"Where is Nagini?" said the cold voice.
"I –I don't know, my lord," said another voice nervously. "She set out to explore the house, I think..."
"You will milk her before we retire, Wormtail,"said the first voice. "I will need feeding in the night; the journey had tired me greatly."
"My lord, may I ask how long we are going to stay here?"
"A week," said the cold voice. "Perhaps longer. The place is moderately comfortable, and the plan cannot proceed yet. It would be foolish to act before the Quidditch World Cup is over."
"The-Quidditch World Cup, my Lord? Said Wormtail. "Forgive me, but-I do not understand-why should we wait until the world cup is over?"
"Because, fool, at this very moment wizards are pouring into the country from all over the world are pouring into the country from all over the world, and every meddler from the Ministry of Magic will be on duty, on the watch for signs of unusual activities, checking and double checking identities. They will be obsessed with security, lest the Muggles notice anything. So we wait."
"Your lordship is still determined, then?" Wormtail said quietly.
"Certainly I am determined, Wormtail." There was a menace in the cold voice now.
A slight pause followed – and then Wormtail spoke, the words tumbling from him in a rush, as though he was forcing himself to say this before he lost his nerve.
"It could be done without Harry Potter, my Lord."
Another pause, more protracted, and then –
"Without Harry Potter?" breathed the second voice softly. "I see..."
"My lord, I do not say this out of concern for the boy!" said Wormtail, his voice rising squeakily. "The boy is nothing to me, nothing at all! It is merely that if we were to use another witch or wizard – any wizard – the thing could be done so much more quickly! If you allow me to leave you a short while – you know that I can disguise myself most efficiently – I could be back here in as little as two days with a suitable person –"
"I could use another wizard," said the first voice softly, "that is true..."
"My Lord, it makes sense," said Wormtail, sounding thoroughly relieved now, 'laying hands on Harry Potter would be so difficult, he is so well protected –"
"And so you
volunteer to go and fetch me a substitute? I wonder...perhaps the
task of nursing me has become wearisome for you, Wormtail? Could this
suggestion of abandoning the plan be nothing more than an attempt to
desert me?"
"My Lord! I – have no wish to leave you, none at
all –"
"Do not lie to me!" hissed the second voice. "I can always tell, Wormtail! You are regretting that you ever returned to me. I revolt you. I see you flinch when you look at me, feel you shudder when you touch me..."
"No! My devotion to your Lordship –"
"Your devotion is nothing more than cowardice. You would not be here if you had anywhere else to go! How am I to survive without you, when I need feeding every few hours? Who is to milk Nagini?"
"But you seem so much stronger, my Lord –"
"Liar," breathed the other voice. "I am no stronger, and a few days alone would be enough to rob me of the little health I have regained under your clumsy care. Silence!"
Wormtail, who had been spluttering incoherently, fell silent at once.
"Daphne? Darling, wake up!" Someone shook me.
I opened my eyes and groaned as the pain hit me like a hurricane. Shakily, I shook myself out of my reverie.
"I'm sorry...my head hurts..." The dull aching in my head confirmed this fact.
Father was kneeling in front of me, looking anxious and worried while my mother was shaking her head.
"No spells we tried could stop the headaches and visions, and they are proved to be true! It has been three years since you have been having them. It is not curse, not prediction or anything. But they are real! What can we do about it?" She repeated the words that she has said countless times.
Suddenly, I have a brilliant idea.
If I know what are going to happen in the future, why not make use of it and change destiny and fate?
"Mãe, I want to go to Hogwarts."
My parents froze.
"Daphne, are you serious? We – we are the Ernesto, how can you go to a magical school where... so many others are attending?" My mother was the first to spoke.
I sighed and whispered, "But I only want some friends and to experience what life is about..."
I looked up at my parents and saw that they were having their silent conversations. After 5 minutes of eyes glaring and narrowing, they came to a conclusion while I held my breath.
"You – you can go to Hogwarts for a year."
Did my mother say what I think she said? I am allowed to go to Hogwarts?
I stuttered, "What – what? Quoi?"
My mother finally manages to smile, "I am giving you a year, if you haven't given up by then, we shall see about that. After all, we are breaking all the rules now. But promise me that you will be happy and learn something from all these experiences?"
I grinned, ecstatic, "Of course I am going to last a year, who am I? I am your daughter, for god's sake. Anyway, I am the stubborn and clever girl that grew up under our care and teaching, eu não sou?"
My father laughed at my assurance and I grinned.
"Stop speaking in so many languages, I know you are showing off, my dear filha?"My mother smiled and I pouted playfully at her.
"Oh yes, there is a problem, though," Father suddenly spoke up.
"Yes pai?"
"We cannot reveal your name? If you are going to Hogwarts, they cannot know your name. We can tell professor Dumbledore, but no one else."
An idea flashed in my mind. Why not make my life easier?
"Malfoy"
Mother's eyebrows furrowed, "Quoi?"
"I shall be a Malfoy, it should make things better." I said confidently, even though I was not.
"If you say so, let it be, then. I shall contact the Malfoy and explain things to them, but I think it is better to invite them and have a pleasant discussion. But there is no doubt that they will be quite shock to hear from us." Always organised, mother started planning immediately.
I shrugged and told them that I need a rest and headed towards my bedroom. Without changing, I flopped onto my bed and gazed at the starlit ceiling. The full moon can be seen and I gazed at it intently, pondering hard.
Will things turn out the way I plan it?
Will I be capable to change what is going to happen?
Till now, I cannot understand why I am able to know what is going to happen to him. The boy who lived? Why am I to know about the way that can destroy the dark lord? Why am I so abnormal?
But the questions can be pondered over later, my current question is: which house am I to go?
Gryffindor, o admirável?
Ravenclaw, o intellgent?
Hufflepuff, o esperto?
Slytherin, o ambicioso?
"I am on your side! Don't – don't kill me!" A certain pale blonde hair boy yelled in terror.
Is he the one?
-One week later-
"You must be safe? Muito bem?" My mother asked for the umpteenth time.
"Sim, prometo."
Father appeared and asked, "Before you go, may I ask why we were speaking so much Portuguese this summer?"
All of us laughed.
I chided the blonde-hair man and woman in front of me, "Because it is healthy to preach what you learn. We shall switch to Spanish next time."
They hugged me tightly and my father whispered solemnly in my ears, "You know what you are doing, yes?"
"Sim, papa" I whispered softly, an unwilling tear finally gliding down my cheek.
-At diagon alley-
I glanced around me. People were bustling all around me, and the atmosphere was busy yet comfortable in a way. It feels strange to be in a place that is so unfamiliar, especially without my parents. They had been over-protective of me, yet never failing to answer my queries. What are out there? The history of the magical world I live in, what is it made up of? Every question was answered fully that I know everything.
"DAPH – BLANCHE!"
Is someone calling me?
I whipped my head around and was delighted to see a familiar face facing me.
Ecstatic, I threw my arms around him and grinned, "Hi, Drake!"
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Boudouine and Celestial Ernesto. We understand why we are here today, and agreed to all the conditions." Narcissa smiled genuinely at my parents.
The Malfoy were so different from what I thought of them, from what I have heard from others, they were not cruel and ruthless. Though it is true that Lucius Malfoy do seem threatening, but I find Narcissa a motherly and graceful woman. I can only imagine us two families being friends, not enemies.
I decided that it was time for me to make an appearance.
"Pai e mãe, peço desculpa por ser tardia." I walked down the stairs and appeared in the living room.
Lucious and Narcissa Malfoy were puzzled.
"Oh, I am sorry; we were speaking Portuguese this summer for a change. She is sorry that she is late." My mother politely explained to our guests.
"Oh, this is my son, Draco." Lucious Malfoy waved his son forward and the light was thrown on the teenager's face.
There is no doubt that he is a Malfoy. With pale blonde hair and high cheekbone, he looks like an exact imprint of both Narcissa and Lucious.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Daphne, or should I say, Blanche Malfoy?"Draco extended his hand towards me and I gladly took it, a tinge of blush appearing on my cheeks.
Our parents looked surprise and pleased at our new bonded friendship and exchanged smiles.
The Malfoys spent a whole afternoon at our house that day and we decided that I shall be Blanche Malfoy, a cousin on the maternal side of the Malfoy family, a granddaughter of Lucious's father. If someone checks the family tree, I will be there, without a doubt.
As for Draco and I? We had become great friends and excellent 'cousins' upon realizing that we have a lot in common.
"I thought we weren't going to be meeting until at Kings Cross station tomorrow?" Curious, I asked him.
He grinned widely, "My mother let me out early, thanks to you. I thought I won't be let out due to the Quidditch World Cup disaster.
I grimaced, upon reaching England, the newspaper front covers were all screaming the news about the dark mark and Voldermort, just like what happened in my dreams. I winced at the thought of a certain house elf.
"Are you alright?" Draco peered down at me and asked worriedly. He was pretty tall, and hence always giving me a protective aura.
"Yes – yes, of course I am." I composed myself and asked him where we were supposed to stay for the night. He said that we would have to stay at Cauldron Alley and I agreed readily. However, we still have a whole afternoon to spend.
"Have you purchase your wand yet? Blanche?"
I frowned at his wide grin, "Urgh, I hate that name. And you are smiling way too much for a Malfoy."
He shrugged, "All Malfoys have unique names, you'll have to stick with that, at least it sounds pretty much okay." He was laughing internally, I knew it, "And I only smile too much when I am around you."
I blushed, why is he insistent of embarrassing me all the time?
"And – and yes I have purchased my wand at France last week; it is pretty unique, unicorn hair and phoenix feather. Plus a strand of hair each from my parents, it is all about some ancient protection magic." I waved my wands around, resulting in the clouds above us to clear suddenly. Malfoy glanced at the sky in awe.
"I'd say it is unique. And full of magic." I nodded at his statement.
"So, where are we going now?"
He glanced at me, "How about a tour around?"
"You've got your school stuffs all set?"
I rolled my eyes, "Haven't you already met my mother, do you think that she would leave me to come here alone unset? My luggage is already delivered to Hogwarts."
He laughed heartily.
"Oh my. I've never thought I would see Draco Malfoy laughing!" A cheery voice came from behind us.
Without looking, Draco muttered without venom, "Good afternoon Blaise, is Pansy with you?"
"Wouldn't I? It is not as if you do not know, and who do we have here?" A girl's voice rang out.
I turned around, and two of Draco's best friends greeted me. They have, of course, appeared in my visions before.
"Nice to meet you, Blaise and Pansy. I am Blanche Malfoy, Draco's cousin." I introduced myself coolly.
"Mind you, she loves saying foreign languages." Malfoy spoke up suddenly, appearing beside me.
"DRACO MALFOY!" I playfully mock-punched him and he burst into hysterical laughter.
Blaise and Pansy could only stare at the two of us. Obviously Draco does not usually behave like this.
"Oh my, I have to imprint this moment forever in my head. I never thought I'd live to see this day." Blaise dramatically exclaimed and closed his eyes.
I chuckled and turn to Draco, who was blatantly trying to ignore Blaise's comments, "Drake, why don't we take a walk around?"
The other two teens next to us could only gape.
"Erm, guys? Careful, flies might fly into your mouths." I muttered, embarrassed by their stares and felt my cheek turning hotter and hotter.
Pansy quickly composed herself, "Draco! You actually let her call you Drake? How long have you guys met? Are you together? Is she your cousin? Why haven't you ever spoken of her to us?"
Draco suppressed rolling his eyes whereas Blaise groaned loudly.
Which leaves me to explain the whole thing. Hence, I told them that I was tired of being in France all the time and wanted to try attending Hogwarts so as to make some friends and gain some experiences. Pansy groaned softly when I told her that Draco and I were not together. Yet.
"Aww, you guys would make such a cute pair..."
"Pansy, enough is enough!" Draco growled and took my hand, leading me to the shops, leaving his two close friends to tag along behind us.
-The next morning-
"Had a good night's sleep?" Pansy asked me, not bothering to stifle her yawn.
I shook my head. How do you sleep when you keep having vivid dreams that have been replaying for three years? Of course, it has become better nowadays, but that does not mean it is totally gone. She shook her head and we went downstairs to greet the boys, who were already waiting for us impatiently.
"Girls! We have been waiting for you for fifteen minutes!" Blaise complained when they saw us.
I pecked both of them on the cheek, "Patience is always a virtue, isn't it?"
At the sight of their shocked and delighted expression, Pansy and I grinned and burst into laughter.
-At King Cross-
"So – I just run through this, right?" I asked hesitantly.
I held my breath and ran straight through, and immediately fell into another world. Platform 9 ¾.
Soon, the trio caught up with me on a busy and bustling platform.
Blaise winked and muttered, "So, are you ready for Hogwarts?"
I grinned, "É claro!"
They exchanged a desperate glance before leading me towards their compartment. Thankfully we did not meet any of the golden trio, but Draco holding my hand and leading me along definitely attracted some attention. And it was definitely making me uneasy. I had not thought about how others will see me as a Malfoy until now. Malfoy proceeded to introduce me to the Slytherin house and I smiled weakly. They accepted me gladly and I was somehow touched.
"So, have you decided on what house you are going to be in?" Pansy asked me tentatively.
Everyone looked at me intensely, and I felt like I was caught in bright spotlight, unable to escape.
"Slytherin, of course. Nothing would change that, even if that means I have to battle out with the sorting hat to do that. Malfoys are meant to be in Slytherin, aren't they?" I smiled.
Most of their expression cleared, relieved that I had said so.
"But – but you seem too nice to be in Slytherin..." Pansy whispered beside me.
Blaise nodded his approval, but Draco knew better and winked at me. This is a conversation between us four now.
"Oh, Pansy!" I hugged her tightly before whispering sinisterly in her ears, "Don't you think I will do better in Slytherin? I know curses that you can't ever dream of..."
She shuddered involuntarily and the boys chuckled.
Pansy and Blaise were convinced, but I knew that I would have to tell them the truth. Someday.
-At the castle-
As Draco led me to the great halls, many eyes were on me, from all houses. I was greatly disturbed, but I understand that this is how Hogwarts works. However, I could hear some of the comments and whispers.
"Who is she?"
"Why is she here?"
"She is close to the Slytherins, so she must be up to no good, trust me."
How could they think that? Being Slytherin does not necessarily mean that I am evil.
Dumbledore was seated at the staffs' table and when I caught his eyes, he winked. Of course, my mother had owled him and told him about me arriving at Hogwarts, however not the reason behind it. But he accepted me immediately generously, to which I was grateful. I smiled weakly as he clapped his hands. The hall immediately quietened down.
"Attention! Apparently all of you have realized that we have a new addition to our school population. But she is not a first year. But a forth year student! Let us welcome Blanche Malfoy!" He proudly announced.
A new round of buzzing, louder than before, broke out in the hall. Even the professors don't know about it, except for Snape, hence everyone was bemused. However, I swore I got a few wicked eyes and looks of disdain. The golden trio seems to be in deep conversation, and Harry kept sneaking looks at us. I know that the three of them do not think of me as an evil person, yet. But I will change their point of view soon. Very soon.
After all, the Ernestos are infallible.
"Miss Malfoy, would you please proceed onto the stage, the sorting ceremony will apply to you. All the same." Professor McGonagall spoke loudly and clearly.
I calmed my nerves and walked slowly up the stairs. The sorting hat was laid on a stool, ready to be put on.
Professor McGonagall placed it gently on my head.
Aha! Dumbledore has told me about you. Daphne Ernesto, isn't it? Or should I say...Blanche Malfoy. I know about your plans, and I must say that they are noble, very noble indeed. You have outstanding courage, definite and unwavering loyalty, ah; I see undeniable wit and wisdom, and cunningness, in a good way. So where to put you?
Slytherin. Please.
Slytherin? My my, are you sure? You could do great in other houses!
Don't you say that to everyone?
True. So you insist on Slytherin, then? May I ask why?
Because it is my choice that counts, isn't it? And I know I can do great there, so why not? I might break some traditions prior to this.
Very well, then, Slytherin it is!
The sorting hat yelled that last sentence out to the whole school, resulting in a burst of applause from the Slytherins while the other houses clapped politely.
"Way to go!" Blaise shouted shamelessly and I grinned.
I went over to their table, and sat next to Draco and he winked.
This is going well, so far.
We watched as all the first years were sorted into their respective houses and I clapped along for every one of them. However, I realized the slytherins only clapped for first years that entered their own house.
When the sorting has ended, Dumbledore raised up his hand for silence. I knew what he was going to talk about. Draco obviously had heard about it from his father, so does Pansy and Blaise. Draco glanced at me and thought I did not know what it is all about, "Oh, I forgot to tell you..."
I placed a finger on his lips, "Shh, I know all about it. I am a Malfoy, remember?"
Dumbledore waved Crouch and Batman forward, "This year, I regret to say it, but the inter-house Quidditch Games will not be held."
The Weasley Twins' protest rang through the hall, and groans and murmurs were heard.
"But...I am glad to say that Hogwarts will be holding the Triwizard Cup this year." Dumbledore's voice rang through the entire length of hall.
Exclamations were heard all over, I watched as the upper year students explained to the younger ones what the Triwizard Cup is about. My face fell as I realized that I cannot stop Professor Moody, or should I say, Barty Crouch from entering Harry into the Cup. I can intercede fate, but only by bits and bits, not the entire thing at one try.
"The students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrung will arrive the day after, but meanwhile, let the feast begin!" He clapped his hands again and the feast appeared on the table.
Everyone started feasting upon the food at once but I was busy surveying the entire staff table. I know all the teachers, but I was focused upon Professor Moody. I knew there were several things that I can intercede, but I have to plan it well. Or all will be lost.
Crouch has obviously been under the weather, but I knew that he was imperiused; I cannot undo the spell, since it is an unforgivable curse. Anyway it has been inflicted on Crouch for over a week, which means that even if I try the counter-curse, it cannot work.
I sighed and turned to my food.
"So, Blanche, you were homeschooled before this?" A certain brunette asked me.
"Oh, that's right. I was learning all that I can so as not to fall behind, so I should cope along well." I smiled politely, but I was uneasy that they were starting to unleash the questionings now. I am good at lying, for good reasons, but that does not mean that I don't have a conscience. In fact, I am not far behind at all.
"Then you did not have any friends? In France?" Another Slytherin gasped.
I smiled weakly, "Not much. Of course I have some cousins visiting sometimes, but I pretty much occupied myself with other things..." Like exploring the castle I have stayed for 14 years, and practised so much spells that I pretty much swallowed the entire library, which means that I knew quite a lot of ancient spells that no one could remember, and curses that are even worse than the unforgivable. I thought to myself.
I lied, again. The Ernestos does not interact. Our only relations were in Japan and America, eager to escape from the wizarding world, preferring to isolate themselves. I wonder how they can survive. Our other distant relations are the Malfoys, Zabini and Parkinsons, but Pansy and Blaise need not know that. In some way, all purebloods were related somehow, so it does not matter at all. However, what is so special about my family is that it is not tainted in anyway, no half-bloods whatsoever. But we do not detest muggles or think of them as filths, it is just that an ancient charm was placed on our whole family. We can only find partners of pureblood statues, and the children can chose to carry on the family name, even if the father is not an Ernesto.
I sighed, my family is placed upon so many ancient charms and protections that it was a headache even to think about it.
"Blanche?"
I was jerked from my thoughts and stuttered at Draco, "Oh – I zoned off again? Sorry, I might do that really often, I have too much on my mind..."
He laughed, "Really? Like trying to save the world?"
I chuckled nervously. He had no idea how right he was.
"Anyways, we have to go, everyone is almost gone..." Blaise grinned as I looked around in shock, the hall is almost empty!
"Oh my gosh, I didn't realize that I had zoned out for so long, you guys were waiting?" I gasped.
"Yes, you were staring into blank space and thinking way too hard. We told the others that you are just tired, so they left first." Pansy explained to me.
I blushed, how stupid I must have looked to them!
Pansy patted my shoulder, "Don't worry, you look cute when you are zonked out, come on, let's show you to the Slytherin common room." She tugged at me as I lifted myself from my seat and practically towed me towards the Dungeons. Of course, I knew where it was from my visions.
The greenish glow of light added a sinister aura to the dungeon. But trust me, I have had worse while exploring my castle, it's just that my parents don't know about it. The large snake figure guarding the dungeon door hissed, "Ahh, a new Slytherin...What should your question be?"
Draco turned to me, "Sorry I didn't mention this earlier, but we each have a specific question to answer throughout all our years..."
Pansy added, "But if one of us answer the question, the rest can all follow."
I nodded and turned towards the snake figure, "My question shall be, what conquers all evil and darkness? The answer is love."
The snake figure nodded but I could see the flash of understanding in its eyes, I mouthed thanks to it and it nodded. "Very well then, you all may enter." It slide to the right and revealed the common room to us. It was dark, as I expected, but has a strange feeling that reassures me. There was a staircase leading to the left and one to the right.
Draco was fidgeting as I checked out the common room, "So – so we will see you tomorrow morning then? We are having defence against dark arts then." He was staring at the floor and looking embarrassed.
Why is he so nervous?
I kissed him on the cheek and waved goodbye to Blaise. I know I like Draco, it is just a thing that I am sure of, in my head. When Pansy and I went into the girl's dorm, we were shock by the decoration. All the girls were up and cheery, not asleep I assumed they were! There was a banner: Welcome to Hogwarts Blanche! And they were all waiting for us.
Before I knew it, tears were sliding down my cheeks and they were all hugging me. It was the first time that I really have any friends and I was so happy. Soon, we all sat down on the floor and they started introducing themselves. In my year, there is Katherine, Sabrina, Karen, Meneatte, Lindsay and Corianne. They were all different from I thought they were, friendly and bubbly, like all average girls. As midnight come and passed, we knew a lot of one another's preferences and were good friends. Finally, it was one in the morning and I declared that we should retire to our beds.
When I am lying on my bed, Pansy was on hers, which was right next to me.
"Pansy?"
"Yes Blanche?"
"Why are you all...different than I imagined you all to be? I thought Slytherins would be..."
She laughed softly. "Evil, ruthless and cold? We are still normal people; we make friends and have emotions. But we don't get along really well with others, especially the Gryffindors. We admit that there are stereotypes in this school and it is bad, but we are all too proud to admit it. Especially when all the ancient rivalry was passed down until now..."
"Then why not apologize and then forget about it all?"
"Blanche, I swear that you are not like a Slytherin at all."
"You did not answer my question."
Pansy sighed. "You are a peace-maker, eager for calamity, I can see that. You are capable of being a Slytherin, but your heart will still be the same. I think the reason why you are here is because you have the ambition to make peace for the world. That is the only explanation why you are here."
Now it is my turn to laugh, careful to be quiet lest we wake up the others.
"I admit that is true. I am capable of evilness, but I'm afraid even my evilness will be for better good. But you are avoiding my question, aren't you?"
"No, I just got sidetracked by you. You are...special, and everything is not solved easily. I must say I am willing to try, if you have a decent plan, but not over a short period."
Pleased with her answer, I gasped, "That is brilliant. I do have a plan, though. And of course I know that it cannot be solved over a short period. That is why I am here for you all till the end, isn't it?"
"That's true, and Blanche?"
"Yes?"
"Don't ever change, okay?"
"I promise..."
*Portuguese Dictionary* (Sorry about that)
Of course - é claro
