Death's Dance

Chapter 5: The wolf

I wake up hearing a rustling from the outside of the new barrier I had put up after Draco got here. I took the first one down because I didn't want to risk not being able to see everything around us and have anyone figuring out the charm. This one was much smaller, considering that I had gathered plenty of supplies for at least a week. My eyes shot open when I realized the sound was attached to a panting animal. My mind immediately thought about the wolf I encountered on my way here yesterday.

I didn't bother to look at what I had been laying on the whole night, as I'm sure it was nothing important.. But I will admit, whatever I used as a pillow last night gave me the best sleep I've had in years. Maybe I should just check to make sure it was the clo-

My head snaps up towards the leaves rustling once more, this time much closer. I practically jump to my feet and step closer to the sound, my new temporary wand at the ready. I stop just before the charm ends, and turn back to see Draco still asleep, leaning against the tree peacefully. In a way, I envy his ability to sleep so soundly. Ever since my parent's death, I've suffered from insomnia and night terrors. That's why I was so surprised to have a good night's rest. Still keeping an eye on the bushes with my wand up, I slowly creep back to Draco, squatting down next to him and slowly shaking him awake.

"Ugh what do you want, Ru? I'm tired, just come back to sleep." My cheeks heated up when he said that last part. I don't know if it was what he said or how his morning voice made it sound, but in that moment, I realized just how attractive this boy actually is. I stare at his face, his eyes still closed, and take a moment to appreciate his beauty. More panting brings me to my senses, as I shake him again.

"Draco, get up. Something's out there, in the bushes." I whispered, immediately stripping my gaze from his face and returning it back to the forest. I hear him groan once more, lighting a fire in my cheeks again. I quickly stand back up and move back to where I was before, not wanting Draco to see the blush on my face. I listen intently to the still panting creature, as I feel Draco hobble his way over to stand next to me.

I was able to heal most of his injuries easily last night before I fell asleep. His broken leg, however... not so easy. I remembered Luna's spell that she had told me about to fix broken bones. I was worried it wouldn't work, considering she had admitted to only using it on toes and Harry's nose. But if I wanted any help at all from Draco, he would have to get better soon. Mobile, at the very least. I pulled myself together and attempted to fix his broken finger first. He didn't even realize it was hurt until he tried to pick something up with it. What an oblivious idiot. With my confidence regained by fixing his finger, I tried healing small portions of his leg. He was asleep, but I decided this would be for the best, I didn't know if it would be too painful.. It seemed to work, for the most part, but he woke up a few times in between due to the sharp pains of moving the bones back into place. I took long breaks in between each move so he could relax a bit, but I figured I should just keep him awake until I was done.

He tried to hide it but I could tell he was struggling to keep calm. I decided it was best to let him hold my hand while I continued mending his leg, then at least then he could have something to hold on to. I guess it was a pretty painful experience because he continued holding my hand even after I had decided it was enough for that night. I let him intertwine our fingers and hold my hand until he fell back asleep. We would have to pick it up today, but I think after tomorrow he should be good as new. 

I look over at his tired face, as he stares back at mine with worried eyes. He leans in close to my ear to say something. "Do you think it's the Death Eaters?" He whispers, keeping his eyes on my face as he slightly pulls away. Now it's my turn to lean in. "I don't think so, I heard panting earlier... I think it's the wolf that attacked me yesterday." I finish the last part with a shaky voice and I feel my legs begin to weaken. Draco looks at me wide-eyed. I've never really told him about my fear of dogs, but I think he might know just by how I'm acting right now.

Draco limps closer to me, and hooks his arm around my waist. I'm not sure if this is for my stability or protection, but either way it helped calm me down slightly. Knowing someone was here with me was comforting. There was more rustling, more panting, a slight whimper, and then silence. I squint my eyes into the foliage, trying to see even a hint of fur. But it's still pretty dark outside, the time is probably around 3 AM, so the sun hasn't even attempted to rise yet. I look over at Draco, who is attempting to do the same as I was. After a moment, he looks back at me and shakes his head, letting me know he doesn't see anything either.

As much as I claim I hate this guy, having him around keeps my mind at ease. But with him being injured, I need to protect him, or try to anyway. I place my hand on top of his on my waist and move even closer to him, standing slightly in front of his body, and pull out my wand. I've gotten used to it now, especially since I had to use it so much to heal Draco.

We both stand there silently, waiting for another sound to come from the bushes. "I think it's gone, Ru. We should go back." Draco whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine from how close we were. I hated how much he affected me. I've never been immediately attracted to anyone before, I don't know why Draco is different. Maybe it's because I've known him for so long.. And I'm just now seeing him in a new light. It's obvious he's not as bad as his father. He did help me escape after all. 

I tilt my head up and to the side to look back at him, but as I do this it seems he had the same idea, and leans his head down and forward. I freeze, seeing his face directly in front of my own, noses touching. Both of our eyes were wide, but we didn't attempt to move. We stood there, silently for a good 2 minutes before I finally cleared my throat and moved away, telling him to stay there. I went back to our tree and started climbing.

I've always been a pretty decent climber, and we used to climb this tree all the time when we were younger. I knew its branches like the back of my hand. I found the thickest branch it had and broke it off. I started making my way back to the ground, making sure I was extra careful. Climbing up was the easy part, but getting down was always more of a struggle. Once I thought I was close enough to the ground, I jumped off the tree and landed easily on the soft grass. I turned around to see Draco smirking at me. I gave him a confused look and he quickly turned away.

I made my way back over to him used the engorgio charm to make the small branch large enough so it would reach the ground from where my chest was. When I made sure it would work I handed it to Draco, who look extremely confused. "What is this for?" He asked me. "It's a makeshift walking cane. You shouldn't be walking around with your leg like that." I answered. In all honesty, I just wanted to help him get around, but I can't be with him 24/7. "Until I finish mending the broken bones, you should use this to move around." I told him as I started going back, when I feel a tug at my arm. I turn around with a confused look stained on my face. "What's wrong? Is it too small?" I turn back around and study his hands holding the enlarged branch, reaching out to take it back, accidentally brushing my fingers along his hand in doing so.

"No, it's perfect. Thanks. I just.." Draco takes a long pause and stares at my hands still resting on the branch in between his hands. "I'm sorry Ru. I never meant for things to go this far. When my father told me to recruit you I didn't think he would take it to such extremes." He finally looks up at me, eyes last to leave the broken limb of our tree.

I could tell he was genuinely sorry for everything, even if it was technically his fathers fault. I give him a soft smile, reaching my hand out to lay on his shoulder. It was a very awkward position, especially since we were supposed to be like mortal enemies or something like that. As crazy as it sounds, I didn't hate Draco. I never did, and I don't think I ever could. He was my only source of light in my dark childhood, and even now I still somewhat enjoy our petty arguments that we have every now and then.

"Hey, don't worry about it.. We're both still alive, yeah? I think that's plenty of reason enough to celebrate! Come on, I'll get some of the berries I found yesterday and we can have supper together." My smile got bigger and brighter, and Draco was able to muster up a small smirk, his gentile silver eyes looking down at me with gratitude.

He places the end of the stick down on the ground, allowing his weight to sink into the makeshift cane. As I carefully pick out the best looking berries, Draco comes hobbling over and finally sits down right next to me. I give him half of the pile, and save the other half for another day. I wasn't hungry, besides, without any information on where the Death Eaters are tracking us, we should try to conserve what little supplies we have. Or at least until Draco is healed enough to where we can use Harry's cloak to get more food from the closest kitchen around here. But I have a feeling that's not going to be for another 3 days at least. Hopefully we can make it until then..