"Miss Granger, I am fully aware of Miss Winters' illness. All my teachers are working on a cure. She'll be fine."
"But she's dying!" Hermione sobbed. Dumbledore placed his hand on her shoulder.
"We all die, Hermione. I know it's hard, but she'll get better. She will."
"But, but," she mumbled.
"Now, if you will excuse me, I need to help with that cure.
And with that, he ushered Hermione out of his office.

"Granger," Draco spit. She nodded slightly.
"We need to talk."
"About what?" he sneered. "Potter?"
"No," she clenched her teeth. "Kaitlin."
"I'm a little too busy," he lied.
"She's dying, Malfoy," she said softly. Draco sucked in his breath. No way. This was not happening. His dark mark started to itch.

"Fine, I guess seeing me would be her last wish. Take me to her," he said. Trying to contain composure.
His breath started to hitch in his chest, his head throbbed, the world started to take an interesting spin.
"Come on," Hermione muttered and pulled him all the way to the hospital room. Kaitlin was no where in sight.

"Where is-"
"She's in a special room. Now, shh," Hermione whispered. Draco nodded. "You need to tell me exactly why you broke up with her. Or why would she become sick. Did you slip her poison? What about Crabbe or Goyle? There are many possibilities."
"Stop," Draco demanded. "I've never done anything like that to her, nor would I ever."
"I don't know if I can believe you, but we need to save her. What would have caused her to ..." she trailed off.
"I'll help," Draco said.
"Good, but so are Harry and Ron."
"I'll put up with Potter and Weasley," he said coldly, trying not to let Hermione see what he was thinking.
"Do you want to see her?"
"Where's Madam Pomfrey?" he asked quietly.
"On break, I told her I'd watch Kaitlin. Hang on a moment."

"Madam Pomfrey?" she called out. No answer. "Yes, she's gone. Now, let's go."
Draco followed Hermione all the way to the back. She felt the air in front of her and made some motions with her hands. A door appeared and they stepped through. A room filled with bottles of potions lined a window sill and light spilled onto a bed. A bed with a ghostly white Kaitlin Winters on it.
She was laying down, her hair spilled out around her head. She was weak. No color, or laughter in her face. She had her eyes closed and her breathing was extremely shallow. There were dark circles under her eyes as well.
"She's going to make it though, right?" he asked.
"I don't know," Hermione had tears in her eyes and stepped over to one side of the bed and went to Kaitlin.
"Hey," she whispered, smoothing Kaitlin's hair. No response. "I don't think you should talk to her," she whispered. "This probably wasn't a good idea-"

"What's not a good ...idea? Who," Kaitlin took a deep breath, "should I not...talk to?" her voice came out raw and it sounded like whimpers, but Hermione understood.
"Shh, it'll all be okay. Go back to sleep." Kaitlin hadn't seen Malfoy yet, good.
"Who?" Kaitlin asked again.
"No one."
"Tell me," came her tortured whisper.
"It's..."

Draco watched the two interact. Kaitlin was so sick and weak. She hadn't even noticed him. Her eyes were half closed and he wasn't even in her line of vision. His mark started to itch even worse. He turned around and quickly looked at it. The skin around it was red and raw. He pushed his robe sleeve back down and turned to face the girls again. Kaitlin's mouth was hanging open and she was looking straight at him. Then she burst into tears.
"Malfoy," Hermione ground out between clenched teeth, "out."
He started to open the door, but something stopped him.

"Don't," Kaitlin gasped for breath. "Don't go."
Hermione made a shooing motion. He didn't want to leave, but if it was best for Kaitlin...
"Please, don't," Kaitlin pleaded. Hermione shook her head.
"Kaitlin," she whispered. "He has to go and you need to rest."
Kaitlin shook her head and tears spilled down her cheeks.
"We're upsetting her," Draco finally said and Kaitlin nodded.
"I know, that's why I want you out!" she exclaimed quietly. Kaitlin quickly shook her head no.
"Hermione," Katelin whispered.
"What?" she asked, soothingly.
"Can you leave us alone?"

Hermione blinked, and then slowly nodded. "But only for a minute." She looked uneasy.
"Thank you," Draco whispered as she walked to the door. As soon as she left, Draco went to the side where Hermione had left. He bent down to Kaitlin's level.
"Hi," was her ragged whisper. She looked straight at him and tried to smile.
"So, did you trip on a tree root this time?" he laughed quietly.
She tried to laugh too, but started to cough instead.
"Hey, take it easy," he whispered.
Kaitlin swallowed and Draco wiped the tears off her cheeks.
"Do you," she coughed, "miss me?"
"Yes," you could barely hear his answer.
"Me too," she replied.
"I have to go soon," he said slowly. He didn't want to leave her. "Is there anything you need?"
She nodded and pointed at him.
He chuckled. It felt good to laugh and smile again. He leaned over and kissed her. His dark mark started to burn. He had a hard time not making a noise. Slowly, he pulled away from her. She made a pouty face. He forced a laugh this time, his mark burning to a new intensity. "I'll be back," he whispered and left the room.

Hermione came back in after Draco ran out.
Kaitlin had a dreamy look on her face and sighed.
"So, what's the cause for happiness?" Hermione asked.
"I gave in," Kaitlin whispered.
"What?"
"I love him, Hermione. Don't let him in again." Hermione could tell it really pained Kaitlin to do this.
"Why?" she asked quietly.
"I admit I love him, but I don't want him to love me. It'll hurt him when I die," her breathing came even quicker.
"You aren't going to die," Hermione said to her.
"Yes, yes I am," her soft reply bounced off the walls.

Draco knew, without a doubt what had caused the sickness. Him. Him being with her. Him changing paths. All because of something she did. He fell in love with her, he became a better person, and he decided not to kill the Headmaster of the school...so what did that get him? A dead girlfriend, that's what. No way was that happening.

***
"This is all your fault, Malfoy!" Harry shouted. "If you'd just stayed away from her!" The air was charged with anger and confusion.
"This doesn't make any bloody sense!" Ron yelled and they watched Malfoy take it all in, not saying a word.
"I know," he said at last. "I know it's my fault, but it does make sense. Potter, I can't explain it all to you, okay? But your Headmaster is safe," he said.
"Like you could ever to anything to Dumbledore," Ron laughed.
"Don't push me, Weasley," he growled darkly and he stormed out of the room.
First thing first, he had to pack his trunk.

Dark robes blew out behind them. Masks hid their faces, but Kaitlin knew without a doubt, those were faces of killers.
"There's no need to be afraid my dear," a voice that was as cold as ice and it hissed like a snake. She shivered. "It will all be over soon. Just a little more time until your precious Draco breaks." Then the vision changed. She was looking outside the castle... A casket was being carried and another followed.
She looked through the first one and saw Dumbledore. Looking around she realized people were sobbing. Finding Draco, she could tell his eyes were pained and watery. Then, looking in the next casket, her breath caught in her throat. Her. It was her. She watched as she was laid to rest. As soon as that happened, Draco stormed out and back towards the castle.

Follow him.
She tried to speak to Draco once inside, but nothing came out of her mouth.

Then the vision changed again.
"Tell me, Draco," Kaitlin watched herself shout at him. "I can't do this anymore! I can't take it! It's like living isn't worth it. Tell me, please. I can help you. Please, please oh please, tell me."
And Draco just stood there, watching.

Tell me,the voice echoed in her head. She started to slip back into consciousness. Everything hurt so bad she wanted to scream, but she was too weak to do so. Slowly, she opened her eyes to find Draco right beside her. The room was completely dark, but she'd know Draco anywhere. No one else was in the room though. Kaitlin looked at him.
"Draco," she whispered, "what are you doing?"
"Leaving the room," he whispered back. That was best, right? She didn't reply and sucked in a breath. Tears started to fall.
"Don't cry. I won't leave yet if you stop," he said. He bent down to her level.
"Tell me, Draco. Please tell me. It won't make anything worse. I promise. Please." The tears were flowing now.

She gripped his arms with surprising strength. "Tell me," she pleaded.
"It's all my fault," he said, giving in.

"No, it isn't," Kaitlin swallowed. She had no idea. Her hands were rubbing his arms, trying to comfort him. He should be comforting her. He kissed her on the forehead.
"Go back to sleep," he said soothingly. He could tell she was tempted, but she resisted.
He started playing with her hair and Kaitlin took that moment to yank up his sleeve. The dark mark was there, and the skin around it inflamed. He yanked it back down and stared at her. Her chin quivered, but she looked him in the eyes.

With what little strength she had, she pulled him down to kiss him full on the mouth.
"I love you," she murmured. He stepped back, a look of disgust on his face.
"How can you still love me?" he asked. "Don't you realize what I am? Who I am?"
She nodded and started to smile, but he put an end to that.
"It's all my fault, Kaitlin. If I'd stayed away from you. If I hadn't grown attached. If I hadn't changed and fell in love with you, you wouldn't be on your deathbed."

"You love me?" she asked so quietly, someone who wasn't paying close attention would've missed it.
"Of course I do," he stepped closer to her. She smiled and looked up at him. He bent down and kissed her. The last kiss they'd ever share, he reminded himself.
He had to find a cure. Once he did, he'd stay away and he'd face what was in store for him.
Pulling away, he smiled slightly. "Goodnight, Kaitlin."
"Love you, Draco." Her eyes closed and in a few moments, she was asleep. He stepped out of the room, picking up his trunk. He was leaving.
He'd just wanted to say goodbye to her. He hadn't thought she'd wake up and discovered he was a Death Eater. Did she care? Oh no, you would've thought a Death Eater was just a lost kitten, waiting to be rescued.

"Draco," Snape said from behind him, "stop."
"I can't," he said. "I have to go."
"There's only one way to find the cure."
"And what's that?" Draco slowly turned around.
"Come with me."
Slowly, Draco followed and soon, they were in Dumbledore's office.

"Why hello, Draco. A little early to be up this soon, isn't it?" Dumbledore eyed the trunk.
Draco didn't reply.
"Headmaster, about the cure for Miss Winters..."
"Aw, her. Miss Granger came for a visit yesterday about her. Very smart girl. Now, about Miss Winters. Draco, if you want to help her, then you must tell me everything."

Kaitlin was worth it, so why was he hesitating? Would he rather waste the last moments of her life, or save her?
"I'm a Death Eater," he said.
"I know," was Dumbledore's reply.
"I was given a mission. To...to kill you."
Dumbledore nodded.
"But, I got...distracted with...Kaitlin."
"You fell in love with her," Dumbledore smiled. Snape just stood off to the side, thrown into shadows.
"I...I changed and I wanted to be better...for her. I didn't want her to have to deal with things that I do."

True love, Dumbledore thought and smiled to himself.
"I decided not to kill you," Draco said.
"I'm extremely pleased with your decision."
Draco looked a little thrown off, but soon regained control.
"Then my mark started to hurt. I didn't see Kaitlin anymore. She didn't go to the Great Hall or any classes. I could never find out where she was. Soon, Granger-"
"Hermione."
"Hermione came to me and told me Kaitlin was dying. She took me to her. My mark started to hurt and itch worse. I got to see her and be with her and I realized it was my fault. I decided not to do something the dark lord wanted and now, he's taking it out on her."

"No Draco, he's taking it out on you," Dumbledore said.
"Then why am I not sick?"
"Who do you care about the most in the world?"
His first thought was Kaitlin, but he said. "Myself."
"Then why are you trying to find a cure? Why haven't you killed me?"
"Her," he quietly admitted.
"So Lord Voldemort" Draco cringed "is taking it out on you," Dumbledore said.

He'd never thought of it that way, and it made sense. He thought it was just because Kaitlin had started the change in him, but he was wrong. He was trying to destroy Draco through Kaitlin. It was working.

"How can we cure her?" Draco blurted out.
"I'm not for sure. It would have been much easier for Lord Voldemort to use the killing curse, but I think he had someone cast another curse. I'm not for sure exactly which one it is yet. But we don't have much time. Professor Snape predicts that she has three days left."
"Three days?" Draco asked, shocked. Snape and Dumbledore nodded. "No, no, that can't be."
"But it is," Dumbledore said sadly. "I have decided that you may skip classes for the next three days. In that time, you will help Professor Snape and Sprout, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, and Hagrid find a cure for Kaitlin; as well as divide your time with spending it with Miss Winters. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly."
Splendid, now you may go rest. We'll get your trunk taken to your room. It's almost daybreak. Also, we'll have Professor Snape take a look at your arm later. Have a good day, Draco."
Draco nodded and left the office. Leaving his secret, Snape, and Dumbledore behind.
He made it back to Kaitlin's room without getting caught. She was turning back and forth. Whimpering and crying, she moaned.
Moving towards her, he started to talk.
"It's okay. You're all right. Everything is going to be fine." Still, she shook and thrashed. Then, she started screaming. No one came.
"Kaitlin. Kaitlin! It's all right," he picked her up with the blankets still on her. "You're okay. Calm down. No one's going to hurt you."
Her screams stopped, but the whimpering and crying continued. There was a chair in the corner of the room.

Draco sat down in that with Kaitlin in his arms and started to rock her.
"See? Everything is okay." She slowly relaxed in his arms and sighed.
He pulled out his wand and decided to spy.
He carried her back to the bed and he sat on it with her using his chest as a pillow. He touched his dark mark. It hurt so bad he wanted to scream. It was agony. He held his wand in the other hand and preformed Legilimency. She moaned and started to thrash again.
He saw her memories, visions, and thoughts.

Draco kissing her. Draco being with her. Someone standing over her bed, waving a wand. Starting to be sick. Harry Potter teasing her. Hermione Granger spending time with her. Death Eaters crowding in on her. Seeing herself in a casket. Screaming at him. Dreaming of him. Wishing he was there. Wishing he would stay away so he would feel bad when she died. Wishing he didn't love her, but glowed in the knowledge that he did.
People burning her and him. Torturing them both. Kaitlin started to scream again. While screaming, her thoughts were those of being put through torture.
Watching him die. Watching him while he watched her die.
Voldermort speaking and staring straight at her. Seeing him dead at her feet. A voice called his name. He shook his head. Still it spoke. He blinked and realized, Kaitlin was speaking.

"Draco," she mumbled. He smoothed her hair.
"I'm right here."
"I know," she sighed and relaxed again. "My head hurts. I saw you and your parents," she coughed. "And Lord-"
"Shh, go back to sleep," Draco said.
"But I don't want to," she whined quietly. She tried to twist around to face him, but she was too weak. Draco moved off the bed and moved her up to lean against the headboard with pillows behind her.
"Don't leave," she whispered.
"I'm not." He sat beside her and she leaned against him.

They sat in silence for a few minutes and Draco thought she'd fell asleep.
"Don't love me, Draco," she mumbled.
"Try to stop me," he teased.
"I'm going to die," she sighed. "And I don't want you to be upset about it. I know I'm going to die. You can't stop it."
"You aren't going to die so I won't be upset, but the more you talk about dying, the more upset I'll be."
"Good, then you won't be around me because you'll be mad."
"I won't be upset with you, but with me. If you ever did die, I'd follow soon after."
"Oh don't do that! You still have people who depend on you!" Not really, Draco thought.
"Okay, since we can't agree, let's stop talking about it," he said.
Kaitlin yawned. "Now sleep," Draco demanded.
She leaned over and kissed him. "I don't want to."
"But you need to."
"If I'm going to die, I want to be awake."
"You aren't so you're going to sleep."
"Not if I can change your mind," she coughed.

"Nope, you need sleep. You're sick."
"I'm busy," she whispered.
"Doing what?" he asked bewildered. Stubborn woman.
She kissed him again. "This."
"We can do this," he kissed her back, "later."
"Fine," she yawned and snuggled against him. "Just don't leave."
"I won't. Sleep well, Winters."
"Dream of me, Malfoy," was her amused, yet weak reply.
"Always do," he laughed quietly.