MY LAST NAME

Chapter 9

It had been four and a half days since Hermione and Draco had last seen each other. Hermione was still sat at her desk, the clock reading 10:37pm. She pulled up her thin grey cardigan as a chill ran over her soft skin. She smiled as she delicately touched her lips, she could still feel Draco, ever so slightly, his presence was still there. She placed her pen down on her desk whilst standing up, then walked over to her window. The street lamps had flickered to life, as she saw people running in from the heavy rain that had appeared from nowhere. She walked through to the snug, and pondered over her and Draco's conversation. Her heart ached. She wanted to se him again, but her mind was telling her that he was trouble. She decided that it was late, and walked into her bedroom.

It was black. It was cold, and he was wet. There was nothing to hear except the subtle hissing of a snake, it made him nauseous, it made him panic, and it hurt. His arm burnt as light exploded around him. His eyes were wide, he held a wand in Dumbledore's face. His extended arm shuck, it froze where he stood. He knew what was coming, but he couldn't stop it. Snape shouted, and a flash of light. But it wasn't Dumbledore falling, it was Draco. He screamed but nothing was heard except the empty sound of Voldemort's laughter. As he hit the ground, he shot up in bed, screaming, pale, and sweating through his sheets. His room was a deadly black, and it struck horror into him more. He ran across the room, and into his bathroom. His eyes watered as he threw up every last thing in his stomach once again. His arms wrapped around the toilet as two of his servants rushed in and flicked the lights on.

"Sir, are you alright?" They looked frightened. Draco had no time for them.

"Does it look like I'm bloody alright?" He spat into the toilet and made himself more comfortable, the older servant turned to the younger one who had asked him the question.

"The master has nightmares, it's best to wait until he's strong enough to talk" she whispered and ushered out the terrified looking woman. Draco flushed the toilet and slowly walked over to the sink. He stooped over the sink, composing himself before quickly brushing his teeth. Exhausted from his sleepless night, he walked back into his room.

More time had passed and Hermione still hadn't heard anything of Draco. It angered her slightly, as she longed to spend time with him again. Maybe he'd truly shown his true colours, maybe he was always going to be the same person. Her heart grew heavy with guilt from her thoughts. She walked over to her desk and grabbed a piece of parchment. She roughly rubbed a tear away from her eye before scribbling,

Dear Draco,

She sat staring at the piece of paper, before she decided to take matters into her own hands. She screwed up the piece of paper and threw it into the bin before grabbing her bag, and her house keys.

She apparated outside The Malfoy Residence, and took a deep breath. She marched up to the front door and knocked confidently on it. A shy looking servant answered.

"I'm here to see Mr Malfoy" she stated her business.

"I, sorry ma'am, but the master isn't seeing anyone today" she looked sympathetic. This struck to Hermione as odd.

"Well, is everything alright?" Hermione asked, concern seeping into her voice. The servant looked down and shuck her head before looking helplessly at Hermione.

"The nightmares ma'am, they're getting worse" she whispered. "He hardly sleeps, he's too scared." She looked saddened. "Maybe you could, perhaps sneak past me, y'know, whilst I'm not looking" she winked, Hermione got the hint and gently smiled. She slipped last the servant and into the cold, empty, echoing hallway.

"He's in his study ma'am, where you both had tea. But I'll have to warn ya ma'am, he's been on the bottle" she looked down. Hermione gave her a warm half-smile, and walked through the long corridors before she reached the study. She gently opened the door and tentatively walked in. She looked around, no sight of Draco.

"Draco?" She walked a little further in, her arms wrapped around her body. The fire was limp, and almost lifeless, the room was full of smoke, and smelt heavily of cigarettes. The room was cold, not like when she had been to visit.

"What the-?" Draco appeared from behind a bookshelf, his shirt was undone, and his hair was roughly tied back. He quite frankly, looked a mess.

"What in the gods name are you doing here?" He looked disgusted. Hermione hurt, he spoke to her like she was filth, like she was vermin.

"You haven't written for a while, so I came to see -"

"You have no right to be here" he interrupted bitterly walking towards her, pointing at her. She was scared, she had made a huge mistake. He walked close to her, she could smell the alcohol on his breath. His eyes were red, bloodshot. He leaned close, almost resting his lips upon her ear.

"What's the matter Granger? Are you scared?"

Hermione shuddered as her breath became shallow. He walked away from her and sparked up a cigarette. He took a long drag before blowing out a mushroom cloud of smoke. She looked at him sympathetically.

"What's happened to you Draco?" She whispered, still frozen on the spot. He laughed bitterly.

"Nothing has happened, Hermione Granger. You just caught me on a good day." He took another drag before continuing. "This is who I am, and I told you I wasn't good for you" he walked back over to her and brought his voice down, he rested his lips upon her ear once more, "but the perfectly innocent, Miss Hermione Granger, didn't believe me." He was intimidating. "I suggest you leave me to rot, and roll in my self pity, before you get hurt." He whispered maliciously.

And with that she slapped him across the face. Tears were rolling down her face.

"Draco Malfoy have you heard yourself?" She half shouted. He remained in the same position. Strands of hair had fallen down and fell over his eyes. "You're acting like a monster"

"Because that is what I am!" he shouted at her, his voice bellowing.

"No you're not! Oh for goodness sake, get over yourself!" She screamed back. They both stood still for a moment, their emotions running high.

"It's the alcohol, and the cigarettes that make you the monster." She took a step forward. "The Draco I know is loving, caring, and a wonderful friend" she tentatively walked closer to him. She could see the anger tensed in his muscles. His breath was shallow, his teeth clenched. She slowly moved the pieces of hair away from his eyes, and looked into them. They softened almost instantly, as he fell to his knees. She kneeled down as he looked down at the floor.

"It's him" he whispered, his voice shaking.

"Who?"

"Voldemort, he still haunts me" Draco's eyes started to burn as tears ran down his face. "I'm scared to sleep, because he's there, waiting for me"

Hermione held him close, she hated seeing him in such pain. Draco's heart was heavy, he sobbed into Hermione's warm hold, until he felt strong enough to look at her.

"I'm so sorry, I should never have treated you this way" he cupped her cheek with his hand. "I'm a disgusting human being, and I am exceptionally lucky to have you, sat here with me." He closed his eyes as more tears rolled down his face. He looked down. "I don't deserve you."

Hermione's heart wept, as she placed her hand on top of his which was cupping her face. She wiped his tears away, and held his hand.

"What good is a friend, when you can't weep on their shoulder?" he looked at her with wide eyes, as she smiled warmly at him. His heart soared, her smile was the only thing that could make him happy, whilst he was stuck in such a dark place. She stood up with him and wrapped a blanket around his shoulders. She took him into a grand bathroom and ran a warm bath whilst he sat on the floor beside her.

"Now, wash yourself, I will go help the servants tidy your study"

"That is their job, I pay them to do such" he rubbed his brow. "Please stay" he looked at her,"please don't leave me." His voice became limp and lifeless as his whole body seemed to deflate. She smiled.

"It's my turn to say it now"

"To say what?"

She bent over and kissed his cheek.

"To say that I will never leave you, Draco Malfoy."