Saturday, 22 June, 15:00 GMT, almost 5 years ago
Phillip and his professional basketball team had just won the National Basketball Association Championship one week ago. The Victory Parade had been scheduled for downtown Boston at 10:00 a.m. local time, Saturday morning. The team along with family and close friends stood atop a double decker bus at the start of the parade route. Fans lined up along the roadway five to ten people deep just to get a glimpse of their hometown champions. There was music and confetti, reporters and other media. Everything was all set and everyone was in his place … everyone except Phillip.
Phillip had made a promise to Drew that he would be with her in Wiltshire that England afternoon. He parked in the Malfoy's driveway, right behind the black Chevy SUV. He and his father stepped out of their blue BMW. Both were dressed in black suits and ties.
"Hey," Drew, also dressed in a black pant suit said as she greeted both Martinezes with hugs. "Come on in."
"How are your parents doing, Drew?" Mr. Martinez asked.
"They're getting through," Drew said, shrugging. "They've already traveled to Malfoy Manor. My brothers are joining us there."
"So, how does this traveling thing work?" Mr. Martinez asked. Phillip nodded at Drew.
"This is a port key," she said as she unwrapped one of her grandfather's old walking sticks that he had stopped using. "It will get us all to Malfoy Manor."
"We'll follow your lead, Drew," Phillip said. Drew nodded at her.
"We'll all take hold of the walking stick," she instructed. As they did a blinding light flashed and they were transported.
o-o-o
Saturday, 1 June, 11:30 GMT, almost 5 years ago
Lucius Malfoy had been a patient at Saint Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries since the beginning of May. He had been diagnosed with pneumonia. Both Gregory and his wife Joanna had been monitoring his progress and kept Draco, Hermione and Narcissa abreast of his situation.
His condition made a turn for the worst the night before. Draco and Hermione had called in all of the children. Drew had arrived within an hour of the call. She had clearance from Dr. Watanabe to attend to her grandfather.
The family had stayed the night. She watched her grandmother lay her head on her forearms as she watched the rise and fall of her husband's chest. Drew looked around the room. Everyone was half asleep; it was nearly midnight on her Muggle wristwatch.
She stepped out of the room. She took a breath. She walked down the hall and headed to an open balcony. She breathed in the fresh night air. She pulled out her mobile and dialed the familiar number. It was a quarter of seven o'clock in Boston. She hoped she wasn't interrupting anything.
"Hey, Drew," Phillip answered the call.
"Hi," she said, her voice wavered.
He could hear it in her voice. "Are you alright, Drew?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just needed to hear a friendly voice," she said.
"Is that idiot Tim harassing you at work?" Phillip's voice rose.
She laughed, "Tim and I broke up, amicably, six months ago."
Phillip heard her whimper. "What's up, then, Drew," he asked softly.
"Grandpa Lucius's medical condition has turned for the worse."
"I'm so sorry, Drew," he said, trying to console her. "What's his prognosis?"
"Uncle Greg and Auntie Joanna think he won't last through the morning," she said.
"Your Grandpa was always cool with me."
"He really liked you," she said looking up into the sky.
He laughed. "My Mom died when I was eleven. And when I'm at my lowest, I think of all my happy memories of her.
"Whatever happens, you'll always cherish the memories you have of him," he said. There was silence on the other line. Phillip was afraid he had said something wrong. "Did I say something to offend you?"
"No," Drew quickly answered. "I'm just … thinking of Grandpa."
Phillip stayed on the line, listening to her think about her grandfather. Drew appreciated him for that.
o-o-o
Saturday, 1 June, 11:45 GMT, almost 5 years ago
Lucius Malfoy gave his wife one last squeeze of the hand before the Wizarding version of the Muggle ECG machine flatlined. Alarms blared and the family knew it was time.
Drew watched her grandmother lean over the bed and kiss her husband one last time, whispering that she loved him. She watched her mother help her to a seat as she let the older woman cry into her shoulder.
o-o-o
Saturday, 8 June, 11:40 GMT, almost 5 years ago
Draco and Hermione had scheduled funerary services to be held on the grounds of the Malfoy estate on the 22nd of June. Narcissa and Lucius had always loved the flower garden in the backyard. They had taken many walks through it when Lucius was courting her in their younger years.
With the birth of their son, Draco, they enjoyed afternoon sunsets and family picnics until the craziness of their generation's impending Wizarding strife began. It hadn't been until after their first grandchild had turned one that the old couple took routine walks in the garden. They had missed the first year of Drew's life because of his pigheadedness. Having Drew in their lives brought a different perspective. Both Lucius and Narcissa viewed life in a different light.
Drew had gotten permission to stay for the month to help take care of funeral plans after she had found out from her parents that the services would be on June 22nd. Draco and Hermione had planned to stay at the Manor to keep Narcissa company until the services. Drew would stay at the house in Chiswick and Flooed to the Manor to also console her grandmother.
Drew and Phillip had a standing Friday evening telephone conversation, the old fashion way, no video chats, just a voice on the other end of the line. She had called him close to midnight GMT on the evening of June 7 to tell him about her grandfather's funeral date. He had instantly promised her that he would make it to the services. She had argued that he might still be in the middle of his team's playoff run.
o-o-o
"They can survive one day without me," he said.
She laughed. "I love you, Phil," she hesitated. "You're my best friend."
She heard silence on the other end. She held her breath. "I love you, too, Drew. I'll see you on the 22nd of June."
"Okay," she said. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Drew," he said. He heard her hang up. They both blew out a breath.
o-o-o
Saturday, 8 June, 11:45 GMT, almost 5 years ago
Drew had gotten her father's messenger Patronus as she was finishing her lunch. She wasn't expected at the Manor for another fifteen minutes. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her father's voice was hurried as he told her to meet her mother and him at St. Mungo's. Grandma Narcissa had suffered a massive heart attack fifteen minutes ago and had been transported to the hospital for emergency care.
Drew quickly stepped into the fireplace to Floo into the hospital. She walked frantically towards her parents and her brothers.
"How is she?" she asked.
Her father pulled her into an embrace. She knew it instantly as she cried into his shoulder.
o-o-o
Saturday, 22 June, 15:30 GMT, almost 5 years ago
Draco and Hermione thought it was fitting to hold the services for both Lucius and Narcissa on the same day. Wizarding guests from far and wide arrived at Malfoy Manor to commemorate the lives of the two Purebloods. They gathered around the red rosebush that was a favorite of the Malfoy matriarch.
Phillip extended his right hand to Drew and she took it with her left hand. He squeezed it reassuringly. She nodded at him as they listened to the officiant continue with the funerary ceremony.
o-o-o
Saturday, 22 June, 16:30 GMT, almost 5 years ago
The mourners had stayed to partake in an early dinner in the large backyard of the Manor. The guests told lovely stories about their encounters with the elder Malfoys. Drew and Phillip listened to all of the rich history that the elders shared about the eighty-year old Narcissa and eighty-one-year old Lucius. They had truly lived a full life.
Phillip smiled at Drew. "I told you they'll live on in our memories," he whispered into her ear. She leaned against his chest, appreciative that he was able to come to England for the memorial services. She was grateful to have him as a friend.