'But I don't want to go to the Quidditch World Cup!' Penny moaned when the Malfoys told her. She couldn't imagine anything more boring and nauseating them watching fully grown men dart around like flys on oversized twigs. But her aunt was having none of it.
'Enough Persephone.' Narcissa said coldly.
'But why can't I just stay here?' Penny whined for the hundredth time. It would give her a chance to finally find an Owlery, she thought. But nothing she said would change her aunt's mind.
'You are coming with us. I won't hear another word on the subject.' Her aunt said firmly as Penny scowled. She had never been good with containment, even as a toddler she was forever wondering off, her Nana used to tell her she must have ants in her pants. Penny coughed to swallow the lump rising in her throat. At the orphanage they had tried to discipline her by locking her in or putting her under house arrest, but she had always gotten out. In the end they had given up and let her come and go as she pleased. Now however, Penny was feeling she had met her match in her aunt.
Within a couple days in the Manor Penny had felt restless. She hadn't been about to sleep properly, the muggle had appeared constantly in her dreams, mocking her, taunting her, sometimes as himself, sometimes as a stinking monster with long yellow teeth and claws, but also as the dribbling lump she had left him as. She awoke cold and sweating and retching. During the day she had read a fair chunk of the library, but unlike Hermione she grew tired of reading quickly. Draco had tried to engage her as usual, which she had tolerated somewhat dismissively.
'I am truly sorry about what happened Penny' He had said the first morning. 'I just wish I had been there to protect you' He said, taking on a rather proud stance. Although he seemed to have shot up a few inches in the month since she saw him, he was still fairly skinny and unimpressive, causing Penny to snort. He glowered at her, annoyed at her belittlement.
'You protect me?' Penny said chuckling at the thought. Draco looked offended.
'Ok yes, you might be a bit better at magic' He scowled as she raised an eyebrow at him 'Fine, darn brilliant at magic' He said with a hint of bitterness 'But you are underage and tiny' He emphasised, getting a scowl in response.
'I am NOT' Penny retorted pouting childishly 'I am nearly as tall as YOU!' She said unsuccessfully trying to tiptoe her five foot three to his five foot seven. Damnit, when did he get so tall? Penny thought frowning. Draco laughed at her ridiculous attempt and rolled his eyes when she glared at him then folded her arms crossly.
'Regardless, I would have stood a better chance to fight him off…. a damn filthy muggle touching my family' He huffed angrily his grey eyes dangerous. Penny looked away embarrassed. She always felt so awkward when he acted protective. It was nice, she supposed, but she was so unused to people looking out for her without an ulterior motive, she just found it…suspicious.
By the end of the second day she wanted out, her cabin fever burning out her fear of going out alone again. Once she had made her excuses she retired. Laying under the bed covers fully dressed, waiting for the night to grow still. When she was sure everybody was in bed, she crept out her bedroom, looking about her, and down the stairwell. There were no lights on as far as she could see. Ever so carefully she snuck down the staircase, having memorized which ones creaked. She had crossed the hallway like a cat, worked the oak door latches smoothly before pushing open the door. However as she crossed the threshold a terrible caterwauling had echoed through the house. Lucius and Narcissa had appeared in a flash at the top of the stairwell, in their matching silk bed clothes. Penny had stared like a deer in headlights as Lucius' wand light lit up her guilty face. Narcissa had gone on for an eternity as Penny did a walk of shame to her bedroom.
This was to be the first of Penny's attempts to escape, none of which had outsmarted her aunt, much to Penny's infuriation. After finding out the main door had a caterwauling charm set on it, Penny had peered out of her bedroom window the following night. There was a plant similar to ivy growing down the side of the Manor, too weak to support anyone much heavier than Penny. She had worked her way gingerly down the plant, nearly losing her grip more than once. When she had finally reached the bottom, she turned only to find her aunt sat casually reading a book on a log carved into a bench. At first Penny wasn't even sure her aunt had noticed her, as she hadn't even glanced up from her book.
'I could be cruel and tell you to climb back up the way you came. However I think it's best you just go back in the front door, saves us both time Persephone.' Her aunt said, holding out a large key still without looking up. Penny took the key and slouched off around the building, unlocking the front door and walking up to her room again.
The third night had been just as fruitless. Penny had found a Floo Powder in a china pot next to the living room fire place during the day, and snuck down on the third night. Feeling queasy at the thought but determined Penny stepped into the fireplace powder in hand.
'Diagon Alley' She had choked out whilst trying to remain undetected, feeling the usual spinning sensation, only to find herself spinning back into Malfoy Manor. Stepping out she glanced around confused and tried again. Perhaps she hadn't spoken clear enough. 'Dia agon Al lee' Penny emphasised, but once again she had ended up back at the Manor. This time her aunt stood in the door way looking weary.
'Are you going to stay there spinning all night or are you going to stop this absurdity and go to bed?' Her aunt said with a bite of impatience. Penny had sent the china pot flying in a tantrum and she stormed past her aunt and up the stairs to her room. Sensing eyes, she glanced down to the right and saw Draco's grey eyes peering out his doorway at her. In a childish rage she had stuck her tongue out at him before stomping off to her room.
The fourth day Narcissa had been brushing her hair roughly, clearly annoyed by Penny's persistence. After Penny's whine about the world cup she had given her wild curls a particular rough tug causing Penny to hiss in pain. Draco had found her in the library, recklessly tossing the volumes about with no regard for their age or fragility. Hermione would have probably chastised her for her treatment, Penny rolled her eyes at the thought. It was alright for her, Penny thought bitterly, not everyone can be as damn perfect as you Penny answered in her head.
Draco sat at one of the desks, resting his hand casually as he watched the young girl continue her relatively calm destruction. Penny ignored him as she gracefully shoved things off the sides here and there almost like a ballerina. After a while of silent amusement he spoke.
'Has it ever occurred to you, during your extensive attempts to be Houdini, to ask the help of someone who has spent fifteen years exploring every nook and cranny the Manor has to offer?' He said with a hint of arrogance.
'Please.' Penny scoffed 'There is no way you would figure out a way out I haven't. And how do you know who Houdini is?' Penny asked as Draco rolled his eyes.
'I wasn't trying to escape, I was an only child with a lot of time to explore' Draco huffed impatiently 'Every old building has its secrets' He added thoughtfully 'Hogwarts, Malfoy Manor, Grimmauld Place, The Black Manor' He trailed off. 'As for Houdini, he was a ridiculous wizard who liked the irony of entertaining Muggles by pretending his magic escapes were non-magic pretending to be magic.' Draco said to a bemused Penny.
'Prove it.' She commanded.
'Tonight.' He said 'But first' He started as Penny stared suspiciously at him, wondering what he was up to. 'I have conditions.' He said.
'What conditions?' Penny asked sharply, narrowing her eyes.
'Firstly, clear up this mess.' He said looking at all the books scattered around them. 'Secondly, and this may prove impossible for you, stop being a little shit. It's upsetting mother.' He finished as Penny huffed. 'Come on, I know you are just lashing out about…about what happened' He went on carefully 'But my mother is doing her best by you, can you at least try to be grateful?' He said matching Penny's scowl as she folded her arms.
'I don't give a damn about what happened' She stated angrily, glaring at his sceptical face 'But fine, I'll play nice with Narcissa.'
'And don't ruin the World Cup by being a brat?' He added, clearly aware he was pushing it.
'Fine!' Penny snapped 'But you better come through with your 'secret escape' ' Penny said as she bent to start scooping up the book. Draco nodded and left her to it. Later that night Penny opened her door a crack to see Draco waiting at the top of the stair for her. Seeing her he gestured for her to follow him to the end of her corridor where a small bookcase stood. Pulling out his wand, he dragged the tip the spine of one of the volumes. A sound like a sigh was followed by a click and he pulled the bookcase open like a door. Behind it was a steep stairwell leading who knew where. Open mouthed Penny turned to him.
'It takes you just outside the boundary on the west side. There is a little village about a mile out, mostly Muggle but one pub 'The Gargoyle' is owned by a wizard.' He explained keeping his voice low. 'You have to tap the serpent head three times to open the entrance back in. Here.' He said thrusting his wand at her. She stared at him wordlessly 'You think I'd let you go out alone unarmed?' He demanded. 'Lose it and I'll kill you' He said warningly. 'Be back before six or else we'll both have hell to pay.' He said gesturing for her to go. 'What?' He said as she continued to stare at him. He made a noise of surprise as she hugged his middle.
'Thank you' Penny whispered before climbing carefully down the stairwell, Draco's wand firmly in her grasp.