After the end comes a new beginning II

Draco P.O.V.

Pain and numbness. I never knew it was possible to feel both at the same time until today. Wait… what was I doing yesterday? And why am I in pain? Were we attacked by one of dad's enemies again?

. . .

And why is there a compulsion charm in my head? I nonchalantly shook my head to disperse the charm then slowly tried to open my eyes - which I found very difficult to do since they felt very crusty. It took me a while, but when I successfully opened my eyes and adjusted to the brightness of the room, Dad's full face that seemed pretty bloated encompassed by entire vision. It was not a pretty sight… nor was it a welcome one. Why is dad crying? I don't want him to cry anymore.

"Da-?" I tried to voice out, but my throat was too dry.

"Wa—t. tt—er. Wat---ter."

Dad let go of my hand which I didn't notice he was holding, and stumbled around trying to swiftly pour me a glass of water. He pressed something on the side of my bed which shifted me into a sitting position. Handing me the glass, I readily gulped down every last drop thankful for the refreshing cool feeling as the water flowed down my throat.

"Ahh~ Thanks dad." I let my hand holding the glass drop down to rest on my lap. Dad bent over and took the glass from my hands and placing it down on the side table. Dad seems kind of off. Like he hasn't showered for a couple days. He smells kind of off too.

"Dad are you okay?" Tony's eyebrows lifted in surprised, as though shocked I would ask such a question. But it only lasted a couple seconds before his face relaxed into his usual smile that was slightly amused.

"I should be asking you that sport. How are you feeling?" Dad's smile was really comforting today for some reason.

"Ugh- I'm hurting all over and I don't know why." I complained to Tony, letting all the whininess I currently felt into that sentence.

"Well would you mind telling me why you are hurting?"

???

What did dad mean by that? Did I do something yesterday? . . . I remember that I was heading somewhere.. Yeah! Diagon Alley!... Why did I go to Diagon Alley again???

". . . I. . . Don't know???"

Dad raised his eyebrow again, as though unbelieving that I didn't know why I was in pain. However, the pure confusion in my voice must have convinced him since that eyebrow feel as quickly as it rose. Ah wait I remember something!

"Wait dad! I remembered! Yeah, yesterday I went to Diagon Alley to purchase my school materials and new wardrobe! I know I haven't received my letter yet, but I know I will soon! I can't wait to go to school again! (And finally get started on my plans to stop the Dark Douchebag!)"

"What???" Shock defined the work that rolled off of Dad's tongue. His eyebrows slowly tightened in anger about to scold me again. Ah… Did I forgot to tell him why I chose to attend Oxford in the first place?. . .

"Wait wait wait- Dad! Let me explain!" Dad took a sharp breath, and deeply exhaled to calm him rising nerves.

"3 sentences." Uwahhh~ I could see the anger in Dad's eyes even without me using legilimency… Of course, I would never use legilimency on Dad. Never again. It has become my taboo.

"Well Dad, I chose to get into Oxford so that I can stay in Britain and get the chance to attend Hogwarts. Hogwarts is the British wizarding school that kids like me attend at age 11. Ever since I learned I was a wizard and heard about Hogwarts, I've always always wanted to go to Hogwarts. So could I pleeaasseee attend? Pleeaaaassseeeee?"

Conflict and hesitation battled in my father's gaze. I see it's still not enough. I quickly take hold of his hands and squeeze them as tight as I could. Letting the desperation seep into my voice I plead.

"Pleeaaasssseeee???"

I could see my dad's eyes soften yet still firmly held his stand against my leaving. So I reached out and hugged my dad's torso while still sitting in bed. Now the only thing between me and falling on the ground, was my dad's lap. If he dares move away, I will fall.

"Dad. Pleeaaassseeee??? I heard Hogwarts is the saftest place on the planet. Their headmaster is wizard Superman! Also, I promise to come back home every chance I get! And I promise to always contact you after my classes. So plleeaassee???"

I looked up at Tony wanting to see if my pleading worked. And I think it did! His eyes were definitely much much softer! So soft that his bones looked squishy.

He gave a resigned smile and hugged me around my shoulders, slightly lifting me up in the process.

"I'll think about it Tom. But for now I just need you to stay at home. With me. No more adventures and I'll think about it. Can you promise me that?"

Dad's hug feels warm and I felt happy. But for some reason, I also felt sad. Really sad and I didn't know why. But I do know that at this moment, I felt safe.

I hugged Tony back, just staying in the moment wrapped in my dad's comforting warmth.

"Yes dad. I promise."

We stayed like that for longer than a minute before he let go, kissed my forehead, and rubbed my head.

"Aggghhh dad, no! Not my hair!"

Tony burst out in laughter, his shoulders going up and down releasing much of the muscle tension he had built up.

"Ahahaha I didn't ruin anything Tom. You already had a massive bedhead when you woke up!"

"What?!" My eyes grew wide in disbelief. Bedhead? Impossible.

Tony stood up and his chair creaked against the floor as it was pushed back. He stretched his arms and legs, before smiling down at me and rubbing my head again.

"Alright, let me get you your meal. I'm sure you must be starving."

"Famished!" I corrected.

"Yes. Famished."

Dad gave me one last smile a head rub. Merlin, why does he suddenly keep doing that???

"I'm glad your awake son. I really am."

I watched him turn around and walk out the door. Giving one last big smile and a thumbs up before shutting it close.

I inhaled a big gulp of air - relishing the fresh, cool, sanitized and with a hint of herbs air as it filled my lungs before exhaling it all out at once.

I touched my head with my left hand and felt that my hair was oilier than usual, which is definitely a bad sign. Did I finally hit puberty again? I can't believe I made this much oil in a night.

Pulling my hand away, I felt a strand of hair catch between my fingers. I pinched that strand of hair with my right index and thumb fingers and brough it closer to my eyes.

It was the same shade as dad's hair- really dark almost black brown. Quite strange that dad's hair got in mine, but nothing too out of the box since even Pepper's hair sometimes lands on my shoulders despite us not meeting that often.

{Catalipsie} I called with my mind.

I felt something scuttle under my bed sheets before seeing her crawl up my left arm and rest on my hand.

{Hey there girl. Did you sleep well?} I rubbed the bottom of her chin, hearing her give a contented hiss.

[No. I was worried you wouldn't wake] I heard her reply

. . . ???

"What?!?" I hissed in surprise.

[It has been longer than a week Tom! You were asleep!]

. . .

{What do you mean? How could I sleep that long?}

I watched as Catalipsie tilted her head down contemplatively before glancing back up at me.

{I understand now. Your memories have been erased with that spell called "Obliviate" when you were unconscious. I had to send the distress signal with your watch because you wouldn't wake.}

. . . That was. . . My forehead knitted as I realized my current situation was far more complicated than I initially discerned when waking up.

[Please start from the beginning. No. . . Please let me see what happened. At least the most important parts. And can I see the rest later with a Pensieve?]

I didn't want to strain her too much by making her use too much of her magic. However, I needed to know in order to understand what I should do now.

Catalipsie nodded her head and I brought her to my eye level. Her eyes began to slow as she brought my consciousness into her mind, making me see whatever we want me to see; whether they are delusions or in this case her own memories.

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~// Author's note:

Hello everyone!

Near the end of volume 1 and starting from vol 2 is when I think things really get exciting, (since before this was emotional and world building to make Draco competent enough to handle vol. 2).

However, I've only been getting negative reviews lately. Some of which are deleted after they are posted but I can still read them.

And frankly, I don't understand why since they don't provide much feedback on "what" they don't like. So I want to ask.

Which chapters did you enjoy? Conversely, which did you not enjoy? Are my P.O.V. shifts too excessive (should I try to keep the story purely Draco P.O.V. As much as I can?)? Did you notice a change in my writing style that is worse than when I started?

I truly enjoy writing my own fanfic, since I can let my imagination run wild and explore "what ifs" that haven't been explored by other authors. However, context-less negative reviews compounded with irl stress is really discouraging, and I've started to hesitate when writing.

On a different note. How are you all spending Halloween this year?! Will you dress up? And what are you dressing up as??!! I'm super excited for Halloween!!! I love all the decorations and the costumes and being able to dress up as whatever you want without other's judgemental eyes!❤️❤️❤️

I've been waiting for this event for a whole year! I made my own costume, but couldn't wear it last year since my family and I wore matching themes.

(I feel bad for Harry) But I love love LOVE Halloween!!!!

That's it, hope ya'll have a wonderful October!

Best,

TheGirlWithCurls

End of note//~