scars {dramione one-shots}

four {astronomy tower}

{hermione's pov}

The cool beeze from the night air flows through my messy curls and cools my hot body. I had to come up here for air, even if I was breaking the rules.

Slowly, I walk up the winding, stone steps, carefully making sure I'm not making any noise - just in case someone is prowling around. The past few days have been hectic. Harry was busy with meetings at Dumbledore's office, Ron is occupied with snogging Lavender Brown's face off and Harry also falls in love with Ginny. Everyone is doing something - except from me. Obviously I am studying and preparing for things but, everyone seems to have someone.

I have no idea where Draco is. One minute he's here, then he will disappear for almost a week. It's starting to worry me, as I have no idea where he is. Also, I get lonely, as all my friends are together and I am just... there.
I think things are changing, I don't feel as safe as I used to anymore. Dumbledore called Harry to his office this evening, and the pair have been gone for hours.

And Draco... this is the third time he's been away. However it is the longest time he has been gone. Something has changed in him, he seems a lot more protective recently. He avoids all eye contact apart from mine, and has reserved himself from all his Slytherin friends. The fear in his eyes increases every time I see him. Last time, I found him in the corridors, by himself, just hugging his knees to his chest, rocking back and forth. I knew something was wrong, but whatever it was is now tearing him apart. The things he is going through... he won't even tell me.

So now I sit at the top of the astronomy tower, wondering where in the world he is.

------------

Hitting my head on stone, I wake up suddenly to the sound of hissing and whispers. I rub my head where I hit it, that's going to be horrid in the morning, I think, feeling the already large bump on the side of my head. Cursing silently, I look up to the now cloudy sky. The night air has become brisk and harsh, the speed of the wind picking up. And that's when I finally notice it.

I jump up from where I was lying so quickly that my head starts to spin. The hairs on my neck start to stick up, and I can see my breath as I exhale. I cannot believe it. Looming over me and the rest of the tower was the Dark Mark - the same one we saw after the Quidditch World Cup. This was awful, I need to get back to my dorm as soon as possible!

However, a tall, blonde boy stops me in my tracks.

{draco's pov}

"Hermione!" I exclaim. She shouldn't be here.

"Draco?" she runs over to me, arms wide. I pull her into my embrace, my fingers running through her bushy hair.

"Where have you been?" she mumbles into my shoulder.
I sigh as I know I have to tell her. Stepping out of the embrace, I tug up the right sleeve of my jacket. Tears fill my eyes as she looks up in astonishment.

"I--I..." my explanation stuck in my throat as she stares at the Dark Mark on my forearm.
Her open mouth closes as she steps forward and pulls my sleeve back down.
"I understand," she says quietly. I laugh a little at her words; she still has no idea what's about to happen.

"Hermione, why are you here?"

"I... couldn't sleep. There has been a lot going on and I didn't know what to do."

"My clever Granger not knowing what to do? Now that, is unheard of," I flick her nose gently and a small smile creeps across her face.

For one moment, I thought I might have a shot at a normal wizard's life (if there ever was one), but then I remembered what I needed to do.

"Hermione, you need to go. The other Death Eaters will be here soon. I don't want you to get caught up in this," I cup her cheek in my large hand.

"I want to stay here," she says, her hand covering my own. I smile softly, but then I hear the shouts of the others. Panic settles in me, so I take Hermione's hand and head for the stairs. Too late. I can see the shadows of the Death Eaters as they climb the spiralling stairs. I turn around quickly.
"Think of a safe place," I say urgently.

"Umm... Hogwarts?"

"Anywhere other than here!"

"The Burrow!" As much as I hate it, it is the best she has.
I hold her hand tightly and hope I can make it back in time.

"Don't let go!" I shout as shadows encircle us.

{hermione's pov}

In a matter of seconds, I'm at the Burrow, Draco having flown us in. As the last of the black smoke recedes, he looks me dead in the eye.
"You can't go back," he says, rushing. His eyes dart around my face as if he was trying to memorise every part of me. I start to question him but he butts in.
"I'm sorry I don't have much time. I wish things could be different, Hermione, I really do. I have made the wrong choices and I'm sorry. I love you Hermione Granger. So much." Before I can say anything, he kisses me softly and vanishes with the rest of his black smoke.

I fall to my knees and cry for a long while. I don't know who comes to get me or who finds me in a mess. All I know is that Draco has left. I may not see him again.

I have never felt so alone.

A/N - thanks for reading :) the picture attached is not mine, credits to the owner. such a beautiful piece of art though!