When I confide in you weasel

After hearing the conversation between Dumbledore and McGonagall beyond the office door, Draco Malfoy had completely broken down and fled. He could feel it, feel his heart, feel it shatter like fragile glass under such an intense pressure. The glass was his innocent heart...the pressure the unbearable sensation of loss.

He carelessly fled with tears streaming from his eyes, ran down the currently empty corridors since classes were over and everyone had retired to their Common rooms. But he just could not bring himself to go to the dungeons and to the Slytherin Common room where Severus used to also reside...it just seemed so meaningless without him there.

So he kept running, his feet pounding on the floor and tears flying, passing the dungeon entrance and out into the grounds. He just needed to get out of the confines of the school walls and into the fresh air, to feel the cold winter breeze against his face and through his hair. He was in such a state that he did not even bother with gloves or a scarf which was a foolish mistake. But he just could not bring himself to care; the icy cold against his skin was nothing like the icy emptiness burrowing deep within his chest.

Not even thinking he had allowed his feet to carry him to his destination of whatever that may be, not even registering ascending three steps nor passing through a familiar black door. If, if he had just cared to take a moment to let reality hit him, he would have noticed he was running straight towards chain covered sliding doors. The bang it made as he thrust them open was lost to his ears along with the familiarly concerned growl of a magnificent creature.

With a stifled cry Draco ran to the lime green dragon in the middle of the room that had raised its head in alarm, golden feline-like eyes worriedly watching one of his favourite humans. Norbert's throat rumbled in concern as Draco thoughtlessly ran to him. Then, unexpectedly, he threw his arms around the dragon's scaly neck. Straw flew into the air from his fleeing feet. Beams of light danced across crystalline tears. Restrained sobs escaped into the silence.

The dragon lowered its head to affectionately nuzzle the boy, golden eyes actually watching another. Soft footsteps echoed quietly in the dim lit room, cautiously getting louder and louder—closer and closer. Another pair of concerned eyes watched the scene in hidden sorrow for the Slytherin.

"Draco?"

The Malfoy did not even bother to look up, for he was too lost in his own tears and sorrow. Could it really be true? Could his godfather—who he loved more than his real father—really be dying? No...Severus couldn't be dying. He just couldn't! Little did he know...that it had already come to pass.

Suddenly Draco found two warm arms gently spinning him around and wrapping around his waist. He sobbed harder as the tears continued to endlessly fall and soak the brown cloak of the comforting other. He did not care who it was, he was too succumbed by his own grief, his own sorrow, his own shock. He...felt so lost.

"O fair Draco, what could possibly be wrong?"

"I-It's Malfoy...you-you..."

"Hush now," A warm voice comforted, gently stroking the young Slytherin's back. "I must apologise, but you are making me very worried. What happened? Are you hurt?"

Pure silence followed and Norbert whined in concern behind the Malfoy, softly nuzzling the distressed youth's back in sympathy. One hand carefully trailed up Draco's back to affectionately stroke the pearly strands of the younger males head, tenderly running his fingers through the soft hairs. Gently, Charlie drew the crying one's head to his chest...and caringly leant his head against the others. You could literally feel it in the air—the pure despair.

"I don't know w-what to do," Malfoy suddenly cried out whilst his body was wracked with merciless shivers. "I-I don't really have anyone anymore. I'm...I'm all alone."

"Draco...how can you possibly think that? You are not alone, you..." Malfoy hesitantly looked up at Charlie's face when the gentleman trailed off; finding the Weasley staring at him with the biggest look of concern the blonde had ever received. "You...you have me? Although I am not rich, not much, just a simple dragon rider who loves his dragons—you still have me."

Those words had been so filled with emotion, so filled with trust, so filled with determination...that Draco felt a foreign pull deep within the confines of his heart. At these honest and truthful words Draco began to calm down, orbs still watery as the silver irises stared off into the abyss of a significant memory.

The most entrancingly charming smile Draco had ever seen formed on Charlie's lips, and before Draco could react Charlie was suddenly leaning forward. Freezing in slight fear Draco's eyes widened, his back was completely against the seat—no where to go. Charlie saw the distress and his eyes softened, leaning agonisingly slowly closer. Lips ghosted hot breath across Draco's ear, causing the blonde's breath to hitch as he heard a mere whisper, "Remember, Draco...If you ever feel alone...I am here."

A small smile crossed the pale lips of the Malfoy at remembering that unforgettable memory. Glistening silver suddenly met glinting blue—despair met the determination to heal. Why did Charlie always want to help him? Shaking his head, pearly hair brilliantly reflecting the light, he internally wished to understand what exactly Charlie's goal was. Softly sighing Draco just could not figure the other out.

"But...I'm jealous of you," Malfoy bluntly stated with a little shame tingeing his tone, feeling himself calm down from Charlie's comforting heat. Although he would never admit that the Weasley's presence set his heart contentedly at ease.

"Indeed? How Draco? You have everything-"

"DON'T SAY IT!" Draco suddenly pleaded, and Charlie immediately did with saddened eyes.

Looking extremely miserable Draco sighed once more; he did not know what he was doing confiding in this weasel. But, somehow, the dragon tamer was always there. He had been there protecting him, reassuring him, giving him hope he had not gotten from anyone else apart from Severus. It was then he decided to fully confide in his melancholy for the first time in his life.

"No, you're wrong. I don't have a bond with my father, and I don't even know where he is right now," beautiful orbs abruptly looked away as he began to confess, not being able to look into the worriedly narrowed eyes of Charlie Weasley. "My mother loves me but most of the time acts as if I'm not there. I have no brothers or sisters...I'm an only child."

"In the Christmas holidays, I am ordered to come home and I am forbidden to leave the house on my own. Christmas is simply a bland dinner filled with uncomfortable silences, and no tree is decorated or even standing in our Manor. That is one of reasons why I hate Christmas...because I feel so alone."

"My birthdays are nearly always forgotten, but my father would always try to make it up to me by giving me whatever I wanted. People call me spoilt...but I never really asked for the stuff I have. It was sympathy—a guilt trip my father went through. All because he is always working for...Him."

"My Family can never rest in peace with the fear of Him. He haunts my father, my home, my life. I can never feel truly safe, especially when my father always wants me to join His side."

"You always say to me, weasel, that I have a choice," Draco continued in a miserable tone, making eye contact with the other with glassy eyes. "...Then where was it back then?"

Charlie did not answer, his handsome face plastered with a frown of sympathy for the other. Once again silence swallowed the room in its jaws as the two stood there—Charlie refusing to let the blonde go from his comforting embrace. His eyes glistened in uncontainable pity for the other, the other that in his eyes was perfect in everyway. For in his opinion you make you who you are and nobody else—it is your choice. However, poor Draco did not seem to be allowed that option.

Suddenly Charlie pulled back, gently trailing both of his hands down Draco's lithe body to his waist. An enchantingly charming smile graced his lips as he reassuringly stared into the Malfoy's uncertain eyes, "Dance with me."

"E-Excuse me?" Draco stammered, feeling heat shoot to his tear stained cheeks. "Not with a weasel like you! I am a Malfoy; I refuse to stoop down to such a level!"

One strong hand gently glided to one of Draco's, "I know you have a stubborn pride, my dear Draco." The hand grasped the Malfoy's gently, and unbeknownst to Charlie Draco felt his heart skip a beat, "And I know you do not care much for a Weasley like me." Charlie Weasley then suddenly leant forward, nearly closing the insignificant gap between them, softly whispering against the Malfoy's delicate lips, "I must apologise for this selfish request, but I truly wish to dance with you...My Moon Dragon."

Within his chest Draco's heart secretly raced a mile a minute, those words had ghosted across his lush lips, so warm, so alluringly, so truthful, that it made his throat go abruptly dry like the sands of a vast desert. Swallowing audibly Draco was sure that if Charlie just moved a mere centimetre more...

"It's Malfoy..." Draco breathed, unable to finish properly from his melting mind, glassy eyes glancing down unsurely to the lips of the other. "And you will do well to remember it, weasel."

"Oh, I am sure," Charlie chuckled at remembering their first encounter in this very room, smiling his charming smile, millimetres away from brushing those succulent and perfect lips with his own. "That it will be truly difficult to forget you, Draco."

All of a sudden music began to play and Draco felt his heart abruptly freeze. Nervousness was evident in his stiff posture, which Charlie felt beneath the fingertips of his hand residing on Draco's delicate waist. A genuinely soft smile crossed the dragon rider's lips as the look in his eyes seemed to chase Draco's nerves away. The look deep within those shining orbs confused Draco greatly...for he had never received such a look before.

Still teary silver eyes narrowed at discovering the song one he had heard before, the song 'My Love' by Sia. It truly was a shame that Draco could not put the pieces of the puzzle together to reveal the obvious signs of Charlie's affections.

Ever so gently as to not frighten the younger male, Charlie closed the distance between their bodies so that dancing would be easier—stomachs firmly touching. He could feel it, feel it against his chest, feel the anxious pounding heart of the notorious Malfoy.

Draco's grip on the other's hand involuntarily tightened from a foreign type of fear whilst Charlie guided Malfoy's free hand to his shoulder. Draco could feel it, feel it beneath his shaky fingers, feel the rhythmic slow beating of the charming weasel's heart—the pulse unknowingly soothing him.

There was a small amount of tension in the atmosphere as Norbert blinked curiously, distinguishing a static in the air that represented a powerful emotion. Quietly, Norbert moved away, watching the two standing in the middle of the room ready to dance. Dim sunlight of the late afternoon bathed the two from the window above...and they began to slowly move.

The music was so soothing and beautiful, but Draco found his movements stiff from nervousness. In all honesty he felt ready to give up and bolt for it, for his inherited elegance had been mysteriously stripped from him. An almost silent groan of embarrassment escaped his lips.

Out of the blue Charlie bowed his head forward, making Draco's breath hitch as he soothingly whispered, hot breath ghosting across the rim of his ear, "Relax...it is only me. Just let the music take you."

Step by step was taken and after a while the Malfoy found himself relaxing, his movements noticeably becoming more graceful and fluent. It had to be the music doing this and not Charlie's comforting words at all...right? Charlie smiled fondly at the marvellous change as a warm sensation bloomed in his heart. Twirling the handsome Slytherin he discovered the other was trying to withhold a smile that he so desired to witness.

As hands connected once more after the twirl Draco snorted, "Why am I even doing this with you? I could just leave."

"You like him...don't you?"

"True, Draco, you could...so why have you not?" Inquired Charlie softly, staring deep into his dance partners silver irises. "Although I would hold the deepest misery if you did, you do have a choice to leave if you so desire."

Silence embraced the two for a moment, the depth of it portraying more than any normal person could distinguish. It was then, in the light of the crescent moon, that Hermione gasped and covered her mouth, "No, you don't like him...you love him!"

Silence embraced the two dancers for a moment, the depth of it portraying more than what could be said aloud. A look of pure contemplation crossed the Malfoy's delicate features and Charlie instantly picked up that Draco himself did not know why he was staying.

"You...confuse me," Draco began after choosing his words carefully, and Charlie could literally feel what Draco truly wanted to say—'you intrigue me.' "But I still hate you, and it's Malfoy to you."

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Charlie muttered as he took an uncertain step back.

Hermione took a certain step forward with a smile, "You love him...you love Draco Malfoy."

Caringly leaning his cheek against Draco's hair what he whispered next caused unfamiliar shivers to wrack the Slytherin's spine, "In all honesty, Draco...I would not have you any other way."

Charlie then chuckled in contentment and Draco glared in irritation at him. Seriously, did nothing faze this strange Weasley?

"And, as I already said, you confuse me," Draco stated in a frustrated tone. "And keep disobeying me and calling me Malfoy may lead to the loss of a certain body part, weasel."

As the chorus hit Charlie suddenly leant the Malfoy down. A surprised yelp escaped the blonde. Dim light from above danced across beautiful tearless eyes as Charlie stated softly, "What else could I possibly lose? I have already lost my heart to you."

Draco sharply looked up at that, an uncontrollable swell in his heart appearing. Charlie kept him leant down, grip on him strong and true, not allowing the Malfoy to fall. Sharply pulling Draco back up he did not notice how the Malfoy's eyes were locked on him like a hawk with its prey as he continued to dance the worries away.

"Do not toy with me," Draco hissed darkly, pride showing through as well as his disbelief. "I'm not a dragon you can tame."

"I understand that," Charlie calmly stated before he twirled Draco one more time. Pearly hair fluttered gracefully. Silver eyes never left the others. Hands reconnected effortlessly—perfectly. "And, as I have already told you Draco...I would not have you any other way."

Step by perfect step Charlie guided the Malfoy through the waltz-like dance and Draco found that the Weasley was an unexpectedly amazing dancer. They swayed without a care in the world and Norbert in the background blinked at feeling a peculiar spark in the air. Thud by gentle thud of feet against wood echoed through the song. Unheard thud by thud of their hearts fell in sink. Nothing and everything was lost to them. Yet, despite this perfectness, Draco gasped and abruptly removed himself from Charlie.

With remorse in his eyes Charlie hastily asked, "What is wrong, dear Draco? Did I hurt you?"

"Yes, my pride," Draco muttered, and Norbert felt the spark in the air fade away. Taking a slightly frightened step back Draco seemed lost. "This never happened. Never, ever, speak of this, not to anyone...especially not to me."

Tense silence filled the dim lit room, Norbert drooping his wings at the unwelcomed change. Charlie nodded slowly in respect for the other male's choices. Draco sighed and hesitantly looked to the floor while rubbing the top of his white shirt covered arm.

Then, much to Draco's surprise, a white mug releasing hot steam was out of the blue in front of him. Smelling the sweet scent of chocolate nearly made him smile, nearly. In taking the hot beverage he nodded his head in thanks, how in Merlin's name did the weasel do it? Through the thick clay of the mug Draco felt the heat seeping through the surface and into his chilly fingers. It was warm and comforting, like something else he knew...or was it someone?

Hesitantly glancing up to Charlie he found the other giving him another of his charming smiles, "It is cold in here, this will definitely help. Do stay a little longer and remember that you are always welcome here."

Norbert suddenly made a purr like rumble in agreement and bounced towards Draco standing in the middle of the room. Draco could not restrain the small laugh as Norbert affectionately nuzzled his back again, before abruptly settling down behind him in an offer for Draco to lean against him. Obliging, Draco sat down with his back against Norbert's side, being careful not to spill his hot chocolate.

Charlie Weasley watched the two with a lifting heart; it felt as if a thousand rose buds of happiness had fully bloomed inside of his stomach. Despite not completing the dance Charlie knew it had worked, since Draco was no longer crying anymore. In fact it seemed Draco had completely forgotten that he had been crying at all. His goal to cheer him up had secretly worked and he hoped the other did not detect it. He gave one final glance to Malfoy before vanishing into the kitchen.

Draco had secretly caught the glance, watching Charlie disappear and hearing the loud clinks of pans clanking away. He narrowed his eyes at his delicious dark brown drink in deep thought. Charlie had given him such an emotional look, such an honest expression, that it caused confusion to brew deep inside of him.

I really just don't understand him.

"I am just about to make some dinner, would you care to dine with me, Draco?" Charlie chimed from the kitchen; you could literally hear the smile on his face at disobeying again. Malfoy growled and felt himself internally snap.

"IT'S MALFOY!" Draco yelled in annoyance, and then stared at his drink. Taking a calm sip he found it just the way he liked it—as always. "...Yes, but if you give me food poisoning you better flee for your life weasel."

xXEND OF CHAPTERXx

I had to do this before the trials begun and it is a much happier chapter than previous ones, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! :)

.com/watch?v=mtM_cc4SPJI =link to song 'My Love' by Sia, since I obviously listened to this when I wrote the dance scene. Oh my God I am smiling so uncontrollably, I am really happy with how that turned out XD

What did you guys think? I want to know what it made you think or feel :) Love you all for being here to this point, even if you're new.

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