Chapter 31: Fading Shadows

Weeks had passed since spring break. The sharp edges of Dark Melody had begun to dull, not because they weren’t still there, but because I had started letting myself breathe again, letting the anger and betrayal soften into something more manageable. My appearance hadn’t changed. The black sleeves, the rings, the boots that echoed in the halls, they were still mine. A part of me liked the way they reminded everyone that I had survived. But inside, I felt lighter. The constant buzzing anger had faded, replaced by a cautious hope I hadn’t allowed myself to feel in months. And with that hope came something I hadn’t expected. I wanted him. I wanted Draco. I saw him standing near the library, alone, his posture casual, but his eyes scanning the hallway as if expecting trouble. My heart lurched. My hands trembled slightly as I adjusted the strap of my bag. I had rehearsed what I would say a hundred times in my head, and every rehearsal ended the same way with me breaking down. I walked toward him, each step echoing in the corridor. Draco looked up when I was only a few feet away. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, just watched me. I could see the tension in his jaw, the caution in his stance, and it made the tears well in my eyes faster. “I,” I started, my voice catching immediately. I pressed my hand to my face, trying to stop the trembling. “I can’t do this alone anymore.” My vision blurred with tears, and I had to take a deep breath before continuing. “I want, I want us to try again. Draco, will you, will you be my boyfriend again?” He froze, his usual composed expression giving way to surprise. Then slowly, a soft, almost vulnerable smile appeared. “Melody,” he whispered, his voice low and steady. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that.” I let myself collapse into relief, tears spilling freely now as I stepped closer. “I’m sorry I pushed you away,” I sobbed. “I thought I had to be strong on my own, but I, I don’t want to be without you.” He reached out, gently taking my hands in his. “You never had to be,” he said softly. “You don’t have to be Dark Melody with me. You can just be you.” And in that moment, with my tears falling and his hands holding mine, I felt the last of the darkness that had wrapped around me start to loosen. Dark Melody hadn’t completely disappeared, but she no longer ruled me. I could feel hope. I could feel love. And I could finally let Draco back into my life, fully and without fear. “Yes,” I whispered between sobs. “Yes, I want us to be together again.” He smiled, and for the first time in months, I felt my chest unclench. The halls of Hogwarts felt a little lighter, and I finally believed that maybe, just maybe, we could start over.