It was around dinner when Mrs. Potter decided to drop off Alex and Scorpius at the Malfoy Manor. The Zabini siblings were staying over with the Malfoys for a week as their parents wanted a vacation alone. When Scorpius walked into the sitting room with his mother, Mrs. Potter and Alex; he was pleasantly surprised to see his much quieter sister laughing openly. Lyra was on the floor in splits too, as a little red head girl continued with her stories, "I am not kidding… It is true, you should see the tables fly!"
Scorpius looked at the young girl and remembered the incident from the afternoon. They were having some snack in the kitchen when they heard angry yells from the corridor. Lily had screamed about not wanting to talk to anyone, and that she would be miserable if Mrs. Potter forced her to go make friends with new people. She had screamed and screamed about how nobody loved her and she wished she could just go away. Albus had sighed after the screaming had quieted down and explained to them that generally Lily was one of the most sensitive and caring people they could ever meet. But he had also lamented the fact that she had inherited Lily Evans', Molly and Ginny Weasley's temper along with the legendary Potter temper. She could lose her temper in 0.5 seconds and she could calm down just as fast and behave as if nothing ever happened. And, here she was animatedly telling a story to Carina and Lyra who were laughing hysterically.
Carina was the first one to notice the others in the room. "Scorpius!" She cried cheerfully, waving him over. Carina Malfoy was a spitting image of Narcissa Malfoy, her grandmother, the only difference being that her beautiful blue-grey eyes were covered by thick glasses, and one of the lenses were made of frosted glass. Carina suffered from what was known as "the sleepy eye" syndrome since she had been 7 years old. The healer had assured the family that with corrective potions and the regular use of her glasses, she would be able to correct her eye sight in less than 4 years. Scorpius knew, that these glasses made Carina self conscious and that resulted in her being so reclusive at all times.
Carina had never really lamented it openly, but as her brother, Scorpius knew that she often felt inadequate in the company of people like her mother, grandmother, great aunt Andromeda, Lyra, Aunt Daphne, even their cousin Antlia because all these women were stunningly pretty to look at. He cautiously looked over at Albus' little sister and cursed inwardly, Lily Potter with her auburn hair and chocolate brown eyes was just as pretty as her mother Ginny Potter. Scorpius knew, this would only make Carina feel more insecure, of all the Weasley cousins, Scorpius liked Rose, because she was not conventionally pretty. There was a wild, carefree innocence about her. She was a good friend to Albus and him, she was also healthy competition.
"Hey Nina." He said with a smile, as he came over and kissed his sister's hair, it pained him to see her skinny hands and legs, Carina's feelings of inadequacy were killing her health. "How was your day?"
"It was great!" Carina gushed, "Here meet our new friend, Lily."
"Hi." Lily said brightly to the two boys before sending a wide grin to her mum.
"I trust your day wasn't so bad, Lils."
"I had a great time mum; I can't wait to tell Delia and Steph about Carina and Lyra." Lily said excitedly, "And you have to promise me that you would visit. I think you will like Delia and Stephanie, not to mention we could always bring Hugo along to hang out with us. He isn't mean like other boys." Lily told the girls.
She then turned to Ginny and gave her a beseeching look, "Can they please come over for the summer and during the weekends mum? Please. I would miss Al and James less, you know." She added the last line for good measure with a pout.
Ginny laughed and turned to Astoria, "I am glad our children aren't following their fathers' footsteps. I guess, Harry won't be able to say no to this."
"Draco is putty in Nina's hands. He will melt before she gets the complete sentence out." Astoria added with a grin.
"You know, you guys are scaring me with all your evil plotting." Alex commented from beside his sister as he pulled her pony tail.
"Hey!" Lyra complained. Lyra was a true copy of her father, dark skin, black eyes, high cheekbones and thick black hair. Whereas Alex was a mix of his father and mother Tracey Zabini nee Davis.
"You better not do that again, young man." Astoria scolded Alex, "Or your mother will hear about it."
Alex sighed before flashing Astoria a grin, "Well played Aunt Tori. Well played."
Ginny watched on amused, apparently, most siblings functioned the same way.
"Its nothing." Lily chirped from her seat, "You have to attend one of our Sundays at the Burrow or the Manor, when all of us are there. These threats are nothing to what we are used to."
"Yes." Ginny cut in, "Because we have 13 of you and half of you like getting in trouble. Now come on, we are getting late for dinner. If left to your devices, you would talk through the night." Ginny held out her hand for Lily to take. Lily skipped to Ginny and took her outstretched hand.
"Thank you Mrs. Malfoy for having me over. I had a great time." Lily said turning to Astoria before waving goodbye to her new friends.
Astoria pinched Lily's cheek, "I loved having you over dear. You come any time you want to, you are always welcome here."
"Thank you." Lily said with a smile before turning to Carina and Lyra, "I will owl you both soon." She said before walking off with her mother and Astoria Malfoy to the fire place, chattering away excitedly.
"Wow! That kid doesn't know how to shut up." Alex commented.
Lyra turned and smacked his arm, "You like blowing things up. Hypocritical much?"
Alex grinned at Lyra, "Ah! Big word little sis, did you learn it today?"
"Alex." Lyra said in a warning tone, Alex stuck his tongue out at her and flicked her before taking off with a whoop.
Scorpius and Carina watched Lyra chase Alex out of the room and then turned to look at each other.
"Don't look at me." Carina said with a grin, "If you flick me, I will slaughter you."
Scorpius shrugged, "I know. That's why I don't risk it. So, anyway, how are you really? Did you eat anything?"
Carina nodded.
"And did it stay in your stomach?"
"It wasn't so bad today, a bit of it stayed."
"Have you thought about what we talked about?"
Carina nodded, wiping her eyes a little. Scorpius put a comforting hand around her.
"Hey, it will be okay. Do you want me to talk to mum and dad? They will understand."
"I know." Carina said, her voice close to breaking. "I just don't want to hurt them. How will they feel when they find out that I started doing it in the first place to look pretty and ended up looking uglier instead." She said sniffing now.
"Hey, you know you are beautiful. Don't you remember how everyone we ever met before said that you were one of the prettiest girls out there; that you look exactly like Grandma?"
Carina nodded, "But I have these ugly glasses and-" She started crying again.
Scorpius shushed her, rubbing her back to comfort her. "Come on, it will be alright. You will see."
Carina nodded, wiping her eyes.
"How is Albus' little sister though? I know some kids could be a little insensitive, did she say something? Do you need me to talk to Albus?"
"No!" Carina exclaimed, looking ridiculously at Scorpius with teary eyes. "She is great. She is the only one that did not comment on my glasses and how I should not worry about it. She didn't say anything about my appearance. She had the funniest of stories about her large family. Did you know Teddy is her God brother and that his girlfriend is Lily's cousin?"
"Yeah, I knew Teddy is Albus' God brother, but they love him like a sibling. And I knew he has a girlfriend. He is dating Albus' cousin, Victoire."
"Ugh. French girlfriend?"
Scorpius laughed, "Half French. She is not so bad, she was our head girl last year and a Ravenclaw to boot, threw the most creative feasts ever."
Carina nodded. "I like Lily, she has such a pretty hair colour. It's so Red!"
"I believe you said that to her when you met her for the first time too." Astoria said walking into the room.
"I did? Have I met her before this?"
"Oh yes, all of you met each other the year Teddy left for Hogwarts. From what I remember, Albus and Scor had latched themselves on Teddy's legs and refused to let go-"
Scorpius scrunched up his, trying to hide a grin as Carina smirked at him.
"-And Lily and you were complimenting each other on how pretty you thought the other looked. Oh! I will never forget that day! Lily narrated the entire plotline of Cinderella with her as the protagonist!" Astoria finished with a laugh.
"You mean she said that Mrs. Potter was her step mum?" Carina asked with interest.
"Yes. Ginny explained the idea of muggle fairytales to me and that's how we got the idea of getting you some muggle story books."
"So, I have to thank Lily for introducing me to Rapunzel?"
"I guess."
Scorpius snorted, "Why Rapunzel? Why not Mulan or Elsa or something?"
"The fact that you know Muggle fairy tale princesses disturbs me greatly." Alex said skipping into the room.
"The fact that you understand what I said, says a lot about you too Zabini." Scorpius shot back.
Astoria shook her head fondly, Draco was right; these children would forge their own futures.
"Hello!" Antlia Nott called as she ran into the room, followed closely by Victor Nott. "We are here!"
"Lia!" Carina said excitedly, jumping up to hug her, despite the age difference, Antlia and Carina were really good friends. "Hello Aunt Daphne, Uncle Theo. Hi Daddy!" Carina said, twirling around to hug her aunt, uncle and father.
"Someone is in a good mood today?" Daphne said, cupping Carina's face. "What did we miss?"
"I made a new friend. She is Scor and Alex's friend Albus' sister. Her name is Lily and she is great. You would love her Aunt Daphne. She has such pretty red hair."
"Are you talking about Lily Potter?" Antlia asked from her seat beside Lyra.
"Do you know her?"
"No. I know her brother. James Sirius Potter and her cousins Fred, Roxanne and Louise Wealsey. Roxanne is fine, but the boys are the biggest prats I ever met, especially James."
"You wound me woman." Alex said dramatically, "He is one of the greatest prankster out there along with the other three you mentioned! A prodigy of the Weasley twins, how can you call him a prat?"
"Ugh! Let me think." Antlia shot back, "He is arrogant, cocky, believes the universe is centred around him, hexes anyone he fancies, walks around like he owns the school. He is so full of himself; sometimes I wonder how he manages to do well in our exams. I mean he is narcissistic enough to keep checking himself in the mirror all day and not feel tired of his stupid face."
"Wow! You really do hate him." Alex said with a low whistle. Antlia crossed her arms and huffed.
"I am just glad one of you has their priorities right." Draco said with a satisfied smile.
"Draco!" Both Daphne and Astoria protested.
"Dad." Scorpius said reproachfully, "James is not that bad. He just likes a bit of laugh and Albus is one of my best friends."
"And Lily is nice too. Can we invite her over more? Please Daddy!"
"You are not being fair to me, you know I cannot say no to that look." Draco said with a sigh, "If it makes you happy, then go ahead."
"Thank you, Daddy." Carina said jumping up and hugging him.
"Et tu, Carina?" Antlia asked forlornly.
"And now falls, Antlia." Viktor said quietly, which had the rest of the kids cracking up.
Theo who had been watching Carina carefully gave Draco a meaningful look before walking out of the room.
"How has she been lately?" Theo asked Draco once they were out of the others' earshot.
"Some days she gets better, other days it feels worse." Draco said with a sigh.
"You are doing all you could, Draco." Theo said quietly.
"But its not enough, is it?"
"Its also a psychological problem, you will have to talk to her and take her for counselling."
"I know. I am just so scared to talk to her, I can see her hurting. I am afraid of talking to her about it and hearing it all."
"You will have to be strong for her."
"But she is just 10, she shouldn't have to worry about trying to look pretty. What are we doing to our children?"
"The world is a harsh place to live in. There will always be impossible standards for children; we have to support them so that they know they don't have to live up to any of it."
"Dad, I talked to her today. She is ready to talk to Mum and you. Just hear her out." Scorpius said cutting in the conversation, nodding at his uncle.
"You-You knew?" Draco asked flabbergasted.
"Of course. Who do you think told Uncle Theo about it even before she started showing physical proof of being anorexic?" Scorpius said. "I am trying to help her, but she needs all of us. I hate how she feels that she is not pretty enough."
Draco and Theo nodded gravely, "I see it with Antlia. The pressure to look good and feel good about herself; to look slim, shape her eyebrows, no matter how much it hurts; makes me wonder were we such horrible prats in school?"
"I bet we were but Astoria says that girls are meaner to each other but they would be particularly nasty to a girl who is ridiculed by the boys too."
"Why is it like this? For us?" Scorpius asked.
"I don't know Scor. Maybe you could change that, one person at a time."
"Yes. Let's start with Carina, I think she is ready to ask for help. I don't know what changed."
"Yes. Your mother and I would talk to her tonight. Theo will you please arrange for an appointment with a mind healer?"
Theodore Nott nodded before walking back to the room with Draco and Scorpius. Scorpius looked at his sister and hoped that things would be better by Christmas.
AN: You know what to do. Please read and review and if you like this story or me don't forget to follow/ favorite us.
Happy Reading
Much love
The fishes