Boy - (A 'Blaire Zabini' sequel) || Draco Malfoy

8 - So Real

"Why? Where are you going?" Hermione asked in alarm after I told her to watch Jack for me. "We're not scheduled for a meeting this afternoon, are we?"

"To look for Mr Dog," I answered, grabbing my torch. "He must be out there somewhere, and it's been a week now since Jack has spoken. I want my little boy back, so I'm getting Mr Dog back."

It was breaking my heart to see Jack be so sullen and silent. I missed his voice, missed the 'I love you, Mummy'.

And I knew, too, that I was missing Mr Dog.

Because Mr Dog represented Draco, and Draco - along with Jack, was my everything.

******

Despite the presence of the Dementors, Draco felt lighter than he had in years. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he was returning the Scottie dog to the child. It made him feel warm, somehow, as though he was doing something for Blaire.

It wasn't difficult getting into Hogwarts without permission; being August, the castle was practically deserted with the students all still home for the summer.

Besides, if Umbridge questioned his presence, he'd just simply state he was doing a follow up investigation to the Dementor issue.

He shivered as he crossed the grounds towards the tree, his trusty fox once again leading the way, as if it knew exactly what Draco was there to do.

*****

I shivered as I neared the Main Tunnel, the coldness of the Dementors seeping through the walls into my skin.

I wasn't having any luck locating Mr Dog, he seemed to have vanished completely. I knew I ought to give up and go back to my son, but I was determined that next time I see him, I would have Mr Dog with me.

I hesitated at the enchanted wall which allowed access to and from the Main Tunnel; an idea taken from platform nine and three quarters.

Ron said he had passed this place with Jack. If Jack had thrown it at the wall, Mr Dog could be lying just on the other side, waiting to be retrieved.

I glanced at it pensively and wondered if I could just check really quickly... just poke my head through...

I would be breaking all the rules; but chances are nothing would be out there, slim to none, in fact.

But if I was seen...

No, the risk was too great. I couldn't put Jack's life in danger like that.

But as I turned to move onwards, the torch slipped out of my hand and fell heavily to the ground, instantly plunging me into complete darkness.

Shit.

******

Draco looked up startled as he heard a bang; not like the deafening booms from the battle, but softer, as if someone had dropped something heavy.

It sounded as though it had come from the other side of the wall, but how was that possible? He was in a tunnel, underground.

He ran his fingers along the solid surface, shivering at the coldness of the damp earth beneath his touch.

Something was behind it, he could feel it.

The fox looked up, meeting his eyes.

"Show me," Draco found himself whispering, "please."

He could have sworn the fox gave a silent nod, but this did not surprise him; nothing surprised him now he knew he was going mad.

Yet, it did not bother him. In fact, he quite liked losing his mind because it meant he was finally feeling something other than grief.