Aftermath

Blackwell Manor

The clicking of her heels against the marble floor echoed throughout the dark halls of Blackwell Manor. She ran her hand through her thick black hair unconsciously as she continued her path. She paused as she came across a mirror, halting to review her appearance.

Her caramel tanned skin made the dark black dress she was wearing stand out in a good way. Her makeup was applied so flawlessly it became a shield to hide herself from the world, creating the image she wanted to give everyone. Her dark red lipstick stained her lips like a rich wine, intoxicating even the strongest of men.

Her mother always told her that a woman's way to hide her weakness is in her appearance. No matter how much you hurt and how close you are to falling apart, if a woman has a sharp and clean exterior she's invincible. No enemy will be able to see past the barrier of foundation and the battle suit of an outfit.

She was right. As Hestia looks in the mirror her skin was radiant and clothing lively. Everyone expected her to fall apart and go rouge after the funeral, but when they come and see that she looks better than ever? They smile and tell themselves that they can feel no pity for someone who seems so well.

They don't see that in those dark blue eyes she's empty. They don't see that a storm is clashing inside of her and threatening to spill over in the shape of sea salted tears. Hestia's eyes are those of a soldier who's returned from a war. Others see a survivor, but the soldier sees what they lost on the battle field.

The sound of the doorbell ringing pulls her back to reality so she turns and continues her path. The sound of the large front door opening was louder than the clicking of Hestia's heels descending the marble stairs. At the bottom she saw a very pale and tired looking boy, but handsome nonetheless. His blonde almost white hair was out in a natural state, pushed back as if his hands had been run through it.

He turned at the sound of her just as she reached the last step, his grey eyes trained on hers. Feeling vulnerable she looked away and down at the small house elf at his feet, who had just finished closing the large black door.

Kneeling down so she could see the small elf properly she smiled. "Hello Everest, how are you today?"

Everest looked back with big brown eyes as her large ears pointed up. She was quite a funny looking creature. Still Everest smiled a crooked smile she spun around in her new bright pink dress.

"Oh Master, Everest is doing very good today. Everest is very happy that you've given her such a pretty new dress. Everest thinks Master Hestia is so kind." She squeaked.

"It's really no problem Everest. And please don't call me Master anymore, I've set you and all the other house elves free weeks ago." Hestia said as she rose back up and looked down at the small creature.

"Everest will try to stop saying that. Everest is sorry." The elf said, looking slightly worried as though she felt the need to jump off a cliff.

"Oh don't be darling. It's really alright. Thank you for opening the door for me." Hestia exclaimed with a small smile, causing Everest to brighten up instantly. With a loud pop she disappeared from the room.

Hestia turned to look back into the grey eyes of Draco Malfoy. She studied him for a minute, as if daring him to speak first, before she broke the silence. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously and looked down at his shoes. "Yes well... it's been rough. With the trials for my parents I wasn't able to see you after the battle. I was hoping to talk after the funeral but decided you needed some space perhaps. In reality I just... didn't know what to say." He finalized as he looked back at Hestia intensely.

Her blue eyes bore into his and she recognized the look. The look of someone who has survived a war. She nodded slightly to let him know she understood.

His deep voice called out again, "you look wonderful by the way. Then again always did."

She smiled slightly, remembering his old flirts and smirk that seemed to have disappeared over the past few years. Rolling her eyes she beckoned him on and together they went out to the garden in the back yard. They walked silently through the bright green grass and newly blooming flowers until they reached the center field and sat together on the cold stone bench.

The beaming June sun shone down on the two as they sat in a solemn silence. Their silent thoughts danced in the air together, known but not quite heard. The vibrant garden surrounded them almost in a mocked happiness. Hestia spoke her thoughts aloud, as if she were alone.

"Funny how our world as we knew it has fallen apart so quickly but still some things never change. Every summer my garden is sprouting the brightest grasses and prettiest flowers. Almost makes you forget that your life is shattered and so is everything else." She said softly.

"You speak of change as though it's something to be afraid of." Draco said as he took off his black blazer and rested it beside him on the bench. "The Dark Lord is dead. Things can only get better from here."

"Perhaps. The ministry is slowly forming again, in a few months the whole system will be up and running. Hogwarts has already been rebuilt and due to open as always."

"I've heard that McGonagall is going to be the newest headmaster. After Dumbledore..." Draco trailed off. He quickly regained his composure, standing. "Anyways it's boiling hot out here. Let's take a walk around the manor, shall we?"

Hestia stared at the smooth palm that Draco was holding out for her. She looked behind her at the large castle like black building, so beautiful and terrifying. The dark aura and aesthetic of the manor contrasted with its beautiful surroundings. Turning back she looked into the silver eyes of Draco, as if they would expose whether they could be trusted.

Hestia grabbed his hand in hers, allowing herself to be walked backwards in time and forwards in life. The warmth of his palm was almost unexpected when you see the paleness of his skin. It was comforting nonetheless, a reminder of the childhood comforts that escaped them years ago.

"I'm absolutely ravished." Draco exclaimed as the two re-enter the cool and dark home. Together they walked hand in hand down the maze of halls and past the dozens of rooms. The only noise heard between the two was the soft patter of shoes on the cold floor and the quiet breaths.

Hestia raised her wand and gave it a soft flick that threw the large white doors into the kitchen open. She couldn't help but smile as she looked before her.

"Welcome to Blackwell Kitchen, created by yours truly." She announced.