Fragile
by Jess_Lovecat



Challenge: Fragonard's 'The Lover Crowned'
Notes: I didn’t go into too much depth with the painting. I just wasn’t inspired by it. I took what I was inspired by and worked the picture into the story; while it plays a significant role, the story does not revolve around the pictures subject. Hopefully, this fic is acceptable for this challenge, regardless. The lyrics are from ‘Fragile’ by Nine Inch Nails. Thanks to my awesome beta, Croft!


*****


I watched her curl into a tighter ball on the cot – she probably sensed me near. I didn’t blame her; every time someone came to her dingy cell, something bad happened to her. It didn’t matter that what intelligence she had was out-of-date; it was sport for my father’s friends to torture her.

And yet, there was still a defiant light in her eyes…

She shines

In a world full of ugliness

When she bothered to open them…

My hand tightened involuntarily around the parchment I‘d brought for her. As quietly as possible, I levitated the parchment, quill and ink through the bars of the dungeon, avoiding her luminous gaze when she opened her eyes.

I’d always known she was strong-willed. I’d always noted the persistent edge in her study habits… But I never saw true, determined bravery until she was brought here… Somehow, still whole; something inside of her was still fighting, denying her ominous situation.

She matters

When everything is meaningless

I never tried to speak with her – what was the point? I didn’t think she’d answer… It was her asylum to remain silent and unobtrusive. She probably hoped she’d be forgotten. Why was I bringing her writing material? My motive when I began bringing her things was pity. It was more than that now…

I was always conscious of her needs. I knew when she’d need bandages and clean water. I knew when she needed privacy to cry. I blamed my father for making me care – he was the one that ordered me to watch her…

Fragile

She doesn’t see her beauty

She tries to go away

Sometimes it seems that nothing is worth saving

I can’t watch her slip away

Silently, I observed her while she closed her eyes to her surroundings. Even filthy with grime, she held herself grandly. There was a desperate ferocity within me that roiled when I thought of how short her life had become. Sustaining a bit of spirit while being imprisoned was admirable; but I was sure she’d break. Just the thought of finding her hollow-eyed some morning made my stomach turn.

I would do what I could to help her…

I won’t let you fall apart

The next day I brought her my leftover dinner. She glared at the food and finally began stuffing handfuls of roasted chicken into her mouth.

I won’t let you fall apart

Along with what food I was able to squirrel away, I brought her something extra every day. The next thing I gave her was a tiny book.

I was always careful not to get close to her cell. I didn’t think she would attack me, but I wouldn’t allow her the opportunity. I levitated the tiny book to within her reach. She cupped it in her hands and stared at me, an unspoken question in her eyes. I didn’t have an answer so I left.

I won’t let you fall apart

My most ingenious idea was the painting. It was long forgotten in a closet; I shrunk the cobwebbed picture to fit in my hand and gave it to her. I watched her eyes light up, glowing as she examined the little thing.

“Fragonard…”

Her voice was thick and low from disuse. It took me a moment to register that she had actually spoken. She lifted tear-filled eyes to me and I swallowed; I didn’t want her gratitude – I didn’t deserve it. Perhaps I was being as sadistic as my father, but I wanted to give her hope…

She climbed to her feet, shaking, and came to the bars. I stepped back, uncertain.

“Thank you…”

“Don’t,” I said, hating her sincerity. Her look was instantly wounded. She’d tried to repay kindness with kindness and had been cursed like a house-elf.

Tears slipped down her cheeks and she gave me a tremulous smile, undaunted.

“I don’t care how mean you act. I know better, Draco…”

I glared and frowned but she ignored it as if she couldn’t see it. Perhaps she didn’t. Perhaps she was going a bit mad. I sighed and shoved a handkerchief through the bars at her.

I won’t let you fall apart

The next morning, I stood aside as a masked friend of my father’s dumped Hermione into her cell. I hadn’t been invited to her early morning torture – or had it been late night? Whichever the case, I caught the door before it shut – she wasn’t moving; she certainly wasn’t going to escape.

That was a mistake. My father yanked me back from the door and slammed it shut.

“I thought she might be dead,” I said to cover my thoughtless action.

“Soon… She certainly has lived longer than the others…”

He left me alone but took the key.

I had no delusions of rescuing the witch. It was flat-out impossible.

I leaned against the wall, waiting for some sign of life from the body on the floor.

An hour passed and laughter echoed over footsteps. Father led a masked group past me, gesturing to the cells; he was giving a tour to some initiates. Next year, I would be one.

As the group went farther into the dungeon, Hermione finally stirred.

I smothered a gasp as I caught sight of her face; bruises lined her cheek and jaw. A jagged cut pierced the skin from one corner of her mouth to her chin. I met her eyes; there was still that unnamed, unfounded determination glowing inside of her. How?

Silently, she watched my father and his followers walk by.

She reads the minds of all the people as they pass her by

Hoping someone will see

I had no care to become a Death Eater; it was just expected of me. Until watching over the Muggle-born witch, I had never even considered disobeying my father.

But as she stared unflinching at the passing Death Eaters, I wondered if there was a way to get her out… She was useless for information; she’d been here too long to know anything current. For that matter, I didn’t know why she was still alive…

Perhaps if she just disappeared in the night, she would be forgotten… Could it be that easy..? Could I go with her..?

If I could fix myself I’d-

…But it’s too late for me

“Draco…”

Before she asked, I refilled the shallow bowl with fresh water and conjured a clean towel beside it on the miniscule table in her cell.

I won’t let you fall apart

She dipped the towel into the water and squeezed it out.

I won’t let you fall apart

“Give it here,” I said, holding my hand out between the bars.

I won’t let you fall apart

Obediently, she placed the damp rag in my hand and closed her eyes.

I won’t let you fall apart

As gently as possible, I brushed at the blood drying on her mouth. Her lips tightened in pain; I touched her more softly.

We’ll find the perfect place to go

Where we can run and hide

I’ll build a wall and we can

Keep them on the other side

Washing her face, I wondered if I could at least get her out of the disgusting dungeon. It was possible… Perhaps convince my father to make her my servant… But how would she react to that..? Would my suggestion kill the last of the light in her eyes? If she would agree, she could be clean and have a real room… It was a nice fantasy…

But they keep picking

And picking

And picking

And picking

And picking

And picking

And picking

And picking

And picking

And picking

And picking

I shouldn’t have been surprised to find her cell empty the next morning; empty and catastrophic. It looked like she’d put up a good fight. The ink had been overturned and splattered like black blood on the stone floor. Sheaves of blank parchment covered every surface and the sheet had been torn from the cot.

I pushed the door fully open to look closer at a lump under the bed sheet – it was the painting I’d resized for her. It was an idyllic picture, completely ironic to its surroundings; playful lovers frolicking in a mid-eighteenth century garden, fruit trees, flowers and whimsical trees a wall to reality. No wonder she liked it…

I was sitting on the cot, looking at the now-miniature portrait when she found me.

Utterly confused, I stared back at the purple-tinged, smiling face. There was a different person looking out of her eyes now – the old Granger mixed with the new…

* * *

“They’re here. Come with us,” I said.

He looked like an emotionless statue sitting there.

“I can’t.”

“Yes, you can.”

“I’m not-“

“You’re not a Death Eater, Draco… Leave with us…”

It’s something I have to do

He shook his head.

“What happened here?”

“A Death Eater came to get me – he told me I was going to die this morning. I fought him and he dragged me out… The Aurors got here just in time…”

I won’t let you fall apart

I didn’t have the proper time to argue with him. I grabbed the little painting from his grip and pocketed it.

I was like you

“I’m not leaving without it. It kept me on this side of sane… Just like you did…”

I won’t let you fall apart

Something like a smile lifted the corner of his mouth.

Before everything else

“I intend to repay my debt. Come with us…”

I won’t let you fall apart

“I-“

I was like you

“Come with me…”

I won’t let you fall apart


*****


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