𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 - 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐲

15-'Tis the Season!

"My son, I've missed you too much" Her almost sob-like tone was muffled by his dark blazer as she held him tight. Her embrace sent a heavy feeling in his throat, made his bones melt into his hollowed-out self. Her embrace was something he'd wish would last for as long as he would like

He felt the same empty feeling once they broke apart. Her eyes were glossy and tinted in red, her lips were shaking with the maintenance and weight of keeping it together. There was no need for words. Even if either of them tried to speak, they would simultaneously collapse

"Mrs. Malfoy?" Pansy had spotted them near the sign that said 9¾

"Oh! Don't be so silly dear. Please, we have known each other for far too long. Narcissa," His mother corrected her. It was almost bewildering how quickly his mother was able to switch her frame of mind. Almost like she'd practiced this alone before

He had braced himself during the painful six hours on the train. Six hours. Six painful hours of rails urgently screeching against the aging tires. Tunnels and echos of 'choo's' that came from the horn of the train, Whistles, and bells going on and off again and again. His chest felt a strong weight. A weight of fear and crippling distress was seeking to throw the hollow of his ribs. The boiling perturbation that kept bubbling in the pit of his stomach let out a yellow condensation, filling him and his face with an uneasy look

His mother looked the same. The wrinkles on her face looked like pages from the grapes of wrath, Telling the utmost of tragedy. The heavy dents under her eyes were accompanied by a sorrowful look that replaced her pupils. Her pupils were the size of a pin needle. And her once chalcedony eyes began to look like an ugly neutral yellow. She looked like an early wrinkled sepia polaroid. The undertones of her eyeliner and bright red lipstick being the only raging color of the mirage she was displaying

After a couple of minutes of hello's, both held the sides of her hand, whilst mentally containing themselves for the highly strung moment they were grasping so tightly. The apparition made him feel possibly dizzier and hazier than before. They twisted and turned in all directions. He was so worried something would go wrong and his head would end up on Panny's body. They landed with a hollow thump that was so loud, it made the crows around them flutter from the leafless tree that looked more like an arrangement of messy sticks and tree trunks. His mother patted his shoulders, wiping the dirt and dust off him. As she did, her hand placed near his palpitating beat

"Draco" She warned. Her eyes were pleading with him to calm down as her own were quivering in fear "Draco, please" He did not know what she was asking for, but he simply nodded "I know, mum" His words were not of a guarantee, but they were enough to have her settled down

"So, where is his house anyway?" Pansy asked, clutching her trunk through her fingers

His mother did not answer immediately. She turned around with the swift of her heel and pointed "Right there"

Both Pansy and Draco turned. There it was; Riddle's Residence. The stately home had a haunting glow and was hidden in the mist. It was guarded by rusted gates on all sides. Some bent, some still standing tall with fallacious pride. The house was made of an intricate yet messy design of cobblestone. Cobblestone that had been painted in ivy and moss. There was a large 'R' on the front gate. An 'R' written in cursive handwriting. It looked like that letter had been painted in gold before.

None of them dared to say a whisper or hint of a quibble. All three were shaken he would hear such words. His mother was first to walk toward the large gates that would dig her body to the core of the earth if they tipped onto her. The both of them followed her like ducklings, leaving a trail of unwanted and regretful footsteps behind.