Chapter 36

"How could you let such a thing happen? After all I've forgiven you for?" the cruel voice rang in Draco's head once again, "I'm warning you, Malfoys, all three of you! I only have so much patience, and it is wearing thin. I have had nearly enough of your failures! If I weren't feeling so generous today, you'd all be dead! Next time, don't let the vermin get away!" Draco's weekends hadn't been going well, in particular, the most recent one. He'd been called home for the past three weekends out of four, and despite small jobs here and there, he hadn't had to face anything especially strenuous. This last one, however, was terrible.

The Death Eaters at the Ministry of Magic had recently apprehended a man who had been labeled as a blood traitor to the Pureblood group and a threat to the Dark Lord himself. He was sent to Malfoy Manor for questioning about a new threat, a secret anti-Lord Voldemort organization outside of their awareness. Draco and his parents had been in charge of keeping him incarcerated until Bellatrix or another higher-ranked Death Eater arrived to torture and interrogate him. One night, when Draco's father was on watch, he fell asleep, thanks to a sleeping potion slipped to him by an undercover ally of the prisoner. The prisoner then escaped, with the help of his accomplice, and ran off into the night. The accomplice was discovered and subsequently killed by Lord Voldemort, but the blame was laid upon the Malfoy family for the error. This had resulted in criticism and torture, on Lucius' part, and threats for more drastic action should it happen again.

The events of the past weekend lay heavily on Draco's mind, and he was in a terrible mood because of it. Draco spent the dull Monday morning brooding, and as he stormed down a hallway, he was completely unaware of Charlotte's approach and pleasant beckoning call.

He passed her by, and Charlotte looked after him, confused. She called again, a little louder, "Draco?" When he still didn't register her presence, she rolled her eyes and dismissed it, as she was in a hurry to get to her Advanced Care of Magical Creatures class.

Later, when she did manage to get his attention after Potions class, Draco snapped at Charlotte in response. He had been tight-lipped during Potions but this outright rudeness irritated her. "What was that for?" she demanded, feeling a little hurt, "I just wanted to tell you some good news. I thought it might lift your spirits a bit."

"Look, I'm sorry. I'm just in a bad mood."

"Why? What's wrong?" she laid a comforting hand upon his shoulder.

"The Dark Lord is blaming me and my family for letting a blood traitor escape, and it was not our fault. It makes me so mad!" he shuddered, unintentionally shrugging her hand off.

"Mad at the Dark Lord? Or mad that the blood traitor escaped?" she sneered.

"Oh hush," he clipped, "You know what I mean."

"Maybe I do, but that doesn't give you the right to take it out on me, Draco. I haven't done anything to make you upset, even tried to make you feel better, and you've been talking to me as though I'm the one you're angry with."

"Charlotte, I…" he began, starting to feel apologetic.

"I have to go. Maybe you'll have cooled off by the next time I see you." She turned and exited in the opposite direction, leaving him alone in the corridor.

That afternoon, Charlotte wasn't in her study, and she didn't come to dinner in the Great Hall. Draco tried to put it out of his mind, he deserved to be ignored for his rudeness, but he started to feel worried. Where was she? And was she really still that mad? He couldn't go to Ravenclaw and ask for her, as that would imply that something might be going on between them. He ate his dinner and did his homework on his own, struggling a little bit here and there, as his mind was wandering and without her help, things weren't as simple in his less interesting classes. As he worked, he pondered how he would make it up to Charlotte. After everyone was in bed, Draco looked out the window near his bed, unable to sleep, scanning the Forbidden Forest for any sign of his girlfriend, all the while contemplating.

The following morning, Charlotte was strangely absent from Potions class. During lunch when she didn't show up, Draco resolved to find her, his concern shifting to mild panic. He looked in all of her usual hiding places, their study, even doing some snooping around Ravenclaw house. As he passed a corridor that led to a few empty classrooms and the offices of some of the newer professors, he heard menacing laughter, followed by a distressed cry coming from the far end of it. Curious, Draco followed the noise, and snuck into an empty classroom that proved to be the source of the voices.

There he found the Carrow siblings, Amycus and Alecto, sniggering as they stood with their backs to him, muttering spells and the occasional insult.

"You little fool, what were you doing out there, anyway?"

"You know there's a curfew, how could you break it?"

"Tell usss…" Amycus hissed, and when he got no response, he muttered, "Crucio!"

Draco heard a cry of pain that was strangely familiar that was silenced quickly. His tone was aloof as he attempted to appear detached, trying to mask the shaking in his voice, "Alecto? Amycus? What's going on?"

The brother turned to face him, "Ah, Malfoy! We've discovered a rule breaker, and we're teaching her a lesson!"

"Is that so?" he spoke, curious.

"Oh yes!" the sister exclaimed gleefully, "I do love a good disciplining."

"Who've you got?" he raised an eyebrow, honestly curious, but more than the least bit worried.

The Carrows parted to reveal their prisoner, a girl sitting back on her knees, her head down and her hands balled into fists on the floor in front of her. Her long hair hung freely, covering her face, and she shook from the pain of the curse she had just endured.

Draco was suddenly filled with anger at the Carrows, and he spoke irritably, struggling to keep his composure, "What have you done?"

Alecto replied, wondering why he was getting upset, "She was breaking the rules, so we apprehended her. She won't tell us what she was doing!"

Charlotte looked up, her once-sparkling brown eyes dull and tired, and brightened at the sight of Draco, but a slight shaking of his head stopped her from saying anything.

"What did she do?" he demanded.

"She was wandering around outside long after curfew looking suspicious, so we asked her what she was doing. She said she was just on a walk, returning from some homework or something, but she was acting flighty. She handed us a so-called pass that was obviously forged, and assumed that she was lying."

Draco, fuming, thought on his feet, and exclaimed, accusingly, "Is that any way to treat an errand girl of Snape?"

The Carrows looked at the boy in confusion, so he elaborated, pointing at Charlotte, "Snape sent this girl to fetch him some Deadly Nightshade only last night. Why, I bet she still has it on her, in her bag." Draco fished through her book bag, facing away from the Carrows, and stuffed some Nightshade from his pocket into Charlotte's belongings. "Ah, here we are." He took the Nightshade out of her book bag and showed it to the Carrows, who flushed, embarrassed. "I'll bet the headmaster is livid about his errand being unfinished, and would love to hear about how his staff hindered it."

The Carrows stood awkwardly, unsure what to say, not wanting to anger Snape, one of the only Death Eaters they were subordinate to, as getting him upset could lead to being at the mercy of the Dark Lord himself.

Draco crossed his arms and dismissed them brusquely, "Now get out before I decide to go tell Snape about this mistake of yours." Thankful, they exited quickly and without protest. Once they were gone, Draco abandoned his disdainful façade, dropped his arms to his sides, and slumped his shoulders. Holding back tears, he spoke hoarsely, "Charlotte, I… I'm so sorry!"

She slowly stood, unsteady. Having regained her balance, Charlotte looked at him imploringly, and went resolutely to him, seeking refuge. Draco took her into his arms, protective. She shivered, as if she'd been out in the cold all night, and tears fell silently down her face as she stuttered, "I… I was just… I was coming back from a walk… I'd finished my assignment early, and took a walk to let off some steam, and they… I had a pass, too, but they didn't c-care… th-then they…"

Draco leaned his head on hers and whispered, "Shh, it's okay, you didn't do anything wrong." He kissed her hair, "This is all my fault. If I hadn't been such a prat to you, I might have been there to protect you from those blasted twins… I'm sorry, love."

They remained in each other's arms for a few silent moments, relishing to company of the other person. Draco ran his fingers slowly through Charlotte's hair, trying to find a way to make up for the ordeal she had gone through. She was immensely calmed by his presence, and the tears began to slow as she caught her breath and stopped shivering, warmed by his embrace.

Charlotte broke the silence, "Thanks for coming to my rescue. That was really quick thinking, Draco, where did you get the Deadly Nightshade?"

Draco had to smile, albeit only fleetingly, "I had it in my pocket from Herbology this morning. I guess that class is helpful, sometimes. I was worried about you, Charlotte; it's not like you to disappear. I mean, I deserved to be stood up in the study, but when you missed your morning classes without having someone to call in sick for you, I knew something was wrong. How are you feeling?"

"I don't know how much longer I could have lasted. They kept me up all night without food or water, using varying forms of torture for no reason. I don't know what they wanted to hear, I just told the truth and they punished me for it! I was so afraid!" She clutched his shirt tightly, burying her face in his chest.

"I'm here now, and you're safe. You don't have to be afraid anymore." He held her close for a few moments more, and continued, "Let's get you to the Hospital Wing, see to getting you some rest and care."

They left the room and the corridor. Charlotte was limping, and spoke pleadingly, "Draco, I can't... ouch!" She cringed, holding her side, tears starting to fall again at how much moving hurt.

It broke Draco's heart to see her in such pain, and he didn't want to make her walk when she was in pain, so he made to pick her up in his arms.

At this, she was touched, but said, "Are you sure you don't mind? I mean, I know you..."

Draco hushed her, "I don't care what anyone else thinks. You're hurt, Charlotte, and all that matters to me right now is getting you to safety."

"You really are much more honorable than you give yoruself credit for, Draco. Yet another reason why I love you," she smiled weakly.

Draco blushed slightly, cleared his throat, and gently lifted Charlotte into his arms. He brought her to the Hospital Wing, and explained to Madam Pomfrey what happened. When the clock chimed for afternoon classes to begin, Draco was reluctant to leave Charlotte's side.

"Go on, Mr. Malfoy," Madam Pomfrey reassured him, "I'll keep an eye on her until you get back."

Draco nodded slowly, and glanced at Charlotte, still concerned. When he caught Madam Pomfrey's eye, the nurse was smiling pleasantly, noting his doting gaze. At this, Draco blushed a bit and frowned, walking out quickly.
~

"You promised she wouldn't get hurt," Draco spoke heatedly.

The headmaster didn't lift his gaze from the scroll he was writing on, "What are you babbling about, Malfoy?"

The boy shattered a gargoyle on a shelf with a silent spell, and Snape finally looked at him, not amused. "What?"

"Those blasted Carrows, they hurt Charlotte! You told me she'd be safe."

Snape was sorry, but short on patience, as he replied, "What happened?"

"She was out a few minutes after curfew doing an assignment for Care of Magical Creatures class, and when she tried to get back into the castle, those fiends snatched her and tortured her." His voice shook, and Draco was mad at himself for letting a little weakness show through.

"Did she have a pass?"

Draco nodded, "Of course, but they ignored it. When I found her and put a stop to it all, she had bruises and cuts on her arms, broken ribs, and more."

Snape stood and went to a window, "I'm sorry that happened, Malfoy. I know you must be feeling some anger right now, but I assure you—"

"I feel terrible! I promised her I would keep her safe, and that you would help, too, and now… she's lying in a bed in the Hospital Wing…" his voice wavered even more, and broke.

Snape approached him, feeling sorry for the boy, "But she is recovering?" Draco nodded again and the headmaster continued, "Then you can still protect her. I don't believe she will hold this against you or I, seeing as the Carrows frequently act of their own accord, as we know. With a flourish of his wand, Snape repaired the broken gargoyle to its original state.

Draco sat slumped in an armchair sitting opposite Snape's desk, feeling defeated. He was frowning, his face full of worry and self-loathing.

Returning to his chair behind his desk, Snape returned to his work. After a few moments during which the only sound was that of a quill running rhythmically across parchment, Snape added, "It could have happened to any student, it has nothing to do with you or the fact that she's aware of the presence of Death Eaters. To the Carrows, she's just another student. In fact, if it weren't for all that I'm doing to protect Miss LaRocque, she would've succumbed to a worse situation, and far sooner. You could say, Malfoy," he paused, and Draco frowned slightly, awaiting the finished thought, "that Miss LaRocque is lucky to have you, and your coming to her rescue was a very fortunate thing."

Draco smiled at the thought, a little proud.

"Now get out of my office, Mr. Malfoy," Snape ordered, shooting down any further comments or complaints the boy may have, and Draco was willing to comply, grateful for the headmaster's support in his quest to protect Charlotte.

Now, Draco was a very busy man, and didn't have much extra time, but when he had bit of time here or there, such as during meals, he would drop by the Hospital Wing to see how Charlotte was doing. She slept a lot, and the Skele-Gro and other potions wore on her. During these times, Draco would merely sit with her, doing homework or eating, there if she ever needed someone to talk to, or just to hold her hand. But, because of how tense everything was, he was never there when any of Charlotte's friends or other Death Eaters were near. He desperately wished there was something he could do to help her feel better. On the third day of her stay in the Hospital Wing, Draco was in high spirits, as he'd overheard someone mention that Charlotte was starting to show signs of significant improvement.

That morning, Draco headed straight to the Hospital Wing after breakfast, and smiled as he saw Charlotte picking at what looked to be the remnants of a small breakfast on a tray on her lap. Glancing around to make sure no one was in sight, Draco slowly approached Charlotte.

She heard him coming, and looked up from her tray, smiling, "Draco! What a pleasant surprise!"

"Good morning, my dear." Draco said warmly, and took something from behind his back, "I got this for you yesterday. Thought it might lift your spirits a bit."

He handed her a small package, which she opened, revealing a green scarf. Her face lit up at the sight of it, and she held it to her face, sighing contentedly at the warmness of it.

"It's getting to be colder outside, I thought you might like something new to keep warm. What do you think?"

"It's so warm and soft…" she rubbed it on her cheek, "It's perfect, Draco, I love it. Thank you."

"My pleasure." He paused, and all the negative thoughts came sweeping back as he saw the bandages and wrappings on Charlotte's arms and torso. He sat down next to her bed, and his tone had changed when he spoke again. "How… how are you feeling?" he asked, suddenly forlorn.

"Better," she smiled at him, "The remedies are working fine, but…" She inhaled quickly, cringing as she did, still feeling painfully sore. "Madam Pomfrey says my ribs are healing well, and that they didn't puncture my lung. How lucky is that? But, I'm still sore, and there's still a big bruise on my side."

He couldn't smile back, as he still blamed himself for her suffering at the hands of the Carrows. He averted his eyes, "That's good."

"Draco, look at me." When he turned back, her dark eyes gazed into his, and she continued, "You don't need to feel so sorry, it was not your fault."

"I know, I just…" He took her hand, "Your safety is one of my top priorities, and I feel like I've failed you."

"You're the one who saved me, Draco. I was the one who stayed out too long and let the Carrows find me."

"But you had a pass! You had homework outside, and your professor excused you, and the Carrows completely ignored it. I should have been with you, perhaps they would've left you alone. If I hadn't been such a prat and acted so rude to you, the maybe I'd…"

"Every couple has spats now and then, it's perfectly normal," she tried to reassure him.

"That might be true, but—"

"Things like this happen, especially with all the Death Eaters around, and we just need to be more careful and look forward."

"You're right, as always." He smirked playfully at her.

She shrugged, "I don't know about that, sometimes you are more right than you give yourself credit for." She yawned, fighting off the drowsiness that her treatments often caused.

Sensing she needed rest, Draco reluctantly stood and said, "Right then. Keep thinking healing thoughts, and relax. I'll be back later." Charlotte nodded and sighed, settling back into her pillow. As a farewell, Draco placed a kiss on Charlotte's hand before releasing it. Still feeling guilty, he reluctantly retreated, encountering Crabbe and Goyle as he left.

"Why the long face, Malfoy?" Crabbe asked, and Goyle nodded in agreement.

"Nothing, I'm just tired. It's called insomnia, you dolts."

"Is that so? Can't sleep? Something not going right in Draco's perfect little world?" Crabbe laughed. "I'll bet it has something to do with your loss of that ever-so-important blood traitor all those days ago. Pity you're losing your touch…"

"You'd better watch yourself, Crabbe. You're skating on thin ice as it is, and if Snape, or even a simple professor, found out what you were doing in the Greenhouse, what you've got growing… you'd be out of here and out of the running to become a Death Eater." Draco warned him.

"Shut up, Malfoy, not even Professor Sprout suspects, and she's the main Herbology teacher." Crabbe started to get flustered, turning red with the worry instilled by Draco's implications.

Draco shrugged, "Well, rub me the wrong way, and I just might let something slip, and before you know it, you'll be discovered and without a home or someone to turn to, as I doubt your parents condone such behavior. In fact, your time may run out before I get the chance. Just keep a close watch, Crabbe, and I'm sure you'll be fine." He smirked, and walked off, the two oafs trailing behind him like two huge, clueless dogs. Draco's acerbic façade effectively masked his worry and ever-present regret at his failure to protect Charlotte, but her reassurances eased his pain, knowing that she held nothing against him. He just knew he'd have to be even more vigilant.