Traveling Soldier

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Warnings: slash, HPDM, character death. ANGST. I won't tell you what song I based this on, but if you can't tell... seriously. PM me, you should hear it, so you get it.

PROLOGUE: LOOKING AFTER HIM

Draco sat down by the lake, feet swinging off of the pier and into the water. Tears streamed down his face freely and his shoulders shook. In his hands he had so many pieces of parchment, he'd lost count how many. They were crumpled in his fists, he was holding them so tightly. Sobs racked his body as he stared out into the water, mentally daring the great squid to come up so he could take his anger out on it. Or anything. He let out an anguished wail, slamming his fists down into the wood. Ahead of him, the sun was rising, behind him, he heard a gasp. He ignored the person, they would recognize him, at least by his hair and Slytherin attire, rumpled as it was. They would recognize him and go away.

He didn't get his wish though, as someone sat down next to him, gently touching his shoulder.

"Hey."

Draco spun, staring at Hermione Granger as she peered at him through teary eyes, face streaked with the tears that had fallen.

"What do you want?!" Draco snarled, hands flying with seeker speed to his robes, hiding away the pieces of parchment. "I asked you what you wanted Granger!" he snarled, glaring.

"Are those from him? From Harry?" Hermione asked, her voice barely audible.

"What?! How do you-" another piece of parchment was thrust into his face, crumpled and worn and dirty. However, the print was still legible, and recognizable. It was Harry's handwriting, clearly.

Hermione,

I love you. Look after Draco for me, please, till I come back. I'll explain then. Please. Please, do this for me. I need him.

Harry

Draco squinted, his Malfoy mask faltering as his jaw clenched and he bit into one of his fists, choking back another wail.

"Wanna tell me what this was about?" Hermione asked, trembling and folding the letter to hide it in one of the pockets of her robes. "it'll help, Draco, to talk about it." she offered quietly, putting an arm around his shoulder as he failed and let out another agonizing wail.

"HE'S GONE!" he screamed, banging his already swollen fists into the pier and Hermione choked back another sob.

"Tell me."

So, he did.