From the End to the Start

Chapter 11

Maleficent consistently asked her uncle about her mother's condition in her letters. However, she was still undecided whether she was asking because she wanted her mother to be fine or whether she was hoping something would happen to the child. She knew it was awful to even think about something untoward happening to her own sibling, but she also reckoned that the child didn't deserve any of the unpleasantness she has experienced in the hands of her parents. Sometimes, she thought, for the sake of her unborn brother or sister, that they should not survive to see the evil in the world.

Also, no matter how hard Maleficent tried to suppress it, her selfish side would sometimes disturb her with thoughts of how she wouldn't be able to detach herself from her family and live her own life if she has a sibling to think about. Maleficent planned on leaving home and finding her own place as soon as she graduated from Hogwarts. Can she still do that knowing that she'll be leaving another child unprotected in that household? Of course not. She knows the moment she leaves that house is the last time she'll ever be allowed to see her sibling. What is she to do, then? Repeatedly, she wrote to her uncle for advice, but he would always tell her to relax and that they'll figure it out when the time came.

Leila, no matter how hard she tried, didn't quite grasp the seriousness of her dilemma. Their conversations on the matter would always end in a hug but no solution whatsoever. Diaval was the only person who was trying, really. However, his brilliant plan was insane- run away with her sibling and raise the child herself. Yes, as if that wouldn't get her charged with kidnapping. Maleficent was pretty sure her parents would willingly send her to Azkaban if that ever happened. Besides, she'd be utterly rubbish in taking care of a child. When she voiced this to Diaval, he offered helping her, even going so far as suggesting they take care of the child together. He has incredibly barmy ideas sometimes, although she had to admit the extent to which he wanted to help her was something that made her inexplicably happy.

There was only one thing she need not worry about, and that is keeping her sibling away from Stefan. Thankfully, the Lefeuvres stopped visiting, although from what she heard they were still in good terms with her parents. She supposed it was just her they didn't want to see, which, in truth, was quite a glorious thing. The only reason the Lefeuvres maintained such good ties with her family was because the Moors were richer and purer of blood than the Lefeuvres were. Their pettiness never failed to make her cringe. At least she was sure that as long as she was around, Stefan wouldn't dare to come near her brother or sister. Being a blood traitor has its perks, definitely.

It was during the holidays when Maleficent was told that her unborn sibling was a girl, much to her parents' consternation. She knew they were hoping for a boy, to carry on the name. The Moors were probably praying now that her father's brother produces a male heir, because if not their family name would die out. She was fervently hoping her uncle won't produce children at all. Maleficent would probably throw her own gala if the Moor name finally goes extinct.

The holidays felt longer than usual, as she wasn't able to write to Diaval. He still wrote, despite her saying that there was no point because he wouldn't get an answer back anyway. He regaled her with stories of snowball fights with his cousins, presents he received, and other things he did with his family. She was undoubtedly envious of the fun he's having while she's cooped in this house with no one to talk to, but at the same time his letters cheer her up, as they make her feel closer to him. She didn't miss him as much this way, and for that she was grateful.

When March rolled in, Maleficent was constantly anxious every time the morning owl post came, as she made her uncle promise he'd tell her when the baby is born. She never got a letter. Instead, around the second week of March, she was pulled out of class by the head of Slytherin house. Professor Snape briskly brought her to his office, and from there she was told to floo to St. Mungo's. Normally the school and hospital fires are not used for direct flooing, but apparently her uncle pulled some strings in order to get her to St. Mungo's as fast as possible. As soon as she arrived, her uncle immediately filled her in- her mother was currently in labor, and so far everything was proceeding well. After a couple of hours spent waiting, Antipas Moor- her father- beckoned Uncle Balthazar to enter her mother's room. Her father didn't even spare her a glance.

Maleficent had to wait another our before she was allowed to see her newborn sister. Her parents didn't even let her into the resting room, on the premise that it would cause undue stress on her exhausted mother, her uncle explained. Maleficent thought she might as well have been a house-elf, for all the consideration they were giving her.

The baby was whisked away in the nursery, and quietly, she followed her uncle there. After talking to the medi-witch in charge, she watched as her uncle picked up the baby and cradled her. Her uncle looked at the child with so much tenderness, and she wondered if this was what he also looked like when he first held her. Maleficent knew for a fact that it was her uncle who first cradled her, as her parents were too upset with siring a female instead of a male heir when she was born.

A medi-witch approached her, escorting her inside the nursery as per Uncle Balthazar's request. Tentatively, Maleficent walked toward her proud uncle and the baby, whose head was already covered with tufts of blonde hair. Lightly pushing the cloth covering her away to get a better glimpse, she asked her uncle, "What did they name her?"

"Aurora Rose. After our mother. Your parents seem particularly that she takes so much after your grandmother. See, she even has your grandmother's eyes." He said gently. Then he added, "Do you want to hold her?"

"I- I don't know how."

"I'll help you." Carefully, Balthazar transferred the baby into Maleficent's arms, making sure to support the head. The baby stirred but remained asleep.

"She's beautiful." Maleficent breathed. And it was true- Maleficent knew Aurora would be devastatingly beautiful when she grew up.

She blinked, then felt her uncle wipe his thumbs across her cheeks. "Why are you crying?" he asked.

"I don't know."

Patting her head lightly, he murmured, "Everything's going to change now. You know that, right?"

Maleficent nodded.

For the better, she told herself firmly. Change it for the better.

A/N: This was sort of a bridging chapter to get to the second arc of the story. I think it's weird that this fic that's becoming way out of hand is a prequel to a story that's barely a thousand words long.

I'm uploading this later in the day because today was my first day in med school! I am so drained already. 5 years to go! ugh :)))

Cheers!