Second Chances: A Draco Malfoy Love Story

Chapter 16

                Neville was fiddling with the hem of his sweater, not daring to look up at Kyra. They were wandering toward the nearby town that Kyra and her friends had visited a few weeks back. She had been hoping to dissuade this; however, due to lack of other locations, this was their only option. It had been a quiet, awkward walk down due to the fact that Neville didn't seem to be able to talk.

"So how are things back home? How is everyone back home dealing with everything?" Kyra questioned, hoping to spark a conversation.

"Oh, um, I mean things are decent. People are less scared but everyone is really messed up now. There really isn't anyone left that hasn't lost someone they care about, ya know? It's sad—no one seems to know how to carry on. It feels as if things will never be the same." Kyra was quiet, soaking in his words. She knew exactly what he meant—she was feeling the same way. The war had taken an innocence from them that they could never get back.

"I mean, how could they? We have all seen things we didn't want to see. People have lost their loved ones and seen numerous deaths. How could anyone be okay after that?"Neville gave her a sympathetic look, finally allowing himself to look at her for the first time since they had walked out the front door. He gingerly reached for her hand, entwining their fingers so slowly she almost thought it was an accident. Neville's palms were clammy and warm, his cheeks flushed and his gaze returned to the ground but he squeezed her hand lightly. Kyra smiled to herself, impressed by his courage.

They continued, silence falling on them again. The awkwardness had faded and Kyra was beginning to feel the same comfort she had been longing for, though this was short-lived. The familiar entrance to the small town was in their view and an uneasy feeling was creeping into the pit of her stomach. Neville stopped in the large archway that acted as the entrance and turned to her.

"What did you want to do? Are there any restaurants down here?" Kyra shrugged her shoulders. "Well let's keep walking and see if we find anything." Kyra quipped in with a quick 'okay' and they continued in.

Dusk was setting in, the sky painted with streaks of pink. Kyra scanned the buildings, attempting to locate a restaurant. Neville used his free hand to point to a tavern across the way. Kyra heart dropped to her stomach as her eyes fell on the campy bar, memories of that night flooding her brain. The feeling of the boy's hands on her body was debilitating. Her breathing was slowly becoming ragged though she tried desperately to force deep breaths from her mouth. She could feel a numbness beginning to surge through her body; minute pinpricks assault her skin where Neville's hand entwined with hers. Kyra could hardly hear Neville's voice beyond the blood pounding in her ears. His hand squeezed hers, stabilizing her slightly. Her eyes shot up to him, wide and panicked.

"Kyra, are you okay? What's wrong?" Concern laced his voice, his chapped lips in a deep frown. "Kyra?" He repeated more insistently.

He led her to a grassy hill, sitting her down slowly. The browning grass crunched under her, needle-like against her skin. Kyra leaned against her knees, placing her head between her legs. She took a deep breath in, counting to eight before she released it. Kyra was vaguely aware of Neville's hand on her back moving in circles. His fingers were barely grazing her, as if he was afraid she would melt at his touch.

"I'm sorry." She spoke calmly after taking several minutes to regulate her breathing. Neville was staring, fear filling his eyes. She had never wanted to scare him—this was supposed to be a wonderful new beginning for them and she was quite certain she was ruining it. He was certainly going to be running for the hills after this.