Dare - Draco Malfoy

Chapter 54: A helping hand

Maeve:

I turn as his words leave his mouth, just in time to see him drop to the floor, his body contracted under the curse.

The class's gasp accompanying me into my scream

"NO!"

My words reverberating in the room. I instinctively rush to Amycus, make him drop his wand. My mind and body ready to fight him off, rip him apart. As my legs take the first step I feel Aria's gripping my arm. I shove it off and keep marching to him. But he turns, his wand lifting from Draco, giving him a moment to breath, now pointing at me.

A wordless spell hits my chest, making me fall backwards, making me completely unable to move any further. Students around us now letting out louder gasps, some of the closer ones, move to further away to avoid any unintended blasts. Then a voice interrupts the entire scene.

"Amycus" Snapes voice calls slowly, unbothered at the dynamics in which he just walked into.

Amycus ignores him for a moment, his wand pointed only in threat, back at Draco, who's body is still, no more agonising. Their eyes piercing each other, both emanating palpable hatred. Then Amycus' face lifts to meet Snape's who's blank face stares down at the scene.

"You are required elsewhere"

Amycus looks down at Draco, lowering his wand, stepping over him with a smug look.

"Yes, headmaster" His voice sly.

He leaves the room, while Snape remains. He steps closer to Draco, letting him up in a non so caring way, whispers something in his ear and looks back at the class.

"Continue your work, Professor Carrow will be back soon."

At his words, everyone's head turns back to their books, with no backwards glance, no protest. Only simple, utter submission to a new order fired at them.

He turns to leave, Draco following him, limping, a hand to his ribs in the spot where the wand pointed at.

But he stops in his tracks, turning on the spot.

"Miss Harvey, if you could follow us..." I look around, still sitting on the floor, standing up slowly, the blast of the spell numbed me.

I turn to Aria who shakes her head in fear. I shake my head back at her in response.

We leave the room, one after the other, Snape leading the way.

We march down the austere corridors, into the dungeons, reaching the familiar Potion's classroom.

Snape halts, a movement of his wand and the door opens.

"In." he orders.

We enter the room and silence falls. My eyes fixed on Draco.

Snape pacing up and down in front of us, almost waiting for the right amount of time to pass before speaking.

"Are you both out of your minds?" He turns quite theatrically, spinning on himself, his robes swishing behind him.

Draco takes a step in front of me.

"You listen to me carefully" Snape's lips the only thing moving on his face.

"I am only protecting you because I owe it to your parents. Her, on the other hand..."

His eyes fall on me, disgusts on his face.

"She's none of my concerns."

Snake is protecting him? As Draco's lips part to retort, he continues

"You are lucky to hold the name Malfoy, you are lucky be alive. But I don't know nor care about your little romance."

Draco tries to speak, but Snape's words become louder, towering over the both os us.

"This is a warning. I won't help you again."

"I didn't need your help" Draco's voice is chocked by the pain he's trying to handle.

Snape's sudden rush towards him startles me. I take a step backwards as their faces are millimetres from each other.

"You undermine the dangers you are putting yourself and your... friends into. You are a fool!" He spits. Draco's nostrils inflating in anger.

"Back to class. Both of you." His voice back to his usual spiteful tone.

With that, he leaves, shooting out the classroom. He leaves us there without a chance to speak or explain.

My eyes follow him, then stare at the door until I hear his steps die down.

"I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" I let out, my voice dying to speak to him.

My hand resting on his arm, eyes full of tears.

"Maeve I'm fine. But you!" He spits. He's angry.

"Draco" I call, taken aback

"Why would you do that?" He asks, his voice more controlled.

"What do you mean?"

"Why would you talk back? Are you hurt?"

I look at him with surprise but shake my head. Why is he asking me that?

"Maeve, Snape is right. We are in more danger than we think. You need to learn to let it go" His eyes soften.

"I- I can't—" I try to speak.

"You have to" He finishes for me.

"I know I can do it. I don't care about curses, if only I am certain that you are okay. Please" His eyes are soft, his voice pleading.

I am lost for words. I've been stupid.

"I'm sorry"

"Don't apologise. We don't have a choice." He continues, his hand now cupping my cheek.

I lounge forward and kiss him. His hand wrapping me into an embrace I have been craving. Being so close to him, seeing him around me and being denied his touch is a form of torture I am not used to anymore.

My hands feeling his back though his robes. I hear him wince. The pain from the curse still burning on him.

I let him go in fear of hurting him further, but he sense this and grips me tighter. His hands on my back, my moaning filling the soundless surrounding.

"Maeve" He murmurs in my mouth, not moving himself from me.

My body curving into his. Hands trying to feel as much of him as I can. I moan in acknowledgement. He lets his lips part from mine.

"We have to go back"

His words bring me back to my senses. My eyes open, staring at him.

-

Classes end without the return of Amycus. Though everyone seems relieved, it doesn't stop them locking their gaze on me and Draco.

I pack my bags as quickly as possible and leave class, accompanied by Aria, her hand never leaving my arm.

Blaise, Nott and Draco following behind us.

We all enter the quickly filling common room. All students seem more conscious about spending time in the great hall, preferring to have their meals in the common room. Plates of food now spotted laying around making the place look like a hiding cave.

I head towards the stairs to the dorms without a word to the others. Aria still by my side, not letting go.

-

As I roll in bed, trying to gain some sleep, my mind goes to dark places. Awful visions force my eyes to stay open. My chest filling with helpless desire to feel home again, to wake from this nightmare. To run away, run far far away.