Veronica toted a large cage that housed a Great Grey Owl within it down Diagon Alley. The creature swiveled its head around, staring blankly with its brilliant yellow eyes as it was transported to its new home until Veronica stopped in her tracks.
"Narcissa?" Veronica blinked at the blonde woman approached her quickly with a false smile across her face.
"Veronica, hi!" Narcissa looked around before whispered. "I need you to come with me. Where's the baby?"
"What? Why?" Veronica's heart sped up as Narcissa stared at her firmly.
"Good, it's better if the baby isn't there." Narcissa swallowed before leaning into Veronica's ear. "You-know-who sent me to check on you, he's very concerned about your lack of interest in the cause. I told him that you would be meeting me at the manor for tea."
"What?" Veronica swallowed. "I don't understand."
"I will explain more later but for the moment you need to come with me quickly." Narcissa took her hand and rushed to the closest floo, cutting off another witch who had been headed for the same port.
Before Veronica could even speak, she was in the Malfoy's parlor, dazed and confused.
"Now ask your questions quickly before someone comes in." Narcissa instructed in hastily and Veronica's mind went so fast for a moment it was totally blank.
"Why am I here?"
"I told you, I told the Dark Lord I was having you over for tea."
"But why would he care? Severus told me the Dark Lord has no more interest in me or Valerian."
"Well Severus is wrong." Narcissa sighed. "Bellatrix has been putting ideas in the Dark Lord's head. She doesn't like Severus and she's not too keen on you either, she thinks you may be spreading information to our enemies."
"That's nonsense." Veronica gasped, now utterly terrified. "That's absolute slander."
"That's why you're here!" Narcissa hissed taking the owl cage from Veronica and setting it under the table to be hidden by the table cloth. "It's not enough to just tolerate us now, darling. The Dark Lord is demanding vocal support from everyone even distantly related to the cause."
"Should I be worried?"
"Not if you follow my lead." Narcissa assured her. "just remain calm, and remember, your husband tells you nothing of his work, but you support him implicitly."
"Right." Veronica nodded, taking Narcissa's hand. "Thank you Narcissa. Really."
"Don't thank me yet, you still have to pull it off." Narcissa led her out of the parlor and into the garden where she began to speak in a much louder voice. "We'll be taking tea in the garden today, I hope you don't mind."
Veronica blinked before realizing she was supposed to reply. "Not at all." She forced a smile across her face. "It's lovely weather for it."
"Well, well, well"
Veronica's blood froze as a voice came from behind them.
"Look who's back."
"Bellatrix." Narcissa turned with a warning glance. "Be nice to our guest."
Veronica's smiled grew tighter as she forced her hands to her sides and tried to not fidget. "Mrs. Lestrange, how nice to see you again" She greeted. "how have you been?"
"Very well, thank you." Bellatrix smiled and approached Veronica coolly. "but please Dove, call me Bella."
"Bella" Veronica nodded before remembering what Narcissa said about being active in her acceptance and smiling. "Will you be joining us for tea?"
"I hate to intrude." Bella tilted her head at the girl and grinned, "But for you, Dove, I will happily."
Narcissa nodded and led them to a set table in the large garden, calling to a house elf to bring another chair.
"So, little dove." Bellatrix latched on to Veronica's new nickname like a leech and used it in such a cloying tone that it made Veronica's skin crawl. "Tell me about yourself. All we really know is you popped out Snape's bastard."
"Bellatrix!" Narcissa hissed but Veronica shook her head.
"It's fine Narcissa, Severus made it very clear to me how our situation would be views and I have no illusion about it." Veronica assured her before looking at Bellatrix. "What would you like to know?"
"How's your family?"
"Very well, thank you for asking."
"No, no, I mean" Bellatrix leaned forward, "What sort of family do you come from?"
Veronica's mouth formed an O of understanding and nodded. "Well, my father is old money from America, and I don't know much about my Mother's side of the family because when they found out she was a squib they sent her away."
"I see." Bellatrix mused, "Do you know their name?"
Veronica thought for a moment. "I haven't spoken to them in years I hardly even recall. Gaunt, I believe. Yes, that's it."
There was a sharp clatter of china that made Veronica jump as Narcissa dropped her teacup and Bellatrix nearly broke her from gripping it so hard.
"What. Did you. Just say?" Bellatrix breathed dangerously.
"I-I'm sorry?" Veronica paled and Bellatrix rose from the table.
"Come here." She hissed, "right now."
Veronica rose hesitantly and inches towards her before Bellatrix grabbed her by her shoulder with one hand and gripped her throat with the other.
"Now you listen to me, Little Dove." She growled. "You're going to answer some questions for me and if you lie to me, I will know. And I will kill you, and I will kill your baby, do you understand me?"
"Yes." Veronica nearly sobbed. "I promise. I won't lie."
"What." Bellatrix tightened her grip. "Was your biological grandparents' surname?"
Veronica swallowed hard, "Gaunt."
"You swear by that?" Bella's grip tightened slightly, making Veronica panic.
Veronica began to sputter, growing unsure of even her own family. "Yes. Yes, I swear by it."
"What was your maternal grandfather's first name?"
"I- "
"Answer the question!" Bellatrix shook her fiercely and tossed her onto the stone patio. "What was his name?!"
"Morfin!" Veronica cried out, yelping at she hit the rough brick and it scraped her knees and palms raw. "His name was Morfin!" She looked up at the two witches in horror, terrified and confused. "Why are you doing this? What does it matter what his name was?!"
Narcissa broke from her trace and rose slowly. She approached Veronica and picked her up from the ground. "Sit down." She whispered. "Let me see your palms."
Veronica turned her bleeding hands up for her to see and Narcissa nodded. "You need some bandages."
"I need to go home!" Veronica shot up, tears in her eyes but Bellatrix caught her by the hair, making her scream out in surprise and pain.
"You sit your pretty arse down!" Bellatrix hissed.
"Bella" Narcissa turned to her sister. "I want you to go get my healing kit from the kitchen, please."
Bellatrix glared at Veronica before storming off.
"Narcissa, what's happening? What did I do wrong? I don't understand!" Veronica babbled on the verge of a meltdown but Narcissa press her hand to Veronica's mouth.
"Now here is what you are going to do." Narcissa silenced her. "You are going to write two letters, one will be to your mother telling her that she needs to watch the baby tonight because something came up. Then you are going to write Severus and tell him that he needs to get to Malfoy Manor as fast as he can. Do you understand me?"
Veronica nodded.
"I need you to say it, because this is very important."
"I understand. I will write to my mother, and I will write to Severus." Veronica repeated and Narcissa nodded. "Please, can't you tell me what is happening?!"
"No" Narcissa shook her head. "Because I'm not entirely sure myself. But for now, you cannot leave with house. Otherwise, you will very likely die."
Veronica sobbed and Narcissa embraced her tightly.
"I am so sorry, my darling." Narcissa whispered, fearing what could happen next. "I'm sorry."
Okay, for those of you who know Harry Potter Lore, y'all know what the hell just happened.
For those of you who don't, you'll just have to wait for the next chapter.
