What Once Was

After the Third Task, the Death Eaters moved quickly. Within six months, Voldemort had his biggest supporter setting up a puppet government by usurping Fudge’s position. Indeed, my father, Lucius Malfoy, was sworn to protect and uphold the values and traditions of wizarding Britain on December 8, 1994. In this horrible year, certain dates were engraved into the hearts of all witches and wizards: December 8, 1994; February 14, 1995; May 17, 1995; and, finally, June 8, 1995.

My generation grew up in a time of peace. We believed that Harry Potter had dispatched Voldemort and we, and our progeny, would be safe from the terror that had enveloped our forbearers. When Voldemort had regained his body and begun another rule of terror, our minds couldn’t handle what was happening. We partnered up as quickly as can be. And now, my wonderful soul mate is what will keep me sane when the darkness threatens to overwhelm me. Her once brilliant ruby hair has now faded to a light auburn, with the streaks of gray only giving her a sophisticated look.

It still makes my heart ache to think of how many times I nearly lost her...

It took us both nearly dying to force me to realize the depth of feelings I held for Ginny. Maybe what this old man has to say can teach you something. Maybe this old man should start at the beginning. Or at least start at the beginning of this tale...

Voldemort was brought back to this world in mid-June, 1994. It’s been almost one hundred dark years since that day. The light is only now beginning to shine through to the surface, to the common witch or wizard that who is truly needs the light the most.

As already stated, my father became the Minister of Magic, Britain, on December 8, 1994. At that time, I believed that my father was overcoming Voldemort’s lure of power and prestige to use his title for the good of all wizardkind, even the Muggle-borns. I was naïve, I admit, but also hopeful that soon pure blood would be worth as much as Knuts. That hope never left me, even in the darkest of times. Even when I was purposeless.

On January 3, 1995, Death Eaters managed to find their way to Hogwarts. Being as it was Christmas break, the castle was nearly deserted, and no one was hurt, clichèd as that sounds. With hindsight being as accurate as described, I see now that the sole goal was to regain the trophy from Tom Riddle’s former life. Perhaps he needed relics of a past life to create some kind of an ultimate weapon. Perhaps he needed relics to strengthen a magic he had. Perhaps he just wanted the familiarity of it. We still do not know, and there is no one alive, or in a condition that could tell us.

Although these events rattled us, or frightened us, they were considered rather minor- just Death Eaters having fun, remember? Not any proof that Voldemort existed once again.

We no longer celebrate Valentine’s Day at Hogwarts anymore. It is a somber day. The Valentine’s Day of 1995 ensured that...