It's been two weeks since everything went down, two weeks since Sirius…two weeks since Draco. She wrote to him, every day, but never got a reply. It was driving her crazy. She knew him and his mother were on trial for his father's arrest, and she tried to convince herself that was the reason, not because he hated her. Did he? After all, she was there when it all went down.

In truth, Draco was anywhere but reality after what had happened. In such a small period of time, his life had been turned around so vigorously. Not only did his beloved father get imprisoned in Azkaban of all prisons, but a few days later, his deranged aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange, made an appearance at his home, and basically forced herself to stay, against Draco's will and his mother's liking, but she was her sister, and she worked right under the Dark Lord himself, what was she to do?

It hasn't been easy for him, living with his heartless, cruel-humored aunt. It was even worse, watching his mother crumble every day at the loss of her husband. He was forced into becoming the man of the house, the one to look after his dear mother as he himself battled his inner griefs.

A bundle of letters sat on the desk in his cold room, ones that haven't been touched. He knew she probably wrote to him, but he couldn't find it in him to write back, to any one, there was too much going on in his life right now.

But she wouldn't have it for much longer. "What do you mean you want to visit Malfoy manor?!" Madeline exclaimed in shock, seated on her favorite arm chair, a book she was reading set on the side table next to her. Melanie was across from her, sitting uncomfortably on the couch as she fought for the words to convince her aging grandmother, but her mind was so clouded with worry and concern for the boy who lived there.

"Grandma, you don't understand." She starts.
"Then explain." Madeline commanded. Melanie took a deep breath, she didn't want it to come to this, it was still painful to think about, nevertheless, talk about.
"The day...The day I found out about mom and…dad," Melanie began, a look of pain shadowing her graceful features, tears glistering her eyes at the mention of the father who'd left her out of hate. Madeline winced as well. She hated what had become of her granddaughter's scarred heart.

For so long, she'd been trying to shield Melanie from the truth, but she should have known better. The truth always comes out in the end.

"he,…Draco, he's the main reason I'm not…falling apart right now." Melanie stressed. Her grandmother looked a bit shocked. She'd heard a lot about the Malfoy's son, and none of it ever pointed to him being the type of person that would stand by someone in times of hardship. She did, however, get the sense that there was more to the story between her granddaughter and the Slytherin prince than what met the eye. "Please. I have to see him."

….

Stood before the great oak doors of Malfoy castle, Melanie hugged the rectangular object in paper wraps tightly to her chest. She eyed for her grandmother behind her, in the baby blue car at the far end of the path that led to the gates, the engine groaning as the woman refused to leave until she saw the door open.

Madeline had, reluctantly agreed to drive Melanie to the mansion with a limited time of an hour, an hour and thirty minutes tops, before she drove back to pick her up. She prayed that whoever the person Draco truly was, the one she saw a longing for in her granddaughter's eyes, was worth it.

The door of the gloomy mansion creaked open. No one stood on the other side, just the slit view of green and white marble floors with what seemed to be a staircase at the end of the spacious room.

Melanie hesitated, but made sure her grandmother didn't notice. She had to do this, for Draco. Without a second's thought, the Redwing slipped in, taking in her surroundings of a very dull and cold so-called home before the door was powerfully shut behind her, the voice startling her half to death, but it was nothing compared to seeing her welcome party, Bellatrix.

She stood just before the now closed door, which Lestrange had seemingly closed herself, a scowl barely visible from the bush on her head that covered most of her face. "You!" She hissed. At once, both the women's wands flew out, pointed at one another. The object in Melanie's arms switched to under one arm as she held the wand with the other.
"You! What are you doing here?!" Melanie exclaimed back, both shocked, terrified, and angry, just angry. This woman had taken the lives of so many good people, the sight of her disgusted Melanie.

Bellatrix let out a hoarse chuckle. "Oh, silly girl. I'll make quick work of you." She grinned, making a million thoughts run in Melanie's mind. What was Lestrange doing here? Did she hurt Draco and his mom?! Her focus was cut short when Bellatrix started at her with small, cautious steps, very clearly about to take action, setting Melanie on panic a second before Narcissa rushed down the stairs.
"Enough, Bellatrix!" She yelled, hasting towards the two and taking Melanie's side. Melanie's eyes shifted towards the woman whose eyes were shot red surrounded by dark circles, her posture boney and weak, her soul bruised. Melanie set aside her wand doubtfully, calming down just a bit. At least Narcissa was alright, and that meant Draco too.

Lestrange eyed her sister in shock and confusion, refusing to put her wand down. "What?! You realize she was there when your idiotic husband got captured. It was partially her fault!" Bella stressed, striking Melanie with guilt she shouldn't be feeling, a part of her thinking that Draco thought the same of her.

An angered look came across Narcissa as her stupid sister made fun of Luscious, and accused Melanie of something she had no hand in. "She is just a child, Bellatrix. She had nothing to do with it. Now if you'll excuse us, I'll take it from here." She glared. It didn't seem possible, but eventually, Lestrange gave up, sighing exaggeratedly as she forced herself away and into the house she'd taken over.

Narcissa turned to Melanie, flashing her a weak, apologetic smile. "I'm sorry about that. My sister, she's…not exactly…" She trailed off, unable to find the words to describe her murderous, heartless relative, confused as it is.

Melanie was quite taken aback by that fact, the one she'd forgotten all about, they were sisters! but Melanie said nothing of it. "Just, never mind. How…How've you been?" The woman asked, a bit dazed. Melanie picked up on the slight stench of alcohol in Narcissa's breath.

She sympathetically observed her, knowing what she must be going through, and she could tell her supposed sister wasn't making it easier. "I'm alright. How are you, Mrs. Malfoy?" She questioned. Narcissa nodded weakly.
"It's been hard, but, we're trying." Narcissa replied. She didn't have to, but Melanie felt the great need to apologize.
"I'm so sorry, for everything that's been going on. I know how much Mr. Malfoy means to both you and, Draco." She told. Narcissa shook her head calmly.
"Nonsense, dear. There's nothing to apologize for." She put a hand on Melanie's shoulder. "Come on, I'll show you to his room." She told knowingly. Melanie smiled at the woman warmly, and she returned it genuinely.

Narcissa, for one, knew that something serious was between her son and the girl with the bright smile, knowing that same smile was what he needed right now, and was more than grateful Melanie had shown up un-expectantly and on her own terms.

….

Following Mrs. Malfoy up the stairs and down a corridor with several identical wooden doors, Melanie and the aging woman stopped across one at the very end of the hall way. Narcissa knocked and entered the room as Melanie stood outside, waiting to be invited in.

Narcissa was welcomed by the sight of her only child, stood gloomily before the human-length and only window in his room, staring out into the pond behind their house, where the trees grew dead and silent. It pained her, seeing him this way, and she hoped that was about to change. She forced a weak smile on her face. "Draco, dear. There's someone who wants to see you." She told. Draco eyed his mother, barely interested in what she was saying, but his undivided attention was gained when he saw just who his mysterious visitor was, which was immediately noticed by his beloved mother. She smiled. "I'll leave you two alone." Narcissa last said before heading out and closing the door behind her.

Melanie strolled in shyly, her heart jumping at the sight of him, so did his. He couldn't believe she was here, actually here, standing a mere few feet from him. He made his way to her with an expression she couldn't understand, and a part of her wouldn't stop yelling the fact that he probably hated her now, but she was non-the-wiser about how he truly felt.

Draco stopped inches before her. Melanie looked to the ground in shame, she didn't know what to say to him if that part of her was right. "I…You weren't answering my letters and I…" She trailed off when she felt him left her chin up, sending shivers up her spine. He looked deeply into her eyes, as if making sure she was real, and when he found what he was looking for, he found himself pulling her into his arms like he'd been needing to do for so long.

She was a bit taken aback by his reaction, but was also more than grateful for it. He didn't hate her. Her senses kicking in, she felt his warmth cover her, and she hugged him back with equal force, like it had been too long.

"I've missed you." She breathed, squeezing her eyes shut as she took advantage of every moment spent in his arms. He chuckled.
"I've bloody missed you." He replied, which only made her smile grow and her heart ache. They pulled apart, after a seemingly long time, when Draco noticed the odd, rectangular object, sitting on his desk. "What's that?" He questioned curiously. Melanie turned to see what he was speaking of, almost forgetting where she was.

"That…" She smiled, hurrying towards it. "is something I thought you might like having…" She trailed off, tearing apart the wrappings. Once completely uncovered, Draco had full view of what the rectangular object was; a painting, one that she had clearly done herself. It represented a lake, quite similar to the one at Hogwarts where they used to sit, surrounded by lush greenery of trees, flowers, and grass. Birds, rabbits and squirrels strolled back and forth within the wood-crafted frame of the painting, that she had magically improvised to move as if looking out an unnaturally bright window, weak waves and glimmering sparkles decorating the sky reflecting waters, soft winds blowing through the tree leaves and grass…it was beyond beautiful, even when simply representing nature itself, something Draco never learned to admire, until now. "Bloody hell, Redwing." He breathed from beside her, making her giggle at his dumbfounded face.

Taking hold of the painting, Melanie eyed the room for a proper spot to hang it, which was a lot. How someone could live without a single painting in their room was beyond Melanie. The room was spacious, and very bleak. Dark wooden floors, dark paneled walls, even dark, Victorian furniture! Melanie wished she had more paintings, or was at least allowed to paint these sight-killing walls, but she only had one sole solution, so it needed the best, most obvious spot, for him at least, a place where he'd be forced to see it for most of his time in the room.

In Melanie's mind, Draco was at a rough place in his life, and of all people, she knew what that was like, and the only place she leaned on to solve most of her problems, or at least, make them bearable, was being surrounded by trees, water, and sunlight. The painting was the closest thing similar to that, that she could offer him, hoping it would serve him the way it served her.

Eventually, her eyes fell on the wall right beside his green, curtained bed, across the window with a depressing view. Using her wand, Melanie hung the portrait right beside the Malfoy's bed, she then walked there herself and sat on said bed, viewing her work, squinting her eyes suspiciously, making sure it was the right spot. Draco followed in her steps, flopping down next to her. He hummed thoughtfully at the painting, she turned to him, wanting to see what he was getting at. "Something's definitely off." He told. Her eyes went a bit wider, worried that maybe it wasn't good enough, but then the Malfoy turned her way and smirked. "I like it too much." He said, his best attempt at flirting with the irresistible Redwing in his current mood.

"Oh, for god's sake!" Melanie yelled in annoyance, playfully punching his arm, making him chuckle at how cute she looked doing so.

And to think he'd been ignoring her, and the rest of the world, this whole time. He didn't mean to, he was just so caught up with everything that had been going on, but still, it didn't stop guilt from gnawing at him, after all, it was Melanie. "Listen, Mel." He started, and she knew, the minute he called her by her first name, or nickname, which rarely happened but was gradually increasing, that he was serious. "About the letters"-
"No, Draco. You don't have to apologize." She stressed, remembering the pile of unopened envelopes she'd took notice of on his desk when she'd entered the room. He'd been shutting the whole world out, and she didn't blame him, after all, the whole world was judging him and his family by the covers of a newspaper, except her that is, and she had to remind him of that, she had to remind him she was there for him, like he was there for her.

"You've been going through a rough patch; I don't blame you for needing some space." She assured firmly. Draco smiled at her gratefully, but the guilt was still there, if not more than before now. Her kindness was both a blessing and a curse to him. Melanie then smiled. "But, it's been two weeks, more than enough space, Malfoy. So, here I am." He smiled back, unable to express what he was feeling for the girl before him, his solace.

"About that," Draco started, perplexed, just then finding it strange. "how did you get here?" He asked.
"Grandma drove me over." She replied, the word 'drove' confusing him for a second, but he recalled Melanie and her grandmother's odd lifestyle, living like muggles. He'd always wondered why that was, and when he'd ask her, she'd make it seem as if it was his lifestyle that was off, and hers was just perfect, which, with the way she explained, made him believe it at many points.

"She agreed to bring you here?" He asked, more confused now. With the rumors about his family, he didn't think anyone, besides his mad aunt, would ever come to his house, but here she was, here she always was.

"Well, after a lot of uneasy convincing, she eventually agreed, yeah." She told. Draco scoffed slightly. She furrowed her eyebrows at him.
"I'd have been surprised if she'd come easy, with what the Prophet's been saying." He said.

Seeing it clearly now, Melanie observed Draco carefully. He was hurting, badly, and he was very angry. It bothered her greatly, she hated seeing him like this, she didn't think she ever had before. This was new to her, and she was baffled at the rage she was feeling for him, wishing she could make his troubles go away, but she couldn't, she could only ease the pain.

"Draco, look at me." She requested softly, and he did as told. Melanie placed a warm hand on his, making his heart jump, lost in her hypnotizing eyes. "I'm here now, and I want you to talk to me, about everything that's been going on. Let it out." Draco processed her words carefully. He wasn't used to this kind of treatment, wasn't used to having someone to talk to about what bothered him.

In the past few weeks, it had been him comforting his mother, telling her it would be alright, telling her things would get better, but, ironically, it was lies, all of it, but it was what Narcissa needed to hear as she poured out her burden of pain onto her unknowingly hurting son, without realizing the damage she was causing him, seeing her hurt like this. Now, he was being offered the chance to share this burden with someone he trusted, someone he knew cared deeply for him and, more importantly, wasn't actually involved in the situation. He was hesitant, but every part of him encouraged him to listen to the Redwing and do as she asked, so he did.

Draco let out a shaky sigh, eyeing their linked hands in a daze as he thought back to the day it all started. "Where on earth to start, Redwing?" He asked, mostly himself. Melanie smiled, glad that he was actually willing to share.
"Where ever you'd like."

….