Barely Acquaintances

•eleven•

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"Stupid owl, it's probably the Weasleys"
*****

"Y/n darling!" Narcissa stood from her seat on the Malfoys luxurious leather sofa as I creaked open the tall door, finally deciding it was time to show my face. She welcomed me into the large living room, "Have some tea?"

I forced a smile and nodded at her, appreciating her softness, "please" I let out, my voice still hoarse from barely being used for the past few hours. I was still dressed in what I'd arrived in, the knitted jumper my father gave me still clinging to my body like a reminder of what had been lost.

I quietly made my way into the room, all of the ceilings in Malfoy Manor were incredibly high, reminding me of my own home. And everything was decorated in emerald greens, greys and blacks. On the far wall was a floor to ceiling window that must have been easily six meters wide, it overlooked their large garden, which was always kept neat and tidy with not a single hedge overgrown or blade or grass out of place. Looking out, I was reminded of when Draco and I would play out there together as young children, our parents not allowing us into the house until they had finished their 'business talk' as they called it.

There was two large sofas in the living room, a black, wooden, clearly Goblin-made, coffee table in the middle of them both. At one end, was a grand, large fireplace that was roaring with flames and heating the whole room, while at the other end were the windows.

I slowly took a cautious seat on the sofa next to mother, she was curled up with her knees almost to her chest holding a hot mug of tea with both hands. After feeling the cushions dip, she looked up at me, not saying anything. Not needing to say anything. She simply opened her arms to me, inviting me to crawl over to her and lay my head on her chest while she played with my hair, just as she did when I was much younger. When I was much younger and so much less aware of the pain I felt today. I let my eyes flutter shut, not out of exhaustion, but simply from taking the moment in.

Everything was peaceful, we weren't at peace, but peaceful at least.

Nobody spoke for a long time. So long so that the tea Narcissa had poured for me upon my entrance had stopped producing steam, letting me know it would be safe to drink now.

I opened my eyes, slowly, it was dark out, but the flickering fireplace kept the room lit warmly. On the sofa opposite mother and I, resided Mr and Mrs Malfoy, they were quietly talking between themselves, so quiet that I couldn't pick up what they were saying, but the occasional glance my way told me that I was probably better off not knowing. Draco, was stood, quite stiffly, looking out the window at the pitch black land that just seemed to roll on forever. He hadn't moved since I entered, only turning to face me once to send me a comforting smile.

Oh to know what went on inside that mind of his.

Mother began to sit up from beneath me, making me shuffle away slightly. She turned to face me in her sitting position, eyeing me carefully.

"Y/n, sweetheart" she paused, as if she hadn't quite decided what to say yet. "I know it's a lot, and, don't feel like you have to..." she was trying to delay whatever it was she had to say, reaching her angelic hand out to me and fiddling with a strand of my hair. "...but, would you like to see him? Your father?"

I was lost for a moment, until I realised that fathers body was probably being kept here until his funeral. I then went on to wonder if I could even bare to see my deceased father. Lying there, cold, motionless, and well, dead. The thought sent a shudder through my spine.

But then I thought about how much I could never forgive myself if I didn't take this opportunity to say goodbye to him, and thank him for everything. Every moment of joy, pride and happiness he'd been around for.

I slowly drew my eyes up from my sweaty palms and towards my mothers glazed eyes. Moving my head up and down gently I tried to be brave. I had to be brave for my father, it's what he'd have wanted.

~

Around an hour passed as we sat in almost silence finishing our tea, too deep in our thoughts to move.

At some point, while Draco was still stood gazing out the window, he saw a drunken looking, rather scruffy old owl swoop right into a tree in their garden. Much in the owls favour, this tree was no whomping willow and the creature was able to pick itself up, shake out its feathers and continue its journey.

Draco however, had found it rather amusing and used the dumb animal to attempt to lighten the mood in the uncomfortably silent room.

"Stupid owl, it's probably the Weasleys" he sighed out, catching our attention. "Dumb animal could've died"

Mother and I shivered at his terrible choice of words, sinking lower into the leather staring into our laps.

Lucius' head snapped around so quickly a part of me thought he had been possessed. "Not the time, Draco" he scowled through gritted teeth, if looks could kill Draco would be next to my father right about now.

At least I kept my poorly tasting jokes to myself I thought as I joined the boys parents in sending him a death glare.

Dracos cloudy eyes flashed a look of sorrow and regret and he quickly mouthed a "sorry" my way and continued to stare out into the darkness.

Mother reached for the coffee table and placed down her mug of tea that she had finished a while ago, when she turned back to me her soft eyes met mine and she caressed my face ever so gently.

Mother and father were high school sweethearts. They met in their first year at Hogwarts and instantly knew they could never leave the others side. Both being sorted into Slytherin, they grew up together being two of the most powerful people in our world.

Mother was broken, so was I of course but father really was her first and only love. I didn't even know what I could say to her to make things any better.

"It's late y/n darling, we'll get some rest then I'll take you to your father tomorrow" her voice was so hoarse as she spoke, barely reaching above a whisper.

"Yes mother" I kissed her cheek and stood up, ready to take myself off to bed.

"Goodnight everyone" mother was stood with me at this point, probably taking herself to her own guest room since we were staying at the Malfoys.

As I turned to leave through the tall wooden door, I noticed Draco's eyes on me.

"Goodnight, y/n"

~~~

Hi!! A bit of a short chapter I'm afraid but I'll slowly get back into the swing of things :)

While I was away I actually started writing a new Draco story, it's called "Slytherin Supremes" and will be on my profile shortly, there will be three chapters written, please go and give it a read!