Chapter 57 - Greater Good

Silence filled the room as Mei stepped out. Her hand ran through her hair nervously, looking at the crowd in front of her. Their eyes filled with wonder and awe, she was used to some attention, but this was over whelming to her.

“What do you think?” Mei’s mother was the first to speak.

She turned away from the eyes that were scanning her up and down, still in awe. She faced the floor length mirror. She realized now, why they were in shock. The wedding dress laid perfectly on her body, which also provided an air of elegance around her. She felt the dress all the way to the tulle skirt and picked up an end so that she could twirl. She loved the flow of the skirt, and she loved the floral accents that ran from the bust to the bottom of the dress even more.

The sales lady adjusted the train on the dress, “This A-Line spaghetti strapped dress, is not only perfect for the ceremony, but perfect for the reception. More importantly though, it absolutely looks amazing on you.”

 “You’ll look even more beautiful with this.” Fleur said as she placed a veil on Mei.

Mrs. Diggory, and Mrs. Kuran’s eyes filled with tears as Mei turned around once more. Bill and Fleur smiled from ear to ear, the same way Mei and Cedric looked when Fleur had went wedding dress shopping. Finally, Mei’s eyes met with Cedric’s, which made the tears start welling up in her own eyes. He still had the look of wonder, but she could tell the love and the happiness in his expression too.

Mei turned to the mirror. She had never felt this way before, and right then and there, she knew- This dress was the one she would get married to Cedric in. She wiped the little tears, so it wouldn’t run down her face, nor get on the dress.

“This is the one,” She spoke, which put smiles all over her little entourage’s face.

The sales lady smiled again as well, “Perfect. Your mother and I will talk about all the pricing, and any alterations for the special day. You can get changed, dear.”

Mei nodded and went back in the change room, and her mom and Cedric’s mom went to talk to the sales girl. She closed the curtain to the big change room, and smiled one last time to herself, for there was a floor length mirror in her own change room. She slowly unzipped the dress and slipped herself out. She didn’t want to step on anything or get anything ruined even before she actually wore it on the big day. She hung the dress with the other dresses she tried before, but slightly separating it. She was ready to put on her regular clothes, until she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

She was only in her undergarments, so she saw every scar on her body that she had desperately hid from everyone. It was to the point where they did not hurt anymore, but the bruises and scars were still noticeably there.

When she was at school, and even when she came back on break, she deliberately tried to dismiss them. However, in the change room, she could see all the flaws. Her head started hurting, as she remembered all she had gone through for the past few months. She fell to her knees, holding her stomach with all the scars, and she started to scream.

“Mei!” Her mother rushed, to see her daughter on the floor, bruises and scratches all over her back, “W-who did this to y-you?”

Fleur followed behind her, and saw Mei stand up to reveal more of the scars on her body. She ran up to hug her, with Mrs. Kuran and Mrs. Diggory following. Finally, Cedric came in with Bill, and he saw his precious girlfriend. He never saw how damaged she was. He hurriedly grabbed one of the robes that was on the rack and placed it around Mei.

“How did this come about? Why didn’t you show me?” Cedric had many questions running through his head.

She shook her head, “I can’t tell you.”

“You have to. Please, Mei.” Fleur cried.

“My baby, you can’t get better, if you don’t tell us what happened,” Her mother cooed.

Mei stood up with the help of Fleur, “We revived the D.A, and we helped to protect other students,” Tears started falling from her face, “But it wasn’t always enough. The Carrows, “Her voice choked up, “They hurt us, manipulate us, and turn students one another. We try to recruit more people, but it just leaves us with punishments. We even tried to have people escape from detention, which resulted in even more punishment. I get punishment for helping my fellow Gryffindor. I want to help, but I don’t know if I can. I don’t know if my body can handle it.”

Mei hugged Cedric as hard as she could, as if her body was crumbling before her. All the emotions she had not released for so long, was now over-flowing out. She wanted to be strong, but in front of her family and friends, she could not anymore.

Cedric, still not letting go, told her, “I don’t think you should go back to Hogwarts.”

“Honey, it’s not the safe Hogwarts we once knew. You can’t go back,” Her mother cried.

“No. Please. I need to go back. I must,” Mei spitted in between tears.

Cedric pulled way, “Why? You can stay here, and you won’t get hurt, especially if you stay here with me. Or with Fleur. Anywhere but Hogwarts.”

“I disagree with that.”

The whole group turned around towards the voice that spoke, which was not one of their own.

It was Narcissa Malfoy.

Mei’s mother brought out her wand and directed it towards Narcissa, “What are you doing here?”

Narcissa held out her hand, and lowered Mrs. Kuran’s wand. She started walking towards Mei, who was again, being held tightly by Cedric, on the ground. She again held out her hand, for Mei’s own. Cedric held even tighter, but Mei pushed off, grabbing a hold of Mrs. Malfoy. Mei weakly stood up, and immediately Narcissa eyed her body. Then, she finally spoke.

“I am so sorry, you have to go through all that,” Her voice was shaking, “I consider you like my own child, and seeing you like this, hurts me.”

“Enough with that,” Mei’s mother yelled, going towards her daughter, “Tell me why you are here.”

Narcissa smiled softly, “I snuck away for the manor, for Mei, because my boy wishes. Draco sends his wishes, and he now has received your letters. Mei. You have to understand, your family and friends are known to be against the dark lord, and if he who must be named finds out Draco is talking to his enemies, it would be bad for him, and my family.”

Tears were started welling up in Mei’s eyes again, “I understand.”

“And you also need to understand this,” Mrs. Malfoy continued, “Ultimately, it’s your choice on whether you go back to Hogwarts or not. Draco doesn’t have a choice, but you do. Yes, you may be experiencing so much pain, but you’re helping those who cannot be helped. However, I know if you go back, you’ll have a bigger target placed over your head. Are you ready for that?”

Everyone looked around to each other. They were all targets for the Dark Lord, especially since all of them have defied him in some way.

 “If you are, go back to Hogwarts. Help your fellow students, and if you can’t anymore, know you’re fighting for an amazing cause,” She hugged Mei, and the tears started flowing again, “No one can know I was here with you all, but just know I am here in spirit.”

With that Narcissa was gone. Silence came upon the group once more. They were all thinking about she had said.

Mei took a deep sigh, “I am going back. For the greater good.”

Chapter 56 - Safety

“I just wish I could see him.” Harry spoke softly as they all laid down in he tent.

Ron rolled his eyes, “After all he did?” Harry nodded, even though he knew Ron wouldn’t be able to see him.

“I still love him, and I know he still loves me,” Harry sighed, “We might not be seeing the big picture, when I was in the tower, he didn’t look like he wanted to do it. Maybe he is in danger-”

“Whatever you say,” Ron scoffed, rolling over so his back faced Harry.

Hermione slowly nudged herself to Harry, “ We’ve known Draco for years, and even though we were unsure when you two started dating, if was just a scheme or something worst, but I know better now. Draco wouldn’t never try to hurt you, but I know he loves his family, just as much as he loves you. I trust him that how everything played out, he didn’t want it either.” 

“Thanks Hermione, I needed that,” He pulled his covers to his face.

Hermione smiled, “Now that everyone is silent. I believe we should travel to the Lovegood home, I feel like Xenophilius knows what these Deathly Hallows are about.”

Ron and Harry nodded. Soon, Harry could hear Ron snoring, and saw that Hermione was sleeping as well. He still longed for Draco, even though he saw all what happened in the Astronomy Tower. However, he knew with Draco by his side, he could sleep at night.

-//-

As soon as Voldemort dismissed them, Draco steadily walked out of his dining room. He wanted to run, but he could not show the Dark Lord and the other Death Eaters how weak he truly was. There was sick feeling in his stomach, like any other time he set foot in the dining room. He was reminded of what happened to Professor Burbage every time, and that feeling wouldn’t go away, even after the countless of meetings he had attended. Draco never really liked her, she was the professor for Muggle Studies, why would he? But seeing her body being effortlessly lifted from the ground, and directed to Nagini, was something he never wished to see. 

He wiped the sweat cascading from his forehead, caused by thinking about the situation again, “Draco, my boy, how are you?” He heard from behind him.

“Very well mother,” He lied.

She smiled sweetly, “That’s good to hear,” She caressed his hair, like Harry, “After all we’ve been through, it’s really good to hear.”

“Mother, you do not have to be so vague about it. I see it in everyone’s eyes,” He gritted his teeth, “The Malfoys should be number one, we were always there even when father was in jail. Don’t they realize-”

Narcissa placed her hand on is shoulder, and Draco shut himself up immediately. Due to Draco's helpful role in Dumbledore's death, Voldemort liberated Lucius from Azkaban. However, the Malfoys had lost much of their influence in the Death Eater circles, and it took a toll on his family. 

His hands turned into fists, “I just want to be with Harry, and not be a part of this war,” His mother pulled him into a warm hug, “They’re going to kill him, mom. I never wanted this. I never wanted to fall for him. I never wanted to see him go away. I hate Harry Potter, but i hate Vol-”

“Honey, its okay. We’ll get through this together,” She handed him an envelope, “As a family” 

Narcissa walked away before saying anything else. Draco stood there dumbfounded, looking at the envelope. He opened it and tears started building in his eyes. He knew that impeccable handwriting. How could he not know his own sister’s writing.

-//-

Draco stormed into his family’s library, “How long have you been keeping this from me? She said she sent other letters, where are them? Why wont you let me read them? Why did you do this to me? Your only son-”

“For your safety!” Narcissa yelled back.

He stood there silently. Long were the days his mother screamed at him like he was some child. He saw her deeply sigh before she smoke again, sadness falling over her face.

“It’s always been to keep you safe,” She took his hand in hers, “We’ve talked about this before. You played a helpful role, but that does not make us safe.”

“But the letters, Mei is my sister.” Draco retorted.

She shook her head, “Not anymore.” 

“WHAT?” 

Once again she sighed, “The Dark Lord, he realized what had happened. ‘How could the Malfoy lets this pureblood family, who helped muggles, deceived them,’ he said. The adoption papers, the contract, every single item that made you siblings. It was destroyed.”

Draco shook his head, “No, he can’t. There was no harm in any of this, Dad just didn’t want me to date Harry-”

“And Harry is the Dark Lord’s enemy! Why would he want one of his allies dating his enemy. Draco, he is rising in power, and we do not want to be hurt in the process. I care for you, and I care for your father.”

“And you cared for Mei! She treated her as if she was my blood born sister. Why are you turning away from her. Why are you making me ignore her. You said that she didn’t want to see me, but this letter alone says otherwise.” Draco huffed

Silent tears cascaded down Narcissa eyes, “She is like a daughter to me, but you are truly my soon,” she reached over to a box beside her, “I can’t protect her.”

“We can try!” Draco yelled.

“No we can’t Draco. I don’t know what is going to happen with he Kuran family, or what will happen to them in this war. However, more importantly I don’t want you to be tangled in the Dark Lord’s plans anymore. Just take these and go.” 

His mother handed him the box, filled with the rest of Mei’s letters.

Chapter 55 - Letters

“Draco?” Cedric’s mother asked. 

Mei nodded shyly, “I don't think I could do this without him. We may have started things on a rocky path, but he’s my brother.” 

Mei could tell that everyone was concerned at what she had said, even Cedric. She hadn’t told Cedric who she was choosing, because she was too confused and concerned whether to add Draco to her bridal party. They had gone through so much together, and maybe if they were not actually related by blood, Draco was the sibling Mei always longed for. The growing silence, made Mei question her choice even more, she didn’t know if she was really doing the right thing.

“If you wish my dear,” Cedric was the first to speak, “But when was the last time you heard from Draco?” 

The room became eerily quiet once again. After the events of last year, Draco had kept his distance from her. She would occasionally see him during the summer, but he would disappear every time she would try to approach him. She would write letters, but they were always sent back. She knew Draco’s true mother loved her like as if Mei was one of her own, but she too did not approach Mei or send letters.  

Mr. Kuran’s sigh broke the silence, “I wish I never evolved you, my beautiful sakura.”

“Dad-”

“We wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for me and my thirst for power and social climbing-” Cedric pulled in Mei’s dad for a hug.

“Dad, please don’t say that,” Mei joined the hug, “We are getting through this, and I’ve learned a lot of experience and wisdom, and not to mention I wouldn’t have met such amazing people at Hogwarts were it not for you”

Silence came again, but Mei could feel the warmth rather than the piercing coldness of the other pauses of silence that came before. 

Mei felt Mrs. Diggory gently pat her back, “Maybe try writing to Draco, one more time-”

“And if he doesn’t respond,” Mei’s mother continued, “Then, Mei you need to move on.”

Mei nodded, and took the paper and pen, Amos Diggory provided her. With the pen in her hand, she kept writing, even when her hand cramped up. She wrote about the wedding, the planning of it, her wish for Draco to join, and anything upcoming event that was related. She wrote about the pain she had that Draco ignored her, and how she missed their little get togethers. Before she finished, she asked about Harry, for she didn’t know where he was, or Hermione or Ron for that matter. 

With the thought of the golden trio in mind, she hoped that Hermione could somehow make her wedding, as she thought back to what she said earlier. Her and cedric’s parents were concerned about Draco, but didn’t realize she had said that she wanted Hermione as her maid-of-honour, but she had been missing for months. She worried so much for her best friend, but she knew she would stay strong, especially with Ron and Hermione by their side 

Mei smiled weakly to herself, and sealed her letter to Draco. Cedric helped her send it, and Mei prayed that it would actually get to him this time.

-//-

Narcissa opened the letter first. She always opened the letters that came to the house, she had to, especially with nosy Death Eaters, and the Dark Lord himself, vacating her home. She sighed, seeing the handwriting, she knew it was from Mei. She had written to Draco and even to herself all summer, and all year. However, with the safety of her family in mind, she sent them all back. However, something stirred inside her. She knew that to keep her family safe, she had to send the letter back or risk someone else reading it, but Narcissa had a gut feeling that this letter needed to be read this time 

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wow its been a looooong ass time (probably it will be another after this update) but im getting more free time, and writing seems to de-stress me.. so here ya gooo~