Disclaimer: I am not blonde nor am I British so obviously the world of Harry Potter and Co. is not mine. Unfortunately.
Chapter 2-
Her body seemed as if it was be compressed through a small tube and she was being thrown through the air. Her feet hit the floor hard and Alyssa found herself standing in front of a small and secluded, but extravagant, cottage. She had stood in this very same spot far more than once. In fact she often wondered if she should just move there, for she spent more time at this apartment than her own. However, Alyssa could never bring herself to move there. It had a certain cold factor. But that was understandable considering what happened to her every time she entered the building.
Alyssa took a deep breath and let herself in after all, she knew she was expected. Even though she had been there so many times, she gave an involuntary shudder as she crossed the threshold. In truth, she didn't exactly know why she still came back to him. Alyssa knew he was changing her, and for the worse but she couldn't bring herself to walk away from and seek help. It was like a drug and she kept coming back for more. It was a need Alyssa couldn't refuse and she didn't know if she ever could.
The cottage was dark and somewhat sinister looking, just like its owner. Well, what the owner appeared to be to the rest of the world. Alyssa knew differently. She knew Draco had a cold exterior. He could be vile and cruel and that's what he chose to be towards society. But Alyssa had seen his soul. He had a good heart somewhere in there. She had broken through the cold facade on more than one occasion. Once, halfway through sixth year when she comforted him during his 'destiny' with the dark lord. Once again when he saved her from herself and a final time when he had broke down in front of her when he called and he apologized for what he kept doing to her and told her to never come see him again. She convinced him otherwise. Alyssa supposes that's why she returns to him.
She climbed the dark staircase and approached the bedroom on the left. She pushed open the door. The room was dark but she knew he was there, as he always was. "Drake…." She whispered softly. She walked further into the room. The door slammed behind her and she whipped around, startled. She found him sitting in an armchair in a dimly lit corner, his wand outstretched in his right hand and a glass of wine in the other.
"You're late." He drawled softly. She looked at him. "You were supposed to be here at two. It is almost four. I sent my patronus at 3:30. Where have you been?" He asked as he looked into his glass, swirling it around a little as if it might contain poison.
"I was out with Charlie. She made me accompany her to Diagon Alley for shopping and lunch. We got a little- uh- sidetracked." She answered him.
"How so?" He asked.
Alyssa contemplated how to answer him. If she told him the truth, she knew it would upset him, but if she lied, it would be far worse. He always knew if she was lying to him and that made him angry. "We ran into some of Charlie's friends." It wasn't a complete lie. They were Charlie's friends. They were just hers as well. From the past, at least.
"Do I know them?" Draco asked, as he sipped his glass.
"I suppose so." Alyssa answered, not meeting his gaze. She didn't want to tell him the whole story. Draco might no longer be a death eater but he was still a Malfoy and some things never changed.
Draco stared at her hard for a moment. Alyssa's eyes shifted from different spots in the room. Draco stood up and walked close to her. "There is something you are hiding from me. Something you don't wish me to know." He whispered lowly, almost a purr. He reached up and brushed a stray hair out of her eyes. "What is it?"
Alyssa finally locked eyes with him. His light grey eyes bore into her dark ones. She could smell the wine on his lips. He was drunk. She knew she could no longer put it off. "Ron and Hermione Weasley." She mumbled softly. Draco's eyes hardened. He turned from her.
"Ahhh. The weasel and his new mudblood wife. An expansion in their family. I wonder how they still fit in that one room of theirs." He said menacingly.
"Don't talk about them that way." Alyssa said before she could stop herself. Draco whipped around and narrowed his eyes.
"Why? Do you actually care for those people?" He hissed at her. Alyssa just looked at the floor. "You do. You actually care about their feelings even after they deserted you. Only I remained. Even your precious friend Charlotte wasn't there for you that night. Only I." Alyssa still didn't respond but she stared threateningly into his eyes. He crossed a line. "You're such a stupid girl. That is what you are and always will be." He said.
"No I am not. You are the stupid boy. You hold grudges and you have no real friends." She shot back at him. Draco eyes blazed, but he feigned forgiveness.
"I'm sorry. You are right. Anything else?"
Alyssa had a sudden burst of anger and confidence. "Actually, yes. Harry Potter was with them as well. I told him hello and we're meeting up next week for a cup of tea." She said in a mocking tone.
Draco's eyes flashed dangerously and an evil grin spread across his face. "Oh is that true? What does his beloved fiancée say about this? Or does she not know? That you wish so desperately to be his whore? That you wish it was you he was fucking every night? Because you are so hung up on him that you never let go of that stupid teenage love he told you was real. He never loved you. He wanted you for a while but as soon as a new piece of arse was available, he left you." Draco said in a hurtful tone. Alyssa's breath caught in her throat she wanted so badly to retaliate, but what could she say? Draco was telling the truth. "I bet you told him your entire story. Expected that he would come and rescue you like the Goddamn fucking savior he is, did you?" Draco shouted at her. He threw his wine glass at the wall and it shattered. "Well guess what he doesn't care about you! No one does! Because you're a little slut who will never amount to anything. All you will ever be is my whore." He said as he pushed her up against a wall.
She didn't bother crying. No one was there to wipe her tears away. Even if there was, who would care to?
"She is going to see who?" Harry asked. He must not have heard correctly. There is no way Alyssa would continue to be with friends with someone like him after the war. "I must have heard wrong. I thought you said Draco Malfoy."
"I wish you had heard me wrong but it is true. Draco Malfoy is the one who sent the patronus." Charlie said with a sigh. Harry sat back and blinked hard. No way. There is just no possible way.
"But, her brother despises him! Darren would never let Alyssa have a deep relationship with Malfoy." Ron said, trying to convince himself more than Charlie.
Charlie glanced up at the trio, as her eyes filled with fresh tears. "You didn't read the papers after the war, did you?"
The three glanced at each other. They hadn't. Mrs. Weasley had insisted they stay away from the public for the months after the war because she wanted them to stay away from the sadness of the obituaries in the Daily Prophet. She didn't want them to sink into a deep depression like she knew Harry would if he saw all the casualties. All they did was attend one memorial service that honored everyone who was killed in the battle. No names or numbers mentioned.
Charlie apparently guessed their answer and took a deep breath. "Mr. Swanson went into hiding as soon as the war began, he was muggleborn after all. He was murdered by the Snatchers around January of that year." Hermione gasped. Charlie continued, "Her mother fell very ill after that. Alyssa suspects it was the heart break but she died about a month later." Charlie said as new tears trickled down her cheeks. Hermione buried her face into Ron's shoulder. Harry just looked shocked, like he never thought about that happening. "Alyssa and Darren continued to live on. Darren told her to be strong for their parents. Be strong so this war would end, and in our favor. Darren was Alyssa's support system. He took care of her and provided all that he could for her even though he couldn't go out much. Aly told me that was what kept her going. She was strong for her brother because she knew he needed her to be." Charlie continued sobbing.
"But then word that the final battle was happening at Hogwarts spread and Darren found out. He apparated to Hogesmeade to help after he ordered Alyssa to stay at their house behind the shields but when does she ever listen? Aly told me that the next minutes were a blur. She was in the middle of battle as soon as she passed the gates." Hermione was shaking uncontrollably as her husband rubbed her back soothingly, but he was as white as a sheet. "Alyssa tripped while trying to get away from a death eater. He put the cruciatus curse on her. She says that was the third most painful event of the night."
A dreadful feeling settled into Harry's stomach. There were more painful things?
"Alyssa tried to stupefy him once the pain had subsided but she was on the ground and the death eater dodged it easily. She supposes he didn't want to waste any more time on her. She remembers him yelling the killing curse." Charlie's voice wavered but she continued on. Harry was muttering 'no' over and over again. "Alyssa said she just closed her eyes and waited, but her death never came. Darren had witnessed the death eater and her battle and raced to her safety. He threw his body over hers just in the nick of time."
They all lost it at the moment. Even Ron and Harry were shedding a few tears. Hermione couldn't imagine anything more horrible. Charlie had known the whole story for about 3 years and it still hadn't gotten any easier. Harry and Ron were both wondering why they hadn't been there.
"She says she can barely recall the rest. She remembers seeing Harry in Hagrid's arms, then Harry disappearing under his invisibility cloak, then Voldemort being destroyed. She didn't linger around the Great Hall. She went to find Darren's body and apparated both of them back to their house. When I came back to England two weeks later, I found her huddled in a corner, staring at the bed where Darren was laying. I helped her bury him in her family cemetery. She told me later she just couldn't bear to bury him. She didn't say a word for almost a month. She didn't even tell me the whole story until a year after the war. She only sat staring out a window. She was like a ghost, but they are louder than she was. It was completely awful." Charlie shuddered at the memory.
Harry was at a loss for words. He couldn't imagine this happening to a person like Alyssa. She was such a genuine person.
"But she got better, right?" Harry asked hopefully even though he feared he already knew the answer. Charlie looked at him resentfully. She blamed him for part of it anyways.
"No. That's when the nightmares set in. I stayed with her some nights and I could hear her screaming all night. Every morning, she would have deep blue circles under her eyes." Charlie took a deep breath. Here comes the hard part. "But the worst of it came about 2 years ago. Alyssa became angry. Like tremendously angry. I would come in to find shattered glass all over the floor from vases and pictures. She would yell and cuss. I never would have believed that kind of words would come out of her mouth. But she would cry too at the same time. And one day I came in to see her burning all of her photos, muggle and magical. I tried to stop her but she screamed at me, told me that memories meant nothing to her anymore that she just wanted to escape the pain. Later I realized that was the same day you and Ginny announced your engagement."
Harry's stomach dropped. He didn't know if he wanted to hear anymore. But Charlie went on.
"However, as quickly as the fits of anger came, they left. She seemed to become more normal then. Aly started to talk and sometimes even laugh. She also ate more. I stopped coming by as much. I thought she was getting better. I should've noticed though that her shirts were still very baggy and that her eyes still looked bruised. And maybe I should have noticed how she only wore long sleeves." Charlie said as the tears returned. Hermione gasped at the last statement. Ron and Harry looked confused. They didn't understand what could be so bad if Alyssa began talking and eating again. But Hermione knew. Her cousin had the same problem.
"No. No way. Please tell me she didn't?" Hermione begged, her eyes watering.
"Wait, what happened?" Ron asked, his eyes shining with concern and confusion. Charlie took a deep breath and continued.
"I had just flooed into my apartment and had started dinner for Ethan and myself, when his head came through the fire. He was all in a panic and his words were rushed but I understood the gist. It was something along the lines of 'St. Mungos. Alyssa. Wrong.' I freaked out and apparated to St. Mungos where Ethan was waiting on me."
All 3 of the listeners stopped breathing. They knew no good could come of this.
"I'm not sure which room or level he took me to because I was in hysterics. She's my best friend and I couldn't lose her. We went into a secluded room and there she was. She was unconscious and I could really see how thin she was in her hospital gown. I also noticed there were bandages around her wrist and I could see the blood coming through." Charlotte couldn't control her sobs. "I also saw rope imprints around her neck. She was the whitest I'd ever seen. At first I thought she was dead but I was relieved to see her chest moving."
"She tried to KILL HERSELF?" Harry exclaimed, standing up. He was outraged. "Was she insane?"
"Now you don't go acting like you care!" Charlie yelled back. "You are part of the problem!"
"Me? How could this be my fault?" Harry asked, incredulously.
"Because she loved you! Hell, she still loves you! I don't know why but she could never get over you even though you deserted her!" Charlie spat back venomously.
Harry was about to retort but Hermione interrupted him. "Harry, calm down. Charlie is right but this is not the time for this conversation." Hermione said placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry sighed and sat back down. Charlie eyed him evilly. "Now Charlie, what happened after that?"
Charlie recomposed herself. "That was when I noticed she wasn't alone in the room. There was certain platinum blonde, sitting next to her, holding her hand."
"NO!" Ron gasped.
"Yes. Draco Malfoy was the one who found Alyssa in her apartment. I never knew before but they had maintained their friendship from school. Crazy right?" Charlie responded.
"Wait, how would Draco know she was in there?" Hermione asked.
"It turns out he lived relatively close and would come check in on her from time to time. Luckily he came that time. I may think he is a slime ball, but I'm forever grateful to him for saving my best friend. The healer in charge of her case said she also had twice the legal amount of alcohol in her blood. My guess is since she knew I was working that day she let herself lose control. She got drunk and destroyed everything from her past. Then she just felt she wasn't worth anything anymore." Charlie cried.
There was a silence among the group as they thought over what they just heard. It was shocking to hear that the strongest girl they'd ever known was shattered. However, Harry wanted to know the rest.
"But if Malfoy was the one who saved her, why was it such a bad thing for her to go to him?" He asked. Harry despised Malfoy, always had, and always will but if he saved Alyssa, Harry will always be thankful to him too.
Charlie looked down as she thought of the best way to answer Harry's question. She figured out there wasn't one. "He….. abuses their relationship." Charlie really didn't want to go into further detail than that. But Ron being Ron didn't take the hint.
"And how's that?" Charlie decided there was no way around it; she would have to tell them. Everything.
"He (sighs) uses her to take out his….. frustration. ALL of his frustrations. I would call it rape but Alyssa is the one who always goes back to him." Charlie sighed. The group went through a hard silence. The trio was trying to soak in what Charlie had told them. None of them could quite understand how the girl they knew as Alyssa Swanson, could become the Alyssa in Charlie's stories.
Harry gathered up the courage to ask the next question. "But…. Why?" Charlie glanced at him sadly.
"I really wish I could say that I knew. All she ever tells me is, "I need him just as much as he needs me." I don't know what that means but she has sure stuck by it. No matter what we're doing, as soon as he calls, she rushes to him. It is how it has been ever since she woke up in the hospital."
"What happened after she woke up? What did she say about the situation?" Hermione asked, afraid to say the word 'suicide'.
"Well, we never really talked about it. I mean I tried to, but, if I ever brought it up all she would say is, 'It's okay. Draco saved me. Don't worry about it.' I really don't know what she means but he is keeping her alive. She eats regularly now. Still not as much as she probably should but enough to keep well nourished. But it's really like she's not even there now. It's almost like she did succeed with her plan that night." Charlie sighed.
The group fell into a dead silence; all four of them overcome with emotion. Hermione and Ron were felt that they had abandoned a friend who was like a sister, and Harry was completely distraught. He felt responsible for all of this. He wanted to fix it but he didn't know how.
He hardly remembered the night sixth year. It was like he was in a daze. He knew for a long time he had feelings for Ginny but he loved Alyssa as well. Harry never thought his feelings for Ginny would ignite the way they did. He didn't mean to string Aly along. As soon as he climbed through that portrait hole, and laid eyes on the redheaded beauty, she was all he could think about. He was pulled towards her like gravity and Harry could never leave her again.
Harry felt awful now because he realized he never gave much thought to Alyssa after that. He believed that she was a strong girl who could take care of herself. He thought she would move on and find someone better. Hell, he believed she would have to fend off the guys. Alyssa was very beautiful in Harry's eyes and such a genuine person. And her smile drove him wild. Or it used to.
Harry smiled to himself as he thought of the girl used to know, but then he shook his head sadly. He knew that girl was gone, but he'd do anything to get her back.
Ron seemed to have the same idea.
"Charlie, we have to do something! I need to do something! She was like a sister to me. I can't believe I let her suffer this long!" Ron exclaimed, pounding his fist on the table.
Charlie looked at him sadly. "I don't what else there is to do. I've tried everything. She just won't budge."
"I can't believe I let this happen. This is all my fault." Harry mumbled, his head in his hands. Charlie looked at him, resigned. She sighed. She really wanted to blame him but she knew it wasn't his entire fault.
"Harry, do not blame yourself for this. You might have sparked the fuse on the bomb, but life ignited the fuse and Alyssa chose the chain reaction. You didn't know life would be unfair to Alyssa and that she wasn't strong enough to deal with it all. She used to be the strongest girl we knew. I had no idea it would ever go this far." Harry nodded his head but was very doubtful. He should have handled he heart with better care. "Believe me, Harry. I went for awhile hating your guts. I wanted to stupefy you into next week, but Alyssa never felt that way. She gave you the benefit of the doubt and wanted you to be happy. She does not hate you and I know she never will." Charlie finished.
"So our Alyssa is completely gone?" Hermione asked softly. Her eyes were red and her makeup was smudgy. Charlie nodded and looked down. She was crying again. But all of sudden her head snapped up.
"The music has left her. Her song has been sung." Harry concluded. He sighed dejectedly.
Charlie's head snapped up at Harry's statement. "Wait, Maybe not." She said more to herself than to her three friends. "Guys, I have an idea."
The trio gaped at her.
