The Abuser

Omnis Bene Est (19 Years Later)

"Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show."

- From "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens

.........

"Will you write me, love?" I pull my child close, holding him against my beating heart with a bit of a sniffle.

"Yes—but I have my conditions. I want a bag of sweets every two weeks, not to mention a racing broom sent as soon as I finish with my first year!" He laughs, his big grey eyes shining under the early morning light which washes over Platform 9 ¾.

"Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy! You are worse than your father!" I laugh, kissing him on his pale forehead.

Scorpius winces, sticking out his tongue and gagging as he wipes the traces of my lipstick away.

"Well, everyone's worse than me. Don't let it get you down, Scor. I'm perfect, but I don't expect quite the same from you...yet." Draco teases, stooping down slightly to look into his son's eyes.

I wipe a tear from my cheek, beaming at my husband and boy— they could be mirror images of each other, if it wasn't for their gap in years. The only trait of mine that Scorpius inherited was my sharp tongue and fighting mentality. A blessing and a curse, I suppose.

"Now, the first thing I want you to do is send an owl about what house you get—don't worry if it's not Slytherin. We'll be proud no matter where you are placed!" I straighten his tie, checking him over to make sure that he looks perfect.

"Unless it's Gryffindor." Draco chimes in, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "I'm only kidding, son. Listen, it doesn't matter if you are in Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or even Hufflepuff—never forget the lessons of the Golden House. Treat everyone you meet with all the chivalry of Godric Gryffindor—especially women. I only wish that I had learned that lesson when I was your age—it will save you from a life of misery and bitterness."

I laugh, looking lovingly up at my husband. "We really do mean it. My best friends over the school years were in Gryff—oh..." I freeze, staring out over the misty station. A group of people stand together a distance off, looking in amazement our way.

I would recognize them anywhere—even after all these years. Perhaps two decades have changed me so much that I am no longer the same person... but perhaps they simply don't notice me for their eyes are trained on Draco. He looks up and nods, almost in respect, to the boy who turned down his hand of friendship—the Boy Who Lived.

Harry wraps his arm around Ginny—his wife. Ron breaks the gaze, pulling Hermione back into the smog and out of my view. I bend my head, feeling tears stream down my cheeks as Draco pulls me into a tight hug. "It's just been so many years..." I whisper, wiping my eyes and looking up into his pale face.

"I know, Hazel. I know." He says softly.

"Ew! Mom, Dad... stop being gross!" Scorpius protests. "Who were those people, anyway?"

Draco pulls away from me, drawing our son close. "Did you see the little boy with the black hair, Scorpius?"

"Yes, sir." He nods eagerly, his eyes wide.

"Well, as soon as you get on that train, I want you to give your hand to that boy. And did you notice the girl with the red hair?"

"The one who looked like she was my age?"

"Yes. As soon as you see her, tell her—tell her you like her dress."

Scorpius nods again, looking excitedly over his shoulder as the whistle blows, signaling that the Hogwarts Express is ready for boarding. "Bye mum! By dad! I love you!" The little boy hefts his luggage and begins to move away, but I touch his shoulder, restraining him.

"Before you go, dear, I need to tell you something."

"Yes?" Scorpius frowns slightly, looking worried.

"I once knew a boy who had no choice." I whisper, holding my hand up for silence. "And you are not that boy. Every day of your life you will be presented with a choice—a choice between what is right and what is easy-- what helps others and what helps yourself. Remember your parents when it comes time to choose—remember our lives."

Scorpius nods solemnly, and unless I'm very much mistaken, I can almost see a tear shining in his stony eyes.

"I love you, son." Draco hugs him, pulling me into the embrace as well. For a few moments, we stand in the cold and misty air, kept warm in each other's arms.

"Now get on that train, boy! You don't want to have to walk to Hogwarts, do you?" I laugh, steering Scorpius towards the Express as the whistle blows again.

"Bye! I'll miss you!" He waves one last time before disappearing into the crowd.

Draco and I stand hand in hand, watching the red train as it rumbles to life, picking up speed and whistling out of sight on its way to Scotland.

"He's going to do so well." I say softly, turning to my husband with a radiant smile. "He's not going to make the same mistakes—just you wait and see, Draco Malfoy, just you wait and see.

........

Finis