Twisted Love

21: Monster

*The blast from Harry's wand set Draco flying through the air and into the stone wall of the astronomy tower. He hit the ground, lying there seemingly unconscious. Hermione ran to Draco's side and pulled his limp body into her lap as she yelled.*

"Harry! What are you doing?!"

Harry: Protecting you! Now get away from him, Hermione!

"No! Leave him alone."

*Draco's pale grey eyes fluttered open as he groaned in pain.*

Draco: Hermione...

*Harry stood over them.*

Harry: Don't you dare speak to her, Malfoy!

*He grabbed Hermione's arm, pulling her away from Draco, and forcing her to stand.*

"Harry, stop!"

Harry: This is for your own good, Hermione.

*He pushed her behind him so she wouldn't get in his way as he aimed his wand at Draco.*

Harry: Crucio!

*Draco screamed as he writhed in pain, his body seizing.*

"Harry, stop! Stop it! Please!"

*Harry put his wand down, releasing Draco from his torture. Hermione ran over to him and pulled him back into her arms as his body relaxed.*

Harry: He's only going to hurt you, Hermione. Why can't you see that? He's a monster!

*Hermione blinked back her tears. She didn't understand how Harry, her best friend, could do something so horrible.*

"No, Harry. You're the monster!"

*Anger rose within Harry.*

Harry: How can you say that after all he's done to you?!

"He's a better person than you will ever be!"

Harry: Is that so?

*Harry took a threatening step forward as he raised his wand, but Hermione felt Draco shift beneath her. He quickly and unnoticeably pulled Hermione's wand from her pocket. Draco rolled over.*

Draco: Stupefy!

*The spell hit Harry in the chest, sending him backwards down the stairs. Draco struggled to stand up in his pain and he took Hermione's hand, helping her to her feet.*

Draco: Come on! Let's go!

*They ran down the stairs, stepping over an unconscious Harry on their way out of the tower. Worried that Harry might wake up and come after them, Draco and Hermione ran through the corridors, hand in hand, searching for a place to hide. Hermione kept glancing over her shoulder in fear as Draco wove around the other students in the halls. He knew exactly where he would take her; the only place in this school that she would be safe.*

*Draco lead Hermione up the stairs to the seventh floor corridor just as the door of the Room of Requirement began to appear in front of them. He pushed the door open and pulled her inside, locking the door behind them before collapsing to the floor, out of breath. Hermione sat down next to him and leaned her head against the cold stone wall, breathing heavily. Draco took her hand again.*

Draco: Are you all right?

*Hermione nodded.*

"I'm fine... What about you?"

Draco: Still a bit twitchy.

*He chuckled, as if the affects of the Cruciatus Curse were some sort of joke.*

Draco: But I'll be fine.

*Hermione felt the sting of hot tears in her eyes once again.*

"Draco, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

*Draco wiped a tear from her pale cheek.*

Draco: How is this your fault?

*She looked away from him.*

"He probably followed me again. I should have been more careful."

Draco: Hermione, look at me...

*He put his hand under her chin and turned her head to face him.*

Draco: It's not your fault. He's just being an arse about it, that's all.

"It's not like him to be doing these things."

*Her voice was a quiet whisper.*

Draco: Has he been doing anything else like this?

*She nodded.*

"He and Ginny fought so much that she broke up with him."

Draco: Is that all?

"That's all I can think of at the moment... Draco, I'm so scared."

*Tears continued to fall from her deep brown eyes.*

Draco: Don't be, I'm right here.

"What if he tries to hurt you again?"

*Draco sighed heavily as he pulled Hermione into his arms.*

Draco: I won't ever let that happen

*Hermione looked up at him.*

"Promise?"

*He kissed her forehead.*

Draco: I promise.

"I love you."

Draco: I love you, too. Forever.

***

Author's Note:

Any thoughts on what's going to happen in the next chapter? :D

- QR x