CHAPTER 5

Aquila spent the summer at Malfoy Manor, she spent most of her time in her room or the library. She was sitting by the fire with an old Transfiguration book in her hands when her mother gently sat down in the chair beside. "Hi." The younger witch greeted putting her book down.

"Hello, darling." Narcissa greeted tucking some of her daughters dark hair behind her ear. "Is everything alright? You've barely spent anytime with the family since you've been home." She was worried about her eldest.

"I'm fine, mum." She responded softly with a small smile. "It's just as I get older, it's harder to be away from her." She sighed looking down at her book for a moment. "When we're alone, we talk about memories like they were yesterday. I kissed her cheek at the end of last term. She followed me out to the Quidditch pitch after the last meal.. We talked about our favourite night that started summer of '49. Yule Ball." She touched her necklace. "The Yule Ball…" She whispered.

Narcissa watched her daughter as she explained what was going on in her very private life, gently rubbing circles on the girls back as she listened. "I can't lie to you and say that I can even imagine having a love that has lasted through lifetimes, I know it's hard, Quil, but I'll always be here when you need me." She promised and kissed her daughter on the forehead. "How about we go to Diagon Alley together without Draco, I'll take him another day.. To get your school things." She offered, she had missed spending time with her daughter.

At the offer Aquila smiled and gave a quick nod. "I'd love that, mum." She wished that she could spend more time with her family but as her bond was growing stronger she decided to stay away from her father. "If it's okay, I'd like to buy Min a birthday gift this year."

The Malfoy matriarch smiled at her daughter when she agreed to have the day out. "I'm sure we can figure something out, darling." She squeezed her daughters hand before heading for the door. "I believe in you both." She smiled before leaving the room and her daughter to her own devices.

The next morning Aquila got dressed in some new emerald robes that she had privately gotten made, the lining was the famous McGonagall tartan. In some small way making her feel closer to the older woman. She sat in front of her mirror and put her hair up in a similar fashion to her mother, pulling the sides back around and clasping them together with a silver snake clip.

Walking out of her room she found her family in the dining room having breakfast, taking a seat next to her brother she quietly started to eat.

"Morning, Quil." Draco greeted before going back to his quidditch magazine and his breakfast.

"Morning, Dra. Mother, Father." She greeted nodding in the direction of each person as she did so.

"Perhaps you and your brother would like to join me at the ministry today?" Lucius offered as he took a sip of his tea.

Aquila looked up between her parents. "Sorry, father, I already have plans with mother today. Maybe you can just take Draco, I've never been interested in the ministry anyway." She responded calmly hoping he wouldn't make her go anyway.

Lucius looked at his daughter with a careful gaze. "There is more to life than shopping, Aquila." He warned. "I never get to see you, I haven't seen you much since you started school. Just because you go by Black doesn't mean you aren't a Malfoy."

In that moment if looks could kill, her father would be dead. "You are treading a thin line, father. I enjoy spending my time alone, with my books. In case you didn't realise but study is actually important to some of us." She almost spat as she left the table not finishing her food.

Once her daughter was out of the room, Narcissa placed a gentle hand on her husbands arm and shook her head gently. "Let her go." She warned him softly. "She has a lot going on right now."

"Like her back pain." Draco cut in as he picked up his pumpkin juice causing his mother to look at him sharply, causing him to be quiet.

"Back pain? What back pain?" Lucius questioned, he didn't know his child was in pain.

"She visits Madame Pomfrey at the beginning of each term for pain potions." Draco said quietly.

"Why wouldn't she tell us?" He asked his son and wife, confused.

"Because every time she tries you push her away." Narcissa spoke before standing up. "I will go check on her." Heading up to her daughters room she slowly going inside and closing the door. "What's this about back pain?" She questioned standing by the door.

"It's not back pain, it's a lie to see Poppy and get a small report on how Minerva is doing." She admitted softly.

"Ah." Her mother nodded and moved closer. "Have you owled her? Tried to speak with her at all this summer?"

She shook her head. "I can't risk father finding owls." She whispered. "Mother, would you mind if I owl her and ask if I can change houses? I was a stall between Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor."

Narcissa looked at her daughter confused for a moment, her daughter had only ever told her she was in Slytherin. "Only if you promise me that you wont chose Gryffindor."

"I was thinking Ravenclaw anyway, I know if the Dark Lord comes back and I'm in the lion house, he will try to use me to get to Potter." She sighed. "I know father has been looking into husbands for me." She added chewing on her bottom lip.

"I have tried talking him out of that." The blonde shook her head. "I heard him speaking to Blaise's father a few weeks ago. I told him that you are already engaged."

"Thanks, mum. I hope my mother kept the ring father had found." A week before her death, Aquila had purchased a silver ring with an emerald stone, engraved inside was 'love never dies'.

"I will have a look for you, but you can't have it until next year before you go back to school." Her daughter would be 16 in a little more than a week, she couldn't help but wonder where the time went.

Aquila nodded. "I'll send the owl, I'll meet you downstairs." She smiled before heading over to her desk to write Minerva.

Narcissa nodded and left the room to finish getting things together.

Professor McGonagall,

I apologise for writing this close to the start of the school year, but I was wondering since I was a hat stall if I could change to the Ravenclaw house.

It's not that I don't like Slytherin, but I cannot pretend to fit in for another three years. Mother has given her permission for me to ask as long as I don't request your house.

Please let me know.

Aquila D. Black.

Aquila sent the owl off and headed down stairs to meet her mother.

Meanwhile Minerva was in her office preparing for the upcoming school year, this year would be the Tri-Wizard Tournament and there was a lot to get done. She was doing her class plans when an owl landed on her desk, she took the letter and read it carefully. It wasn't often that a student asked to change houses in the middle of their school career.

She gave the owl some treats and it flew off before she headed to the headmasters office. "Sherbet Lemon." The gargoyle started to move and she went up the staircase. "Albus, there is something I wish to speak to you about."

Albus was sitting at his desk only looking up when his deputy spoke. "It would have to be important to pull you away from your work, dear." He spoke cocking his head to the side slightly.

"Miss Black has requested to be moved to Ravenclaw." She told him as she placed the letter on his desk.

Picking up the letter, reading it a few times before offering it back to Minerva. "She is one of only five three way hat stalls, I believe she will be happier away from her brother." He told her softly with a small smile. "I will ask the castle to give her a single room in Ravenclaw toward."

Minerva nodded and went back to her office to inform the student.

Miss Black,

After speaking to Headmaster Professor Dumbledore, we have agreed to let you become a Ravenclaw. You will have your own room in the tower as there are no free beds in the fifth year dormitories.

This is a rare opportunity, don't make us regret it.

Professor McGonagall.