Something's on your mind // Drarry fanfiction

Bruised Reflections

(A/N: Please be aware that there is slight reference to abuse in this chapter. If you don't do well with this subject, I advise you skip this chapter and take care of yourself, much love, author🤍)

As the holiday season drew to a close, Draco returned to Hogwarts, his spirit burdened by the weight of his secret love and the consequences of his choices. The flickering hope he had carried during his time at Malfoy Manor was tempered by the visible marks upon his face—a black eye and bruises that spoke volumes of the turmoil he had endured.
Pansy and Blaise, attuned to Draco's well-being and all too aware of the presence of his father, greeted him with a mix of concern and worry. They exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the visible evidence of the battles he had fought, both within and outside the confines of his family's home.
Pansy's eyes widened, her voice tinged with both fear and compassion. "Draco, what happened? Did he do this to you?.."
Draco hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering between his concerned friends. He knew that the truth would only deepen their worries, but he couldn't bear the weight of their concern alone any longer. With a heavy sigh, he revealed a glimpse of the turmoil that had unfolded.
"I'm okay Pansy," Draco whispered, his voice filled with a mixture of resignation and defiance. "He just.. discovered my relationship with Harry, and his anger manifested in ways I never thought possible."
Blaise's eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger flashing in his gaze. "Draco, this is unacceptable. No one should have to endure such abuse, especially not from their own family."
Pansy's voice trembled, her worry seeping through her words. "Draco, you can't go back to that. We won't let you."
Draco mustered a small smile, touched by their unwavering support. "Thank you, both of you. But I have to see this through. I can't abandon the love I've found, even if it means enduring hardships along the way."
Pansy's eyes filled with tears, a mixture of admiration and concern in her gaze. "Draco, we understand your determination, but your safety is our priority. We'll be here for you, every step of the way."
Blaise nodded, his voice firm and resolute. "We won't let you face this alone, Draco. We'll find a way to protect you, to shield you from further harm."
Draco's heart swelled with gratitude, his friends' unwavering loyalty a beacon of strength amidst the storm that raged within him. With their support, he knew that he could face whatever lay ahead, even if it meant challenging his own family and the constraints of his upbringing.
...
The Hogwarts dining hall buzzed with the lively chatter of students, the air filled with the comforting aroma of freshly prepared food. As Draco took his seat at the Slytherin table, his bruised face hidden beneath a veil of weariness, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the curious gazes that lingered upon him.
....
From across the room, Ron Weasley's sharp eyes caught sight of Draco's black eye, prompting a pause in his conversation with Hermione. He nudged Harry, his voice hushed but tinged with concern. "Harry, look over there. Draco has a black eye. Wonder what happened."
Harry's attention immediately shifted, his gaze following Ron's pointing finger until it landed on Draco. A mix of worry and protectiveness surged within him, his instincts urging him to reach out, to offer support to the one he held dear.
Leaving Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table, Harry made his way toward Draco, determination burning in his eyes. As he approached, whispers and curious glances followed his every step, but he remained focused on the person who held his heart.
Draco's gaze met Harry's, surprise and vulnerability mingling within his stormy gray eyes. The weight of the unspoken hung between them, a silent plea for understanding and solace. Harry slid onto the bench next to Draco, his voice soft and filled with genuine concern.
"Draco, what happened?" Harry asked, his eyes scanning Draco's face for any hint of an answer.
.....
Draco hesitated, the echoes of his father's disapproval reverberating within him.
Draco found himself surrounded by the watchful eyes of his fellow housemates. Their curious glances and whispered rumors served as a constant reminder of the secret he harbored—the forbidden love that burned within him for Harry.
With practiced nonchalance, Draco dismissed Harry's inquiries and brushed off his concern, concealing the emotions that swirled beneath the surface. The Slytherins around him observed the exchange, their gazes full of curiosity and speculation. Draco knew that any sign of vulnerability could be perceived as weakness, leaving him vulnerable to judgment and potential betrayal.
Harry, though pained by Draco's seemingly cold demeanor, respected his wishes. He understood the precariousness of their situation and the importance of maintaining their secret. Still, a flicker of hurt lingered in his eyes, the longing for a genuine connection with Draco hidden beneath a veil of restraint.
Harry would get up and make his way back over to Ron and Hermione.
......
As the dining hall buzzed with conversation, Draco couldn't help but steal glances at Harry, his heart yearning for a moment of shared understanding. But he remained steadfast in his commitment to protect their secret, despite the ache that gnawed at his soul.
...
The chatter in the Hogwarts dining hall continued, a symphony of voices and clattering cutlery that threatened to drown out Draco's inner turmoil. As he sat among his fellow Slytherins, his façade of indifference threatened to crumble, the weight of his emotions pressing against the fragile walls he had built.
Images of his bruised face, the repercussions of his father's wrath, flashed through Draco's mind. The pain, both physical and emotional, throbbed beneath the surface, threatening to break free. He felt a tightening in his chest, the dam holding back his vulnerability beginning to crack.
The eyes of his housemates seemed to bore into him, their gazes like prying daggers seeking any sign of weakness. Draco felt the weight of their expectations, the pressure to maintain the appearance of strength. But in that moment, the strain became too much to bear.
A tremor coursed through Draco's body, his breath catching in his throat. He clutched the edge of the table, his knuckles turning white as his emotions threatened to spill over. The suffocating silence wrapped around him, amplifying his struggle.
Fearful of revealing the cracks in his carefully constructed armor, Draco's gaze darted around the room, desperately seeking an escape. With a burst of determination, he rose abruptly from his seat, his movements almost too quick to follow. Ignoring the whispers that rose in his wake, he hurriedly made his way toward the exit.
The Gryffindor table fell into a hushed silence as Harry, sitting among his friends, caught sight of Draco's sudden departure. Concern etched across his face, he shared a wordless glance with Ron and Hermione, a silent agreement passing between them. They understood the depths of Draco's torment and the delicate balance he was attempting to maintain.
Driven by a mix of worry and compassion, Harry excused himself from the table, his steps quick and purposeful as he followed the path Draco had taken. He knew that now, more than ever, Draco needed him. The facade of indifference could no longer hold back the torrent of emotions that threatened to consume them both.
....
Outside the dining hall, in the quiet corridor, Harry found Draco, his back pressed against the cold stone wall. Tears glistened in Draco's eyes, his trembling hands a testament to the turmoil he had held at bay for too long.
Without a word, Harry closed the distance between them, his arms encircling Draco in a gentle embrace. The floodgates of Draco's emotions broke, tears cascading down his cheeks as he clung to Harry, finding solace in the warmth of their shared vulnerability.
In that moment, the pretense crumbled, and Draco allowed himself to lean on Harry, to seek comfort and strength in their connection. Harry held him tightly, his own heart heavy with the weight of Draco's pain. They stood together, offering support amidst the fragments of vulnerability, finding solace in the knowledge that they were not alone in their struggles.
As the tears subsided and Draco's breathing steadied, Harry whispered words of reassurance and love, a gentle reminder that they would weather the storms together.
As Draco's trembling body found comfort in Harry's embrace, the words escaped Harry's lips with a softness that held both sorrow and understanding. "Your father did this... didn't he?" His voice carried a gentle weight, an acknowledgment of the pain Draco had endured at the hands of his own family. In that moment, Harry's whispered words held a mixture of empathy and determination, a promise to stand by Draco's side as they faced the repercussions of their love.