Broken

Chapter 22

"I missed this, you know," Draco said while looking up at the stars again. Hermione was now laying on his chest.

"I did too," she confessed quietly. "I was worried about you. What if you never came back, you know? What then?"

Draco chuckled. "You're underestimating me, Mione. I am not that foolish."

"Well..."

"I dislike you sometimes," he said still laughing quietly.

"Don't worry, feeling is mutual," she replied slowly, giving him a slight smirk.

Softly, her hands moved to his face and her body followed accordingly. She simply looked at him. They didn't say much for a few minutes.

"You know, Draco. I believe in you. I know you're a powerful wizard. Whatever you're training for, you will succeed." She said while moving her sight down to Draco's forearm. Since his shirt was rolled up, the death eater mark was rather visible.

Draco looked at it too.

"I'm not so sure about that," he said. "Last time I had to do something this important, I didn't succeed. I was too weak."

She knew exactly what he was talking about. Dumbledore.

Draco's mind was now flowing with memories. He sat down and Hermione sat behind him.

"This mark..." he started and pointed at his forearm. "Why can't it go away? It makes me relive the moment time and time again...
            "I hate it." He continued. "Who even am I supposed to be?  The whole school hates me, the death eaters hate me... bloody hell! Even my family despises me..."

Hermione looked at him. His eyes were watery. His voice was shaky, his face grew pale.
Draco was clearly broken. Not physically; but internally, he was completely destroyed.

"What is my future supposed to be like?" He wondered out loud. "Where am I supposed to go?"

"Draco, your future is safe. I know it may not seem like it, but being a death eater? That was not you. Not really," Hermione said and Draco shrugged.

"But it was."

Hermione shook her head slowly. "You're not evil like them."

"But I was."

"People change..."

"No they don't." He said, beginning to feel frustrated. "As much as I try, I can't change the fact that I will always be this way!"

"Draco..."

"It was my destiny to do it, and I couldn't. I couldn't do it, Hermione!" Draco cried softly.

"Draco, it was your choice not to. Don't worry, everything will soon get better," Hermione said, putting her hand on top of Draco's, looking at him with concern.

"It won't!" Malfoy demanded weakly, "it never will! You don't understand!"

Hermione sighed.

"You're right, I don't understand," She said looking down, defeated. "And as much as I hate not knowing what to do in order to help you, I promise I will always be by your side.
"But you have to allow me, Malfoy."

Draco stared at the ground. He didn't reply. She really didn't get it. Hermione has always been the favorite, the smartest, the pretty girl, the one who has a good amount of real friends. It didn't matter how much Draco tried to explain it to her, she would never be able to relate.

"Forget it. I'm fine now." He said and wiped out a tear. His voice became very serious all of the sudden.

Hermione just let him be. She stood up, and started to look into the forest.

Draco's mind was still spinning. He hadn't wondered about what might happen after the fight. Will he be all alone? Will his future be as miserable as his present?
His past?

"Draco..." Hermione said.

"Not now, Mione." He said monotonely.

"Draco..." she repeated.

"I said not now!"

"Draco Malfoy!" She said loudly.

"What!"

"Come here"

Draco stood up in annoyance. "What is it?"

As he opened his eyes, he knew exactly why this was so urgent.

"The sky..." Hermione said. "I'm I seeing correctly?"

Draco nodded and his eyes widened. His heart started beating fast and his voice changed completely. He didn't sound monotone, but rather, stressed. Scared, almost.

Wizards in broomsticks were coming extremely fast. It was perhaps hundreds of them heading straight to Hogwarts.

"Oh no." Draco said. "Not now."

"What?" Hermione said.

"Go to the room under the main stairs. The deposit. Hide there. Someone will greet you. Please, don't leave that place until I come."

He was sending her to Snape's current home.

"Who?"

"Stop talking, and just go!"

Hermione started going down the stairs.

"Amato... Animo... Animato... Animagus!" Said Draco and transformed. He ran down the stairs in coyote form.

I have to see Snape. He thought to himself.
The moment has come.