Chapter 7: Making New Friends
SOLAINE
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.
"I'll get the door." Luna volunteered as she got up from her seat, and went down the stairs to greet whoever who had been knocking on the door. It had been less than half an hour since she came down from sending out a reply to her friend and I had already finished eating. More after that, I had plucked myself onto a sofa upstairs in the living room and had begun reading an issue of these teen muggle magazines that Luna had.
I heard a few chatter coming from downstairs, but I didn't make out nor made an effort to listen in on what had been said. Moments later, I heard footsteps coming up to the living room, but ignored it assuming that it was just simply Luna.
I flipped the page of the magazine, ignoring an article on how to get a boy notice you. It was quite stupid really. I mean, sure, it says to talk to him or to say hi. But seriously? What if you don't even know the boy or if you got low self-confidence? Or when you try and talk to him, what the bloody hell are you suppose to say?
"Sol." Lunas voice chipered. I looked up and smiled at my 'Sister' and found two girls behind her, looking somewhat eager and a bit nervous. One of the girls were of whom I instantly recognized. It was Ginny Weasley, the girl who I had helped on the platform a while back ago. She looked eager, a bit excited, and somewhat surprised. Though the slightly bushy-haired girl next to her seemed a bit more anxious and tense compared to Ginny. "These are my friends, Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger. Ginny's in my year, and Hermione's in the year above her and the one below you."
I stood up as I set the magazine on the coffee table in front of me. "Hi, I'm Solaine." I greeted with a small smile as I shook the hands of both girls. Unexpectedly, Ginny hugged me and I was clearly taken aback.
She suddenly came to a realization at my uncomfortableness and let go, "Sorry." She said with a sheepish smile.
I had to get use to the people around me. I'm safe for now. I shook my head at the girl and said, "It's alright." With that, I gave her a hug which she returned after a moment of recovering from shock.
The bushy haired girl, who was at her side, decided to be a bit more cautious about me and held herself back. She merely just gave me a curt nod.
Sure, she seemed a bit more rude, or seemed like she hadn't taken a liking to me. But I felt like she was being careful around me. I couldn't blame her though. I mean, from what Luna had mentioned once before, Hermione was known to be smart and clever. It was good though. I was just kidnapped by death eaters. She could've thought that I was being controlled by them, or maybe she was just being careful and trying hard to not scare me.
Nonetheless, she was being wise, and I was thankful for that.
Ginny stared at me for a few moments, her eyes going wide. "Wait." She said, looking dead-panned. "I-I know you. You're that girl my family and I met at the platform. Your Malfoy's sister...Bu-But that means that family who tortured you are the Malfoys!"
I looked at Ginny, slightly wide-eyed, chest feeling a bit heavy. The guilt was practically etched upon my face, like I was a kids whose hand got caught in the cookie jar moments ago. The whole atmosphere in the room had changed from awkward, to brand new and tense. At that mention, I couldn't help but remember everything. Though I tried not to, I couldn't help but do so. But I know that I shouldn't be surprised that she had found out that was me.
That I was a Malfoy.
Though she had met me once before, why am I still in shock that she knows? Maybe it was because I knew her before everything had happened and I just happened to come across her again.
I exhaled and finally nodded slowly. I felt Luna take my hand in comfort, silently thanking her support and care for me. "Yeah. That was me." I spoke cautiously.
"Wait." Hermione finally spoke, in a realizing tone. "You're the famous and mysterious Malfoy sister that her family's been talking about?" Her tone wasn't offensive, and neither was the expression on her face. She was just genuinely surprised to find that someone like me, who had been associated with a bunch of psychopathic dark magic obsessed people, to be considered human.
"I was never a Malfoy, Hermione. Never." I answered truthfully, hoping that the unexplainable expression on my face helped my message come across. When I thought of it, and had actually said it, it sort of hurt that I never did belong to a family. The only person who I've got right now is Harry. But even he doesn't know that he's got someone else in his family alive. So looking over all technicalities, I didn't have a family. At all.
Sure, I had the Lovegoods, but they were merely sheltering me. Sure, they would care about me and learn to love me as one of them, but I knew that I could never really be a part of their family.
I always wondered on how Harry would take it. Maybe he'd accept me? Maybe he'd throw a chair? Or have a fit of rage? Or for the worst...He'd hate me. He wouldn't care. He'd call me crazy and say that I was lying.
But how would I know? I barely knew my own brother. The last time I saw him was back when he was a baby, and he had yet to talk. It's like we're nothing in each other's lives before all this. Sure, I've seen him in the papers...But I wasn't infatuated with the famous like many people. I wasn't fazed by it all.
Right now, I think I don't seem to matter to Harry. Let alone know that I even exist. Before all this, he didn't matter at all to me. But I knew, deep down with my memories unlocked, I knew that he did. He's my only family. The only one I've got let.
"I'm sorry about what happened to you." Hermione said, looking sympathetic, but not empathetic. She couldn't do anything about it. What's done is done.
I waved it off. "It's alright. There's nothing any of you could do. What's done is done." I replied, restating my own thoughts.
"You're very uncomfortable, aren't you, Hermione?" Luna spoke out of silence, once we had all sat down. It was only the first time someone had said something after a long period of silence. Once we had sat down, no one spoke, but instead stared at each other. Luna on the other hand, looked like she had no care in the world. Luckily, she didn't have much to care about. However, I did admire her for that. Though there was a huge amount of tension and confusion in the room, somehow with her being there, she managed to balance everything off.
She didn't have to worry.
I looked at Luna, taken aback at her being so forward. But then again, Luna was always so bluntly honest. Though honesty was the best policy, being quite honest at the most awkward times wasn't the wisest thing to do in the world.
Hermione looked at Luna, looking like she didn't want her opinion. I couldn't help but notice how it was possible for the bushy haired girl to be quite rigid and tense. Luna had been right. Hermione really seemed quite uncomfortable.
"I'm alright." Hermione said, collecting herself.
"No you're not. You're being careful around Solaine, aren't you?" Luna asked, completely looking calm.
"N-No I'm n-not." Hermione said, her voice somewhat surprised and a bit irritated.
I didn't want an argument to pursue. From what Draco had told me, Hermione was a bit stubborn and slightly hot-headed. I swallowed before saying, "It's alright, Hermione. I would be to."
"What do you mean?" She asked, looking a bit startled at my remark.
"I mean, you're either being careful with me because you don't want me to have some kind of anxiety attack from that traumatic experience, or you're just suspicious on whether I've been made a Death Eater or not. But maybe you're wondering if I'm under the imperious curse." I tell her. My tone wasn't cold or hard. It was more nonchalant, really.
She looked down guility, "I'm sorry. I-I'm just bein-"
"Careful." I said, before she looked up at me. I gave her a small smile. "It's alright. I would be suspicious too. However, I can completely assure you that I'm not, in fact, a Death Eater, nor am I being controlled. I won't let it happen. And I can also assure you that I'm not gonna start yelling at you. I may be somewhat fragile and scared. But I'm building up my strength. However, t's alright for me now. I may be still sort of affected by the whole experience, but I know that I'm in safe hands . The Lovegoods aren't going to hurt me, and I have a feeling that both you and Ginny won't as well."
"We won't." Ginny confirmed, giving me an assuring smile, which I gladly returned.
"I'm sorry I thought that way." Hermione apologized.
I smiled, leaning over and held her hand in assuringly and said, "It's alright. I'm turning over a new leaf. A clean slate. I'm not gonna let some hooded morons ruin anything for me." Hermione smiled genuinely.
I let go of her hand, before she said. "I'm glad you're okay, Solaine." I smiled, "I really am."
"Awwww!" Ginny gushed, "We're all happy!" The four of us laughed at Ginny's sudden out burst.
Despite the fact that Hermione and I had gotten off a bit differently, we were able to get along very well. Both of them were equally easy to talk to.
Ginny was absolutely fun to talk to, even though she was quite young. She seemed also quite mature with the things she spoke about, for her age. But nonetheless, she was quite a laugh. Hermione was no better, but she was a bit more reserved compared to Ginny. Though she was a bit uptight, stubborn and always abided by the rules, she was quite nice to talk to. She had great comebacks and always made witty remarks, which her intelligence supplied her with very generously. She was definitely someone to not mess with if she were to be crossed. But she seemed very loyal; a good friend. I knew that I could count on someone like her one day.
While the girls were there, Luna spoke even far more than she usually did. The girls were even quite surprised as well and had mentioned it once or twice to her. But Luna just simply and happily stated that she felt belonged and that she felt like she could open up more.
I was pleased that she felt that way, though I wasn't surprised on what she opened up to. From what Ginny and Hermione had said, all Luna ever talked about were mythical creatures and such. But now, the girls were even more surprised that she talked about anything other than that and magic.
"...If you were a Malfoy... then that means all three of them cursed you!" Ginny concluded after 2 hours of talking, looking horrified. "But how could they! How could Draco Malfoy!? Shouldn't he be arrested for even doing so? I mean, magic isn't even allowed outside of Hogwarts. He's underaged, an- Ah! It's got to be his father, who's done this. It's got to be. Just because that lousy father of his is connected to the minister...-"
"Ginny!" I interrupted, looking somewhat amused at her rant, yet pleased that she cared. I said, "It's alright!"
"Alright!?" She said in disbelief. "Solaine, this family tortured you. Their souls should be sucked out by the dementors, and flushed right down the toilet of Moaning Myrtle!" I winced at her emphasis, earning back a small memory of being tortured. However, I quickly disregarded the memory and tried to focus on the present, rather than the past.
I noticed Hermione nudge the frustrated girl, whose expression quickly softened up when she noticed my slight discomfort.
"You didn't mean it, I know." I said before she could apologize.
"I'm sorry, Solaine. But though I hardly know you, I feel like I should be a protective friend, you know?" I nodded, giving her an assuring smile.
"Actually, Narcissa and Draco didn't do anything." I replied, earning a look of disbelief from both Ginny and Hermione. Luna already knew all this, so her expression didn't change at all. "They actually took care of me...The first few times. It was mostly Lucius' and his mates. Draco and his mum always left every time I was cursed upon. Believe it or not, Draco actually cared about me. I don't know if he still does. But I have a feeling that deep down in him, he cares."
"Solaine," Hermione said cautiously, "This is Malfoy we're talking about. Draco's vile. He's terrible to people. I don't think he could even care about anyone aside from himself."
I nodded, knowing this side to Draco. "I know, Hermione. He may seem quite inhuman...But I know how Draco can be like. But I've known him since I was 2." I tell her, who had her lips pursed. "He's a very, very misunderstood person, Hermione. He only ever does stuff because of Lucius. If he was born into another family, I can assure you he'd be a greater person now than how he is now. But he didn't like it, you know...Me being in that cellar for who knows how long..." I said, exhasperatedly. The two girls looked at me surprised.
"He what?" Ginny said, with a surprised look on her face.
I chuck;ed, "He must've been that bad at school then."
"He's horrid!" Hermione exclaimed.
"He only ever did care about me and his mother." I admitted, "I was always the closest to him. The first few times he's visited me, he said he didn't want me like this. Said that I shouldn't have disobeyed Lucius and have kept out of his stuff..."
"When did he stop visiting you?" Luna asked.
"After the second time I was tortured. But every time he saw me, he always had that sad and look of regret on his face. Believe it or not, he actually can have a heart to certain people." I tell them. "He really was a brother to me. We hardly argued since we were always on each other's side. I know I should be mad at him for looking like he hadn't cared at all, but...I grew up with him. It's-"
"Hard to let go." Luna finished, smiling. I nodded, giving her a small smile back.
"Yeah, it is." I answered. "I've known him for the longest, and so well too. He's just one of those people who are just difficult to deal with, you know?" Hermione nodded, understanding.
Our conversation had went on for another 30 minutes until the topic was brought around to something much more lighter and forgiving. We had begun speaking of Hogwarts and the things Hermione and Ginny had been through. Though it was terrible, it was quite an adventure.
"On the list of requirements for this year, it said that we needed dress robes. Why?" I brought up.
"Dress robes? Why do you need dress robes?" Ginny said asked, but I simply shrugged in response. Ginny looked at Luna, but her head was tilted to the side with the same look of confusion on her face.
"I, as well, got the same requirement." Hermione replied. "I asked Mum and Dad about it, but they disregarded my question. Obviously they know something."
"No fair! You lot need dresses, but I don't? You think you lot need to be in some fancy event?" Ginny asked.
"Perhaps." Hermione answered.
"You reckon we should get a new dress before school starts?" I asked Hermione.
"Don't bother!" Ginny intercepted. "There's a better shop over in Hogsmeade! Luna and I will help you with that!"
"Speaking of shopping," Luna finally spoke up, "Solaine and I must take a trip over to Diagon Alley to get our things for school. Would you care to join us?"
Ginny and Hermione exchanged looks, and nodded in agreement "Sure." Hermione said with a smile, "But we'd have to get Mrs. Weasley's permission before we head out."
"We need all the approvement we can get from my mum. With everything that happened during the World Cup, I think she has one bloody hell right to know our whereabouts." Luna grinned at Ginny's response. They'll be needing it indeed.
