Author's Note

(Disclaimer)Draco Malfoy, Luna Lovegood and Harry Potter in general are not mine. They are the Queen's.(Disclaimer)

This is a DARK short, referencing suicide. If you think that will bother you, DO NOT READ!

Draco on the Edge

Draco Malfoy perched on the railing of the old bridge, looking down at the turmoil of the black lake. The sky dark with clouds and mist, the rain having only slowed to a stop moments before. One leg dangled off the side while the other was bent upward, his elbow resting on top of his knee as he idly tore at a stick, peeling the bark away in the smallest of strips as his mind wandered dangerously.

What was he to do? He shouldn't have to be making this decision. He should be studying for his O.W.L s. But Potter had to ruin his life, he didn't want any of this.

Yet as he sat there, contemplating the leap, the Dark Lord sat in his home, threatening his mother. His father was too weak to even bother trying to protect his wife and son, constantly kissing his arse instead.

Draco shook his head stiffly at a memory of his father stooped behind the Dark Lord, groveling in his wake.

He tosses the stick, sticky from having its bark torn off, over the edge. He watched it as far as he could see it clearly, before it fell into a foam of the churning water.

With nothing left to fiddle with, his thoughts focused more on what he came out here to do. Should he do it?

He put his hand down to the cement of the rail, touching the slight moss covering that grew there. Wet and springy to his fingertips..

Dare he not?

"Hello Malfoy.." The soft dreamy voice jerked him from his thoughts and he quickly wrapped his arm around the post behind him.

"Sod off Looney." He muttered without any conviction of his words.

She walked slowly closer, her hands tucked into her coat pockets as she stared at him through dreamily hooded eyes. She said nothing as she looked over the railing, her elbows now resting on the edge, hands clasped together over the edge, feeling the spray of water versus wind. She then pulled back her hands trailing the moss near his hand. She brushed her fingers against it, feeling it spring against her finger tips before finally speaking.

"Moss is so beautiful isn't it? You can see it at any time, but when it rains.. It is given new life.. It is so vibrant in colour amidst the dreary weather surrounding it."

Draco stares at her quietly, his posture loose as he became comfortable on his perch once again.

She lifts her head suddenly to stare him directly in the eyes. "Why are you out here Malfoy?"

He tears his gaze from hers, upset at her for asking that question. How should he know the answer to that. He looked over the edge again, going slightly pale at the thought of meeting those churning waves.

"Draco..?" She gently places her hand on his, leaning over the railing slightly as she tried to catch his eye again. "Don't do it Draco.."

He clenches his eyes shut, a sob escaping his lips. "You don't understand, you couldn't even begin to understand, Lovegood."

She lifts her hand to his cheek, gently turning his head so she could see his face. She brushed some hair out of his eyes before she muttered, "I don't have to understand in order to help. Even a secret shoulder to cry on can make a little difference." She smiled softly, her hand moving to his again.

"Come down, Draco.. Please?" She said with a gentle tug.

For a split second he still thought of just throwing himself off the railing, she couldn't stop him.. He didn't want her to..

Instead he let her gentle tug guide him off the rail. His feet hit the floor and he focused on the solid feeling beneath him. He hadn't thought he'd be on this side of the railing again. It was a strange feeling, as though he had made a mistake, his body felt heavy with exhaustion.

He looked down at his hand that nearly engulfed her dainty fingers, her nails trimmed down, the smallest line of dirt buried beneath them. He brushed his thumb gently against her fingers before looking up at her.

She was looking at him with the faintest smile.

He pulled his hand away and gave her his back as he leaned against the railing.

"What do you want, Lovegood?" He mutters, his voice carried off by the harsh wind that was starting to pick up again.

She stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "For you to come away from that ledge Draco.. That's all."

Author's Note

This was my first attempt at a short, there will be plenty more. In the future, any short I write may become a full story, or at least a longer Short.

I hope you enjoyed!