The rest of Draco's summer had proceeded much the same as the beginning. He was under house arrest due to his failure to dispose of Dumbledore but was still required to attend the countless Death Eater meetings help within his own home.
One thing was different though. No matter how much he tried to focus on anything else, his thoughts continually drifted to his mate. He hadn't even met her, and yet his every waking thought was about how to protect her and love her and their future together. He was turning into a preteen girl with all this lovey-dovey nonsense. He may as well start doodling love hearts in a hot pink diary planning his dream wedding. While he had no idea what she would be like, he couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose her. Lose her, you haven't even found her yet, he thought to himself.
Hogwarts was still a week away and he was becoming highly anxious. He was surprised that his parents hadn't cornered him yet to enquire about his behaviour. Since the night his mate came into her inheritance, there had been many times he felt her pain through their mate bond, and it had made him very volatile. It had occurred at the most in opportune moments including his meetings.
During the meeting prior to the failed attempt to capture Potter again, Draco barely heard the growl rise in the back of his throat at the feeling of his mate's chest being battered. It had taken his father many hours to explain his current predicament to the Dark Lord in a way that would not get them both tortured. After the explanation, Draco had hastily made his retreat into his room and destroyed most of his belongings to rid himself of his pent-up anger at his mate's abuse. At least once a day, he felt his mate's pain, each time it was something different. He had torn through his sheets at the feeling of his mate's head being slammed against a hard surface the night before. Sometimes Draco wondered if this was normal. If he was supposed to be feeling each specific injury of his mate before they had even met, let alone bonded. It was something he had yet to bring up to his parents, though he probably should have weeks ago.
Currently he was lounging on the royal blue sofa in his bedroom suite, staring into the flames that adorned the large brick fireplace. His thoughts had once again gone to his mystery mate that would no doubt be feeling the after effects of last night's blow to the head. Unconsciously, his hands began clenching around the armrest and the claws that had sprung from his fingertips had pierced the fabric. Not even aware of this however, Draco could not help but slip into a panicked state. He was very concerned that his mate may receive long lasting damage from the apparent torture she had endured throughout the summer. Draco could only imagine if it somehow became worse. If the next time, it wouldn't stop at just a few broken ribs or split skin. If the abuser would go too far, his mate gone, he would be alone... forever. It just kept repeating on his head as if on a loop.
Draco was pulled out of his thoughts by a rapping on his bedroom door. Barely aware that his parents had made their way into the room and sat opposite him on the couch, he continued to stare at the flames. It wasn't until his mother cleared her throat that he allowed his eyes to rise from the glowing embers.
"Sweetheart, would you like to talk about something?" His mother's soft voice filled the room. Concern and support filtered through the soothing tone. And that was all it took for the tears to escape his eyes. Loud sobs made their way from his lips as he clung to his mother like a child who just scraped their knee. Draco could not ebb the flow of the tears from his eyes no matter what he did. His thoughts just focussed on the idea that his mate could be gone before he even found her.
Narcissa did all she could to sooth her only son. His pain obvious through his sudden outburst. She and Lucius had noticed the increased anxiousness their son was displaying over the past weeks and were becoming quite concerned. They both suspected the reason for the change in his behaviour and wanted to privately confront him to get him to open up. From this reaction, it couldn't be good.
It took several minutes for Draco's sobs to quiet and Narcissa continued to sooth and rock her son under the tears had dried up onto her robes. Even then, not one of them made a move to talk more until Lucius gently placed a comforting hand on Draco's shoulder encouraging him to open up. After a few more deep breaths, Draco began to confide in his parents.
"I... I can feel her pain," he stuttered. Staring at the slightly confused expressions adorning his parents' faces, Draco elaborated. "My mate... every day she is in pain. I... I don't know if I can take it much longer." Another tear fell down his cheek as he tore his eyes away from their gaze. Ashamed that he was failing his mate already. "I can't help her. She is always in so much pain and I can't do anything. I'm a terrible mate!"
With that, Draco stood, made his way to stand next to the fireplace and glared into the flames once again. His hands had begun clenching again. They had clenched so tightly that he had drawn blood and it had begun to drip through his knuckles, staining the carpet below. He didn't make a move to stop it though. This pain was nothing compared to what his mate felt daily and that thought only fuelled his anger. He was going to find the bastard that hurt her and once he did, he would not show any mercy.
Lucius and Narcissa seemed to have a silent conversation with their eyes before looking back to their only child. Noticing the pooling blood on the floor, Narcissa slowly made her way next to her son and pried his hands open, inspecting the damage. With a quick flick of her wand, the cuts had healed, and the blood had disappeared. Unsure of what else to do, she looked back to her Veela husband knowing he would be able to provide more insight than she.
With a subtle nod of his head, Lucius motioned towards the door to suggest that Narcissa leave the room to allow him to talk to Draco. Pressing a quick kiss on both their cheeks, Narcissa made her way out giving her son a comforting smile before closing the door and walking back towards the study.
Silence once again fell over the room after the bedroom door had closed. Draco made to sit back next to his father slowly. Once seated, he leant his elbows on his knees and dropped his head staring at the floor. Neither of the men made a single sound for many minutes until Lucius became frustrated with the silence. With a loud sigh, he addressed his son verbally for the first time since entering his bedroom.
"It hurts doesn't it. Knowing that she is out there and knowing you can't do anything to help her," he said softly, drawing closer to his son. "You know she attends Hogwarts. Focus on that. One more week. Then you can find her." Lucius placed his fingers under Draco's chin and forced him to look into his eyes before addressing him again. "You are strong. I know you are. I believe that you can help her then. Focus on how you can help her. What might she need? Are there any potions you could have prepared in case she hasn't healed properly? You know what she has suffered. Use that as a guide. You'll be able to help her in seven days. I believe in you Draco."
With one final look, Lucius stood placing a hand on his shoulder before making his way to the door. Turning back before he left, he spoke once more. "Remember Draco, you may be Veela, but so am I. Help isn't going to be given unless you ask." And then he was gone.
Leaving Draco to his own thoughts once again. His father did make many good points though. Soon Draco's thoughts were focussed on how to help his mate, what potions she may need and researching spells that may help. At least he wasn't destroying things anymore.
Author's Note: We are so close to getting to Hogwarts and having Draco and Bella meet. I am so excited. Only 1 or 2 more chapters until September 1st. Get keen!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this chapter. I only own Arabella and the plot of my romance story. Thanks for reading :)
