𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐍𝐄𝐃¹ - 𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐬 // 𝐆.𝐖. - 𝐃.𝐌.

- 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 -

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐀𝐓𝐇.

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They walked along the gravel path, the rain falling overhead and the rustle of the wind whipping her hair. Draco's were too wet to let the wind blow away them.It was still dark, everything was shrouded in darkness. The clouds prevented the moon from illuminating the streets, the stars were barely visible.Marie lifted her head to the sky, hoping to see even a glimmer of light that would comfort the misty sight of the darkness, but it was all black. A black that seemed darker than black itself.She lowered her chin slowly, bringing her attention back in front of her. The distance between them and the gate seemed endless.

"Hurry up," Malfoy ordered, blowing air from his lips as it turned into clouds of steam. Marie lifted her head to him, peering intently into the cold eyes that exhaled every expression from his face. It was Malfoy walking slowly, the rhythm of his feet stumbling, his footsteps going out of time; it was Malfoy who seemed to force himself not to reach the massive gate knocking a few meters away from them, not Marie. She just followed in his footsteps. "Do you already know why they called both me and you?" she asked almost in a whisper.

Silent.

Maybe he hadn't heard her, or maybe he didn't want to answer her, so she repeated. "Do you already know why they called us?" But nothing. To escape from his lips was only air that was thickening in the cold. "Draco?" she called him back, bringing her eyes back to his face. He stopped walking and turned his head to hold her gaze. "Mind what you call me, weirdo. To you I'm just Malfoy." And that was the only thing he said before he reached the gate and walked up the steps to the door.

"Oh my boy!" It was Narcissa who opened the door for them. Her arms sought support on her son's shoulders, her head rested on his chest with her hair veiling her face. She looked desperate, on the verge of being reduced to a humble mound of dust. She trembled, slight spasms ran down the woman's fingers, her hollow shoulders jolted at every faint noise.

"Mrs. Malfoy, are you okay?" she went to ask her but no sound came from her lips. She seemed too absorbed in her son's arms to shift her attention elsewhere. Malfoy turned his head to briefly meet Marie's eyes. Irises begging for a life jacket so as not to drown in agony, that was what she read in his eyes. A help message that he could not express in words, a 'STOP' written in large letters to stop the pain that ate his insides. But it was only a very brief moment before Malfoy's eyes returned to his mother drowning in her tears.

"Mum," Draco called back away from her to see her face."I tried. I consumed all of myself trying to convince him .. I-" she sobbed, bringing her hands to her face.

And she cried again, heavy tears wet her face like streams. She wanted to scream, vent all that anger to feel her soul lighter, less stained with pain. Somehow, Marie could understand what Mrs. Malfoy felt inside.Always oppressing everything with Occlumancy must have caused it to burst. Just like a balloon. You can blow as much as you want, but sooner or later it bursts. And it only happens when you least expect it.

"That was what Dad and I both wanted. I'm old enough to make choices, Mum." he answered softly. Narcissa jumped and raised her head. "H-how do you say?". She rolled her neck to look in Marie's direction, slaying her with her hateful gaze. She looked at her as if she was the one who pushed Malfoy to ruin. A grimace curved her lips. "Your father wanted to send you down that road just because-"

"Oh Cissy, why are you crying?" a familiar voice intervened. "You cry for happiness, right? It must be when a family member is chosen to serve our Lord." The woman was standing right behind Marie, her hands making circular motions on the sides of her neck. A shiver ran down her spine, making all the muscles in her body stiffen.