Going Under

Going Under

Prologue

Love is not blind - it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less. ~ Rabbi Julius Gordon

6^th year

The lake was still, quiet and cold. Her shoes crunched on the ice along the edges of the bank as her gloved hands reached down to scoop up snow. It shone silver in the moonlight reminding her subtly of his eyes. She released a smile, letting it slowly spread across her lips, making her chocolate eyes sparkle. She threw the snow over her head and closed her eyes as it fluttered back down on top of her, most of it get nestled in her thick, dark curls and resting on her striped scarf.

She gasped as strong arms slithered across her waist from behind. Hands clad in expensive dragon hide gloves stayed gently on her stomach. His face became buried in her hair, his cold nose resting on the warm skin on the nape of her neck. Heat spread through her as the rest of his body molded against hers, her back contouring to his strong and lithe torso. She leaned into him, contented, for they shared few moments like this together without shame, without fear.

"I missed you, kitten," he whispered into her ear, warm breath tingling her skin, making her shiver. She snuggled into him, head nestling into the decline between his neck and shoulder. She clenched at his hands as he squeezed her tighter to him with possessiveness he had buried for too long.

"I missed you, too, ferret," she said, eyes darting to the side to try and still a glance at him. Her smile broadened as a small playful growl escaped his throat as he turned her to face him. She squealed in surprise and settled herself against his front.

Her hands held tightly on to his robes as her knees grew weak under his gaze, grey eyes sparkling within his shadowed face. He leaned down, kissing her gently at first then becoming more passionate. He ran his hands up and down her sides, making her tremble. She pulled on his scarf and tugged him nearer to her. His kisses deepened and she brought her hands up into his hair, pulling gently on the light tresses. He pulled back and nibbled gently on her bottom lip before pushing himself completely away.

They broke apart, breathing heavily and she buried her face in his robes. She breathed in the smell of him, like leather and that expensive cologne he insisted on wearing. All that they were defying came crashing in on her suddenly, thoughts swirling with visions of her friends turning away from her, the criticism of her peers. Tears flooded her eyes as his arms wrapped around her once more. She let the tears fall, trying not to make a sound, but he heard her anyway; he always did. He slowly pulled her face away and wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs, then leaning down to kiss each of her eyelids softly.

"Why must we do what is expected of us, Draco?" She looked up into his beautiful eyes. "Why can't we deny the world?"

"Because it would cost us our lives, mine surely and yours only by your association with me. I want to be here for you and if it be that I can only do it in secret then..."

"Draco..." She whispered slowly removing herself from his arms. She sighed, letting a shaky breath escape her. Tears welled into her eyes once again as her arms came around her because she swiftly began to feel very cold. "Don't you hate it, the hiding, the sneaking, the secrets?

"Everyday." He placed his hand over his heart. "The pain of being away from you is almost too much to bear at times."

Tears fell down from her sorrowful eyes and she suddenly could not tolerate to look at him. "I hate lying day in and day out, placing a glamour charm on my hand to keep our bond from detection. I hate your father for wanting you to be him, for making you bear that monster's mark. I hate the self you have to show because the Slytherins would hate you. But most of all I hate being a mudblood."

"Don't say that! If you were not a muggleborn, both of us could have been condemned to the Dark Lord! That is not something to wish for Hermione..."

"Why...?" She turned around, her eyes blazing with an inner fire. "Why can't we just leave?!" The echo came back, mocking her. She let a broken sob leave her mouth before her voice became a whisper that he could barely hear. "Everyone thinks we hate each other... I don't think that I can play this game any longer...

"It's killing me..."

And they stood opposite of the other, the wind was the only sound.