Aftermath

Shining Eyes Shining Stars

Weeks passed and training for the new Auror's grew harder. The envy and fear grew higher in the group of young adults. Hestia remained an outsider in the group but still prevailed and kept her stance. She was use to being unaccepted by others. The girl remained on her feet regardless of the "accidental" attacks thrown at her during training sessions or the whispers. She kept her head held high and her power strong as ever.

The same could not be said for everyone.

Hestia noticed as some members grew worn out from the pain they were being put through. She saw as Ronald Weasley had dark circles develop under his eyes, or how William lost curiosity. People had grown paler and skinner from the pressure and stress this job required. They had trained for hours everyday nonstop, being forced to use as much magical and physical strength they could conjure. People began dropping out of the program like flies.

The most noticeable change was in Draco, however. He was pale as the winter snow and as tired as the dead. The boy no longer had a mysterious glint in his eyes or pride in his heart. During training he would remain withdrawn and quiet. His power was enough that nobody gave his physic much notice, nobody but Hestia.

She saw how tired he was. She noticed that he was crumbling under the pressure. It reminded her of how he was in their sixth year. The year she saw the boy she used to know die a little inside from the evils in the world. Only unlike last time, this pain he was in was because of her.

After training on a colorful October day, Hestia raced after the boy. He was just about to disapperate when he heard her soft voice calling out after him. He turned around to look down at the girl, her hair wavy and her dress frilly.

She had a bright white smile plastered on her face. She smelt so sweet he could almost get a sugar rush. Draco felt frozen as she approached him. He remembered all these years of seeing her smile in the halls as she read books or something that delighted her just as much.

"We are going somewhere."

Four words so vague yet Draco dove into them like they were the ocean. He took her hand without a moments thought and they disappeared together. They appeared at her house and confusion crawled onto Draco's face but he remained quiet.

"Come on we need some stuff first." She laughed and they ran through the dark halls to the bright kitchen. "What do you want to eat?"

She pulled out a picnic basket and began summoning things into it. Fire whiskey to chips to chocolate frogs. Draco couldn't help but chuckle and look through the cupboard and grabbed pie and fruits. When everything was tightly packed he decided to finally ask her what he desperately wanted to.

"It's night time, why are we packing a picnic basket?"

The short girl rolled her eyes and told him that, "patience is something you should learn, Draco Malfoy." She then told him to stay put and ran out of the room without another word. Not even a minute passed before a loud crack filled the room and a small elf stood at the feet of Draco.

Everest wore a bright blue dress. Her ears were perked and eyes wide. "Greetings again, Mr.Malfoy. Everest is so glad to see you again, sir." The elf squeaked.

Draco knelt down to the level of the creature and greeted her.

"Oh it is so good what Mr.Malfoy is doing for Madame Hestia. Everest is so thankful for you sir! Everest owes you her deepest appreciations." Everest cried and sobbed into Draco's pants.

Draco awkwardly patted the elf on the back. "Everest, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly did I do?"

Everest pulled away and looked at the boy. "Don't you know, sir?" She squeaked, "Mr.Malfoy has made Madame Hestia happy again! Mr.Malfoy has healed Madam Hestia, sir! Everest is so thankful for you making her master happy!"