The Bonds that Tie us However Can Not...

The Pain That is Tearing us Apart

Pauls P.O.V:

 It's slowly crushing me talking to Dawn.

She's reverted back to being a Malfoy. A true Malfoy.

She is distant, but here enough that you feel welcome.

She's stopped making the that's what she said jokes.

She doesn't play with her pokemon at lunch anymore instead she goes to the dark arts section of the library and reads all she can.

And it's not just how to protect herself either.

"Dawn"

"I thought I told you. It's Hikari" There is again. That cold snap that isn't really welcoming enough to be a Malfoy. Cold enough to be reserved just for me.

"You told me to stop that when we were 12 Da- Hikari"

"Yeah well that was before you read my diary."

"Troublesome"

"JUST GO THE GLOB AWAY PAUL I'M STUDYING"

"Ai.."

"DON'T CALL ME THAT YOU HAVE NO RIGHT YOUR NOT TEDDY! YOUR NOT WHO DADDY GAVE PERMISSION!" Her face falls as the weight of the request Draco has put upon her hits her full force again.

"But Hikari"

" Just lump off Shinji"

Which is why I am walking to the large bathroom.

I stand under the spray and the tears I'm shedding at her blatant rejection are mixing with the water falling on my back. Was what Teddy said the other day some cruel trick devised by him and Dawn?

Is she really doing what Draco asked of her at the start of this year?

Is she falling for Teddy?

Has Teddy already fallen for her?

*The Next Day*

Dawn's P.O.V:

I'm sitting under the tree by the lake looking at the dark water swirling and reading a book. Suddenly my vision is obscured by someone's warm comforting hands. "Teddy?"

The hands drop and who ever it was walks away. As I turn back to look I see a flash of purple hair that's just like… Paul's.

I drop the book to my lap and rest my head on my hands.

"It's okay to cry you know Miss. Malfoy"

"that's exactly it Ted. I'm Miss Malfoy"

He sits down next to me and I contemplate what my Dad told me.

"Teddy-bear?"

"Dee-Dee?"

"Have you ever loved someone but known it was your duty to fall for someone else?"

"I can't say I have, Dee"

"What if I told you that it's my duty to fall for you?"

"I'd tell you that you love Paul and this stupid duty thing is dangerous. Be true to yourself Dawn. Do you love me?"

"No"

"Then don't listen to your father. He can control every other aspect of you Dawn… but please don't let him control your love."

"Ted…"

"Dawn…"

I move to be sitting between his legs and hug him. The tears that I've been holding in falling, sobs wracking my body with Teddy smoothing my hair and planting a gentle kiss to my head as the shakes stop and the sun sets. As I leave the embrace I open my eyes.

All I see is Paul.

And the single tear sliding down his face at the sight of Teddy and I embracing.

Teddy's P.O.V:

As Dawn is hugging me I stay alert for her. I notice nothing out of the ordinary. As the shakes slowly halt I press a kiss to her forehead. To tell her I'm here. I'm not leaving. I love her. Just not the way Draco wants.

The shock on her face says it all, but foolishly I turn around anyway and see Paul.

The glare he sends me as Dawn begins to walk away could not have any clearer meaning.

You lied.

Paul's P.O.V:

She thought I was Teddy.

Now Teddy has kissed her. The look of pain is etched into my memory. She didn't want me to find out like this… Which is why I'm sitting here in the bathroom with an enchanted always-sharp razor and the sleeve of my jacket up on my elbow.

Dawn always told me to take off my jacket but I can't. Not with all the scars that crisscross my wrists. As I slice down and my blood leaks out I let out a sigh of relief.  The pressure that's been broiling in my stomach is flowing out with it.

I make one final cut as Teddy yells out to me.

As I drop to the floor with loss of blood, I smile at the release from pain and the welcoming darkness that is enveloping me.

Teddy's P.O.V:

I walk back to our dorms after seeing Paul run back there.

"PAUL!"

THUD!

I bash on the door that leads to the bathroom adjoining our dorm at that. Paul's been in there far too long. "PAUL!!!"

DAMMIT THERE'S NO RESPONSE! "PAUL I HAVE TO EXPLAIN!" Bash the door again, no response and that's when I look down. Then I see the blood coming from under the door. "PAUL CAN YOU HEAR ME? PAUL ARE YOU OKAY? PAUL!!" I'm running down the stairs and thank God the first professor I run into is Professor Longbottom reprimanding some Slytherins in the common room. "Professor Longbottom…" "Teddy I'm-"

"Paul's bleeding out in the bathroom and if you're too busy for that then what kind of professor are you, Neville?"

"Where is he? and it's professor Longbottom at school Teddy"

"The bathroom"

I didn't know Longbottom could move that fast. We're both standing at the door bashing on it when Dawn walks in.

"I-i-is it true? Teddy"

I honestly feel her pain, no matter how much we say we don't know if it's him the moods grim because we all know in our hearts that it is.

"Dawn we don't know yet." Yes professor Longbottom we do you just don't want to tell Dawn.

"Sorry to interrupt but can we open the friggin door please?"

"Alohamora"

I hear another thud as Dawn faints at the sight if Paul and I don't blame her. I would too if I saw the person I love drowning in blood with a smile on their face and blood pouring from a deep cut on their neck.

Dawn's P.O.V:

As I open my eyes I walk into the bathroom and find Teddy and Neville in shock.

Because Paul is in there and it is his blood, pouring from a cut in his neck. He's drowning in it and smiling… like nothing in this world could ever make him so happy. He opens his eyes, draws a shuddering breathe and whispers something out that I don't hear as he shuts his eyes and the gurgling breathing draws to a halt. I scream. I am clinging to his bloodied frame screaming. It's as though I'm watching from someone else's point of view as I am dragged off his body and he is hit with revival spells. That's before I fall on the floor for the second time today.

Author's Note: Hi guys! I hope you are enjoying my story and the little cliff hanger! I'll upload again soon! ~Dawn