PROLOGUE: CHAPTER 00:
A LIFE IS LOST

DISCLAIMER: I do not in any way or form own any part of the Harry Potter franchise. All characters (with the exception of my own additions) belong to the creator of the series, J.K Rowling. I do not get paid to write these stories, so there is no financial profit for me. With all due respect, enjoy the story.

A/N: Updates will hopefully be posted every week. I will try to stick with this story because I have tendencies to abandon most things I write. Simply because I lack motivation and I run out of ideas. For this story, I am just making it up as I go. If this works out, this will be my first proper fanfiction. For information on updates and links to other stories, follow me on Tumblr: Phoenixfire998. Enjoy the story.

He paced the halls of St. Mungo's Hospital; his arms swinging to and fro by his side. He was anxiously awaiting the news that might change everything in his life. He wiped his forehead as small beads of sweat started to trickle down. Feeling lightheaded, he sat down on the plump sofa couch. His feet were tapping the ground and he raked his fingers through his damp hair. Why did they have to take so long? The anticipation was killing him.

"Mr Malfoy?" A man in a white coat approached Draco. He held an old wooden clipboard. His grip on the board turned the tips of his knuckles white. "Mr Malfoy, this way if you will," he gestured for Draco to move from his seat and to follow him. His voice was grave and low. His eyes looked bruised and tired from a long day of hard work. Stepping to the side a little, he let Draco pass.

"What's happening Dr Carter?" Draco asked, his voice was shaking, and his eyes were glossing over. He rarely showed strong emotion to others he didn't really know, but he felt so vulnerable. The moment Dr Carter spoke, he knew something had to be wrong. He held back the tears that almost escaped and swallowed. His throat was sore and dry; his palms were warm and sweaty.

He entered a small vacant room Carter led him into. The aging brass numbers on the door read, ROOM 250. He looked around the room as the man he had been wanting to talk to closed the door. He could tell by the state of the room that no one had been in there for a long time. The art that hung on the wall was slightly crooked and was gathering dust in the corners. The artwork was of a young boy with a red balloon in his hand. The boy's expression showed that he was happy, but the build-up of dust gave an illusion of a frown. Draco's line of sight followed down to the hospital bed in front of him. The sheets had been pulled over the pillow and tucked tightly into the bed frame. The mattress looked tough and uncomfortable and the sheets that were once a sky blue colour had become a dull, depressing blue.

"Mr Malfoy," Dr Carter sighed. His hands fell to his side; the clipboard being in one. "Mr Malfoy, I regret to inform you-"

"No... Don't say it. Please. I beg you..." Draco pleaded. His voice became more wobbly and unstable. His knee was shaking and his lip started to quiver.

"Mr Malfoy, I am sincerely sorry but I must inform you."

"Please," his voice was low like a whisper.

"With my deepest apologies," Ignoring him, he continued on, "after a three hour procedure, both Astoria Malfoy and newly born son, Scorpius have-"

"NO!" Draco yelled.

"-unfortunately-"

"PLEASE! NO!" Draco begged. He moved forward and grabbed the collars of Carter's white coat. His grip was tight and he was shaking uncontrollably. Carter lifted his arms and braced Draco's tight hold on him. Violent tears starting forming as Draco stared into Carter's eyes.

Carter loosened up as he sighed. Draco was like a rock; he didn't move or loosen his grip.

"They-" Carter cleared his throat. His voice was low and echoed with deep sorrow, "- Your wife and newly born son, Scorpius, have passed away due to complications during childbirth. I am so sorry Mr Malfoy. Truly, I am. The procedure started off well but then complications arose and things started getting out of hand very quickly. Nothing, not even magic could help..."

That was it. The sentence that Draco had been waiting for. The sentence he hoped he would never have to hear. Dr Carter kept talking, but Draco paid no attention to him. His voice faded in Draco's mind and his head began to spin. The devastating words echoed continuously in his mind. Like a song on repeat, the same words over and over again. Your wife and newly born son, Scorpius... passed away... complications... I am so sorry... sorry... sorry...

A single tear rolled down the side of Draco's face. Mr Malfoy? Mr Malfoy the voice in his head kept repeating.

"Mr Malfoy?" said Dr Carter with concern.

Draco snapped out of his daze and looked at him. The tear had gone and Draco's face was pale and cold.

"No..." Draco shook his head. "No, you must be mistaken, please! You must be mistaken!"

"I'm so sorry; I cannot imagine what you must be going through right now-"

"NO!" Draco Shouted. "I waited for hours! Hours I tell you! I sat there for three hours not knowing a single thing. No one kept me updated on the well-being of my wife and the progress of my son. How dare you! No one let me see her before or during the time she was in that damn room. And I all wanted to do was be there with her. I wanted to be there for her. She d-" He paused.

Died. That's what he was going to say. That his love, Astoria, died. Saying such things was unfamiliar to him and he didn't like it.

He dropped his voice, "-she died without me... and my son..."

The realisation that he had lost not only his beautiful wife, but his new born son as well, struck him. His chest tightened and all of a sudden he couldn't breathe.

"My poor Scorpius..."

"Please, take a seat Mr Malfoy," Carter grabbed Draco by the shoulder and gestured him to a chair.

"Scorpius, my son... how could this happen? I thought everything was going to be okay?"

"When your son was delivered, he wasn't breathing. From that moment, we acted immediately. I want you to know Mr Malfoy that we tried absolutely everything in our power to help. But like I said before, nothing helped. Simple and complex spells didn't work on reviving the child. Your son, Scorpius, was a stillborn." Carter looked at Draco; his eyes were sincere and tired.

"I don't understand..." Draco's voice was low again. His voice was a hoarse whisper. He sounded tired and exhausted. "I thought everything was okay? The last time we were here, they said everything was okay and that it looked to be a healthy birth-"

"Many things change Mr Malfoy. Your last visit was nearly a month ago, a lot can happen in that time frame."

Draco stared into space, running everything he was informed about through his mind. The shaking stopped. The sweating stopped. Draco had stopped. His body was frozen still; he couldn't move. He released a breath he didn't know he was holding. Silence filled the room, nothing else was said between the two.

A small knock on the door broke the silence, and a crack appeared. A small lady stuck her head through. She was up in her years, but she still had some features that made her look young for her age. Her face was soothing and calm looking. Her hair was greying but still had traces of light brown.

"Sorry to interrupt Dr Carter," her voice was soft and light. She seemed like the type of person who would give you treats and was there for you when you needed someone to talk to. "Mrs Jennings needs you in room 205. She's had a mix up with her medications and potions, and now, she won't come down from the ceiling!"

"I'm sorry Draco, but I must go." Carter got up from his place. He placed a hand on Draco's shoulder, "Are you going to be okay Mr Malfoy?"

"No," Draco replied honestly.

Dr Carter gave him a very sad smile. Never in his entire career had he seen anyone so deflated and ruined. He carried on his way to the door. He grabbed the handled and twisted. He paused for a moment and looked back at Draco.

"I'm sorry."

With that, he swung the door open and walked out; leaving Draco in the dusty, decaying room.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the first part of this story. Don't hesitate to review and follow! I love feedback, so help me improve my writing by reviewing or PM.

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