Death Eaters Daughter Part Two

One Hundred Fifty Six

Night turn to day
I slept, for the first time in what felt like ages but Fred didn't it seemed
When I woke up he was just staring at the fireplace
But he rubbed my back continuously throughout the night it appeared
He didn't ask me what was wrong when I woke up
He didn't ask me where I was
He just laid with me, soothing me into a calm that I used to feel with him all the time

I could hear footsteps moving around above us, indicating students beginning to awaken
I got off of Fred and stretched slightly, my body was sore but I wasn't sure why
I must have been really drunk last night
My head was pounding

I placed my hands over my eyes, trying to lessen the pain I was feeling
"I'm going to get you water, it's Saturday so we don't have classes. We can stay here all day ok?"

"I need to see Hermione Harry Ron George Draco...I have so many people I need to see today"

"If you need time they can wait, no one expects you to ok right away you know that right?"

"I'll tell you where I went and why...just not right now please" I begged "I just can't talk about it right now"

"I understand, I don't care when you tell me honestly. I'm just happy that you're alive"

"Yeah" I didn't know what to say to that
I wasn't sure if I was happy to be alive yet
I didn't even know why I laid down with Fred all night, I have no memories of last night other than drinking with Pucey
What did I do with him...

"I'm going to get changed" I said suddenly feeling dirty

He nodded his head and helped me towards the girl's stairs
"I'll be here when you're done"

"Ok thank you"

I walked up the stairwell and opened my dorm room door
I saw that my suitcase had made it here after Dumbledore summoned it away
I also saw that my bed was made and ready for sleeping in
I should just sleep all day

I didn't have much time to think about that before Hermione jumped on me, hugging me tightly
"Oh Merlin Cora" she said crying "I was so worried what happened?!"

I knew telling Fred would change how he looked at me, but Hermione already knew most of what my summer consisted of so I felt comfortable telling her everything
While I showered I explained how Nico passed and where I went after
I told her I had been drinking myself stupid again, I felt her emotions turn worried
I can't blame her

"I love you but you look dreadful...you have bruises all over your body" she said as she combed out my hair

"Hermione I think I did something last night...or someone" I said awkwardly

She stopped brushing my hair
"What do you mean"

"I went to find alcohol and well...I went to Pucey. I woke up feeling sore and I have bruises all over my body, I don't know where they came from though...I was so drunk I stayed with Fred the entire night. I don't know what happened after I got alcohol"

"Do you think he took advantage of you?" She asked worried

"Someone did, I don't know if it was him or whoever else found me...Hermione I miss Nico. So much" I clutched my dragon scales and held them tight enough that I felt them begin to pierce my skin

"I know, I'm so sorry about his passing...but he wouldn't want this for you" she said understanding "I don't want this for you, none of us do...whatever I can do to help you I will just please don't shut me out"

"What am I going to tell Fred, or Draco" I said feeling panicked

"Either nothing because it's none of their business or the truth. If they love you they will stay"

"What if it's because they love me they leave..."

She began brushing my hair again
"Then they never truly loved you"

I got dressed
A simple pair of black leggings and a warm sweater for my outfit
It was still technically hot but because I'm back in school I'm back to being affected by my condition
Romania was a breath of fresh hair, I feel suffocated here now

Hermione walked downstairs with me where all my friends were waiting
Including Fred
He stayed

"Hi" I said simply

Everyone rushed for me and huddled into a circle, hugging me tightly and telling me how much they missed me
Harry stayed holding me the longest
No one asked where I was, Hermione was the only one who did
Which I was glad, she was the only one who even knew about Nico
And it was clear to see she didn't tell anyone, no one asked about him

We as a group walked towards the Great Hall
I wasn't hungry still, I was used to not eating now but right when I sat down Hermione and Fred began filling my plate up with fruit and porridge

I looked around the hall and saw the new teacher I was warned about
My friends told me about her on the way here as well
She was in an all pink outfit with a clipboard in front of her person
She sat between McGonagall and Snape who both looked annoyed by her presence

I looked from her to the Slytherin table
I didn't see Draco
"Where is Draco" I said out loud

"He's shown up late for breakfast every morning, he's been a wreck without you" Hermione said
But as she said that he entered the Great Hall

He looked so...sad
I focused on his emotions and that's what I was able to read as well

I subconsciously got out of my seat and began running for him
I felt my heart beating fast and my nerves going insane
Seeing his sadness made my heart break
My best friend through all my worst times, in front of me depressed
I couldn't take it

When he noticed who was running for him, he began running as well
Until we met in the middle and he clutched me securely
"Cora" he whispered into my hair "you're alive"

"I am" I said feeling my trauma hit me again

He was unyielding in his embrace until a voice from the table beside us ruined it
"There's my fuck buddy"