A/N: So, like the insomniac I am, I fell asleep past six – overslept past when I was supposed to leave for work and so now updating this from work like a ninja. If I get caught, I'll probably get into A LOT OF TROUBLE. But I still hope you guys like the chapter. All loose ends will be picked up in the next chapter and you'll understand it all.
Thank you to: Alexybath, whitestripes123, semantics, xenaz3, weirdgiraffe, and JRRTFrk for reviewing.
Only one more chapter to go guys!
Chapter 39: Goodbye
The room was completely silent, save for the raspy breath of its only occupant. He lay there, apparently asleep as he had for the past three or so days. The entire house around him was ablaze with activity. Healers, nurses, co – workers, and friends - all working to figure out the mystery of the sleeping man. It was as if this room was the quiet core of a very busy world.
It seemed as if every room, save this one, had life. True, Draco Malfoy was very much alive. Indeed, he had a heartbeat, his chest rose and fell as he took in shallow, laboured breaths. This man was no doubt alive, but barely so. He was the very persona of death.
It could not be denied. The past ten years had not been pleasant to Draco Malfoy.
No one knew exactly what had happened to him. With the passing of his wife, nearly a decade ago, it was an unmistakable fact that he no longer held any lustre for life or any joy whatsoever, save perhaps for his son. He had dutifully run his business throughout the years, and he had been successful at it too. In public, he had been the epitome of graciousness, a true figure to follow. In private, he had respectfully entertained his guests and had been a model for his son.
But no one could deny that for the last few years, the cracks in his facade had become more apparent.
He had become weak. Physically weak, yes, but mentally still a genius. All one had to do was look at his ever growing empire and businesses to see that. But his body was failing him. It could be seen in his stature, the way his shoulders caved in when he thought no one was looking. It did not go unnoticed, but no one knew of the burdens he carried. It was undeniable how dull his eyes were when his son was not there to observe him, or how he could not walk in his gracious manner any longer.
Yes, it was very clear. Draco Malfoy was physically deteriorating. It had been a slow process, one that no one could stop. It was one that he himself probably would not want to stop. And so, his body weakened and this fact went unchecked by literally everyone around him.
He was physically being eaten away by pain and sorrow– but no one was able to notice.
Until one morning, Draco Malfoy did not get up from bed. It had been a curious thing, indeed. After all, he never missed breakfast when Scorpius was at home. However, only a week after his son had come of age, Draco had chosen to give up on his life it appeared. His body would tolerate the anguish no more.
So, he had lain there unconscious for three days, much to the dismay of his son. For, unbeknownst to Draco Malfoy, his son was very much indeed dependant on his existence. Scorpius did not know what he would do if his father were to die and leave him alone in a world filled with duty and responsibility. Tasks he had no idea how to complete without his father's ever present guidance.
But the father of the world's saviour was unaware, blissfully ignorant. And instead of resuming his duty as fate would have it, he lay there permeating a sickly pallor. His sorrow was so evident that it filled the room, creating an atmosphere that was too dark to bear for any amount of time.
And yet, besides all of this, if one was to carefully observe, there was a barely perceptible smile on his face – as if he had finally found peace somewhere, somehow in his mind.
Or perhaps he was not in his mind at all.
Perhaps Draco Malfoy had traversed into another world had had no intention to ever come back.
Draco:
"I don't understand," I finally said, looking at the both of them.
Hermione and Tom Riddle Jr. (whoever the hell he is) were both sitting next to each other side by side on our old couch in the old New York apartment. I sat in front of them, perched on the coffee table, attempting to understand what they were trying to tell me.
So far, it wasn't going well.
Riddle looked exasperatedly at Hermione. "I'm beginning to think that the inbreeding has affected his level of intelligence!"
Hermione scoffed and rolled her eyes, much to my amusement. "You're just jealous because he's ten times the man you'll ever be, Riddle," she said, smiling at my resulting grin. Riddle rolled his eyes and his cheeks held the tell tale signs of an embarrassed blush. Gods, I loved this snarky woman. "Besides, he's accomplished more than you have, so quiet down."
"That's right, Riddle," I couldn't help but add in to piss him off a little bit more. "Listen to the lady."
"Least I don't need a woman to fight my wars," he muttered to himself quietly. I would have let it slide, already content with my easily won victory, but Hermione coughed something that sounded suspiciously like "Bellatrix Lestrange" and Riddle positively glared. "Do you mind? We do have a lot of work to do you know!"
Hermione nodded, acknowledging him. Still grinning, she stared at me once more. "Basically, you have to go back to Earth. The prophecy hasn't been fulfilled yet, love."
"But how do you know?"
"Because we're still here, nitwit," Riddle snipped in.
I rolled my eyes. "Alright. But why does that mean it's because I didn't do something properly? It could be anything, can't it? How do you know it's something I have to do?"
From my view I could see Hermione's eyes soften and I knew I had given myself away. Riddle, of course, was oblivious to everything, so he continued blabbing on and insulting my intelligence. He kept going on and on about how I had created this perception of the world we were in, which clearly meant I wasn't dead, which in turn meant that I had to go back and finish what I had started. But clearly he didn't understand that that wasn't the issue.
I didn't want to go back. No, my Hermione was here. My place was here. I had done all of the deeds I had been sent to do on Earth. I had created the perfect life for my son, and I had done my part for the wizarding world.
My sins had been paid for. I was meant to be free. And I was going to keep it that way.
Yes, it was true. I had no intention to leave this...world, whatever this place was. Not any time soon, at least. Fate can go screw itself, really. I'd paid enough! I had finally reached some level of peace and she wanted me to go back through misery again?
" – which is why you simply have to –"
"You don't have to go, Draco," Hermione said quietly to me. She placed her hand on top of mine and squeezed reassuringly.
Riddle stared at her incredulously, as if she were the craziest thing he'd ever seen. "What do you mean he doesn't have to go? Of course he bloody has to go! This is the last part, I'm sure of it!" When Hermione didn't answer him, he got up and stormed out of the apartment shouting all the way down the hall. "Bloody imbeciles! Can't count on them to do anything!"
After he had left, we sat there in silence. It wasn't an awkward silence, but it was very heavy nonetheless. There were things the both of us were unwilling to say – things, now that Riddle was no longer in the room, that were at the forefront of our mind just waiting to spew forth. But we took the moment as it was. Quiet, reassuring, and perhaps just a little more pleasurable than I was now used to.
"Did you really mean it?" I finally broke the silence. "I really don't have to go back if I don't want to?"
Hermione nodded. There was something in her eyes that I couldn't place... some kind of strong determination. "I meant it," she said, squeezing my hand again.
Suddenly, I couldn't look her in the eye anymore. I wanted to say so many things. I wanted to let her know how much I loved her, how much I appreciated all that she'd done for us. How she was the most wonderful person I'd ever had the pleasure of knowing. But instead, when my mouth opened, I said the one thing we both were dreading to hear. I simply was not able to stop myself.
"When you... left..." Hermione cringed at my words. "I was very... lonely." I was afraid to look up. If I witnessed the tears I knew were there on her beautiful face, it would be my undoing. "I was very broken."
My breathing was suddenly harsh, as if to speak of the ordeal I'd gone through for so many long years was to bring it back to me.
"I know, Draco," she whispered, hoarsely. "I know."
"I couldn't do it again," I told her, weakly. "I did it for Scorpius, but now he has everything he needs." I looked at her now, found the tears in her bright chocolate coloured eyes. It was important that she know this. "I gave him everything I could, Hermione. I did everything possible..."
"I know you did, Draco."
I nodded, glad that she understood I had fulfilled every duty that was mine. We fell into silence again.
"Draco?" she finally asked, after a moment.
"Yes, love."
"I don't want to stay here forever." I regarded her expression curiously. It was as if she were afraid of what I was about to say.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"This world... it's like purgatory," she whispered. "No one told me when I was alive that to be stuck here was... was...like this!"
My eyes widened. Purgatory? This place? I looked around myself. No, this couldn't be purgatory... this was our apartment. I could live here forever and not worry about a thing. How could anyone call something as beautiful as this place purgatory? I was a little surprised, to say the least. I had thought I'd been the one suffering all of these years, but it seemed Hermione had not had it any better.
"This... is purgatory," I stated, hoping she'd clarify.
"What you see here is simply... a reflection of your own mind. I'm not physically here, Draco." I touched her face but she only shook her head. "For me, you are simply a voice. I see what you are thinking, the images you produce in your mind...but... for me, it's simply a big, blank, white screen..."
White screen. Well, this was an interesting development. What would it feel like to live on a white screen for ten years? I imagined it wasn't so pleasant, but...
No, there were no excuses. It wasn't acceptable. Hermione had suffered. At least I'd had friends and Scorpius. I'd had a life. She'd had nothing, only half dead and in a world where all you could hear were voices.
" – But, I understand if you don't want to go back. I can stay here with you, it isn't as bad as being alone, after all." She smiled at me, suddenly, kissing my cheek and then my lips. "I missed you terribly."
I held her in my arms, still so tired. "You have no idea."
Wiping her tears away, I realized what I'd have to do now. This was the final push. I'd have to go back, for Hermione. She couldn't stay here forever... she'd said it herself. And I certainly didn't want to stay in a place where I could not see her. She was too beautiful to forego...
She was stroking my hair again and the action soothed me as it always had. I kissed her again, holding her as close to me as I possibly could. This was it. This was the time for me to get everything done. For the sake of humanity and all that shit.
I actually had no idea what I'd do when I'd get back on Earth. But if I'd learned anything from how to handle things from the Golden Trio, it was to take things one step at a time, yeah? Besides, this prophecy business was very...shoddy. One never knew what one was supposed to do until the time came. And then fate mysteriously "gave you a sign". Bloody bullshit if you ask me, but I had to at least attempt something. For my family's sake.
"How exactly do you get back to Earth?" I asked her wearily.
"Are you sure? You don't have to you know..."
"I know."
She kissed me again and whispered a thank you. We sat there for a few more minutes, being selfish and greedy – basking in each other's presence. And then we were both aware that it was high time for me to leave. It was urgent... this was the perfect moment. Everything had built up to this.
"Just close your eyes," she whispered. I did, my lids falling over my tired eyes. "Now focus and find your place. You'll know exactly where to go."
At first, I had no idea what she was talking about. But then, I felt it. It was tugging at me, pulling me towards it. A force so powerful that I could barely resist it. And then, I was falling.
And everything went black.
/
My body was wracked with pain. I'm not sure if that was because I'd been lying prone in bed for days on end or because my body was finally punishing me for not taking care of it properly – but it fucking hurt! When I finally opened my eyes (which I barely managed, that's how tired I was), I was met with the sight of Scorpius closing my curtains more tightly.
"No," I croaked. "Leave them open."
He spun around to stare at me, surprised that I was awake. He rushed to my side and offered me a glass of water from my bedside table, which I gratefully accepted. He lifted it to my lips and I greedily drank as if it were to be the last sips of water I'd ever get.
Well, maybe not the last. Second last?
Even I knew I didn't have much time left in this world. My body felt like it would give out at any second. I felt I was about to pass out, have an aneurism or something. Was this my sign? Was fate trying to tell me to hurry the fuck up and get over with things?
Scorpius reached for a potion that was sitting corked on my bedside table. I shook my head at him, indicating he should sit down at the edge of my bed instead. He hesitated for a moment, considering what was more important, but finally obedience and respect won over.
I weakly reached for his hand. He clasped mine in both of his own.
"You have so much farther to go, Scorpius. A lot lies ahead of you," I told him. Speaking was truly a burden. I could feel my lungs wanting to collapse and every word brought a sharp pain to my chest. It was as if Scorpius could sense my discomfort, because he helped me lay down in a more comfortable position. I stared up at him. "You don't need me anymore. You have everything you need, son."
He began to cry silently. "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do, father," he whispered. His voice was tortured.
"Then you do what seems right to you. I trust in your judgement." I coughed and watched him struggle with the idea.
"What will I do without your guidance, papa?" he asked, finally breaking down.
"You're going to go much farther than I've ever even thought of. And that is for you, love, not for me to decide. You're going to do a lot of things because you're a brilliant person, not because it's expected of you. You're going to destroy everyone's expectations. You're going to go beyond them."
"What do you expect of me?" He seemed afraid, as if I was about to judge him. As if I were about to lay down the path of his life with my next few words. We both knew my time was slowly coming to an end. At least, I thought he was able to sense it.
"I expect you to be a good person," I told him slowly, watching for his reaction. "I expect you to honour your mother's and my name. I expect you to accomplish whatever it is you want in life. That's it, Scorpius. I'm happy with whatever you're going to do."
He was afraid.
"The world needs more people like you, son," I said. "It needs heroes. Not many people are strong enough to step up and take that role. I think you are."
He shook his head. "But father –"
"I believe in you. Your mother has always believed in you as well." His eyes had a distinctly red quality to them, as if he'd been crying for hours. "You're going to rule the world one day, sweetheart."
My breathing was shallow and I knew it was time to go. He sensed it too. "Please, papa. Don't..."
He hadn't called me papa for years, not since he was a little boy. The name brought memories to the forefront of my mind, caused my heart to twinge in regret. I was leaving him here to fend for himself, after all... even if I had made a life for him to live.
"Go to my desk, open the last drawer," I told him, urgently, gasping for breath. He did as he was asked and quickly returned with a file that I had slowly been adding to for years. I had only just finished it last week, in fact. Just one day before Scorpius had become of age. "I want you to have it."
His eyes widened at the title and I understood why. I had given him my last legacy. The book that I had been working on for nearly half of my life was now in his hands. The only copy. And he would be the first to read it.
Apathy: Love for the Broken.
"I love you," I gasped.
I was not sure if he had managed to decipher my pained words, but it would have to be enough. I hoped I had done all there was to do – I hoped Scorpius would have enough to go on when it was time to make decisions.
I had now done everything I could.
And so, my body gave way and I lost consciousness. This time, though, there was no way to come back, not even if I wanted to. And suddenly, I was sad. Yes, I would now have Hermione forever. But I was leaving behind my son, someone who I loved so dearly that it made my heart ache. But I knew he was in safe hands. After all, he had Potter to guide him should he need the help.
My job here was finished.
And with one last laboured breath, I took in the last bit of oxygen to live. Eventually, that too was used up by my body and I was gone forever from this world.
/
My eyes opened to a bright light. It was not bright enough to hurt my head (surprisingly, my head didn't hurt at all) and I felt whole. I hadn't felt this whole since well before the war. Perhaps not since I was a child.
Somehow I knew that my soul was fixed once more.
I could hear many voices. It was a loud din of conjoined congratulations, but I could not make out any individual people. It was confusing. What exactly was going on? I knew I was dead – I'd just gone through the painful process myself... But all I could see was white bright light.
"You did it, Draco!" Hermione literally squealed at me.
I looked around for her but I realized I couldn't see anything, not even myself. Was this what Hermione had had to live through all of these years? Was this what I was going to have to live through for all of eternity?
As if sensing my thoughts, Hermione answered my questions. "No, we're leaving soon, love," she told me.
"What are we waiting for?" I asked her.
She laughed. "Nothing. Nothing at all." I could feel her warm glow from somewhere around me. Or was it just her thoughts? This was too confusing. Conceptually impossible to categorize. However, for purgatory, it wasn't too bad of a joint at least.
"I suppose this is goodbye," said someone who I assumed was Riddle. "Congratulations," he stiffly offered as if it positively pained him to do so. I bet it absolutely did. I wasn't sure exactly why he hated me, but I found I no longer cared. He could hate me all he wanted, but he would now have to respect me.
"Thank you," I said, simply.
There was a light brighter than anything around me. I was drawn to it. I could sense Hermione was as well. Was this what was going to take us away from here?
"Try your best to reform, eh, Riddle?" I heard Hermione say. "It would be a shame to be stuck here for the rest of eternity, wouldn't it?" The light was calling me. Was this absolutely necessary? I wasn't sure I could stop myself from entering it...
"Eh... The world would be a dark place if my intellect was not there to guide it." Hermione laughed, but I could tell her heart was not in it. "I wish you the best, though. And you too, blondie. Take care of her." That surprised me. I wanted to nod, but I found that I couldn't. There was nothing there to nod. I didn't exactly have a body.
"Will do," I said, instead. Or thought, I suppose... This was an absolute mind fuck.
"Goodbye," Hermione said. Many voices returned her farewells. Some even said goodbye to me and I awkwardly returned them as well. "Let's go."
And so, as we were fully drawn into the light, the end of all conscious thought came. I was aware of Hermione's thoughts conjoining with mine and we were one. The last thing Tom Riddle was aware of was the sealing of a gate through which we had gone through and then nothing more.
Our parts were officially completed and we were gone.
It was the end of a legacy and the beginning of another.
A/N: IMPORTANT! I will not be updating on Friday next week, I will be updating on SATURDAY! I hope that's not too big of a deal.
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Alexybath: Hey, I didn't promise a completely brilliant ending. I think you'll find this chapter much the same. Let me know how you liked it!