Traveling. They had been traveling for three days. Draco stayed by Serenity's side, but she began to wonder if he really cared, or if he was trying to save his own ass. She also wondered why Zambini came along, anyway. He hated her as it was. Now he was stuck traveling with her.
She also began to wonder where Lucius was. She had seen him at the manor a couple of times, staring at her intently, like she was something to be observed. She could have swore that she saw him take the Avada for her at the final battle, but now she was beginning to wonder if it was a dummy spell. That was always a possibility.
When can I see Mum and Dad?
She shook her head. Draco had said they were dead. She didn't want to believe him, but was too scared to say it to his face. She knew they were alive. There was no way that she had been gone long enough for her mother to die. It had only been a little over a month since the battle.
Maybe Draco just wants to keep me all to himself.
Now why would he do that?
She shook her head again. Draco might be a spoiled brat, but surely he couldn't be that selfish. Even at his worst, he was still kind enough to consider her wants and needs.
She tripped and fell, jarring her injured arm. In an instant, Draco was by her side.
"You okay, Serenity," he questioned.
"Yes, I'm fine," she lied, trying to ignore the pain in her arm. "Just lost in thought." She tried to stand, and found that her legs were too weak for her to do so. She looked around, noticing the fact that they were in an open field. "We can't camp here."
"I know," Draco stated, scooping her into his arms, careful of her injury. "That's why I'm going to carry you till we get to the tree line." Serenity smiled up at him as he began to walk. She glanced behind to see how far she had been walking.
To her shock, Lucius was standing just a few feet behind them, once again staring at her intently. She furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of how he could have appeared without the trio ever noticing, and for a moment, she thought about mentioning it to Draco. She had wanted to say something many times, but she had kept her mouth shut. He had been acting odd, spending much of his time in Lucius' old study. She didn't want to upset him, so she kept quiet.
It wasn't until dark when they found a place to make camp. She sat and watched as Zambini set the wards and Draco put up the tent. A smile crossed her face. At one point in time, she wondered if the two of them would ever get along. Yet, here they were, working together.
All because of me.
She could feel the tears forming in her eyes, and hated herself for it. She wasn't suppose to cry. She was suppose to be the strong, iron-willed Gryffindor from years ago. She was the one who was the epitome of strength and leadership.
"Serenity?" She looked up to see Draco kneeled beside her. He grasped her good hand. "Is something wrong, love?" She shook her head.
"No, just allergies," she lied. He scooped her into his arms once again and carried her to the tent. "What are you doing?"
"It's nightfall," he explained. "It's also autumn, so it gets colder when the sun sets. You're hurt, and last thing we need is for you to get sick." He ducked through the door and laid her on one of the cots. Her eyes met his.
"Draco, be honest," she pleaded. "Why are you here? After everything I've done…" His lips met hers.
"Cause you stood next to me, despite everything I had to do," he answered. "Cause you looked past the charade I was putting on all through our time at school, strait to who I really am, and showed the world the best of me. Cause you understand me better than my best friends." At his words, the unshed tears fell from her eyes. He sat next to her and pulled her close, gently stroking her arm.
"Did I just walk in on you two?" The duo looked up to see Zambini staring at them.
"Just give us a moment," Draco responded, saving Serenity the trouble of trying to speak while she was choked up. "We'll be ready for dinner soon."
"Speaking of," Zambini muttered as he stepped back out of the tent. Serenity rested her head on Draco's shoulder.
"You mean the world to me, Serenity," he murmured. "You really do."
"How long have you felt that way about me," she whispered hoarsely. He gently squeezed her quivering form.
"Since our first year," he answered. "When I found you in the North Tower after curfew." She smiled.
"Why didn't you turn me in to Filch?"
"You were lost. I was looking for trouble. Why would I have turned you in?" She squeezed his hand.
"Cause I was a Mud-"
"Don't even finish that word. I've grown to hate it." Her smile grew.
"It's nice to hear that."