The Fall of Darkness

Chapter 17

"Don't try to say that your presence would only attract them, I've already thought of that. You would at least be worried, if you could maintain this much distance for this long. You would be pacing the floors, checking out the windows, not eating as much and owling anyone close to them just to check on their safety. You haven't so much as given a glance around! Not to mention that little conversation Narcissa and Kestral had the other night about your recently approved happiness and appetite. Also, why wouldn't you have told us what you did that caused Voldemort to rip your wings from you that night? How would that, if you were in the manor, lead us to figure out in any way who your Chosen was? I've ran it around and around and around in my head trying to figure it out. There's nothing short of mentioning their name, which you could have omitted as you always do, that would lead us to figure it out unless it had to do with us, and we've only been in the Manor once. You didn't identify Harry, I think that's what you did that night. I almost know it! Also, when we began out training her at Grimmauld, Ron insulted your Chosen- to provoke you. I saw you, Draco. You were fully provoked, furious! Yet you had no reaction other than acting when Harry did it. You merely acted out a fight as it should be with a different Veela."

Draco had grown even paler, if that was possible, and he looked a bit sick. No matter how much his mind worked, he couldn't find a way to refute what she'd said, no way to excuse all of it and laugh her off. She was too observant, too obvious. She knew.

"You don't want us to know who they are, acting like we know them. Because we do. You fought for the side of the light, because he did. He. Which *you* slipped. I heard what those Veelas at the shack said that day and I looked it up. A Veela can only control his or her fire when in defense of it's Chosen, no matter how powerful they are- so don't try to use that excuse either! Though, I'll give it to you, that was a hard fact to find out! Also, you located your shop on a busy alley, only feet from the Ministry with a notice me not charm? How is that good for business in any way? You don't need a shop, you get your orders by your reputation through owls. The shop is a front for what you're really doing, protecting your Chosen as you said you had always done. And they'd never accept you, they'd feel obliged to save you? How do you know that, Draco, how do you know Harry wouldn't love you? He has a lot of love to give, Draco, he needs someone like you," she finished finally, placing her wand down.

Draco found that he couldn't breathe, he was frightened. He wanted to run but the Veela in him made him stay. He had to stay. If only to protect Harry, but she knew, if she told it was all over. His life and what minimal happiness would be gone with Harry's rejection. He was breathing now, making himself intake breath, but too fast. Draco Malfoy was having a panic attack. Hermione rushed to his side, her hands on his knees as she knelt beside him.

"Draco? Draco, calm down. Calm down. Breathe slower." she said. Draco just stared at her, nearly panting. Panick in his eyes. "you've gotta calm down Draco, you'll pass out!"

"What's going on?" Harry asked, having entered the room with Ron behind him. He rushed over to kneel in front of Draco, gazing up at him with his huge emerald eyes in worry, "Draco? Are you okay? Hermione, what happened?" Draco managed to whimper though it was meant to be a yell. Hermione looked guilty,

"He'll be okay, Harry, please- go fetch a calming draught from his room will you?" she asked. Harry nodded, turning to rush off. She looked back at Draco,

"I won't tell," she whispered so that Ron couldn't hear her, "you've got to relax. Harry'll have kittens if you pass out, calm down." Draco just stared at her, his hand on his chest and still panicking. Harry raced back into the room, Calming Draught in hand and he handed it to Draco. The blonde tried to take the phial but his hand was shaking so badly he spilled a bit of it so Harry took it back, putting it up to his lips for him to drink. Draco jerked away a bit but then softened, drinking it.

"Tell me what's going on," Harry asked, obviously talking to Hermione though he didn't take his eyes off Draco.

"He's having a panic attack. We were talking about the war, he'll be okay Harry." she said softly, still feeling badly for her rant. Draco choked, coughing and leaned forward and Harry began patting his back, trying to help.

"We've all had those moments, Draco, it happens," Ron said understandingly, using Draco's name for the first time. Draco just leaned his head between his knees, taking deep breaths while Harry rubbed soothing circles on his back and Hermione pushed his hair out of his face. Suddenly, he jumped up, pulling away from them.

"Thanks, really. Er... you lot are great friends," he stared down at Hermione, his eyes pleading with her not to tell and she nodded in understanding, "I-I... uh, I'm going to go lay down." he finished and with that he was off, racing up the stairs.

"He'll be okay," Hermione repeated, going to sit back on the couch where she'd started. Ron moved to sit down next to her.

"I hope Malfoy's not embarrassed, we've all had our fair share of mind fucks from the war," he said thoughtfully, sliding his arms around her comfortingly. He could sense that she felt guilty, but he didn't really know why.

"I still have nightmares," Harry said, looking at where Draco had just been. The other two Gryffindors nodded, they all did. Harry turned to look at where Draco went curiously, "I'm going to go talk to him." Hermione looked as though she weould protest but then thought better of it and clamped her mouth shut as Harry raced up the stairs,

"Who better than Harry to talk to him about the war?" Ron said, trying to comfort Hermione.

"Yes, dear, who better indeed," she replied quietly, leaning into the embrace.