Destined for Darkness (A Draco Malfoy Fic)

...and Found

[[Draco's POV]]

—March—

"You know that's why your mood is so sour all the time, because of all those green apples you eat."

"Is that so, darling?" I arched an eyebrow and watched Eleanor's perfect lips curl up into a mischievous grin.

"Mmhmm," She put a hand on her hip and had that teasing glint in her eyes.

"Hmm..." I considered the fruit for a moment, then took another bite, chewing slowly as I pretended to be deep in thought. "If that's true, then explain why it is that even though you prefer the red ones, you aren't sweet?"

Her jaw dropped, and she let out an appalled little gasp, and I couldn't help the smug smile that stretched across my face.

"Draco Malfoy! I am sweet! ...sometimes." She amended.

I barked a laugh, earning a slap on the arm. I decided to push my luck a little further because I loved getting her riled up.

"If this is as sweet as you get, then Merlin help us all if you preferred the green ones."

She narrowed her eyes and scrunched her mouth at that comment, and she looked so damned adorable.

She opened her mouth to say something that would've likely been very unladylike, but before she had the chance, I swept her around the corner and pinned her to the wall, burying my face in the curve of her neck.

"Draco!" She squealed and laughed like I knew she would.

And it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.

I stared at the green apple in my hand as the sound of her laughter slowly faded, and the memory drifted away.

The color seemed dull and drab compared to the vibrant green from the memory, as had everything for the past three weeks.

Food tasted like ash in my mouth, sounds were muffled like my head was being held underwater, and I was convinced I had gone color blind because all I saw was grey everywhere I looked.

Three weeks.

Three weeks since she'd been taken away.

Three weeks since I'd seen her beautiful face, or heard her infectious laugh, or even heard so much as a word from her.

Three weeks that felt like a lifetime.

Each day that passes that I don't receive a letter, my mind automatically assumes the worst. But when those thoughts creep in, I slam my wall up, refusing to accept that as even a possibility.

So lucky for me, I've had this fucking task to distract my mind. At least until something reminds me of her.

Like something as simple as a stupid, fucking apple.

I glared at it for a moment before opening the door of the Vanishing Cabinet and shoving it inside.

I shut the door, staring at the twisted metal detailing, and let out a frustrated sigh.

Why did I have to come back and look for this room after we caught Potter's pathetic little club?

Why did it have to present itself to me as the Room of Hidden Things where I would come across this fucking cabinet?

And why the fuck did I share what I had found with Bellatrix?

But I knew the answer to all those questions.