Chapter 33:
Draco had an important matter to attend the next morning. He woke up early and left the house leaving Hermione a note telling her that he left for an urgent reason, and that he wouldn't be back till later.
Hermione woke up and noticed she was left alone. She scanned the note that was left for her and wasn't too satisfied, the note didn't indicate where he went, and didn't give her an exact time that he would return.
She decided not to worry herself. It was probably a matter he had to attend on his own. When he came back, if he felt it necessary, he would tell her about it.
She called Ruby up and asked if she had any plans. They decided to get dressed up and leave for a girl's day out.
Draco walked down the crowded streets of Muggle London. Once he arrived at a deserted street he decided it was safe enough for him to apparate away.
He arrived outside the big mansion that was so familiar to him. He walked behind the bushes, making sure he wasn't seen by anybody.
He peeked through the windows for a glimpse of his mother. He saw her, sitting on the living room couch, tears in her eyes. His heart tore apart seeing his mother in that condition.
He made sure there were no Death Eaters around her, and tapped on the window lightly.
His mother heard the tap right away and looked up to see who it was. The moment she saw Draco, a smile so bright appeared on her fair face, it could have illuminated the Malfoy Manor for a week straight.
She hurried to the window and opened it, peeking her head out. She looked at Draco, and felt fresh tears forming in her eyes.
"Mother, I don't have a lot of time. Please meet me at the Alexandra Park in London. Apparate there in exactly five minutes. I love you." said Draco, and disappeared behind the bushes.
He quickly left the Manor's grounds and apperated to Alexandra Park, awaiting his mother's arrival.
Luckily, it was very early in the morning and the park wasn't as crowded as it was in the afternoon. He sat on a bench until he heard a loud pop behind him.
His mother ran to him and embraced him in the warmest motherly embrace.
"Oh Draco, my dear boy. I was so worried about you. Why didn't you contact me this whole entire time?" asked Naricassa, relieved to know her son was alive and healthy.
"Mother, you know I cannot contact you. The Dark Lord and his followers want my head. I've been in hiding, fearing for your life every single day." said Draco, deep sorrow in his eyes.
"Draco, I'm so happy you're alright. Where have you been hiding? How have you been living?" asked Narcissa tenderly.
"I've been hiding among muggles. I know father wouldn't look for me there."
As soon as Draco mentioned his father, he noticed a change in his mother's expression, and hot tears started streaming down her face once again.
"What is it mother? Did he hurt you again? Tell me." demanded Draco.
Naricssa just shook her head in reply and continued sobbing. Draco was puzzled at her behavior, but felt he must do something to comfort her.
He hugged her, and sat her down on the bench. He then conjured a bottle of water and handed it to her.
Narcissa took the water he offered her and sipped a little. She felt a little calmer and decided she had to tell Draco the truth. It was now or never.
"Draco, you father is dead." she said, pity in her voice.
Draco was taken aback. For a minute there he wasn't sure whether his ears were fooling him or not. He had to digest this truth, but he felt he couldn't.
Draco didn't know how to respond. He didn't know if he should feel sorrow, because his father didn't deserve it; but after all it was his father, how could he not?
He stood dumbstruck for ten minutes, lost in the present and it's cruelty. He knew he had to leave, but how could he leave his mother all alone?
"How.. How did it happen?" he managed to ask.
"The Dark Lord." Narcissa said.
Draco felt confusion once again.
"But why? Father was always loyal to him." asked Draco, still lost.
"He failed him. He was suppose to bring you to him for your punishment, and he couldn't find you. The Dark Lord couldn't forgive him for that betrayal." his mother answered.
"So father is dead because of me?" asked Draco, guilt rushing to his senses.
"No Draco. Do not blame yourself. You weren't the one who forced him into the Dark Arts in the first place. I would have never let him take you. You are my son Draco, my blood. My only reason for living. Once Lucius died, I felt great loss and grief, but at the same time I felt relief like never before, because I knew you were safe. I loved your father very much, and we both know it, but your life was more valuable to me." said Narcissa embracing her son once again, sobbing into his shoulder.
"Mother, don't cry. I promise to you, as soon as the Dark Lord is defeated and my name is cleared out, I'll come back, and we'll be happy. Me you and Hermione." said Draco, smiling for the first time.
"Hermione?" Narcissa asked, confused.
"Yes mother, I'm in love. Hermione Granger, yeah the mudblood, but I do not care. I love her, and she loves me, and she makes me happy. I assure you, you would love her too." said Draco, comforting his mother.
"I am glad you're happy Draco, I really am. It doesn't really matter what makes you happy, as long as you are." said Narcissa kissing her son on the cheek.
"Mother, I have another important matter to attend, but please know that my life is not at high risk. Don't tell anyone you've seen me and keep yourself out of danger for me. I'll come and fetch you. I promise." said Draco and hugged his mother one last time before he apparated away, without seeing the hot tears that rolled down his mother's face.
Draco apparated, and arrived at the Wizard's Cemetery. He wore a heavy black cloak over himself and covered himself completely, so he wouldn't be recognized by the workers and visitors.
After 20 minutes, he finally accumulated enough courage to walk through the heavy metal gates and search for the one grave he would visit today.
He found it underneath an oak tree, in a secluded area of the cemetery. The heavy granite stone on top of the grave was so big, it looked like it would overweight it and bury it even deeper.
The lettering on the stone was as fancy as they come, and the moving picture of the man, showed just how cold he always was.
Lucius Malfoy 1954-2003
A loyal son, husband and father
Draco snorted at the words on the monument. Loyal father, yeah right. He sat by the grave with mixed feelings and sighed deeply.
'Father is dead, mother is alone. What now? I would pity his death, but how could I after everything he put me through? But after all, he was my father. He gave me shelter, food and a name. A name I loathed but a name none the less. Maybe he died because he refused to look for me? Maybe he sacrificed his life to save mine? Maybe he loved me after all?'
Draco didn't know how long he sat by the grave, thoughts creeping in and out of his head. He didn't realize there were tears forming in his eyes, and gliding down his cheeks. He sat there, thinking, crying and regretting the way everything turned out.
He regretted his father's loyalty to the Dark Lord, as much as he regretted his father's behavior towards him. He regretted his mother's pain and suffering. But most of all, he regretted the fact that nothing could be done to change the events around.
Before he knew it, it was pitch dark outside and a few hits of lightning indicated an oncoming thunderstorm. 'Just great.' he thought to himself
He left the cemetery quietly and apparated back to the busy muggle street. But it was no loner busy. He threw the heavy cloak off of himself, and tossed it in a nearby trash can.
The rain started falling harder then ever, followed by a powerful wind. The wind caused the rain drops to hit against Draco's face and made his hair fly in every direction. He was walking slowly, deep in sorrow and thought, making the so familiar way back to Hermione's warmth.
Hermione was sitting down on the couch flipping through the channels. It was already 10 o'clock and she didn't hear a word from Draco. She was worried about him, but at the same time she respected his need for privacy.
Lightning illuminated London and a minute later Hermione heard thunder hit louder then ever. At that moment she decided to go outside and try to find him. She couldn't wait any longer she was too worried.
She walked outside in a thin summer dress. It wasn't a fancy dress, just plain white lace. She had flat white thong slippers on and her hair was down in small curls.
That was her look for her day out with Ruby and she didn't bother changing. She walked out of the house and headed towards the busier streets of London.
There wasn't even a soul outside. Everyone were at home, where it was quiet and dry. She walked down the street, looking for Draco without much luck.
The rain got her all wet in a matter of minutes, and she felt chills up her body. She knew that if she wouldn't find him soon, she would catch the biggest cold of her life, but she didn't care. She had to find him, and know that he's fine; She just had to.