Always / Draco Malfoy

Chapter 35

Narrator's POV:

That weekend as Draco promised he took Aurora to her grandparent's grave where they both laid flowers and Draco sat patiently as Aurora talked for an hour to the grave as if they were there telling them everything that had happened recently. Once she gave him the nod he took them both to Hogsmeade rather than going back to the castle straight away to have something to eat and drink at a local cafe the same one they had had their first date in, in third year. 

For the first time in months for that one whole day Draco was the same boy Aurora had truly fallen in love with all those years ago. No mood swings. No ignoring her for no reason. They laughed and joked like when they were younger again and not one argument slithered its way into the conversation. Despite the circumstances, it was the perfect day.

Aurora's POV:

I walked with Hermione to the great hall for dinner we had both decided to get changed into something more comfortable than our robes, I had opted for some black leggings, one of Draco's sweaters, and some trainers. Hermione had gone with a similar outfit wearing some muggle brand for a sweatshirt though. 

I'd spent most of the week with Hermine since Draco had been nowhere to be seen all week and Harry was still being a grade A arsehole who Ron decided it would be best to keep company with so Hermione kept me company. It hadn't helped that Harry and I had gotten into quite an explosive argument the other day because he'd gotten into Chloe's head and convinced her Draco was a Death Eater. This had lead Chloe to be incredibly absent taking Harry's side constantly causing a few too many arguments between us too which angered me. Since when did boys come before friendship?

We made our way to the table and though I hadn't eaten since lunch I couldn't stomach eating anything so I made pleasant conversation with Hermione and Ron. That was until Harry came walking up to us all saying Katie was out of the hospital wing so while Ron and Hermione were eating I decided to accompany Harry. Reluctantly! 

He asked her what had happened but she remained firm that she didn't know what happened and that she couldn't remember anything. It was clear she was telling the truth and that it infuriated her that she couldn't remember anything in truth I felt sorry for her. Harry stopped talking and began to look past Katie at something and I followed his gaze to find Draco. He looked utterly terrified and when he locked his gaze with mine for a second I could see a terrified boy in him. Quickly, he spun on his heels running out of the room and Harry was quick to follow him legging it to the doors. I turned to look at Hermione and Ron slightly terrified at what could happen.

"Aurora I know what your thinking... don't just let them sort it between themselves!" Hermione squeaked standing up and reaching for my hand but I pulled it into my body turning around and running as fast as my short legs would take me. Once I left the great hall I looked right and left catching a glimpse of Harry's brown hair in the distance so I sped up my pace. 

I kept following them down all the corridors until I realized I had lost them and I instantly felt butterflies in my stomach panic setting in as I span on my spot trying to think of where they had gone and it hit me. The prefect's bathroom was a few corridors away. I picked up my pace and as I neared closer I heard Harry and Draco yelling at one another,I made my way into the room standing between the two boys who both had their wands drawn.

"Aurora get the fuck out of here now," Draco spat not letting his gaze drop from Harry behind me.

"You both need to stop this has gone far enough!" I exclaimed.

"Don't you see Aurora he did that to Katie, he poisoned the mead, he is behind everything and why because he is a Death Eater! He's not safe for you," Harry snapped.

"I'm doing it to fucking protect her you halfwit, I'm doing it all for her," Draco's gaze grasped mine for a second before he used a spell to launch me back into a wall just as Harry cast a spell in his direction. I hit my head hard on the tiled wall making my vision blur slightly as I watched the two boys casting spells back and forth neither hitting each other thankfully. This continued on for a few minutes and I slowly managed to steady myself on my feet rubbing the back of my head and listening to the spells being fired.

"Sectum..." As I heard the incantation leaving Harry's lips it felt like everything had gone into slow motion I knew that the spell was in the Half-Blood Prince's book and that it would do no good I also knew I couldn't let it hit Draco, without thinking I sprinted forward standing in front of Draco protectively, "sempra!" 

My body involuntarily jolted and all the strength I had previously in my legs disappeared as I crashed onto the flooded, cold floor. I felt my clothes and hair soak up all the water from the sinks that had flooded the floor and it made my body ice cold. My vision went black and I couldn't find the strength to keep my eyes open or mutter a single sound let alone a word and in a second the pain radiated from my stomach like I was on fire in that singular spot. 

"AURORA," Draco's scream was probably heard through the entire castle it was painful to hear heartwrenching even and I felt his arms lift my upper body onto his lap my head lulling from side to side, "Potter I swear to Merlin if you don't get out of this room now I'll kill you now with my bare hands with no hesitation." His voice wavered but I knew and so did Harry he would be true to his word. 

"Malfoy I-I didn't mean for it to hit her fuck Aurora are you okay? Can you hear m-" 

"Of course she isn't okay you fucking prick, what were you thinking? Get the hell out of here and if I see you near her again you or your stupid friends I'll kill all of you," I could hear Harry run out of the room, and then I heard a commotion by the door? 

"Snape please help her," Draco's voice was so small yet in it you could hear the pain. I heard snape move towards us felt his presence crouching on the floor as he began whispering an incantation, the pain was still grossly overpowering and all I wanted to do was scream and sob as I felt my body heal the pain was still there still lingering even once he stopped.

"She will remain unconscious for a while but she needs to be taken to the hospital wing now they can give her something for the pain she will undoubtedly be in," He spoke softly,  Draco's arms snaked their way under my legs as well as behind my back as I felt him begin to carry me.

It felt like a lifetime until I felt the soft cushion of a mattress under me, hearing Draco whisper an incantation that instantly dried my clothes as he covered me with a blanket.

"Thank you for bringing her Mr. Malfoy...I will give her something for the pain and something to put her to sleep properly...if I was you I'd go get some rest she will likely be like this in the morning too you can come to see her then." Madam Pomfrey spoke softly as if to comfort Draco she probably felt sorry for him not many get to see him so vulnerable.

"No," His voice came out loud," Sorry...no I'm not going to leave her I'll stay here all night if that's okay?" He sounded on the verge of tears and I wanted to wake up and give him a hug he was just a boy caught up in Merlin knows what. For me?

"Of course dear," She cast some spells on me before leaving I began to feel the pain leave my body slightly and I also felt Draco's fingers brush the hair from my face as he placed a gentle kiss on my cheek. He moved my body slightly so that he could fit himself sideways onto the bed holding me close to him I finally felt my mind stop buzzing.