Tuesday, 3 April 19:30 GMT
Mr. Draco Malfoy had arrived at Hogwarts through the floo networked fireplaces near the Great Hall. He had just come from the Muggle Hospital, dropping off dinner to his wife; a Zip Pac, that he had gotten from his short trip to Hawai'i where he touched bases with the Muggle liaison at the Queen's Medical Center where Drew worked. He had reassured his wife that everything would be okay and that he would meet up with her at Hogwarts in two days like they had agreed.
He headed up to the third-floor Hospital wing, making a beeline to the Half-blood Squib's room. He had an inkling that the young man would be in there as well. He smiled as he entered.
"How are you doing tonight, Phil?" the Ministry Auror asked as he placed two Zip Pacs and two medium fountain drinks on the table next to the hospital bed.
"Mr. Malfoy," Phillip said as he stood up. The older gentleman nodded for him to sit.
"I brought some dinner back from Hawai'i," Draco Malfoy said as he opened up his bento and pulled his chopsticks apart.
"Thanks, Sir," the young man said as he took a seat and began to tuck into his own meal of teriyaki beef, fried chicken, fried spam and deep-fried panko crusted mahi mahi over furikake rice. He remembered the numerous late-night meals he and Drew had had at Zippy's every so often during their college days.
The pair ate in silence for a few moments as they savored their meal. The only sound that was evident was the respirator that Drew was hooked up to.
o-o-o
Tuesday, 3 April 20:10 GMT
Phillip took a swig of his Sierra Mist mixed with fruit punch as he finished up his meal. He looked up at Mr. Malfoy who was doing the same.
"That hit the spot, huh?" Mr. Malfoy said.
"Yeah," Phillip smiled.
"Junior sent his messenger patronus saying you finally woke up," the wizard said.
"I'm still a little weak, but Junior mentioned that that was normal after a coma like that," Phillip nodded.
"I know you've been through a lot, Phillip," Mr. Malfoy began. "But there is also a lot of personal history that you're going to need to find out about yourself."
The wizard pulled out a file and handed it to the young man. Phillip hesitated before opening the file folder. He saw his original Wizarding birth certificate, a history of his biological family and his adoption paperwork.
He looked up at the older man as a tear rolled down his cheek. "I really am a part of this evil family."
"Phil," Mr. Malfoy shook his head. "You're not born evil; it's learned."
The young man looked at Drew for a moment and then looked back at her father. "I'm the reason she's in here, Mr. Malfoy."
"Phillip, you were under a spell that allowed your grandfather to mold your actions."
"It's still unacceptable," the young man said softly.
"Some of us have argued in hearings with the Wizengamut that the memory charm that your grandfather used on you should be considered the fourth Unforgivable. Even Drew's uncle Blaise and his son have testified of its dangers.
"Pretty ironic considering they are obliviators and use the charm as part of their duties. Suffice it to say, the Wizengamut couldn't agree unanimously to outlaw the charm.
"Phil, you weren't meant to remember Drew. But you did snap out of it eventually."
"I could have killed her, Mr. Malfoy," Phillip cried. "Mr. Potter should lock me up in prison."
"Phillip, I could never wish that hell on anyone, even on those who deserve it," Draco said. "I'm not going to lie to you, Phil. I was just like you. It took me a while to forgive myself.
"Mrs. Malfoy had to convince me to do so," the platinum blonde wizard said reassuringly. "I understand what you're going through."
"Does the guilt ever go away, Sir?"
"It subsides," Mr. Malfoy said hopefully. "Drew would be the first to forgive you, Phil."
Phillip smiled as he nodded. Then he looked down at his hands. "My family has done so many evil things to your family. I'm so sorry, Sir."
"Phil, like I said, 'evil is learned.' Your biological parents did one good act. They gave you up for adoption. And two loving people found it in their hearts to welcome you into their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Martinez raised you the right way, Son."
"What they must think of me," he said softly.
"We all make mistakes, Phil. I'm the king of that. But Mrs. Malfoy found it in her heart to still stand by me. Phil, your parents are proud of the man you've become. You have to believe that."
Phillip nodded his head solemnly. Mr. Malfoy blew out a breath.
"There's something you'll need to know about your father's death, Phil," Mr. Malfoy began as the young man canted his eyebrow.
"Dad?"
"We had our people analyze the data from his autopsy," Mr. Malfoy said. "There were anomalies.
"We sent Aurors to your home to verify our suspicions. There were traces of Unforgivable curses before the ones used on you and Drew last Friday. We traced the curses to several wands; your grandfather's was one of them.
"Your father suffered five Cruciatus curses, Phil."
"Dr. Malfoy said he died of a heart attack," Phillip said.
"The curses might have induced it," Mr. Malfoy said as he showed the Muggle autopsy and Wizarding Auror reports to the young man.
Phillip whimpered. Mr. Malfoy put his arm around his shoulder, comforting him.