Whispers of a Raven by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 28

"Is this it?" Harry asked as he, along with Lord Greengrass and a defeated Lucius Malfoy arrived in front of a large manor.

"It is," Greengrass confirmed. "They dragged me here to sign Astoria over after they killed my Daphne. Did you know her, Potter? She was the same age as yourself."

The man's tone was almost devoid of all emotion, as though he had cried all the tears he could muster.

"I knew who she was, but I would not pretend to have known her."

"No, she was a Slytherin through and through, but not a sheep. Not like the rest of the shits who cowered before the bastard. My Daphne was a strong woman."

Harry nodded his understanding. He sympathised with the man, but he was one of many that had lost much to this conflict. Perhaps now that it was over with, and his other daughter would be returned to him, he would find a semblance of peace.

Harry was not foolish enough to believe he would get over the loss, no father would, but there was a silver lining, as dull as it was.

"So, Malfoy, what can we expect to find inside? I wouldn't even attempt to lie to me, I will know and will have the truth one way or the other," he warned.

Lucius swallowed deeply before sighing.

"Draco is inside with his wife and son, as is my own wife. There are some prisoners in the dungeons, but that is all."

"Well, it does appear you can speak honestly after all," Harry snorted, ignoring that he referred to Narcissa as his own wife. "Now, I can't imagine Draco being so cooperative."

"He will not," Lucius agreed.

"Then he will die," Harry returned simply as he dragged the Malfoy lord forward by his long hair.

"No wait!" Lucius pleaded. "I can make him see sense."

Harry eyed the man sceptically for a moment, not breaking his stride.

"You'd better hope so. He will either die or will spend his life rotting in Azkaban. I personally couldn't care less."

He truly couldn't.

Draco had always made a nuisance of himself, but little more where Harry was concerned. He was little more than a spoilt child and Harry doubted much had changed.

He would still be the self-entitled ferret he had always been.

Still, if he proved to be difficult, Harry would put an end to him. The only reservation he had in doing so was that he somehow needed Narcissa to comply with him.

Even though this wasn't his wife, his Narcissa was in there somewhere, and if sparing Draco meant he would have her back, he would. The Malfoy heir was of no concern without a Dark Lord and his father to wipe his nose for him.

After a few more moments of walking in silence, the trio reached the front door and Harry shoved Lucius forward to grant them access.

Reluctantly, he did so, and they entered a large entrance hall. As expected, it was gaudily decorated in white marble and luxurious wooden furniture, displaying the wealth of the family that owned it.