|| Star-Crossed ||

22

Fault

CAROLINE POTTER

I sent my friends back to Gryffindor and ran all the way to the Slytherin dorms. I knocked on the portrait. I knew it was a risk, since Marcus or Adrian or Graham could be there but I didn't care. A few moments later, Blaise opened the door and I sighed in relief. "Potter, what are you doing here? What if Flint or Puecy or Montague opened the door?" he said. "I know. But I need to see Draco." I said. "Good. I was hoping you'd come to your senses and talk to him. He's been a wreck all day." he said. My face fell. "What do you mean?" I asked. "He went to see you in the hospital and when he got back, he got a bottle of firewhiskey and he locked himself in his dorm. He hasn't come out since." he said. "Can you please take me to him?" I asked. He nodded. "Come on, let's go." he said. We went inside and headed for Draco's dorm. We got halfway down the hall to the boys dorms when I heard a voice and a chill went down my spine.

"Caroline Potter. Come for seconds?" I turned around and Graham Montague was standing there, smirking. Blaise stepped in front of me and drew his wand. I drew mine too, even though my hand was shaking. "Leave Graham." Blaise said firmly. "Why would I do that? Potter clearly missed me." he said. "She didn't. As a matter of fact, I know you received a great sum of money from Draco to leave Caroline alone. And if you don't, I'm not above putting you in the hospital wing. How does that sound?" Blaise asked. Graham just scoffed and strolled away. Blaise turned around and looked at me with concern. "Are you ok?" he asked. I nodded. "Ok. Good." he said and we kept walking. "You know about the bribe?" I asked. He nodded. "Why did Draco do that?" I asked. He stopped and looked at me. "You know why," he said plainly. And I did.

Then we arrived at Draco's door. Blaise knocked and we heard a groan. "Fuck off" Draco called out. "Mate, it's Blaise and Potter's here too." Blaise said. There was silence and we waited. I heard him lean against the door and I placed my hand there. "Line?" he asked. "I'm here." I said softly. The door opened and he stood in front of me. His room was dark and there was a bottle of firewhiskey on the ground. He wore sweatpants and a white shirt and he was smoking a fag. His hair was messy and there were bags under his eyes. "I'll leave you two alone." Blaise said. "Thanks for your help, Blaise." I said. He nodded.

Draco walked into his room and I followed. I shut the door and turned on the lights. "Why are you here, Caroline?" he asked. He slurred his words and I could tell he was drunk. "I know what you did." I said. He slumped against the wall and shrugged. "So?" he said. I walked over and knelt down in front of him. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have sent you away. I was- I was just scared. And angry. But not at you." I said. He looked at me with glassy eyes. "It's my fault," he said. My eyes widened and I shook my head. "That's not true." I said. He nodded. "It is. I brought you to the party. I left you alone. None of this would have happened if I-" he started. I grabbed his face and pulled him to look at him. "Draco!" I exclaimed. He focused on me and stopped talking.

"It's not your fault. They had orders from Umbridge and if I hadn't been at the party, they would have just done it a different time." I said. He looked down, still unconvinced. "Draco, you saved me. Do you get that? They weren't even close to being done with me. You, and Theo, and Blaise and Enzo, you stopped them." I said. He just nodded. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up and in bed." I said. I pulled him to his feet and helped him to his bed. I pulled off his shirt and shoes and got a wet washcloth. I laid it on his forehead and got him a sober-up potion. He drank it and then he scooted over on the bed. I started to leave when he spoke. "Stay with me." he said. I smiled. "Ok." I said and I pulled off my clothes and changed into one of his shirts. I turned out the lights and I laid down in bed with him. He put his arm over me and traced my scar under my collarbone. "Why is your brother's scar on his forehead and yours on your chest?" he asked. "I don't know. Harry and I didn't even know what the scars meant until we found out we were wizards. We always thought it was a strange birthmark." I said. He nodded. "Is it bad?" I asked. He smiled. "No. It's beautiful.  Every part of you is beautiful." he said. I nodded and snuggled closer to him. Then we both dozed off to sleep. And I wasn't scared. I felt safe. I knew that no matter what happened, Draco would be there to protect me. He would be there to keep me safe.

And I love him for it.