Chapter 29
When Charlotte received the letter from Draco, she was overjoyed. She hadn't heard from him in weeks, and missed him terribly. She was confused by it, however, as it was very brief, and had a stressed undertone to it, as if he wrote it in secret. It read:
My dear Charlotte,
I need to see you. I feel so lost… he made me do something terrible and he said it wouldn't be the last time. I have so much I need to tell you. I'll be at your house sometime this coming Saturday, if I can get away. Surveillance is a little tight around here, but I can get around that easily. See you then, hopefully.
Signed, Draco
An owl she didn't recognize brought the letter only a few days before, and she anxiously awaited the weekend's arrival. She was excited to see him, but also felt nervous, wondering what it was he had to tell her.
She occupied herself doing yard work all that Saturday morning, and when she heard the characteristic crack of Apparation, she rinsed the dirt off her hands, drying them on her shorts. She walked over to him, smiling, but noticed how his body language was rigid, and his face looked troubled and worn, almost defeated. She slowed, and called out gently, "Draco?"
Draco, who wore a troubled expression, brightened when heard Charlotte call his name and felt her fingers intertwine with his. He looked into her eyes with remorse, and spoke, his voice wavering, "I have so much on my mind, Charlotte; I don't know where to start. Is… anyone else home?"
She shook her head, "I'm home alone today. Come in, I'll get you something to eat, and you can tell me everything." Charlotte led him inside and sat him down on a couch, giving him tea and bringing him some sandwiches she had prepared. She sat next to him, her own lunch at her side, and squeezed his hand, "Now, go ahead, Draco, I'm listening."
Draco then described to her all that he had gone through in the weeks since he'd left her home: his introduction to even darker Magic, the death of Professor Burbage, the fall of the Ministry of Magic, and more, finishing by telling her of his most recent transgression.
When he finished, Charlotte whispered, "Torture?"
He nodded slowly, "It was horrible. I can't believe I actually went through with it. I feared what the Dark Lord would have done if I had refused… and now I hate myself for torturing them, and I'm really afraid I'm getting to be as bad as the rest of them!"
Looking into his sad, silver eyes, Charlotte replied, "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named must know you are not a purely evil person, and plays on your insecurity and fear to get you to do what you don't want to, to try and break your spirit. Despite his efforts, you feel bad about the things he makes you do. That proves to me that you are still the same Draco Malfoy I've always known. You are nowhere near as bad as they are. No matter what, I know you won't lose yourself."
He smiled, taking her hand, "Thank you, Charlotte, your words are a considerable comfort to me. I have you to thank for keeping me rooted in sanity, you know."
"Is that so?"
"Of course, who else could possibly have given me all of those supportive aphorisms and kind gestures to latch onto for refuge while being forced to act against my will?" His tone was cynical, but he really was grateful.
"I only wish I could be more of a help, actually be there with you." She sounded contrite.
"Oh, Charlotte, I would never wish you to be there, with all of those Death Eaters around, and sometimes the Dark Lord himself! I would fear for your life too much," Draco stood, and looked pensively out the window.
"Don't worry about me, Draco, I'm just fine."
"But, you're Muggle-born, and possibly the most evil wizard ever to have lived is on the rise. I don't want to lose you to his destruction!"
"Draco, I am well aware of what I am. But I know that you are keeping me safe as best as you can, protecting this house from Ministry monitoring and Death Eaters' searching alike. You've done so much to help us, and you can take comfort in the fact that there haven't been any Dementors or Death Eaters around here since you left." She reassured him.
"I know, I know, I…" he paused, "I'm sorry. I just can't stand the thought of something happening to you..." Charlotte sighed and wrapped her arms around him as he turned to face her, hoping her embrace assured him that she was fine.
Draco shook his head, amazed. He felt so much better now that he was with Charlotte, and was able to vent to her. She listened so well to all of his complaints, and she took everything he told her in stride, no matter how terrible, remaining by his side.
"Are you going to be in school this year? It's going to be our final year!" she asked him, brightly.
Draco sat down, and nodded, relieved at the change of subject and the reminder that he'd be far from the Dark Lord, at least for a time. "My parents want me to continue with my education, even with my duties as a Death Eater."
"Then I'll get to see you every day!" She snuggled up against him on the couch. Draco was pleased with that fact, but he bristled at the thought of how different things would be this year at Hogwarts. He didn't bring it up, though, as he didn't want to worry Charlotte.
He draped an arm over her shoulders and pulled her close, trailing his hand up and down her arm, "I've told you all I've done since I left, now what about you? Have you been keeping out of trouble?"
Charlotte laughed to herself, "I can't say my summer has been all that exciting…"
"Come now, I'm sure you've been keeping busy," he looked inquisitively at her.
"I've been volunteering at a shelter for injured and displaced magical creatures. But that's not very thrilling, is it?" she shrugged.
"That's great," he yawned, "Oh, I'm sorry, last night was a very late night for me. Every night this summer has been unbearably late."
"That's fine, Draco, you should rest. I'll go get you a blanket," she started to stand, but Draco's arms locked around her waist and he pulled her back down onto his lap.
"No, you'll stay right here. Your presence is rather soothing," he squeezed her waist and nuzzled her affectionately. "Stay right here and tell me about something lovely."
Charlotte took a deep breath, thinking, and repositioned herself at his side. "All right, let me see… Well, just last week, when I went to volunteer, there was a young centaur that had been separated from his family, and left behind, being injured in the process. He was so scared, tied up in a stall, but when I transfigured, he calmed right down…" She went on, telling him how she'd been working with him, helping him to heal and feel more comfortable around the people who were healing him. She finished, "…and soon he'll be well enough to be released. He's such a sweet soul, all he wants to do is be curious and have fun. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Mhmm," Draco agreed, enjoying how her face lit up while talking about what she loved. She paused, having finished with her story, and suddenly Draco began feeling very tired. He moved so that he was lying down on the couch, and reclined his head on a pillow. A light pressure on his abdomen made him look up, curious.
Charlotte had laid her hand on his stomach, and asked softly, "Do you mind if I use you as a pillow?"
"Of course not, you're light as a feather," he smiled tiredly.
She slowly set her head down sideways on his chest, and began tracing patterns on his stomach with her fingers. Charlotte filled the silence with pleasant chatter, looking up at his face periodically. When it became clear that he was falling asleep, she decided to play a little trick on him.
"Guess who showed up at the shelter yesterday?"
"Who?" He asked, half asleep.
"Cormac McLaggen."
"Hmm."
"His owl had a broken wing and I healed it myself."
"That's good."
"Yes, dear, and he was so grateful, he said that he would do anything to repay me…" Draco nodded, obviously not listening closely, and Charlotte smiled, deviously, "So… Cormac kissed me!"
Draco nodded again, but paused, as what she said registered in his mind. He lifted his head and frowned at her, confused, "He what?"
She laughed, "I thought you were falling asleep, Draco. What is it?"
"What did you say about McLaggen?"
"Nothing. I made that up, just checking if you were listening," Charlotte winked playfully.
"You're a sneaky little filly," he gave her a squeeze, and relaxed again, "I love you."
"And I love you, Draco." She sighed, getting comfortable, and recommenced tracing patterns on his stomach, listening to his heartbeat and feeling his chest rise and fall. Soon, they were both fast asleep.
When Charlotte awoke, Draco was still out cold. She stood carefully, so as not to jostle him, and went quietly into the kitchen to see to getting Draco a warm meal before he went back home. She glanced out the window as she gathered ingredients. It was just after sunset, the sky having a nice, dark red glow. She glanced back at the sleeping figure on her couch, and set about making some stew.
She heard the front door open, and looked about, smilng when she found it was her parents and little brother returned from their day trip to her distant cousin's home. Charlotte put a finger to her lips when they made to greet her, motioning towards sleeping Draco when they looked at her in slight confusion.
At the sight of him, her parents smiled, and Adrian went right to her side, and spoke in a moderately soft voice, "What'cha makin?" adding, "Is Draco staying for dinner?"
"I'm making stew! And I hope so, I've really missed him," she whispered in response, sighing.
"What did you two do while we were gone? Nothing too mushy, I hope…" Charlotte's mother teased, nudging her.
Charlotte blushed, and as she was about to answer, she felt a pair of arms encircle her waist and Draco spoke, laughing softly, "Nah, we just talked for a while, and then we fell asleep on the couch. She's been keeping me company all day, it's been a very pleasant day."
"How sweet," Mrs. LaRocque replied, "Would you care to stay for dinner? It smells like Charlotte is making something delicious this evening."
Draco nodded, "Yes, I think I will. It's been so long since I've had a good meal." After giving Charlotte one last warm hug, he went to wash up.
After dinner, Draco bid the LaRocques goodbye, and he and Charlotte went for a walk before Draco had to head back home. His excuse of feeling too unprepared to go on a scouting trip with the Dark Lord, and instead spending the day in the Forbidden Forest, had nearly run out, as his mother expected him back soon. He was actually just as able as any of the others, he simply didn't like to go force more people to follow the Dark Lord.
The two were talking pleasantly, when Draco slowed, "Charlotte? I want to warn you, the way things are run at school is most likely going to change this year, and in a possibly negative way, what with Dumbledore dead."
"How do you mean? Won't they just find a replacement headmaster?"
"Yes, but it will most likely be a Death Eater. The Dark Lord will have a link to the school, so things'll be very different, and more dangerous. He wouldn't dare enter, but I can't say Death Eaters won't be there."
"What do you mean?" Charlotte stopped, crossing her arms.
"A Death Eater is most likely to be headmaster of Hogwarts, and I've heard that there are going to be others present, in charge of classes or other things, like discipline. And I don't want…" he trailed off as Charlotte held her hand up slowly, looking about nervously.
She was shifting her weight uneasily from one foot to the other, and spoke quickly and quietly. "Draco, there's something wrong. Why is it suddenly so cold?"
He looked around slowly, "I'm not sure, but this fog isn't a good sign."
Charlotte shook her head in agreement, and began to shiver.
Draco could barely feel the cold, but took Charlotte in his arms, warming her up. "You're right, something is going on." He glanced over his shoulder, seeing nothing, but still feeling a sense of unease. He took Charlotte by the hand and led her to an alley. "This area shouldn't be targeted, not yet!" Draco muttered.
"What do you mean, 'not yet'? What do you think is out there?" She whispered, still shivering. "Death Eaters?"
Draco shrugged, "I'm not sure, but whatever it is shouldn't be here."
They both listened carefully, and soon a Dementor materialized from the darkness. The two of them stood up straight, and said clearly, "Expecto Patronum!" A large dragon erupted from Draco's wand, and a horse from Charlotte's wand, and the two Patronuses charged at the Dementor, causing it to flee interminably. They were both pleased with the result, Charlotte feeling immensely relieved. Draco's enthusiasm faltered quickly, however, as he sensed the presence of something else, or rather, someone. He gently motioned for Charlotte to hide in the shadows a few feet from where they stood, asking her to stay silent.
"Who's there?" he called, and Draco emerged from the alley slowly. He frowned at who he saw before him. "Crabbe? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing, Malfoy," he spoke irritably, his rounded face contorted into a frown. "I was doing some scouting on my own, checking for more Wizarding communities for the Dark Lord to exploit. But it looks like you beat me to it. Find anything good?"
"No," Draco shook his head, "I thought since we haven't looked here, there might be a few good witches or wizards here, but it turns out that this is a Muggle-only community. Nothing to report." He added, "Why was there a Dementor here, by the way?"
"It's with me, or at least it was, until you drove it away with that odd Patronus of yours. What was it? It almost looked like there were two of them…" Crabbe raised an accusing eyebrow at him.
"That Dementor was attacking me as though I was a common blood traitor! What was I supposed to do, let it destroy me?" Draco retorted.
"I suppose not," he shrugged, "But where did that second Patronus come from, Malfoy?"
"I was the only one to cast one, you fool. You must be completely blind to have seen two when mine was the only one cast for miles in any direction!" He scoffed, and the portly Crabbe flushed with defensiveness.
"I am not blind. I thought your Patronus was a dragon, but I could've sworn I saw something else…"
"Of course my Patronus is a dragon. Well, whatever you saw, it's long gone now, along with that blasted Dementor. The Dark Lord will not be happy to learn that you lost one." Draco sneered, and Crabbe started to look nervous. "If I were you, I'd go and find it before you return to Malfoy Manor looking all guilty, and let slip you accidentally released one of the Dark Lord's monsters without his permission."
Crabbe nodded, worried, "Fine, but you'd better not tell anyone I was here, then." He paused, "Weren't you supposed to be in the Forbidden Forest 'training' today?"
"I was, but I was nearly killed by centaurs so I left. I found an empty forest a few miles from here to use, and with my spare time checked out this little town. Pretty boring day, actually. I rather wish I'd gone on that scouting trip with the other Death Eaters. Now get out of my sight before I report your absence to the Dark Lord." Draco explained easily.
Crabbe didn't think twice about doubting his story, afraid for his own punishment if he didn't retrieve the Dementor. "Later, Malfoy. Remember, you didn't see me here."
"Nor I here, Crabbe!" he called after him, and with a mental incantation, he cleared the fog caused by the Dementor, the summer night warming up once again. He beckoned for Charlotte, who came slowly to his side. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine, I suppose," she took a deep breath, "So, that was Crabbe? Is he not a Death Eater yet?"
"No, but the Dark Lord says he may induct him in a matter of days. The dolt was trying to earn some extra approval from the Dark Lord, to ensure his place at his side," Draco sighed, focusing his attention on Charlotte. "Are you sure you are all right? You're still shaking."
"What he said—is the Dark Lord looking for more places to exploit? And would he ever come here?" Charlotte's voice shook slightly with worry.
"He is, but I have made sure he thinks that there is nothing but boring Muggles here, and your family is safe. Don't worry," Draco assured her. He sighed, "I hate seeing you this worried, and I don't want to leave you on this note."
"Does that mean you have to leave now?" her voice was nearly back to normal, but she sounded disheartened.
"Yeah, I suppose that's my cue to go. I want to beat Crabbe home, though it looks like he'll be out for a while. Dementors are rather elusive, and especially so when frightened by strong Patronuses, like yours," he smiled at her.
"Yours was pretty impressive, too, Draco. Don't underestimate your ability." Charlotte came closer to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "I know I never do."
"Oh really?" he gently put his arms around her waist, holding her.
She nodded, tilting her head slightly. "I always brag to my Muggle girlfriends about you, and they're all jealous. They wish they had someone as talented and devilishly handsome as you."
He laughed, "Then I'm honored to call you my own, Miss LaRocque." Draco leaned forward, and his lips brushed Charlotte's lightly. The kiss deepened, and Draco pulled Charlotte right up against him.
The kiss soon ended, and Charlotte whispered, "I'm glad I got to see you today, Draco. I've really missed you."
"So have I. But I'll see you again soon, I promise." He released her and glanced around to make sure that no one would see him Disapparate. As he was about to leave, Charlotte quickly put something in his hand. Draco frowned and glanced at her, confused.
"I made it myself," Charlotte said, sheepishly. "I've been meaning to give it to you all day, and I almost backed out. It's just a little something, not that extravagant."
Draco examined it, murmuring "Lumos" so he could see more easily. In his hand was a wristband a few inches wide but only a few millimeters thick. It was green, with a black border all along it on the top and bottom. Intricate silver and black shapes were sewn into the green background so that they stood out around the entire wristband. The shapes were in the form of alternating horses and dragons, like that of his Patronus. They glinted in the light, but only subtly. He marveled at it, amazed at the effort that must have gone into it.
"You don't have to wear it if it's not your style, I just thought… you might like it. Something to keep me in your thoughts, you know?" Charlotte fidgeted, nervous about his reaction.
Draco put it on his right wrist, and fastened it with his wand. "Of course I'll wear it, so you'll always be with me. Did you make this by hand?"
She nodded, "For the most part. I used some magic to make sure it shone just right, and for the finishing touches, but it did turn out beautifully, didn't it? Good night, and until we meet again, my dear Draco!" She smiled, and waved as she turned to head back home.
When Draco returned to Malfoy Manor, he didn't even register the Dark Lord's anger at a not very successful day. Whenever he glanced at his right wrist, he had to work to keep himself from smiling. He went through all of the motions of being a subordinate Death Eater, but his mind was far away, in the arms of a certain Animagus girl.
