Escape
Amira locked eyes with Draco, and saw her dread mirrored in his eyes.
"We have to go back," she mouthed across the sky. He nodded and flew over to her. Together, they turned to make their way back to his Manor. Amira cringed as she thought about how the plan had failed, and how she had risked blowing her cover to save the life of Alastor Moody of all people. Luckily, Draco had told her that he didn’t think anyone had seen.
"Is tonight the night?" he asked her as they flew on their brooms away from the Burrow. Before she could answer, Bellatrix joined them.
"Snape gave us bad information!" she snapped angrily.
"I don't think he knew," Amira defended. They'd just failed to capture Potter. Amira was internally grateful, but she could feel the Dark Lord's anger from here. There had been seven different Potter's in the sky, and they hadn't been prepared for it. Eventually, his owl gave away the real one, but it was too late. Potter had escaped, and they wouldn't have a chance to get him again until the Ministry fell.
"I don't care!" Bellatrix snapped. They landed at the Manor and she stalked inside. Amira sighed and readied herself to put on a similar mask of anger and disappointment.
"Not tonight," she said, "We won't be able to get away."
Draco nodded his agreement.
"Draco," Amira paused, "I think I can remove your Dark Mark, and then we won't have to go as far."
He gawked at her. "Really?"
"Yeah, I might lose it though," she joked humorously. "So even though it might hurt, I'm going to need you to keep it together."
"Of course," he agreed, "Shall we face it?"
"Yes," she nodded, "Look angry."
He nodded. Together, the two of them stalked towards the Manor. Amira even let out a little aura of angry magic around her. It worked, because the Death Eaters cleared a path for her. The Dark Lord was torturing one at his feet in the throne room. Amira strode right up to him, showing no fear. She felt Draco take his place in the front row.
"Did he know?" she demanded, as if she were outraged with Severus.
"I don't know," the Dark Lord seethed. "Go find him, find out."
"Yes sir," she said. She'd begun to say sir to him, to mimic a slow growing respect. "He returned to the school?"
"Yes, the coward," Bellatrix insulted.
"That was the plan Bella," Amira argued, "For when the ministry came knocking."
"They won't be a problem soon," the Dark Lord waved his hand. "We will try again then. Ask him for our next opportunity. If he has betrayed me, kill him."
Amira nodded and left. She prayed Draco would also evade the Dark Lord's wrath. She apparated to the gates of Hogwarts. She walked right in, the wards didn't keep her out. She decided to fly up to the window where she knew the headmaster's office was. She'd been practicing her flying here and there, and had much better control of it now. She never did too much, but it felt light and freeing.
She landed on the window sill and dissolved the glass. When she went inside, she found the room empty. She replaced the glass and looked around the dark room. She could feel Severus's magic approaching. There were old portraits all over the room. She found Dumbledore's. He was awake and looking at her.
"Hello dear," he said.
"Hello," she answered awkwardly.
"How have you been?" he asked.
"Alright," she said.
"The insanity is growing in you," he observed. She shrugged and sat on the edge of the desk, trying to look nonchalant.
"You think it will calm when I'm seventeen?" she asked.
Dumbledore nodded, "If you can make it that long. How many more months?"
"Until May," she answered. He looked grim.
"You'll have to be very careful," he warned. The door opened and Amira turned her head to see Severus. He didn't look shocked to see her.
"I wondered who would be paying me a visit," he drawled.
"Official question is: did you know?" she asked.
"I did not," he answered.
"Is that the official answer or the real one?" she challenged. He just smirked. "Dangerous game Severus."
"I do what I need to," he said grimly.
"I'll cover you," she promised.
"Why did you come here?" he asked. "If you're going to lie anyways."
"I needed to tell you that we'll be leaving," she said. "Within the week."
"Wise," he said, "Your expiration date is near."
"Yes, I am aware," she said, "He's going to drive me mad, rent me out to his men, and then kill me as soon as Potter is dead."
"It seems you could drive yourself mad," Severus stated.
"I might," she admitted. "I'm hoping not. Draco can help me."
"You take care of him," he warned, "Without him you'll be lost."
"I am aware," she said. "I want nothing more than for him to escape this. And live."
"I wish that for both of you," Severus said softly.
"Chances are low though," she said, looking at him closely. "I probably won't make it through this."
"Why do you say that?" he asked neutrally.
She gave him a deadpan look.
"If I manage to make it to seventeen with my sanity, it's going to take all of my magic to destroy him. He'll play on that. Potter has to live," she said.
"Maybe," he said ominously.
Amira raised an eyebrow. "Tell me."
"No." he said firmly. "What will you do when the war ends?"
"I'll run, the Ministry will be after me, if I'm alive," she said, "But you and I both know I probably won't be."
"I hope you are," he said.
"What will you do?" she asked. He gave her a deadpan this time.
"I won't be," he said, "I'm a traitor to both sides."
She nodded. "Then we can hang out in the afterlife."
"We won't go to the same place," he joked.
"You're right," she laughed, "You're a much better man than me."
"Sure," he rolled his eyes, "Alright, go now, I have stuff to do. As do you."
"Yes," she said, and hopped off of his desk. "Good luck. And for what it's worth, I hope you live."
"I wish you the same," he said. She felt his eyes on her as she dissolved the window again. She playfully saluted before jumping and flying away.
She only flew to the edge of the wards, and then apparated.
She didn't quite stick the landing, never having apparated from the air before. She rolled to her feet.
Back in the dining room, it was now empty, save some dead bodies and the Dark Lord.
"He did not know," she said, "He has not betrayed you."
"How can you be sure?" the Dark Lord hissed.
"I looked in his mind," she lied.
"Severus has strong defenses," the Dark Lord pointed out.
"I am stronger," she said. She no longer was downplaying her strength, as the Dark Lord was going to kill her soon anyways.
"Yes," he said, "You are."
There was silence.
"Did you find anything else of interest there?" he asked. She shifted, wondering what lie she could say.
"He's very stressed," she said, "And he misses someone."
She meant to allude to Lucius. It was a fair guess, the two of them had been close friends.
"Lily," he said, "I know."
She nodded, going with it. She didn't know who Lily was.
"Yaxley got tired of waiting for you," the Dark Lord said, "But it will be soon."
Amira didn't speak but crossed her arms. She wasn't going to go quietly about this.
"I still do not understand why it is necessary," she argued.
"I don't care if you understand," he said, and stood, "I am your lord, and it is time you respect me as such."
"I do respect you," she said.
"Not enough!" he hissed. She stood tall.
"I would have left already if I didn't believe in you and your cause," she hissed back. "I have done everything you've asked of me."
"You have," he said, sitting back, somehow appeased with her fire. He was so odd and unpredictable. "You may go."
She nodded, inclined her head softly, and then turned and left.
She went up to her room and found Draco waiting there for her. She looked him over, but he appeared unhurt.
"Are you alright?" they asked at the same time.
"Yes," he said.
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" she asked.
"He told Yaxley that he could have you tonight," Draco said angrily, "I thought-"
"He got tired of waiting for me I guess," she said, "I haven't even seen him."
"Good," he said, and pulled her into a tight hug.
"I told Sev we were leaving," she murmured. He nodded.
“Come here,” he said, seeming unsettled still. He pulled her down onto the bed and she settled against him. He was always so warm and sturdy, and her magic just purred at his presence.
“I’m okay,” she whispered. She’d been able to ignore the promise of her uncle well enough, because she’d been so busy. Honestly, she didn’t think she’d be able to take it. She’d fight, even if she didn’t want to. Unless the Dark Lord himself would hold her down, or if she was drugged, she would never let him force himself on her again. Though, she wouldn’t put it past him. The thought made her shiver.
“We have to go, I won’t let them hurt you,” Draco whispered, voice shaking. She tucked her face in his neck, there were no words to soothe either of them.
The Death Eaters were abuzz on the front lawn of the Manor. Amira and Draco stood near each other, impatiently awaiting the call to go. They were so close to freedom. Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour were having a wedding, and the Dark Lord had taken a group to kill the Minister. As soon as they got the all clear, the wards would fall, and they were going to attack. This was the perfect opportunity to escape. They would use the chaos of the attack to remove Draco's mark and break her bracelets. They had their bags packed and in their pockets. Everything was done. The only thing remaining was to kill Nagini if they got the chance, but the Dark Lord had taken her with him.
Amira was sweating. This was their last step. If they could get here, then they would be one inch closer to safety. They wouldn't be truly safe until he was dead, but she would be safe from Yaxley, and torture. They wouldn't have to pretend anymore. They could just focus on bringing him down.
This was also the riskiest part. She didn't know if the Dark Lord would be alerted when she began to remove Draco's mark. He would for sure be alerted when she broke her first bracelet. She hoped she could do them at the same time. Then, Draco was going to apparate her four times. With any luck, they would be free then. She also hoped her sanity would still be intact, as it was quite shaky these days.
A hush washed over the crowd. Amira took Draco's hand and squeezed it for support.
"NOW!" Bellatrix squealed.
Cracks sounded around the air and Death Eaters began to disappear. Amira took a deep breath as Draco side-apparated her so that they would land together. They landed in chaos.
There were people running and screaming and dueling. The tent was being ripped apart. The house was somehow already on fire.
Amira looked around and pulled Draco into the cornfield when she saw no one was looking at them. He stuck out his arm. Her heart was hammering.
"You can do it," he whispered. She placed her hands on his arm. She dove into the magic. She began to separate the Dark Lord's magic from his arm, tendril by tendril. She pulled and removed it slowly.
"Faster baby," he said through gritted teeth. She nodded. She was almost done. She just had the center piece. When she pulled it, it would notify the Dark Lord's magic, but only barely, he might not notice. He wasn't at the Burrow yet.
"Deep breath," she warned. He nodded, and she yanked the mark off of his arm. She burned it. It left behind an angry red steak and Draco looked like he was fighting to stay conscious.
Her head spun a little bit at the magic required, but she wasn't done yet.
"Draco?" she asked.
"I'm okay," he murmured, squeezing her hand hard. He took a breath and straightened up. The sounds of the battle were loud, and Amira could feel the Dark Lord approaching. He was flying there, still far away, but they were running out of time. "Okay, do yours."
She nodded. It was just a big blast. He stood behind her as they discussed. She put her arms out and gathered as much energy as she dared.
BOOM
She fell backwards, and Draco stumbled. One bracelet completely fell off and the other was hanging on by a thread. Rage soared over the area. He knew. Her head was spinning and she felt dizzy and high.
"Finish it Amira," Draco said in her ear frantically. She pushed and with another crack, she was free. The Dark Lord appeared in front of them just as Draco apparated them away.
They landed, and she clutched him. He stayed at each location for only a second. Amira swore they apparated more than four times. Her head was spinning and she felt sick. Her skin was itchy as her magic screamed for more. She dug her nails into her arms.
Finally, they landed, and Draco stayed. Amira fell to her knees and put her head in her hands. Draco let her go, and warded the area quickly.
Her magic was pushing and pushing at her. It wanted more. She was trying not to give in. She felt blood under her nails. Her ears were roaring. She fought to maintain control.
It dimmed just a little bit, and she sat up to watch Draco. He looked exhausted too. She needed him there to stabilize her. Finally, he finished, and made his way over to her. She reached for him immediately.
"Good," he said, "You're controlling it."
She shook her head and held him tightly. He held her too. He healed her arms and her scalp where she had scratched herself.
"It hurts," she admitted. It felt like there was a burning and stabbing pain in her midsection. And her head.
"I'm sorry love," he whispered and kissed her head. Her eyes fluttered closed and a wave of exhaustion overtook her. Her heart beat painfully, and it worried her, so she pried her eyes open. Draco was talking to her, but he was becoming less and less clear. Her muscles began to spasm painfully. She felt bile rising up in the back of her throat. She was moved. She was gagging. The world went dark.