I know this chapter is shorter than the others, and it's strangely a small turning point for Draco and how he sees Cameron, lol. Ok, before I tell you more than I should, read:
Another day had passed, and Draco still wasn't coming around. I was no less determined, though. I knew he'd be my Draco, the one he was when sleeping, if I just gave him enough time. He'd actually had dinner with me last night, but he didn't say a word. I couldn't tell if he was trying to get out anymore, or if he was just trying to think of new ways to get out.
It didn't matter what he thought of, nothing would work. I saw him look down at his wand every so often, as if wondering why it wouldn't get him out of this predicament, but it didn't give him any response.
I carefully balanced the basket I had hanging on my arm to hang on the branch. Bracing myself against the trunk, I reached my hand out to grasp a bunch of cherries. I love this season! It gives me a valid reason to climb trees this high. I hummed happily to myself as I filled the basket with black cherries. I couldn't wait to eat these later; they always taste better when I've picked them myself.
I heard whistling and looked down to see Draco strolling onto the patio, hands in his pockets.
"Hope you don't fall," he called with a sneer, and then flicked his hand from his pocket. It was holding his wand, and he gleefully flicked his wrist again.
My foot slipped, crashed into my other foot, and down I fell, hitting one branch with my right shoulder, and landing on my left side on the stone of the patio. It hurt. I gasped, trying to catch my breath through the pain. I think my shoulder was dislocated, I couldn't move it. I didn't want to move it, it hurt when I breathed. But I couldn't stop doing that, so…
"Whoops." I heard Draco's happy chirp above me and glared as best I could with tears in my eyes.
And then came the whoosing sound.
"What did we tell you?" Dasan demanded, and the smile slipped right of Draco's smug face. The air crackled around the wizard clothed in black, and he growled at the boy, even though his voice was a soft hiss. He whipped his head around to look me over with a critical eye. Disgusted, he shook his head. "You deliberately hurt her. Why?"
Draco squirmed, his wand held loosely in his hand as though he knew it would be of no use to him in this situation. He was right, it wouldn't.
Dasan shrugged when no answer was forthcoming, and raised his hand, palm pointed straight at Draco, who was trembling.
I closed my eyes, and put a shield around him. He was shaking, his hair falling into his eyes, his smirk completely gone, and I couldn't let anyone hurt him. He was too pretty. He was too much my Draco in this moment. I know why he'd hurt me, and I was sure Dasan knew it, too, but didn't care. He never cared.
I woke on the couch in the library. Draco was in my chair, head bowed as though praying. I wondered what he was praying for, because I knew it couldn't be me. The blanket draped on me fell as I tried to sit up, every muscle in my body screaming for me to stay still. Draco's head snapped up, and I saw that his eyes were red. Maybe he was allergic to something.
"You're awake." He made to stand, but then changed his mind, and sat back down.
I nodded, relieved that he was speaking to me, instead of yelling like he usually did. "What happened?" I asked, even though I was pretty sure I knew. Might as well make sure.
"He…he did Crucio on you, or something." Draco shook his head, not in a negative way, but in the way that people do when they have a thought they want to get rid of. "You were, writhing around on the ground, your mouth open like you wanted to scream…" he shuddered, and wrapped his arms around himself for a second before realizing what he was doing. His grey eyes locked on mine. "Why?"
I shrugged. "I don't like to let them hear me scream." God, I was thirsty. I didn't think my body would let me stand, though.
"No," Draco said, his voice strangely soft and…understanding? No, that can't be it. "I mean, why didn't you let them kill me?" he choked on the word kill and there was a beautiful desperation in his storm cloud eyes that mesmerized me. More so than his hair, even.
I shrugged again. "Because…I couldn't let them. They've done much worse to me, and they're still alive. Why should they get to kill you just because you annoy them?" Because if I'd have let you die, I'd be alone again.
He nodded, but I could tell he didn't understand still. Oh, well. That was the easiest way for me explain it, so I wasn't going to try any further. Maybe he'll understand if I give him time.
"Draco?" I asked, tentatively, sure that the niceness he was showing now would wear off the moment I asked for something. I might as well try. Maybe he'll stay my Draco. "Could I get some water?" I bit my lip, waiting for him to huff and leave the room, or tell me to get my own.
He jumped off the chair. "Of course," he said quickly, starting for the door, and then pausing halfway. "Do you want anything else?"
I stared at him for a minute before mutely shaking my head. Okay, this was new. I hummed as I leaned back against the couch arm, turning to look at the fire. See, I knew he could be himself when he was awake. Maybe I could get him to play games with me now that he was himself.
As soon as the pain dies down, I decided, as my muscles shrieked in agony. Yeah, I should probably wait a little bit. Maybe he'll read to me. I smiled as I imagined his soft voice filling the room. I wish that he was going to stay this way, but I wasn't gonna get my hopes up.