Chapter 2

Malfoy Manor

Draco examined himself in his silver framed mirror above his matching silver sink in his personal bathroom while he rubbed his pointed chin with his hand and raised his eyebrow at his reflection. He assumed that he would be feeling some kind of stubble by now, but alas that was not the case. He shrugged before turning his back on the mirror.

He exited the bathroom and walked into his large bedroom, his bare feet skimming across the soft, black carpet as he let out a loud yawn before climbing into his king sized bed. He threw a few pillows to the floor before nestling underneath his fluffy, Slytherin green comforter with an embroidered Slytherin Crest on it. He smiled as he placed his hands behind his head and stared up at the ceiling.

He thought of Pansy Parkinson almost instantly. The two had grown quite close over the past few years and he was quite fond of her. This past year they even decided to give themselves the titles of the Slytherin Prince and the Slytherin Princess to showcase their importance in the House. He smirked as he thought of the numerous times they tormented other students together.

His smirk quickly faded into a small frown as he remembered that he would have to tell Pansy about his arranged marriage. He sighed to himself as he thought of her possible reaction to the news. He knew very well that there was absolutely no way that she was going to simply accept the fact that a different woman would become his wife instead of her.

He rolled over onto his side and placed his black pillow over his head, letting out a loud groan as he did so. He closed his eyes and tried to force himself to sleep. He sat up quickly when the first thing he pictured in his mind was the Dark Lord wearing a pink bow on his bald head. He shivered as he recalled the detailed image.

"Oh goodness, that had better not be what she looks like," Draco said to himself as he rubbed his forehead with his fingers. He tilted his head back and let out a second groan.

He looked around his large bedroom slowly. This was quite possibly the last night that he would be able to be alone in this room. He frowned as he imagined his Quidditch posters being replaced with pictures of kittens, or his Nimbus 2001 that was placed above his fireplace mantle replaced with numerous potted flowers. He unhappily tossed his pillow onto the floor.

He crossed his arms over his bare, pale chest as he pouted to himself. It wasn't fair! He didn't want some girl waltzing into his bedroom and changing it to fit her feminine standards. He rolled his eyes as he realized that considering who his soon-to-be-wife was and how important she was to the Dark Lord that it didn't matter if she wanted to repaint the room pink, it was going to happen.

Draco looked at his bed. The large mattress was definitely big enough for two if not three people, but he enjoyed having extra room for himself. He didn't want to roll over in the middle of the night only to bump into someone. He forcefully fell backward onto the mattress and let out yet another groan.

"Yes, I'm prepared to accept this assignment, what a waste of my life," Draco whispered to himself, criticizing his decision.


Helms Spring Orphanarium

Aeris rubbed her bare arms with her hands as she sat, alone, in the middle of the second floor hallway. Her cheeks were stained with dried tears as she stared at her bedroom door. The white paint that covered the oak wood was chipping off noticeably, making the door match the rest of the orphanage. She turned her head when she heard another door creak open.

She raised an eyebrow as she watched Melissa poke her head out of her assigned bedroom. The small girl crossed her boney arms over her chest and leaned against her doorframe. Aeris squinted her eyes only to be sure that Melissa was staring back at her.

"You can come in here if you want," the small girl said. Aeris pulled herself off of the floor and started to walk down the hallway.

She rounded the corner and slowly walked into the young girls bedroom. The room was an exact replica of her own. There were two mattresses placed on the floor, one next to a rickety radiator and the other below the cracked window. Aeris stood awkwardly in the middle of the room as Melissa took a seat at her nearby desk.

"Why do you let Chloe push you around?" Melissa asked in an uninterested tone.

"I don't. Not really," Aeris replied quickly. Melissa scoffed as she rolled her eyes.

"Right. So you're telling me that you didn't let her push you down the stairs or let her lock you out of your room?" Melissa said with her eyebrow raised. Aeris sighed.

"It's not like I can do anything about it," Aeris shot back defensively. Melissa stood up from behind her desk.

"I've seen you, you know. When you change," Melissa admitted, whispering the end of her sentence. Aeris' eyes widened.

When she had turned thirteen, something strange started to happen to Aeris. She had moments where she would black out for short periods of time at random. Whenever she would start to feel angry about something these black outs would occur and when she would come-to she would be perfectly calm with no recollection of what happened.

Another orphan girl who no longer lived at the Orphanarium fell victim to one of Aeris' "mood swings". She told the other girls in the orphanage that Aeris' face grew sharper as her eyes turned darker. She also said that her shoulders came to a slight point and she had an unusually raspy voice. None of the other girls believed her, however.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about," Aeris lied.

"Sure you do. Your alternate personality comes out when you get angry," Melissa said matter-of-factly. Aeris felt sweat forming on her forehead.

The two girls directed their attention to the open doorway where Chloe walked past in a towel. Aeris smiled when she noticed that she was carrying her shower caddy with her. This was her chance to get back into her room and to avoid this conversation.

"Thanks for letting me hang out," Aeris said before exiting the room. She walked into her bedroom and shut the door behind her.

Aeris changed into her pajamas, which consisted of a plain white, oversized tee-shirt and some plaid boxer shorts, and laid on her mattress. She pulled her short, off-white blanket over her bare legs as she curled into the fetal position. Her head was still sore from where she had hit it on the floor earlier, making her wish that she had a pillow to sleep on. She tried to ignore the slight throbbing and closed her eyes.

A few hours later Aeris was startled awake as a flood of freezing water was thrown on her. She sat up coughing and gasping as she wiped her eyes quickly. She opened them to see Chloe standing above her with an empty bucket in her hands.

"Chloe?" Aeris unhappily asked. Chloe placed a hand on her hip.

"Who else would it be, Air-head?" Chloe angrily shot back, her green facemask slightly dripping off of her chin. Aeris examined her wet clothes.

"Why would you do this?" she asked.

"You wouldn't shut up! Honestly, every other second it was "no Harry" this and "run Harry" that. Seriously, who is this Harry kid?" Chloe replied as she tossed the bucket to the side of the room. Aeris furrowed her brow as she tried to make sense of what Chloe was telling her.

She thought back to her dream. She remembered the round face of a boy who must have been close to her age. His glowing green eyes were hidden behind large rimmed glasses as he stared at her. His messy black hair fell onto his forehead, hiding what looked like a birthmark or an injury of some sort.

Aeris appeared next to him. She looked different for some reason. She grabbed the boys hand and started tugging on it, trying to get him to move but he wouldn't budge. This must have been Harry and she must have wanted him to run. As she continued to remember her dream, a large snake appeared at the feet of the two of them. It was much longer than any snake she had ever seen.

"Make sure you keep your mouth closed for the rest of the night so I can sleep," Chloe told her before climbing back onto her mattress. Aeris pulled her damp knees to her chest and hugged them.

"Harry," she thought as she pictured his piercing green eyes once more.


Malfoy Manor

"Draco! Draco, tell me that you're packed," Narcissa frantically asked her son as he entered the dining room. Draco rolled his eyes.

"Relax mother, I'm only leaving for one night," he replied. Lucius lowered his morning paper.

"Do not take that tone with your mother," he told his son. Draco narrowed his eyes at his father.

"I didn't take any tone with her," he harshly spit back. Lucius narrowed his eyes now.

"Now you two stop it! It is a very important day for our family," Narcissa urged. She turned her head when the door to the dining room opened.

"Oh Cissy, let them argue. I love a good fight in the morning," Bellatrix Lestrange said as she waltzed into the room. Draco rolled his eyes upon hearing her voice.

"Good morning Bella," Narcissa greeted her sister. Bellatrix held her glass of what looked to be scotch up in the air at her.

"Bellatrix," Lucius said with a nod. She returned the nod.

"It's a bit early to be drinking, don't you think auntie?" Draco said in a slightly mocking tone. She smiled a crooked smile at him.

"It's night time somewhere, nephew," she replied before taking a swig of her drink. Draco smirked at her.

He took a seat at the long table across from his father. He sat quietly as his mother and aunt talked about the importance of the day while his father held the paper in front of his face. A tiny house elf placed some fruit and bacon onto the silver plate in front of Draco while another filled his glass with freshly squeezed orange juice. Draco took a quick gulp from his glass and placed it back onto the table. He jumped when Bellatrix placed her boney hand on his shoulder.

"Nephew dear, aren't you just on pins and needles?" she whispered into his ear. He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Should I be?" he asked in a calm tone. She chuckled.

"Well your bride will be here by nightfall. I'm sure you're just dying to get a look at her," she continued. Draco grimaced as the image of Voldemort wearing a pink bow appeared in his head again.

"Oh, yes, thrilled," he replied before taking another drink of his juice. Bellatrix smiled before taking a seat next to him.

"Well, hurry up and finish your meal Draco. You need to get to the Goyle's quickly so your aunt and I can prepare for your young bride to be," Narcissa happily said. Lucius scoffed from behind his paper.

"Something funny, brother dear?" Bellatrix unhappily asked. Lucius lowered his paper once again.

"What makes the two of you so certain that this muggle caretaker held up her end of the deal?" he asked before taking a drink of his coffee. Bellatrix narrowed her eyes at him.

"We made it perfectly clear that she is to keep that girl until we return for her. That muggle would not have enough guts to betray us," Bellatrix told him. He smirked.

"What's her name?" Draco asked. Narcissa smiled at him.

"Assuming she wasn't given the option to change her name like many orphans do, her name is still Aeris," she told him as she clasped her hands together.

"Aeris? What kind of a name is Aeris?" he asked as he scrunched his nose up. Bellatrix smirked at him.

"What kind of a name is Draco?" she asked him with a sinister laugh. He rolled his eyes at her.

"Aeris is a lovely name, Draco. Oh, that's good. When you meet her, tell her that," Narcissa urged as she nodded her head. Draco stood up from his seat.

"I'm leaving now," he announced. Lucius didn't show any interest in the comment.

Narcissa walked over to her son and hugged him tightly. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and he exited the room. As he walked into the living area he stopped before looking around the room to make sure he was alone.

"Aeris…I definitely need to see why everyone is so excited to meet you," he thought before apparating out of the room.


Soup Kitchen in Louisiana

"Aerie, how are you doin' over there?" Malati Point, the woman who started the soup kitchen, yelled to Aeris. Aeris looked up from the soup she was making and smiled.

"Doing great, Lati. We've got a second pot of vegetable ready," she yelled back. Malati smiled and nodded in her direction.

Aeris watched her as she walked around to the numerous homeless people sitting in the small building. Malati had opened this soup kitchen when she had turned 21 and it did nothing less than prosper over its two year lifespan. Her firey red hair was tied into a tight braid that stretched down her back and swayed back and forth as she walked. Aeris really admired her for her generosity.

A man held his empty bowl out in front of himself and Aeris filled it with soup. He smiled a toothy grin at her and she smiled back. He shoveled a spoonful of the soup into his mouth before smiling again.

"Child, this is some mighty fine soup," he complimented.

"Only the best for you sir," she replied happily. He laughed before finding an empty seat in the room.

"Oh man, what happened there?" Malati asked as she approached Aeris. She touched the side of her forehead lightly.

"Oh, I just fell," Aeris lied as she combed her bangs over the small bruise.

"You fell?" Malati asked in a skeptical tone. Aeris shrugged.

"Well, I fell down the stairs after Chloe pushed me," she admitted. Malati angrily slapped a dishtowel down onto the counter.

"Did you tell Miss Brigham?" she asked. Aeris gave her a sad look.

"Don't tell me that she didn't believe you," Malati angrily said as she started to untie her apron.

"Lati, it's fine," Aeris told her. She shook her head.

"No, it's not fine. That woman is supposed to watch after you and make sure that you are safe," she replied, still angry. Aeris sighed.

"There's nothing you can do. Every time you call the police, they inspect the place and say that as long as we all have beds, heat and running water then we are being taken care of," Aeris explained. Malati shook her head.

"I don't understand it. Children need love as well. Especially young girls," Malati explained. Aeris shrugged.

She turned her head and looked at the round clock on the wall. Aeris frowned when she realized it read 8:01. She was finished working at the soup kitchen tonight but she definitely didn't want to leave and return to the Orphanarium. Malati looked at the clock as well and sighed.

"Alright Aerie, I'd love to keep you here but you need to get home," she told her. Aeris untied her apron and placed it onto the counter.

"I know. I'll see you tomorrow Lati," she said as she exited the kitchen area and headed for the door.

Malati waved after her before disappearing into the kitchen area. Aeris stepped outside only to be pelted with rain. She frowned as she jogged to a nearby bus stop area. She entered the small booth and sighed. Her gray sweater dress was dripping with rain and her gray boots were now discolored. She watched the streetlights turn on above her and started down the sidewalk quickly.

It was times like this that made her wish she lived closer to the soup kitchen. She continued down the sidewalk in the dark before someone stepped in front of her. Aeris looked up to see three large girls standing in front of her and she started mentally preparing for trouble.

"I like them boots," one girl said. Aeris looked down at her shoes.

"Please, just let me by," she begged. A second girl grabbed her from behind.

Aeris struggled to try and get out of her grip when the third girl grabbed her from the front. She was sandwiched between them as the first girl started pulling at her boots. Aeris kicked a few times before one of the girls sucker punched her. After her shoes were removed they continued to punch and kick her before running off, leaving her on the sidewalk.

She was lying in a puddle as it continued to rain down on her. She felt tears falling out of her blue eyes as she started to pull herself off the ground. Her blonde hair was soaked with filthy water, giving it a slight discoloration. She walked barefoot down the sidewalk, her sweater dress sliding off of her right shoulder as she did so.


Helms Spring Orphanarium

"What do you mean she isn't here?" Bellatrix yelled as she slammed her hand onto Miss Brigham's desk. The muggle woman shook slightly in her seat.

"She does charity work every night until 8 o'clock," she explained. Bellatrix scowled at her.

"It is 8:23, she should be here!" Bellatrix yelled again. Narcissa placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Now Bella, no need to get upset," she calmly said. The three women directed their attention when the front door opened and closed.

They watched silently as Aeris slowly drug herself into the open doorway of Miss Brigham's office. Her hair was matted up and her feet and shins were covered in mud. Bellatrix looked to Narcissa quickly. Miss Brigham quickly left her seat and headed toward the girl.

"Aeris! Darling what happened?" she asked in a faux-concerned tone. Aeris looked up to her with tired eyes.

"I was jumped. They stole my boots," she told her, expecting that she wouldn't believe her. Bellatrix's heart started to race as she examined the girl from afar.

"Oh sweetheart! Here, sit next to the fire so you don't catch a cold," Brigham said as she pulled her toward the fireplace. Aeris furrowed her brow at this.

"Sweetheart?" Aeris thought. She noticed the two women in the room now.

They had similar shaped faces but other than that they were polar opposites. One had dark, curly hair and crazy eyes while the other had blonde hair and soft eyes. They were both dressed in all black and were staring directly at Aeris.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Aeris said. Narcissa raised an eyebrow at her.

"You weren't interrupting anything, Dear," Narcissa told her. Miss Brigham shot a nervous glance her way.

Aeris felt her stomach churn as the woman with black hair approached her. She crossed her legs over one another oddly as she approached her. Her thin neck was craned outward as she stopped a few inches from Aeris's face.

"Well look at you," she said to the girl. Aeris backed away from her slowly.

"Bella, mind your manners," Narcissa scolded her sister. Bellatrix backed up slightly.

"Aeris, these women are Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. They were actually asking about you before you arrived," Miss Brigham told her. Aeris perked up.

"You were? But why?" she asked quickly. Narcissa smiled at her.

"We have been sent to retrieve you Dear. Your…father is ready for you to come and live with him," Narcissa told her. Aeris smiled.

"My father? You mean he's finally ready?" she asked excitedly.

"That's right love. Now get your things," Bellatrix told her. Aeris felt her heart pounding within her chest.

"I already gathered her things. I assumed you would be coming soon, so I am always prepared," Brigham announced as she pointed to a small suitcase. Bellatrix scrunched her nose up.

"That's everything?" she asked. Aeris nodded.

"When you live in a house with numerous people, you have to learn how to live with less," Aeris told them. Bellatrix scowled at Miss Brigham.

"I believe now is the exact time to get upset, sister," Narcissa said.

"How dare you force the daughter of Tom Riddle to live in limited conditions!" Bellatrix screamed. Aeris watched as she pulled what appeared to be a stick out of her black cloak.

"Flipendo!" Bellatrix yelled. Aeris watched as a blue light left the stick and hit Miss Brigham, pushing her backward.

Aeris sat wide eyed as her heart continued to pound. That stick was not a stick, but a wand that was able to cast spells. But that had to be impossible. There was no such thing as magic. Even with this thought in her mind Aeris couldn't deny what she had just witnessed. Bellatrix grabbed her suitcase and made her way back toward Narcissa.

"We had best take our leave," Narcissa said grabbing onto Aeris' shoulders. Bellatrix grabbed onto the two and the room started to spin.