The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

65. It's My Life

The room fell silent after Draco's declaration.

Not awkward silence. Not uncomfortable silence. The kind of silence that followed something honest.

Something powerful. Something that nobody had quite expected to hear.

Draco didn't look away from Kingsley. Didn't lower his eyes. Didn't back down.

For perhaps the first time in his life, Draco Malfoy genuinely didn't care who he was talking to.

Minister. Auror. War hero.

None of it mattered. Because this wasn't about politics.

This wasn't about power. This was about Sloane. And if there was one thing Draco had discovered about himself recently, it was that he would go to war for that girl without a second thought.

"I want her to feel at home." His voice was calm. Steady. Certain. "Wanted."

He squeezed Sloane's hand. "Safe."

Another squeeze. "Loved."

The last word hung in the air. Nobody missed it. Nobody.

Joanna smiled softly. Kingsley looked away. And Sloane felt her heart physically ache.

Because every word sounded genuine. Not forced. Not rehearsed. Just true.

"I would do anything for your niece." Draco continued. The conviction in his voice made Sloane's eyes sting. "I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

Tears slipped silently down her cheeks. She didn't even realise she was crying until Draco reached up and brushed one away with his thumb.

The gesture made Kingsley's chest tighten. Because his niece looked at Draco the way his sister used to look at Henry.

Like he was home. Like he was safety. Like he was her person.

And Kingsley suddenly hated himself a little. Because somehow he'd become the person making her cry.

"Your niece means the world to me." Draco said quietly. The room went still again. "I will always support her. I will always have her back. And I will always respect her choices."

His eyes flicked towards Sloane. A smile touching his lips. "You think she's being emotional."

Kingsley opened his mouth. Then closed it. Because maybe he did. A little.

Draco shook his head. "I know Sloane." The simple statement carried so much certainty. So much understanding.

"So do I," Kingsley muttered.

"No." Draco surprised him. "You know your niece."

The room froze.

Draco swallowed. Then continued. "I know Sloane."

The distinction hit harder than intended. Because Kingsley suddenly realised what he meant.

He knew the girl who'd lost her parents. The girl he'd taken responsibility for. The girl he'd worried about.

Draco knew the woman she'd become. The one sitting beside him. The one fighting for her independence. The one trying desperately not to break apart.

"She's doing this because she thinks it will make things easier for you." Draco continued. "She's trying to protect you."

Sloane lowered her head.

Because that was exactly what she was doing.

"That's who she is." Draco laughed softly. "A ridiculous, stubborn, self-sacrificing woman."