Chapter 37
"Draco, I'm sorry to keep asking, but can you grab my quill? I've knocked it off the table again, and it's rather hard to get to in my current state."
"Of course," he said easily, leaning over to pick it up, placing it before her. He smiled at her slightly embarrassed expression. She hated imposing on him, but Draco enjoyed attending to Charlotte.
For the past week or so, Charlotte had been going to class as normal, after spending about five days in the Hospital Wing with a couple broken ribs and other minor injuries at the hands of Alecto and Amycus Carrow. She had been released, but she wore a sort of enchanted brace to help with continued healing. It looked sort of like a Victorian bodice, and had been enchanted to fit her body exactly. Draco didn't openly admit it, but he found it looked rather cute on her. It restricted Charlotte's range of motion, so Draco had to assist her more than usual, which he didn't mind at all.
She was annoyed with it, but Draco paid her many compliments, and his increased attention to her needs was flattering and very sweet. He treated her like precious jewel that one had to be careful not to break or chip. Often, she complained about the bodice-like brace, but Draco would argue that it made her look like nobility. She always blushed demurely at his comments, telling him he that he was far too kind.
That evening, as they made their way from the library to Great Hall for dinner, Draco teased her, "You should wear that if you're ever invited over to Malfoy Manor, my parents would highly approve."
Charlotte rolled her eyes, "Oh, I'm sure. Corrective braces are all the rage in the British aristocracy."
"But that looks good on you! As if you're wearing a modern-day corset that's actually helping your ribs rather than crushing them."
"Well then… thank you," she smiled at his awkward attempt at a compliment, adding, "Out of curiosity, do they –your parents– approve of us? Do they even know that we're dating?"
Sheepishly, Draco replied, "No, they aren't aware of it at the present time, but… my mother really liked you at the Malfoy Ball last year! But, let's not worry about such things now." He placed a hand on the small of her back as they walked, "How are you feeling today, by the way? Sore at all?"
She took a deep breath, testing her ribcage, and responded happily, "Not at all! Madam Pomfrey told me that in only a day or two I can stop wearing this stupid thing. I can't wait to get rid of it, and not be so restricted in my movements!"
Donning a sly smile, Draco muttered in a suggestive tone, "Neither can I…"
Charlotte's eyes widened, and she ignored the increase in her heart rate as she scolded him gently, "Draco! That's… that just… you're terrible. You've got a very dirty mind, Mr. Malfoy."
"I do not!" he protested, "You can't tell me you didn't pick up on the possible double meaning in what you said, Miss LaRocque."
"Of course not! I know what's proper thought and…" she paused, flushing slightly, "and…that has never crossed my mind!"
Draco smiled at her pause, and snaked his fingers under her brace at the small of her back.
Her breath caught, "Draco! What if someone sees you? Here…" She took his hand and placed it on her waist, so that his arm was around her.
Draco felt his heart begin to race at his nerve. Usually he was very reserved in his affection for her when there was a risk of people being around, and Draco wondered why he was feeling so at ease. As a teacher approached, Draco casually dropped his arm, hiding any evidence of their relationship, only to snake his arm back around her when he was gone, pulling Charlotte gently closer to his side. Charlotte merely reveled in her beau's oddly public display of affection, leaning into him as they walked.
The following morning, Charlotte left Ravenclaw table quickly, pausing momentarily to bid Draco a decorous "Good morning" as she passed him on her way out of the Great Hall, her destination being the Hospital Wing. He shook his head at her enthusiasm, watching her in amusement as she exited.
That afternoon, Draco wondered how Charlotte was doing, if she really was healed. He had an awful lot of homework to do that he was a little stressed about, so his mind was occupied as he headed straight for their study, as was normal. Not thinking anything of it, Draco opened the study door and went right inside, and began to set his things down, when a small cry caught his attention.
He looked up, startled, and saw Charlotte standing there, in front of a mirror, completely clothed from the waist down, but the only thing she wore on top was a blue bra. She was holding a shirt in front of her, her arms crossed protectively across her torso. Draco paled, and said, "I, uh… Sorry to… uh—"
"Get out!" she hissed, and Draco complied without protest.
Draco stood outside for a few minutes, completely flummoxed, his heart pounding. He had just walked in on a half-dressed Charlotte, obviously having interrupted her clothes change. She's going to kill me! I've never done that before, and she looked so upset! He started to panic, fearing the consequences. He stood in front of the closed door in a daze, unsure of what to do next. To passersby he must have appeared to be petrified, a most amusing sight indeed. Although… Draco thought to himself, I can't say I didn't maybe… like what I saw… He tried to clear his mind, but the image of her –slender waist, defined arms and shoulders, and flat, toned stomach– persisted.
He relaxed, and went to leaning on the wall next to the door, awaiting his judgment. It was then that he heard the doorknob turn, and Charlotte opened it, speaking more calmly than he expected, "You can come in now."
Slowly, Draco entered the study, and looked for her, expecting to find Charlotte glaring angrily at him. He found her, and she stood next to the mirror once again, this time fully clothed, but in a different outfit than she wore earlier that day.
"I'm not going to yell at you, Draco. You don't have to look so afraid. I promise I'm not going to bite," she said, almost bemused. She tilted her head, "Just please knock next time, okay?"
"Are you sure you're not mad?" Draco was still wary of her reaction.
"Mad? No. Just a little surprised," she sat down on the arm of a chair. "I suppose you want to know what I was doing?" Draco shrugged, and then nodded sheepishly under her questioning eye. She explained, "Madam Pomfrey said I could stop wearing the brace this afternoon, so I conjured this mirror so I could see if I still had any bruises on my sides left over from the initial attack." She paused, looking Draco in the eye, "I didn't see any, did you?"
"No," Draco shook his head.
"What did you see?" She raised an accusing eyebrow.
"N-nothing, if you don't want me to…"
"Don't look so anxious, I'm just teasing you."
"All right, if you say so."
"You look as though you're afraid I'm going to scream at you! Really, Draco, I'm not upset," she tried to comfort him, patting the space on the couch next to her.
He tentatively sat down, "But I walked in on you changing! I blatantly violated your privacy. You have every right to be angry with me."
She shook her head, "Not at all. I think it's rather funny, to be honest. The look on your face was priceless!" She laughed, "And you've seen me in my swimsuit before, practically the same thing, so no harm done. Okay?"
Draco nodded, but there was something about it that made him feel as though seeing her in her bra was more intimate than a swimsuit. The rest of the night, the awkwardness he felt slowly faded, as Charlotte acted as normal, doing her homework alongside him, joking and poking fun at his vast abilities (or lack thereof) in certain subjects. He was relieved, and relaxed as the evening went on, resuming his regular mannerisms, glad that she really didn't seem fazed by the episode. She even let him kiss her goodnight, but she couldn't keep from laughing at his slightly hesitant, sheepish expression.
The next morning, Draco heard a commotion coming from Slytherin house commons as he returned from breakfast. When he began to climb the stairs to the boys' dormitory, Draco glanced behind him absently, curious as to its source.
"Is it true, then? What they're saying about you?" a younger, messy-haired boy was talking, motioning to Vincent Crabbe, who stood on one end of the group, looking dumbfounded, if not the least bit worried.
"They must be lying!" Crabbe muttered.
"Why, what're they saying?" A second boy interjected, enjoying his floundering.
"That Crabbe here has something curious growing in Hogwarts' greenhouse!"
"I do not! Why would I do something as stupid as that?" Crabbe nearly growled. Draco continued observing, mildly amused at the exchange.
A third boy began to speak openly, "Well, you're not the smartest bloke, and frankly I—"
The talkative boy was silenced by Crabbe's fist being launched into his stomach.
"Holy hell, Crabbe… What was that for? He didn't do anything to hurt you. He was just talking, and…"
"Everyone shut up! I didn't do nothin'! I didn't grow nothin' in the blasted greenhouse!" Crabbe sighed and rolled his shoulders, trying to calm down. The other boys backed off, continuing to talk in hushed tones outside of his range of hearing, obviously about Crabbe.
Draco turned, about to continue upstairs, when a crash made him return his gaze inquisitively to the common room. The door to Slytherin house had been slammed open, and a few Death Eaters stormed in, followed by Professor Snape.
"Headmaster? To what do I owe the pleasure?" a Slytherin prefect stood, addressing Snape.
"I'm looking for Vincent Crabbe." Snape scanned the room, and when his eyes found the boy, they narrowed. Crabbe looked at the headmaster in defiance, trying hard not to betray the fear that lay so close to the surface. "There has been some incriminating evidence found against him and his character. Mr. Crabbe, have you been in the greenhouse lately?"
"Herbology class, I suppose, but not much besides that. Why, what's going on?" Crabbe tried to sound nonchalant, failing miserably.
"Is that so? I have a source that has shown me otherwise. Do you know anything about… illegal hallucinogenic herbs?"
Crabbe paled at the mention of such plants, but kept his composure.
Snape continued, "I'm sure Professor Sprout has no specimens and almost never mentions them in her classes, as they are most unsafe and illegal, yet I find them growing in the school greenhouse. And with your fingerprints nearby… What do you have to say for yourself, boy?" He demanded, and Crabbe attempted to clear his name.
"Well, I… must've accidentally picked them up during class yesterday, mistaking them for another herb, they all look the same to me!"
"You aren't even enrolled in Herbology, Crabbe. Come with me. You're in deep trouble, young man." Snape headed out, and two Death Eaters grabbed an arm each, keeping him restrained.
"Wait! You can't just take me, how do you even know it was me? Did someone tell you? Who told you?" Crabbe looked accusingly at all the people in the common room, and when his gaze met Draco's, Draco grimaced, confused, as did all the other individuals when he glared at them.
As Crabbe was about to point and accuse Draco, Snape interrupted, remarking, "Actually Professor Sprout found them herself, growing like the weeds that they are and taking over a corner of the greenhouse. Now stop struggling, you're only making it worse."
As they left, Draco shook his head, oddly pleased with the outcome. Crabbe was the cause of his own undoing, and Draco found this amusing. The big lug had been getting on his nerves lately, and Draco was almost glad to have him off his back. He went up to prepare for a day of studying with Charlotte, and he had a lot to tell her, specifically about Crabbe and his comeuppance.
"Are you sure you're going to be safe without me this weekend?" Draco shivered, as they stood outside, in the Forbidden Forest.
"Yes, Draco, I'll be just fine," she reassured him, readjusting her scarf around her neck, "I've got quite a bit to do this weekend, when it comes to homework, so I'll keep busy and out of trouble. Besides, I've got Snape looking out for me."
He gazed at her dotingly, pleased that she was wearing his most recent gift. "That's true. But I miss you when I'm at home, surrounded by all those wretched Death Eaters. And who knows what kind of terrible things the Dark Lord will make me do?" He shuddered.
"Wretched? You are one of them, so they can't all be that bad." She tilted her head to one side, trying to look extra cute.
"Well, I suppose I'm an exception to the rule." He tossed his head arrogantly, and added, whining, "Oh, I don't want to go! What if you get hurt again? I don't think I could live with myself if…"
She took his hands, intertwining their fingers, "Nothing has happened since my run-in with the Carrows, and that was weeks ago. You've left for a weekend many times before, and everything has been fine here. Just go home, do what you need to, and come back in one piece. That's all I ask." She wrapped her arms around him and sighed. "I miss you when you have to leave, too, but seeing you when you return makes it all worth it."
Draco sighed and said, "I'll be back soon, I promise." And with a brief kiss, he released her, and Disapparated. He reappeared at his home, Malfoy Manor. Usually when he saw his home, he felt a sense of relief, of refuge, but since summer, Draco's spirit fell at the sight of the looming mansion.
He went inside to find his parents sitting on the side of a group, as they usually did. His family had lost much of its credibility, and relied heavily on Draco's abilities and compliance to the Dark Lord to redeem them in his eyes. Draco resented this responsibility, but complied without question, as the slightest hesitation or disobedience could result in punishment of himself or his family. Luckily there hadn't been anything too big lately, but the way his parents were glancing at him from the edge of a crowd at one of the drawing room windows made him a little worried.
He went to their sides, "Mother? Father? What's going on?"
"The D-Dark Lord is punishing someone who disobeyed him," his father stuttered, "She was found in the company of a Mudblood. Whether she knew it is still up for debate, I'm sure she was unaware of it, but the Dark Lord found out and she's paying for it."
Draco's stomach dropped. He was associating himself almost openly with a Mudblood at school every day. He muttered, not betraying his composed expression, "What happened to the Mudblood?"
"Killed on the spot. The Dark Lord saw to it himself," Narcissa said blandly. "The Mudblood deserved it, I'm sure, but that poor woman… a new follower, too. Not Death Eater material, but she was doing fine."
"Pity," Draco said ambiguously. "What did you need me for this weekend, anyway? I have loads to do, so much on my mind with term exams coming up—"
"About that," Narcissa began, sighing, "I know how much your studies mean to you -especially this year- but your absences have become most inconvenient for the Dark Lord. We hear he may be going on the move, and needs as many followers as possible at his disposal in order to ensure his success with the werewolves. Fenrir Greyback's pack, I believe, and others in the area."
"What does that have to do with my schooling?"
"Come term break, you'll most likely have to stay home from school. We'll hire tutors for you, don't worry, you won't get behind, but you just won't be at the school itself," Lucius spoke matter-of-factly.
Draco began to panic—Leave school and abandon Charlotte alone in that place crawling with Death Eaters? I don't think so—and retorted, "What? You mean I'll have to leave school to do my 'duties' here? When I could be learning, from experienced Death Eaters who happen to teach my classes, methods and knowledge of how to be an even more proficient Death Eater myself? I think not."
"But, Draco, son, this is important." Lucius muttered.
"So is my education!" Draco's voice started to rise, and he made to stand up.
"Draco! Don't make a scene," his mother scolded quietly, placing her hand on his knee.
"Fine. Just think about my argument before you go and take me out of school in my last year before graduating." Then something occurred to Draco, "Now, wouldn't that be a disgrace? A Malfoy failing to finish his education at the prestigious Hogwarts School. Imagine the buzz it'll cause among your business partners…" He shrugged, "But, I'll let you two think on that, I'm starving, and I'd better be well-fed if I'm needed by the Dark Lord." Draco stood and stalked off to the dining room, which was naturally filled with food, the Malfoys' house elves working overtime to feed the many "house guests".
Draco ate slowly, worrying about what his parents said. Will I really have to leave school? What about Charlotte? If I leave, how will I protect her? And I don't know what would I do without her if they took me out of Hogwarts. It wouldn't be a permanent thing, would it? He rubbed his eyes with one hand, and stretched. If only he hadn't spent the previous night tossing and turning in his bed, worrying over what new stresses the weekend would bring.
He glanced absently out a dining room window and what he saw horrified him. In one of the Manor's courtyards, a crowd had gathered, and the Dark Lord, so distinguished by his pale hand and hooded figure. He held his wand ceremoniously above his head and paraded about a crumpled figure, making some sort of declaration. Draco tried to figure out whom he had near death, and he realized it was the woman his parents had mentioned only moments earlier.
With a final flourish and a bright green flash, Draco knew she was dead. A silent uproar of support came from the crowd before him outside, and the group inside the entryway imitated the cheers. Draco's stomach dropped to his feet. That woman was tortured and killed for being seen in passing with a Mudblood… what would happen if his longstanding relationship with Charlotte, a Muggle-born witch through and through, came to light? At the thought, Draco began to feel queasy, and wanted to run to his room and just wait there for the weekend to end, but he knew that wouldn't be possible. Suppressing his emotions, he straightened his shoulders, and went reluctantly to join the morbidly cheering crowd.
~
{Hey everyone! Got a little foot note for you all: I know that Crabbe was in the final book, but he wasn't in the Deathly Hallows movies because the actor who played him got in some trouble, and wasn't able to be in the movie. So, that's why Blaise is with Draco and Goyle in the Room of Requirement in the Deathly Hallows Part 2. I just thought I'd put this little piece of movie trivia into my story! I don't own any of the real events, of course, I just incorporated it into my take on Draco's story, making Crabbe out to be a little more of a troublemaker. Thanks for reading so far, guys! I really appreciate your comments and feedback. I'll add another chapter soon!}