Secrets (D.M)

grave

Adeline's grave stood in the crowded graveyard.
Draco, Neville, Luna, Pansy, Blaise stood above it.

"Orchideous." Draco cast his wand by her grave, a ring of pink flowers appeared. They lit up the graveyard in a slight way.

Neville's tears could've drowned Adeline.
"Adeline." Draco began "Cubby. Addy. I love you darling. I know you hate when I call you any of those names. But, I don't care, they mean something to me. I never replied to your letters... so I suppose this is me replying to them, aloud. I'm very well, thank you. But knowing you're no longer here, pains me. I know that you'd say something like 'I am a star now.' I know what you're like, your wild imagination. You were told lies your whole life, your real life was just secrets. No matter how bad things were, you forced a smile. This smile would light up a room. Your smile would make me feel loved, even when I know that there was nothing good happening, apart from you. My mother is completely distraught by your... death. She's nearly as sad as me! But I suppose my mother's quite emotional, after all. She loved you, not nearly as much as I loved you, but you were already her daughter in law.. in her eyes. I'd love to marry you, and live in the cottage. But I can't now. Knowing you're gone would completely put me off the idea of living in a cottage. I know your parents are absolutely beside theirselves, Pansy told me they were crying for a week. Said it was 'all their fault' and that 'they should never have joined the dark side.' But I suppose, that means it's my fault in a way. I was on the dark side. Knowing you're dead because of my type would always stick with me. I know, you'd comfort me right now, and tell me how it's not my fault.. you'd hug me. You always gave the best hugs, and they always reminded me of my mother's hugs.. warm and cosy. My arms feel empty now.. that sounds weird, like they're missing something. And they are, you. Cubby, I'll always love you. No matter what happens. I'll love you forever and longer. I have to confess, I bought a perfume that reminds me of you, that makes me sound like a complete idiot, doesn't it? You'd laugh at me for this. I miss your laugh, too. I s'pose this is goodbye, forever. But I know you're still with me, no matter what. I'll visit your grave as often as I can. Promise. I love you." Draco stood back and wiped his tears.

"You softy, Draco." Pansy laughed, fighting tears.

"Shut up. You speak, now."

And so Pansy did.

"I'm not great with words, Addy. And you know this, I'll try my best.. for you. I don't know where to start, to be honest. Your death made me sad for weeks on end, and I don't think I'll really get over it. As Draco said, mother and father are so sad. It's weird to think that up to the end of fourth year, we were enemies! Enemies, Addy. And now, we're best friends, sisters. I really miss you, already, Adeline. Draco's right, your smile did light up a room. Lightbulb!" Pansy wiped her tears and giggled. "And all the rooms are dim, without you. It's weird.. how badly someone's death can affect you. Knowing that they're not there.. but then you have a feeling that they're still with you. I still find it hard to believe that you're gone, believe it or not. You were too young to die, Adeline. I'm going to be a healer. I really am. Trust me. I've got to, really.. you told me that if something happens to either of us, we have to accomplish our dreams, to make eachother proud. That's what I'll do. I'll make you proud, Addy! Trust me... This is goodbye, isn't it? It's a sad goodbye, yes. But it's a good goodbye. Knowing that you could've heard me, is the best thing to know."

Pansy finished and wiped her tears. "Dramatic so-n-so, I am."

Draco laughed. "You have the audacity to call me a softie."

Pansy slapped him and smiled to Luna.

"Hello, Adeline! I can't find the right words.. but I know you could. And no, I'm not just saying that. I miss you. I'm sure you're with my mother, now.. you could have met her and told her I loved her, and still do. I love you, as well, Addy! You're so kind and funny.. always accepting me, too. I know that I can be.. well, 'looney' as everyone at school calls me.. I still have a year of school. It's going to be different, definitely. But I have Ginny, and other people. It's a shame Neville's not there next year. I'll try my best in DADA as that's what you told me I was good at. I don't have much to say. This is a quick goodbye, but it's meaningful, I'd say. My daddy would tell me I'm going on a bit.. but Draco went on for much longer than me. I remember the first time we met was because Draco was bothering you, now you love him, and he loves you." Luna looked at Draco. "So, goodbye, Addy! You're probably the brightest star now, I'll visit your grave as much as I can, too. Goodbye, I love you!"

Draco looked at Luna and tried to crack a joke, to brighten the mood. "You'd swear you were trying to steal Addy from me."

Luna giggled, and placed a bunch of flowers that she'd handpicked that morning, by the ring of flowers Draco had cast.

"Can I speak?" Neville asked.

"Course." Pansy replied, shoving her hands into her coat pocket.

"Adeline. It's all so sudden, this. I want you back more than anything. I think this pains me more than my parents did, at least I know they're still here. I never really knew them, but I knew you, well. And you're the best person to know. There's not a minute that goes by in a day that I don't miss you, well, maybe there is.. but not the point! I loved talking to you about my plants, since you were the only one that listened- besides Luna. Remember the day in the library? When the Carrow cursed me? Well, I'd take a million of those curses to get you back.. maybe not a million- because that could kill me.. but at least a few. If I was dead, after all, I wouldn't be able to see you! So.. that's it. I miss you, Addy. I miss you lots. And I'll become a professor at Hogwarts for you! Herbology. I could assist Professor Sprout, first. But yeah.. goodbye, Addy."

Neville blew a kiss to Adeline's grave.

Draco's face was blotchy from crying. He took some old parchment that was tightly wrapped with a pink bow out of his pocket. Adeline's letters.

"Darling, these are the letters you wrote me. I thought it would be best to leave them with you, as I know them off by heart, now. That's so stupid, but I miss you so bloody much. I know you'd miss me." Draco placed her letters on her grave, and kissed them.

"Goodbye, Addy." Pansy shouted.

Luna started crying. "I can't believe s-she's gone.."

"Nor can I." Draco wiped his eyes. "I s'pose it's happened now.. I was told to forget the past. But then when a major event like this happens, it's hard to move on."

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