Protecting Her

Marie Lestrange starred anxiously out the window. Her cousin, Draco Malfoy would be coming home any minute now from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Although she was the same age as Draco and had received a letter from Hogwarts, Lucius and Narcissa thought that because of whom her mother was and the fact that she was locked up in Azkaban that it would be safer for her to stay at Malfoy Manor to be homeschooled. It was a quiet life here at the manor, but Marie didn't linger on that thought often, she was comfortable focusing on whatever lessons were thrust upon her and perfecting her techniques.

At the age of fifteen, Marie had the skill level of a witch at least five years older than her. Lucius said that this would become a great asset in the near future, and little did she know, she would have a great role in the next few years to come.

Marie was awoken from her thoughts by a knock at the door. She turned towards the sound and immediately ran into the arms that awaited her.

"I see somebody missed me" Draco said, smirking at his cousin.

"Are you kidding?" Marie said still holding onto him. "If you were stuck here all alone with no interaction with anyone to talk to except the wall, wouldn't you miss me?"

"Possibly" He smirked and hugged Marie a second time. He may not have shown it but he loved his cousin deeply and more than anything in the world. He pulled her closer to him. She had no idea about how soon, everything around her would change. Last year, rumors spread of Voldemort's return to accomplish what he had set out to do long ago and he knew that Marie was going to be involved in some way. He frowned at this. She was too innocent to all of this. How was he supposed to protect her from others? Death Eaters? Voldemort? Draco didn't know how, but he was going to protect her even if it meant sacrificing himself in the process.

"Aww, touching reunion kiddies, hate to break it up" a voice emerged from behind them, "But if you don't mind I haven't seen my little girl since she was a baby and I want to see what's become of her"

They looked up to see a woman behind them. Draco held onto Marie as close to him as possible. Said woman had long, black hair messily strewn over her face. She was clothed head to toe in black and her menacing eyes had a maniacal and crazy loo to them. Draco had seen her face once before on the cover of a Daily Prophet not too long ago. Standing before them was Bellatrix Lestrange, Marie's mother.

"Oh, Marie how you've grown, my dear" surveying her "young, beautiful, and from what I hear, a very talented witch. Yes you'll be very useful." Bellatrix pulled Marie away from Draco and began stroking her cheek. "My dear, I see the fear in your eyes. I know it's sudden, you've never had the love of a mother, your mother. I'm sorry I've abandoned you, you were so young at the time. The ministry almost took you away from me." Tears began forming in Bellatrix's eyes. "I'm never abandoning you again, I promise"

Draco starred at the scene in front of him. Bellatrix awkwardly pulled Marie into an embrace to which she returned. That was one of the things Draco loved about her, she forgave people easily. It didn't matter who it was, and that was what Draco feared her trust may just get her killed.

"Bellatrix" Lucius said as he walked into the hallway "you're presence is requested immediately"

"Of course" she said composing herself "take care of her Draco" And then she left. Draco turned to Marie who was hadn't moved from where she stood. She looked at him and smiled.

"You ok, Ri?" he asked. Marie nodded. She walked over to Draco, grabbed his hand, and together they made their way to one of the unused drawing rooms. They stayed there until dinner, talking about Draco's time at Hogwarts and about Bellatrix's arrival.

In another part of the manor, a meeting was being held. Death Eaters sat around the table silently waiting for their leader to speak.

"My friends, the Ministry of Magic holds the single most important piece of our entire mission. I need a select few of you to infiltrate the ministry, obtain the object, and bring it to me. If anyone gets in the way, kill them. Understood?"

"Yes, My lord" they responded back.

"Good, this meeting has ended. You may leave." Death Eaters began to disapparate, all except for Bellatrix.

"You requested to see me my lord?" She questioned.

"I did. I heard from my colleagues that while I was gone, you had a baby."

"Yes, my lord"

"This child resides here, in the manor, does she not?"

"Yes, my lord"

"I would like to meet her"

"That could be arranged, my lord"

"Lovely, she'll be the key to it all. An ally like her cannot be lost."

"I understand, my lord. However, there is the problem of Draco Malfoy. When I first spoke to her, he held her close, refusing to let go of her. I fear that because of his protective nature towards her, that he will refuse her to join the Death Eaters, even if he becomes one himself."

"I see your point, but would he be willing to join in her place?"