Redemption | Drarry

Chapter 17: The Greater Good

The girls flinched as the door opened with force, they didn't need to look to know who it was. All they knew was, it was time they got going. Without making eye contact of any kind they exited the dark room.

Draco made no move to acknowledge the current situation. He just kept his head buried in his knees. No sound was made by both parties. And frankly, it was expected.

It wasn't like Hadrian had a plan once he got into the room. All he knew was that he needed to make sure Draco was okay, but now that he had gotten his way, he had no idea what to do. He could try soothing him, but it wouldn't do much for the quiet Draco that sat in front of him.

Draco just curled up on the fluffy carpet that was situated by his bed. The widows were closed by the curtains, then again what was there to see once they opened the windows? All they would see is the body of water that lay there, with fish and other creatures roaming, minding their own business.

They wouldn't be able to feel the soft rays of sunlight, only the light that reflected on the water. Even then it would be blurry and almost non-existent. It was a shock they could differentiate between day and night.

This just made the room all the more dreary and cold. Hadrian wondered how they were able to sleep well without thinking of the consequences once the window separating them from the water were to break. He could imagine them drowning, if they were not to drown, then the creatures of the deep would get to them first.

Hadrian continued to ponder on the odds of the current situation until a sharp intake of breath brought him back to reality. He froze finally remembering why he was there in the first place, "Malfoy?" He started. "It's Potter." Like that would do anything.

Draco kept his head down, not bothering to look at him once. He was in too deep, "Malfoy, look at me." Hadrian knelt by his side touching his shoulder. Draco didn't care. He was done caring for the day.

'Of course, he wouldn't mind you. If you want him to listen assert your authority. And calling him by his last name won't do you shit.' Hadrian heard Alex complain as he tried to force himself forward. That wasn't something Hadrian wanted to deal with right now.

But he still took Alex's word for it. Maybe he needed a new approach. He tried making Draco sit up, but he simply refused to see reason. He made it clear he wanted nothing but to bask in the darkness and grieve until he couldn't anymore, but since when was Hadrian the type to back down?

"Look at me." No movement was made, "Draco," He commanded. "Lift your head and look at me!" That seemed to get through to him. He lifted his head and crossed his legs, but he made no move to look up at Hadrian.

His eyes stayed focused on the lush green carpet beneath them, and Hadrian was getting frustrated. He cupped Draco's face and forced him to look up, but his eyes darted to his left. He was making it clear how displeased he was, but Hadrian couldn't care less.

He studied Draco's face, and he looked miserable. His red-rimmed eyes still let small drops of water drop. His eyelashes had his tears hanging on them like ice crystals. His cheeks were flushed bright red as tear tracks went down.

Not to mention his lips were a bright red from biting down on them to prevent him from making any more noise than he had already done. Hadrian tilted his head from side to side, trying to get Draco to look at him, but he just kept his eyes locked on the ground.

This was getting frustrating, "Stop being stubborn and look at me." It was only for a brief moment, but Hadrian saw how his resolve almost crumbled. He wanted to look at Hadrian but he wasn't allowing himself.

Hadrian let out an unexpected growl, which seemed to gain Draco's attention. His eyes widened in shock before finally looking at Hadrian. They made eye contact.