PART 2
Ch. 14- Summer Troubles
I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO HARRY POTTER
It took him nearly a week of nonstop attempts, but Draco had finally figured out how to charm the necklace to do what he needed. He could only hope that it's magic was a strong enough shield against dark magic. He didn't have any way to test it and it was clear that he needed to get it to her the sooner the better. Once he hid the messages contents for Hermione's eyes only, as he had learned from a sixth-year student, He sent it to her. He had to hope that she would accept it and then always keep it on her person. He had new hope. From how often his father was absent for their dinners, he could only assume that the Dark Lord had something wicked planned. He had a lot of time with his mother, and she always looked at him, as if she knew more than she let on. One afternoon, as they sat in the garden, she finally asked what was on her mind.
Draco sat once again with his back against the stone wall of the manor, while his mother magically attended to her garden. She had turned to him, hoping to speak a few times, but he had decided to allow her to speak in her own way. He had his nose deep in a book, until she finally sat beside him and cleared her throat. He put the book beside him and looked up at her. She did not meet his gaze, just continued to bloom, and trim and weed.
"What did you think of Alexander's niece?" She asked. Alexander was what my mother called the younger Avery, Rose's son. She had known him since her days at Hogwarts too.
"I like her." He said, trying to appease his mother. She did not smile but nodded politely.
"And did she tell you how she was liking Avery Manor?" She asked and Draco shook his head. He had made his own assumptions about how she felt during her time together.
"She seems very grateful to have found her family after losing her mother." He told her, eyeing her suspiciously.
"That poor girl. And poor Amelia." His mother looked down, holding her own necklace around her neck. It was the crow from the black family crest.
"Did you know her well?" He asked his mother. She shook her head.
"We were in the same house at Hogwarts, but I was a few years ahead of her. Never really got the chance to know her better. I only knew her reputation." She said sadly and Draco looked away trying to seem uninterested.
"Her reputation?" He asked.
"Yes, she was a fine student. Brilliant in charms. She was always second in her year in our house. Second only to her brother." She smiled. "Alexander was very competitive." She told him. "But then it was odd, once she graduated from school, she disappeared, and no one heard from her again." Narcissa spoke quietly. "It was the oddest thing; her family didn't say anything and eventually she was all but forgotten." She said to her son, brushing his hair out of his face.
"That's terrible. Rose seems to really miss her." Draco said softly and his mother patted his hand.
"I'm glad you two got on alright. I'm hoping to have her spend some time with us throughout the summer." She said, continuing her gardening.
"Why?" He asked, now curious.
"Why not?" She replied.
"Mother." He started to say, but Narcissa stopped him.
"You know as well as I, that your father doesn't know about the muggle girl last year. He is however surprised that you have not gotten on with anyone else or mentioned anyone. Perhaps Primrose can ease his mind." She spoke. And perhaps be the future Mrs. Malfoy he thought she meant.
"We're just friends' mother." He said to her, and she nodded.
"I'm not asking you to marry her, Draco." She told him. "I can see that your heart is still." She searched for the word. "Occupied at the moment." She spoke. "But in time you will move past it." She spoke.
"How much time?" He asked and he was asking honestly. He didn't know if he would ever move past loving Hermione.
"No one knows, but one day it will be easier." She said encouragingly. This was the relationship he missed having with his mother. He knew she cared for him, but since she had found out about Hermione, she had been distant.
"I hope so. I've never loved anyone before, I didn't know it could hurt so much." His mother dropped her wand and turned to look at him.
"Love?" She asked. "Did you love her?" Draco hesitated to answer her. His heart pounded in his chest, but then he chose to be honest.
"I love her, mother. But you don't need to worry, we both know it's over." He told her. "We've seen your wisdom. We know we can't be together." He said and the way she stared at him; Draco was worried that he had opened more problems. It took her a few minutes to gather herself before she spoke again. When she did, she picked up her wand and cleared her throat.
"I didn't know." She spoke. "Draco, right now is a very dangerous time for our family." She started, and he could not see where the conversation would go. "Any show of weakness will be distorted and manipulated into something horrible. Just because you are a part of this family, does not mean you are safe from what's coming." She spoke.
"What's coming?" He asked her.
"A lot of change and I would not be doing my job as a mother, if I did not protect you in every way, I could." She spoke. "You need to protect your secrets now more than ever. I think it's time I teach you Occlumency." She smiled at him, and Draco looked upon his mother curiously.
Their lessons began almost immediately. Narcissa would start her day with a few routine exercises to train his mind. He was not surprised that it came easily to him. His willingness to learn this craft was more than enough. He never thought she would have suggested it, in the past she always told him that families should not have any secrets. In about a week's time, he could block her out for quite some time, and she was proud of his progress.
"Very good, my boy." She told him, as they sat for lunch. Draco had managed once again to shield his mind from her, and she was not taking it easy on him.
"Thank you, mother." He said, sipping the tea at the table. As she spread her napkin onto her lap, she smiled across to him and spoke clearly.
"I've invited Primrose to join us tomorrow when we visit Diagon Alley." She told him and he stared at her.
"Mother." He started but she shook her head.
"Your father has asked for her to spend some time here. She's all alone in that house." She said and Draco. In all honesty he did want to see how she was doing. The urge to help her had not left him.
"I'm sure she would appreciate that." He told her. When Draco came down to breakfast the following day, he was surprised to find both his parents and Primrose waiting for him at the table. He listened as he descended the stairs.
"And your mother never brought you to Diagon Alley?" Narcissa asked her.
"No, I've only been as far as Stirling, Mrs. Malfoy." Rose said timidly.
"Good morning Draco." Lucious said to his son. Draco stood with his hands behind his chair smiling at Rose.
"Good morning." He said to them. "If I had known you were going to be here, I would have been up sooner. It's good to see you again." Draco said politely and Rose nodded to him.
"It's nice to see you too." She said timidly, all a show as he had very well known.
"Alexander and his father were called away on urgent business and had to leave right away." His mother informed him.
"Yes, Ms. Avery will be staying with us until they return." His father said, as Draco took his seat and some toast. His mother eyed him for a moment.
"Yes, your parents were very kind to take me in, during their trip." She said and drank her tea. "Your mother was just telling me about Diagon Alley. It sounds magical." She said so politely, Draco had to smile. She was very good at disguising her nature and Draco had to hand it to her, it was working.
"It's a pleasure to have you dear." Draco's father said. "You must learn that not every wizard family is the same. The ones that appreciate and respect the important things, blood purity and such, will always have better breeding. That is why the Avery family will always be able to count on the Malfoys in their time of need." He said proudly and Rose smiled on a small nod. When her eyes met Draco, she looked astounded by his father's words.
"When will we leave?" Draco asked. An owl flew into the window and dropped a letter in front of his father. Draco's heart beat quickened.
"As soon as we are through with breakfast." Mr. Malfoy told him, opening the letter. It was not for Draco, otherwise he would have given it to him right away. A curious smile spread across his face. "I do apologize Ms. Avery, but I'm afraid I will not be joining you. I must make it into the Ministry after all." Lucious smiled at Narcissa.
"Is everything alright?" She asked him.
"Yes, it seems that Potter has finally crossed a line." He told her.
"Harry Potter?" Primrose asked and her face fell as she realized what she had asked. "I'm sorry, my grandfather mentioned that he attends school with Draco."
"Yes, he does." Draco offered.
"But as I've said, not every wizarding family is the same. He's not what everyone thinks he is." She nodded as Mr. Malfoy spoke. "You have a great time, and don't forget to let the girl visit her Vault." He told Mrs. Malfoy before leaving out the door.
"I'm sorry my vault?" Rose asked curiously.
"Yes, dear. Your vault at Gringotts. Your uncle informed us that you have a vault there, with whatever your mother left behind for you. He thought you might want to visit it while in Diagon Alley." She said, standing up. "I'll just be a moment." Rose looked at me curiously. When his mother left the room, she whispered to him.
"I didn't know my mother left me anything." She spoke. "We were never poor, but our home looked like a shack compared to your house." She told him.
"She wanted you to have something." He tried to tell her.
"We will leave as soon as you are finished Draco." Draco ate quickly and as soon as he was done, they stepped in front of the grand fireplace, which his father had connected to the floo network. "Draco, perhaps you should go in with Primrose, as I'm not sure that she's travelled this way before." His mother spoke, putting on her gloves. She stepped into the green fire and spoke clearly "Diagon Alley." She vanished in the flames and Rose looked at him frightened.
"It's alright." He told her, stepping into the fireplace, and holding out his hand. She took it and he held it close to him. "Don't let go." He told her and she nodded excited. "Diagon Alley." The fire rose around them, and they were being pulled up. He could see the other entrances connected to the network flying past them, but he knew where he was going. He had been traveling this way for a long time. They stepped out of the fireplace outside the Leaky Cauldron and his mother watched him as he helped Rose from the fireplace.
"How was that?" His mother asked her.
"Strange, but fun." She told her.
"They used to be run by floo powder, but that left a horrible mess. Mr. Malfoy insisted that we have the most updated connection from our home." His mother bragged. "No, we should probably start in Gringotts and work our way back." She spoke.
"Yes, Ma'am." She said politely.
"Draco, it's very easy to get confused and lost here your first time. I leave Primrose in your care while we're here." His mother insisted.
"Yes, mother." Draco said. Rose Smiled up at her and then they followed his mother as she made her way through the street.
"This place has everything." Rose looked upon all the stores.
"It's just the beginning." He told her and she smiled. Her hand still intertwined with his. "If you've never been to school, does that mean you've never gotten a wand?" He asked her.
"I've never needed one, my mother always had me practiced with hers. And now It's mine." She pulled out a wand from her robe pocket and smiled.
"Well, there is where I got mine." He pointed to Ollivanders. She looked up at it curiously.
"We will be sure to stop by there before we leave." Narcissa called back. "Every proper witch should have her own wand." She said and rose looked down at her wand sadly. Draco nudged her and she smiled again. When they reached the inside of the bank, Rose's eyes widened. She had not expected it to look this way.
"Name." The goblin did not look up from his desk, but Narcissa did not answer him until he acknowledged them properly. "My apologies Mrs. Malfoy. How may I help you today?" Narcissa smiled at him and put a hand on Rose's shoulder.
"Ms. Primrose Lily Avery would like to access her vault." She told him. The goblin looked between them.
"Yes, very well. And does Ms. Avery have her key?" He asked. Mrs. Malfoy looked down at Rose who shrugged.
"I'm not sure what key." She said and then her eyes widened. "Wait, I do have a key. I always thought it was a charm." Rose reached around her neck and removed her necklace. "Is this the key you mean?" She asked the Goblin, who studied it closely and smiled.
"Yes. This way." The little goblin hopped down from the stand and headed behind it, to the stairs leading to the underground.
"Draco, escort Primrose. I have no desire to get on the trolley." His mother said. Draco nodded and guided her. When she was out of sight from his mother, Rose relaxed.
"This place is massive." She whispered, looking uneasily at the Goblin. They climbed onto the cart.
"Heading to Vault 682." The goblin said as the cart took off. Rose held onto Draco.
"Bloody hell, no wonder your mother stayed behind." She said, sounding more like herself. Draco laughed. When the cart stopped in front of the vaults, the Goblin stepped out and waited. Draco continued to sit. "aren't you coming with me?" She asked him.
"Do you want me to?" He asked her, she rolled her eyes.
"I believe your mother asked you to escort me." She reached out to him and helped him out. They walked down a narrow path. Her vault was against the farthest wall, with an intricate golf door covered in what looked like vines.
"Vault 682." He spoke. "Key please." He asked her, Rose slid the necklace from her neck again and handed it to him. The Goblin inserted the key, in a hidden spot and they watched as the vines began moving and a massive lock could be heard opening. The door opened, much bigger than she had thought and she gasped when she saw it. "This can't be right."
"This is right. Vault 682 belonging to Ms. Primrose Lily Avery." Draco watched as she stepped inside awestruck. There was not just gold Galleons, although there was what seemed to be a small fortune here, but there were goblets and armor and books lined against the walls. She looked back at Draco who nodded her encouragingly.
"I'll be outside when you are ready." The goblin handed Draco some leather pouches.
"This can't be right." She said, when the goblin disappeared again.
"Your mother wanted you to be taken care of." He told her.
"No, Draco. This can't be right. My mother did not work a day in my entire life, how did she have this?"
"Perhaps your grandfather- "He stopped because she looked at him foully.
"My grandfather? And what about these?" She pointed to the goblets and books. "What are these?" She reached for the books and took one in her hand, it was massive. "This is my mother's handwriting." She muttered and Draco stood beside her. There were no words on the pages, except for the first page.
Mother and daughter never truly part. Maybe in distance but never in heart.
Her fingers touched the words as tears filled her eyes.
"I think she left this for me." She spoke. "But it's empty." She spoke.
"Perhaps it's enchanted." He suggested. "Or perhaps she meant for you to fill the pages." Draco added.
"It would take me a lifetime to fill these pages." She told him.
"Why don't you bring them with us, and we can study them back at home." He told her. She nodded.
"I think your mother may notice if we bring these massive books with us." She said and then it was Draco's turn to roll his eyes.
"Did you forget you're a witch?" He added pulling out his wand. "Reducio." He said and the massive book shrank to the palm of his hand. He reached for it and slipped it into his robe.
"Show off." She muttered and headed to the next book. "Reducio." The book did the same and she smirked at him and continued down the line. After she had gathered all the books and divided her Galleons into the pouches, they left. The Goblin sat impatiently at the cart waiting. When they were back upstairs, Narcissa was not alone. She was flanked by a few more people, that Draco recognized as her friends.
"There you are. Did you have any trouble?" She asked Rose. Rose had transformed back into the shy girl.
"No trouble. I'm all set." She said holding up only one of the leather pouches. The other she had reduced and hidden within her robes.
"Darlings, this is her, Mr. Avery's Granddaughter, Amelia's girl, Primrose." Mrs. Malfoy introduced.
"So sorry to hear about your mother. Bright girl." A woman said from beside Draco's mother. Rose nodded.
"Thank you." She said softly.
"So young, such a tragedy." Another old woman spoke beside her.
"Mother." Draco spoke up. "Do you think it would be alright if we go see flourish and blots? I was telling Rose about some of my course books from Hogwarts and promised to show her." He said politely smiling at all the women. His mother's gaze looked at him, another wry smile curling her lips.
"Of course, dear. Find me when you are finished." She said and Draco did not let her change her mind. He took Rose's hand and led her back outside. In the crowd of people, Rose sighed.
"Thank you. You're always saving me." She told him. He shrugged. "Why is that?" She asked him. Draco stopped walking. He could feel his mother's gaze on his back. He quickened his pace and walked her into Flourish and Blots and towards the stairs where no one rarely bothered to go. He had found the best books hidden up there. "What is it?" She looked around suspiciously. Her eyes starting to brighten in color.
"I don't know why." He said softly. She stared at him. "I just want to help you." He told her.
"Do you feel sorry for me?" She asked, crossing her arms. He shook his head before she finished her sentence.
"No, it's just- "Draco stopped himself. It was an odd thing to explain. He didn't know why he wanted to help her, only that there was something oddly familiar about her. "I feel like I can trust you." He said and she uncrossed her arms.
"Like we've known each other all our lives." She muttered and he looked at her surprised.
"Yes. Exactly." He spoke.
"I want to trust you Draco." She told him. "I want to believe that you want to help me, but I don't want to involve you in whatever trouble I get into." He smirked.
"You have no idea, how much trouble I already have. What's a few more incidents?" He asked smiling and she laughed. Her face grew serious, and her voice dropped to a whisper.
"It's gotten worse at my grandfather's home." She muttered. "My uncle Alexander still can't stand to be around me. Every time he looks at me, I can see the sadness I bring him." She spoke. "My mother was his twin, did you know that?" she asked Draco, who shook his head. "My mother was a twin, and she never mentioned it to me at all."
"Have you asked any of them, what happened between your mother and them?" Draco asked. She shook her head.
"My grandfather confuses me with her more often now. I sleep in her bedroom. It's been left a shrine to her. It shouldn't bother me, but it does. It's like he wishes I had died instead of her." She cried and Draco closed the gap between them instinctively and held her in place.
"Perhaps there is something in these books about your father. Perhaps we can find something to help you find him." She pulled away from him.
"You can't mention this to anyone Draco. Please, you must give me your word that you will not let anyone know what I'm trying to do. I fear that their plans for me, are far worse than I could ever imagine." She spoke.
"What is it that you're afraid of?" He asked her.
"You will think I'm mad." She told him.
"The way they speak. The way they disappear, the spells and enchantments they put upon certain parts of the manor, it's like their hiding something." She spoke. Draco tensed. "I can feel it. It's darkness, unlike anything I've ever felt." She said and Draco shuddered involuntarily.
"What are you suggesting?" He asked her.
"Do you know about you-know-who?" She asked and he nodded. "Of course, you do. My mother used to tell me stories, they gave me nightmares, but I could tell they were important to her." She spoke. "The way she told it, the night that Harry Potter survived the killing curse, you-know-who did not die." She said and Draco sucked in a breath. They looked around them, as an eerie silence fell upon them.
"You mustn't." He said and took her arm. "You mustn't speak of this again." He said and she looked at him appalled. "Promise me." He said urgently. A new fear crossed her face and she tried to pull her hand away. When Draco had realized what she was trying to do, he let her go.
"You hurt me." She said holding her arm where Draco had held it.
"This is serious Rose. You must promise me." They stared at one another in silence for a few minutes, but a new understanding dawned across Rose's face.
"Alright." She spoke. "I promise."
"Thank you. I'm sorry for hurting you." He spoke. As he stared at her a new wave of fear struck him in place. She was in danger, he didn't know why he knew this, but he could feel it too. "I will promise you something in return." He spoke. "I will help you find your father, if it is the last thing I do." He said and she smiled softly at him.