Nov.02: Hiya all! I'll include Thank U's in the next chapter. This is not
beta-ed (like any of them are) since I just come up with it.
Same as always! Thanks to everyone who reviewed. This is the last chapter before the Epilogue! The last two chapters might not be up to par with the rest but...you're getting a twenty page epilogue. It'll be out Saturday!
Well enjoy! Hugs&kisses!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chpt 30
" I HATE YOU! YOU ARE SUCH A MOTHERFUCKING BASTARD! IT HURTS! GIVE THEM TO ME YOU POOR BASTARD! YOU WILL NEVER BE ANYTHING YOU MUDBLOOD LOVING WHORE! YOU WILL BURN FOR NOT GIVING THEM TO ME! I HATE YOU! IT HURTS SO MUCH!"
It had been four days since Draco had come over and already the family was tired. They knew he couldn't help it. They knew it was just the pain talking but it was getting real old, hearing him shout at whomever was not doing what he asked, which was to get him some more drugs.
Ron had just came down the steps and stood at the kitchen door. He heard a thud from upstairs.
He turned back around; time to play doctor once again.
"Ronald, no. You have run yourself ragged. I'll take care of him." Mrs. Weasley scolded. "Sit and eat and rest. You do too much."
"I can't. He's my responsibility."
"I don't care. If you care about him, rest. Won't you do more good alert than half asleep and starving?"
Ron was stuck. He knew she was right, they all knew she was right. Everyone in the house knew she was right. Ron was doing too much.
"Fine," he slumped down in the nearest chair. He looked horrible, he knew it was true but he couldn't help but help Draco. He loved him, he cared for him and he wanted him to be healthy.
Mrs. Weasley made the long journey to Ron's room. She cautiously opened the door and found the bed empty.
"Could you hand me the blanket?" A voice called; a hand on the bed.
"Sure, dear," She went over to her son's bed and pulled the sheet off of it. She, then, came around the bed and saw that Draco was curled so tight into a fetal position that he was a tightly packed ball. She put the blanket over him.
He cried out. "IT HURTS!" It seemed he was so sensitive from the pain, so hurt that even a sheet caused him pain, that he cried out.
Tears streamed down his face as if his body had opened the floodgates. "It hurts. It hurts. It hurts." He whimpered, slightly rocking himself. "How much longer?"
"Well, Ron thinks that, since you've been on it for so long that you might not be feeling better until a few days. Possibly the end of the week."
The blonde boy quickly lapsed into more tears, face contorting into fear and more pain. "Noooo," he groaned out, "when? What's today? How many more days?"
"It's Tuesday, honey." She sat next to him, holding his hand and he crushed it in his grip, a new wave of pain. "You'll probably be better by Friday. Saturday tops. Thursday you should have some type of appetite and today will be the worst. So, ride it out, hun. Ride it out."
"It's only morning. I can't. I need it. Please, just one last hit. I didn't even get to enjoy my last one." Draco pleaded, crawling towards her, placing his head in her lap.
"I can't do that."
"Why? Why won't you grant me that little happiness? Do you want me to die? Do you hate me that much that you want me to die from this pain?"
"Never," she ran her fingers through his sweaty hair. Maybe he would be up for a shower instead of a sponge bath?
The two sat in silence, Draco shuddering a few moments. How could this happen to this poor kid? It was moments like these that made her realize how happy she was with her family.
"Do you think you can handle a little orange juice watered down with some ginger ale and a small tea cup of chicken broth and some egg noodle?"
"No," moaned the depraved boy. "I want-"
"I know this but you aren't going to get it so you might as well get that through your head. I'm not going to get you anything."
"I know, but I don't like having Ron see me like this. I mean, I don't want to be weak in front of him. I'm the one whose supposed to protect him from the world because I've seen the evils of it. I have a tougher skin while he's used to this place. Where love is abundant and undying. No matter what. He's supposed to show me the good but I just want to be healthy and strong for him but I can't. I need cocaine. The end. I need it to function. Most of the time I was with him I was on it. Not really high but enough to stop the withdraw symptoms."
He groaned as his inside seemed to constrict, to cramp around his heart forcing it to beat harder and harder and....he wanted to die. It was excruciating. He was tired, he was beaten. His father was going to win after all.
"Well, then, how do you know if you do like my son? If you at least a little buzzed, how would you know your dreamscape from reality?"
"Because," he forced himself to sit up against the nightstand, "I've had a crush on him for years. I really do love him. Even when I was normal, I guess you can say, I was still head over heels for that boy. I still am."
"I know what you've done for him. Ginny's kept me updated. I now know that you dumped him. Yet you two, mainly my son is still at your beck and call. Why is this?"
"My father. He told me if I didn't leave Ron he would destroy him. I couldn't let that happen. I was so heartbroken. Especially since he gave me this," he took the necklace out from under his shirt, "for my birthday."
She examined it. It was lovely. Not just the piece of jewelry but the fact that her son was so interested, so involved.
"That's why I wanted to ask you something." Draco reached into the drawer behind him and pulled out a box. "I need your say, your blessing, your view on this."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It had been three weeks since that faithful day; Draco was walking around, talking and eating. Ron was finally getting some sleep.
Everyone who was going back to Hogwarts tomorrow was outside, watching as the sun set.
Ron and Draco were sitting in some lawn chairs, while everyone else sat on a massive blanket. Ginny sat on the ground next to Draco, her head leaning against his arm. Over the past few weeks they had become close friends and confidants.
"So," asked Fred, "how you feeling mate?" He bent his head backwards so Draco could hear him.
"Well, I'm still craving it but at least it doesn't hurt. I'll be fine when I get to the group counseling."
Draco was gaining some weight, which was normal for recovering addicts, acting more anxious than he did when he was on the stuff but he was over the major hump. He could do it now. Or he hoped.
He was twisting his hands in the small pocket he formed with the bottom section of Ron's shirts. For the longest time he had to wear the Weasleys hand-me-downs, which were too big for him but he was happy. Yesterday, he was able to get his stuff with the Ministry there to make sure his father didn't try anything.
"Draco, Ron," Harry was surprised that he actually said Draco's first name. "Umm, everyone is probably wondering why I've been carrying a shoebox around. Well, here you two."
He handed it to Ron, who opened and was instantly infuriated. There were scrolls of paper, letters. Letters from Draco. "Harry. What did you do?" he gritted his teeth, the rage shaking throughout him.
"I intercepted the letters." He went into the story of how he made sure he was to get the letters when they first came and hide them in the box under a loose floorboard. It was even predicted earlier in the year during Divination.
"So," Harry wondered, looking from face-to-face to see that no one was even daring to glance at him. "I'm sorry. But it was for the best or....at least I thought so."
"I am so annoyed right not with you. How could you? I have nothing to say to you." Ron began to rummage through the letters.
"I told you I wrote back." Grinned Draco. Everyone was expecting 'Malfoy' to show his ice-like rage but they were shocked to see him continue to smile, even when he was examining Harry. "I'm not mad. I want to thank you."
"What? I mean he tapered with our mail. Isn't that some type of crime?" Ron wondered aloud, still scanning the pieces of paper.
"I don't know. But, I think he did the right thing. I bet he was doing to protect you from the big, bad Malfoy. He's your friend. Your best friend in fact. After everything that I've done to you all, if I were in Harry's position, I would have done the same thing. He didn't trust me, he didn't think I was on pure motives. While everyone else quickly accepting me, he was weary. Which was actually what I was expecting. Don't be mad at him. He was being a friend. Hell, if it weren't for him I wouldn't had done what I did and I wouldn't be getting help."
Everyone was surprised at Draco's new mature attitude.
"Th-thank you." Harry stuttered in utter surprise.
"Come on in, kids." Bill called from the kitchen window.
"We're not kids!" yelled Ginny, as she got up. The little clan of 'kids' marched back inside. They sat in the living room, hot chocolates all around, as was the Weasley tradition before going off to school.
The Weasleys and their three guests sat around, discussing any and everything. But Mrs. Weasley couldn't help but smile everytime she caught eyes with Draco. "Do it." She whispered.
"No, it's not the right time." Mumbled Draco back.
"What's 'not the right time'?" Ginny spoke aloud, catching the whole room's attention.
"Nothing."
"Do it now. I mean it." Mrs. Weasley said sternly.
"Fine," He didn't want to do it. He didn't want to embarrass himself or Ron again. Especially after the whole school fiasco.
Draco got down on one knee in front of Ron, taking his hand. "May I ask you something?"
"Sure," Dear Merlin, please don't let him do what I think he's going to do.
"Do you think it's possible to meet someone and know in an instant that he's the one?"
"Yes," He's going to do it.
Draco sat back down. "Okay,"
The whole room let out a collective sigh of relief, though all the girls in the room were disappointed. Draco got back down on one knee. Tension began to run high. Would he or wouldn't he? Ginny glared at him. He better.
"Oh, yeah. Will you marry me?"
The room erupted into clamor and chaos.
"What the bloody hell?!"
"They're too young!"
"He comes here, high off his ass, yelling and screaming, then he wants to propose! No way!"
"Can he do that?"
"I'm going to cry!"
Ron looked down at Draco, who had pulled the ring box out. He opened it and inside was a gold ring. On the inside he could barely read it but the inscription was: 'Je t'aimerai jusqu' aux arrêts de temps'. "Is that French?"
"I will love thee until time stops." He smiled softly.
"I....me?"
"Yes you. I know we're really young and we probably won't be able to get married until fifty years from now but you are it for me. I don't think there's anything out there for me that isn't in here."
The room had quiet down considerably.
"So, will you marry me?
*~*~*
Nov.02: That was nuts! That French was a rough translation...I hope that was correct. And marriage at 15...it could never happen but I like it!
Same as always! Thanks to everyone who reviewed. This is the last chapter before the Epilogue! The last two chapters might not be up to par with the rest but...you're getting a twenty page epilogue. It'll be out Saturday!
Well enjoy! Hugs&kisses!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chpt 30
" I HATE YOU! YOU ARE SUCH A MOTHERFUCKING BASTARD! IT HURTS! GIVE THEM TO ME YOU POOR BASTARD! YOU WILL NEVER BE ANYTHING YOU MUDBLOOD LOVING WHORE! YOU WILL BURN FOR NOT GIVING THEM TO ME! I HATE YOU! IT HURTS SO MUCH!"
It had been four days since Draco had come over and already the family was tired. They knew he couldn't help it. They knew it was just the pain talking but it was getting real old, hearing him shout at whomever was not doing what he asked, which was to get him some more drugs.
Ron had just came down the steps and stood at the kitchen door. He heard a thud from upstairs.
He turned back around; time to play doctor once again.
"Ronald, no. You have run yourself ragged. I'll take care of him." Mrs. Weasley scolded. "Sit and eat and rest. You do too much."
"I can't. He's my responsibility."
"I don't care. If you care about him, rest. Won't you do more good alert than half asleep and starving?"
Ron was stuck. He knew she was right, they all knew she was right. Everyone in the house knew she was right. Ron was doing too much.
"Fine," he slumped down in the nearest chair. He looked horrible, he knew it was true but he couldn't help but help Draco. He loved him, he cared for him and he wanted him to be healthy.
Mrs. Weasley made the long journey to Ron's room. She cautiously opened the door and found the bed empty.
"Could you hand me the blanket?" A voice called; a hand on the bed.
"Sure, dear," She went over to her son's bed and pulled the sheet off of it. She, then, came around the bed and saw that Draco was curled so tight into a fetal position that he was a tightly packed ball. She put the blanket over him.
He cried out. "IT HURTS!" It seemed he was so sensitive from the pain, so hurt that even a sheet caused him pain, that he cried out.
Tears streamed down his face as if his body had opened the floodgates. "It hurts. It hurts. It hurts." He whimpered, slightly rocking himself. "How much longer?"
"Well, Ron thinks that, since you've been on it for so long that you might not be feeling better until a few days. Possibly the end of the week."
The blonde boy quickly lapsed into more tears, face contorting into fear and more pain. "Noooo," he groaned out, "when? What's today? How many more days?"
"It's Tuesday, honey." She sat next to him, holding his hand and he crushed it in his grip, a new wave of pain. "You'll probably be better by Friday. Saturday tops. Thursday you should have some type of appetite and today will be the worst. So, ride it out, hun. Ride it out."
"It's only morning. I can't. I need it. Please, just one last hit. I didn't even get to enjoy my last one." Draco pleaded, crawling towards her, placing his head in her lap.
"I can't do that."
"Why? Why won't you grant me that little happiness? Do you want me to die? Do you hate me that much that you want me to die from this pain?"
"Never," she ran her fingers through his sweaty hair. Maybe he would be up for a shower instead of a sponge bath?
The two sat in silence, Draco shuddering a few moments. How could this happen to this poor kid? It was moments like these that made her realize how happy she was with her family.
"Do you think you can handle a little orange juice watered down with some ginger ale and a small tea cup of chicken broth and some egg noodle?"
"No," moaned the depraved boy. "I want-"
"I know this but you aren't going to get it so you might as well get that through your head. I'm not going to get you anything."
"I know, but I don't like having Ron see me like this. I mean, I don't want to be weak in front of him. I'm the one whose supposed to protect him from the world because I've seen the evils of it. I have a tougher skin while he's used to this place. Where love is abundant and undying. No matter what. He's supposed to show me the good but I just want to be healthy and strong for him but I can't. I need cocaine. The end. I need it to function. Most of the time I was with him I was on it. Not really high but enough to stop the withdraw symptoms."
He groaned as his inside seemed to constrict, to cramp around his heart forcing it to beat harder and harder and....he wanted to die. It was excruciating. He was tired, he was beaten. His father was going to win after all.
"Well, then, how do you know if you do like my son? If you at least a little buzzed, how would you know your dreamscape from reality?"
"Because," he forced himself to sit up against the nightstand, "I've had a crush on him for years. I really do love him. Even when I was normal, I guess you can say, I was still head over heels for that boy. I still am."
"I know what you've done for him. Ginny's kept me updated. I now know that you dumped him. Yet you two, mainly my son is still at your beck and call. Why is this?"
"My father. He told me if I didn't leave Ron he would destroy him. I couldn't let that happen. I was so heartbroken. Especially since he gave me this," he took the necklace out from under his shirt, "for my birthday."
She examined it. It was lovely. Not just the piece of jewelry but the fact that her son was so interested, so involved.
"That's why I wanted to ask you something." Draco reached into the drawer behind him and pulled out a box. "I need your say, your blessing, your view on this."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It had been three weeks since that faithful day; Draco was walking around, talking and eating. Ron was finally getting some sleep.
Everyone who was going back to Hogwarts tomorrow was outside, watching as the sun set.
Ron and Draco were sitting in some lawn chairs, while everyone else sat on a massive blanket. Ginny sat on the ground next to Draco, her head leaning against his arm. Over the past few weeks they had become close friends and confidants.
"So," asked Fred, "how you feeling mate?" He bent his head backwards so Draco could hear him.
"Well, I'm still craving it but at least it doesn't hurt. I'll be fine when I get to the group counseling."
Draco was gaining some weight, which was normal for recovering addicts, acting more anxious than he did when he was on the stuff but he was over the major hump. He could do it now. Or he hoped.
He was twisting his hands in the small pocket he formed with the bottom section of Ron's shirts. For the longest time he had to wear the Weasleys hand-me-downs, which were too big for him but he was happy. Yesterday, he was able to get his stuff with the Ministry there to make sure his father didn't try anything.
"Draco, Ron," Harry was surprised that he actually said Draco's first name. "Umm, everyone is probably wondering why I've been carrying a shoebox around. Well, here you two."
He handed it to Ron, who opened and was instantly infuriated. There were scrolls of paper, letters. Letters from Draco. "Harry. What did you do?" he gritted his teeth, the rage shaking throughout him.
"I intercepted the letters." He went into the story of how he made sure he was to get the letters when they first came and hide them in the box under a loose floorboard. It was even predicted earlier in the year during Divination.
"So," Harry wondered, looking from face-to-face to see that no one was even daring to glance at him. "I'm sorry. But it was for the best or....at least I thought so."
"I am so annoyed right not with you. How could you? I have nothing to say to you." Ron began to rummage through the letters.
"I told you I wrote back." Grinned Draco. Everyone was expecting 'Malfoy' to show his ice-like rage but they were shocked to see him continue to smile, even when he was examining Harry. "I'm not mad. I want to thank you."
"What? I mean he tapered with our mail. Isn't that some type of crime?" Ron wondered aloud, still scanning the pieces of paper.
"I don't know. But, I think he did the right thing. I bet he was doing to protect you from the big, bad Malfoy. He's your friend. Your best friend in fact. After everything that I've done to you all, if I were in Harry's position, I would have done the same thing. He didn't trust me, he didn't think I was on pure motives. While everyone else quickly accepting me, he was weary. Which was actually what I was expecting. Don't be mad at him. He was being a friend. Hell, if it weren't for him I wouldn't had done what I did and I wouldn't be getting help."
Everyone was surprised at Draco's new mature attitude.
"Th-thank you." Harry stuttered in utter surprise.
"Come on in, kids." Bill called from the kitchen window.
"We're not kids!" yelled Ginny, as she got up. The little clan of 'kids' marched back inside. They sat in the living room, hot chocolates all around, as was the Weasley tradition before going off to school.
The Weasleys and their three guests sat around, discussing any and everything. But Mrs. Weasley couldn't help but smile everytime she caught eyes with Draco. "Do it." She whispered.
"No, it's not the right time." Mumbled Draco back.
"What's 'not the right time'?" Ginny spoke aloud, catching the whole room's attention.
"Nothing."
"Do it now. I mean it." Mrs. Weasley said sternly.
"Fine," He didn't want to do it. He didn't want to embarrass himself or Ron again. Especially after the whole school fiasco.
Draco got down on one knee in front of Ron, taking his hand. "May I ask you something?"
"Sure," Dear Merlin, please don't let him do what I think he's going to do.
"Do you think it's possible to meet someone and know in an instant that he's the one?"
"Yes," He's going to do it.
Draco sat back down. "Okay,"
The whole room let out a collective sigh of relief, though all the girls in the room were disappointed. Draco got back down on one knee. Tension began to run high. Would he or wouldn't he? Ginny glared at him. He better.
"Oh, yeah. Will you marry me?"
The room erupted into clamor and chaos.
"What the bloody hell?!"
"They're too young!"
"He comes here, high off his ass, yelling and screaming, then he wants to propose! No way!"
"Can he do that?"
"I'm going to cry!"
Ron looked down at Draco, who had pulled the ring box out. He opened it and inside was a gold ring. On the inside he could barely read it but the inscription was: 'Je t'aimerai jusqu' aux arrêts de temps'. "Is that French?"
"I will love thee until time stops." He smiled softly.
"I....me?"
"Yes you. I know we're really young and we probably won't be able to get married until fifty years from now but you are it for me. I don't think there's anything out there for me that isn't in here."
The room had quiet down considerably.
"So, will you marry me?
*~*~*
Nov.02: That was nuts! That French was a rough translation...I hope that was correct. And marriage at 15...it could never happen but I like it!