One-shots/Short Stories

Draco Malfoy

Moving On
Everywhere he walked, he was stared at and noticed by many people. Despite the fact that he wasn't claimed guilty after the Voldemort incident one year ago that almost ruined the whole Wizardry world, people still didn't like him that he helped kill Dumbledore.
   He avoided eye contact from everyone, feeling his dark mark burn against his arm. It always burned when he thought about the horrid memories. He walked into a rundown pub that he never really noticed until now, and felt himself relax when the whole place was basically deserted. He walked to the bar and sat there glumly, his hand absentmindedly brushing against his mark through his jacket. He was torn out of his sad thoughts by someone clearing their throat. He looked up slowly, only to blink rapidly when he saw who was in front of him.
   It was a woman; a very pretty woman that was surprisingly around his age. Strange to see someone so young working at a bar already. She had chestnut brown hair that was in a messy bun, her skin flawless and pale which made a contrast to her chocolate brown eyes that were full of kindness. And from what he could see, she had quite a slim body underneath the blouse she was wearing.
   "What would you like?" she asked him sweetly. Her voice. . .he couldn't help but get enchanted by it for a moment.
   "Um. . ." he cleared his throat, shuffling in his seat a bit. "Just a firewhiskey, please."
   "Coming right up." she left his side only to come back a moment later with his order. "So what brought you to this deserted bar that people barely ever notice?"
   "I couldn't bear the looks of judgement from people around me." he sighed tiredly, taking a large gulp of his drink. He gave her a weird look. "You're actually one of the very few that don't look at me in that way. Why is that?"
   "Would you believe me that I have been away from all news and gossip my entire life?" she gave a sheepish laugh. Draco stared at her in disbelief. "Yeah. . .my parents didn't want me to get involved with all the Voldemort stuff. All I know is that he's evil, but he was taken care of by Potter. Everything is fine and dandy."
   "So you don't know who I am?"
   "Of course I know who you are. You're the boy that helped with Dumbledore's death." she said in an obvious tone. Draco gave a sigh of defeat and sadness.
   "Yeah. You must think bad things of me, don't you."
   "Honestly? Only a bit before I got over it." she shrugged. Draco gave her a wary look. She raised her hands up in surrender. "It's true! I attended your hearing. I saw what happened. You were forced into the dark arts from Voldemort and your parents."
   Draco slumped forwards in his chair. "If only people saw it the way you see it." Draco muttered. "Even though you see it that way, it doesn't change the fact that I helped in Dumbledore's murder."
   "You want to hear a secret?" she asked him, leaning forwards on the bar. He gave her a small curious look. "Dumbledore used to come here."
   "Really?"
   "Yep," she nodded, "he was a regular. We have wonderful chats - he secretly tells me what's happening in the world when my parents aren't around."
   "Okay. . ." Draco nodded. He wondered why that was a secret.
   "The actual secret is. . .he told me what you were trying to do. He knew you were tasked to kill him." Draco immediately choked on his drink, coughing madly. He stared at her with wide eyes. He told someone about his task? A person who could easily tell the Ministry?
   "Why -"
   "To tell you a message." she told him. Draco gave her a look of doubt. "He knew he was going to die by Snape, he knew what you were doing, and he knew you didn't like it. He knew you would one day stumble here to hide from those judge-filled eyes of people. And he told me to tell you something when you do come here."
   "And what did he say?" Draco barely whispered out, still in shock. She gave him a small smile of comfort.
   "He said: "I forgive you. Now move on. You deserve it"."

***

18 years later. . .
They waved goodbye to their son Scorpius, watching as his small form disappeared from them as the train kept going its one direction. Draco smiled down at his wife lovingly, his hand resting on her swollen stomach. Their second child.
   Draco did move on from that day. Hearing that his old Headmaster forgiven him and told him to move on really gave him that confidence. And he moved on with the bar lady herself. She was the first woman to look past his errors as into what he truly was. She gave him comfort when he needed it, and listened as he released all of his pent-up emotions. It wasn't until a year later did they confess their love for each other.
   Because of her, he was able to ignore the haters in town. Because of her, he felt the need to continue on with life. Because of her, he made amends with the Golden Trio. Because of her, he got the life he desperately wanted; a life of having a loving family to care for.
   "I love you." he told her, giving her a kiss. "Thank you for helping me move on."
   "You're welcome." she smiled. "I love you too."
   Together, they walked out of Platform 9 3/4, moving on.

The End