Healing Chapter 22
Title: Healing (22/X)
Author: Maggie2mw (that's me!)
Word Count: 1,400
Rating: PG
Pairing: SS/OC and other minor pairings
Warnings: Spoiler to DH
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: Olga opened her eyes to a strange world and decided to stay. She met strange people, and then realised that she is not much different. Hogwarts is reopening, and there are Death Eater activities again...
Chapter 22 - Days to Christmas
The festival season had arrived.
I had managed my presents shopping by splitting it between separate trips with Draco Severus Narcissa and owl orders. I was nerves about my present choices, but decided to go with my intuition.
We were all celebrating Yule at the Manor. Draco and I were going back the first day of the break, and Severus would be joining us for Christmas Eve and stay for the next day.
Now stood in my room, double and triple check I got all the presents wrapped and packed. The ones for the faculty had already been given to Knocky the house-elf, the rest was still an extensive list that I was afraid to leave any behind.
“Come on, Olga!” Draco bounced in my door. “I can’t wait to go be back in the Manor. Are these the presents? Let me shrink them for you. I assure you the shrinking charm is very save, it will not damage them, trust me.”
A few swipe of Draco’s wand, my pile on my bed had all minimised and stored into my travelling case.
“Can you double check if I had left anything behind?” I was still not sure.
“Certainly, Accio Olga’s presents!”
My suit case rattled, but to my surprise a soft package flew across the room.
I froze at the sight.
Draco’s attention was on the package in his hands that he missed my expression.
“Looks like you missed one.” He gave it a shake then a pad. “What is this, a garment of some sort?”
It snapped me into action. I snatched it out of his hands and stuffed in into my case. “Um, nothing important, just a jumper I brought for winter.” I was never a good at making up a liar on the spot.
Draco narrowed his eyes in suspicion but didn’t press the issue. He swiftly changed the topic. “Come, you are making us late for lunch! You should know better than keep Father waiting.”
CHANGEOFSCENE
Today was Christmas Eve. Narcissa had outdone herself with the decorations. Tonight was a family affair, but tomorrow night would be the much anticipated Malfoy Yule Ball. I could hear the preparation all the way in my room. I smiled to myself. Narcissa really enjoyed dressing up and throwing parties.
Nearly the time to go down, I should put on some tough of the festive sprite of my own. There were few Christmas twinklers that Narcissa insisted on getting for me when we saw them on our shopping trip. They were a mixed set of Fairlight and sparkly hairpins, and another set of twinkle star earrings with matching necklace and bracelets. Together with the forest green robe - “Darling, this is for the Slytherin touch, I am not letting you wear Gryffindor red under the roof of the Malfoy house!” - I thought she was conspired to turn me into a walking Christmas tree. I refuse to wear them for the ball, but I suppose I could indulge her for the dinner.
My hand paused when I opened my case. On top was the present I nearly left behind in the school. It was a cardigan that was still in its tissue packaging. It was not for me. It was for my Grandma.
Every since I left home, I had never returned to my hometown. My relationship with my parents was strained and I was headstrong. I decided to cut all my ties with my family to start afresh on my own. The person I missed the most was my Grandma, but I was young and stubborn that I kept myself away all these years. Only connection with home I maintained was a Christmas present for each year. It was always a cardigan.
I opened the wrapping and laid it on my bed. It was a gentle grey with few large patterns of dusty pink water lilies. Grandma loved flowers, when I saw this in the shop I thought it would be perfect for her that bought it straight way. Only when I was unloading my shopping I realised my stupidity, but I never went back to return it.
A knock on the door. “Olga, may I come in?”
“Severus!” I quickly rubbed my eyes to insure that no tears remained, but I should know better to keep anything from Severus.
“What is worrying you?” He cupped my cheek in the palm of his hand and looked into my eyes.
“Nothing important.” I averted my eyes. Bad move, Severus’ attention was turned to the cardigan.
“You are thinking about your family.” It was a statement. After the gaining the insight into my life from the Legilimency incident, Severus became the expert in reading my intentions.
“You are my family, the Malfoys are my family. I am content. Really.” I found easier talking to the firm chest.
“Olga, we are. Please look at me.” I shifted my head reluctantly. “Do you wish to stay in this world? Would you ever want to return to the where you grow up? We could help you if you do-”
“No, no!” I shook my head franticly. “I do not want to return. I had never thought about it in since I arrive, never once! I have you, I have a family that I feel a part of. I have a job that I enjoy. This is the first time I truly feel I belong! I do not want to leave. Are you hinting I should?”
“Shh, shh.” Soft kisses were pressed into my hair. “No one is hinting such a thing. We miss you too much to let you leave. I would have to chase after you if you are ever gone.”
The memory of Severus in his black teaching robe running in the London shopping mall brought a twist to my mouth.
“Would you like to have that present delivered?”
“Pardon?” That question took me my surprise.
“Would you like to have the cardigan send to your grandmother?”
“That is ridicules, she is not my grandma, that is if she is even exist in this reality.” I fawned. “I don’t know what came over me, to purchase a gift for someone whom ...” My throat suddenly clogged.
“I think you need to visit your family home.” My protest was block by a finger on my lips. “It is no good continue on the speculation and regret. You need you see for yourself, Olga. Be brave and face your past.”
“To get closure so I can move on.” I finished the sentence.
“To get closure and to move on.” Severus echoed quietly.
I led us to the couch. Severus remained silent to let me to my own thoughts. I have not been back to Siberia for more than five years now. There would be so many changes in this time. My grandma lived in the country house outside the town, I was not certain I would recognise it anymore.
A decision was made. “Is it possible for us to go tomorrow?”
“Um?” It didn’t register in Severus’ mind straight away. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. If here has a version of my family, if I can find my family home, I would like to see them. I was to see if they are happy, if the other me is happy.” I stood up and retrieved the cardigan. “I wish to give this to Grandma. This is the closest to me seeing her again. I know I do not have the chance to say ‘love you and sorry’ to my Grandma, doing this at least will bring smile to another version of her.”
Severus laid his hands over mine. “I will talk to Lucius and organise the Portkey. We shall leave after lunch and return before the Ball. Taking in consideration of the time difference, we should be spending the Christmas morning there. Is that agreeable?”
I gave our joint hands a squeeze. “Yes, that would be perfect.”
“Is there anything else that you wish?”
“Would you Owl Professor Kwong to ask if he is free to accompany us? He mentioned that he was familiar with the country when we first talked. He might able to assist me in location my home, and I would dearly enjoy hearing more of his experiences.”
“I shall do so now. Only yesterday Professor Kwong was complaining the winter in Scotland is too peaceful and he missed the dynamics of the vigorous Siberian snowstorms. Let us hope that he has not left to chase the wind already.”
Author: Maggie2mw (that's me!)
Word Count: 1,400
Rating: PG
Pairing: SS/OC and other minor pairings
Warnings: Spoiler to DH
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: Olga opened her eyes to a strange world and decided to stay. She met strange people, and then realised that she is not much different. Hogwarts is reopening, and there are Death Eater activities again...
Chapter 22 - Days to Christmas
The festival season had arrived.
I had managed my presents shopping by splitting it between separate trips with Draco Severus Narcissa and owl orders. I was nerves about my present choices, but decided to go with my intuition.
We were all celebrating Yule at the Manor. Draco and I were going back the first day of the break, and Severus would be joining us for Christmas Eve and stay for the next day.
Now stood in my room, double and triple check I got all the presents wrapped and packed. The ones for the faculty had already been given to Knocky the house-elf, the rest was still an extensive list that I was afraid to leave any behind.
“Come on, Olga!” Draco bounced in my door. “I can’t wait to go be back in the Manor. Are these the presents? Let me shrink them for you. I assure you the shrinking charm is very save, it will not damage them, trust me.”
A few swipe of Draco’s wand, my pile on my bed had all minimised and stored into my travelling case.
“Can you double check if I had left anything behind?” I was still not sure.
“Certainly, Accio Olga’s presents!”
My suit case rattled, but to my surprise a soft package flew across the room.
I froze at the sight.
Draco’s attention was on the package in his hands that he missed my expression.
“Looks like you missed one.” He gave it a shake then a pad. “What is this, a garment of some sort?”
It snapped me into action. I snatched it out of his hands and stuffed in into my case. “Um, nothing important, just a jumper I brought for winter.” I was never a good at making up a liar on the spot.
Draco narrowed his eyes in suspicion but didn’t press the issue. He swiftly changed the topic. “Come, you are making us late for lunch! You should know better than keep Father waiting.”
CHANGEOFSCENE
Today was Christmas Eve. Narcissa had outdone herself with the decorations. Tonight was a family affair, but tomorrow night would be the much anticipated Malfoy Yule Ball. I could hear the preparation all the way in my room. I smiled to myself. Narcissa really enjoyed dressing up and throwing parties.
Nearly the time to go down, I should put on some tough of the festive sprite of my own. There were few Christmas twinklers that Narcissa insisted on getting for me when we saw them on our shopping trip. They were a mixed set of Fairlight and sparkly hairpins, and another set of twinkle star earrings with matching necklace and bracelets. Together with the forest green robe - “Darling, this is for the Slytherin touch, I am not letting you wear Gryffindor red under the roof of the Malfoy house!” - I thought she was conspired to turn me into a walking Christmas tree. I refuse to wear them for the ball, but I suppose I could indulge her for the dinner.
My hand paused when I opened my case. On top was the present I nearly left behind in the school. It was a cardigan that was still in its tissue packaging. It was not for me. It was for my Grandma.
Every since I left home, I had never returned to my hometown. My relationship with my parents was strained and I was headstrong. I decided to cut all my ties with my family to start afresh on my own. The person I missed the most was my Grandma, but I was young and stubborn that I kept myself away all these years. Only connection with home I maintained was a Christmas present for each year. It was always a cardigan.
I opened the wrapping and laid it on my bed. It was a gentle grey with few large patterns of dusty pink water lilies. Grandma loved flowers, when I saw this in the shop I thought it would be perfect for her that bought it straight way. Only when I was unloading my shopping I realised my stupidity, but I never went back to return it.
A knock on the door. “Olga, may I come in?”
“Severus!” I quickly rubbed my eyes to insure that no tears remained, but I should know better to keep anything from Severus.
“What is worrying you?” He cupped my cheek in the palm of his hand and looked into my eyes.
“Nothing important.” I averted my eyes. Bad move, Severus’ attention was turned to the cardigan.
“You are thinking about your family.” It was a statement. After the gaining the insight into my life from the Legilimency incident, Severus became the expert in reading my intentions.
“You are my family, the Malfoys are my family. I am content. Really.” I found easier talking to the firm chest.
“Olga, we are. Please look at me.” I shifted my head reluctantly. “Do you wish to stay in this world? Would you ever want to return to the where you grow up? We could help you if you do-”
“No, no!” I shook my head franticly. “I do not want to return. I had never thought about it in since I arrive, never once! I have you, I have a family that I feel a part of. I have a job that I enjoy. This is the first time I truly feel I belong! I do not want to leave. Are you hinting I should?”
“Shh, shh.” Soft kisses were pressed into my hair. “No one is hinting such a thing. We miss you too much to let you leave. I would have to chase after you if you are ever gone.”
The memory of Severus in his black teaching robe running in the London shopping mall brought a twist to my mouth.
“Would you like to have that present delivered?”
“Pardon?” That question took me my surprise.
“Would you like to have the cardigan send to your grandmother?”
“That is ridicules, she is not my grandma, that is if she is even exist in this reality.” I fawned. “I don’t know what came over me, to purchase a gift for someone whom ...” My throat suddenly clogged.
“I think you need to visit your family home.” My protest was block by a finger on my lips. “It is no good continue on the speculation and regret. You need you see for yourself, Olga. Be brave and face your past.”
“To get closure so I can move on.” I finished the sentence.
“To get closure and to move on.” Severus echoed quietly.
I led us to the couch. Severus remained silent to let me to my own thoughts. I have not been back to Siberia for more than five years now. There would be so many changes in this time. My grandma lived in the country house outside the town, I was not certain I would recognise it anymore.
A decision was made. “Is it possible for us to go tomorrow?”
“Um?” It didn’t register in Severus’ mind straight away. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. If here has a version of my family, if I can find my family home, I would like to see them. I was to see if they are happy, if the other me is happy.” I stood up and retrieved the cardigan. “I wish to give this to Grandma. This is the closest to me seeing her again. I know I do not have the chance to say ‘love you and sorry’ to my Grandma, doing this at least will bring smile to another version of her.”
Severus laid his hands over mine. “I will talk to Lucius and organise the Portkey. We shall leave after lunch and return before the Ball. Taking in consideration of the time difference, we should be spending the Christmas morning there. Is that agreeable?”
I gave our joint hands a squeeze. “Yes, that would be perfect.”
“Is there anything else that you wish?”
“Would you Owl Professor Kwong to ask if he is free to accompany us? He mentioned that he was familiar with the country when we first talked. He might able to assist me in location my home, and I would dearly enjoy hearing more of his experiences.”
“I shall do so now. Only yesterday Professor Kwong was complaining the winter in Scotland is too peaceful and he missed the dynamics of the vigorous Siberian snowstorms. Let us hope that he has not left to chase the wind already.”