The Heart of an Apple

Draco Malfoy sat on his bed late one night, deep in thought. This had happened before – he had fallen in love. It had ended so bitterly and he knew that would only happen again if he didn't make his move. He stood up and quietly made his way to the kitchen.

His house was so silent, so lonely. His hands shook as he remembered. She had faded away before his eyes, becoming nothing but a decaying corpse beside him. Tears threatened but he blinked them back. That would not happen again! This time, he could use magic. No one could stop him, and no one would know.

He sat down at the kitchen table and stared longingly at the bowl of fruit across from him. Was this wrong? What if it didn't work? No, he decided, he would not overthink this. He had made up his mind. He picked her up and gently laid her on the table in front of him.

Draco took a deep breath and whispered a charm that would keep her crisp green skin from rotting away and her soft, pale flesh from turning brown. It would keep this apple fresh forever.

Draco and Apple sat in the shade of a tree, a gentle late summer breeze causing a few leaves to fall around them. Draco had wanted to express his feelings for a while now, but could never find the right words, or the perfect moment. Things just weren't the same between them. They had spent four and a half blissful years together, but Draco wasn't happy anymore.

He looked over at Apple, guilt flooding through him at the sight of her. She looked so carefree and content. He knew that what he was going to tell her would break her heart, but he simply had to do it. She wouldn't say anything, as usual, but he understood that. He presumed that she had experienced a great trauma sometime long ago, and that was why she was mute. He didn't mind, he loved her all the same. He glanced away. That was just it – he loved her so much. Yet he longed for more.

"Apple?" he whispered softly.

She didn't reply but he knew she was listening.

His mouth was dry and his breath was short. "I will always love you," he struggled, "but…"

He could feel the tension immediately. She was smart. She knew where this was going.

He sighed. "This relationship isn't working for me anymore. I love you, but I'm just…"

He could almost hear what she was thinking. She didn't want to hear his speech. She knew it was over. They both did. Draco's eyes became unfocused as he stared at the ground. When he looked up again, she was gone.

Apple watched as Draco made his way down the hill and back to the house. How could he do this to her? She had given her entire life to him, loved him so unconditionally, and never left his side… She felt so hurt and humiliated. She wouldn't let him just walk away like this. She would get her revenge.

Note:

To be continued. After I explained what 'Drapple' was to my mom, she came up with the plot for this story. Thanks mom.