𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | 𝐃.𝐌

Chapter Twenty-one

DRACO

"Occlumency, Draco. That's what it's called." His mother whispered into his ear. "Bella will teach you everything you need to know about it."

Draco's eyes hovered towards Bellatrix. She was staring at him, a dangerous smirk dangled from her lips. It made him nervous.

"There's no need to worry my dear! We'll make sure nobody can invade that little mind of yours," Bellatrix inched closer to him.

"Just relax, Draco dear." She wrapped her hands around his jaws. "This will only hurt a little,"

Draco's world exploded. It felt as though Bellatrix's legilimency was a blade tearing through his mind. Tearing his memories to pieces.

The pain he had felt when Eden and Cedric almost kissed at the Lupercalia Ball, the first time he'd realized he loved her. The times when Draco had sat alone in his room, wishing to be with her instead.

Bellatrix razed his memories viciously. He heard himself scream. It hurt.

When she finally withdrew, she pushed him to the ground.

"Cissy! Your son," She gasped. "He's a blood traitor," She nudged Draco with her shoe."I wonder what the Dark Lord would think of this."

His mother stood up, her voice ice cold when she spoke. "Don't you dare Bella."

Bellatrix laughed manically. "He's weak. Just like his father."

Draco could just make out her black curls hanging over him. His vision wobbled when he tried to focus on her. "I'll make sure you forget about that little Mudblood of yours." She giggled and stroked his chin with her wand. "What was her name again? Eden?" Her beautiful name sounded so venomous in her mouth.

Draco swallowed bitterly. "Please, don't hurt her. I'll leave her alone." His throat clenched together as he pictured Bellatrix killing the only person he'd ever loved besides his mother.

"I'll teach her a lesson. She's friends with Potter isn't she? Then I assume she'll be in the ministry too."

"Please don't-" Draco felt a tear rolling down his cheek. Bellatrix apparated out of the room and so did he, back to Hogwarts.

He woke up, catching his breath with shaking gasps. Another nightmare about that horrible evening. It was months ago! Bella hadn't killed Eden. She hadn't gotten that opportunity. Draco sighed heavily and got up.

A prickling coldness ran down his spine when a letter pushed its way out of his fireplace, onto the floor. His knees trembled as he bent down to pick it up.

For Draco Malfoy, from Eden Gray.

Draco's heart rose, a flicker of hope in the darkness and cold. He opened the letter carefully.

Dear Draco,

I know you told me not to write to you and to leave 'us' behind, but Draco, I can't. I miss you. The feeling is too visceral to ignore.

When I saw your face in the Daily Prophet I knew you weren't doing alright. I'm really worried about you Draco. Is everything ok? Are you eating enough?

I hope you're safe. Please, write back.

I love you, always have, and always will.

Eden

Draco dropped his head, mouth twisting as he trembled and let the letter fall to the ground. He squeezed his eyes shut and he tried to focus through the pain.