CHAPTER 8: THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing is mine; all this fantastic universe and characters belong to the amazing J.K. Rowling.
Draco left Snape's chambers almost in a hurry, just almost, leaving a very emotional Ginny behind. He didn't want to show her any sympathy; after all she didn't deserve any, at least not from him. Draco had enough emotions himself to deal with: in one day he had the hope to disappear forever from the Wizarding World only to find himself bounded to the Weasley girl. To make things worst his father was under Dumbledore's care and surely he was going to be sent to Azkaban soon and Draco needed to speak with Snape about his father's options before the press conference, so he went towards Dumbledore's office again.
Before Draco could reach The Headmaster's office, he met Severus on his way. The Potions Master's face was somber as usual, but his dark eyes held a sparkle of amusement not very common to notice.
"Severus, I was going on my way to find you, we need to talk"
"I know Draco, I know. I assume you're worried about Lucius' fate"
"I am indeed. I know Dumbledore hasn't delivered him to the Ministry yet because he wants to grant me the right to see my father alone to settle some important business, after we speak, I'm sure Azkahban will be the next destination for my father and I'm almost sure that he will receive the Dementor's kiss" Draco's silver eyes were hollow and in his voice was a trace of disdain at Dumbledore's actions "If my father gets the Dementor's Kiss, my mother will definitely go insane. We need to find a way out for my father"
"I think I have the perfect answer to our predicament" Draco looked at Snape incredulously "You are in a very comfortable position to negotiate with Dumbledore, and I think you don't even realize it" At Draco's impassive face, Snape sent him an annoying look "If Dumbledore wants you to fulfill your part of Sarah's request privately, surely he must give you something to persuade you" Snape was smirking and Draco found himself doing the same.
"So you think that the Headmaster will agree to negotiate my father's freedom in exchange to my silence?"
"He doesn't have many options does he? He really wants to settle this matter as quietly as possible, I'm sure he wouldn't be pleased if during the press conference you decided to tell all the Wizarding community the truth about The Dark Lord's defeat. Imagine what everybody would think if they find out that Potter had to make a bargain with a vampire in order to finally vanquish the Dark Lord? And just think about what the Wizarding Community would do if they should found out that the most powerful light wizard wasn't able to do anything to stop Sarah?" Draco was positively glowing at all the possibilities he had to set his father free.
"I need to speak with the Headmaster right now, the press conference is about to start any minute and I still have to deal with my marriage issue"
"Go then Draco, I will see if the future Mrs. Malfoy needs anything at all" Snape's tone was full of mockery, but Draco just let it pass for the moment as he had some urgent business to discuss with Dumbledore.
He arrived at the Headmaster's office and found the door open, Draco was almost sure that the old man already knew that he was coming.
"Come in Mr. Malfoy, I was expecting you"
The bastard! Draco hid his thoughts "Headmaster I'm here to discuss with you…"
"I know why you're here Mr. Malfoy and I'm afraid to inform you that your father's release is not an option"
Draco knew that this was not going to be easy, not that he expected it to be "Well, then I'm afraid that the Wizarding Community will have to be informed of all the events that led to Voldemort's defeat, and of course of the real reasons of my weird marriage to the littlest Weasley. I mean, if my father goes to Azkahban and my mother becomes insane, I can't see the point to deceive all the Wizarding World, I would have nothing to gain then"
Dumbledore was clearly annoyed "You're aware Mr. Malfoy that what you're doing is blackmail?" Draco only smirked.
"I wouldn't put it as blackmail, I'd rather say that this is an exchange. I keep my mouth shut and my father mysteriously disappears, or better yet, you can say that he got killed during the battle and that you weren't able to recover his body, how does that sound to you Headmaster? That way you will be certain that no one finds out about Sarah's existence" Once a Slytherin always a Slytherin, Draco remembered Ginny saying once, and right now he was proud to be one.
"So, Mr. Malfoy, you're saying that if I don't let your father go, you will tell everybody what happened in the forest"
"That's correct Headmaster"
"And don't you think that your father's crimes must be punished?"
Draco's jaw tightened "I would say that I've already paid for every one of my father's mistakes, for every person murdered, for every family broken, and for every tortured soul, I've paid. When you decided that I was not good enough for Ginny Weasley and you convinced her to leave me for Harry-Bloody-Potter you almost killed me, but I continued fighting for your cause, loyal to what I swore, working with the man I hate most and helping him, I paid for my father's choices every day I spent with Potter. Every time I killed one Deatheater I redeemed my father for one murder, and you and I Headmaster, know that I killed more Deatheaters than a squad of Auror's together. And finally, when useless Potter didn't know what to do to defeat Voldemort and Sarah offered her help, I decided to take the risk and accept her offer without knowing what I would have to give. As much as you don't like it, without me your precious Harry Potter surely would be dead. So I think Headmaster that I paid more than necessary for my father's crimes" Draco's voice was almost a hissing with every word because he was so furious..
Dumbledore looked sadly at Draco "My dear boy, I never intended to make you pay for your father's mistakes, I…"
"Cut it out Headmaster, I don't need your pity. The things I've done are of my own choice"
Dumbledore looked defeated and it was clear that he was pondering his options. After a long silence he finally spoke with certain resentment in his voice. "All right Mr. Malfoy, your father will be freed. I'll say that he was killed during the battle and that his body was irrecoverable, only you, Severus, Narcissa and myself will know that I lied" Draco didn't understand how it was possible that Dumbledore looked so sad about lying, when half of the time he was neglecting truths, always hiding the parts of the story that were not suitable for his own interests; but Draco couldn't care less, all that mattered was that his father was not going to be sent to Azkaban, he would be pronounced dead but he will be able to continue with his life, maybe far away from England but he wouldn't receive the Dementor's Kiss, and most important, Draco's mother would be very pleased to say the least.
"I'm glad that you're such a sensible man. The press conference is about to start and I'm afraid Ginevra won't be able to attend it, so I have to leave you in order to create a fairy tale for my future marriage. If you don't mind I'd like to speak to my father when the conference ends." Draco's voice was business-like.
Dumbledore nodded "I will arrange a meeting in Severus's chambers" Draco nodded in agreement and was about to leave Dumbledore's office "Mr. Malfoy one last thing" Draco was not pleased to remain there but his face was empty of any sign of annoyance, he just stood where he was waiting for Dumbledore to speak "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley requested me to ask you to let Ginevra Weasley spend two weeks before the wedding with her family, they are very regretful for what happened at my office and her brother Ronald wants to talk to her"
Draco seemed to consider Dumbledore's request but the decision was already made: no. "I'm sorry Headmaster, I would be pleased to let Ginevra go to her parent's home. But as I explained before, my mother needs to show Ginevra her new duties, you know, she's not of our class and obviously doesn't know what's expected from her. However, you can tell Weasley that he can go to Severus's chamber after the conference, once I call him, to speak with his sister" Draco took great pleasure in denying the request of Ginny's parents. When she and Draco have been a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley never accepted Draco and most of the times were trying to make Ginny see what a better prospect Harry was. It was time to pay. "I'll go to prepare myself for the conference Headmaster. Good afternoon."
Draco left Dumbledore's office almost happy, if not for his marriage. His father was not going to be sent to Azkaban after all and the only thing Draco had to do was to talk to him and convince him to start again somewhere else. Certainly Lucius was not going to be Lord Malfoy anymore and he was not going to be able to control the Malfoy estate but Draco would make sure that his parents had a comfortable life. All Draco cared about, was his father's freedom and well-being and he granted him all this only minutes ago, he owed this to him after all Lucius did for Draco. It was true that Lucius had been a very strict father but he was also caring and loving, sometimes Draco was amazed to hear what a lot of people thought about Lucius, everybody just assumed that he must have been an abusive husband and father when in reality Lucius loved his family more than anything. In spite of all Lucius's severity he gave Draco the foundations to lead his own life, always keeping in mind that he was a Malfoy and that he had responsibilities to execute, but the most important responsibility should be to his family, he was taught to be fiercely loyal to his family and Draco kept that in mind even when he began fighting for the Light Side.
Draco still felt guilty about what he liked to call "his betrayal". He didn't accept to become a Deatheater and Lucius supported his decision, but he never accepted the fact that Draco was not going to be neutral in the war, nonetheless, Lucius made everything in his power to protect Draco of Voldemort's wrath at his denial to join the Dark Lord himself and in return, Draco made everything in his power to keep his father safe from de Orden of the Phoenix's raids, so they were even. No matter what to the public world they seemed to hate each other, everything was part of the comedy.
Draco's thoughts were interrupted by Snape's arrival, it was time to make his appearance at the press conference. They walked side by side through the Hogwarts dungeons and corridors, those passages that Draco knew by memory, until they arrived at the Great Hall where the press was awaiting expectantly for them. Draco took his place to the left of Dumbledore, Harry standing to his right. He barely paid attention to Dumbledore's babbling, he just assumed that the old Headmaster was retelling the story of Voldemort's defeat to the press, with certain parts of the story edited of course. He was certain that the Headmaster's version made him look like a hero, almost at the same level that Saint Potter… almost, but Draco didn't enjoy being looked at like some romantic hero from an old novel, he didn't helped Potter because he suddenly had a change of heart, he helped because there was no option, but he was not going to interrupt Dumbledore's little speech.
"And finally my friends, before you start your questions, Mr. Malfoy wants to make a happy announcement that inaugurates the beginning of a new era for the Wizarding World, an era where no longer exists a mortal threat to fear, an era where love and hope will reign instead of the terror and anguish that we have lived through. Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco was sure that that part of Dumbledore's speech was the most ridiculous and pretentious thing he had ever listened in his entire life, but somehow managed to look composed, serene and pleased with Dumbledore's affirmations.
"I'm glad to announce you all Ms. Ginevra Weasley and I are going to get married in two weeks" he made a pause in his speech to make some impression on the reporters who looked certainly bewildered, he also took his time to look at Potter's face who looked on the verge of crying so Draco couldn't stop himself of smirking, he was definitely enjoy himself.
Rita Skeeter broke the astounded silence with uncertainty on her voice.
"But, Mr. Malfoy, was not Miss Weasley Harry Potter's girlfriend?"
Draco shot a cold glance towards the insufferable reporter "Well Miss Skeeter, certainly that was the image we wanted to present to the world, as you know my father wouldn't have approved of this relationship and Ginny's life would be at risk if he would have found out or our love, so Harry had the amazing idea of pretending that Ginny was his girlfriend instead of mine. That way I would be able to be with her most of the time without any one noticing. Now that the war is over, we don't have the need of pretend anymore, now we can say openly that we love each other madly and to prove our commitment with this relationship, Ginny has made the great honor of being my wife." No one noticed the hint of sarcasm in Draco's voice.
"Is that true Mr. Potter?" Skeeter again
Harry's face was priceless, he seemed to want nothing else but to punch Malfoy in the face or at least curse him into oblivion, but somehow he managed to make a grimace that was intended to be a smile. "Of course, everything Draco has said is true and I'm the first one to congratulate him for marrying such a magnificent girl. He's indeed one of the most lucky wizards for having Ginny Weasley as his future wife" at this point of Harry's little farce, his voice was barely audible and he looked to be utterly in pain, but Draco was somehow amazed at Potter's loyalty towards Dumbledore, if he hadn't known better he would have been certain that Potter never loved Ginny at all.
"I know I'm a very, very fortunate wizard indeed."
"And where is the radiant bride Mr. Malfoy?" Skeeter asked.
"Well, after all the stressful events of today, Ginny's a little tired I'm afraid and she was not able to attend this conference, but…"
Draco was interrupted by the appearance of Ginny Weasley herself, who was making her way towards him with a radiant smile on her face. Immediately the reporters were asking her a lot of questions at the same time surrounding her. She stopped them with a gesture of her hand while Draco managed to get a tight hold of her waist trying hard to look pleased with her presence.
"Are you alright sweetheart?" he asked with a feigned worried voice. Ginny just nodded.
"I just wanted to tell you boys" she was talking to the reporters "that I'm the most happy witch in all the Wizarding World. I'm glad that the war is finally over, but the most exciting part of it, is that finally I'm able to shout that I love Draco Malfoy and that I couldn't be more honored in being his wife. I also want to thank publicly Harry for all the support that he gave us in kindly accepting to pretend to be my boyfriend."
The Hall erupted in hushed murmurs, it seemed that the reporters believed their farce. Taking advantage of the situation, Draco approached Ginny's ears in what seemed to be a loving gesture "What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed.
Ginny whispered in his ear with a big smile on her face "I thought that my appearance here would make your little story more believable. And I think I was right" she said looking at the reporters who were oblivious to their little exchange. Draco just grimaced. Suddenly, one of the reporters began shouting.
"Could you please kiss each other? For a picture?"
And his request was chorused for all the reporters at the Hall. Draco just sent them a little smile and holding Ginny's face into both of his hands, he kissed her after a long time without doing it. Her lips were as soft as he remembered them, and as willing as always, but his kiss was not tender or careful, it was full of controlled anger and resentment, it was a gesture not of love but of revenge. He wanted Ginny to know how much he loathed that farce, he wanted Ginny to know that he didn't want or love her, but how much he despised her. When they finally separated, all Ginny was able to see from Draco was a feral look in his silver eyes, and for a brief moment the bliss of kissing him again was replaced with fear.
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