Author's Note:
Trigger Warnings: This fanfiction is rated 18+ so reader discretion is advised. Topics include explicit language, explicit sexual scenes including rape, explicit violence including torture, and death. Please refer back to this note for any additional warnings as the fic may have some added at a later date.
This fanfiction is based on the novels by JK Rowling. I do not own any characters and credit to her as due.
Cheers,
La
Chapter One
2003
Malfoy Manor
The feeling of apparating after running for miles to flee an apparition ward was nauseating. Draco took several cleansing breaths to chase away the queasiness. His stomach seized in painful knots, empty blissfully because if it weren't he was sure he would throw up.
His side along apparition was not as fortunate and fell on her hands and knees, emptying the contents of her stomach. Without a second thought he knelt next to her, blood crusted hands gathered her hair to her nape. He winced seeing some of the coagulate liquid that hadn't dry dampened her honey brown curls to a strange black color. After a few more dry heaves and several spits of bile her breathing sounded more manageable.
"Sorry." She choked out, mouth still hung open as she gasped the winter chill in lungfuls.
"It's alright. I think the combination of dark magic and apparating was too much for your body to handle."
He glanced around nervously. They seemed to be alone. His hearing picked up the sound of trees swaying in the wind and a few stray leaves rolling across the pavement. Otherwise it is completely silent. Good.
He returned his attention back down to rub soothing circles on her back. Patience was something he had learned in the last few years but time was of the essence at the moment.
"You have to leave, now. There is not enough time to explain everything."
At his words she stilled for a moment before clawing her way up to her feet, illness be damned. He rose to his feet, assisting her as he did.
"No, Draco I will not leave you behind! Come with me please. We can hide together."
Her tear streaked and wind burned face stared up at him. The shadows of the towering front gates of the manor obscured much of the pain he knew was in her eyes. He had to keep his own face neutral. If she detected an ounce of his panic about sending her away she would argue further.
"This is only temporary. I will come collect you as soon as it's safe. We agreed to this, remember? If things were to get bad...well, they are."
Her eyes squeezed shut tightly, her trembling lips parted as a painful keen breathed out unbidden. She leaned into him and her forehead met his while he focused on keeping his breathing even.
"My mother will keep track of you. She is the only one who will know where you are going just like we planned."
"What if something happens to you?"
He almost chuckled. As if this witch hadn't watched him snap necks, curse several people at once, and slit the throats of half a dozen Death Eaters not even an hour ago. Now was not the time for dark humor.
"I will be fine. If something were to happen mother would come instead."
She nodded, her nose brushed against his as she did. Eskimo kiss. That's what she said the muggle term was for it. It was the perfect memory to come to mind at this moment. Something to remember on nights when he felt his loneliness so acutely.
"Fate is such a cruel mistress."
She hiccupped, making him smile. His face drew up to place a chaste kiss on her forehead.
"She finally brought us together. Doubt she would be so cruel as to keep us apart forever." He stated placidly.
Not a lie but not the truth either. Her face pulled back so her brown eyes flecked with gold could focus on his silvery grey ones.
"Raze and burn Draco."
To anyone else the words were nonsense but to him they were everything. He captured her lips then because his nerves were fraying. It was heated, overpowering, and dizzying to kiss her. Her eyes fluttered closed as she incinerated beneath his touch.
Movement out of his peripherals drew his eyes over to the woman slowly approaching from the gates. His look of pleading was acknowledged by a simple nod from the woman who gave him life. He returned his focus to his love and deepened the kiss with her, hoping to savor one last intimate moment. She never noticed the other woman's wand slip from her sleeve nor the woman's wand tip rise to hover beside her temple.
"Anything for you darling." He whispered against her lips.
"Come find me Draco." She beseeched.
"I will." He promised.
He inhaled her breath one last time. One last breath knowing that she was alive and safe. His mothers' voice wavered with unshed tears.
"Obliviate."