Falling for the Enemy||Draco Malfoy Love Story Fanfiction

Chapter 49

Chapter 49: A better place

Merielle took several deep breaths as they crossed the grass. Her mother's grave was in a grove they had created, tucked away on the edge of the mansion grounds. The grove had been specially designed. It had special magical wards around it to let anyone come and pay their respects, but would keep out anyone wishing any harm. Those visiting from outside the mansion could only enter the grove, and not the rest of the mansion. It was bordered with a ring of blossom trees that scattered delicate blossom petals around them. Merielle and Clarice passed under an intricate gold gateway woven with branches, leaves and flowers. At the top, the Stargline family crest glittered in jewels and two diamond stars were placed on either side. The words carved just underneath read:

SAVANNAH'S GROVE

DEDICATED TO SAVANNAH STARGLINE WHO LIES HERE R.I.P

Merielle swallowed. Clarice sensed her nerves and placed a firm but reassuring hand on her arm as they continued into the grove. There were a few flower bushes too, with magical lights strung around the few other trees. The middle of the grove was circular, with flat, soft green grass. Merielle stopped short. Her mother's grave stood in the centre of the grove. Tall and magnificent, just like her mother. A slab of polished stone lay over where her mother's coffin was buried, with a headstone rising up at the head. Merielle knelt at the foot of her mother's grave. The headstone was a smooth slab of white marble and quartz. Gold words were imprinted:

HERE LIES SAVANNAH STARGLINE

BORN 17 JULY 1955

DIED 2 MAY 1998

VALIANT AND NOBLE TO THE END

YOUR LEGACY LIVES ON

And above the words, at the top, was the Stargline crest in glittering jewels. A sea of magical flowers lay around the grave, most in bouquets. They had been laid down by people coming to pay their respects. Magical stars were also there, twinkling brightly amongst the flowers. There were notes which had been left too. A certain bouquet caught her eye. It was filled with plumeria flowers in full bloom, giving off a delicate fragrance. The bouquet seemed expensive. There was no note, but three stars were placed on it. Merielle's brow furrowed. It seemed somehow...familiar. She wondered who had been the one to give them. 

She watched as Clarice waved her wand and pink roses floated down, circling the grave. Then she lit the tip of her wand and pressed it amongst the flowers. A glowing white star appeared. Clarice pressed her index and middle fingers to her lips, then gently pressed them against the jewelled crest. She sat there on her knees for a few silent moments, then got up.

"I'll give you some time by yourself," Clarice whispered. She touched Merielle's shoulder briefly before silently walking away. 

Merielle tried to steady her breathing as she gazed at her mother's grave, shining so majestically in the sea of stars and flowers.

"Hi Mum," she said weakly, her voice catching. She tried again. "I mean, you're not really here. But in a way, you are. I wish I had been there. Then maybe you would still physically be with me. And I wouldn't have lost someone I love. I'm trying to make the world a better place. It was your last wish, and I will honour that. The world's broken after the dark times. But I promise I'll do my very best to restore everything to peace and glory. Not just for you, but for everyone who gave their lives fighting for the same thing as you: to make the world a better place where everyone is safe and at peace. I hope you're happy wherever you are. I know you're watching over me. I can feel it. And I...I guess there's not a lot I can say. I love you, Mum. I'll take good care of Dad. Jamal and I both will. I will avenge you. Rest in peace, Mum." Merielle fought back the tears, drawing a heart with her wand. A heart-shaped wreath of delicate flowers appeared, resting against the foot of the gravestone. Then she drew another heart, and white stars lay over the grave in a heart shape. Merielle pressed her index and middle fingers to her lips, and touched them against her mother's headstone.