His Saving Grace

Chapter 44 - Unconventionally Magnificent & Numb

Somehow, I gathered the strength to attend a funeral service in honor of my aunt. People who worked close to my aunt such as her lifelong assistant and other officials and high ranked members of the Ministry, fellow Hogwarts pupils and friends, some affluent families making an appearance for show, Headmaster Dumbledore, Tom and I all sat quietly registering the words spoken by the clergyman while displaying our darkened yet embellished attire.

I had pushed myself one step closer to culminating this chapter of grief knowing I had a chosen clan stronger than any blood relations, but the revelations my aunt made still haunted my memory and held me back from taking the final step towards gaining closure. I thought I knew her until having her slip from my fingers proved otherwise; now I only had an idea of her to hold onto along with her warning of impending dangers.

After the mournful yet emboldened discourse, my aunt was buried next to the rest of our family, leaving the Alastair name in my hands for good. Some of the people present took her burial as their cue to leave, but other individuals decided it was best to approach me and offer their words of condolences. I thanked them all for their kind words, even hugged a few people I had acquainted myself with. Then, a man that looked extremely similar to the Lestrange wanker at Hogwarts approached me.

"Miss Alastair, I am incredibly saddened by your loss... our loss.", the older man said. "Eleanor was truly a pleasure to work with and a one of a kind individual; carried herself a tad differently than your father, but nonetheless carried herself extremely well."

"Thank you, I appreciate your kind words.", I replied. "Sir, by any chance did you work with my aunt at the Ministry?"

"I did actually and I apologize for not introducing myself earlier, I am Radolphus Lestrange.", he answered revealing his identity. "I believe you are in the same year as my boy."

"Yes, I've ran into your son a few times. We are in the same year, but I was sorted into Ravenclaw so I run with a different gang of friends."

"Interesting... I know Mr. Malfoy and his boy Abraxas are somewhere around here and I could have sworn Tom Riddle sat next to you throughout the service. I believe Tom is quite acquainted with my son and, apparently, with you as well.", the older Lestrange added.

I wanted to believe the man had only good intentions with his inquiries and interesting word choice meant for some type of consolation, but I felt uneasy in his presence.

"Tom and I have been going steady for a few months now. His presence has provided me with great comfort during this difficult time.", I revealed to the head of the Lestrange household. "And yes, Tom has mentioned being well acquainted with your son."

"Hmm... well then, care to share a message?"

"Umm... sure sir."

Radolphus Lestrange took a look around, as if trying to assess his surroundings, and leaned into my ear to say, "Tell Mr. Riddle that we had been expecting him, but he disappointed us greatly."

"May I know why this specific message?"

"Tom will know."

"Alright then, if you'll excuse me sir.", I replied trying to find an escape from this eternal and alarming exchange.

I made my towards my aunt's tomb, where the few people left were placing all sorts of flowers onto the grey marble epigraph. I patiently waited until almost all invited had left the bounds, hoping to have silence consume the cemetery once again. At the moment, only one person was left; my aunt's assistant Cornelia who I had known for a huge part of my life.

"Cornelia, are you going to be okay?", I asked as I stood next to the fragile bodied older woman.

"Well of course! Your aunt, in her very strange ways of being, knew for quite some time that her fleeting moments on this earth were running out.", she solemnly replied. "She prepared me quite well for her departure. But Athena, will you be okay?"