Transfixed: A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction

Chapter 79- Forgiveness

I awoke to the sound of the ocean.

I opened my eyes slowly, groggily, as the brilliant blue of a daytime sky came into focus.

I braced myself to feel pain... but felt nothing except for the soft sand underneath me.

This couldn't be real.

I propped myself up onto my elbows and swiveled my head from side to side to get my bearings. I was home.

To my left was the ocean, waves lapping lazily onto the shore. The turquoise color of the water seemed brighter and more dazzling than usual, as if it were laced with crystals. The sand seemed brighter too, almost white instead of its usual shade of honey.

To the right was my house, nestled in the distance. It looked just as it always had: big, rustic, inviting.

The only sound I heard was the ocean — no voices, cars, or birds. I couldn't even hear the sound of my own breathing. It was almost as if I wasn't breathing at all.

Yet to my amazement, I could stand. I did not stand shakily or with any difficulty; I merely stood and looked around. I was not in my Hogwarts robes anymore. Instead, I was wearing a long white dress, which flowed around my ankles. It was sleeveless, and I held out my arms to feel the sun on my skin. It was warm, but not hot. It felt perfect.

My hair swirled in waves down to the middle of my back, nearly touching my waist. My skin was free from dirt and dried blood, and I felt as if I had just awakened from a perfect night's rest. I knew I should have felt frightened, or confused. But I didn't. I just felt a calming, tranquil bliss envelop me from head to toe, and I didn't try to fight it.

I peered into the distance to see a figure walking towards me through a sudden fog, which had not been there moments ago.

"Hello?" I called out to the figure, but I did not receive a response. Maybe they couldn't hear me.

"Hello?" I called again, louder this time, but still unafraid. My voice did not shake or crack; it was loud and clear, almost as if I were singing.

Then, the figure came into view. It was my dad.

"Daddy!" I cried. I took off running towards him, although it felt more like flying. I threw myself into his embrace, and he held me tightly. "Oh Dad, I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too," he said. "You've fought bravely, Audrianna. I am so proud of you."

I felt a twinge of something — confusion, maybe — as I heard that. Up until that point, I had only felt peace, but hearing his praise brought a sense of hurt.

"You... shouldn't be proud of me," I stuttered. "I've done terrible things, things that would make you very disappointed."

I looked into my father's eyes as he smiled gently at me. He gestured to the long stretch of shoreline in front of me, which seemed to go on forever.

"Let's take a walk," he suggested kindly.

We walked along the edge of the water, and the water was warm as it lapped quietly at my feet. Questions began to swirl in my head.

"Am I dead?" I asked, a hint of timidity creeping into my voice.

"Yes and no," my dad replied. "You were hit with the killing curse by Bellatrix LeStrange, and your consciousness has drifted here, but your heart has merely paused."

I stopped walking, trying to comprehend what he just said. "How... how is that possible?" I asked breathlessly.

My dad turned back and held out his hand. "Let's keep walking, my dear. I will explain everything."