldemort got you, you were in the hospital wing-" his words were coming out like venom, "The Weasel couldn't find you and neither could that bookworm, I went to all the places I thought you could be, you didn't show up in classes, I sent my friends out looking for you, and that Crock Pot Old Fool just gave me a smile when I reported you missing!" he huffed, running an agitated hand through his already messy hair.

"I-"

"And now you're standing in front of me perfectly fine Potter, so what the fuck was so important that you decided to go waltzing off by yourself for the last 12 hours!" his voice carried down the hall now, but it had an edge of distress in his voice making Ally's heart flutter for a moment, and tears swell into her eyes unexpectedly. As her lip started to quiver ever so slightly, Draco's face changed from one of pure anger, to that of concern, "Po-Ally?"

"I'm sorry-" she mumbled as more tears fell. Suddenly she felt warm hands bring her in, strong arms holding her closely as a hand ran through her hair. She wasn't sad, she was actually happy, mixed with a bit of mortification for crying at this very moment, but overall she was just happy, she felt safe, secure, and warm.

A sigh sounded as a chin rested on the top of her head, "What am I going to do with you Potter?" it came out much more affectionately then Ally think he meant, but never the less the arms tightened around her.

She sniffled slightly, "I just needed a minute to organize my thoughts," she mumbled against his chest, closing her eyes to listen to the rhythm of his heart beat.

"The Weasel did mention that Granger was hounding you this morning," he grumbled, "I could set Pansy on her if you like."

A laugh sounded as Draco dropped a kiss onto her head, still holding her tightly, "No I'm better now, just needed a moment alone to clear my head." she looped her fingers through his belt loop, "I'm sorry I worried you."

A scoff, "I wasn't worried Potter." as he shifted, his arms automatically tightening around her, "You just...you and your stupid thoughts, I thought maybe you ran off to do something yourself, you do have that hero complex-Ouch Potter you bitch!" he growled, pulling away and rubbing his arm.

"I do not have a hero complex!" she mocked glared at him, wiping her eyes and giving him a glare, "And just so you know Malfoy, I certainly wouldn't have run off with at least telling you goodbye!"

Draco scoffed, "You shouldn't be running off by yourself ever Potter!"

"I didn't, in case you didn't notice I'm standing right here!"

Draco cast her an affectionate look now, "Yeah Potter I suppose you are."

Ally leaned forward now standing on her tip toes as she pressed her lips lightly against his, enjoying the feel of his arm lacing around her waist and pulling her closer.

"Scare me like that again Potter and I will murder you myself, save The Dark Lord the trouble of doing it himself."

A laugh sounded from Ally, "Honestly, I didn't even know you Malfoy's could get scared."

A scoff, a moment of arms tightening, and then he was pulling back, "We should let our friends know that you're here, I may have threatened that if we hadn't found you I would burn Grangers precious books..." he grinned at her wickedly, "She didn't take to kindly to that."

Ally let out a laugh, "No I don't suppose she would take that kindly."

Draco just smirked, slinging an arm over and shoulder and drawing her close, "You'll be the death of me one day Potter I swear."

She felt her heart swell as they walked through the corridor. It was late, and there was a very slim chance that anyone would see them at this hour, and Ally couldn't help but relish in how wonderful this felt; not having to worry about someone seeing them and it getting out into the papers or to Voldemort.

"What happens when we have to separate during the war?" she finally whispered into the quiet hallway.

Draco was silent for a moment as they continued walking, "Well Potter nothing changes."

"Draco." she curled into his arm further.

A mock irritated sigh sounded, "Nothing changes Ally, we do what we have to do, and as soon as it is all over we find each other." he scoffed, 'I'll find you Potter, you'll be easy to spot all your fans will be fawning all over you."

Ally grinned, "You really think I can win this thing?" she asked, her question seemed to bounce around the empty hallway. She let out a grunt as Draco stopped walking, swinging her around and listing her chin so she was staring directly into those silver orbs that she got lost in so many times a day.

"I have never been more sure of anything else in my life Potter, you're going to win this battle, and then you're going to do what you do best and annoy me for the rest of our lives." his voice was laced with sternness as though he was speaking with a child before he cast her a smirk, "Besides Potter we both know I'm always right."

With a kiss to the forehead he was dragging her along the hallways then, towards the sound of voices that could only be Ron, Hermione, Blaise, Theo, and Pansy. The conversation over, the feeling of hope returning to her body, and with each step Ally realized that she had to win this war, if nothing more than to always hear the voices of those she loved most, and the promise of having Draco by her side was worth every fight that she had in her.