Learn to love

Sectumsempra

Time jump: A few days 

So for the past few days, things have gotten quite interesting. Turns out Ron had been poisoned by some wine given to him. Which they still can't seem to figure out from who it came from. How do I know this? Well, Hermione was pretty chatty with me these days. 

But I was more worried about Draco than Ron Weasley. The boy had been missing classes and his grades were dropping. I knew he was tinkering with the damn cabinet, but the room kept moving and I haven't been able to find it. 

"It's Katie Bell." One of the girls sitting next to me whispered. 

Looking up a ping of guilt hit my chest at the reminder, that because of me she nearly died. As I stood to go speak with her, I stopped at seeing Potter approach her. Why must he meddle in everything? Catching sight of Draco walking in I ran to his side. Grabbing his arm, I jerked him towards me. 

"You look bad," I muttered, looking around and being thankful no one was staring at us. As I tugged at his arm, I frowned at how stiff he went. "Draco?" Following his line of sight, I noticed both Katie and Potter looking our way. "Draco, don't make a move." But as always he failed to listen to me. Following after him, I failed to notice Potter was a few paces behind us. We stepped into the bathroom near the sinks. He ripped his sweater off. I watched him lean over the sink, taking in sobbing breaths. "The spell I placed on Katie would have erased any memories of that day. There is no way she can say it was us." Leaning against the wall, I watched him splash water onto his face. "You need to leave that cabinet alone. It's driving you insane." 

"I need it to work." He whispered. "I can't do this alone. I need them." 

"You are risking yourself for this?" I scoffed. "Your only task is to wave your wand in the direction of Dumbledore. Nothing else. Let Voldemort figure the rest out on his own." I was shocked to hear him suddenly sobbing. "Draco?" Walking closer to him I nearly gasped at seeing him crying. Pulling him by the shoulder I wrapped my arms around him. 

Amid all things, I always forget he is younger than me. Younger and probably more scared than I was. He didn't ask to be picked. Or to have a father that would throw him to the wolves. He was slowly losing himself and becoming a shell of what he once was. Holding him tighter, I exhaled slowly. There was nothing I could tell him that would make this better. In the end, we either killed or got killed. I hate the thought of taking a life, but I wasn't about to give my life for that man. Not mine or Snape's. 

"I know what you did Malfoy." We both jumped apart at hearing Potter in the entrance. "You hexed her didn't you?" 

"Leave." I took a step forward standing just in front of Draco. "You have this all wrong." Before Potter could answer a spark flew past me and hit the wall next to Potter. Another followed from Potter's wand. "Goddamit Draco!" I grabbed my wand holding it close to my side. I wasn't sure what that feeling in my chest was, but I didn't want to hurt Potter. "Draco back off!" 

A few more spells were heard and then all quiet. I could hear the footsteps, but I wasn't sure who was which. I jumped as another spell was sent off. A set of footsteps were coming closer to me. At that moment I didn't care who it was, I just need to stop one of them to end this. Hopefully. But luck was not on my side. I saw Draco jump around ready to attack. As I heard the beginning of his cure, I ran and tackled him just as Potter retaliated with his curse. 

I let out a loud groan at hitting the floor with such force. I could feel my back soaking from the water that had pooled on the bathroom floor. I knew Potter got me with the spell, but I was in pain. This was something I have never felt. My body hurt as if it was being ripped apart. I tried to move, but nothing was responding. I felt something warm being spread across my chest and just as quickly becoming cold. My lungs were no longer working preventing me from taking in proper breaths. There were parts on my body I felt slashed, my blood was pouring out mixing with the water. I felt some hands-on me followed by the worried voice of Draco and...was that Potter?