Hi! This is the first time I'm writing a story after a long time. Hopefully you'll find this story interesting! Let me know what you think!
(Also, if you have suggestions for this story, feel free to let me know!)
Prologue
The war has finally ended. The light side has won. The people who fought rushed into the Great Hall to congratulate their comrades, and to reunite with their loved ones. Despite the rubble and the destruction, people were celebrating as laughter and merrymaking bounced off the walls. However, this was not the case for Draco Malfoy and his family.
He sat quietly with his parents on the far corner in one of the tables, isolated from the raucous celebration. Even if the Malfoys have switched sides last-minute, they knew that people will still have a hard time trusting them. After all, it wasn't the first time the Malfoys have declared their disloyalty to the Dark Lord to save their own skins.
This time, however, it was different. In the few moments leading up to the Second Wizarding War's conclusion, the Malfoys were tested not only for their loyalty to each other, but for their wish to live in peace. Lucius Malfoy only wanted what was best for his family. Seeing the destruction and manipulation that Voldemort has brought upon in their lives in the last two years made him realize that Voldemort's path would lead to their demise. Meanwhile, Narcissa Malfoy always had her son's safety and happiness in mind. If defying the Dark Lord would help her son find happiness in the future, she would do it. She did.
As for Draco Malfoy, he realized at some point during the war that he was fighting a losing battle, not just against the Order and their allies, but also against himself. For some time now, Draco realized that there is more to life than just being a servant to the vanquished dark wizard. He realized that, maybe, Potter and his friends were right all along, much to his chagrin. There's more to life than the emptiness and coldness that he grew up with, and the material wealth that he has. He craved for warmth and affection, as well as comfort and stability. He wanted to feel and to experience what it's like to really live.
Right now, for anyone who paid attention to this family, they would have thought that the Malfoys were statues. None of them seem to be moving except for the rise and fall of their chests that indicated that they are living. Narcissa laid her head on Lucius' shoulder with her eyes closed and a small smile on her lips. Lucius, with his eyes closed as well, had his head leaning on his wife's with his left arm around her, running circles on her shoulders as an act of comfort. On the other hand, Draco, who was sitting on his mother's left side holding her hand, was sitting stoically with his penetrating eyes looking straight ahead. For the Malfoys, not much words nor actions were needed. They were finally content, at least for two of them.
Draco has been plagued with his own turmoil since the war officially ended. Now that the war is over, what should he do next? Even if he knows what he wants, he's still confused. Who is he really? If everything he thought he was is just a façade of who he is, then who is he actually? While his form remained stoic, his grey eyes betrayed the storm that was brewing inside his mind. His penetrating gaze continued to assault the wall across from him when, like a match that was lit in the claustrophobic darkness, he knew what he had to do.
He had to leave.