“I will relay the invitation. I thank you, Minister, the honor is mine.” Nikolae bowed in the old fashion and returned to his seat amidst thunderous applause.
“And finally, I have to say this was an even bigger surprise to me than the vampire.” He smiled and continued. “I guess it goes to show that we should never judge only by resemblance to what we have known. It also shows that we may find our greatest allies in the most unlikely of places.” Smigeon cleared his throat and announced the name with loud, clear resonance. “Draco Malfoy.”
Draco appeared shocked to have heard his name. The crowd gasped and whispers erupted like steam escaping. Malfoy looked confused as he was pushed to his feet by those around him, ejected into the aisle. Slowly he made his way to the podium.
“Don’t be so surprised, Mr. Malfoy. You deserve this honor more than anyone here. You were held in the Dark Lord’s lair for nearly a year, tortured, threatened, killed and revived. You were forced by him to commit acts of evil you would never consider. A muggle hospital full of children was slaughtered when you failed to kill a beloved friend.”
Draco’s eyes closed with the pain of remembrance.
“Yet you returned to him as a double agent, you endured it all again, the suffering, the torture. Your scull was broken by force.”
“Twice, actually.”
“All to lure Lord Voldemort into battle with the Order of the Phoenix. Your selfless act surpasses even that of the vampire’s Draco. Why? Because he knew he would live. You expected no such luck. It has been told to me by several wizards that you did not expect to come back alive. I have to say, that would have been my guess as well. However, when you were brought to the ensuing battle, you fought against your captors and played a key role in the destruction of Voldemort.”
“Well...”
“However, your story does not end there. As a traitor, you were abducted by Death Eaters and barely survived. I’m rather glad you did because it is my deepest honor to pronounce you a Wizard 1st Class by full urging of the Order of Merlin and to award you the Minister’s Medal of Heroism. Draco Malfoy, you have surpassed the legacy of your family name to become a hero in the eyes of every wizard who hears that name from this day forth.” Smigeon placed the medal around Draco’s neck to the sounds of applause as all present stood in ovation.
Draco, overcome by the minister’s words, didn’t know what to do, but felt he should say something. “Um... party at Potter’s house following the ceremony. Thank you.”
* * *
“Well,” Harry admitted as the party raged around them, “We did have plenty of Swill left.”
“Well save some for when Hermione and I get married!” Ron grinned.
“Next June!” Hermione chimed in. “Only no battles!”
“What are your plans, Malfoy?” Harry wondered.
“You asked me once what I would do if I was free to do as I pleased, Potter. My answer is still the same. I’ll be leaving in the morning. Thought I’d wander around Europe, maybe check out Romania while I’m at it.” Christina stiffened by his side. Draco took her hand and squeezed it. “I think I’ll take Chris to get a drink.”
“Well, don’t leave without saying goodbye!” Sara shouted as they turned away.
As soon as they were far enough from the others, Draco turned to Christina and took her hands in his.
“You’re leaving.”
“Yes.”
“When were you going to tell me? I’ll miss you, Draco. You don’t know how it felt when you were in danger. I thought I’d never see you again and it was a horrible thought.”
“I want you to come with me.”
“Are you serious?” She smiled, but couldn’t believe he would extend such an offer. “I can make all the arrangements for you.” She said, considering why he might want her along. “Make sure you’re reservations are made and all that.”
“No no. Christina. I want you to come with me. Not as my personal assistant. As my friend. As my...” He found he was nervous and at a loss for words. He touched her face and brushed his fingers through her hair. “We can stay at my house tonight. In the morning we’ll take the train to France and... I have so much to tell you.”
“Just tell me this isn’t a joke, Draco. That’s all I want to hear.”
“Then you don’t want to hear that I love you?”
“You... Draco, I feel the same way! But how could you love someone like me? You’re rich, you could have anyone!”
“But I want you. And if you like me at all you’ll take pity on me right now. All this sappy stuff is making me feel like an idiot and Potter is going to laugh like crazy...”
“Shut up, Draco. Just kiss me.”
“That part I’m good at.” He smiled and did as she asked.
* * *
* “You are beautiful, my friend.” Is borrowed from the movie adaptation of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire as spoken by her character, Armand.
The Girl in the Tower: Epilogue
Start from the beginning
