Drowning by Numbers

Two houses, both alike in dignity
In fair Hogwarts, where we lay our scene
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny
Where civil blood leaves civil hands unclean
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life.

Draco sat by the window in the owlery. His legs were tucked up onto the stone ledge.
The silvery moonlight glinted off his hair. It was nearing midnight.
Draco’s cold ice blue eyes surveyed the school grounds through a thick haze of
cigarette smoke. He heard footsteps behind him.
“What do you want?” he snapped.
“Draco, come back to the dorm. It’s cold out here.” His sidekick Goyle stated.
Draco sighed and pushed himself off the ledge. He threw his cigarette out the
window and stormed back into the castle.
He climbed into bed and faced the wall. At least if they thought he was asleep
they would leave him alone.
Sometime later Draco fell asleep. He woke up with a thick bar of sunlight shining
in his eyes and rolled over. A heavy form leapt onto his bed.
“Dracoooo!! Get up!!” it called.
“Fuck off Pansy.” Draco mumbled, pushing her off the bed.
He sat up, his silvery hair tousled and his eyes half lidded.
“But Draco… you have to come to my party…” Pansy whined.
“Fine I’ll go jesus….” Draco replied, swinging his legs out of bed.
He pulled on a pair of black jeans and went over to the window. He opened the window and lit a cigarette from a pack by his bed.
‘There has to be more to life than this…’ he thought, watching the sunrise over the school grounds.
The morning breeze was cool and caused goose bumps to rise on Draco’s pale bare chest. He shivered and wrapped one arm about his stomach, the cigarette held in the opposite hand. With any luck he would be left alone until the party. Draco tried to think of somewhere he could hide from them, his so called friends. The forest seemed as good a place as any, so Draco pulled on black boots and a long sleeve black coat then made his way outside. He trudged through the grass to the woods and without a backward glance strode in between the trees.
While lost in his own world Draco lost track of time and before he knew it the forest was lit with the fiery orange glow of sunset and he was starving. Draco hurried back to the castle and into the great hall. He’d just made dinner, so he sat by the door and filled his plate. He wolfed the food down ravenously then took off upstairs. Pansy ambushed him.
“Dracoooo I have your costume….” She called.
Draco winced at the irritating voice. Pansy thrust a knight’s costume into his hands. Draco sighed and went to the dorm where he changed into the costume. The costume involved a light chain mail shirt with a silver breastplate and tight black pants. To complete the costume was a silver sword and a silver mask that covered his eyes.
Darkness found Draco in the same position in which he had greeted the morning; smoking by the window. The Slytherin common room was abuzz with people running around getting ready. Goyle came over and handed Draco a glass of water. Draco took a sip, feeling a strange tingle on his tongue. Then the room started spinning.
Draco vaguely remembered being dragged to the great hall where the party was taking place. He managed to escape and went outside to smoke. He was heavily drugged on god only knows what. Leaning against a pillar, Draco looked up to see an angel standing on a parallel path. She was gazing up at the stars, clad in a shimmering white dress with feathers adorning the waist that flowed seamlessly into an iridescent pair of angel wings. Her hair was the colour of mahogany and dusted with silver glitter.
As though sensing his presence the angel turned, a half smile on her face.
Draco shook his head, trying to disperse the vision but the angel did not leave. Instead she strode toward him, curtseying when she stood before him.
Draco took a step forward and reached out a hand. The angel smiled prettily and allowed him to stroke the feathers of her waist. Draco pulled her against him and lowered his mouth to hers. She twined her thin arms around his neck, her touch was cool. Draco pulled away and shook his head again. The garden was spinning out of control.
“Angel…” he whispered.
“If you want…” the angel replied, smirking.
She spun around in a circle, her arms outstretched. Draco stepped back.
“What did they give you?” the angel asked, ceasing her spinning.
Draco shook his head.
“I don’t know…” he replied.
The angel reached out and placed a cool hand on his warm forehead.
“You’re burning up…” she whispered.
“The fires of hell..” Draco replied.
The angel leant forward and kissed him softly.
‘I won’t tell if you won’t…” she giggled.
“DRACOOOOOO!!!!!!!” Pansy screeched, her voice carrying to every inch of the garden, breaking the spell.
Draco blinked. Pansy appeared beside him. She looked the angel up and down then dragged Draco away. Draco watched the angel over his shoulder; she made no move to leave.
Goyle stopped him by the door.
“Her name is Hermione, she is a Gryffindor.” He stated.
Draco felt his heart sink. His only love sprung from his only hate. He had to see her again.
Draco broke free of Pansy’s grip and rushed back into the hall. Pansy lost him in the crowd and gave up. Draco went upstairs to the Gryffindor common room. He crept inside after a Gryffindor student and crouched in the shadows by the fire.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Hermione, his angel entered the common room. She looked around and then walked over to the window, throwing wide the drapes.
“Oh Draco…” she sighed.
Draco felt his heart begin to beat faster.
“It’s not fair that our houses are in competition. Why do we have to be who we are?” she continued, her voice soft and alluring.
“Hermione….” Draco whispered, steeping out of the shadows.
Hermione gasped and spun around.
“Draco… you’re my enemy… you can’t be here…” she hissed.
Draco shrugged.
“I don’t care. I had to see you again.” He replied, closing the distance between them.
Hermione bit her lip and looked up at him. She allowed him to lean down and kiss her, feeling his warmth spread through every inch of her body.
“You have to leave…” Hermione whispered breathlessly.
“I’ll never leave you.” Draco replied.
“But they’ll kill you….” Hermione continued.
Draco pulled away.
“Let them come. I am not afraid. As long as you love me everything will be fine.” He stated.
Hermione cast her hazel eyes to the window.
“Do you love me?” Draco asked, his voice below a whisper.
Hermione looked at Draco, exasperated.
“As much as is possible to love someone I have never met.” She replied, looking into his ice blue eyes.
“Marry me.” Draco requested.
Hermione’s hazel eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes, of course. I’ve waited my whole life for someone like you…” she replied, leaning in to kiss Draco.
“You have to go. Now.” She stated, hugging him tightly.
“I know. I’ll send word tomorrow.” Draco replied, pulling out of her embrace.
He slipped through the shadows to the door.
“Draco!” Hermione hissed.
Draco spun around and crouched low, as though caught in the act. Hermione ran over to him and kissed him one last time.
“I love you!” she whispered.
Draco smiled and slipped out into the hall. As though flying Draco races upstairs to the Slytherin common room. He crept past the partying Slytherins and disappeared into the dorm. Draco took off hisk ank and the chain mail top. He grabbed the smokes by his bed and lit one, and then he went to stand by the window. It was his favourite thinking spot.
Immediately Draco reached into his bedside drawer and pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. He drafted a letter to the ministry, stating that he wished to be married. He knew it was no use writing to his father, as his father would undoubtedly disapprove. Draco whistled his screech owl over to him and tied the letter to its leg.
Given that he was who he was, Draco expected a reply very soon. He sat by the window until the first rays of morning when he saw his owl wing its way down to his window.
Draco brushed his overflowing ashtray aside to allow his owl space to land. Hastily he untied the reply from the owls’ leg and read it.
“Dear Mr. Malfoy,
We have read and considered your request. Today at 3pm a minister will meet you at the hogs head tavern where you and your wife to be shall be taken to a chapel to be married in the eyes of the federal and magical law. We wish yll tll the best.
Minister of Magic
Cornelius Fudge”
Draco leapt into the air. He picked his owl up and spun around.
“Dracoooo” Pansy’s voice echoed up the stairs.
“Not today…” he mumbled, pulling on a pair of jeans and a black shirt.
He took the letter downstairs to the common room and stashed the letter in his back pocket.
“Oh good morning Draco. I missed you last night. Where did you go?” Pansy gushed, taking hold of Draco’s arm.
Draco smiled and ripped his arm free.
“Away from you.” He snapped, racing downstairs to the great hall.
With any luck, he’d catch Hermione at breakfast. As he entered the great hall, Draco looked around. He spotted Hermione sitting with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. He couldn’t approach her there, so he went to the Slytherin table and piled his plate with food. He had time to stuff a piece of toast in his mouth then watched as Hermione rose and left the hall. Draco caught up with her on the stairs.
“Hey…” he whispered, placing the letter in her pocket.
Draco continued up the stairs and raced to the Slytherin dorm. He walked over to his favourite window and looked out at the rising sun. It was going to be a good day.
Draco pulled on a pair of black suit pants, put on a black shirt then laced up his black boots. He then slid his arms into his black suit jacket and put on a white tie then pulled on his cloak and wrapped it around himself. Draco picked up his wallet, his cigarettes and lighter then made his way back downstairs and out the gate to Hogsmeade. First stop, jewellery shop.
Draco wanted to buy the world for Hermione, but he figured a 700-dollar crystal choker would do. He handed over his emergency credit card without batting an eyelash, then moved on to the rings. Draco settled on a thin swirling silver serpent ring encrusted with emeralds and diamonds for Hermione’s wedding ring. The cost was phenomenal but again, Draco didn’t mind. He figured he might as well buy himself a ring, so he picked a gold Celtic knot ring encrusted with garnets.
By this time it was nearing three o’clock so Draco strolled over to the Hogs Head Tavern. An official looking man accosted him outside.
Draco was taken to a small church and with Professor Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge to bear witness was married to Hermione Granger. Mr. And Mrs. Malfoy exited the church. She a mass of white net and feathers, he a vision in black. They were taken back to the Hogs Head Tavern where they changed clothes and ate a quick meal.
“What are we going to do Draco?” Hermione asked, voicing his concerns.
“It will wout.”ut.” Draco replied.
Hermione smiled.
“How can you be so certain?” she asked.
Draco smiled in return, taking hold of her hand.
“As long as you love me it will be alright.” He stated, leaning in to kiss her softly.
As it was nearing five pm the two left the tavern and went their separate ways back to the school. Draco went upstairs to the Slytherin dorm and lit up a smoke. Things were going very well.
Draco had never been happier. He smiled stupidly as he watched the sun set. He squinted at the form of an owl flying toward his window. It was Hedwig. Draco took the letter from its foot and read it.
“Meet me by the lake.
--H”
Draco smiled. He put the letter in his pocket and went downstairs and outside to the lake. If he hadn’t been so lost in his thoughts he would have noticed the shadowy figures following him.
It was dark by the lake, the only illumination being the full moon. Draco stopped and peered into the dark water. He cried out as he received a solid push from behind and tumbled head first into the water.
Draco surfaced coughing and spluttering. He wiped the hair from his eyes and looked up to the bank where Harry Potter and Ron Weasley stood smirking down at him.
“You are an asshole.” Ron stated.
Draco smiled slightly. He swam to the edge and reached up to pull himself out. Harry stepped on his fingers.
“Come on you guys.” Draco said.
Harry shook his head.
“It’s time something was down about you.” He stated pulling a gun from his robes.
“Harry, wait, I don’t hate you. I don’t think I’m better than you. I made a mistake.” Draco replied, slowly easing his wand out of his pocket.
Harry flicked off the safety and aimed the gun at Draco’s head.
“Avada Kadavra!” Draco cried, whipping his wand out of the water.
A brilliant green light flew from his wand, enveloping Harry who fell limp to the ground. Draco pulled himself out of the lake and kicked the gun away from Harry. He sank down on to the grass and rested his head in his hands.
“Draco? Harry? Ron?” he heard Hermione call.
“Hermione?” Draco replied, leaping to his feet.
He ran to her and hugged her tightly.
“What happened?” she asked.
Draco said nothing, just held her tightly.
Hermione screamed as Draco was shot in the back. Draco twisted as he fell to see Ron standing over Harry holding the gun. Tears of rage were pouring down his cheeks. Draco coughed as a searing pain ripped through his chest. He could taste blood and he knew he was dying.
“Hermione…. I love you… “ he rasped, reaching out a hand.
Hermione flung herself at his side.
“Draco…” she sobbed “I love you too… please don’t die… I love you… it will be alright…”
Draco smiled slightly, and then died.
Ron grabbed hold of Hermione and pulled her away from Draco’s body. Ron then rolled Draco’s body in to the lake. Hermione got to her feet and dived in after Draco. She clung to his body as it sunk into the murky depths of the lake. The last thing Hermione saw, as her lungs filled with water were Draco’s ice blue eyes.
Mr. And Mrs. Malfoy were entombed at the bottom of the lake by the mer-people, who recognized the power of true love.

A glooming peace this morning with it brings
The sun, for sorrow will not show his head
Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things
Some shall be pardoned and some punished
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo