Draco sat upon one of the couches in front of the grand fireplace in the Slytherin common room. Crabbe and Goyle were going on about the tournament, but it seemed strange how so many of his fellow house mates were missing. Pansy was no where to be found to bother him, neither were any of her friends, and even certain guys who would be fooling around were missing. There were no classes so there was no reason for anyone to be out and about until dinner.
The Slytherin's mind drifted off to Grayson, wondering how she was doing. He hadn't seen her at the tournament, though she was definitely there she wouldn't be missing it. Draco smiled thinking about her, seeing her smiling face etched into his brain was something he'd never want to leave. He missed her touch most of all though, not having any true time with her since Valentine's Day. The lingering glances in the hallways, soft hand touches as they walked by one another- it wasn't enough or ideal.
Voices started to hush though as Snape walked into the room. It wasn't very often that he came but when he did it meant it was about something serious.
"Mr. Malfoy, come with me please." his heart raced a little wondering what he could be getting called.. for once he was sure of the fact he didn't do anything to deserve detention.
"What's wrong sir?"
Once they were away from any wandering ears the Professor turned to him, "you may want to go to the hospital wing."
"Why?"
"Earlier, a few of your fellow Slytherins tried to drown your fiancé." the older wizards voice was stoic showing no emotion. On the inside he was furious though.
"W-what?!" Draco's fists clenched at his side.
"She's still unconscious but I figured someone needed to tell you."
After Snape was done the young wizard raced away from him. He didn't slow down, pushing anyone in his way aside.
How could someone do this? This couldn't be happening.. Grayson was a sweetheart, never wanting to hurt anyone. And now the fact that she couldn't swim came back to haunt her- and he wasn't there to save her.
His fiancé was still unconscious when he finally reached the wing. He was slightly out a breath but still walked over to the crowd around her bed. As much as he didn't want to deal with Potter and his crew, he needed to see Grayson... everyone turned and stared at Draco, not exactly surprised to see him there.
"H-how is she?"
They all shared looks with each other but Hermione decided to answer, "she'll be fine. Thankfully Harry got to her just in time."
He nodded while muttering, "thanks Potter." it was the first time anyone thought they'd ever hear those words. Harry was taken back by his enemies words at first, but graciously accepted them, "who did this?" his words sounded like ice now and everyone could hear that too.
"Pansy Parkinson." Ginny said clear as day. She wanted that Slytherin dead after this.
Draco took a deep breath in and then back out, trying to keep himself from exploding into anger. Seeing Grayson's frail body laying on the hospital bed broke his heart into pieces. The fragility he saw, she never had the chance to protect herself it all happened so fast.
He almost lost her.
***
It didn't take long for Grayson to wake up. It was around noon the next day when her eyes pried open to the gleaming sunlight streaming through the windows. Her mind felt groggy, her body weak. Madam Pomfrey swooped in on her to make sure she was fine, checking everything she could.
"W-what happened?" she croaked as she was being prodded at.
"Honey you don't remember? The water?"
"Oh... yeah." Grayson sniffled remembering the events that took place. The frigid water invading her body, the darkness overcoming her.. the fear.
"You seem to be doing much better. How are you feeling though?"
"My head's spinning a little, I-I feel weak but..."
"Don't push yourself, just relax."
"Thank you.." the healer poured a strange colored liquid into a cup and handed it to the young girl. It tasted bitter but she forced herself to drink all of it.
"Also, your friends have left cards and candies I suggest you go through them. You have a lot of people who are there for you dear."
"I'm thankful for them.."
Grayson could feel the difference in how her body felt, she could now clearly picture the drowning over and over again. She still remembered the feeling of not having control in the water and being so scared. She cursed herself for not knowing how to swim, it almost took her life...
Except right now she wished someone was with her. She wanted someone to have been there when she awoke, she felt alone in the empty bed filled room. Trying to get up would be futile and dumb, she'd end up getting in trouble or hurting herself even more. The young Gryffindor wanted to head back to the common room and lounge in front of the fire. Maybe have a nice cup of tea as well.
Grayson's mind wandered off to Draco soon enough. Did he know about what happened? Had he come to see her? She hoped so, because she desperately wanted him to hold her in this moment...
"I see you're awake!"
Even if it wasn't anyone she was expecting to see, a smile still came to her face, "Hi Bryce!"
The Ravenclaw awkwardly came and stood at the edge of her holding a bouquet of flowers, "I heard about what happened and figured I'd come and see if you were awake or not.. brought you these too." he set the flowers onto the side table, "you doing okay?"
"Yeah I mean, I'm alive!" she giggled, "feeling pretty out of it but I'll be fine."
"Oh well that's great to hear. I hear Parkinson is practically hiding from all your friends. She and the others got into a lot of trouble in case it makes you feel any better."
"It definitely does.. but I was just so powerless in the moment, it sucks y'know?"
"Don't beat yourself up, it was out of your control."
"Thanks... should've tried to predict this one, am I right?"
"Lemme go consult my number charts!" the two started laughing over their lame Arithmancy jokes. A cough sounded from behind the two- Draco.
"Am I interrupting something?" he cocked an eyebrow in annoyance. Who was this boy?
"N-no! Uh I gotta get going. See you around Grayson."
"Bye Bryce thanks again." she felt bad watching her newest friend scurry away rather quickly. She could tell he was scared of the blond boy standing right there. Seeing him made her heart skip a beat though.
Quickly Draco came to the side of her bed, pulling her into a tight embrace. She felt comforted with his arms around her, being absorbed in the all too familiar scent of his. Pulling away he placed his hands on either side of her face peering into her eyes. Grayson could see the fearful look on his face, she wanted to tell him it would be okay but she doubted that he'd believe her.
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" she took his hand into hers as he moved to sit on the side of her bed.
"I wasn't there... I should've been there."
"I'm okay."
"You almost died Grayson." he had probably only used her first name two times before this, she could tell how serious he was being.
"But I didn't."
"Obviously. You're sitting right in front of me you git." he rolled his eyes, "humor me though.. why didn't you tell me that Pansy had been continuing to harass you? Did you not think that something could escalate to this? And yes, Ginny told me everything."
Knowing her best friend approached him didn't surprise her very much. "I didn't think she'd try to kill me.. I doubt she knew I couldn't swim Draco, it was probably supposed to just freak me out."
"That's not a fucking excuse!" his voice started to raise with agitation, "what if you had died huh? Would that excuse have gotten her out of murder charges?"
"No..."
"Exactly. Now just wait until I get my hands on her, she's going to wish she was the one that drowned."
"Draco just let it be."
"No!" Grayson tenderly stroked the side of his cheek hoping to calm him down. She brought his face level to hers and gently placed a kiss onto his lips.. then leaning their foreheads against one another's, feeling the comfort of being together.