|| Star-Crossed ||

71

Love & Hate

CAROLINE POTTER

Draco carried me upstairs to his bedroom and Theo was running a bath. "She'll be safe in here for the next few hours. Nobody will be back until tonight," Draco said. Theo nodded. Draco put me in the bath and the water was warm. I sat there and I was still shivering. Theo ran a diagnostic and looked at Draco. "Her temperature is still too low," he whispered. Draco got on his knees next to the bath and looked at me. "Line, can I cast a warming charm on you?" he asked. I didn't say anything. I just stared at the water in the bath rippling around me. He cast the charm and my body warmed up. "What's her temperature now?" Draco asked. "93" Theo whispered. Draco sighed. Then he kicked off his shoes and took off his blazer. "What are you doing?" Theo asked. Draco climbed into the bath and sat down. He pulled me between his legs and wrapped his arms around me. I felt his palm on my forehead and he pulled my head to rest on his shoulder. I couldn't help but cry. He hasn't held me in so long. I haven't felt safe in so long. Theo smiled and nodded. "I'll give you some time,"he said. Then he left. Tears rolled down my cheeks and Draco's heart was racing. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I did this to you," he whispered. "I hate you. I hate you so much," I whispered, as my voice cracked. He sighed. "I know, love," he replied. I reached my shaking hand out and he intertwined our hands. I curled up against him and he held me. "But you know what I hate most," I said. "What's that?" he said. "I hate that I don't hate you. I tried. But I can't hate you. And that makes me hate this even more," I said. He nodded. "I hate that I can't hate you too," he said gently. I nodded. "It would be easier. You could kill me and not even blink. And I could die with not a single reason to stay." I said. I saw tears roll down his cheeks and he pulled me closer. "Draco," I said quietly. He hummed a response. "Will you promise me something?" I asked. "What is it?" he asked. "Promise me my brother will never know what they did to me." I said. He exhaled a shaky breath. "I promise, Line," he said. I smiled. "And one more thing," I said. He looked down at me. "When Voldemort kills me, don't try to stop him. Don't do something that's going to get you killed. I can't die knowing you'll be in danger too." I said. "I'm not going to promise that," he said. "Draco-" I started. "I said no," he said sharply. I sighed. "You are selfish," I said. He hugged me tighter. "And you're stubborn," he said.

DRACO MALFOY

As time passed, the water in the bath grew cold. I casted charm after charm to keep it warm. To keep her warm. Eventually, her head fell limp against my body. I could hear her soft breaths and see her chest rising and falling. She had fallen asleep. I held her against me and stroked her hair. I wished I could stay here forever with her. But I couldn't. So I held her while I could.

A little while later, I heard a soft knock on the door. Then the door opened and Theo stuck his head in. "It's time. They'll be back soon," he said. I looked down at her, curled up in my arms. Her bright red hair was sprawled out on my chest and she was still holding my hand. She was safe. Tears filled my eyes and I looked at him. "Just a little longer, please?" I said. He nodded and shut the door. I didn't know how much time had passed when he came back in. "Mate, we have to put her back. If we don't and they get here, you know it will be bad," he said. I sighed and nodded. He drained the water and I stood up, still holding her in my arms. I cast a wordless drying spell on both of us and she looked cleaner. But I couldn't tell since her body was almost entirely black and blue from the bruises. I carried her back downstairs to the cage and Theo opened the door. I stared at it and shook my head. "This is wrong. She doesn't deserve this," I said. "No, she doesn't." he said. I laid her down gently inside and she stirred lightly. "I love you," I whispered. I kissed her on the forehead and stepped out. Theo shut the door and locked it. "I have some good news," Theo said with a small smile. "What is it?" I asked. "Potter was spotted. In Godric's Hollow." he said. "When?" I asked. "Last night. I think Christmas made him feel nostalgic." Theo said. I looked at him in confusion. "Christmas?" I said. His face fell. "Mate, today is Christmas," Theo said. My heart broke as I looked at Caroline. "She spent her Christamas being drowned and abused." I said. "No, she spent her Christmas in your arms. The place she feels safe." he said. I nodded. "It doesn't matter. Even if he was spotted, there's no way he's still there." I said. "That's what I was thinking. So I think we need a different approach. Instead of trying to find him, we get him to come to us," he said. "How?" I asked. "Do something to draw him out. I don't know what, but we'll think of something." he said. Then my arm began to burn. "I have to go. But thank you, Theo. It's a good idea," I said. He nodded and I left.