His whole body felt as though it was on fire. He writhed in agony, feeling as though he surely would die - wishing for death.

"Draco!"

It was his favourite sound; the voice that filled his heart with joy. He tried desperately to rouse himself from the darkness he was trapped in, to find that voice and its owner, whom he loved more than life itself.

"It's okay, Draco, it'll be all right,"

His eyelids finally opened and he found himself staring up into her soulful blue eyes, her beautiful face etched with worry as she leant over him.

He went to sit up, but pain tore at him, making him roar out in agony, his torso feeling as though it was being ripped apart in many various places.

She immediately grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly in hers as she gently coaxed him back down, until his head sank back into the pillow.

"You mustn't move, Draco, you're still healing," she said gently, and he sighed softly as he felt her gentle lips press against his perspiring brow.

"A-Astrid," he croaked, his voice sounding as though it hadn't been used in a long time.

"I'm here, Draco, I'm here,"

His mind was fuzzy, he couldn't work out why he was in so much pain. And then, when he realised they were in the hospital wing, memories slowly came back to him.

Fucking Potter.

"Snape," Draco gasped, feeling panicked, "he's going to take you away! You mustn't let him, Astrid. I can't look after you otherwise."

She just looked down at him sadly, lovingly brushing her fingers through his hair, sweeping it out of his eyes.

"He's coming back to get me first thing," she whispered, "Draco, is- is he really my uncle?"

Draco closed his eyes, nodding. "Yes, his sister, she was your mother, Astrid, and I'm so sorry I couldn't tell you. I wanted to the minute I found out, but Snape... he reads minds. He didn't want you to find out, said it was too dangerous for you. Unfortunately, Potter overheard Snape confessing to me."

"When?" She asked and Draco felt momentarily confused.

"When?"

"Yes, when did you find out?"

He swallowed, feeling so ashamed all of a sudden. "The night of Slughorn's Christmas party, Snape recognised you instantly."

"So, you've known since before we- before we..." she trailed off and Draco hated himself as hurt filled her eyes and her bottom lip trembled.

"Astrid, I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you so much, believe me."

"Did it make a difference to you? How you felt about me? Knowing I was related to a wizard?"

"Astrid, please," he implored, "I've loved you for a long time before that. You must know."

"But you didn't want to do anything about it - why? Were you ashamed? Did knowing I was Snape's niece make it easier for you to be with me?"

He shook his head, hardly believing that she could think that. "Please, don't do this, Astrid, it isn't like that!"

"Isn't it? Because you've never been quiet about your blood preju-"

"I WAS TRYING TO RESPECT YOU!" He bellowed, feeling frustrated by this stubborn girl. He flinched, as pain shot through him again. Breathing hard, he looked into her startled eyes, "your father left you broken and vulnerable - what kind of a person would I have been to take you away from that and then immediately proposition you? I didn't want you to feel trapped or pressured into agreeing to something you weren't ready for. That wasn't why I brought you here. It has nothing to do with blood, Astrid - nothing!"

Looking overcome at this admission, she stared silently at him, lowering herself down slowly on the edge of the hospital bed behind her. He noticed that she was wearing a hospital gown and realised she must be staying in the bed next to him. He felt extremely comforted by this.

"Snape is sending you back into the Muggle community, Astrid," he said quietly, not taking his eyes away from her beautiful face, "it's likely he will modify your memory so you won't remember this, and I'm going to have no idea where to find you. I can't let that happen, Astrid. I just can't."

"But Draco, your mission..." she whispered, her voice quivering slightly, "what's going to happen to us then?"

"I- I don't know," he confessed, feeling his heart heavy in his chest. How can he talk of protecting her when he had no idea how? "Astrid, I'm afraid for you going back; your father, he- he's still alive and is looking for you."

Her head shot up and he saw the instant panic in her eyes as fear crossed her features. He hastily reached out a hand to grab her trembling fingers, desperately ignoring the screaming pain across his chest.

"He- he's looking for me?" she shook, and Draco saw the familiar haunted, hollow look in her eyes return, a look he hadn't seen since the days of the playground.

"I won't let him hurt you again, I promise," he said with fierce indignation, "I'll spend the rest of my life protecting you, and I'm so sorry I didn't do more sooner. Astrid... I knew something was wrong when we were younger, but I buried my head and I'm so sorry, I was a coward. I'll never forgive myself."

"Draco we were just kids, we still are," she said gently, squeezing his hand in hers, "what were you meant to do? You were my friend and that was more than anything else you could have done."

"Come here," Draco said, suddenly, desperately needing to feel her close, "lay down with me, please?"

"I don't want to hurt you,"she said, eyeing his angry red scars across his torso warily.

"You won't, I just need to feel you in my arms, I can't sleep without you, Astrid."

He tried his hardest not to wince as she slipped under the sheets and sank into the mattress. He cocooned her in his arms, spooning himself around her, breathing in her scent and relishing the feel of her.

He closed his eyes, ignoring the searing protests his scars made under the pressure of the Muggle's body.

The thought of losing her just killed him.