Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything from the original canon by J.K. Rowling. I did, however, create Arabella.

XXVIII. The Birthday Party

As I finished fastening the final clip, I stepped in front of the full length mirror to get a look at myself. My birthday dress was short sleeved and made of white gossamer that flowed gently to the floor in a pool at my feet. Small purple beads decorated the waist line and the sheer sleeves. My hair was done up in an elaborate curly up do, with a headband that matched the style of my dress to keep the hair out of my face, save those few purposeful curls left to frame my cheeks. I didn't quite recognize myself in the mirror as I stared at my reflection dully. My hair and makeup were done more fancily than I'd ever seen it and in a manner I wouldn't have ever requested myself. But it seemed to me Narcissa was living vicariously through my experiences. And it made her happy, which seemed more important at the moment than my own personal discomfort.

I hadn't heard the door open or any footsteps, but as I looked in the reflection of the mirror I saw Draco step behind me.

"You look...beautiful," he breathed.

I smiled at his reflection in the mirror.

"I have something for you," he approached me, lifting a necklace over my head and around my neck, fastening it with his cool hands. My hand went up immediately to them. Pearls. In shades of purple and pink.

"Happy Birthday, Bella," he whispered.

"Thank you," I said back.

"Look, Bella—" he started.

"Draco, don't," I interrupted, turning to face him. Before he could speak again, the door opened and Narcissa tiptoed in.

Draco heaved a sigh. "Don't forget the matching earrings," he said, handing me a little velvet box.

"Oh, Arabella, you look stunning!" Narcissa beamed from behind her son. I smiled in thanks to her as I took the earrings from the box and placed them in my ears.

"All thanks to you, Narcissa."

"Oh, nonsense," she waved my comment away. She embraced me, kissing me on both cheeks. "Happy Birthday! Now, you two ought to come down now, everyone is waiting!" And with that she shuffled out the door.

Draco looked at me almost pleadingly.

"Shall we get this over with, then?" I asked, sitting down on the end of my bed to put on my shoes.

"It's your birthday. It's a party. It should be fun," Draco said.

"Yes, of course," I sighed.

"Bella, you should have said something earlier if you didn't want this for your birthday. We could have done something small and simple," he said.

"Your mother just seemed so excited," I replied despairingly.

"You are like the daughter she never had," he pointed out, "and she adores spoiling you."

"I know," I looked down at my finger nails. "And I appreciate it and love her for it."

Draco was silent, and I looked up to catch his eyes.

"We need to talk about—"

"—not right now, Draco," I said, interrupting him.

He nodded, "I know. But at some point."

"Sure," I responded, nodding my head.

Draco held out his hand to me, and I took it, standing from the bed and walking with him to the door. He paused before opening the door, squaring his shoulders to face me.

"You'll work with me tonight, love? Even though we had a fight?" he seemed tense and worried.

"Why are you so worried?" I asked.

"I just—" he let out a large breath of air, "I just hate to fight with you."

"I won't fight you, Draco," I said. "Just as I promised at the Black and White ball."

"Thank you," he kissed me on the forehead, before taking my hand and placing it in the crook of his arm.

He led me down the hall of the Manor I'd become so accustomed to, but the murmur of voices echoing up from below was altogether unfamiliar. The chatter seemed especially light-hearted, even more upbeat than the tone for a regular ball. As we approached the stairwell, I caught sight of the entrance hall. Small groups of people were gathered in clumps and circles to chat. Some guests were just handing their coats to the house elves at the door, placing beautifully wrapped gifts onto an already over-flowing table. I sighed in contempt at the knowledge of how many unnecessary gifts I would receive and how many overly-cordial thank you notes would be written in the coming days. Draco stopped for a moment before we descended the stairs in an attempt to make sure we were seen. It seemed a little over-the-top to me. But then again, at the Malfoy's, what wasn't?

Narcissa once again embraced me as we reached the main floor. She then ushered us into the ballroom, converted into a shining party room with sparkling fairy lights, purple drapes and a live band. Along the dais that usually held my father's chair was a long table with a purple table cloth and a dark purple runner, just as Narcissa had picked out the day Harry Potter got away. Round tables were set up around the edges of the room, allowing the dance floor to hold the center of attention. Each table had a purple table cloth, a place setting for dinner and a beautiful floral arrangement of purple, lilac and cream roses, each with their petals lined with gold.

"Would you like to dance?" Draco whispered in my ear after I'd spent some time taking in the spectacle of the room.

"I'd love to," I sighed, hoping the party would aid in lifting my spirits.

After a dance, Draco and I drifted around the room in the obligatory greeting of the guests. I was grateful that he remained by my side as he knew more of the guests than I did, and he saved me more than once from the embarrassment of having to ask for someone's name and relation to my father or the Malfoy family. Just when we'd made it most of the way around the room, a bell rang to indicate dinner. I looked around for Narcissa as I didn't know where to sit, but Draco led me to the head table, sitting me down at the center. It was very uncomfortable to know everyone would be watching me during dinner while I sat above them as if they were my subjects and I their queen.

Just like at Hogwarts, each course magically appeared on our plates. All of the dishes were laid out beautifully and were extraordinarily rich, though wonderfully tasty. I was just elated when my purple mug appeared full of tea, knowing full well Trinky was to thank for that. After dinner came more dancing; I danced a few with Blaise and Theo, but when I went to find Draco again he had effectively disappeared.

"Narcissa?" I approached the woman talking with Rose Parkinson and Blaise's beautiful mother. All three women stopped and looked up, surprised.

"Why, Arabella, you look simply stunning this evening," Mrs. Parkinson said.

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Parkinson," I returned. "I'm so very sorry to interrupt, but Narcissa, have you seen your son?"

"Actually," Mrs. Parkisnon interceded before Narcissa could even form a response, "I believe my Pansy is with him in the garden."

"Thank you," I said, slightly taken aback. I recovered quickly, though, "Will you excuse me?" And with a curtsy, I made my way over to the punch bowl.

"Arabella," Narcissa approached me as I ladled some punch into a crystal cup, "You mustn't think less of Draco for speaking with Pansy alone."

I just looked at the woman, my face blank as I took a sip of the red liquid. I was trying to hide that I was more amused than upset. Draco and I had already discussed Pansy—more than once—and I actually pitied him being trapped alone with her.

"They've had a long past, and Pansy isn't one to let her dreams fall apart before her if she can help it. But Draco's eyes are only for you, my dear."

"Narcissa, it's fine," I said looking up as Draco entered the hall. "Draco and I have already talked about this." He was scanning the crowd in search of someone. Probably me. I looked back at Narcissa, who looked slightly flabbergasted at my calm response. "I see Draco now; will you excuse me?"

"Of—of course, dear," she said, her face indicating she was still slightly stunned.

With that, I set the cup down again on the table, where it disappeared down to the kitchens to be cleaned and returned for another use by another guest. By the time this had occurred, Draco had disappeared from the entryway. I scanned the room quickly. Blaise and Nott were arguing in the corner—about Quidditch, no doubt—Pansy had re-entered and was whispering in a circle of Pureblood girls across the way from me, her back was to me so I couldn't see her expression. As I moved away from the punch table, I was quickly intercepted by the very young man I was trying to find.

"Arabella," he grasped hold of my wrist. "Ms. Zabini said you were looking for me."

"How was your chat with Pansy?" I asked, sarcastically cheerful.

He ran his hand through his hair, "Ridiculous."

"That good huh?"

He sent me a significant look.

"I'm sorry," I put my hand on his arm sympathetically.

"It's not your fault she can't listen and can be as thick as a nasty Polyjuice potion."

That made me laugh, and I could tell my reaction pleased Draco.

"You seem in a better mood," he pointed out.

"Birthdays can do that to me," I replied.

"You are still cross with me though," he stated rather than asked.

"Rather," I admitted. "But we'll talk it through again and make things right. We always do."

My favorite waltz began to play, and Draco looked up at the band.

"It's your song," he pointed out. "Won't you dance with me?"

"That implies I have a choice, which I usually do not," I teased.

"You do. You are the birthday girl! But you'd feel terrible if you missed your favorite song just to prove a point."

I knew he was right, so I put my hand in his and let him lead me onto the dance floor.

He whirled me about, and it almost made me forget we'd not been getting along these past few weeks. Almost.

"Bells?" he whispered in my ear once more, as the last refrain began.

"Hm?" I looked up at him in response.

"You know I love you more than anyone, right?"

"I think so," came my slow response.

"Do you trust me?" he asked, his voice laced with preoccupation of some sort.

I looked up into his gray eyes, which had taken on a strange tint due to the lighting and the purple draperies.

"Y-y-yes," I stuttered, a little unnerved.

"Then whatever you do in the next minute, just say 'yes.'"

"What?" I searched his face, completely baffled.

"Just say 'yes,'" he urged as the last cadence sounded and he came to a stop.

I looked at him, terrified, as he reached for the inside coat pocket of his dress robes. He took one knee, and I looked up to see my father, sitting on the dais overlooking the scene, my wand held precariously in his hands such that one flick of the wrist would result in it snapping. It was a silent threat only I understood.

"Draco, please, no," I whispered, realizing what he was about to do.

He looked up at me, the little black box at his fingertips. Everyone in the hall had hushed and was watching. I shook my head almost imperceptibly, begging him not to ask. His eyes were full of melancholy apologies and sparkled as if he were just as upset about this as I was.

"Arabella Rose Riddle," he said loudly, for the whole room to hear, "will you do the honor of being my wife?"

I looked up at my father once more and then down at Draco. I covered my mouth with my right hand to indicate shock as well as to cover up a lack of smile. I nodded as tears fell silently down my cheeks, sticking out my left hand for him. Luckily no one knew they weren't the tears of joy they were passing for. I looked up just in time to see my father carefully placing my wand in his robes before joining in the applause that had broken out. Draco embraced me after he'd slipped the ring on, pulling me tight against him and placing one hand on my upper back such that I could feel each individual fingers against my skin.

"You're an angel," he whispered in my ear, his voice full of gratitude.

He turned away from me, keeping one hand in mine and faced the room of people with a smile. I couldn't look at the people for a moment, just staring at Draco beside me. A squeeze from his hand helped pull me back from my personal thoughts, and I turned as well to look out on the room. I caught Narcissa's face, she was smiling and crying, her perfectly manicure nails were wiping tears from her face. Blaise and Nott were hooting and hollering from the corner where they had formerly been. The only other person crying in the room was Pansy Parkinson, and she was darting as quickly through the crowd as she could to get to the door, her mother in hot pursuit behind her. As the band struck up another of my favorite tunes, Draco pulled me back into his arms.

"A moment alone, dear?" I barely gritted through my teeth.

We walked serenely from the ballroom, across the hallway and into Narcissa's parlor, accepting congratulations and hugs all along the way.

"Draco, Miss Riddle?" Lucius Malfoy called before we could complete our journey across the entrance hall.

"Yes Father?" Draco asked.

"You should remain with the guests," he said.

"We need to talk," I said.

"You can do that later."

"We'll do it now, sir," I insisted. "But we will be out in less than fifteen minutes."

Lucius Malfoy sent me one of those looks that make you shudder at the thought of what would happen to you if looks really could kill.

"How dare you talk back to me," he exclaimed quietly, so as not to alert the guests to a disturbance.

"I'm not your daughter-in-law yet, sir," I said rudely.

"Let them talk, Lucius," Narcissa appeared out of nowhere behind her husband. "The newly engaged couple deserves a moment or two alone."

I took the opportunity to turn away from the group and go straight into the parlor. Choice words were shared between the Malfoys, I'm sure, but I took no notice, sitting on the footstool of the wing-backed chair in the middle of the room. Draco entered a moment later, sighing heavily and coming to stand with his hands in his pockets a few feet away from me. I sat in silence for a while, and Draco didn't bother to break the silence, though I could feel him staring at me. I felt as if I wanted to explode at him, screaming and kicking and crying. But we were both so tired of fighting. And I knew I was going to have to grow up. I hadn't taken notice of the ring before now, but it was breathtaking, to say the least. It sat comfortably on my left ring finger, feeling strange to be there. I didn't know much about diamonds or rings, but I knew this was ornately cut and laid in a beautiful manner.

"Do you like it?" he whispered, catching my stare at the ring.

"It's—it's—" I sighed and looked up at him, "More than I deserve, Draco."

He walked towards me, taking one hand out of his pocket, holding it out to me. I took and let him lift me from the seat. I followed him to the couch so we could sit next to each other.

"Why didn't you warn me?" I asked. My voice was even and calm, even though I felt slightly enraged.

"Your father wanted it to be a surprise," he responded.

"Why?" I asked.

"So he could test your loyalty as well as control your response."

"Control freak," I muttered under my breath.

"If you are just figuring that out now, you obviously haven't been paying attention this year," he smirked at me.

"Couldn't you have just hinted a little?" I asked.

"No," Draco said solidly.

"Everything is a secret between us," I bowed my head in defeat.

"Yeah, it seems that way, doesn't it?" Draco looked at me, keeping one hand in mine and tracing small circles on the back of my hand with the pointer finger of his other hand.

"I don't like it."

"Neither do I, love."

"What happens if we do marry, and we are still lying to each other?"

"If we marry? Love, I don't think you have a choice but to marry me. Not as long as our fathers are alive."

I remained silent, letting what I already knew instinctively set in.

"And when we are married, there won't be any more secrets," Draco proclaimed.

I looked at him skeptically.

"I promise," he said looking at me so intensely it made me uncomfortable.

"We're too young," I argued, looking away from his intense eyes.

"No younger than my parents were," he debated.

"I don't want to be married yet," I replied. "I want more time."

Draco looked down, extracting his hand from mine. My heart sunk as I realized how I'd hurt him. Before I could say something to redeem myself, he had already formed a response.

"Bella," he spoke quietly, "I know this is not how you pictured your engagement. I understand wanting to be older and have a career before getting married. But we don't have that choice. We're living in a war, and our parents are controlling our future."

He shifted in his seat to take my hands and look into my face again. I squirmed in discomfort.

"But, Bells, I promise that I love you and I will do whatever I can to make you happy. I will respect you, protect you, and stand beside you. I will try to listen, and only say try because I know men are terrible listeners. You make me so happy, and I couldn't ask for someone better to spend my life with. And I know you don't feel the same way about me, but I pray that you may change your mind. Or, at the very least, learn to live comfortably with me."

I gulped down the lump in my throat.

"Either you are the greatest actor and I the best fool," I said, "or I am indeed the luckiest girl to be forced into a marriage with a young man as honest and kind as you are."

Draco gave me a sad smile. There was a quiet knock on the door. Narcissa entered.

"Time for cake!" she said excitedly, though warily.

"We'll be right out, Mother," Draco said, his back to his mother and his voice betraying no emotion.

When she had left, I grasped Draco's hand forcefully.

"Thank you, Draco."

"For what?" he asked.

"For a beautiful birthday gift," I said touching my pearls, "And an exquisite engagement ring."

"I wish I could give you what you really want," he said as we stood and headed towards the door.

"No one really knows what they want," I argued as we entered the busy hall. I was still holding his hand as he greeted Nott Sr.

And as he was all fake-smiles, I whispered to myself as the thought occurred to me out of the blue, "But, maybe you'll be giving me what I need. Whether I know it or not."

As we reentered the ball room the hall broke into a chorus of "Happy Birthday" in at least as many different musical keys as there were people in attendance. A huge cake was resting on a small table placed in the center of the dance floor. Several tiers of chocolate cake with chocolate fudge filling was covered in purple (of course!) chocolate fondant. I sincere smile spread across my face at the presence of all those people singing for me, as well as their attempt to fit my whole name into the song in one beat. I thought quickly of a worthwhile wish to make as I blew the candles out from on top of the cake, each candle poking out from a sugar rose strategically placed around the tiers. As old as I would ever get, I knew myself well enough that I was sure I would never outgrow the excitement of blowing out my birthday cake candles. A large light flashed indicating a picture had been taken, and the cake was levitated away to be cut and served.

"What did you wish for?" Draco asked in my ear.

"If I tell you, it won't come true," I said.

His already sad smile faded.

"And then you'd never get to see it for yourself," I hinted. At this, ever so slightly, his face lifted.

I'd wished what I knew I would pray for every day from now on: that Draco and I, whether we loved each other deeply or not, would be able to build a happy home and live a happy life...together.

I paced the entrance hall, wringing my hands and fiddling with my ring. He should've been home by now. He'd promised. And Draco didn't break his promises to me lightly. Three days, he said. He'd be home by dinner time on the third day. It was almost 9 pm and there had been no word from anyone on the mission.

"Arabella, dear, I'm sure they are fine," Narcissa exited the breakfast room to check on me. She'd been just as nervous, but more patient in waiting for their return. Both her husband and her son were among the mission party, giving her much more to worry about.

"Come and have a cup of tea," she said half-heartedly. She'd suggested that at least six times since dinner.

I just crossed my arms, rubbing my hands up and down my upper arms as much to warm myself as to comfort myself. After a moment more, Narcissa gave up and returned to her seat on the window cushion looking out onto the Malfoy property, awaiting the arrival of her family. I paced a few more times and was startled by a pop and the presence of Trinky holding a familiar purple mug up at me.

"Please, Mistress," she squeaked, "Drink. It will comfort you."

I smiled down at the elf.

"Mistress Malfoy is very worried, and so is Trinky!"

I took the mug with a quiet "thank you." I took a sip of the liquid without looking to see what it was. The warm chocolate hit my stomach and filled my body with warmth from both the heat of the drink and the nature of the chocolate. It lifted my spirits only artificially, as it reminded me of Draco forcing hot chocolate down my throat after my first Occlumency lesson with Snape. I didn't notice when Trinky disappeared, but I set the mug down again on a table carrying a bouquet left over from my birthday party so that I could pace once more.

It wasn't much longer before I stopped in my tracks halfway across the hall, a loud pop and a scuffle sounded from just outside the front door. I sprinted towards the door, flinging it open to reveal Lucius leaning heavily on his walking stick, Dolohov holding one hand over his left eye, and Mulciber holding a limp Draco Malfoy in his arms. I ushered them in, calling for Narcissa and the head house elf. I've heard tell of adrenaline giving people the ability to think clearly in the most dire of situations, and it was to that little biological chemical that I could accredit my ability to spring into action.

"Trinky!" I yelled as I directed Dolohov to Draco's bedroom. A short pop told me she was by my side as I took the stairs two at a time. "Inform my father of the arrival of the party and then go to Hogwarts and get Professor Snape."

Blood was streaming down Draco's arms and leaving a small trail of blood behind us as we made it into his bedroom. I summoned an extra sheet and blanket to lay down over his beautiful bedspread. As soon as he was laid down, I sent Mulciber back downstairs to check on the others. Narcissa appeared as I began to chant over her son's bleeding form. I recognized the Sectumsempra curse immediately, but I knew I could only slow the bleeding, not heal the wounds. Snape was the best person to reverse the effects of the curse he created. Narcissa let out a short sob as she came to sit by her son, holding his hand tightly. My attempt wasn't working; I prayed that Snape would arrive soon, knowing this was beyond my magical ability.

I heard a scream echo from below that sounded suspiciously like Mulciber being subjected to the Cruciatus Curse. I tried to push the thought to the back of my mind, concentrating on doing what I could for Draco. If he continued to bleed much longer, he would die, of that I could be sure.

The door burst open and Snape came striding in, his cloak billowing behind him.

"I did what I could to slow the bleeding, but I don't know how to stop it," I said.

He gave me a curt nod, and as he had done that day in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom he began to traced the wounds with his wand, muttering in a sing-song sort of way. I backed away, terrified until I tripped and fell into the seat of a wooden chair nearby. I looked down at myself to see I was covered in Draco's blood, as was the floor.

"I need to return to Hogwarts to obtain a blood replenishing potion," Snape finally broke the silence. He was talking with Narcissa, who was just nodding her head as tears streamed down her face.

He hustled from the room and returned less than five minutes later. He administered one vial of the potion to Draco, placing three more flasks on his bedside table.

"He will sleep. I don't know for how long. Give him a vial every two hours. I will return with other potions for him later today when I have brewed them," Snape directed curtly to Narcissa. She just nodded silently.

He approached me where I was sitting. "I assume you heard what I instructed Narcissa?"

"Yes, sir."

"I don't know that she'll remember, so I'm trusting you to double check it gets done right."

"Of course."

"I must go talk with your father."

"Yes," I said, and then looking up at him, "Thank you!"

He nodded once and swept from the room.

Narcissa left a little while later to go check on Dolohov and Lucius. A house elf came to clean the floor, another to change the bed and Draco's clothes for him. While that was done, I returned to my room to shower and put on some clean clothes. I returned in enough time to administer the next dose of Draco's blood replenishing potion. He hadn't woken up, and I had to use a cold wet cloth to try and get water into his mouth (shooting the Aguamenti spell down his throat seemed a little forceful). Narcissa returned later, worried about the dosage and relieved to see I'd taken care of it. Lucius was resting in the master bedroom and would be perfectly fine. Dolohov's eye had been replaced by the Dark Lord, and he and Mucliber had been tortured for another failed mission. I hadn't decided whether the replacement eye was a good thing or bad thing, but I was erring on the side of bad after Wormtail's fateful run-in with his possessed hand.

Snape returned with more blood replenishing potion just in time as well as some hydrating and healing potions. He gave me a withering look as he left the room once more, and I couldn't quite make out the murmuring that occurred between him and Narcissa in the hall.

I drifted in and out of sleep, sitting in the hard wooden chair with a blanket over my legs, one of my hands in one of Draco's. I had an on-going alarm for ever two hours to make sure I didn't miss his doses. I don't know how long I spent trying to make Draco comfortable, even though I knew he was unconscious, but I didn't really care. I was fairly certain at one point that my father had entered and that I had carried on a conversation with him, but I had no recollection of it later that night. It was more than a day later when I twitched awake in the middle of the night, and for something to do, refilled the washbasin with cold water from my wand tip. I ran the washcloth over his dry lips. I looked up only when I realized a figure was standing behind me and to the side.

"How long have you been here?" Snape asked snidely.

"Since you came back with the replenishing potion refills," I responded.

"So going on 36 hours here," he said.

"I suppose so," I shrugged.

"You need to get some sleep."

"I have," I responded, leaning back in the chair so I could look at him. "I've been drifting in and out, but making sure I wake up to give him his potions."

"That's not real sleep. And have you eaten?" he asked.

I opened my mouth to respond, but found that I couldn't answer that question because I couldn't remember.

"Get up from that chair and go get some food, sleep...and a shower."

"I don't smell," I protested.

"I didn't say you did," he said glibly.

"What if he wakes up?" I asked, turning back to Draco.

"I'll stay here while you go take care of yourself—"

"—but—"

"—because if you don't take care of yourself, how can you ever take care of him?"

I glared at him, because we both knew he was right and had won.

"Only one other person knows and uses that horrid curse you created," I commented, looking once more at the motionless body on the bed.

"I know," Snape said quietly.

"He should know better," I scolded, "after what happened Sixth Year."

"Potter has always been selfish and arrogant."

"He's not arrogant," I defended. "But he can be really thick sometimes. And he hasn't been known to use his best judgement."

"That's an understatement," Snape growled.

I leaned over in my seat, holding my head in my hands. I felt a warm hand against my back; Snape's feeble attempt to comfort me.

"At least get a shower and some food. Then you can come back, how's that?" he suggested.

"Fine," I said. I grudgingly pushed myself up from my seat, bundled the blanket up and left it in my seat.

When I arrived in my room, I called Trinky and asked for a breakfast tray before hitting the shower. When I came out clean and dressed in actual robes (instead of my former ill-fitting sweatpants) a tray of scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes and oatmeal as well as hot chocolate and tea was resting on the coffee table beside my book on wand lore and in front of a roaring fire.

"How much does that little elf think I can eat?" I exclaimed to myself. She was observant enough to know I hadn't eaten in more than a day, but trying to make up for three lost meals in one sitting just wasn't going to work out. I sat down and ate a little bit of everything, including the hot chocolate, but I was too preoccupied with getting back to check on Draco to really sit and eat. I also knew Snape would send me back for another shower or another meal or something else equally ridiculous if I came back too soon. I attempted to read, but found myself too distracted, so I returned the book to its spot and left the room in the direction of Draco's.

I heard voices coming from the room before I reached the door, which was open just a crack. I recognized one as Snape's, the other I realized after a moment was Draco's. I nearly burst through the door in the excitement that he was awake, alive and talking but stopped just before I did due to what I heard through the crack of the door.

"...you can't believe that," Snape said spitefully.

"I have no reason to believe the contrary," Draco responded bitterly.

This was not the type of conversation that should occur when someone has just woken from a near death experience.

"You are both ridiculous!" exclaimed Snape. "You are both blind and refuse to see the truth!"

"What are you talking about?" Draco insisted.

"You do realize that she has been sitting at your beside since you got here, right? I had to send her away just now to get food and a shower," Snape said.

"She hadn't eaten in a day and a half?" Draco asked incredulously.

"She's been worried sick about you. She's made sure you've gotten your potions at the right time, she's been trying to get water in you, she's not left that bloody chair since you arrived and wouldn't have left unless I made her!"

"You can't be implying what I think you are implying," Draco said strangely.

I didn't really want to hear what Snape had to say next, so I quietly knocked on the door and poked my head inside, pretending I hadn't heard a word.

"You're awake!" I addressed Draco. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," he admitted.

"Would you like something to eat or drink?" I asked stepping closer awkwardly. Both men were tense from their previous interaction.

"I haven't decided yet," he said.

"I'll go let your parents know you are alright," I said after a moment of strange silence. "Your mother has been so concerned."

"No. Stay," Draco said, motioning to the wooden chair with the bundled up blanket. "Snape was just about to leave, and I'd rather not be fussed over by my mother or criticized by my father right now."

I came to sit in that familiar chair, wrapping myself in the blanket.

"Thank you," I said to Snape as he turned to leave. He nodded curtly before turning to Draco to say: "Keep in mind what we discussed."

"Of course," Draco nodded, "And thank you."
With that Snape fled from the room.

I wanted to ask him what they had been discussing, but if I was completely honest with myself, I wasn't ready to know. I also didn't want to upset or aggravate an already weak young man. Draco held out his hand to me, and I took it readily, glad to feel his life concretely.

"Is there anything I can get for you?" I asked.

"There are such things as house elves, love," he sort of chuckled. "I can call one of them to wait on me hand and foot. Snape informed me you've been tending to me more patiently and dutifully than anyone ever could. You should go get some rest."

"Look who's talking," I teased. "Go back to sleep."

"I'll stay up for a bit longer," he insisted, leaning back into the pillows.

I sat with him in silence as he lay in bed, his breathing even.

"No interrogation?" Draco asked suddenly. "I half expected to be bombarded with questions."

I drooped a little in my seat, half laughing, half ashamed. When I looked at him again, he was no longer leaning into his pillows but sitting up and looking at me.

"You okay?" he asked, suddenly worried.

"Yeah, yeah," I assured him. "I just—you have—you have every reason to expect that of me. But half of me doesn't want to know, and all of me doesn't want to upset you. You need to get better before we fight again."

"Who said we're going to fight again?" he asked, leaning back and closing his eyes once more.

"Um, well, if past experience is any indication..."

He squeezed my hand and looked up at me for one last time, "I promise you I'll tell you what happened. I'll even tell you what Snape wants me to keep in mind from our discussion. Just not...right now."

"Of course not," I agreed. "Now get some sleep."

Draco settled into his bed. As I went to extract my hand from his so I could leave him to rest. He held on fast.

"Please stay," he requested.

I bent down and kissed his hand before settling back down.

"Of course, dear," I said, closing my eyes.

AN: Review, please!

Also, on a more secular note: My prayers and thoughts are with all affected by the earthquake in Haiti. I pray that if you are reading this and you or your family/friends were affected, you are all safe, healthy and together once more.