Squib On The Run (sequel to Squib In The basement)

9. Good And Bad

A few weeks into the summer holidays, Cassiopeia recieved an unexpected knock at her front door.
Since she wasn't expecting Narcissa that evening, and she had no other friends, Cassiopeia approached the door cautiously, grabbing a knife on the way, in case she needed to defend herself.
After unlatching the door, Cassiopeia slowly pulled it open, shocked by who she found waiting for her on the other side.
"Draco, what are you doing here?" Questioned Cassiopeia.
"I need to talk to you about something" answered Draco.

Cassiopeia ushered Draco inside and bolted the door behind them, before placing her knife back down on the table.
"I take it that since you came here alone, at this time of day, your mother does not know that you are here with me?" Asked Cassiopeia.
"No. No one knows I'm here" admitted Draco.
"Do I even want to know how you got here, since you can't use magic outside of school yet?" Sighed Cassiopeia.
"No, probably not"
"Very well then, what did you want to discuss with me, behind your mother's back?"
"It's complicated".

"I see. Well, if this is going to be a long conversation, then let's sit down" suggested Cassiopeia, as she gestured towards the living room.
"That sounds like a good idea" agreed Draco, as he followed her into the room.
The pair sat down opposite each other, but Cassiopeia noticed how Draco kept fidgeting, not allowing himself to get comfortable.
"I can tell that something is bothering you. And as your godmother, I want to know what it is, so that I know how I can help you" informed Cassiopeia.
"I'm not sure there is anything you can do to help me" admitted Draco.
"Then why did you come to me?" Questioned Cassiopeia.
"Because I wanted some advice".

"Well, I have had quite an interesting life, which makes me an expert at giving advice. So, go on, let me know what is troubling you, and I will try to advise you, as best I can" encouraged Cassiopeia.
Draco sat in silence for a few moments, before answering.
"I wanted to know about what you think makes an action good or bad. You always say that our family has a very twisted view on morality, and that you are the only one who doesn't have this warped mindset. So, I wanted to discuss good and evil with you" revealed Draco.

Cassiopeia let out a deep sigh, "This is not an easy subject to discuss. Everyone is unique, and we all have different ideas about what is right and what is wrong".
"That's not exactly true. There are universal rights and wrongs. The wizarding world has laws, laws that our family frequently breaks. Anyone else would be in Azkaban for the things our family does. So, does that make our family bad?" Asked Draco.
"The short answer is yes. But the longer answer is more complicated than that" answered Cassiopeia.

"It doesn't seem that complicated. I was brought up to think and act in a certain way. I was taught that all Muggles and Mudbloods are all scum. My parents ensured that I would view pure-bloods as a superior race. But when I got to Hogwarts, I discovered that this was not true, and that most people don't share this mindset. I had been lied to my entire life by people who I thought I could trust. All they ever wanted was to corrupt my mind, and make me into a bad person, like them" Draco said coldly.
"Technically your parents didn't lie to you, they just told you what they believe to be true. They don't even realise it's a lie, because it's what they've been spoonfed since they were small" explained Cassiopeia.

"I never thought I'd hear you defending them" mumbled Draco.
"Let me get one thing straight, I do not agree with how they have raised you. And if I had been a proper part of your life, I would have intervened and told you how the world really was. I wouldn't have let them shape your opinions and twist your thoughts" informed Cassiopeia.
"So, they are bad people, and I shouldn't follow their example?" Asked Draco.

"Look, your parents and I were raised in a different time to you, before the war. And as pure-bloods, we were taught that we mattered more than everyone else, simply because we have magical blood inside us. Most of us were raised this way, and we were expected to raise our own children the same way. But the war changed things, and now half of the pure-bloods I grew up with, are either dead or in Azkaban. The ones that survived the war changed their mindsets, and decided to raise their children differently. Your parents however, are exceptions to this, for the Blacks and the Malfoys are the most devoted pure-bloods left in the Sacred 28. Your grandparents and great grandparents never would have allowed you to be raised as an open minded individual, as you are the heir to the Black and the Malfoy fortunes. So, your alternative upbringing isn't entirely your parents fault" admitted Cassiopeia.