Falling Tears

Chapter II

A Haunting Dream

That night in his bed, Draco Malfoy lay staring out his window at the pale moon, the gentle rays glowing down onto his smooth skin. The cool breeze blowing through gently played at his golden hair.

Many thoughts were running through his mind concerning what had happened only moments earlier. 'Why did I have to hesitate?' he thought, 'Why couldn't I have just killed her?' Sighing inwardly he remembered that bracelet, why had she still been wearing it? She hated him right? He had expected her to have taken it off by now. In fact he had completely forgotten he'd given it to her. All they did at Hogwarts all these years was fight. Was it even possible she still cared about him?

Draco didn't know why, but seeing that she still wore his bracelet made him feel wordless happiness, but also sadness. His heart ached and he felt more guilt then he ever imagined possible.

He swallowed hard at a lump forming in his throat when he thought of that look she had in her eyes as he raised the dagger ready to kill her. He remembered all the tears streaming down her beautiful face, as he heard her say his name, "Draco…please…." His first name, a thing she rarely said.

Draco tried to shake the memory out of his mind but he couldn't. The image remained permanently engraved not only there, but also on his heart. He began to have images from his past, ones where he and her were playing together, laughing together, and then…the kiss she gave him suddenly flashed past.

He winced and squeezed his eyes closed trying to block it out. Every memory, every image of her brought unbearable pain that weighed down the feeling of guilt on his soul.

Turning on his side he stared at the picture that stood on the table next to his bed. It was of his father wearing the same fake smile on his face that he always used.

Draco's eyes stared into those of his father and saw his own reflection within their cold emptiness. It made him feel worse, thinking about being like him. A mirrored replica of the very thing he hated. He didn't want to grow up to be his father, but he knew that's where he was heading. Hatred, fear, and an empty heart, that was all his father was.

"You're the reason I became this way." He said quietly, "Why did you do this to me?"

He closed his eyes slowly, hoping that he could be relieved by the comfort of sleep. It took some time to finally shake off all the mixed emotions running through his mind but he was granted it. However, he didn't find relief, as he had a haunting dream.

… (Dream) …

Draco saw himself walking down to the dungeons holding in his hand the dagger. He pushed the door open and looked down at the figure lying on the ground. She slowly raised her head and he saw that it was Hermione. She looked up at him with pleading and innocent eyes as he walked over to her with the dagger hidden behind his back.

Hermione got up and walked over to him, "I love you." He heard her softly whisper. He nodded his head, "I love you to Hermione Granger." Stroking her face gently with one hand while, clenching the hidden object tighter in the other.

He continued to stroke her on the cheek softly while speaking many comforting inaudible words and gazing at her through soft warm eyes. He saw her smile and wrap her arms around him trustingly, and he began to tremble. The hand behind his back seemed to be deciding whether to drop the weapon or raise it to the girl clinging onto him.

Suddenly his eyes grew colder and narrowed, fear and hatred taking over them. His face morphed into that of his fathers and he raised the weapon behind him, bringing it out of hiding. "It's time Granger." He, his father, hissed fiercely.

Hermione backed away, "No Draco! Stop! Don't listen to your father, don't let him consume you! Don't be afraid, please listen to me…I love you!"

Draco, as his father, however, continued moving towards her ready to strike. "Where's the Draco I used to know? Is this what you've become? You're father? You've become just like him!" Hermione continued. Something flashed through Draco's eyes, regret, but fear was still clearly present and he threw the weapon into her heart.

His face changed back instantly and his eyes widened once he realized what he had done. "NO!" he screamed, "NO!" He ran over to her and knelt down beside her dying figure. She reached out a weak and shaking hand holding the bracelet in a fragile grasp. He grabbed it and heard he whisper almost indistinctly, "Th-this could have saved y-you…" He took it from her, tears forming in his eyes.

Then he looked around frantically at the darkness surrounding him. He was consumed by it and his eyes closed, "What have I done?" he whispered as he fell to the ground.

… (End of Dream) …

Draco screamed and his eyes shot open. Sweat was pouring from his forehead and covered his entire body. Sitting up slowly he blinked several times and tried to calm his rapid breathing. "It was only a dream." He gasped.

A sudden memory flashed through his mind of him handing the bracelet to Hermione. He shook his head and, unable to handle anymore, threw off his covers and climbed out of bed. He grabbed a candle and quickly left the room seeking a place where he could clear his mind and think.

'I hate her' he thought as he walked unaware of where he was heading, 'She is the foulest thing on this earth, a Mublood.' He sighed, 'She's only a Mudblood.'