Healing // d.m.

Bonus Chapter | 2 |

BONUS CHAPTER II

  THE columbarium was colder in the mornings. Even with his black turtleneck, Draco could feel the chill down his spine, though he was not sure it was because of the weather entirely. Rather it has something to do with meeting his woman's parents. They may be deceased but it was only right for him to still greet them with respect. Anyone dear to Catherine was now dear to him. Even those he loathed, he had to learn to love them too.

  With the picnic basket in hand, Draco followed the steps into floor 5, opening Catherine's parents box. When he was all alone, he couldn't help but sigh. Millions of people were cursed with nonchalant families, some may even wish their parents were dead. But Catherine was blessed with a beautiful home, only for the unfairness of life to rip them apart too soon.

  Staring at Maria Ariendra through the moving pictures made his chest ache. She looks just like her mother, yet eerily has her father's charisma. His heart was pounding in his chest. His shoulders tense as if they were actually here.

  Draco started to set the picnic. Placing the basket he brought on the ground, spreading the sheets and unpacking the food. He really wanted to do something for her. The written exam results are out today. Even though he had no doubts of her passing with exceeding expectations, he still wanted her to celebrate the baby steps in her journey.

  Flick's wife caved in and finally told him more about today. Including a few sordid details of how Mrs. Ariendra was murdered. Details he did not wish to hear more, except Catherine wanted to tell him about it. He could not imagine how she handled the sorrows of her life and still turned out to be someone breathtakingly inspiring.

  It made him love her even more.

  He looked around the room, and made a mental checklist in his mind. Picnic, check. Her favourite snacks, check. Her favourite blend of coffee, check. New photographs and frames to replace the ones they broke, check. Flowers...

  Shit, he forgot the sunflowers. And he had to pick up his pace in order to get to her on time. Just before the sun sets.

  Draco finished setting everything, telling the goblins not to touch or move anything. He paid them enough galleons to bride his way in. With one last nod, he was making his way out the door when there was a tug in his chest. Turning his head to look at the two urns that were contrasting in colour, his feet began to pace back and stood in front of them. Their names are carved in silver along with their important dates.

  He should say something, anything. It didn't feel right to just leave.

  Draco cleared his throat, "Good morning." He looked around making sure no one was there.

  "I'm..." He could see his own blurry reflection through the glass of the box. If they were still here, how would Catherine have introduced him? He imagined dinners just the four of them, her father firing him endless questions that he would gladly entertain.

  A pang of insecurity flooded his veins knowing they would disapprove of a death eater as a future son-in-law.

  But one day, hopefully soon enough, he was going to marry Catherine or there would be no one else.

  "I'm someone who loves your daughter very much." The words sounded shallow in between the thick silence.

  Slipping his hands into his pockets, he continued. His tone so soft, that the goblins eavesdropping from the outside awed his gentle statue.

  "I cannot promise that I would never hurt her, but I vow I won't intentionally do so. I cannot promise her a life filled without pain, because pain is a part of living. What I can promise is to make her happy as best as I possibly can."