Determination| 𝐴 𝐷𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 (𝚈𝚎𝚊𝚛 4, 𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 2)

Chapter Five | Devils Don't Fly

Devils Don't Fly, by Natalia Kills

Each biting word was like acid, burning his throat on the way out. As if he had thrown up the bile from his stomach and now his throat was raw. But it had to be said. As soon as he'd said it, he regretted it but it had to be done or his father would do worse. He could hardly mutter that word and as he did it felt as though it was burning his tongue. But he had to say it so that his father wouldn't find out that Draco had disobeyed him.

   The hurt expression on her face killed him a little from the inside. He'd hurt her yet again, and he had no one to blame but himself. He watched as she walked away with Potter and Weaselbee in tow. Such amazing defenders they happened to be. Always there for her when Draco hurt her. The princess's knight in shining armor is there to save her from the evil villain. Draco moaned. Was that what he was? A villain?

Draco sighed and made his way over to a tree then sat down at its base, leaning against its trunk. He looked at the sleeping child whom he'd wrapped in his cloak and laid to sleep beside the tree. Her peaceful, innocent face made him feel guilty for all his wrongdoings. Was it possible that he had been once that innocent? How could he have sunk this low? How despicable did he have to be to call her that after everything they'd been through? After everything, he'd put her through?

   Draco buried his face in his hands. He tried breathing in and out but the tightness in his chest wouldn't release. He felt no good or relief at the thought of his saving the little girl's life. Was it not supposed to make you feel better about yourself when you helped someone? Why did Draco feel no release of guilt or pain upon his good deed? Wasn't saving a little girl's life good enough to relieve him of the pain he'd been feeling?

There was a soft whimpering and Draco saw the little girl begin to rub her eyes. Draco smiled and lifted her, placing her in his lap. She yawned, rubbed her eyes, and became silent as he coo'd her. She smiled at him slightly, no longer crying. "We find mommy now?" She asked.

Draco smiled softly. "I'm trying little one. I need you to tell me your name though. Do you know your first and last name?"

"Cl...ara." She mumbled, then nodded.

Draco quirked his lips to the side in a goofy smile. "Your name is Clara?" The little girl grinned and nodded. Draco smiled. "My name is Draco."

"Dra." She said, giggling to herself. "...co!"

Draco raised his eyebrows. "That's right. Can you put it together now?"

"Dra...co. Draco!" She said a bit muffled and it sounded a bit strange when she said it but Draco liked it. He grinned and nodded as the little girl yawned.

Draco coddled the young child and allowed her to fall back asleep in his arms. He wrapped his cloak around her and sighed. He was going to have to get more information from her later. What was he going to do with her? He had no way of finding her parents. His father would inevitably be mad about his helping her, and he couldn't very well bring her home with him. No. He needed to find another way.

   At the same time, the Death Eaters were getting closer, he had to find some way to get Hermione out of there. They shouldn't bother the Weasleys, even if they were blood traitors, they were still purebloods and the Death Eaters were only after muggles and muggleborns tonight. So that helped to ease his consciousness and lessen his burden. Now he only had to get Hermione out of there.

Suddenly Draco had an idea. He looked over at Hermione, Potter, and the Weasleys campsite and saw Ginny sitting alone. She could care for Clara!! Draco shuddered at the thought of leaving the young girl in Ginny's care. Not because Ginny wasn't capable, but because a child was a large burden for a thirteen-year-old girl. But if anyone could handle it, it would be Ginny.