Chapter Two
The Most Unlikely Voice
"Where are they?" Daniella asked urgently.
"Follow me," I said. I turned and ran out of the room. She was close behind me. I took her up the stairs and we entered the room. She stopped short as she looked from the black- cloaked death eaters to my father holding my mother's dead body, weeping.
"Quattroforan!" She said and flicked her wand at the death eaters. They disappeared and she turned back to my father. "Mr. Malfoy?"
Father looked up, his eyes were haunted and it made me shudder at the emptiness inside. I can only imagine what he went through, watching as his enemy killed his wife, my mother.
"Daniella?" He rasped.
"That's me," she answered gently.
"You have to catch that son of a bitch. Look what he did to my wife, what he almost did to my son!" Father was getting angry now.
"We will," she said quietly. "I thank you for holding the death eaters. They will be questioned. You have my sincere condolences. If there is anything I can do-."
"Catch that bastard and kill him like so many others he's killed," father answered bitterly.
"We will."
* * *
My mother's passing changed my father. He increasingly shut himself away after the funeral. He never lost the haunted look in his eyes. I began to worry about him. He rarely ate, at least around me. I haven't heard him laugh with feeling since. And it hurts knowing that no matter what you do, no matter what you say, you will never evoke the smile that makes his eyes sparkle. When my mother died it was like he died too. I often heard him crying as if it would make it all better, if it would make her return but it would not and I doubt he would let himself believe that. Don't get me wrong, I cried countless nights but eventually I accepted I wouldn't see her again for quite some time.
* * *
My letter arrived from school. Four weeks after my mother died. It crushed me knowing that I had to go back and leave my father behind, in his misery. I had to go back and make that bastard pay for what he did. Make him cry for no more as I watch him slowly die. I will let him suffer the pain he inflicted upon us. The countless tears shed for that whom he killed. I will make that bastard pay.
* * *
"Come along, Draco," father said, emotionlessly, as he pulled gently at the sleeve of my robe. I was standing in front of 'Quality Quidditch Supplies.'
"Yes, dad," I answered turning to follow him, but something, more like someone, caught my eye. "Dad," I whispered.
"What is it, Draco?" He asked. The dark figure was gone.
"Never mind. It is nothing," I answered a little shocked that it was gone.
We walked through Diagon Alley going in and out of shops. In Madame Malkin's, I saw the figure again. And again in Ollivander's. Once outside the figure is dead ahead, at the ice cream shop, glaring at us, at me.
"Dad?" I whispered.
"What?" He asked.
"Someone's following us," I say quietly.
"I know," he answered. "Since Quality Quidditch Supplies."
"Do you know who it is?" I asked.
"Not a clue," he answered.
"This could be bad, you know."
"Of course I know," he answered.
"Should we be worried?" I asked.
"Perhaps. Perhaps not," he said quietly. I looked to where the figure was. Gone. "Perhaps not… For now, anyway."
* * *
The day before school started, we made our way to muggle London to stay in the Leaky Cauldron. The day was bleak and weary. It was depressing just to look out the window of the carriage. It made me think. Think of all the rage I now carried. Think of all the hatred I could hold for one person, no, one inhuman monster. Think of how it could be if mother was there to see me off to school. But she was with me for the rest of my life. I later learned that.
I watched my dad, staring out the window. I wondered what he was thinking. I wondered if it was taking all of his will not to break down right there. I often heard him at night. Whimpering, crying, flat out shouting in rage sometimes. Sometimes screaming about how it wasn't fair, about how it should have been him. Every time I heard him say that, every time I heard him cry, I knew that he had died, if not physically, he did so emotionally. I know he only goes on for my sake. I know he only goes on because he loves me. But it hurts me knowing that I am keeping him from his first love. Narcissa Malfoy. Why did it have to be this way? Why did you have to go?
I know I keep talking like that. But it kept running through my mind. I could still here her words in my mind. 'Draco… Luscius… I'm sorry…' I mean it would haunt you too, would it not?
* * *
So, the day wore on and we arrived at our destination. The Leaky Cauldron. It's not exactly my idea of four-star accommodations, but it worked. I unpacked the few things I would need for the night and left my room.
"Dad?" I asked as I entered his quaint room.
"Yeah?" He asked looking up from his book.
"Can I go to Quality Quidditch Supplies?" I ask quietly, thinking he won't let me go because of previous events.
"Sure… Of course, just be back for dinner," he answered as he looked up from his book and took off his reading glasses. I turned to leave but he said something else. "You know, Draco, you remind me so much of me when I was your age, but you are still so very much like your mother as well."
I stared at him. What could I have said? He smiled softly.
"Go on, boy. Have fun, check out the new brooms," he said as he went back to his book.
"O.k." I said. "I shouldn't be too long."
"Bye," he said and I left.
* * *
I walked down Diagon Alley. I took in the sights and smells as if it was the first time I had ever been there. The street takes on a different life as night falls over the cobbles. I gazed around, wide eyed, as I slowly made my way down the alley. Some shops were closing while others were just opening. Then I heard it. The voice. His voice.
"No, I don't think I like these," he said. I stopped dead in front of Madame Malkin's.
No way. I was hearing things. It couldn't be him. His voice was softer, but perhaps he had grown in confidence over the summer. It was slightly deeper, but not a ridiculous baritone. It was more of a tenor and it sounded really… good.
"How about these, dear?" Madam Malkin said. I supposed she had brought out more robes.
"Yes… I like the deep green," he said.
"Of course, dear. They bring out your eyes," she said lightly. After a moment I heard the bell of a cash register.
The door to the front of the shop opened. I tried to move but my legs decided not to work right then and I couldn't. He stepped out of the shop and nearly ran into me.
"Watch it," he said as he picked up his robes.
"Sorry," I said hastily as I tried to retreat, but I ended up running into him again which made me feel like an idiot. This time he knew who I was. Hatred filled those green eyes and inwardly I cringed.
"Malfoy," he said contemptuously.
"Potter."
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns all characters so far except for Daniella.
A/N: How was that? Did you like it? I hope so. Anyway, I'm glad the seven of you guys like this. Thank you for reading and Thank you for reviewing. Please review and tell me what you think of this. Tell me if it floats your boat! Haha… Just don't flame. Be critical if you need to be but other than that don't flame. Well I gotta go… Thanks again for reading this… Luv Gia