Aftermath

Winters Rain

Lucius Malfoy had a peaceful funeral. The snow was falling like winters sorrowful rain over the black casket covered in white flowers. Christmas Day was dim with the presence of death. The funeral had to be done within a day in order to protect it from the press. Hestia stood beside Draco, both of them in all black. Draco's eyes were bloodshot and his hand gripped hers tightly.

They stood there for an hour long past everyone else had left. The only other person was Narcissa Malfoy, who silently cried over the headstone of her dead husband. Her tears burned holes through the fresh snow on the stone and her feet stood over the now covered area of her husbands coffin.

Nobody spoke. Hestia would have left the family to mourn on their own but Draco's grip on her held her there. The still cold flooded their bones but all three were too stubborn to warm themselves.

Narcissa's voice was rough from her cries, "He was killed by a masked man." She turned from the stone and looked to the two. "Three men came and I was stunned. I heard what they said, how they wanted revenge for the muggle lives we had taken. We never actually killed any muggles but they didn't care. They said he wouldn't be the last."

She was shaking and looked as though she rose from a grave herself. Her skin was grey like the sky and her lips blue. She walked to Draco and took his crying face into her hands.

"I'm so sorry Mother. I should have been there. I could have saved him!" Draco sobbed. Hestia continued to hold his hand even though she felt like her heart was stabbed.

"Hush child," The older woman whispered, "I am glad you are safe. You must stay with Hestia at her Manor, they will be looking for you. I am so proud of you, Draco. I ask only one thing."

"Anything." Draco said after biting back his argument to stay with her.

"Find the man responsible for this and make him pay." She said this not only to her son but to Hestia as well. She knew of the girls power and wanted nothing more than revenge and her son safe. The look she gave Hestia told her just that. The woman then walked off through the thick snow in the graveyard and past a frozen white tree.

"We will stop at nothing."

•••

The Manor was glowing with a million Christmas lights. The mansion was covered with lighted icicles and snowflakes. Every tree around the house was wrapped with lights. The two walked into the home, hearts too heavy with sorrow to enjoy the sight.

A once dark home was glowing with hundreds more lights and the sweet smell of all things Christmas filled the entire building. Mistletoe hung from the ceiling and each room had a large tree, the living room the largest. Small presents laid under the living room tree. The fireplace had a bright red fire ablaze. The entire design was wonderful but Draco silently left to his room. Alone Hestia went into the comfy living room and smiled sadly at the wonderous decor.

Christmas filled her with comfort but she felt ashamed for finding joy today. She looked at the dozens of tiny presents that had been magically wrapped while she was away. A floating cup of hot cocoa and some cookies flew into the room and settled down on the table. She took a bite into the melting chocolate cookie. "My dearest house elves!" Hestia called out softly.

The popping of a dozen different elves flooded the room. Hestia looked at all her little helpers and smiled, settling down next to the tree. They all looked to the girl eagerly with big eyes.

"Hello lovely's, how are you all today?" The girl asked softly.

The small room rang with different responses all at once. Everest had a loud squeaky voice while Henry had a old tired voice. All the responses were happy and positive nonetheless.