Lucille Rose Potter

Chapter 54

"No," Aberforth said sharply, "we're closed."

"Please, sir, I know she lives here."

"I don't know who you are talking about."

"Lucy Evans! Please! She knows me!"

Lucy poked her head out of the storage room and spotted familiar blond hair.

"Draco?" She frowned, taking a step out of her hiding place.

Draco's head snapped in her direction, his eyes met hers and he looked like he was going to cry.

"Lucille Rose! Go back to the apartment now!" Aberforth glared at her.

"It's ok, Abe," Lucy gave him a stern look, "he's my friend."

Lucy gasped in surprise as Draco rushed forward and clung onto her in a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he mumbled, "I just had nowhere to go, and—I'm sorry."

Lucy shared a look with Abe over the Slytherin's shoulder.

"Why don't you come back to the apartment, yeah?" Lucy gently pushed him off of her, "we'll get you something to drink?"

Draco nodded wordlessly and let Lucy guide him back as Aberforth locked up the pub, trailing closely behind them.

Lucy flicked on the light and made her way to the fridge, pouring a glass of water.

She turned back around and gasped, "your face!" She put the glass on the counter and rushed forward to exam it closer, his pale skin was littered with nasty purple bruises, he had a black eye, busted lip and a very broken nose, "what happened?"

Tears welled in the blond's eyes again and he blinked fiercely to prevent them from falling, "my father," he managed through gritted teeth.

"Uncle Abe!" Lucy called, "come here please!"

Aberforth, who had also missed the boys bloodied appearance in the dim light of the pub, let out a strand of curses as he inspected the teens face.

"Wait here," he said gruffly, "I have some potions for the bruising and then I'll fix yer nose."

"What happened?" Lucy asked again, pushing the water glass into the Slytherin's hand.

"I was supposed to get the mark tomorrow," he cringed, "I—I don't want it Lucy! I don't want to be the bad guy..."

She reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing it reassuringly.

"So I refused," Draco shuddered, "father didn't take it well...disowned me, mother screamed and screamed, so I ran. I'm so sorry, I had nowhere else to go."

"Don't be sorry," Lucy said kindly, "you did the right thing."

"I hope so," Draco whispered, squeezing her hand.

"Here you are," Aberforth dropped the potions on the counter infront of the boy, "drink them."

"Thanks," Draco nodded in appreciation, downing the contents of the potions.

With a flick of his wand and a snap, the bones of Draco's nose returned to their rightful place.

"Are you hungry?" Lucy asked.

Draco shook his head no.

"Well it's late," Lucy hummed, "how about you get some rest and we can decide what to do tomorrow?"

Draco nodded.

"He can take Sawyer's room for the time being," Aberforth said, "he can borrow some clothes from him too."