Finally, I am free. I have been with Harry, Hermione and Ron for like the whole evening. Now, you may ask a SLYTHERIN with GRYFFINDORS that too with the golden trio...how?
Well long story short, we met on the train during our first year and since then they are my best friends. Yes, they were a bit skeptical at first after me being sorted in slytherin but eventually came along. Oops,sorry forgot to introduce myself. I am Y/N Y/L/N, a pureblood slytherin with parents just like the Malfoys in wealth. But, neither my parents nor me care about blood status. That's why I am friends with almost every one in our school AND girlfriend of the one and only ferret boy a.k.a Draco Malfoy. We have been dating since last year.
Friends with golden trio and girlfriend of draco malfoy. Surprising? I know.
Anyways, back to the story. I was with the golden trio because today the champions were chosen and Harry was one of them, hence causing him and Ron to lash out at each other whereas me and Mione were just sitting there watching the show, waiting for the golden moment when they will finally shut up. Sadly for us, that moment never came and so we had to tear them apart from each other. Hmph..tiring it was.
So, now I am on my way to my handsome, loving, caring boyfriend's dorm because i am exhausted and want nothing more than to cuddle him.
When I reached his dorm, I heard him talking to someone, Blaise to be exact.
"Finally, I got atleast one day free from her, one day without her stuck up to my side. ", said the voice of my boyfriend.
"But mate,isn't she your girlfriend?", said blaise.
Oh!so they were talking about me...
I couldn't help but listen as to why they were talking about me.
" I know but sometimes she is just so clingy. You don't even know. She just wants to be around me all the time, follows me everywhere, doesn't even let me hang out with you guys without her there. But today I finally got to get my own time because of Potter."
...wait what? I thought he liked being around me. Now I couldn't help the tears forming in my eyes.
" For once in my life I am grateful to Potter even though I wouldn't admit it to myself even."
ouch! He didn't like my company that much, I didn't know that.
"Fine, I have to agree with you there, she is always there." (wow, thanks zabini, was I under the impression that you were my friend?yes)
"I know right. She doesn't even let me go to the bathroom without her asking where I am going. When she sees me in the morning-kiss, when we finish breakfast-kiss, when i go to my class- kiss, when i meet her in the corridors-kiss, lunch-kiss, dinner-kiss, go to sleep-kiss and even after all this she follows me everywhere. It's annoying really, like I can't even get sometime to myself."
"You should go now blaise, she will be coming to see me soon and probably ask to cuddle her."
The tears that were forming have now started falling. I couldn't bear to listen anymore so I ran to my dorm and cried. Good thing I didn't share a dorm with anyone because I wasn't in a mood to talk to anyone. After sometime, I pushed myself up and got changed into my pyjamas and got ready for bed but couldn't sleep because of the questions
that raced my mind.
'Was I really that clingy? I mean he wasn't wrong, I am always with him but I didn't know that he felt that I was clingy. What if he breaks up with me because of my clinginess? Does he even love me anymore?'
Tears started to fall again and I cried myself to sleep deciding that I will, from now on, give him his space.
The next morning I woke up with a slight headache, probably because of all the crying from last night. I got up and got ready. I wore my uniform and robe and put my hair in a ponytail. Usually I braid my hair but I decided to style it different today because why not? Thankfully, I know a beauty charm to hide my red and puffy eyes.
I walked down to the common room and saw Draco there. I walked up to him with a smile and he smiled back.
"Good morning Draco."
"Good morning darling!", he said with a smile and hugs me although I didn't hug him back as tightly as he did.
We pulled away from the hug and out of instinct I leaned in and almost kissed him until we heard a voice- Theo's. I quickly pulled away and remembered what I promised to myself- to give Draco space
Theo is my best friend from slytherin.
"Hey draco! Hey doll!", I turned around and met with Theo's over enthusiastic face.
"Well well, woke up on right side of bed today?", I asked as he hugged me and we both chuckled.
"I don't know, just woke up in a happy mood today I guess."
"any particular reasons?", I raised an eyebrow.
He shrugged and I sighed.
"Well then, let's get breakfast, I am starving", I exclaimed.
"Yep, let's go", said Theo.
We both turned towards Draco.
"You coming?" asked Theo.
"I am waiting for Blaise"
"Oh! well then, see you at great hall?" I asked.
He raised his eyebrows probably because whenever he used to wait for his friends, I used to stay with him. He quickly recovered from the shock and nodded. Theo put his arm around my shoulder and led me to the great hall.
DRACO'S POV
I was in the common room thinking why Y/N didn't come to my dorm last night to cuddle when she came down from the girl's dorms. Y/N and I both greeted each other with a hug but something was odd. Her hug was not as it usually is. She leaned in to kiss me but suddenly Theo came and greeted and hugged her.
They both agreed to go the great hall for breakfast and asked me if I was coming.
I told them that I was waiting for Blaise and Y/N told me to meet her at the great hall. I was surprised, she usually waits for my friends along with me...
Nonetheless, I nodded and Theo put his arm around her shoulder and led her out of the common room. I was shocked. She neither kissed me today nor waited with me for my friends.
But soon recovered as Blaise came down from the boys staircase.
YOUR POV
I managed to avoid Draco till the lunch break. When I arrived in the great hall for lunch I looked over at the gryffindor table and waved to the golden trio and they waved back, though Harry seemed a bit tense. I furrowed my eyebrows and went straight over to Harry without even looking towards the slytherin table. I sat down beside Harry and put a hand on his shoulder.
"What's wrong Harry? You seem a bit...tense"
"Oh do I?"
I slapped his arm and spoke sternly, "Tell me what's wrong."
He sighed.
"I know what the first task is..."
"And...?" I asked
"I-Its d-dragons"
"WHAT?". I yelled catching the attention of a few other students.
I lowered my voice and told him that its gonna be okay. Well, more like I was telling myself that its gonna be okay and hugged him which seemed to reduce his tension a little bit.
I felt someone burning holes into the back of my head and turned around and met a pair of icy blue-gray eyes which seemed to be glaring at me and Harry.
I sighed and told Harry that I was going to sit at the slytherin table which he nodded at.
I sat beside Draco and he smiled and kissed my cheek. I smiled back and engaged in a conversation with Theo and Pansy. It was so hard not to hug or kiss him when he was right beside me. It hurt but if this makes Draco happy, I'll do it.
DRACO'S POV
To be honest, I miss Y/N and her kisses. She hasn't kissed me all day and I feel like my day is incomplete. I now feel guilty of ever thinking that she was clingy. I wanted to know why she didn't come to my dorm so I decided to ask her.
I put my hand on her thigh to gain her attention but she didn't even look at me.
What happened to my girlfriend? This isn't the Y/N I know and love.
"Hey Y/N, you didn't come to my dorm last night. Why?"
"Oh yeah, I got pretty late and exhausted and thought you'd probably be sleeping so I didn't want to disturb you."
"But you know you can come to me any time right?"
" Yeah, of course" She smiled and kissed my cheek and I smiled back.
This was the first time I got any attention from her since morning.
YOUR POV
Draco put his hand on my thigh but I didn't look at him. He then asked why I didn't come to his dorm last night and I quickly came up with an excuse. I then kissed his cheek and smiled. It was so hard not to kiss him on the lips.
-------------time skip----------------
I managed to avoid Draco for the rest of the day successfully and it was now time for dinner. I sat down at the slytherin table beside Draco. As soon as I sat down he put his hand on my thigh again and this time I looked at him and he smashed his lips onto mine. I was surprised because usually I am the one who kissed him but still kissed him back but pulled away shortly-much to Draco's dismay. He pouted (A/N: imagine draco pouting) and kissed me again but I pulled back.
"Draco, we are in the great hall, calm down."
He just huffed and got back to eating his dinner and I sighed.
DRACO'S POV
Why was she acting this way? Usually I was the one who pulled back first but this time it was the opposite. She hasn't kissed me all day and now when I kissed her,she pulls back. I have to talk to her after dinner.
Dinner is soon over and Y/N stands up and starts heading towards the exit with Theo. That should be me. She always exists the dinner with me. I huff and stand up and catch up with them. I put my arm around her waist and she looks at me and raises her eyebrows. I simply shrug in response.
We arrive at the common room and sit down at the couches beside the fireplace and talk. Soon, the common room becomes empty with only me and Y/N. She is sat down beside me reading a book but I grab her waist and place her on my lap. She turns towards me and asks "What's up?", her eyebrows furrowed.
I say nothing and bury my face into the crook of her neck and sigh in relief.
"Draco? what's up?" she asks again.
"why have you been avoiding me?" I spoke into her neck.
"What are you talking about?"
"You haven't kissed me all day and you didn't even sit beside me in potions and you haven't cuddled me since yesterday" I spoke as I pulled away and my grip on her waist tightened.
She sighed and said,"isn't this what you wanted?"
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and she sighed again.
"I heard your conversation with Blaise last night. Isn't this what you wanted? To give you space because I am clingy?" By now, she had tears in her eyes.
I widened my eyes in realisation. I didn't really mean what I said yesterday. I was just so angry that Potter got selected and Y/N went up to him instead of comforting me when she knew that I wanted to take part in the tournament so bad.
"Darling, I am so so sorry. I didn't mean any of it. You aren't clingy."
"But then why did you say so when you didn't mean it?" tears streamed down her face and it broke my heart.
"Its just that yesterday I was a bit angry and uh..jealous that you went to Potter instead of coming to me." I looked down to avoid eye contact with her.
"Really?"
" Yes, I am so so sorry love, I didn't mean any of that. Please forgive me?" I said and hugged her and buried my face in her neck and started planting light kisses there.
"Please love, I was just so frustated and everything seemed to get on my nerves. I am sorry, I didn't mean any of it. "
"Its fine Draco, I am sorry too. I should have come to you first", she sighed. I pulled away and smiled at her and she smiled back.
I wiped away her tears and quickly attached my lips to her and passionately kissed her.
"I-missed-you-so-much." I said in between kisses and felt her smile against my lips.
We then went to my dorm and cuddled.
"I love you so much darling"
"Oh is that so?" She teased.
"Oh why don't I show you how much i love you?" I smirked.
A/N: GOD THIS IS SOOOO BADDD
PLS REQUEST..I DONT HAVE ANY IDEAS.
Y’all, i am new at this writing stuff and i am new on tumblr so idk how it works-this is so confusing sjkad
anyways, follow my wattpad-the link is in the post before thissss.
THANK YOU FOR READINGGGG
Warnings: Unhealthy!Relationship, Bully!Draco Anxiety! MajorAngst!
Other tags: FakeDating! LoveTriangle! Slytherin! SelfHarm!
Rating: M due to Adult Themes and Depictions of Violence
Pairings: Draco Malfoy/OC
Raised as an orphan, Nel Saintday, endured years of torture from the Slytherin House. The Dark Lord only allowed her existence for her to serve a very specific vile purpose for him. Her birthright dictates for her to choose a side in the Wizarding War... But what would happen if she dares defy the Dark Lord and his wishes? And what happens when she falls for her tormentor? Will Nel fulfill her life's purpose? And what side will her tormentor, Draco Malfoy, choose? The light that calls to him or the darkness...
STORY STATUS 02/14/2020: UNFINISHED
CHAPTERS 1-8 are written for the story’s background. So if you want the real tea I’d recommend starting with CH 9.
One where draco and reader are on a secret date and pansy and Blaise see them🥺🥺
"How about you wait here and I go and get some butterbeer?", asked Draco to Y/N.
They were both on a secret date. Not because they were in different houses or anything, but because everyone have been practically shipping them since last year and if anyone finds out, they wouldn't hear the end of it.
"yeah,sure.", she smiled.
A few moments later, Draco came with 2 mugs of butterbeer and placed one in front of Y/N.
"here you go.", he sat down across from her.
They talked for a while before standing up and making their way back to the castle, hand in hand.
They were just about to enter when Y/N stopped him.
"I really enjoyed this date, Draco.", she looked up at him.
"I enjoyed it too.", he smiled a proud smile.
They both stared into the other's eyes and leaned closer until their lips connected in a blissful kiss.
Draco broke apart and looked at her.
"I know its only our first date, b-but would you l-like to be my girlfriend?", he stuttered.
Y/N smiled and nodded.
"yes"
They were about to lean in for another kiss when they heard a squeal.
both of their eyes widened when they saw who it was.
Pansy and Blaise. Blaise had his mouth wide open and Pansy was jumping up and down.
They both looked at each other and ran into the castle.
Y/N and Draco panicked and ran after them.
when they reached the great hall, Pansy was standing on the slytherin table and yelling ," Y/N Y/L/N and Draco Malfoy are finally together. Me and Blaise saw them kiss with our own eyes!".
everyone in the great hall looked at Y/N and Draco who were hand in hand and started cheering.
Y/N would most definitely kill Pansy after this.
Massive crowds where gathered in the campgrounds. Tents of all sizes, large and small, some several stories high others not, some with flagpoles bearing banners and flags of either Irish green or Bulgarian red. Lively music was being played and brooms whizzed above the heads of the Lestranges and the only Saintday as they walked by aweing at the sights.
The Quidditch World Cup was, alike most of the magical world, absolutely unbelievable. Drunks cheered in the streets with painted faces showing their team pride. Nel had wanted to paint her face Irish Green but Cloelia had slapped her hands away at the simple mentioning of it. Instead she had been cohered into wearing a clean face with dark gray formal dress that resembled a coat and seemed to reach right above her knees matched with a pair of pointy witch boots. Her guardian insisted proper attire would be essential if they were to be in the presence of the Minister of Magic himself Cornelius Fudge.
Elowen’s dark eyes scanned the crowd as she sought out any familiar trace of her friends. Tracey had said they would be by the Press tent. It took her some time to spot them not far from the entrance to the stadium.
“I’m going to go say hi to my friends,” she said to the Lestranges. Both shot her a disapproving look. “Want to come?” She asked Ellar with hopeful eyes and a broad smile.
“No,” he shot down coldly before walking into the stadium disinterested. She frowned a little at his cold response.
“Don’t be long,” Cloelia said before turning and following after her son.
Nel crossed a maze of people dodging drunks and loud cheering individuals until she reached the trio standing just outside of the tent. She tapped Theo’s shoulder and he turned around giving her a confused look.
It took him a moment to realize it was his friend tapping his shoulder and not a stranger. “Nel?” He asked eyes going wide at the realization.
The long shaggy bangs and choppy hair were gone. So were the oversized worn clothes she would wear. Before the group stood someone, who seemed to look like what polished young lady in sophisticated Pureblood Society would look like.
Tracey turned around and was less discrete about her shock.
“Holy smokes! What happened to you?” She asked in awe, still tackling her friend into a hug.
“What are you talking about?” The orphan responded cluelessly in the embrace. “I told you, I got adopted,” she simply shrugged.
“Seems like manners aren’t the only things the Lestrange have instilled in you,” Daphne butted eyeing the girl’s new fashion from head to toe. She herself was wearing something similar. Of course she knew about her adoption, it seemed like most individuals belonging to the same social circle as the Lestranges were well aware.
Nel still found it odd that Greengrass had been invited in her spot when she wrote to her friends saying she’d simply meet them at the game.
“Manners, schmanners. Who cares if your finger is up or down when you’re having a drink?” she said reaching from some green paint from Tracey’s face and smearing it on her cheek.
Theodore was about to say something when someone bumped into him from behind purposely making him briskly stumble forward.
“Oi!” Nel shouted loudly before shoving back the individual foully. “Watch it!” She threatened.
Blaise Zabini who was towering above them gaped at the girl who had just threatened him. “Saintday?” He asked in awe. The mark on her exposed face- impossible to confuse. It was her, but at the same time it wasn’t. She looked like the type of girl he would see at a Yule dinner with his family or in the company of Daphne Greengrass, which might make sense to him as to why the young witch was there.
“Move it along Zabini!” She snapped turning away from him.
The teen left.
“Classic Saintday,” Theodore said with a slight smirk. Like Zabini he seemed to have also grown a couple of inches over the summer. His curly hair longer, features sharper.
“Well,” Daphne added. “I think you look very nice Elowen,” she complimented brushing her perfect hair back over her shoulder. “We should go find out seats,” Tracey said almost gushing to walk into the massive arena. “Your seat shouldn’t be far from ours.”
The group nodded before making their way inside.
“Meet here afterwards?” Nel said to the group signaling to the spot in front of the Press tent.
“Uh, perhaps not,” Daphne said in an uneasy voice. “My father wants me home right after the game.”
“Yeah, same here,” Theo added in the same quiet tone.
She flashed them both a confused look. Home? Why would they go home when the party was about to get started?
She turned to look at Tracey with hopeful eyes.
“I’m going to take some pictures with my dad afterwards,” She explained. “Maybe next time?”
Nel soon reached the private viewing box where she would be sitting. She had to pass several security checks but was allowed through. She spotted her guardians across the large viewing box conversing with whom she assumed to be the Minister of Magic.
Ellar was standing by the rail his eyes lazily following some of the whizzing fireworks that were shot from one side of the pitch to the other.
He looked so cool.
Distracted by starring at the older teen she almost crashed into Lucius Malfoy.
Maybe it wasn’t a surprise that he was here. Standing next to him was a woman with pointy face features whom Nel could only assume was his wife. Her appearance was eerily similar to his. Even strands of her dark hair (which at this point was mostly blonde) were colored in that same tone of platinum blonde. She couldn’t distinct if it was natural or not.
“Mr. Malfoy,” She nodded towards the man civilly.
Lucius was intimidatingly polite as he usually was to her. His grey eyes instantly starred at the moles that dotted her face. Something the man never seemed to miss. It was unnerving really the way he blatantly starred in such a rude manner. His grey eyes made her want to flinch under his stare.
“Elowen Saintday,” He greeted. “Or should I address you as Lestrange now?” He looked down at her with much disdain. She had a feeling he knew of her unclaimed status and of course about her impromptu adoption over the summer holiday.
“Saintday will do,” She responded curtly.
The woman was staring at her just like Lucius was. Nel couldn’t help but feel self-conscious as her eyes raked from the headband on top of her head all the way down to the pointy tip of her boots. Even her fingertips and black nail polish weren’t exempt from her judgement. She was looking at Nel as if she was an insect. She couldn’t distinct if she was an insect to be squashed or ogled at.
“This is my wife Narcissa,” he introduced placing a hand on his wife’s lower back.
Narcissa wore a curious smile, one that edged higher at one corner of her mouth just like her sons usually did.
Nel instinctively extended a hand forward one which was left unshaken leaving her to awkwardly close it and lower it. “Charmed,” she simply responded. The teen nodded politely biting her tongue to prevent her from making a snarky comment. She wanted to seem cool and sophisticated, especially in front of Ellar.
“Pleasure is all mine,” She responded poshly, like she had been instructed to do countless of times by Cloelia.
“I understand you’re in my son Draco’s year. He has mentioned you once or twice.”
‘When I turned his head into a balloon? Or when I set him on fire at Hogsmeade?’ She wondered which of the two it could’ve been. No wonder the woman didn’t like her. The slightest of smug smirks tugging at the edges of Nel’s mouth.
From the other side of the sitting box a pair of ears caught his name.
Draco Malfoy turned and saw Nel Saintday out of all people conversing with his parents. He swaggered towards them hoping his parents hadn’t taken the luxury of embarrassing him yet.
She looked at him and seemed a little surprised by his massive growth spur, he was now almost as tall as is father, easily a head taller than her. Neat blond hair parted to the side and wearing a crisply ironed black suit. He hadn’t held back on the cologne either.
He didn’t comment on her appearance unlike the other Slytherins.
“Just once or twice,” He interrupted cooly composing himself at his mother’s slip. The edge of his mouth turning up just like his mother’s did.
“Draco,” She simply acknowledged him by name. Which was weird. She had never called him that before but if she called him Malfoy, she was afraid all three would turn to face her. Without another word she raised her brows at him, like he usually did to her, and brushed past him excusing herself.
“So, that’s her,” Narcissa hummed more to herself, her eyes still glued to the back of the teen’s head.
Of course, she had heard her husband speak about Elowen Saintday more than more or twice. Draco had also written home about her more than once. Usually complaining about the unbearable witch that was so bloody good at charms and constantly made his head swell up like a balloon. Judging from the daggers he was shooting at the back of her head as she greeted Ellar Lestrange, she presumed she still had the ability to crawl under her son’s skin.
“The Girl Who Died?” She whispered to Lucius who in return gave her a silencing glare. Still with a sly smirk Narcissa turned to her son. “You never mentioned she was quite pretty Draco.”
That’s because she wasn’t. Draco didn’t know why he couldn’t tear his eyes away. That person was not Nel Saintday. That person shaking Cornelius Fudge’s hand nodding in agreement, slightly laughing at a bad joke the man said.
“What do you intend to do with your future Ms. Saintday?”
“I’m keeping my options open,” She admitted. “I have been considering Curse Breaking as a career.”
Draco mused to himself as he eavesdropped. He would’ve never guessed that. His best guess would’ve been Dueling Master like Professor Flitwick.
She was now standing next to Ellar. Both leaning over the railing leaning forward to look at the Quidditch pitch. Smiling at each other and pointing at different fireworks and lights on the sky.
Well mannered. Posh. Well behaved. Hair neatly groomed for what appeared to be the first time in her life. His parents might have missed it, but Draco didn’t miss the smudged green paint on her face. He felt himself cringe when he saw that Lestrange wanker lick his thumb and wipe the paint away making her face turn red.
He wanted to push him off the balcony rail.
The French git left for a moment.
Nel was too busy gawking at the dancing leprechauns that were making it rain Irish gold over the people in the stands that she didn’t notice the youngest Malfoy creeping up on her side.
“You know I speak French too,” he said hands deep in his pockets. She turned to give him a funny look. “Fluently,” he added proudly.
“So?” She arched an eyebrow and couldn’t help but eye him oddly. So, he was bilingual and knew how to play the violin. Big deal. So what?
“It’s not impressive. That’s all I’m saying,” he sneered in the direction of the dark-haired boy, glaring daggers at his back as he helped himself to some beer.
“You sound jealous,” She smirked at him and he couldn’t help but scowl at her accusation. “Almost as if you want to be him,” she poked a second time.
“Why-,” He laughed mockingly. “Would I ever want to be that French git?”
She brought a hand to her chin and loudly hummed as if in deep in thought. “Let’s see,” she began. “He’s refined, actually polite, fun – and doesn’t need to be a pompous arse to be liked!” She slapped his chest with a paper pamphlet she was holding.
He grabbed the Quidditch pamphlet and threw it over his shoulder without any care. “Ever considering a career in stand-up comedy Saintday?” He laughed dryly. “At least I haven’t gotten expelled from Hogwarts.”
She finally turned to look at him. A surprised look on her face. He floundered in the moment knowing this would strike a nerve.
“Expelled?” She asked for some clarification blinking twice.
“Oh?” He grinned pleased. This was always the best way to get her attention. Nel Saintday was like a dog with a bone when it came to unanswered questions and other mysteries; He knew she wouldn’t let go of until she had an answer. “He never mentioned he attended Hogwarts?” He pressed.
Had he? She scanned her few thoughts and memories of Ellar. He had never mentioned he had attended Hogwarts, but why wouldn’t he? He had nothing to hide, right?
“You’re lying,” She narrowed her eyes in mistrust.
Ellar approached from behind sipping on a pint of beer despite being both underage and in the presence of the Ministry of Magic himself.
“Am I?” Draco leaned forward and spoke in a low tone. She looked at him with wariness. “Also,” He raised both of his brows innocently at her before leaning in closer to her ear. “Bulgaria is going to conquer. Krum’s got it in the bag,” he whispered before returning to his family.
She seethed glaring at the back of his blond head strongly fighting the urge to make it swell like a giant air balloon.
“What’d he want?” Ellar asked curiously as he sipped on his beer.
She let out a sharp snort and turned her attention to the starting game. “Nothing important,” she grumbled.
The crowd cheered loudly as five green and white figures flew through the air on brooms leaving behind a trail of emerald and white. A large glittering leprechaun appeared in the sky and. Began Irish dancing. Excitement was in the air.
“Good evening!” The announced began. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to the final of the 422nd Quidditch
World Cup. Let the match begin!”
xxxxx
The game was exhilarating. Nel who had never particularly enjoyed Quidditch had a blast. Being in the pitch was a completely different experience.
Everybody in the Ministry of Magic’s box was completely composed and boringly clapped whenever a point was scored. Nel on the other hand behaved as if she was in a chicken coop loudly cheering and passionately jumping with every point Ireland scored.
At some point she heard Draco cheer, but he cleared his throat and composed himself pretending to be disinterested in the game.
She wished she had watched the game with Tracey and Theodore but overall Nel had a good time. By the end of it she was being aggressive over the Irish victory over Bulgaria.
Ellar seemed upset by Bulgaria’s loss. He almost spilled most of his drink on the poor people below the viewing box.
“That was really something!” She cheered matching the step of the older teen as they made their way out of the stadium. “Did you see how Krum and Lynch both dived for the snitch? For a moment there I really thought Lynch was going to beat him to it!”
“1990 World Cup was better,” he griped with an irritated look on his striking features. She couldn’t tell if he was more annoyed or slightly buzzed from all the beers he’d had. There were a pair of Irish fans descending down the stairs above loudly cheering and chanting Ireland. They looked down at the snobbish people in the Minister’s box. “Irish pride!” They cheered loudly.
Carried away by the spirit Elowen cheered back just as enthusiastically
“Stop acting so ridiculous,” He shot her a silencing glare.
Ellar was… odd. One moment he was completely charming kissing her hand, making her laugh, wiping paint off from her face, slipping her some wine when his mother wasn’t looking. But other times he had emotional shifts like this in which he would completely shut down and shut her out. Nel piped down and grew silent. She wanted Ellar to fancy her.
She wanted to make him laugh and wanted him to hold her hand and kiss it and bring her flowers for no reason like she had seen in some movies back at Wool’s.
“You got lucky Saintday,” She didn’t even turn to acknowledge Malfoy who was walking at her side ready to press all of her buttons. “What a game,” He said again sinking his hands into his pockets.
“I should’ve bet with you. Would’ve made a pretty galleon or two.”
He let out a humorous huff, “Pocket change,” He answered pretentiously.
She rolled her eyes at his response. Classic Malfoy.
“Who says we still can’t bet?” He challenged.
“Oh yeah?” This piquet her interest. Nel was extremely cautious with her limited spending. The uncertainty of the future didn’t allow her to misspend even a single Sickle. But if she could swindle Malfoy out of some “pocket change” that would be ideal. “What do you want to bet on?”
“How far that frog’s stick is up his arse?” He nudged in Ellar’s direction. She chortled slightly and hit his arm lightly laughing. He wasn’t wrong.
“He’s just… bitter,” She excused his behavior shaking her head with a slight frown on her brow.
“Rumor is that Viktor Krum and the Durmstrang Institute will be on Hogwarts’ grounds this year because of the Triwizard Tournament. I bet you I can get him to sit with me in the Slytherin table.”
It was true. She had been hearing Cloelia and Ellar talk about the Triwizard Tournament which Hogwarts would be hosting this year. From what she had heard Durmstrang and Beauxbaton being the two other largest Magic Schools in Europe would also be participating in it.
“Bet,” She agreed.
“Two galleons,” he stated the amount they would be gambling on.
“Two galleons?” She coughed back incredulously at the amount. That was about the equivalent of ten pounds or ten dollars. “I thought this was pocket change for you Malfoy.”
“I don’t want to swindle you too bad when I win,” he added arrogantly. Already acting as if he had it in the bag. “Fine,” She muttered in agreement before lightly hitting his arm once again. He simpered faintly at the gesture.
They were about to reach the exit when Lucius Malfoy turned back and gave his son a commanding look to keep up. His black cane being raised as he led the way.
“Unlike you, I have been invited to the Bulgarian Team’s tent. Personal invitation from Headmaster Igor Karkaroff himself,” he bragged self-importantly. Of course, he already had a head start on their bet. The sly bastard would be rubbing shoulders with Krum himself all evening.
Nel wasn’t impressed by his invitation. Having sat through a painful viewing of the most exciting event of the year with a load of bores she figured the Bulgarians probably weren’t that fun either.
“You’re the worst.” She stated dully.
“See you at school,” He said dismissingly with a typical eyebrow raise before going after his family.
Outside of the stadium Ellar was still upset. He hadn’t said another word since he had snapped at Nel to stop acting childishly or ridiculously, she couldn’t remember what adjective he had used. Cloelia walked with her back straight, head held up high. She almost seemed like she was in a rush to get out of here.
The outside was even livelier and more than it had been earlier in the day. The Irish really had their spirit on cheering, toasting and drinking to their team. Vibrant green fireworks and light whizzes flew up into the night sky.
“Can we stay?” Nel asked excitedly still looking at her surroundings in awe almost like a child in a fair.
“Let’s get out of here,” Her guardian simply dismissed her request.
She frowned slightly and was about to beg Cloelia to stay for a little bit longer.
“I’m going to take care of some stuff mother,” Ellar said ominously he was already walking away when Nel stepped in his way. “Can I go with you?” She asked excitedly twirling a strand of her brown hair in between her fingers. Knowing him he was probably going to party or find some of his Beauxbaton classmates and continue drinking.
He looked at her hard and seemed irritated. He sighed and placed his hands on her shoulders. “No,” he said without any hint emotion before moving her body back to where his mother was standing. Again, she frowned at this.
“Can I go with him? Please?” she asked his mother begging for any excuse to stay behind and party. After all, how often was one at the World Quidditch Cup? Even then it only happened every four years.
“Come on Elowen,” Cloelia said imperatively and turned away.
She had to go home but Ellar got to stay and party? It wasn’t fair.
He looked so upset, he probably wouldn’t even enjoy it! She would!
With a sharp exhale and no choice, she followed after her guardian. Nel only gave a couple of steps when she heard two familiar voices.
“Could it be?”
“Is it really?”
She felt a tug on both of her shoulders and was spun only to see the Weasley twins looking at her excitedly. Both were wearing green Leprechaun hats and wore their clothes and faces painted in green and white in full Irish Team spirit.
“We almost didn’t recognize you!” George said. At least who she thought was George she sometimes had a hard time telling them apart.
“We said who’s that girl? Could it be?” Fred said walking around her. “No, Nel Saintday wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a dress in public,” He teased tugging at the fabric of her clothes.
“Who are you here with?” The younger twin asked. “Any other snakes hiding in the tallgrass?” George joked.
She discretely glanced over her shoulder and saw that Cloelia had realized she wasn’t following and was looking around the crowd looking for her.
“No one,” She lied swiftly.
She had often heard Cloelia mocking the “Blood Traitor” Weasleys and laughing at how weak the Prewet family was. She certainly wouldn’t approve of their company and the Weasley’s probably wouldn’t get along with her new guardians.
“We’re about to head back to the tent and celebrate! Want to come?”
Without looking back she locked elbows with them and pulled them away before Cloelia could spot them. Both of them cheered loudly as they dived into the crowd. Vanishing just in time before her guardian could find her.
School started in a week what would be the worst punishment she could do to her during that time? The consequences would be worth it.
She couldn’t help but laugh as she followed them back to the rest of their group.
Harry, Hermione, Ron, a man whom Nel presumed to be Weasley Sr. judging by his red hair and age and Ginny, their younger sister, were all waiting for the twins. Another man was with them and Hufflepuff’s gem, Cedric Diggory.
There wasn’t a Hogwarts student that didn’t know his name or who he was.
Hufflepuff’s Quidditch Team Captain, Seeker, Prefect and dashingly handsome also known as Prettyboy Diggory. The boy was practically perfect. He was the type of Prefect most girls prayed to run into in the school’s corridor’s at night.
“Nel?” She snapped out of her daydream when Harry caught her attention. “What are you doing here?” He asked his friend.
She greeted everyone cheerily. More cheerily and excited than anyone had probably ever seen her, almost giddy. “Why go home? Party is barely getting started right?” She said excitedly rambling over her words and ignoring Harry’s question.
Really – what was the worst thing that Cloelia could do to her? Part of her was also hoping to run into Ellar tonight.
Maybe he’d be in better spirits then. Maybe the two could share a pint?
“You must be the Slytherin girl,” Mr. Weasley greeted her politely stretching his hand out. A stark contrast to the Malfoys she had met earlier in the day. “Pleasure is all mine Mr. Weasley,” She spoke to him with the same respect she had shown the Ministry of Magic himself. “Nel will do.”
Ron’s sister Ginny was actually really cool. Nel had never had a conversation with her before. Then again, most students tended to avoid her like the plague, seeing as she had been branded as Slytherin’s heir due to being possessed by Voldemort only two years ago. Even Granger was more bearable or maybe Elowen was just in an elated mood.
Less hostile. More open to others.
The group was all celebrating inside of the Weasley’s small tent. The tent might have been small but inside it was warm and comforting decorated with used furniture and warm tones of red and orange. It was what Nel had always imagined being in the Gryffindor Common Room would be like.
They had all been so welcoming to her. She had never really felt quite at home like in this moment. She was jealous of the Weasley’s they had a caring father, and each other, more than a handful of brothers and sisters to rely and love. They were a real family.
Laughing and cheering could probably be heard from the outside as the twins mocked Ron over his obsession for the Bulgarian Seeker.
There were no tables that kicked you inside here, nobody that minded your manners, nobody watching your mouth or what went inside of it, how you sat, how you stood, how you fucking lived.
“There’s no one like Krum! He’s like a bird the way he rides the wind. He’s more than an athlete. He’s an artist!” Ron was standing on top of a chair literally preaching to the crowd about his devotion to the Seeker.
The twins were bumbling around him comically singing “KRUMMMM” Loudly.
“Think you’re in love Ron?” Ginny teased tugging at her brother’s scarf.
“Viktor I love you! Viktor I do!” George and Fred sang. Harry eventually joined.
“Nel you’re crying,” Hermione pointed out. The Slytherin snapped out of her thoughts and looked down at her mug which held some warm apple cider only to see a stray tear land on it.
“Oh, I didn’t realize,” She touched her wet face wiping away the few tears. “I just feel so at home,” She admitted sheepishly.
Hermione couldn’t help but smile a little. “I never did apologize for stunning you last year, did I?”
“When we’re apart my heart beats only for youuu!” The three males sang around a flustered Ron. Everybody in the tent laughed loudly, but not loud enough to lull over the sound of shouts from the outside.
“Sounds like the Irish have got their pride on,” Fred commented as he ceased to sing.
“Stop! Stop it!” Mr. Weasley interrupted carefully listening. “It’s not the Irish. We’ve gotta get out of here. Now.”
The room growing silent as they listened to the outside screaming, but it wasn’t joyful it sounded more harrowing.
Jumping to their feet everybody crammed to get out of the tent only to enter a whirlwind of chaos.
Panicked people were running everywhere, left and or right with no sense of direction, stumbling over each other like savages. Horrifying, frightful screams echoed the fields. The air smelled like cinder and burning fire. As several tents were consumed by the flames.
“Get back to the portkey everybody and stick together.” He instructed.
Dark figures in pointed hoods all wearing grim masks all holding flaming torches marches across the campsite chanting loud ominous noises. Destroying everything on sight with fire. Some had wands which levitated some individuals which were humiliatingly paraded across the camp.
Instantly the group took off running in one direction.
Who were those people? Why wasn’t anybody doing anything about this?
Running away from the tent into safety Nel kept her eyes fixed on the back of Ron’s tall frame. Turning back, she realized that someone pushed into Harry.
“Harry!” She shouted stopping dead in her tracks. Heart caught in her throat. She looked around hoping and catch sight of the Gryffindor’s shaggy hair or red clothes.
Blurs of red and green flickered in her vision as she was violently pushed and eventually elbowed to the ground. Instinctively she covered her head with her hands and tucked in her knees into her body assuming a fetal position as she was trampled and stomped on.
She was alone. This was her fault. If she had only listened for once in her damned life. She highly doubted anybody was looking for her.
She should have listened to Cloelia. For the first time in her life she regretted not having listened to an adult. Painful tears slipped down her face as she was once again kicked in the stomach.
She was alone, laying on the ground, breathing heavily. Praying that the rush would be over. Her eyes were shut tightly. A whimper caught in her throat.
Elowen didn’t even realize when a hand reached for the front of her dress. Pulling her back up to her feet. Her eyes snapped open and she found herself paralyzed with fear as she came face to face with a mask of death.
It was one of those wizards wearing a dark hood. The person was holding her up high so that her tiptoes barely grazed the muddy ground. Her breath strained as she looked down into the void eyes of the mask. Without another word the masked individual dropped her making her stumble back and once again fall on her behind. She couldn’t help but stare for a moment. Wonder in horrifying astonishment at the black hood that was standing before her.
No words were exchanged. If the person wanted to hurt, her it would’ve happened by now.
Not wanting to linger and find out if she was right or wrong, she ungracefully staggered on her feet and feeling sore and beaten she scampered the opposite way.
Her breathing was harsh, adrenaline pumping through her system as she kept on dodging people and continuously looking over her shoulder making sure that hood wasn’t following after her. Looking behind her she turned only to crash into something rigid and solid. She winced and held her head slightly dazed putting another hand on the flagpole she had just run into. Bringing a hand down she saw it was stained with blood.
Elowen was pressed up against the flagpole as masses of people ran by dodging her and the poll as they still escaped the campgrounds. Her eyes were wide with fear, mind turning over a proper spell that could save her.
“You? Merlin’s beard Saintday. Come on now!” Her head whipped back as she was pulled forward and back into the crowd with a strong momentum. A deathly tight grip on her wrist.
It could’ve been the devil himself and she would’ve followed him out of this hell.
“What are you doing here?” She shouted over the loud screaming again crashing into his back when he came to a sudden halt. He ignored her question and dodging desperate individuals led her out of the maze of burning tents.
The two Slytherins stumbled into another one of those dark hoods. Shrinking fearfully, she hid behind him holding on to his arm tightly.
The hood froze and looked past them.
“They won’t hurt us,” He said to her over his shoulder.
Malfoy was right. The hood seemed to move past them leaving them both unharmed. Taking an awry turn finally there seemed to be an open field in sight. Rushing towards it the two seemed to have made it out of the camp and into the plains.
Both were catching their breaths. Nel leaning her weight on her standing knees, a hand pressed against her bleeding brow.
Draco stood tall kept his eyes peeled for any sight of someone or something emerging from the crowds.
“You’re hurt,” he noted the bloody side of her face.
“What did you mean when you said they wouldn’t hurt us?”
How could he possibly know what those things were and the fact they would be spared from whatever evil intent they had planned.
“Let me see,” He stepped towards her, she stepped back almost tripping over her own feet. He caught her lower arm stabilizing her. “Let me see,” he commanded in a harsher tone, the grip on her lower arm tightening.
She said nothing and whimpered as she lowered her hand. She could feel a cut of skin which had split right in the start of her eyebrow.
“There you are,” A third voice interrupted in a relieved tone.
Narcissa looked relieved as she apparated between the two teenagers. She didn’t give them a moment to explain herself before latching a hand into each of their shoulders and once again apparating away from the violent scene.
The next thing Nel knew was that everything went black; It was like when she apparated for the first time with Cloelia. She was pressed very hard from all directions as if being squeezed through a tube. The constricting feeling lasted for a moment before they appeared in the heart of a massive parlor room.
Narcissa let go of her and instantly turned grabbing her son’s face in her hands inspecting it for the slightest scratch or bruise. Feeling light-headed Nel leaned her weight on the arm of a sofa chair.
She took a minute to take in her surroundings. Polished dark wood floors, a massive and intricately carved fireplace made out of white marble, matching pillars holding up the high ceiling and a massive crystal chandelier hovering above them.
“Did they hurt you?” She was taken aback when she felt Narcissa’s hands on her face, brushing back her hair to better inspect her wound. Surprised by the gesture she took a solid moment to answer the witch. She figured she meant the dark hoods if anyone.
“No,” She responded softly. “I ran into a flagpole.”
Nel saw the witch pull out her wand and point it at her.
“Scourgify,” She casted the charm which made the blood, mud and other grime vanish completely from the girl’s person. Again, pointing the wand, she raised it higher to her face. Nel winced slightly when it was inches away from her nose bracing herself for what may come. “Episkey.”
Her brow felt very hot and then very cold. Raising her hand to touch her forehead, the wound seemed to have magically closed.
The girl couldn’t help but wonder if this was what it was like to have a mother. To have somebody undevoted care and watch over you like that.
“I’ll send for Clo. She’s probably mortified,” Narcissa straightened up. Not a speck of dust was on her, her appearance composed despite the havoc they had just escaped. “Sit,” She commanded before exiting the room.
Nel did without a question dropping on the dark colored sofa that was next to her.
“What were you doing out there by yourself?” Malfoy stood before her hands in pockets as he began his interrogation. Like his mother he looked completely unharmed.
“What were you doing out there by yourself? I thought you were supposed to be rubbing shoulders with Krum,” She said holding on to her healed brow which still stung.
Draco had in fact been in the Bulgarian Quidditch Team’s tent. He had even gotten a Quidditch jersey signed by Krum and all of the other players.
Of course, he had known about the attack that was coming. Both him and his mother had seen his father preparing for it earlier in the week. Lucius never spoke directly to the family about his affairs as a Death Eater. It was dangerous considering the consequences if somebody pried into his son’s untrained mind. Draco assumed that his father felt having an alibi would be beneficial for the family in case anybody came pointing fingers.
Losing his mother on the way out, however, had not been part of the plan. Neither had been seeing Nel Saintday bleeding from the head pressed up against a flagpole in the middle of a stampede.
“I was,” he answered sharply. “Got lost.” He explained casually.
Both were silent for a moment. She looked away from him avoiding his perturbing gaze.
“Merlin, you can be so daft Saintday,” he ran a hand through his hair combing it back. “What were you thinking? Who knows what would’ve happened if I hadn’t found you.”
She would’ve probably stayed attached to that flagpole with an open wound and would’ve waited for the stampede to be over. Overall, she would’ve been fine. There was no need to act upon his savior complex. Or at least that’s what she thought. Who knows maybe one of those hoods wouldn’t have been as merciful to her.
“What did you mean…” She pondered more out loud to herself. “When you said they wouldn’t hurt us?”
Draco swallowed thickly and turned away pretending to be suddenly invested in the fire that was cracking only a couple of feet away from them.
He was relieved when his mother reentered the room with Cloelia who was frantically walking towards here. Face pale, eyes wide with panic.
“There you are!” She scolded angrily reaching for the girl’s arm digging her nails into the fabric of her sleeve. Nel winced bracing herself for whatever would come when she returned home.
“T-Thank you,” She stammered weakly thanking the Malfoys who probably didn’t even hear her. Clo spoke rapidly about who knows what. Everything happened in a blur. The goodbye, the apparition back in the house of Lestrange and the slap to the face. “I specifically told you not to stray, yet you deliberately disobeyed me! Because of that I will make sure you don’t move anymore. Salazar’s Beard, you don’t know what would happen to me- to my family if anything happened to you.”
Nel quaked fearfully when she looked down and saw a thorny vine begin to snake around her ankle and up her leg.
“You will not move.”
Back at Malfoy Manor, Draco still stood before the fire. His mother behind him waving her wand at some muddy spots of the ground that needed to be cleaned.
“Mother,” Draco broke the silence the two had shared since Cloelia Lestrange and Elowen Saintday had apparated away. “Yes dear?” Narcissa turned her attention to her only son. His eyes were focused on a particular spot on the ground.
He couldn’t help but think about the special attentions the Lestrange’s had with Nel Saintday. They wouldn’t have taken just anyone in. Much less someone speculated to be a half-blood or lesser than them, and if they did it certainly wouldn’t be out of the kindness of their hearts.
The strange behavior his father always displayed when the girl was around never sat well with him. The fact his mother had actually bothered to heal her wounds and acknowledge her.
No surprise, Gryffindor had won the House Cup again this year. As always Dumbledore's favoritism never ceased to surprise Slytherin House.
It had been a couple of days since Sirius Black escaped the clutches of the Dementors. She wouldn’t have hesitated in telling on Harry to get Black into her claws again, but then again, she was involved. She’d get into as much trouble if she even croaked about what had happened. Malfoy hadn’t gone to chew off his father’s ear too, so she assumed his thought process was about the same.
Professor Lupin had also been missing since that full moon night. Nel was currently on way to visit him in his office since he had been back for a couple of days. She had to discuss whatever - She flashed back to the sinister birds that emitted from the tip of her wand that same night. The horrible feeling that they brought; how cold they made the air feel – her Corrupted Patronus or those things were…
The door to Lupin’s office was open. She peered in wondering if he was inside and saw him standing over a battered suitcase packing what looked like to be the last of his books. His entire office had been swept clean out of any and all of his belongings.
“Ah, Elowen,” He said without turning around with his back to her. She jumped a little started at his acknowledgement of her presence. He finally turned and smiled at her through haggard eyes. His face and exposed skin all branded by new cuts and scars. She was unable to disguise her shock at the professor’s injured appearance.
“I’ve looked worse, believe me,” he half smiled at her shock.
The desk drawers were all open, the bookshelves bare. Was he leaving?
“You’re leaving?” She wondered out loud. Her heart beginning to drop.
“I’ve resigned actually,” he said flicking his wand and shutting his suitcase close.
“But- you can’t leave!” She protested. “Resigned? Why? You’re the best Defense Against the Dark Arts professor we’ve ever had!” She fully stepped into the office. Lupin couldn’t leave. He was one of the few professors she actually enjoyed spending time with. He was kind, he actually cared, or at least he seemed to…
Lupin took in a deep breath and sighed sounding drained. He pondered for a moment if he should reveal what he really was to the student or not. She’d find out in a couple of days regardless.
“I suffer from a very particular condition. A condition which I’m afraid will make parents not want – someone like me – teaching their children.” His gaze lowered to the floor in what Nel interpreted to be shame.
“What do you mean someone like you? So far, we’ve had an idiot and Voldemort as our professors. What on Earth could be worse?” He blinked twice surprise at her mentioning of the Dark Lord’s name so boldly. She hadn’t even noticed that the name had slipped.
“I suffer from lycanthropy and it seems someone has let slip the nature of my condition.”
She was struck by his admission and couldn’t help but feel a burdening sense of guilt. All of this time she had misjudged him, she had labeled him as someone who knew nothing about a painful existence when he was actually werewolf. She still remembered the words he had once said to her: "Because like you, I know what it's like to want to be something else." Everything made sense now. His frequent absences that at the time seemed random but weren’t. The scars. How was it that a man living with a condition which would often make victims beg to be dead could be so kind? How could he smile with such ease?
“Who?” She demanded to know. Nostrils flaring eyes becoming glassy. It wasn’t fair. He didn’t have to leave.
“Whomever, it was bound to get out. This time tomorrow owls will be arriving. It’s best if I’m gone before then.”
“I’m so sorry Professor Lupin,” she lowered her head. Lupin wasn’t certain if it was out of reverence or pity or why the student would apologize to him. She didn’t seem like the type to be apologetic.
“Can I ask… How…” She paused trying to properly phrase her question. “How do you do it? How do you choose kindness?”
Out of all the things she could’ve asked, he had not been expecting it. Then again, it was specially surprising coming from Nel Saintday, if his assumptions of what or who the girl was were correct-
The professor approached her with his hands in his pockets. Standing before her he placed a hand on her shoulder like perhaps a parent or guardian would.
“Choose kindness. Choose love. Choose happiness. Always.” He gave a slight squeeze and patted her arm before stepping back to his belongings. He laughed slightly as if he had remembered something funny, almost like an inside joke. “An old friend once told me we both possess light and darkness inside of us. What matters is the part we choose to act upon.”
She looked at him sadly before stepping out.
Right… Just like a Patronus. A guardian that emits light, hers, it drains it from the world. It’s only darkness. She decided it best to keep this detail to herself instead.
“Oh, and Nel?” He stopped her making her turn. “Write to me soon,” again he smiled at her. She couldn’t help but grin back before stepping out. She’d miss him, that’s for sure.
Walking down the stairs of the East Tower she bumped into someone she was not looking forward to seeing.
Harry.
She gave him a cold look before attempting to walk past the messy haired Gryffindor.
“Nel! Hey, wait up,” Harry stepped down and around her halting her step. She scowled at him still upset at what had happened the night that Black ‘escaped’ Hogwarts. She still couldn’t believe that a) Hermione Granger had stunned her b) Harry who was her ‘friend’ had allowed it c) That he was actually able to cast the Patronus Charm while she had casted – whatever that horrifying thing had been…
She was angry at Harry because of what had happened that night, but also because he had let go the only person who had any idea what her origins were.
“Are you alright?” He asked in concern. “I’m sorry about, well, what happened. It’s complicated, but Sirius - I mean Black – it’s not what you think it is. He’s not bad.” Harry attempted to explain to the best of his ability without divulging too much information that could potentially endanger his Godfather.
“Sirius, he said he saved you when you were a baby.”
Nel didn’t want to talk about this. Not with Harry, not with anyone, really. Least of all the person that had cost her getting to the root of this mystery.
“Appears to be so,” She retorted nonchalantly hoping that Harry would get the hint that she didn’t want to converse and move out of the way, but he didn’t. What had Professor Lupin just advised her? To choose kindness… Maybe this could be a start, after all Harry had usually been most unusually kind to her. Feeling a sudden guilt wash over her she decided it best to shove her pride aside and at least attempt to make things right.
“I’m sorry Harry,” She apologized sincerely. “I shouldn’t be resentful of the fact that you can summon a Patronus Charm while I –“ She swallowed her words not even wanting to give a name to that horrible creature that she had summoned.
“You’ll get better at it Nel, I know you will.” He comforted her a little; surprised at the apology he was not expecting. “Are you sure you’re alright? We weren’t expecting Malfoy to come in sweeping in like that. Did he hurt you?” He asked concerned.
“Malfoy?” She repeated in shock. Wait- he had actually stayed behind? She hadn’t really questioned why it was that the blonde was in the Astronomy Tower with her when she came to her senses after the stunning spell.
Adding things up it, it made sense now. She then remembered the mortifying fact he had really seen her at her most vulnerable. Salazar’s Beard it was such a degrading thought.
She had been avoiding him since, walking out of the room before he could enter it, taking note of where he was standing and steering clear out of his way and vision purposely. She dreaded the thought of him bringing up that night and taunting her with her most intimate insecurities.
“N-No. He didn’t do anything,” She compressed her lips into a thin line her thoughts lingering on the memory of the dawn of that day.
“About Black,” Harry swerved back to the original topic. “Maybe you could write to him?” He suggested raising an eyebrow at her.
Leave it to Harry to come up with such a ridiculous idea.
“How would he get it? He’s an ex-convict living in hiding. I don’t think just any owl will be able to find him.” Certainly not Barberry he wasn’t the brightest owl out there.
Harry figured that if Nel knew what he and Hermione had done and was keeping quiet about it and most importantly probably keeping Malfoy from opening his big mouth she could be trustworthy. If any of them croaked the lot would be tossed into Azkaban no questions asked.
“I’ll get it to him for you.”
Her eyes went wide with disbelief. How? Judging by the sly smile on the boy’s face she figured it was better not to push him for questions today.
“Really?!” She uncharacteristically beamed and didn’t even realize she threw her arms around the Gryffindor in a surprise hug. Harry stood stiff not being used to being hugged overall, less by girls and least of all by Slytherins. He’d probably never understand how much this meant to her.
“Saintday,” She heard a familiar voice echo the corridor. Nel froze at the cross tone that the familiar voice carried. Looking over her friend’s shoulder she saw Malfoy swashing towards the two of them. She instantly let go of Harry and stepped away from the boy. The girl considered running away and hiding inside of a classroom or broom closet.
Malfoy was now standing before the two of them a displeased look on his pointy features. Harry’s expression was similar as he glared daggers at the blonde Slytherin his body language in offensive mode ready for whatever Malfoy might throw at them. Saintday couldn’t help but remember the weight of his black jacket on her shoulders and how it smelt, how he had actually been more than a gentle man and had consoled her at her worst. Mortified. She felt the blood rush to her face and neck in unflattering red patches.
Harry looked between the two Slytherins oddly. The girl who looked like a deer caught in head lights wore a flustered expression. Malfoy looked at her face intensely but said nothing. Neither did she. Both of their eyes locked on each other’s.
The Gryffindor boy felt an unfamiliar tension fill the space between them. He was debating if he should leave or not when Malfoy’s grey eyes swiftly turned to Potter.
“I was wondering what that terrible smell was,” He wrinkled his nose impolitely as if in disgust. “Should’ve guessed it was just you two orphans,” he spat rudely.
Harry immediately scowled at him, he turned to face his friend who instead seemed relieved?By their tormentors’ crass words. She smirked slightly at him before letting out a haunting “Ha!”
Nel felt as if a weight had been taken off her shoulders. This was a relief. Being like this, acting rude and constantly jabbing at each other just made life, easier overall.
“You think we smell?” She huffed crossing her arms over her chest. “I’d be surprised if you still had any sense of smell,” she waved a hand over her nose dramatically. “I can smell you from a mile away with that tacky lotion you wear! Gives me a headache. What’s the scent supposed to be anyway? Funeral home or cleaning supplies? “
He shot her a glare and walked away bumping her shoulder so hard it almost made her step backward. Both Harry and Nel missed the slightest of smiles that made way to his face. Harry glared at the back of Malfoy’s head as he walked away.
Just like that things were back to normal.
Harry’s eyes bounced between the two Slytherin’s more confused than even. He was even more perplexed by the most peculiar smile Nel Saintday wore.
Xxxxx
The year ended and Nel practically dragged her feet back to Wool’s Orphanage.
Standing outside she looked at the old bricked building with dread. She didn’t know she wouldn’t see the building in years to come as she sucked in a deep breath. Coming back to Wool’s had never been the same since Lucy left. Nel had looked endlessly inside of Wool’s files but had found no record on where Lucy had gone off to or of her adopted family. It was almost as if she had never existed. Part of her suspected the girl had probably taken off and taken to the streets. Wool had erased all records of her to make it seem as if Lucy Bonilla never existed. They would’ve been about the same age now. Elowen would never admit it out loud but she was resentful of the girl, not for leaving Wool’s, but for not taking her along.
Walking in some young kids cheered welcoming her back and jumped on her arms making them lift them up. The owl in the cage cried nervously at the sudden attention. She stopped to great them and was about to make way to the laundry room when Aisha stood in her way.
Like always she was wearing a sickly pink color and her hair in a long braid, dark eyes fixed on her trunk and other school belongings.
“I wouldn’t get too comfortable if I were you,” She scowled at her before turning away.
The brunette simply arched an eyebrow in confusion. She didn’t even have time to question what that statement went when Matron Cordelia Wool stepped out of her office.
“Ah, there you are,” She said a hand on her large hip. “’Bout time you got here.” She opened the door to her pastel pink office that smelt like a bottle of Lysol and nodded her head towards the inside. “Inside. Now.”
Nel stepped in with an irritated expression. She was expecting Wool to pin some terrible disaster like a pipe bursting on her. Or to try and intimidate her by locking her in the Chokey like she used to when she was younger. However, she was surprised when she saw there was another person in the office. Her dark blue fashion strongly contrasting the pale pink backgrounds of the office. The witch standing in the room eyed Nel’s appearance from head to toe. Her baggy washed jeans and oversized grey sweatshirt. She seemed to be mildly horrified at the status of her sneakers.
“Elowen,” Wool began to introduce. “This is Ms. –“ She paused, her nose wrinkling in disgust as she signaled towards the dark-haired woman with sharp angled face features.
“Ms. Cloelia Lestrange,” The woman with unblinking blue eyes stretched out a hand.
Hesitantly looking at her with suspicious eyes she shook the woman’s frail looking hand.
“She’s- your kind,” Wool wrinkled her nose before rounding around her desk and plopping down on her cushioned desk chair. She looked at some papers on the table and assembled them into a thick package which she stacked neatly before putting into a folder.
“The adoption papers are ready, if you would just sign here Ms. Lestrange,” Wool said in an apathetic dead tone.
Shaken by the words Elowen shook her head in disbelief. Fourteen-year-old orphan witches didn’t get adopted just out of the blue by strangers.
“Wait- what?” she gaped in disbelief. “I never consented to this adoption!” She gawked incredulously her eyes rapidly darting between Wool and Ms. Lestrange.
Wool’s tired eyes looked past Nel. The dark circles under them giving her a dreadful appearance. Lestrange appeared composed as if she hadn’t heard her opposition.
“Court ruled in Lestrange’s favor claiming it was in your best interest.” Wool explained while pointing at Lestrange to sign one last page.
Elowen wasn’t sure what to feel. On one hand she was happy to be leaving this rancid place. However, she felt some guilt. What would happen to all of the other children that stayed behind? Who would watch over them? Also, who was this witch and what did she want with her? How did she even know about her?
“You mentioned you have a son?” Wool commented absent mindedly.
“Ah, yes, my dear boy. He’s away on an apprenticeship in Paris,” She turned to Nel and smiled at her sweetly. “But I’ve always wanted a daughter,” She said giving one of her cheeks a hard pinch.
Nel slapped her hand away and glared at her new guardian. She wasn’t five she didn’t need this stranger talking down to her guardian or not.
Cloelia seemed amused by this and tutted at her before holding her hands before her lap. The girl eyed the woman carefully. This would be her new guardian, her new mother. Part of it made her heart flutter with excitement. She would finally be part of a family. She would finally be claimed under a proper name. She’d have a loving home to return to, her own room, her own brand-new clothes. She didn’t know what a family was like, but she had actually pictured it like on the tellie. The white-picked fence life, a mother, a father, a boy and a girl all coming together to talk about their day over a delicious dinner. Maybe… Just maybe that dream would no longer be a fantasy.
She leaned over Wool’s desk attempting to catch a glimpse of the information on the documents.
“So,” she probed slowly. “I’m going to be a Lestrange?” She asked tasting how the last name felt in her mouth. It was, well, strange.
Elowen Lestrange. She felt like it fit. Looking at Cloelia her heart skipped a beat at the thought of the lady being her mother, her family. Her hair was black, not dark brown like Nel’s but still it was dark?
Maybe… Just maybe they were related.
The thought of belonging to a family made the edges of her mouth turn up into a hopeful smile.
“No,” Wool answered fully. “According to the British Government you are still Elowen Saintday.”
Of course. She hadn’t been claimed. The girl fought the urge to lower her head in shame. She simply stood still in response of the lack of acceptance into her family.
“No returns or exchanges accepted,” Wool tried at a poor attempt at a bad joke as she looked at the orphan smugly.
“I won’t miss you,” Nel glowered hatefully. She shot them both a death glare before walking out of the room.
Wool let out a sigh of relief when the girl stepped out of the room. Ms. Lestrange arched an eyebrow in intrigue when Cordelia Wool began shedding tears. Her face was flushed and turned into an ugly mug. As rivers of fat tears made way down her ugly face.
“Bless you, really, thank you so, so, much,” she was actually crying tears of joy! “I mean it, no returns!”
Wool would probably throw a party.
Xxxx
Nel bid goodbye to some of the other children in the house. Some were crying, some had no idea who she was, others, two in particular, were glad to see her go. Afterall she had either grown up with most of them or watched them grow. Alf and Aisha, her tormentors ,simply glared with vile smiles from a distance as the two witches left the orphanage.
She didn’t look back at Wool’s orphanage once as she left. Afterall there was nothing to look back to. The younger kids would eventually have to step up and learn to fend for themselves, but then again that was life.
The witch didn’t say much as they walked a couple of blocks before dipping into an alleyway. Nel still pulling at her stuff behind her. Her owl’s marble like eyes seemed to look between the two women confused.
Cloelia then stopped and turned to face Elowen who looked at her with mistrust. She smiled the edges of her lips pinching as she did. She couldn’t put her finger on what it was but there was something fishy about this lady. Or maybe it was just the girls’ mistrustful nature.
After having a mass murderer, an idiot and a werewolf as a professor nothing was surprising anymore, not really.
“Are you my mother?” She asked directly. Both wondering if this witch was a distant relative or if she would embrace her as a daughter.
Cloelia was currently applying a shade of red lipstick to her lips and eyeing her appearance on a small pocket mirror before putting it back into her purse. “No,” She responded simply before turning to Nel and once again smiling at her. An action which unnerved the girl to no end.
Then why bother adopting her?
“Although I always did want a daughter,” She stretched a hand forward gently and took the girl’s face in her hand with the other she brushed back the bangs that usually hid her face and starred at her dark eyes, beauty marks and other features.
“Lay off lady,” Elowen glared in her hostile nature and stepped back away from the strange woman’s touch.
“You’re quite rude for a lady your age. Aren’t you?” She said looking down at the girl with contempt.
“What lady?” Nel basically growled out in rude sarcasm.
“My, we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Ms. Lestrange sighed and shook her head slightly. She didn’t give the girl a warning before grabbing onto her shoulder and the two apparated.
The next thing Nel knew was that everything went black; she was pressed very hard from all direction; Barberry screeching as this happened; she couldn’t breathe, it almost felt as if she was being constricted, eyeballs being pushed to the back of her head and ear-drums deeper into her skull before they apparated before a large building that was placed on top of a cliff neighboring a black ocean.
A strong wind blew past them.
Six, fat, large yew trees were planted before the building Nel now realized was a manor. Two in the center in between the door tilted forward creating an arch of branches leading to the entrance of the two-story house.
Cloelia pulled out an elegantly carved black wand and flicked it at Nel’s belonging. Her poor screeching owl and other belongings suddenly vanished.
“Bienvenue à la Maison de Lestrange.”
xxxxx
La Maison de Lestrange was grand. It was speckless with dark browns and dark black wood possessing elegant furniture that looked ancient and absolutely regal. Nel could see a house elf scurrying around the house cleaning and polishing the floors. Cloelia lead her upstairs to a room which the girl took notice could be locked from the outside.
“This will be your room Elowen,” she opened the door to reveal what seemed to her to be a massive room. At least compared to the laundry room that had been her home for her whole life. There was a large twin bed at its center with a beautiful canopy post similar to the one at Hogwarts. She had an actual dresser, a wardrobe, a vanity, and two night stands next to the bed.
All of this… was hers?
“I expect your face to be washed, your old clothes to be disposed off and for you to be properly dressed for dinner and punctual for dinner tonight.”
Nel was in shock. This was the girl whose most priceless belonging was a burnt sweater that didn’t even fit her anymore. She opened the door to her wardrobe and noted it was fully stocked with brand new clothes. This made her head spin. They all looked to be brand new in fashion, they were her size, they weren’t used, they weren’t worn, they didn’t have any wear or tears on them. It was bittersweet, she looked at the fine fabrics and fashionable skirts and blouses, they weren’t her. She hadn’t picked them. This was somebody else imposing themselves on her person.
Regardless, she had to be grateful. It had to have costed a fortune. Then again, judging from the scope of the property it seemed like it hadn’t been a problem for Ms. Lestrange.
“Why?” Nel gaped.
Fourteen-year-old witch orphans did not get adopted just like that. Specially uncharming ones with terrible tempers like Nel Saintday.
“Why me?” She repeated when she saw that her adoptive guardian simply stood by the door holding both of her hands before her lap, back standing straight. Who was this lady anyway? What did she even do for a living?
“I’ve always wanted a daughter,” She responded sweetly. Again, with a very tight smile. There was something off about her, something that made Nel suspicious that this woman knew more than she was letting on.
Some moments later Ms. Lestrange returned to Elowen’s room. She didn’t knock before opening the door intruding in to find the girl feeding a treat to her owl. The room was now disorganized with clothes thrown everywhere on the floor and bed. The girl was late for dinner and she was still wearing her clothes from the orphanage.
“None of those clothes fit me,” Nel tossed casually over her shoulder. She also didn’t particularly like them but being used to a lifetime of wearing the scraps of others this wasn’t a viable excuse.
A disapproving look made Ms. Lestrange’s brow wrinkle at the sight of the room. “Nonsense,” she stepped into the room and flickered her want at everything folding clothes neatly into stacks. She stopped before the girl and pointed her long wand towards her changing her jeans and short top into a knee length long sleeved dark blue dress. There wasn’t anything special about it, it was the type of outfit you’d wear to a religious service. Even her shoes had changed from her usual sneakers to black flats with a strap.
“I don’t like these clothes either,” she finally admitted looking at her adoptive guardian with a wary look and at the dull clothes she was wearing. “I’ll be eighteen in four years. You won’t be able to tell me what to do for much longer.”
Seriously, why bother adopting a fourteen-year-old basket case?
The woman smirked at the threating tone and moved her wand again. Nel was struck when her body began to move on its own. Her brain was sending signals to her legs to step towards the vanity. She fought this feeling but failed and her body moved on its own making her take a seat before the vanity’s mirror. She looked at her horrified reflection in the mirror.
“That’s illegal!” Nel shouted.
The woman was using the Imperio curse on her; one of the Unforgivable and most terrible curses. Cleo silenced her remaining unbothered to the way the girl’s mouth and eyes were frantically moving yet no sound was coming out. Her hands were glued to the vanity’s surface.
“You’re a lady Elowen, it’s time you begin acting like one. Time to grow up!” She clapped her hands together.
Very calmly, even eerily and disturbingly humming a tune the woman approached her and picking up a hairbrush began calmly brushing her dark brown hair, even brushing it out of her face and tugging it behind her ears into a neater more polished look.
“Such a pretty face to hide behind that rideau of hair,” She spoke in her thick French accent even dropping a word that Nel had no idea what it meant. “Behave, do as I say and I don’t think we’ll have a problem,” the woman once again smiled at her a sickly-sweet smile before calmly walking out the door. “I’ll be waiting for you at the dinner table.”
The moment Cloelia left the room, Nel collapsed on the vanity gripping the edges breathing hard at the horrible sensation of having your body controlled in such an invasive manner.
Wool couldn’t control her like that. She could starve her, lock her up, damage her mind and body, insult and belittle her but she couldn’t use Dark Magic on her.
The thought of not being in possession of her person made her fearfully tremble in her seat. She looked at her reflection in the mirror once again. The person starring back wasn’t her.
It was then that Nel had a terrible realization.
The room she was in, it wasn’t what it looked like. Then again, nothing ever was.
She had graduated from one prison into a larger one.
Raised as an orphan, Nel Saintday, endured years of torture from the Slytherin House. The Dark Lord only allowed her existence for her to serve a very specific vile purpose for him. Her birthright dictates for her to choose a side in the Wizarding War… But what would happen if she dares defy the Dark Lord and his wishes? And what happens when she falls for her tormentor? Will Nel fulfill her life’s purpose? And what side will her tormentor, Draco Malfoy, choose? The light that calls to him or the darkness…
CHAPTER MASTERLIST
MY MASTERLIST
1 9 9 2, Sep 1st
Families, friends and siblings bid goodbye to students who would be starting their term at Hogwarts.
The compartment was quiet, it was also darker than Nel remembered. She sat with her hands being kept busy knitting. A hobby she had picked up since she was seven to entertain herself back at Wool’s. It was fairly time consuming and gave her something to do since she wasn’t allowed to have any art supplies and the hours of watching TV were limited to all orphans.
She still couldn’t shake off the memory of what had happened during this painful holiday. The only redeeming quality about being at Wool’s was that Lucy, probably the person she cared for the most, was there.
“Where’s Lucy?” She had demanded from a girl that was in the girls’ dormitory. The seven-year-old shrugged. She snapped her head to the side and asked a slightly older girl. “Where’s Bonilla?” She asked again.
And again, the girl muttered a simple ‘dunno.’
Hearing a slight snicker, she turned around, eyes fixed into slits as they landed on Wool’s favorites. Aisha and Alf, two orphans that were always together, and did everything and anything just to be on the Matron’s good graces with complete and absolute disregard to others.
“Oh? Don’t you know?” Aisha asked complacently. Her thick hair braided over her shoulder. In that moment Nel wanted nothing more than to drag her out of the orphanage by it. She still wore pink just like Wool.
That was a lie if Nel had ever heard one. Adoption was rare. Even more if you were a teenager. Children amongst the ages of one, two and three are the lucky ones, they’ll be in and out of here in a flash. Parents like that you see, their easily moldable to their ideals and virtues, still not hardened by trauma or the ruthless punches of life. After you turn five and stop being cute, your chances decrease more and more with each year. Being twelve, almost thirteen and living here. Nel had no question that she would be stuck living in this hellhole until she turned eighteen.
When she was a child Nel was kept locked up in the laundry room and prevented from attending the adoption fairs. Wool didn’t want to risk her doing something “done by the devil,” and have her make a teacup accidentally levitate or make butterflies come out from under her sleeves. This trauma scarred her innocence.
“That’s a lie if I’ve ever heard one,” she scoffed not buying their shit for a moment.
There was no way Lucy, as wonderful as she was, had been adopted. If anything, maybe Wool had gotten out of hand with one of the little ones one day, maybe she had gotten out of hand with her and ran away? It wasn’t uncommon, but why would she leave without telling her?
“You best believe it,” Alf said clicking his tongue. “Besides, why would she even want to stay here and put up with you?”
“She couldn’t wait to get away,” his sidekick commented snidely arms crossing over her chest.
“I know you’re lying,” she scowled at him. “Tell me where she it. What did Wool do to her?” She marched forward towards them with threatening steps.
“Truth hurts, don’t it?” Alf sneered with a malicious scowl.
She stopped a couple of steps away from them. The expressions on their faces were enough to set the girl’s already boiling blood into a blur of madness. Nel couldn’t remember the last time she had been this angry. She didn’t even realize how mad she was until several loud pops echoed the room and shards of glass began raining down as the ceiling’s lights popped. Several girls scrambled out of the room screaming fearfully with Aisha leading the way.
“Freakshow,” Alf added.
She could hear Wool’s steps stomping up the steps as her large body came wobbling thought the door and gaping at the scattered glass.
She didn’t waste a moment in throwing Nel into her room without dinner and locking her in. The girl was glad she had brought some treats with her. Treats she was going to give to Lucy…
She snapped out of her thoughts when the compartment door opened. Theodore leaned against the entrance.
“Nel!” He greeted with a smile joining her in the compartment. His curly hair had gotten longer, but his green eyes remained the same. Soulful, insightful, his clothes dark and crisply ironed.
Both had exchanged a handful of letters over the summer and despite the friendship the two had, neither ever crossed the line of inquiring about anything outside of their school lives. Prying into their familiar lives was out of bounds. Nel had only heard rumors that circled the school, but she knew that Nott’s parents had been loyal followers of You-Know-Who, just like had Malfoy’s, Parkinson’s, Crabbe, Goyle and others in the class. She figured some things were better left unsaid.
“What you got there?” He commented dropping opposite of her, raising his feet so that he could comfortably sit across the seat.
“Just trying to keep busy,” she responded mindlessly as she continued to knit a pair of black winter gloves.
“I trust you’re more than halfway ahead of all of our classes already?”
When you’re locked up in a laundry room 24 hours of the day with not much to do you really don’t have much of an alternative to preserve your sanity.
“I have a business to tun Nott,” she hid her anguish and smiled before whipping out a handful of hard-earned galleons most courtesy of Misters Crabbe and Goyle. “Pumpkin pastries on me today!” She beamed at him.
Again the compartment’s door opened and much to her distaste Draco Malfoy stepped in.
“Nott,” He acknowledged, and his silver eyes turned to seethe at Elowen who was staring back at him with contempt. Let’s just say things hadn’t gone well when the two had a recent tun in at Flourish and Blotts.
“"I'm sure you can find better company that Saintday," Malfoy coughed. Looking between the two aghast at the friendship.
The twelve-year-old dark-haired girl was wondering inside of the shop scanning over the countless of book covers, titles and authors. She didn’t want to get any more books than what was required of the curriculum. Her brain was already more than fried from all of those exhaustive readings. It seemed like she had picked the wrong day to come to Diagon Alley since the bookshop was overcrowded with a famous Wizard that was doing a book signing. Not that she paid much attention to that.
Presently she walked around with a stack of books in her arms. This time she was alone. Seeing as Professor Snape had already showed her the ropes and string of Diagon Alley she did not require to be escorted. Not that she minded, it was almost better like this.
Another twelve-year-old also happened to be in Flourish and Blotts. The bitter blonde was a couple of steps away on a balcony watching the girl with his eyes narrowed. He saw how she was taking her sweet time browsing the large stack that was on the shelf.
He looked down at the book he was reading and ripped off a page simply because he felt like it and folded it away. He walked down the short steps of the balcony and approached the Slytherin girl he had been carefully observing. She didn’t seem to have noticed his presence yet and if she did, she chose not to acknowledge it. Her hair was longer than the year before now reaching her shoulders and there was a distant look in her dark eyes. Of course, not that, that would’ve stopped him from acting like a total dick.
He forcefully ran into her on purpose. The impact so strong the tower of books she had been holding came tumbling down to the wood floor. He grabbed her lower arm before she could fall holding her up.
“Watch where you’re going Saintday,” He greeted her with a terribly rude scoff.
“Maybe you should watch where you’re going Malfoy,” she snapped back irate quickly withdrawing her arm back to her person. She groaned at the unwelcome presence and bent down to reach for her books when she saw his brand designer shoe stomp on them.
“Get your foot off my books, because Merlin help you if you don’t, I will gladly sock you,” she threatened with an angry scowl.
He huffed a weak chuckle. ‘Physical threats. How typical of Saintday,’ he thought to himself humorously. Not that he was unaware that the orphan would deliver on her promise. Instead, he stood unbothered and leaned against the bookshelf next to him with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Hm.. No, I don’t think I will. You see, I don’t really feel like it,” he hummed calmly while pretending to look at some invisible dirt underneath his fingernails.
Nel seetehed in her anger. Great. Now her day had been ruined.
“What do you want Malfoy? Don’t you have anything better to do like hold your moms hand or something?”
“Jealous?” He was quick to respond. “At least I have one,” he shot back sharply.
“Oh, boo-hoo,” she cried out the words mockingly, dripping with sarcasm. “Thank you for stating the obvious. Insulting an orphan on not having a family? That only makes you an even bigger prick!” She exclaimed. “Now move, before I make you,” she raised her want at his nose.
“Watch it slugbreath,” he did not move an inch, yet there was some hesitation in his voice divulging he was intimidated.
Nel suddenly stopped. She froze when she felt what felt like a harsh tap come down on her shoulder. She was familiar with this sensation. She turned slightly to see the shimmering silver snake head from Lucius Malfoy’s cane. It felt just as bad even worse than Old Man Cowell’s down by the General Store.
“Mind your manners Draco. That is not way to speak to a lady,” a slithering voice spoke from behind her. The voice cold and emotionless holding a scolding edge. Without any hesitation whatso ever Draco finally stepped back and off her books.
Nel turned in surprise to see Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, standing behind her. The man stood tall and was a refined contrast to the other witches and wizards in the room. His snake cane once again reached for her face and he brushed the stray bangs out of her face to get a better glance at the beauty marks that dotted her face.
“We meet again Ms. Saintday,” he said darkly. "I trust your studies are going well?" He pulled out his wand from his cane and with a flick all of her books neatly arranged in a tower back into her hands.
She remained silent eyeing the man with suspicious. Draco appeared to be just as confused as to why his father was being so damn polite and to a Muggle-born witch out of all people. Why was Lucius Malfoy, one of the biggest muggle haters of all time, the man that had probably taught Draco the filthy slur of Mudblood and all of his hating virtues, being so damn polite? After all, racism was a learned behaviour. So why be so kind?
“Thanks,” she responded curly in a dry tone and witch much unease looking down at the stack of books.
"Draco's told me all about you,” Malfoy Sr. began. “He says you're quite the accomplished witch."
What?
Her expression shifted into one of pure shock. Eyes quickly darting to pale boy who was presently scarlet in the face. A more than irritated expression on his eyes as he shot his father a silencing glare.
“Also heard you have a knack for mischief. Particularly for head swelling spells…”
Boy, wouldn’t she like to swell his head right now.
“I have to do well in order to keep my scholarship." She answered dully, disregarding his praises or mention of the head swelling hex. No way she was apologizing to daddy dearest over that. "And may I ask what you intend on doing after finish your studies?"
Why was he asking her so many questions?
Why was he so invested in this topic of conversation?
She was twelve, soon to be thirteen in November. How on Earth was she supposed to know what she wanted to do the rest of her life.
"For now, I just want to make my own living in the world."
Which was a normal ambition for anyone. Getting out of Wool’s. Being able to afford decent clothing that wasn’t washed away, eaten by moths or destroyed by former owners. Beautiful things. Being able to treat her friends and loved ones to lovely things like ice cream and pastries…
It was not an impossible dream.
"Of course. How ambitious of you." He paused for a moment and looked at her. Simply starred at her face. His intense glare made Nel shrink slightly. She had never been so uncomfortable when interacting with an adult.
"We best be moving on," He turned his eyes to his son instructing him to follow.
"Wait Mr. Malfoy," Nel paused seeing something on top of her pile of books. "This isn't mine," she said handing out the small black book to him. "I've got more than enough reading to do. Don't need any more books to sit gathering dust in my dormitory," she said sheepishly. Malfoy Sr. Looked at the black book and then back to her before taking it in his hand and turning away without another word.
"I never said that!" Malfoy growled out at her leaning in closer wearing a scowl. His face angry. Elowen smirked at him.
"Sure Malfoy." She said haughtily.
"Hmm…" Nel hummed an evil smirk growing on her face. "You know some people would describe me as being a terribly charming witch, others might even say, accomplished." She dangled his father’s words in his face, subtley taunting him.
Again, Malfoy's ears turned red with embarrassment.
"My father only said that out of pity! What else was he supposed to say to a pitiful, filthy,Muggle-born orphan!" He shouted angrily before storming out of the compartment.
She highly doubted that Lucius Malfoy was a man running a charity of compliments to give to strange second years at bookstores.
There was an underlying motive to his words. A secret he was hiding. Something even Draco didn’t know.
Theodore let out a small chuckle and brought his watch up to his face taking note of the time. "And… it begins," he laughed. "Merlin, we're not even there yet and you and Malfoy are already at each other's throats."
"He started it," She shrugged. "You saw!" She said incredulously meeting his green judging gaze.
"It's weird, I feel like he has a strange fixation on you… Sometimes it's almost like he goes out of his way just to bug you." Nott shook his head.
"Of course, he's got some strange fixation. I'm the only Muggle-born Slytherin as far as I know." Nel rolled her eyes. "He'd be just as bad if Granger had been sorted into Slytherin."
"But you're not," Theodore interjected. She arched an eyebrow in confusion. "Muggle-born, I mean." He closed the book he had initially opened to read and lowered his feet, so he was sitting up straight.
"You don't know that. You don't know who your parents were."
"Are," She corrected icily in a strained voice. This was crossing on the boundary the two had outspokenly agreed never to cross which meant family or life outside of Hogwarts was outside of the bounds of conversation. "I also don't know if they're with life or not. For all that I know they abandoned me at a Muggle orphanage. When they could've left me anywhere else in this bloody damn world. I would've preferred to be left at Gringotts for all I care!" She didn't realize that her voice pitch had raised into an upset tone. Her eyes darkening as she shed a ray of light into her life and harbored resentment due to her abandonment.
Her parents had abandoned her, like it or not. Whatever had or hadn't happened to them. And Lucy… Wool had insisted that she had gotten adopted and refused to give Nel her new address claiming it was confidential information; Wool said that if Lucy wanted, she would’ve returned for Nel, even written to her. Even Lucy had abandoned her... Which almost stung more than her own parent's going amiss. Perhaps Aisha and Alf really were right. Maybe Lucy didn't want to be stuck with a freak like her. A freak that set rooms on fire when upset, that made light fixtures explode and bathrooms pipes burst and floor. She felt her eyes water and turned away from Nott. The emotional wound still fresh. She didn't apologize for her outburst.
Nott looked at her upset expression. At the pain behind her eyes and in that moment he knew. He knew that no matter how many hits life threw at her. How many punches and jabs others threw at her. She wasn't made of steel, she was wounded, every jab digging deeper and deeper. He was about to speak when the compartment's door was thrown open.
"Well if it isn't Nelly and Teddy!" Tracey tossed it open and put her trunk away before jumping on the seat next to Nel. She gave her a side hug. The interruption seemed to be enough for her to snap out of her dark thoughts.
"Salazar," Theodore grimaced, "I beg you, please do not start calling us that."
"What should we call you then?" Nel grinned at her friend despite the great distaste for the nickname. It was refreshing being back with her little Hogwarts family. With people she actually cared about.
Xxxxx
Arriving at Hogwarts second years don't take the boats to cross the lake to the castle. Instead they ride in enchanted carriages that take them across the road and up to the school.
Nel almost fell back when she saw the creatures that were pulling the carriages. She made a sound. Animals generally did not like her, and mutually she did not like them.
"What is it?" Tracey asked confused trying to see what was making her friend so upset.
"What are those?" Nel asked fearfully not removing her eyes from the large winged horses. Their gaunt bodies seemed to be skeletal almost ghostly with reptilian features, their skin leathery and worn and with massive wings that resembled a bat's or some nocturnal monster straight from your nightmares. Their eyes resembling foggy crystal balls.
"Nel, what are you talking about?" Tracey squinted really trying to see what the big deal was yet saw nothing. Hesitantly they approached the carriage and the three of them took a seat. They were joined by three Hufflepuffs who seemed too absorbed discussing which Quidditch team was better if the Holyhead Harpies or the Appleby Arrows.
Of course, Tracey felt the need to weight in her two cents and defend that Puddlemere United was the best of the best.
"You can see them too?" She turned to see Theodore with surprise. Tracey was much too distracted to listen in their conversation.
"They can't see them, can they?" She noticed the blank looks on the students around them and in the other carriages.
"Am.. Am I going mad?"
"No," Theodore explained. "They're Therstals, I've read about them." He licked his lips, his eyes forward expression turned into a solemn one.
"Only people who've witnessed death can see them."
Her jaw went slack at the information.
"So…" She egg shelled on that topic they never spoke about, their home lives. "You've seen someone die?"
He nodded grimly, pondering deep in his painful memories. "My mom, when I was five," he said. A dull expression on his eyes. She didn’t want to pry further.
"But…” She paused taking in a deep frustrating breath. “How can that be? I've never seen anyone die."
xxxxx
AN: Hey you! Thank you for tunning in.
So, any theories on why Nel can see the Therstals?
On what happened to Lucy?
It’s been a slow story so far, but I’ve written a couple of chapters ahead and I just wrote out first Draco x OC moment! (This year will be short I promise).
(Also a new romantic protagonist will be introduced soon ;) )
