The White Peacock (A Draco Malfoy Fanfic)

Chapter 35: The Future of Muggleborns

I stared out of the train aimlessly on our way to Kings cross station, thinking about my task, thinking about all the sadness and hardship that we were yet to face. It felt grim knowing that the war I was hoping would never come was in fact inevitable and apart of Dumbledore's plan.

I kept thinking back to yesterday, and the time I spent with Draco, I hoped I wasn't behaving too suspiciously, as I went from ignoring him to asking for an invitation to his fucking manor. However I needed us to develop a friendship, so that I could somehow persuade him into rethinking his task to kill Dumbledore, somehow make him feel something more than his fear for his life.

It felt good to finally have a role to play in Dumbledore's plan, I didn't feel helpless anymore, I didn't feel scared. However, I didn't know what my next move was going to be after that cabinet was fixed, or after Dumbledore is gone, that part was still uncertain.

I look over at Anabelle and Cherry, both fast asleep in our carriage, I was happy that they didn't know what was yet to come, I was happy they could enjoy the time they had left, and them being purebloods I knew I wouldn't have to worry about them.

My thoughts are suddenly interrupted as Hermione slides open the door of our carriage,

"Murph, thank goodness you have room, I can't stand the sight of Ron at the moment" she exclaims as she sits down.

"Ugh, is he not capable of being away from her for 2 minutes" I say rolling my eyes

"More like she is incapable of being away from him" Hermione says looking frustrated

"Does that mean you won't be spending Christmas at the burrow?" I say to her

"No, but not because of him, but because I want to spend this Christmas with my parents, who knows it may be the last time I do" she says gravely. I suddenly realised I wasn't the only scared muggle born, she knew something bad was coming, I think we all did.

"Hermione, if things do get bad, like really bad, what will you do?" I ask her, I needed to know what her plan was.

"I would be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it, but the first priority would be to make sure my parents were safe and far away from here, and after that I would follow Harry I suppose, he will need me more than I need him" she says with a small chuckle.

I smiled at her admiringly, she was a brilliant witch, and she was so brave, she knew her purpose, her future was so certain no matter what the outcome was.

We arrive at the station at 9 am on the dot, we gathered our things and hurried off the train. Cherry anxiously scanned the platform for her parents. I didn't see them, I remembered what they looked like the one time I met them, they were both tall and somewhat thin and lanky, her mum had the same fiery red hair like Cherry while her dad had dark hair, as we continue to search I suddenly see a man wearing a large black coat standing straight ahead carrying a sign that read the names, Chambers, Morrison and Murphy.

"Oh, I see our names" I say pointing at the man

"Wow, they couldn't even be here, they had to send a driver" Cherry says shaking her head.

The drive to the lake house was around 2 hours, we found ourselves driving further into the countryside, far from everything, it was a peaceful setting, it was exactly what I needed to take my mind off everything going on.

We pull up at the house, it was stunning, classic stone walls covered in green vines, situated right on the lake, secluded on acres and acres. I took a deep breath of the fresh icy air as we made our way inside the house.

"Mother? Father? We have arrived" Cherry announces as we enter the entrance hall.

"Cherry, dear" Cherry's mother announces as she struts into the room

"Hi Mrs Chambers, thank you for having us" I say politely. Anabelle forces a big smile.

"It's our pleasure, would be nice for our Cherry to have some company during these two weeks, our social events this time of the year is very demanding, but I obviously don't have to tell you that, you two must know what it's like" Mrs Chambers says with a chuckle. Cherry's face said it all, she was not impressed.

"Anyways you girls must be hungry, I have set up a high tea for you in the gardens, well the house elves set it up" she says smugly

We are led into the gardens directly facing the lake, where a beautifully decorated table was set up, we took our seats and not long after Cherry's father joined us.

"Lovely to see you girls again" Mr Chambers exclaims.

"Murph, we have heard such great things about you, muggle born thriving in Slytherin, that was unheard of back in our day as fellow Slytherins" Mr Chambers says with a chuckle.

"Father!" Cherry shouts

"Oh, we don't mean any offense of course, we are one of the few Slytherins who don't value bloodline, but instead a strong character and strong ambition, which you no doubt have an abundance of, if only that would rub off on our little cherub" Mrs Chambers says stroking Cherry's wavy long hair. Cherry's jaw clenches as she looks away, I offered her a sympathetic smile.

"So, tell us what your plans are for after school, what do you aspire to be" Mrs Chambers questions. I hadn't really thought about it, for the longest time I just wanted to be memorable, to do something that mattered in a world full of special people, but now those dreams seemed so insignificant, now I couldn't imagine my life after the cabinet was fixed, I didn't know what future I had in this world anymore.

"Um...I...don't know, it's rather difficult to think about the future with you know who still out there" I say candidly.

Her parents both exchange looks, "it must be rather frightening I imagine, however what does that have to do with your future" Mr Chambers replies

"I think it's quite obvious why" Cherry snaps

"Please don't misunderstand us, what we are saying is that, there are forces in this world that we can't control, but what we can control is ourselves, what we want in life, who we want to be" Mrs Chambers explains.

"People like Voldemort and his followers are like a sickness, they slowly spread through us, making us weak, scared, and vulnerable, it is up to us and us alone to decide if we want to get better" Mr Chambers continues. As much as I didn't entirely like these people, they were right.

I let Voldemort in, I let the fear and weakness in, I stopped wanting things, I stopped having goals and dreams, I gave up on the only person I have ever had feelings for because of him, because of the war, because of Harry. My entire life was being dictated by many forces and people out of my control.

But now I realise I don't need Harry or Dumbledore to make me feel safe, because even if they failed, I wouldn't stop fighting.

"I want to fight" I say to them

"I'm sorr—" Mrs Chambers begins saying as I cut her off

"I want to fight for my future" I say confidently

"Brilliant" Mr Chamber replies in approval

I wanted control of my life again, I wanted to have hope, and dream of a better future, a future where wizards from all blood lines were safe, a future where Draco and I didn't have to feel like being together was a crime. This is what I wanted for my life and I was going to do anything to get it.

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Hello lovelies,

I apologise for how philosophical and serious this chapter was, especially with no Draco, but I wanted Murphy to be stronger as a character and this part is like the catalyst for what starts to unfold between her and Draco.

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