Thank you for your support so far! This is still a very small community with very few readers. But a few readers are still readers! I can't believe there are actual people reading MY story. I cannot thank you enough. If it isn't too much trouble, please vote, follow, or share with your friends.

Trigger warning besties. You might get uncomfy in this one.

Also small violence warning.

-

She didn't care, nothing mattered anymore.

-

Draco

After spending the previous day with Taylor, Draco felt happier. He loved seeing her smile, it made him smile. He was also glad that she finally left her dorm and went to class. He'd been so worried about her but didn't want to overstep. 

With Blaise being in Slytherin, Draco crossed paths with him often. It took all of his willpower not to beat the shit out of him every time. Blaise steered clear of Draco, too. Or, at least he tried his best. He would leave the room if Draco walked in and sat on the opposite side of the room when they had a class together. 

Was Blaise even sorry? Did he regret what he did?

When he dropped Tiny off at her dorm, he wanted to kiss her so badly. But he couldn't. He wasn't going to do that to her. Honestly, he didn't know what it would do to her but figured it'd be best to keep the touchy affection to a minimum.

Draco ran into Taylor's blonde friend while leaving her room. "Malfoy, I need to speak with you."

He put on his nice face because this girl was Tiny's best friend, "What is it?"

"It's about Taylor. I don't mind if you guys are spending time together, even if it is... you. But you be fucking good to her, understand? I will not tolerate any guy who hurts her again!"

He was taken aback by this. "Again?" He asked, she must've known about Blaise. "Did she tell you?"

The girl's face turned dim and she sighed, "Yeah. You can understand why I don't want another Slytherin hanging around. You all don't exactly have the best reputation."

Draco stepped towards her, his hands held up to his chest, "I would never hurt her." 

-

Taylor

The weekend came quickly and the only thing on Taylor's mind was how sick she felt. Her anxiety brought her to an unsettling conclusion. She took a secret passage to Hogsmeade as quickly as possible and apparated to Diagon Alley. Students weren't allowed to apparate in and out of Hogwarts.

From Diagon Alley, she left through the Leaky Cauldron and emerged into the streets of London. She had her Muggle money pressed tightly in her hand as she practically ran to the nearest pharmacy. She knew there were magical ways to know, but they required two people.

She didn't want anyone to know, even if it wasn't true, she didn't want anyone to know she even thought of the possibility. Her periods were always irregular from how little she eats, but she still felt incredibly stupid for not noticing sooner.

Taylor found what she wanted and paid in less than five minutes. The cashier gave her a funny look, probably because she's so young. 

And she ran back through the streets, into the Leaky Cauldron, out to Diagon Alley, apparated to Hogsmeade, and took the passage back to Hogwarts. Finally, finally, she was back in her dorm. She took the test and waited. It sat on her bathroom sink while she did homework on her bed.

There's no way. Don't manifest bad things, there's no way.

Still, there was a growing weight on her chest. She couldn't help but think that her anxieties were correct. Taylor finished the homework Snape had given and put it into her bag. She got up and fixed her bed, making sure everything was even. Then, she reorganized her clothes.

She was in the middle of reorganizing her money when there was a knock on the door. Taylor sped to the bathroom and closed the door, locking it behind her. The door to her room opened, and Heidi called for her. "I'm in the bathroom, about to shower."

Heidi said she'd come back later and left. Taylor sighed a breath of relief and stood with her head against the bathroom door. Her eyes glanced over to her sink, her body unwillingly following. She finally looked at it.

Pregnant.

FUCK.

-

She didn't cry. She wasn't sad, she was angry. Nothing about this was okay. It was all so fucked up. Her feet took her to the potions room. She looked through Snape's limited poison selection and found Venemous Tentacula juice. That could work.

She popped the lid off and drank half the bottle. Her hands were shaking and her insides were burning. She put the potion back on the shelf and backed into the corner. She sank down against the wall and pulled her knees to her chest. Her skin was turning purple, a sign that the potion was working. 

As her stomach continued to feel like it was on fire, she decided it was best to get to a bathroom. Blood started dripping when she sat on the toilet, and Taylor started to cry.

She was so fucking sick of crying.

The bleeding stopped after a while and she sat in the bathroom waiting for her skin to turn back to her normal color. The purple hues were barely visible once she left. It had taken an hour for her to go to the pharmacy and come back. Another hour passed when she was avoiding looking at the test. And it's been one more hour since she took the potion. It was now 2 pm. 

Heidi and the rest of the Quidditch team were out at practice, but Anthony Otterburn was in the common room. He was about to go to the greenhouse, of course. He was two years older than Taylor, they weren't super close but they got along well. 

-

It was Taylor's second year. Professor Sprout was a loud teacher and super passionate about Herbology. Today, they were learning about Mandrakes. It was quite awful, their screams were ear-piercing, even with earmuffs. Neville Longbottom fainted and an older student named Anthony took him to the hospital wing. He was Professor Sprout's "assistant". But, that just meant he sat in on Herbology classes whenever he had a free period. 

Anthony was serious about Herbology. He was like Professor Sprout reincarnated. Whenever Taylor, or anyone really, needed help with their homework, Anthony was the one to go to. He would happily do people's projects. For free, as well.

Later in the year, a Basilisk had petrified Colin Creevy, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hermione Granger, Penelope Clearwater, the ghost of Sir Nicholas, and Mrs. Norris. The Mandrakes were being used to make the cure. Taylor had volunteered to help. She spent hours in the greenhouse with Anthony, raising and caring for the Mandrakes. 

Anthony was kind, in his own way. He once told Taylor that she reminded him of Fluxweed. He was Irish, somewhat tall, and had blonde hair. He was quite funny as well. He'd once described himself as "Herbosexual," meaning he didn't find interest in people, but plants. Taylor tried to explain to him that it sounded like he meant he had sexual interests in plants. It didn't go over well.

Not many people volunteered out of fear of being petrified. Taylor was terrified of it happening to her, especially since she was Muggle-born. But, all the more reason to get the cures out. 

-

Now, she and Anthony remained friends but didn't spend much time together. "Big plans for those?" Taylor asked, looking at the ginormous pots in Anthony's arms. "Shrivelfigs," he huffed and set down the pots. "You alright? You're kind of purple." He furrowed his brow as he examined Taylor's purple undertoned skin. Obviously, Anthony would recognize the effects of Venemous Tentacula, he probably grows it.

"Oh, yes. One of the Weasley's pranks," she forced a laughed. "Need any help with those?" Taylor asked, gesturing to the pots. Anthony shook his head and prepared himself for the walk to the greenhouse. "I've got it. Thank you, though."

He heaved the pots off the floor and staggered out of the common room. Taylor went to her dorm to just relax. All she wanted right now was to relax.

She took a warm bath with lavender soaks and her honey-scented candle lit in the corner. All of her built-up tension was slowly releasing and she soon felt peaceful. She was almost falling asleep so she reluctantly got out and dried herself off. Taylor had been rearranging her dresser so often, it was getting difficult to remember what was where. She eventually decided on shorts and a loose t-shirt. 

As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was asleep. She slept from 3 pm to 2 am. Her nightmares that night consisted of the usual images of a burning house and her sister screaming for help. What was new was the flash of a bloody bathroom and Zabini standing in it, with that damned grin plastered on his face. 

At that, she shot up in her bed, sweating and with dry tears on her face. She took a few minutes to slow her breathing. It was the middle of the night but she couldn't fall back asleep. Needing to occupy her time, she walked into the common room. 

To her surprise, Cedric Diggory was sat on the couch, reading. "Why are you still up?" She asked, and he flinched at her sudden appearance. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." 

"It's fine, just wasn't expecting anyone to be here." He kept his eyes locked on Taylor's. "I couldn't sleep," Taylor said, making her way over to the couch and sitting on the opposite end, across from Cedric. "Me neither. I get nightmares," he stated casually, still watching Taylor. She started fidgeting with the strings in her shorts. 

"I get them, too. What are yours about?" After a few seconds of silence, she added, "If you're comfortable sharing." She met his eyes again and he put down his book on the coffee table. He tilted his head to the side, thinking.

"They're about... Well, they're usually about me not being good enough, or letting people down. Like my dad. I just want him to be proud of me. He wants me to do great things and I don't want to disappoint him."

Taylor's heart ached for him. Nothing was ever expected of her, her father was proud no matter what. It must stress Cedric out immensely if his nightmares are keeping him up.

"I drink Vitamix potions to stay awake. Partly so I can get more things done but also so I don't have to sleep and have the nightmares."

"Cedric," Taylor sighed. How awful it must be for him, to have so much pressure to be a good son. "You need to sleep. It's not healthy to be awake so much."

He scoffed, "Says the one who's anorexic. You don't get to tell me what's healthy."

Taylor was in pure shock. This was not like him, to be so snarky. She tried not to take it personally, he was obviously going through a lot right now. He looked away from her, shook his head, and said, "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for."

"It's okay-"

"No, it's not." He made eye contact with her yet again. Taylor tried to figure out what was going on in his brain. She tried to put herself in his position to understand him. It was difficult, she's never been under that kind of stress. Yes, she watched her mom slowly die from her disease, and yes, she caused her sister's death, but that's a different kind of stress. This was different, and she felt sorry for Cedric.

"I can get you a dreamless sleep potion. I saw them in Snape's room earlier. That way, you can sleep and not have any nightmares." Taylor was going to get the potion for herself, but Snape didn't have many and she didn't know how to make them. Cedric's need seemed greater than hers so she wasn't upset about giving it to him instead.

He thought about this for a minute, then asked, "What are yours about? The nightmares."

Not wanting him to insist on her having the potion, she lied, "Unorganization. Drives me mad," she let out a small laugh. Taylor hoped he would accept this answer and not ask any more questions. She wanted to help him, but he wouldn't let her if he thought she was the one needing help. 

She put her hand on his, squeezing it reassuringly, "I'm sure your father is very proud of you. I mean, you're the best seeker Huffflepuff's seen in ages. Hell, you're the best seeker in Hogwarts."

Cedric smiled and responded, "I think Potter is the best seeker, but thank you."

"Potter has raw talent. You have hard work and determination. You're not the same, so don't compare yourself to him." She smiled at him and hoped he would take her advice.

"So, Draco Malfoy?" He questioned, and Taylor blushed. "Erm, yeah. We're friends now."

"Only friends?" Cedric raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his face. As far as looks go, he was handsome. His father should be proud enough of that alone. His blue eyes compliment his golden-brown hair, which falls elegantly over his forehead.

Taylor laughed, "Friends." There was a short pause, and she continued, "Or not. I don't really know. We've kissed before but we're not like official or anything."

The realization hit her of their relationship. A few months ago, Draco Malfoy was a bitchy pure-blood Slytherin. Taylor used to struggle to remember his name. Now, he was on her mind constantly. They've spent countless days and nights together. She's grown to enjoy his company, needing it always.

He wasn't the guy he appeared to be. Take Cedric Diggory, for example. He seems friendly and has a lot of friends, and he truly is kind. Draco, on the other hand, has a reputation. People know him to be rude and egotistical. But really, he's sweet and caring. Taylor wondered if he was like that with anyone else. She also wondered why he put up a mask, why he needed people to think he was a bad guy.

"As long as he makes you happy. I'm sorry for reacting the way I did earlier." 

He did make her happy. He made her so happy she sometimes forgot about the hell in her life.

"It's alright. Not many people like him." She chuckled thinking about how many other students hated him, some even scared of him. Taylor could never be afraid of Draco, he was so gentle with her. She always felt safe with him.

"I'll get you the potion in the morning," Taylor told Cedric, standing up from the couch and walking out of the room. She was going to redo the bathroom on the second floor. She had nothing better to do.

-

Draco

Draco found Taylor in the boy's bathroom at 7 am. She was repairing the broken mirror and cleaning the sinks. "Fancy seeing you here." She didn't seem to have the need to explain why she was in the boy's bathroom. 

"Oh, hey! Before I forget, could you grab a dreamless sleep potion from Snape's class? I'm fixing up the bathrooms and want to make sure I can get it to Cedric today. It's on the shelf with the Gillyweed, three from the right."

Alright, strange. What's new?

"What does Cedric want with a dreamless sleep potion?" He questioned, wondering why she was fixing the bathrooms. The answer was obvious, it was her doing weird things again. But why does she do it? Draco hasn't been able to figure that part out yet. 

"He has nightmares and drinks Vitamix to stay awake, like all the time." She finished doing the sinks and turned to face him. Her smile dropped as she looked just past Draco. He heard footsteps and a chuckle behind him. 

"Well, look what we have here," the voice called. It made the hairs stand up on the back of Draco's neck. "Tell me, Taylor, what are we going to name our kid?"

What the fuck?

"I suggest you leave. Right the fuck now." He growled, glaring at Zabini. 

Blaise stepped closer, his eyes locked on Taylor. "Do you think it's a boy or a girl? Personally, I hope it's a boy. We could name it Blaise Jr." He had a wicked smile on his face. What in Merlin's name was he talking about? 

Taylor was frozen, tears pooling in her eyes. She spat, "It's dead."

Blaise's eyes widened and his mouth gaped open. "Well, good. I didn't want to have to raise it anyway. Just never thought you'd be the type of person to kill their own child. Especially since... You know, since you killed your sister."

That was the last fucking straw. Draco had punched Zabini in the face, who took out his wand and flew a knockback jinx at Draco. Taylor gasped but still didn't move. He stood up quickly and took out his own wand, the two of them stood pointing them at each other, daring the other to fire first. 

"Get the fuck out," Draco snarled. Blaise lowered his wand and started walking out. He made one last comment that made Draco's blood boil.

"You're just pressed she doesn't scream for you the way she screamed for me."

Draco took a few steps towards him, "Avada Ked-"

"DRACO STOP!" Taylor had run up to him and was pulling his arm down. He pushed her and she stumbled back. He kept going at Blaise, who was walking away with a smug look on his face. 

"Verdimillious!" Green sparks shot out of Draco's wand at Blaise, stinging him. "Everte Statum!" Blaise flew backward, hitting the wall and falling to his knees. Taylor had followed him into the corridor, she was pulling her wand out from her waistband.

"Incendio!" Fire lit up the corridor and was making its way towards Blaise. Taylor was too close and her shirt caught fire, but Draco didn't notice. Blaise had managed a protection spell, shielding him from being burned. "Petrificus Totalus!" Blaise's body went stiff and he laid on the ground motionless.

When Draco faced her, Taylor had extinguished the fire on her clothes and tears were pouring down her face. Her arms were covered in burns, and one of her legs and part of her face got burned as well. Fuck, what did he do? 

"Tiny-"

"Stop. Just stop." She held her hands out in front of her, backing away slowly.

"Taylor, please. Let me take you to the hospital wing." Dread filled Draco's heart. He did the only thing he swore he would never do: he hurt Taylor. He was furious. He was mad at Blaise and he was mad at himself. He was angry all the time, but this was something he never felt before. This was rage.

"You can't do that. Ever again," Taylor cried. "I know, Tiny, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Draco pleaded, taking small steps towards her. He didn't want her to be afraid of him. He didn't want her to leave him. He couldn't lose her.

She shook her head and walked away, leaving Draco stranded in the corridor. He cursed and stormed back to his dorm. He didn't know what to do. He didn't like that Taylor made him feel this way. It was agony. He punched his wall out of frustration and pressed his hands to his face.

And he cried.

Did he just lose the only good thing in his life? 

-

Draco stayed away from Taylor after the fight with Blaise. As much as it killed him that he wasn't around her, it was better this way. He never wanted to act like that in front of Taylor, he never wanted her to see that side of him. But it was going to happen sooner or later, and Draco felt stupid for thinking it wouldn't. He decided he wasn't good for her, he wasn't good enough for Taylor.

He got three months of detention for the fight. Blaise did, too. They spent hours cleaning classrooms and polishing trophies. They never spoke a word to each other, they barely acknowledged the other's presence. 

Professor Snape recommended that they both enroll in the Dueling Club. Blaise accepted his offer, but Draco thought it was a waste of time. He didn't need to learn to duel in a controlled environment. He needed to be with Tiny. But that can't happen anymore. He wouldn't even be able to face her.

What hurt him most was not being able to help her. He had no idea if she was eating enough, he couldn't stay with her at night in case she had a nightmare, and he didn't know if she was alone. 

He didn't want her to be alone.

-

Damn, what a chapter. I have a four-day weekend so expect updates! School is driving me mad, I have so much homework. That's what I get for taking AP classes. Writing this book is such a good break from school. I'm glad you're enjoying reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.