Atelophobia (Draco Malfoy x Male OC)

Chapter Fifteen

I only ever half understood why we were deterred from entering the Forbidden Forest, sure it was home to a few dangerous creatures but they lurked in the depths. If you stayed along the tree line where light could still filter though, the forest had a calming effect.

We sat just far enough into the tree line to not be seen by others, the light that came though the canopy made strange shadows on Draco's face. His cheek bones stood out and he didn't seem as pale. The filtered light of the forest seemed to hide the ill effects of Draco's stress on his appearance.

My back was leaned against the trunk of a sturdy oak tree while the blonde sat between my legs with his back against my chest. With a light touch, I carefully played with his disheveled silvery locks.

"Is this better?" I asked softly, I knew hiding in the forest tended to help me but I didn't know much about Draco's coping methods. But by the looks of him I could only assume his methods were unhealthy.

"Much" Draco uttered, his voice was barely a whisper as he sunk into my touch.

I frowned and looked down at him "you look exhausted" I mumbled and a deep frown claimed his features.

"I haven't slept in days"

"Nightmares?"

I got a slight nod in response as Draco sighed audibly.

"You can sleep with me if you want, it might help" I offered, twirling a strand of his hair around my pinky.

He looked up at me and raised an eyebrow "what if we eat caught?"

"Blaise and Theo share a bed sometimes and no one questions them, we're still friends y'know not just..."

I was hesitant, I didnt know what word to put there. 'Boyfriends' wasn't appropriate as we hadn't made anything official and 'lovers' insinuated something that hadn't happened yet.

With a sigh and a shake of my head, I dismissed the thought. "I've got something for you," I stayed and dug into my pocket, I pulled out two vials attached to silver chains "my mother has a specialty for connection spells like Unbreakable Vows, Legilimency and Empathy Elixirs. These vials are connected, the wearer will know if the other is safe or in danger and if they feel lonely they can feel the other's warmth"

Draco raised an eyebrow as I gently placed one of the vials into his hand. "So basically if I want you to kiss me you'd feel it?".

"Yeah that's the general gist of it"

The blonde grinned a little "it doesn't seem to be working then"

"Oh and why is that?"

"Because you're not kissing me"

I laughed a little and leaned down to press my lips against his as he tilted his head back to make it easier. His lips still tasted sweet like strawberry jam and I let my eyes flutter shut.

This is what we both needed, well I mean we didn't need to kiss but all we needed was a moment where we could pretend that we were normal kids sneaking off to sit together and live out a teenage romance instead of soldiers in a war.

I pulled away after a moment and chuckled a little when Draco tried to follow my lips, "you need to wear the necklace for it to work" I murmured.

Carefully I helped him to put on the necklace and then slipped my own necklace over my head with a smile. After that we just sat there, watching the birds in the trees, talking calmly and occasionally stealing quick kisses until it was time to return to reality.

We walked side by side into the castle, hands shoved into our pockets as I watched the happy expression melt from Draco's face and he once again looked like a wreak. The vial tucked under my shirt felt like lead pressing against my chest.

Slyly my hand dipped into Draco's pocket and I intertwined our fingers. Instantly the vial became slightly lighter as Draco let out a shaky breath, his eyes darting around to make sure no one was watching.

He didn't notice the pair of eyes that I noticed, harmless for now. I gave Georgina and Ryland a small smile, but they didn't return it. I couldn't blame them, I had been avoiding a majority of my friends since the train arrived at the beginning of the year and I had been keeping secrets from them.

But I couldn't help it, I had two responsibilities. One was to keep everyone oblivious to either the tattoo on my pale forearm or my role as a spy for the Order and the other was to keep Draco Malfoy safe no matter who or what it cost.