Memories of Death: Goodbye
I still get lost in your eyes,
And it seems that
I can't live a day without you.
Closing my eyes and
You chase my thoughts away
To a place where,
I am blinded by the light,
But it's not right...
Goodbye to you,
Goodbye to everything
I thought I knew.
You were the one I loved,
The one thing that
I tried to hold on to.
But it was only rain.
Hiding in the gloomy shadows, his cobalt eyes watched expressionlessly as the dozens of wizards and witches stood in a circle around the coffin, crying softly as Albus Dumbledore spoke. Listening to the noise of the tears, which blended with the soft pitter-patter of the rain Draco Malfoy leaned his back against an aged tree.
Although the thought of a Muggle priest had been considered for the funeral Draco knew he was the only one who had known her true opinion on the non- magic folk, especially on their religions. It was odd that the cause of their first meeting had been a total lie, but from then on she had been almost completely honest with him. And he with her, for the most part. They were alike, yet totally dissimilar. Maybe that was why it had happened the way it did.
Watching Potter at the front of the line, not caring as the water soaked him to the bone Draco's attention returned to the greying Headmaster. It wasn't right that she would have a sort of Muggle funeral. She was to be buried in the ground, rather than transfigured into a star, as she had told him she wanted. She would never want to be buried in the fashion of Muggle religion, but he admitted he was most likely the only one that knew so.
She had detested religion with a passion, but in a moment of honesty she had admitted it was because she did not understand-Not that he had paid much attention to the matter at the time of course. The conversation had quickly changed to an idle topic, like which teacher had annoyed them the most that day, or had it been Quidditch? Looking back he didn't remember.
It was odd how many of the memories were now squished together. He remembered them of course, but they all seemed collectively packed into his mind for fear he would lose them. A scowl crossed his pale face. A Malfoy feared nothing. Not even death. But then again, a Malfoy felt nothing as well. Except for allegiance to the Dark Lord of course, but you couldn't really feel that, could you? No, as a Malfoy it was your duty to feel nothing-Or at least that was how it was supposed to be.
But why then did he feel so.. Emotional? If it were not for the pain he felt, he would have been disgusted with himself. And in a way he was, which only added to the ache. It had been two weeks since the night below the lake, and not for a single instant had the pain ceased. When he woke his thoughts were of her, when he past the day she was all he could think about and when he slept. Sleeping was by far the worse, for in when he slept he dreamt. In dreams he saw her clearly, almost as clearly as he had in the day but in the night he could not be pulled out. In his dreams, and sometimes during the day she came to him, never angry or vengeful only sad. The delusion smelt like her, looked like her, spoke like her and no doubt tasted like her as well, which only tormented him more. If someone had told him a year ago that he would be going through this very agony he would have laughed. After all it had all started as a task, orders from the Dark Lord himself.
His Father and Mother had dragged him to a summer's eve celebration at one of the Minister's manors in Kyle of Localsh, up in Scotland. Draco knew very well that Lord Voldemort had returned to flesh; he had heard the conversation between his parents the day he had returned from Hogwarts, and the sole purpose of attending this benefit was to quell the whispers.. Even if they were all true. But after receiving an owl, Draco's father told him some very interesting news. Apparently there was going to be a young witch, his age in attendance at the event. This girl was in fact the Hogwarts Headmaster's Goddaughter, and order had come from their Lord that Draco was needed.
'An insider could be extremely useful to our Lord.' His father had said as they stood in the Drawing Room. 'He's said he wants her turned to our side, and that it will not be too difficult, that the process began the day she was born. There's something he is not telling me, but in time I will come to know. She's smart Draco. You'll have to be careful. But she could be exceptionally valuable.' It was quite uncommon for his father to receive and owl and then call for Draco and so he knew that this task must be unusually significant to the cause. He had accepted of course without delay, but it was not as if he could not.
He saw her first, descending the great stairwell in delicate shade of lilac escorted by an older wizard. Her blond curls were pulled back into an elegant design and strangely resembled pigtails. Her face was childlike, and seemed to portray a hopeful sense of regal innocence.
He couldn't help but smirk confidently; this would be all too easy. Like seducing that little blond tart in Hufflepuff into throwing the Quidditch match. Of course there were certain. aspects of this girl that were very womanly indeed, but still she seemed utterly innocent. As their eyes met for a brief instant it was as if Draco's world fell silent. This would be the beginning-No-His beginning. In this very moment he had become a true servant of the Dark Lord, doing his bidding, and so it would continue until his dying day.
Her pale face flushed crimson and she averted her eyes. Raising the hem of her robe slightly she pretended to be concerned with making the last step. Draco's smile grew as he watched her, not only was this going to be easy but fun as well. For the first few hours he watched her talking, smiling, her azure eyes twinkling. Obviously that repulsive habit of Dumbledore's was not genetic and had been passed on. On a few occasions she would glance over in his direction and smile playfully. Finally while dancing with an assistant wizard of one of the school governors Draco stepped forward.
"May I cut in?"
The wizard, who couldn't have been more than nineteen years old made an annoyed noise and then turned to face him. The look on his face was priceless; the bravado had crumbled and all that was left was a surprised stare, with his mouth dropping in a comical 'O'.
"I didn't think so." Said Draco without waiting for the mumbled reply. He took her hand in his and smiled, pleased with himself.
"You must be a Malfoy." She commented as they swayed leisurely.
"What gave me away? My hair? Or maybe my eyes? Or the fact that I'm simply dashing?" He asked boldly.
"Actually I was going to say your overconfidence, but yes, that too."
"Ah." He said softly. "And what's your name then?" He knew the answer of course, but it would seem better if he pretended.
"Skye," She replied. "Skye Dumbledore."
Faking a momentary shock, he cocked one eyebrow. "I thought you were on a Muggle study. No wizarding contact."
"I finished." She replied casually. "I thought I was going to go mad."
Draco was intrigued and after a smooth dip he asked, "And why was that?"
"Let's just say I've had more than two lifetimes share of Muggles."
"Really?" He asked, although they both knew it was more of a comment than anything else.
"What about you? I assume you're attending Howarts?"
"I am." He replied. He was only vaguely aware that the song had changed, but she seemed completely oblivious. "Fifth year."
"Brill, so will I." She smiled.
"Oh really? They're letting you skip the first four?" He worried he might have overdone the astonishment in his tone. It hardly surprised him that Dumbledore would let her jump four years of learning. He knew for a fact she was what he had heard referred to as a 'child prodigy'. Apparently she had even made a potion used for breathing in bad conditions, or something around those lines. It was all a bunch of boring rubbish really. But some people thought it was the best thing since house-elfs. His father had told him many times before how Dumbledore pretended to be fair and righteous, but when push came to shove he wasn't against pulling strings.
"Until the Muggle study I grew up at Hogwarts." She explained. "I thought everyone knew about that."
"Now who's the overconfident one?" Draco smiled roguishly, and she grinned clearly embarrassed.
"I lived a large portion of my life at Hogwarts, and so after awhile I just started sneaking in to the classrooms. It's not like they could really stop me, being the Goddaughter of the Headmaster and all." Not quite the most modest thing either Draco noted.
"Had him wrapped around your pinkie a bit didn't you?"
"I wouldn't say that. I'd just say that there were exceptions made for me."
There was a pause; the two of them danced wordlessly, her chin rested on his shoulder. He could not see her face, but Draco was not worried. In fact, he was quite calm. It wasn't until she broke the silence that a single worry crossed his mind.
"I was surprised you actually asked me to dance." She admitted quietly. The song was coming to an end. This was not a good sign. "Bloody shocked actually."
"And why's that?" He asked as he skilfully dipped her for the second time. Years of forced dancing lessons had finally paid off. Outside he seemed calm and collected, but inside his mind was running faster than a Firebolt, worrying. What if she didn't believe him? What if the only opportunity he had to prove himself to the Dark Lord-and to his father passed through the open window? No, it couldn't happen. He wouldn't let it.
"You've got to be pissing me." She spoke frankly, looking up to him.
"Well, I wasn't thinking of doing that-" He said in mock innocence. This was the moment, she either believed him or she didn't. If he failed he would be punished severely, he knew that. But if he succeeded. the possibilities were endless. It was this moment he realized his entire life was tied to this instant. It all depended on this single, succinct moment.
She grinned lopsidedly with a small sigh. "Sorry-It's just I mean-well, I was surprised you'd actually dance with me, being who I am-I mean-You're parents obviously aren't the best of mates with my guardian."
"My decisions are my own." Which was complete and utter bullocks, but she seemed to believe it. Not only was she the innocent prodigy, it seemed she was running for the world's most gullible witch ever award. He would have bet 5 galleons she had a subscription to Teen Witch Weekly. He leaned closely, and whispered in her ear. "And I take what I want."
He heard the faintest surprised gasp escape her, and he smiled pleased with her reaction. They stood for an instant, his arm wrapped around her waist, the other holding hers entirely unaware to the outside world. But the moment faded, and Draco looked into the eyes of his father from across the room. As if speaking without words his father nodded slightly, but never took his eyes off of them. The next thing Draco knew, she was pulling away.
"I've got to be going." She said with a gesture. Standing by the doorway was that numbskull Gryffindor, the Quidditch captain Wood. As he watched the burly Hogwarts graduate put on his cloak Draco felt a slightly less confident. He hadn't known she had come with him. If they knew each other that might compromise the task. If that bluddering sod told her off about him, he'd be up the pitch without a broom.
"Will you be staying long in Kyle?" She asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
"There's a Prides versus Magpies match in a few days. I think we'll be staying until then." He replied casually. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Wood cross the room intently, carrying a white cloak in his arms which could only belong to her.
"Coming Skye?" He asked glaring at Draco.
"Right then." She smiled with a small, polite nod. "Until then, Master Malfoy."
Draco watched as she took the cloak and clasped it on as they walked away. With a small glance over her shoulder she smiled. He stood there watching until they had disappeared into the Floo room, and then smiled incredibly pleased with himself. He had done it. He'd been given a task by the Dark Lord, and he was well on his way to succeeding.
After all, how was he to know it had all been set up?
I still get lost in your eyes,
And it seems that
I can't live a day without you.
Closing my eyes and
You chase my thoughts away
To a place where,
I am blinded by the light,
But it's not right...
Goodbye to you,
Goodbye to everything
I thought I knew.
You were the one I loved,
The one thing that
I tried to hold on to.
But it was only rain.
Hiding in the gloomy shadows, his cobalt eyes watched expressionlessly as the dozens of wizards and witches stood in a circle around the coffin, crying softly as Albus Dumbledore spoke. Listening to the noise of the tears, which blended with the soft pitter-patter of the rain Draco Malfoy leaned his back against an aged tree.
Although the thought of a Muggle priest had been considered for the funeral Draco knew he was the only one who had known her true opinion on the non- magic folk, especially on their religions. It was odd that the cause of their first meeting had been a total lie, but from then on she had been almost completely honest with him. And he with her, for the most part. They were alike, yet totally dissimilar. Maybe that was why it had happened the way it did.
Watching Potter at the front of the line, not caring as the water soaked him to the bone Draco's attention returned to the greying Headmaster. It wasn't right that she would have a sort of Muggle funeral. She was to be buried in the ground, rather than transfigured into a star, as she had told him she wanted. She would never want to be buried in the fashion of Muggle religion, but he admitted he was most likely the only one that knew so.
She had detested religion with a passion, but in a moment of honesty she had admitted it was because she did not understand-Not that he had paid much attention to the matter at the time of course. The conversation had quickly changed to an idle topic, like which teacher had annoyed them the most that day, or had it been Quidditch? Looking back he didn't remember.
It was odd how many of the memories were now squished together. He remembered them of course, but they all seemed collectively packed into his mind for fear he would lose them. A scowl crossed his pale face. A Malfoy feared nothing. Not even death. But then again, a Malfoy felt nothing as well. Except for allegiance to the Dark Lord of course, but you couldn't really feel that, could you? No, as a Malfoy it was your duty to feel nothing-Or at least that was how it was supposed to be.
But why then did he feel so.. Emotional? If it were not for the pain he felt, he would have been disgusted with himself. And in a way he was, which only added to the ache. It had been two weeks since the night below the lake, and not for a single instant had the pain ceased. When he woke his thoughts were of her, when he past the day she was all he could think about and when he slept. Sleeping was by far the worse, for in when he slept he dreamt. In dreams he saw her clearly, almost as clearly as he had in the day but in the night he could not be pulled out. In his dreams, and sometimes during the day she came to him, never angry or vengeful only sad. The delusion smelt like her, looked like her, spoke like her and no doubt tasted like her as well, which only tormented him more. If someone had told him a year ago that he would be going through this very agony he would have laughed. After all it had all started as a task, orders from the Dark Lord himself.
His Father and Mother had dragged him to a summer's eve celebration at one of the Minister's manors in Kyle of Localsh, up in Scotland. Draco knew very well that Lord Voldemort had returned to flesh; he had heard the conversation between his parents the day he had returned from Hogwarts, and the sole purpose of attending this benefit was to quell the whispers.. Even if they were all true. But after receiving an owl, Draco's father told him some very interesting news. Apparently there was going to be a young witch, his age in attendance at the event. This girl was in fact the Hogwarts Headmaster's Goddaughter, and order had come from their Lord that Draco was needed.
'An insider could be extremely useful to our Lord.' His father had said as they stood in the Drawing Room. 'He's said he wants her turned to our side, and that it will not be too difficult, that the process began the day she was born. There's something he is not telling me, but in time I will come to know. She's smart Draco. You'll have to be careful. But she could be exceptionally valuable.' It was quite uncommon for his father to receive and owl and then call for Draco and so he knew that this task must be unusually significant to the cause. He had accepted of course without delay, but it was not as if he could not.
He saw her first, descending the great stairwell in delicate shade of lilac escorted by an older wizard. Her blond curls were pulled back into an elegant design and strangely resembled pigtails. Her face was childlike, and seemed to portray a hopeful sense of regal innocence.
He couldn't help but smirk confidently; this would be all too easy. Like seducing that little blond tart in Hufflepuff into throwing the Quidditch match. Of course there were certain. aspects of this girl that were very womanly indeed, but still she seemed utterly innocent. As their eyes met for a brief instant it was as if Draco's world fell silent. This would be the beginning-No-His beginning. In this very moment he had become a true servant of the Dark Lord, doing his bidding, and so it would continue until his dying day.
Her pale face flushed crimson and she averted her eyes. Raising the hem of her robe slightly she pretended to be concerned with making the last step. Draco's smile grew as he watched her, not only was this going to be easy but fun as well. For the first few hours he watched her talking, smiling, her azure eyes twinkling. Obviously that repulsive habit of Dumbledore's was not genetic and had been passed on. On a few occasions she would glance over in his direction and smile playfully. Finally while dancing with an assistant wizard of one of the school governors Draco stepped forward.
"May I cut in?"
The wizard, who couldn't have been more than nineteen years old made an annoyed noise and then turned to face him. The look on his face was priceless; the bravado had crumbled and all that was left was a surprised stare, with his mouth dropping in a comical 'O'.
"I didn't think so." Said Draco without waiting for the mumbled reply. He took her hand in his and smiled, pleased with himself.
"You must be a Malfoy." She commented as they swayed leisurely.
"What gave me away? My hair? Or maybe my eyes? Or the fact that I'm simply dashing?" He asked boldly.
"Actually I was going to say your overconfidence, but yes, that too."
"Ah." He said softly. "And what's your name then?" He knew the answer of course, but it would seem better if he pretended.
"Skye," She replied. "Skye Dumbledore."
Faking a momentary shock, he cocked one eyebrow. "I thought you were on a Muggle study. No wizarding contact."
"I finished." She replied casually. "I thought I was going to go mad."
Draco was intrigued and after a smooth dip he asked, "And why was that?"
"Let's just say I've had more than two lifetimes share of Muggles."
"Really?" He asked, although they both knew it was more of a comment than anything else.
"What about you? I assume you're attending Howarts?"
"I am." He replied. He was only vaguely aware that the song had changed, but she seemed completely oblivious. "Fifth year."
"Brill, so will I." She smiled.
"Oh really? They're letting you skip the first four?" He worried he might have overdone the astonishment in his tone. It hardly surprised him that Dumbledore would let her jump four years of learning. He knew for a fact she was what he had heard referred to as a 'child prodigy'. Apparently she had even made a potion used for breathing in bad conditions, or something around those lines. It was all a bunch of boring rubbish really. But some people thought it was the best thing since house-elfs. His father had told him many times before how Dumbledore pretended to be fair and righteous, but when push came to shove he wasn't against pulling strings.
"Until the Muggle study I grew up at Hogwarts." She explained. "I thought everyone knew about that."
"Now who's the overconfident one?" Draco smiled roguishly, and she grinned clearly embarrassed.
"I lived a large portion of my life at Hogwarts, and so after awhile I just started sneaking in to the classrooms. It's not like they could really stop me, being the Goddaughter of the Headmaster and all." Not quite the most modest thing either Draco noted.
"Had him wrapped around your pinkie a bit didn't you?"
"I wouldn't say that. I'd just say that there were exceptions made for me."
There was a pause; the two of them danced wordlessly, her chin rested on his shoulder. He could not see her face, but Draco was not worried. In fact, he was quite calm. It wasn't until she broke the silence that a single worry crossed his mind.
"I was surprised you actually asked me to dance." She admitted quietly. The song was coming to an end. This was not a good sign. "Bloody shocked actually."
"And why's that?" He asked as he skilfully dipped her for the second time. Years of forced dancing lessons had finally paid off. Outside he seemed calm and collected, but inside his mind was running faster than a Firebolt, worrying. What if she didn't believe him? What if the only opportunity he had to prove himself to the Dark Lord-and to his father passed through the open window? No, it couldn't happen. He wouldn't let it.
"You've got to be pissing me." She spoke frankly, looking up to him.
"Well, I wasn't thinking of doing that-" He said in mock innocence. This was the moment, she either believed him or she didn't. If he failed he would be punished severely, he knew that. But if he succeeded. the possibilities were endless. It was this moment he realized his entire life was tied to this instant. It all depended on this single, succinct moment.
She grinned lopsidedly with a small sigh. "Sorry-It's just I mean-well, I was surprised you'd actually dance with me, being who I am-I mean-You're parents obviously aren't the best of mates with my guardian."
"My decisions are my own." Which was complete and utter bullocks, but she seemed to believe it. Not only was she the innocent prodigy, it seemed she was running for the world's most gullible witch ever award. He would have bet 5 galleons she had a subscription to Teen Witch Weekly. He leaned closely, and whispered in her ear. "And I take what I want."
He heard the faintest surprised gasp escape her, and he smiled pleased with her reaction. They stood for an instant, his arm wrapped around her waist, the other holding hers entirely unaware to the outside world. But the moment faded, and Draco looked into the eyes of his father from across the room. As if speaking without words his father nodded slightly, but never took his eyes off of them. The next thing Draco knew, she was pulling away.
"I've got to be going." She said with a gesture. Standing by the doorway was that numbskull Gryffindor, the Quidditch captain Wood. As he watched the burly Hogwarts graduate put on his cloak Draco felt a slightly less confident. He hadn't known she had come with him. If they knew each other that might compromise the task. If that bluddering sod told her off about him, he'd be up the pitch without a broom.
"Will you be staying long in Kyle?" She asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
"There's a Prides versus Magpies match in a few days. I think we'll be staying until then." He replied casually. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Wood cross the room intently, carrying a white cloak in his arms which could only belong to her.
"Coming Skye?" He asked glaring at Draco.
"Right then." She smiled with a small, polite nod. "Until then, Master Malfoy."
Draco watched as she took the cloak and clasped it on as they walked away. With a small glance over her shoulder she smiled. He stood there watching until they had disappeared into the Floo room, and then smiled incredibly pleased with himself. He had done it. He'd been given a task by the Dark Lord, and he was well on his way to succeeding.
After all, how was he to know it had all been set up?