I stood there shocked as I tried to figure out the meaning of Dominique's words.

She'd been given an order to follow? To get Eric away from me? Is that what she was implying? But who the hell would give her an "order" like that? Who the hell even cared about Eric and me going out?

Suddenly I had a visionary memory of being thrown back on Eric's bed, being held down and told that if I let Eric Wood come near me, he was going to lose his reproductive organ. That night I'd thought Malfoy would surely hurt me but I couldn't have been more wrong. It wasn't me he had wanted to hurt. It was the boys.

That same night, I realized Malfoy didn't want another man near me again. I wasn't sure if it was because he wanted me or he wanted to isolate me. But it didn't matter anymore. I didn't realize then how far he would go to keep Eric away.

Malfoy. It all pointed back to him. He'd sabotaged the party. He'd sabotaged my date. He was the only who cared enough to. And he was the only one a wild spirit like Dominique would ever take orders from. I felt like everything around me was spinning and I wanted to go back to Malfoy and hit him. I wanted to hit him so badly. Actually I wanted to hit anything. I wanted to break something. The only thing that had me control my anger was the thought of Eric. He was innocent in all of this. Was he okay? Did Malfoy hurt him?

I was all but running when I left my spot in line to go look for Eric. I didn't realize that I was back at the spot I'd left Malfoy in until I saw the devil himself approach.

"Right on time, baby," he said holding out a bowl of cheese fries.

I didn't know what got into me but I pushed the cheese fries back on him and they ended up on the front of his shirt.

"What the—" He yelled.

"You asshole! What did you do to Eric, you manipulative bastard?! I swear if you've hurt him I will call the aurors!" I yelled.

I could see several onlookers from the corner of my eyes.

Malfoy's brows furrowed. "You don't know what the fuck you're talking about," he said in a dangerously low voice. He looked down at his cheese-covered front and I noticed the fury in his eyes intensify. Suddenly he gripped my upper arm so tight I trembled and my eyes became watery.

"Let go!" I said.

"Come," he growled and tried to pull me.

I resisted, "I'll scream!"

Malfoy glared at me and said in a low, warning tone, "I guess you don't care about Wood as much as you like to think you do."

"Are you threatening me—him?" I said angrily.

"Yes. And I suggest you don't raise your voice. You can't afford to make me angrier than I already am," he warned with eyes shooting daggers at me.

He dragged me and I stumbled along behind him, his grip still painfully tight. I knew people were watching and my eyes stung. This was so embarrassing. I hoped no one from my school saw me. Being treated like this, like a child who'd done something wrong. I was mortified so I kept my head low in shame.

I focused on the uneven grass, making sure not to trip on rocks or gravel or litter from food wrappings.

Malfoy was holding napkins to his front with his other hand and when I looked up again, we'd arrived in the dark parking lot and away from prying eyes. He let go of me with a jerk. I watched him pull his shirt off and pushed me back against someone's truck.

I yelped.

He was still glaring at me and breathing heavily. "I fucking swear to Merlin," he said. "If it was anyone other than you I would've made them lick it clean!"

"Get off me, you disgusting—"

"Shut up!" He yelled before letting go of me and pulling out his wand.

I panicked. He was going to curse me!

"No, Malfoy! Please!"

Malfoy shot me a sideways glare before pointing it to his shirt and muttering 'scrougify' under his breath. I watched the remnants of cheese fries disappear before Malfoy put his shirt back on. I sniffled and wiped my eyes.

Without looking at me, he said, "You pull shit like that again, you will end up crying."

"Why did you take Eric away from me?!" I demanded.

Malfoy snorted, "All this for that moron?"

"Why did you do it?!" I demanded. "You have no business meddling in my life!"

"Believe me, angel," He said. "I have better things to do than fuck around with Wood."

"You're lying!" I yelled. Malfoy shot me a look with furrowed brows. "Dominique told me!"

"Dominique?"

"She's one of your goon girlfriends, isn't she?" I accused.

"What exactly did Dominique tell you," he demanded, taking a step towards me.

I took a step back and Malfoy folded his arms across his chest.

"That you ordered her to take Eric away," I said.

Malfoy let out a loud obnoxious laugh. "And Dominique is the person you trust most?"

"I certainly don't trust you," I snapped.

"Angel, all your brightness is really only reserved for the classroom, isn't it?" Malfoy smirked. "If you haven't noticed that Dominique is jealous and vindictive, then you're rather dimwitted. Especially considering you've grown up with her."

I didn't say anything. Not even when Malfoy basically called me stupid.

Malfoy smirked again, "Tell me, why is it that you're all fighting over Wood like dogs over meat?"

I flushed from embarrassment as I realized Malfoy might be right. We were acting like savages. I knew Dominique was bitter about Eric and me at Eric's party. Maybe she liked him? Who didn't? He was one of the most popular boys in the entire student body at Hogwarts. He was a star Quidditch player. Everyone knew he was going to get scouted next spring. But I didn't think that was the cause of Dominique's jealousy. It had more to do with Malfoy than Eric. She basically loved him. My guess was she stole Eric from me because she thought I'd stolen Malfoy from her. It was all Malfoy's fault.

"Why can't you just stay away from me?" I sighed. "Dominique wants you more than anyone. Go to her and just…just leave me alone!"

I didn't wait for him to respond. I quickly turned around and jogged away to get as far from Malfoy as I could. He brought on everything bad that happened. He was my bad luck charm. The fact of the matter was out of everyone in this world, the two people I trusted the least were Malfoy and Dominique. I just didn't know which one I trusted less than the other.

But what Malfoy said made sense. Dominique was the one who was out to get me, not him. And Dominique had grown visibly upset when I'd showed her my new smartphone. I reached into my bag and pulled it out. Malfoy had won me this but had said he'd planned to buy it for me anyway. Had he been telling the truth? Why did Malfoy care so much about me to give me such an extravagant gift? I tucked the smartphone back in my pocket, feeling guilty for still keeping it after everything I'd said.

I sighed and looked around. I'd ended up somewhere in some random row of cars. I tried to look for Ben's car. Maybe I could ask him to come and drive me home? I pulled my phone out to turn it on. No…he was probably nursing his upset stomach. He was bound to have one.

I heard a twig crack and I looked up. Was someone there? I looked around and heard the crunching of leaves as if under someone's step. Suddenly I saw it—him? A couple rows down, standing near a car parked under a tree.

I realized I had never been just paranoid after all. Someone was most definitely following me.

"Excuse me?!" I called out. I watched the figure take a step back and vanish behind the tree.

"You're excused, little lady!" I heard a strange, rusty voice troublingly close behind me. I yelped and turned around.

I took a step back and found two big men flashing yellow, toothy grins at me.

"C-can I help you?" I asked, taking another step back. They were wearing dark attire and dark toques. They looked older than me with scruffy red faces and tiny wrinkles around the corners of their eyes.

"You certainly can," said the younger and fatter one of them in a thick, lisping voice. Like his tongue was too fat for his mouth. He had this strange glee in his eyes and it made my skin crawl.

"Aren't you a hot little piece," the older man with the rusty voice chuckled. "First the leggy blond, now a curvy redhead. Malfoy sure knows how to pick 'em."

"Malfoy?" I said confused.

Suddenly, 'rusty voice' reached his big, hairy hand out to fist the fabric of my romper and pulled me to him.

I cried out and tried to pull my clothing back before it ripped.

"Who are—what are you doing?!" I yelled. "Let me go!"

"I don't think so, little lady," he said. "See my little brother and I are here to collect a debt?"

"L-leave me alone! I don't know what you're talking about!" I yelled again.

In the blink of an eye, the second man was tackling me. I kicked and screamed and tried to punch him as he wrestled me down to the hard, painful ground.

"LET. ME. GO!" I yelled. I yanked the fat one by his hair to pull him off me and suddenly, I was slapped across the face. I knew I was bleeding but I didn't know from where. All I knew was I could taste it in my mouth, that metallic taste. He pressed my back to his front, wrapped his arms around me, locking mine in place, and dragged me down the row of cars.

"Let go!" I flailed in his grip, my feet lifted off the ground,kicking every which way.

"Get the van!" The older one barked at the chubby one.

The chubby one jogged towards a plain white van with a door at the rear. I continue to scream as I saw the chubby one drive over and stop in front of us. He came out of the driver's side with the ignition still running and opened the doors at the back.

Suddenly, my heart stilled as I realized they intended to stuff me in the back of the vehicle. I screamed at the top of my lungs and the one who'd been restraining me scrambled to cover my mouth with his hand. His grip momentarily slackened and I tried to break free. I also tried to hit him and kick him and just when I thought I'd broken free, I was yanked by my hair, bringing tears to my eyes. The younger one grabbed me and threw me in. I fell on the floor of the van, scraping my bare hands and knees in the process.

"No, please!" I cried out as I began to lose the light. I tried to push the door open but they were pushing it to close and the two of them were much too strong for me. Suddenly it became dark so I screamed and banged on the inside of the door. I heard muffled voices and footsteps on gravel. I knew they were walking around to the front of the van. They were going to drive away and take me Merlin knows where!

It was so dark in there and after realizing my helplessness, I began to cry. I wanted to go home! I pulled my knees to my chest and wailed for my mum.

Suddenly I heard a loud bang. And then I heard yelling. I pressed my ear to the wall of the van. My heart raced when I heard the curse "Expulso!" Not once but twice.

With a sweat and tear streaked face, I scrambled to the door and banged on it hard. I cried out for help as loud as I could.

Mere seconds later the doors flung open and I lunged out, falling into the arms of none other than Scorpius Malfoy. His sparkling grey eyes were so filled with fire they resembled hot, molten steel. and his eyes widened as he stared into my bleary blue ones. I grabbed onto him and burst into tears, never wanting to let go of my lifeline. I was glad when Malfoy's arms came around me protectively.

"Come on!" he said frantically, "I need to get you to safety—"

From the corner of my eyes I noticed the younger attacker lying on the ground. Where was the other one? Before I could finish that thought, there was an impact from behind Malfoy. He come crashing down on me and I fell back in the van, him on top of me.

"WHAT THE—" Malfoy yelled before he turned around and met our attacker with the full force of his fists.

I saw from behind Malfoy that the fat one was up now and charging towards him as he fought the scruffy one.

"Scorpius, look!" I called out.

"Stupefy!"

The spell hit him in the chest and the fat attacker fell to the ground, completely still now.

I watched Malfoy put his wand in his back pocket and go with bare hands for the one who'd grabbed me. Scorpius took this man down easily and was now kicking him in the stomach while he lay curled in a fetal position.

"You," kick. "Fucking," kick. "Bastard!" kick. "You thought you could get your filthy hands on what's mine?!" I sat there frozen, watching in shock. The kicking didn't stop until Scorpius leaned down and took the man's face in his hand by the hair. "I will rip your head off," he said in a low, deep tone. Suddenly, Scorpius bashed the man's head in the tree, stood up and pulled his wand out.

"Scorpius!" I cried out as I climbed out of the van.

"Avada—"

"SCORPIUS, NO!" I shrieked at the top of my lungs as I grabbed his wand, disturbing the spell. Sparks of green shot out of the wand but died like the unfinished spell.

"Rose…," he whispered, his entire body heaving. I could see his hands shaking as he reached out and held my shoulders. I flinched when I saw the blood on them. Malfoy gulped. For the first time in my life, I heard his voice break as he said, "M-Malcom will pay—"

"No! They'll lock you up in Azkaban!" I said frantically. With trembling hands, I clutched at his shirt in an effort to keep him away from self-destruction.

Malfoy stilled and stared at me. The anger in his eyes was replaced by something softer yet so much more intense than the anger. How that was even possible, I didn't know. I'd been hazy. But when he nodded and gently glided his hands on my face, I knew.

"I'm sorry, angel," he whispered. His arms wrapped around me like security and I closed my eyes. But even with Malfoy's strong arms, I was falling. I was falling into nothingness. I was losing my sight. I felt weak like my head was spinning. Something wasn't right. When I opened my eyes again, I was in the familiar mahogany and green bedroom. Once, this bedroom had been like a prison. Now, it was my sanctuary. I almost collapsed when he let go of me but he was instantly there to catch me.

"Bathroom," I croaked. And Malfoy carried me there. He opened the door and gently put me on my feet. I clutched the countertop and looked at my battered self in the mirror. My hair was tattered, I was red and bruised and my clothes were ripped. The sight of me brought bile up again. I collapsed in front of the toilet and hurled out all the cotton candy and water I'd had tonight. Scorpius was sitting behind me with his legs around me, holding my hair. He was holding a little cup of mouthwash when I was done. I rinsed and spit it into the toilet.

I hiccoughed but didn't protest when Malfoy helped me to my feet. I needed to use the toilet so he shut the door on his way out.

I looked in the mirror and saw my pretty romper was torn in places. I was covered in scratches and bruises. I ripped off whatever was left of my clothes and sat down painfully on the seat, pissing and crying at the same time.

How the hell did this happen? How the hell did I almost get kidnapped and and end up in Malfoy's house? Why was this happening? A month ago all I had to worry about was my OWL results and now, I had to worry about being stalked, being attacked, and being kidnapped!

I kept asking my self, why me? Did I do this to myself? None of this made sense!

After washing my hands in the sink, I tried to wash my face, my arms, my chest but I felt like the stench of those trolls was still on me. So I stepped into Malfoy's shower and turned the water as hot as I could handle it. I scrubbed myself furiously with Malfoy's soaps and gels—whatever I could find! My body was turning red from vigorously scrubbing with Malfoy's loofah and frustrated, I screamed. The hot water stung and felt so good at the same time, I wondered if I could possibly drown in it.

If only I hadn't left Malfoy at the carnival? If only I hadn't gone wandering? If only I'd found my friends rather than mourn over Eric? If only I hadn't dressed to impress stupid Eric? None of this would have happened.

The bathroom door flung open but I didn't care that Malfoy could see me through the frosted glass. I watched him look down to where my clothes and sandals lay discarded on the bathroom floor.

Malfoy left the bathroom, leaving the door open and returned with what I assumed to be towels.

"Come out of there, Rose," I heard him say.

I turned away and faced the wall. "I don't want to," I said.

"You can't stay in there forever," he responded.

"I can until my skin melts off and I get some new one!" I said angrily.

Suddenly the shower door opened and I whipped around to find Malfoy standing behind me.

"What are you doing?!" I yelled as I covered my breasts and my crotch with my hands.

But Malfoy barely even glanced my way as he reached behind me and turned the shower off. And then he wrapped a towel around me, hoisted me up and carried me out of there and into the bedroom. He plopped me down on the bed and went to his chest of drawers.

I wanted to yell at him but nothing came out.

He pulled out clothes and what not, handed some to me and took some with him to the bathroom. I heard him say 'reparo' and 'scrougify' and I was sure he was using the spells on my clothes. Shortly after, Malfoy appeared out of the bathroom, handed me my now-clean underwear and went back in without a word. My face was red as I pulled them on and muttered profanities to myself about how royally screwed my life currently was. When he came out, Malfoy gave me some potions for the aches and some ointment for cuts and bruises.

I followed Malfoy out when he left the room because I didn't want to be alone. His apartment was brightly lit yet dark with it's furniture and décor. Furniture was minimal, making the place seem spacious. Décor and accents were scarce too but surprisingly there were a few plants. I wondered if Malfoy was thoughtful enough to water these live beings regularly. They did look quite green and alive which was a good sign.

The kitchen had a round table for 4 but it wasn't that big and I noticed a fancy espresso machine on the counter. I wondered if Malfoy ever had company.

I saw the French doors leading to the balcony and decided in the moment that I needed fresh air. The summer night was cool, airy and clear enough to see stars. I looked down and recognized Edgeware Road by the brightly lit Middle-Eastern restaurants and grocery stores. My mother liked shopping for exotic ingredients in ethnic grocery shops. As a child I would accompany her so she could introduce me to different flavours and expand my palette.

I missed my mum so much right now. I had to wait two more days since she was in Bulgaria till Tuesday. I suddenly remembered I'd heard dad say something about Mr. Malfoy being on their business trip as well. How ironic was that? Scorpius's balcony was cute with a couple plants here as well. I also noticed an ashtray on the ledge but didn't make much of it in the moment.

Glancing down at the street bustling with people, I spotter a figure near a telephone booth. My eyes grew wide; it was the same dark hooded figure across the street staring up at my widow!

I yelled through the open door, "Scorpius!"

Malfoy rushed out. "What happened?! What's wrong?!"

"There's someone there! Someone watching us! He's here again!" I rambled. "Look!"

But when I looked back, the hooded man was gone!

"There's no one there…" Malfoy said in a quiet tone.

"I swear he was just there!" I insisted.

"You're tired. Come on," he said.

My voice cracked. "Y-You don't believe me?" I said, feeling helpless.

Malfoy stared at me with a hard gaze. I suddenly felt chilly and wrapped my arms around myself.

"Let's go inside," he said in a low voice and I followed him there.

"I'm not crazy, Scorpius," I insisted.

"I know," he said. "Someone's been targeting you and I don't know why. You're not safe right now."

I lowered myself to the couch, trying to absorb this ridiculous information that the back of my mind knew wasn't so far-fetched. All the times I felt watched and followed, they weren't in my head. Picking at my fingernails, I told Scorpius about those time, he nodded and I was relieved that he believed me.

"Someone's been following you, angel. You have to stay here tonight."

"What?!" I looked up at him. "I can't! I want to go home!"

Malfoy shook his head, "Not safe," and headed for the bedroom.

I followed after him, "What do you mean it's not safe? It's my home!"

"Your attack wasn't random," Malfoy said as he opened on of the closet doors. "Malcom and Morty knew you'd be at the carnival when the tried to kidnap you."

I saw he was pulling out extra bedding and pillows. I suddenly turned red and all the pent up frustration from tonight threatened to blow through.

"Do you take me for some kind of idiot, Malfoy?!" I said angrily. I didn't even know what I was arguing at that point. Just that I was mad at Malfoy. I couldn't figure out exactly why though. I know he was to blame for everything or something but all my thoughts were jumbled and all my bad memories came rushing back. Especially the night he stole me from Eric's party and made me sleep here, in this very room. And he'd yelled and swatted my bum the next morning. All the humiliation at Malfoy's hands came rushing back.

"Make up all the stupid dramatic stories you want but I won't believe you! I know you're just trying to keep me here! I see right through you! You're a sick, twisted, pervert! I mean, Danger?! Why the hell would I be in danger, I'm a nobody! Why would anyone be after me! Just take me home! My grandparents, Hugo, they must be worried! You can't have me Malfoy!"

I could see his nostrils flare and his face contort like he was grinding his teeth. I knew he was furious but he wasn't letting go. Why wasn't he getting angry? I wanted him to rage so I rage back! Malfoy walked past me with the bedding and extra pillow and out to the sofa. He pulled the cushions out and pulled out a bed from the black leather sofa before making a bed there.

"Go back to the room. Now!" He yelled.

"No! I want to go back to my family! You're keeping me here against my will!"

"I'm trying to keep you safe, you fucking twit!"

"You've kidnapped me! You're the real monster! Not them!"

Suddenly, Malfoy was gripping my shoulder very tightly.

"Malfoy!" I cried out in pain as I tried to back away.

Malfoy was searching my face with frustration. Any concern he had for me was masked by something that resembled contempt. He didn't hate me, did he?

Out of nowhere, he pulled me closer and I whimpered in pain. "Did you want me to let them have you," he muttered in a low voice like he was talking to himself. "If I were them…If I were them, I'd blindfold you, hold you down on the floor and force myself inside of you over and over. And once I finish I'd take your life with the flick of my wand and let the vultures have at you"

My breath caught in my throat and I gulped. "Wh-what's wrong with you?" I said frightened.

"Nothing," he responded. "But everything will be wrong for you if you leave now and let them catch you and do to you everything I've described and worse."

"Okay, okay! Please just let go," I said with a hoarse voice. My eyes filled with tears and I realize in all the chaos of tonight, I really hadn't had a good cry.

"Why is this happening to me?" I cried softly and demanded.

"I told you," said Malfoy coldly. "You're a beautiful girl and everyone wants to own one."

I shuddered. "You're scaring me."

"I'd hope so. Go to my room and pack yourself under the covers. I don't want to see you before the crack of daylight. Do you understand me?!"

Frightened, I nodded and scurried to his bedroom. When he didn't follow, I knew he was planning on spending the night on the sofa bed.

"Rose," he said just as I was about the shut the bedroom door. "I'm trying to keep you safe for me."

Even from there I could see the darkness in his eyes. I shut the door and locked it before sliding into bed and tucking myself under the warm covers. I wiped my tears and worried over the fact that Scorpius called me Rose. I realized I didn't like when he did that because I didn't like the Scorpius he was when he wasn't teasing me. Because when he wasn't flirting, he was frightening. I didn't know if he wanted to hurt me or hurt someone else but back there, I knew he was ferocious and furious enough to hurt someone. I just hoped it was never me.

…

At half past two in the morning, Dante had tracked down Malcom and Morty.

At quarter to three, Malcom and Morty lost a finger in each hand.

At quarter past three, Dante put a bullet through Morty's fat little brain.

forty-two seconds after that, Malcom began to talk.

…

At half past three I was dressed in dark jeans and a jacket, creeping into my bedroom where my stupid, simple witch was sleeping. She'd locked the door but an 'Alohamora' let me inside where I could watch the remarkable affects of the sleeping potion I discreetly gave her. She was too naïve, I concluded.

But she really was a perfect sight and it took all of my willpower not to crawl under her covers and watch the steady rise and fall of her sloping chest. She was irrational but she was a fighter, nonetheless. Or so she'd become one as of late. I missed her submissiveness but under better circumstances, I could really enjoy her fire.

"Cave Inimicum," I whispered and watched a shield of white light engulf around my bed where angel lay sleeping.

I wasn't joking when I said she was mine to keep safe. With the protection spell up, I slipped out of my apartment with a clear head. I was ready to take care of those that threatened the sleeping beauty on the other side on the door.

…

Dominique Weasley had been staying at Ryla Vane's boyfriend's house. She'd had another fight with her parents, packed her bags and left but I knew she'd go crawling back after a couple of days. Dominique was another fighter but unlike Rose, she was smarter. She knew how to pick and choose her battles but lately she'd lost her fight. Where Rose proud, self-righteous and stubborn, Dominique had lost her dignity. I was counting on seeing her grovel tonight.

Vane was out with her boyfriend and Dominique was alone pacing in the extra room. She was shaking, fidgeting with her fingers the way Rose did when she was afraid. I could hear the tarnished beauty's heart beat from here. She kept glancing out the window, peeking through the curtains.

But I was standing at the threshold of her bedroom door. The floor creaked when I took a step forward and she looked up, yelped in shock and took a step back, walking into the dresser and knocking some meaningless photo frames off. They fell to the floor and shattered.

"S-Scorpius!" She said looking up. As tall as she was, I still had a few inches on her.

I took another step forward. Her shadowed face peaked through from behind the curtain of straight silvery hair.

"S-Scorpius, please! L-Let me explain! This was all a big m-mistake!"

Another step.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" She cried. "I messed up!"

"Get on the bed, Dominique."

"Scorpius, I'm begging you. I didn't mean to hurt her!"

"The bed, Dominique. NOW!"

Dominique scrambled to the bed but continued to beg. "I'm stupid! I'm an idiot. I just got so jealous! She has all of you and she doesn't even care!"

"Take off your clothes," I said.

"Wh-What?" She said.

"You heard me. Take. Them. Off. You wanted me like this didn't you? You begged me and promised me. You even went as far as to hurt her. You have it now. You have me now."

"N-Not like this," she cried but began to unbutton her shirt dress.

She sniffled and stood meekly. She was always long-limbed but today I noticed the sharpness of her bones, and I could almost see her ribcage below her small pointy chest.

"Bend over," I ordered. She sniffled but did as she was told. I undid my belt and positioned myself behind her.

"This is the last time," I said. "After this, I'm done with you."

She nodded.

"No more allowance for you, no more drugs or drinks, nothing. I won't protect you anymore." I gripped her bony ass in my hands, prying it apart, and wondered how the high and mighty Dominique Weasley had fallen so far from grace.

"But what about C-Carbon!"

"He's your problem now."

And with that she let out a blood curdling shriek, experiencing a ripping pain she'd never been ready for.

…

I tossed and turned, seeing the two ugly faces of those men in my nightmares. I felt like I was in that dark van again and the door was being shut, locking me in there forever. I shot up in my bed, soaked in my own sweat and looked at the clock on the nightstand. It was just after five in the morning and the crack of dawn could be seen. I had thought I'd heard footsteps and doors earlier when I stirred in my sleep and I wondered if they were part of my nightmare or real. I wondered if someone was in the house. But Scorpius was sleeping right outside like a guard dog. He wouldn't let anyone hurt me, that was about the only sure thing in my life right now.

I thought about him. I thought about how unfair it was to take my anger out on him. He'd only been trying to keep me safe. But right now, I didn't feel safe or warm. Everything that creaked or thumped in the night made my heart jump.

I got out of bed, my feet landed on the cold wooden floor. It was chilly and I was only in Malfoy's t-shirt. I tiptoed to the door and turned the knob so slowly it barely made a sound. I tiptoed out of the room and saw Malfoy sprawled shirtless across the sofa bed, breathing so quietly as he slept. The ashtray I'd spotted on the balcony ledge was now on the coffee table and it was filled with cigarette butts. I heard something that sounded like a click and I jumped, thinking it came from the main door of the house. I quickly climbed onto Malfoy's bed to wake him. Malfoy got up without a word and opened the door to prove there was no one out in the hall.

When he got back in bed, I crawled under there as well. He watched me with narrow eyes as I curled in his bed like I was entitled to it. If he was surprised, he didn't let it show.

"Can I please stay here?" I asked timidly.

"Of course," he whispered. His face smoothed over and without another word, he climbed in as well.

We laid there on our sides, facing each other. He was like a human radiator that emitted so much heat.

"I'm sorry I yelled," I blurted. "I know you were trying to make sure they don't hurt me."

Malfoy's eyes softened. "No one will ever hurt you again," he said.

"I'm sorry I woke you up for no reason, you seem exhausted," I continued as I noticed how his eyes bagged like he'd only gotten a minute of sleep.

Malfoy nodded. I turned to my other side and stared at the ashtray on the coffee table. I felt Malfoy inch closer to me from behind. I felt his hands in my hair. "I know I get mad," he whispered as his hands lowered down my arms to my waist. "But you don't have to be afraid of me."

I'd lost my voice so I only nodded. Truth was, his affections were just as scary as his anger. I knew he wanted me in ways I never experienced before and I worried what would happen if he didn't get that.

"You're safest with me. Only me," he whispered again as my eyes drooped.

I faintly remembered Malfoy's arms wrapped around me and pulled me in closer before I drifted back into dream world.