Fake Truth

XIII

The trio: the elderly couple and young Valerie sat at the dining table. Albert and Mary-Anne listened to Miss Rose's past with Draco and all the while somehow managed not to shed a single tear. She felt angry and betrayed and just wanted someone to listen to her as she ranted on.

"Woah, calm down girlie," Albert called to her as he went to make them some tea, "I'm sure it's not all that bad." He shuffled in his checkered slippers and blue flannel pajamas to the small kitchen. Valerie did not have a very good night, she sat in the bed most of the night looking out of the window observing the sky. Maybe she deserved to give Draco another chance, for he gave her so many. Especially when she ran away. 

The dining room was painted a pastel baby-blue and contain a large oak table; seating six but could be extended to fit in almost twelve. In the fifteen hours she had been here she had learnt that the couple did not have any children and that both of their parents were dead; Death-eaters she was told.

So their story began; Albert's set of parents ved in a magical village, just off the motorway from Brighton Normally at a young age a child will show that they have magic running in them, either through emotions or trying to copy their parents magical habits. When the time came for Albert to show his parent his magic or in his case lack of he was shunned. Having two older sisters and one younger brother he was not the only chil. In which case you could say that it was his parents fault however the fact his other siblings all possessed magic made him the exception. 

Thrown out at seventeen, Albert was forced to find work as a muggle, which he liked to remind Valerie he was not; he was a squib, and never to return to the magical world.  It was when he was in Cornwall, working as a bricklayer, that he met Mary-Anne, six years in his junior. 

Together they wrote some books together aimed at squibs and became almost hated by all the magical community; testing their relationship. Just like Valerie and Draco.

Albert stopped with his tale and looked at Valerie, "Look at us now, we've been married almost 50 years, if you really care for him, go back to him."

"But I need your help with one other thing,"Valerie begged, aiming her words and Mary-Anne, "I need you to give me a whole new makeover." She cringed as she said that, she hated makeovers that the girls in her dormitory would give her when they had pulled all-nighters as teens instead of completing essays set by Snape.

She used to look hideous after them with bright pink lipstick and heavy eye shadow. They would dress her in the most ridiculously short and tight clothes, barely covering her at all. They all seemed to enjoy it, and so to fit in the crowd she forced herself to as well, at least for a little while. That was until she decided to spend the nights with Draco if she heard any planning of such torture.

Once Valerie looked in the mirror, hours after Mary-Anne had started she couldn't believe what she looked like. Her long black hair was now blonde and short just brushing against her shoulders. All her heavy makeup was taken off and her face was now exposed. She looked about ten years younger and felt a lot lighter and happier than she did before. Why did she not do this before? Why was she so scared that it would not work? It looked Beautiful. She looked beautiful. 

"Thank you!Thank you!Thank you!Thank you!Thank you!Thank you!" she got up from her seat and went to give Mary-Anne a full on hug, with tears running down her face. She was overjoyed that she looked beautiful and it wasn't another disaster like her whole teenage life.

After departing from the bed and breakfast she walked back to the Manor, apparation would have been quicker but risking it may see her some time in Azkaban for performing magic in front of muggles. 

This, however gave her plenty time to think about the previous day and the melodramatic events. The walk back was pleasant enough, with pretty landscapes to enjoy and just enough chill for her to wear a long black over coat and her slytherin scarf. As she caught sight of the Manor she quickened her pace, almost running, until she reached the front gates, ringing the bell and waiting for someone to grant her access.

After what seemed like hours a house elf opened the gates for her and led her back to the manor, leaving her in silence in the drawing room in the east wing of the house. Cold, dark and grey the room was exactly what she expected as the house elf led her through the wide corridors. Small candles flickered and consequently casted shadows over the fine silverware on display. A large fire sat extinguished beneath a family photograph of Draco, his mother, father, aunt Bellatrix, uncle Rodolphus and grandfather Abraxus. Draco looked about two in this and was held in the arms of his mother, his head nuzzled into her neck.

Valerie had to admit that she was proud she was friends with the young Malfoy, for he was not one that many would say comes from a good wizarding family. For alway being cast in the media for blood purity and worshipping and housing Lord Voldemort in his second regain of power. But they didn't know the helpless, troubled boy Draco really was and how much of a heart he had.

A small tug was felt on the right side of Valerie's 1980's vintage overcoat, peering down at the stone laid floor she met gave with Flowers showing off her big weepy, sea green eyes. "Is that Miss Rose? I am sorry I must ask for Flowers does not think that she has seen Miss before," she bowed down to her and carried on,"Are you here for Master Draco?"

Valerie smiled down at the green creature, "Yes, it's me. It's Valerie, Flowers. Do you like my new hair?" she ruffled her fingers in the short locks 

"Where is Draco?" Valerie's eyebrows raised into perfect arches thank to the help of Mary-Anne.

"He went to look for you, Miss. But now Miss we will find him and tell him the news." The little elf's voice was high pitched and over joyed. "I apologise for the events last time Miss Rose was here, I am deeply sorry if I have offended Miss Rose." Filled with shame Flowers dropped her head to the ground, "But all is well now, Flowers had beaten herself with the kitchen door. All is well... all is well."

"No! Not all is well!" Valerie was outraged that the sweet little elf had harmed herself for something that was not her own fault. "I don't want you to EVER harm yourself again, Flowers." For at the time that Valerie was at school she strongly opposed of house elves harming themselves when they had not fulfilled an order to the standard their masters had expected. She had secretly shared views and ideas with Hermione on S.P.E.W.. However she did not agree with the freeing of house elves: it was and had been their duty for centuries to serve for their respectable masters.

"Now, I need you to help me with something, Flowers. I need you to help me find Draco. Any idea where he is?" She looked down at the house elf hoping that she would know but doubting that she had any information.

"No."

"Okay..." Valerie paused for a moment, her hand rubbing circles at her temples as if creating good ideas in her brain, "When did he leave?"

"Oh, about six yesterday evening."

"Did he say where he was going?"

"No."

"Did you see him leave?"

"No."

'Honestly' she thought, 'this house elf is about as useful as a sugar quill during O.W.L.S.'

"Right then, where do you think he would be?"

"Me? Miss is asking a house elf on her opinion? Not once has anyone asked Flowers, Miss!"

"Well, I'm asking you, so please could you give me an answer?" Valerie sighed, her patience growing thin and her worried doubling by the minute. 

"Well, let us start at Hogwarts, Miss."