The Protector

Nightmares

The hallway leading into main room was very dark. The moment Ron closed the door, all the lights came on. It seemed strange. I was ahead of everyone. I pulled my wand out, standing prepared. Ahead of us, something formed out of either sand or dust or smoke of some sort. I couldn't tell what it was at first.

Until it ran at us. No, correction, it was flying towards us. I screamed along with Hermione. I punched it out of instinct and it disappeared. My heart was racing. That's wasn't funny, Sirius. My head began pounding. I groaned. Great! Exactly what I need.

"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron asked.

"Might've been Mad-Eye Moody's idea," Hermione piped up.

"Like protection," I was understanding the concept."

"From Snape."

"Oh give it up," I groaned and went deeper into the flat. "Stop trying to blame every little inconvenience on Snape! He's actually a really nice guy once you get to know him!"

"Bridge, are you feeling okay?"

"No," I groaned. "We were just nearly killed twice in the span of two hours. I didn't get my mocha. I've got a headache! Merlin knows how long we'll be staying here or whether death eaters will come kill us. With everything that's happened today, I keep thinking of the past, and I really don't want to! Especially now! I'm tired," I took a breather as they just stared at me. "I'm going to go rest on the couch in the family room if you need me."

I went in and collapsed. They followed after me. I could hear their footsteps as I closed my eyes. "Bridge?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you need a blanket? Or some pills? Or even a pillow?" It was Ron.

I smiled, "I don't know."

"How about you get changed into something more comfortable?" It was Hermione's voice.

I opened my eyes. She was holding out some sweatpants and a tee shirt. I shook my head, "I'm...fine."

"Well, here's a blanket and a pillow," Harry threw them at me. "I know how you get when you get cold. Your nightmares come back and you can't sleep. So at least take these." 

I slipped the pillow under my head and curled up the in the blanket. I was out within seconds.

***

I stood on the grounds of Hogwarts. I knew it was because of the willow tree ahead of me. My favorite willow tree. I smiled. It gave me that sense of home. The sky was a light blue with a hint of sunshine. I smiled.

"It's beautiful. Your favorite right?"

My heart nearly stopped. I turned. There he was. I couldn't tell whether I should be happy or angry or sad. "Draco."

"Why such a bitter tone, love?" He strolled over to me. He grabbed my face, "I thought you'd be happier."

"I don't know what I am," I was honest. "I'm thrilled to see you and to have you talking to me..."

"But?"

"But I'm angry," I moved his hand from my face into my hands, "and sad. You left. You told me to leave. You didn't...you didn't say you loved me. You...You..."

"I was a douche," he nodded. "A total wanker. I know. And I'm so sorry." He seemed sincere. He squeezed my hand, "Come. Let's talk, Bridge."

We walked down the hill towards the tree. I looked at him, "So is this an actual dream or did you do some weird magic hex?"

"That I cannot say," he chuckled. "I can say that I've missed you."

I looked back ahead of us. I missed him too but I didn't necessarily want to say it back.

"I understand," he broke the silence. "Silent treatment. I get it. I deserve it. But really, I missed you." We got to the willow tree. The breeze blew and the branches tickled my nose. I giggled.

Draco grabbed my hand, "Bridge. I seriously hated myself. For months. I've missed you for so long. I've missed your voice, your hair, your hands, your eyes. I missed you. Please, I hope that in time you can forgive me."

I sighed and took back my hands, "I will forgive you. Hell, I do forgive you, Draco. But I'm still hurting. I'm trying to move on and you come back. I can't...I can't run back into your arms after you've hurt me like that. I'm sorry." My eyes were filling with tears.

His were too. I had to looked back to the Black Lake to stop myself from crying. "I...I understand...Bridge, love?" I looked at him. He looked down to his chest. So did I. He was bleeding. From everywhere. There were little gashes all over his body. He dropped to the ground.

My heart began to beat faster. I dropped with him, "Draco?! Draco, what's going on? What happened?"

He shook his head, "I...I don't know...He...Help, Bridget." I tried to pull out my wand. But I couldn't find it. I started to panic and cry.

I grabbed Draco's head and put it in my lap, "It'll be okay, hun. It'll...It'll be fine. Help! Someone! Help!"

His eyes rolled back into his head. His chest stopped moving. Everything stopped moving. I held him close as the tears rolled from my eyes. I looked around. I was surrounded by death eaters. Only a couple didn't have their masks on. That includes: Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, the werewolf guy, and Barty Crouch Junior.

"He was your son!" I looked to Lucius. "Why didn't you stop it."

"He's not my son!" The man spit. "Look at who you're holding, girl!"

I looked. And I screamed. Harry's eyes were staring back up at me. I sobbed uncontrollably. I was holding my best friend. My dead best friend.

"What? Never seen one before?" Bellatrix laughed at me. "I figured you'd be used to it."

"Why?!" I cried out.

"I told them to do it."

I stopped crying. I looked up. Voldemort was standing in front of me, bent down to my level. He smiled, "What's the matter? Snake got your tongue? On my call."

"Ready."  They all readied their wands.

"Aim," they pointed them towards me.

"Crucio."

***

I woke up with warm tears streaming from my eyes. Even in my dreams, that bastard was getting to me. I went to lift the blanket when I noticed it wasn't there. I flipped my legs over to the other side. I saw it on the floor so I assumed I kicked it off.

I put my head in my hands. The birds from outside were like us enough that I could hear them in here. The sun was shining in. At least I got a full night sleep.

"Bridget?"

I sighed. It was Harry. Alive. Well. I smiled, "What's up?"

He was still in his bed. But he looked sweaty. "What's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"I saw you wake up," he sat up. "You were crying. A nightmare?" I nodded. He scoot over and pat the seat next to him.

I went over, "It was just a silly nightmare. I'm okay."

"No, you're not," he continued to pat next to him. I sat down and laid my head on his shoulder. He grabbed my hand, "Want to talk about it?"

"Want to talk about yours?"

"No."

"There's my answer," I nodded. "I just want to forget it."

"Same."

"Forget together?"

"Together."