Draco Malfoy, Broken

Chapter 59 – The Pit

Published: 10/23/2019

***TRIGGER WARNING*** We are going dark. Straight into flashbacks. DO NOT READ if you are easily triggered. I even cried when I wrote this chapter and I'm a bad-ass motherfucker. I published two chapters, so feel free to advance to the next one. I'll include a summary, if you so choose. But this is pain from start to finish. Here's the list: rape flashbacks, sexual assault, sexual coercion, bullying, mobbing, assault, gay-bashing, homophobic violence, offensive terminology, public shaming, humiliation, depression, disassociation, suicide ideation, attempted suicide. This is your only warning. Also, don't hate me.

Draco staggered backward into the wall as the masked stalkers started to approach him. He was shaking, knowing what was about to happen. There was nowhere to go. Draco lunged at a classroom door, hoping a small hope that he could put enough locks on it to keep them at bay, but it was locked. He went to another, but it also wouldn't open. Starting to panic, as the two groups were slowly closing in on him, he rushed forward trying to break their line. He didn't get far, and they knocked him to the ground.

"Grab him!" hissed one. Draco couldn't even tell if it was a girl or a boy.

Draco tried to crawl away, but when they grabbed him, his mental walls shook, having been so recently attacked. No, he told himself, but they grabbed his legs, dragging him back toward the others. He slipped back into the memory... the one he'd always kept under such tight locks in his mind. Voldemort, Fenrir and Rabastan were standing above him and, in desperation, he had scrambled to his hands and knees and bolted for the door. No order was needed on their part. Fenrir snatched his leg, entrenching his nails into his skin to the point that blood was coming out. Draco flailed around in a panic and dug his fingers into the broken cement floor, trying to find purchase. But Fenrir yanked his leg harder and his nails scraped uselessly across the floor.

"No, please!" Draco begged, as Rabastan and Fenrir pulled him to a bed that Draco hadn't noticed before. His breath caught, realizing what was about to happen. "No... I'm sorry!"

"Go head and scream all you want, boy. No one is going to help you!" his uncle growled.

Together, they lifted him onto the rickety bed, pinning him face-down on the blood-stained mattress. Draco didn't want to know what had happened. He was too focused on what was about to happen.

"No, I don't want to do this!" he cried, feeling the pressure on his back. Flash! The scene changed and he was out of his memories at Hogwarts and in no better condition, being pressed into the floor.

"You don't want to do this? Well, we want our friends and family back!" his masked captor growled. "You're going to get what's coming to you. Lift him up! I want my turn!"

The SAD group members picked him up then, hauling him to the wall and holding him there as they each took their turn hitting him. Draco almost felt relieved, as he wanted no part of slipping further into his memories. He did realize that one of them, presumably the leader, had red stripe going down the eyehole of their mask.

"Make him hurt," the red striped one ordered and the others didn't hold back their punches.

Draco tried to go numb, but he kept looking at the masks of his attackers, trying not to think of Voldemort's Death Eaters. Some hit him lighter than others, like they were younger or a girl, and a few even had beater's bats, but every one of them hurt. When they let go, he dropped to the floor, blood coming from his nose and a cut over his eye and dripping to the ancient brick. Suddenly, he was forced onto his stomach. His unknown assailants pressed firmly into his back and he fell right back in the flashback.

Rabastan's strong hand pushed him hard into the bed. His other fingered Draco's waistband as Draco struggled to free himself. Fenrir had removed his shoes off, and then physically tore off his trousers. Rabastan also didn't take his time. He pulled down his boxers and then ripped his shirt off him with extensive force. He was naked and completely at their mercy. Rabastan hit him a few times as he struggled, still fruitlessly attempting to escape, but they were clearly stronger than him. Rabastan pushed him more onto the bed, spreading his legs, though he tried to resist.

"No! Please... let me go!" he pleaded, trying to get away from him, trying to fight.

"Beg, keep on begging. You know how much I like it when you beg," Rabastan growled, shoving him forward toward the head of the bed and, at the same time, stripping himself of his own clothes. "You're going to do a lot more."

Draco managed to pull away from him, when he paused to remove his pants. But he forgot about Fenrir who grabbed his arm. But it wasn't Fenrir... he realized, slipping back to the present as the masked figures took both of his arms. Fuck. Thank Salazar, he was back. Please don't slip back, again, he pleaded with his mind. However, the present situation wasn't much better as they spread his arms out and Draco felt the knife blade on his neck. He stopped struggling and tried to move away from it.

"You deserve to die, Death Eater. All's it takes is a nick with this and the world would be rid of you," said the one with the red stripe.

"Kill him! That'll show Zabini!" hissed another, even with the Voice-Changing Potion, Draco could hear it was a girl. Tracey, probably.

"But... what fun would that be? Our torment was months, years long... and so shall yours. You'll never find us all, Death Eater. You won't know who we are... when we will attack, again. We will haunt you until you die... scum!"

Please, someone come. Let anyone come, Draco thought, desperately. He didn't know what they had planned, but he was more afraid of slipping further into the pit.

"Your friends aren't coming. Zach wanted no part of being here. That fag's curse broke his spirit, I think. But he's being a wonderful distraction."

Draco winced at the word and wanted to defend Blaise, but now was not the place. He swallowed and asked, "What do you want?"

"Want? We want our blood-kin and friends back. Can you give them back, Death Eater?"

Draco didn't answer. There was no reasoning with vigilantes.

"But I'll settle with hurting and humiliating you, like your pureblood friends did to us!"

The knife came off his neck and Draco felt them pulling up on his robes and shirt. The knife cut through the fabric and cool night air hit to his body, making him shiver. He shivered from being exposed as his shirt and robes were cut away. They weren't done yet.

"Nice scars... are you trying to garner sympathy from us? It won't work. You deserved them all of them!" the masked leader laughed.

Draco felt a hand on his bare skin, and he pushed down and the other kids pulled his arms further outward, spread-eagling him. Draco jolted as the scenery changed, again. Fenrir pulled him closer to the frame, dragging him forward. He still tried to pull back, but the strength of the large werewolf was not something he could overpower.

"No..." Draco moaned. "Please... don't do this!"

"Oh, we are going to hurt you, bitch. You owe me some screams!" Fenrir growled as his hand reached the cold, steel bed frame.

Rope straps were already there, and Draco did not like that at all. The blood-and-piss-stained mattress and the straps... the wolf used this place for more than shifting and hiding. Greyback didn't bother with Incarcerous. He was a wizard, but wasn't properly trained like most werewolves. He did it the muggle way, which was just as terrifying when as Greyback pulled his hand through. Draco could do nothing as it tightened around his slender wrist. He managed to yank the other free, but Rasbastan came up from behind his back and grabbed his arm. Draco felt his hard prick jutting into him as he reached over. He barely noticed that the strap tightened against the skin of his other hand. He was trapped. Sobbing gasps came out of his mouth as the panic took over.

"N-No... let m-me go-go!" he cried out.

Laughter erupted around him as he flashed back out of it to welcoming embrace of the SAD members.

"Let you go? Keeping begging, Death Eater-scum. It's time to take the rest of your pride. You're a traitor to wizards everywhere. You are a killer, torturer, and a pureblood fascist. Time to show the world your shame," the icy voice of the leader said, as they threaded their fingers through his hair and yanked it back. Draco's vision blurred, again, shifting almost seamlessly from present to past without delay.

Rabastan laughed as he pulled on his hair to control his movements. He leaned in pressing his body into Draco's. "My, you look so pretty with your hair long. Is that cause you like taking it... just like a woman? My little blond whore. You are mine to fuck... aren't you?"

"No..." Draco whispered, and he tried to pull out of his grip and crawl forward, to try to get away. But Rasbastan let go of his hair to wrap his hands around his throat. He forced him backward, as Rabastan's knees roughly separated his thighs. "Don't!" he sobbed.

Rabastan laughed louder. Draco couldn't do anything as he roughly stabbed his prick into him without warning, not that he had ever been gentle before. He screamed and loudly. Rasbastan wanted him to feel it as he pulled back out, before slamming back into him... over and over as he screamed. Fenrir's urging cries could barely be heard as his uncle brutally fucked him into the mattress, tearing him open. It burned and he felt each acutely sharp stab. He yanked uselessly on the straps and tried to pull away, but Rasbastan still had a tight grip on his throat, he could barely breathe.

"Come on, bitch! Beg!" he rasped, thrusting harder and faster, as Draco begged him to stop.

Voldemort and Fenrir laugh at his pleas. Rasbastan finally shot his load into him and collapsed on top of him. He let go of his throat and air came rushing back in. Draco's tears were blinding him, and his uncle punched him in the side a few times, before pulling out. Draco cried out in pain, it hurt so much: his muscles from trying to resist, his throat from his grip and his... ass. It was hurting more than ever before.

"Wiggled like a nubile whore..." Rasbastan said, and then slapped his ass, in a humiliating way.

He got off him and Draco cringed when he caught sight of his dick... covered in what he realized was his blood. Everything hurt as he tried to curl up, moving toward the bars that bound his hands.

"Your turn, Fenrir. Have fun," his rapist said, joyfully as Draco's heart stopped, realizing that he had stupidly thought it was over. It was never over.

The feral growl of the werewolf was nothing like a wolf or man. He was a horrible beast, the worst parts of both worlds. Draco gripped the steel bedframe, as though his life depended on it, but the wolf grabbed his legs, his nails digging painfully into his skin, again, and pulled him backward, breaking his grip. He pulled until there was no slack in the ropes. Draco tried to get away, but the wolf's hands gave nothing and only bruised him more.

"N-No... no!" he gasped, trying uselessly to escape

"Hold still!" he growled, as both of his hands gripped his shoulders. It was happening, again, and Draco could do nothing to stop it.

Suddenly, Draco felt a sharp pain in his side, and he snapped out of it. He was still being held on the floor by the asshole members of SAD, but there was pain coming from his ribs, where the leader still was. He sat on top of him and Draco could feel that he, was a he.

"Wake up! Death Eater!" he growled. "I want you to watch me doing this! Not listen to you moan."

Draco swore internally. Merlin only knows how long he was out of it and what he said. He winced as the leader poked a burning spot in his side... the spot where he had been cut with the knife his assailant was holding.

"Pay attention, because this is what evil assholes like you deserve!"

"Get him!"

"Teach him a lesson!"

"Make an example out of him!" the sexless voices called.

The leader on top of him laughed. "You're such a girl..." he mocked and flicked his hair. "You look like one, too. But we can take care of that!"

Draco fought the pit as he took a hold of his long hair, again, and brought the knife to the top of his skull. He started to saw and cut. Draco froze as he felt the pull lessen as the knife scrapped across his skull. Strands of his blonde hair fell in front of his face and he realized that they were shaving him. Draco tried to pull away, but they had a firm hold. They laughed and cheered as the leader grabbed another handful cutting in haphazard patterns. The knife even nicked his head once and they just sniggered at the sight of his blood. Draco couldn't help but cry as they jeered at his helplessness and humiliation.

"Go head and snivel and pout, Death Eater!"

"Cry just like a girl!"

"You're a little bitch."

"You deserve this!" the faceless figures cheered.

The leader took his time and cutting tufts of hair off his skull, until his hair was spread all over the floor in front of him. Finally, he let go and Draco's head hit the floor.

"There... much better! Let the world see your shame. You worked with Voldemort. You don't get out of it because Harry decided to save your ponce ass."

Draco didn't say anything. He didn't have the right... or the ability. He wasn't a wizard in the eyes of the law... he lost his right to defend himself. He was a persona non grata... for the school, for the Ministry and probably the whole damn country.

The leader leaned in closer. "We know what you are... Death Eater."

Draco's heart slowed as his blood curdled. He knew what he was going to say.

"You're a poofter... you like taking it up the ass, don't you?" he growled, and the others hissed in disgust.

Draco whimpered and braced for the pain. It never stopped.

"He didn't deny it!" Tracey hissed. Draco knew her voice. The potion wasn't having the same effect on her. It most have been affected by her curse.

"Your Slytherins sold your sod bum out," another said.

"A queer pureblood?" another scoffed.

"And you're Harry's bitch, now, aren't you?" the leader said.

"L-Leave him out of this!" Draco said and his head was pushed into the floor, smearing blood all over his face.

"We decide who gets what! Harry was supposed to save us! He was our champion and he soiled himself by consorting with the likes of you!"

"Break him!"

"Make the homo pay!"

"Unnatural!"

"He's probably a she. Trans-whore!"

"Abomination of our kind!"

"Yes... he probably likes this position, don't you, queer-bait?" he said, as he leaned in, putting more weight onto his back.

Draco's vision flickered, like they were poking at the crumbling wall in his mind. "Please... stop!" He couldn't take any more flashbacks. He didn't want any part of the pit.

"Ha... beg. Just like the dick-loving fag you are!" the leader scoffed and put his hands on Draco's shoulders.

That did it and the wall collapsed. Fenrir was gripping him so hard, he was surprised his bones didn't break. His long nails cut into his skin, making him bleed and Fenrir pulled him hard against the ropes, stretching him out. He wanted to hurt him more. Rabastan was egging him on, now, but Fenrir was enjoying hurting every part of him. Touching him where no one had ever touched before, before taking that last step and grabbing his limp penis. He squeezed. Draco screamed as Fenrir laughed.

"I told you owed me some screams," he growled and tightened his hold.

Draco nearly passed out, but Fenrir loosened his grip. "You enjoy this, don't you?"

"No!" Draco cried, pulling against the ropes. "Please, let me go!"

Fenrir grabbed his throat, too, and Draco stopped struggling. "You're such a little thing... I'm almost worried I'll break your back."

Draco didn't doubt it. He was almost three times bigger than he was. Fenrir's yellow nails clawed back and forth against his throat, his other hand still had his dick at his mercy.

"Fenrir, stop playing and fuck him," Rabastan said, stroking his own dick.

Fenrir laughed. "I love the smell of fear. It's delicious. Are you sure that I can't...?"

"We've been over this... no bites. His blood is still worth something if his body isn't. Begin," his master ordered.

Draco shook more than ever. The wolf's dick was bigger than Rabastan's.

"You're mine, fag-boy..." he hissed as he brought his mouth to suck on the back of Draco's neck, as his tip lined up with Draco's entrance. The wolf's massive legs pushed his legs out further than he thought possible. He couldn't do anything to fight against the power of the massive wolf in man's clothing behind him. "Intoxicating...."

Fenrir drove his rod straight in, ripping him more open. He wailed, loudly, to their amusement. He felt like there was a knife twisting in his rectum as the wolf slid in more and more. Draco's pleas were just feasted on as Fenrir finally pushed it all in. He flexed it, stretching his insides in the most painful way. His hands hadn't moved either, squeezing, every so often to remind Draco that he had nowhere to go. But then Fenrir started pumping his dick. He laughed as he just keeping slowly thrusting into him, while he matched his strokes. Draco was horrified when his dick hardened.

"See... you like it," Fenrir crowed.

"No! I don't... I just...." But Draco didn't know. He cried, more out of confusion, as after some more squeezes, he came. He hated himself for that, but didn't dwell on it as Fenrir didn't waste any more time.

He let go of him and quickly started thrusting his large cock in and out of him, destroying the few seconds of serenity the orgasm had given him. He showed no mercy, soaking in his cries as he fucked him like a rabid animal. He licked him... his blood off his back that his scratches had caused. At some point, Draco stopped screaming, just wept quietly as the stamina of the feral werewolf held up. It felt like an hour, until he finally roared in victory and exploded into Draco.

When Fenrir released his grip, Draco collapsed on the bed, hiding his face in the soiled mattress.

"Yeah, you like that, don't you?"

Draco cringed and whimpered.

"Answer me!" he growled.

Draco shook his head.

"Well... I shall try to make it more exciting for you... next time," Fenrir sneered.

Draco started sobbing. "Please!"

Draco felt a slap across his face. "Please what?" the masked kid with the red line said.

The surroundings had definitively changed, Draco realized, trying not to panic and go back into it. He was bound with Incarcerous ropes, now, and sitting up against the wall. He had no idea what had happened since he blacked out, but SAD members were still all around him.

"Didn't even object to being manhandled... you disgust me," he said.

"I'll manhandle him." Tracey stepped forward.

"Hey... we've been here long enough," another voice said, shaky and full of fear.

"A few more minutes won't kill anyone... besides the Death Eater."

"Kill?" he... she... or it squeaked.

"Don't be such a pussy," Tracey's friend sneered. Alexus no doubt.

The red-stripped leader brought his knifepoint to his neck and lifted his chin up until he was looking into the brown eyes behind the twisted mask. Draco knew fear, but there was none in the kid's eyes. Only hatred and desperation. Revenge. Draco did not move or talk. Mystery kid wanted him to break... but that had already happened. No, focus. Don't slip back, he told himself. A few tears slipped out.

"Your tricks won't fool me! You wanted mudbloods to be crushed under your feet on your quest for power... and now... look who's crushing you! Say cheese, queer," he said, letting him go.

Draco looked at him confused and then the camera flash went off. They took a picture... why? Draco looked down at his bare chest and saw the word "FAG" written across it what looked like his blood. It was still coming out of his nose. They were going to tell everyone. The world was going to know. They knew about Harry, too. They would go after him... and it was his fault. Fuck... it never ends.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow," he chuckled and ran his hand through Draco's stumble of hair.

Fuck, Draco thought, as his eyes glazed over and he slumped to the floor. He just saw the footsteps receding before he slipped back into the past.

Fenrir was petting him, laughing with Rabastan about how much he had screamed.

"Bring our pet here," Lord Voldemort ordered. He was sitting in a high-back chair, watching the whole proceeding.

Fenrir took Draco's hands and dug out the rope that was imbedded into his skin. Draco cried from the pain as Fenrir lifted him out of the bed and dropped him in front of his master. He kicked him until Draco managed a hunched-over kneeling position.

"M-Master."

"Draco... come here and finish me off," he said, directing him to his groin and Draco's eyes widened in shock. Voldemort chuckled. "Hmm... you look resistant, still. Time for round two."

Draco barely had time to register what he meant as Rabastan dragged him, by his legs back to the bed. "No! Master! I'll do it! Please!" he begged.

"Listen to you beg for it, cocksucker. You're too late. You had your chance!" he snarled, as Rabastan magically bound his hands together behind his back, picked him up and bent him over the edge of the bed, letting his legs dangle. Draco attempted to pull away, but he held him there and plunged back into his bloody and sore anus. Draco squealed, as he thrusted roughly into his body, still aching painfully from their last attack. He begged, he pleaded, but Rabastan just kept hammering his cock into him. As he finally came, Rabastan bit him in the shoulder, hard enough to bleed.

"Just because Fenrir's a wolf doesn't mean I can't have a taste...."

"Asshole!" Fenrir growled, almost jealous.

"Well... there's more blood for you," he muttered, pulling out of Draco. He couldn't help but let out a sob.

"Awww... you like it when our cocks are up your ass? Don't you?" his uncle jeered.

"N-No...."

"I think, you'd better change your 'tude, boy... my turn," Greyback growled.

"Please..." he begged.

Fenrir pulled him on to the bed by his bound wrists and then tied his ankles to the frame. He posted his strong, massive knees behind the backs of Draco's thighs and pulled his body, stretching him impossibly open. He screamed just from the position, but Fenrir only laughed.

"You owe me this! I was tortured because of you and now you're going to pay, my little pureblood whore!" the wolf declared, and his ugly, yellow nails stabbed into his shoulders as he forced his enormous cock into Draco, again. He screamed as he was split into two, ripped open more. Each thrust was deeper and each scream louder. Rabastan was fast, vicious, but Fenrir went slow and hard. He felt each deliberate thrust. The werewolf was taking his time. He was getting off on his pain and screams more than the actual rape.

He begged him to stop and they laughed... and mocked him. His throat hurt by then end. He saw that Voldemort was watching, a sick smile on his face. When the wolf finally came and pulled out, Draco, still bound, had nowhere to go. He lay on his side, his face, laying in a pool of his own blood. He cried for a few minutes before they magically released him. The ropes fell off his hands and his body and Draco blinked. He was back at Hogwarts. Someone let him go. He rolled over to the ground and into the fetal position, shaking. A few feet away there was a pile of vomit that wasn't his, but he was more concerned with his mind.

Please, stop... he pleaded. He didn't want to go back to the pit... to Fenrir's hideout. "Please...."

"I won't hurt you..." a voice under the Volubilis Potion said, so Draco didn't recognize it. He turned his head to the floor as the one above him, reached out for him.

Not being able to recognize him... or her, he started shaking. "Don't touch me!" he hissed, defensively, the pit hadn't broken him, yet. "Please... go...."

The person stopped and didn't come any closer. "I'm sorry... I never thought it'd get this... crazy."

A mask dropped to the floor and then the cloak, but Draco didn't look up. His heart rate slowed down some as the footsteps walked away. He breathed in and out deeply, trying to get ahold on his mind. He tentatively felt the spot where the wall should be, but nothing was there. Shit... what I am going to do? Focus... I'll have to build it back up or the rest of it will come out, he thought. The worst of it. Flash! His eyes widened as the forbidden memories that he had been denying bubbled back to the surface.

Fenrir picked him up and dropped him in front of the Dark Lord. His fingers curled around a wand, a different wand than Draco had seen previously. The dungeon at his home had been so dark, that he hadn't noticed, but it was different. Draco didn't hesitate this time when Voldemort, from his chair, exposed his cock. Draco crawled over and sucked it, knowing that this would never end until he did it. Voldemort tasted nasty, like spoiled milk. He also was a little short. But Draco kept his eyes on the task. He did not want to look at his master when his mind was so cracked. Voldemort's spidery hands ran through his hair as he started to thrust into Draco's mouth, making him gag. He barely reached the back.

Voldemort's seed was thin and watery when it squirted into his mouth. Draco didn't dare spit it out though. He kept his eyes on the floor though, waiting for Voldemort's decision. The Dark Lord petted him and gripped his neck. "You seem to have a problem following orders, Draco. The Tower... identifying Potter... and now... performing your required duties. I think we need to make sure that this habit of yours is broken. You are my servant. You will follow my orders, or you will pay."

Draco started to shiver. Rabastan and Fenrir might be the ones who were hurting him, but the Dark Lord was the one, who let them... told them to do it.

"Are you going to defy me, again?"

Draco shook his head, desperately wishing this punishment was almost over.

"Are you going to say no to my orders, again?" he sneered, pulling up Draco's head to look into his eyes.

"N-No... M-Master," he stuttered.

"We shall see. Go back to the bed... and get on all fours, Draco."

Draco froze up and Voldemort stared down heartlessly at him. Draco lowered his head and the light dimmed in his eyes. In that second... they broke him. There was no defying him anymore. He had no fight in him. He was no longer a leader, he was a slave. Obey or pay. Tears fell from his eyes.

"Now."

Draco slowly moved, crawling as much as his injuries would allow, back to the bed. The wolf and his uncle laughed he could barely find the strength to lift himself up to the bed. He got to his hands and knees. He nearly about to pass out, he was shaking so bad. Voldemort came over in front of the bed frame to watch. Rabastan climbed into bed, kneeling behind him.

"Please... Master...I don't want...."

"Uh uh...you are not allowed to refuse to do anything or say stop. You cannot say no. Do you understand me, Draco?" he crackled.

Draco nodded. He immediately understood it.

"You can beg... I like hearing you beg," Rabastan said, cruelly, running his hand along his sore ass. "It's like you're praying to me."

Draco lifted his head briefly to glance at Voldemort and back down. "Please, Master... have mercy...."

"This is mercy. I could kill you... or your mother. You swore absolute loyalty and obedience to me, and you seem to have issues following through on it. You've had enough chances to follow my orders and now it is time to pay."

Rabastan laughed. "Go down to your forearms and bring your ass up higher. I want better access."

Draco slowly complied. "Please... don't...."

"Don't what?" Rabastan sneered, angrily.

"Please don't hurt me...."

"I like that one... keep saying it. I might listen to you," his uncle grunted.

Tears came out and Voldemort leaned in and asked, "Are you going to fight it?"

Draco shook his head.

"Good. Let's see how you do... I hope, for your sake, that you aren't stuck here for too much longer because you disobeyed."

Draco rested his forehead on the blood-and-semen covered mattress and waited for the pain to start.

"Just close your eyes and think of England... because you're mine... forever..." Rabastan whispered as entered him for a third time, still just as rough as the first. "Beg, fag."

"Please... don't hurt me," he whimpered.

"Louder."

"Please, don't hurt me."

"Louder, bitch."

"Please, don't hurt me!"

"Scream it."

Draco was sobbing as he spluttered through the words as he was violated, again. Rabastan hit him as he fucked him, too, determined to cause as much damage as much. He finally came in one last thrust, hard enough for Draco to collapse to the bed, again, in a broken heap. More blood and semen trickled down his legs and he went numb, like when Voldemort tortured him. He zoned out.

"Draco! Draco!" he heard. It was Harry's voice.

He blinked and realized he was in the hospital wing. He stared blankly ahead. He didn't want to talk about what happened. He didn't want to see the disappointment in Harry's eyes. He didn't want to be forced to tell Blaise. His wall wasn't fixed. It wasn't even there anymore. He didn't want to talk like a normal person. He wasn't one of them. The memories weren't stopping. They were all going to come out, ready to torture him, again. His soul, mind was on fire, but he kept that numbness on the outside. He was going to stay trapped in is mind.

Harry pleaded with him for a while, but he wasn't coming out of it. Others came and went, Blaise, Theo, Daphne, Hermione, the headmistress... but he didn't acknowledge anyone. People talked to him, but he kept slipping out of reach. He was fighting off the memories, as they took over his mind, one at a time. Rabastan breaking his fingers. Fenrir making him beg to be fucked, again. Fenrir stretching his hole with his cock while Rabastan shoved his dick into his mouth. Voldemort whispering in his ear not to fight it anymore. Draco couldn't stop any of it. He barely heard anything around him for the most part.

Harry's distressed voice broke through once. "But Madam Pomfrey! He's awake! He just needs time!"

"It's been two days. I can force him to drink potions, but he's not exactly in the position to accept them. His heart has been pumping at a high rate of speed this whole time, I can't justify keeping him here. He hasn't sleep, responded or taken in any nutrients. He's almost catatonic. He's going to have to go to St. Mungo's where they are trained to administer potions to keep him alive and try to bring him out of it. They have mind healers there."

"No... please...." Harry sounded like him, in the beginning, anyway.

Please don't hurt me, he whispered to his memories, the ones that he had done his best to bury since the second it happened. They didn't listen to his begging anymore than his three tormentors did. Fenrir forced his head up, petting his cum-soaked hair. He asked him if he wanted to get fucked, again. Draco nodded, his throat sore from screaming and Rabastan forcing his dick into his mouth.

"Say it," the werewolf growled.

"Please, fuck me," he rasped out, holding in the tears.

"Only because you asked," Fenrir purred as he spread his legs apart for at least the tenth time, now.

Draco didn't even whimper, anymore. Resigned to just let them do whatever they asked. They wanted him to cry, to beg, to resist, so they could keep going. He did nothing, though he knew they didn't like his submission. It was more amusing when he fought, but he wasn't going to fight anything, again. They had broken him of that. He just did what they required of him, obedient and docile and hoped they wouldn't hurt him.

"Please don't hurt me," he whispered, automatically now. He knew that they would hurt him anyway, that nothing he could say or do would change their minds. They told him to beg. He would beg. They told him not to fight. He would not fight it.

"Theo... what are you doing?" Blaise's worried voice from far off called.

The memories didn't release him this time as Fenrir pushed into him, again, as he gripped the bed frame for support. His mind felt the pressure, though. Theo... he was looking into his eyes. Draco tried to gather up his mental defenses, but they were gone. Theo had unrestricted access to his memories... and, more importantly, the one he was stuck in.

Theo, please go, he pleaded mentally, as Theo entered his mind, privy to what was happening.

Fenrir didn't stop mercilessly pounding into him.

I'm here, Draco. Focus on me, Theo's small mental voice urged. Draco could feel his shock as he took in where he was and what was happening.

Stop, Theo... get out, he pleaded, he didn't want him to see this.

Theo winced. This would hurt him, too. No, Draco, come back to us. We'll protect you.

There's no protection. I can't fight them. I deserve this, Draco thought, beaten down. Fenrir laughed at his defeated and crushed form.

The mental backlash from Theo ripped through his mind with piercing and intense pain. Theo was not taking no for an answer. You didn't deserve that... any of this, Draco. Come on, look at me. Connect. I'll take you back.

I can't leave... my mind won't let me.

I'll help.

Theo... you can't do this.

I'm not leaving until you snap out of it. This is in your mind, Draco. You're at Hogwarts, now. Harry is waiting for you.

I'm never going to get better.

Neither am I, are you going to let me give up?

Draco almost opened the connection, but shook his head. He still being fucked by Fenrir, he couldn't escape. He cried, finally, and whispered, I don't want to be hurt anymore, Theo.

I know, the soft, anguished voice trailed off.

Draco met his eyes, properly connecting like he had done for Theo before. Flashes of Theo's pain and memories flooded in and Theo found the remnants of his mental wall, his denial. Draco could feel his dismay at its weakness, but Theo pressed on determined to do something. He looked through more of Draco's memories and found when he first kissed Harry. A happy memory floating in an ocean of bad ones.

Think about Harry, Draco. Think about that memory, Theo ordered, finding a replacement wall, to block out the bad.

Draco did. The feel of Harry's lips... the words he said... Fenrir and the torture house disappeared. Harry was never going to hurt him. He would protect him from the bad ones. It wasn't a wall, so much as a rickety fence. Everything bad was there on the other side, threatening to come back in. Theo faltered slightly. Draco could feel the strain in his mind. This was dangerous for him.

Come back, Draco. Time to come back.

I'm scared.

I am, too. But we'll be right here for each other.

What if it comes back... and they keep doing it? Wisps of the memories poked through the fence as if called. Fenrir wasn't done hurting him.

I'll be right here, Draco. I promise. Theo's walls were starting to crack under the strain. He shouldn't be doing this. Draco got a glimpse of men in black robes and Death Eater masks, holding a woman, screaming for her son. Draco knew it was his mother.

Draco jerked away, violently severing the connection. His eyes opened wide. The brightness of the ward overtook him. He sat up, backing into the headrest and pillows, bringing his arms and legs to his chest. He was shaking badly. He was only half-aware that his friends were all around him and he was crying. Madam Pomfrey came toward him and he tried to back further into the wall behind him.

"Don't touch him," Theo whispered, hoarsely, sitting on the floor in a similar position, tears coming out. Blaise was kneeling down in front of him and kept looking up at Draco, like he didn't know who needed him the most.

Yes, please don't touch me, Draco said, looking at the white hospital blanket. He bit his lip.

"Draco... can you hear me?" Madam Pomfrey said.

Draco nodded and he heard Harry sigh with relief.

"Are you in pain?"

Yes, he thought, but managed to do a half-shake of his head. She meant physical.

"Will you look at me?"

Draco shook his head. He didn't want to meet anyone's eyes. They would see him... it.

"I see... can you speak? Tell me what is wrong?"

Draco shook his head as he never wanted to talk, again.

"Alright... maybe later. Will you drink this potion? It's just a nutrient potion."

Draco nodded. He had to use two hands to hold it and still splashed a little on his chest. His eyes checked the room when he had to lift his head up to finish the cup. Harry, Hermione, Daphne, Luna and Neville where there, too, at varying distances. He hated the crowd. He went back to staring at the bed. The matron came closer, making Draco inch away.

"It's okay. You're safe here, Draco."

There is no safe.

Then Draco heard the firm command in her voice. "Draco, look at m-"

Draco winced and started to look up.

"No! Don't order him!" Blaise said, from the floor.

Draco's eyes glanced down appreciatively at Blaise was sitting next to Theo, holding his hand, their fingers interlaced. Thank you, he whispered mentally.

The matron seemed unsure. "Hmmm... very well. Here's another potion to help heal your bruises."

He drank that one, too. The matron gave an account on how he was found, what she treated, and a bunch of other things, that Draco really didn't listen to. He checked out his body with his own senses. Everything was fine. Someone had cleaned him up. The letters were gone, and he had pajamas on. He most have been really locked in his head if he didn't notice someone changing him. He was exhausted though. He wondered what day it was.

"I think you all need to say goodnight. He's been through enough for one evening," the matron said, assessing his demeanor.

"I just want to talk to him for a few minutes... please," Harry begged.

Harry, his mind whispered. His new wall shook a little, maybe a little stronger.

"He's been through a terrible shock, Mr. Potter. He needs some space."

Draco's eyes darted over to him. He didn't want him to leave. He didn't want to be alone. He never knew when the pit might grab him, again.

"Please?" Harry pleaded.

"A few minutes... the rest of you out!" she said, harshly.

The others mumbled farewells and left, besides Blaise and Theo. The matron went to her office, giving them privacy. Harry came around to the side. Draco could only glance at him and ignore the hand that Harry placed on the bed. He wanted to touch him, to feel his strong hand, but he didn't want to go back, so soon after coming out.

"I'm right here, Draco."

Draco nodded and let out some tears. He tried a few times to bring his hand over, but he always got scared and didn't go through with it. They sat quietly as he kept trying.

"You're going to be okay, everything is going to be fine. I'll do... I'll fix it somehow."

He nodded, again.

"Draco... please... don't..." Harry said, but stopped, tears coming out of his eyes. He was hurting Harry... again. He started trembling, more.

"That's enough. Mr. Potter, you need to head to your dorm," Madam Pomfrey said, coming out.

"B-But..." he stammered.

"You are causing him distress. Relax... he needs time and space. Now, go."

Harry nodded. "I'll come back in the morning.

Okay, Draco said, internally. He nodded.

Harry slowly walked to the door and it shut with an audible bang. Draco winced.

"Shh... it's okay, dear. I've got a Dreamless Sleep Potion for you and you need to take it. You haven't slept, really slept, in a long time."

Draco really didn't want sleep, but not having dreams was appealing. He nodded.

"Alright, try to finish that whole goblet, so you get a long rest, ok-Blaise? What are you still doing here?"

"I think Theo wouldn't mind a potion, too. He's very agitated."

She came around and Draco watched them. Theo wasn't in shock, but he was crying, which was never a good sign. "Let's get him into the other bed," she said. Blaise lifted him, with some effort, and dropped him into the next bed over. The matron came over and whispered softly to him.

Blaise's hands were shaking, and he turned to glance at Draco, who lowered his eyes.

"It's not your fault, Draco. None of it is," Blaise said, quietly. "Especially not this."

"He's in some distress. He can stay. I'll bring out another potion, but you should get to bed."

"I'm not leaving," Blaise said, flatly.

"Blaise, you can't stay here. They need their rest!"

"They'll be knocked out in five minutes. I can't go back to my room alone. I... need them," Blaise whispered, and Draco was surprised to see tears coming down his face.

Fuck, we always forget that Blaise is a tortured soul, too, Draco thought and wanted to reach out and hug him.

The matron, ever a softie when it came to Blaise, nodded. "Very well, but you will need to drink a Calming Draught."

"I don't need...."

"That is the deal. You can go or stay here, as a patient. There are no other options, and sweetie, you are very stressed out."

"I just want people to stop hurting my family," Blaise said, and run his fingers through Theo's hair. He barely reacted to it.

"I'll get the potions and I'll let your other friends know that you are staying. You are not, at least, causing them distress."

"We've been through this too many times to count," he said, morosely.

She brought him a vial and he downed it without question. Blaise had to help Theo with his and Blaise gave Draco a look and he downed his potion. He just saw Blaise getting in the same bed as Theo before his eyes closed.

When he opened his eyes back up, it was morning. He felt rested, but he didn't like it. It was proper sleep. Blaise was staring blankly at the ceiling, Theo's head on his chest. It was early morning. The sun was just rising. Draco needed the loo. He sat up, which drew Blaise's attention, and threw his sore, numb legs over the edge. He hadn't walked in a few days. He tried not to think about the pit memories and his inability to walk correctly after that. He slipped off his bed and slowly walked to the toilet, Blaise watched him, sadly.

Draco did his business and went to wash his hands and froze when he saw the image in the mirror.

He had forgotten about what those SAD dicks had done, in all that had happened. His face was mostly healed. His eye was a little bruised, but his hair was gone. Cut chaotically across his head. It looked terrible. He was a little pissed, but then his stomach dropped as he remembered that they took a picture. They knew he was gay. They knew about Harry.

"Dray?" Blaise called. He probably had been in there for a long time.

He washed and came out, rubbing his near buzz cut. Blaise meant to say something, but Draco glared at him. Blaise lowered his head, afraid to mention it. Draco got under the covers and went back to sleep, in vain hopes that everything was just a bad memory. Dreams came this time. Pain, ropes, evil laughter and touching... he could never escape it, but he heard voices and his eyes opened to the closed infirmary doors. He could hear Harry's angry voice in the hallway.

"I'm going to kill her! She can't do this!"

"I'll look up other legal routes, Harry," Hermione said, loudly. "But we can't get her arrested, now, she registered. It'll be our word against hers of how long she's been one. But calm down, Draco can't see you like this!"

That was pointless as Draco could hear him, easily, and was a little worried about what that was about. Draco looked at Blaise, who shrugged. He didn't know.

"Yeah, you're right," Harry said, calmer.

"Breathe, Harry. He needs you to relax and you got it, right?"

"Yeah, it's in my pocket," Harry said, letting out a breath and they opened the door. Draco pretended to open his eyes and look at them, but he still didn't want prolonged eye contact.

"How... I mean are you doing better?" Harry asked. Draco shrugged. He wanted to ask what that was about, but he didn't have it in him. Harry seemed stumped on what to say, but then asked. "Do you want to go for a short walk? There's a balcony that oversees the lake... it's not far."

Blaise and Hermione looked at him, surprised that he would take Draco out of the safety of the hospital wing, but Draco nodded. He really wanted fresh air and to get away from the stares. Madam Pomfrey had gone down to get breakfast. She was probably going to be pissed at all of them.

"We'll be back in a few," Harry told them.

Draco put on his black robes that were hanging on the wall, so at least he wasn't wandering around with just pajamas on. Harry took him on a slight detour, off the usual route and through a hidden staircase covered by a tapestry. Draco gave him a look.

"I couldn't sleep last night. I paced and found this... thought about bringing you here... to calm down."

Draco nodded and felt a little worried about Harry's lack of sleep.

"I'm fine... I'm just worried is all... about you. She won't let me stay... and I'm sorry I lost it last night. I didn't mean to make you... stressed."

It's okay, Draco thought, then he remembered to nod.

They walked up and Draco could see the lake. They were on a balcony with an overhang above part of the building, not high enough for concern. Draco could breathe in the cool morning air, feeling better. He had enough of dark, gloomy places. He sat down on the top step and Harry sat down next to him, facing the stairwell, not too close. He let him enjoy the quiet serenity for nearly ten minutes. It was nice. He didn't think that Harry had the patience to wait like that. But he pulled out a large vial of a potion and set it on the floor between them.

"Don't worry, Hermione made it."

Draco picked it up and smelled it. Castor bean extract. He smiled. It was Mane-Gro Potion, which was a lot more effective than Hair-Growing Charms.

"Like I said... she did brewed it. You probably wouldn't appreciate it if your back started growing out hair, if I tried it."

Draco smiled and met his eyes. He was shaking, but he swallowed and whispered, "Thanks."

"Anything for you, Draco," Harry said, trying not to sound excited that he had spoken.

Draco nodded, a little red, but he took a small swig, knowing how effective it was, and it felt like bugs were crawling all over his head as his hair started wiggling and shooting out of his head. He shivered at the feeling, but it stopped after a few inches. Harry smiled watching it. Draco ran his hand through it. It felt normal and he sighed with relief that no one had really seen him like that... other than those SAD bastards, whoever will see the photo they took and his friends. He scowled and capped the rest of the potion.

Harry gave him a questioning look, but didn't ask. "You look better."

Draco rolled his eyes. He still probably looked better than Harry's doxie nest of a hairdo.

"I didn't like you... like that. I'm sorry it happened."

Me, too, he thought and wondered why he wasn't talking to Harry.

"You can drink more if you want... heck, drink the whole thing, maybe you'll have waist long hair."

Draco smiled, but after being grabbed by his hair and being called a girl for it, he'd rather not have it anymore. "I t-ch...." But he stopped. He didn't know if he could explain it. He wanted something different.

Harry stared at him, though, waiting.

"I j-j-j... change," he finished and hoped Harry could figure it out from there.

Harry nodded. "A change? That's good. I like it... I'd still recommend a cut, though... it's not... umm... even? I guess."

Draco snorted. "L-Like you w-would know."

Harry laughed quietly. He had his hand on the steps in between them, not really bracing his weigh, just there. Come on, Draco, he urged. Harry will take care of you. He broke this fear before. Draco slowly moved his hand forward and meant Harry's clammy hands. He was nervous... worried. But Draco straightened out his fingers and interlaced them. His grip was hard, but Harry didn't care. Draco let some tears fall and Harry's thumb massaged the back of his hand. Draco came closer and Harry patiently waited. He slid next to him, their legs touching and hands still together.

"C-Can you... h-hold me?" Draco asked and loosened his grip.

Harry nodded and slowly wrapped his arms around him. Draco tucked his head under Harry's chin and leaned into him. He broke down, crying into Harry's chest and Harry just rubbed his back and whispered that he was there. Draco didn't... couldn't say anything. He just cried for nearly a half-hour until his ears perked at the crow's call.

"That's Blaise," Harry whispered. "Pomfrey's probably pissed. Do you want to go back?"

Draco just nodded. No point getting Harry in more trouble if all he was going to do is cry. Harry slowly let go, but Draco took his hand. He probably should warn Harry... about SAD, but he didn't have it in him. Harry walked him down the steps and back to the infirmary as he stared at the floor.

"Well! I never! Mr. Potter! Taking my patient..." she began irately, but noticed Draco cowering behind Harry, who was still holding his hand. Her tone softened. "We will discuss this another time. Return Mr. Malfoy to his bed. You have to get to class and he needs to eat breakfast."

Harry nodded and brought Draco over to the bed. "I'll be back right after Charms."

It must be Friday, Draco thought, climbing into the bed. He stared at Harry with sad eyes and nodded a farewell. Blaise and Theo were on the other side and he nodded to them, too. He didn't want to talk in front of everyone, yet.

"We'll be back soon, Dray," Blaise said. "Your hair looks better. Potter managed a Hair Re-growing Charm?" Draco pulled the vial out of his robe pockets and showed it to him. "Ah... well... it grew fast."

"Go on to class. You can bond later," she huffed, and they left. Madam Pomfrey placed his breakfast in front of him and stared at him until he ate it. Then she Vanished the trays and told him to rest, while she prepared his potion regimen. Draco didn't know what that entailed. But he watched her disappear into her office, to brew more potions.

It was nearly time for Charms to be let out, when the infirmary door opened and Draco froze. Hopkins, Rivers and Smith came in. He scrambled out of bed, throwing his robes back on. Wayne and Oliver were laughing, quietly. Smith grimaced.

"Well, look who's here. Go get the stuff for your hands, Zach. We got the Chosen Ass... of our Savior."

"I wouldn't mess with him, if I were you," Smith warned, and seemed intent on putting as much distance between him and Draco as possible. The other two, not so much. Wayne floated closer and Oliver came to the front of the bed. Draco slid off the other side, not knowing if he needed to bolt.

"Nice hair... but I don't think the Death Eater read today's paper, did you?" Oliver taunted and then reached into his bag and pulled out the Prophet. He tossed it to Draco. "You made the front page!"

Draco expected a photo of him beaten, marked and shaved, but no, it was worse. It was him and Harry, sharing a tender moment. Harry's fingers brushing Draco's cheek outside the greenhouse, as they stared into each other's eyes. Even his photographic self looked like he was madly in love with Harry. The title, of course, "Our Hero Turning Villain? The Chosen One begins Homosexual Affair with Convicted Death Eater Draco Malfoy." Draco glanced down at words like love potion, Imperius Curse, twisted morals, and a few choice homophobic words. She basically called gays a plague on the wizarding world.

Draco swallowed hard and clutched the paper, staring at the words, in stunned silence. Oliver and Wayne came closer, saying more things that he couldn't hear. He backed away from them, but Oliver came around and grabbed his arm. Draco recoiled from the touch, but he let go immediately, as Blaise's curse activated, again, and his eyes clouded over.

"No!" he screamed, rubbing his eyes and moving away.

"I told you to leave him alone!" Smith muttered. Wayne went over to Oliver, now backed into the bed that Theo and Blaise had used.

Draco took the chance to head for the door. Smith didn't move at all when he passed, even scooted away. Madam Pomfrey had come out when Oliver screamed, demanding to know what they were doing. Draco heard her call to him as he ran from the ward. He knew it was stupid, but he didn't want to be there when Harry and the others came back. He ran as fast and as far as he could. He ended up all the way to East Tower, which was still under deconstruction. He didn't want to see anyone. He just wanted to be alone... safe from everyone and everything. But that was never going to happen. The pain never stops. The pit was always there and would haunt him forever.

Now, what was going to happen? Everyone... the whole world knew about his relationship, his abnormality. They were blaming him for destroying their Savior. He read the article, again. There were more pictures... pictures of Harry holding his hand, of them flying and even sharing gooey-eyed looks. Skeeter even mentioned contacting his probation officer to find out if what he was doing was violating his probation. Rita would dig and Umbridge would spill... and maybe they'd send him back to prison. Back to die.

He knew couldn't go back though. His feeble wall wasn't going to hold up against the dementors this time. The pit would draw him in every night. He wasn't going to go back. He would not let that happen. He sat against the corner, holding his legs and crying for who knows how long. He was stuck, again. There was nothing he could do. The other students were going to nihilate him... and Harry. He couldn't forget that Harry didn't deserve this. People believed that he had gone dark or been lost to "sexual sadism" as Skeeter put it. Man, she was a bitch.

Draco's ears perked up when he heard students coming closer. He didn't know how long he'd been there. But it was dangerous to be there alone. They had Potter's map. He didn't even have his wand, which really didn't matter anyway. He couldn't defend himself if he wanted to. He slipped away and carefully avoiding the commonly used hallways and staircases. He was almost there. He was just above the library, moving quickly to avoid another wayward group of students when he ran straight into someone.

Draco's eyes widened, his heart practically stopped, and he backed up into the wall behind him. Weasley... the wrong one... and he was alone.

"Malfoy, what are you doing out here... alone?" he grunted, with the same coolness as he always had. His eyes glanced at his hair, almost amused. "Looks like karma got you."

Draco lowered his eyes and tried not to cry. He considered trying to run, but he didn't want to be pulled back with the pit memories so fresh. There was no running. There was no fighting. His breathing was starting to get out of control. The shaky wall rattled. Fuck, he thought.

"They're looking for you," Ron said, with a contemptuous sneer.

SAD was... after him. Smith and the others knew he was alone and on the run. They were going to hurt him, again. Maybe do worse. Hurt Harry, Blaise, Theo, Daphne, and all their friends. Draco didn't want to be hurt anymore. The pit lashed out in his mind, breaching the fence, the happy memory. He struggled to keep it at bay, but it wasn't a battle he was likely to win.

"Alright, Malfoy," Weasley started and took a deliberate step closer, his hand raised.

That did it. Draco seized up and slid down the wall to the floor, shaking. He collapsed onto his side, his arms clutched as he fought against getting sucked into the flashback. He heard Weasley above him calling his name.

"Malfoy, what the hell is the matter with you?" he said, but sounded less sure of himself.

It didn't matter what happened, though the wall was overrun. Darkness pulled him back in. Rabastan made him look directly at him, his hands firmly on his throat and chin. He enjoyed seeing the terror in Draco's eyes.

"Please, don't hurt me," Draco whispered aloud, knowing there was little else he could say.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Ron started, utterly confused, but Draco heard Harry's righteous scream of indignation and Draco managed to focus on the present.

"Ron! What the fuck are you doing?!"

The Weasel, a hothead, too, responded with, "Fuck you, I didn't...."

But Harry punched him in the nose with another expletive. Draco focused on the violence on the present, to bring him back, as Harry brought Ron to the ground, punching his stomach repeatedly, as Ron struggled to defend himself and stop Harry from hitting him. They wrestled around trying to get control for a few minutes, until Harry clocked his former friend in the face and kept hitting him until Weasley quit moving. Harry had Ron's blood all over him. Harry's eyes met his and he looked away as they heard voices of other students.

With the excitement over, Draco faded back into the memory. His uncle let him go. Voldemort snapped his fingers and pointed at the ground in front of him. Draco moved as quickly as he could, and steadied himself to give another blow job, though his jaw was extremely sore and he had a few teeth lose. Voldemort brought his head up and smiled darkly.

"Are you going to disappoint me, again, Draco?"

Draco shook his head, fear consuming him.

"Because if you do... we will come back here. It won't be just us, either. I'll invite some more faithful Death Eaters... maybe even your father... to have a go. Maybe I'll bring your mother to watch. Families should be there to support each other after all."

Draco blinked back the tears.

"Do I need to explain your position to you, again?"

"No, Master."

"Good... I expect better service from you, Draco. Rabastan will keep an eye on you for me. You will obey him until you prove that you don't have to be... supervised."

In other words, Rabastan was going to keep abusing him whenever and however he wanted. Draco had little choice in the matter. "Yes, Master."

Rabastan then pulled his robes back on, cleaning himself with his wand, but they didn't tell him to do anything while he knelt naked, soiled and bleeding on the floor. But he felt a faint flicker of hope that it was over.

"Thank you for this assignment, Master," Rabastan cooed and Fenrir praised him, too. Draco knew that they were all ass-lickers.

"Lord Voldemort always rewards his faithful followers."

Fenrir growled, "I hope that you will forgive us for letting him slip away."

"If we hadn't been misled..." Rabastan added, staring at Draco.

"No matter, but do remind your brother... that he may have to look elsewhere for comfort."

"I'll try, my lord. He does love Bellatrix's tenacity."

"As long as it's platonic. I do not care. Let's go... the smell is revolting."

Lord Voldemort finally Apparated them all back to the basement dungeon and left him in the basement. He didn't move for what seemed like hours, until his father came down the steps and dropped a pile of clothes on the floor. Draco didn't meet his eyes, he covered himself with his hands. He didn't even expect comfort.

"Well, you see where your unnaturalness landed you," he sneered. "Get dressed!"

Draco moved to comply, but he was still bleeding... in several places, and completely filthy. "Father... can you... I'm..." he started but didn't finish.

He pulled the shirt over the scratches and claw marks, and then his boxers and trousers. Blood soaked through them immediately. Draco understood that his father wanted to punish him for being what he is. He finally put his robes on and his boots and stood in front of him, for inspection. Draco still wouldn't look him in the eyes.

"Disgusting. I should kill you for this humiliation, Draco. The others will know that you... that you have disgraced the Malfoy name! If it wasn't for your mother's meddling... I would have already killed you, rather than live with the shame!"

"I'm s-sorry," he whispered.

"Sorry? You're sorry for being a... fag? For hooking up with that Zabini kid? If his mother was anyone else, I'd have killed him for even touching you! But we'll see, once the Dark Lord rises. He wouldn't tolerate any sexual deviancy in his new world."

Draco didn't say anything. He already told Blaise to run. He prayed to Salazar that he listened.

"The Dark Lord gave permission for you to return to school. Go get you things, now!" he ordered, turning toward the stairs.

"Father, please... please... don't let mother see me like this," he begged. If there was one thing he cared about, more than his fear, it was his mother. But he knew that didn't matter as much to his father, "Or let everyone else see. They'll know.

He didn't know if Lucius had some sense of pity or just didn't want Draco to shame him anymore, but he turned, giving him a look over. He pulled out a blackthorn wand. He cleaned him, removing the blood and bodily fluids, and put the glamours on.

"Don't think you've stayed my wrath, Draco. I don't need anyone seeing you like that. You'd best pretend that everything is okay... for your sake."

Draco nodded and followed him slowly up the steps. He packed his travel bag and could barely meet his mother's eyes, when they said goodbye and she gave him her wand. He remembered her touch and her soft words, reassuring him. He held in the pain for her.

"Draco..." Harry called. "Draco... come back to me."

Draco opened his watery eyes. He was back in the hospital wing. He had tears in his eyes, and he looked at Harry, who had a black eye. He was staring at him, with a worried expression.

"Draco? Can you hear me?" he asked.

Draco felt that the fence was there, again, and nodded.

"Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?"

He shook his head.

"Okay... you've been out for a bit. It's dinnertime, can you eat?"

Draco just nodded. He slowly sat up, again noticing that he was in just his pajamas, again. His black robes were on his side table. Harry pushed the table in front of him and Draco's shaky hands picked up the knife and fork. Tears came out when he tried to cut his food and he looked at Harry, wanting comfort. He dropped the fork and took Harry's hand on the bed.

"It's going to be okay, Draco. It'll all be fine," he whispered and grasped his hand.

Draco didn't believe him at all but nodded. Harry had to coax him to eat and Madam Pomfrey brought him some potions to drink. He eyed the small one with uncertainty, but Harry said that if he had to take it, so should he. Draco swallowed it. He didn't notice anything different.

"We'll work out a proper dosage for you, too, honey."

After dinner, the others showed up and Draco only briefly met Blaise's eyes, before continuing his preference of silence. He barely heard the others talk and they often had to repeat themselves. Madam Pomfrey tried to ask him about how he was feeling and expressed concern about why the Mood-Lifter and Calming Draught she gave him weren't working. Draco figured it out, though. The Draught of Despair had a very long half-life, meaning it lasted longer than other potions, especially when he took multiple doses at once. The potion was designed to last a month if a whole goblet is drunk at once. He drank enough to last a week or more. He probably should ask her to make the antidote, but words took a lot of effort. He stared in silence. Harry never let go, though.

"Time to go back to your dorms... he needs sleep!" the matron said, clapping her hands.

Harry put up some pleas, but she shot him down, scooting them out. Harry clenched his hand one last time, before letting go. Hermione said that she would take Harry back to the dorm and left. Draco missed the warmth already and stared at his blanket where Harry's hand had been. He ignored the matron's attempt to get him to take another potion. She eventually gave up and said that she was locking the outer door and she would be in her sleeping quarters inside her office, if they needed anything.

"Draco?" a softer voice called to his left, closer to the door.

Draco glanced and saw Neville had sat in the chair next to his bed. Blaise must have asked, or knowing Neville, he probably just volunteered to stay.

"I'll be here all night, okay?"

Draco nodded. Neville's hand was on the bed and Draco slowly took it. Neville didn't grip him like Harry did, but he didn't want to be alone right now. He didn't even know where his wand was. Draco breathed in and out, staring at the ceiling. Occasional bouts of panic came and went. Neville tried to get him to drink the Dreamless Sleep, but Draco didn't want to sleep. He was so defenseless when he slept. It was why he slept so much better with Blaise and Harry there. He was felt more comfortable with Neville, but it wasn't the same. Draco hadn't really been impressed with Neville's spell work in the past. He was a good friend, not a bodyguard.

Draco just stared, trying to find control, reason. Everything had been uprooted, mixed up. He had buried those memories so far down in the pit that he denied it even happened. There was no denying it, now. Everyone knew about him and Harry... knew that he was aberrant. That picture on the cover... too. The whole school... knew. The whole fucking world knew. Rabastan was still out there... hunting for him and his mother. Umbridge was threatening to send him to Azkaban or tell the world more of his secrets. Dawlish....

Draco sucked in a rapid breath that got Neville to sit up straight and try to calm him. There was no calming this. He was going to... and he would let him... do whatever he wanted. Draco started sobbing uncontrollably, again. He couldn't believe it was going to happen, again. He would just... bend over and let someone have their way with him. He was never going to be free of this pain. It never stops. The pit would never let him go... he was trapped. He tried to pull his hand away, but Neville finally tightened his grip.

"Hey... calm down. I'm right, here. Nothing's going to happen," he urged.

Draco heard the door creak open, just as the stunner spell was shot into Neville's back, his hand let go. Draco scrambled into the back of the headboard. He heard the Silencing Charm went up. Professor Dawlish in the flesh, came forward, with a malicious smile. Draco's heart started racing. He went to the fetal position and would not look at him.

"Death Eater... how have you been?" he said, sitting on his bed, unnervingly close. "I just wanted to see how you were doing... check in on my favorite Death Eater. I heard that you are going to behave when it comes to our... detentions... or did I hear wrong?"

Draco closed his eyes and pretended he was with Harry. It didn't work. He felt Dawlish's hand on his shoulder and tears came out. "P-Please...."

"Please, what?" he said, cruelly. "You know... you missed class yesterday and our check-ins. You are supposed to report to me... every day. You'll just have to make it up to me."

Draco's tearful eyes looked up at him, pleadingly. How can anyone be this... evil?

"Don't look at me like that. We can start... easy... you obviously know how to suck dick."

He flinched and tried to bury himself in the headboard. No, he thought, but he really didn't have an option.

"But I imagine it won't be long until my dick is in your ass, queer."

"P-Please... d-d..." he stammered.

"No. You aren't getting out of this. Nothing is going to stop this from happening. The only thing that is going to stop this, is your death. You belong to us, fag, forever, and you will be on your knees for the rest of your life, however, short that it may be. I suggest you consider your options, Death Eater. Now that everyone knows what a whore you are... they won't even bat an eye when we toss your criminal ass back to the dementors. Maybe get your soul sucked out like daddy? Would you like to go back to Azkaban? I can arrange that, too."

Draco's silent mental breakdown was just making him laugh more.

"I'll see you on Tuesday then... with your lips around my cock... about five minutes after class gets out? We'll call it a date. See you then... my little cocksucker," Dawlish said in a seductive voice and then he patted his shoulder, possessively.

Draco nearly flashbacked, again. But he wasn't about to lose it, with him there. Dawlish was staring at him, in a bad way and then walked out the door, removing his spells. Draco could barely breathe for the next twenty minutes while he hyperventilated. Dawlish was going to make him do that. Rape him... and he was never going to stop. Forever... he said. They would never let him go. He couldn't go through with it, again. Not again... ever again. He couldn't. It hurt so much... they wanted to destroy him.

Draco sobbed when he thought about Harry. He couldn't be with Harry, anymore. Not when other people are abusing him. He couldn't tell him what was wrong... why he was crying, why he couldn't be touched. Harry would be in pain, all the time. Blaise and Theo, too. He'd be hurting everyone around him... for the rest of his life, however, short that it may be. Draco lifted his head up. There was a way out. A way to stop the pain, stop hurting his mother... his boyfriend... his friends. Stop everything. He won't be tormented anymore. The pit won't be there to pull him back. No one would rape him, again.

Draco's tears stopped. It would hurt everyone, for a while, but they would get better. He was useless at this point, anyway. He should have done it properly a long time ago, anyway. The dementors were supposed to kiss him... but even before that... the Tower. That's where it started. It's where it should have ended.

Draco slowly got up, wrote a note with one line. I'm sorry. I love you all. He put his robes on, accidentally brushing the goblet of Dreamless Sleep. It cankered to the floor, dinging off the rock floor. Neville didn't flinch, though. He was stunned and it'd take more than noise to wake him this soon. Draco walked out the door and slowly ascended the steps toward the Astronomy Tower. He got held up, breaking through the locking wards on the new door. Someone didn't want students to access the tower anymore, but after fifteen minutes, he prevailed.

He started at the steps, taking an impossibly long time climbing them. He was scared, that was for sure. He'd always been a coward. Too afraid to stand up to his father. Too afraid to kill Dumbledore. Too afraid to switch sides. He knew that this was another coward's way out. He could fight... and lose everything. But he didn't want to fight anymore. He had to fight every day to keep the pit at bay. He had to fight with his friends, his feelings, his mother, his classes, the SAD members, the whole school, the Ministry, Rabastan, Umbridge... Dawlish. He was so alone against a horde of enemies, he could never win.

He was gay and in love with the Chosen One. He knew he was doomed the moment they started it. He wasn't supposed to be happy. He was the only son of Lucius Malfoy, a loyal Death Eater. He was never going to find happiness. His family was cursed. He could never cleanse his name... his sins, either. He was marked... tainted forever. He'd never find peace. He was a Death Eater. He stopped as he felt the shadow burn on his hand. Of course, how could he forget Luna? She'd never lift that pain curse of herself. He kept hurting her, with his thoughts alone.

He continued the climb, finally reaching the top. He looked up at the night sky. Mars was unusually bright tonight. He stared at the stars, for a long time, remembering how many times he'd been forbidden access to them. He lowered his head. He couldn't put it off any longer. This was the start of how it all ends. He couldn't kill someone... he knew it was his life that would be forfeit when he defied the Dark Lord. He should have jumped off the Tower then. Just saved himself a lot of pain and misery.

He left the alcove by the door. The wind was strong, winter was coming. The night air near freezing. He could just see his breath as the first frost had come. He walked toward the rampart. He could see the moon reflecting off the lake. Everything quiet... calm. Perfect, almost. He found some stability in his mind, clarity, even though what he was doing was the complete opposite of reason. But he saw an end to the pain... the fear. An end to being a slave to other people's wills and releasing his friends of their burden of watching him.

He dropped his robes onto the brick. The swift flow of air was brutally cold, viciously whipping through him, chilling him to the bone, immediately. But he wanted to see it. His mark. The accursed brand that separated him from everyone else, the good side. He ran his thumb across it, one last time. Tears fell down his eyes and he took a step up.

***

Ron woke up abruptly to Neville slamming the door open and shouting, "Harry!"

"Wha'da'fuck?" he groaned, extremely sore from getting beat up by his former best friend. Fucking Harry. He shook off his tiredness. "What are ya on about?"

"Harry?" Neville called, again, panicky and spelled the lights on, or half of them.

"Nev... Harry doesn't sleep here!" he grunted, annoyed that he'd been woken up.

That idiot knew it, no matter how many times he fluffed the bloody pillows under Harry's blanket. The Chosen Prick was never there when he woke up and Harry screams in his sleep, Ron noticed that, at least, or lack thereof. He rubbed his smashed eye gently as he sat up. Harry managed to pop a blood vessel when he thrashed him earlier and Ron had refused to go to the hospital wing while he was there. Hermione didn't even try to talk him into going, as she had decided that she wouldn't talk to him anymore. Bloody hell.

"Fuck!" Neville swore.

Wow, things must be bad if Neville swore, Ron grumbled internally, but then he heard Neville shouting in the hallway. The Slytherins lock their doors. Everyone knew that. You couldn't even touch the door. Neville, the Squib Wonder, wasn't going to get through that.

"Harry!" he yelled, again, no doubt waking half the dorm, if not all of it.

Ron got up, either to help him or yell at him. He hadn't decided on which one. He held his bruised ribs and hunched his way over to the door.

"Shit," Neville said and closed his eyes and pointed his wand at the door.

Shit was right, Ron just ducked in time as Neville's Blasting Curse ricocheted off the wards and nearly hit him. Neville growled and let off some nonverbal spells at the door, somehow shifting it enough to allow him to bang on the door. "Blaise! Harry!" he yelled.

It took them all of five seconds to open the door. Ron leaned up against his own door, waiting to see what was going on. Others came down the steps and even some of the girls woke up, Hermione included. She didn't look at him, obviously still upset. She stood at the base of the steps with Ginny, who started staying in the eighth-year tower at one point.

"Neville! What's wrong!" Harry asked and Ron wondered why he was sleeping in the Slytherin room if Malfoy was in the hospital ward.

"Draco's gone!"

"Gone?" Harry said, looking horrified. "What do you mean?"

"Someone came in, stunned me and, when Madam Pomfrey woke me up, he was gone!" Neville said, in a panic.

Who the hell would stun Neville? Ron wondered. Previous money would be on the Slytherins, but he is on first-name-basis with them, now, Ron realized.

"Stunned you?" Zabini asked, stepped forward to assess him with his wand.

"What's going on?" Ernie asked. Terry and Seamus next to him and Smith and Dean had even come down, but they stayed farther back.

"Well, he's not wrong, someone stunned him... those SAD members?" Zabini suggested.

"Madam Pomfrey locked the doors... I didn't even hear him come in... but guys... this was on the nightstand!" Neville said, handing him something.

Harry read it and paled. "Oh, fucking Merlin. We need to find him, now!"

Ron wondered what was on the parchment as the Slytherins read it, too, in equal alarm.

"Ernie, Seamus, Terry, can you check the entrances? Blaise... you guys know his spots... potions storeroom, the classroom... kitchens... wherever he would go."

"We're on it, Harry!" he said, as they all headed down the stairs. Harry briefly made eye contact with Ron and he glowered, still pissed off about earlier.

Ron snorted. Asshole. He didn't even touch Malfoy and he just attacked him! He was confused by the Slytherin's complete mental breakdown, I mean, what the heck was that about? And then Harry just punches him! He didn't even stop to ask what happened. Ron barely fought back, more distracted by the fact that he hadn't actually done anything. What was with Malfoy anyway? He was practically having a seizure, crying and whispering under his breath. He didn't even know what was going on around him. Harry had to carry him to the hospital wing.

They went out toward the portrait hole, with Hermione, Ginny and Daphne, but Luna came running down the steps, cradling her arm. "Harry!"

Harry stopped and told the others to keep going. "I can't talk Luna, Draco's missing, and he might be trying to...."

"Harry... you know where he is! You know where he would go to end it," she said, taking his hand.

Ron's eyebrows furrowed. End it? That drama queen Malfoy was going to kill himself because everyone knew that he was on the downlow? It wasn't that big of a deal. Who cares that he likes blokes? Besides how was he that surprised by it? Even he had figured out that they were fucking each other. Harry was obsessed with the fucking blond prick and he rarely remembered to cover his hickies when he came back from Malfoy's room every damn morning.

Harry stared at Luna and his shoulders dropped, but he turned her hand. Her palm was glowing red. "Luna?"

"No time to explain! Go! Harry! Hurry!"

Harry paused and whispered, "The Tower?"

Luna gave him a push. "Go or you'll be too late!"

Harry ran out of the portrait hole. Luna rubbed her hand and made eye contact with him, before he turned to go back into his room. He stopped only a foot in. Luna's words were eating at him. He looked down and saw Harry's bag in front of his unused bed. Harry had nearly clocked him up when his map had gone missing and the lovesick idiot just leaves his bloody bag there with his cloak. Ron glanced back at the door and then at the bag. He wanted answers. He picked up it up, pulled the cloak out and threw it over him. There are many towers, but there was only one that made sense. Where Dumbledore died. He ran, too, and made it up the stairs and nearly plowing into Harry at the top.

Harry was frozen and, apparently, hadn't heard him run up the stairs. He stepped forward, his wand out and slowly walked out onto the roof. Ron could see Malfoy standing on the ledge. Bloody hell. He wondered if he should go get someone, but he just took out his wand, too. If Harry couldn't talk him down, he could help with his wand. Locomotor Mortis, Accio, or even a Cushioning Spell. It didn't look like Malfoy had a wand. He was practically stripped to the skin, though it was near freezing.

"Draco?" Harry whispered.

Malfoy flinched and teetered a little. "S-Stay back, Harry."

"Draco... please don't do this," Harry begged, and he took a step forward.

"Don't come any closer, Harry!" he cried.

"Okay..." Harry said, holding his hand up. "Calm down, Draco...."

"Don't use magic on me, Harry. I'll stop you."

How? Ron thought to himself.

Harry dropped his wand, dramatically. "I won't. I just want to talk, Draco."

"I don't want to talk. Just... just let me go."

Malfoy... bloody Drama Queen, Ron nearly snorted and looked over the edge. He thought he'd have enough time to cast a spell, a few of them.

"I can't do that. Come on, Draco... just come to me... please," Harry pleaded and took another step forward.

Malfoy let out a guttural roar and a green energy bubble shot out around him and expanded, pushing Harry back over a foot. It was clear and Ron couldn't see it anymore. He could feel it though. Harry put his hand up and it stopped in front of him. His wand was on the brick inside the bubble. Harry was shaking.

"You can't get in, now, Harry. A little trick that Voldemort taught me. Morsmordre Murus. You have to have one of these to get through." Malfoy held up his arm and brandished the Dark Mark, barely visible on his arm. He laughed a kind of insane, desperate laugh that made Ron shake a little. "Here... I thought it was a curse. I guess it is worth something."

"Draco," Harry said, with fear in his voice.

Harry stared at his wand, now out of reach, and started shaking. Ron gripped his wand, tightly. He knew that he couldn't spell through the barrier, but the barrier wouldn't follow Malfoy. He had to be quick, if he did jump, and Ron would be.

Malfoy let out a sob. "It's over, Harry. I can't take the pain anymore. I can't keep hurting you. It's never going to get better, Harry."

"Draco, please don't think that. It's just bad, now."

"Now? Now, Harry? When has it ever been not bad? When my dad beat and tortured me? When Voldemort and the others... hurt me? Then the dementors... the other students... her and Dawlish... the pain never stops, Harry! The wall is gone... the fucking pit has me... I can't keep it out anymore. I can't take it anymore!"

Harry took a deep breath. If he understood all that, Ron didn't know. "Calm down, Draco. You have me... and Blaise... your friends. We'll help you. We need you. I need you."

"No, you don't. I'm just a burden. I'm hurting you. I saw the pain in your eyes earlier."

"It's because I love you, you git. I don't like seeing you in pain."

"It's only going to get worse. I can't talk about the pit... and I can't get out of it. They broke me, Harry. There's no more pretending anymore. I can't say no. I have to follow orders... anyone's orders. I think you know that. Blaise definitely does."

"We can work through that, Draco. I won't hurt you. I promise."

"You can't stop everyone else though. You can't protect me from the world. You can't protect me from my own mind. Salazar knows how much I hurt Theo, when he went into my head. You'll all be better with me gone. You can be happy. No more fighting... no more taunts."

"And what no more you?" Harry cried, his voice breaking.

"I can't go back to Azkaban... Harry," Malfoy said, taking a small step toward the edge.

Ron took a step closer, too. This was not going well.

"You're not going back! I won't let anyone take you back!" Harry cried.

"You can't promise that! I won't survive the dementors, again. The wall is gone. They can take me back to the pit!"

"I will not ever let them take you, Draco," Harry growled, angrily, and the Slytherin trembled slightly.

"You can't save me from everything... what they did... what they're going to do..." Malfoy's voice broke. "I don't want to live in this fear anymore. I can't put you through this anymore, either."

"Draco... I can't live without you. I can barely get through the night without you."

He shook his head. "That's because I'm causing it."

"You really think that, Draco?" Harry sobbed. "If you leave me... Draco... I'll have nothing. I did what I was born to do... kill Voldemort. I don't have a purpose anymore. I have no family. Hermione can be happy with Ron... my friends don't need me. They probably won't even notice me gone."

Ron grimaced. He'd notice. Does Harry really feel like that?

"That's because you're always dealing with me!"

"I almost died this summer. I was content to crawl into a bottle for the rest of my life and hope the end came quick."

"It's because you got into a fight with Ron and Ginny over me! If you...."

"If I what? Ginny is with Luna and Ron hates me," Harry whispered.

Ron winced, his stomach was burning with guilt. Wait, Ginny and Luna? Hmm... they were together a lot more often. I guess she's not pining for Harry anymore.

"Plus, you're square with Ginny. You saved her life."

He did? Ron thought and listened with interest. What the hell? When? How?

"You still lost your best friend and he's only pissed because you picked me over him."

And you've been ignoring me for over six months. I lost you and my brother, Ron thought, still glancing at the edge. He wished the others would find their way here.

"You think that if Ron and I make up, it's going to fix everything? No... Draco... No. If you jump... I'm going to climb up and jump, too."

Oh, bloody hell, Ron almost said aloud.

Malfoy flinched and shook his head. "No! you're not... you can't! You're the savior. People need you!"

"Who?" Harry's voice broke, again. Tears dropping to the stones. "Who the hell needs me? Everyone has their own life... own loves. There's nothing for me."

Malfoy turned, slightly. The wind was whipping pretty good, He could fall accidentally. "What about Teddy? He's your responsibility."

Harry let out a desperate laugh. "I'm so fucked up, Draco. I told you before we came... I didn't think I'll ever be fit to raise him. I hoped I could. Aunt Andy said that she didn't even want me to come more than once a week... I'm a wreck. I shouldn't be allowed in the same room as him. Alcoholic, depressed, anorexic, with a fuckton of anger and violence problems... I can't raise him. I probably shouldn't even be alone with him. I've never going to get better... no, my money is going to him when I die. He'll never want for anything."

Malfoy grimaced. "He wants you! You're his godfather. You're just...."

"I'm what? No... he'll be raised by his grandma and your mum. But... if me... and you get some help... and we can raise him together, Draco."

But Malfoy glanced back at the edge. "I should have died here, Harry."

"But you didn't. Dumbledore and Snape saved you... your soul. You're not broken, Draco... you fought... against him at the battle... you fight for your friends... who need you. You were the one who saved Theo, when he snapped. You've survived this long... just weather the storm a little longer... please, Draco. Please don't give up... I need you."

"You'd survive."

"Like I survived being killed by Voldemort? Like I survived when the dementor nearly ripping out my soul? They were going to send me to St. Mungo's. I can't sleep, Draco... I feel like I'm losing my mind. I only relax around you. Please...."

Malfoy looked over the edge, again. His head bowed.

"Please... don't do this. Not here... not where he died. Don't make me watch someone else I love die. Please... please... come down," Harry begged.

D-Malfoy waved his hand and the barrier went down. Ron didn't see a wand. Was Malfoy doing wandless magic? He wasn't even angry, either. Malfoy slowly stepped down. Harry's knees were shaking and nearly gave out. He started crying in relief. Malfoy slowly walked over, and Harry hugged him as he collapsed in his arms falling to the roof.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry," Dra-Malfoy said, on his knees and Harry held him. "Please... don't let them hurt me anymore, Harry."

"I won't let them touch you, Draco... I'll protect you. Just tell me who they are...."

Malfoy was about to tell him, but just burst out crying into Harry's chest. Ron was gobsmacked. He was alarmed earlier when Malfoy went catatonic, but Mal-Draco was completely distraught, now. What the hell was happening to him? That SAD group? Rumors were that they wore masks so he wouldn't know who they were. M-Draco was balling his eyes out and Ron felt sick. This was the anguish inside Malfoy? Bloody hell.

Harry's eyes were wet, too. He tightened his arms around him. "Fuck, you're freezing. I'll protect you, Draco. Just focus on my voice. I'm right here," Harry murmured quietly and wrapped his robe around him. They stayed there for several minutes. Until Harry used a Lightening Charm on him and picked him up. Malfoy didn't complain about it and just gripped his shirt.

"I don't want to go back..." he whispered, afraid.

"Come on... I'll stay with you all night. Blaise and the others are probably worried sick."

Draco nodded and Ron quickly moved out of the way of them as Harry carried him down the steps. Ron stayed up on the roof for a long time after that Until he was quite frozen. He thought about what Draco had said, and really considering his path forward.

Alright, you made it through! That was the worst. I can't guarantee that there won't be any more flashbacks on Draco's end (still have a few from Blaise and Theo to hit), but we should be out of it. I hope you're okay!

This is an adapted quote from H. Fielding, which always made me think of how I wanted to lay out my stories and their climaxes: When a tragic writer hath brought their principal characters to the highest pitch of human misery, they conclude their work to be done, and that their 온라인카지노게임 had come to an end. Had we been in a tragic 온라인카지노게임, we must agree we have very nearly arrived at that point, since it would be difficult for the devil, or any of his representatives on earth, to have contrived much greater torments than those in which we left him in this last chapter.... What then remains to complete the tragedy but a death or two and a few moral sentences. But to bring our favourites out of their present anguish and distress, undo the foul schemes of their adversaries, and deliver them, at last, on the shores of happiness, seems a much harder task; a task indeed so hard that we do not undertake to execute it lightly. But undertake it, we shall, as this is not a tragedy. This is a 온라인카지노게임 of love, redemption, recovery and friendship.

And so ends Part 2 (we are now up to almost 1,000 pages and 500,000 words)... the darkness now fades, and we move into overcoming it. Smiley face.

The song at the top (if it loaded right), Yellow Flicker Beat by Lorde, also helped me develop on how a wanted Draco's character to be and it is the song I listened to, whilst writing this chapter. I loved it from the first time I heard in the Mockingjay.