the other side of the coin

Prolouge

He couldn’t take it anymore. Around him everybody seemed to be happy with their loved once. Everywhere he looked, couples in love hugging each other, families whom smiled and laughed together and children whom enjoyed playing a game.
On the side a man playing guitar and singing Christmas carols. And then there was me. Lonely me sitting at a bar and drowning my sorrows.
“Hey, aren’t you this Malfoy fellow? Nobody else has this hair colour in this area. Hey, turn around! I am talking to you!” I felt a slap on my back and a hand reached to touch my shoulder, but I was quicker and turned around to him.  A middle aged woman was standing in front of me. Angry face, ready to strike. “Listen madame, I don’t seek any trouble. So let’s all have a drink and enjoy the evening. It is nearly Christmas time.” Ready to turn back to my hand I was greeted by another angry face. “Enjoy the evening? Thanks to your lot I won’t have a nice time. Do you know why? Because you killed them. My whole family is dead!” “I am sorry for your loss. I will go now. Have a good evening and be careful on the streets. There are some crazy creatures out there.” Slapping a few galleons on the bar I turned to take my jacket and started heading out, when a gasp stopped me. “Are you threatening me?” Trying to keep a calm face I turned around and tried to calm her down. “No madame. I was just worrying for your safety and wanted to wish you a good nice. So, good night.” Before she could say anything else I walked out as fast as my legs would take me and apparated back home.

At home I put on a fire. It warmed me nicely and the bottle alcohol did its part. I pulled my pullover off and put it to the side. What a mistake! My gaze went to my arm and this hideous mark. Forever carved into my skin and reminding me of my sins. With it came the memories. Me standing in front of Dumbledore and disarming him. Starting the beginning of the end. Me seeing Hermione laying on the ground being tortured by my aunt Bellatrix and doing nothing. Me standing next to my fellow Hogwarts students and walking over to my family, getting hugged on the way over by the Lord himself. Me turning my back on the castle and going with my family. My dam family who has marked me as a traitor since I spoke up at my fathers trail and told the ministry everything that had been going on at Malfoy Manor before the battle. Me standing in front of my father and seeing his disappointment after everything I have done for him and this family. The people’s faces after they had read the article that was exclusive about my family and their trails. At best turning away from me when I walked by or worse showing me what they thought of me.
I thought I need another drink. “Clink, clirr”, and that was a bottle. “Oh no, the ground is coming nearer. Oww, that hurt.” As I looked at my arm, I saw a huge shard of glass sticking out of my left arm. A few other pieces stuck to my skin and shredded the mark. I needed more alcohol. Maybe I should go to the shop and get it. The minute I went through the door I felt the world turning around on me and everything went…