I thought I'd be happy that my mother was out of Azkaban but I always thought she'd be released officially rather than staging a breakout a few months after Sirius Black. The news soon hit the school as The Daily Prophet made it front-page news, the name Morrigand and Death Eater followed me around like a dark cloud. I could hear the whispers in the halls, I could feel all the stares pinned on me everywhere I went. People started to go out of their way to stay away from me but the only people who stuck with me were Malfoy and Blaise which I was grateful for, no one said anything to me directly and I think that was due to the presence of the boys.
Malfoy's dedication to tormenting Potter didn't waver, not even when the Gryffindors had a Quidditch match against Ravenclaw. Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Flint had decided to try and spook Potter by dressing as Dementors, but of course, Potter had been learning how to defend himself against them and used a Patronus Charm on the boys, Malfoy didn't seem to mind the humiliation when he learned that I had cried with laughter. His constant mission to get me to smile and laugh more seemed to never-ending, and the smile that appeared on his face when he was successful is the reason that I didn't mind.
On the day of the Quidditch match, Ronald Weasley was apparently attacked in his bed by Sirius Black and that became a hot topic for a few days before it quickly died down. Potter had kept his distance from me since my harsh words outside DADA but I knew he was constantly watching me, Malfoy made a point to point it out every time he noticed. Did I mention that Malfoy could be very annoying at times?
The first visit to Hogsmeade in February bought an opportunity to cause a bit of trouble for the Gryffindors when Malfoy and I had spotted Harry Potter with his two sidekicks and we knew he shouldn't be there so we took great pride in informing Snape of the boy and escorting Potter back up to the school with his head hanging.
It went radio silent in the following months, Malfoy was no longer receiving mail from his parents, Blaise hasn't heard anything from his mother and I've heard no further word about my mother. Nothing about where she was, nothing to say she was safe and okay. It started to irritate me and soon everything was making my irritation levels rise into anger, Snape had even distanced himself from me only sending messages through Blaise and Malfoy.
My mood only soured when Gryffindors won the Quidditch cup and Slytherin lost, my fourteenth birthday at the end of May went by with no mention. It was the same every year as I grew up. The 24th of May was just like any other day except the fact that was the day I was born, never celebrated and no one knew about it. Malfoy didn't even know, but I knew his birthday was coming up though I made no mention of it except saying a quick 'Happy birthday' on the day.
The day after bought the end of year exams and I was itching to leave school for the summer, I was sure I would see my mother at some point over the summer and I was using that to pull me through to the end of the year. The exams were tedious and I was growing very bored very fast. It was the morning after the final exams when the whole school was buzzing with conversations and rumours.
Guess who was in the middle of it all?
Harry fucking Potter.
I mean, of course, Potter would be in the middle of it. The creature that had attacked Malfoy was supposed to be executed the day before but the creature was gone before it could happen, then it comes out Remus Lupin was a werewolf, which didn't surprise me one bit. It doesn't take a Ravenclaw to figure out his name literally means 'wolf' coming from the Latin word 'lupus', a small detail that Malfoy and I laughed over while other students bundled together in shock. We had overheard Weasley happily chatting away about his wild night, getting his leg bit by a dog, seeing a werewolf. To top it all off he wasn't too quiet about telling people that Granger and Potter had used a time-turner to save the Hippogriff and Malfoy and I exchanged a look and rolled our eyes as we slowly walked past.
It also came to no surprise to hear that Lupin had resigned his post as Defence Against the Dark Arts professor because his werewolf secret was out, but that just leaves Dumbledore trying to find yet another DADA professor, he could just give the job to Severus but because of his history he always was always declined, even if Severus got the job it would leave Dumbledore trying to find a new Potions Master.
Finally, the day to go home for the summer had finally arrived and I quickly made sure I had everything I needed and I even double-checked. I was on my third check when I realized I was just nervous. I wasn't going home with Severus this year, I was going to go stay at the Malfoy's, I'd never actually met Lucius and Narcissa myself before.
With nerves twisting in my stomach I made my way to the train by myself, I had told Malfoy and Blaise I would meet them at the platform, I figured I could use the journey to think by myself, try and settle my stomach, and rapidly increasing heartbeat. It didn't work, by the time I had finally met the boys and found an empty compartment to sit in I was still a bundle of nerves. Severus's words echoing around my head about Lucius Malfoy, he was never shy to tell me all about the man that is Lucius Malfoy. Behind the nerves, I held a little bit of fear of the man I had never met.
"I don't think I've ever seen you look so nervous" I heard Malfoy's voice cut through my thoughts and I turned my head to look at him quickly before looking outside the window again a clear indication that I didn't want to talk, thankfully, Malfoy just sighed and started a conversation with a Blaise. I could feel one of them occasionally stare at me for a few seconds at a time, but I just kept my eyes on the moving world outside the window with my mind utterly blank.
When we reached King's Cross Station I said my goodbyes to Blaise with promises that I would Owl him over the summer and I was about to meet Lucius and Narcissa when my legs stopped walking and I was frozen in the spot when Malfoy noticed he backtracked and stood in front of me with a worried look on his face.
"Alright, you've been spacey since we left Hogwarts," Malfoy said, "What's up with you?"
"Would you believe me if I said I was nervous and a little bit afraid to meet your father" I replied honestly and Malfoy raised an eyebrow at me while his eyes scanned my face.
"Yeah, I believe that" Malfoy finally said, "But it'll be alright, at least I'm going to be there as well. Neither of us is alone" I nodded and sighed before forcing my legs to keep walking with Malfoy keeping his pace beside me, a solid presence reminding me that I wasn't alone. I kept my back straight and my hands by my side, but I could feel my hands shaking slightly and I quickly pulled the sleeves of my top over my hands, when I looked up I was faced with a pair of grey eyes that were similar to Malfoy's. I was looking into the eyes of Lucius Malfoy and I knew I couldn't show any weakness in front of him.
"You must be Adria!" A woman spoke up and I looked away from Lucius quickly before meeting the much kinder eyes of Narcissa Malfoy and I smiled lightly.
"Yes, thank you for taking me in, Mrs, Malfoy" I replied and she smiled back at me.
"It's not a problem and please, call me Narcissa," She said with a bright smile before turning to her husband and they began leading the way out of the station, Malfoy was silently beside me and I felt his cool hand slip into mine and I instantly laced my fingers between his and held on tightly, just as tightly as Malfoy was holding onto me.
Narciss and Lucius were talking very quietly between themselves as we approached the Manor, I was gobsmacked at the sight of Malfoy's childhood home. We walked through an impressive wrought-iron gate down a gravel lane and once again I was surprised to see the Front doors open of their own accord when we got close enough, once I stepped inside I struggled to find what was supposed to home about this place, I shivered slightly, I didn't like the feeling I was getting from inside the Manor and I wondered how Malfoy felt growing up inside a house this size.
"Leave your bags by the door, Adria, our house elves will take them to your room for you," Narciss said when she spotted me standing awkwardly by the front door, I slowly lowered my shoulder bag to the floor while looking around nervously. "Draco, why don't you go and clean up and then come help me for a moment" I saw Malfoy roll his eyes subtly and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep back a smile. "I saw that Draco" I couldn't hide the tiny laugh that escaped me and Malfoy shot me a glare before reaching for my hand again to lead me away from the embarrassment. "Adria'' Narcissa's voice stopped both of us in our tracks and we looked at each other quickly before turning to his mother once again, "Lucius would like a moment of your time if that's okay?"
"Of course" I replied with a tight smile, I squeezed Malfoy's hand before I let go and followed Narciss through the hall into a large front room with a fire blazing in a massive white fireplace with black sofas laid around the room, bookcases were full of books it would have been homely if it wasn't for the unsettling white that covered the walls and floors. Narciss left quickly and I was left alone with Lucius Malfoy.
"Sorry to take you away from Draco, but I felt this was something that we needed to discuss privately" Lucius started, surprisingly his tone was soft and I relaxed ever so slightly and took a seat in the corner of one of the black sofas.
"No need to apologize, Mr Malfoy, you've been kind enough to welcome me into your home" I replied politely and he smiled ever so slightly.
"Draco said you were polite" Lucius commented and I blinked, Malfoy spoke to his father about me? "He did also say you seem to share our views but he explained that you haven't spoken about it"
"Same views?" I asked with a slight frown on my face, my head was still spinning at the fact that Malfoy had openly discussed me with his father.
"Are you a pure-blood, Adria?" Lucius asked me and the puzzle pieces fell into place quickly, I was being questioned, I straightened up in my seat and forced myself to meet the older grey eyes of my best friend's father.
"I am a pure-blood, yes, but I'm sure you already knew that" I replied and smiled tightly, "I share the view that pure-blood wizards have superiority over half-bloods and Muggleborns, pure-blood witches and wizards are very few and far between these days"
"You use the term Muggleborn" Lucius commented and I nodded bravely.
"As much as I care for your son I don't agree with him loosely using the term mudblood. While I acknowledge that Muggleborns are popping up more and more and I do view them lower than myself but I don't see the need to constantly remind them that they are lower than us. They are well aware of their status in our world and that is enough for me" I said strongly and Lucius nodded along with my statement seemingly impressed by my answer.
"Draco is rather brash when it comes to those he sees below him," Lucius said after a minute, "But he's got his head on right and I'm glad to see that you have too. If you don't mind me asking, who taught you to take that route with Muggleborns?"
"My mother" I replied instantly, "I was only a baby when my mother was captured and put in Azkaban and my father killed shortly after, but Severus has shown me my mothers journals and told me about her. A lot of what I read in her journals made sense so I thought I'd honour her and keep the same belief"
"Elena hasn't said anything about her time in Azkaban, sorry if it seems like I'm intruding but I do like to know who I've welcomed into my home," Lucius said and I nodded, "Who put your mother in there? Elena won't even say his name"
"James Potter" I spat the name out in disgust and Lucius scoffed.
"Always the Potters" Lucius mumbled, and went to ask me something else but I interrupted.
"Before you ask, no, I'm not friends with Potter and his misfit friends. I can't stand the loathsome bastard" I quickly shut my mouth when I realised I had cursed in front of Lucius Malfoy, "My apologies"
"It's quite alright" Lucius laughed softly, "Draco feels the same about Potter so you can imagine the rants that he goes on whenever Potter's name pops up" There was a knock on the door and Lucius chuckled softly, "Say his name and he shall appear" Lucius added as the door was pushed open slowly and Malfoy's head popped in
"Mother said dinner's ready," Malfoy said quietly and Lucius nodded his acknowledgement, Malfoy looked at me for a moment before disappearing again.
"He's quite fond of you, Adria," Lucius commented as I rose from my seat and made my way to the door with Lucius Malfoy right by my side, I smiled to myself and continued down the hall to what I guess was the Dining Room.
"I've grown quite fond of him myself, Mr Malfoy" I replied quietly when I walked into the Dining Room and saw Malfoy and Narcissa had already sat down and waited for us.
"Call me Lucius" I smiled at the older man lightly before taking a seat next to Malfoy, he quickly took hold of my hand under the table and gave it a reassuring squeeze and I felt the tension of my shoulders fade slowly. "Is she not coming down for dinner?" Lucius asked once he had taken his seat at the end of the table, Narcissa looked at me quickly before turning to her husband.
"She wants to," Narcissa said slowly before looking at me again, "We do have another guest staying with us for a while"
"Draco, would mind going to see if our guest wants to come to eat dinner?' Lucius asked his son, Malfoy squeezed my hand once more before letting go and leaving the room without another word. "I apologise, Adria, I forgot to mention this during our conversation"
"Again, there is no need to apologise" I replied, "It's your home"
"Oh! She's so polite" Narcissa gushed to Lucius and he smiled fondly at his wife, "Well, Adria, this is your home too" I smiled brightly at Narcissa.
"Thank you" Narcissa waved off my gratitude quickly when Malfoy came back into the room, his face deathly pale and he avoided my eyes as he sat back down and silently took my hand again. I looked at the door and a woman walked in slowly and her eyes fell on me instantly and she stopped dead. I felt my heart lurch forward and suddenly I couldn't breathe, green eyes similar to mine stared back at me, but there was a haunted look in her eyes and she was pale and her brown hair was pinned back. I looked the woman up and down a few times before looking at Malfoy, this time he met my eyes and tried to give me an encouraging smile. I looked back at the woman, who was standing still frozen in her place, I rose from my seat and slowly approached her.
"Hello, mother"