Title: A stone in the river
Author: Surimi
Rating: M for implied violence
Summary: When Draco and his sister comes back from school after fifth year, they know that there would be some changes in their lives. They just don't know how much changes are going to occur.
Genre: AU, Angst, it follows the end of OP and sort of HBP.
Pairrings: Neville/OC, HPDM at some point but only secondary.
Notes: I am in need of a fluent english speaker to look at this and correct any mistake I would make. I wrote most of the story, it would be about 6 chapters long I think. If someone is willing, please send me a message and we'll get in contact.
A stone in the river,
chapter 1: The end of childhood.
When we came home the summer of our fifth year, we knew something had changed.
As usual, we didn't talk in the train. We didn't even spend the trip together. My brother and I weren't really friends. It's not because you're related to someone that you get along with him. There used to be a lot of competition between us.
From our first day of existence, we were treated differently. He was the heir of our family. He was the miracle, the dear son of a wealthy family who adores him. I was just the unexpected one that came along with the miracle.
I was a girl. My parents wanted a boy, and they got what they wanted with Draco. But what is a girl good at, in a world where power is the most important thing and is the panacea of men?
They didn't expect me. No one, no mediwizard nor lunatic psychic ever guessed that there were twins in my mother's womb. They just knew there was a boy in there, and oh how much my brother was expected and wanted.
When the midwitch told my father that there were two babies that were born, he hardly heard her, just asking if the boy was healthy. They said he was very calm and fair and sweet, even in birth, while I was all red, bloody, skinny and a twitching little thing that kept crying and crying. They called me Scarlett because of that. They had no time to look for a star themed first name.
My mother loved me nonetheless. She taught me everything a woman from our world should know. She made sure I could be useful, as much as a woman can be of use anyway. While I was taught how little a woman is worth, my brother was spoiled rotten. I hated him for it.
That was how our first years were like. Everyone loved my brother, he had everything he wanted, and I hated him. I was so angry with him. Draco, on his part, was in awe in front of Father and enjoyed Mother's hugs all he could. He was living like an only child and hardly noticed me.
On our first train ride to Hogwarts, we met Harry Potter. Draco made a very bad impression on him, acting as the spoiled brat he was. Harry made fun of my stupid brother, and I was friend with him from that moment.
I even went to griffindor, and that made my father very mad. For once he noticed he had a daughter. But I didn't care about him, or about Draco. Mother didn't say anything, I guess now that she thought I was the way I was and no one could change that. Besides, I don't regret it one bit, because it was there that I met friends that changed my life forever.
I became friends with Neville Longbottom and he soon was my best friend. Neville was sweet and nervous in everything he did. I found that brilliant, I had never met someone like him before. He was so unsure of himself, so shy. I thought of him as a precious thing that should be protected from evil. And there were a lot of evil around us. Being friend with Harry meant we were close to danger.
It wasn't until fourth year that I saw more in Neville than an amazing friend. When the yule ball took place, he asked me to go with him. But I couldn't, as my father took care of choosing for me a more suitable cavalier for the ball. A stupid third year called Zachary Smith. He was pureblood, came from a good family, and, according to Father, should be to my taste as he was in Hufflepuff. Never saw a most obnoxious person since Draco. It was the worst hour of my life. Until we kissed.
Hear me, I didn't kiss Smith, but Neville. In the end of the ball, while Smith was out talking to his friends and I was pouting on my own, Neville gathered the courage to ask me for a dance.
It was sweet and romantic. I remember the way his hands were trembling on the small of my back. He was holding me like he would have hold a tiny bird, just a soft caress to keep me from fleeing, but so soft as to never hurt me. He was looking at me funny, like he was trying to have the nerve to ask me something but didn't dare. I asked him what was wrong, and he kissed me. He just kissed me, and yes it was awkward and unexpected. It wasn't the kiss we read about in those books that Parvati and Lavender enjoy reading. It was a very real and very shy kiss, and I loved every second of it. So much that when he backed up, all red and starting to apologize, I kissed him again. From this we were together, I mean really together.
That fifth year was both the happiest and one of the scariest year of my life. My relationship with Neville was great, and I had fun with our friends. But the Dark Lord was back, and I started to feel torn. I knew my Father was a death eater. He didn't have any choice in that. For those who believe every death eaters entered willingly in his circle, I have to tell you that they are very wrong.
The dark Lord chooses his followers, and him only. You can't approach him without him dragging you to him. If he wants you as his follower, he will first send to you one death eater that knows you. Someone you trust. Someone who knows everything about you. They will offer you something in exchange of your allegiance. But if you refuse, He will begin to hurt your loved ones. He will start by threatening your parents or your children. If you don't surrender, he will kill your mother, your father, your wife and your children. One by one, until there is no one left. Most Followers came to him out of fear; my Father was one of them. I think you won't be surprised if I tell you that my darling aunt Bellatrix was not.
Anyway, in fifth year I realized that I had to make a choice. It was Neville or my family. I thought then, that I couldn't live without Neville, so I chose him. I ended up on the wrong side of my father's wand in the department of mysteries. Father told me then how much I disappointed him, and he hexed me. The pain was the worst, but I was certain I made the right choice. No father should torture his own daughter. He went to Azkaban. Draco was devastated. I, however, was glad he went to prison. I thought he deserved it.
It was only when we returned in Malfoy Manor that everything changed.
There, waiting for us, was the Dark Lord, sitting at my father's place in our own home.
I thought I was scared before. In the department of mysteries, or in all those adventures that being friend with Harry made me live. But I was only truly terrified when I came in to find the Dark Lord eating at our table.
" Ah, the Malfoys children." he said. " Welcome home. Sorry we couldn't pick you up at the station, your mother was... busy..."
Aunt Bellatrix went behind us and pushed us to the floor. I fell with a yelp, scraping my hands, while Draco bent over in an awkward bow.
" Kneel before your Master, you idiots!" she hissed. I heard some Death eaters laughing at our expense. I felt shame melting with fear. What had he done to Mother?
" Calm down, Bellatrix, my sweet. They were just surprised to see us, I am sure." said the Dark Lord.
I turned my head to watch Draco kneel by my side. He was staring at the floor, his hands fisting his robes.
" Come here, young girl," the monster said.
I hesitated a moment, but then I got up with as much elegance I had and went to him until I was two meters away.
" Closer," He whispered. I took a step towards him, now being at his hand reach.
He took my chin between two of his fingers. His hand was cold, like dead meat.
" You are a fair girl, aren't you?" He hissed.
" Yes, sir." I barely said. My voice was leaving me. He reached for my hair and took some to his face.
" A fair girl indeed. What is your name?"
" S...Scarlett Malfoy, m...Milord." What was he going to do to me, I wondered.
" Scarlett... what a beautiful name... it certainly suits you. I do believe you would be gorgeous all scarlet..." he lowered even more his voice. " I do believe you would look amazing while bleeding."
I draw a breath slowly, fighting the urge to move, to cry for help, to attempt to hex him and defend my life. Instead, I turned my attention from Him towards Draco. He was blemished.
" Tell me, Scarlett. Are you following the tradition?" Said the Dark Lord louder this time, so that everyone in the room could hear Him.
"The... tradition, Milord?" I asked.
" Yes. Are you a virgin?" He clarified.
For purebloods, the most important thing is Family. We must respect our elders, stick together and never betray one another. Also, we must make sure that our husband is the real father of our children. That's why women are not allowed any intercourse before or during marriage, except with their husband, and that only after the wedding. When an Heir is born, and the woman can no longer give children, she can do whatever she wants, but NEVER before that. I was well taught. Neville knew about this too. We never did more than kiss.
" Yes, I am." I said, though fearing where this conversation was going.
" Of course you are. Malfoys know the value of a fair girl from an honorable Family. I bet your Father was planning to marry you to a very mighty pureblood. What a shame would it be, if your family were no longer respectable? Imagine, Scarlett, if your name could no longer protect you from those who would want nothing more than soil you. There are men in this world, my dear, who would not hesitate to make you nothing more than their toy. They would use you, spoil you and dirty you until no one, not even a silly little griffindor, would want you. That kind of men is everywhere. Even in this very room. Can you imagine the shame?" said the Dark Lord.
I was trembling now. I watched around the table, all those death eater, sleeping in my own home, waiting only for His agreement to do just that. Or maybe some of them wouldn't even wait.
" Can you imagine, sweetheart?" whispered the Dark Lord. He caressed my cheek and I swallowed my nausea.
" Yes, sir," I sobbed.
" But don't you worry, I am sure your name has not lost all his power yet. You see, Scarlett, your Father has done me wrong, and I am very disappointed in him. But I know that your family can still be of some use to me. I won't blame you or your brother for your Father's mistakes...as long as your Family don't fail me again."
I nodded. " Thank you," I barely whispered.
" Do you feel better now?" He asked with a sick smile.
"Y...Yes, Milord."
" Good, now go unpack your trunk. We will have a little party this evening. Be sure to dress well."
" Yes... Thank you, Milord." I turned and managed to walk and not run toward the door. When I passed Draco, I saw both fear and courage in his eyes. What the Dark Lord told me, was not only to make me realize how unsure my future was, but to push Draco to follow him without questions. When the Dark Lord wants someone, he starts by threatening his loved ones.
I tried to leave the Manor this summer. The first time I ever tried to escape my own home. I didn't dare send any owl to Neville, I was sure there were read. Mother came back a week after our return. She never said what was done to her, but we were sure she had suffered for our Father mistakes. She was never the same after that.
Draco and I got closer. It was like all our rivalry had disappeared. We were always together, our fate sealed as one. My first night home I couldn't sleep, terrified that one death eater would vanish the wards on my room and come to attack me. I watched the door to my room all night, wand in hand, uttering prayers.
The second night I went to Draco and asked him if I could share his bed for the night. We cried together that night, both scared and unsure of what to do to make it better. I fell asleep in my brother's arms. It became a habit that helped the both of us to stay sane.
Just in the middle of summer, the Dark Lord found what he wanted from Draco. He made him take the mark, and then took him in my Father's office. When Draco came back, I was in Mother's Boudoir where we hid all day, avoiding subjects such as the monster in our house and how much longer we were going to stay alive.
He was grim, his face a sick green and his hair nearly grey from fear. Mother and I got up from our silly occupations and run toward him. We found that touching often calmed everyone down and strangely made us feel like nothing was wrong.
" What did he say, Draco?" asked Mother. " What does He want from us? Is it Money?"
We all hoped it was money.
And of course it wasn't.
" He wants me to kill Dumbledore," said Draco, like the very idea was a death sentence to us all. " He said if I didn't you would... and that they would kill me."
" Oh my baby..." wept Mother. She looked about to faint.
" But... He must know you can't do that," I said." Dumbledore's one of the most powerful wizard in our time!"
" Letty, we all know he does not expect Draco to succeed. That's our punishment." Mother sat on a sofa and took her head in her hands, breathing slowly.
" There must be a way! We could... I don't know... try and run away?"
" To where, Letty?" said Draco.
" To Dumbledore, of course, he would help us hide!"
" And become blood traitors? Never!" hissed Draco.
" What blood is there to betray if we all are on the same side?" reasoned Scarlett.
" Your Father is in Azkaban. He is vulnerable no matter if Dumbledore hides us," said Mother.
" So we're all condemned because of him?"
" We stick together, Scarlett! Or do YOU wish to go on your own and betray us all?" Asked Draco. " I TOOK His mark to save you from being raped, and now you want to run from us?"
" I NEVER said that!" I defended myself.
" You know what I think? I think you want to let us rot here from the very first day we got trapped. You feel no loyalty to us and only want our help because you can't manage to leave on your own!"
" Draco, be quiet!" Mother said. " No more accusations. If we want to survive this, we need to stay faithful to one another, no matter what. Understood?" Both of us nodded.
I feel ashamed now to admit that he was right. I did try to leave without them at first. In my defense, I never really felt part of their family until that summer.
" Now. Let's make a better plan where everyone gets out alive."
" I have no other choice, I must do it," said Draco.
" But you can't!" I tried.
" I have to! I need to find a way to do it. There must be a way to kill him."
" He is more powerful than you!"
" Then I won't fight him on a duel! There are other ways to kill someone."
" I can't believe you're seriously thinking of killing someone, and Dumbledore no less!"
" If it's him or us, then yes, I'd do it. I will do anything to protect the family."
" I will go and see if some of our friends can help us," said Mother. " You won't be able to do it on your own."
" Mother..."
" No, I will ask for help. Snape owes us a favor, he will be there for you when you need him."
" I must do it alone! The Dark Lord said so!"
" I won't leave you do this on your own!" said Mother.
" I still think we should talk to Dumbledore and ask for his help." I groaned.
" Dumbledore won't help your Father," argued Mother.
" Maybe he will."
" You just want to be on your boyfriend's side." accused Draco.
" Boyfriend? What Boyfriend?" asked Mother. I sighed.
" I've been involved with Neville Longbottom." I admitted.
" Oh, Letty..."complained Mother.
" He is a pureblood, and he is very nice to me."
" Why do you always complicate everything?"
" I am not! He so is a suitable match! I wasn't going to say anything, not when Father was busy with... other matters... but the Longbottom Family is an old one and there are very respected."
" But the Longbottoms? Letty I am sure you know what Bellatrix did..."
" Yes, I know. He knows she's my aunt, too. We talked about it. He doesn't care."
" That is not possible, Letty. I am sorry." Then Mother's eyes went wide. " I hoped you didn't..."
" No, we never did anything but kiss, I promise Mother. I know better than that."
" I do hope so, or else I would have been marked for nothing," snarled Draco.
" Shut up!"
" What? It's true! I'm doing it all for you! So if you ended up a whore..."
" Draco!" said Mother.
" So you wouldn't have protected me if I have slept with Neville? That is so unfair!" I said.
" Oh you think it's unfair for you to be the reason I got marked? Well try to be the only man here able to protect Mother and You! I have to kill someone! And if I fail He will kill us! THAT is unfair!"
" Okay, Okay, everything is unfair in this situation, I agree." said Mother. " But now we need to think."
We planned for hours. We did nothing else for days. We thought of nothing else. Until it was time to go back to school.
Mother went to ask Snape for help, despite Draco's disagreement. Draco thought about a plan, and we started to set it up before taking the train. I ended up thinking of nearly nothing else except going back to school, and seeing Neville again. I missed him terribly. I was sure he was worried. I never received any of his owls during the summer, I knew they had been read by death eaters and destroyed. I hoped he never said anything important in them.
Mother took us to the train station on September 1st. We fought enough about it that I didn't even try and convince her to run away then. She kissed us goodbye and we watched her disappear when the train started. I couldn't believe she was going back to what we went through without us.
When I went to reach my friends in the train, Draco stopped me.
" Now, listen to me. I need to do this alone, and I need you to stay quiet about it. That's all I ask for. It is most important that our plan remain a secret. Understood?"
I nodded. " Trust me."
" I wish I could." he answered, and left.
TBC.