A/N: I don't own Harry Potter. Wish I did.
The OC, Roselynn, is my IRL friend's OC, who is being written in the RP from which this story is inspired from. She is Wolfpawz on here, check her out!
ZZZZZZZZZZ
Being a Muggle-born was absolutely hell.
At least, during the War it had been. Running, being afraid, and not trying not to die had been the teenager's motto during those last few horrible months. Not until the Battle of Hogwarts had she felt any sort of relief; not to mention she hadn't done too bad considering things during the battle. Managing to find the Weasleys, and her boyfriend George, she managed quite nicely. Until—
Fred fell.
It hit her hard when Fred had fallen, and George seemed to take it even harder than his girlfriend, but reasonably so. He and Fred had been inseparable since birth.
Tears escaped her, and she and George hadn't felt the same since. Her trauma from the previous months didn't help either, so that was double the raincloud above her.
At least Fred had a decent funeral; that was what was important.
She had barely been able to focus, especially since that day. Any sort of touching from George, or reassurances were met, but were significantly awkward. She was uncomfortable in her own damn skin, so things didn't last long in between them. Her nightmares plagued her at night. It was all so damn… exhausting.
Ginny hovered outside of her door one day, smiling a bit sadly. At least fresh air might help her. She hesitated to knock, knowing these last couple days hadn't been the best.
"Roselynn?" Ginny decided to use her full name for a change, and knocked gently.
Rose huffed, knowing she wouldn't be able to get a nap in, afterall. She had been tossing for a good two hours now. Brushing back some of her brown hair, she answered, "What is it?"
She opened the door a creak. "Harry wants you to go check Diagon Alley."
I can be useful for a change, even though her anxiety wanted to swallow her up for having to be in an open crowd. "What for?"
She soon caught the eyes of the other, and opened up the door more. "…You'll be okay?" The redhead asked, looking over the girl who had now crawled out of bed.
Rose showed, what was hopefully, a confident smile. "I-I'll be okay."
Ginny decided to store away her concern at that moment, instead, grinning at the other. "I believe in you, Rose," she said kindly.
This time, the Muggle-born showed a true smile towards her friend. "Thanks…" A small pause, now as she doublechecked that she had her wand with her. A dragon was spiraled around the handle, making her feel comfortable holding it, as if she was that dragon, protecting those who she loved. Her hand ran over the details. "…What do you need me to do?" Determination had entered her eyes.
There's that Gryffindor bravery. "Harry wants you to check if there's any Death Eaters lingering around in Diagon Alley… Can you do that?"
"I can." The Hufflepuff had quickly answered, "I'll report back to what I can find." A crack, and she was gone.
ZZZZZZZZZZ
Fuck.
The curse word floated through his mind, as Lucius made his way through Diagon Alley, trying to avoid anyone's gaze, trying to mind his own damn business. The people mostly didn't pay attention, but he did feel some people's gazes on him, and he could have shrunk. Just... because he probably was going to get off scott-free, didn't mean there weren't consequences for what side he chose during majority of his life.
Luckily, this wasn't bad as he thought it would be a couple months after the War-
He supposed most people just be worrying about loved ones at this point, trying to regain sanity, over otherwise insane circumstances.
Him being out here?
He half wondered how badly their reputation was and... plus, he was having difficulty with his family, so he needed time away. He.. had screwed them over, even letting his son get in harm's way. Panic attacks and flashbacks didn't help. He couldn't go to Narcissa every, single time now could he? He wondered often if he just downright burdened her. I fucking hate myself. He thought, as he finally dared to look up finally, catching the eyes of some people, but quickly looked away, a complete shell of his former self. His eyes finally scanned for something more soothing, and the sign of a certain building caught his eye. Going into his favorite Cafe, he scanned the area and instantly picked a dark corner to reside in.
At least I have money, so if the trials don't do the best...
Lucius couldn't let himself finish that thought, knowing it would just lead to thoughts about ... about.. Azkaban. It wasn't just Azkaban; it was the one thing that started the downhill of how he felt about himself, and one could argue no one deserved to feel like that, that they wanted to die or just hated themselves through and through.
He tried to keep his head down as he ordered a tea, and the server nodded, going away from him now. He let out a sigh. At least he could cover his face with his straggly hair (Gods, who thought that'd ever happen?) to avoid recognition, but not many people had platinum blonde heads either.
He... He had to relax. His nerves were wound way too tight.
To be fair though, this was the first time he had been in public in a long while.
''Lovely.. T-The Ministry's still rebuilding at least..'' Lucius muttered as he studied the Daily Prophet, completely unaware of the Order member right around him. He nervously tapped his fingers on the wooden surface, tossing a careful look around the Cafe. Not many looked like they recognized him at the very least... It still didn't lessen the stress levels though, as he tossed a look back down to the table and the paper the Cafe typically provided. He froze. He looked across from him, trying to avoid the younger magical being's vision, as he attempted to study the brown haired girl. She looked about Draco's age... Would she even recognize someone like him..? He had least been away from the school board for a few years now.
Wait... He looked back up away from the newspaper, studying her even closer now. Oh wait.- Bloody hell. His hand instantly slipped towards his cane.
Should... he approach her?
His grip fell onto it, gripping it tightly.
S-She had been at the Department of Mysteries battle, right?
The motion wasn't lost on Rose, who had found the Café's atmosphere inviting, as she had needed some sort of relaxation found before going on her hunt. Her anxiety had forced her to be on edge. She quickly studied the platinum blonde's motion, eyes sweeping up his form.
Her heart lept up into her throat, just then.
That… That platinum blonde hair! It all too easily reminded her of the hair on the head of her mild crush, Draco Malfoy! She tossed a careful look around the Café, subtly drawing her wand now, eyes not leaving him. She moved from her table, at least for now. "Lucius… Malfoy, am I correct?"
Lucius swallowed hard, cursing for once in his life that his hair color so quickly identified him. He steeled his vision, not even sure that it could properly be done, as he looked up at her with a small smirk. "Now, now.. young Mudblood... This isn't the best place, is it, for a confrontation?''
Mudblood. The word ripped through her like a knife, triggering the vivid memories of the cabin in the woods…
Pretty little mudblood…
Why don't you scream for me, mudblood?
Her eyes filled with a haunted look, but she quickly ripped herself back to the present, which was staring at Lucius Malfoy in the middle of a cafe. She considered his words and lowered her wand slightly, letting out a shuddering breath. Focus, Rose. She told herself, before speaking, "Perhaps you're right." Too much potential collateral. Remember, he's a Death Eater… Trying to keep her voice level, she continued, "So… what do you suggest we do then?"
Lucius eyed her a bit curiously, watching her movements. Did... she just space out, or something? Funny enough, the pureblood himself found he was doing it too alot... How strange.
''...Here's a crazy idea. What if a particular Death Eater-'' He made sure to keep his voice very low, wishing it wouldn't crack as well mentioning such a title. These last 3 years hadn't been kind to his mental well-being, and all because of his extracurricular activities. At least they wouldn't draw attention now, with her wand somewhat tucked away. ''-wanted to pursue a road of... redemption, of sorts?'' It seemed downright amusing, but it was an idea he had been playing with the last couple of months, or even more than that, before Voldemort had been defeated.
Rose's wand lowered farther, and she placed it back in her pocket. Her eyes scanned his for any hint of a lie or a trick. She didn't find anything, and she too lowered her voice, "I would tell that Death Eater that he may have just met an Order member willing to hear him out." She answered, as she gestured at the chair across from him. "Can I sit?"
This was crazy. Mental. Unbelievable. The idea that Malfoy would want a second chance would probably seem laughable to the others. Not to Rose though. It was in her nature to try and see the good in people. She was a Hufflepuff after all.
A-Anyone can change. Be good.
Lucius had to do a doubletake, widening his eyes a bit, betraying the slightest bit of emotion. Though that wasn't really hard nowadays. Wait, what? His heart was absolutely racing at the mere idea... She... She was serious. She was actually willing to hear him out.
Could he- Could he really push his family out of the rut he had dug for them? ''I... sure,'' he said quietly. ''Interesting turn of events, if I may say for myself.''
Imagine ignoring someone's blood status, for starters.
"No kidding," she answered with a chuckle, sitting down and making herself comfortable as she picked up a menu to scan, revealing the scar on her left hand where the word 'troublemaker' had been etched into her skin during a detention with Umbridge.
"The name's Roselynn by the way," she said, then continued, "-Roselynn Rivers. Most people call me Rose...so tell me more about this redemption of yours."
