Author's Note : I don't actually know any of the spell names they use in Harry Potter so had to make my ones I use up so bear with me :) And I wrote this chapter from the hours 2am onwards so if it sucks, sorry!!
CHAPTER FOUR
Draco swallowed deeply, it had been a long time since anyone had cared about him and had touched him so gently. Curling his hand around hers, he bowed his head as he muttered," My father." Hermione gasped, the full realisation of what must have been happening all those times he was away from Hogwarts finally dawning on her. Draco laughed bitterly," He said it was my payment for being insolent and not truly appreciating what he was trying to do for me.." Scowling he risked a look in Hermione's direction and frowned at the look on her face,
" You okay?"
Hermione nodded, feeling tears in her eyes, " How long has this been going on?"
Draco paused for a moment almost as if calculating the time frame," For most of my life but it got worse recently, something to do with me coming of that age when I must pledge my allegiance..before he would just hit me around and tell me I wasn't worth his time, at least back then he wouldn't use his magic on me."
" Allegiance?"
Sighing," To the Dark Lord...my father serves him along with many of his friends and he tells me it is my destiny to be one of them..a deatheater that does all his bidding..what a destiny huh? Potter gets to save the whole of the Wizarding world while I get to destroy it."
Hermione slid her arms around him pulling him close trying in someway to comfort the very lost and hurt boy she saw before her eyes instead of the mean twisted boy she once thought he was. Draco took a shaky breath as he felt Hermione's breath caressing the back of his neck, it had been so long since he had been cuddled, he couldn't quite remember when his mother had stopped but he remembered the coldness he felt and the feeling something was missing but now he felt like he had that something back.
" It can't go on Draco, you have to talk to Dumbledore about it or at least Snape."
Draco pulled away, his eyes suddenly became clear," I can't, he told me he would kill me if I ever told anyone..if he knew I was talking to you..I don't know what he would do." Hermione sighed before she turned around as she heard,
" How did I know I would find you with him?"
Getting to her feet, Hermione looked directly into Harry and Ron's questioning eyes. Draco quickly muttered a spell and all the cuts, bruises and scars disappeared beneath a sheen of perfect skin, getting to his feet he stood behind Hermione and demanded," What do you two want?"
" To talk some sense into our friend perhaps?" Suggested Ron as he met and returned Draco's glare, Hermione sighed but frowned as Harry took hold of her arm and pulled her closer to both Ron and him,
" What are you doing Harry?"
" Getting you away from that, it's obvious he's done something to you. You're not thinking with your right mind."
Draco sighed, shaking his head he shoved his way past both Ron and Harry before he smirked as Crabbe and Goyle appeared out of nowhere and instantly came to his side," Thanks Hermione, for everything..I won't forget it." Hermione met his eyes, there was a hidden message concealed in those eyes, she knew it but she couldn't work it out before he walked in the opposite direction. Ron and Harry tugged her away from the direction Draco went in before she shook them off and snapped,
" Would you two please stop acting like a pair of overbearing protective brothers!"
Ron looked at Harry," Listen Mione, we're just trying to look out for you."
Hermione remarked sarcastically," This coming from the guy who when he came to my defense cursed himself making him throw up slugs? Why can't you two understand I am fully capable of looking after myself and if I wish to talk to Draco then I will!" Ron sighed as he nodded resignedly,
" Okay Mione, I'll accept it but it doesn't mean I like it."
Hermione smiled before giving Ron a hug, he was a true friend but Harry on the other hand just looked at his two friends in disbelief before he stalked off. Ron let out an exasperated breath before he hurried after Harry, Hermione stood wondering what she had seen in Draco's eyes..what had he been trying to tell her? She needed a rest so she wandered to the Gryffindor common room and flopped on the nearest couch.
***************
Draco sat in his room, Crabbe and Goyle had left to go enjoy dinner but Draco had opted for peace and quiet instead of stuffing his face. Glancing at the moon, he knew it was time, time he ended this all before he was to recieve the mark. He never wanted something as vile as that to ever touch his skin, getting to his feet he rummaged in his drawers before he grabbed something. Smirking at the other Slytherins sat in the common room before he said the password and headed out of Hogwarts evading the Professors before he jogged down into the depths of Hogwarts..somewhere no-one would find him.
***************
Hermione sat up quickly, shaking the drowsiness from sleep off she had a horrible feeling something was happening, something she needed to stop. Grabbing her wand she hurried out of the Gryffindor common room before she bumped into Crabbe and Goyle, normally either she or they would insult one another but she noticed the worried looks on their faces and usually when they worried, it was either about food or Draco. Crabbe turned to look at her and demanded,
" Hey! You've been spending a lot more time with Draco, where is he?"
" How the hell should I know? Aren't you two meant to be his closest friends?" Goyle scowled at her before they marched past her, muttering under her breath," Idiots." However she couldn't stop worrying, if they didn't know where he was; he obviously wanted to be alone, either to think or do something he wanted no-one around for. Closing her eyes, she tried to get into the mind of Draco. Where would she go if she were him and wanted privacy? Opening her eyes she ran towards the stairs leading down into the depths of Hogwarts but as she neared the bottom step, she noticed a light in the distance. Moving through the shadows she peered into the darkness ahead before she saw Draco sat in a circle of light. He seemed to be holding something and muttering something, what was he doing?
" Draco?"
His head snapped up, his eyes flew open as they fell on her; she had never seen his eyes so full of fear and sorrow before, her gaze shifted to what he held in his hand. She gasped as the metallic glint of a knife met her gaze, he wasn't doing what she thought he was doing was he? She ran forward in the hopes of reaching him but she was too late as the metal sliced through the fragile skin on his wrists, her cries echoed as she watched the blood run down his arms till it formed a pool around him almost absorbing all the light. She collapsed to her knees beside him, her hands became covered with his blood as she desperately tried to stop the bleeding.
" Why?" she uttered weakly.
Draco's tear filled eyes met that of her own before he smiled weakly," My father can't get me now...he can't turn me into him."
Hermione whimpered slightly, feeling the warm blood slip through her fingers she knew she was losing him and there was nothing she could do," You can't die Draco, you have to fight. You're stronger than this, please fight..I'm beginning to get to know the real you and I want him around." Draco looked at her shocked before he bowed his head watching his blood drain from his wrists,
" Forgive me.."
" It's okay...we have to get help..listen to me carefully Draco, I need you to stay with me. I'm just going to get some help, I'll be with you soon I promise."
Draco nodded and watched as Hermione ran back the way she came, collapsing to the ground he coughed and smiled bitterly at what his life had lead him to. Hermione ran back up the stairs, tears streaming down her face and blood stained her skin, her robes and face before she screamed," I need help!!" Students passed her by looking at her as if she had lost her mind but luckily Professor Snape came running and demanded,
" What is the meaning of this Miss Granger?"
Taking shaky breaths she just managed to gasp out," It's Draco, he's down there..he tried to kill himself!"
Snape's eyes actually registered an emotion other than distaste for once before he instantly took control," Lead the way!" Hermione nodded, running back down the stairs with Snape hot on her heels before she gasped as Draco's eyes were shut and his hair was now soaked in blood. Snape tried to suppress the anger he felt at Lucius Malfoy for what his son had just done, he knew what Lucius was like these days and hated the fact that Narcissa and Draco had to suffer because of it.
" Sealitius!" Shouted Snape and Hermione watched as the cuts on Draco's wrists sealed themselves, Snape leaned down and gathered the frail pale Draco in his arms before remarking," We have to get him to Madame Pompfrey immediately, follow me." Hermione nodded demurely before she ran after Snape as he ran through the hallways of Hogwarts, kicking open the doors of the Infirmary he was about to get a telling off from Madame Pompfrey until she saw Draco in his arms and exclaimed,
" Oh deary me Severus, give him to me."
Snape did as she asked before he took Hermione over to a seat, sitting her down he said with some trace of emotion in it," Miss Granger I am going to see the Headmaster at once, if there is anything you can tell me at all..it would be most helpful and make sure you get loooked at, I can imagine it must have been a shock but it's a good thing you found him in time."
Hermione nodded weakly, almost numb to everything before she managed to say," His father...has been physically abusing him and wants him to become a Deatheater..that's why he did what he did. Wanted to escape him..thought it was his only way out." Snape nodded before squeezing her shoulder, getting to his feet he hurried out towards Dumbledore's office. Hermione got to her feet, walking to where Madame Pompfrey was trying to see if Draco was going to be okay but she was hurried away by another nurse. Collapsing on one of the beds in the Infirmary before she began to cry, she vaguely remembered someone putting their arms around her before she blacked out from exhausation.
THE NEXT DAY .....
" Mione."
Groaning slightly, she blinked her eyes before she looked up at Ron," Ron?" Ron beamed at her before Harry's face replaced his and he smiled sincerely at her,
" Hey Hermione, we heard from Snape about the mini drama last night and came to see if you were okay."
Hermione smiled before she sat up, glancing down at her hands she frowned at the dried blood that still stained them. All the memories from last night came flooding back to her, blinking back tears," How's Draco?"
Ron and Harry exchanged looks before they moved out of the way and she could see Draco in the opposite bed, he was pale but he was alive. She smiled and wiped the tears away, he was okay. It was going to be okay, looking at her two friends she smiled," Thanks guys." Ron and Harry smiled back and both said at the same time,
" What are friends for?"
Madame Pompfrey walked over and began to shoo Ron and Harry out before tutting, Hermione couldn't help but smile before she got out of bed and sat beside Draco's bed. She reached out and took his hand in hers, she couldn't believe how happy she was he was alive. She watched as he stirred, he turned his head opening his eyes and she found herself gazing into those eyes. Those eyes that were usually so tortured but now were calm," What happened?" he asked weakly.
" It's all going to be okay Draco, Snape knows and so does Dumbledore. They won't let your father hurt you anymore and I won't either."
He looked confused for a moment before he simply nodded, sitting up slowly he raised his bandaged wrists so that his hands rested on either side of Hermione's face and as he leaned in closer, he kissed her softly and tentatively. Hermione didn't know what to do, the boy who had tormented her for most of her life was kissing her but from what she knew about him now, she understood why he was the way he was and knew she could forgive him for anything. Returning his kiss briefly before she closed her eyes and rested her forehead against his, enjoying the way he stroked her face before he remarked so softly it was almost a whisper in the wind,
" Life is finally looking up."
THE END!
Authors Note : Well there it is my first Harry Potter fanfic, be gentle and I may look into making it a TBC thing..see where they go from here that kind of thing :)
CHAPTER FOUR
Draco swallowed deeply, it had been a long time since anyone had cared about him and had touched him so gently. Curling his hand around hers, he bowed his head as he muttered," My father." Hermione gasped, the full realisation of what must have been happening all those times he was away from Hogwarts finally dawning on her. Draco laughed bitterly," He said it was my payment for being insolent and not truly appreciating what he was trying to do for me.." Scowling he risked a look in Hermione's direction and frowned at the look on her face,
" You okay?"
Hermione nodded, feeling tears in her eyes, " How long has this been going on?"
Draco paused for a moment almost as if calculating the time frame," For most of my life but it got worse recently, something to do with me coming of that age when I must pledge my allegiance..before he would just hit me around and tell me I wasn't worth his time, at least back then he wouldn't use his magic on me."
" Allegiance?"
Sighing," To the Dark Lord...my father serves him along with many of his friends and he tells me it is my destiny to be one of them..a deatheater that does all his bidding..what a destiny huh? Potter gets to save the whole of the Wizarding world while I get to destroy it."
Hermione slid her arms around him pulling him close trying in someway to comfort the very lost and hurt boy she saw before her eyes instead of the mean twisted boy she once thought he was. Draco took a shaky breath as he felt Hermione's breath caressing the back of his neck, it had been so long since he had been cuddled, he couldn't quite remember when his mother had stopped but he remembered the coldness he felt and the feeling something was missing but now he felt like he had that something back.
" It can't go on Draco, you have to talk to Dumbledore about it or at least Snape."
Draco pulled away, his eyes suddenly became clear," I can't, he told me he would kill me if I ever told anyone..if he knew I was talking to you..I don't know what he would do." Hermione sighed before she turned around as she heard,
" How did I know I would find you with him?"
Getting to her feet, Hermione looked directly into Harry and Ron's questioning eyes. Draco quickly muttered a spell and all the cuts, bruises and scars disappeared beneath a sheen of perfect skin, getting to his feet he stood behind Hermione and demanded," What do you two want?"
" To talk some sense into our friend perhaps?" Suggested Ron as he met and returned Draco's glare, Hermione sighed but frowned as Harry took hold of her arm and pulled her closer to both Ron and him,
" What are you doing Harry?"
" Getting you away from that, it's obvious he's done something to you. You're not thinking with your right mind."
Draco sighed, shaking his head he shoved his way past both Ron and Harry before he smirked as Crabbe and Goyle appeared out of nowhere and instantly came to his side," Thanks Hermione, for everything..I won't forget it." Hermione met his eyes, there was a hidden message concealed in those eyes, she knew it but she couldn't work it out before he walked in the opposite direction. Ron and Harry tugged her away from the direction Draco went in before she shook them off and snapped,
" Would you two please stop acting like a pair of overbearing protective brothers!"
Ron looked at Harry," Listen Mione, we're just trying to look out for you."
Hermione remarked sarcastically," This coming from the guy who when he came to my defense cursed himself making him throw up slugs? Why can't you two understand I am fully capable of looking after myself and if I wish to talk to Draco then I will!" Ron sighed as he nodded resignedly,
" Okay Mione, I'll accept it but it doesn't mean I like it."
Hermione smiled before giving Ron a hug, he was a true friend but Harry on the other hand just looked at his two friends in disbelief before he stalked off. Ron let out an exasperated breath before he hurried after Harry, Hermione stood wondering what she had seen in Draco's eyes..what had he been trying to tell her? She needed a rest so she wandered to the Gryffindor common room and flopped on the nearest couch.
***************
Draco sat in his room, Crabbe and Goyle had left to go enjoy dinner but Draco had opted for peace and quiet instead of stuffing his face. Glancing at the moon, he knew it was time, time he ended this all before he was to recieve the mark. He never wanted something as vile as that to ever touch his skin, getting to his feet he rummaged in his drawers before he grabbed something. Smirking at the other Slytherins sat in the common room before he said the password and headed out of Hogwarts evading the Professors before he jogged down into the depths of Hogwarts..somewhere no-one would find him.
***************
Hermione sat up quickly, shaking the drowsiness from sleep off she had a horrible feeling something was happening, something she needed to stop. Grabbing her wand she hurried out of the Gryffindor common room before she bumped into Crabbe and Goyle, normally either she or they would insult one another but she noticed the worried looks on their faces and usually when they worried, it was either about food or Draco. Crabbe turned to look at her and demanded,
" Hey! You've been spending a lot more time with Draco, where is he?"
" How the hell should I know? Aren't you two meant to be his closest friends?" Goyle scowled at her before they marched past her, muttering under her breath," Idiots." However she couldn't stop worrying, if they didn't know where he was; he obviously wanted to be alone, either to think or do something he wanted no-one around for. Closing her eyes, she tried to get into the mind of Draco. Where would she go if she were him and wanted privacy? Opening her eyes she ran towards the stairs leading down into the depths of Hogwarts but as she neared the bottom step, she noticed a light in the distance. Moving through the shadows she peered into the darkness ahead before she saw Draco sat in a circle of light. He seemed to be holding something and muttering something, what was he doing?
" Draco?"
His head snapped up, his eyes flew open as they fell on her; she had never seen his eyes so full of fear and sorrow before, her gaze shifted to what he held in his hand. She gasped as the metallic glint of a knife met her gaze, he wasn't doing what she thought he was doing was he? She ran forward in the hopes of reaching him but she was too late as the metal sliced through the fragile skin on his wrists, her cries echoed as she watched the blood run down his arms till it formed a pool around him almost absorbing all the light. She collapsed to her knees beside him, her hands became covered with his blood as she desperately tried to stop the bleeding.
" Why?" she uttered weakly.
Draco's tear filled eyes met that of her own before he smiled weakly," My father can't get me now...he can't turn me into him."
Hermione whimpered slightly, feeling the warm blood slip through her fingers she knew she was losing him and there was nothing she could do," You can't die Draco, you have to fight. You're stronger than this, please fight..I'm beginning to get to know the real you and I want him around." Draco looked at her shocked before he bowed his head watching his blood drain from his wrists,
" Forgive me.."
" It's okay...we have to get help..listen to me carefully Draco, I need you to stay with me. I'm just going to get some help, I'll be with you soon I promise."
Draco nodded and watched as Hermione ran back the way she came, collapsing to the ground he coughed and smiled bitterly at what his life had lead him to. Hermione ran back up the stairs, tears streaming down her face and blood stained her skin, her robes and face before she screamed," I need help!!" Students passed her by looking at her as if she had lost her mind but luckily Professor Snape came running and demanded,
" What is the meaning of this Miss Granger?"
Taking shaky breaths she just managed to gasp out," It's Draco, he's down there..he tried to kill himself!"
Snape's eyes actually registered an emotion other than distaste for once before he instantly took control," Lead the way!" Hermione nodded, running back down the stairs with Snape hot on her heels before she gasped as Draco's eyes were shut and his hair was now soaked in blood. Snape tried to suppress the anger he felt at Lucius Malfoy for what his son had just done, he knew what Lucius was like these days and hated the fact that Narcissa and Draco had to suffer because of it.
" Sealitius!" Shouted Snape and Hermione watched as the cuts on Draco's wrists sealed themselves, Snape leaned down and gathered the frail pale Draco in his arms before remarking," We have to get him to Madame Pompfrey immediately, follow me." Hermione nodded demurely before she ran after Snape as he ran through the hallways of Hogwarts, kicking open the doors of the Infirmary he was about to get a telling off from Madame Pompfrey until she saw Draco in his arms and exclaimed,
" Oh deary me Severus, give him to me."
Snape did as she asked before he took Hermione over to a seat, sitting her down he said with some trace of emotion in it," Miss Granger I am going to see the Headmaster at once, if there is anything you can tell me at all..it would be most helpful and make sure you get loooked at, I can imagine it must have been a shock but it's a good thing you found him in time."
Hermione nodded weakly, almost numb to everything before she managed to say," His father...has been physically abusing him and wants him to become a Deatheater..that's why he did what he did. Wanted to escape him..thought it was his only way out." Snape nodded before squeezing her shoulder, getting to his feet he hurried out towards Dumbledore's office. Hermione got to her feet, walking to where Madame Pompfrey was trying to see if Draco was going to be okay but she was hurried away by another nurse. Collapsing on one of the beds in the Infirmary before she began to cry, she vaguely remembered someone putting their arms around her before she blacked out from exhausation.
THE NEXT DAY .....
" Mione."
Groaning slightly, she blinked her eyes before she looked up at Ron," Ron?" Ron beamed at her before Harry's face replaced his and he smiled sincerely at her,
" Hey Hermione, we heard from Snape about the mini drama last night and came to see if you were okay."
Hermione smiled before she sat up, glancing down at her hands she frowned at the dried blood that still stained them. All the memories from last night came flooding back to her, blinking back tears," How's Draco?"
Ron and Harry exchanged looks before they moved out of the way and she could see Draco in the opposite bed, he was pale but he was alive. She smiled and wiped the tears away, he was okay. It was going to be okay, looking at her two friends she smiled," Thanks guys." Ron and Harry smiled back and both said at the same time,
" What are friends for?"
Madame Pompfrey walked over and began to shoo Ron and Harry out before tutting, Hermione couldn't help but smile before she got out of bed and sat beside Draco's bed. She reached out and took his hand in hers, she couldn't believe how happy she was he was alive. She watched as he stirred, he turned his head opening his eyes and she found herself gazing into those eyes. Those eyes that were usually so tortured but now were calm," What happened?" he asked weakly.
" It's all going to be okay Draco, Snape knows and so does Dumbledore. They won't let your father hurt you anymore and I won't either."
He looked confused for a moment before he simply nodded, sitting up slowly he raised his bandaged wrists so that his hands rested on either side of Hermione's face and as he leaned in closer, he kissed her softly and tentatively. Hermione didn't know what to do, the boy who had tormented her for most of her life was kissing her but from what she knew about him now, she understood why he was the way he was and knew she could forgive him for anything. Returning his kiss briefly before she closed her eyes and rested her forehead against his, enjoying the way he stroked her face before he remarked so softly it was almost a whisper in the wind,
" Life is finally looking up."
THE END!
Authors Note : Well there it is my first Harry Potter fanfic, be gentle and I may look into making it a TBC thing..see where they go from here that kind of thing :)