Chapter Text
Your summer with the Malfoy’s had been eventful. You had decided to stay with them instead of your parents simply because they were doing the same work as Draco’s parents and if you stayed with them, at least you had company.
It was raining and almost two o'clock in the morning. There had been a meeting earlier that night and Draco had been asked to attend. Both of you were shocked, but you had had a suspicion of why he had been asked to attend. His father was in Azkaban and he was the only male in Malfoy Manor. He obviously had to step up to his father’s duties, but you didn’t think it would be so soon.
You jumped as the door to Draco’s room clicked open and interrupted your pacing. Draco turned to shut the door behind him and you knew something was wrong because he didn’t turn back around to face you.
Instead, he leaned his forehead against the door and sighed. You stared at him, giving him his space. You didn’t want to cause a fight between you two, but you were concerned by his actions. He never acted like this. He was always so casual and cool. You’d never seen Draco Malfoy let his guard down. But right now, it seemed as though his guard was completely down. As you stood there, you watched his breathing come quicker and his shoulders started to shake.
“Draco?” you asked, taking a timid step forward. He didn’t move and didn’t acknowledge your presence. He seemed childlike and vulnerable so you continued to stare at his back. Abandoning your effort of trying to get near him, you turned and sat on his bed by the window. The thing about Draco was that he was going to talk when he was ready to talk and unfortunately, you had to be okay with that.
After about ten minutes, his breathing became more normal, but his shoulders were still shaking. He raised a fist and brought it up to connect with the door in front of him. You jumped. This wasn’t unlike him when frustrated or irritated, but it had been so quiet that this noise seemed louder than it actually was. He turned and made his way towards the bed, sitting next to you. You turned to face him and took his hands in yours.
“What happened?” you asked quietly, fearing you already knew the answer. He shook his head and took one of his hands from yours. He scratched behind his ear; a habit he had picked up recently when he was nervous.
“Talk to me, baby.” you said, and grabbed his face, forcing him to look at you. He pulled away and put his head in his hands. He sniffed and rubbed his eyes. Suddenly, he looked up. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth.
“I need to tell you something and you’re not going to like it. In fact, I won’t blame you if you stop loving me. You’ll want to break up with me.” You raised an eyebrow. His statements seemed very dramatic.
“Highly unlikely, Draco. You’re stuck with me.” you replied and he shook his head.
“No. Listen, I’ve got to do something now that my father is in Azkaban. I need to step up and show the Lord that my family is still as faithful as ever. I’ve got to do this.” he replied and looked at you for the first time since he had entered his room. “I’ve got to do this. I can do this. Everyone thinks I can’t, but I know I can. I’m going to make everything right!”
“Babe, what are you talking about?” you asked. His right arm drifted to his left sleeve and you knew what he was talking about. He didn’t have to roll up his sleeve to show you, but he did. Your mouth fell open because even though you had been expecting this, it still came as a shock. To make a sixteen year old be a part of something so beyond him was cruel. Your fingers drifted over the Dark Mark etched into his skin. He winced and pulled his sleeve down.
“I’ll understand if you want to leave.” he said, standing up. You shook your head and stood up next to him.
“I know you’re more than this. You’re better than this. I know that you think this is something you have to do but-“
“It is something I have to do! Don’t you understand? I’ve already been given the mark and I’ve been given a mission! I can’t let my father down! I’ve let him down in the past, but I’m going to prove myself worthy this time! No one thinks I can do it, but I can!” he shouted. You took a step back. You took a deep breath and tried to push back your tears.
“I’d like to say that this erases my feelings for you.. that it makes me hate you.. but unfortunately, it doesn’t Draco. You’re trying to push me away. You’ve done it before and I’m not going to let you do it again. I love you and you’re going to have to deal with that. I don’t care that that mark represents something bigger and more evil than the both of us. I don’t care that you’ve got some stupid mission to do because I know who you really are. I know that your heart is not totally black. You care about more than yourself and it was just proven by you wanting me to break up with you. You think it’ll be safer, but guess what, Draco? My parents are in the same business as yours, so eventually, I’ll have the dark mark as well. We’ll get through this together, but you’ve got to let me in! Stop pushing me away anytime something bad happens! It doesn’t help either of us. I’m in love you Draco Malfoy and some stupid mark or mission isn’t going to change that. I’m yours and you’re mine.” you replied, taking a step forward.
You grabbed both of his hands and looked up into his sea blue eyes. He smiled and you could see tears in his eyes.
“I’m sorry.” was all he said. You nodded and he pulled you into a tight hug.
You two would get through it, you always got through everything. You knew it would be difficult, but maybe in the end, it would all be worth it.