From the Grave

Chapter Twenty- Draco

I stare at my father behind the bars of the cell. "Hello, Draco," he says calmly. "Why don't you tell everyone that this is all a misunderstanding and to let me out?"
   I feel everyone staring at me. This man caused me so much pain, all in the name of "family," but I'm not sure if I'm ready to stand up to him. I feel an arm wrap around my shoulders, and I turn to see Potter standing next to me. With his support, I take a deep breath. "You told me my duty was to my family, but I ended up hurting everyone I loved while you never gave me any love in the first place," I say, my voice shaking. Potter's arm tightens around me. My father opens his mouth, but I interrupt. "I'm tired of sacrificing everything for an unloving father. You need to take responsibility for your actions, and if you won't, I will no longer stand by you." I melt back into Potter, and he holds me while my father stares at me in shock.
   "Draco"- he starts to say, but I shake my head.
   "No, I won't listen to you anymore." I turn to Professor McGonagall. "Can I go now?" I ask. She nods and I turn to leave. Potter gently grasps my hand and I look back at him. "You don't have to come with me," I tell him, but he doesn't release my hand. "I'm coming with you," he says. I hold his hand tightly and together we leave the Dungeons.

   "Are you okay baby?" I startle and look at Potter. "Sorry, I must have zoned out."
   "You don't have to apologize," he tells me, and I lean up against him, comforted by his warmth and care. Potter wraps his arms around me and we stay like that for a while. I can't believe I spent all those years miserable when I could have had this all along if I'd just stopped listening to my father. I tell this to Potter, and he holds me even tighter. "Sometimes it's hard to do the right thing, or to even see what that is. I don't blame you for what you did, but I do wish I could have spared you some of that pain." He kisses me gently, and I blush red. He chuckles and moves his hands down near my pants, gently caressing me-
Pop. Sirius apparates in front of us. He stops and stares at us. "I seem to have come at a bad time," he laughs as we stare back at him, frozen in place. "However,"he continues, "we found some interesting information from your father and Trelawny, and there's a briefing in the great hall immediately." He disapparates and I sigh, frustrated. "Hey, it's ok baby, we'll get to have some alone time after the briefing." Potter stands up and helps me to my feet. "This sounds important. We'd better go."