Chapter eighteen:
Metamorphosis
It had been a week since the battle of Hogwarts and the aurors had been tracking down every death eater and those conspired with death eaters, arresting them. Xenophilius Lovegood had been captured for conspiring with the death eaters when Luna was taken but Harry Potter had gotten him excused, knowing he had been supported by him previously and it was just a desperate attempt. "I'm okay pumpkin." Xenophilius stated to Luna who had hugged her father after being excused from the trial in the ministry. Luna of course wanted to return to school and finish her sixth year, possibly her seventh as well but had to focus on finding another place to live since their house had been previously destroyed. On the other hand, the Malfoys remained at their residence at the Malfoy manor, determining what to do once they get a knock on their door - if there was a knock. Draco wasn't sure if he would be able to return to Hogwarts to finish his seventh year even if he wanted to. He wanted to see Luna after they had left but his parents warned that they were wanted by the aurors for conspiring with Voldemort. Sitting in his room, Draco contemplated on writing Luna but before he got the chance to, there was a sudden bust into the mansion. Standing up from his desk, Draco walked over and opened his door to see aurors arresting his parents, while another auror headed towards him, casting a spell. "Locomotor Mortis!" the auror casted, locking Draco's legs and fell to the ground. "Get your hands off me, you filthy auror! I didn't do anything!" Draco spewed as the auror lifted him up, dragging him out of the mansion.
The aurors locked the Malfoys up in a cell near other wizards that were associated with Voldemort for two days before they were called to face the ministry. It was on the front page of the Daily Prophet that the Malfoys were arrested, where Luna and even Harry along with the Weasleys found out at the burrow. "I have to do something." Harry insisted, sitting at the table at the Burrow. Ron and Hermione furrowed their eyebrows. "Why do you keep insisting on helping that git?" Ron asked in astonishment. Harry set the paper down. "He helped me. He threw me his wand in order to help me defeat Voldemort. Before that, his mother lied to Voldemort and helped me stay alive. I can't simply stand by and watch them be put into Azkaban. Even if Lucius deserves it." Harry pointed out. Hermione sighed. "He's got a point." Hermione stated. "So you think you owe him?" Ron asked. Harry nodded. "Yes. At least this." Harry replied. Luna was thrilled to hear this, looking over at her dad talking with Arthur Weasley before they left to the ministry the next day. The day had came when Draco and his parents were facing the ministry, sitting in the trial room located in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement room to face members of the Wizengamot, where the members wore plum-colored robes embroidered with the silver letter 'W'. Draco wasn't sure what would come of this, not looking forward to being in Azkaban, nor were his parents. Luna had decided to show up but the ministry refused to let her into the room of the trial.
Kingsley Shacklebolt, the new Minister of Magic, had approached the bench to look upon the blond family on trial. "Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Black-Malfoy and Draco Malfoy. You are on trial with the conspiracy of working with Voldemort, the mass murderer and enemy of the wizarding world." Shacklebolt addressed, looking through the paperwork. Meanwhile, Harry had made his way down to the ministry with Ron and Arthur Weasley, hoping to not miss the trial so Harry can get them excused. As they entered, Harry noticed Luna and her father waiting outside the door of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. "Luna...is the Malfoys in there?" Harry asked. Luna looked over to see Harry, Ron and Arthur standing there and nodded. "Yes. But the aurors won't let me inside." Luna replied. Harry sighed before he approached the auror. "I'm here to excuse the Malfoys, I'm Harry Potter. The minister knows me.." Harry explained. The auror looked from one auror to the other. "Wait here." the auror stated, going inside to speak to Shacklebolt. "Is this true, the charges?" Shacklebolt asked, investigating. "Obviously." Lucius stated arrogantly. Draco rolled his eyes at his father. "Some had a choice, unlike myself...i was coerced, forced." Draco pointed out. Before Shacklebolt could respond, the auror approached and whispered into his ear about Harry before Shacklebolt nodded, approving the witnesses to come in. "Your lucky day. You have a witness to defend you." Shacklebolt stated.
The Malfoys seemed a little confused on having any witnesses, they knew of none. Moments later, Harry, Ron and Luna stepped into the room which caught Draco's attention. Draco then looked from Harry and onto Shacklebolt, waiting to watch what will happen. "What do you have to say of the Malfoys, Mr. Potter? Mr. Weasley? Miss Lovegood?" Shacklebolt asked forwardly. Harry stepped forward while the other two stayed where they stood, Luna locking eyes with Draco. "Actually, just me. I would like to have the charges dropped from the Malfoys." Harry stated. Shacklebolt looked from Harry to the Malfoys, Draco had turned his focus from his girlfriend and to Harry and Shacklebolt. Draco was honestly surprised by what he heard, Harry wanting to get his charges drop. "Reason?" Shacklebolt asked. Narcissa and Lucius were surprised by Harry's actions as well. "They helped me in defeating Voldemort. It's the truth, sir. I couldn't have done it without Mrs. Malfoy lying to Voldemort about me being alive still and without Draco lying to Bellatrix of who i was when i was captured - not to mention, tossing me his own wand in front of Voldemort when i fought him." Harry explained. Shacklebolt seemed taken back at the evidence Harry had told him. "What did Lucius do?" Shacklebolt asked firmly. Harry looked to Lucius who was giving off am arrogant look. Harry wanted to think of something, for Draco and Narcissa's sake but it was difficult. "Lucius tried to stall Voldemort back at the battle." Harry stated, at least it was something. Lucius looked at Shacklebolt before Shacklebolt went to speak moments after thinking. "Votes to clear all charges?" Shacklebolt asked his members of Wizengamot. Forty of the fifty members voted to drop the charges towards the Malfoys. "Excused of all charges. Thanks to Mr. Potter." Shacklebolt stated, slamming the gavel on the table top of the podium before everyone was excused.
Draco and his parents were released and upon being released, Luna had ran up to Draco and gave him a tight hug as his parents watched on. Narcissa thanked Harry for both herself and Lucius before they walked towards the exit to see Arthur and Xenophilius outside. Draco watched as Harry had a brief smile on his face. "Potter...thank you." Draco thanked, hesitantly but sincerely. Harry nodded, it was in fact a truce between the two former rivals. As they exited the ministry, the Malfoys walked with the Lovegoods, Narcissa having invited Xenophilius and Luna over for tea. They then apparated to Malfoy manor and walked inside the huge mansion. "This is a very nice home, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy...extraordinary..." Xenophilius gushed as he looked at the high ceiling. Luna smiled before she looked at Draco as Draco walked her along to his bedroom for some privacy to talk, leaving the door cracked. "Your room is rather big, Draco. But it's nice, seems quite comfortable." Luna complimented. Draco smiled crookedly. "Eh, yeah it is quite big." Draco replied. Luna told Draco that after the battle, her home was destroyed by the death eaters which dawned on Draco that she and her father had to stay somewhere when they rebuild. "Where have you been staying until today?" Draco asked curiously. Luna sighed. "Temporarily at the burrow with the Weasleys. They lived just over the hill, you know." Luna replied. Draco felt a little guilty on not knowing about her home being destroyed and honestly, wasn't fond of her staying with another family. "Why don't you and your father stay here until you rebuild?" Draco asked generously. Luna was surprised by the offer. "Are you sure your parents would be okay with this?" Luna asked curiously. Draco glanced at his bedroom door before looking back to Luna. "I'm positive. We have guest rooms." Draco claimed.
Luna smiled at his generosity. "If you insist. I just don't want you to feel that you have to, you know." Luna stated. Draco has stood up from his bed that they were sitting on. "I want you to. I'll speak to my parents." Draco replied. Draco and Luns exited his bedroom when Narcissa came out of the kitchen in time with the tea onto the large dining table. "Draco, Luna, Mr. Lovegood...tea?" Narcissa asked. They all gathered at the table, Lucius sitting at the end of the table with Narcissa next to him, Luna sat with her dad across from them and Draco sat beside his mother. Luna took a sip of the tea as Narcissa did as well. "I would like Luna and her father to stay with us until they can rebuild their house." Draco pointed out in the midst of the silence. Lucius of course wasn't very thrilled at having anyone stay at their mansion, having had to tolerate Voldemort intruding for years. "I'm sorry to hear about your home, Mr. Lovegood." Narcissa stated in sincerely. Xenophilius placed his hands on his warm cup of tea as he nodded. "We will get through, we always do." Xenophilius stated. Narcissa looked from Lucius to her son Draco before parting her lips. "I would like to extend my son's offer of having you and your daughter stay here at the manor with us, to be comfortable as you get your home rebuilt." Narcissa offered. Draco was thrilled that his mother was on board with the idea, though he didnt expect his father to be. Xenophilius looked at Luna. "Yes?" Xenophilius said to Luna in a whisper before looking back to Narcissa. "We would like that very much, Mrs. Malfoy." Xenophilius replied. Lucius sighed as he downed his tea. Narcissa smiled. "Splendid. I'll let Draco direct the both of you to your guest rooms." Narcissa stated before finishing her tea and got up to gather the empty cups.
Draco then proceeded to show the Lovegoods their rooms which both guest rooms were on the same hall of their five bedroom mansion. "You can pick either one you wish go occupy. Make yourself at home." Draco explained, watching as they checked out the bedrooms. The bedrooms were nearly as big as Draco's bedroom but the furniture were different. The walls were charcoal paneled and had a chandelier hanging down from the high ceiling but the chandelier was of clear crystals. The bed in the first room was of black and gray color with a dark gray rug underneath while the second room had the same details but the bed had light gray, tan and white bedding, both beds were queen beds. The Lovegoods were thankful of their hospitality and chose their rooms, Luna chose the first room with the black and gray bedding while her father chose the second room. Luna got settled in her new room, still fascinated by the decor and the amount of space. "Mr. Malfoy..." Xenophilius spoke, causing Draco to turn back around and face him. "Thank you, for you and your family's hospitality. It's a great deal for us." Xenophilius stated before walking up closer to Draco. "And i want to specifically thank you for keeping my daughter safe, Mr. Malfoy. I hold you to high regards for keeping your word." Xenophilius added in a hushed tone. Draco took this as a compliment and was thrilled to be on good terms with her father. "Thank you, Mr. Lovegood. I will always protect Luna, i love her." Draco replied sincerely. Xenophilius had a smile on his face before turning in for the time being, while Draco returned to his room. Draco was contemplating on having a one on one with Mr. Lovegood at some point, he wanted to get to know his girlfriend's father before asking a specific favor - Draco wanted to marry Luna. He had thought about this since the end of his six year but hadn't initially realized it to its entirety until after the battle. Of course, he had thought about finishing his last year and knew Luna would want to finish her sixth and then her last year so when to pop the question, if granted, was up in the air.
As Draco sat in his room, pondering at the idea, Narcissa had called them all to dinner. Draco realized he had to tell his parents of his idea of proposing before asking Luna's father. After they had dinner, Draco approached his parents. "I need to speak to you both, preferably in private." Draco stated. Lucius and Narcissa walked into the den. Taking seats in the leather chairs, Draco gathered his thoughts on how he was going to word things. "What is it that you want to talk to us about, Draco?" Narcissa asked. Draco took in a breath before parting his lips to speak. "I'm going to ask Luna to marry me." Draco stated. Lucius and Narcissa were surprised, though Lucius took it more of a burden. "No, Draco." Lucius replied arrogantly. Draco bit his cheek at his father's rapid response. "What's the reason, father? She's a pureblood, clean background, I'm in love with her...we've dated for several years." Draco pointed out in a snarl. Narcissa looked sternly at Lucius, she didn't want to cause her only child to be unhappy. "Pureblood yes, perfectly fine Draco...no doubt...but her family's-" Lucius explained before Draco cut him off. "-status? Because she's not from a wealthy family? You're kidding right?" Draco asked in irritation. Lucius held his head up in arrogance. "I'm not marrying her for status, father." Draco spat. Narcissa sighed before reaching over and touching Draco's right hand that was on his lap. "What about education? A career?" Narcissa asked in concern. Draco turned his gaze onto his mother. "I'll finish my last year at Hogwarts and pursue a job at the ministry...as planned. I'll wait to marry once i get the job. I'm just wanting an engagement in the meantime." Draco replied to his mother. Narcissa sighed, looking to Lucius before back to Draco. "Do you really love this girl, Draco? To spend the rest of your life with her?" Narcissa asked in reassurance. Draco nodded. "Yes, mum." Draco answered with no hesitation. Narcissa smiled warmly. "If it makes you happy, then , okay. But you must get her father's approval first." Narcissa explained. Draco was relieved that at least one parent approved and was actually happy. "I will." Draco replied. After speaking with his parents, Draco turned in for the night, thinking about how to go about getting approval from Luna's father.
In the middle of the night, around one in the morning, Draco was still laying awake in his bed, thinking of ways to approach her father with the question. Draco wanted to make a good impression. If he had gotten the approval, he had to figure out a special way of proposing to her which clouded his mind. Upon closing his eyes in an attempt to sleep, there was a gentle knock on his door. Draco's eyes shot open and he slowly sat up in his bed before getting up and walking to his bedroom door. Opening it in the midst of the dark, Draco recognized the blond hair highlighting in the dark. "Luna?" Draco asked in a soft tone. Luna sighed. "I can't sleep." Luna said softly. Draco let her in his room and closed the door gently before turning on a lamp and turning to her. "If your father finds out you're in my bedroom in the middle of the night..." Draco trailed off with a crooked grin. Luna locked her eyes on her boyfriend before chuckling softly. "It's not like we're doing anything bad." Luna pointed out. Luna noticed Draco's black silk pajamas and smirked as she stood in her white logo t-shirt and red flannel pajama pants. "What?" Draco asked, noticing her smirk. "I'm just now noticing your pajamas. They're nice." Luna stated. Draco was a little embarrassed but attempted to play it off. "Eh, thanks. But not as cute as yours." Draco flirted lightly. Luna liked compliment. She then got on her tippy toes, hinting for a kiss. Draco obliged and brought one hand to her waist, kissing her softly yet tenderly. Luna slipped her wand from her back pocket and silently casted a spell turning out the light. Draco noticed and smirked against her lips while she smiled against his. Moving over to his bedside, they sat down and continued kissing, Draco kissing her softly before Luna turned it into a little more passionate. Draco brought his hands up to cup her cheek before moving his lips down her jawline and then onto her shoulder as Luna closed her eyes in the moment. Draco then pulled back and witnessed her reaction with a crooked half smile on his lips before resting his forehead against hers. He wanted to mention wanting to marry her in that moment but he wanted to surprise her, not to mention, get her father's approval. Moments later, Luna went back to her bedroom as Draco went back to bed, thinking once more.
The next day came and it was breakfast time after everyone was dressed. Draco, Luna and Xenophilius had breakfast together as Narcissa and Lucius had their coffee in the living room before Lucius went to work. There was a letter that came with an owl at the Malfoy manor as Narcissa took the letter before the owl flew off, noticing it was addressed to the Lovegoods. Narcissa walked into the dining room in her heels, as she approached the table near Luna and her father, Narcissa laid the letter on the table. "You and your father got a letter." Narcissa said kindly before leaving to do errands. Luna looked at the letter once opening it, reading:
'You're invited to the funeral of:
Fred Weasley
(1 April, 1978 – 2 May, 1998)
Date: 4 June 1998
Time: 11:00am
Location: The Burrow, out in the field '
Luna frowned at the invite as she showed her father. "Its an invitation to Fred Weasley's funeral." Luna stated. Draco looked down, he still felt guilty about those that died for something he unwillingly took part in. "Come with us Draco, its in a few hours." Luna asked. Draco wasn't quite sure if he wanted to attend from the guilt, he couldn't build up the courage to go. "I'm not sure if I'll be welcomed there. I don't want to ruin the funeral. You two go on." Draco stated before getting up from the table and walked into the living room. Luna wanted to respect his choice so she and her father went to the funeral while Draco remained at the mansion, contemplating on showing up. He didn't want them to think he didn't care but he also thought it would be awkward for everyone since he was a death eater. Luna and Xenophilius showed up at the burrow and everyone gathered by the field of the burrow, with a headstone in place reading 'in loving memory of Fred Weasley. Brother, son and friend.' It was heartbreaking for Luna and her father along with Harry to see such heartbreak for the Weasleys. After the funeral was nearly complete, burying Fred, Luna and Xenophilius paid their respects. Draco decided to show up to the burrow moments after half of the people invited had left and stayed a distance away, staying hidden a little.
Draco watched as nearly everyone else went inside the burrow for the reception, lingering a bit before he decided to approach Fred's headstone. He thought everyone had left from the area, with that he decided to pay his respects to the late Weasley twin. "This is Draco Malfoy, by the way. Who I'm positive you would least suspect to be here..." Draco began talking to Fred across from his headstone. "I'm so sorry..." Draco apologized, his emotions beginning to emerge. His guilt was pouring out. "I'm sorry i was part of the reason you died..." he paused, taking a moment while he felt tears building up. "...in all honesty, i always thought you two were funny." Draco confessed, letting out a brief, low chuckle. "I'm sorry for the words i spoke against you and your family..." he apologized again, whimpering with a few tears escape his eyes as he knelt down to the ground in his black suit, across from the headstone. Feet away, George Weasley and Luna stood near a tree, watching after having left the reception spotting Draco. "I'm so so sorry...i didn't mean for anyone to die." Draco cried out. Draco had held his guilt in for a long time, most of the reason was because of his ego but ever since he had met Luna, she had been changing him for the better and helped unleash his sensitive side much more. George couldn't believe what he was witnessing - Draco Malfoy crying, crying over his family that the Malfoys considered to be blood traitors. "Perhaps one Malfoy is redeemable after all." George stated softly to Luna before deciding to approach Draco, placing his left hand onto Draco's right shoulder. Draco instantly felt the hand on his shoulder of his black suit jacket and looked up to see George who was recovering from tears himself. Draco stood up from the ground he was kneeling on and faced George before George pulled him into a gentle manly hug for a moment, sharing the grieving. Luna noticed a few eyes coming from the windows at the Burrow, the eyes belonging to Ron, Harry and Hermione. George invited Draco to the reception and Luna followed them back to the Burrow.
Luna had told the trio she was staying with Draco until their home was rebuilt, they were surprised that Lucius let it happen but happy that Draco was starting to change for the better. After the funeral, Draco, Luna and Xenophilius went back to the mansion. Upon entering the mansion, Draco had a goal of speaking with Xenophilius about the proposal but he wanted to do it without Luna around. "Mr. Lovegood?" Draco addressed. Xenophilius looked back at Draco. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy?" Xenophilius replied, looking back at Draco while Luna took a seat in the living room. "I was wondering if you wanted to go to the magical creature reserve tomorrow? Or the London zoo? We never quite got to talk and wanted to chat." Draco suggested. Luna was amused by Draco wanting to hang out with her dad, but had no idea that Draco planned on asking her dad for approval to marry her. "Sounds good, Mr. Malfoy. I quite like the reserve, if you do not mind." Xenophilius replied, looking at Luna with a smile. Draco nodded. "Brilliant." Draco stated before walking off to his room, he was quite nervous on asking Xenophilius for Luna's hand. Draco knew he would have to then buy a ring for Luna, wanting to propose before school begun again to redo their past year and the idea of hanging out with her father at the magical creature reserve near Hogwarts was an idea to win over her father's approval, knowing what Xenophilius has written about some creatures and Luna adoring magical creatures as well. "Looks like you made a friend, dad." Luna stated with a smile before they parted to their rooms, Xenophilius wanted to get back to writing for the Quibbler again after having gathered some papers after the incident at his home.