These wounds won't seem to heal, this pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase
When you cried, I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream, I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me

If someone told me I would be helping get Death Eaters into Hogwarts alongside Draco Malfoy four or five years ago I wouldn't have believed them. Now I'd pretty much go along with what anyone told me. Draco's task is breaking him down. I hear him mumbling to himself at night, he is paler than I've ever seen him before and he constantly looks worried. I can't think of anything else to do but stay by him and help in anyway possible. I know this is what Voldemort wants; I know it is only for revenge on Lucius Malfoy. Yet, I feel as if I must help my precious Draco on this impossible mission he has been given. I've been warned against it but that doesn't stop me. I love him.

We have been working on the cabinet for almost half the school year and our results keep going from bad to worse. Our apple came back so we sent a bird. That came back…dead. There is only one bird left. Draco holds this one in his hand. Nodding I open the door to the Vanishing cabinet, shutting it quickly after the bird has been placed inside. I don't wait for Draco to send it through. He likes to do this himself with full concentration. Instead I make my way towards the door.

"Isabelle," Draco calls after me in a low voice.

Turning I catch him in my arms as he collapses, bringing us both to the ground. His chest is pressed against my side, his face buried in my shoulder. My shirt beneath his cheek is wet with his tears, and hot from his breath and his skin. I feel so helpless in the face of this grief. He cries and cries. The sobs are so deep, so painful, that they frighten me. I have never seen anyone weep this hard, with so much pain. He cries as if he's lost his soul.

The storm of tears goes on for a long, long time, deep, heart-wrenching sobs that wrack his body and leave it trembling. I am so helpless. All I can do is curl my arms around him, pull him back against me, and hold on.

Finally, the harsh sobbing ends, and his body goes limp. I gather him closer. He doesn't push me away, and I can only hope that he finds comfort in my touch. Whatever this wound is; I cannot heal it. The only thing I understand about his tears is that his pain is deep and real. It haunts his joy and it haunts his pleasure. It is a pain beyond words, beyond touch. I want to soothe it, to heal it, but I don't know how. The need I feel to comfort him, to take this pain away, is so strong that I don't know how to bear my helplessness.

"Isabelle, I'm scared. I can't do this," Draco whispers after almost an hour of crying.

I have to stay strong, for him but all I want to do is cry for how broken I have seen by dear Draco. "I want you to know something. We are going to do this, together and no matter if we fail or succeed I'm here."

"Oh, Belle, I never meant for it to consume me like this," Draco whispers.

Not knowing what else to say, I press my lips to him keeping our kiss gentle and kind. He needs comfort and someone who still believes in him, someone who actually understands what's going on. Draco knows that I'm here for him and that is why he has opened up like this to me. I have to be careful how I treat it. If I respond to his tears with anger I would loose him, tears myself he would think I've lost myself too. Draco is fragile.

"Let's get you back to the common room, alright. You need sleep," I say, helping his stand, my arms never releasing him.

It is past curfew and no one is walking about the halls tonight making it easy to get the torn up Draco back to the safety of his dorm. I don't leave him that night, keeping my arms around him. Neither of us get very much sleep but he thanks me for staying with him after every time he wakes up.

Next Morning

Although Draco didn't want to attend class I've managed to get him into a desk in Defence Against the Dark Arts. He puts on this mask in front of others so they think that he is not cracking. I worry about Snape seeing through it but Draco has come far in Occlumency, I hope he will be able to keep the nosy Professor out of his head.

"Today we will be talking about the effects of the Cruciatus Curse and how one can keep themselves protected," Snape says, standing at the front of the class.

I glance over at Draco who is looking at the closed window. Reaching across the aisle I take him hand in mine and squeeze it, Draco looks towards the door. Without saying a word we both stand, walking across the room and out the door. Snape does not come after us.

Draco drags me up the Astronomy Tower, his light blue eyes clouding over with worry. I'm surprised he was able to last.

"He was trying to get in," Draco admits once he is certain we are alone.

I know this. Of course I knew. "You kept him out through. You're doing so well. Remember you've got to stay strong…just for the holidays."

"For you," Draco whispers, his hand under my chin, lips inches from mine. "For both of us."

"Don't show Him fear," I respond.

"You're not going to be with me over the break, are you?"

"I will be, for as long as I am allowed to…I promise."

Draco's lips press down on mine. Not harsh but not gentle either. He's not gained any confidence with my words though I must admit I did not think he would. This is the first kiss in almost a month that has felt real. He's pouring his pain into this one.

"Listen to me. We are going to get through this," I state once Draco has pulled away.

"Right."

Draco looks doubtful.