𝔖𝔢𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔡 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 (18+ ℭ𝔬𝔪𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔱𝔢)

To Keep Him Safe

     March 1998. Malfoy Manor property.

     Sweat poured down my face and burned my eyes as I waved my wand. The dark mound of Earth moved back into place, and grass pushed back up from its depth. At a glance, it looked as if it had never been sullied with what lay underneath.

     My stomach objected. I bent over next to a large oak tree and threw up.

     What did you do, Draco? Is there another Pansy running around right now, or was this some big game to her that ended her life? My mind spun through my fears relentlessly from the moment she's hit the ground with no light shining in her eyes.

     Wiping the sweat from my face, I shoved myself away from the tree. I ran back to the Manor as fast as my feet would take me.

     Will they be able to tell that I'm a murderer and a traitor now?

     Making my way inside, I walked down the hallway, looking in each room to ensure they were free of Death Eaters before zipping by.

     "Draco, where have you been?" Father hissed from behind me.

     Jumping, I spun to face him and said, "I went for a walk around the gardens."

     He fussed with his black-silk ascot. "We've been looking everywhere for you." A cold chill worked down my spine.

     "Why?"

     "Scabior brought in some filth from the forest claiming to be someone by the name of Vernon Dudley. There are two others we need you to identify as well."

     The hammering of my heart rocked my body. "I don't know anyone by that name, so I wouldn't be able to help."

     Squinting at me, he said, "You know what Harry Potter looks like, don't you?"

     "Yes, but so do you." I trembled in fear and relief, knowing Pansy was telling the truth about Potter and time-traveling.

     "Don't sass me, Draco." He frowned and pointed down the hallway to the drawing-room.

     I rolled my shoulders and straightened my clothes before walking to my doom...or Harry's.

     Drifting into the two-story room, I was thankful that my stomach was emptied less than ten minutes ago. I shook so much that a bartender could have me hold the glass to blend their drinks. And the feeling intensified as I laid eyes on the guy I'd been in love with for years, Harry Potter.

     "Draco, there you are," Bellatrix hissed in her usual unsettling way. She ran over to Harry and yanked him up by the hair. "Well?"

     I stayed as far away as I could and hardly glanced his way. "I can't be sure."

     "Draco, look closely, son." Father's claws gripped the back of my neck and squeezed. "If we are the ones to hand Potter over to the Dark Lord, everything would be forgiven. A-all would be as it was, you understand?"

     Desperation clung to my childhood hero like a bad odor. I did my best not to cringe, so I nodded and moved towards Harry. Aunt Bellatrix pulled me the rest of the way to him and pushed me down for a better view.

     Anger shot through me, and I clenched my fists. "What happened to his face?"

     "He came to us like that," Scabior said.

     "Perhaps, something got him in..." Voices faded away as I drifted into Harry's green eyes. I wanted to grab him and apparate away but knew that would be pointless. Then I wanted to tell him everything was going to work out because I knew he would defeat Voldemort. Instead, I remained quiet and swallowed down the raging emotions in me that my foreknowledge created.