A/N: Here's Chapter 17. AS I said before, this story will probably go for
25. I know what's going to happen now! Get ready for suspense, romance and
action!!!
Thanks For Reviewing Everyone!!!!!!
Chapter Seventeen: Picking Up The Pieces
Draco looked at the owl, and removed the envelope from its beak. Draco knew it belonged to Lucius.
At that very second another owl swooped down. Judging by its colour Draco suspected it to be Narcissa's. He was happy to finally be receiving something from her.
Dear Draco
This is your father. I have some news to give you, and I'm very happy about it.
Voldemort has finally agreed to let me give you the Dark Mark, which is a great honor, especially at your age. Crabbe and Goyle have to wait.
Today is the 21st of December, so Christmas is nearing. Did you want me to get you anything in particular?
Anyway, back on track, we have scheduled the time when you get your Dark Mark to December 30th. I bet you can't wait to see Voldemort's happy face when you proudly give a demonstration of your abilities. Don't fail me Draco.
On other news something terrible has happened. If the ministry finds out how it happened I am in big trouble, but I trust you, you have to keep this secret, Draco.
Your mother has passed away.
Her funeral will be held on the 23rd of December, and I expect you to be there. Bring the mudblood. I want the ministry to think I've changed my ways and my feelings towards them. I won't hurt her, even though it is so tempting...
Lucius Malfoy
Draco stared at it in disbelief. His mother was gone. Gone forever. His father had murdered her, the selfish bastard.
As much as Draco dreaded leaving her he felt partially happy for her, as this was what she wanted: to be away from Lucius.
She never wanted to see him again. Never wanted to hear his voice. She wanted to be gone of the place, gone of everything that had ever made her sad or worried.
Narcissa had loved Lucius in the early days, the days before he had become associated with Voldemort.
Everything changed then, and it was never to be changed back. Nothing would ever be the same again. The road ahead was filled with nothing but cruelty and murder.
No wizard could tuck their children into bed without kissing them twice, in fear that they would never see their child alive again, or they would never see them.
Narcissa had locked herself in her room and cried, begging for it all to end it. Begging for something to happen that would stop the pain. Begging for anything but to die. Something that she could just drift away with, although have her presence their.
It never came, and she had hung in their for Draco.
Draco knew very well how much Narcissa had wanted to see him grow up. To see Draco take Voldemort and Lucius down and to make everything better, but the more she thought about it the more she realized it wasn't very likely to happen.
Narcissa was convinced that everything was over, that everything had no meaning.
Her voice had lost its usual spark, and her slightly tanned face was pale as ever. She stayed awake most nights, waiting. She waited for something to happen. Nothing happened.
Remembering Narcissa's owl he hurriedly took the letter from it's beak, and ripped it open.
My Dear Draco,
You know how much I love you, don't you? I just wanted to tell you that. I've always loved you, Draco. I never told you it because I was always afraid it would be the last. Well, this is the last.
I asked my owl to take this message to you as soon as I...passed away. So here it is.
Draco, I'm not going to lie to you. I could have held on, I really could have. The only reason I held on for all those years was because of you. You know what they say, when it's time to go, you'll go? It's my time right now. Right when you're father's struggling with everything.
I know about that little girl, Hermione Granger. Your father never knew when you were lying. I reward you greatly. I can tell that you like this girl a lot, and I just know that everything will work out.
Draco, I know what you're thinking, I know you think I commit suicide. Your father always said it was the coward's way out. I'm a coward. I did it by mixing different potions that would give a fatal effect. It wasn't painful, but I deserve all the pain I can get.
You're going to grow up to be a lovely boy, and I'm disappointed I couldn't hang around to watch it.
Well, I guess this is it.
Goodbye Draco I'll see you soon. Love Always Narcissa Malfoy
Draco reread the letter until he was sure it was actually true. His mother was gone.
All that was left had gone away and there was nothing there for Draco to do.
In a way he felt he had let his mother down by never doing anything about Lucius. He had always been too scared to go to Dumbledore, because he had always known that as soon as he did the Final War would begin, and it would be his fault.
Draco wasn't crying. He didn't want to give his father the satisfaction, and, besides, a Malfoy never cried.
He stared I into the fire, watching it burn the wood inside, wishing it could be everything bad in his life, just being burnt away until nothing was left.
Thinking about how long it had been since his mum and him had spent some quality time together, doing all the normal things a mother and son would do with each other, without all the pain and hurt.
Suddenly Hermione tumbled into the common room, following her tradition of tripping over the portrait whole.
'OUCH!' she yelped, as her wrist hit the ground, hard.
To her surprise, Draco didn't say a thing.
She knew something was wrong. Draco's skin was paler then usual, and he didn't show an ounce of expression on his face.
'What's wrong...?' Hermione asked.
Draco didn't say anything, but pain was clearly shown on his pale face. His grey eyes weren't steely anymore. They showed only hatred.
'Is something wrong?' she whispered, taking a seat next to him.
Draco nodded.
'Do you want to tell me? It's ok if you don't, I totally understand. But if you want to talk about it, you're more than welcome.'
Hermione was over the 'Draco doesn't trust me' stage. She had realized that his life was anything but ordinary.
'I want to tell you...' he muttered, just getting the words out.
He was once again wearing only boxers. The marks his father had made had faded a lot, but were still visible.
Hermione moved a little closer to him, and stared into his eyes, telling him to begin his story.
'Umm...it's over...' Draco whispered.
'What's over?' Hermione answered. She couldn't help but think he might be talking about their relationship.
'Everything is...'
'Meaning?'
'Meaning everything I live for, everything that I ever wanted, it's all over, and it's never coming back.'
'Draco, I'm not following you...'
He passed her the letters, and changed his position on the couch so his hand was supporting his head.
Hermione read the letter in amazement. She never thought it would happen.
Hermione had read up on any way Narcissa could die from what Lucius had done to her, but she found it was all just abuse, and couldn't do her any long-term harm that could potentially kill her.
Hermione realized that Lucius had said in his letter she was barely holding on, but Hermione convinced herself it couldn't be. It was just another of Narcissa's pleas for help.
'Draco, this is awful,' she whispered and pulled him into a huge hug.
He stayed in her arms for as long as he could, holding onto her and smelling her beautiful hair that had become so tame and shiny.
'Draco, you can cry.'
He shook his head. 'A Malfoy doesn't cry.'
'Why not?'
'It's a sign of weakness...father always said so.'
Hermione sighed, and took his hand in hers.
'I want to show you something...' she smiled.
The two walked out onto the balcony where beautiful white snow was falling from the perfect sky.
'It's snowing...' Draco muttered.
'Look, snowflakes,' Hermione said softly.
'Yeah,' Draco sighed.
'Did you know that no two are the same?'
Draco shook his head.
'My mother did this when my grandfather died when I was little. I thought it was so stupid at first, but, look, they're so beautiful, just like life, and at some point they have to melt away and fall down.'
Draco found himself smiling at her.
'See those two? They're stuck together!' Hermione whispered.
'That'll be us someday. Together until the end.'
'You're right. That will be us.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was the day of Narcissa's funeral. Hermione was attending, just as Lucius had asked, and so was Draco, naturally.
It was a particularly hot day, one that you most definitely wouldn't want to be wearing one of those suits that men generally wore to such occasions.
The list of people attending was fairly short. Not many people had known Narcissa Malfoy. She never went outside of the Malfoy Manor in fear of what she might see next.
'I guess this is it,' Draco said.
'Draco, this is just the beginning.
'Beginning of what?'
'This is when it all starts.'
'What starts?'
'Draco, I don't like to say it, and I know you hate hearing it, but it's going to happen. The Final War is about to begin, and we're both going to be large targets.'
'I know. Why will we be large targets?'
'Draco, your father isn't going to accept that you don't want to join the dark side. He's going to blame it on me, that puts both of us in the limelight.'
'You don't have to stand by me. The door is always open; you're free to walk out at anytime. I don't want anyone to get hurt in this, and I know how much you don't want to go to fight.'
'You're right Draco, I don't want to fight. I don't think anyone wants to, but you and I both know it's the right thing to do, and I don't care how scared I am.'
'I found out something, about my father.'
'What's that?'
'I was looking at some old photographs of my family.'
'Oh, ok.'
'He deliberately drove that car into a telegraph pole. He hated my mother. I was so naïve. I always thought it was an accident, that he lost control of the car. But now I know. He lost control of his life.'
'Shit happens.'
'My life's just one pile of shit. Except for one thing.'
'What's that?'
'You.'
Draco smiled and gave her a quick hug. He didn't want Lucius to see Hermione and himself showing any affection towards each other.
'Promise me you'll stay with me forever, Draco?'
'I can't promise you that, Hermione.'
'Why not?'
'It's forever and a day or nothing.'
Hermione laughed, and they both walked back towards Hogwarts.
Hand in hand.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sometimes I get so weird
I even freak myself out
I laugh myself to sleep
It's my lullaby
Sometimes I drive so fast
Just to feel the danger
I wanna scream
It makes me feel alive ((((((Hermione))))))
Is it enough to love?
Is it enough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please (((((Narcissa)))))
To walk within the lines
Would make my life so boring
I want to know that I
Have been to the extreme
So knock me off my feet
Come now give it to me
Anything to make me feel alive ((((Draco)))))
Is it enough to love?
Is it enough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please. ((((((Narcissa)))))
Let down your defences
Use no common sense
If you look you will see
that this world is
A beautiful, accident, turbulent,
succulent, opulent, permanent
No way
I wanna taste it
Dont wanna waste it away ((((((Hermione))))))
Sometimes I get so weird
I even freak myself out
I laugh myself to sleep
It's my lullaby (((((Draco))))))
Is it enough?
Is it enough?
Is it enough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
Is it enough?
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please. (((((Narcissa)))))
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: And that's the end of Chapter 17!!!!!!
Sad, I know, but I had this planned for ages as a way to get Hermione
and Draco back together after they have a fight. I hope this is long
enough for you all, I tried to make it long, but I have to rush a bit.
Mom and Dad are at parent/teacher night thing. You know where the
parent and teacher talk with each other about how well you're doing.
Wish me luck!
It's my birthday on April 6th, and for me that is tomorrow, so can you give me some good, long reviews as a present?????? Thanks!
Read AND Review please! Doesn't take long!
Thanks For Reviewing Everyone!!!!!!
Chapter Seventeen: Picking Up The Pieces
Draco looked at the owl, and removed the envelope from its beak. Draco knew it belonged to Lucius.
At that very second another owl swooped down. Judging by its colour Draco suspected it to be Narcissa's. He was happy to finally be receiving something from her.
Dear Draco
This is your father. I have some news to give you, and I'm very happy about it.
Voldemort has finally agreed to let me give you the Dark Mark, which is a great honor, especially at your age. Crabbe and Goyle have to wait.
Today is the 21st of December, so Christmas is nearing. Did you want me to get you anything in particular?
Anyway, back on track, we have scheduled the time when you get your Dark Mark to December 30th. I bet you can't wait to see Voldemort's happy face when you proudly give a demonstration of your abilities. Don't fail me Draco.
On other news something terrible has happened. If the ministry finds out how it happened I am in big trouble, but I trust you, you have to keep this secret, Draco.
Your mother has passed away.
Her funeral will be held on the 23rd of December, and I expect you to be there. Bring the mudblood. I want the ministry to think I've changed my ways and my feelings towards them. I won't hurt her, even though it is so tempting...
Lucius Malfoy
Draco stared at it in disbelief. His mother was gone. Gone forever. His father had murdered her, the selfish bastard.
As much as Draco dreaded leaving her he felt partially happy for her, as this was what she wanted: to be away from Lucius.
She never wanted to see him again. Never wanted to hear his voice. She wanted to be gone of the place, gone of everything that had ever made her sad or worried.
Narcissa had loved Lucius in the early days, the days before he had become associated with Voldemort.
Everything changed then, and it was never to be changed back. Nothing would ever be the same again. The road ahead was filled with nothing but cruelty and murder.
No wizard could tuck their children into bed without kissing them twice, in fear that they would never see their child alive again, or they would never see them.
Narcissa had locked herself in her room and cried, begging for it all to end it. Begging for something to happen that would stop the pain. Begging for anything but to die. Something that she could just drift away with, although have her presence their.
It never came, and she had hung in their for Draco.
Draco knew very well how much Narcissa had wanted to see him grow up. To see Draco take Voldemort and Lucius down and to make everything better, but the more she thought about it the more she realized it wasn't very likely to happen.
Narcissa was convinced that everything was over, that everything had no meaning.
Her voice had lost its usual spark, and her slightly tanned face was pale as ever. She stayed awake most nights, waiting. She waited for something to happen. Nothing happened.
Remembering Narcissa's owl he hurriedly took the letter from it's beak, and ripped it open.
My Dear Draco,
You know how much I love you, don't you? I just wanted to tell you that. I've always loved you, Draco. I never told you it because I was always afraid it would be the last. Well, this is the last.
I asked my owl to take this message to you as soon as I...passed away. So here it is.
Draco, I'm not going to lie to you. I could have held on, I really could have. The only reason I held on for all those years was because of you. You know what they say, when it's time to go, you'll go? It's my time right now. Right when you're father's struggling with everything.
I know about that little girl, Hermione Granger. Your father never knew when you were lying. I reward you greatly. I can tell that you like this girl a lot, and I just know that everything will work out.
Draco, I know what you're thinking, I know you think I commit suicide. Your father always said it was the coward's way out. I'm a coward. I did it by mixing different potions that would give a fatal effect. It wasn't painful, but I deserve all the pain I can get.
You're going to grow up to be a lovely boy, and I'm disappointed I couldn't hang around to watch it.
Well, I guess this is it.
Goodbye Draco I'll see you soon. Love Always Narcissa Malfoy
Draco reread the letter until he was sure it was actually true. His mother was gone.
All that was left had gone away and there was nothing there for Draco to do.
In a way he felt he had let his mother down by never doing anything about Lucius. He had always been too scared to go to Dumbledore, because he had always known that as soon as he did the Final War would begin, and it would be his fault.
Draco wasn't crying. He didn't want to give his father the satisfaction, and, besides, a Malfoy never cried.
He stared I into the fire, watching it burn the wood inside, wishing it could be everything bad in his life, just being burnt away until nothing was left.
Thinking about how long it had been since his mum and him had spent some quality time together, doing all the normal things a mother and son would do with each other, without all the pain and hurt.
Suddenly Hermione tumbled into the common room, following her tradition of tripping over the portrait whole.
'OUCH!' she yelped, as her wrist hit the ground, hard.
To her surprise, Draco didn't say a thing.
She knew something was wrong. Draco's skin was paler then usual, and he didn't show an ounce of expression on his face.
'What's wrong...?' Hermione asked.
Draco didn't say anything, but pain was clearly shown on his pale face. His grey eyes weren't steely anymore. They showed only hatred.
'Is something wrong?' she whispered, taking a seat next to him.
Draco nodded.
'Do you want to tell me? It's ok if you don't, I totally understand. But if you want to talk about it, you're more than welcome.'
Hermione was over the 'Draco doesn't trust me' stage. She had realized that his life was anything but ordinary.
'I want to tell you...' he muttered, just getting the words out.
He was once again wearing only boxers. The marks his father had made had faded a lot, but were still visible.
Hermione moved a little closer to him, and stared into his eyes, telling him to begin his story.
'Umm...it's over...' Draco whispered.
'What's over?' Hermione answered. She couldn't help but think he might be talking about their relationship.
'Everything is...'
'Meaning?'
'Meaning everything I live for, everything that I ever wanted, it's all over, and it's never coming back.'
'Draco, I'm not following you...'
He passed her the letters, and changed his position on the couch so his hand was supporting his head.
Hermione read the letter in amazement. She never thought it would happen.
Hermione had read up on any way Narcissa could die from what Lucius had done to her, but she found it was all just abuse, and couldn't do her any long-term harm that could potentially kill her.
Hermione realized that Lucius had said in his letter she was barely holding on, but Hermione convinced herself it couldn't be. It was just another of Narcissa's pleas for help.
'Draco, this is awful,' she whispered and pulled him into a huge hug.
He stayed in her arms for as long as he could, holding onto her and smelling her beautiful hair that had become so tame and shiny.
'Draco, you can cry.'
He shook his head. 'A Malfoy doesn't cry.'
'Why not?'
'It's a sign of weakness...father always said so.'
Hermione sighed, and took his hand in hers.
'I want to show you something...' she smiled.
The two walked out onto the balcony where beautiful white snow was falling from the perfect sky.
'It's snowing...' Draco muttered.
'Look, snowflakes,' Hermione said softly.
'Yeah,' Draco sighed.
'Did you know that no two are the same?'
Draco shook his head.
'My mother did this when my grandfather died when I was little. I thought it was so stupid at first, but, look, they're so beautiful, just like life, and at some point they have to melt away and fall down.'
Draco found himself smiling at her.
'See those two? They're stuck together!' Hermione whispered.
'That'll be us someday. Together until the end.'
'You're right. That will be us.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was the day of Narcissa's funeral. Hermione was attending, just as Lucius had asked, and so was Draco, naturally.
It was a particularly hot day, one that you most definitely wouldn't want to be wearing one of those suits that men generally wore to such occasions.
The list of people attending was fairly short. Not many people had known Narcissa Malfoy. She never went outside of the Malfoy Manor in fear of what she might see next.
'I guess this is it,' Draco said.
'Draco, this is just the beginning.
'Beginning of what?'
'This is when it all starts.'
'What starts?'
'Draco, I don't like to say it, and I know you hate hearing it, but it's going to happen. The Final War is about to begin, and we're both going to be large targets.'
'I know. Why will we be large targets?'
'Draco, your father isn't going to accept that you don't want to join the dark side. He's going to blame it on me, that puts both of us in the limelight.'
'You don't have to stand by me. The door is always open; you're free to walk out at anytime. I don't want anyone to get hurt in this, and I know how much you don't want to go to fight.'
'You're right Draco, I don't want to fight. I don't think anyone wants to, but you and I both know it's the right thing to do, and I don't care how scared I am.'
'I found out something, about my father.'
'What's that?'
'I was looking at some old photographs of my family.'
'Oh, ok.'
'He deliberately drove that car into a telegraph pole. He hated my mother. I was so naïve. I always thought it was an accident, that he lost control of the car. But now I know. He lost control of his life.'
'Shit happens.'
'My life's just one pile of shit. Except for one thing.'
'What's that?'
'You.'
Draco smiled and gave her a quick hug. He didn't want Lucius to see Hermione and himself showing any affection towards each other.
'Promise me you'll stay with me forever, Draco?'
'I can't promise you that, Hermione.'
'Why not?'
'It's forever and a day or nothing.'
Hermione laughed, and they both walked back towards Hogwarts.
Hand in hand.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sometimes I get so weird
I even freak myself out
I laugh myself to sleep
It's my lullaby
Sometimes I drive so fast
Just to feel the danger
I wanna scream
It makes me feel alive ((((((Hermione))))))
Is it enough to love?
Is it enough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please (((((Narcissa)))))
To walk within the lines
Would make my life so boring
I want to know that I
Have been to the extreme
So knock me off my feet
Come now give it to me
Anything to make me feel alive ((((Draco)))))
Is it enough to love?
Is it enough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please. ((((((Narcissa)))))
Let down your defences
Use no common sense
If you look you will see
that this world is
A beautiful, accident, turbulent,
succulent, opulent, permanent
No way
I wanna taste it
Dont wanna waste it away ((((((Hermione))))))
Sometimes I get so weird
I even freak myself out
I laugh myself to sleep
It's my lullaby (((((Draco))))))
Is it enough?
Is it enough?
Is it enough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
Is it enough?
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please. (((((Narcissa)))))
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: And that's the end of Chapter 17!!!!!!
Sad, I know, but I had this planned for ages as a way to get Hermione
and Draco back together after they have a fight. I hope this is long
enough for you all, I tried to make it long, but I have to rush a bit.
Mom and Dad are at parent/teacher night thing. You know where the
parent and teacher talk with each other about how well you're doing.
Wish me luck!
It's my birthday on April 6th, and for me that is tomorrow, so can you give me some good, long reviews as a present?????? Thanks!
Read AND Review please! Doesn't take long!