A For Short

Chapter 3

"Dad," I breathed as I felt him grab my hand. "I'm okay."

"Ana, I am so sorry. I am so sorry I left you." He bent down and kissed my forehead.

"You had no control over it, Dad."

"I am so sorry about last night."

"Dad, stop." I said. "All I care about is you being here right now. I don't care about the past. What happened, happened."

"You're only 14." Dad said. "He took away the thing you could never get back."

"I'm okay. I'm fine."

"Ana!" Draco called running over. "I'm so glad you're okay! I was worried all night." He gave me an awkward hug. "Did he mark you?"

"Of course he did. He wouldn't forget that." I said pulling up my sleeve revealing the Dark Mark. "How late was he here until?"

"I don't know. I know he stayed and slept beside me for awhile." I felt the tears come. "Where is Mum?"

"She's downstairs." Dad said. He stood up. "Do you want me to get her?"

"No! Stay!" I cried trying to grab him. "Dray, can you get Mum? I want time with Mum and Dad." Draco nodded and walked out of the room. Dad came over to the side of the bed and knelt down. After a few minutes I heard running and Mum showed up in the doorway.

"Ana, are you okay?"

"As much as I can be after being violated." I answered. She knelt down beside Dad and took my hand. "Why didn't you stay? Why didn't you say something?"

"Ana," Mum whispered. "I couldn't have done anything."

"I'm your daughter! It's your job to protect me!"

"Ana, she had no choice! She would have to watch you die! He has no mercy. Do you understand that? She was powerless over him." Dad explained. "We aren't talking about someone who understands love. The only thing he understands is violence and hatred. "You have to believe that we didn't want any of this to happen." I started to cry.

"Why is he doing this to us?"

"Because I made a mistake."

"Dad! You are human! We all make mistakes! No one is perfect!"

"I know it doesn't make sense, Sweetie. I know it doesn't."

"It's just not fair. The last time we could actually relax was when I was five. I just want all of this to end."

"It will. I promise you." Dad said. I looked at Mum. She had tears in his eyes.

"Mum, I'm sorry. I just thought you didn't care."

"Oh Honey, of course I care! I care so much about you and Draco! And I'm sorry if it doesn't come across that way. I'm trying everything I can to be a good mother without getting my family killed."

"I know." I whispered.

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"Ana, are you okay?" Draco asked me.

"What?" I asked. "Oh, yeah. I'm fine." I said turning on my other side.

"Ana, come on. What's wrong?"

"I can't stop remembering what he did to me, Draco. What was the point? I mean, did he really enjoy himself to rape a 14 year old girl?"

"I don't know." Draco said. After awhile, I felt him sit up. He pulled me close to him. "Can you try to forget it? For one night?" I nodded and relaxed in his arms. I felt my eyes begin to grow heavy.

"Ana," Mum's voice called. I looked at the doorway. "Can we talk to you?" I nodded got out of Draco's bed and walked to my parents. They led me to the bedroom.

"How are you feeling?" Dad asked.

"I feel fine." I said. "Why?"

"Be honest, Ana." Mum said. I looked at the ground.

"I have too many memories. I am actually scared to sleep. I'm afraid he'll appear in my dreams and I just...just want to be done with all of it."

"That's better." Mum said softly walking over to the bed. "Sit." I climbed onto the bed and laid down. "Or lay down." She smiled. There was a moment of silence.

"I remember when I got my first Hogwarts letter. I was so excited to go to Diagon Ally to get my wand that I woke up at the crack of dawn and came in here. I woke you guys up, but Dad grabbed me and lifted me on the bed and I laughed the whole time. He put me between both of you and soon I fell asleep again." I said staring at the ceiling the whole time. "I think that was the best I ever slept." Dad chuckled.

"Every Christmas morning you and Draco would always come jumping on the bed waking us up. I think you didn't stop until you were at least 12." Dad said with a smile.

"No! We defiantly stopped before that, Dad!" I laughed. "At least 10!"

"11."

"Okay. Fine!" I said. Mum and Dad came on either side of me. I sat up so I could rest my head on Dad's chest. He put a protecting arm around me. I loved feeling his chest moving up and down as he breathed. It was comforting somehow. I felt my eyes close and soon I was asleep.

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Sorry for the short chapter! It just felt natural to end it there. Next chapter will be up sometime. Not sure when. Today I had a day off so...we'll see.