WITHDRAWAL. draco malfoy

xxiii. goodbye

« GOODBYE »

Lillian knew that, at some point, her name would be written on the cover of the Daily Prophet. She merely hoped it would have not happened this fast. Indeed, the end of the year had passed only talking about Harry, Dumbledore, Voldemort and the Ministry of Magic's big mistake for not believing about the Dark Wizard's return from the start.

But today, the event that had protected her father but destroyed mainly one life, was to be exposed for the whole wizarding world to see.

Lillian, Ron, Harry and Hermione walked inside the Great Hall for breakfast, trying not to talk about the latest events considering students would ask them questions about what had really happened almost everyday since they came back.

The four Gryffindors instantly noticed something was different and they were totally right as all the students were staring at the four of them and more precisely Lillian. But none of them reacted, thinking a new article about the return of the Dark Lord was on the cover of the newspaper.

As they all arrived where Neville and Ginny were sitting, the Gryffindor boy gulped, closing the copy of the Daily Prophet he was currently reading, "I'm really sorry, Lillian, I am sure you will be completely vindicated."

"W—What are you talking about?"

By way of answer, Neville simply gave her the Daily Prophet, her eyes opening wide as she found out a picture of her was on the front page, alongside the following title:

'Henderson, self-defense or assassination?'

❝ As the events that occured a few weeks ago are now known from everyone in their very mysterious way, a few secrets about both death now seem more clear.

A Death Eater named Mulciber was found dead in the Department of Mysteries after he received an Unforgivable Spell. However, to that day, no one could tell who had originated such action. As surprising as it might sound, the person who murdered Mulciber is no other than Lillian Henderson, daughter of infamous Auror, Henry Henderson.

The nature of the spell that was used is, to that day, still unknown, as well as the situation that would have caused the fifteen-year old Hogwarts' student to do such a crime. However, the Ministry of Magic plans to ask explanations to Henderson during an hearing that will be set during the summer, because nothing can excuse a murder, no matter who it was orchestrated against. ❞

Breathing heavily, Lillian put the newspaper back on the table, the food that was set on the table suddenly making her want to throw up. She raised her head only to be met by what looked like hundreds of other faces that were still staring at her, probably trying to analyse her expression in order to tell if she could have really planned to murder someone or not.

One second she was looking at people she couldn't name and the other she was locking eyes with Draco who was staring as well, but not the way the others would. He looked compassionate and nodded slightly, as if to tell her that he knew she hadn't killed the Death Eater on purpose.

But she didn't care about what Draco thought, he was the first one to pretend he hated her in front of his friends, his opinion meant nothing —or at least that's what she pretended.

"I—I need some.. fresh air," Lillian stuttered before leaving the Great Hall, a hot flash seizing her entire body.

Lillian really thought everyone would have left her alone. Mainly because she thought that her friends knew she needed her time but also because they needed their own time as well. So when Luna tip toed and sat next to her in the Astronomy Tower —without shoes on, Lillian turned around with a surprised look painted on her face.