Velvet: Hey guys... i'm sorry it took so long. But first I just kept editing it... and then I lost over two thousand words of it... so i'm not proud of this chapter. I loved how the original chapter had turned out... and then it was gone... my computer wigged out and locked up so i had to turn it off... I lost almost everything... *Bursts into tears*
Draco: *Comforts Velvet* I liked the original one.
Velvet: I did too Draco. I did too.
I had my cheek in my hand. I was muttering to myself when Hermione came in with Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape behind her. All three looked extremely worried, although I wasn't sure why, since they couldn't possibly have known about what happened. It wasn't much anyway so it didn't matter. None of them would believe me if I told them that though, so I settled for the confused look. They looked right back at me as though this was some sort of strange staring contest.
"Draco, what ha- what did he do to you?" Her eyes were wide, obviously talking about the fact that my hand was on my cheek. Alright so none of them knew... so why had they looked so worried? I sighed and looked at all three. Madam Pomfrey was holding a small bottle in her hand. Hermione was looking more frazzled than ever, and Snape was... being Snape. Well as Snape-like as he could be since he was obviously worried about something.
"Nothing. Its nothing, really." None of them looked convinced, and I sighed. "Why are you all so worried?" I wasn't sure why they were. They had no reason to be worried, even if they knew what my father had done. It really was no big deal. Just a slap, nothing more. They were overreacting. Just because my father is... well... evil, doesn't mean everything he does to me is life threatening or anything like that.
"Your father looked... upset. What happened to make him look like that?" That was, surprisingly, Professor Snape. I was shocked. Upset? He looked upset? There was no way... he hit me because he hated me... right? I was so confused. I put my hand on my head, after removing it from my cheek. Hermione came over, and put a hand on that same cheek.
"Draco, I don't know about the wizarding world, but in the muggle world this is illegal." She had tears in her eyes. I sighed. It honestly didn't matter to me. I honestly didn't know, nor did I care, whether or not it was legal. Why should I? My father would buy his way out either way.
"Hermione, it's really no big deal. Remember that bruise? That was worse than this." She knew what I was talking about. No one else who heard me did. I sighed. "I have to explain now, don't I?" Madam Pomfrey gave a small nod, whereas Professor Snape just looked at me. I got the hint though. "Seventh year Slytherins. We got into a fight. He punched me," at this, everyone winced. "Then Blaise took out his wand to defend me, after the seventh year took out his." Snape looked... murderous. Which made sense. He did his best to keep us snakes on good terms, so when he heard of anything that was happening within his house that was causing pain he helped instantly. It was probably a good thing he didn't know that Blaise was the only Slytherin that would talk to me.
"He didn't use it on you... did he?" He looked worried. I couldn't lie to him. I nodded. He turned and left suddenly. I heard a loud noise coming from outside the curtain. Madam Pomfrey ran out quickly. Hermione peeked out, flinched, then ducked her head back in quickly. She looked both horrified, and like she was going to burst out laughing. It was strange enough to say the least.
"He punched a wall. Madam Pomfrey has to heal his hand now though, he's broken it." I couldn't help but smirk, and Hermione couldn't hold back giggles either. "Draco... why did he hit you?" I sighed. She wanted so much information that I always did my best to keep secret.
"Because I talked back. He told me he didn't have a choice, that he had to do it, yet he wouldn't tell me why. I got mad, and he smacked me." I felt tears fall down my face. Hermione sat on my bed with me, and stroked my hair. I figured she was trying to comfort me. It was, surprisingly, working. "Thanks."
"Draco, just because he hates you doesn't mean everyone does." I sighed. I knew what she was talking about. She was talking about what I said to her in the Charms corridor. About how she didn't have to take care of me, and wondering what she was gaining from it.
"I... I know." I sighed, and leaned into her. It didn't even register in my mind. I just... did it. I closed my eyes trying to forget everything. I couldn't shake the feeling though. The feeling that I would be better off dead. I groaned inwardly, knowing that any moment Professor Snape would burst through the curtain and shove some anti-depressant potion down my throat. Even though I knew it, I couldn't shake the feeling. "Would you mind leaving me alone so I can fall asleep? It's just... hard when you're here. No offense of course." She nodded. Obviously, no offense was taken. I smiled to myself, happy that she wasn't upset.
"Of course Draco." She smiled at me and got up. She turned and left and I fell asleep almost instantly.
I don't know when I woke up, but i'm sure it was late. I realized there was noise outside the curtains that surrounded my bed. I strained my ears to listen.
"You have to tell him! He has a right to know!" That was my mother, I recognized her voice from all the times she would whisper to me. I knew what she was talking about, but did that mean she knew?
"I know. He does have a right to know, but I can't tell him here. Not at Hogwarts. I'll wait until he's home." I was shocked. Was he crazy? Professor Snape was going to take care of me, wasn't he? That's what he said... It seemed my mother was thinking the same thing.
"You're kidding right? You heard Severus, he isn't coming home!" Alright, so I wasn't crazy. That did happen. What my father said next was shocking. I will probably never understand why he said this.
"I don't care, I want him home!" He... wants... me... home? What the hell? He probably just wants me home so he has a practice dummy. A live one. Honestly, I think the screams must make him happy or something. I never understood it, but he liked a live dummy. It turns out my mother was thinking the same thing.
"So you can practice spells on him? Lucius you treat him like a human practice dummy! So you can argue all you want, but if Draco wants to come home then he must be mental!" Nice mother right there, really. Getting called mental for wanting to go home... yeah most people don't hear that every day. I mean I agree going home would be like going to hell, but that's a little harsh.
"You know very well I had no choice!" I sighed. Really, he was pulling that again? I took my pillows and pulled them in front of my mouth. I screamed into them, knowing perfectly well they wouldn't hear me, and put them down a minute later. I listened and realized they had stopped talking. "I thought I heard something." I held my breath and faked being asleep, just in case. They continued their conversation.
"Look, I know that but that doesn't mean-" That was as far as she got. I couldn't believe what came out of her mouth! She knew about this? I couldn't trust anyone anymore! It felt like life walked up and slapped me across the face. My whole life was suddenly a lie. Everything and everyone. My mother was the one I had always trusted, if I couldn't trust her, who could I trust?
"You mean you two have been lying to me for SIXTEEN YEARS!" I was pissed at them. My so called "Parents" lied to me my entire life! The curtains around my bed were thrust aside and my Parents were looking at me. My father looked nervous, which was not something I had ever seen on him before. My mother looked upset though, which she should, she had lied to me my entire life.
"Draco..." I turned my head away from them. I didn't care what my mother had to say to me because I was not going to listen to her, or my father, or anyone. I closed my eyes and ignored them, shutting everything and everyone out. "Draco if you'll just listen..." I refused to do anything. I didn't say a word, and didn't have to. She couldn't make me talk.
"Draco..." My father this time, didn't they understand? I was hating them more and more. The worst part was that neither of them seemed to realize how terrible this actually was. I was reminded of when I was upset at how my father had seemed to have disowned me. Now I was wishing he had. I heard a noise and Madam Pomfrey came into view.
"What do you two think you're doing? Out OUT!" She all but shoved my parents away and closed the curtains sharply. I heard her harsh whispers from behind the curtains and listened closely. Madam Pomfrey was fun to listen to when she was pissed, and this time it was at my parents. This would be interesting. "What do you two think you're doing? I've already requested a calming draught for him, the boy is stressed enough as it is, what are trying to do? Need I remind you about the knife?"
At the mention of the knife, I heard my mother whimper. The knife... the knife. My parents had lied to me... I needed the knife. And if I couldn't get my hands on that, i'd get whatever I could find. My life wasn't getting better, it was getting worse. No one cared...
No one cares, no one cares...
I heard footsteps and then a voice. A voice I did not want to be hearing at the moment. Professor Snape was here, and I was hoping he would leave quickly. I was too tired to keep my mind blank at the moment.
"You wished to see me?"
"Yes, Severus, I believe having young Mister Malfoy's parents here at the moment is unwise. He's become quite unsettled. As it is, he needs his calming draught. Is it finished?" I guess he nodded here because her response was quite happy. "Good, good." I guess she gestured towards my bed here. I really hate not knowing these things. I pretended to be asleep and heard him place the potion next to me, then leave.
"Is there anything else?" After a few minutes of silence I heard footsteps leaving and assumed that Madam Pomfrey had shaken her head. I assumed now would be a good time to leave and I started to get up, when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up into Madam Pomfrey's eyes. She looked worried, scared, confused, and angry. I was impressed at the amount of emotions the woman could give off at one time. It was amazing. I groaned though. I was caught in the act. How though, I wasn't sure.
"You aren't leaving this bed Mr. Malfoy." I put on an innocent look. I didn't want anyone to know what I was going to do. Even if it meant lying. Especially if it meant lying. I hadn't lied in a while.
'Please ma'am? Just to use the bathroom?" I put on an innocent look, and she looked unwavering for a moment. Eventually, though, she sighed and nodded.
"You have five minutes." I got up and left, and saw a small knife on one of the bedside tables to an occupied bed. I assumed it was just something unused from a meal in here and grabbed it before I went into the bathroom. I stepped inside and sat down. my head in my hands. They had been lying to me my entire life. I gripped the knife and laid it against my wrist when I heard someone run towards the door. There was a bang on the door.
"Draco, don't!" That was Professor Snape, and I seriously wish he'd leave me alone. How would he understand? He hadn't been lied to for sixteen years by his own parents. I just wanted... no... needed, to end my life. My life was a lie, and it was pointless. Just as I was about to end it, I heard a different voice. A voice that belonged to a person that I thought wasn't here at the moment.
"Draco, i'm begging you, please don't do this." It was Hermione, and I wanted to scream at her. I wanted to scream at everybody, and that's exactly what I did. I exploded. No one understood! Didn't they get it? I didn't care about my life anymore!
"WHY? WHY SHOULDN'T I? MY LIFE WAS A LIE!" At this I broke down into sobs. I heard the lock click and I felt arms wrap around me. I knew it was Hermione and leaned into her shoulder in tears. We just sat there for a while with me crying in her arms. Finally, I looked up and saw everyone looking at me sympathetically. I turned to Hermione.
"Draco... just because your life was a lie, doesn't mean no one cares about you." As soon as she said that, I realized she was right. If nothing else, she cared about me. She had been doing so much for me all year. I felt tears come to me eyes again. "Draco, we just want to help. We want this to stop... if you'll let us help you. Please." Her eyes were full of worry and I looked down. I felt like a child being scolded by his parents. I heard footsteps and looked up as my father got down on his knees, which was strange enough.
"Draco, more than anything I wish I could take back everything I did to you. I can't though... and i'm truly sorry for that." I was shocked at what he said, but did he think i'd just forgive him on the spot? A small part of me wanted to... but the much larger part of me said he needed time. He'd created deep wounds... too deep to be healed with a simple apology.
"I forgive you... but it's going to take much more then a simple apology." My look was soft though, and I stood up. I ran from the Hospital Wing as fast as my legs could carry me. I needed time to sort through everything that had happened.
Velvet: Wow... a much different ending then the original chapter... but I couldn't get everything. Sorry guys :( but I tried my best. If I can somehow magically locate the original chapter i'll post it up, but the storyline will follow this chapter. I probably won't find the original one though.