SONGBIRD

The Task

Rose's POV
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I woke up in the hospital wing, the events of yesterday feeling like a hazy dream. Draco was fast asleep in the chair next to me, his hands intwined with mine while he slept. Madam Pomfrey had given me some awful tasting potion for my nightmares last night, giving a night of pure relief, it had been the first good night sleep I had gotten in months. I gently took my hand out of Draco's grasp and made my way to the bathroom before the rest of the students were up and around the castle. I told Madam Pomfrey where I was going, knowing I would have to regularly check in and out with people and she even insisted on taking me. It wouldn't be allowed to be alone for a while, which I was glad about because I still didn't know if I could trust my mind still.

The sun looked absolutely beautiful as it rose from the hills, lighting up the silent hallways as I walked down. It was nice to get out of the wing I had only been there for a few hours but it had already left like days. Madam Pomfrey informed me that I would be starting my therapy i guess you could say today and that she had arranged some potions and medication for me. It was a lot for my mind to take in, so much had happened in the past 24hrs I felt overwhelmed. So I just focussed on going to the bathroom and sorting myself out, putting everything else out of my mind. I still felt the way I had before, but it wasn't so heavy and prominent and there was the light of hope now. I could beat this.

Draco's POV
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When I woke Rose wasn't in the bed, I went to say good morning and when she did not reply I felt my heart sink. The hospital wing was empty even madam pomfrey wasn't here. Feeling panic rising in my chest I raced out of the hospital wing and relentlessly called out her name not caring who I woke. My heart pounded in my chest as the anxiety filled up my entire body, the same feeling as yesterday washed over me. The images of the bathroom, the image of Rose, everything. My feet picked up their pace with every second that passed by, worry growing just as fast.

"Rose!" I shouted

"ROSE!".

"ROSE WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!".

"Draco what's wrong?" I heard a weak voice call out from behind me, ripping me away from my thoughts to turn around.

I turned around to see Madam Pomfrey walk right past me while Rose made her way up to me as quick as possible. Her expression was soft and concerned as she walked up to me.

"What's wrong?" I spat "Whats wrong is that I woke up and you weren't there!"
"Draco..."
"For all I know you could have-".

Before I could finishing my sentence Rose wrapped her arms around me, holding me in a tight embrace. The smell of vanilla soothed me as I melted into her completely, drowning in her scent.

"I'm so sorry Draco I didn't think" She said, guilt in her tone
"Just tell me next time" I said bluntly
"I will I promise, I'm sorry" She stuttered as she pulled away from the hug to hold my face in her small hands.

"Draco I promise I'm not going anywhere, I'm going to get better"
"I really love you Rose"
"I lov-"
"No don't say it yet" I whispered as I kissed her forehead gently, my body beginning to shake less.
"Why?" She said with confusion
"I want you to hear everything first" I said sternly
"I'm not leaving you again Draco"
"I just need you to hear before you tell me again"
"Okay" she smiled weakly.

I grasped onto her hand tightly as we made our way back to the hospital wing. We crawled back under the covers of the bed and I brought her flush against my chest. The way she made me feel had always scared me, but right now the idea of losing her was much more daunting than showing my true feelings for her. This had made me want to cut the dark mark from my flesh and move away with Rose. To get a chance to be happy for once in my life.