Faith is Stronger (Harry Potter Fan fiction)

Chp. 19 Funeral for the Graces

Please read the note at the bottom!

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“The tears I feel today
I'll wait to shed tomorrow.
Though I'll not sleep this night
Nor find surcease from sorrow.
My eyes must keep their sight:
I dare not be tear-blinded.
I must be free to talk
Not choked with grief, clear-minded.
My mouth cannot betray
The anguish that I know.
Yes, I'll keep my tears til later:
But my grief will never go.” – Anne McCafffrey

The next morning was terrifying. I lay in bed for hours, trying to foresee how the day would go. Would she fall into my arms and sob? Or would she scream at me to leave? Would she finally break down and cry? Would she try to kill herself again? How could I take this wide expanse of pain away?

“Draco, get up and get dressed. You have an hour.” Blaise tugged the covers off and I got up, moving sluggishly. I wasn’t ready for this.

I wore light cotton dress robes that felt like silk. Plain black with a sprig of white roses in the lapel for respect. I kept my hair unstyled and let it hang raggedly around my face, the ends almost reaching the bottom of my ears. It was strange, wearing it down like this. But I wanted to be someone different today.

Myself.

I bid good bye to Blaise and Theo, who send regards to Grace…er I mean Jacky. I was going to start calling her that. I lov— liked her. I should call her by her first name.

I knocked on the portrait, feeling awkward. I was ready to turn around and head back down when it opened slowly. Tons of Gryffindors were in there, all dressed in black. They had white roses in their hands and were looking very solemn. The hype and energy I saw last night was gone in the face of today. I slowly climbed in, but none showed any surprise. So Granger had warned them. It was a change to not be sneered at for once.

I walk over to where Granger and Ginny were standing. Potter and Weasley were off to the side, Potter alternating between studying me and glaring at me. I did my best to ignore him.

“Is she ready?” I ask quietly. Granger looks at me and nods slowly. She runs up the staircase and I hear a door open and close. I look awkwardly around the room. In the last three days, I had been in here three times. It was quite strange.

I hear the door opening again and straighten up, crossing my hands in front of me to hide my nervousness. Quiet footsteps sounded and then she came into view.

Even in complete heartbreak, she was breathtaking. She wore a medium length black dress with sliver metal clasps over the shoulders. It was a v-neck and the front and back ends of the dress was also cut into a V, coming to a stop just below her knees. Her hair was around her shoulders, still damp. She was paler than ever and she gripped the same teddy bear from a few nights ago in her hands.

When she saw me, she gave a jerk of surprise and faltered on the step. Granger steadied her and they continued walking. She stops and stares at her house assembled in tribute for her family. Her chin trembled slightly and she nods to them, her hands shaking. A rumble went throughout the room and I felt a chill, a good one, creep up my spine.

“For Valor and Bravery and Courage.” They murmur. Jacky nodded again, her eyes shiny but lifeless. She hugged her friends good bye and then walked over to me. I hold out my hand and she took it softly in hers. She was shaking like a leaf.

“Take care of her Malfoy.” Finnegan says as I open the portrait for her. I gave him a blunt nod and then clambered out after her.

“May magic bless you, child.” The Fat Lady calls after us. I gently hold onto her elbow and walk with her out to the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall showed no surprise in seeing us together.