Secrets & Confessions [Intro] (A Hogwarts Love Story)

My heels clanked against the bricks beneath my feet as I headed toward Platform 9 3/4 for the first time since the beginning of my seventh year at Hogwarts. In one hand I carried a light trunk filled with the necessities of becoming a Hogwarts student, and in the other I held the hand of my eleven year old daughter, Cecilia (she prefers Lia).

The ring on my left hand making it's presence known like it always does when eyes fall on me. George had sold the entire joke shop just to buy it for me. I told him he could have presented me with a rock and I would've still said yes.

"Come on, Sweetie." I quickened my pace as we approached the brick wall leading to the Hogwarts Express.

"Huh?" she cocked her head to the side, confused.

"The train's on the other side." I smiled down at her, flattening her bright red hair so it wasn't so wild.

I tugged her through the portal and her face lit up when she caught sight of the giant red train.

"See." I put a hand on her shoulder. "Isn't it pretty?"

She nodded, wide eyed. I kneeled down to her level and pulled her into a farewell hug.

"You be good, now." I poked her nose playfully.

"I will." she giggled.

I kissed her forehead and handed her her trunk. She took it with ease and trotted to the entrance of the Hogwarts Express. I stood to my full height, watching her go, a tear in my eye. I gasped when I almost lost my balance, a little blond boy rushed by me, knocking his trunk under my feet. A helpful hand came out of nowhere and caught me just before I would've fallen face first into the ground.

"Oh, thank you..." I looked up at my assistant. "...Hi."

"Hi." his silver eyes penetrated my very soul and his warm smile was like nothing I had ever seen before.

"Draco?" I couldn't believe it was really him, bleach blond hair and all.

"Yeah..." he still had a hold on me, but quickly dropped his arms when he realized it.

"That was your son?" I asked.

"He's a menace, don't you think?" he gave a smirk, the famous smirk of Draco Malfoy.

"He's adorable."

"No doubt that redheaded cutie in the window is yours..." he nodded his head in the direction of a nearby window and I saw Lia looking out with glazed eyes.

"Yep, George's and mine." I pushed my hair back, not realizing I was flaunting my enormous ring in doing so.

Draco hesitated, his eyes lingering on the diamond ring that rested on my left hand. Then, he came at me suddenly. His lips collided with mine for one final time and I kissed him back. It was sweet and spontaneous, kind of how Draco and I came to be, but not what we became. We pulled away from each other, he was satisfied, and I was ashamed.

"Do you ever regret choosing Weasley over me?" he muttered.

I leaned in and whispered in his ear, "No."

And I stalked away, proud that after all these years he had no power over me. I smiled at myself and fiddled with my ring, making my way toward the brick wall to get back. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a tall, cloaked figure with a distorted face. I turned quickly and found that no such thing was there. Then, watching the train pull out of the station, in every window stood my nightmare. Voldemort glared at me and I couldn't stop staring.

That monster was on the train with my baby!

"Stop!" I shouted, looking around. "Stop the train!"

I started running in the direction the express was heading, banging on the side of it with my fist.

"Stop the train! My baby!" I cried, forcing myself to speed up.

Without warning, Draco showed up again and grabbed me by my shoulders. I was sobbing at this point, so badly needing to get my child off the train.

"What's wrong?" he asked, shaking me.

"My baby!" I shrieked. "You-Know-Who's on that train with my baby!" I said low enough that only he could hear.

Draco's face dropped and his eyes filled with worry. "Stop the train!" he yelled.

But, the Hogwarts Express was already out of the station and on its way to the school. My mouth was covered with one hand, and the other held on tight to Draco's.

We both thought it was over, but the truth was...It was only the beginning...

~To Be Continued~