Darkness Within||Draco Malfoy Fanfiction

Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Like your mother

They had to think of another way to complete the task. That much was obvious as the two of them sat with their friends in their compartment. The Hogwarts Express trundled along past snowy landscapes, on the way to Kings' Cross. Roxy wondered what was going to happen when they got back to Malfoy Manor. What would her father have in store for the two of them? She knew he wouldn't hesitate to kill Draco, but her? Would he kill her?

Roxy looked out of the window, her own face gazing back at her. Who had she become? She stared at the sapphire blue eyes, trying to see into their depths, to see the scarlet-red that was trying to break through.

Draco was sat next to her, with Blaise next to him, then Jade. Daphne, Theo and Cassidy sat opposite. Draco's arm brushed against Roxy's. The arm with the Dark Mark. The two of them were impossibly close, their thighs touching. Roxy tried to tune in to her friends' chatter and gossip, but try as she might, she couldn't remain interested. A year ago, she would've been the one gossiping to her friends about everything she had heard.

And though the seven of them were friends, and they made up their friendship group, she couldn't help but feel that she and Draco had somewhat drifted apart from the others. The five were endlessly talking away, laughing all the while. Whilst Roxy and Draco just sat there. She wished she could tell her friends. Some of their parents or relatives were part of Voldemort's followers anyways. But would they understand? Would they be able to keep it a secret?

"So what are you doing during the holidays, Roxy?" Blaise asked.

"Huh?" Roxy mumbled, caught off-guard, "What am I- oh. Right. Yeah, um..."

"Is it anything like last Christmas?" giggled Cassidy.

"Nope. I'm uh... staying in the manor for Christmas. It's going to be a quiet one." She didn't specify which manor.

"Suit yourself. Theo and Cassidy's families are staying too, whilst Daphne's are going off to some charity events and galas or whatever. I'm heading off to Italy with Mother. She's opening another fashion store in Venice," Blaise explained, "What about you, Draco?"

"I'm just staying in the manor. Nothing special. It's not as if my father's at home anyway," Draco brushed the subject off dismissively. There was an awkward pause.

"Not in the same manor as Roxy, right?" Daphne laughed, trying to ease the tension.

"Of course not!" Roxy exclaimed sharply, "Whatever makes you think that?"

The others glanced at her.

"Well it was just a joke," Daphne said slowly, "but you seem so disturbed by it. Is something the matter?"

"Of course not! Definitely not!" Repeated Roxy, trying to laugh it off.

"Oh look, we've arrived. Let's go, shall we?" Draco interrupted, shooting a glance at Roxy. They all collected their bags and luggage before leaving the train.

After saying goodbye and Merry Christmas to one another, they all departed for their separate ways.

"You seem anxious, Draco," Roxy noticed.

"Well, you're wrong," he retorted.

"So why do you look like you'd rather jump back on the train to Hogwarts?" she asked, tightening her scarf against the cold.

"Must be you making wild assumptions. I'm fine, ok? Let's go." Draco marched on ahead. Roxy hurried to catch up.

"I won't let my father do anything to you, you know," she said quietly, "I'll cover for you, make some sort of excuse or stretch the truth. But he won't hurt you. I won't let him."