The day Draco had graduated Dumbledore had 'invited' him for tea in his office. He had had a feeling that this was going to happen for the last couple months. He had seen the old man watching him at a distance.
He sat in the small rounded room, looking around curiously at the many oddities that filled the room. Dumbledore walked quietly over to a large bird in the corner, and murmured something unintelligible as he stroked it gently. He turned suddenly and slipped into the chair across from Draco, smiling slightly.
"My dear boy. Right now you are faced with a question. This could mean life or death for you. I have had others who have made the wrong choice, and are still paying dearly for it." Draco watched as a sad expression ghosted across his face. "Many have made the wrong decision because of the loss of a loved one."
Draco blinked in confusion.
"Sir, what do you mean? No one has…" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"Death, Mr. Malfoy, is not the only way to loose a loved one." Twinkling blue eyes bore into his. He looked away. How did this old man know everything? "I hope that when you find your answer, you will come to me."
The question was not a hard one. The last two days had been horrible, watching Rose. She was more reclusive then ever. She barely spoke with anyone, including her brother. He had seen the worried looks Potter had been sending her, but, seeing as he wasn't dead yet, she obviously hadn't told him about what had happened.
He wouldn't betray what he had told her. He wasn't joining Voldemort's ranks, no if there was even the smallest, most remote chance of getting her back.
At least she seemed to have begun to fit in better with the Gryffindors, although it was rather late. He had seen it when he had gone to return the invisibility cloak. He had never thought her had Weasley would get along. He had entered the dormitory to find Rose sitting one her bed, tears dripping out of her eyes. He had swallowed, taking a hesitant step towards her when the door had flown open.
"Hermione?" The Weasley had shouted. "Oh." Rose hastily wiped her tears.
"Ron? What are you doing up here?" She asked, her voice wavering slightly.
"I was looking for…" he stopped. Draco could see him battling internally. "I…are you alright Rose?" he asked, coming forward and sitting beside her on the bed.
"I'm fine," she whispered, looking away.
"Oh." The two had sat in uncomfortable silence until Rose turned and blurted out.
"Why do you hate me so much?" The Weasley looked shocked.
"I…I don't know. I…you were taking my best friend I suppose. I…I've been really horrid the last few years, haven't i?" He asked. Rose raised a eyebrow. "Stupid question. "If it means anything I'm sorry. Truce?" He stuck out his hand. He actually seemed sorry. Draco had almost sighed. Gryffindors. They can't stay mad at anyone.
"Actually," she said after a long moment, "It really does mean something right now. Truce." She looked up at him and grinned wetly. "But, um…if now is the time for apologies, I suppose I should make one too. I know you had a horrible time getting that green out."
"You?" Ron laughed. She jumped off the bed and ran out the door, laughing. That was the last time he had heard her laugh. He was determined to hear it again, and he would be the one to make her. He would get her back.
He had gone to Dumbledore and told him that he would report anything that he heard from his father's house. But now, only three months after, here he was, sitting across from the wife he never knew Snape had, being questioned about Rose.
"Now, Mr. Malfoy. What is this about you and Rose?"
"Excuse me?" he asked coldly, refusing to allow even a single of the millions of emotions that were running through him appear on his face.
"I heard what happened and I want to know why you did that to her." He glared at the woman. She wasn't even looking at him as she made these convictions; she just stared at the empty air beside him coolly.
"I…Why should I tell you of all people?" He asked, sneering.
"Because," she replied, he eyes landing on his face, "I am the only one that will listen." He frowned. She still wasn't looking at him. It almost looked like she was looking through…he frowned as she laughed slightly.
"I apologize Mr. Malfoy. I'm out of practice." She frowned, obviously concentrating before her eyes focused on his.
"What…?" She gave him a small half smile.
"I'm not used to being around people that it bothers anymore."
"I'm sorry Mrs. Snape, but I have no idea what you're talking about," he replied awkwardly. She cocked her head to the side.
"I'm blind Mr. Malfoy. I assumed you knew. I apologize. And please, it's Aria. I love my husband, but I do hate his last name." He wasn't sure whether to smile or not.
"I…I'm sorry."
"Well, I'm not. So please, do continue." He blinked. That was very….blunt. It was very…American.
"Your accent, you're American?" he asked curiously. She sighed.
"No. I'm not American. I'm Canadian. But that really doesn't pertain to my question. He glared at her. She was right of course. He didn't have anyone else to talk to. And maybe she could help. Well that was of course assuming that she wasn't planning on killing him like he was sure Snape was.
"At first it was just for the money," he whispered. "I mean, I've never had anything that's mine. But then she jumped off a tower." He watched Aria shake her head. Obviously this wasn't the first time that this had happened. "And she told me things. I could talk to her. She never judged me for being a Malfoy…well not after a while anyways. And I don't think my last name was a big deal, even at the beginning. She just thought I was a jerk. And I was. But, I felt like my life was my own for once. I wasn't Lucius Malfoy's son. I was Draco. She has one of the most Slytherin minds I've ever met, but she's still a Gryffindor. I fell for her. Then I screwed it up."
"You did," Aria replied bluntly. "You hurt her." She sat quietly for a long moment before continuing. "But she loves you. I've listened to how she sounds when your mentioned in a conversation. I love my daughter but Rose is too good at hiding her feelings. Even I can't read her most of the time, and I've had a lifetime of practice at reading peoples voices. But you. You are the only person who seems to have broken that defense of hers down. She loves you Draco Malfoy, but it's up to you to fix this."
Hey Guys! Sorry it's taken soooo long to get this chapter out, and that it's so short, but I've been busy like crazy with the school musical for the last two weeks. So what do you think of Aria? I have another whole story planned out about her and snape. Should be interesting. And again, I'll put up the challenge, if anyone can guess close enough to what is actually going to happen in the next chapter i will post it the day i recieve the reveiw. And thanks again to my reveiwers.
Ace's
Buddy - Don't worry all the names will be explained. Though how you get
Mirina as Snapes wife i don't understand:P But all will continue to be
explained in due time.
Sundance - Canada is a wonderful place to live eh? Cept with this bloody whether. shivers And hopefully you've picked up on why she's st the snape household. And why her foster parents names are never mentioned...
Aevum