NUMB WITHOUT YOU | Draco Malfoy

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Exhausted from his breakdown, Draco fell asleep the instant his head hit the pillow that night. I longed for sleep myself, but it never came. I watched Draco twitch and mutter in his sleep for hours until I couldn't take it anymore.

I had to go see Aidan.

My feet padded across the floor as I tried desperately not to wake anyone up, but it turned out that the witching hour was a popular time of night for witches and wizards. Who would have thought?

As soon as I turned the corner in the hallway, I ran right in to Hermione and Viktor. They looked like they were midst a very heated argument.

"Rory!" Hermione wiped her tears away and took a step backward, away from Krum, "What are you doing awake at this hour?"

"Going for a walk." I drawled as I eyed them up and down suspiciously. This wasn't a secret tryst. Things seemed tense between them, "Is everything alright here?"

"Ve were just catching up." Viktor said, his face still a reddish hue from anger and embarrassment, "But I vos just going to bed." He pushed past us and went to his room. We both jumped as the door slammed shut and the doorframe rattled at the momentum.

"Are you sure you're alright?" I asked her now that we were alone.

Hermione let out a shaky sigh, "Yeah. I'm Fine. I think that's the last time I will have to explain to Viktor that it's just not going to happen between us. Now I just need to convince Ron."

"Somehow I think that might be more difficult." I gave her arm a reassuring squeeze, "But you'll figure it out."

"Thanks." She squeaked. Her eyes narrowed as she focused on me more intently, "Wait. What are you really doing up so late sneaking around?"

"I was just getting a cup of tea." I lied with ease. It wasn't difficult when I knew just how to play into her interests. "I don't like to bother Dipsy or the other house elves so late at night."

"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed buying every word that came out of my mouth, "That's so thoughtful of you." She paused to yawn. Exhaustion was finally kicking in now that the adrenaline of arguing with Krum had worn off, "I think I'll turn in now. Enjoy your tea."

"Thanks. Get some sleep, Granger." I whispered encouragingly. The sooner she was asleep the sooner I could get back to sneaking around without interruption. I watched as she walked back down the corridor and disappeared into her own room before continuing on my trek through the mansion.

Unfortunately for me, I still wasn't alone. The next person I was surprised to run into was Blaise. He was sneaking down the hall in a very un-Blaiselike fashion that almost made me doubt it was him at all. I had to do a double take to make sure it wasn't someone like Lee Jordan going to pull a late-night prank on George.

"Are you imperioused?" I hissed at him as he stumbled into me in the darkness and laughed. "Because this can't be Zabini."

Blaise laughed even harder at my accusation and hurried down the hallway, "You never saw me!"

"What the fuck is in the water here?" I grumbled. I couldn't even really be mad at him. At least someone was having a good night.

"I suspect it's krescals." Luna's lofty voice floated through my ears, "They're native to this region of France."

Make that two someone's that were having a good night. Most likely together. Blaise worked fast, I couldn't help but to be impressed.

"Right. Kres...cals... I've definitely heard of those." I nodded at her. As much as I liked the girl, I never knew a single thing she was talking about.