Because of you

Chapter 20

A/N: So I haven’t really known where to take this story, but I think that I’ve got it figured out. Plus I noticed as I was re-reading this story that I made Lucius appear earlier in the story and then I mentioned him in a recent chapter…. Whoops! I’ll have to change that later, but for now it’s not that important. Hope you enjoy this chapter! Sorry it took so long! (Draco’s POV by the way)

It’s been almost a month since Harry and Ron came to Hogsmeade. Hermione and I have never been better, but I’m a bit concerned about Ginny. She hasn’t really talked to me since that day and I haven’t really seen her eat anything in a couple of days. When I asked Hermione if she knew anything, she told me that she didn’t so now I’m walking around Hogwarts looking for Ginny. She wasn’t in her dorm, her common room, and she wasn’t in my dorm either. I’ve been looking for her for what seems like forever, but I haven’t found her yet. I’m pretty sure that there’s a spell to make this easier, but I can’t remember it. Hermione would know but she’s in the library studying.

I stop walking when I reach the Astronomy Tower. I’ve searched everywhere and I still haven’t been able to find her. Where could she have gone? It’s almost curfew so she wouldn’t be in the Forbidden Forest… or would she? No. She wouldn’t do something dangerously stupid like that. There’s been some disturbing howling coming from the forest and McGonagall made it a rule that all students have to be inside before dark on the night of the full moon. As I look out towards the forest, I can’t help but notice that the moon is full… and that red sparks shoot above the trees.

I jump off of the Astronomy Tower and accio my broom. It comes sailing to me just before I hit the ground. The sparks light up the sky again and I fly as fast as I can. When I reach the edge of the forest, I drop the broom and start running. It’s too dark to try flying through the forest, even with the full moon. Howling erupts from my right and I have to tell myself not to panic. Werewolves are one of my biggest fears, but then again I was only really around Greyback and he was as bad as they come.

I’m not sure what I’m doing right now. There’s too much forest to search for Ginny and the sparks have stopped so I’m not even sure where to look. I could shout for her, but that might hurt more than help. This was a terrible idea, but Ginny could be in grave danger and she’s my friend. I have to find her. Whatever it takes, I have to find her. I’m not going to stop running until we’re both at the castle.

I shout her name and I just keep shouting. My legs start to get tired, but I keep running. She hasn’t responded and that’s got me running faster. The sparks stopped and now I can’t get a vocal response; this isn’t good. I stop running and try to listen for something, anything, but all I can hear is my heart beat pounding in my ears. Ginny has to be out here somewhere. She has to be, the sparks had to come from somewhere.

“Draco lookout!”

I turn around and jump back just as the werewolf slashes at me. He manages to couch my stomach and it’s just enough to knock me to the ground. Ginny throws a stick at his head and the werewolf turns towards her. My vision starts to blur, but I find the strength to get up and call for my broom. Before the werewolf can get Ginny, I throw a rock at its head. The creature turns towards me and lunges just as I grab my broom and dodge its attack. I grab Ginny as I fly past and then I pull the broom into a vertical assent.

Ginny holds on to me as we fly quickly through the branches. I manage to avoid any limbs and we’re soon above the forest and flying safely back towards the castle. My vision blurs again and the broom lurches down for a second before I correct it. The front doors are open so I just fly in. Professor McGonagall is there waiting to punish someone, but her face turns to shock as she realizes who she’s looking at. She notices my wound a second later and quickly helps Ginny assist me to the hospital wing.

Everything starts to get hazy as we get closer. My heartbeat seems to get softer in my ears and it gets harder to walk. I start to notice the wetness running down my legs and I look down. The blood is vivid scarlet against my crisp white shirt, and then it turns into a glimmering puddle on my dress pants. Time seems to slow down as we enter the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey screams and it takes me a second to realize that she wasn’t alone. Hermione rushes over to my side as I’m placed onto a cot. She grabs my hand and looks into my eyes. I reach over and wipe away her tears.

“I love you.” She whispers.

Everything fades away before I can respond.