Happy Monday everyone. Glad to see you're still enjoy this story.
Lots of love,
LM xxxx
Secrets, Lies and Discovering Truths-Part 44:
It was a few days after the start of term and Lydia eventually caved and went to Madam Pomfrey after almost fainting in Potions. Druella hadn't been worried as Lydia was slightly underweight and small for her age. The Hogwarts matron had insisted on keeping Lydia in the Hospital Wing overnight to make sure Lydia was OK. Of course Lydia had begged Hermione to bring the mirror that was hidden underneath her pillow. The Muggleborn hadn't asked why Lydia needed it; she just brought it.
Lydia was discharged the next day fully back to health but her weight was a major problem and Tina had been called and, much to the Auror's annoyance, Remus had also been called to the office. Lydia was already there with Hermione when her parents arrived.
"What in Merlin's name is he doing here?" Lydia asked and Hermione pushed Lydia back into the chair she was occupying.
"Well they are your parents Miss Lupin and seeing as your mother doesn't reside in the Castle your father must be involved," Dumbledore explained to the witch.
"But sir Professor Lupin doesn't have a say in Lydia…" Hermione started.
"This is a matter of Miss Lupin's health," Dumbledore said, "she's underweight and after what happened over the holidays her diet needs to change or else things could be a lot more serious in the future."
"She's thin like us," Remus said, "anyone can see that."
"Remus…she is rather underweight. The Healers said that in New York," Tina said as Newt joined them.
"What? You had her health checked?" Remus asked before seeing the Magizoologist, "what's he doing here? Next that Malfoy woman will show up."
"Don't you dare call her that Malfoy woman!" Lydia said, stood up with her wand pointing at her father, "don't you dare! She has a name and it's Narcissa. Her husband is Lucius and their son, their amazing son, is called Draco and they have been so welcoming and if you insult them then you're messing with me. They are family to me and if you mess with my family, father or not, you'll regret it."
"Calm down Flower," came Narcissa's voice and Remus was on his feet with his wand pointing at the matriarch.
"Ah Narcissa you received my feather," Dumbledore smiled.
"Yes I did Albus and now Remus I would appreciate it if you'd lower your wand," she said before sweeping across the room and standing next to Tina and Remus looked at Tina,
"What is going on? I did not give my permission for you to appoint her as anything to do with Lydia."
"I don't remember you saying you were going to be her father again," Tina responded coolly, "my work takes me away sometimes and if anything happens to Lydia I need someone who can make decisions for me that will help Lydia. You've messed up your relationship with your daughter and need to work on that before I can trust you to do that."
"Please dad…" Lydia said, "just stop this arguing. I never wanted you here anyway. I just wanted to be me…"
"Well you're not Lydia and the Malfoys have complicated things," Remus told his daughter.
"If anything they've helped me. Draco is the one friend I can count on. I know I have Harry, Ron and Hermione but they even took a while to accept me. I have them now. I think things are finally beginning to settle down now…well until you protest," Lydia said putting a hand on her head.
"Basically Lydia needs a balanced diet that helps her put on weight," Tina concluded, "now if you don't mind Lydia and Hermione can leave as I need to talk to Remus, well Narcissa and I do."
Hermione didn't even wait and got Lydia from the office and then took her down to the Great Hall as it was lunchtime. She also wasted no time in telling Harry and Ron what had happened before Draco was over to find out what had happened. As soon as he heard his mother was at the Castle he took off as well as his Malfoy name could carry him and nobody had to second guess where he was going.
"She's going to get caught in a war between her parents," Hermione whispered to Harry and Ron so Lydia wouldn't hear as she was busy doing her homework.
"That shouldn't be happening. Lupin said he'd take a backseat and I'm yet to see it. As much as I hate Malfoy he's good for Lydia," Harry conceded painfully, "but something happened at Malfoy Manor once Lydia got back from New York and we need to understand what is going on."
Lydia knew the trio were talking about her before she saw a origami bird fall onto her homework. It was Draco. The witch packed up her stuff and hurried out of the Common Room and down to their secret meeting place. The trio had Lydia until the evening and then, when Draco sent the bird, she'd hurry off to see Draco before curfew began. It was an uneasy arrangement but both sides knew that Lydia could never be made to pick between Draco and the trio.
"Thought you were never going to message me," Lydia said as she flopped down beside Draco.
"Had to shake Pansy off. This is our special place Lydia," Draco said softly, "for just you and me," he added as he looked up at Lydia.
Ever since the blood magic had been enacted the two of them had been getting closer. It could have been to do with the magic but Draco was also becoming extremely protective of his Lydia but she had failed to see it. She got her half finished homework out and began to carry on with it.
"Mother almost got hexed by your father at the parental meeting," Draco said causing Lydia to sigh.
"I'm sorry Draco…I never meant to get you or your family dragged into this," she said softly before feeling Draco's hand turning her head to look at him.
"We wouldn't have it any other way Lydia," Draco said softly, "Mother loves you as do I. Father is even beginning to come around," he said before looking into her eyes. Right at that moment a silent connection had been made and one that would never be broken. He leant forwards and placed a soft kiss on Lydia's forehead, just like his mother had before Peeves came through and Draco turned back into his egotistical self.
Lydia arrived back at Gryffindor Tower and headed straight over to Hermione. She was glad Harry and Ron weren't around because Hermione could easily tell that something had happened.
"Lydia…something happened between you and Malfoy didn't it?" Hermione asked quietly. There were still enough students around for someone to hear.
"He kissed my forehead," Lydia said, before twiddling her thumbs around each other, "I feel like I'm betraying Gryffindor but I cannot explain what's going on."
"I think you could be soulmates Lydia, you and he best friends, his family letting you into their home... From what I've managed to read in the.."
"Library…" Lydia said causing the two to laugh.
"Everything points to that. I can't find anything that says against what I've found. You cannot help this Lydia and I don't hate you," Hermione finished before excusing herself for bed. Lydia was soon lost in her thoughts, wondering if Hermione was right and she'd be found asleep in the chair in the morning by the Gryffindor Tower early risers.
