Chapter 53.

Magnolia sat in her room on Christmas Day evening alone, nursing a cup of hot chocolate, and thinking back over the day she had had. It had started so well, she had loved waking up to Sirius' infectious holiday spirit, but after she had left him at Grimmauld Place to go to St Mungo's it had all changed.

Mr Weasley had infuriated Mrs Weasley, causing the school children to retreat from his ward quickly, after he had told her that he had tried fixing his magical wounds with muggle stitches. Why Mr Weasley would attempt anything Muggle when he had the whole world of magical healing at his fingertips, Magnolia couldn't fathom.

Hermione, Ron, Harry and Magnolia had traipsed through the Hospital in search for the Tea Room, but had instead found Gilderoy Lockhart. He had been living in St Mungo's since the end of their Second Year at Hogwarts, a victim of his own memory wipe spell. Magnolia sighed and rubbed her forehead as she thought of what had followed. The four of them had been beckoned into the closed ward he stayed in by the Healer, where they had seen their own schoolmate Neville Longbottom.

Neville had been at the end of the ward, visiting his parents. Magnolia had felt sick when Neville's grandmother told them that Frank and Alice Longbottom had been tortured to insanity by Lord Voldemort's followers in the first War. She couldn't imagine what Neville and his grandmother must feel now that Voldemort was rising again. Magnolia couldn't help but feel responsible for the pain that they must be feeling now he was back.

Magnolia put her cup down, picking up the soft dog toy that Sirius had given her that morning. Squeezing it tight to her, she buried her head in the fur and breathed deeply, willing herself not to cry. She missed Kaida more in that moment then she ever had before, but she was sure that she was being treated well by Draco. She needed the comfort she had always felt from her half-kneazle… the comfort she felt from her family.

"Sirius…"

Making up her mind to find her god father, Magnolia stood and moved towards her door trying to decide where she would search for him first. He could be with Buckbeak, or in his own room, but at this time of the evening he could also be in the kitchen with any guests of the house. Before she could cross her room halfway though, her door opened.

"Have you been hiding, Princess?"

Magnolia didn't stop walking until she was wrapped in Sirius' arms, her head leaning against his chest and her arms wound around his waist.

"Woah, what's wrong Princess?" Sirius asked in a shock, "Did you see something at St Mungo's?"

"It just… We got lost…" Magnolia couldn't stop the tears from falling, "We saw our old Professor, Lockhart, he's on a locked ward for witches and wizards that have permanent spell damage. We saw… We saw a boy from school, Neville… he was their visiting his parents… they… they were tortured by Voldemort's supporters… they're insane because of it."

Magnolia felt Sirius' arms tighten around her as he kicked her door closed. Softly, Sirius kissed the top of her head.

"It makes it more real once you see it, right?"

Magnolia nodded, "I've heard of the horrible things that happened, I've lived with the consequences, but Neville… he's basically an orphan even though his parents are still alive. They just aren't themselves anymore. It's cruel."

"You know, I knew Alice and Frank, we were in the Order together. They were great members, and great people."

"Things like that are going to start happening again, aren't they?"

"Not if we can stop it, Princess."

After that, Magnolia and Sirius joined the rest of the guests in Grimmauld Place to play games. A real family Christmas. Magnolia went to bed late and a little bit tipsy thanks to George and Fred who had been sneaking Firewhiskey to her.

The day after Boxing Day arrived quickly, Magnolia couldn't decide whether she was glad about that or not. All of Boxing Day her mood had been flip flopping. She had felt nervous, excited, sick, and almost giddy. She was thrilled to be seeing Draco again, but she couldn't decide how she felt about the rest of the day.

She was sat on the chair in front of her dresser, applying some light make up and running a potion through her hair so it wouldn't get messy in the wind. She was due to leave any minute. Sirius had said that Magnolia should Floo to The Three Broomsticks from Grimmauld Place, where she would meet Pansy and Daphne.

Magnolia left her room, grabbing her jacket and bag on the way, and slowly walked down the stairs. As she walked towards the Drawing Room, Magnolia could hear Sirius and Harry talking on the other side of the door. Slowing down, Magnolia hesitated before she opened the door when she heard what they were saying.

"- can't believe you're letting her go."

"Harry, you're lucky that your friends are here. Magnolia hasn't been able to even speak to her friends since you arrived, and she couldn't say goodbye either."

"As she shouldn't!" Harry cried, "They're Slytherins, Sirius… they probably already know anyway. They all work for him, don't they!"

"Harry, we don't know that."

"Of course, we do. You don't know them."

"I know that Magnolia trusts them with her life. I know that they will protect Magnolia to the best of their ability when we can't." Sirius told Harry sternly.

Harry scoffed, "Yeah right."

"Don't push your sister away like I pushed my brother away. You will regret it, Harry."

Magnolia didn't want to hear anymore. She pushed the door open and smiled at her Godfather. The shadows under his eyes that had disappeared over Christmas were returning, and Magnolia was sure that it was linked to the short amount of time before she and Harry were due back at Hogwarts. She quickly kissed his cheek as she passed him, walking towards the fireplace, and taking a handful of Floo Powder.

"I'll see you soon." Magnolia smiled, "The Three Broomsticks!"

On the other side, Magnolia stumbled out of the fireplace into the familiar pub. She sped out of the building into the cold street of Diagon Alley, where she saw Pansy and Daphne huddled outside one of the shops. Magnolia immediately called her friends, and the three broke into a jog when they saw her.

As they walked, arm in arm, Pansy and Daphne filled Magnolia in on what she had missed the morning after she had been woken by their Head of House. The girls had Magnolia crying with laughter at their impression of Draco's panic when they had told him that she had gone. Magnolia's heart swelled; he really did love her.

It wasn't long before the girls approached Theo's house in London. He lived in a tall house, similar to Grimmauld Place, but not as opulent. Magnolia's nerves grew as she knocked on the door. A tall, dark, imposing man answered the door, sneering at Magnolia. Pansy and Daphne quickly said their goodbye's and left Magnolia with the man as he introduced himself as Theo's father.

A shiver ran down Magnolia's spine. She understood now why Theo was so fearful of his father. She could feel him watching her closely as they walked through the house and into a room with a massive fireplace in the centre wall. Magnolia glanced around, hoping to find Theo stood in the room waiting for her, but with no luck.

"Draco will meet you the other end." Theo's father said as he handed her some Floo Powder.

Magnolia stepped into the fireplace, taking a deep breath before saying, "Malfoy Manor!"

A smile spread on her face as soon as she stepped out of the fireplace into Malfoy Manor. She couldn't see anything except the boy pacing around the room. He looked tense and weary as he strode across the room. Magnolia paused, waiting for him to turn around and see her.

The instant he did, Magnolia saw the breath leave him. She couldn't stop her body from running at him as soon as they locked eyes with each other. Her arms wound around his neck, his hands found her waist and held her tight against him as their lips met in a frenzy. She hadn't realised just how much she had missed him until that moment.

Reluctantly, the pair parted slightly. Draco kept his hands on Magnolia's waist and she kept hers around his shoulders. She could see how tired he looked; his usually sparkling grey eyes were dim and full of worry. Taking a deep breath, Magnolia smiled at him.

"So, are you going to show me around, or am I only allowed to see this room?"

Draco chuckled and dropped his hands from her waist, capturing one of her hands as he pulled away from her. He led her out of the room they had been in and along a long, wide corridor, ignoring the lewd comments coming from the many portraits hung on the walls. Magnolia was blushing almost as red as her hair as the pair began to ascend an ornate dark stone staircase.

As they reached the top of the curved staircase, Magnolia looked back and was struck by how regal the Manor seemed from here. Draco led Magnolia further into the house, pausing every now and then to show her something or explain something to her. They didn't stop however, until the were stood in front of a large black door.

"Nice door." Magnolia joked after they'd been stood still for a few minutes, "Any chance I can get to see the other side of it at all?"

Draco's thumb rubbed over her hand softly, "I've never done this."

"Done what?"

"This is my room." Draco told her, turning to face her, "Only my Mother, the House Elves and my Father have been in here."

"What about Theo? Or Pansy?"

Draco shook his head, "Never."

"Draco, you don't have to do this."

"I want to. This room is my sanctuary in the Manor, I want to share it with you."

As Draco opened his door, Magnolia could feel the magnitude of what he was doing for her. At Hogwarts, he shared a Dorm with other boys, but this room was all his. This room was the only thing he had that was all his, that no one else had input in. Draco was showing Magnolia his truest, deepest, self by showing her his room.

Magnolia wasn't surprised by the giant four poster bed that stood on a platform against the wall. Nor was she surprised to see the Slytherin banners, scarves and linens that were scattered around the room. His dark emerald bed sheets looked soft, and Magnolia walked towards them to run her fingers over the silky sheets.

She turned, noticing that Draco had stayed by the now shut door to watch her explore his room. On the wall next to his bed, another door stood slightly ajar, leading her into a grand bathroom with white and gold everywhere. Magnolia yearned to slip into the claw footed bathtub and relax.

Instead, she walked back out into the bedroom, following the wall around to a giant bookshelf that stood from floor to ceiling and was crammed full with books on almost every subject Magnolia could think of. She smiled as she tried to make sense of Draco's organisation and failed.

As she meandered back past Draco, taking in the paintings that were hung either side of the door, she noticed how still he had been, he was barely breathing. Magnolia walked towards the last wall of the room, half of which was taken up by a dark mahogany desk that had papers thrown across it and an owl perch placed in the corner.

The other side of the wall was completely glass, a double door, surrounded by thick emerald green curtains. Pushing the doors open, Magnolia stepped out of Draco's bedroom onto a grand balcony that took her breath away. As far as she could see, they were surrounded by fields of grass, not another house in sight. Magnolia spotted a small lake in the gardens, a maze, a walled garden and statues everywhere.

"Are- Are those peacocks!?"

Draco's chuckle made Magnolia jump, "Yeah, my Father really likes peacocks. Kaida will be around there somewhere; she likes chasing them."

"You live here." Magnolia mumbled, "You actually live here. This is where you grew up."

Magnolia's stomach felt like a rock had been dropped in it. Draco's upbringing had been filled with Balls, Gala's and wealth. To Magnolia, the Manor was mansion… a palace, but to Draco it was simply home. Her shared cupboard under the stairs seemed even more pitiful now. Draco's hand slipped into hers, softly squeezing it.

"You don't have to do this."

Draco's voice was a whisper, but it practically screamed at Magnolia. In that one sentence, he was begging her to turn around and leave the Manor, to go back to London and forget about ever meeting the Dark Lord. He was pained by her decision; she could see it in his eyes, she could hear it in his voice, she could feel it in the grip of his hand.

"I do."

Draco snarled, "I hate that you're being put in this position. I fought to get you out of it, but that bloody House Elf wouldn't leave."

"I told him to stay until you gave him an answer." Magnolia mumbled.

"Lia…" Draco sighed, "When Kreacher turned up, I was already arguing to keep you away this Christmas. It was the perfect opportunity for you not to come."

"You would've been hurt."

Draco closed his eyes and pinched the top of his nose, obviously trying to stay calm at Magnolia's words.

"You're the only thing that matters, Princess." He whispered, "I promise you, no matter what happens today… I'm getting you back to your God Father."

Magnolia froze. She had never mentioned Sirius to Draco, or any of her Slytherin friends. When she spoke to Harry about Sirius, they made sure no one was around at all. How could Draco possibly know that she was staying with Sirius, or that he was her God Father?

"I… Who?"

"Lia… Come and sit down."

Magnolia let Draco led her to his bed and sit her down on the soft bedding.

"Lia, we know that Sirius Black is your God Father. We know that he's living in the country. We know that you and Harry spend time there on school breaks."

Magnolia couldn't move, her mind had stopped working. How could Draco possibly know all that? He had said 'we'… who else knew? His parents, the other Death Eaters… Voldemort himself? She felt sick, they weren't safe- Sirius wasn't safe.

"Lia, breath."

Magnolia could feel Draco's fingers stroking her cheek.

"It's ok, Princess. We don't know exactly where he is, and honestly the Dark Lord seemed strangely happy to know that he's around you."

"But… how?"

"Don't get angry, ok?" Draco told her, staring deeply into her eyes, "Wormtail is here."

Magnolia jumped up from the bed, ripping her hands away from Draco's, "What!? Where!?"

"Lia, don't get worked up."

"Don't get worked up!?" Magnolia screamed, "Draco, that rat is the reason I have these horrible scars on me! He is the reason that Remus had to quit his job, he bought Tom back, he is the reason Sirius can't be a free man, why I'm still living with those terrible muggles!"

"Lia."

"I should've let him die when I had the chance… I should have done it myself."

"Lia!" Draco was stood in front of her now, holding her shoulders firmly, "Get those thoughts out of your head! Get all this anger out! You can't walk into the Dark Lord's presence with this much hatred and anger, this much darkness, building inside you. He will sense it and he will delight in nurturing it. He will change you."

A small pop sounded across the room, startling Magnolia from the depth of Draco's concerned eyes. A timid looking house elf had appeared in the room, dressed only in a rag. Draco leant his forehead on Magnolia's before softly kissing it and turning to the house elf.

"Are they ready for us, Timky?"

"Yes, Master Malfoy. In the Drawing Room, Master Malfoy."

"Thank you."

With Draco's defeated tone, TImky disappeared. Magnolia wrapped her fingers around Draco's, earning his attention back on her. She took a deep breath, nerves filling her body and all thought of Pettigrew chased from her mind by the thought of what she was about to do. She nodded at Draco, and the pair walked out of his room in sync.

As they walked back through the Manor, Magnolia could see Draco changing with every step. He was building a barrier around them, his eyes were hardening, his emotions shutting down. She could feel the hard, cold, aura seeping off of him as they descended the stairs. Magnolia could see two men in masks stood outside one of the doors of the hallway, and she suddenly felt sick.

"Draco." Magnolia stopped walking suddenly, pulling him to a stop too, "Draco, do I look ok?"

"What? You're worried about what you're wearing?" Draco practically spat at her.

"This is the first time I'm going to meet your mum." Magnolia breathed, "Oh Merlin, I hadn't even thought about that. I should have worn something more demure."

A small smile cracked Draco's hard mask, "You look fine, my mother will love you. She already does."

Magnolia nodded slightly, following Draco's steps again. The sick feeling didn't leave her as they approached the two Death Eaters stationed outside the Drawing Room. She could feel them leering at her, until Draco shot them both a dangerous glare, and they suddenly looked elsewhere. Draco knocked once on the door, alerting those inside of their arrival, and pushed the door open.

A long table took up most of the room, with all but three seats being occupied. Magnolia swallowed hard as she noticed the two seats that were unused were next to the currently empty chair at the head of the table. They must be where she and Draco were expected to sit. Next to the man stood behind the seat at the head of the table.

Draco led Magnolia up the side of the table, the temperature practically dropping as she got further away from the door. She could feel everyone's eyes on her and tried to remain poised in front of them; despite her heart hammering against her chest, her head screaming at her to run back to Sirius and Harry, her palms sweating. She felt like her feet were trying to wade through tar.

"My Lord," Draco's voice was strong as they stood behind the two chairs meant for them, "I'd like to introduce-"

"Miss Potter." The Dark Lord's voice trickled over Magnolia like ice.

"Magnolia," Draco's strong voice shuddered slightly, "I'd like to introduce-"

"Tom." Magnolia breathed.

A/N: Don't hate me! And thank you to everyone who has been reviewing, I can't express how much I appreciate them all.x