"Draco, please don't give up," Izzy sobbed, her voice becoming more and more urgent, "You'll get out of here, I promise. Talk to me Poppet, please…please…"
"Hurts." The boy whispered, grimacing as a sharp pain shot through his chest, "Just want…to-to sleep…"
"No, Poppet. You might not wake up again. Just try to keep your eyes open." A low whimper escaped Draco's lips and he wrapped his arms around his body, allowing his once silver-blonde hair to fall in a curtain around his face and pressed his eyes tight shut. He knew that his Aengel was right; if he fell asleep, Draco was sure that his body wasn't strong enough to awake again. But maybe that would be good…maybe it would be better…maybe it wouldn't.
Suddenly, Draco started, eyes wide with shock as a pale apparition slowly appeared, pearly-white against the dark contrast of the cupboard.
"Damn it!" The ghost muttered, "Why can't I get the hang of this?" Draco blinked hard, certain that this was an effect of concussion… "Draco?" Snape glided slowly towards the boy, wanting to reach out and comfort him, but he knew that that wasn't possible. But as soon as he came near to his godson, Draco scooted away, burying his face in his hands and letting out small moans of helplessness and fear,
"No! This isn't real, this isn't real. Just a dream…go away!" Severus looked to Izzy confusedly,
"What's wrong? What has happened?" The Aengel shook her head, unable to speak and silently stood up, walking in the ghosts arms. He returned the embrace almost reluctantly, confused that he could touch her but not questioning it all the same,
"You died." She whispered, long fingers running through his hair as if to keep him from evaporating, "You died and you left us."
"I couldn't really help that, you know." He replied seriously, "Please tell me what's happened."
"Draco's breaking and I don't know what to do. I can't protect him and I can't heal him. I feel so useless. Please help him, Sev." The former potions-master nodded and released her, moving slowly over to Draco,
"Talk to me." Draco turned his face towards him,
"You're not real." He said, "Just a dream; a mirage."
"No Draco, it's not a dream. I promise you it's not. Are you okay."
"Hurts." Draco whimpered, hunching his shoulders "Hurts a lot."
"He's been acting like a child for a while, now." Izzabella murmured sadly, "Ever since he came back. Before, he was strong. But now…now he just wants to give in to him. Just like when he was a child." Severus sighed, frustrated that he couldn't hold the boy or give him any sort of physical comfort,
"There are people coming." He told him softly, "Aurors and such. They'll rescue you and your father will go to Azkaban. They'll make sure you're safe."
"You said that before." Draco mumbled, not meeting Snape's eyes, "You promised that I would never go back but I did. What's to say it won't happen again? No matter what happens I'll always have to back. It's just how it is and nobody can do anything to stop that."
"Draco, if you give up now, he'll have won-"
"You don't get it, do you?" Draco yelled, suddenly angry, "The only way he'll 'win' is if I keep fighting I can't do this anymore Sir! I'm too tired and I can't be bothered to just keep trying to escape. There's no point."
"Is that really what you want?" The Aengel asked quietly, resting a hand on his, "Because if you're not sure, you can't go back." The boy hesitated. His chest was still aching and a stabbing pain shot through his head each time he tried to move it. And it wouldn't be long before he came back again…
"Would you stay with me?" He asked tentatively, chewing his lip. Izzy kissed his hand and murmured,
"Forever, Poppet. We both will."
Then it's what I want." He decided resolutely, glaring at Snape's ghost as if daring him to protest. But Severus simply nodded,
"If that's what you want. Sleep now." Slowly and painfully, the boy lay down. His body gradually relaxing as he allowed his tiredness to overcome him. Soon, Draco was deeply asleep, breathing shallow but steady and content. Snape moved over and slipped an arm around Izzy's shoulder's,
"Eternal Sanctuary." He whispered, as they watched their Dragon together..
A/N: 'Smirk' Lol! This will be my last update untill 2 weeks as i am going to france so you'll have to wait for the last chapter then ;)
Sugar Dragons to...
Dark Princesses, Sailor Hecate, Pinkalarmclock, lindylulu, Welfycat, Zarroc, Sexxycookie1223, Irite4uall, Shining Bright Eyes, Ilya of Smeg, PerfectPureBlood, Miss-be-haven, Hecate Goddess of Darkness, grlkat, lollenk, Bri Leonard and Sprite Eyes.
Lots 'o' Love, Lily xxx (Draco sends his regards too)