disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does

Chapter 25: Forgive and Forget

For a few minutes she didn't even look at the package. She truly was so ashamed. She wanted to give up, honestly. She didn't want to have to work only to end up struggling again. She didn't want to have to see Draco, only to know that someday he might be gone. And she especially hated how she was right now. She didn't want to have to wake herself up to reality and to go back to being herself. She glanced at the box next to her. On the tag that was attached it read:

To my Alina:

I'm sorry I couldn't come, something's come up.

Since I can't be there to comfort you or to cheer you up,

this is your Christmas present.

Love,

Draco

Slowly the tears fell, one by one onto the box. She cried into her knees, and cried continuously until an hour later, after she had thrown a fit and thrown any possible thing, hitting the dresser near her in self-hate. After an hour she was exhausted, drained, her head pounding and her hand aching. She opened the packaged finally and found a set of soap, bath salts, potions, bubblebath, candles, a bahtrobe and slippers, chocoaltes and a leather-boudn blank diary. She took the box with her to the bathroom and turned the faucet on, letting the rising steam envelop her and soothe her. Looking in the mirror she saw that her eyes were puffy with the amount of crying she had done, and knew that in the morning they'd still be that way. She undressed and lowered herself into the tub slowly, and immediately calmed down.

Eventually, after an hour or so she unconsciously fell asleep for fifteen minutes. She woke up, sweating although she was in the bathtub and a sudden chill overtook her. Getting out of the tub she realized her fingers and toes were all pruny and she felt even colder as the cool air in the bathroom hit the water on her skin and shivered. Grabbing the bathrobe and quickly putting it on, she sat down on her bed.

She spent on hour in reflection and finally made a decision. Packing and stuffing her things quickly into a suticase, she sent a letter to Dumbledore informing him of her return at the end of the week. The next morning she told her family, who was sad for her to go, but glad to see her in a better mood. While she ate breakfast by herself (the family was out at the park for the day) the doorbell rang and she scrambled to get it. As she opened it she quickly made a move to close it, but he was too quick and too strong.

"It'll only take a minute." He said and pushed the door open. Where was her wand when she needed it? "They took my wand, you're fine." He said and entered the house.

"You're supposed to keep at least twenty-five feet away from me," she backed away slowly.

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry Alina,"

"Just stay away David,"

"Alina, I can't let you go without you knowing that I'm sorry. And without your forgiveness."

"You must be joking," Alina said, looking around her for her wand.

"Alina," he walked up to her and touched her cheek. She froze and pushed his hand away. His face darkened for a moment, but became solemn and serious all of a sudden. "I know you can't trust me, but at least accept my apology,"

Not knowing what to say or do, she simply nodded, wishing him to go away. "Thank you Alina.." he looked at her. She regained her composure and stared at him with disgust. Sighing he said "I love you still, Alina, remember that." And he turned and left. That would be the last thing she would ever hear him say. Sighing with relief she shut the door behind him and continued to pack as quickly as she could. That night she apparated after saying goodbye to her family and arrived in front of Sean and Emilie's house.

For the remainder of the week she spent the time recovering emotionally and Jason, their baby boy who had now grown a lot since she had last seen him, helped her to smile again. She waved goodbye to them as she left on Platform Nine and Three Quarters, and enjoyed the solitary ride by herself. Once again she had obtained the eagerness and anticipation she had of seeing her sister and her dormitory. And once again she was eager to see Draco. Her thoughts quickly focused on him. She missed him- even when he had not been there he had been able to help her.

She gave herself to daydreams as she observed the lake from a distance, riding in the carriage pulled by thestrals to the front entrance of the school. She wondered if she was dressed to Selena's approval. Grinning, she agreed with herself that it didn't matter, and that she didn't care. First taking a deep breath, she pushed a door open and entered the Hall.

Eyes slowly turned towards the entrance, not realizing at first that someone had come in until they saw Selena get up. She hesitated for a second and Alina wondered how she would react. She had little time to think about that however, as Selena ran to her and met her with a huge hug, making Alina cry with appreciation. It had been fully a month now since she had been at Hogwarts and the atmosphere was warm and inviting.

She looked towards the Slytherin table. No Draco. Worried and confused she asked Selena where he was.

She whispered to her quietly "He's gone to St. Mungo's- his mother's mind has been addled and damaged terribly. He left a few weeks ago." Alina looked at her, shocked.

She looked at the staff table, where all the professors were looking at them. Dumbledore in particular was looking at her with a certain curiosity and cheerfulness. She headed towards the front of the Hall and boldly went up to the HeadMaster.

"Professor, if you don't mind- I hear that Draco's mother-"

"You may go. A fireplace will be arranged for your use this evening. Report to my office promptly at 8 o'clock."

"Thank you so much," Alina smiled, wiping away the tears she had cried after seeing her sister. She gazed at her watch. It was seven.

"You don't seem to have recovered as quickly as I would've liked you to while you were away," Dumbledore said. Alina looked down, slightly ashamed.

"Go, eat first and then you may go see him. The password is 'Piggly Puff'. Amusing things, they are." Nodding in obedience (as well as confusion, not understanding what Piggly Puffs were) Alina left and sat with Selena, and was quickly greeted by the Golden Trio and Ginny.

At the stroke of eight Alina arrived at Dumbledore's office. "Piggly Puff." Dumbledore stood by the fireplace holding a small pot in his hand. "Here you are. I trust that you know how to use the Floo powder?"

Nodding, she grabbed a handful and tossed the powder into the fireplace which emitted green flames. Stepping into it, she yelled "St. Mungo's!"

Coughing, she stepped out of the fireplace and brushed dust off of her clothing. She quickly rushed to the front desk and asked for a Narcissa and Draco Malfoy.

"Relation?"

"Um, girlfriend." she said in a rush. The clerk looked her over.

"You poor dear- so fragile. Level Three, Room E 27."

"Thank you," she said while she sped towards the elevator. She rushed down the hallway, looking left and right for a room E 27. Towards the end of it she came to the room and was about to rush in when she heard voices inside. Calming herself down she knocked, and then slowly entered. Upon the bed closest to the door she saw a middle-aged blond woman who looked much like Draco. A Healer stood nearby, patting Draco on the back. Draco seemed like he would punch him, but thought better of it. She gasped as she watched Draco, who was sitting next to who she guessed was his mother, bring his hand over her eyes to close them. Draco looked up.

Suddenly shy and afraid, she backed out of the room and turned away, putting her hand over her mouth and began to walk away. She had never got to see her Uncle before he died, while he was staying across sea in St. Mungo's. She had only seen him at his funeral, and that had been horrible enough. She soon found a bathroom and vomitted once more.

A/N: Okay, so maybe it wasn't such a cheery chapter, but it is supposed to get a litte less depressing eventually.. it will balance out later :)