Skinny Love(Draco Malfoy)

Chapter Twenty-Eight-Truly, Madly, Deeply

(A/N-TITLE BC IM SO 1D AF)

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Chapter Twenty-Eight-Truly, Madly, Deeply

The exciting halls of Hogwarts when in session were very sleepy and lonesome during the holiday break. Only a few students stayed at the school, even less were here due to parents worrying about their children's safety. I was sitting alone at the Slytherin when I heard the patter of feet coming closer and closer.

"ELORA! When did you get here?" Florence asked with her signature toothy grin present on her face as she was wearing a fair isle sweater, clearly excited about Christmas.

"I just arrived, actually. Did your brothers decide to stay here for the holiday?" I question as she hops on the bench beside me.

"Well, our dad wasn't sure of what to do with the whole You-Know-Who thing going on, so he thought we'd be better protected her," she shrugged. It absolutely broke my heart hearing how casual she was about it. It was now implanted in her mind that this behavior was normal, that everyday in the magic world is like this.

"I'm sorry you can't spend time with your parents," I frown but she just shrugs once more.

"It's okay! It's much better now that you're here!" She beams and her sea blue eyes widen in wonder, "We could do so much together!"

"You're right," I laugh at her, "I'd be delighted to spend the rest of my break with you."

~

Today was the day the rest of the students would be returning to school, telling tales of their holiday and bragging about their marvelous gifts. I was slightly worried about the fact that I wouldn't be on the train, completely curious to what Draco would do. I had cleared my mind with all thoughts as I delicately put my Hogwarts uniform back on. I sighed as I looked at myself in the mirror, the uniform was just another reminder of the stereotype that I didn't fall under.

"Hello, Elora!" Florence skipped along side me when I left my common room.

"Good morning, Florence, you're extra cheery this morning," I point while we walk into the Great Hall for breakfast.

"Everyone's coming back! It's so exciting!" she marveled, also eyeing all the food hungrily.

"You must have made some good friends in the Hufflepuff house, then?" I ask, putting butter on a slice of toast.

"Mmhmm!" She hummed as she swallowed her orange juice, "I know you said that whole thing about stereotypes and houses, but I still don't get how you're a Slytherin. You're so different from the rest of them."

"I think I should say first off, that I trust the Sorting Hat's decision. It was made to help guide me along a path that would be suited to me, but things happen and I must have turned out a little differently than expected," I explain my point of view on the matter, "I definitely think that the house you identify with in your first year can change as you change and grow up."

~

"Oh my god, you're okay," Draco instantly drops his bags when he walks into the room we share and wraps me in a hug with a tight grip. I lightly hold onto his waist, not sure how to feel. He was surely skinnier once again, certainly frail now. His face was paler than ever, he looked poorly, "I was so worried when I didn't see you on the train. I didn't know what to think."

"I'm okay, we just decided to return to Hogwarts early after the attack," I tell him, I wiggle out of his grasp so we can have a conversation face to face.

"Are you okay? Were you hurt?" he worries, trying to check if I had any wounds.

"I'm fine," I say as I avoid eye contact. I contemplate telling Draco about almost dying, and I was swaying more towards the 'it doesn't need to be said' side of things. Although, Draco completely saw through it.

"What is it that you aren't telling me?" He inquires firmly, stopping me from avoiding his question.

"Let's just say there was a chance that I would be unable to return this school year," I say gently, wondering how he would take the news. Not to my surprise, he was furious.

"I swear when I get my hands on them..."he grumbles to himself, running a hand through his perfectly styled platinum blonde hair.

"Draco, it's okay. I'm alright," I reassure him, but I don't move towards him at all. He takes a seat at the foot of the bed and I take a seat on the left side of him, a tense silence falling upon us.

"I'm so sorry," he whispers, looking straight forward.

"Did you know?"I ask softly. I stare at my hands that were resting on my lap. The scars from the bangles were fading, but the quote from Professor Umbridge was as present as ever. Before I know it, Draco is kneeling in front of me.

"I would never let you go through such a thing, Elora. I had absolutely no idea. I would've found you a way out of it, I swear on my life," Draco says, using his finger to make our eyes meet. I rest my forehead against his, not being capable of saying anything really, "I'm still really sorry."

"It's okay. It's okay," I repeat again, not sure what else to say. I move my head away from Draco's and let out a dark chuckle, "Merlin's beard, we have such a messed up relationship."

"That doesn't change the fact that I'm still truly, madly, deeply in love with you," Draco smiles, reminding me of the innocence we used to have.

"I love you, too,"

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(A/N-ITS ALMOST FIVE IN THE MORNING WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE

I NEED HELP

SOS)