*Back at Malfoy Manor*
Draco slowly walked down the stairs to stand by his father, just in time for one of the house elves to be approaching the giant front doors and opening them for their guests.
Draco plastered a smile on his face and tucked his hands behind his back, playing the 'pleasant man you would want to marry' role well so far.
As Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass passed through the doors and greeted the Malfoys, Draco braced himself to see the young lady he was 'supposed to' marry. Astoria walked through the doors, a pleasant enough smile on her face.
Astoria was in a dowdy gray gown, laced with black. Her lack luster brown hair in a simple bun. She was fine. Nothing extraordinary.
But most importantly, she wasn't Harry.
Draco reminded himself to act cordially and bowed to Astoria, offering her his arm to lead her to the dining room.
"Good evening, Astoria. Pleasant to meet you." Draco said through his teeth, loud enough for his parents to hear.
Draco deposited Astoria at her chair, sitting opposite of her to remain proper. The adults began to discuss work, Hogwarts, other things that did not interest Draco in the slightest. Draco glanced over to Astoria a few times, engaging in short conversation about nothing to keep the ruse going.
"Well, I want to propose a toast to the Greengrasses, who we are so pleased to have here. Let us wish that our future endeavors to join this family do well!" Lucius stated, raising his glass of red wine in the air as everyone else joined.
"Here, here!"
Everyone around the table finished off their glasses quickly.
"Oh, seems we are out of wine already! Let me just have the elves bring us more." Narcissa began to reach for the bell she used to conjure them.
"NO, I mean, Wait! I'll go get us some more, mother, don't worry!" Draco said hurriedly before she could ring it.
"Don't be silly Draco, why have house elves if you have to do things yourself?" Narcissa chuckled, with the other adults joining in.
"Mother, I want to make sure I pick out the best wine we have for Astoria. I want her to have the best. I'll just be a minute!" Draco, not taking no for an answer, rushed out of the dining room and rushed down the stairs to the wine cellar and dungeons.
Once he reached the cellar, he grabbed a random bottle of wine before turning to walk down the hallway to where the elves would be. Entering the dark, moist room, Draco took in the sight of about 12 house elves working to prepare food, clean, send up drinks, etc.
'After Dobby, it seems that they are trying to compensate for something...'
Draco walked over to a kind looking elf who was organizing plates.
"Excuse me? Miss? Could you tell me your name?"
The small elf turned around slowly, holding a plate in her hands.
"Mmmm. me sir?" Her large eyes widened, almost terrified of the kindness that was being shown to her.
"Yes, miss. What is your name?"
She swallowed hard. "My name is Tinks, Sir Malfoy. Can... Can I do something for you?"
"Miss Tinks, did you happen to know Dobby the elf when he worked here?"
"Yes, Sir Malfoy. I knew Dobby."
"Did he ever talk to you about someone named Harry Potter?"
"Yes, Sir Malfoy. He told me all about him and how he saved the wizarding world. He told me that Dobby saved Harry a few times too. Oh goodness, I shouldn't be saying such things." Tinks grabbed a nearby broom and began to hit herself with it over the head. "Forgive me, Sir Malfoy!"
Draco grabbed the broom from her, "Tinks, no! Don't hurt yourself. You are okay. I just wanted to know because I need your help."
Tinks rubbed her sore noggin, looking up at Draco. "Help? From me?"
"Yes Tinks. Do you think you could apparate to Hogwarts from here?"
"Well, I believe so Sir Malfoy. Do you need to go there?"
"Yes, Tinks. I need to go there to see Harry Potter. Can you help me?"
"Sir Malfoy, I'm not allowed to go against Sir and Madame Malfoy's wishes. I am under their command." Tinks looked around wearily, tears forming in her eyes.
"Well, I thought ahead, Tinks." Draco pulled out a sock from his pants pocket and handed it to Tinks.
"I believe this can clear that up for you?"
Tinks, eyes wider than the plate she still held, slowly reached out for the sock, taking it into her hand.
"Sir.. sir Malfoy! You have freed Tinks?? Whatever for??!!"
Tinks began to bawl her eyes out, wiping them with the sock.
"Tinks, it is okay! I wanted you to be free. And now, you don't have to worry about my parents again, right?" Draco reached out to gently pat Tinks on the head.
"Tinks cannot thank you enough, Sir Malfoy! Do you want to go to Hogwarts now?"
"YES Tinks, that would be amazing, I-"
Draco was cut off by Lucius' voice booming behind him.
"I KNEW you were up to something DRACO. HOW DARE YOU DEFY YOUR MOTHER AND I!"
Before Draco could fully turn around, Lucius cast a green flash of light towards him.
"IMPERIO".
Draco stood up straight, not saying a word, and stared right at Lucius.
"You will go back upstairs and court this young lady. And you WILL do as we say. NO MORE OF THIS, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" Lucius spat out, keeping his control on Draco.
Draco nodded and followed Lucius back up the stairs, back to the dining room that would seal his fate.
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YOU ARE READING
Everything Remains
FanfictionHarry and the rest of his friends return to Hogwarts for the seventh and final year. After everything he has been through, after all of the fighting, loss, and heartache, maybe, just maybe, he can have a "normal" year at school. That's all he wants...
