Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by the brilliant mind that is J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers
Chapter 62
Draco's POV
I groaned as my naked back made contact with a cold, hard surface as the severe stinging sensation jolted me awake. My eyes misted over with blinding spots from the pain that rippled down my neck, and I blinked profusely to regain clarity.
"Shhh."
I felt the soft fingers on my chest and my breath caught, the contrast to the harsh cold in the heat of her tips clearing my vision as her scent filled my nostrils, her dark tresses suffocated my view in the most alluring way.
Three breaths. Three misty gulps of air that floated before my face fluttered by as her small hands lay against my trembling chest, her dark grey eyes, fierce yet soft, determined yet trembling, were glued to my own.
My lashes blurred my vision as I winced, the stinging returning with vengeance and her eyes flickered to my neck as her fingers moved deftly towards it, "I'm sorry. I know this hurts but this will help with the scarring."
I refrained from looking down at my chest, reluctant to view the physical manifestation to the pain, and tilted my head back to allow her better access to my neck.
I bit my lip but never uttered a sound as my heart beat faster as her nostrils flared, her bottom lip caught below her front teeth as her face fell as she continued rubbing what felt like salt into my wounds. In some pathetic, psychotic recess of my mind the thought that she was in pain... that it hurt her to see me hurt... was not just processed, but filed away like some victorious memory.
"Draco."
I felt her fingers at my chin and I looked up at her, her face was bare and her large eyes had tired traces beneath them... yet my skin prickled at our proximity and the way her voice caressed my name...
I watched the pink slip of flesh wet her lips hypnotically, it had been four months since I tasted her...I felt my brows rise as a metallic taste filled my mouth, such a distinct difference to the sweetness I was recalling that it startled me and I then realised why she had called out to me. In my urgency to not voice my pain I had ripped into my own lip and my shoulders relaxed as she mopped it up with a soft white cloth.
My eyes lowered as another pang of pain assaulted my head as I groaned, pressing my hand into my forehead. Images of flooded toilets, ashen white faces... I straightened up as the images of last night surged through my mind and my heart hardened at the memory...
Potter... the fucking moron... and she... she defended him, protected him...
She was immune to the glare that fell on her as her eyes were trained on my neck, carefully continuing her ministrations that resulted in a constant background hum of discomfort. Judging from the amount of natural light that lit the room, it was morning...hopefully I was only out for one night...
She stepped back and dipped the small beige cloth into the black mortar, a yellow granular paste lining the surface. As if to taunt me a large ray of sunlight fell across her, the thin white shirt she was using merciless to the light and I was treated to the shadow of her every curve and mound, my lower abdomen twitched and I straightened up against the chilly wall, trying to ignore the length of tan that flowed below the hem of black shorts that was much too high to be proper...
I flinched at the coolness that breached my chest and my hand flicked out involuntarily, catching the cloth in her hands and the source of my discomfort, sending it flying across the room.
Her nostrils flared and I glared at her unapologetically, why was she here? She should be off in her dorms, crying at her pathetic boyfriend's expulsion. If she thinks for a second, her apparent help in my recovering would make the Board of Governors sympathetic to a murderer...
Wait... that's exactly why she was here? Trying to make him look sympathetic and to fix the wounds he inflicted. On Potter's side, yet again!
"Draco-"
"Get out!" I snapped, annoyed more with myself than with her.
Why did she have to come into that bathroom? Why did I have to lose it in front of her...? My knuckles turned white as I grasped the white sheets... Theo... I had received word last night that even though Kyra and Liam had transported him to Mungo's, somehow he had not been checked in... he was just lying there and I couldn't aid him... I couldn't show sympathy to his cause... not after he was caught breaking one of the most unbreakable of all rules.
I was helpless as my closest friend lie bleeding out on a hospital bed somewhere...because I knew his not being checked in was no accident. Someone had ensured that he was helpless... how far would Trevor go to teach his son a lesson?
"Draco."
I dodged her hand which was making its way to my shoulder and I flinched at the action and swiftly wiped at my nose which seemed to be leaking. I blinked a few times and took deep breaths, ignoring the burn that crept up my throat.
My tears would do nothing. In the one moment when Theo needed me, I was lying unconscious in this fucking Wing and it was all thanks to Potter. Fuck, I will make him pay. I will fucking make him hurt twice as much. It was all his fault after all. If he hadn't attacked me, I could have gone and helped Theo. I would have gone, even if I would have gotten into trouble. Yes, I cried in despair at the time but eventually I would have gone.
I wish Weasley had died. All relief I felt that Potter had come to his rescue a month ago was nothing but a reminder of my weakness now. I wished the redhead fool had died so Potter could experience this pain! But nothing bad ever happens to Potter of course!
"Draco you need to-"
"Don't."
Instead of dodging her touch I met it with force, her slender wrist trapped in my right hand, her dark grey eyes glared down at me as her wrist shook in my hand, she made no motion to free it and my fingers got tighter against the silky skin and I relished from the heat the action evoked, entranced by her pulse that ticked by beneath the thin flesh... I could feel the beat quicken and pound harder, resisting its confinement and her blood felt like lava yet she never flinched, winced, wriggled...
I let go, knowing that she would never beg for release. She'd just stand here, her wrist trapped in my hand, the whole day, as if it wasn't aching. As if it wasn't a hindrance. Just so she would not come across as weak. Her stubbornness was disgusting, it was a lesser characteristic, it was childish and immature and I hated her for it.
I hated her for not squirming. For not fighting.
I hated her because I knew that even after all this time, her cavorting with Potter and ignoring me... I would always stop... just before she was hurt... just before she would feel pain...
I hated her for holding me when I wept for my friend, it made the knife in the back she plunged in as she aided Potter all the more sharper...
I hated that every time I shouted at her to leave was a lie...
I hated that even though I was holding onto her, she was the one with a hold on me...
"Would you like me to call Madam Pomfrey? She's currently talking to Sev and your mother but I could-"
"How's Theo?" I murmured, knowing that if anyone knew it would be her. Her because that damned mudblood would know, that damned mudblood who was the reason... fuck I had told him this would happen. Fuck!
I glanced away from the white sheet that I had been glaring at and clamped my eyes on my chest which she had been staring at. I winced as my chest ached yet it had nothing to do with the mass of scars that now littering its surface. I stared down at the lines of yellow paste, I watched as they crossed over each other in intricate patterns, which were hypnotic in their unsightliness.
Horrific. It looked horrific.
Yet the anger never came. The fury. None of it.
She looked like she hadn't slept a wink last night. She looked exhausted. She looked stressed. Unhappy.
Fuck.
Theo.
My body felt heavy and I leaned back, expecting the cold wall but finding the warmth of a pillow instead. I felt her fingers at my shoulder, smoothing out the pillow she had just slipped behind me; I turned, staring at her fingers... I watched as they fluttered over my chest and reached the other end of the pillow, fidgeting with it as if to fluff it. Her neck was practically at my lips as she stretched out over me and I swallowed as I felt moisture at my ear.
"He's okay." Her tone was softer than I thought possible and I frowned as she straightened up and away from me... why was she whispering?
She retrieved the mortar and began smothering the cloth with the yellow paste and I turned around, observing the Wing in its entirety for the first time.
A fine shiver trickled down my spine as my eyes clamped on electric blue ones.
"Alya."
My lips cocked into a welcoming grin as my heart hammered away and my head surged, recalling the last few moments to ensure I had not slipped up.
She rose from the armchair she was seated on, which lined the opposing wall on my left and I grit my teeth.
Why the fuck did I not take in the room? Did she hear me ask about Theo? Did she see me look at Ky? Fuck, how was she and Ky even in the same room? How was she allowed in Hogwarts? Fuck.
Ky's fingers stilled as did my heart as Alya walked towards us, her red lips unsmiling, her steps lithe in the figure hugging blue dress that made her eyes glint icily.
She reached the bed easily, not being far in the first place and I swore to myself for the second time. How did I not notice her!
Her lips were on mine in moments and I felt her fingers press against my chest, my skin taut against her pale tips that held no warmth. Her eyelids never lowered as her lips worked over mine and I made a point to hold eye contact, training my orbs not to flicker to Ky's like it dared to. She slipped her tongue in and my fingers bunched in the white sheet. Fuck. Her fingers slithered across my scalp and I let my eyes close, her icy stare growing my discomfort.
"Nobody told you to stop." I smirked at her words and pecked her on the lips as she broke the kiss.
"You're the one that stopped." Thank fucking Salazar.
Her red lips cocked at the side and she straightened up, turning to the right of me, "I was talking to your little nurse maid here. She's such a darling Draco. She volunteered to apply that ghastly paste to your scars. Isn't that nice of her?"
I didn't respond, watching as Ky looked completely unfazed by Alya's words as she busied herself with wetting the cloth with the yellow paste.
"I thought you were going to Paris?" Inexplicable discomfort rippled through me when Alya stared at Ky and I quickened to regained her attention.
She glanced at me, "I could hardly leave the country whilst you're incapacitated. Plus, Bastian would pester. He'd goad the fact that you lost a duel to Harry Potter of all people. How does one lose a duel to a half-wit Draco?"
My eyes narrowed at her, not in the mood to get into the details of the duel. Potter got lucky, I was somewhat surprised that he had such a spell in his arsenal.
"Anyway, it's hardly as bad as your mother made it seem." She shrugged as she stared at the litters of scars against my chest, "You're far from on your deathbed. Snape says that this paste would practically remove most traces and effects of the spell."
There was a distinct disappointment in her voice as she stared at the long lines of yellow, "Aunt Cissy looked like she would fuck Snape on the spot when he said it. Your mother hates scars, she's not a fighter, she doesn't understand what it means to be scarred. It means you've lived, right Thornton?"
My eyes flickered to Ky who had just approached me with the cloth, she ignored Alya and began tepidly stroking a particular thick line on my right breast.
"Then again, Aunt Cissy is in a tyrant of a mood. Potter isn't getting punished. Not even a suspension. Detention." She scoffed, "It's quite an achievement really, to be that above the rules. I wonder what would have happened if you'd bled to death. Maybe they would have confiscated his owl or something."
Detention? Potter was getting detention! I didn't let my reaction translate though, I wouldn't let Alya see that such trivial matters affected me. She sniffed and wrinkled her nose at my chest, "What is this paste anyway?"
Ky ignored her, pushing me back into the pillow so she could lather my stomach, Alya smirked and my stomach dropped. I suppose she was allowed permission to visit Hogwarts on the basis that she was never charged with any of her misdemeanours and she had never officially taken the mark... yet for her and Ky to even exist in the same room without the two fighting... why was Ky tolerating her?
"Let me guess, it's one of those super rare ingredients that Karetnikov's old hound found? What's his name again... something to do with swords... ahhhh..." She laughed, leaning against the drawer at my bedside, "Sabre." Ky continued with her application as if Alya hadn't spoken a word. "Silvain?" The slightest twitch grazed my chest but it was a momentary lapse. "No, no. That's the dead one."
Ky's eyes was glued to my chest and I held my face, ensuring not a ray of sympathy to shine through. "Did mother speak further about Paris? I hope this doesn't deter her plans."
Without taking her eyes off Ky she responded, "I doubt it, even though Rodolphus and Rabastan left this morning. She'll be all alone in the Manor, hence I decided to accompany her today, but hopefully now that she sees you're far from dead she will come along. The French are always such good company when in need of distraction."
Ky turned around, finally done with the paste application and I drummed the bed, impatient for her to leave. Alya was unpredictable but Ky was far from readable herself.
"Are you done?" I glanced at Ky who had placed the mortar into a cupboard, she continued to ignore Alya who straightened up from the drawer, her smile growing, "Thornton, I don't think you're done."
Ky turned, her large stormy orbs raging yet her face held indifference. She wiped her fingers manually on a white cloth, leaving yellow smears in its wake.
"You're not done." I glanced at Alya and straightened up.
"I believe she is-"
"No." Alya turned to me, her blue eyes wide with faux innocence, "Snape had his reservations but the school matron was ever so adamant that Thornton here is more than capable to see to your wounds whilst she and your mother discuss your condition. I am sure Thornton doesn't want to turn the poor matron into a liar, now does she?"
I could tell two things from that statement. The first being that Snape was as uncomfortable with having Alya and Ky in the same room as I am, hence his reservations.
The second was an explanation as to Ky's presence. Someone tells her to turn right, she'll turn left. She probably twisted Pomfrey's arm to help me just to prove a point to Snape. To prove that she could handle Alya. Fucking Salazar... Thornton and her damned stubbornness.
"Madam Pomfrey instructed me to administer two coats of Gotu Kola paste to Draco's scars." Her pink lips pursed together as she swallowed the retort that was evidently bursting to slip out, she straightened her shirt and looked at Alya with a level stare, "I have done so."
"I disagree." Alya sang, "I do believe that it's necessary for the whole scar to be coated with that paste. You've not done so with that one."
Her forefinger grazed my navel as she pointed to a thin long scar I hadn't recognized which disappeared under the waistline of my pyjama bottoms. My heart quickened... I thought the scars were only on my torso... fuck...no... I can't feel... no...
Ky glared at the scar as I fought the urge to pull my pyjama bottom and look at the extent of the damage... no... surely I would feel pain if I was harmed there...no...
Alya laughed, "Oh come now Thornton, don't be shy. Let's not pretend you've not seen a dick before in your life, probably had a good-"
"Alya." I half gasped as Ky's nostrils flared and I worked on my smile as she glanced at me, "Why don't you do it." I turned, throwing my feet off the bed and standing up, opposite the raven haired bitch. "I'd much prefer it."
She smirked, licking her lips and leaning forward, her right thigh pushing against my groin, "I'm sorry darling, I only bend the knee for oral satisfaction. Anything else seems like such a waste of time. Anyway, it's not like Thornton should feel awkward or anything, it's just medical treatment after all."
I didn't respond, knowing that any further protestation would be dissected on her part. This sick twisted bitch was playing some game and by Salazar Ky and I were going to lose.
"Excuse me." I heard Ky's voice and I swallowed, fucking hell what was she going to do?
Alya's grin widened as she stepped back, observing Ky's every movement. I had to lean my hands on the bed so to stop the shivering; if Ky touches me... fucking hell... if I react it will be purely physiological. Surely she can't hold me to that. Was she waiting for this? For me to fuck up so she can continue torturing my mother... fuck...
I watched as Ky stared at my abdomen as if trying to decide what move to make next. Just run. Go. Stop with the brave face.
She glanced up at me momentarily and I realised it was probably best if I lowered my pants...get this over with quickly. I reached for the waistband of my pyjama bottoms but her fingers beat me to it.
I looked back at Alya who was observing the situation with a smirk on her face. Her electric blue eyes met mine with glee but I knew as entertained as she appeared to be, she was somehow testing me. Constantly testing... fuck...
My heart was hammering in my chest as I felt the hair at the base of my abdomen stand on end when broached with the chilly morning, Alya's eyes left me to glance at what Ky was doing. I followed her gaze and watched as Ky carefully folded my waistband down.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
And stopped. I bit back the sigh of relief as I saw the end of the long scar, the upper three quarters were caked yellow whilst the lower quarter was a raw pink colour and thankfully ended at the strip of skin between my lower abdomen and my penis. Fuck. That was so close. One more turn of that waist band and...
Fuck. I swallowed and my hand shook as I fought off the reaction when Ky's fingers touched my skin at the tip of the scar. It was like the bloody fucking same thing. Fuck.
I watched as Alya's smile widened and I avoided Ky's face, staring at the pale witch as I knew, as much as I tried to fight it, that I was now nursing an erection. I leaned back against the bed, trying my hardest to seem unfazed and begging Ky to hurry the fuck up at the same time yearning for her to just go the slightest bit lower.
"You know, it's only fair to take responsibility."
I glanced at Alya who stepped closer predatorily, she was currently right behind Ky and suddenly the air was ripe with scent of danger, "One should always take responsibility for their actions. Unlike your dear boyfriend who appears to be above such things. Now Thornton, I know you're a lot of things. Infuriatingly self righteous. Uncanny ability to wiggle out of dangerous situations contrary to your lack of talent. Egotistic. Let's not add cock tease to the list."
Ky's eyes were molten lava as they glared at my chest and the cloth in her hand shook, "Aly-"
I stopped as I watched Alya lean forward, her lips on Ky's left ear, her electric blue eyes steady on my groin, "You've excited Draco. I only think it's fair you take responsibility for such actions. Now, I know you didn't take responsibility for how you forced my brother's hand two years ago, but then... you were just a child. You're practically an adult-"
"You're fucked in the head." Ky banged the mortar down on the bed and I quickly stepped back, allowing her space to move which she thankfully took advantage of, heading for the exit.
Alya chuckled darkly, "Yes. Yes I am Thornton. But at least I'm honest with myself. At least I know what I enjoy. And you enjoy being a cock tease. You enjoy building a man up to leave them high and dry. It's a disgusting habit. Irresponsible."
I ignored Alya and sat on the bed, grateful that Ky was making her way to the door. "You should take a page out of your friend's book. Now she knew how to please a man. She knew how to play the game. You know I overheard someone claiming that Selina Sabre was raped to death." She laughed loudly at her words and Ky froze, "What lies. She enjoyed every minute of it."
I jumped off the bed just as the jet of violet rushed towards Alya who side stepped the spell with ease, not once making a move for her wand. She had been baiting Ky and she fell for it. However this pans out, Alya would claim defencelessness.
The blue eyed witch sighed dramatically, "Yes, knock me backwards, that would surely defeat me. Oddly enough, Rabastan used that very spell on Selina, but I was sure if he asked nicely she would have bent over backwards and in every direction for-"
I bit my lip, knowing I had to act with extreme care in case Alya sees it as taking sides and I hovered at the bed as Ky flung a blue spell at Alya who still had not drawn her wand.
I glanced at Madam Pomfrey's door and I could see the shadows of people, oblivious to what was occurring. Fuck.
I heard a rasping sound I glanced back at the two and I stepped forward as I watched Ky physically pin Alya on the bed next to me, the very same fingers that tended to me minutes ago was now clamped around Alya's pale neck yet the red smile never fell off her lips and her blue eyes shook with the combination of glee and lack of air.
I stepped forward again but halted. If Ky just continues... if she strangles Alya... life would be so much better. I wouldn't have to worry about mother. About Ari... about Ky...
I grabbed her around the mid rift and pulled her back as her nails cut into my forearms in resistance. "I'll fucking kill her!"
Alya sat up, her cheeks flushed red as she patted her hair in place and jumped off the bed. She made a show of straightening her dress in the mirror and re applying her lipstick and mascara which ran down her face at the involuntary tears that sprung up at her near strangulation. All the while Ky struggled in my hands.
I needed Ky out of here. Alya was up to something and I needed to get her away. "No." Alya snapped to the mirror as I made to let Ky go. "Hold her there."
I kept my hand steady on Ky's waist, knowing that if I defied Alya, all my effort would be for nought. She would know the truth. And as much as murdering her right here was a tantalizing idea... Ky was not a murderer. That was not her fate... she was the only truly pure thing that I got to experience... I won't let Alya destroy that...
Yet... if I hold her... keep her captive in my arms... I glanced at the side table where my wand laid... my arms tightened about Ky, less to keep her restrained and more to harness some warmth so I could think clearly...
I glanced at the door... run? No. I might as well just stand here and fight; they both relayed the same message. I was not on Alya's side.
The raven haired witch reached us and I took comfort from the fact that she still had not drawn her wand. Maybe she was just going to slap her... in a physical fight Ky would win... Alya wasn't strong... it wouldn't hurt... and even it did it would be fleeting. She'll easily be healed.
I let go of Ky in shock as my brain processed what it was seeing as Alya clamped her lips over Ky's. What the fuck.
Ky pushed her off in her heart beat as Alya laughed at her reaction, her grey eyes were wide as she wiped at her mouth, "What the fuck is wrong with you!"
Alya giggled animatedly, obviously entertained by the reaction while I stood there. Dumbstruck...
She kissed her?
"What's wrong with me Thornton? No. What's wrong with you? You see... sometimes," She leaned against the bed nonchalantly, "It's easy to tell what's wrong with someone. Visual. Scars." She nodded at me, "It's so easy to fix something that you can see. Any fool can do that." Her smile widened, "But those invisible scars... oh... they're the fuck up... the one that rips... and tears you from the inside..."
I heard the crash of glass and looked to my left and my heart froze.
"Ky?"
My question was drowned by the sob that emitted from Ky as she fell to the floor, her eyes wide with fear as her fingers gripped her hair, "No...no...no...no..."
There was a bang as the door flew open and Snape flew in, "Bane!"
"No...no...no!" The words were like knives that cut my skin and I clenched my fist to refrain from running to her as Alya's eyes were clamped on me.
"What happened!" Mother gasped, looking at Ky pityingly as Snape pulled the sobbing girl into his shoulder as her body thrashed, her head in her hands. Madam Pomfrey on her other side, desperately trying to calm the her.
"She just fell onto the floor, weeping... I heard rumours that she was unstable." Alya mock whispered to mother who crossed the room to me, taking in my scars with wide eyes but too distracted by Ky to comment.
"What did you do to her?" Snape's deep voice was steady, as normal as if he inquired about the weather as Madam Pomfrey was pushing some tonic down the her throat as I stood there... unmoving... I let mother hug me, fighting the urge to comfort her as her grey eyes looked as if she was enduring the worse sort of pain.
My heart clenched and my hands trembled and pain far worse than any caused by that curse crippled me as her eyes bore into mine... desperate and hurt and crying for comfort.
"Nothing. I don't even have my wand. Ask Draco." Alya shrugged innocently, and his onyx orbs snapped to me.
I didn't respond, watching as her trembling slowed down until her body lay completely still, her mouth held open as if in surprise as her eyes glossed over as unconsciousness claimed her, a large tear raced down her cheek, clinging at the corner of her blood red lips...
The kiss... she administered it with that... whatever that was... whatever she did to Ky... I looked back at Alya, her eyes calculating as she awaited my response. It can't have been poison... could it?
"Draco?" I glanced down at mother whose misty grey eyes looked up at me, "What happened to the girl?"
I watched as Alya's eyes fell on mother and my arms twitched about her protectively as I lowered my head as I made my decision.
"She... she just... fell. Is she okay?" I couldn't help the question and I didn't care that my voice broke slightly at the question.
Snape didn't respond, manually picking Ky up and I hugged my mother closer as her head lay limply over his forearm, Madam Pomfrey hastening to prepare a bed for her... I swallowed as mother pushed me towards my own bed.
"Come now Draco, please... you need your rest. You've got a fever... I'm going to get Pomfrey. Well... after she sees to the girl. They really need more help in this place."
After pushing me onto the bed, mother ran off... my ears were buzzing as I took deep breaths to try and calm my heart... my mind... my hands...
I felt her this time, her presence was all over me as my hair stood on end in repulsion. "You shouldn't have... you'll... you'll get in trouble... what did you do?" The last question was what I truly yearned to know.
My jaw clenched as her fingers crawled across my cheek, tilting my face so I would look at her, "I evened things out Draco. An eye for an eye. Potter's not the only one above the law." Her smile widened, as she traced a finger down my neck, "Scars truly are captivating."
"Miss Bellamy." We glanced up as a pair of people I recognized as aurors approached us. The man was easily recognisable as he had attended Hogwarts a few years ago, Davies. His dark blue eyes glanced to the far end of the room where I knew Ky lay, his jaw clenching slightly. The redhead at his shoulder stared at Alya determined, her arms crossed behind her back.
"You have to come with us." Davies stepped to the side, gesturing for Alya to follow him and I watched as her smile widened.
"I don't know about have to. But, I can barely say no to that face." She smirked as the man's face hardened at her response.
She turned her attention back on me, a long black curl fell in front of her face as she looked me in the eyes and I stared at the raven strand. Unable to stomach the site of her, or myself... it can't be poison. Snape would notice poison in a heartbeat... then what was it that Alya did to her?
No... what was it that I let Alya do to her?
"Thank you Draco." She smirked, a glint in her eyes lauding her gratitude over me. Knowing that it reminded me that I was an accomplice... that I was just as guilty for all of this as she was.
She straightened up and followed the aurors out the door and once the room reverberated with its closing click I snapped around and stared at her bed...
Snape was nowhere to be seen and Pomfrey was scrounging through cupboards but all I did was focus on her chest... on the slow but steady rise on fall...
It wasn't poison... she... was okay... she had to be...
I glanced down at my chest, staring at the myriad of scars that plagued my torso and all disgust and contempt I felt for them earlier fled... for now I knew I deserved every single one of them and every ounce of pain that accompanied them.
A/N: Feedback as always will be greatly appreciated. It's always challenging to write the Alya chapters because she's such a mercurial character at times, so unpredictable. Love to hear what you guys think.