Love and Power

{7} Pathetic

I didn't see Draco for much of the day. Blais had said that during Charms class, which he shared with Draco, he wouldn't stop asking questions about if he had seen me and if I looked okay or if I was upset during classes.

I take Care of Magical Creatures with Blais. So that's when he was able to vent about how frustratingly annoying Draco was. Blais said he was sure he missed marks in that class due to how often Draco distracted him.

I did- however- get a letter. From my father. And it scared me. It was late at night when I received the owl. I was sitting on my bed when I read it. The only other person in the dormitory was Milicent.

We hadn't ever really talked much. She didn't do anything to be mean to me necessarily. But she was good friends with Pansy, which set me off enough. I don't know.

Anyways, I read the letter.

—-
Anastasia,

I am writing to you to let you know that I am ordering you home. There is business you and I must attend to. You will be coming home as early as tomorrow morning. Don't worry, you will be attending school once business has been taken care of. I don't need you at the mansion bothering me while I work. Say your goodbyes to whatever friends you have tonight, because you won't be back for at least three days. I expect you to be on the train tomorrow morning. I'll be expecting you at the platform.

-Anthony Crow
---

All of me wanted to drop the letter and sprint for Draco down whatever hallway he was in decorating for the holidays. I wanted to go and surround myself with him. Say my goodbyes and tell him just how scared I was about what was going on.

But I knew it would get me in trouble. And I don't want to worry him. But then my heart ached at the thought of being stuck with my abusive father for days on end without any kind of contact to Draco at all.

So I did as I wanted to. I buried the letter under my pillow and left the dormitory. Then the common room. Then covered myself in an invisibility spell and raced down the hallways.

As soon as I saw the platinum blonde hair- I softly whimpered and removed the spell. He's on his own decorating. Likely would rather work alone than with Pansy. 

Nonetheless, I ran up to him, tears streaming down my cheeks, and tightly hugged him. A sob slipped my lips.

"Ana?" Draco was shocked, then he just hugged me back. "What's going on? What happened?"

I tried to speak but I couldn't. I literally could not stop crying. Out of fear. This is fear. Is this a panic attack? I can't breathe. I need to sit down.

Draco led me to a bench near a window and sat next to me. He then pulled me in and held me as I tried my hardest to calm down.

"Ana," His voice was soft. His hand rubbed my shoulder trying to anchor me. "What's wrong?"

"I got a letter," I sighed shakily. "From my father. He um... he's forcing me to come home. For a few days. And I'm scared."

His aura changed to a protective one. I heard it in his tone.

"Why is he making you come home? Has he told you?"

"No, he just said we have business to take care of," I told him. "Draco I'm scared. I'm so scared. He's gonna hurt me again."

"No he's not. He's not because you're not going. He abuses you, Ana. I'm not going to let it happen anymore."

"Draco you- you don't know what he's capable of," I shuddered. "He's done horrible things. I'd never forgive myself if he hurt you because you stood up for me."