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

30 - Upstairs

Jack kept his eyes squeezed shut as he clung on tightly to his daddy.

He tried to work out where they were, but he'd lost track as soon as they left his mummy and auntie Hermy behind. He knew they were running through the tunnels still because of the splashing sound his daddy's feet made when they landed in the puddles on the ground.

He could feel his heart doing that racing thing that happened whenever he was scared. But he'd never felt this frightened before and he was afraid he was going to wet himself.

He didn't want to open his eyes because his daddy had that horrible mask on, the one that gave him bad dreams.

"I'm sorry, Jack," he'd said regretfully before he pulled it down over his face, "but I've got to hide under it to keep us safe."

He'd wanted to go back for his Fox the Explorer hat but he was too afraid to ask. He felt his bottom lip wobbling when he thought about it hanging on the hook on the wall, and his Fantastic Mr Fox book on the shelf above his and Mummy's bed, wondering if he'd ever see them again.

Jack tried to concentrate on the feel of his daddy's heart as he pressed his ear against his chest. It was going fast too, but it sounded a lot louder and a lot more powerful than his own.

He missed his mummy already; missed her soft body which was so lovely to cuddle, just like Auntie Hermy's. His daddy had a body liked Uncle Ron's; hard and sturdy. And although he loved it when he picked him up, and let him climb onto his lap, Jack preferred Mummy cuddles every time.

He was aware that they'd come to a stop, and Jack dared peek his eyes open the tiniest bit to see if he could work out where they were.

They were still in a tunnel but a different one to what he knew. And just in front of them, slightly above their heads was a large gaping hole, just big enough to fit through a human.

Jack's eyes widened as he looked up through it, his little heart now racing in not just fear but complete wonderment. For beyond it appeared to be a never ending sight; a dark blanket filled with tiny little dots of bright lights.

Stars.

"We're about to go Upstairs, little fox," his daddy whispered softly in his ear. "Are you ready?"

Jack suddenly wanted to be back in his bed, curled up tight under the warm covers with Mr Dog tucked safely in his hand.

But then his thoughts turned to his mummy, and he remembered how he'd promised to be brave for her. And he wanted so much to make her proud.

"Okay," he whispered, his small voice barely making a noise above the howl of the icy February wind.

******

Draco felt Jack's shivering body tighten around him as he sprinted as fast as he could through the grounds, the fox keeping close to them, protecting them from the Dementors overhead.

He tried not to think what would happen when the Undergrounders attempted to flee; would they be able to conjure enough Patronus's? Or would the pull of the Dementors thirst be too strong?

His fox alone certainly wouldn't save them all.

But at least he was saving Jack. He only prayed that he'd manage to get back in time to save Blaire too.

As soon as he made it to the edge of Hogwarts' protective enchantments, he pulled his mask up from his face so Jack could see him properly.

"I'm going to Apparate us now," he warned gently as Jack's frightened little face looked up, the light of the moon shining on his skin, making him look almost ethereal. "It's going to feel a bit funny, but I promise you it's only going to last for a second and then we'll be safe."