Chapter 25

Over the time of Bella's recuperation, Draco became indispensible to her. He brought up her breakfast, lunch and dinner. He brought up all the potions that his mother has made for her. At first Bella was hostile towards Draco. It was only natural for her to be so. She has suffered enough hell.

The more hostile she was to him, the nicer he treated her. For once, Bella actually felt that someone does genuinely care for her. Never in her wildest dreams had she dreamt that it would be Draco who would treat her like a…….like a lady. She decided not to question why and just enjoy this new feeling that came over her.

Every morning she would wait for him to come with her breakfast tray. She couldn't understand it but she actually looked forward to his coming. He was quite charming and he has a great sense of humour. He was unlike any other person she has ever met. She felt like she could really talk to him without getting defensive about anything.

Later, Draco started asking her to coach him with some spell-casting. He wanted her to teach him advanced spells. Of course she obliged. It was the only fun she has now. She also decided that his request has answered her questions. He was only being nice to her so he could tap some knowledge out of her. In addition he had stopped calling her by her nickname. The last she heard him call her that was on that evening when he first got up to see how she was. Now she wondered if he even did call her that.

It was after a few days when she started to feel better that she practiced duelling with him. He was surprisingly an eager and fast learner.

"Now Draco…..just concentrate…" she would say to him on one of the sessions.

"Move a little faster……don't break eye contact. The eye tells you everything you need to know about your opponent's next move."

"Combination spells are the best…..there are different types of combination spells that gives you the optimum effect. There are combinations to make them bleed a lot internally or externally. There are spells that inflicts lasting pain. But the most important is that you want it….you've got to feel it….." she paused for a moment.

The last few words had a resounding effect on her. Those were the exact words that He had said to her when he was coaching her.

"Aunt Bella?' Draco asked when he noticed she was suddenly staring into space.

'Aunt Bella….are you alright?" he asked her again when she gave no reply.

Bella blinked her eyes for a second, her wand lowered to her side. She took a breath and said, "I think that's all for today Draco. I'm feeling quite exhausted."

"Then you should lie down,' Draco said gently as he too lowered his wand and took her hand and led her to the bed. 'Oh,' he said as he looked at the watch. 'no wonder. It's already dinner time. I'll go get your dinner."

He smiled at her at got up to leave.

"No….' Bella started.

"Did you….say something?" Draco asked as he raised his eyebrows, turning around to face her.

"I….I don't want my dinner. I'm not really hungry." She said no looking at him.

"Aunt Bella you have to eat something. You're already very…"

"No….I'm just tired,' she looked up to him. 'I just want to have my rest thanks." She told him with a weak smile.

Draco didn't move from his spot even after Bella looked away from him.

"You're thinking of him aren't you?' he said softly. Her eyes lifted once more to meet his gaze. There was a moment's pause before he continued. 'He's not worth your thinking too much about him. He doesn't even care for you."

"Don't…..' she started, anger obvious in her voice. Upon realizing this, she stopped herself for a while, allowing herself to calm down. 'of course he does care about me. He just doesn't know how that's all,' she said softly as she lowered her face, avoiding his gaze. 'He wants to marry me you know."

Draco walked up to her and sat next to her on the bed, facing her. "Bella…you know that's not true. He…..he probably wants to marry you because….because he wants you to have his heir that's all…..he doesn't care about you." Draco said trying to reason out with her.

There's that Bella again…..so I wasn't imagining it…..he really has fallen for me.

"I wish you could see it the way I do Bella…..he doesn't care for you…..' he said again when she gave no reply.

"Look Draco….I know…I know how this may all seem to you. The way he treats me is totally justifiable. No matter what I am his servant and he is my Master and,' she raised her hand to stop him from cutting her. 'what happened was entirely my fault. He told me not to go near the werewolf and I did. He had every right to punish me."

"Stop trying to defend him!' Draco was losing his cool. 'You know he doesn't give a damn about you! You've been here recuperating for what….3 weeks and has he even thought once to come and see you? To apologize to you for what he's done? That's the kind of wizard you want to marry?! Bella….look at me,' he cupped her chin with his hand. 'Can't you see why I've been here all this while? Can't you see why I'm doing all this? I care for you. Can't you see that?" he whispered.

Her eyes were brimming with tears now and she has no idea why. It was probably because whatever her said was true and she knows it. Draco lifted her chin, wiping off her tears as he stared into her beautiful face.

She's different now….she's…changed….much more like a lady…..or has she been hiding herself behind that whole mean demeanor because he doesn't like this side of her? I've never seen her this vulnerable before…..

His face was so close to hers and their eyes were locked to each others'. Feelings swept over Bella…..feelings that she long decided to bury because of the absurdity of it all.

It doesn't seem so absurd now……

Their lips were almost touching…..she could feel his hot breath lingering on her cheek. His hands were wrapped around hers as he pulled her closer to him.

Suddenly, the doors swung open making Draco and Bella both jump as they broke apart. Bella quickly trying to act as normally as she possibly could. It was Him.

"What in the hell are you doing?" he said in his usual dangerously soft tone. He could sense her defenses rising. He couldn't see what went on through her mind He tried Draco's but surprisingly, the boy had his defenses up as well. They were both hiding something.

"Nothing….my Lord. Nothing….we….we were just talking." Bella said, her eyes unblinking.

"Oh really….' He said in an odd sing-song voice as he glided over to the bed. 'I was certainly given the impression that something was going on….and it wasn't talking."

THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE

New chapter up. Thanks a lot for the reviews. Please review this one and tell me what you think of it. Thanks and Happy New Year. Cheers =)