A Theo Nott Fic (Part 2)
We all remember things different. Some we don´t remember at all.
Summary: Not a summary but this fic will include Severus Snape as the reader´s guardian and the dynamic of the Slytherins (Theo Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Balise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy) during their sixth year and their perspective of the upcoming magical war.
Word Count: 4254
August, 1996
The door to your room was closed, the rain pouring outside your window.
The raindrops offered a welcome distraction as you tapped your fingers to the same rhythm against the desk, the letter welcoming you to a new year at Hogwarts discarded to the side, the old looking paper and writing contrasting with the signature of Severus Snape, the head of the Slytherin house, down at the end of the parchment.
What was even the point of a letter to welcome you back to another school year when you were in your sixth year? As if all of the students didn’t already know they were to come back for another year, just like the previous six years. A greater question you asked yourself was why you got a letter? As if the same man who signed the letter was not sitting just downstairs behind the heavy door of his study where no one but him entered.
You just were in a bitter mood.
Your hair was cold against the back of your neck despite the warm shower you had just gotten out of, the rain unforgiven even if you had barely walked two blocks to your house.
Your godfather’s house. Severus Snape. Your godfather only by title as he was only the name and face that answered for you.
He had been nowhere to be seen when you got home. The man he insisted on calling Wormtail welcoming you back the only sign he was there at all. You did not dare to look for him, not unless it was completely necessary and you didn’t need him then. You found you needed him less and less every day. Besides, you already knew where he was, Wormtail keeping anxious guard on the door of his study as if something evil was kept behind its door was enough of an answer.
You were entirely satisfied locked away in your room, the small space completely covered in notes you had written yourself. Your handwriting looked like something recovered from ancient tomes of new discovered ideas, the pieces of parchment were like pages ripped from the books that covered the study walls from floor to ceiling just below your room. However, your hand was no good with framing images as much as with words down on parchment, and yet your room didn’t lack the ink drawn pieces.
You pushed up from your seat at the chair at the reminder, emptying your bag and all of its contents over the bed looking for one specific envelope, mentally chastising yourself at your forgetfulness and hoping the heavy rain hadn't ruined it. All objects were thrown to the side until you found it, breaking the moss green wax seal almost caringly, pulling the drawing out.
Your curiosity turned into confusion as you held the parchment close to your face, a frown forming with the squint of your eyes at the detail of the thestral, the name of the creature neatly written in the right bottom corner of the piece. You let the entire weight of your body fall back on the chair near your desk with a hollow sound.
“They’re horrible.” you muttered, dropping your hands to your lap while taking another look at it. You refused to believe that was their aspect.
You went out of your room, drawing in hand as you descended the stairs to the long hallway. Still trying to make sense of the drawing, holding it at arm's length from your face, not once looking the way you were going, until your body crashed against another before you could prevent it.
“Sorry.” you breathed after a gasp flew out of your lips, hiding your hands and the drawing behind your back before even looking up. “Madame Lestrange.” you said slowly as you faced the woman in front of you cautiously.
Bellatrix looked you up and down, her stare freezing you to your spot on the floor before she rolled her eyes, walking around you towards the door without uttering a word in your direction.
You followed Bellatrix with your eyes as she stepped outside the house, your stare not wavering until you heard your name called behind you, a warming feeling replacing all dread the taller witch left on her path.
“Narcissa” you breathed out with relief, the tension leaving your body at the sight of her familiar face.
Narcissa Malfoy completely walked out of Snapes’ study, nodding in acknowledgment at you. The hand that she held clutched to her chest reaching for your face before she thought better of it, taking it back. Narcissa considered you for a minute, her eyes running over every inch of you while a smile appeared over her face.
“Severus, are you to return to Hogwarts soon?” she asked him, her eyes remaining on you standing before her.
“I am.” he answered from the doorframe of his study.
Narcissa's smile turned into a knowing one, a glint in her eyes.
“Perfect, then. Y/N, get your things ready.”
“Narcissa.”
Snape warned, but it was no use as she turned to face him, her palm raised in the air.
“Unless you are taking her with you, which I doubt, I’m taking her back to the Manor with me. The school year does not begin until a week from now. What is she to do there, help you clean your cauldrons?” she asked, met with silence and a bored look, “Or am I to believe you will leave her here. By herself? Absolutely not.” she added disapprovingly.
“Actually,” you said over Narcissa’s shoulder, a whisper meant only for her even if Snape could perfectly hear you over the silence that lingered permanently over the house, “He’s got the teaching position of defence against the dark arts.”
Snape gave you but one fleeting look, returning his attention to the raised eyebrow Narcissa gave him.
“Much to prepare, then.” she insisted, “She will be coming with me, not to give you any more distractions when you’ve finally achieved what you’ve been striving for all these years.”
“She is not a child, she can perfectly be at the castle earlier than others.”
“I see you understand, she is not a child. She can part from you for a week.”
Snape was unmoved by any arguments Narcissa might have given. Breathing in deeply, he turned his eyes to look at you.
“You will behave properly.”
It wasn’t a question. It was never a question.
“Absolutely, sir.” you dutifully answered, nodding your head once in sign of a promise.
Snape doubted for a second, not minding that Narcissa was already ushering you towards the door.
“Wormtail!” he called firmly, his voice clear all over the house.
The shorter man rushed to the command, bowing his head hurriedly.
“Take Y/N’s trunk to Malfoy Manor.” he ordered, before he turned and locked himself in his study.
Both you and Narcissa walked outside the house, cloaks in place over your bodies covering you from the still falling yet softer rain. Bellatrix had not had the patience to wait for you both, so Narcissa offered her arm to you in a graceful motion and you took it.
This was not the first time that you had been apparated, and still, it made it no easier. You were aware it was but a second that it took to apparate, for the witch to rip the world open to step into the place they wanted to be. Every time you tagged along you felt the world slow down only to be thrown into the real flow of time once again, forcefully.
Narcissa seemed unbothered by this. She didn’t even stop a second to recover, as if she had never stopped walking from where she stepped outside Snape’s house to the path that led into her home, it was all one smooth walk for her.
Narcissa called your name, turning when she noticed you missing from her side.
“Coming!” you said, hurrying to her side at once.
Narcissa only smiled, shaking her head softly.
“You grew with magic, apparating with others since you were a baby.” she commented, glancing at you. “One would think you’d be used to it by now. Perhaps even do it yourself.” a knowing smile brightened her face.
You mirrored her smile, a chuckle flowing easily from you. It was easy to flow like that when you were around Narcissa Malfoy. She was effortlessly elegant and beautiful, the world flowing with her and not the other way around.
“You make it look so easy.” you said, “Leave us all mortals to shame.”
Narcissa laughed at this but made no comment.
They reached the entrance of Malfoy Manor shortly after, the grand doors opening with the flick of Narcissa’s wand that never left her hand. She stood in the hallway, pausing briefly before she turned to you.
“Your room is ready.” she motioned to the stairs, knowing you already knew the way. And then, with a gentle hand, Narcissa reached to cup your cheek, caressing your skin with the pad of her thumb before she began to walk again.
“Thank you, Narcissa.” you told her softly, making her turn in your direction.
Narcissa’s smile dropped slightly, barely noticeable if you weren’t paying attention. And in that moment you weren't, not when you had just been brought home.
“Did you really believe I would let you spend your sixteenth birthday at Hogwarts with Severus and the bloody Baron as your only company?”
You shook your head with a soft smile, a warmth spreading over you as Narcissa winked playfully in your direction.
“Welcome home, my darling.”
Narcissa’s voice sang in the distance, her steps fading with her voice.
You walked to the base of the stairs, waiting until you could no longer hear a thing in the house before beginning to walk up the stairs to where your room was. It was only when you reached the deserted floor that you turned right as you always did, counting your steps and slowed down to a normal pace. The end of the hallways in Malfoy Manor always held the biggest rooms, the right side of the house facing the gardens Narcissa herself enchanted to always have flowers blooming no matter the season. It was no wonder that it was Dracos’ chosen room.
Standing at the door of the room on the right end of the hallway you knocked out of politeness, to announce yourself before walking into the room without hearing any answer.
Draco dressed all black. His hands were a stark contrast against the darkness of the room, the only thing that gave his presence away, laying on his back in the middle of the bed on the other side of the room. He removed his arm from across his eyes when no one announced themselves nor did they address him, making him glance once at you standing at the foot of his bed with a questioning look on your face.
“You’re here.”
Draco let his head fall back on his bed, covering his eyes once again.
“You don’t sound surprised.”
You said back, walking to the edge of the room where the tall windows were. A flick of your wand and the curtains were drawn open, earning a groan from Draco as he instinctively rolled over to face away from the windows.
“It’s not that bright outside, Draco.” you said, turning back to him with the tilt of your head, crossing the room back to where he was “You’re not feeling well.” you noticed, going to sit on the side of his bed as you shook your wand in the air again, the curtains closing back.
Draco heaved a sigh, sparing you one look before he made room for you at his side.
“Headache.” he explained shortly.
“Do you want me to get Dobby to give you something?”
“He already did.”
You nodded, moving to lay down next to him. A mirror of him.
It wasn’t uncommon for you two to be in the same room. You often shared space and it was known that where one went the other shortly followed. Growing up it wasn’t rare for the both to share a room or for Narcissa to find them on the same bed in the morning when the thunder was unforgiving the previous night. However now you found yourself tense, given your much time alone you had come to the realisation that over the years your affections for Draco had changed into something different. You had begun to care more about your appearance around him, trying to impress him and always be on his good side; your breath shortened whenever he was around, the sound of his voice or the faint smell of his scent was enough to soften you.
You found it disturbing.
You could recall the memories of growing up together fondly, but admit you were no longer the best friends that used to play next by the fire together during the colder seasons and chase each other through the maze behind the manor when the sun warmed your skin enough to feel comforted. Growing up meant growing into different responsibilities, more to Draco than yourself, as he was asked more of himself everyday.
Growing up meant growing apart.
He would be told to study every area of knowledge for his future, read every book that would shape his mind into the sharpest weapon, train every part of his body to be useful to a purpose, to do great, achieve greatness and be greatness.
You were not required to do any of those things.
But at night, when Draco and you were supposed to be sleeping, you would find your way into each other's room and spend your time reliving your days with each other. Sometimes, you would help him study; other times, he would listen to you talk.
Draco had never been what everyone made him out to be. He was something else entirely.
“We must go to Diagon Alley this week.” he said, breaking the silence with a raspy voice.
“Whatever for?” you asked, confusion clear in your voice as you opened your eyes, dancing between staying awake and the sleepy state you had wandered to.
“You do plan to return to Hogwarts, right?” He asked back, a hint of amusement in his voice. He paused then, after you tried to nudge his arm, missing him completely and pushing his head to the side . “We need to get your measurements for the dress.” he added, taking your wrist in his hand.
You sat up in a haste, looking down at Draco when the force of your movement took your wrist from his hold. He held a knowing look in his eyes, knowing what was to come from you. “What dress?” you asked, the glimmer of hope lazing your every word.
He shrugged, moving to sit just as you had done.
“Consider it an early birthday present.”
A bright glimmer filled your eyes as you looked down at your lap, the excitement showing around your eyes and the soft laughter that left you in a short breath. “You know something.” you said surely in an even voice, “About the ball, you know something.”
Draco stared at you silently, not saying a word. You just moved closer to him, expectantly.
“Blaise mentioned something about it.” He said, “Last time I saw him.”
You breathed out a laugh softly, fighting the little smile on your face hidden from his view. But then it also dawned on you that Draco was taking you to get your dress made. Your smile softened at the realisation.
“You don’t have to.” That silly promise.
Draco turned his eyes from you instantly, burying the urge to roll his eyes, make a comment about it and call it a day. Seeing the fondness in your smile wiped that thought completely. Even if the sky fell outside his room, he still had you. He always had you.
“It can just be my birthday present, a dress is more than enough.”
“I believe I made a promise about it.” he said, laying back again on the bed. This time he had a pillow to support the back of his head, keeping his eyes on you.
“When you were seven.” you recalled.
Draco sighed, “And I kept making it every year since then, every time the invitation arrived and we were not on the guest list.”
You gazed at Draco longingly, “You don’t have to.” you repeated.
Draco lifted his eyebrows in one quick motion, as if what you said was funny. “Too late. Besides I really don’t know what to get you for your birthday so a dress and a date to the ball will have to do.”
You tried to ignore the way your heart skipped at the mention of it being a date. He was to be your date, but it wasn’t going to be a date date. You knew that much.
“You hate those things.” you reminded him, “You said it yourself when you returned form the first one you were invited to,” you began to recount, pointing at your fingers from each thing you mentioned, “The dressing up is unnecessary and uncomfortable, the small talk tedious, the people who attend those events unpleasant, the food awful and the drinks lacking.”
“I was ten.” he added, not helping his case. “Find something better for your birthday present and I´ll get it for you if you´re settled on me not going to this ball.”
“No,” you said, turning your head away from him, “I do want that for my birthday.” you added a second later.
“It's settled, then.” he huffed as he pictured the look on your face turned from him.
“I guess it is.”
*******
You sat in front of the only window in your room, although calling it a window was more wrong than right. The window equaled one of the walls of the room, a wall made of glass that allowed a view of the maze of the Manor. But more importantly, it gave a clear view of the sky.
At that exact moment you gazed at the starlit sky from the armchair you insisted on keeping in front of the window. You had to levitate the piece of furniture to your prefered spot every time you returned home, just so you could look out at the sky without leaving the comfort of your room.
You did so every night you stayed at Malfoy Manor, looking at the night sky in hopes of seeing a shooting star someday. For some reason Narcissa favoured them and had passed on the taste to you, who had updated your kit for night gazing from a blanket fort to soft pillows and the armchair.
And the familiar soft knock on the door pulled your attention away.
“Come in.” you called, turning your head to see Narcissa enter the room, making you sit up. “I thought you’d be asleep by now.”
Narcissa walked across the room, moving the twin armchair just like you had done hours before, placing it by your side.
“I have something for you.” Narcissa shared.
Only then did you notice the small black velvet box adorned with a white ribbon in her hands, making you lose your comfortable position and move to sit up straight, scooting closer to her. Narcissa offered it to you, and you took it slowly with a smile.
“You´ve given me so much today,” you commented shyly, drumming your fingers over the box, enjoying the soft feeling beneath your fingerprints. “You didn’t have to.”
“Of course we do. You deserve only the best.” Narcissa said, motioning to the box. “Open it,” she said, and hesitation stilled your fingers.
Your breath became controlled and slow, untying the ribbon and letting the lid drop to the side. Inside it, carefully placed was a diamond necklace, with a thin golden chain holding the teardrop shaped diamond.
“It’s beautiful.” you commented with a breath, looking up at Narcissa through your lashes before getting it out of the soft cushion, holding the chain with one hand and resting the diamond over your palm. It was then that the sudden picture of someone else wearing it hit you, recognizing it at once now that you had had a closer look, turning sharply at her with a frown.
“It was given to me when I turned sixteen. Now it’s yours.”
“I can’t take it.” you said, placing it carefully back on the box.
Narcissa stopped you softly, taking your hands and successfully stopping you.
“I want you to have it.” She said firmly, with a sad look in her eyes. “You remind me of the person who gave it to me.”
You nodded, keeping the necklace in the box under her palms. The question rose in your mind, wondering who the person she spoke of was. But one look at her eyes told you the memory was too painful.
“Oh, if only Lucius could be here.” Narcissa sighed shortly after “I do hope you enjoyed your birthday, my darling.”
“It was perfect.” you said, lifting your eyes from your lap at the chuckle Narcissa breathed out. She took the box from your hands, grabbing the necklace as she stood up, circling the armchair where you sat.
“You know, Draco rarely spends time with those we celebrate.” Narcissa said, standing behind you “Presents he buys, as you could see today, those are easy for him to get. But to sit down and actually be there?”
“What about you? Or Mr. Malfoy?” you asked, just following her voice.
Narcissa’s smile tightened, out of your sight and only finding her again when she placed her hand over your shoulder.
“We are his parents. He does it out of duty more than out of will.”
You followed Narcissa with your eyes now. Like a small child, you had your head hanging backwards, looking up at the woman behind you who smiled at you.
“I’m sure Draco’s will to be with me today had something to do with you.” you whispered with amusement, as if it was a secret shared between two friends.
Narcissa’s blue eyes fell on you after a second, her features soft, almost blank.
“Will had nothing to do with his actions today. He loves you.”
You fought the heat rising over your cheeks, shaking your head ready to argue back on her statement as you lowered your head to hide the color that took over your face.
“Just like you love him. You’re family.” Narcissa sentenced, moving your hair over your shoulder as she clasped the necklace, carefully placing it over your neck.
Her words carried a weight to them that you did not fight the urge to reach your hand and grasp it around the one Narcissa had secured on your shoulder.
“You’ll take care of one another when you go away together.” she said, never a question.
“Of course.” you assured her.
Narcissa was looking out the window now, her eyes distant.
“It’s not safe. Not anywhere, not for anyone.”
This captured your attention, turning in your place to now face Narcissa, your face back to its hardened self.
“Is there something wrong?” you asked, even if the answer was evident now, you felt the need to ask. Different scenarios started running inside your head, deepening the frown on your face as every possibility became worse than the one before, until the image behind closed eyes showed you all alone while standing in a sea of people.
Yet your mind arrived to one single question, “Is Mr. Malfoy alright?”
The mention of her husband brought her back from the place Narcissa went inside her head, blinking slowly.
“He will be.”
“Something still worries you.” you insisted, moving to stand just like Narcissa.
“My worries are mine alone.”
You thought she sounded very wise for someone being so mistaken.
“Maybe there is something I can do.” you offered, taking Narcissa’s silence negatively. “If only to reassure you then.”
And Narcissa doubted, considering it, for a fleeting moment that only she saw behind her eyelids whilst she blinked. What if you could reassure her?
She couldn’t.
“I only ask something of you.”
“Anything.” you rushed to say, looking Narcissa eye to eye. Where had the time go?
“Be patient with Draco.”
The request took you by surprise, making you pull back slightly. You had always been patient with him, standing at the side of his questionable behaviour and at the ready to save him from any harm, you understood the way he acted and turned a blind eye on most of the things he did. Why would you need a reminder of something you naturally did?
Narcissa sensed your doubt immediately.
“He’s taking it harder, that Lucius is in Azkaban. People talk behind our backs and some even dare to do it to our faces. This will not stop because you’re at Hogwarts, it might make it worse. He already has too much to bear.”
You nodded, close to asking more questions.
“I’ll be there for him.” you promised.
Narcissa gave a final firm nod in your direction, turning to walk out of the room.
“You’d tell me.” you called, just when Narcissa was closing the door, “You would tell me if something was wrong, if there was something I could do.”
Narcissa turned to face you, her grip on the door tight, her eyes firmly shaking as she took you completely in.
“Of course.” she answered. “Good night, my darling.”
And you believed her.
