Warning: if you don't like dark-fics this might not be the one for you. TRIGGER WARNING: attempted suicide. Seriously.

You've been warned.

Eventual HEA, because at the end of the day I really am a sucker for a good love story between these two. If I were to continue it beyond this.

Leave a review if you want me to continue, or if this will just stay a one-shot.

Enjoy.

DPOV

When they brought her into my office I hardly recognized her.

She'd been missing for weeks, and Potter had found her a few hours ago. The warding spell that had been guarding her from us was gone, so he'd found her in the middle of the Scottish woods completely beat to shit.

And she hadn't uttered a word. Not even to Potter.

They'd managed to heal the more major injuries, but Potter had told me she'd begun to freak out, so they'd stopped. There was still a long scratch across her cheek, her lip was busted, and one eye was still bruised. She looked thin. Frail.

She looked very unlike the Hermione Granger that had spoken at my trial a few years ago.

"Malfoy's going to make sure you're safe." murmured Potter, gently resting his hand over hers as they both sat on the small couch in my office while I observed them from behind my desk.

She said nothing, didn't even look at him.

It had been decided that Potter would be in charge of tracking down whoever had been keeping her - since she wasn't telling anyone anything - and I would act as her personal body guard. She'd live in my flat until we'd arrested the right guy.

After Potter pressed a kiss to her forehead he stood, turning to me, "I'm trusting you with her life."

"I'm aware, Potter. I think I can manage." I answered evenly, a smirk gracing the corner of my lips.

"If she says anything, anything -"

"I'll let you know. Though I wouldn't get your hopes up. If she isn't speaking to you, what makes you think she'll speak to me?"

Potter looked back at her, and she had her arms wrapped around herself as though it were the only thing holding her together.

Maybe it was.

We had no idea what she'd gone through, let alone at whose hands.

The doctors at St. Mungos had said it was trauma. She would start talking again.

She had to, right? She was Hermione Granger.

Unbreakable.

HPOV

They won't ever find you.

Unfit for such power.

Your friends aren't coming.

Filthy mudblood.

Worthless.

Who are you holding out hope for?

I realized that I was the one screaming. Another nightmare.

How many had that been? Would they ever stop? Am I safe here?

My eyes darted around the dark room, heart almost stopping in my chest as I met a pair of silver eyes.

Malfoy.

Right.

I was in his flat.

I was in his flat screaming my head off disrupting his sleep. It wasn't like he'd asked for this, right? Who wanted to get stuck babysitting -

"Are you alright?"

His voice was deep and smooth and I'd become accustom to it over the week that I'd spent in his home, though I still hadn't spoken.

Different Aurors and doctors came by every day, sometimes more than once a day, asking questions I didn't want to answer - didn't answer. Apparently my body was healing normally, it was my mind that was the problem.

Why can't you just tell us what happened to you?

It felt like every time I tried to force words out - any words - my throat would tighten, cutting off anything I would've wanted to say.

But maybe that was it, I didn't have anything to say.

I mean, what would I say, really? And to Malfoy no less.

Though he'd been nothing short of friendly, all things considered. He spoke to me all the time even though he knew I wouldn't say anything. I didn't know why he did it, but it was nice, just hearing someone's voice who wasn't screaming in -

"Back to the present, Granger."

When had he moved to the edge of the bed?

His hand rested on my leg, the touch oddly comforting as he asked, "Do you want me to make you a cup of tea?"

I moved my gaze from where his hand rested to his face.

Why did he look so worried?

Oh. Right.

He had a crazy woman in his charge.

I nodded, the tiniest of motions, but he noticed, an uncharacteristic smile on his face.

Why was he smiling?

Of course I didn't ask, just watched as he stood and retreated to the kitchen.

Why were words so impossible?

DPOV

Who would've thought I'd be excited that Granger nodded?

Though considering she'd barely acknowledged anything over the past week, I was going to take it as a win.

Just as the kettle went off I heard her soft footsteps against the hardwood floor, and when I turned she was sitting on the couch, fireplace blazing as she stared into it.

I set the mug on the table in front of her, waiting to see what she would do.

Unsurprisingly, she didn't look at me, her eyes sliding from the fireplace to the mug of tea. Sometimes I wondered how lost she really got in her thoughts. What had happened that made her like this?

When it was obvious that she wasn't going to say anything - though why I'd thought she would I had no idea - I went to leave, but her arm shot out, grabbing my wrist before I could go.

Granger had never touched me. Never wanted me to stay.

Because that was what she wanted. I knew she wouldn't say it, but the way her fingers were clenched around my wrist made it more than obvious, and without giving it a second thought I sat down next to her, using my wand to bring myself a mug of tea as well.

I had no idea what was going on inside her head, but I was hopeful that this was progress. She'd obviously been tortured, so how much could we really expect of her right now? It was a bloody miracle that she was coherent at all after being subjected to Salazar-only-knows how many Unforgivables - especially after having been Crucio'd before during the war.

I'd never forget that night. Ever.

I'd had nightmares about her screams for almost a full year after the war had ended.

"Potter said he's coming by to see you tomorrow." I said, and though she didn't say anything, she did look at me for a moment, an expression I couldn't quite place in her eyes before she looked away.

A few moments later she sat her mug down and stood to leave the room, but before she rounded the corner she gave me one last glance.

And then she was gone.

HPOV

There were voices outside. Three male voices.

I could make out Malfoy and Harry, but I didn't recognize the third.

"She's making progress. You can't just -"

"Because she nodded? We need answers and we need them now. She's still in danger as long as they're out there."

There was the sound of something crashing and then Harry was yelling.

"You think we don't know that? She's my best friend."

It didn't matter if they knew, really. They'd just get themselves hurt - or killed. They had no idea what -

"Granger?"

I sat up in bed, surprised by how soft Malfoy's voice sounded.

"Potter's here."

Why? Couldn't he just leave this alone? For his own safety and all the other Aurors working this stupid case with him. Malfoy was already risking enough just by having me here.

A few seconds later Harry was stepping through the door and sitting on my bed. His hand covered mine and Merlin he looked bad.

Worried.

Tired.

Scared.

Gods, I wasn't worth any of this.

I wanted to open my mouth to say that, but the familiar sensation of my throat closing up was overwhelming.

"I'm so sorry, Mione."

I looked away. Had to look away.

Why was he apologizing to me? I was the sorry one.

"Malfoy said you're making good progress." he said, changing topics.

Why couldn't he just leave? He cared too much for his own good. I was liable to get him, and everyone involved in this shite, killed.

"Please say something." he begged, eyes glassy as he squeezed my hand.

And that was it. I started sobbing. Ugly, uncontrollable, gasping sobs that wracked my body and stole my breath. And of course Harry just held me. A rock, like always.

But that just made me cry harder.

"Everything's going to be okay, Mione." he murmured.

I couldn't do this. The room was only getting smaller and it felt like the amount of oxygen was going with it.

I pulled away from him, pushing myself from the bed on wobbly legs.

I hadn't felt normal since Harry'd found me.

"Hermione, please -"

"Don't," I gasped, forcing my hands out to keep him away as I banged into the wall behind me, a picture frame falling to the floor and shattering at my feet.

The door burst open in seconds, Malfoy's wand firmly gripped in his hand.

"Everything's fine." said Harry, his eyes still on me.

Still on me.

This was all wrong.

Harry was looking at me like his heart was breaking and gods why couldn't he just go?

"You need to try to slow your breathing, Granger."

Malfoy.

How?

I wanted to scream at him.

But I couldn't.

How I'd even managed to force that one word past my lips was a mystery.

My vision was starting to darken at the edges, but the tears wouldn't stop.

All of this was my fault. If I hadn't been so stupid -

My knees gave out, my bum hitting the carpeted bedroom floor with a thud.

"Breathe with me, Granger."

Malfoy's voice was directly in front of me now. When had he moved? Why was he so close?

Looking past him I could see Harry, eyes glassy and worried as he watched me with clenched fists.

Malfoy took my hand, pulling my eyes back to his as he pressed my palm against his chest, his fingers wrapped around my wrist. His other hand pulled my face up from where I'd been staring at our hands, to his face.

"Breathe with me." he said again, his voice strong and reassuring.

Odd.

I could feel the steady thrumming of his heartbeat under my fingertips and wondered how erratic mine must sound in comparison. Everything about me was a mess. I got lost in my mind for hours - Merlin, how was I ever going to have a normal life after this?

I gasped at the sudden stinging at my scalp, barely registering that Malfoy had my hair fisted in his hand before he was speaking.

"Be present and breathe." he said firmly, his silver eyes holding mine.

Be present.

How? My mind, the one thing that had defined me from the very beginning, was failing me.

DPOV

I was unsurprised that Potter froze up, but he seemed utterly disgusted with himself.

So much so, that after Granger had finally fallen asleep, he walked into my living room, opened my firewhiskey, and poured himself a glass.

"How could I not know what to do?" he muttered again, dragging a hand over his face.

"It's not your fault no ones ever had a panic attack in front of you."

My mother had plenty.

He was silent for a while, draining his glass before he spoke again.

"She spoke...barely, but -"

"That idiot isn't going to convince anyone in the Janus Thickey Ward that Granger needs to be committed." I snorted, interrupting his incessant whining.

"Do you think Lance was right?" he asked quietly, his eyes on the fireplace, though it wasn't lit, "Do you think she's protecting whoever did this to her?"

Unlikely.

"If anything it's you she's protecting. Have any of you idiots ever thought that the reason she isn't saying anything is because whoever did that to her could do the same to you?"

Potter's eyes widened, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

Of course he hadn't thought of that. Granger had only spent their entire childhood saving his arse.

Before he could continue leading this pointless conversation in circles, I was speaking again.

"Did you and Blaise find anything in the woods?"

He shook his head, lips a hard line, "No. We have no idea how she got there. Whether someone just dumped her there, or if she managed to escape. We don't know fucking anything, Malfoy."

"Maybe you should take her to yours."

Potter arched an eyebrow in my direction, "Pardon?"

"She's obviously more comfortable with -"

"You managed to calm her down, Malfoy. No matter how much that pains me to say."

There's no animosity in his tone, never really was after my trial.

"That doesn't -"

"She's better off here. Besides, Shackelbot doesn't like you very much anyway."

"Git." I muttered, standing from the couch, "I'm going to bed, Potter. So sod off."

He just laughed, and before I made it around the corner there was the sound of floo powder hitting the fireplace.

I had intended to go straight to my room, but I couldn't help poking my head into her room.

She wasn't in bed.

HPOV

Spinning, spinning, spinning...

The bathroom tiles were cold. And wet.

No, I was wet.

Is that my blood?

Right. I was trying to leave.

It seemed like everything was moving in slow motion. I tried to force myself to stand, but the tiles really weren't that cold.

Crack!

Suddenly everything was happening very, very quickly.

The bathroom door was forced open, slamming into the wall under the force, and then Malfoy was cursing and yelling and right there.

My brain couldn't keep up with what he was saying, but his cheeks were flushed pink and his hair a mess - and then he was crouched in front of me with his wand.

Oh. No.

Where the strength came from I had no idea, maybe desperation? But I grabbed the end of his wand, using his resistance to my advantage, applying a bit of pressure and -

Crack.

He was cursing again, even though it seemed like he'd healed some of the cuts on my arms.

All of a sudden his hands were on my face, his eyes holding mine, and I tried to focus on his words, but everything sounded like I was underwater.

"...fucking idiot...why...break my wand..."

He was so angry.

Suddenly he was hoisting me up into his arms and then I was in my bed -

No, not my bed. It smelled too much like him.

I heard his footsteps quickly leave the room, and I was curious about where he went, but I was tired, my eyes closing on their own.

DPOV

"She would never have -"

"I told you what I saw." I snapped, my grip on the glass of fire whiskey in my hand a bit tighter than necessary.

"There's no way that she actually wants to die. I refuse to believe that." argued Potter, using a scourgify to remove a few drops of blood from his shirt.

I had gotten Potter through the floo, and he'd used his wand to make sure Granger would be okay, but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been...perturbed by the situation.

"What are you saying?" I asked, trying to force the memory of all her blood from my mind. It was just like that night with Bellatrix...but she'd done it to herself.

"It's her trying to be logical. She probably thinks that if she's dead the danger to us will be gone."

"She's your bloody best mate, Potter. You handle shite like this, not me. She tried to fucking kill herself in my bathroom. I don't -"

"Do you think she should be at St. Mungos?" he interrupted, the despair clearly written on his face.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I tried to think. Granger certainly didn't strike me as the type to kill herself because she was struggling, and Potter was basically saying the same thing. So clearly she thought that her death would end the danger.

But that didn't exactly make sense, because she had to know that we would continue looking for whoever did this, even if it was just so Potter could somehow avenge her death - which didn't really lessen the danger at all.

"What if she heard Lance this morning?"

Potter raised an eyebrow, clearly not following.

Shocking.

"What if she heard Lance talking about the Janus Thickey Ward?"

Realization seemed to dawn on his face as he asked, "Do you think she's trying to get sent there? But why?"

I shrugged, unsure. I hadn't gotten that far - and honestly doubted I'd get any farther unless Granger started explaining.

Which she didn't seem prone to do for the time being.

Potter glanced at his watch and groaned, standing as he said, "I should go. I'll check back tomorrow after work, unless something happens before then."

I simply nodded, only halfway hearing him. I was trying to figure out what advantage she would get from being committed to the Janus Thickey Ward.

After coming up with nothing I grabbed a pillow and blanket from the hallway closet, dropping them onto the couch before checking on Granger in my room. She was still a bit pale, but her breathing was steady. I left the door cracked, settling into the couch. I could've stayed in 'her' room, but I'd hear her better from here if anything happened.

HPOV

Malfoy had replaced his wand.

Also, his wards were very good. There was no way for me to leave, which I assumed was the point.

But he didn't get it. The longer I stayed here, the more dangerous it got. Not just for Malfoy, but for all of them. I'd hoped after my little bathroom display, that they'd give up, let them take me the Janus Thickey Ward, and from there I'd be able to sneak out. There was no way they were paying as much attention as Malfoy.

I just needed to -

"Why are you trying to get committed?"

I looked across the table at Malfoy, who seemed like he'd been watching me for a while, the food on his plate long gone, while mine looked mostly untouched.

How long had I been lost in my thoughts?

"For fuck's sake, Granger, what the bloody hell is going on in that head of yours?" he snapped, his eyes glaring daggers at me.

I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised that he'd figured out my goal - he'd always been bright - but he had no idea why. Which was good. Great, even.

I picked up my fork, picking at my eggs in lieu of answering him. I hadn't even tried to speak since that day with Harry, so who knew if I even could.

"We can help you. I can help you." he said, his voice softer, but no less rough.

How could Malfoy help me?

Not that I wanted him to, anyway. He was doing well for himself, all things considered. After the war he'd worked so hard to pull the Malfoy name out of the mud, and though there were still people that hated him, he'd managed to become a well respected Auror in almost the same amount of time as Harry. So there was no way I was dragging him into this hell.

"I know you think you're protecting Potter, but what do you think he'd do if you died? If you killed yourself? Do you honestly think he'd ever be able to forgive himself?"

"Not just him." I whispered, my voice hoarse from no use, but by Malfoy's surprised look, I could assume he'd heard me. "Everyone."

"What's not just him?" he asked, and when I just shook my head he continued, "You're not just protecting Potter, you're protecting everyone?"

I glanced up at him, and my breath caught in my throat at the intense look in his eyes. I managed a small nod, my eyes dropping back to my plate.

"Why won't you tell us who it is?"

When I said nothing he sighed, leaning back in his chair before changing topics, "Why did you escape, then?"

I'd wanted to escape, not necessarily to be found.

"Please, Granger. Talk to me."

My eyes shot back to his, surprised by the gentle tone.

And at the fact that I did want to talk to him. I didn't know if it was because he had a demented past or because I didn't really know him or simply because my mind had finally fully fractured - but it was true either way.

I closed my eyes, trying to force the words back down.

"I...can't."

DPOV

"You know you can tell me anything, Mione."

I bit back a snort as I watched Potter try to convince her to talk to him about what had happened.

He was failing grandly.

I also had to admit that I felt a bit smug that she'd spoken to me and not him, no matter how childish the thought was.

And how useless, considering she hadn't really said much of anything.

She just shook her head, taking another sip of her tea.

Potter looked like he was about to explode, but before he could, a patronus from some Auror whose name I couldn't remember was standing in front of him saying that they thought they might have found something.

I glanced at Granger, whose shoulders were tense and her grip on her mug had her knuckles going white.

Once the patronus disappeared she finally spoke.

"Please don't go."

Her voice was still hoarse and fairly quiet, but Potter heard her just fine.

"You know I have to." he said, his hand squeezing hers, "Whoever did this to you isn't going to get away with it, whether you help us or not."

She closed her eyes, releasing a breath before meeting his eyes again, "I'll tell you who it was if you let me go."

"Absolutely not." I interrupted, glaring at her. It was way too dangerous.

"Malfoy's right." he said slowly, "Besides, I know you well enough to know that you'd never give us the real person." he said with a small smile.

He left through the floo shortly after.

Granger and I sat in silence for a few minutes before she spoke up.

"You're all going to get yourselves killed...you have no idea what's really happening."

"So tell me."

She shook her head, staring into her mug as though it held all the answers she was looking for.

"What if I didn't tell Potter?"

At that, her eyes shot to mine, "You're lying."

"I'm not."

She studied my face for a moment, her eyes scrutinizing in a way I hadn't experienced from her since Hogwarts.

"They...they wanted my magic."

"What?" I asked immediately, "Why? For what?"

She cleared her throat, taking another sip of tea before she began talking again, "Very old, very powerful, very dark magic."

"Why'd they choose you?"

She snorted, "Ironic, right? That they needed a mudblood's magic."

I couldn't help but cringe at the word, which of course she noticed.

"You're different now."

The way she said it was so matter of fact that I was caught off guard. So much so that she continued speaking.

"I don't mean it badly...I...wanted to thank you."

Thank me?

"What the bloody hell for?"

HPOV

What for? He'd practically been keeping me alive for the past few weeks.

"Being so...hospitable." I finished lamely.

Though he seemed to know what I meant.

"I owe you more than that."

I shook my head, looking away from him.

Malfoy didn't owe me anything, especially not after the danger I was putting him in just by telling him about this.

"You know there was nothing to forgive, right?"

He looked shocked, but managed to say, "Even if you were willing to overlook the fact that I watched your torture, there's still everything I ever said to you."

I just shrugged, "We were children."

And it was true. How could I have expected him to be different? He was raised with his ideals, Voldemort stayed in their home— what was he supposed to think - do?

Besides, none of it mattered now anyway.

He shook his head, looking away from me as he said, "Gryffindor through and through."

We were silent for a while before he spoke again.

"What was your plan if you got to the Ward?"

"Leave." I answered easily, "Disappear."

He arched an eyebrow, "What? Why?"

I sighed, my throat sore from lack of use, but I knew I had to tell him.

"They'll go wherever I go. Wherever I am, people are in danger."

"Potter would never stop looking." he argued, eyes narrowed as he looked at me.

I knew that.

I also knew them.

"That's why I'm getting as far from here as possible. They'll follow...besides, they're good at not being found."

They'd kept me hidden for almost a month, from the best aurors in England.

"I'm not letting you do that."

I snorted, standing to put my mug in the sink.

"I don't need your permission to plan an escape, Malfoy. That's why it's an escape."

"So you're just going to live the rest of your life in hiding?" he snapped, glaring at me.

"Don't be daft." I said with an eye roll, "I'm going to figure out how to stop them."

I just needed time and space to figure it out, because I knew I could.

He was quiet, staring into the fireplace instead of looking at me.

I headed toward my bedroom, but before I made it out of the living room, his voice stopped me.

"So let me come with you."

DPOV

If Granger was as determined as I thought, there was no way I was convincing her otherwise.

This was the next best thing. Potter — and everyone— were counting on me to keep her safe. This might be the only way I was going to be able to keep my promise to Potter.

"What?"

"Let me come with you, Granger."

She shook her head slowly, seemingly more confused than actually rejecting my offer.

"Why would you do that?"

"Because you're going to get yourself killed. You can't do this alone."

She shook her head, saying nothing as she retreated to her bedroom.

Bloody Gryffindor.

I double checked my wards, going so far as to place one on her room, and when I was satisfied I retreated to my own room.

There was no way I was risking her escaping after what she'd said. She was likely to get herself killed trying to go at this alone.

Brightest witch of our age my arse.

I laid down, staring at the ceiling for a while before there was a soft knock on my bedroom door.

I shifted onto my forearms, lifting myself up enough to see the door as I said, "You can come in."

Granger pushed open the door, but simply stood in the doorway awkwardly, her eyes flicking around the room.

I suppose she hadn't really had time to look around the last time she was in here.

"I don't trust you." she finally said, her eyes meeting mine, "I don't even trust that you won't tell Harry." she continued, shooting me a glare when I tried to interrupt her.

"So I want a blood pact, Malfoy. I need to be sure that -"

"Deal." I interrupted easily, swinging my legs from the bed and picking up my wand.

"What?" she stuttered, clearly surprised, "Why are you so quick to agree?"

"This is the last time I'm going to say this, so listen carefully. I'm not letting you do this on your own, and I'm not going to rat you out in the process. If you need a blood pact to believe that, it doesn't really put me out."

"But my blood -"

"Don't," I snapped, "Don't you dare."

She looked away from me as her cheeks heated in embarrassment, "You're right. I apologize."

"I do want something in return."

She arched an eyebrow, "What?"

"You have to make an oath that you won't just ditch me."

She seemed to study me for a moment, her eyes piercing as she seemed to weigh her options.

Taking a breath she nodded, walking to stand in front of where I sat on my bed, close enough that if I reached out I could've brushed her hair from her face.

I held my wand out to her, and though her eyes widened for a moment she covered it quickly as she accepted it.

She slid the wand against her palm, murmuring under her breath as a crimson streak bloomed across her hand. She did the same to mine before pausing, looking between the two of our hands, a small crease between her brows as her mind clearly mulled something over.

Without thinking about it I took her hand in mine, pressing our palms together.

After a shocked moment of pause she said, "I swear I will not leave you while...while we figure this out."

I nodded, satisfied, before doing my part.

"I swear to keep your secret and help you stop them. I swear I will protect you."

Her breath caught in her throat at the last bit, eyes wide as she watched a glowing droplet of blood - our blood - float between us and become encased in a small vial.

Unbreakable.

"You shouldn't have..." she shook her head, "I'm not your responsibility. You shouldn't have -"

"What's done is done." I interrupted, taking my wand and flipping her hand over to heal her cut before my own.

I dropped her hand, expecting her to step back, but she didn't. She was looking down at me, her eyes clouded with an emotion I couldn't place as she lifted her recently healed hand, her fingertips close enough to my cheek that I could feel her heat - but she didn't touch me.

Why did I want her to?

HPOV

I snapped out of it, quickly dropping my hand and stepping away from him.

I might have murmured an apology, but I couldn't be sure, my feet quickly carrying me back to my room.

Once inside I leaned back against the door, slowly sliding down it as I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

Why was Malfoy doing this?

He probably did feel responsible for me. It was quite literally his job at the moment.

But a blood pact? And he'd agreed so willingly.

And now I'd practically bound myself to him. If anything happened to him -

I shook my head, forcing myself to stop that train of thought. Malfoy was just as capable as Harry. If I'd gotten the better of them once, managed to get away, then surely he'd be able to hold his own...right?

I groaned, my head dropping into my hands before looking down at my palm.

I long, slightly pink scar was all that remained. The single reminder of what we'd just done.

Great.

I'm quite literally going to wear a reminder of this when it inevitably ends horribly and -

I dug my nails into the hardwood floor, the pain forcing my thoughts to stop spiraling. I needed to get a fucking grip if any of this was going to work.

Though it seemed that when it came to my mind, it was quite the ask.

I was constantly losing myself in my thoughts, my nightmares were worse, and it seemed more and more like I was losing my grip.

There wasn't anything more terrifying.

And then there was Malfoy. He was so different.

Though of course, by now, I knew that.

It didn't do anything to lessen the shock at his oath to me. To protect me.

So not only had I bound us together for this train wreck, he'd sworn to protect me. Gods, this was a mess.

And for the first time, I didn't have a plan. I had no idea how to get any of the things I'd need - a wand being the most important - let alone the books I'd need to take to wherever we ended up halfway across the globe.

And I had no idea how to talk to Malfoy after the strange exchange in his bedroom. Why in Morgana's name had I almost caressed Malfoy's cheek?

I was surely losing my mind completely. He was just so -

Attractive, supplied my treacherous mind before I could silence the thought. This was no time to be thinking of him - or anyone - that way. Not with the danger hanging over us.

This was all such a terrible idea, but I couldn't help feeling slightly relieved that I wouldn't have to do this alone.

Let me know if I should continue or leave it like this. I've got a bit of a second chapter written up, but I won't mind leaving this a one-shot.