Chapter 1 Dangerous Steps
I was sitting with my back against my door. I had only been in the Malfoy Manor for two weeks. TWO WEEKS! And it still didn't feel like home. And I didn't know if it was because of how quiet the house was, or because I knew I wasn't fully welcomed here.
Narcissa was the only one who tried to talk with me. Draco and Mr. Malfoy took to sneering at me when I was in the room. It had gotten to the point where I was paranoid and didn't want to leave my room.
I was worried for Ariel, I wouldn't put it past Draco to hurt her on purpose. But he hasn't done anything to her. I hope there's an understanding that there's a difference between causing me harm, and causing my cat harm. She was out exploring the grounds during the summer.
Narcissa had shown me Mr. Malfoy's peacock's. He was proud of their albinism. And they were beautiful, don't get me wrong! But they didn't appear to like me. They tried to peck at my ankles and fingers whenever I would try and let them know I was friendly.
Birds. Fully, completely, all bred into, no magical parts, birds were my adversaries.
I've taken to reading the thesaurus. As I wasn't allowed to read most of the books in their library.
There was a knock on my door.
"Just a second!" I said, standing up and stepping quickly to be on the other side of the room.
"Come in!" I called, making it look like I had been reading on my window seat.
Narcissa came in.
"Are you comfortable?" She tried to sound curious, but with how her voice was it sounded cold to me.
This whole house was cold.
"As comfortable as I can be, in an unfamiliar place." I admitted.
I found that she appreciated honesty over everything else.
"I imagined so." She nodded and came in to sit on the window seat with me.
"How are you today?" I asked, closing my book.
"I'm well. I came in to ask you some questions actually." Narcissa said, looking out of the window and onto the fields.
"Ask away." I waved my hand to her.
She took a few seconds before turning to me.
"You are aware of your heritage on your… mother's side?" She asked, her grey eyes empty.
"I am." I answered slowly.
"You… you do have family in the Netherlands -" Narcissa cut herself off.
"And they disowned her when she turned her back on her heritage." I supplied the information to her.
When I was meeting with Sirius last year, he told me some of what he knew and remembered about my mom. That was one of the things he told me about.
She blinked a couple of times. I don't think she knew that.
"Are you interested in meeting them?" She asked, her voice calm.
"No." I answered quickly, shaking my head.
"May I ask, why not?" Narcissa had a hint of curiosity.
"They disowned her, I don't think I would be a welcomed part of their family." I answered.
"And if I told you, I received a letter from your grandmother…?" Narcissa asked cautiously.
I blinked a few times.
"Did you?" I asked.
She nodded and handed me a letter that hadn't been opened. I took it from her, being careful not to wrinkle it.
"I'll let you decide what to do about it." She said, realizing I wanted to be left alone with it.
"Thank you." My voice was quiet.
"Oh, and we are going to the Minister's tonight for dinner, we'll be leaving at five o'clock. Please dress appropriately." She paused at the door.
"I will. Thank you for letting me know." I nodded to her.
She nodded and left my room.
I moved from the windowsill to sit at the desk that had been added to my room.
When Narcissa was working on getting the adoption paper, she and Mr. Malfoy were kind enough to add more furniture to it. I had a wardrobe and the desk, Narcissa even took me to get a side table for next to my bed. I was overwhelmed by all these things that were mine.
I stared at the letter in my hands, then checked the time on the watch on my wrist.
It was something Mr. Malfoy gave me on my second day here. I was cautious of it, not wanting to put something cursed on my body. Nothing's happened yet, but I wouldn't put it past him.
The time was one thirteen in the afternoon, and if dinner was at five I should open this letter now. But I could only stare at the cursive script in the middle of it.
'Cassiopeia Zwart'
"So they know my name." I said letting the cursive swirl into a blur as I let my eyes unfocus.
I had left the letter unopened when I walked down the stairs. One of the perks of being in a rich family is that they dress in the most beautiful things. I had decided to avoid clashing with the Malfoys and wear black robes. They did have the Gryffindor lion embroidered on the trim, and that didn't get Mr. Malfoy's disapproval but I didn't dare push my luck.
"Good evening," I greeted the Malfoys.
They wore matching emerald robes. And they were a striking family with their sharp cheekbones and pointed noses. I felt a little out of place, but I didn't dare change my appearance otherwise Draco would never let me hear the end of it.
"Cassiopeia," Mr. Malfoy bowed and held his arm out for me.
"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy." I nodded to him and put my hand in the crook of his elbow.
With a nod to Narcissa, the four of us Apparated away and onto a paved sidewalk.
"Stay close." Mr. Malfoy hadn't mastered the ability to warm up his voice.
And it never failed to give me goosebumps.
I made sure to keep my grip on his elbow as he led us through some streets before tapping his cane on a door with a gargoyle head on a knocker.
"Invitation?" The gargoyle whispered.
Mr. Malfoy pulled a neatly folded parchment out and showed it to the gargoyle.
"Welcome, Lucius Malfoy." The gargoyle whispered.
Mr. Malfoy opened the door and I had to blink to realize that we had entered the equivalent of a mansion foyer.
"Lucius!" Boomed a voice.
Mr. Malfoy made sure that I kept my hand in his elbow when the Minister of Magic walked down a hallway, dressed in striped maroon robes.
"Good evening, Minister." Mr. Lucius gave a nod and an attempt at a smile.
"And Narcissa! You're looking as radiant as ever." Minister Fudge took Narcissa's hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles.
Narcissa let out a laugh and I was impressed with how she was able to make it sound warm.
"Draco! You're growing into your father's good looks." Minister Fudge slapped Draco on the back.
Draco glowed with pride, but did look disgruntled from the back slap.
"And -" Minister paused when he got to me.
"Hello, Minister Fudge." I said, giving him a respectful nod.
"Cassiopeia, I hope the Malfoy's are taking excellent care of you." He said stiffly.
"They are the most wonderful people." I said, my smile was genuine.
"That's good to hear!" He was still stiff.
"Now," Minister Fudge turned to Lucius.
Narcissa smoothly switched my hand with hers and I was walking next to Draco as the Minister led Mr. Malfoy and Narcissa to the dining hall.
I didn't realize I was sulking until Draco moved his arm to force me to stand up straight.
"Shoulders back, don't let it strain you." He barely whispered.
My mind blanked out for a second.
Draco, was actually helping me?
I didn't question it. Even if it was brief, we just had a moment and I was not going to let it go to waste.
"Narcissa!" A woman I had never seen before greeted Narcissa with warm arms.
"Anastasia!" Narcissa greeted the woman.
She had soft brown hair that was curled to her shoulders. I was surprised that she had pleasant navy blue robes that complimented Minister Fudge's robes. She didn't have any patterns on her robes, I think that would have clashed.
"Who is this young lady?" The woman had dark brown eyes that looked tired.
"This is Cassiopeia Zwart, my cousin." Draco introduced, his voice stiff.
"Hello, ma'am." I was unsure of what to say.
"Please, call me Anastasia." She greeted me, taking my hand from Draco and leading me and Narcissa to one side of the long table.
"Will you call me Cassie? Cassiopeia is a mouthful in my opinion." I asked.
"Of course, dear." She nodded.
"Sit next to me." Narcissa whispered to me.
I followed her lead as we sat down. I placed my hands in my lap and Draco was shooting gloating glances to me.
I waited until Narcissa grabbed the right forks and spoons to go with whatever course of the meal we were eating. Anastasia tried to include me in the conversation, but I couldn't offer much for answers.
"Cassiopeia, is it true you're on the Gryffindor Quidditch team?" Minister Fudge suddenly asked me.
"Wh - oh, yes I am. However, I am just a reserve. I only play when I need to. Draco is the Seeker on the Slytherin Quidditch Team, and he's a supurpb player!" I wanted to get the attention off of me as quickly as possible.
Draco looked sharply at me.
Minister Fudge clucked his tongue at me.
"That's a shame. I hear that you have recently acquired a Firebolt." Minister Fudge said conversationally.
"I have." I nodded and chose my words carefully. "My captain, Oliver Wood, had already chosen the team when -" I paused here.
Malfoy and I shared a look and his pale skin flushed.
"- when there was an incident at school. It was only by accident I was c-caught flying with my friend Harry." I stuttered but was already in my flow that I had to finish it.
"Harry Potter?" Anastasia perked up.
This time I flushed as Draco looked down and cut his meat just a little more aggressively.
"Yes ma'am, Harry Potter." I nodded.
"He is such a wonderful boy-" And the Minister turned back to Lucius for just a few moments.
I must have sighed in relief louder than I meant to, because Draco looked up at me and Narcissa gave me a light tap on my thigh.
"Oh! I meant to ask, how would the four of you like to sit with me in the Top Box for the Quidditch World Cup?" Minister Fudge asked loudly.
Draco let out an excited gasp, earning something painful from Mr. Malfoy. Judging by the way he flinched.
"Oh, Minister, we couldn' -" Narcissa spoke up.
"Nonsense! I'll cover the ticket prices and I'll even reserve a spot for you!" Minister waved Narcissa off.
"That's awfully kind of you, Minister!" I spoke up and I think I smiled for the first time.
"Y-yes! Thank you, Minister Fudge!" Draco took my lead.
"Thank you, that's very kind of you, Minister." Lucius nodded.
"Excellent!" Minister Fudge clapped his hands together.
"This year, it's Bulgaria versus Ireland." Draco said, unable to contain his excitement and spoke to me.
"Who do you think will win?" I asked.
Draco and I had a decent conversation for once. I had managed to get him to tell me about the Ireland team before he realized just what he was doing and suddenly stopped talking to me. Choosing to suddenly eat a big piece of desert and taking time to join Mr. Malfoy and the Minister's conversation.
"Thank you for a lovely evening." I shook Minister Fudge's hand as we prepared to leave.
"You are most welcome." He had gotten warmer towards me at the very end.
"I will owl you the details later this week, Lucius." Minister Fudge turned to Mr. Malfoy.
"I will be looking for it." Mr. Malfoy nodded.
Mr. Malfoy held his elbow out for me and I took it. He led us out of the house and down the street and then Apparated us back into Malfoy Manor.
"You were impeccable tonight, Cassopeia." Mr. Malfoy stated.
Even though it was a stiff compliment, it still made me feel good and I smiled at him.
"Thank you." I answered back.
Draco and I walked up the stairs together and went our separate ways into our bedrooms.
I slumped my shoulders and was just so relieved to be back in a space I was comfortable in. I carefully took off my robes and placed them back in the wardrobe. Rather than put on my pajamas, I just dropped on the bed and went right to sleep.
HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE FOURTH BOOK IN THIS SERIES!
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