For The Greater Good (A Draco Malfoy Story)

Last Will and Testament

        When the wake had finally come to an end and all the guests had left, a suffocating stillness took over the house. I was in the kitchen helping my mother clean up the remnants of the party when a voice spoke up from the doorway.

"Andrea?" a lone man asked quietly. He was tall and thin with a balding head and spectacles. My mother looked at him as if she had been expecting him but was starting to regret his coming.

"Hello, Robert. Thank you for coming," she said, shaking his hand.

"Of course, Andrea. I'm so sorry for your loss, your husband was the very best of men," he said solemnly. My mother only nodded politely and ushered him into her study, Gabriel and I following her lead. Robert went and sat behind the desk and took out a pair of reading glasses as if he'd done this a million times. I looked at my mother, puzzled. She just nodded and gave me a half-hearted smile. Gabriel sat in the love seat by the door, my mother sat at the edge of the seat next to him, and I sat on the couch on the other side of the room.

"For those of you who don't know, my name is Robert Escott. I worked with your father and husband and I was a good friend of his. I took care of all his financial needs and....his will," he said pulling out a piece of parchment. He put on his glasses and began reading. "The will and final testament of Alec Edwin Alvers," he read in his gravelly voice, peering over the parchment at us.

"To my darling Andrea, I leave you everything that we shared and much more. All our memories and all our adventures, I hope you don't forget them and keep them in a place in your heart where I shall dwell with them. All my belongings are yours, do with them what you wish, my love," he continued. My mother smiled at the ground, closing her eyes against the quiet spasms of pain that I was sure were coursing through her.

"To my strong son, Gabriel, I leave the house when your mother and I are no more, and I leave you all my books filled with everything you'll ever need to know, in hope that it will be useful to you. If you need help, come home and you'll find me here. Here, in the books, in my potions, in my study, you shall find me. I am so very proud of you and my last wish to you would be to help protect this family until the end. Look after your sister and your mother. Do not fail in your duties, remember who you are and who you were born to be. Be sure to use all the materials I leave you, wisely." Gabriel had looked up when Mr. Escott had mentioned his part but know he dropped his head and clenched his fists.

"And finally, to my beloved, and brave daughter, Rose. I leave you this locket that has been in my family for generations, in hope of you having me in your heart forever. I know you are capable of doing extraordinary things and hope that you put your powers for good and not evil. I have watched you grow into the beautiful person you are today and hope that you'll never change. The locket will protect you and anyone you spread your love to. I love all of you and wish that I was there with you now, physically. Even though that may not be, remember, all of you, that I will always be by your side. I knew this day would come and now that it has, I wish for you all to go on with your lives. Don't mourn over me, I haven't truly left. Goodbye, my beloved family. I love you, forever and always," Mr. Escott finished.

He handed me an ancient looking locket, with a silver chain. I tried to open it but it wouldn't budge and spells didn't make a difference either. I frowned at it and rubbed its smooth surface with my thumb. I knew there was a story laying inside the locket, with its rustic gold exterior and curving vines etched on the front. Moving my hair over my shoulder, I clasped the necklace around my neck and immediately held it within my fist. Instantly a sense of safety swept over me and my body felt soothed, all the tension drained from my body.

As we finished, Mr. Escott stood and left after giving my mum a sympathetic squeeze on the shoulder. "Mum?" I said softly, "We can stay the night if you want us to." My mother just gave a silent nod and painted a smile upon her pale face.

"Children, would you mind giving me a moment alone?" she asked politely. Gabriel and I exchanged a glance and nodded before exiting the room. Before we closed the door, I saw a single tear run down my mother's pale cheek, her eyes closing in silent despair. My heart clenched at the sight. She was so strong, but I wish she didn't have to be. My mother always held her emotions in check, it's what made her such a strong prosecutor. But those cracks in her exterior were beginning to show, they were spreading through her and I could see it clear as day. Anger pulsed through my veins at the thought of my father's murderer, the man who did this, roaming through the streets of London, free.

Gabriel stormed away to his room and slammed the door, leaving me all alone with my thoughts. The sound of a door creaking captured my attention. My lips turned down into a puzzled frown, why was the door to my father's study ajar? I hesitated before walking inside and shutting the door behind me slowly. The study looked exactly the same, it was just as he had left it. The curtains were pulled back from the wide window across from the door, letting rays of light shine through. Dust particles danced in the light and drifted downwards towards my father's mahogany desk. I strode over to it, letting my fingers run against it's smooth surface. So many memories crossed my mind just from this plain-looking desk. When I was younger, I would always hide in my father's study -- particularly under his desk -- and I always believed it would keep me safe. I had believed that his study was some impregnable fortress where monsters and bad people were forbidden. If I was ever scared, I would sneak in here and most of the time I fell asleep under the desk or on the couch.

The sense of safety hadn't left, it was like I could still feel my father's presence in the walls, in the ancient books and potion bottles lining the shelves, and in the picture frames hanging around the room. The smell of pine and cinnamon still lingered in the air from his cologne. I took in a deep breath and as I sat in his chair, I could feel his energy embrace me.

"You were right, Dad," I whispered. "You haven't left."

Leaning my head back against the chair, I let out a sigh and stretched my feet under the desk. I winced when my foot accidentally kicked the back of the desk but froze once I heard a clicking sound. What was that? I slid off the chair and crouched under the desk, my eyes widening when a small square hole greeted my sight. "Please tell me there isn't a snake in there or something that's going to bite me if I put my hand in," I groaned, plunging my hand into the hole. Thick folds of parchment caressed my fingers as I drew it out and looked at what my father must have hidden for years.

Parchment, yellowed and curling at the edges, sat in a thick envelope, darkened with dust and age. On the front, in elegant script with small loops that could only be my father's handwriting, was my name. I tried to contain my eagerness as I gingerly withdrew the contents and secrets inside the envelope. They were letters.

Petal,

If you've found this, it means you needed me. You've been scared, my love, haven't you? I know because where else would you go when you need me? I always knew you'd come back here and hide under my desk like when you were just a girl, hiding from nightmares and monsters. Well, my petal, you need not hide anymore. I know you've always wondered why I stress your education so much, why I personally and extensively trained your brother and you in every bit of magic and defense against the dark arts that exists. You're something to be desired, petal. You have abilities that wizards could only dream of. But those abilities put you at risk. Lord Voldemort will rise more and more each day and once he hears of you, he will find you. My darling, you are what we have been waiting for. Stay close to Gabriel and keep the locket I gave you on you at all times. Never stray from them, for they are your protection from the darkness that grows each day.

You'll hear more of me soon. There is another letter in this envelope which will explain everything, but do not open it until we see each other again.

I am not gone from this world.

Love,

Your Father

I sat back with my blood roaring in my ears. I am not gone from this world, he wrote.
He's alive.