Burn Me Down
XIX_ Who to Cling to
I sat by him for hours. I couldn't bring myself to leave his side no longer than a minute to use the bathroom. It was getting late. I could see the sunset out the window. I yawned.
"You're tired," Draco said startling me. I didn't realize that he was awake.
"A little," I answered with a light smile. I couldn't hold back another yawn.
"C'mere," Draco told me and held up the sheets, "Lie down with me."
I got under the sheets and lied down next to him. Draco wrapped the sheets around me. He pulled me to him.
"I love you, Draco," I said as I hugged him to me.
"I love you too, Hermione," Draco whispered into my hair. I cuddled closer to him. The warmth of his skin and his scent was relaxing.
His heartbeat began to put me to sleep. I mumbled something indistinctly as I closed my eyes.
"Good girl," Draco purred in my ear. "Go to sleep, love," He petted my hair, "I'm here."
XX_ Permanent
I opened my sore eyes and looked at the clock. It was three in the morning. I looked over my shoulder when I heard steady breathing. I smiled when I saw Hermione fast asleep beside me. I softly kissed her on the forehead and slowly got up. I didn't want to wake her.
I left the room and made my way downstairs to the kitchen. I was only wearing a pair of black jeans. Thankfully it was warm in the house.
I found a teapot and filled it with water. I set it on the stove for the water to heat up. I was too tired to use magic.
I sighed and glanced at the Dark Mark on my arm. Everything came rushing back to me in an instant.
My breathing hitched as a deep growl ripped from my throat. I glared at the wretched thing as I reached for a kitchen knife. Hot tears were running down my face.
Anger and despair were clouding my judgment, but I didn't care. I just wanted the damn mark off of me.
I took a deep breath and plunged the blade into my arm. I screamed in agony but it was muffled to my ears. I pulled the knife free only to see the wound slowly heal itself.
I should've known. My sorry excuse of a father told me, the day it was branded into my arm, that the Dark Mark wouldn't "come off". If the Dark Lord were to be defeated the Mark still wouldn't go away; it would only fade into a scar.
I took the knife and tried to carve the Mark off. That didn't work either. It wouldn't matter if it came off or not; it wouldn't erase everything I've done.
The blade slipped out of my shaky hand as I collapsed to the cool tile floor. The shock of me being stabbed and my swelling emotions became overwhelming.
I must have woken everyone up with my screaming. I heard people coming down the stairs in a rush. "Draco!" I heard a voice squeal my name. Someone ran over and dropped down to the floor next to me. "Draco," The voice said again.
I looked up and only then did everything come back into focus. "Hermione," I whimpered as she pulled me up into a sitting position and hugged me to her. "It won't come off," I hugged her to me, "The bloody Mark won't come off!"
"Shh, Shh," Hermione gently rocked back and forth. It was soothing, but it couldn't stop my tears.
I saw Harry and Ron come over and sit beside us. "Easy there, mate," Ron put a steady hand on my shoulder, "Everything's gonna be ok."
"Draco," Harry said. I looked at him. "You're with friends now," He told me, "You're safe."
I nodded. "Thank you," I said through a sore throat.
"We all should really go back to bed," Hermione spoke up.
The four of us stood up. I let Hermione take my hand and lead me back upstairs.
I laid in bed for what seemed like forever staring at Hermione's back. She didn't say a single word to me since we came back upstairs. I was under the impression that she was angry with me. I couldn't blame her; I could've killed myself with that little stunt if I had cut through a vein or artery.
I moved closer to her. I pulled her into my arms and held her to me. I brushed her hair away from her shoulder and kissed her neck.
"Draco," Hermione finally said.
"Yeah?" I answered. I heard her sniffle. She rolled over in my arms and hugged me tightly. "Hermione, love, please don't cry," I rubbed her back, "It's all right."
"I don't want Voldemort to take you from me, again, Draco," Hermione sobbed.
"Shh, shh," I hugged her closer to me. I made her look at me, "I'm here. I'm right here." She caressed my cheek and stared into my eyes as she sniffled. She cuddled against my chest again. "Go to sleep now, love," I told her when she calmed down. "You need your rest," I petted her hair.
I looked at Hermione when she didn't say anything. I smiled and closed my eyes.
She was already asleep.
To Be Continued...
