Just Breathe || Ron Weasley

f i f t y - n i n e

Chapter; Fifty-Nine

Mutual Feelings

Three days.

THREE whole days Hailey spent without getting out of bed. She didn't eat, she didn't talk or do anything. She felt weak, but she didn't care. She didn't want to be here. The mansion was under protection charm 24/7. Lucius was in and out of the house a lot. It was mostly just Narcissa and Draco along with Hailey.

Narcissa would send all her meals upstairs, but she refused to touch anything they gave her. The only thing she ate was the biscuits Mrs Weasley had given her and the chocolates Ginny gave on her birthday. She had them in her side bag. But they too were running out. But she was adamant. She'd rather die than stay with death eaters. But she was defenceless without her wand.

It was the morning of the fourth day. Lucius had gone to work. Narcissa had sent Bobby the house-elf to give Hailey her breakfast, but she saw the house-elf return with the day before dinner.

"Miss Hailey Potter refuses to eat food, Mistress." The little elf said.

"She hasn't eaten anything in three days... She's going to get sick like that." The woman sighed. They couldn't let her become sick. Especially since the dark lord might get mad at them. She looked at her son who was chugging his pumpkin juice without a care in the world. "Draco?"

"Hmm?" He hummed still drinking.

"Can you go and talk to Potte-"

"No mother. Don't. I don't like the Potters." He said grumpily. "Besides, not like she's going to listen to me or anything. You should go and talk to her instead."

So she did. She went up to her room and knocked. She let herself in when she heard a small come in. Hailey was lying on her back with a blanket over her staring at the ceiling. "I... I heard you haven't been eating any meals." She started. "Is anything wrong with it? Do you not like it? I could send anything else if you want-"

"Why are you here?" Hailey finally asked. Her voice was throaty as she pulled her head up to look at her. "I mean, it's your house do whatever you want. But why here? And why are you even concerned? Voldemort will kill me sooner or later."

Narcissa didn't know what to say. She sat down on the edge of the bed. She fiddled with her hand before starting. "I... I don't know what you're going through. But starving yourself won't prove anything. I get you're worried about your friends and brother-"

"Yeah, not just worried. I'm the bait. He's going to come here for me. And then Voldemort going to try to kill him."

"Lucius and I were together since we were seventeen." She started as the girl finally got up and leaned against the headboard. "I love him. I always did. I'd do anything for him. I planned a beautiful future for us when we were young... But he decided to become a death eater. And the only way I could be with him was, if I became a death eater. So I did. I left everything to be with him. I thought we'd be happy after that.

But, he barely spared a glance in my direction... Until Draco was born. He was the family's pride. The first son. Spoiled him a lot as a baby. As he grew up, he too was forced to be a death eater. My only wish since then was to protect my family. I do everything I can to just keep them safe."

"No offence. But why are you telling me all this?" Hailey asked quietly.

"So you know it's okay to fail sometimes at protecting the people you love. I am the way I am not by choice. I just want to protect my son and my husband. I've failed loads of time doing that. But this time, you can help me. I know you don't have any reason to help me. Just think about this once. From a mother's point of view who just wants to save her family. Who just wants to save her son."

Hailey looked down at her lap. Her last sentences reminded her of her mother. The woman who died protecting her family. All Lily ever wanted to do was protect Harry and Hailey.

She always had a feeling Narcissa wasn't that bad of a person. She was bad, but not that bad. But what was she going to achieve anyway? If she died or lived. If she died, things would just end. But if she lived. There was always a 0.01 percent chance she would be able to see Ron again or even get to live with him like they always planned.

She too planned a future for herself. One where Harry, Ron and Hermione were with her. So were the rest of the Weasleys and Lupins. Sirius was too supposed to be a part of it. They all would live happily. But her plans were already crumbled. Sirius was gone. He was never coming back. As for the rest, she didn't know if they were safe or not.

Hailey sighed before speaking again. "Pass me the tray please." She didn't do it out of pity. She did it thinking of her own mother.

A smile broke on the woman's face as she hurried to pass her the tray. "Thank you so much." She said. It was probably the first time Hailey had seen her smile. "And you could sometimes walk around the mansion. Draco could show you around. He could help you with anything. Just ask. We also have a library here as well. I heard you like to read."

How did she know?

"I do. And I'll see about that." She shrugged taking a bite off her toast. As she left Hailey took the diary from her bag which was on the bed rest. At least she had this one thing to keep her occupied.

~

Days pass. Nothing happened. Hailey just sat on the bed staring at the diary, showering and eating. She thought about Narcissa's offer for a while. But she didn't want to spend time with Draco. He was a self-obsessed prick.

She was sitting on the bed when she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened revealing the tall blonde figure. He looked miserable, almost as of he didn't want to be here. He ran fingers through his hair taking a small step inside. "Mother suggests you should visit our garden. Says it will be refreshing."

Hailey raised a brow as she stared back at Draco with an unreadable look.

"Is your answer a no? Don't waste my time." He said grumpily crossing his arms over her chest. Honestly, Hailey needed to get out. Every inch of her body was sore from all the lying all the time. She loved her bed and loved sleeping. But too much sleeping, especially in an unknown place was not relaxing. "I'm taking that as a no."

"Actually, take that as yes."

"So the queen Potter finally decided to get out of the room." The boy sneered.

"Any problems there Malfoy?"

"Of course not your highness. Anything else?"

By the bitterness in his voice, Hailey knew he was forced to be here by his mother. And the fact she already hated her, and she was living next room to him. Draco must've been mad at her. And it was quite reasonable. But Hailey didn't care. Cause for the first time she was getting on his nerves. Not vice versa. And she was enjoying every bit of it.

"You know what, I would like some muffins as well. Chocolate ones. Think you can get me that?"

"Why not ask the house-elf instead?"

"Your mummy says I could ask for anything from you Malfoy." She said with a mischievous smirk.

"I hate you."

"The feeling's are mutually."

A/N: Hey guys! So, I'm not going to be online for a while. I read in a boarding school and my school opens on 2nd Oct. I won't be able to reply to your messages but the book will continue. I have the chapters written and my sister will be publishing them for me. This is the last chapter I'll be publishing myself. Can't wait to be back. Do vote, comment and leave messages on my message board if you want.

Stay safe<3
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