Barely Acquaintances

•ten•

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"Would you like me to leave?" "Not really."
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Dracos POV

She was looking right at me, almost through me, as if she was waiting for someone, anyone, to tell her this was some sick, twisted joke. Someone to tell her it wasn't true. She just wanted to hear anyone say that her father was still here. Alive and well and breathing, that he was in on the joke and that everything was okay, just like I'd told her it would be.

"I've got you okay? It's going to be okay."

I thought back to what I'd said to y/n only a day earlier. I'd lied to her. Nothing was okay. Her father was dead, his body still resting inside my house. This was the furthest from okay that I'd felt in a long time, so I couldn't begin to think how broken down she was.

I caught her eyes again, she was swaying slightly, and blinking tears back but not quick enough, as they still fell from her eyes in a constant stream. She was struggling for air as she choked out,

"No..."

It wasn't a cry or even a scream, it came out more as though she was in denial. Then before anyone could jump out to catch her she completely lost her balance and tumbled to the ground, completely unconscious.

I was the first to act, her mother too hysterical to do anything until it was too late. I leapt out of my mothers clutch and instantly scooped her small body up in my arms, unsteady from my own state of shock. Father helped me take her inside where we laid her neatly into a large bed, in a spare room.

"Draco, come downstairs" my father sighed, even he looked absolutely distraught. After all, his lifelong companion had just been killed right in front of his eyes.

"No." I simply replied, I was in the process of moving a chair over to the side of the bed y/n was in, I wasn't going to leave her. Not after all the times she had stayed with me. "I'll wait for her to wake up, go and comfort Mrs Merlott and mother" it felt strange, giving orders to my father, but everything was so upside down at the moment neither of us cared. He nodded, and before turning to give me one more, somewhat encouraging look, he left closing the door quietly behind him.

I was slouched over y/n's sleeping body, barely being able to hold myself up. Her small, soft hand rested limp in my own. I was rubbing circles with my thumb into her palm, I'm not sure wether it was to calm myself down, or her. But either way there was something comforting about it so I didn't stop.

Her eyes were drooped shut, and short warm breaths escaped her slightly parted pink lips. She was paler than usual, and her hair was a complete mess if I was to be honest, spread all over the pillow her tired head rested on.

But I wouldn't change her. Not for anything. I'd never felt like I could call anyone a friend before I met y/n. And although it took a while, I was grateful we were finally more than acquaintances. Even if it had taken me this horrific event to make me realise.

Despite everything going on, she looked so at peace. So relaxed and so calm.

I looked down at her hand, encased in mine and for a brief moment, I too, was completely at peace.

Slowly, without me even being conscious of it, my body drooped down to lay onto y/n's body, her warmth dragging me into a light, restless sleep.