After the cancer returned, Lucius and Narcissa stopped looking for a house in the wizarding world. They weren't even able to return to the muggle apartment they had been renting. Lucius Malfoy needed full time hospital care. There was no way her, Draco and Narcissa could take care of him on their own anymore, especially now that Hermione was pregnant. Driving Lucius away from that apartment knowing he'd never go back there again and dropping him off in a hospital knowing he'd never leave was one of the hardest things Hermione and Draco had ever done.
The doctors were no longer doing treatments because of the pain it caused Lucius and the treatements weren't doing any good. He actually felt better once they stopped, but the cancer was still eating him away and no surgery or treatment could help.
Draco and Lucius played a game of chess one afternoon. Hermione and Narcissa were watching quietly when the door squeaked open. It was Arthur Weasley. Draco, Hermione and Narcissa immediately stood up. The Weasley's arrival was a bit of a surprise.
"Mr. Weasley?" Hermione walked over and gave him a tight hug. She had missed the Weasleys.
"Hello, Hermione." Mr. Weasley patted her on the back and then shook Lucius's frail hand.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better than you'd think," replied Lucius.
Mr. Weasley ran his hand through his hair. "There's more of us here, but we didn't want to barge in if you weren't feeling well."
"It's fine," said Lucius. "Let them in." He smiled at Narcissa who looked slightly uncomfortable. Then Ron walked in and Hermione was the uncomfortable one.
Ron had grown taller and broader shouldered even since Harry and Ginny's wedding. His hair was slightly roused, but he was dressed better than she'd ever seen. He must've gotten that well-paid job at the ministry.
"It's good to see you, Hermione." Ron smiled, looking so warm and full of life, reminding her so much of her old life. Life before the Malfoys. Hermione couldn't stop herself from hugging him.
"Hello Mal- Draco," Ron said coldly as he pulled away from Hermione.
"Ron," replied her husband.
Hermione and Narcissa exchanged a glance and Narcissa said, "I'm glad you could make it."
Mrs. Weasley and George also came in and said hello. They only stayed about half an hour and left. Their visit was awkward but Hermione could tell it meant a lot to Lucius. People who had once been his enemies visited him in his last days.
The next day Harry and Ginny came to see Lucius which was a much more relaxing event. Ginny told Lucius all about the Quidditch game she just won. Lucius loved Ginny's quidditch stories because they reminded him of the magical world, made him feel a part of it again.
Draco was standing the corner nervously fidgeting with his platinum watch. Harry's green eyes kept flicking over to him. Eventually, Harry took Draco by the wrist and asked if he wanted to go for a walk. Draco nodded silently and followed Harry, Harry's hand still wrapped around Draco's wrist.
A few minutes later, Hermione went to get some coffee for Narcissa and found Draco and Harry sitting in the waiting room. Harry's arm was around Draco as Draco stared ahead, red and bleary eyed. Hermione smiled weakly, broken-hearted for her husband, but thankful that he found a best friend in Harry. One day, she would tell Harry how much it meant to her.
When Ginny and Harry were ready to leave, Lucius grabbed Ginny's hand. His voice was weak. "I'm sorry for what I did to you your first year. I'll never forgive myself for that. And I am truly, truly sorry."
Ginny leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "You're a good man, Lucius Malfoy. You don't know it but you are." With that, she took Harry's hand. They said goodbye and left.
Draco and Hermione were preparing to go home that evening, but were stopped by the nurse when they went into the hallway.
"You should stay," the nurse whispered.
"What do you mean?" asked Draco.
Hermione knew what the nurse meant. Lucius wouldn't last through the night.
"We'll stay," Hermione answered.
"What?"
Hermione squeezed Draco's hand. "Let's go back and sit with Dad."
They walked back into the hospital room.
"What are you doing?" Narcissa asked.
"The nurse said we could stay." Draco shrugged. He didn't seem to understand what was happening and that was okay. He didn't need to.
"She wanted to talk to you," said Hermione. The nurse didn't say that, but Narcissa should know it was probably her husband's last night and Hermione couldn't say it in front of Lucius and Draco.
"Come here, son." Lucius coughed.
Draco sat on the corner of the bed. They stayed in silence a few minutes before Narcissa returned, her eyes sparkling with the remnants of tears. She sat down on the other side of Lucius's bed and took his hand. He looked up at her knowingly. He had kept a brave face for the visitors all day but Lucius knew he was in his final moments. It was written all over his face and trembling hands.
"We should tell him," said Hermione to Draco.
"Now?"
"Yes." Hermione nodded
"Dad," Draco said, taking his fathers hand. "You know how Hermione's pregnant?"
"Of course. Is everything alright?"
"It's great." Hermione walked over and sat on her husband's leg.
"We're having a boy." Draco smiled at Hermione and then at Lucius.
"That's wonderful, kids," he said. The smile beaming on his face said it really was.
"Great news." Narcissa sniffled. Lucius squeezed Narcissa's hand.
"There's something I need you to promise me Draco," said Lucius, his tone serious.
"What's that?" asked Draco.
"Be a good father. Be better than I was."
"You were a great-" Draco protested but Lucius put his finger to his son's lips.
"Be better." Lucius pulled his hand away from Draco's mouth.
"I promise," whispered Draco.
Be Better. Those were Lucius's last words. He died an hour later in the small muggle hospital bed wrapped in the arms of his wife and children. He died a happy and deeply loved man.
