for the one i love ; fred weasley

chapter 57

NARRATOR'S POV

"Dragon..." Carina breathes. Before her brain can fully process what's happening, her legs start moving and she realises she's running over to him. Draco opens his arms for his sister, wrapping them around her waist as she throws hers over his shoulders. "I've missed you so much," murmurs Carina, closing her eyes as she melts into her younger brother. Draco says nothing, glancing up at Lee, who stands still. The dark skinned boy nods at Draco, leaving the pair alone and heading towards the Great Hall on his own.

After a moment, the Slytherin Princess pulls away, running her fingers through Draco's platinum hair. A frown grows on her face as she starts taking in his appearance. His hair feels dry under her fingertips, noticeably uncared for. Even if it is true Draco's dark circles are prominent because of his pale skin, Carina notices they run even deeper now, darker. Even if he had fair skin, it was always moisturised and smooth, never as ashy or dull as it is today. Carina would rather not say the first thought that crosses her mind. "Draco... What -"

The younger boy takes Carina's hand and pulls her away towards a more secure place in the castle. He doesn't speak as they walk, ignoring the harsh tugs at his wrist and Carina's relentless questions. "Stop!" He hisses once they arrive at the Slytherin Dungeons. He mutters the password and once it opens, he pulls Carina in. He ignores the looks he gets from a couple students. No one makes a single comment, they all know better. Draco takes Carina to his room, closing the door and casting a Silencing Spell. "Merlin, Carina you can't just show up here like that -"

"- What the hell was that?" Exclaims Carina, shoving at Draco's chest shaking her head as she rubs her wrist. "You could've said follow me and I would've, there's no need for this caveman nonsense!" Finishes Nina, her black hair covering half of her face. "What is going on? I was just coming to speak with Lee and hopefully, see you, but now I'm... You - you look..." Carina can't even finish her sentence.

The siblings look at each other for a few seconds, both of them silent, trying to read the other. Draco sighs, rubbing the back of his neck out of exhaustion. "I'm sorry I couldn't get back to you after... everything that's happened... I'm sorry about Adrian," he says, voice soft and mellow. Carina nods in response, not really knowing what to say back to that. "I - I couldn't write because mother was worried they would intercept the letters," he explains, clearing his throat.

"They?" Questions Carina, tilting her head.

"They are... they are watching her... us," it's more than clear to Carina that Draco isn't being one hundred percent honest with her. Judging by the tone in his voice, he's barely even scratching the surface. "I can't do much without them noticing. That's why I've been distant," again, only half-true. But Carina knows better than to push Draco, and this Draco is someone she hasn't met before. The Draco she knows would never let himself walk around Hogwarts looking so... weak and hurt.

Carina takes Draco's hand in hers and nods. "Okay," she murmurs, rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb. "We'll find a way," is all she can say, staring into Draco's grey eyes with determination. His eyes widen in slight surprise, but only for an instant. After a mere second, they soften and he turns his hand, giving Carina's a firm squeeze. Deep down, they both know what they know, but neither of them say anything out loud. "Have you been speaking to Pansy and Blaise? Are you three still friends?"

Draco shrugs, giving her the smallest nod. "We are friends, I just haven't spoken to them much," admits the younger boy, letting go of Carina's hand and sitting down on his bed. Carina follows along, sitting next to her brother. "I haven't had much free time," he murmurs, as if talking to himself.

Carina suddenly remembers something Tonks had mentioned earlier in the month. "What's that I heard about you breaking Harry's nose?" She wonders out loud. Draco shudders at her question, but it doesn't faze Carina in the slightest. "Dragon... I know you and H have had a difficult relationship, to put it mildly, but do you think that was the right move?"