A Life Worth Choosing

Chapter 6: Cissy's Confession

Draco woke up early Christmas morning to the sound of a `pop'. He looked around for the origin of the sound and his question was answered in the shape of a tea tray. On top of Draco's night stand sat a tray containing a pot of tea and two cups, filled to the rim. Between the cups laid a rolled up newspaper. Draco realized the sound was from Kiaree bringing the morning tea upon his mother's request.

“Draco?” Addison rolled sleepily to her side to face him. Her eyes were tired and her hair a mess. “When did you get in?”

“About three hours ago,” Draco confessed looking at his watch. “Tea?”

Addison sat up in the bed and took the offered cup.

“Ya Brits and your tea,” she laughed. “I like my with suga,” she said holding her cup out.

“No need,” Draco said refusing the cup. “Kiaree knows just how to make it to perfection. Go on, try it.”

Addison apprehensively placed the cup to her lips and took a sip.

“Vanilla Hazelnut. My favorite,” she exclaimed. “I thought you said this was tea?”

“It is. Kiaree's specialty. When your lips touches the contains, it instantly changes to your preference.”

“Then how's your taste?”

Draco took his first sip, and smiled, “Chocolate butterscotch. Kiaree has out done herself again.”

Draco crawled out of bed and started going through his closet for the day.

“So where did ya disappear off to last night?” Addison asked as she reached for the newspaper left on the tray.

“I told you, Diagon Alley,” Draco said reappearing from the dress room, with a fresh pair of robes thrown over his shoulder.

“Ah, shopping with Ginny,” Addison stated rather than questioned as she unfolded the newspaper.

“Yes, how did you know?” Draco asked sitting down on the bed.

Addison flashed the Daily Prophet before him. There on the front page was a photo of Draco and Ginny window shopping through the empty streets of Digaon Alley.

“Draco Malfoy Returns!” Addison read with a cinematic tone. Draco took the paper from her and continued the story aloud.

Draco Malfoy Returns!

D

raco Malfoy, 33, formally wanted as a Death Eater, has returned home to his Manor in the Wiltshire country side of Southwest England. He was spotted early this morning, shopping through the empty streets of Diagon Alley accompanied by Miss. Ginevra Weasley.

The Malfoy name was notoriously known for Draco's Death Eater father, Lucius Malfoy, who recently died in his cell of the wizarding prison Azkaban after being charged with many accounts relating to his support of He-Who-Was-Finally-Defeated.

Draco himself was once one of the most wanted Death Eaters on accusations for assisting in the death of Hogwarts' Headmaster Albus Wulfric Ignatius Brian Dumbledore, association with the werewolf Frenir Greyback, charges of being a Death Eater, and many more. (For a complete list of charges, please see section 8A).

Malfoy's charges were dropped, however, after his mother, Narcissa Black Malfoy Snape (recently married Hogwarts professor Severus Snape) and Head of the Aurors Office, Harry James Potter, had applied for an appeal to drop his appending charges back in October of 2005.

Malfoy, though he fled the country over fifteen years ago, was cleared of all charges after Potter had provided substantial evidence proving that he was in fact part of the battle planning in the battle that brought down You-Know-Who. Details about how he was involved have yet to be released to the public.

Though, in our history books, Draco Malfoy has come to be known as a hero, some are still weary of his return. When asked how they feel about knowing that Draco Malfoy was once again walking the streets of our Wizarding Country, here is what some had to say...

`This war has been over for ten years, now. If he wasn't a Death Eater, then why did it take him so long to return?' — Mrs. Finnigan of Ireland.

`I remember him from school and he wasn't a very friendly lad. He was in Slytherin house. Most of his friends turned out to be Death Eaters- Maretta Edgecombe Davies of London.

Though many express their concerns, Mr. Frank Blinko of Quality Quidditch Supplied did have this to say in favor of Malfoy:

`I've known and have done business with the Malfoy family for many years now, and I must say that Draco has turned over a new leaf. Such a sweet lad, nothing like his father. He may have Lucius' looks, but he has his mother's heart.'

Blinko, who was among the many shop keepers of Diagon Alley who had opened their stores at Malfoy's request, claims that Malfoy and Miss. Weasley bought a large order of expensive brooms, handed him a large sack of galleons, then walked out of the store.”

`He paid me twice as much as necessary,' says Blinko. `When I pointed this out to him, he smiled and said `Happy Christmas' then left.”

As most of you already know, when Draco left fifteen years ago, he left behind a mistress, Ginevra (Ginny) Weasley, along with her unborn twins, Kaeda Ginevra and Draco Arthur. The many shop keepers claim to have opened their doors expecting Malfoy's son, Draco who we have come to know as Junior.

`It was a shock really,” said Madam Malkins when interviewed early this morning at her robe shop. `We were all expecting young Junior and in walks Draco. He was definitely more delightful than I remembered him as a child and handsome. Why if I was just a few centuries younger'.

The Weasley, Snape, and Malfoy families were all unavailable for questioning at this time, however, you can assure that the Daily Prophet will be first in line to uncover the facts and answers of this breaking news.

— Rita Skeeter.

“That old bat is at it again,” Draco shook his head when he finished reading.

“Ya know this Skeeter woman?” Addison asked.

“Yes and she's trouble. Scandals are her specialty. She's bond to have a field day with this.”

“Mamma, Mamma!” Nate shouted running into the room. “It's Christmas,” he exclaimed jumping onto the bed.

As Draco watched the scene before him, he couldn't help but close his eyes and think about all the things he must have missed over the years.

“Draco,” He had barely stepped over foot over the threshold, and already her arms were wrapped around his neck. “I was so worried. Draco, it's been almost two weeks. You've missed three meetings. Where have you been?”

“Sorry Gin, I would have sent word, but he's watching me. He doesn't trust me anymore,” Draco said pulling back the musty curtains slightly to glance a peak of the outside to ensure no one followed him to the Muggle motel. “This was the first chance I got to sneak away,” Draco said turning his attention back to her. “I missed you, Gin.”

Draco pulled the witch into his arms once more and pressed his lips to hers.

“I'm sending for Harry,” she announced as they broke for air. “This mission is over. He can't send you back.”

She pulled out her wand and waved it int the air until a silvery lioness sprung to life from the tip of her wand, causing Draco to step back.

“Find Harry and make sure he is alone. Tell him that Draco is in danger and he can't go back.”

The lioness nodded and pounced through the walls as if they weren't even there.

“Ginny really. I have to go back,” Draco argued. “They are planning something. Something horrible. I can't just hide while all these terrible things are happening.”

“Well I'm not about to let you go back and be killed, Draco.”

Ginny turned and sat on the bed: her legs and her arms crossed. Draco couldn't see her face, through her mane of long red hair that blocked her face, but he had the sudden feeling that she was crying.

“Ginny, please don't cry,” Draco said sitting down next her and placing an arm on her shoulder.

“I just don't want anything to happen to you,” Ginny sniffed.

“I'm not going to get hurt. I promise,” Draco soothed her. “They are just watching me. I have to be more careful.”

He place two fingers under her chin and lifted her face until their eyes met.

“I'm not about to let them hurt me.”

“Good,” Ginny sniffed. “I wouldn't want all that hard work of healing you to go to waste,” she teased.

Draco leaned in to steal her lips once more when a loud `crack' interrupted them, causing Ginny to jump to her feet, and for Draco to fall to the floor.

“I came as soon as I can,” Harry said panting. “What's going on?”

They no longer trust Draco. You-Know-Who is keeping an eye on him,” Ginny announced before Draco had the chance.

“I was afraid this would happen. Every since he discovered that Snape was in fact on our side, he's been testing everyone's loyalties,” Harry said thinking hard. “What news do you bring today?”

“He's planning something,” Draco said. “Something big. He's really excited and he's been calling in all of his inner circle. I think it has to do with the giants, but I'm not sure.”

“Very well,” Harry nodded. “I guess your mission is over then. Take care of yourself.”

“No!” Draco exclaimed. “I'm not about to give up now. Do you have any idea what he is planning to do if he wins? He's planning on killing every Mudblood left alive and the Pureblood wizards will be forced to join his army. He's turning Hogwarts into a military school. And the Pureblood witches, well, the stronger ones he will `allow' to join his ranks, but the weaker ones will be forced into slavery. Attending to his soldiers' `needs'.

“Then he'll take his army over seas to other countries until all the Wizarding communities are under his command, and he's not stopping there,” Draco panted with anger as he continued. “He won't stop until the entire world, both Magical and Muggle are under his command. Muggles will then be turned into his slaves. No way am I'm just going to sit around and do nothing while this is going on.”

“I take it you want to continue then?” Harry said a little taken aback by the sudden rage in his eyes.

“Harry, please, they'll kill him,” Ginny pleaded.

“Sorry Gin, but it's up to him. If he wants to continue, he can. I can't force him to stop,” Harry explained. “Think it over and let me know. What ever your decision, I'll support you, but if your life is threatened just once, I will force you into hiding if I have to. You were taught their ways and we need your information,” Harry stopped to glance down at his pocket watch. “If you don't mind, I am due to meet Hermione and Ron for lunch.”

With another loud `crack', Harry was gone.

“How could you?” Ginny called across the room, tears filling up her eyes once more.

“Gin I have to. You haven't seen first hand what they do. They don't just kill, they torture before they do so in the most- I don't even want to think about it.”

“But I don't want anyone to happen to you, Draco. I love you!”

Draco froze unable to speak. It had only been a mere two weeks since that day at the stream, but Draco had to admit that he felt something long before that. He felt they had a connection, a connection that he couldn't explain let alone express. Without knowing what hit him, he answered:

“I love you too, Gin.”

“You do?” she asked looking up at him.

“Yes. That's why this is so important to me. How do you ever expect us to be together in a world ruled by the Dark Lord? How do you expect me to give up when he's planning those horrible things? I just want to protect you, Ginny.”

“Draco,” Ginny sobbed as she reached out for him, pulling him down upon the bed as she forced her lips to his.

“Draco, that creature thing is back,” Addison's voice snapped him out of his trance.

“Master,” the elf bowed low. “Mistress has requested master's presence in the family parlor, sir. Mistress will also like to see Master in Mistress' study before Master proceeds.”

“Thank you Kiaree, please tell my mother I will be there momentarily,” Draco said to the elf who disappeared with a `pop'. He turned to Addison and Nate who were snuggled together under the warmth of the blankets. “Come on you two, get up. We have the rest of the week to sleep in, let's go. There are presents to open.”

“Presents?” Nate's eyes widened at the very word.

“Of course, no go get dressed.”

Nate hopped down off the bed and dashed for the adjacent room.

“I better go help him,” Addison said climbing out of bed herself.

“Yes, be sure to where something nice. Mother thinks highly of appearances,” Draco announced as he tore off his night shirt to slip on a white dress shirt.

Draco hurried through his dressing and pointed his wand to hair to straighten out his golden locks, before throwing on a set of dress robes as he walked for the door.

“I'm going to meet with mother in her study. I'll meet you two down in the family parlor. I'll send for Kiaree to take you down there,” he called out before walking out the door.

“Mother?” Draco knocked on the door of his mother's study.

“Come in Draco, dear,” Narcissa's voiced carried out into the hall.

Draco opened the door and spotted her sitting in a chair by a cozy fire, sipping a cup of tea. Draco kissed her on the cheek before taking the seat opposite of her, and reaching for the cup of tea his mother had set out for him.

“Did you sleep well?” Narcissa asked when Draco was comfortable.

“Yes, for the few hours of sleep I did get, anyway.”

“Draco, don't slouch,” she snapped at him as he leaned back against the back of chair. “That happens to be the reason I called you hear this morning,” she pulled out a copy of the Daily Prophet. “I've trust you read it?”

Draco nodded, knowing that his mother had sent the tea and the paper for this particular reason.

“Reporters have been swarming around the gates all morning, and some have even tried to Floo us.”

“I apologize for the inconvenience mother, but I-” Narcissa held up a finger to stop Draco from continuing.

“First you disappear without a single owl, leading me to think you are dead. Then I discover that not only have you fled the country, but you left behind not one, but two heirs. Then even after the war, you still could not find it in your heart to contact your dear mother.”

“Mother I-”

“I'm not finished,” Narcissa continued, her voice still even. “After fifteen years, you show up unexpected and unannounced with two Muggles in tow. After I confined you to your quarters to give Ginevra and I time to sort out this mess, you deliberately disobey me and we find you spying on our family dinner.”

“I'm sorry for everything,” Draco shot in between breaths.

“And you top it all off this little shenanigan. Draco Abraxas Malfoy, I have only one thing to say to you.”

Draco closed his eyes waiting for the worse.

“I'm proud of you,” Narcissa finished.

“You what?” Draco asked hearing those words for the first time coming from the mouths of one of his parents since he was sorting into Slytherin house in his first year of Hogwarts.

“I'm proud of you,” she repeated softly. “You helped bring down the Dark Lord. You spawned two of the most brilliant children, and you did what any parent could hope for. You made a life for yourself on your own. However, about last night-”

Draco's smile faded as he knew this would be the reprimanding part of the conversation.

“I couldn't have been more prouder of you,” Narcissa says standing up, and walking over to Draco to take him into her arms.

“Sorry?” Draco asked confused.

“Most wizards in your position would think of themselves first. What are they are going to do with children? How would this change their life? But not you, Draco. You put them first,” she explained. “I saw all those packages in the kitchen. I know why you were in Diagon Alley last night and you are going to make two children very happy today. Not just because of all those presents you bought, but by the fact that you are still here. You could have easily took the next portkey home, but you stayed.”

“To tell you the truth,” Draco said when at last he was given the chance to speak. “I think I'm just as excited as they probably are and that's why I need to ask you something.”

“Anything,” Narcissa smiled.

“Would you mind if we hung around a little longer? Kaeda mentioned a Quidditch match against Hufflepuffs that I was hoping to stick around for.”

“Draco, our doors are always opened and your welcome here anytime.”

“Thank you, mother,” Draco kissed his mother's cheek one last time before attempting to get up.

“By the way, Draco dear,” Narcissa stopped him before he reached the door. “Harry will be stopping by to discuss this little incident and hopefully help us sort this all out,” she said waving the newspaper at him.

“Yes mother,” Draco smiled.

“Now let's get down there so my grandchildren can open up those lovely gifts you bought them.”

“Oh, the gifts,” Draco cringed. “I forgot to have them wrapped.”

“No need to worry,” Narcissa assure him. “Kiaree and Severus should be finishing up by now.”

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