With My Condolences
April 2002
Draco,
I’m sorry for your loss, mate. I don’t like how often I seem to be saying that to you recently. Lucius went peacefully, in his sleep. He was so pleased to have met Scorp, and I do wonder if he was maybe holding out until he’d seen him again, as it wasn’t too long after Pans and I had left that he passed.
Granger is on a mission to get you and Cissa permission to attend the funeral. She told me not to tell you, in case she can’t manage it, but honestly, I’d like to see anyone stand in the way of that woman when she’s got her sights set on a goal. Mouldy Voldy didn’t stand a bloody chance against her. I assume she is the only person on the planet, apart from maybe Saint Potter, who can get away with speaking to the Minister of Magic in the way she did yesterday, and it was such a sight to behold. I’ll keep the memory for you to watch in a pensieve, it’s an instant classic.
I spoke to Blaise, and Daphne is slowly coming round to the idea of meeting Scorp. It’s a lot for her, after all the shit that went down between her and Tori, but she’s working on it. Oddly enough, she said that the fact Granger is so closely involved these days makes her feel better about it all. I’m wondering if I should hold some sort of dinner first, without Scorp there, just to get the reintroductions out of the way. I know Daph and Blaise both feel like they owe Granger apologies.
If Granger has her way, then I’ll see you soon. However it ends up going, I’ll save you a seat regardless. You’re not alone in this, alright?
What a dreadfully serious letter from me, how out of character. Perhaps I’ve taken polyjuice and am someone else entirely. Ask me something only I’d know?
Lots of love and kisses,
Theodore Nott Jr
***
April 2002
Granger,
Thank you.
DLM
***
April 2002
Malfoy,
You are welcome. You and your mother deserved the chance to mourn properly, they had no real case for keeping you from attending the funeral, and Kingsley owed me a favour anyway.
Speaking of Kingsley, he told me that they are considering putting your mother on house arrest for the rest of her sentence. I will see if there is anything I can do to expedite this process. Parkinson has agreed to host her at Parkinson House if this does become a possibility. I understand neither of you are particularly keen on returning to Malfoy Manor. I won’t pretend that I want to set foot in the place either, but know that the house elves are still maintaining it, even if it remains empty for the foreseeable. I was surprised to hear that they are paid very generously, and have holiday time whenever they want to take it. Might I interest you in a SPEW badge after all?
Zabini went and checked on the house a few days ago, as your mother wanted to know if the magic had adjusted to recognise you as the head of the family. This did take place, and you are now the head of the Malfoy family. Is that something that is cause for congratulations? Either way, your solicitor is maintaining the estate in your absence, so there is nothing to worry about. It is all in hand.
Scorpius continues to develop quickly. There is no doubt in my mind that he is going to be a powerful wizard, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he started showing signs of magic soon. He is a big fan of apples, which Theo tells me is a familial trait. As if the blonde hair wasn’t proof enough of his heritage.
As for Parkinson and I, we’ve arrived at a strange sense of civility. Your father’s death was more upsetting for her than I think she’d been expecting, and having lost my own father not so long ago, I found myself relating to her grief. Did you know that she makes her own clothes? I imagine you probably did. The unit next to Flourish and Blotts has been vacant for a long time, and I am trying to encourage her to set up a shop of her own. I realise this is unheard of for purebloods, but Theo works with me, does he not? There’s a not/Nott joke in there somewhere that Theo would have made if it were him writing this letter in my stead, but I am sure they grate on you as they do me. I will continue to wear down Parkinson’s icy demeanour. There’s a hufflepuff to be found in that witch, I am convinced. She’s just very well hidden.
I hope you found Scorpius to be as you expected. I’m glad you got to see him again, at the very least, even if the circumstance was not something any of us desired. I will keep you informed of your mother’s case.
Yours sincerely,
Hermione J Granger
***
May 2002
Granger,
How do you do it? How do you just forgive people like that?
DLM
***
May 2002
Malfoy,
Because the alternative is to cling to the past, and what good does that do? It’s happened, we made our choices, and now we’re here. Your use of the word ‘just’ implies that it’s simple, that I woke up one day and decided to forgive. That isn’t true. I just got tired of carting around the trauma. Over years, it wore me down, and eventually, I decided that it was all taking up far too much space in my brain and my heart. Forgiveness isn’t something for other people, it’s a gift you give yourself. I didn’t do any of this for you necessarily, I just did it because it was the right thing to do. It was right that a grieving son attended his father’s funeral after he wasn’t allowed to attend the funeral of his wife. It is right that a little boy with no family be taken in by somebody that is willing to show him love. It really doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that if you don’t want it to be.
Your mother’s hearing is tomorrow. Harry and I are both testifying on her behalf. All being well, she should be out of Azkaban and happily situated with Pansy before the day is out. Scorpius is doing well. I keep telling people he has such a character to him already, but Theo assures me that he is exactly the same as all babies and I’m just projecting.
It was good to hear from you.
Yours sincerely,
Hermione J Granger
***
June 2002
My dearest son,
Know that I am safe and well, and had the longest bath of my life once I got to Parkinson House. I know that I must remain in this house for the next two years, but that is entirely preferable to the alternative.
The best part, I must admit, is being able to spend time with my grandson. Draco, he reminds me so much of you. Your eyes, your smile, I see them in him. He is the boy that you used to be, before your father shaped you in his image. I am entirely impatient for the day that you get to be reunited with him.
Pansy is a gracious host, and is excellent with my grandson. Truthfully, she is the daughter I never had and has already made me feel so at home. It is Miss Granger that has surprised me (she insists upon my calling her Hermione, but that still feels strange). She is kind, patient, and has been so understanding as to instil some family traditions into Scorpius’ life, even though her experiences of us have been so abhorrent. I barely contained my emotions when I heard her speak in French to my grandson, just as I spoke to you when you were young. Whilst Astoria’s intentions were less than honourable, she has stumbled upon a witch that is one of a kind. I really think we’ve been blessed, Draco. What we did to deserve it, I cannot begin to fathom.
Happy birthday, my dragon. I miss you.
All my love,
Mother