All The Lies You Tell - MATTHEO RIDDLE

Chapter 3

I am delusional.

That has to be the only explanation. The only reason I woke up at 8:30 on a weekend. The only reason I'm now standing in front of Malfoy Manor. I only register the knock after I do it. Moments later the door opens, revealing a clearly exhausted Draco wearing nothing but a pair of green sweats. His pale chest is a lot fitter than I ever imagined. Must be from all the strenuous activity he did during the war, I presume.

His face curls up in confusion when he realizes it's me at the door.

"The fuck are you doing here Granger?", he says groggily.

He looks me up and down still seeming confused. Honestly I'm a little confused myself.

"I um- I would like to speak with Malea?", I stutter unsurely.

His brows furrow even deeper. Was Fenrir lying? Did he send me on a wild goose chase? Was there ever a Malea? I bet he's laughing it up in his cell right now.

After a moment he opens the door wider and motions for me to come in.

This Draco is different. So different. What is going on? The Draco I know would never let me come inside. He'd curse me the moment he opened the door. Why is he letting me in? It feels like my world has been turned upside down.

I carefully step inside. I take a minute to examine the stone walls and tile floor. A tile floor I know all too well. I promised myself I'd never return to this place. You can see the spaces where picture frames used to be. Most of the wall is bare except for one or two photos. All of Draco. He leads me towards the end up the hallway stopping In front of a doorway. Inside I see it's the kitchen. Dracos mother is humming lightly to herself while she stands over a stove. She's holding- she's holding a baby. Does Draco have a sister?

"Mother", he says catching her attention. She looks calm then startled when her eyes go from him to me.

"Hermoine Granger?", she puzzled. So she remembers me. Good. I hope my face haunts her. 

"What can I do for you sweetheart?", she continues.

"She wants to see Malea", Draco informs her.

Narcissa raises her eyebrows then looks down to the baby in her arms. I don't understand? Is the baby who Fenrir was talking about? Before I can say anything she walks closer. She stops a few feet in front of me giving me a better look at the child. She's beautiful. She has dark, curly brown hair. Her eyes are a deep brown. Almost like- like Mattheos! The baby is Mattheo's little sister! Of course! Even if the baby didn't have the same last name as Mattheos mother I would've recognized the resemblance from a mile away. A unintentional smile breaks out across my face. This can work! This can really work! She is the key to helping Mattheo.

I'm overjoyed. I need to get to him as soon as possible. I spit out a thanks to both Draco and his mother and quickly rush to the door. I barely have time to close it before I whip out my wand and apparate to St. Mungos. Why am I excited?

***

The entrance of the hospital is crowded this time of day. The usual desk lady has been replaced by another. One much older-looking. I step up towards the desk and hand her my card that was given to me by the ministry. I hope they let me in. I know I'm not supposed to be here till much later.

The older woman seems to pay no mind to the time and hands me back my card. She motions me towards the elevator. I don't thank her and start walking.

There's a chill in the air when I make it to the bottom floor. My usual guards stand on duty at the front of the room. Their eyebrows raise at the sight of me. They were expecting me hours from now. Yet they still step in line behind me as I walk down the hall. The sound of my shoes hitting the floor vibrates against the walls.