Slytherin's angel

Chapter 12- The trespasser

Neither of them slept well that night. When one found themselves awake, they would shake the other out of their fitful slumber. Ashley laid there, staring at the door, wand at the ready even though she knew she'd have no chance against Lucius in a dueling match. When Draco found her awake, he would nuzzle into the nape of her neck, tenderly kissing her and wrapping his arms around her.

"He's not going to do anything." He whispered to her, "I'll protect you."

Ashley bit back a snarky remark about how he said something similar before Lucius showed up. She decided against it, knowing it wouldn't help her to be at rifts with Draco when a psychotic Death Eater was in the house.

"I know." Was all she could say to him, shuddering from the tickle of his hair on her forehead.

"Go to sleep." He told her, pressing his lips against her ear. She shuddered away, the tickling becoming unbearable. Draco kissed her cheek and scooted away from her. He pulled the blankets tighter over him and was still.

Ashley looked up at the window, it was still pitch dark and there was no sign of the sun coming any time soon. She figured they must have hours before sunrise.

After a half hour, she broke the silence, "Are you asleep?"

"No." Draco answered.

Ashley moved closer to him until her head was in the crook of his shoulder, wrapping her arm around his waist. His broad chest and firm stomach moved with muscle when he turned around to encompass her. A strong heart beat drummed steadily through his chest. Ashley lay still, listening to its perfect rhythm, finding the sound soothing. Draco stroked her back and hugged her closer to him. Even though they had one of the most dangerous men in the house, focusing on his comforting presence was all she could do to fall asleep.

***

When she awoke, the room was illuminated with light, destroying any shadows that lurked even in the smallest of crevices. The brightness burned her eyes and she buried herself back into the pillow. Peeking out, she looked at Draco's sleeping figure. His arms were splayed out over his head, his hair a mess and his broad chest rose and fell with his deep breathing.

Ashley propped her pillow under her head and looked at him. Affection warmed her insides, seeming to melt away worries of Lucius. She couldn't believe that she was lying there with the boy who had stumbled into her and her sisters only months before in Diagon Alley. For a moment, she wished that everyone knew how truly good Draco was, but after a moment's thought, she was content with the fact that Draco chose only her to reveal that to.

He stirred, squinting in the bright sunlight as he rubbed his face. He looked over to her, his eyes a pale blue. He just stared at her for a moment. A smile broke out on Ashley's face, biting her lip to contain it. He smiled softly at her, putting a hand on her arm.

"Are you okay?" He asked her.

She nodded her head, yawning, "Just exhausted."

"We can stay in here." Draco told her, "Go back to sleep, I'll stay up."

Ashley gave him a tired look, "I don't want to be here."

"Let's go back to Diagon Alley." Draco offered, pushing the blankets off him.

Ashley slid out of the sheets, grabbing her wand from the floor. She checked the halls and then looked down over the staircase and into the dining room. Seeing that the coast was clear, she bounded down the hall, closing her door briskly and pulling out the first outfit she could get her hands on. She brushed out her long curls quickly, wincing as the tight knots objected to the comb's bristles. After she washed her face in a basin, she did her makeup hurriedly, grabbed her cloak and knocked on Draco's door.