Always / Draco Malfoy

Chapter 48

Aurora's POV:

I'd been left in Draco's room since that night for a few days, he'd left me in his room as it was attached to a small library and bathroom telling me he had to keep up appearances in order to ensure that none of the Death Eaters would get suspicious. I decided to fill my time with reading instead of worrying about what was happening with the order and how worried they would be when they haven't heard from me. Draco had had to take my wand again so that none of the Death Eaters were suspicious but he knew if I needed anything I'd be okay since the past few months traveling with the trio I had time to learn bits of wandless magic though it did always leave me quite exhausted depending on how complex the spell was.

I looked outside and noticed the moon in mid-rise in the blackened sky, I could feel my aching bones from deep within me and thought it best to take a warm bath. Moving to the bathroom I turned on the hot water adding in some bubble bath that resided on the shelf above the bath, I watched as the water flowed and mixed with bubbles until the bath was filled. I looked in Draco's draws to find a plain white T to change into once I'd finished my bath and placed it on the silk bedsheets ready. 

I pottered to the bath slipping off my clothes and sliding into the water shivering as it engulfed me in its burning embrace. My muscles relaxed under its tender touch as my head lulled against the marble wall behind me eyes closing in a tranquil state. I enjoyed the peace for a while until I heard the door open I jolted upright if the person who entered wasn't Draco I was completely vulnerable to them.

"Aurora?" Draco's voice smooth like silk wandered through the room instantly I relaxed the only Death Eater I didn't fear.

"In here," I called back slipping further into the bubbly water, the door that had been open a crack slowly opened further as Draco peered his head around the door engulfed by the humid air from the bath.

"I see you have made yourself at home," He smiled wandering into the room and leaning against the now-closed door smirking as he looked down at me with crossed arms.

"I figured I'd be here a while might as well make the most of the facilities," I giggled suddenly feeling anxious under his intense gaze as I began crossing my arms to cover my exposed front.

"It's nothing I haven't seen before," He commented.

"It's different from how you will remember it...damaged," I whispered glancing down to the scared words engraved into my skin and thinking to the bruises that littered my skin from the months of travel and running.

"I can guarantee you are still as beautiful as I remember what you class as imperfections I always thought were what defined you as perfect...I'll leave you to finish up in here would you like me to bring you the shirt you pulled out?" His tone was so genuine as he smiled down at me an explosion of memories slammed into me at full force, memories of our youth and our happier times.

"Yes please Draco," I whispered watching as he slipped past the door and came back a few seconds later placing the shirt on the counter.

"I'll go wait in there okay, take as long as you like darling," The familiar nickname slipped from his lips and embraced me with the same happy memories as I watched him leave. I finished up within ten minutes wrapping myself in a towel to dry my body and then sliding on Draco's comfortable shirt.

I walked into the bedroom revealing Draco sat at his desk, book in hand, he glanced up at me smiling which I returned. I walked over to the window again finding comfort looking towards the stars an action that had always found home in my heart from my younger days. Shortly after I was joined by Draco who gently and hesitantly wrapped his arms around my small frame I sunk into his embrace happily. His hand traveled down to my forearm the one which bore the unforgiving marks and the action caused me to flinch away from his grasp which only resulted in him spinning me around to face him.

"Do you want me to heal it...I can get rid of the scaring too my mum taught me?" His voice was soft as he glanced down to my arm, I simply nodded too afraid my voice would fail me as he reached for my hand intertwining our fingers and guiding me to the edge of his bed. He placed my arm half on his lap and took his wand in his free hand beginning to mutter things under his breath.

 I felt stinging sensations tickle under my skin hissing instinctively, but soon stopped once I watched the words blood traitor fade from my skin. Once he finished he let a satisfied smile peak on his lips and dipped his head to place a tender kiss on the area of my arm, I couldn't help but let tears brim in my eyes at his actions.

"You still wear the rings I got you...why?" He whispered as he began toying with the bands that rested on my finger.

"It never felt like the right time to take them off," I replied.

"Even though you have feelings for Fred," Draco replied pain evident in his voice.

"Draco I-I love Freddie of course I do but I've been so confused with how I've felt until the day when you saved me and the way that you looked after me I realized that the feelings for Freddie were maybe misplaced I love him in a completely different way to you," I whispered not meeting his gaze.

"You still love me?"

"Of course I still Love you Draco I never stopped I just tried to push it away because of the pain that you caused," His hands gently cupped my cheeks so that I was forced to look him in his eyes.

"Aurora your the only girl I've ever loved and the only girl I want to love...I know the pain I have caused you but I will promise you that all I have done in the past has been to protect you and I swear that my allegiance is only for you. Fuck my parents. Fuck the Death Eaters. Fuck Voldermort. I wanna fight with you if you'll have me," Tears spilled silently from my eyes which Draco wiped away with his thumbs leaning forward to place a gentle kiss on the tip of my reddening nose," Darling I'll be a better man for you...I'll be the man you deserved from day one the one fighting on the right side," His tone showed his sincerity and my heart skipped a beat at the thought of what he was saying and I couldn't help but finally feel complete again at the thought of being with the man I'd always loved.

"Do you mean that Draco? You mean that you will fight with me and not against me even if that means going against your family," I whispered desperately for confirmation.

"Yes, darling I'd do anything for you," 

"Okay," Instantly Draco's lips pressed against mine and I could taste the salt from not only my tears but his too the kiss was filled with a longing passion that outweighed anything I had ever felt before. When we pulled away I gently reached forward to wipe away his tears as he did the same to me before engulfing me in his embrace.

"The final battle is coming there has been talks all day we'll get out of here as soon as it's safe,"

"I'm fighting against them Draco," I replied.

"I didn't expect anything less so am I," He replied.