Chapter 8 - Gone
Draco found himself in a dark room, with no windows and no doors. The opposite wall seemed endlessly faraway and no matter how he tried to walk over and touch it, he couldn't.
An exact copy of him Apparated in front of him, a version which seemed to aged over a few seconds. It was Lucius.
Lucius shook his head at the pathetic piece of crap that stood before him, otherwise known as his son. "Look what love did you, Draco," he murmured, waving his hand at Draco, which was looking furious and looked desperately to be out of there.
"You loved Mother," Draco said, not knowing he was sinking into trouble.
Lucius' face practically turned black and his eyes held a stormy stare. "That was a very long time, child," he spat and waved his wand and yelled, "Crucio!"
Draco fell to the ground helplessly. It felt like there was fire all over him. He didn't even know if this was a dream or real life. It was as if he wasn't there, but he could feel the scrutinizing pain.
"It was a long time, wasn't it? You must have hated her when she left me to you as a memory," Draco managed to say. "Some memory."
"You were a burden," Lucius agreed. "I didn't want you."
Draco glared at him. "Like I wanted you to be my father."
Lucius narrowed his eyes at his son. "Hasn't she taught you to respect your elders? I would be polite if I were you," Lucius spoke sharply.
"You're not me." Then, "Why did you do it? Why did you kill Mother?"
"She was getting on my nerves," Lucius lied.
"That's what I'm doing right now huh? Are you going to kill me?" Draco asked quietly. "And, just thought you'd like to know, I know you are lying."
Lucius glared at him. "What are you, the Ministry?" he snapped. "Your mother," he spat. "Lied to me. She's the liar."
"W-what do you mean?" Draco asked curiously, letting down his defense for a moment and waited for his father's answer.
"It was a cold and windy night. I got home, late as usual. I found your mother on the floor in a corner, crying." Lucius' voice dropped several degrees lower. "Silly me, I was concerned. It was then she told me - " he broke off.
"Tell you what?" Draco asked urgently.
"Crucio!" Lucius yelled again viciously.
Flashes of white light forced him to close his eyes as he gritted his teeth in pain. It blinded him and before he could think, he was knocked out.
Draco woke up on his bed, beads of perspiration visible on his forehead. His bones ached when he sat up. It was night already.
He turned around and saw Hermione sleeping on the couch and carried her to the bed, then sitting down in front of the blank screen television. What did Mother say? Draco thought, biting his insides in concentration.
Hermione stirred. With an eye opened, she saw Draco on the couch hitting himself on the head. "Draco!" she exclaimed. She hurried over and was shocked to see bruises all over him. "You were knocked out. How did you get those...?"
Draco grimaced. "Long story."
Hermione frowned and took Draco's wand to treat his bruises. "Sure you okay?"
"Yes," he snapped all of a sudden, surprising Hermione.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm sorry."
He groaned out loud. "Please, Hermione, not now. I'll let you in tomorrow okay?"
"Whatever."
Draco reached out and touched Hermione lightly on the shoulder. "I'm sorry for snapping at you."
She shrugged his hand off. "It's okay." The matter was then dismissed.
Hermione went back to bed with an uneasy, nagging feeling in her heart.
It was freezing cold in the dungeons. Hermione looked around curiously. How did I get here? she wondered. It was so frosty that she felt goosebumps on her arm.
Hermione walked about slowly, turning her head left and right once in every few seconds. There was no doubt that she was spooked. Anyone would be, as a matter of fact. She felt dark magic surrounding her, making her lose balance...
Ron? Hermione squinted at the two figures who seemed to be deep in conversation in front of her. Obviously they hadn't notice her. She walked up carefully to them, hiding behind a pillar, trying to catch the words that are spoken out of their mouths.
"Take me to Hermione!" Ron ordered, a slight quiver in his voice audible.
Lucius laughed cruelly and Hermione grimaced. "I'm afraid Draco's having some fun with her," he sneered.
Ron gaped at him with a ferocious, disbelieving gaze. "I'm not afraid of you or Draco. Give me Hermione o-or die!"
Lucius smirked. "I would rather you die." Raising his wand, Hermione saw his lips form the Forbidden Curse, Avada Kedavera. "No!" Hermione shouted, plunging forward to take the curse instead of Ron. A jolt passed through her.
Am I dead? she wondered. So this is how death feels like. Quite peaceful, actually.
A cry rang out behind her. Ron was now a heap on the floor and laid motionless. "Ron?" Hermione called out desperately. She rushed forward and felt for his pulse.
There was none.
She was about to pass out when everything faded...
Hermione sat up with a start. What was that? she asked herself. Beads of perspiration dripped down from her forehead and she could see that her pillow was damp. Worry crept into her veins. Was that a dream? she thought. Is Ron actually alive?
She tried consoling herself. It was just a dream - a nightmare, she told herself repeatedly. Unexpectedly, tears sprang into her eyes. Why am I crying? she asked.
Hermione felt so cold, so lost. Even though she knew Draco was in the room with her, she felt... lonely. Like there was nobody else for her. Like she was in this all by herself. Desperation seized her heart and she felt difficult to breathe. Just relax...
Tears streamed down Hermione's face. She had a weird feeling in her heart, which was something she had never felt in her life. She felt as if something's missing, gone from her life. Is it Ron?
Draco's heart ached as he spied on Hermione. He hated seeing her upset. He wanted to kiss away her tears. But he knew now wasn't the perfect time. Hermione had just witnessed the death of Ron Weasley, even though it all seemed like a dream to her. He, too, had saw it uninvitingly, as if he was forced by Lucius.
I wished I could do something...