Always / Draco Malfoy

Chapter 34

Narrator's POV:

Though it had only been a month since the new term had begun it seemed that one too many terrible instances had occurred. Firstly, when Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Aurora went to Hogsmeade they had to witness Katie Bell hoisted into the air silently screaming before her almost lifeless body collapsed onto the ground. She had been cursed by a neckless who no one knew its original origins and she was lucky Hagrid had been so close as she could have died that day. A few days later though Hermione and Aurora only heard about it the following day when they got told Ron was in the hospital wing, Ron had been given a powerful love potion which Harry had gone to Slughorn to help get rid of it. After Ron came around they all had a glass of mead which Ron drank first only to be poisoned lucky for him Harry was quick to act and saved him.

So after those two instances, they thought that they had got through the brunt of all the terrible instances yet it appeared Merlin would not be on their side. Meanwhile, Harry was adamant that the cursing of Katie and the poisoning in the mead which was meant for Dumbledore was the work of Draco who Aurora had continued to defend. This relentless arguing between Harry and Aurora had caused tensions in the group Ron stook by Harry and Hermione with Aurora since she was mad at Ron and Aurora had always stood up for her. The relentless arguing hadn't gone unnoticed by Draco who had been avoiding Aurora desperate to get her a little further away so he could protect her better.

Professor McGonagall walked down the corridors to Professor Slughorn's room, she walked slowly pondering the best way to deliver the news she was going to deliver. Clutching a letter in hand that once she read it, it had brought tears to her eyes and she hated being the one to deliver such news. How could she? Reaching the open door she inhaled a deep breath composing herself before moving around the corner and into the room looking at the students wondering eyes all meeting hers. She moved her head to look towards Slughorn waiting for him to notice her and once he did a small smile moved on his face.

"Professor, could I borrow Aurora Durmstrang please?" She asked turning to look at the young girl who was sat at the back of the class next to Hermione, her hazel eyes looking deep into Professor McGonagall's quickly trying to figure out why she was being taken out of the lesson. Everyone's eyes darted to look at her including Draco who never let his gaze lift off her as she timidly stood from her seat forgetting her robe and bag on her chair. She moved swiftly through the classroom to the door where Professor McGonagall stood and Draco didn't miss seeing the teacher putting a hand on the girl's back to guide her through the door and slightly down the corridor. 

They both stilled a few meters from the classroom door Professor McGonagall staring into the young girls eyes still trying to find the words. Aurora shifted on her feet uncomfortably and filled with the rings on her finger to try and ease her mind. A cold breeze and a sudden overcast sky seemed to set the tone for what was to come as McGonagall took one last deep breath to steady her beating heart.

"Aurora It pains me so dearly that I have to be the one to tell you this and there is no way to go about it gently," She paused searching Aurora's eyes which filled with confusion," I received a letter today from your father... in it... it said that a few days ago your grandfather passed away in his sleep believed to be from old age and that yesterday your grandmother passed away in her sleep believed to be from a broken heart. I am so so sorry sweetie... your father has asked that you not attend any funeral during these times with the death eaters lurking about." 

Aurora's POV:

The words drifted through my mind again and again but it didn't register what she had said until she completely finished talking and her eyes were boring into my soul and when the words did register I couldn't control my body. A heartwrenching scream left my lips, hot salty tears began pouring from my eyes, my knees buckled under my weight and I collapsed onto the floor struggling to catch my breath, vision blurred.

From behind Professor McGonagall, despite my blurred vision, I saw a familiar blond boy with a panicked face through my salty tears, Draco moved quickly to close the distance between me and him and I felt his strong arms pick up my small frame. My head fell into the nook of his neck as loud sobs and screams escaped my lips, he had one hand, that held me by my waist tight to his chest and the other at the back of my head soothing it. I didn't notice that not only had all the students in my class filled the corridor but all the other rooms that had lessons in that corridor had followed suit.

"What the hell happened?" I heard him exclaim.

"I received a letter from Aurora's father...it said that Aurora's grandfather passed away a few days ago and her grandmother passed away yesterday from a broken heart," Her voice was small as she met Draco's gaze and as I heard the words again I let another wale escape my lips wanting nothing more than to go into complete darkness where I couldn't feel the pain. I had lost my mother, my mother's family who wanted nothing to do with me, my father who wanted nothing to do with me, and now the only family I had who truly loved me wholeheartedly.

"Shit...when's the funeral?" I heard him question as he pulled me closer.

"Her father asked her not to attend due to the rise in Voldermorts followers," She said quietly enough so that only he could hear not wanting all the prying ears to hear.

"Bullshit, they raised her she should get to say goodbye," He mumbled.

"Mr. Malfoy I'm not sure how you got hold of the letter that details the funeral is today so you cannot attend but does detail the whereabouts of the grave," She said crouching to the floor handing him the letter, " Now I think we both agree she needs to be taken somewhere more private,"  I felt myself get lifted up but I didn't move a muscle still letting the occasional wails and sobs leave my lips as the tears dampened Dracos shirt. 

Once we reached his room I felt him place me down on the bed and I instantly crawled under the covers after slipping my shoes and tie off, Draco followed my lead getting under the covers and pulling my body onto his tangling his fingers through my hair soothingly. 

"I'll take you to the grave on the weekend if you want?" He whispered as I lifted my head to look him in the eyes for the first time.

"But h-how?" 

"We don't need to apparate there's a spell we can use," He muttered placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"Okay," I whispered nodding my head slightly before placing it back on his chest as I listened to the soothing sound of his heartbeat and breathing which lulled me into a deep slumber.