|| Star-Crossed ||

60

Dreaming

THEO NOTT

I had just gotten back to the Manor with Caroline's dinner when Draco slammed her door and came storming down the hall. He went straight to his bedroom and slammed his door. I stood there for a minute before putting her dinner away and going to his room. "Mate?" I said, knocking on his door lightly. "Go away," he said. I sighed and went inside. He was pacing back and forth and he looked ill. "What happened?" I asked. "She tried to fuck me!" he yelled. I froze. "What?" I said. "She tried to fuck me! She thought if she fucked me I would let her go! Then she tried to get on her knees and suck me off so I would let her go. She whored herself out as some kind of fucking bribe to me!" he yelled. My stomach sank. "She hates me so much she couldn't even kiss me without crying." he said, his voice cracking as tears filled his eyes. "I'm doing all of this to protect her and she still doesn't trust me," he said. "She's scared. And that's going to trump any other feelings she has. She may trust us, she may love you, but she's scared and she's angry and that's all she can see right now." I said. He shook his head and rubbed his eyes. Then he looked at me. His eyes were sunken and his face was pale. "I need you to tell me I'm a good person. I know I'm selfish, and possessive and I take you for granted and I'm a murderer but I need you to tell me that you understand. That I'm a good person. Please, Theo." he said. I stared at him with sadness and nodded. "You're a good person, Draco." I said. He nodded. "You're my best friend and I know you're scared but we are going to figure this out." I said. "I love her," he said softly. I nodded. "I know. I know you don't want to hear this but I think we need to let her leave," I said. He looked at me sharply. "No," he said. "Draco, think about it. Think about what she just did. She's so desperate to escape she was willing to whore herself out. Even after what happened to her," I said. "She's fine," he mumbled. "She's not fine. You need to let her go. You can still protect her and she can be with her brother." I said. He shook his head rapidly. "No, she's safe- I can't- I need her- she's safe here- I can't let her go-" he stammered. I sighed. "You can't either," he said. I looked at him and nodded. "I won't." I said. "Promise me?" he said. I gritted my teeth and nodded. "I promise." I said. Then I left to bring Caroline his teeth. She didn't even look at me when I walked in. She sat on the floor in the corner hugging her knees while silent tears rolled down her cheeks. She was shaking, only wearing her bra and shorts. I set down her tray and walked over, kneeling in front of her. "Caroline?" I said softly. She looked at me with sadness in her eyes and exhaled a shaky breath. "I want my brother, Theo." she whispered. I can't do this anymore. I love Draco and he's my best friend but he's doing the wrong thing. I can't keep her locked up here anymore. It's not right. It's cruel. I can't do it. I nodded and wiped her tears and gave her a small smile. "I'm going to take you to him," I said quietly. Her eyes widened and she looked at me in shock. "Just hang in there for a little longer, I have to figure out how to get you out of here. Ok?" I asked. She nodded quickly. "Thank you, Theo." she said. "I'm sorry I didn't help you sooner," I said. "It's ok," she said. I nodded and left.

1 WEEK LATER
My plan was finally in motion. I'm going to steal Draco's wand while he showers, run upstairs and add Caroline's magical signature to the wards so she can leave, then bring his wand back. Then the next time he leaves the manor, I'm going to take Caroline and bring her to our cabin. Then I send a message to Potter and he can come get her. Draco just got back from a mission and he always showers before he goes in to see Caroline. He doesn't want to be bloody and dirty in front of her. The second I heard the water turn on I snuck into his room and found his blazer. His wand was in the inner pocket. I only had about 5 minutes so I grabbed it and ran upstairs. I performed the spell and she would be able to leave now. Then I ran back to his room and put his wand back. Now I have to wait. I went back upstairs and Caroline was sleeping. I knelt next to the bed and shook her gently. "Caroline," I whispered. She opened her eyes and looked at me. "I was dreaming about my mum. I think- I think she would have liked you" she said. I gave her a half smile. "Is it time?" she asked. I shook my head "Almost, we have to wait for him to go on another mission. It should be sometime tomorrow. Be ready, ok?" I asked. She nodded. "Will you come with me?" she asked. I sighed. "Your brother needs you and Draco needs me. But I'll see you again, I know I will." he said. She smiled. "Ok," she said. I nodded and left. It broke my heart to see her go and I knew Draco would be furious but it was the right thing. Or at least I hope it was.