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Draco heard footsteps around the corner. He shut himself into the vanishing cabinet, terrified of being discovered. He heard two pairs of footsteps nearing him. They were talking, but Draco could not tell what they were saying. He peered through the slats in the cabinet and saw Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley striding toward him. His heart skipped a beat. It was because he was scared, right? Draco had gotten hold of those butterflies long ago. He was on a mission now, with no time for feelings. Potter and the Weasley girl walked closer still. Their backs were to him, and he reached outside of the cabinet and picked up a lone quill. He hurled it past them, creating a diversion. As Harry inspected the noise, Draco slipped out of the cabinet and hid behind several stacks of wooden chairs. The Weasley girl spun around as Draco knocked a book onto the floor. He moved behind the large cabinet as her footsteps grew closer. Harry spoke for the first time.
“What’d you reckon this is?” he said, pulling the blanket off of the vanishing cabinet. Draco remained rigid. He could hear Potter’s ragged breathing.
“Dunno,” the girl responded. Draco peered through the cracks in the chairs. Potter nodded and opened the door to the cabinet cautiously. A songbird flew out, dashing over their heads and startling them. Draco cursed under his breath; he had been using the bird to practice his mission.
“I told you Harry, it’s nothing sinister. Now, let’s hide the book,” said the girl. Draco didn’t know what ‘the book’ was, but he was extremely relieved when they stepped away from the vanishing cabinet. Potter stood a short distance away. Draco looked around curiously. Potter seemed to have his eyes closed. The Weasley girl returned, looking satisfied. Draco expected them to leave, but the girl approached Potter. Draco froze as a chill ran down his spine. Ginny leaned in and planted a firm kiss on Potter's lips while his eyes remained closed. Draco’s face lost all color. His hands went cold. He reached out to the cabinet to steady himself as his legs were suddenly unable to support him. His chest tightened and his breath quickened.
No.
No.
This can’t be happening.
They can’t be kissing.
Draco repeated this to himself, but when he glanced back, it was still happening. The girl pulled away and whispered something to Harry, making him smile. Draco felt sick. Harry turned and walked away, following the Weasley girl. Draco emerged from behind the clutter. The door to the Room of Requirement slammed in the distance, echoing. He grabbed a chair and smashed it on the side of the cabinet. His sobs were drowned out by splintering wood and shattering metal as he tore through the junk around him.
“Reducto!” Draco screamed, his voice cracking with emotion. The stack of love letters he had found in a chest imploded, sending sparks flying everywhere.
“I CAN’T DO THIS!” shouted Draco, tears streaming down his pale face. His knees crumpled and he sank to the floor.
“I can’t do this,” he whispered, his voice breaking. Draco stared at the design on his forearm. He had no choice.