The Sanctuary of Yesterday

3.13 | a mothers touch

It seemed no matter how long they spent together, the next day was always the worst. It was never the physical act of leaving that caused the most distress, it was the waking up the next day to realize they weren't there with them that did it.

The feeling of loss was too much for each of them to bare. Their friends never knew what to do. Nothing could or would fix the pain they felt, nothing could bring them back to each other.

So when, what Draco could only imagine Sage had woken up first and started the process, he sat next to his brother and cried.

He knew shaking him didn't work, he knew holding him didn't make the pain go away, he knew he was powerless and nothing would hurt more than that. He was Draco Malfoy, heir of the Noble House of Malfoy, yet he wasn't strong enough to save them.

First, it was the fidgeting, Theo's arms and legs twitched every few moments. Draco knew the signs, he knew it was all about to go downhill.

The fidgeting came and went after a quarter of an hour. Draco got up from his bed and conjured a chair next to his friend's bed. There may be nothing he could physically do, but he'd be there in solidarity.

He knew to sit a few inches back at this point, as after the fidgeting came the thrashing. As if right on cue, Theo turned in his sleep and his right arm reached out sharply—always the right one—never the tainted.

Soon the murmuring started, and Draco could faintly make out, "Come back" and "Sagie."

A choked sob left the blonde. The door cracked open at the sound, making his head spin around. Molly Weasley stood there, a low light emitting from her wand. "Draco, dear?"

Another sound left the boy's mouth as he heard another murmur, "Please."

She rushed over, conjuring another chair, "Dear, what's happening?"

"It always happens. He always has nightmares after, we can never stop them. He doesn't wake up, he's stuck in his own mind. I don't know what to do, please help me I can't-"

Molly shushed him, cutting off his panicked rambling, and pulled his free hand into her own, "You're not alone, breathe, dear."

"I can't," his voice cracked, "I can't do it again."

Unease ran through the elder woman, "No need for that. I'm here, an adult is here to help."

Theo let out a muffled sob, flailing his arms. His right hand went straight to his left forearm, "I'm sorry," he cried in his sleep, "I didn't."

Molly's mouth dropped open, quickly recovering, "Draco, I need you to tell me what you know."

Draco sniffled, "It's his bond, with Sage. The longer their apart the worse it is on them. It's not just sadness, it's physical. They deteriorate when they don't see each other, it's gotten worse as they've gotten older."

"Oh my, good Godrick," she whispered, horrified.

"Every time they leave each other, whoever wakes up first starts the cycle. If she wakes up first, she feels distress and sadness, but he lives in his nightmares. He sees his worst fears."

"And if he wakes up first?"

Draco shuddered, "Her friends tell me she had only ever screamed like that once, the day her brother was marked. They say every time he wakes up first, it's like being transported back into that moment."

"Godrick, please help me," she whispered, horror lacing her voice. She had never seen, nor heard, anything like it. She couldn't imagine having to see her boys like this, watching poor young Theodore was gutwrenching enough. 

"You have to help, please," he begged, his hands held onto her arm, the one closest to him, "I don't know what to do. I can't do it alone again, please." Molly's eyes widened as the boy sobbed out, "I just want my mum- my mum I want her, please." 

Molly pulled the boy closer, holding him tight to her chest, and lowly murmered, "I've got you, dears. Im sorry your mum isn't here right now, but im going to do my best." 

Molly got up and started summoning viles, many draco recognized: calming drought, dreamless sleep, daught of peace, and a pain relfief potion. She summoned a rag and a glass, hitting it with an augmenti the minute it was on the end table. 

The witch turned to the concious boy, "What else do I need?" 

Draco let out a strangled, "Nothing," before adding, "Thank you." 

Molly shook her head; there was nothing to thank her for. 

It was then Theodores breathing started to get shallow, causing Draco to flinch. He was prepared. He threw up a silencing charm before Molly could even rexognize he pulled his wand out. 

"Draco, whats going to happen?" She was scared, Draco realized, and maybe she should be. He absolutely was. 

"Screaming." 

"Sage!" Theodore's worst fears were coming to life, "No, Sage!" 

"He's reliving painful memories," Draco whispered, looking at the wall with hollow eyes, "They always involve Sage." 

"Father, please, no," Theo screamed, his body stiffening, "take me. Take me instead." 

There was nothing that could have prepared Molly for this. She had never seen someone so in pain while being so helpless to stop it. 

"This will go on for a few more moments," the blond added, "Its the shortest part but the absolute worst to whitness," then after a moment added, "I guess the worst to live through too." 

"Run!" 

A shutter passed over Draco's eyes, "I know this memory." 

"What?" Molly whispered, horrified. 

"I know it. I was there, well kind of. They escaped Nott Place and came to the Manor." 

Tears formed in the elder witches eyes, but she quickly got rid of them. This was not the time to break down. She needed to be strong for both of these boys. 

She laid a hand on his shoulder, "No child should ever be subjected to this much pain this young." 

Draco looked her in the eyes, "No. We shoudln't have." 

Theo shot up, gasping fopr air, wide eyed and frantic. Draco and Molly wasted no time rushing to him as he hyperventalated. Draco grabbing his hand, yes the one riught under his dark mark. No, to him it wasnt tainted, it was still Theo, the boy who would die for Draco. 

Molly let him see her before opening her arms, allowing him to make the decision. Theo had wasted no time, throwing himself into a mothers touch, letting out the sobs that had been caught in his throat. Molly ran her fingers through his hair, letting a quiet hum reverberate from her chest. 

Draco looked over Theo's shoulder and nodded at her. A silent thank you. Draco summoned the calming draught, and pushed it to Theos lips. He automatically allowed it to slip down his throat. 

Draco then knew, everything was going to be okay. 

a.n. 

theres totally spelling and gramtical issues but ill fix them later. in the meantime enjoy! This chapter was one of those few that were so hard for me to write because Im in a much better place mentally now, and writing hard wrenching scenes is kida hard. 

(why it took so long to write) 

besides that, Happy mothers day to everyone who celebrates. To moms (step, foster, adoptive, biological), grandmothers, aunts, and even those whose cannot hold their children for whatever that reason may be. You all deserve to be cherished today. 

And Happy mothers day to TSOY Molly, to Lily Potter, Narcissa Malfoy, Alice Longbottom, Andromeda and Dora Tonks, and Augusta Longbottom.