Astraphobia
A thunderstorm rolled outside as a usual event occurred throughout the Malfoy Manor.Ginevra Malfoy sat alone in an armchair crying silently to herself. She had children of her own and yet she still broke down with every storm that came.
Draco Malfoy woke with a start as he heard a mixture of thunder striking and his wife hyperventilating. He rubbed his eyes and slowly walked over to the chair where she had taken refuge. He placed a hand on her shoulder and felt her stiffen. She turned her head around and peered at him with her large frightened tear-soaked eyes. She relaxed when the realization that it was her husband and not a monster of the night.
He guided her back to their bed and positioned his body on top of hers; attempting to protect her from all that she feared. Ginny shook under his weight as she felt shame wash over her. She was weak and she hated it when he found her this way.
Within minutes her husband had fallen back asleep and Ginny was left alone again. He tried his best to comfort her but he would never fully understand what she went through. How could he; Malfoy's had no fears.
That's what he had told her after they had gotten married and he had discovered her secret phobia. He felt that it was childish and silly that she got so worked up over a simple thunderstorm but he had given up on trying to rid her of it. It was a part of her. But it hadn't always been that way.
Damn Tom for doing this to her; for making her a prime candidate for a St. Mungo's patient. Every time that the lightening filled the room with an eerie glow she could see his eyes looking at her with that evil glint that he reserved only for those who he truly wished to scare.
Every thing about a thunderstorm seemed to scream his name. The way that the thunder rolled and could frighten hundreds of people all at once. The way that the lightening could burst from the sky unexpectedly and strike anyone; no matter how innocent they were. But most of all, how the storm would end to her relief, but it was only a matter of time before another one came.
She wrapped her arms around Draco, desperately seeking warmth and comfort. She was not strong; but he was. Draco was afraid of nothing and she tried to acquire that characteristic from him. She didn't want to be the weak link on the Malfoy chain.
Ginny dried her tears and willed herself into a dreamless sleep. If it was the last thing that she ever did she would overcome her fear of Tom; and with that she would overcome her fear of storms. Then she wouldn't have to worry about her husband being ashamed of her because she was a lesser Malfoy.
Draco woke as he felt Ginny shift underneath of him. He gently stroked her hair and hoped that the sleep that she was getting was not full of nightmares. He didn't know how to deal with her nightly terrors. When he had first found out about them he reacted the way that his father would have. He told her that it was irrational and impractical. He told her that a Malfoy had no fears; he never had. He knew that she felt defenseless against her panic and he knew of her desperation to break free from it.
Thunder was heard in the distance and she gave a slight jolt, even in her sleep. So he held her close and willed her fears onto himself. No one is fearless; he had learned that after his first year of marriage. He could no longer lie and claim bravery against all things; he had his own fear that kept him up at night. He was afraid for her.