Okay, I thought I'd get to the bank scene in this chapter, but it didn't quite happen. Anyways, enjoy!
We have it all worked out, and I'm scared to death, because even a slight mistake will get us all killed. Hermione will step out of the house, the spitting image of Bellatrix Lestrange, and we'll all shudder involuntarily, I know it.
I'll be struck by an irrational surge of anger, because even though I'll know it's Hermione all I'll see is the curve of her eyebrows, the constant smirk on her face, and how she's the spitting image of the woman who almost killed Draco.
Draco holds up rather well, considering, and at least puts on a brave face for everyone, determined to show his support by being optimistic of the mission. But every once and awhile during the meetings I'll see him look away, see the frustration and fear in his eyes. He's stronger than I am, than we all are, because he's gotten through so much he shouldn't have had to deal with, but I know why it's hard for him. He's breaking into the biggest wizarding bank in a face that isn't his, and he'll be seeing the faces of those he's had to work with.
Ron and Hermione bid us good night, hugging us briefly in reassurance. Ron looks like he doesn't want to leave until Draco does, but Hermione drags him away pointedly, bringing me to smile at her gratefully.
"You okay?" I ask Draco, walking to meet him at the window. He looks beautiful in the moonlight, his hair light and angelic, her skin soft and shining, his eyes pale and grey and sad. He's a little less thin, although still so tragic.
"I miss my parents, I miss my friends, I miss my life, Harry. I know you're struggling and fighting, and you have been for the past six months, but I don't think you understand what I've been living through. I was all alone, and no one trusted me. I had to live through the glares for ages before people accepted me, and the whole time I was praying you'd make it home, and hating you for leaving me."
"There was nothing I could do!" I snap back, not because I'm angry but because he's right and I'm so scared I can't hold it in. Draco's the bigger man, he doesn't yell back. He turns away from me, and I can't help but wrap my arms around him, because he fits so perfectly, and I don't know if I can face tomorrow. I breathe him in and relax into his neck when he turns to hold me too.
"I'm sorry, you're right. You're so right, you're always right." Draco smirks softly, grinning in a grim sort of way. "I don't have parents, no one's worrying about me out there."
"I am."
"But no family, not really. But Ron and Hermione, they'd understand you better. Ron's parents have to lie for him every day, and they're terrified, I'm sure. He misses them more than anything. And Hermione erased the memory of her from her parent's minds to spare them, and I don't think she'll ever forgive herself. But you'll see your parents again, and Bill says that they're doing fine."
"I've just been so lonely, and I thought that joining you was what I wanted. But now I'm so scared, and I don't know if I can do this." Draco looks away, not able to look me in the eyes as he starts to shake.
"You don't have to." I tell him, squeezing his hand, but he shakes his head, eyes growing determined.
"Yes, I do. I want to, because I haven't been helping you when you needed me. I'm going to do what's right, and I love you."
"I love you." I murmur back to him, kissing him gently before turning to leave.
"Wait, Harry. Please don't leave, just stay the night." And even though I know it's a bad idea, and that we need our sleep, I realize I can't find it in myself to leave, and to sleep alone for even a few hours. So I let him lead me back to his bed, and wrap his arms around me. And just for a few hours, everything is alright. And that night, I don't dream of anything but Draco.
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