CURSED: FROM THE BEGINNING [D.M]

-(52) ever felt this loved

DRACO is right outside Zilliah's apartment, about to send a patronus to let her know he's here. But he doesn't have to. Just when he takes his wand to mutter the incantation, Zilliah comes rushing down the stairs.

When she looks at him, there are tears brimming her eyes and every last of his senses go on high alert. She tumbles into his arms, barely breathing right. The people walking by stare weirdly and Draco knows this is not good. They might be muggle folk but he won't risk it.

"Let's go back inside", Draco whispers into her ear, tucking her hair behind it. "Come on, babe."

But Zilliah just frantically shakes her head, unable to even form a word.

"Why not?", he asks, his voice as calm and collected as he could muster.

She sobs silently, shaking like a leaf in his arms. "P-Please", she is a mess as she tries to speak so he chooses not to push her.

He pulls her away and makes her look at him. That's when he notices the red on her cheeks. A handprint. "She hit you?!", he asks, feeling his anger rise. She doesn't have to respond for him to understand. Her silence is answer enough. "I'm going to kill that bi-"

"No", it's a gasp, strained and weak. "Can we..", she tries to find her voice. "Can we go somewhere?"

And Draco knows he shouldn't. That it will only be more of a risk. That they could be seen. But he has no other choice.

_

Draco walks her into his apartment, clutching her tightly. After guiding her to his room and settling her onto his bed, he pours her a glass of water. Her hands still remain shaking, so he holds it up to her lips and she sips. "You're alright. I'm here", he mumbles, caressing her head with his free hand. "I'm right here. You're safe."

He then gets into the bed with her and holds her against his chest, feeling her pain within himself and gods does it hurt so so badly.

"She hates me", Zilliah mumbles, her voice shaking. "My mother hates me, Draco."

His heart bleeds at her words- oh, how a parent can make their kid feel so worthless!

"She doesn't deserve you", he whispers against her ear, kissing the side of her head. "She never did, my love."

She lifts her head and looks at him, tears streaming down her face. "Am I a bad daughter, Draco?"

He cups her cheek, shaking his head with zero hesitation. "You can't be a good daughter to a mother who was never there."

She nuzzles back against his chest, her tears never stopping. She cries and she cries, and tired out of her mind, she falls asleep in Draco's arms. And he holds her. He'll hold her forever if it meant she'd be safe and sound.

He holds her, listening to her breaths calm, feeling her stiffness fade away. He can feel the peace crawling back into her, helping her doze off.

She needs it.

She needs it more than anyone.

-

"Did you have anything?", Draco asks as he feels her wake up, hours later.

Zilliah shakes her head, her tears dried up on her cheeks.