Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Eight

Later that day Francis began to wake for short periods. Lucia and Doe were made to eat dinner with the Luries. The Luries put on a good show of cheerfulness at having them at their table and at Francis' recovery health. Doe ate and drank in silence which was usual for her so no one noticed however she purposely avoided Draco's eye.

The next few days however, they nearly came to loggerheads again. Francis had become chattier though a lot of the time she was hallucinatory with fevers. The doctor became worried when these periods didn't abate. This meant Doe and Lucia were once again at her bedside, however this time Draco made his presence felt. He would be the first to gently push her back into bed if she began to panic, even took the bowl of soup from Doe's hands to begin feeding her. He did this knowing Doe's anger at him. Lucia on the other hand, though embarrassed by these displays, was pleased with the sign of affectation and would leave them for short periods. Doe was furious with her and confronted her one-day before bed.

"But seeing how attentive he is to her just makes me more relieved. I thought he may be getting up to mischief but now I'm reassured he loves her. They may even marry, he's father hinted as much at dinner." Lucia laughed gleefully.

"But Mummy he's terrible."

"Why have you suddenly grown a dislike towards him?" Lucia tutted, "You shouldn't be jealous."

"I'm not jealous!" Doe snapped and walked back into Francis' room to see her up and chatting to Draco about a strange bogey man who kept visiting her.

Francis awoke and started, she was lying Draco's arms. His sleepy body had the blankets pinned over one side of her and someone had tucked her on the other hand. Her throat felt parched and she shifted uncomfortably.

He opened one amber eye and then sat up, "How do you feel?"

"Better, but thirsty." She told him in rough voice.

He leant down and kissed her on the cheek, then on her forehead and finally her lips. Before leaning over to pour her some water. She lay there stunned until he held the glass out to her. The water was cool though her arm shook with the effort of holding it to her lips. Draco took the glass when she was done and surprised her with another kiss.

"You'll get sick." She told him weakly.

He just shook his head slightly.

"Where is everyone else?" She asked him.

"On a walk. Kitty's idea."

" Doe and mother are alright, aren't they?" She asked him.

"Yes, they're fine. Couldn't catch a cold, I don't think. You've been seeming better for a couple of days but your temperature hasn't dropped completely until now." He explained to her.

"I can hardly remember being ill at all." She frowned. "It was that bad?"

"We thought we were going to lose you." He told her softly.

"Oh Lord. And no one else has it?"

"No. No one else."

"Thank The Creator." She sighed.

"Rest. I can tell you're still weak." He told her.

She laid down and he put his arms around her and cradled her close. She wondered what had happened to him and what she was doing.