Her Darkening Shadows

Chapter Two: Shadows Forming

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Draco, hence why I am writing on a fan fiction site.

Capella lay bed, frustrated, and shaking. Through the window she could see the storm forming, luckily however, she couldn't hear it yet. It's going to be a long night. Capella thought to herself as she saw the clouds move slowly together, ever darkening.

Capella tried to concentrating on her homework but the growing storm was too distracting. Suddenly, there was a crackle of lightning that made Capella jump a good few feet of the bed and draw a small scream from her lungs. With that scream, her anxiety and fear of storms officially started. Within the next few hours, the storm had developed from far away, to being only five miles out. After many torturous sleepless (or little sleep) nights, the distance was close enough to tear her apart. Finally though, Capella fell asleep. Only to dream, of storms.

(Capella's Dream)

--

Capella was a little girl, maybe four or five years old. She was in a corridor lit with only the occasional torch. Whether she was running to or from something, (the older Capella) couldn't tell.

"Capella!" A man's voice called out, soft and gentle.

The little girl slowed down and looked over her shoulder. Behind her, she saw five men, clad in black with hoods shadowing their faces. They were walking towards her, the stride of their long legs advancing on her short ones, however quick she moved her legs.

Between the echoes of the men's unison steps, Little Capella could hear the sounds from the maturing storm outside. She ran faster, as the men behind her continued to call her name as they chased after her. The storm too was advancing as her pace quickened. Every turn revealed another long hall and another crack from the storm. The men were calling her name again, getting closer and closer. She quickened her pace. Around the next corner, was silent relief. The men hadn't rounded the corner yet and Capella could see a door at the end. But then the men were almost close enough to grab her. The door, was close, but it was getting harder for her to run. Her body was shaking, her running was staggered and her breathing was coming in sharp, shallow intakes. Just when she thought she couldn't run any further she could see the grooves in the door. As she neared it, the men stopped behind her. The same voice from the beginning of the dream called out to her. She didn't respond. There was silence again.

Boom!

The storm had returned. With that blast of thunder, Capella tripped on her staggering feet and fell.

Capella woke up, sweaty and tangled in her beddings, her breathing coming in shallow sharp breaths. Slowly though, she calmed down some, at least enough to be able to look out the window. Clear skies, she thought to herself as she looked out her window and saw that the storm had moved on for the night. After a few minutes, Capella untangled herself and made her way into the common room.

Draco sat in his favorite leather chair in the common room. Shadowed by the fireplace, he could feel the heat but not be seen by its light. A perfect observation point. Tonight Draco was waiting to see if Capella would come out and sit in the commons again, like he thought she did nights prior. He sat and waited, reflecting on the behavior he'd seen from her during the last few days.

Around two a.m. Capella finally came out. She was dragging a duvet wrapped around her shoulders with her. Draco watched as the girl walked over to her favorite sofa. It was a two seater near the fire. It was just large enough that she could curl up comfortably with a pile of pillows. He watched as she brought her knees to her chest, and pulled her blanket around herself and gazed into the fire. Like the last time Draco saw Capella sitting like this, she was gazing into the fire, and her body was shaking underneath the blanket. Draco was sure it wasn't from the cold, if he had to guess, he would go back to the conversation he had with Capella that morning…

(Flashback)

Capella? Draco thought as he saw the deep purple house robe draped over the thin body. He took a step closer toward the chair and the floor squeaked. Immediately Capella sat up and looked around.

"Hi, Draco…" Capella said, holding her tea tightly, as if for security.

"Uh hey… rough night?" Draco, by curios instinct, got himself stuck in a jam. It was likely that Zambini and Montague would be sluggishly awake soon and wanting to go to breakfast, Capella looked like she wanted to talk.. You're a Malfoy Draco. You don't talk remember? Draco remembered all to well how Malfoy's don't talk. Every pureblood has their demons…

"Yeah…" Capella replied. "Just the storms… they keep me up sometimes."

"Looks more like all of the time…" Malfoy mumbled before walking away

(End Flashback)

Afraid of storms… her? She seems so fearless, so tough…so… in your face I'm better than you. But that's probably what made her that way. Like me, with my fear of my father, of the Dark Lord… Draco debated moving towards Capella and comforting her. "Wrap your arm around her Draco" A little Draco on his right shoulder said. "Right, because that's what Malfoy's do…" Another Draco (on his left shoulder said) "If I do that," Draco thought, "She might think something of it. Maybe that I like her, which… I sort of do… Or that I know what she's going through… which I guess I do.. and don't.."

Draco's thoughts went on like this for a little over half an hour. In this time, Capella had slid down the sofa and fallen asleep, the duvet slipping to the floor. After Draco's internal debate, he decided that he would indeed, wrap his arms around her in comfort.

Draco got up from his chair and walked over to Capella, only to see that she was spread out across the sofa and there was no room for him and that she had fallen asleep... He watched her as she slept. The slow rise and fall of her chest, the way her hair fell across her face, the way she seemed to be smiling. "So beautiful…" Draco whispered, as he gently brushed a lock of hair away from her mouth. Capella shifted, turning her body towards Draco. He froze, his hand just inches from her face.

"I don't need your help" Capella said in her sleep. She was dreaming of the man who chased her and called her name as a little girl. Draco looked at her carefully, trying to figure out if she was asleep or awake and just keeping her eyes closed.

"But I want to help..." Draco replied. Whether Capella was asleep or not, it felt good for Draco to say it out loud.

"Where are my parents!" Capella said, almost shouting, she knew the men had done something to them, and now they were coming after her. Draco was silent, he didn't know what was going on now, he was completely confused.

"What did you do to them?" Capella whispered this, with much less anger, and more sadness, then her last outburst.

"They're safe, I did nothing..." Draco replied. Hoping that maybe, he could calm her.

"I...I don't believe you... I know what you are!" Capella's tone was sharp, and definitely not directed at Draco.

"What am I then?" Draco said, playing along. It was rather amusing, he admitted to himself, and, maybe, just maybe, it would lead to some information as to why thunderstorms affected her so much.

Capella's arm shot straight out,finger pointed, nearly swiping Draco across the face. "Your- You're a death eater! All of you!" Her voice sounded scratching and shaking, sort of watery. Draco looked down to see her crying.. and started laughing, although he knew he shouldn't be. Capella let out a scream, it was loud, atleast, it was loud right in Draco's ear, but it was cut of mid pitch, and her hand fell limp, back onto the sofa. Draco let out a loud chuckle, then tried to surpress it before he woke her up.

"Malfoy...?" Capella said softly, facing Draco as if she was talking to him. Draco was silent and still. He held his breath and froze, hoping he didn't wake her up. He wasn't ready for that awkward moment.

After a few seconds, when Draco was sure she was still asleep, he moved back a bit, leaning against the table behind him. He watched her, looking vulnerable, as she tucked her hands around her waist and let out a shiver. It was then that Draco realized that he had been watching for to long, no matter how cute she looked, and got up. He picked up her duvet and draped it gently across her body, tucking it in so that it wouldn't fall off again before morning.

To help keep her a little warmer the boy added more wood to the fire in hopes that it would last long enough until the house elves came to tend it. Finally, content that his sleeping beauty would be okay until she woke up, Draco Malfoy made his way across the common room and up the stairs to his own bed, where he too, curled up, in hopes of a few hours of sleep before breakfast and classes.