Second Chances: A Draco Malfoy Love Story

Chapter 26

                With shallow breath, Draco paced through the carpeted hallway of the hotel. He paid no mind to the ornate muggle paintings that lined the walls, his mind millions of miles away. They had to leave soon but how could they? His nerves were alight and it seemed impossible that he could stay composed long enough to make this work.

He ran a shaky hand through his unwashed hair, ignoring the slick feeling of the grease that now gathered on his hands. His jaw was tight as he pushed open the door to the conference room once more. Everyone was gathered around the table, solemn and calculating. His nerves were not comforted by the matched expressions of everyone around him.

Jumping, he felt a hand on his shoulder. "We're going to get her. Don't worry about it, Draco. She's going to be okay and we're going to bring her home safe and sound." Neville voiced the words he needed to hear, though he didn't quite believe them. Draco gave him a tight lipped smile and drew a deep breath.

Perhaps their plan would go as expected. Perhaps they would rescue her and she would leave there safely. However, she had been gone for over a week and had undoubtedly endured unspeakable torture. Alecto was a master in torture of all sorts. Draco swallowed hard, Kyra would never be the same after this. It was his fault this was happening to her. He was responsible for what would inevitably be the destruction of the once vivacious, empathetic, vibrant girl with a smile that could light up the world. Her smile would fade after this, incapable of forgetting the horrors she had withstood.

That was, if she wasn't already dead. The words halted the breath in Draco's throat. He hadn't allowed the thought into his mind before. However, now it was there, swirling in his brain, his worst fear echoing over and over. The room began to spin around him, despite his best efforts to steady it. Stumbling toward the door once more, images filled his head of Kyra's body lifeless in Carrow's dungeon, and he felt nausea rising in him like the tides. His breathing ragged, he hardly felt hands on his shoulders, bracing him.

"Malfoy?" His professor's voice broke through the hysteria of his panic attack. "Malfoy are you alright? Here, take a seat, please." He felt himself being pushed into a wooden chair, sweat licking at his forehead. "We are preparing to leave soon, I think it best that you remain here. We need to be ready for anything and you look as though you'll be ill. Stay here with Mrs. Harding and get better. We will bring her back as soon as we can." Clarity crashed in on him in a wave and he stood abruptly, suddenly closer to McGonagall than he expected.

"No, I have to go. I'm fine. I'm ready. Let's go." He demanded, his voice unwavering, silently pleading his demeanor would convince her. This was his fault, he couldn't stay behind and allow these people to risk their lives. He squared his shoulders in hopes he would appear more capable with better posture.

"It's best you stay here. I believe you're emotionally compromised. It is safest for all of us if you stay here." Draco huffed, running a hand through his hair. "Don't let your emotions threaten the lives of us all." Taking a step back, his eyes flitted across the faces in the room, each filled with apprehension and a willingness to avoid eye contact with him. He couldn't risk hurting them in some act of unnecessary bravado. They would bring Kyra home safe, the way it should be. He didn't deserve the praise that came with a rescue mission. He had done more than enough in this situation.

His eyes felt heavy as his head fell, taking in only the sight of the faded rug. With a nod, he took a seat, accepting his fate. Perhaps this was best.

The room fell into hurried whispers as they rushed around the room, finalizing the plan. After several minutes of picking at the skin around his nails, Draco heard the first pop and glanced up. One by one the group disappeared, leaving him to bask in his anxiety. The pit in his stomach grew with each passing second and he was desperately wishing to be far away from the drab conference room. The heavy set drapes blocked out light and left the room feeling stale.