I went to visit my sister, Rosemary, today. Narcissa accompanied me on my trip. We had been friends for ages, since infancy! It was actually because of her and Lucius that I even met my amazing husband, Phillip, a few years ago at Hogwarts in our 5th year. Narcissa had her son, Draco, with her who was only two months old. I was still waiting for my dear daughter to make an appearance, being almost nine months pregnant.
Anyways, as I was saying. We went to see my sister. A very peculiar person, she was, gifted with the third eye, but she was always kind to me, considering I am her little sister. She had been asking me to come and visit for a few weeks now, but Phillip was concerned about me traveling in my condition. He is so protective!
That's why Narcissa chose to come with me, so Phillip can go to work, and I can have my fun. It was hard to convince Lucius to let Narcissa and Draco go, but he can't resist her smile. My sister was grateful for both of us to come. She really enjoys having company, but Seers usually live alone.
But the strangest thing happened. We had been in the middle of tea; I was pouring Rosemary a cup and when I handed it to her, she just slightly touched my finger and then it began. The tea cup fell to the floor, shattering to pieces, and spilling its contents everywhere. Her eyes grew wide and she started to speak in a voice unlike her own.
Beautiful but Shy.
Violet eyes shine, always looking for answers, but hates the attention and on lookers.
Sweet and Wicked.
Kind and polite as can be, but a planner who knows the way to make people bend.
Majestic and Graceful.
Almost inhuman like, she walks with an aura that could rival the Founders, combined.
Powerful but Mysterious.
More skilled than Merlin, yet quiet and timid. Her story stays hidden for a decade before it is restored.
Lays dormant.
Opens slowly.
Reappears quickly.
Enjoyed by many.
Taken by darkness.
Then rescued by her lover Silver.
Awaken.
It was a prophecy. I have never seen my sister say one before. She could usually tell you what you might encounter that day, but nothing like this. I looked to Narcissa, and she looked at me with eyes wide, then looked down at the quiet Draco. I had never noticed until then exactly how silver his eyes were. Then rescued by her lover Silver. They were brilliant, a true Malfoy.
"You don't think…" Narcissa began.
She was interrupted by a few Unspeakables, robes long and flowing with their faces covered, who popped in and surrounded Rosemary. Narcissa and I jumped, backing away towards the fireplace. They quickly took my sisters memory of the prophecy, putting it into a glass orb, and leaving as quickly as they were there.
My sister woke from her state, unsure of what exactly happened, and curiously looking around. She saw the broken cup and cleaned the mess up with a flick of her wand. Then she looked towards Narcissa and me. Draco was crying softly, Narcissa trying to calm the boy down. Even a baby could feel the tension in the room. Rosemary looked at me, and she said "Your baby is coming."
Sure enough, the second she said that, my water broke. My sister got up and wrote a letter, I'm guessing to Phillip, and sent it off with her owl before escorting Narcissa and myself to St. Mungo's.
Seven hours and thirty-four minutes later, I held a beautiful little girl in my arms. I was exhausted, and could barely talk from all the screaming I had been doing. Phillip was sitting in a chair next to me, rubbing his freshly mended hand (I accidentally broke it).
"Loretta" I croaked.
My husband looked up when I spoke. "What?"
I smiled at him. "I want to name her Loretta."
He grinned back. "I like it"
He got up, mumbling about getting the Malfoy's from the waiting room, and left me with Loretta. I played with the tuff of black hair she had, and then stroked my index finger down her smooth cheek while she gurgled. She opened her eyes, blinking once or twice, trying to understand that blur in front of her called her mother. Usually babies eyes are blue when they're born and then change over time, but not Loretta. Hers were a piecing violet, bright and shiny. It made me think that maybe she really could see me, even though I know that she wont be able to truly see for a while.
The Malfoy's and my husband walked through the door, smiling at us. Narcissa walked over, a sleeping Draco still in her arms, and saw Loretta with her eyes open.
She gasped. "Violet eyes, just like the prophecy says! Danielle, do you think she could be the one Rosemary spoke of?" she whispered quietly.
Our husbands came over and carefully took our children from us. Narcissa was starring at me, and I her. I hadn't wrapped my head around the idea, but the more I sat in silence, the more I could see it. Violet eyes were not common, in the magic or muggle world, and Phillip, nor I, had violet eyes. It has to be her… my daughter, the most powerful witch, and she was less then an hour old.
Phillip and Lucius didn't notice us. They put Loretta and Draco in the small bassinet St. Mungo's supplied, lying side by side. We could see them peering down at our wonderful kids.
"I think they'll be cute together" Phillip said.
Lucius nodded, "I agree. We should have them marry in the future."
Phillip looked to his friend. "An arranged marriage? No, I couldn't possibly. I will allow it, if she chooses your son, but if she wants someone else, then so be it. But, if either one isn't married by the age of twenty-five, then we shall… suggest that they do, not force them to."
Lucius started nodding again. "Sounds great my friend. But I don't think we'll have a problem at this rate. I mean, look at them! With my handsome son, and your beautiful daughter, it's practically a match made in heaven!"
Narcissa scoffed at the men. "Could you please leave the children be? I'm sure both of them are tired, and you two talking over them like that is not helping them sleep. Poor Loretta hasn't even been in this world for long and you guys are already discussing her future!"
Lucius and Phillip looked at each other before looking towards Narcissa. "You are so right, honey, I'm sorry. We are just trying to think about what's best for our children" Lucius said while Phillip nodded quickly.
I laughed at the site. Life couldn't have been better at that precise moment.
Six years passed quickly and Loretta blossomed beautifully. Her and Draco had grown really close, knowing each other since birth, and seeing each other multiple times a week. Phillip and Lucius secretly smiled to each other, knowing that, from the beginning, their children would love each other one day.
At the moment, Phillip and I were sitting under the veranda of Malfoy Manor, having lunch with Maria Zabini, the Parkinson's, and, of course, the Malfoy's. We were watching as Draco and Loretta played with young Pansy and Blaise. Loretta and Blaise sat under a tree as they watched Draco run away from Pansy, who was trying to kiss the young Malfoy. Loretta finally stood up, ran after Pansy, tapped her on the back and yelled "Tag, you're it!" and ran back towards Blaise, pulling him up and splitting up to run in two different directions. Pansy ran after them.
"I don't think Loretta liked Pansy doing that to Draco" Phillip said to his friends, smiling.
"Nonsense!" George Parkinson said, "It's just young love. I think they'll marry each other one day."
Lila Parkinson nodded in agreement. "They'll make the cutest couple ever!"
Narcissa and I looked at each other. She rolled her eyes, and I couldn't help but giggle. "Too bad he's running away from your daughter instead of embracing her" Narcissa said.
Lucius sneered at George and Lila. We all knew he hadn't particularly liked the Parkinson's, ever since George got caught up with the Death Eaters once they found out about the Potter boy years ago. They feel as if they are more worthy than everyone else because they have connections with the Dark Lord (who is missing in action) and his followers. Even Lila thinks so. The truth is they're trying to push their daughter towards Draco so they could inherit the Malfoy fortune that goes along with the marriage.
"So I heard from my connections within the Ministry that there is a prophecy that could possibly involve your daughter, Phillip." George said, a smug look on his face.
Narcissa choked on the tea she was drinking, and I stopped mid-bite of my biscuit.
Phillip looked confused. I still hadn't told him about that. "Really? I have never heard such a thing," my husband denied. "I'm sure we would have been informed if something like that happened"
"Oh, but I can assure you, my friend," George continued, "They say your daughter is going to be the smartest witch, even smarter than Merlin!"
"But she is but a small girl," Maria defended "Surely if this were to occur, we would have seen something by now!"
At that exact moment, a sneeze could be heard from one of the children, along with a tree catching on fire. Then Blaise and Pansy came running to their mothers, with Draco, pulling a scared Loretta, following slowly behind. Loretta was shaking, in complete shock. Draco stopped, and started waving a hand in front of her face, and poking her in the cheek a few times, but all she could do was stare.
I quickly ran over to them. I picked them both up and carried them over to the others, settling them on the chair I was previously in. "What happened?" I inquired.
Phillip and Lucius ran to put out the fire. George lingered a little bit too long in his chair.
"Loretta sneezed and then the tree got really hot!" Pansy said, looking at Loretta like she was a freak.
Loretta had tears slowly falling from her eyes, still unsure of everything that was going on. Draco put on arm around her shoulders. "Its ok Loretta, we're all ok" he assured her.
She nodded, slowly coming back to her senses, and turned to Draco. She jumped, giving him a tight hug. "I'm so sorry Draco, I hope you're not mad at me!" she cried.
He just shook his head. "Everything is fine, Loretta. I can never be mad at you" he hugged her back.
Narcissa came and bent down to their level. "Do you guys want a popsicle?" Draco and Loretta nodded. "How about you Pansy and Blaise?" Blaise smiled and ran over to Narcissa, while Pansy looked towards her mother.
Lila had a sour look on her face. "Pansy doesn't eat sweets. And I don't know what place you are running here. A child sets a tree on fire, and you reward her with a popsicle? No thank you! George, lets go!" Lila picked up her daughter and began walking towards the floo. George hesitated, giving Loretta a strange look, before following his wife.
As soon as the pop of the floo sounded, Narcissa gave a sigh of relief. "Thank Merlin they're gone! I thought they would never leave! Dobby?"
The house elf appeared and bowed to his mistress. Narcissa smiled, she always loved Dobby. "Can you get me three popsicles for the children, please?" Dobby nodded, "Yes Mistress," and popped away.
He came back instantly and handed the pops to the kids. Narcissa patted him on the head. "Thanks Dobby, go treat yourself with one!" The small elf smiled, said "thank you" while bowing again, and left to get a frozen treat for himself.
The families continued their day, not even thinking about the powerful amount of accidental magic that came from Loretta's tiny sneeze.
The next day, my husband and I were eating lunch while Loretta took her afternoon nap. He was starring at me, a questioning look on his face.
"What is it?" I asked him, putting down my cup of tea.
He blinked, "What do you think of what George said yesterday?"
I looked at him, and he starred at me. I looked down at my hands that were sitting in my lap. "I believe it…"
He blinked again, unsure of what to say next. So I continued. "My sister was the one who said the prophecy, the day of Loretta's birth when we went to visit her." I said quietly.
"… What did it say?" he asked.
I recited the prophecy that had been repeating itself in my head for years now. He digested it, and then summoned a quill and parchment paper, before writing it down. He looked it over, and didn't speak for a few minutes.
"Did you name her Loretta, after the prophecy?" he asked.
I scrunched my eyebrows, confused. "What do you mean?"
He showed me the piece of parchment. Towards the end, the last seven phrases spelled out Loretta.
Lays dormant.
Opens slowly.
Reappears quickly.
Enjoyed by many.
Taken by darkness.
Then saved by her lover Silver.
Awaken.
I gasped. I had never noticed it before. Now I was certain she was her. It was destined for her name to be Loretta.
"Her eyes are violet…" my husband mumbled. "Violet eyes are very rare, it's almost a one in a million chance to have them! No one has seen a set in decades! And yet, here is this little girl, my little girl, with them. She's going to be more powerful than Merlin, and he basically created this lovely world of magic that we live in! But this prophecy is saying she will be captured by the darkness, which I'm guessing is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named…"
We heard glass shatter; it came from Loretta's room. We both dashed up the stairs to see a Death Eater, with a familiar build, coming towards a frightened Loretta, the window broken. She sneezed, and the Death Eater's robes caught fire. Phillip ran to our daughter and picked her up. He pulled out his wand and extinguished the Death Eater before sending a spell to bind him with ropes. My husband handed Loretta over to me, and he went to her fireplace to call for an Auror.
A team soon arrived through the floo and saw the smoking man on my daughter's floor. They picked him up, and pulled off his mask to reveal none other than George Parkinson. He snarled at my family before he was escorted out of the room, surely being sent to Azkaban until a trial date is set.
Alastor Moody walked up to my husband and me, Loretta held tightly in my arms.
"I presume you know why Parkinson came here" he said, sorrowfully. "We know you two know about the prophecy. We are certain your daughter is the one who it speaks of. We had heard about the Death Eaters trying to do something like this, but we didn't expect it to be so soon." he continued. "Dumbledore will be here momentarily. Thank you for contacting us." he nodded to us before leaving through the floo, my husband and I a little bit confused.
Then, Dumbledore came through the same floo and smiled at us. "How are you, Mr. and Mrs. Lorena?" he asked, taking a seat on Loretta's bed.
"A little shaken" my husband announced. I hugged Loretta even tighter. She responded to me by hugging me back, nestling herself into the crook of my neck, silently crying. I rubbed her back, soothing her gently. Phillip came closer, giving Loretta a kiss on her small head.
Dumbledore nodded. "I fear the Death Eaters will try to do this again." he said. "They know your daughter is powerful, even for her age. With the proper training, she could do wonders. But if captured, she will only be corrupted by them. I think it is a wise decision to put your daughter somewhere hidden until the time seems right, and she is capable of doing away with the Death Eaters. But until then, she and you will not be safe. If you say yes, I already have a proper family to put her with. They are squibs, aware of the magical world, but they live with the muggles. They will gladly take in your daughter, and keep her safe until need be. I will have to change her name and appearance, and modify her memory, for safety purposes, but it will return if she is addressed as Loretta. I have a feeling it will be the young Mr. Malfoy who will do so. He is, after all, her best friend. It is your decision though."
I looked to my husband, and he looked to me. We knew we had to do this. She needed to be safe. It seemed to be the only option of making sure she stayed alive and well. I started to cry. She was so young. I would not be able to see her for years, not see her grow, and watch her become the beautiful young lady I know she is destined to be. I nodded to my husband, and he gave a sad smile, nodding as well. He took Loretta from me and hugged her softly. She returned the hug, silently paying close attention. Our smart daughter.
"I have a few request though" I said to Dumbledore. He nodded, so I continued. "I demand to know her new name, and I need an updated picture of her every year, even if she wont look like my daughter. Also, I want to know…" I choked up a bit, more tears coming out. "what house she gets sorted into when she goes to Hogwarts in five years."
My husband nodded next to me. Dumbledore smiled. "Of course. I will arrive later tonight, and we can take her to the other location. It is better to do something like this in the night than in broad daylight. Until then, I suggest you spend as much time as possible with her." Dumbledore nodded a goodbye before leaving to Hogwarts.
Loretta pushed herself away from Phillip, looking at us both. "I want to see Draco…" she mumbled.
Phillip and I nodded to her, changed her out of her napping clothes, not forgetting to put on her a small necklace. It was the Lorena crest, an L with an ivy winding itself around the letter; a Lorena heirloom. We flooed to the Malfoy's, replaying our last hour to Narcissa and Lucius. What we didn't know was that this would be the last time we would see Loretta for another decade. I cried myself to sleep that night.
Read and Review. Tell me what you think of the new way its written. Obviously it was in Danielle's POV, but thats only for this chapter. I'm working on the other chapters as you read. I have the next thirteen chapters planned, but not written yet. If you have any suggestions about the chapter, please tell me, and i'll fix it up for any new readers
Thanks,
Happy Reading!