slither - dm

Nightmares.

Laurel

Shortly after we returned to school, Draco and I joined the others for dinner, after I fixed my face of course. The last thing I needed was Pansy pestering me about what happened, or Astoria making some snide comment about it, making me hate her even more than I already do.

It was weird being back. So many horrible things had happened to me in the last couple of months here, it made me sick to my stomach. "You need to eat, love." Draco softly spoke.

It's not that I wasn't hungry, I just didn't have the appetite for anything. I turned him and offered a weak smile. "I'm just too tired. I think I'm going to go to bed." I say."

"Okay, I'll come wi—"

"No." I interrupted him. "Sit. Catch up with everyone." I leaned in giving a soft kiss on his lips before exiting the Great Hall.

I felt bad. It wasn't Draco's fault that I was feeling this way. I know he blames himself even though I constant remind him that he shouldn't. It's my fault. I should have taken care of things months ago when this started like he initially told me to.

As I exited the Great Hall, I noticed a group of three Ravenclaws huddled into one of the empty halls I had passed. But can you blame me? It never seems to fail that whenever I'm alone, something happens. I shouldn't have told Draco to stay. I could always turned around to get him, but I didn't want to appear weak.

"Oi, Nott!" One of them called out. I pretended I didn't hear him and quickened my pace towards the entrance to the Slytherin dungeons.

The speed of multiple sets of footsteps became closer to me with every step I took. I didn't have to look back to know that they were practically running towards me. But what did they want?

"Are you deaf or just stupid? I called you!" The boy called out again. Desperate to get away, I took a rapid turn down to what ended up being a dead-ended corridor. I squeezed my eyes shut to fight back the tears I knew were wanting to come out, preparing myself to turn around.

"Rosenburg says you broke up and that you're fair game now." He said as the others snickered. I could smell the alcohol on their breath. They were drunk, and I was vulnerable.

"He also told us how much of a good time you are." Another says as he pushes me against the wall.

"Please—"

"Look at that, boys. She's already begging just like the slag Tommy told us she is." The third boy jeered. I know what happens next. I will never understand why this sort of thing keeps happening to me.

"Did he also mention that he used to hit me? Or did he leave that part out?"

The boys cackled. "Tommy? Hit a lady? Never. But he would hit a slag. He told us how you were sneaking about wirh Malfoy. Sounds as if you deserved whatever you got." He said as he started lifting my shirt, untucking it from my skirt. He ran his gross fingertips on the bare skin of my side. I don't know what came over me. If it were pure fear, anger, adrenaline, something sparked. I managed to get my wand out and pointed it at the boy who dared to touch my skin. "What are you gonna—"

"Crucio!" I exclaimed, sending the boy to the floor, curled over in agonizing pain.

"Are you mad!?" One of the boys asked. I swung my arm over and pointed my wand at him as a warning. The two boys standing grabbed their friend and fled away, but not before I heard them mutter "That bitch is fucking crazy."

I leaned against the wall and slumped to the floor. A tap on my shoulder sent my reflexes into a frenzy. I turned with rapid speed and pointed my wand at the person.

It was Draco. He jumped back with his hands up in defense. I hopped off of the floor and leaped into his arms. That's when those tears I was fighting back fell.

"Lo, what happened?"

"It doesn't matter. I just want to go to bed."

He nodded and escorted me back to the common room. "I'm going to grab a few things and meet you in your room if that's okay?" He nodded and walked towards the boy's dorms. I entered my room where I was greeted by Astoria and some random guy.

"You're not staying?" She called out when I grabbed my things and had my hand on the door.

"No. I'm staying with Draco—"

"Oh are you guys finally together?" She asked with pure curiosity. Maybe I've misjudged Astoria. Maybe she wasn't as bad as she initially lead on. I'll have to try to give her the benefit of the doubt sometime. I nodded and she smiled. "Well a word of advice," She begins. "Now that he's off the market, he's even more desirable than before. Just...keep your eyes peeled for homewreckers."

I nodded and thanked her before walking to Draco's room. I came in and changed my clothes before crashing on top of his bed. He stood there next to me before crawling on top of me, leaving kisses on my neck. "Draco, not tonight, please."

"I understand. Theo will probably be returning soon anyways." He tells me. He pecks the top of my forehead before rolling over pulling me next to him. "Goodnight. I love you."

"I love you too. Goodnight, Draco."

Draco

An ear-piercing scream woke me from my deep slumber. I shot up to see Laurel thrashing in her sleep, screaming, crying. I pulled her close trying to wake her. In the blink of an eye, she was on top of me, pinning me down with a ridiculous amount of force with one hand while the other had her wand digging into my throat.

I had to choose my next move wisely as my life depended on it. I was scared, yet very calm. "Laurel, it's me. Draco." I spoke calmly. The glare in her eyes faded and she dropped her wand and broke into tears.

"D-Draco, I-I'm so sorry." She cried. Tears streamed down her face. I pulled her close and held her tight into my embrace as she continued to cry.

"It's okay. I'm here." I calmed her, stroking the back of her hair.

"What's wrong with me?"

"I...I think that you just need to talk to someone, love. It's tearing you apart." I told her. "Whether it be me, Theo, a professor. You need to talk about it."

I didn't want to feel like I was pressuring her to talk about what happened with Rosenburg, I mean, I knew what happened, but she had yet to talk about it. I know she'd feel better if she would talk about it. I didn't care who she told, just as long as she told someone. "I—I know. And I will. I promise."

She pulled back giving me a good look at her face. I grazed my fingertips on the bruises on her face for a moment, letting them linger. "I will make him pay for what he did to you, and you can't stop me."