The day past too quickly for Penny, who glanced out to the lowering sun with distain. Andromeda has kept the three of them fed and watered as they chatted and joked and Dora danced to some tunes on the Wizarding Wireless Network. She showed Penny some of her study books and told a few anecdotes of her experiences so far as a trainee. More than once Penny saw Andromeda's face struggle as Dora recounted some of her more dangerous assignments. One tale was of how she and Moody had cornered a man named Mundungus as he and five of his associates had been trading cursed artefacts. Whilst between Moody and Dora all the traders had been arrested, Dora had accidently brushed one item with her foot and had to go to St Mungo's to have eggs sized boils removed from her ankle.
Inevitably as the sun began to brush the horizon Penny gathered her belongings back into her trunk and with Juno at her feet, stood in the cramped lounge to say her goodbyes.
"Goodbye Penny, it was a pleasure to finally meet you. It is a shame it was so very brief." Andromeda said pulling the shorter witch into a gentle hug, where Penny's face buried itself into the taller witch's shoulder.
"I think you oughta stay and see if Aunt Snob carries out her threat. Like to see her try and get past me" Dora said, her eyes twinkling with anticipated thrill as she twirled her wand.
"No." Andromeda said firmly shooting her daughter a look. "I will not condone violence." She insisted as she looked back at Penny.
"But Muuuum" Dora said with an exaggerated whine that made Penny grinned widely and even the corners of Andromeda's mouth twitched. "I think you should just move in here, you can share my room." Dora said as Andromeda's face flickered. Penny's cheeks shifted uncomfortably as a conflict of emotions channelled through her.
"I think" She paused before continuing as Penny looked at her, her expression guarded. "That we should not act rashly." She went on carefully as Penny nodded in agreement. "I would be happy to have you here but it is a little cramped and Narcissa…Narcissa can provide vastly more for you." Andromeda said, Penny looked away at the pained sound in Andromeda's voice. "That and I am certain the two of you would blow the house apart if you were in a confined space with one another for too long." She added as she looked between the two of them. Looking round Penny struggled to contain a cackle as her cousin's face split in a guilty grin. Crossing to her the violet haired witch gave her an enthusiastic hug, swaying from side to side, Juno shrinking quickly away from the taller witch's unreliable feet.
"Maybe not the house, but definitely the bunker" Dora whispered sniggering slightly into Penny's dark locks as they swayed. "Definitely beat you next time" She added as Penny snorted.
"In your dreams cousin" Penny whispered back as they pulled apart, Dora winking as she retreated. Glancing out the window Penny saw the top of the sun disappear below the horizon. "Better go. Say bye to Ted for me." She said reluctantly, bending to scoop Juno up and into her travel tube. "Come on beautiful" Penny hissed to a spitting Juno who coiled up inside the tube. Throwing a handful of Floo powder into the fireplace Penny turned back to her aunt and cousin.
"Bye." She said as she stepped into the fireplace.
"Goodbye Penny." Andromeda said formally.
"Laters Penny!" Dora called as Penny shouted.
"Malfoy Manor!"
Landing Penny staggered slightly, and looked into the dimly lit drawing room. Stood just inside the doorway with her wrists crossed in front of her Narcissa watched her sullenly as her niece stepped cautiously over the fire grate. Meeting her aunt's eyes defiantly Penny could only detect a guarded layer of fury radiating from her aunt's shielded mind. Clenching her jaw slightly Penny pulled out the tube in her pocket, popping the lid and placed it on the ground for Juno to uncurl. Without a word Penny turned as the fireplace turned green, catching her trunk as it whizzed out the chimney. Lifting it over the grate as well Penny turned back to her aunt, taking a couple steps forward before stopping short of her aunt. Penny felt the air around them pulsed dangerously as she waited for Narcissa to break the silence.
"You are late." Narcissa said coldly, making the teenage witch scowl slightly before smoothing her expression.
"We had a lot to discuss." Penny replied tartly, shifting onto her back foot as she felt Narcissa's anger flare. "Truly fascinating company." She added, a stab of sadistic satisfaction filling her at her aunt's usually flawless face cracking a little.
"You will not be seeing them again." She said firmly, her voice remaining eerily steady despite the fury being heard in every syllable.
"Is that so?" Penny snarled back pushing past her aunt into the grand hallway. Dragging her trunk towards the bottom of the stairs Penny hissed as it was yanked from her grasp. Turning she saw Narcissa's wand outstretched before she flicked it, sending Penny's trunk up the stairwell on its own and out of sight.
"Do not walk away from me Persephone." Narcissa warned, her voice low and dangerous. Juno slithered rapidly to Penny's feet, hissing unhappily.
"What should I do Mistress?" She asked uncertainly, curling into a striking pose.
"It's fine, go wait in my room" Penny hissed back dismissively, glancing down at the snake who made her way up the stairs, before glaring back up at her blonde aunt. "How can I help you Cissy?" Penny asked sarcastically, shifting her weight as she placed a hand on her hip.
"How dare you" Narcissa said furiously, wands sparking from her wand tip. Penny's face flickered towards it even as she sniffed in derision. "How dare you be so disrespectful. We took you in, defended you at the Ministry, fed you, clothed you, put a roof over your head, and you DARE" Narcissa said, her voice getting higher despite her level of control.
"You don't own me!" Penny shot back, her arms folding across her chest. "I didn't ask for you to get involved, I was FINE before you intervened." She shouted as Narcissa made a sceptical noise.
"Oh clearly. I am sure that Muggle scum would agree!" Narcissa shouted back as Penny's hair crackled with electricity.
"Shut up!" Penny spat as Narcissa's wand twitched on her wand.
"Do not speak to me like that!" Narcissa shouted, her smooth expression finally twisting in rage. "In my house you will learn to show respect and to learn your place!" She shrieked as Penny swelled up.
"You are NOT my mother" She snarled as Narcissa's wand sparked again.
"Thank Merlin, she would cast you out just like our slut of a sister!" Narcissa screamed before she flew backwards from a loud blast. Crashing loudly against the opposite wall, Narcissa crumbled, winded to the floor, blood pearling where her lip had split. Penny stood frozen to the spot her wand outstretched and her face the colour of snow. As her aunt looked up at her Penny felt her stomach drop as she saw fear dancing on her aunt's face for the first time. Staggering to her feet Narcissa raised her wand defensively against her, making Penny's face contort. Lowering her wand she turned tail and bolted up the stairs three at a time. Reaching the top she sensed rather than saw grey eyes coming from the right as she launched herself into her room, slamming the door behind her.
Raising a shaking hand Penny ran the length of the door frame with her wand tip, sealing it shut in Parseltongue. Hearing a concerned hiss Penny dropped to the floor and shuffled as far under the bed as she could go, pulling Juno onto her chest. Juno nuzzled against her, even as her gentle hisses remained unanswered whilst tears dripped down the sides of Penny's face. Yet again she had lashed out. Maybe Skeeter was right, Penny thought bitterly, maybe she should be locked away before she got too powerful. No matter how hard she tried to control her temper people always got hurt. Two steps forward and one step back, Penny thought bitterly while she wept. A rattle of the door handle told Penny someone was trying to enter the room, a few muttered curses assured her that her charm was holding. Footsteps told her the intruder had given up, at least for now. Staring into the gloom Penny eventually fell asleep.
"Mistress" A gentle hiss came through the fog. "Time to wake up" The hiss went on as a scaly face nudged her.
"Go away Juno" Penny replied pushing the serpent away from her face. Trying to roll over Penny felt her body creak from its hard resting place. Groggily Penny opened her eyes, blinking in confusion at the bed above her head. A small amount of light piercing through the curtains told Penny morning had come, although the room remained in partial darkness.
"Narcissa approaches" Juno said, her tongue tasting the air. "Are you going to allow her access or are you going to hide in here forever?" Juno asked as Penny frowned at her, rubbing her eyes. Before Penny could protest Juno slithered out from under the bed and hissed at the door. "Open." Penny swore as she heard a large click announced the charms lift just as a knock sounded on the other side. Penny didn't answer, shuffling backwards under the bed, laying flat on her back. A few seconds later the handle gently turned and the door slowly opened. Glancing to the side the silent Penny could see the base of Narcissa's skirt brushing the floor as she gingerly made her way into the room.
"Penny?" Narcissa called gently into the gloom, the tip of her wand lit. Penny remained silent as Juno slide back under the bed hissing. Narcissa moved to the window, light flooding in as she pulled the curtains apart.
"Under here" Juno hissed loudly, getting Narcissa's attention to her vocalisation even without understanding her words. Penny scowled at her pet as she curled across her chest, the smallest hint of mischief in the serpent's eyes. Crossing the room and lowering herself to the floor, Narcissa's blue eyes reflected the light of her wand as she peered into the gloom under the bed where Penny laid.
"Traitor" Penny muttered as Juno made an amused noise. Looking over at Narcissa Penny was surprised as Narcissa flattened herself to the floor and shuffled under the bed to lay beside Penny.
"It has been many a year since I previously joined a family member in hiding under a bed like this. It appears a tad more snug than it once was." Narcissa commented dryly as she reached Penny's side. "Though I was markedly younger than you when comforting my older sisters." Narcissa went on, the word sisters coming out with a tone of disgust. Penny laid in silence as her aunt spoke, mildly bemused by the image of Andromeda hiding under a bed too. Narcissa fell silent too and the two of them laid there in the slight darkness. Eventually Penny sighed, her shoulders relaxing into the hard floor.
"I do appreciate it you know." Penny said suddenly, her arms wrapping around herself and Juno. Narcissa said nothing but looked at her to continue. "You and Lucius taking me in. I do." Penny insisted as her aunt raised a manicured eyebrow. "You have done a lot for me, I know that. But I am not some show dog to be put in a ring and paraded around like a prize." Penny huffed as Narcissa looked slightly puzzled. "And it's not up to you how I talk to or who I date." Penny added as Narcissa pouted, her face giving the impression she was smelling dung.
"I do not consider you a prize Persephone, you are my niece." Narcissa said, the note of pride in her voice making Penny feel a rush of affection for her aunt. "I despair a little over your lax opinion of blood purity" Narcissa went on, Penny's bubble of affection evaporating rapidly. "But with time I hope to instil at least some respectability in you." Narcissa said, giving Penny a stern look, who just scowled. "As for who you associate with, that is up to me, at least what is within my power to do. I can't stop you associating with that Granger Mudblood or any other Mudblood or blood traitor whilst you are at Hogwarts" She said, breathing through her nose as she said it. Penny's jaw tensed slightly but she suppressed her refreshed annoyance. "However as your guardian I shall see to it as best I can you make appropriate connections. Once you are of age there is little I can do but until then you will respect my rules." Narcissa finished, staring Penny's fierce glare down.
"Whatever." Penny said finally looking away. Although clearly not pleased with her response Narcissa seemed satisfied enough to let the tone slide.
"Now if you are done counting your bed springs, breakfast will be waiting for you downstairs." Narcissa said, sliding out from under the bed and gracefully dusting herself off. With a loud sigh Penny followed her aunt, dragging her feet. Draco sat downstairs in the kitchen, digging into some toast and jam, his nose buried in a Quidditch magazine. Looking up Penny sensed concern in her grey eyes as he looked between his mother and Penny.
"Another time." Penny said as she saw the question cross his mind. His eyes wondered over his mother, as if checking for something. Looking back at Penny she snorted in amusement at his mental threats. "Good luck with that." Penny said grabbing some toast as Draco scowled.