Keeping a Promise

Chapter 11

Draco's POV

I wanted to reach out and pull Lila close to me in order to stop her sobbing, but I don't think she wanted me to. The only thing I could allow myself to do was just stare at her while she laid on my bed, legs pulled to her chest and my sheets wrapped around her. Our wedding night had gone worse than I could have ever expected. I was expecting her to lay there and take it, but she was more than into it. I think that is what had upset her so much. Neither of us had said a word in the last 45 minutes. I finally reached out and touched her back gently. 

"Don't touch me," she demanded, jumping out of my reach and off the bed, my sheets still around her. "Don't ever touch me again." 

I sighed. "Lila, what exactly happened?" 

She rolled her eyes. "You were there, weren't you?! I know that you felt everything I did." 

"I did," I crawled across the bed to her, kneeling in front of her on the bed. "That's exactly what I was talking about. What the hell got into you?" 

"I have no idea." And she started to cry all over again. 

This time I did pull her close into a warm embrace. "What happened with Mitch last night? You two went through with it, right?" 

She nodded into my should. "Of course we did." 

"But?" I coaxed her to continue. 

She pulled from me to look into my eyes. "But it wasn't so good. I just laid there and did absolutely nothing. Tonight I was different. I came out of my shell with you, Draco. I couldn't even do that for Mitch! What is wrong with me?" 

"There is nothing wrong with you, Lila." I put her at arm's length now. "It was your first time. You didn't know what to do. You were scared. It's perfectly natural." It was not like that for Courtney and I, but I just wanted to make her feel better. 

She shook her head. "I wasn't nervous at all last night. I just wasn't into it, you know?" She started crying again. "I'm such a horrible person." 

I didn't know what to say, and lucky enough for me, Snape showed up at the door so I didn't have to. He apologized for catching us at a bad time, but he really needed to speak with me. I closed the door behind me and faced him. 

"Once again, I am sorry for the interruption," Snape apologized once again, "but we have an issue." 

I sighed, my heart skipping a beat. "What is it?" 

You-Know-Who didn't get wind that Courtney was alive did he? I was vulnerable while Lila and I were... Well, the point is I wasn't on guard the entire night. He could've gotten into my head sometime during the night. He would've known that she was alive and well. He had trackers that were ten times better than Alexandra that could track her down no problem. I really hope that wasn't the issue. 

"Don't worry. He still believes that Courtney is dead," he assured me, seeing the concern in my eyes. "However, there is more to this marriage than just you two being intimate." 

I raised an eyebrow up at him. "What do you mean?" 

He sighed. "He wants you two to get pregnant before the war begins." 

My mouth dropped open. That is not a metaphor. My mouth physically dropped open as wide as it could go. I was living a nightmare. I wanted out, more than ever. I closed my eyes and covered my face with my hands. I couldn't do it. It was going too far. 

Promise me. 

I shook my head no. "This is too much, Professor. I can't do it anymore." 

"You made a promise, Draco," he said while pulling my hands away from my face. "And you're going to keep it." 

Promise me. 

"I know, but it's too hard," I replied, falling with my back against the wall. "I'm exhausted, Professor. The pretending is too much. I cheated on Courtney last night, and the worst part of it is that she gave me permission!" 

"Not too loud, Draco." He pulled me off the wall to make me stand. "This is just another part of your mission. You will get through this." 

"Oh, yeah. Just another part of the mission," I half-heartedly chuckled. "Draco, pretend to follow You-Know-Who so you'll live. I can live with that. Draco, marry the girl that is not who you're in love with. That's pushing it. Draco, consummate the marriage to the girl you're not in love with. That's crossing the line. Draco, have a kid with the girl you're not in love with. No, I'm not doing it." 

Promise me! 

"You are doing it, Draco," he said, looking around to make sure no one had heard what I had said. "You promised Courtney that you would do anything to make sure you live," he paused, causing the tone of the conversation turn. "I know its hard, and it will only get harder until the end. You have to keep strong. Whatever you have to do, you have to do it, Draco. I'm sorry that life has dealt you this card in life, but it can only make you stronger." 

I nodded. "She's the only thing that's keeping me going. Her voice is in my head constantly." 

"As well that it should be. Keep pushing, Draco. She isn't the only one that would like to see you live through this war." He started to walk way. 

"Professor?" I called. 

He turned instantly. "Yes?" 

"Thank you for always being here for me. If it wasn't for you, I would've been dead a while back." 

He faintly smiled. "I think of you as a son, Draco. It only feels right to make sure you're safe." 

"You're a better father than..." I trailed off. "Thanks." 

"Goodnight, Draco," he called back as he left me there alone. 

I took that as my cue to go back into my room, where Lila was already dressed. She was lying in bed already. Her read eyes found me when I closed the door as I walked in. She pursed her lips in my direction as I came closer. 

"Is it true?" she asked. 

"Is what true?" I asked as I climbed into bed next to her. 

She sighed. "That he wants us to have a kid already?" 

I grimaced. "You heard that, did you?" 

"I'm pretty sure everyone heard. Oh, that and the fact that you don't love me," she added quickly. "You're not very good at hiding your feelings." 

"No, I'm not." 

"Especially last night, when you just laid there, doing nothing," she half smiled at me. "Not that anyone could've guessed though." 

I chuckled. "Only because you were so loud, enjoying yourself entirely too much." 

She instantly lost her smile. "I don't want to keep this charade up, Draco."

 "Neither do I," I said, turning with my back towards her. "Goodnight, Lila." 

A/N: I'm so sorry for the year long hiatus, guys! I'm back now and just full of ideas. I'm going to be needing surgery here soon, so while I recover, I'll have plenty of time to post. (Hopefully!) I missed Droutney as much as everyone else did! I hope you enjoy this chapter and that it was worth the wait! 

Don't forget to comment, vote, & love! 

Courtney<3