Thick Smoke

Goodbye

One year passed faster than every year at Hogwarts combined. Maybe it was the new life or the fact that Voldemort was finally gone but the world seemed to have blossomed.

Eliza has always loved Christmas because it was that one holiday family would gather and exchange presents. Of course, the term of family was a sensible subject for her but she was still alive and she wasn't going to waste it. Tonks was right; Sirius gave her a chance to a life of her own, not Gaunt and not Black - just Eliza.

The morning of a white Christmas day has never felt so fresh before. Little Teddy was growing every day and just like she promised, she became the lovable aunt that was giving in to his every whim.

She wasn't sure what the others were doing but she knew of their whereabouts since they were still keeping in touch. It's only been a year but she was adjusting to muggle life very fast. Hermione went back to Hogwarts to finish her education while Harry and Ron opted for standing back.

Eliza was cooking cookies, trying not to use magic which was very tempting at the moment, when Willy landed on the window sill. She sighed and wiped her hands on her pink apron before taking the mail.

"Hermione, Hermione, Harry, Mrs. Weasley?" Eliza raised an eyebrow and went on, "Seamus, Dean, Seamus again...isn't this the letter he said he sent me a while ago?" She wondered, looking up at what was a very innocent looking Willy. "Let's see, it seems McGonagall is doing good work. Oh, what is this?" The brunette opened the small red letter and a loud familiar voice echoed through the whole house.

"Young lady! I know you said you don't want me nagging you but I heard from someone that there will be a gathering at The Burrow. Liz, what is The Burrow? I got an invitation for you too and you didn't respond! Don't lie -I personally placed it inside your house. Do your faithful kitten a favor and tell Mrs. Weasley you're coming. Also...well, you'll see..." Vernon's voice spoke loudly before the letter burned and turned to ashes.

Eliza blinked and realized the letter burned and fell straight in the dough. She sighed and and gave up, using magic to let the cookies make themselves.

Just like Harry and Ron, Eliza decided she wasn't in need of education anymore. She learned everything she needed to know and if there was something she missed, there was always Vernon Peverell.

Lucius Malfoy stopped any kind of contact and that was understandable. Ophelia's memories were slowly mixing up with Eliza's and sometimes it was hard to distinguish her life from Ophelia's but that was fine. She wasn't losing her mind just yet.

The brunette walked out to grab the newspaper, as she had seen around the neighborhood and smiled at the children playing in the snow. They were trying to make snow angels but every time they were getting up, the wings looked like someone stepped over them. Eliza chuckled and swayed her fingers, making the footprints fade away and the snowman built on the lawn wink at the children. They awed and turned to each other in amazement.

"You are surprisingly good with children."

She froze, afraid that it was only her imagination.

"Is there something else I should know?" The voice continued as he walked closer.

Eliza turned around slowly trying her hardest not to vex him in front of the children.

"You bloody asshole, you haven't sent me a letter, even one letter to explain yourself." She hissed.

She was mad and she had every right to be. Once the war ended, the Malfoys recovered fast and left.

But Draco couldn't pass checking out the slight changes in her looks; for example, she cut her long dark hair but it seemed to suit her, accentuating her bright green eyes as was the white sweater she was wearing.

"A lot has happened." He admitted, standing there awkwardly, uncertain if he should hug her or not.

Eliza clicked her tongue, her eyes narrowing at the blond.

"What about your family?"

"They're fine. Father is trying to regain his pride but I have never seen my mother so relieved before." He started, taking a step closer, "You seem to be doing well, too."

"I don't get many guests around here. I prefer to keep this life a secret between me and Vernon." She responded as she walked back to her house, Draco following closely.

"Does he live with you?" He asked bluntly.

"No." She responded quickly, "His presence is overwhelming. I've been waiting for someone else to come and give me some explanations. Harry and Hermione said I am a fool for still wanting to have anything to do with you." She chuckled bemusedly at the memory.

"Are they right?"

Eliza stopped and looked at him before she smiled widely, her eyes glistening,

"Definitely right. The Malfoys have been a constant pest for me and my mother."

Seeing the amusement in her eyes was enough for Draco to realize she was only half serious.

"Oh! Did you tell Vernon you'll come here?" She asked him over her shoulder, leading him into the living room.

"He told me where you are."

Eliza chuckled to herself and remembered all those times Vernon led Draco to her during hard times.

The world was definitely better without a certain Tom Riddle Jr and Eliza could finally look at her mother's face in pictures and feel nothing at all.

Unfortunately, she wasn't sure for how long she could look in the mirror and recognize her face. Ophelia's mind was crawling up towards every nerve in Eliza's head. With every passing day, she was losing sight of who she was and what she wanted. Seeing Draco there, she was curious if the next time he will come she will remember him and everything they've been through.