A/N This gave me fits. Just read. And then review.
(Neville)
I had experienced many types of pain in my lifetime, each with it's own injury to match. A broken heart, a gash across the stomach, and now burns covering my arms. There was no describing the feeling of your own flesh charring and flaking off. I desperately tried not to think about what lay beneath the neatly wrapped bandages. Though there was little else to do besides think.
Laying on my back I imagined designs on the ceiling, saw pictures from the past, from the present, from my dreams. They mingled and merged until I couldn't tell the difference. One moment I would see Luna laughing, then fire engulfing me, then Ginny kissing me. Soon I wouldn't be able to tell dreams from reality.
I knew some things were real, though. Her fingers gently tending the wounds, her voice, her tears, those had all been true enough. And those words from down the hall, those were not from my mind. Even Ron had heard them, angry words, hateful whisperings. I ached for her.
They were all gone, though. I was alone. Laying on my back, daydreaming.
"Neville." A soft voice said as the door closed.
I looked over and smiled at her, hoping to erase some of the tear stains.
"Ginny." I answered.
"I've got to change the bandages." She whispered, holding up the roll as if for proof.
I nodded and pushed myself carefully into a sitting position. She took out her wand and holding it to the dressing on one arm, she muttered a spell and it split apart revealing the reddened flesh beneath. I cringed looking at it.
"It's healing nicely, we got the salve on it in time, you will only have a few scars to show for it." Her voice was tired with crying.
"That good." I managed, looking away as my stomach churned.
"I'll hurry, I know it's hard."
"Thank you."
I shut my eyes and held still so she could work. After the first few sniffs I opened them and watched her wipe a tear off her cheek.
"I'm sorry." I said.
"What for?" She tied the end of the binding off and moved to the other arm.
"For what happened earlier, with Harry."
She laughed sadly and shook her head, "That was my fault, I acted rashly, we should have waited. I've never been very good under pressure."
"Even if it was a mistake, he shouldn't have spoken to you like that." I continued.
"He's like that when he gets angry. Doesn't realize what he's saying. Doesn't stop to think. I was scared. I just wanted my daughter to be safe." Her hands were shaking and I winced as she brushed my bare arm.
"I know."
"I think he meant it this time. I think he meant it when he said he hated me. I lost all my nerve, couldn't fight back."
"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll cool off and realize what he's done." I assured her.
She sniffed again and wiped her eyes.
"Things haven't been good between us for a long time. I don't know if they ever will be again."
Her fingers tied the bandage and she sat there inspecting it for a moment. Her fingers lingering on mine a moment too long. I licked my lips nervously, suddenly aware of tension in the room.
"Don't be so pessimistic." I told her, wishing she'd let go of my hand.
The light caresses to my palm and wrist were making me uncomfortable, not because I didn't like them, but because I did.
"I'm not." She whispered as another tear drifted down her cheek.
Even as I wiped it away with my thumb, I knew it wasn't a good idea. I shouldn't be this close to her. I should send her away. My hand remained on her cheek, her skin was so warm. I could see her lips tremble as she drew dangerously close to me. She hovered just centimeters from my face, her breath brushed my cheeks, then we were kissing and I wondered if I was dreaming again.
I knew we had to stop, it wasn't right. She belonged to someone else. She wasn't mine to have, but she tasted of tears. Those slender fingers wound themselves into my hair and she sighed against my mouth.
"Ginny…" I started pulling back a bit.
Her brown eyes looked at me sadly, tears on the edge of falling.
I meant to tell her to go, but it came out as "You are so beautiful." I cursed myself repeatedly in my head.
She kissed me again, shifting on the bed, moving closer on her knees, resting one hand on my chest. I shivered at her touch and covered her hand with my own. Every part of her was shaking as she looped one leg over mine and sat atop me, never once parting our mouths.
I pulled back again to look at her, make sure she was real, that this wasn't some elaborate fantasy.
"I don't love you." She whispered moving her mouth to my neck.
I gasped and grabbed her shoulders hard, "I know."
"I just…" She never finished her sentence.
"I know" I answered and wrapped my arms around her.
A glint of gold caught my eye, without her even noticing I slipped my wedding ring off and set it on the table beside the bed. She moved again and I whispered her name, no longer thinking of stopping her. No longer thinking at all.
(Ginny)
He was sleeping on his stomach, with one arm draped across me, snoring softly into the pillows, totally at peace. I, however, found nothing but nightmares when I closed my eyes. No matter how I tried to rationalize my actions, I still knew I was wrong. I was scared, angry, lonely, and I had done the unthinkable. I had slept with Neville Longbottom.
I tried to blame him. He could have stopped me, should have stopped me but, I should have stopped myself. No, he was not to blame. Neville had been lonely far longer than I, he had earned his night of happiness. The only person to be held at fault was me.
That is not to say I didn't enjoy what we had. I had never been with anyone but Harry, and found it strangely exciting. Neville was softer, less defined and gentle in everything he did. All his attention was focused on what he was doing, on making me happy. He cared little for himself, instead finding joy in my pleasure. I knew when he enjoyed something by the grip of his fingers on my skin and the whisper of my name, if he spoke it was murmured tenderly into my ear. When we both were spent, panting through a last few kisses, he moved to lay beside me. Those faintly calloused fingers traced the contours of my face before he drifted into sleep, still sighing praises to me.
Guiltily I watched him slumber, half smiling in his sleep, and I knew that this would never happen again. I couldn't let it. His hand slipped from my abdomen and to the bed as he turned while dreaming. Cautiously I stood and began searching for my discarded clothing. As I did, something fell from the pocket of his pants, a small photograph. My fingers caught it before it reached the ground and I looked it over curiously. Two small children sat side by side laughing, one with a bit of dark hair and green eyes, the other a bit round faced with light brown hair. I smiled in spite of myself.
"Ginny?" Neville asked sleepily.
"I'm here."
"I thought you'd gone away. What are you doing?" He mumbled and rubbed his face while yawning.
"What is this?" I asked holding out the picture.
He blinked and took it from me with a grin.
"That's a picture of Harry and I as babies. My Gran gave it to me after fifth year."
"But I thought…"
"My parents and his parents were friends, so Harry and I spent a great deal of time together as infants. Could you put it back in my pocket?" He asked handing it back to me.
"You carry it around with you?" I did as he asked.
"Always."
I sat heavily back on the bed and closed my eyes.
"Ginny." His voice was tentative.
"I'm sorry." I whispered.
"For what?"
"For taking advantage of you. We shouldn't have done this."
"I'm just as much at fault as you."
His hand crept into mine and squeezed it tightly.
"I don't love you." I said pulling away.
"I know."
"But…" I began.
"Look, I don't expect anything from you. What we had was nice, I enjoyed it, but I know it can't go on. I knew that from the beginning. We both knew." He cut me off.
I leaned forward and buried my face in my hands.
"We'll deal with it together. I won't make you face the consequences alone." He said reaching to touch me again but pulling back.
"I've got to go. What if someone comes looking for me, or wants to check on you?"
"I'm surprised they haven't yet." He voiced, watching me pull my clothing back on.
"I told them you were resting, and that I was going to bed. I left them all in the kitchen discussing the prophesy."
"I see."
"I…Good night." I stuttered and hurried off to my own room.
The halls were silent and I wondered if everyone had gone to bed. It was late, but with the events of the day I knew I would have trouble going to sleep.
"Ginny? What are you doing up?" Hermione called from behind me.
"Oh. I was… I was checking on Neville."
"How is he?" She asked coming closer.
"Better. Should be fine."
"Good, heading to bed?"
"Yeah, goodnight."
I started once again down the hall, suddenly my heart seized up, a dark feeling started in my chest and spread outward. I stumbled for a moment, but caught myself. The feeling passed leaving a darkness on my soul that wouldn't pass. Somehow I knew something horrible had happened. I wanted to turn and tell Hermione, to raise the alarm, but no one would understand. So I laid on my bed and wept for my sins and for what the morning might hold.
(Ron)
The Forbidden Forest was exactly the same as I remembered, dark, dank, and spooky. Not much could be seen through the shadows and I jumped at every sound, sure some eight-legged monster was sneaking up on us. Old fears rose and I couldn't stop thinking about the army of acromantula that had made the forest their home. Tonks had assured Harry that we were nowhere near that part of the forest, but some things stay with you.
I made a game of listened to my companion's footsteps, as long as I focused on them I didn't think about the monsters that were probably watching from the trees. I longed for someone to say something, anything, to distract me further, but no one did. Harry merely stared straight ahead and walked at a pace I found difficult to match. Draco hung back a little, occasionally stopping to rub the bridge of his nose and squeeze his eyes shut in pain. He said nothing to explain and I refused to ask.
Finally Harry paused and looked back at me with an unreadable look on his face. I jogged a few steps and caught up to him.
"I'm sorry for arguing like that in front of you." He said without making eye contact.
"I'm trying not to take sides." I answered.
"I was just angry at her for not waiting."
"I know, but I think she was trying to act in Lily's best interests. She didn't mean to make you upset."
"Maybe."
"Ginny wouldn't do that, she'd never put her daughter in danger just to get back at you." My voice raised a little and he glanced at me frowning.
"I've messed up a lot. More than I'd like to admit, but I still like to think I should have some say in my daughter's safety."
"And I'm not saying you shouldn't, I'm just saying, look at it from Ginny's perspective. Neville and the girls were attacked and people were scared, she acted on impulse. Don't try to tell me you've never done anything rash."
Again I received a side long look.
Something crashed behind us and I saw Draco pulling himself from a bit of undergrowth. His steps stumbled a bit more before he righted himself.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Headache. I'll be fine, keep walking." He growled.
"I thought you said you had something to tell me?" Harry said without stopping.
"My mother, my mother has something to do with this. She must know who attacked Neville." The blonde man's voice was strained.
"Why would she have anything to do with this?" I asked confused.
"She knew where I had been when I came back to my house. She was there and she knew. Threatened to take my son away." He seemed to be getting a hold on himself.
"I don't understand." Harry said.
"She was there, at my house. She knew who I had been with and where I had been. She threatened to take my son away and she threatened to tell you about my father."
Harry's footsteps stopped and he turned to face Draco.
"What about your father?"
"He's not dead."
My friend's jaw tightened.
"What do you mean he's not dead?"
"The dementors kissed him. He's just a shell. I care for him, if I don't my son gets none of his inheritance." Once again Draco had regained his excellent posture and unfeeling face.
"Why didn't you mention this before?" Harry's voice was low.
"It's not common knowledge, I prefer it that way."
"We'll deal with that when we return." said Harry turning and walking.
Yet again, there was silence. I plodded along next to my best friend, watching his face for any sign of emotion. Only the shadows in his eyes moved.
Hours seemed to pass with nothing said between us. I kept an eye on Draco, he appeared to be hiding his pain well, though I could see the clenching of his fists as he fought it. I considered asking Harry if we could rest, but knew better. He was on a mission and there would be no stopping.
"Do you love my sister?" I asked suddenly.
"Yes."
"Just making sure."
"It's not about love, Ron. I love her and I think she still loves me. It's about…how she makes me feel."
I frowned and waited for him to continue, when he did not I said, "Well how does she make you feel?"
"Inadequate."
"Why?"
"I've never been good enough for her…"
"Well, no." I cut in.
He glared at me.
"I can't protect her and she resents me for it."
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
His voice was a growl, "The scar."
"You mean the one on her face?" I asked unsure of myself.
"She wears the bloody thing like a badge. Shows it off, lets everyone know that I am incapable of keeping her safe."
"I don't even notice it anymore. It's faded over the years. Besides, it's not like she can do much about it." I replied thoughtfully.
"Hermione tried to show her how to cover it up. She'd have none of it. Left it glaring at me." I could hear pain in his words.
"She fought bravely. She faced death eaters and lived, not many people can say that. I'd imagine she's a little proud of herself for living through it. I was proud of her. It had nothing to do with you, just her being strong."
"I wasn't there and I should have been."
"Oh shut up," Draco suddenly cried, "Not everything is an affront to your manhood, get over yourself."
"Keep to yourself." Harry warned.
"You just have to be the tragic hero, don't you Potter? Have to be responsible for every bad thing. Poor Harry Potter, had no childhood and can't seem to get over it. There are worse things in this world than that."
"What would you know about pain? You, who grew up with everything you ever wanted?" Harry spat back.
Draco was silent for a moment, "You've never watched helplessly as someone tries to kill your only child, or seenthe empty eyes of your wife who died trying to save that child. You don't have to face the person who caused those things everyday, to bathe them, feed them like a baby, pretend that you care about them just so you can keep your son. Don't talk to me about pain, I'll bury you."
I swallowed hard and looked to Harry who seemed to be sizing up our escort. Nervously I looked around and noticed something, there was no path.
"Harry, isn't there supposed to be a path?" I asked.
He too looked around.
"We must have wandered off it. Come on, we'll back track a bit, can't be far."
We walked until my feet burned, darkness overwhelmed us, but Harry refused to stop. The second time we nearly lost each other, we lit our wands. Even then I could hardly see in front of me. Draco had begun to stumble again, occasionally whimpering in pain. The noise was incongruous with our surroundings and unnerved me. Then suddenly, it stopped.
Harry noticed as well and we both turned to look, there was nothing but darkness. We called his name, and waved our wands in the air. I even looked through the underbrush, thinking he might have passed out. I couldn't have seen footprints had there been any, and had no idea how to track someone, so I rejoined Harry in a small clearing.
"I don't know what happened to him." I said shrugging.
"We can't just wait around all night." Harry snarled and wandered a bit away.
"Stupid git…" A sharp pain in the back of my head cut off my words and left the world spinning.
I felt myself hit the ground hard,then numbness swept over me. There were voices, noises, sounds of a struggle,but far away as if through water. Harry needed me, but my arms wouldn't move. Then through the light of my fallen wand I saw him. I cried out, called his name.
He landed facing me, empty green eyes staring, a trickle of blood dripping from his lips. Even as darkness claimed me, I knew. He was dead.
(Neville)
I had experienced many types of pain in my lifetime, each with it's own injury to match. A broken heart, a gash across the stomach, and now burns covering my arms. There was no describing the feeling of your own flesh charring and flaking off. I desperately tried not to think about what lay beneath the neatly wrapped bandages. Though there was little else to do besides think.
Laying on my back I imagined designs on the ceiling, saw pictures from the past, from the present, from my dreams. They mingled and merged until I couldn't tell the difference. One moment I would see Luna laughing, then fire engulfing me, then Ginny kissing me. Soon I wouldn't be able to tell dreams from reality.
I knew some things were real, though. Her fingers gently tending the wounds, her voice, her tears, those had all been true enough. And those words from down the hall, those were not from my mind. Even Ron had heard them, angry words, hateful whisperings. I ached for her.
They were all gone, though. I was alone. Laying on my back, daydreaming.
"Neville." A soft voice said as the door closed.
I looked over and smiled at her, hoping to erase some of the tear stains.
"Ginny." I answered.
"I've got to change the bandages." She whispered, holding up the roll as if for proof.
I nodded and pushed myself carefully into a sitting position. She took out her wand and holding it to the dressing on one arm, she muttered a spell and it split apart revealing the reddened flesh beneath. I cringed looking at it.
"It's healing nicely, we got the salve on it in time, you will only have a few scars to show for it." Her voice was tired with crying.
"That good." I managed, looking away as my stomach churned.
"I'll hurry, I know it's hard."
"Thank you."
I shut my eyes and held still so she could work. After the first few sniffs I opened them and watched her wipe a tear off her cheek.
"I'm sorry." I said.
"What for?" She tied the end of the binding off and moved to the other arm.
"For what happened earlier, with Harry."
She laughed sadly and shook her head, "That was my fault, I acted rashly, we should have waited. I've never been very good under pressure."
"Even if it was a mistake, he shouldn't have spoken to you like that." I continued.
"He's like that when he gets angry. Doesn't realize what he's saying. Doesn't stop to think. I was scared. I just wanted my daughter to be safe." Her hands were shaking and I winced as she brushed my bare arm.
"I know."
"I think he meant it this time. I think he meant it when he said he hated me. I lost all my nerve, couldn't fight back."
"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll cool off and realize what he's done." I assured her.
She sniffed again and wiped her eyes.
"Things haven't been good between us for a long time. I don't know if they ever will be again."
Her fingers tied the bandage and she sat there inspecting it for a moment. Her fingers lingering on mine a moment too long. I licked my lips nervously, suddenly aware of tension in the room.
"Don't be so pessimistic." I told her, wishing she'd let go of my hand.
The light caresses to my palm and wrist were making me uncomfortable, not because I didn't like them, but because I did.
"I'm not." She whispered as another tear drifted down her cheek.
Even as I wiped it away with my thumb, I knew it wasn't a good idea. I shouldn't be this close to her. I should send her away. My hand remained on her cheek, her skin was so warm. I could see her lips tremble as she drew dangerously close to me. She hovered just centimeters from my face, her breath brushed my cheeks, then we were kissing and I wondered if I was dreaming again.
I knew we had to stop, it wasn't right. She belonged to someone else. She wasn't mine to have, but she tasted of tears. Those slender fingers wound themselves into my hair and she sighed against my mouth.
"Ginny…" I started pulling back a bit.
Her brown eyes looked at me sadly, tears on the edge of falling.
I meant to tell her to go, but it came out as "You are so beautiful." I cursed myself repeatedly in my head.
She kissed me again, shifting on the bed, moving closer on her knees, resting one hand on my chest. I shivered at her touch and covered her hand with my own. Every part of her was shaking as she looped one leg over mine and sat atop me, never once parting our mouths.
I pulled back again to look at her, make sure she was real, that this wasn't some elaborate fantasy.
"I don't love you." She whispered moving her mouth to my neck.
I gasped and grabbed her shoulders hard, "I know."
"I just…" She never finished her sentence.
"I know" I answered and wrapped my arms around her.
A glint of gold caught my eye, without her even noticing I slipped my wedding ring off and set it on the table beside the bed. She moved again and I whispered her name, no longer thinking of stopping her. No longer thinking at all.
(Ginny)
He was sleeping on his stomach, with one arm draped across me, snoring softly into the pillows, totally at peace. I, however, found nothing but nightmares when I closed my eyes. No matter how I tried to rationalize my actions, I still knew I was wrong. I was scared, angry, lonely, and I had done the unthinkable. I had slept with Neville Longbottom.
I tried to blame him. He could have stopped me, should have stopped me but, I should have stopped myself. No, he was not to blame. Neville had been lonely far longer than I, he had earned his night of happiness. The only person to be held at fault was me.
That is not to say I didn't enjoy what we had. I had never been with anyone but Harry, and found it strangely exciting. Neville was softer, less defined and gentle in everything he did. All his attention was focused on what he was doing, on making me happy. He cared little for himself, instead finding joy in my pleasure. I knew when he enjoyed something by the grip of his fingers on my skin and the whisper of my name, if he spoke it was murmured tenderly into my ear. When we both were spent, panting through a last few kisses, he moved to lay beside me. Those faintly calloused fingers traced the contours of my face before he drifted into sleep, still sighing praises to me.
Guiltily I watched him slumber, half smiling in his sleep, and I knew that this would never happen again. I couldn't let it. His hand slipped from my abdomen and to the bed as he turned while dreaming. Cautiously I stood and began searching for my discarded clothing. As I did, something fell from the pocket of his pants, a small photograph. My fingers caught it before it reached the ground and I looked it over curiously. Two small children sat side by side laughing, one with a bit of dark hair and green eyes, the other a bit round faced with light brown hair. I smiled in spite of myself.
"Ginny?" Neville asked sleepily.
"I'm here."
"I thought you'd gone away. What are you doing?" He mumbled and rubbed his face while yawning.
"What is this?" I asked holding out the picture.
He blinked and took it from me with a grin.
"That's a picture of Harry and I as babies. My Gran gave it to me after fifth year."
"But I thought…"
"My parents and his parents were friends, so Harry and I spent a great deal of time together as infants. Could you put it back in my pocket?" He asked handing it back to me.
"You carry it around with you?" I did as he asked.
"Always."
I sat heavily back on the bed and closed my eyes.
"Ginny." His voice was tentative.
"I'm sorry." I whispered.
"For what?"
"For taking advantage of you. We shouldn't have done this."
"I'm just as much at fault as you."
His hand crept into mine and squeezed it tightly.
"I don't love you." I said pulling away.
"I know."
"But…" I began.
"Look, I don't expect anything from you. What we had was nice, I enjoyed it, but I know it can't go on. I knew that from the beginning. We both knew." He cut me off.
I leaned forward and buried my face in my hands.
"We'll deal with it together. I won't make you face the consequences alone." He said reaching to touch me again but pulling back.
"I've got to go. What if someone comes looking for me, or wants to check on you?"
"I'm surprised they haven't yet." He voiced, watching me pull my clothing back on.
"I told them you were resting, and that I was going to bed. I left them all in the kitchen discussing the prophesy."
"I see."
"I…Good night." I stuttered and hurried off to my own room.
The halls were silent and I wondered if everyone had gone to bed. It was late, but with the events of the day I knew I would have trouble going to sleep.
"Ginny? What are you doing up?" Hermione called from behind me.
"Oh. I was… I was checking on Neville."
"How is he?" She asked coming closer.
"Better. Should be fine."
"Good, heading to bed?"
"Yeah, goodnight."
I started once again down the hall, suddenly my heart seized up, a dark feeling started in my chest and spread outward. I stumbled for a moment, but caught myself. The feeling passed leaving a darkness on my soul that wouldn't pass. Somehow I knew something horrible had happened. I wanted to turn and tell Hermione, to raise the alarm, but no one would understand. So I laid on my bed and wept for my sins and for what the morning might hold.
(Ron)
The Forbidden Forest was exactly the same as I remembered, dark, dank, and spooky. Not much could be seen through the shadows and I jumped at every sound, sure some eight-legged monster was sneaking up on us. Old fears rose and I couldn't stop thinking about the army of acromantula that had made the forest their home. Tonks had assured Harry that we were nowhere near that part of the forest, but some things stay with you.
I made a game of listened to my companion's footsteps, as long as I focused on them I didn't think about the monsters that were probably watching from the trees. I longed for someone to say something, anything, to distract me further, but no one did. Harry merely stared straight ahead and walked at a pace I found difficult to match. Draco hung back a little, occasionally stopping to rub the bridge of his nose and squeeze his eyes shut in pain. He said nothing to explain and I refused to ask.
Finally Harry paused and looked back at me with an unreadable look on his face. I jogged a few steps and caught up to him.
"I'm sorry for arguing like that in front of you." He said without making eye contact.
"I'm trying not to take sides." I answered.
"I was just angry at her for not waiting."
"I know, but I think she was trying to act in Lily's best interests. She didn't mean to make you upset."
"Maybe."
"Ginny wouldn't do that, she'd never put her daughter in danger just to get back at you." My voice raised a little and he glanced at me frowning.
"I've messed up a lot. More than I'd like to admit, but I still like to think I should have some say in my daughter's safety."
"And I'm not saying you shouldn't, I'm just saying, look at it from Ginny's perspective. Neville and the girls were attacked and people were scared, she acted on impulse. Don't try to tell me you've never done anything rash."
Again I received a side long look.
Something crashed behind us and I saw Draco pulling himself from a bit of undergrowth. His steps stumbled a bit more before he righted himself.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Headache. I'll be fine, keep walking." He growled.
"I thought you said you had something to tell me?" Harry said without stopping.
"My mother, my mother has something to do with this. She must know who attacked Neville." The blonde man's voice was strained.
"Why would she have anything to do with this?" I asked confused.
"She knew where I had been when I came back to my house. She was there and she knew. Threatened to take my son away." He seemed to be getting a hold on himself.
"I don't understand." Harry said.
"She was there, at my house. She knew who I had been with and where I had been. She threatened to take my son away and she threatened to tell you about my father."
Harry's footsteps stopped and he turned to face Draco.
"What about your father?"
"He's not dead."
My friend's jaw tightened.
"What do you mean he's not dead?"
"The dementors kissed him. He's just a shell. I care for him, if I don't my son gets none of his inheritance." Once again Draco had regained his excellent posture and unfeeling face.
"Why didn't you mention this before?" Harry's voice was low.
"It's not common knowledge, I prefer it that way."
"We'll deal with that when we return." said Harry turning and walking.
Yet again, there was silence. I plodded along next to my best friend, watching his face for any sign of emotion. Only the shadows in his eyes moved.
Hours seemed to pass with nothing said between us. I kept an eye on Draco, he appeared to be hiding his pain well, though I could see the clenching of his fists as he fought it. I considered asking Harry if we could rest, but knew better. He was on a mission and there would be no stopping.
"Do you love my sister?" I asked suddenly.
"Yes."
"Just making sure."
"It's not about love, Ron. I love her and I think she still loves me. It's about…how she makes me feel."
I frowned and waited for him to continue, when he did not I said, "Well how does she make you feel?"
"Inadequate."
"Why?"
"I've never been good enough for her…"
"Well, no." I cut in.
He glared at me.
"I can't protect her and she resents me for it."
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
His voice was a growl, "The scar."
"You mean the one on her face?" I asked unsure of myself.
"She wears the bloody thing like a badge. Shows it off, lets everyone know that I am incapable of keeping her safe."
"I don't even notice it anymore. It's faded over the years. Besides, it's not like she can do much about it." I replied thoughtfully.
"Hermione tried to show her how to cover it up. She'd have none of it. Left it glaring at me." I could hear pain in his words.
"She fought bravely. She faced death eaters and lived, not many people can say that. I'd imagine she's a little proud of herself for living through it. I was proud of her. It had nothing to do with you, just her being strong."
"I wasn't there and I should have been."
"Oh shut up," Draco suddenly cried, "Not everything is an affront to your manhood, get over yourself."
"Keep to yourself." Harry warned.
"You just have to be the tragic hero, don't you Potter? Have to be responsible for every bad thing. Poor Harry Potter, had no childhood and can't seem to get over it. There are worse things in this world than that."
"What would you know about pain? You, who grew up with everything you ever wanted?" Harry spat back.
Draco was silent for a moment, "You've never watched helplessly as someone tries to kill your only child, or seenthe empty eyes of your wife who died trying to save that child. You don't have to face the person who caused those things everyday, to bathe them, feed them like a baby, pretend that you care about them just so you can keep your son. Don't talk to me about pain, I'll bury you."
I swallowed hard and looked to Harry who seemed to be sizing up our escort. Nervously I looked around and noticed something, there was no path.
"Harry, isn't there supposed to be a path?" I asked.
He too looked around.
"We must have wandered off it. Come on, we'll back track a bit, can't be far."
We walked until my feet burned, darkness overwhelmed us, but Harry refused to stop. The second time we nearly lost each other, we lit our wands. Even then I could hardly see in front of me. Draco had begun to stumble again, occasionally whimpering in pain. The noise was incongruous with our surroundings and unnerved me. Then suddenly, it stopped.
Harry noticed as well and we both turned to look, there was nothing but darkness. We called his name, and waved our wands in the air. I even looked through the underbrush, thinking he might have passed out. I couldn't have seen footprints had there been any, and had no idea how to track someone, so I rejoined Harry in a small clearing.
"I don't know what happened to him." I said shrugging.
"We can't just wait around all night." Harry snarled and wandered a bit away.
"Stupid git…" A sharp pain in the back of my head cut off my words and left the world spinning.
I felt myself hit the ground hard,then numbness swept over me. There were voices, noises, sounds of a struggle,but far away as if through water. Harry needed me, but my arms wouldn't move. Then through the light of my fallen wand I saw him. I cried out, called his name.
He landed facing me, empty green eyes staring, a trickle of blood dripping from his lips. Even as darkness claimed me, I knew. He was dead.