August 31st, 2019.
It is a common belief amongst people that time heals all wounds, physical and emotional. The person who came up with this quote must be the one who said that laughter was a medicine. someone who has lived a long, happy and trouble-free life. Because if they lived in Draco Malfoy's life they would know that some wounds are too deep to be healed. As for laughter, he was sure he couldn't relate since he rarely ever tries it.
Draco used to hear such sayings from his parents. He doesn't anymore. They must have noticed it was fruitless to say useless words that gave empty promises to their only son. A promise that someday he would forget an continue with his life.
For him, time is what it is, "time", seconds, hours, days and years that one has to live through before death claimed him. The more he lived the more he had to suffer from the reality of a life he never wanted but was forced upon him by his father of all people. A life he has to spend knowing he could never get what he deeply wanted within the coffins of his heart.
Draco tries his best not to hate his father. He couldn't count the number of times he succeeded in convincing himself not to run away and leave everything behind his mother, his son and his inheritance. What made him succeed every time were his father's countless attempts at redemption. Lucius tried hard to make amends for his past mistakes, helping people with his money, knowledge, and influence. But nothing could help save his son's lost life.
"I think we are done here. We should head back home. We have all of Scorpius books" came Lucius's voice.
Tomorrow, Scorpius, Draco's only son, would be going to Hogwarts for his third year and he would need new books including the monster book of monsters. Lucius accompanied Draco to Diagonally to purchase everything his grandson needed. The boy refused to go with them because he preferred to spend his last day at home with his aunt Aurora.
"You might be done but I still have one place to go, " he said.
Lucius considered his son's words for a few moments before saying "Draco, when are you going to stop torturing yourself with her presence my son?"
"It's more the lack of her presence that tortures me, father. Visiting that shop is the only way I'm keeping my sanity."
"Now, if you'll excuse me I have to go before closing hour. You can go home if you prefer."
"No. I'll accompany you. It's been a long time since a have last seen her."
Nodding, Draco took the heavy pile of books from his father's hands and went to the counter to pay. When he came back, they left the bookstore and walked for five minutes until they arrived in front of Andromeda Tonk's shop.
The shop was called "unity" it was Andromeda's way to honor her late husband, Ted Tonks, who was killed during the second wizarding war. Mrs. Tonks may be the owner but she hardly ever keeps the shop. Harry Potter and the Weasleys loved it and took turns keeping it for her, but since little Ted finished school he cares for it most of the time. It has large display windows showcasing herbs in bottles, books, and toys presenting a good mixture of both worlds.
Draco was the first to step inside. Lucius following closely. His son walked straight to the potion section. He always chooses to stand on that special spot. It gave him a full view of the counter. Where she would be sitting probably reading that book she loves so much or servicing customers.
Arriving in front of the little jars, Draco turned towards the counter expecting to see her. but she wasn't there. She must be in another section, he thought. He didn't want to think that maybe she didn't come to the shop today. It was her free day after all. She is always the one to keep the shop on her free days. After roaming between the isles, searching for any indication of her presence, a mass of bushy brown hair or a warm voice reading a verse of her favorite books to her children. he walked back to his original spot by the ingredient jars and waited. Praying she hadn't already left.
After around 15 minutes of waiting, Draco felt a hand on his shoulder.
"We should go, Draco. She must have left" his father said.
"Yeah, I think she has," the younger Malfoy said lowering his head turning on his heal and heading to the door. Midway, he heard a noise coming from upstairs.
"Wait! She's here I can hear her."
"What are you saying, son. I don't hear- " smack "...anything" he continued.
"What was that ?" asked one of the customers holding his son closer to him.
"It's coming from upstairs, " said his wife walking to stand by his side.
"Draco walked towards the door behind the counter. The one leading to the upper stories. Before arriving at the counter, the door burst open.H Hermione came out of it holding her son's hand in her right one and a bag in the left.
"Rose" she called loudly. The teenage girl hurried to join her mother.
"What is it, mom. Why are you crying ?" said the terrified girl to her frustrated mother.
"I'm not crying Rosy. it's just... you know allergies."
"Take your brother's hand. I'll get the portkey. We're going to Uncle Harry's" she ordered.
Finally her husband burst of the same door. So angry his face a shade redder than his hair.
"Where do you think you are taking my children. You have no right to take them away from me."
"I do. They are my children too. And until we solve this problem that yourself caused they are staying with me."
Lucius walked to where his son was standing. he who was used to wearing a mask of absolute indifference and aloofness in public was fuming. hands clenching into fists by his side and gritting his teeth so hard his face muscles protested. The good thing was that he hasn't made a move towards the fighting couple, yet.
"There is no solving to do here. It's either you stay or you leave."
" I can't believe you. After what I witnessed today you still have the nerve to ask me to stay."
"I'm not asking you to stay. I'm only stating your choices."
"My choices" she gave a sarcastic snort "You mean either I stay with you or leave. Both cases we would still be married and you would still be cheating on me."
"Did you really think that this thing we had was meant to last forever."
"Yes, I did. I did because 'forever' was mentioned multiple times in the vows that you have repeatedly broken." Weasely looked dignified by her accusations.
"Don't play the innocent one-timer on me. I knew you have been cheating on me for years. I just didn't know who the bitch you cheated with was." she continued when she saw the look of disbelief on his face.
Ron looked around at the crowd gathering to intently listen on on their conversation. When he locked eyes with Draco he quickly turned to his seething wife "This is not the place for this. Everyone is looking at us. You're making a scandal" he said grabbing her arm "we are going home."
"That is not my home anymore" she spat.
"Well, we are not fighting here."
"Don't worry. I don't want to fight. I just have one question to ask you."
"What is it?"
"Why her? What is so special about her Ronald that you broke your home for her?"
Ron couldn't answer her questions. It looked like he was debating with himself whether to answer her or not "Why of all people did you choose to cheat on me with Astoria Malfoy?"
Hearing his wife's name Draco's eyes went wide, his mouth felt dry, nostrils flaring. He couldn't have heard her right.
"Did she say Astoria Malfoy?" came Lucius's unbelieving voice.
"That's what I heard" answered Draco seething.
"Why her? you ask? I'll tell you why. It wasn't hard for me to choose really. On one side I had a beautiful woman who takes care of her attire and had real wizarding heritage, coming from one of the most ancient families in our world. On the other side, I had you. plain and boring with your head always stuck in a book. You never take care of yourself and on top of everything a mudblood" saying the last word deliberately slow.
Draco's blood ran cold. His face void of color and hands clenched into tight fists by his sides, he made for Weasley, ready to smash his face into the wall behind him but an arm around his waist stopped him from getting any closer.
"Wait. Draco, don't do anything foolish before we know the whole story" whispered Lucius in his son's ear.
"We did hear the whole story" Draco hissed to his father removing his father's outstretched arm.
"Weasley!" he yelled as he approached him.
Hearing his voice, Hermione cast a spell creating a shield around Ron and herself.
"What did you just call me?"
"You heard me. I don't want to be with you anymore. I have already missed out on so much being married to you. It took twenty years and one night with another woman to open my eyes to the truth."
"So you regret our marriage?" she asked tears running down her cheeks. Voice as cold as steel.
"I do. I regret our marriage, our children and most of all the purity of my bloodline."
"This is all I needed to hear. Stupefy," she muttered waving her wand around.
Ron's body hit the wall with a strong smack. Another wave of her wand made the shield around her drop. She went directly to the counter to retrieve her portkey, her children following closely. In less than a minute the three of them were gone.
After his family's departure, Weasley regained his senses. He looked around him and found everyone sneering at him. Only two faces held an interest for him though. The Malfoys were both looking down their noses at him and throwing him disgusted looks.
"What did you do Weasley?" asked Draco in a dangerous tone.
"It doesn't concern you Malfoy ."
"How does it not concern me. You just said you were sleeping with my wife."
"If only you cared for her needs. She wouldn't have come running to me for comfort."
"You really are a bastard, aren't you?"
"Don't you call me that you bloody ferret. Or- "
"Not only did you cheat on your wife. But the woman you cheated with is also married and happens to hate your other half as you called her in your wedding vows."
"You are only saying this because you don't want to believe that an amazing woman like Astoria has chosen me over you."
"Don't get me wrong Weasley .you might not know, but you are not the only one she seeks comfort from. You can have her anytime you want. I was just stating that you are a bastard" he finished in a disgustingly calm voice. Turned on his heels and left the shop.
"Your actions Mr. Weasley and those of my daughter in law will not be overlooked. I hope you know that. And would you please transmit my words to her, I wish not to see her in my house ever again." said Lucius before following his son out.
"What are you looking at? The show is over. If you want to buy anything there is the counter, if you don't there is the door" Ron screamed at the staring customers pointing first at the counter, then at the front door.
"Shame on you son. How could you break your lovely wife's heart the way you did?"
"Madam, it's my family's business. I would appreciate it if you kept out of our affairs."
"I don't think you have a family anymore son," she said in a low, sad voice.
"Where do you think she went, father?" Draco said when finally out of the shop.
"She must have gone to Potter's."
After countless attempts at closing her suitcase, Aurora finally decided to go for the most obvious way that a grown wizard in possession of a wand would use. and sat on it.
Tomorrow, she would be moving to her dorm room in London for her third year of the healing program. This is going to be her first year studying inside of St Mungo's. for years she has been waiting for tomorrow to come. The day she would be schooled at the hands of the brightest witch of the age Hermione Granger Weasley herself.
"The poor woman .she must be devastated." thought she. She had heard today from her father about the afternoon's event. She wasn't the least bit shocked hearing that her sister in law was cheating on her brother. What shocked her though was that that the wizard she cheated with was Mr. Weasley. He and his wife were a power couple in the wizarding world next to the Potters. No one was supposed to break their relationship. It seems like Astoria was the only one with enough power to do so. As if destroying one family wasn't enough.
Pressing a little harder with her hands she was able to make both ends meet and finally closed her suitcase.
"You can use magic to close it you know?" came her brother's voice from behind the door.
"I know. I just saw this in a Muggle movie and wanted to try it."
"Can I come in?"
"Of course."
"I see you are not done packing yet," he said, looking at the pile of clothes on the floor.
"As if I would ever be done. Father went on and bought enough clothes to last me 3 years."
"Are you complaining?" he asked.
"No, not really. I just don't see his point. He knows I wear a uniform half of the time ."
"Aurora..."
"How are you feeling?" she cut him.
"About?"
"About... you know...what happened this morning, with her."
"Aurora, you know I don't care what she does or who she does for that matter."
"I wasn't referring to your cheating wife Draco."
"Who is 'her' then?"
"Mrs. Weasley."
Draco stiffened. Straitened his back and said, "I have nothing to feel about what happened to her."
"Draco, don't do this..."
"Aurora, I didn't come here to talk about how I'm feeling. I just want to ask you for a favor."
"You can ask. But I get to decide whether to do it or not, "she said with a cocky smile.
he seemed to consider her words for a moments before saying "You know, I remember a letter I found in one of the books in the library. It was addressed to you from a certain Caleb Mclaggen..."
"You found my letter?" she interrupted him, fear apparent on her features.
"That I did. I think father would love to read it."
"Oh! you are despicable."
"I could never be as despicable as you. Refusing to do your brother a favor is the epitome of evil."
"I was kidding. I just wanted to trade it for another favor."
"Well, now you get to trade it for my silence."
"I don't believe you. Fine, what do you want?"
"Tomorrow, when you arrive at your dorm. I want you to ask about Mrs. Weasley from her friend Emilia. She is there almost every day. "
"What should I ask?"
"Where is she staying? where is she going? what is she going to do and ... and how is she?"
"I have nothing to feel about what happened to her" Aurora repeated his words in a mocking tone and exploded in laughter.
Draco looked at her seriously for a moment before saying "would you, for once in your life, act like an adult."
"I would when you stop saying you don't care about her when your actions say everything about how you feel."
"Aurora I don't know what is happening in that brilliant mind of yours but it's all the work of your imagination. The woman was my classmate and I just want to make sure she is doing fine."
"You are impossible. Fine, I'll do what you are asking. "
"I want you to know if she is going to ask the ministry for permission to leave her house."
"I'll see how far I can go trying to make this 'Emily' talk."
"Emilia " corrected Draco.
"Anyway, I'll do my best. Rest assured."
"Thank you, I owe you one," he said standing up and heading to the door.
"Draco you are not going to-"
"Don't worry, I won't tell father about your dear Caleb."
"I knew you were not going to tell him. That is not what I was going to ask you?
"What is it then?"
"You are not going to try and talk to him, are you?"
"For the moment I'm just going to send him a letter. From what I have read I presume he loves poetry."
"What? What are you going to write to him about?"
"Nothing in particular. Just a little piece of poetry that I wrote myself that doesn't at all contain any threats of violence, kidnap and death if he ever happens to hurt you and such."
"Can I read it before you owl it."
"Absolutely not. It contains language that is inappropriate for your young age."
"but..."
"No more but. You need to go to sleep it's late . " he cut in.
"I wonder how Mrs. Weasley is going to feel tomorrow?" she said
"What's special about tomorrow?"
"Well, she and her husband are pretty famous. So I guess today's events will make tomorrow's prophet's first page. The whole world is going to know about her husband's cheating."
Draco sighed " if there is one thing I know about her is that she doesn't care what people think. She is going to be fine."
"We are all aware you don't just know one thing about her Draco." teased Aurora.
"haha! good night Aurora."
"Draco, I think you should act now if you really care about her. The marriage contract might be unbreakable but the vows are. you can do the same as Astoria and cheat on your marriage."
Draco just looked at her so she went on
"Well, I think this is your best chance Draco. You can't have her as a wife but at least befriend her. You two have something in common now, something you can talk about."
"You really have a good imagination. You should have chosen writing as a career."
"Still denying your feelings. Don't get mad when someone else befriends her before you."
"Good night Aurora, " he said again, obviously tired of the conversation.
"Good night Draco. Sweet dreams of her."
"Would you drop it already."
Later at night as he laid in bed, Draco thought about the events of the day. He might not be affected by his wife's treachery, being accustomed to it by now. But Hermione would certainly be sad. He wondered if she really went to Potter's for the night and hoped for it. She shouldn't spend the night alone. company would do her good in these times.
Astoria wasn't back yet. She must be with her newest lover. He wondered how Hermione knew about them. Did she catch them in the act? He hoped she didn't. That must have been a disgusting sight.
Astoria always chose them from Draco's circle meaning they were rich, famous and of ancient blood. What could have made her choose Weasley was beyond him. Draco spent more than twenty years with her and still can't stand her annoying presence. That must have been a point in common between them because as long as he remembered Weasley's presence too always annoyed him.
Draco turned on his side and tried to sleep hoping that whatever Weasley does to gain Hermione's forgiveness in the future he wouldn't get it.
Morning found Draco sitting in his study. He couldn't sleep the night before because of the previous day's event which made it difficult for him to concentrate on his paperwork.
Aurora left that morning to her new dorm in London. He was still waiting for her owl to arrive. The mail owl had already arrived with the day's copy of the Daily Prophet. As expected Weasley's adultery made the front page. Hermione must have seen it. These selfish reporters can't keep their noses out of other people's business. They couldn't wait to publish such a scandal. Making Hermione even more miserable.
A loud thud on the window announced the arrival of his eagle owl Earl. Draco gave it to his sister when she finished her NEWTs, after A whole year of pleading and nagging.
Quickly rising from his seat. He opened the window letting Earl inside his office and took the letter from him.
"Dear brother;
I'm happy to tell you that I found the woman you told me about. Quiet a talkative woman may I say. Yet I couldn't make her spill about your witch. Sorry! "you classmate".
But you're very lucky big brother as Hermione Granger came to work today. I met her in St Mungo's. She wouldn't leave her shift for someone else. She must have more sense than her cheating husband.
During lunchtime, she was visited by Harry Potter with whom she stayed last night by the way. Although I did hear her talking about moving into her own place. A flat somewhere in Muggle London.
Mrs. Weasley wants to ask the ministry for a divorce. But her marriage was according to wizarding tradition, similar to the ceremonies performed by pureblood families. Mr. Potter told her that she could never get a divorce since the bond created during such ceremonies is only breakable by death. Yet she still filed a letter to the minister asking for a hearing to get her divorce and let her keep her children.
This is all I could hear before she sensed my presence and cast a silencing charm on the door.
Your little sister Aurora.
ps: now is the right time.
Draco folded the letter in his hand. Stood from his seat and walked towards his parents' chambers. He found his father reorganizing the library.
"Father we need to talk."
"Well, good morning to you too."
"Read this. "
Lucius took the letter from Draco's hand and scanned it rapidly.
"I think, someone should tell her to prepare herself for disappointment. Divorce is a muggle concept ."
"Maybe she knows a way to breaking the bond. "
"Hermione Granger is known for her intelligence. If there is anyone I could trust accomplishment such a thing it would be her."
"Father, don't you see what I'm trying to tell you? She is going to ask the minister for a hearing. being an important war hero and a friend of Potter's she is certainly going to have one."
"So? The only difference it makes is that the next time she is going to hear that the bond is unbreakable it's going to be from the minister himself."
"And what if she gets what she wants. I have to take this opportunity to get free of Astoria. if I ask for a hearing too, the minister will have to accept my request. After all, Weasley cheated with my wife. It's only fair."
"I guess it's the best opportunity you have had for years. you should try and see. you have my blessing to divorce that trump." Lucius finished and retrieved a quill from the desk and giving it to his son "write your letter."
Draco took it, grabbed a piece of parchment and started writing his letter. If Hermione was getting her divorce he would too.
