Demolition Lovers (A Draco Story) Part 5

"No..." I uttered that single word as the tragic news Narcissa had just given me slowly started to sink in. "Laenora, darling, I understand that this must be extremely difficult for you to accept, but they're gone now," Narcissa whispered sympathetically, concern reflected in her dark eyes, wiping the slowly forming tears from my eyes and handing me the handkerchief. "We are all deeply sorry for your loss, but it is true: the Dark Lord has returned to full power and your parents, they..." She paused for a moment, searching for the right words. "... did not remain loyal. And the Dark Lord, he shows no mercy..." I choked back a sob and glanced down at my hands, clammy and bloodless, gripped tightly together over the handkerchief. Sure, they weren't the greatest, but they are - or at least were - my parents. And I have a heart, no matter how much it doesn't show. I can love; I can! "There are many dementors in the manor, so do not fret if you see them out in the halls or guarding the entrances. The Dark Lord wishes to use the manor for his current mainstay." Lucius said stiffly, showing no signs of sorrow nor pity. He actually looked as if he was quite honored that Voldemort was using his house as a hideout. Bloody b.astard... And there's really nothing Lucius can do about it, even if he wanted to. He's f.ucking Voldemort... Draco was sitting quietly by my side, an arm around me comfortingly, trying to soothe without words. His eyes were heavy with worry and hurt, fearing for the fragility of my status.
click.
"Why don't you go back to your room and rest awhile, dear? I know this must be too much a burden, but do not bother yourself excessively. Just know that you can stay with us as long as you wish, as stated in your parents' wills." Narcissa informed me gently, trying to put very little emphasis on the words "your parents' wills". She's quite kind, actually... I wonder how she ended up with Lucius as a husband? "Draco, would you please escort Miss DeLucas back to her room." It was more of a statement than a question, but he was more than happy to. "Yes, mother." Draco replied, avoiding eye-contact with Lucius, who was quite obviously not pleased with this due to what he had seen, but did not protest. Draco helped me up, leaning me against him gently. But I wasn't feeling all of this. I was in a trance... I could see and hear everything, but it was from another person's eyes. My feet began to automatically move forward as if I was I robot as we started the rather long walk back to my room.
click.
On the way, we passed a few hooded creatures emitting a cold and decaying scent. I felt a chill run up my spine as their hidden eyes inspected me, emotionless and without mercy. "It's alright. Keep going and they won't harm you," Draco said to me in a hushed and slightly morbid tone. I nodded, swallowed dryly, and continued to clamber up the stairs. I tripped, falling to my knees and letting out a soft cry of pain. Immediately, Draco pulled me up and into his arms, away from the harsh cold of the dementors. "Are you okay?" He asked, kissing my forehead. "Silly question to ask, really," he mumbled after receiving no reply. I felt as if I were mute; no matter how hard I tried, the words would not escape my lips. I wanted to tell him I was alright, as long as he would stay with me. I wanted to tell him he was my everything, and the only one who still cared. I've been so blind all this time... I never saw him for who he truly was... "Do you want me to carry you?" Draco asked, his gentle words beckoning me away from my thoughts. I nodded again, feeling like an idiot as he picked me up. I curled up against Draco like an infant and rested my head upon his shoulder, then kissed it tenderly. It was the only thing I could do to express my gratitude and love without words.
click.
A few minutes later, I felt myself being gently placed upon my bed. I looked up to see Draco about to leave, but held on to his hand tightly. "Stay," I murmured, tugging at his sleeve. He tried to free himself from my firm grasp, but failed and lay down next to me. Draco placed my head on his chest, encircling me in the protection and warmth of his arms again, stroking my hair comfortingly. "Shhh. It's alright." He whispered. "Everything will be okay." Then the tears came. Floods and streams of them down my cheeks and splashing onto Dracos shirt, soaking it considerably. But he didn't care. He just held onto me, never letting go, attempting to lift my spirits, though in vain. I continued to sob into his chest, the whimpers and cries muffled by the soft fabric. I don't know what I'd do without him. I thought, my head swimming with all the memories and events of the past and present and possible future. Oh, god... why does everything have to happen in this way? Why did the g.oddamned Dark Lord have to come back and kill my parents, and who knows how many other people?? I never knew that they were once his followers. I never had any idea of their true identity. So all my life I've been living a lie...
click.
After a long time of crying and contemplating, I sniffled and wiped at my eyes, trying to regain my composure. "I'm sorry for being such a bother. You really dont have to - " Draco pressed two fingers to my lips, silencing me. "No. Don't say that. I want to be here, with you..." He said, brushing a trickling tear off my face. "I - well, thank you." I said stupidly, for lack of better words. "There's no need to, sugar." Draco said, smiling weakly, smoothing my hair away from my face. "And you were the last person I thought I could love..." I said to myself absentmindedly, playing with Draco's tie. "You're not the only one." He replied in a more lighthearted tone. "What a likely pair we are." I laughed hoarsely, a quiet and remorseful sound. We lay there, Draco and I, in a fixed and dreamy silence. The pain of losing my parents was starting to seem a bit father away, my nerves becoming more adjusted to the pain, dulling the once sharp and raw feelings. I wonder if they ever thought about telling me. I wonder if they would have, if they were still alive...
click.
"What are we going to do?" Draco finally asked, his expression solemn. "Now that the Dark Lord has returned, what shall become of us?" I frowned. Yes, there was that issue, a more problematic one than the death of my parents. What's done is done, what's gone is gone. There is no spell to bring back the dead, and I can accept that now... "That's a good question." I replied. "Didn't your father mention something about him - the Dark Lord - staying here?" Draco furrowed his light blond brows in thought. "I believe he did." He said rather unhappily. "And that's obviously not good for us." I looked at him curiously. "So you dont support the Dark - ah, f.uck it. I'll just say the damn name, Voldemort. You aren't one of his followers?" I asked slowly, trying to state my question in a way that would not offend Draco too much. "No. Not at all. But my father... he is a very loyal Death Eater." Draco said between gritted teeth, casting his eyes downward in shame. "And he has always forced our family to become involved in this treachery. Hell, he even bewitched the f.ucking Sorting Hat to get me into Slytherin." My eyes widened in surprise. Hmmm. Therefore, he isn't evil... good to know. "That must be terrible. But I never knew about my parents in the first place." I muttered, saying the forbidden words. Draco kissed me lightly on the forehead again, sensing that the sensitive subject was approaching.
click.
"Yes. I know the pain, Laeh, of losing somebody. I witnessed my own sister's murder, a long, long time ago. And there was nothing I could do about it. Nothing." His beautiful blue eyes filled with tears, and one trickled down his face slowly. "I just stood there. Watching her die" What!? He had a sister, who was killed in front of him?? "Oh my god, Draco... I never knew... I'm so sorry..." I stammered, looking upon him with worry and pity. Draco was crying, yet he wasn't. He remained still as a statue, not moving nor speaking, his face frozen in that painful and dead expression, the one that I hated the most. But oh, he was so beautiful... I inched closer to him and kissed the tears away from his cheeks, grabbing his hand tightly in mine. I felt Draco tense under me for a moment, then relax, closing his eyes and more tears squeezing out beneath his long lashes. So this is what lies beneath his tough exterior... a boy who has been hurt beyond all imagination... and nobody has realized his pain...
awww. poor, poor draco.
But suddenly, I sensed an invasion of the very air I breathed, a change in the atmosphere and an eerie silence followed by what sounded like the beginning of a strange chant. Draco also noticed something was amiss and lifted up his head from the pillow, looking around warily. "What was that?" I whispered, hugging Draco even tighter to me, fear filling my heart for seemingly no reason. Meanwhile, the chant still continued and grew in volume. "It sounds like it's coming from outside." Draco whispered back, and I saw some of that primitive panic in his eyes also. We both arose from the bed unconsciously, walking over to the window and peered beneath us (my room was quite high up). What I saw nearly made me collapse all over again. Two rows of Death Eaters cloaked in black were marching across the Malfoys' great lawn, a foul cloud of despair and a disturbing Latin chant rising from them. Behind them, in the very back, was a taller and more significant figure, who's gleaming red eyes like that of a snake's I could see even from afar. It was the Dark Lord and his minions, come to terrorize and destroy all of mankind. "He's back. Voldemort, he has truly returned..."
uh-oh... not good...
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