Chapter 17

                                    

                                          
Lucius Malfoy🐍
Soft droplets of cool water hugged my skin gently as I stood under the golden shower head in my tiled in black bathroom adjecent to the bedroom. The stream was too cold for my liking but the lower temperature seemed to help cleanse my tormented thoughts and bring some ease to my tired mind. 
I sighed deeply, running pine scented elixir over my hair, massaging it softly in my silvering locks flowing down my back. I tried to relax as I washed my body, taking my time.
I left my hair damp and I summoned a cup of peppermint tea before I pulled up my night pants, leaving my chest naked. The heat was not leaving me even after I put the fire out. An owl hooted outside and clouds gathered over the moon. I rose the brim of porcelain cup to my lips, scent of fresh mint tickling my senses as I spotted an envelope resting in front of my door. 
The delicate feminine writing couldn't be mistook for anyone else's.
The parchment carried soft rosy scent, so familiar it made my breath quicken at one glance. It was elegantly folded and stamped, nothing like the snappy notes we shared in anger before. I rolled my lips together and put down the tea untouched. I ran silver blade over the paper, my hands shaking slightly. 
I began reading.
Dear Lucius... 
I sat down at my desk heavily. Every sentence causing my heart to ache tremendously. The sadness and love beaming from Lucy's letter was making my eyes clouding, mind shuttering, my lips trembling. Such a delicate creature expressing her sorrows and hopes towards me... It was unbearable. 
The letter flew from my hands over the desk and a loud sob erupted from my throat, my eyes spilling a sea of tears as I covered my face and I cried like a child. All my composure and strictness practiced for years broken by merely few words. My strong frame contracted as with every shameful cry escaped, one after another.
How could this beautiful young lady see such qualities in someone like me?! 
I was not worthy of having her gaze upon me, not to mention owning her heart and carrying it with respect and love she deserved. 
My chest hurt as I could not bring myself to any state of calm. I felt broken. And when I felt broken, there was ever only one person that could put me back together. 
It was time to see an old friend of mine. 
As my tired, blood-shot eyes refused to spill anymore tears, I got dressed and instinctively grabbed my cane, before venturing off to the hall of memories set upon the fourth floor of the castle. 
It was a long corridor, rather plain with numerous portraits of deceased witches and wizards, who contributed to the life of Hogwarts. It was far from quiet. The figures chatted to each other, played music and feasted cheerfully. My shuttered spirit contrasted with the overall mood of the place even though I were more alive than any of them. 
At last I reached my friend. I could not stand anymore heartbreak tonight, I decided not to ponder on his absence properly until Samhain.
'I've began to think you've forgotten about me' Severus drawled in his usual tone, glancing upon me from the golden frame. 
'Hello, Severus' my voice sounded a lot more broken than I wished to show. With an expression of defeat painted all over my face, I pulled up a chair and collapsed onto the seat, holding both of my hands over the cane in front. 
'If I didn't know you any better, I would have said you've been crying' A small smirk lit up his face and I felt my lips curl up at his amusement. Oh the irony.