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

38 - Freedom

"Draco... what?!"

Now it was my turn to start shaking. I tried desperately to remain calm as I continued to feed Scorpius, but white lights began to dot my vision and I suddenly felt quite unable to breathe properly.

Draco was talking about sacrificing himself.

"I've been having dreams," Draco said hoarsely, as if just saying this was killing him. "Dreams that tell me to kill the snake. Just like on the day of the battle, after... after it all went wrong. The sword was calling to me then... but I couldn't get there in time. And then I- I thought I had lost you... I did lose you," he paused to swallow, his eyes swimming with tears as he looked up at me intently. "And now it's calling to me again."

"Please, Draco," Narcissa spoke fiercely, her voice sounding a lot calmer than I felt. "Think about what you're saying here. They're just dreams, Draco, dreadful nightmares brought on by recent events-"

"No!" Draco snapped, his voice an angry, determined hiss. "Don't you see, Mother? We can't go on like this! It's been almost seven years and we're nowhere near getting closer to ending this reign of terror. It's not like we can just sit around and wait for him to die of old age! He's going to live forever if no-one puts a stop to him and that will mean forever in hiding. I can't have this for my sons. It's no life for them... no future."

I looked at him then, and for the first time I saw in him something I'd only ever seen once before.

Pure and true courage.

Because he was frightened, yes he was; it was shown in his fearful eyes and the light tremor of his lips. It was shown in the fierce way he loved me and the boys and his mother.

And it was that fear which made him braver than most.

"Drac," I breathed, looking up at him imploringly as I cradled his son to me. "Please don't tell me that you're actually going to do this?"

"I'd do it for you," he murmured, his eyes piercing mine intently as he stepped over to cup my face; long cool fingers caressing my warm cheek, "for you and the boys. I'd do anything for you."

"Then let me come with you."

Even as I said it, I knew it was hopeless. I couldn't even do magic - I'd be nothing but a hindrance. But the thought of allowing Draco to go out there alone...

"No- don't be stupid," he said fiercely, his hand that was caressing my face tensing, "I'm not going to let you risk your life, to leave our boys-"

"But you expect me to stand back and let you do exactly that?!" My voice broke on the last word as a flood of utmost fear consumed me; fear of losing him.

Draco immediately reached his other arm out and pulled me towards him, fervidly pressing a kiss to my forehead as Scorpius lay nestled between us.

"I can't do this if I think you and the boys aren't safe," he murmured, his lips moving ardently against my brow. "Please understand that, Blaire. Please."

I could hear the racing of his heart beneath his chest and I knew, with a feeling of dread and horror, that he'd already made his mind up.

"But it's a suicide mission, Drac," I said, pleading with him to see reason, "they'll kill you the moment you step foot out of this treehouse. It'd be crazy to attempt this alone."

"Blaire's right," Narcissa said, staring anxiously at her son, "and even if you manage to get hold of the sword and kill Nagini, then what? Do you think the Dark Lord would make himself so open to attack?"