His Hidden Side - Draco Malfoy

14- Obliviated

The brush that was used to scrub the floor was dropped lifelessly by the elf who stands still. His eyes point towards the sky as he stares at us in shock.
His old face and bat like ears droop down. He looks frightened.

"You knew my f- uh Alexander Roswell?" I slowly approach the little elf without thinking and place my hand on his tiny shoulder. He shudders and wriggles away leaving my hand flailing.

"I'm surprised.. you know about him..." he murmurs to me quietly under his breath, tugging his clothing rags nervously.

"Mr. Elf can you explain what happened. No one seems to remember him." I hear Malfoy scoff at my politeness.

He darts his eyes from side to side. "It's not safe to talk about this, out in the open. Come with me." He motions a skinny finger in circles, telling me to follow him.

Malfoy grabs my arm, preventing me. "You're going to trust an elf?? Don't be ridiculous." I yank my arm away, glaring at Malfoy and follow the elf who leads me to a quiet corner beside his cleaning supplies. I kneel down so I'm face to face with him.

Malfoy follows glumly and I call out. "Suppose you want to check the archives then?"
He crosses his arms and nods.

"The archives won't tell you anything." The elf begins to explain.

"What makes you so damn sure about anything. All you are is just a filthy elf who should keep his mouth shut!"

"Ma-! Jordan, please just do this for me..."

"What makes you think I'll do anything just for you?" He laughs, but his strong aura and essence just makes him look hilarious and not intimidating at all.

"We've come this far now haven't we?" I shoot back and Malfoy shuts up, shrugging his shoulders, looking defeated.

The elf coughs, clearing his mouth or rather reminding me at the more important things at hand. Malfoy will have to wait.

"He was a good man. Kind, loving and especially brave. He was well known through the ministry. In fact he was to be the next minister." The news shocks me and tears blur my vision, tears of relief. He existed...

"However, the times were very dangerous. 'You-know-who' and his followers terrorised all those who opposed him."

"I suppose my father opposed him..?"

"He did more than that. He plotted to defeat him. He rescued and housed muggle borns, anyone in danger. In the end, his kindness was... the death of him." I want to cry from happiness and from sadness, but I must hold it in. I can't show how much it means to me.

"But why does no one remember him?"

"They don't remember him, because they're not supposed to..." He looks around again. "They got... obliviated by death eaters, everyone who knew him."

"Death... eaters?"

Malfoy speaks up. " 'You-know-who's' followers..." His eyes stay glued on the floor and he taps his foot continuously. He looks almost frightened.

The elf continues. "His wife however could remember, I'm not sure why. But as you can imagine... She was furious, demanding justice for someone who-"

"Doesn't exist."

"Exactly. She was considered crazy."
She still is. I don't deny it. But now I see it's not her fault. She's been through more pain than most.

"But how do you remember?"

"No one considers obliviating a stupid elf's memory."

"You're not stupid... You've helped a great deal Mr.?"