WITHOUT YOU [draco malfoy fanfiction]

37. hold on

IRENE:

"The one you seek lies helpless,

On the brink of land of dangerous creatures,

Surrounded by dark shadows of cold and despair"

My eyes open again and my heart thuds violently. I know without a doubt that the person is Draco. He lies helpless? Oh god. But of course, bloody Ravenclaws want me to solve a riddle. Yet, it's better than nothing.

There is no time to wonder about the pendant. It is important I find Draco.

Brink of land of dangerous creatures? It has to be around here somewhere since we cannot apparate on school grounds.

Forbidden Forests flashes in my mind and I start running. Of course, that place has every weird creature imaginable.

I attempt to hold back the tears threatening to spill. Now is not the time to break down.

My lungs burn but I keep running. I spot Hagrid's hut and dash towards the forbidden forest.

Cold creeps through my entire body. My spine feels frozen with fear. That is where I spot him. the blonde-haired body helpless on the ground surrounded by Dementors. Dark shadows of cold and despair.

Am I too late? No No No

I never had the chance to tell him that he wasn't alone, that he could rely on someone too.

When was the last time I kissed him?

Tears streak my cheeks, and I can't seem to be able to control them.

"No" I take a deep breath and walk ahead. I will not let this happen. I start walking towards him, trying to steel my nerves but failing miserably. What if I cannot conjure a patronus? What memory will I think of? Can I even think of a happy memory while Draco lies unconscious in front of me?

"Don't let fear take control of you Miss Pierce. The more you put your fear on display, the more you let them take control of you" Professor Snape's voice rings in my head.

"Close your eyes Miss Pierce and think of happiness, think of the warmth after the dementors desert you Miss Pierce. You can do it" Snape says again

I can do it.

I clutch the Ravenclaw pendant and close my eyes.

Happy memories.

Going to vacations with mum and dad.

Bunking classes with Ava.

Trying to learn to drive a car, crashing it and then laughing about it later.

Dumbledore telling me I'm a witch, knowing that there is some place that I'll finally belong to.

Tonks giving me the broom.

Meeting Nora, Zoe, Caleb, Theo, Ian, Luna, Draco.

Draco.

Draco.

I smile.

"Expecto Patronum"

A silver light shoots through my wand. A graceful eagle flies and circles the sky. The royal bird, with a magnificent wing-span enraptures me. The symbol of Ravenclaw: eagle.

It hovers over Draco's body and the Dementors scatter away.

I run towards him.

"Draco" his body is cold as ice.

"Draco" I take his head on my lap and put my ear near his chest to feel his pulse. He is breathing, but what if?

"No" I cry, the thought of his soul being sucked, shudders me.