"You're going to have to face them soon, you know." Izzy stated innocently, giving her boy a 'Look'. Draco scowled and folded his arms stubbornly against his chest,
"I can't…not yet." He glared at her, "I thought you were going to let me do it in my own time. You said you were on my side!"
"This isn't a question of sides, Poppet." She told him gently, "They're worried about you. Especially Hermione." Draco immediately turned away from her. He didn't want to think about Granger. If it weren't for her things would've been different. If it weren't for her…if it weren't for Hermione Granger….
"I know you probably don't want to hear this right now, Draco," Izzy continued, "But she really cares about you-"
"You're right." The boy growled, leaning back against his pillows, "I don't want to hear it. It's all her fault, anyway." The Aengel sighed,
"What's her fault?"
"It's her fault I wasn't The Best. It's her fault Father got angry because of it. It's her fault my life was hell during the summer." Draco bit his lip and looked down, "It's her fault He beat me." Issabella watched him silently, purple eyes full of love and sadness for her little Dragon.
"I know, that it seems that way." She said, putting her arms around him in a gentle embrace, "But it's not her fault. She wasn't to know, then, what he did to you. And remember, Poppet, that it was Hermione, also, that took you away from there. It was she that helped, she that cared enough about you to help. Don't hate her, Draco. Please don't hate her." Draco shifted uncomfortably,
"I can't help it." He told her, his tone slightly guilty, "I have to hate her, it's just how it's meant to be. If things go back to how they were when I was six, she'll just end up getting hurt. We both will. You know that, Izzy." This time, it was her turn to act stubborn,
"No. I. Don't." She said, holding her head up, "Why don't you make the most of being safe and start doing what you want to do? What I know, is that you don't hate her, so stop pretending that you do!" Draco opened his mouth to protest, but Issabella cut him off, "Just talk to her, please Draco. Just accept her."
"You don't understand!" Draco shouted, tears forming unwillingly in his grey eyes, "She knows, Izzy! She knows everything! Not only that, but so does Potter and Weasley. do you have any idea what will happen if He finds out they know? He'll kill me!"
"No he won't. That's what I've been trying to say! As long as you're here, you're safe, He can't touch you here-"
"But he already has!" Draco burst out, "He knows where I am and he told me he'd be back. I'm never going to be able to get away. I'm never going to be free. Maybe I should just give up and go back before anyone else gets hurt…" Izzy's head shot up, alarmed,
"That's not funny, Draco." She said quietly, "You don't mean that. You know you don't." Draco shook his head hopelessly,
"Well, maybe I do. I mean, what happens now? I can't stay here forever. What if he calls the Aurors and they take me away? Make me go home?" The Aengel shrugged helplessly,
"Severus wouldn't let you go back…he'd fight them…" Draco sneered,
"Oh yeah? And what then? You know I'll have to back eventually, Father always gets what he wants and he'll do anything to get it. Always."
Meanwhile, downstairs, Snape was sitting at the table, reading a letter he had just received.
Sev,
I need to talk to you. I know you probably don't want to see me right now, but this is important. Besides, I think this will interest you a great deal. But I'd rather you kept this to yourself, for now at the very least. Please write back with a time and a place as soon as possible.
Regards- C.B
A/N: Greetings! Umm...not much to say today cept, yay for moomin mugs! wooot!
Dragon hugs to...
Hogaboom, KatieMalfoy19, -addicted-2-hp-, pinkalarmclock, blueeyedchibi, lilmissgullable, Golden Angel71, Nikki's Evil Doppelganger, jennawolf30, perfectpureblood, lollenk, natural-181, Slytherin Corps, sugarcupbaby, Tamika DanarDraco, IvybyMoonlight, Sailor Hecate, Dark Princesses, the look of lve.
Love 'n' kisses- Lily xxxxxxxxx