Forgiveness
By: Gothic Lolita 009, aka Hayley Macrae
Rating: K
Summary: A young woman confronts her tormentor. AU, post Deathly Hallows SSI. Written for a prompt for a friend after I lost a wager.
Disclaimer: All HP characters, settings, etc belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. It is being used without permission and without intent to copyright.
The smoke was driven by the wind, and Nicole Garrison, now Black, felt it move through her long dark hair as she half collapsed against a column.
The war was over at long last. She and Harry had finally defeated the Dark Lord, Voldemort. But, oh what it had cost. Remus, Tonks, Mad-Eye...Dobby...
She recalled them in her mind with strange clarity, naming each one off as she struggled to her weary feet and toward the celebration which she could hear coming from the Great Hall.
In the corner of the Hall, Nicole caught the shock of three white-blonde heads. She avoided those who wanted to thump her back, praise her along with Harry, who she did not see right away. She guessed he had long since found a quiet place to linger.
"Lucius," she called softly, letting her eyes meet his. Turning briefly to his wife and son, he went so far as to offer his arm as they walked along.
"I'm glad your family are all safe," said Nicole softly, looking up to gauge his reaction.
"I suppose another stint in Azkaban will be on the horizon for me," said Lucius with great disdain, disengaging himself from her as he went to gaze out a broken window.
"Not if I have anything to say about it," shot back Nicole defiantly, "I'll stand by your family, Lucius. I know you had no liking for that business—not in the graveyard, and not here today."
He turned with a look of utter disdain upon his face.
"If I wished for help from a Gryffindor, I'd ask."
"Don't be so proud. I know your only concern was for Draco. I can see things, you know. And you should give us Gryffindors a little more credit."
Rolling his eyes, Malfoy returned to staring out the window.
"That night—in the graveyard..."
"I know...you didn't want to."
"No indeed."
The pair stood in silence for some time, regarding the sunrise.
"It's a lovely day," said Nicole shyly.
"Is it true—about Severus?" asked Lucius suddenly.
"What?"
"The Dark Lord said that Severus was-"
"I'm afraid so, Malfoy. Snape's dead. We saw it happen. I don't care—no one should die like he did."
"No indeed."
Lucius turned to regard the pale, pretty princess which he had despised and ridiculed. She carried herself with true royal bearing, going willingly to the slaughter for the sake of the defeat of Voldemort.
"Perhaps, if I'd had a little more of his character..." began Lucius, but scoffed at himself an instant later.
"Severus Snape was a representation of all that was good in Slytherin House. He was brave and cunning and intelligent right to the end. And you were no less brave, I guess."
"High praise-from you," he said, giving her a weary half-smile.
"Listen to me, Lucius. This is you next, last, best chance to do something worthwhile with yourself. Don't mess it up."
For the first time, Lucius Malfoy looked at Princess Nicole Michelle Christine Black, and smiled.
"I intend not to, my Lady," he said with a bow.