Challenged Love

Chapter 34

I heard the door of my cell open, but I didn't sit up. I didn't open my eyes. I was ready to accept my fate, whatever may happen.

"Holly."

I heard that unmistakable voice, the one that crawled under my skin like a parasite. When I opened my eyes, all I saw was his shoes, but then he fumbled back.

"Get away, mate," Blaise had shoved Draco out of the way.

I slowly sat up just in time to see Draco aggressively grip Blaise's shoulders.

"You better watch it, Zabani," Draco spat through gritted teeth. "Unless you want to be sent straight to Voldemort."

He shoved Blaise back, and Lara stepped in before a fight could break out.

"Let's just hurry," she beckoned, then kneeled beside me.

But I pulled away. "I can get up."

I swayed a little but managed to stand on my own. I was slightly confused, unsure of what was happening. I hadn't really fallen asleep since Robbie died, but my mind hasn't exactly been all there either. I have felt incredibly weak and fragile since the Crucio curse, my mind unable to hold a single string of thoughts.

"You look awful," Lara observed.

"Thanks," I replied, but no amount of humor could ease the situation. Although, I did get a small smile from Lara and Blaise.

Draco spoke up as serious as I have ever heard him. "We need to go. Everyone should be asleep by now, so we should be able to get past as long as we avoid the house elves."

Despite my protests, Lara held my hand as we exited the cell in fear of me passing out. My legs felt as if they were going to give out any moment, and I grasped onto the metal bars to support myself.

"Are you sure you can walk by yourself?" Lara questioned.

I didn't answer. I just kept walking until Blaise toppled over Draco from behind. They tussled and struggled on the floor as Blaise reached to grab Draco's wand. Just as Blaise had retrieved the wand, Draco kicked him in the stomach, causing the wand to clatter to the floor and roll towards me. As I bent over to pick it up, they both rose to their feet.

"Is me freeing you from captivity not enough?" Draco scowled.

"How should we trust you after everything you have done?" Blaise retorted, fist still clenched at his side.

"My word is good," Draco protested.

"Prove it then," I challenged him. "Prove it by letting me spell you."

His gaze found me, looked at me with a mix of surprise and dread. He was unmoving, hesitant, debating what I truly meant. There were several spells I could choose to do, but he didn't know which one, or what it would cost him.

Draco lifted his hands in surrender. "Have your best go."

He seemed to be bracing himself for something like the Crucio Curse as I watched him tense up, but my spell came out in an almost inaudible whisper and fell over him like a soothing wave.

"Do you really have intentions of saving us?" I asked him.

Draco's expression fell, realizing I had used a truth spell on him.

"Yes," he replied, though I could see the resistance in his expression, as if there was something he did not want me discovering.

I pressed further. "How will you cover for our absence?"

He began to fight against it even more, but I fought back with what little strength I possessed.

"I won't," he snarled, "because I am going with you."