Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: Astorias Vengeance

TW: Language, Depression Demian sat on Malfoys bed, eagerly awaiting his return from class. As it approached lunchtime, he decided that he would join the others in the great hall, his head was pounding from dehydration. He had been neglecting his own needs lately without the meticulous schedule and guidance of going to class. He almost missed it, and he started getting his shoes on to head to the great hall. He heard the door creak open, and he smiled, expecting to see his lover, only someone else walked in. His heart sank, a man much older, walked in. His long silver hair draped over his shoulders and Demian felt a chill go down his spine, Lucius.He locked eyes with Demian, who stepped back out of fear. His hands trembled and he sat back down on Malfoys bed, afraid his legs would give out. "So, it's true." Lucius said, an evil grin appearing on his face. "My son is sleeping around with a half blood, with a boy."Demian stammered, "I-I'"You what, cat got your tongue boy?" "We're just friends." He lied. Lucius laughed, "Do you take me for a fool? Like Draco would leave a friend in his private quarters. No, he had every intention of coming back here and playing with you, from the looks of it for the second time today." He poked at the clothes on the floor with his cane. "Disgusting." He hissed. "Astoria was right to tell me, although I wanted to believe it was a rumor, clearly there's some truth behind it all. So, here's what's going to happen, you're going to leave this room, and you're never going to speak to my son again you filthy fucking mudblood." Demian felt tears stinging his eyes, he stared at him and remained silent, "Do I make myself clear?" He lifted his cane and titled Demians chin upward, forcing him to look into his eyes, "Get the fuck out of this room, and never speak of what you and my son have done." Demian jerked his face away and tried to control his emotions, he picked up his things quickly and left the room. When he made it to the hallway the tears flowed freely, and as he passed the common room on his way out Pansy saw him. A smirk broke out over her face, and she fixed the scarf that was adorned around her neck, her wounds felt more justified now.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*On his way back to the tower, the students were filing out of the great hall from lunch, Malfoy saw him, tears streaming and immediately ran after him. Higgs was watching from the sidelines, the jealousy eating away at him. "Demian, Demian wait!" Malfoy said, "What's wrong?"Demian remained silent, he scanned the hallway looking for Lucius and finally he said, "Your father, he's here. And he knows." Malfoy swallowed hard, a fear overtook his eyes, and he created some space between them. "He saw you?" He said. "Yes, and I'm to never speak to you again." He said, sadly, wiping his face free of the tears that just wouldn't stop coming. Malfoy felt sick, he sighed and reached up, gently wiping away the drops that just kept coming. "Have you nothing to say?" Demian responded. But Malfoy didn't utter a word. Fear and anger overtook Demain, and he turned on his heels, leaving Malfoy standing there. "Fuck." Draco muttered, under his breath, watching him walk away. He didn't try to stop him. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*Demain walked back to the tower quickly, avoiding others gaze as he continued to cry. He couldn't believe this was happening, the fear he had of Lucius was overwhelming, but the thought of never seeing Malfoy again scared him even more. When he was at the entrance of the common room, he looked up, and Astoria stood there. Smirking. He wiped his face, and they locked eyes, she walked up to him with confidence. "What's wrong, Demian? Are you sad that Malfoy will never stick his dick in you again?" She laughed, and he pushed past her, the anger overwhelming him. He went to his room and slammed the door, letting out a scream that could be heard throughout the halls. Shortly after, Peter and Mordred arrived, Demians eyes were stained a deep crimson from all the crying, he was silently smoking out the window. "Hey man..." Peter said softly. He remained silent. "You wanna talk about it?" Demian sighed, he turned to his friends. "It's Lucius. He knows." Peter turned a ghostly shade of white and Mordred fell back onto his bed, avoiding Demians eyes. "Well fuck..." Peter said. "So what does that mean?" "It means I can't fucking see him anymore. And it's killing me." Demian replied. For a moment neither of them said anything, until finally, Mordred spoke up, "Listen, I know things seem like they're the end of the world now, but eventually, you'll find someone else. Someone better than Draco fucking Malfoy." Peter shot him a worried look and shook his head, mouthing "shut the fuck up." Demian grit his teeth, he turned to Mordred and said angrily "Fuck you man." And he stormed out of the room. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*Dracos POVFuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.His heart was beating erratically as he walked up to his dorm. He opened the door, and his father was casually going through the drawers of his bedside table. "Well then, if it isn't the disappointment." He said, slamming the drawer shut and looking up at him. "What the fuck do you want?" Malfoy said. "I want you to act like a fucking pureblood, like my son. You forget that by extension, whatever you do, reflects on me. And I won't have you running around fucking mudblood boys behind my back." Malfoy instinctively curled one of his fists and grit his teeth, "I can be with whoever the fuck I want." He spat at him. "No, no you can't. And you won't. You will marry someone of pureblood, a woman. And you will produce a worthy heir to carry on the legacies of this family. You are never to see him again, do I make myself clear?" Malfoy remained silent, but the anger in his eyes spoke for themselves. "Pack your things, you're coming home for break, early. And I will teach you what it means to be a proper part of this family." "Fuck you." Malfoy muttered under his breath. And without saying anything, Lucius stepped to him, smacking him hard across the face with the back of his hand, an imprint of a gaudy ring left a welt on Malfoys face and his father took his wand out of the tip of his cane, pointing it at him. "Don't make me use this, pack your things, now." Malfoy rubbed the side of his face momentarily, but kept his composure, he quietly packed his things and left with his father. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*Demians head was spinning, his arms were crossed protectively around himself as he wandered the halls aimlessly, before stumbling outside and heading for Black Lake. It was just after dusk, and the sun was setting, he felt comfort in this place and sat down on the sandy shores. Slowly, he regained his composure and the tears stopped coming. He wrapped his arms around his legs that were pressed against his chest and stared out at the lapping waters. The cold nipped the air around him and he sniffled. Suddenly, someone sat down next to him, and a comforting arm went over his shoulder, he looked up and saw Higgs. "What's wrong, Valentino?" He said. Demian looked down, focusing on the lapping waves that were hitting the shores and said nothing. Higgs sighed, he pulled him closer and leaned his head against Demians."It's going to be okay." He said, reassuringly. For a moment the two of them sat silent and watched the sunset. Demian was lost in his own thoughts, when he heard a splash. Higgs was tossing rocks into the water. Demian closed his eyes, listening to the familiar sounds when he felt a hand under his chin once again, he kept his eyes closed and Higgs pressed his lips against his own. When he kissed him, suddenly a wave of emotion overtook him, and the memory of the first time he sat at Black Lake ocame rushing back to him. He saw Malfoy and reconciled in that first kiss they shared. He wept. And Higgs understood this wasn't the time. He took him into his arms and let him unleash the sadness and fear he felt into his chest. For a time, he did nothing but comfort him, until finally the tears stopped once more. That night, the two said very little, until finally he walked Demian back to his dorm, and they went their separate ways. He hugged him before he left, and Demian felt a comfort he thought he would never feel again, after today. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*Over the next few days, Demian noticed Malfoy was no longer at school. He felt sick, and wondered what was happening to him. What wrath his father was unleashing on him at home. It finally came time for winter break, and Demian made the decision to go home. He missed his parents and wanted a chance to tell them all that had transpired during his chaotic year at Hogwarts. As he was packing his things, Mordred came up behind him. "Hey...listen I know we haven't spoken in a few days, but I'm sorry. For what I said. It was fucked up."Demian remained quiet. "I have no idea how close you guys really were, but obviously, you really care about him." Demian bit the inside of his lip and turned to his friend. "You have no idea, mate." Mordred looked sad, he felt a pang of guilt in his side. "Who knows, maybe this will all blow over." He tried to say, comfortingly. "I really hope so man..." Demian replied. "It's gonna be alright mate, I promise." He said in his most reassuring voice.Demian forced a smile and nodded in agreement, trying to surpress his tears.The two hugged and he finished packing his things. Peter finally entered. "You boys ready to go?" Demian simply nodded, and they went to catch the train together. On the way home Demian watched the snow fall, he exhaled, and steam filled up the window. He silently wrote, D.M + D.VAnd felt tears stinging his eyes once more. He wiped the window clean with his sleeve. When the train finally came to a stop, he did his best to smile and see his friends off, but it was hard for him. He heard a familiar voice calling his name, his mother stood there, waving with his father standing just behind him. For the first time in a while, he smiled for real, and he ran to her, hugging her tightly. She was surprised, but grateful to see her son and she stroked his hair protectively. "Oh Demian, we've missed you so much." She said. He cried silently in his mothers arms for a few moments, she looked concenred and just held him closely, eventually they finally went home together. At dinner that night, his mother finally got the courage to ask, "So, are you going to tell us what's been going on with you, darling?" Demian poked at his food, he sighed quietly. "There's just so much to say." "We have all the time in the world." His mother said comfortingly. Demian looked up from his plate, he felt that familiar pit in his stomach, fear. He swallowed hard and without a second thought he blurted out, "I'm gay." His father was taking a sip of water and choked a little, the splatter flew up onto his glasses and he removed them, cleaning them with his shirt. His mother simply smiled, she reached across the table and placed her hand over her sons. "Darling, that doesn't matter to us." She shoved an elbow into her husbands ribs and he stammered, "Y-yes. That's true son, I was just a little shocked that's all." "That's not all."His father set down his fork and prepared himself. "Well, go on." His mother said. She casually continued eating her food. "The boy I love...It's Draco Malfoy." His mothers eyes went wide and she chewed her food silently for a minute. "And...does he love you?" she finally replied."I don't know, I think so...But recently his father found out. He suddenly disappeared from school and I haven't seen or heard from him in days." Valencia contemplated her words carefully, she finally spoke. "Darling...you mustn't worry what other people think of your love. Look at your father and I. A lot of people in the wizarding world frown upon me for choosing to be with a muggle born. And at first, I felt like I was making the wrong decision. But when I put aside other people's opinions, and focused on my own happiness, I found something that I wouldn't trade for the world." Demians father looked up and smiled at her, taking her hand in his and finally turning to his son. "She's right." He said, suddenly. "I might have been shocked to hear all this, but the truth is you should love whoever you want. No one can tell you what your heart already knows. If you love this boy, everything will work out. I know it." Valencia looked at her husband and smiled, they both turned to Demian who had tears in his eyes. "Thank you..." He said. They enjoyed their dinner, and he went to bed in the comforts of his own room for the first time in months. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*Over the next few days the light started to return to Demians eyes, he spent some much needed time with his family and his parents showered him with praise and love. Christmas eve finally came, and Demian went to his backyard to sneak a smoke, he had a treehouse in his backyard he used to love playing in when he was younger, and he still liked to use it for moments like this. He climbed the ladder and entered his safe space. He lit the cigarette and took a drag, the familiar smoke grounding him back to this earth. He saw an owl flying overhead, it had a package and he watched as it dropped it at the foot of the ladder. He smiled, wondering what this could possibly be. He finished his cigarette and tossed it secretly into the neighbor's yard, he felt bad, but worried what his parents would think. He climbed down from his safe space and picked up the package. There was no sender, but it was addressed to him. He entered the back door and his mother was pulling cookies from the oven, the house smelled heavenly, and he sat down at the table. She turned to him, "Oh there you are darling, what's that?" she inquired. "I don't know...." He said. And started to unwrap the brown paper. Inside was a journal, curiously he thumbed through the pages and there were some pressed flowers between the papers, scattered throughout. Finally, he found a note on the last page, "For each night we shared, I picked a flower from the hidden garden that reminded me of you and pressed it between these pages. Cheer up, my beautiful boy, and Merry Christmas.Love, T.H." "Oh darling, that's beautiful." His mother said. "Is it from Malfoy?" Demian shook his head, but smiled, nonetheless. "No...but it's the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me." His lip trembled, and his mother came around the table, hugging him protectively while familiar droplets littered his cheeks, this time a mixture of both sadness, and happiness.