A Reminder.

So as I sit here cradling him in my arms, I have to remind him once again why I love him.

I cried a tear, you wiped it dry

I was confused, you cleared my mind

I sold my soul, you bought it back for me

And held me up, and gave me dignity

Somehow You Needed Me...

“The first time I ever met you, I kept thinking ‘wow this kid must be rich’.  Your robes were so new, does that make sense?  I was just in awe of you, I’ve never had anything new and there you were...looking so amazing, I should have known then.” I chuckle lightly.  “Then you approached Harry, remember?  Didn’t even give a glance at me, until I laughed at your name.  If looks could kill, love.  I would’ve died right there.” I brush my cheek against his forehead. 

“We were at odds for as long as I could remember, until that day...that day changed my life forever.”

You gave me strength to stand alone

Again, to face the world, out on my

Own again, you put me high, upon

A pedestal, so high that I could almost

See eternity...You Needed Me, You

Needed Me...

“I was walking back from the pitch.  Sixth year, you were in that whole thing of trying to do your ‘task’ alone, trying to prove to everyone that you were a man, that you could take on the responsibilities that your father failed at, you were so stressed out, that any type of solace you could find, you would.  Anyway I was on my way back and I saw you under the stands, huddled in on yourself, and I was going to snipe at you, since you know – it’s what we do.” I stop for a moment, because I hear something, but the noise passes. 

“But I heard you crying, and don’t look at me like that, you were crying.  And it shocked the hell out of me and I went to talk to you, but I was so scared.  Did I ever tell you that?  I was so scared that you’d tell me to sod off, because for some reason I wanted to help you so bad, I wanted to take away your pain.  Don’t ask me why I felt that way, because I can’t explain it.  I think it was because even though we were enemies, that in that moment, I saw a bit of your soul.  I know I sound crazy, but it’s true.”

~*~

“Malfoy?  You alright?” Ron asked as he approached Draco.

“What do you care, Weasley?” He asked not looking up, his head still bowed on his knees.

“I don’t – it’s just, well you don’t want people to catch you out here – you’re lucky it’s just me and I won’t go telling you were crying.” He said trying it to be sarcastic, even chuckled a little, but Malfoy didn’t seem to care.

“I’m not crying – I just wanted a moment to myself, now fuck off.”

Ron growled lightly, ready to use his broom to poke the Slytherin right in the fucking head when he saw Draco’s shoulder begin to shake.  Instead of listening to his instincts, to run and flee.  He sat down next to Draco and tentatively placed a hand on his back, rubbing soft circles along his back hoping that it would comfort him.  Draco flinched for a moment, and then to Ron’s surprise he leaned into Ron and rested his head on his shoulder.

“It will be alright.” Ron said softly.

“How do you know?” Draco said finally looking up at Ron with his tear stained cheek and blood shot eyes.

He reached out and thumbed them away, “Because whatever it is – I’ll – I’ll see that you won’t be alone.”

Draco nodded and leaned in closer.  Ron knew in that moment, that no one would hurt Draco, not while he was around.

~*~

And I can’t believe it’s you, I can’t

Believe it’s true, I needed you and

You were there, and I’ll never leave

Why should I leave I’d be a fool

Cause I finally found someone who

Really cares...

“I think I fell in love with you that moment.  I know ‘sentimental Gryffindor’.  Really, love you’re going to have to think of new material.” I kiss him again and he stares up at me.

“From then on, I met you whenever you needed me.  And it was often that year.  Harry was in his own world with Ginny.  Hermione was, well she was Hermione.  Remember when you thought she liked me?” I chuckle thinking of Draco’s face that day.  “You were so livid.  Now I like a jealous Draco as much as the next person, but you were threatening to ‘Crucio’ her.  I don’t need my boyfriend in Azkaban, so as much as I loved that you cared about me that much to threaten unforgivable’s.  It wasn’t necessary.  My heart and soul are yours.” I brush away his fringe, smiling brightly at him.

I chuckle again and I can see blurs flying around me, but I don’t care, he still needs to hear this.  “Remember when I finally told Harry off – that’s your favorite moment isn’t it?  The day I drew the line in the sand for them all to see, that, No One.  Is Ever.  Going to come between us.”

~*~

Draco had come to the Burrow.  He was a wanted man, but he was brought there by Ron’s dad, and Ron was so happy to see him.  He didn’t care that anyone was around; he ran straight to him and hugged him so tight, that Draco went a little red in the face from lack of oxygen and then to the chagrin of everyone present in the kitchen, he kissed the Slytherin so long and so deep, that days must’ve gone by. 

They got over it of course, Draco was given sanctuary because he gave the Order needed information, but of course Harry being Harry wouldn’t let up on Draco.  One day Ron had caught Harry and Draco arguing by the broom shed, or rather Draco being held by the throat by Harry as Harry grilled him.

“You think I’m like Ron and all the others.  I’m no fool Malfoy, I know just what the fuck you are.” Harry snarled.

“And what’s that scarhead.” Draco sneered.  Ron is still amazed to this day how Draco could be so calm and still snarky, while being a tad bit oxygen deprived.

“You’re a ruddy two-faced bastard that when the timing is right, you’re going to turn us all into your master and get us all killed and you will be revered among them all.”

Draco smirked.  “Wow.  Thought that all up by yourself did you?” and he tried to squirm away but Harry slammed him back again.  “Potter.  This is really getting old.  Besides you’re wrinkling my new robes.”

“Bloody ferret face.” Harry snarled.  He was going to slam him again but a heavy hand appeared over Harry’s arm pulling it back from Malfoy’s bunched up robe.

“What’s going on?” Ron asked staring at Harry as he stood in front of Draco, blocking him from view.

“Why don’t you ask him?” Harry said pointing at Draco.

Draco smiled in a sickly sweet way and licked a stripe along Ron’s neck as he rested his chin on Ron’s shoulder.  “I was just minding my own business, love.” Draco said softly, adding a pout.  “When Harry here decides, I need to be questioned as to where my loyalties lie.”

Ron turned slightly and looked at Draco as he batted his lashes at Ron; Ron shook his head and then stared back at Harry.  “Harry, mate.  He’s all right.  His loyalties lie with me.”

Ron could see at the corner of his eye that Draco was sticking his tongue out at Harry and smirking.  “Draco.” Ron said warningly.  Draco ran his nose along Ron’s neck and laced their fingers together, stopping his taunting of Harry. 

“Ron, he can’t be trusted – are you trying to tell me that after all that he’s done to us, that you’re just going to believe anything he says.” Harry’s red in the face now and Draco is snickering behind Ron.

Ron squeezes Draco’s hand and Draco winces and stops snickering.  “I love Draco.”

“What?” Draco says making Ron turn.

Ron smiles and leans in to kiss him softly.  “I love you.” He says in a mere whisper.

Draco beams, but then clears his throat before eyeing Harry.  “My loyalties lie with Ron, Potter.  You may think otherwise, but I will not let anything happen to him or to those he cares about, even if it’s you.” He leans into Ron and whispered so only he could hear.  “And I love him too.”

Ron smiled and Draco started to walk back to the house.  “Ron.” Harry said still trying to plead his case.

You held my hand, when it was cold

When I was lost, you took me home

You gave me hope, when I was at

The end and turned my lies back

Into truth again, you even called

Me ‘friend’...

Ron held his hand up.  “You’re my best mate.  I love you like a brother.” He turned to see Draco waiting.  Then he grabbed Harry by the jumper, holding firm enough to let him know that he meant what he was about to say.  “But, if you ever...ever...lay one fucking finger on Draco or talk to him the way you did, not only will I break every bloody bone in your body.  But you will be nothing to me.  Nothing.  Understand?” he said practically growling.

Harry nodded and Ron let him go.  He smoothed down Harry’s jumper as he smiled politely.  “See you later, mate.” Chucking him on the arm as he ran off, lacing his fingers again with Draco.  Of course Draco being Draco had to turn once more and stick his tongue out at Harry.

Ron rolled his eyes and swat Draco’s bottom.  “You’re evil.” Ron said nuzzling his neck.

“But you still love me?” Draco says smirking.

“I do.” Ron says before capturing his mouth in a searing kiss.

~*~

“See how much I love you.  I threaten my best friend, I shock my family, and I’d do anything for you, love.  Now do something for me.” I ask as I trail a thumb across his blood stained lips.  “Live.”

You gave me strength to stand alone

Again, to face the world, out on my

Own again, you put me high upon

A pedestal...

The battle is waging on behind them.  Spells are being fired, and bodies are falling.  But Ron Weasley sits in the snow on the grounds of Hogwarts with Draco in his arms.  He’s wearing his Death Eater uniform.  He went back, pretending to be still in their ranks.  A mini Snape if you must.  But when the fighting began and Ron was kneeling having been struck down by a curse that broke his leg by Narcissa Malfoy, who was sputtering on about how he had turned her son against them.  He was just going to take whatever she gave, because he would not hurt Draco’s mother.  He didn’t have to, because Draco pulled his mask off and cast the killing curse, dropping his mother where she stood.

His leg is broken, he feels nauseous, but the pain doesn’t matter.  What matters is that Draco is dying in his arms.  He doesn’t know what Bellatrix has hit him with, all he knows is that Draco is bleeding so heavily that his robes are now covered in his blood.  His mask lay at his side.

“You can’t leave me here alone, Draco.” I kiss his face.  Every part, I don’t care that there’s blood coming from his mouth.  I just want to kiss him.  “You were always so bloody selfish.  Can’t you think of someone other than yourself!” my voice is raised; I don’t know why I’m yelling.

I pull him closer; clutching his body so tight that I’m afraid I’ll break the lithe man.  “Please, stay.” I sob.

His hand comes up to caress my cheek and I stop to look down at him.  “Love you.” He says in a gargled moan.

“Oh, love – my love, I love you too.”

“Let me go.” He rasps out.

So high that I could almost see

Eternity, You Needed Me...You

Needed Me...

“Don’t talk like that.”

“Ron – let me go.”

His breathing is shallow and I can see he’s in pain.  I just nod and he smiles once more for me, that smile that only I see, the one that’s just for me.  I lean in and kiss him softly.  “I love you.” I whisper.

You Needed Me...You Needed Me...

Sometimes I have to remind him just how much he means to me...then again, I think I do it, just so I’ll never forget...

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................

"You Needed Me": Anne Murray.