"Wake up, wake up, Astrid."

I opened my eyes and blinked against the bright morning sunshine streaming in through the window. Draco had me in a tight embrace as we both occupied the small hospital bed.

I turned my head to face the silky soft voice, and felt the familiar flutter of my heart at the twinkling silver grey eyes gazing down at me through tousled white-blond hair.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured huskily, taking the words right out of my mouth.

Before I could respond, he leant down, and gently brushed his lips over mine, making me sigh contentedly.

"I love you," I breathed, wrapping my arms up around his neck, feeling so blessed that he was still breathing, and his heart was still beating next to mine.

"I love you too, Astrid," Draco said earnestly, looking deeply into my eyes, "more than you'll ever know."

"Ahem,"

Both Draco and I shot our heads up in alarm.

Snape was standing in the doorway, watching us, somewhat awkwardly.

I felt panic rise in my chest. I couldn't leave Draco. I didn't want to leave him and Hogwarts behind. I didn't care about this Snape being my uncle. Draco was my family - he was all that I needed and the thought of being torn away from him...

"Please, Professor," Draco implored, as we sat up - Draco wincing slightly - and he clasped my hand tightly in his. "I beg you not to take her away."

"She is not safe here," Snape spoke abruptly, "if you love her, you will let her go, Draco."

Draco's hand tightened in mine. "I don't believe it's the best thing for her, what if her father finds her? I can protect her here!"

"You cannot protect her from what's to come!" Snape hissed, "She will be safest with Muggles. I have yet to find a suitable family, but I have located a Muggle home for abandoned children-"

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Draco spat - his head shook furiously as he glared up at Snape. I couldn't help but flinch at him swearing at a teacher.

"Draco," Snape said calmly, piercing him with those intense beady black eyes, "what exactly do you think is going to happen when you succeed in your mission?"

I couldn't believe he didn't reprimand him for his language. Draco really did get away with a lot in this school.

Draco bristled, clasping my hand so tight now, I was sure he was going to cut off my circulation. "Please don't make her leave, I- I need her." He murmured this last part so quietly, and so sadly, that it caused my heart to splinter.

"Draco, to love is not to need, it is about putting the other person first, no matter how much it hurts you. Astrid's life will be in danger once you complete the mission. And if you don't complete it, then you will be killed."

My heart thudded fearfully at the thought. I gave Draco a panicked look, I couldn't bear the thought of anything bad happening to him.

"But her father," Draco seethed, "he's out there - looking for her. He'll find her straight away if you put her in a children's home."

"I'll make sure she is properly disguised - a change of name and appearance should suffice."

I shuddered, inching closer to Draco. The thought of my father finding me terrified me. I could feel my throat closing up, and I grappled at it fearfully with my free hand. Noticing, Draco quickly brought his hand up to my face, cupping my cheek as he leant his forehead against mine. "It's okay," he soothed in his soft, silky voice, "I'm not going to let you go."

I stopped grappling at my throat, instead clasping my fingers around Draco's wrist below where he was cupping my cheek. I took slow, laboured breaths, waiting for the panic to pass.

"I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter, Draco," Snape's voice floated over us, as Draco and I looked desperately into each other's eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to have to do it like this."

Before Draco or I could react, Snape flicked his wand and I felt Draco's body slump heavily against mine, his head lolling from my forehead down to my shoulder, as if falling into a sudden deep, comatose sleep.

"Draco!" I cried, trying desperately to shake him awake.

"It's no good, Astrid." Snape said matter of factly, stowing his wand away, "Only magic will wake him. Madam Pomfrey will see to it. Now come with me. And I suggest you don't argue."

"Draco," I sobbed, not wanting to let him go, "Draco, I love you."

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I shot my head up, startled. Snape was looking down at me, and I was shocked to see pity in his eyes.

"Astrid, he will be killed if he doesn't complete his mission. He will be killed if he completes it and then tries to protect you. Which he will." He gave a heavy sigh. "This is the only way. Come."

Nodding through my tears, I reluctantly let Draco's body flop to the bed, making sure his head fell onto the pillow. The thought that I may never see him again tore through me as though Harry had just Sectumsempra'd my heart.

With tears rolling down my cheeks, I leant forward over the sleeping Slytherin Prince and brushed my lips tenderly against his, gifting him his last ever kiss from me.

Standing up, I took one last longing look at the boy who had saved me in so many ways, before I closed my eyes, turned around and faced Snape.

"Okay," I said with a shaky breath, "I'm ready."