All Harry Potter Characters don't belong to me.
The Source - Chapter Fifteen
"Speaking"
<Thinking>
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It was early December now and the first snowflakes of the year were falling today. Everyone was extra cheerful and very excited because it meant that Christmas was near.
The Owl post came in that morning and Draco received a letter. He read it and then walked out the Great Hall rigidly. Draco was missing for the rest of the day, he didn't go to any classes and no one had seen him at morning tea or lunch. No one thought to go look for him, except for one very observant and caring Gryffindor, Ginny.
Right after her last two periods Ginny went around to where Draco usually hung out but still couldn't find him. Her last spot to look was on the roof, and that was exactly where she found him. Though Hogwarts had many towers they still had small sections of flat roofs, which could be accessed by old dusty stairways. This particular rooftop was the small section facing the lake and if you stood up and looked far enough you could also see Hogsmead.
Draco was sitting in the middle of the flat roof with his knees bent upwards and his arms resting on top of them. Ginny was hiding behind a small section of wall and she saw that he had a piece of paper scrunched up in his hand.
"You can come out," Draco said, just loud enough for her to hear.
Ginny was shocked by him suddenly speaking but knew that he was referring to her. She stepped out from behind the small wall and walked towards him. She stood beside him for a second and followed his gaze out onto the lake.
"What do you want Weasley?" he asked, his gaze still fixed on the lake.
Ginny sat down next to him, "I didn't see you at morning tea or lunch. I also heard that you haven't been to classes at all today, so I just wanted to see what was wrong."
Draco turned his head and looked at Ginny. His eyes were blank and lifeless. They weren't even cold or stony, but just blank.
He looked at the piece of paper in his hand and then handed it to Ginny. She straightened the piece of paper and read its contents.
Dear Young Mr. Malfoy.
We are sorry to inform you that your father, Master Malfoy has just passed away. It happened last night and was quite sudden so there was nothing we could do.
My most sincere regards,
Healer Kaplan
Ginny didn't know how she felt. Lucius Malfoy had just died. The evil man who had nearly caused her death in her first year had died. She should be happy, but she wasn't.
Ginny placed her hand on Draco's arm. "I'm sorry Malfoy," she said trying to comfort him.
Draco didn't look at her and instead was staring at the lake below. He then felt a sudden urge to talk to her.
"You know Weasley, contrary to popular belief; I really cared about my father. Though he was strict, he expected the best from me because he believed that I could be the best and the best is what I should always give."
Draco balled his hands in fists and clenched his jaw. Ginny could tell he was trying really hard not to cry.
"I am what I am today because of him, and I never got a chance to say thank you. He pushed me to my limit so I could achieve my finest and he also saved my life. He died for us Weasley. He died for me and my mother, but I never got a change to thank him."
Draco had his head slightly bent and was slightly trembling because he was holding back the tears so strongly. Ginny gently lifted Draco's head up with her hands and looked him in the eyes.
"You don't have to hide your tears from me, Malfoy," she said softly.
Draco searched Ginny's eyes and saw all the concern and worry she had for him. He felt that what she said was true and he didn't have to hide, so he allowed a tear to roll down his cheek. When it reached Ginny's finger she brushed it away quickly, so it appeared as if it had never been there before.
The sound of a creaking door caused Draco to whirl his head to the side. It was Pansy Parkinson coming through the door and up onto the roof. He turned his head back to face Ginny but saw that she had already left.
"Malfoy, I've been looking everywhere for you. Dumbledore wants to see you in his office right away," Pansy huffed.
Draco looked around frantically trying to spot where Ginny had gone but after seeing nothing he headed back down with Pansy.
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Draco reached the entrance to Dumbledore's office and the statue automatically opened up to let him enter. When he opened the door to the head masters office he immediately saw Dumbledore at his desk and his mother sitting on a chair.
When Draco had stepped into the room they both stood up to greet him.
No one said anything and Draco was just staring at his mother. Narcissa was also looking at her son intently.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and walked from behind his desk, "I think I'll leave you two alone for a while." He then left the room.
Once he was gone, Draco dropped the placid look from his face and Narcissa started to cry.
"Draco," she managed to choke out and Draco went to hug his mother, "he's gone, Draco. He's really gone." Narcissa's crying had died down a bit but she was still weeping.
Draco let his mother cry all she wanted until he spoke,
"I'm sorry, Mother. I'm so sorry. It's all my fault and…"
Narcissa didn't let him continue and held his face firmly to look into his eyes. "Draco, you listen to me. Your father loved you and he didn't regret what he did."
"But I betrayed him, Mother. I fought against him."
"It doesn't matter. You are still his son."
Narcissa had stopped crying now and was just looking at her son. The only remaining link she had of her husband. Draco sat down on the chair next to her and was now holding her hand.
"What are you doing here, Mother?" he asked.
"I came here to ask if you could leave school a bit earlier to attend your father's funeral."
"What did Dumbledore say?"
"He said it would be fine. But you'll have to collect homework from your teachers so you can do it at home. This is a very important year for you Draco."
"I know, Mother. Did he say when I could leave?"
"He said whenever you were ready."
"Then we'll leave tomorrow."
"Alright, I'll be staying at Hogsmeade in the mean time, so just come and find me when you are ready."
Draco nodded. Narcissa ran her hands through Draco's hair and looked at his handsome face. He was the exact replica of her husband and was her one and only precious son.
Her face then showed signs of panic. "I heard that your Vervexia had returned Draco. Are you all right? How did it happen?" she asked worriedly.
Draco took his mother's hands from his head and held it reassuringly, "I'm fine, Mother. It's been taken care of. No need to worry."
Narcissa sighed. "No mother in the world could stop worrying about her baby," she said affectionately.
Draco smiled, "Please, Mother, it's embarrassing."
Narcissa smiled back meekly, "Alright, you can go back down now Draco. I still have to tell Dumbledore about our arrangements."
Draco got up from his seat and left the room. Dumbledore was waiting outside his office talking to Fawkes, his Phoenix.
"Professor, my mother would like to speak to you," Draco said to him.
Dumbledore nodded. "I am terribly sorry about your loss Draco," he said sincerely.
Draco just nodded and walked down the hall while Dumbledore walked up to his office with Fawkes to meet Narcissa.
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Draco was waiting in his room that night for Ginny to arrive. He needed to tell her he was going away.
He finally heard Ginny walking into his room and looked up to greet her. Once she came into view he gestured for her to sit in the chair next to him.
"Where did you disappear to Weasley?" he asked quietly. He was referring to how she left the roof so suddenly.
"I just sneaked away quickly, couldn't let Pansy Parkinson see me with you. It would cause a lot of questions to be asked."
Draco just nodded. "I have to leave tomorrow morning," he said quietly.
Ginny also nodded. "I know. You have to go to your father's funeral."
Draco didn't bother asking her how she knew. She wouldn't tell him anyway. And he was kind of getting used to her knowing everything.
Ginny took a piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it to him.
"You're going to have to hire a personal Healer to make your medicine every night for you. Here are the ingredients and your symptoms. It should be pretty easy to find someone to do it." Draco took the piece of paper and put it in his pocket.
"Thank you Weasley," he said softly.
Ginny smiled. Draco hardly ever thanked anyone unless it was something really worth his gratitude.
"You're welcome, Malfoy."
Draco looked up and smiled. It looked like a smirk but Ginny could see it was smile. There was a very little difference, which not many people could tell apart.
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Early next morning, before everyone was even up yet, Draco had packed a small trunk of books and clothes to take back home. He walked out of the school and to the front grounds area, where a carriage was waiting for him to take him to Hogsmeade. He dumped his trunk in and was bout to step inside the carriage when someone came running out the front doors, slamming them in the process.
It was Ginny, and she was holding a package while running towards him.
Draco stood there waiting for her to arrive and when she did, he gave her a few seconds to catch her breath before he spoke.
"What are you doing, Weasley?" he asked.
Ginny had caught her breath now and was looking up at Draco, "I wanted to give you this," she handed him the package.
He accepted it but was quiet surprised that she was giving him something.
"Well I better go now, Malfoy. I'll see you when you come back," and then she dashed back into the castle.
Draco shook himself from his stunned state and hoped into the carriage.
While travelling to Hogsmeade Draco took the chance to open up the parcel Ginny had given him.
The parcel felt soft and light, and when he un-wrapped it, he found a dark green scarf and a letter. He placed the scarf to the side and read the letter.
Malfoy,
I know you love the cold weather, but it will be difficult to cure your Vervexia if you get sick, so please use this gift wisely. I was planing to give it to you before the Christmas break but seeing as you will not be here during that time I thought I'd give it to you sooner. Be strong Malfoy. I believe you are more than capable of that.
Draco picked up the scarf and examined it. It was a homemade scarf, which meant she probably knitted it herself. The design was nice and the wool she used felt very soft and warm.
<She must have rushed to finish it last night> he thought.
He then lifted it up and wrapped it around his neck. It really was very warm.
Draco met his mother at Hogsmeade where they travelled back to Malfoy Manor by Floo Powder.
Ginny spent the next two weeks of school doing what she used to do before she had to meet Draco every night, and found it was quite boring.
End of Chapter Fifteen. Thanks for reading and I Hope you Review.
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