DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING FROM HARRY POTTER
And in the darkest night, if my memory serves me right, I'll never turn back time, forgetting you, but not the time
Chapter 2
For Now
Things change so fast that it's a little hard to keep track of them. There are things that you wish to remember for the rest of your life. Then there are others that you'd wish you'd never remember. Those are the ones that leave the deepest wounds that seem to heal only with time and even then they never heal completely. Those are the types of memories I wish I would never remember. Those are the ones that are kept fresh constantly in my mind. One of those things I have to face even though I really wish, I wouldn't have to. I suppose all good things must come to an end. With the Malfoy Holdings in the hands of Aunt Melody there really was no way of evading what was to come next after Lucius was put away in jail. He deserved that and much more. He had done horrible things to Dragon and Aunty Mel. Of course with him in jail and Dragon in school, I knew that she would track me down sooner or later, and sure enough she found me two bloody years after Lucius had been put a way. I guess that explains why I was now standing in front of Malfoy Manor trying to stall because I really don't want to say yes to her but I know deep down inside that I could never bring myself to say no to her. Damn me and my soft heart. 'Ha you having a soft hear… too bad you can't be cold hearted like everyone thinks you are.' 'It's nice to know that my evil half is here to taunt me.' I replied dryly.
"Little Mistress, Mingy is happy to see you!" the little house elf exclaimed happily as she jumped up and down. "Mingy hasn't seen her little mistress since she was just a wee little thing, Mingy has missed her Little Mistress," Mingy said a tint of sadness flashing through her blue eyes before she launched herself to my legs hugging them tightly. I couldn't help but smile and hug her back as best as I could. I hated to admit it but I had missed her to she, along with some of the other Malfoy Manor house elves had always been good to me.
"Now, now, Mingy have you forgotten what we agreed on?" I asked while kneeling down so I could be at eye level with her. She smiled brightly and shook her head. "Good then. I believe I deserve a proper welcome, don't you think?" I asked her knowing fully well that she would be able to read the amusement in my eyes that would betray my calm and cool demeanor.
"Mingy knew she could count on her little kitten to come back," she replied joyfully her voice full of happiness as she flung her tiny little arms around my neck. "You haven't changed at all, my little kitten. You're more beautiful than ever, little one. I knew you wouldn't change the way you treated and cared for Mingy and the elf race!" Mingy exclaimed happily before kissing my cheek and burrowing her face into the crock of my neck. I picked her up, holding her tightly in a hug that I wish that it would never come to an end.
"But I have changed Mingy," I whispered softly into her ear. "I've changed. I'm not the same little girl that you thought you once knew," I paused a little uneasy as to how to go on. "I've become someone far worse than what mother would have wanted me to be," I said sadly. 'I've become a murderer, Mingy,' I added mentally for I felt I couldn't tell her what I had become how low I had come along since that horrible night. "Anyway Mingy, I need to see Aunt Mel," I said while releasing Mingy from the hug.
"The mistress is in the winter sitting room, little miss," Mingy nodded eagerly I smiled kindly and made my way to one of my aunt's sitting rooms. I still didn't know why she had so many of them. She had one for each season of the year and different types of occasion. Surprisingly, the door to the sitting room was wide open so there was no need for me to knock on the door. Walking into the room to find her standing by the window triggered a memory to flash before my eyes. Now I remembered why she loved this sitting room. It was because of the breath-taking view of the rose garden that was in full bloom at this time of the year. I walked over slowly to her yet I could not find words to say especially to her at this moment.
"It's been a long time, my dear," Aunt Mel said breaking the comfortable silence we had been sharing. I kind of wished she hadn't said anything. "You know, Lin, I would never have asked you to do this if I didn't know you could," she paused taking a deep breath, "I trust you, that's why I asked you and no one else to look after the well-being of my family." She said softly, her voice full of determination.
"I know, that's why I'm here," I replied softly. "You know, I never thought I'd come back," I sighed. "I have to admit it kind of scared me to get your letter … I mean it scared me more to know I had to come back knowing fully well that I would not be able to deny you of what you asked for." I confessed bitterly to my inner turmoil.
"So I take it that you're here to stay?" she asked, hope evident in her tone and in her beautiful blazing blue-green eyes. I smiled reasurringly and took her hand in mine.
"For now," I answered squeezing her hand reassuringly. Her eyes had not lost the sparks of hope that they had held only moments ago. She smiled and took me into her arms into the all familiar hug that I had missed so much for so long.