Lost in the Darkness (Daphne Greengrass)

[DRACO MALFOY]

Draco walked into the little pub and looked around rather disdainfully. He never liked being here. It alway seemed 'unclean' well today he had no choice he was meeting someone and god forbid he be late. So he walked up to the bar making sure to look around and see who all was here. With a very dry expression his face and making sure not to touch anything he ordered a whiskey and waited for the barman to hand him his drink. Taking the rather stained glass in his hand he frowned at it and sighed. Well there wasn't much he could do. He walked down to the darkest corner of the room and slid into a seat there. He had his back against the wall and surveyed the crowd that flowed through here. His eyes roamed around the large room as he sipped his whiskey. It was good. At least the barman hadn't skimped ont he drink even though his cleanliness was lacking.

That's when he saw her and his eyes widened in shock. Daphne. No it couldn't be. Yet it was. Surely he had made a mistake. He decided he would observe her a while longer to make sure. It really couldn't be. He knew that, because she was dead.

[DAPHNE GREENGRASS]

Daphne had gotten lonely lately, all she did was sit in the apartment and read or write, or just look out the window and dream of a time when she used to be free. Sighing she got up and walked into the bathroom, deciding to take a shower and go against the rules and go out into the real world, everyone believed her to be dead, no one would suspect anything if they saw her and if anyone asked if they knew her she would simply say her name was…. Oh dear what would she say her name was…. Amelia would have to do. Showering quickly she hurried to dress and then grabbing the spare set of keys she walked out of the apartment and left to head to the Leaky Cauldron, no one who knew her would be around there right now.

The sun on her skin felt nice, she caught a bus to that part of London, and enjoyed the hustle and bustle going on around her, for the most part they had learned to live like Muggles, keeping hidden and off the map he still only liked when she left the apartment with him but he worked so much lately and she got bored so easily, he usually didn’t get home till late anyway what did it matter. Walking into the bar she walked straight up to the bartender and asked for a simple drink nothing too strong and turning to examine the room she leaned against the bar and relaxed.

It took her only a second to recognize the bleach blonde hair, she had first noticed it out of the corner of her eye and when she turned to see if it was she locked eyes with Draco Malfoy, she didn’t let shock or recognition sit in her eyes she made a simple sweeping gesture and checked out everyone else then took an easy sip of her drink trying to keep poised and relaxed.


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[DRACO MALFOY]

He was certain of it now as she met his gaze. He rose from his seat at the table after only a second hesitation. He didn't understand, if she wasn't dead, then why was she not out in the open? Why didn't he know she wasn't dead? Confusion was a thing Draco wasn't used to. Narrowing his eyes he made his way straight towards her. He pulled up short however and hesitated a moment longer. Taking a long sip of his drink he slid up close so that only she could hear his words.

"Hellow Daphne, what brings you back from the dead?" He said almost in her ear from his place leaning casually against the bar beside her acting as though he wasn't talking to her simply enjoying the view. Simply leaning relaxed on the bar and observing the flow of traffic through the pub.

He drank his drink and completely ignored everyone else around him. They mattered little right now. He wanted answers and was determined to get them. A small smile crept across his pail features as his eyes scanned the room.

[DAPHNE GREENGRASS]

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Draco getting up, turning to face the bartender she ordered another drink and smiled trying to make everything seem normal. Inside she was freaking out, she had never anticipated this would happen and now she was torn and had no idea what to do. ’Just play it cool Daph… just act, make him think he is mistaken.’. She thanked the tender for her second drink and took a slow sip from it, she wondered what her man was up to at the moment, it was nearly time for his break, and he’d probably be going home to check on her soon.

”Hellow Daphne, what brings you back from the dead?”

She hadn’t anticipated that and a shiver went down her spine, and she completely forgot about the whole acting plan she tilted her head to the side and watched him silently for a moment. ”Being dead sure felt a whole lot better than being alive and in this situation.” she replied smugly. She looked at Draco feeling a little worried. ”Going to rat me out to my parents… they will kill me this time for sure.” she said looking at him.

Draco had been her friend, and he had known the situation she had been in. ”What did they tell you.” she asked softly.


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[DRACO MALFOY]

Draco felt a shock run through his system. Daphne had been a friend and it had actually hurt when he had found out she had die. To think she would believe he would turn her in, knowing that she would be killed, it was too much for him to even think about. He ordered another drink after having downed that one while he gathered his wits about him.

"Why would i do that?" Again he was speaking extremely quietly. His words only audible to her. His actions didn't betray their conversation as he didn't look at her for more then a mere second.

What had they told him. That was the crux of it all wasn't it. They had told him that the price of desertion was death. Could he tell her that. Could he tell her that it had been made abundantly clear to him that if he didn't serve he wasn't worth keeping alive? "You were an example of what happened if we left. Death he replied. His voice was low, lower even then before. "They told me you were dead, because you refused him," Draco said ever so softly again. After all he had actually morned her passing.

[DAPHNE GREENGRASS]

She didn’t know who to trust, she had no idea who she was safe talking to and now getting stuck in this situation she felt even worse that she didn’t know if she could trust Draco. There was a time when she had been able to tell him everything, he knew how she felt about Voldemort and her family, he knew she was going to run away, but how had her parents figured out… she doubted it had been Draco but what about her sister… it easily could have been her. She studied him for a moment sipping at her drink, she honestly didn’t know what to think or feel.

”Why would I do that?”

Daphne shrugged, she didn’t know. Someone had told her parents everything and she wasn’t completely clear on who had done it. She honestly wouldn’t put it past her sister, she wanted all the attention and focus on her anyway. ”Someone told my parents everything Draco…” she muttered. She met him in the eye and glanced around. ”I doubt it is safe for us to be talking here.” she murmured. She debated on taking him back to the apartment she didn’t see much pain in that.

”You were an example of what happened if we left. Death. They told me you were dead, because you refused him.”

She shrugged finishing off her drink and looked at the door. ”Come for a walk with me.” she whispered heading towards the door and walking back down the street towards the apartment. Making sure he was following she looked back at him. ”They failed to mention the story I take it? I’d left to run away… they sent two death eaters after me. I fell of a cliff.” she started staring forward.

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[DRACO MALFOY]

Draco watched Daphne and felt a prang of guilt run through him. He had known her, shared his secrets with her. He had been her friend. She had been his. They had been close. Were close. He had to remind himself. No one had known how close except his mother. He had shared with her the pain of his loss. He had not let the other death eaters in on ow it felt. On what he had lost. On how much he had known. he really had hopped she would succeed. But when they told him she was dead, he had believed them. He had believed his father. It had been a lie and he was still reeling from it, unable to accept that the people he trusted had lied to him, especially his father. his mother hadn't known. She would have told him, he was certain of that, she had known how torn up Daphne's death had made him. He forced his mind away from those memories. She wasn't dead he told himself again. remembering that. Forcing is mind to accept it.

"Daph, you don't think I did it do you?" He said turning to face her ignoring the fact that it wasn't safe he didn't care anymore. The thought that she would suspect him was almos too much. he had just met his friend after believing she had been dead, he wouldn't loose her again. "Daph... he started his voice horse and low, having lost its cool edge. "I morned you, since that day I've only been able to think, what if I had been there? What if I had actually gone over and taken you away? Invited you to my house, ANYTHING!" His last word was louder then the others, but still barely a whisper. He shook his head his eyes shiney with unshed tears. Tears he would not show. He pushed the thoughts away angrily. Turning away from her gaze.

"I know,"he said softly, he sighed heavily. Not knowing what to do. Finally her next words caved through the despair that was filling him. he fell into step after her, leaving a few coins on the table to pay for the drinks he had ordered. he followed after her. Shock washing through him.

"You left? the house? you where really gone when they came?" He said startled to hear that. "A CLIFF? he gasped. "You fell off a cliff?" he struggled with that. They hadn't told him that. It had been the curse they had told him. She had died screaming for mercy, pleading the dark lord to accept her. No this couldn't be true. They couldn't have lied that much. He wondered who was telling the truth. One look in Daphne's eyes and he knew. She was.

[DAPHNE GREENGRASS]

She didn’t know if she could look at him, memories of school and their friendship came to mind, sneaking out after hours talking non stop about everything. In her heart she knew Draco never would of sold her out, she had cared deeply for him, and she knew he had cared deeply for her. She recalled all the times she had asked Adrian to write Draco, she wanted to let him know she was alive she was safe… but Adrian had brought up a good point, if they even assumed the letter was from her… but the two Death Eaters had reported her as being dead she knew that, her death had been announced to everyone she knew she’d been made an example of, after all why wasn’t anyone standing against him anymore. She sighed softly finishing off her drink then paying for it, that was enough for now.

”Daph, you don’t think I did it to you? Daph… I morned you, since that day I’ve only been able to think, what if I had been there? What if I had actually gone over and taken you away? Invited you to my house, ANYTHING!”

Daphne closed her eyes as he spoke, she could feel her heart aching all over again, she had been doing everything possible to keep strong through this she had accepted how much she had lost, but part of her had never been able to accept losing Draco as well. ”I’ve missed you everyday.” she replied softly. But she knew they couldn’t talk here, she noticed the tears and laid her hand on top of his grabbing it hard, unshed tears in her eyes as well. ”We couldn’t risk them finding me.” she whispered hoping he would understand, ”I wanted to write you… to let you know the truth.” before she dared continue she wanted them both in her apartment where they didn’t need to fear discussing anything.

”I know. You left? The house? You were really gone when they came? A CLIFF? You fell of a cliff?”

Daphne gave him a look that said to shut his mouth for the time being, she didn’t trust this area. She led him to the apartment and she ushered them both in, taking the elevator up to the top floor they exited into a foyer and she opened the main door letting them in then shutting the door quickly behind them and locking it. ”It’s not safe for me anywhere if anyone knows I am alive… you understand that correct?” she asked desperately. Adrian would kill her if they got caught and if she were to actually be killed. ”I took off when they reported they were coming to the school to… retrieve me. I thought I was going to get away too, but two Death Eaters were following me. We made it to a mountain and there was this cave I was going to camp out in… they cornered me on the edge of a cliff and sent a jinx at me. I fell a long way down… they looked over saw blood and broken bones so they left me. There was another cave and I managed to drag myself inside… Adrian found me the next day.” she told him the shorter version of the story only because she hated reliving it. ”They can think they made an example of me while they can… but as soon as he is defeated I will come out from hiding and rub it in their faces that they failed.” she growled through clenched teeth, pure hate filling her.

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[DRACO MALFOY]

Draco returned the pressure of her hand feeling as if his world was cracking into a million tinny pieces. Her loss had shattered everything once. Now finder her safe, it shattered his world again. He couldn't know how to react. He couldn't know what to do. He wanted to tell her that he would always be there for her. But in his heart he felt he had already failed her once. She wouldn't accept those words from him. "i've missed you Daphne, more than you know," he replied softly as she took his hand in his. Yet as she told him the rest he knew she was right. And strangely he understood. Sighing softly he said "I know Daph, I understand." there was no arrogance in those words. None of his pride, he was being honest. The way he always was with her.

Her look silenced him as only she could. Keeping his silence he followed her and kept a look out for any unusual persons. he was starting to feel paranoid and the anxiety was showing across his face. He couldn't loose her again. he wouldn't! When the door of her appartment shut behind them he sighed heavily. His tension leaving his body and he relaxed visibly next to her. He looked around quickly, but he didn't focus on that he said softly before she spoke. "Adrian did the right thing, by hiding you away Daph. As much as I'm hurt and sad that I thought you were dead, I understand why he did it, and I'm not angry at either of you. Only at the Dark Lord for this!"

"yes Daph, I know just how unsafe it is. If the Dark Lord knew, he would have you killed quicker then I can say Quidditch! I won't let you down again Daph. He'll never find out from me I promise that, your safe with me!" his voice was forceful. His words frank and honest and filled with the deep ache that was inside of him. He wouldn't let her down again. Never again! He listened to the story stunned. Her pain was so raw to his mind that he felt as if he too had fallen from the cliff. That was how close they had been. Closer then blood in his mind.

Daphne would always be his trusted friend. His closest companion. yet he didn't feel any desires for her. Quite the opposite. he was glad that Adrian was in her life and glad that it was Adrian who found her and not a death eater. "I owe Adrian a debt he will never understand," Draco replied simply not wanting to prolong her story or force her life it again. he knew how hard those stories were to tell. Yet she had to know he owed Adrian for saving her, keeping her safe. To Draco it was like having his sister returned.

"I'm glad you lived, and I hope that we can spend time together again Daph, I've missed you. I'ved missed us. I've missed having someone I can trust and talk openly with. Everything out there is all shadows and half truths." he looked away, "My father lied you know that!?" he said in a bare whisper.

[DAPHNE GREENGRASS]

”I’ve missed you Daphne, more than you know, I know Daph I understand”

Daphne’s eyes softened as she watched Draco for a moment, at one point in her life she had believed she would be the Greengrass sister who would win over Draco’s heart and they would get married and have a family and so on, the only problem in the dream had been her beliefs and her younger sister Astoria. Astoria decided when she started at Hogwarts she was in love with Draco and she was the sister who deserved him, since that point Astoria had been trying to sabotage the elder sister. ”I really did hate not being able to tell you.” she replied. A soft smile touched her lips as he told her he understood, she knew all she had to do was get him to the apartment then they would be safe to talk about whatever there, and if Adrian was home or if he were to come home she would explain that they were safe and he had nothing to fear.

”Adrian did the right thing, by hiding you away Daph. As much as I’m hurt and sad that I thought you were dead, I understand why he did it, and I’m not angry at either of you. Only at the Dark Lord for this!”

Once the door was closed and she’d had a moment to calm her racing heart she ran to Draco and threw her arms around his neck, tears pooling in her eyes. ”I know he did the right thing, I just know it hurt you thinking I was dead and now I just kind of show back up you must be somewhat upset that we didn’t say anything to you.” she confessed. She felt silly for thinking as much, but how could she begin to explain that she had been upset about having to lose his friendship as well and how guilty she’s been feeling, and yes she had Adrian but at the same time she felt lonely. ”Please be careful Draco I would hate to see anything happen to you.” she said softly pulling away from him a small smile on her lips, but a few tears had escaped and were rolling down her cheeks.

”yes Daph, I know just how unsafe it is. If the Dark Lord knew, he would have you killed quicker then I can say Quidditch! I wont let you down again Daph. He’ll never find out from me I promise that your safe with me.”

Daphne began absently chewing on her lower lip, a small habit she had developed since moving in with Adrian, whenever he was late she wound up chewing on her lip till she heard from him or he came home safe. Sighing she crossed her arms and studied Draco for a moment. ”If he knows you are connected to me at all Draco there is no knowing what he will do, he was the one who supplied the two Death Eaters… who he sent wouldn’t have simply obeyed my Father they only answer to him. What I don’t understand is what did he even get out of killing me off…” it had been something she’d wondered for a while. In what way would her Death benefit the Dark Lord? She smiled as he spoke, putting a hand on his cheek. ”I know I am.” she replied softly.

”I owe Adrian a debt he will never understand.”

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An owl appeared at the window and Daphne opened it to let it in, recognizing the owl her and Adrian had bought together as a house warming gift. It was a little joke they had shared since he’d purchased this pent house apartment. She read the note quickly and sent off a reply letting him know Draco was there and everything was fine she would explain that night over dinner. She looked at Draco curiously though, a little confusion obvious in her eyes. ”You don’t owe him anything Draco…” she replied.

”I’m glad you lived, and I hope that we can spend some time together again Daph, I’ve missed you. I’ve missed us. I’ve missed having someone I can trust and talk openly with. Everything out there is all shadows and half-truths. My father lied you know that?!”

”I will do everything in my power to see you Draco! You know where I am now and I am sure I can convince Adrian to get you a key or something to help you get in here. I’ve missed you as well and I hope we can work together with this…” she replied. She began twisting her hair, trying to figure out how to word her next question. ”Have you considered running off yourself?” she asked quietly. Her and Adrian had an extra bedroom here, he would be more than welcome to stay she assumed. ”What do you mean your Father lied to you?” she asked genuinely concerned and curious.

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