If one was to look through the window at the moment, they would see a normal family – two parents, two kids and their grandfather – all gathered in the living room in front of a large stack of presents. They'd see this perfect picture and think to themselves, "Oh look, what a lovely family enjoying a lovely Sunday morning together."
But what they wouldn't see is the father's lame attempt at hiding his concern about something work related, or the mother's obviously forced smile as she endured her father-in-law's presence. They wouldn't even notice the grandfather's judgemental glare as his grandchildren received toys and games he would instantly mark as disposable and a waste of time.
So after admiring this seemingly perfect family, the stranger staring though the window would walk away, completely unaware that everything they saw was nothing but a lie.
How do I know this? Simple.
Because that girl opening her presents – carefully as not to rip the paper – is me, Leaena Malfoy.
"Thanks Drake," I said, admiring the large box of Chocolate Frogs that were now mine. My twin brother, Draco, muttered a sort of "you're welcome" though his eyes never left the chocolates. Noticing this, I grinned and handed him his gift from me. "Here, Happy Birthday Bro."
Unlike me, Dracon wasted no time in carefully peeling the paper and, in mere seconds, he had the box of Chocolate Frogs in his hands, identical to one I'd just gotten.
"You got me Frogs too?" He exclaimed in delight.
"I guess great minds think alike," I smiled.
"Open this now, Leaena," my grandfather instructed, handing me a white envelope.
I took it excitedly. For the first time since I could remember, I was actually excited to open my present from my grandfather. There's not much you can fit in a small envelope. No more, boxes of ancient coins or books about historian figures that you forget about the second you stop reading. The only thing I could think would be in that envelope was some kind of deposit. Maybe this is the year I can finally buy that new broom I've been dying to get. And maybe I'll have enough money to buy one for Draco too.
I opened the envelope with ease and proceeded to pull out the parchment. "It's an acceptance letter for a seven year program in… junior politics!" I read in shock. Then, noticing something else, I exclaimed louder, "In New York!"
Then I glanced at my grandfather sceptically. "New York, Lincolnshire?"
"No," my grandfather said briskly. "The famous New York, of course. New York, America."
"America… I can't just… what?"
"Leaena!" My mother hissed, clearly annoyed that I wasn't acting as happy as I'm supposed to. But in my defence, I had just been told I was going into a seven year long course in politics.
"I didn't even apply for this," I insisted, trying to hand the letter back to my grandfather.
"Of course not," he said, pushing my hand away. "I did that for you. It really does help having someone like me recommending you."
"But why?" I asked, then catching my father's glare, I added, "I mean, thank you, it's an amazing gift. I'm just not very sure what this means for me?"
"Is the letter not clear enough for you?" He demanded crossly. "You're in the Junior Politics Program which lasts for seven years and is located in New York, America."
"But how am I getting to New York?" I wondered aloud. "I live in Wiltshire!"
"With me of course," the elderly man answered. "I've purchased a nice penthouse apartment in the middle of New York City and am planning on spending my retirement years there. There's a spare room – actually a few spare rooms. And one of those will be yours."
"Grandad…" I sent a look at my father wondering how on earth he was going to get me out of this one. But he did nothing except give me a slight nod, urging me to be polite. Sighing inwardly, I decided the best thing to do was to go with this completely out of the blue plan. Well, not exactly 'out of the blue'. My parents and grandfather have this sort of dream of me becoming the Minister of Magic when I'm of age. I just never knew they'd go so far as to ship me off to America.
Putting these feelings aside, I smiled politely and said, "Thank you for this opportunity, Granddad. I can't wait to go."
"Good," My grandfather said in satisfaction. "Because we're leaving in a week from today."
"You're kidding!" I knew my parents wouldn't appreciate my little outburst but I just couldn't help it. "One week!"
"I'm sorry, is something wrong?" My grandfather asked, in a tone that implied he was only asking to give me a chance to be respectful and polite. Breathing deeply, I put on a fake smile, I said brightly. "No, nothing's wrong. I'm just excited to spend seven years in New York. With you, and only you."
I didn't even try to get out of it, not because I had given up - I'm not that kind of pessimistic person. But because I knew there was no way of refusing this offer without hurting my grandfather and both my parents.
Seven years alone with my grandfather was a nightmare. But a lifetime with him and my parents mad at me would be simply unbearable.
"Don't tell me you're actually considering this?"
It was late afternoon and Draco and I were sitting on my bed in our room eating birthday Chocolate Frogs. Even though we were now eleven, we still insisted on sharing a room, despite our parents' insistence. A few months ago, they'd tried separating us by moving our stuff into separate rooms while we were out, only instead of keeping us apart, it only brought us closer. Every night, we'd take turns slipping into each other's rooms and sleeping in the same bed. It drove our parents crazy to the point they finally gave up and let us share a room.
"I'm not considering it," I said. "I'm doing it."
"You're insane!" Draco exclaimed. "You'll be living with Grandad for seven years, seven years!"
"I know that but –"
"And how about our Hogwarts letters, they're supposed to be arriving any day now! If you go to New York, you won't be able to go to Hogwarts with me!"
"I know and I'm sorry—"
"Don't apologise to me, apologise to yourself," Draco shouted. Then, his face softened and he moved closer to me. "Look, I know you, Lean, you've wanted to go to Hogwarts since forever. This stupid politics program is the last thing you want."
I stared at my brother for a long time before sighing, and resting my head on his shoulder. "You're right, I have always wanted to go to Hogwarts," I said. "But that doesn't mean I don't want to do this program. You say you know me but if you really did, you'd know that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I have to take."
Draco's grabbed my hand and looked deep into my eyes. "Please," he whispered. "I can't do this without you."
I pulled away so I could face my brother. "You are Draco Lucius Malfoy. You can do anything." I pulled him into a warm embrace and tried to keep my tears from spilling down my face. He was right, of course he was right. This politic program was the last thing I wanted but it wasn't like I had a choice. One week from today I will be half way across the world and nothing I say or do will change that.
But the worst part was not the fact that I was in a different country, or that I was stuck with my grandfather for seven years, or even that I was in a program I greatly despised. The worst part was that I wouldn't be able to see my brother, the boy I had shared a room with my entire life, who has always been there when I've needed him. That boy will become like a stranger to me. We'd only see each other when I come to visit on holidays. He'll go off to Hogwarts and I'll live in New York studying politics for seven years.
That night was the first time in my life that I had wished Draco and I didn't share a room. I didn't want him to hear me cry and that was what was going to happen if I continued to stress over the inevitable. So instead, as I lay there sleepless, I decided to make the most of my time left in England. After all I didn't leave for another week, that's one more week I could spend with my brother.
But all good times have to come to an end. The week disappeared and all too soon, I was standing in the magnificent foyer of the Malfoy Manor, saying my goodbyes to my mother and father, and lastly, my brother.
I pulled him in a warm embrace. "Have fun at Hogwarts for me," I whispered into his ear.
"Sure you won't stay?" he asked as we pulled away. "It's not too late you know."
I raised my eyebrows and gestured down at my fully packed trunk. "You sure about that?"
"You could just unpack…"
I groaned at that. "Please, it took me days just to put everything in here."
"You know you'll still have to unpack in New York, the only difference is that you'd be here. With me."
I gave my brother a sad smile and brought him in for another hug. "Drake… you know I can't do that."
"Can't or won't?" Draco stepped back, ending our hug abruptly.
Seeing the hurt expression in my brother's face made my heart ache. "Drake…"
"Unless you're going to tell me you've decided to stay, I don't want to hear it."
I bit my lip guilty. I couldn't stay. He understood that… didn't he? Draco, seeing the answer in my expression, said coldly. "Have a nice trip."
And with that he turned and stomped up the stairs to our - his - room.
"You better be ready to go – our portkey leaves in exactly thirty seconds." My grandfather informed me, having just finished his goodbyes to my parents which included, a formal handshake with my father and a polite nod to my mother. With a silent nod, I placed my hand on the tea cup which was our one way ticked to New York and closed my eyes, counting down the seconds.
There was the familiar feeling of some invisible force jolting me forward and when I opened my eyes again, I found myself in the centre of a majestic looking living room, the expensive furniture illuminated by the skylight above my head.
"Casey," my grandfather said abruptly. At first I feared he'd lost his mind and forgotten my name but then I realised he was not talking to me but to the house elf standing at the closest door. "Show my granddaughter to her room. I trust you followed the instructions I left and prepared the room for her."
"Yes, of course, sir," Casey said. With a flick of her fingers, my trunk soared into the air and followed behind the house-elf as she led me to the room I'd be staying in for the next seven years.
I had no doubts my room wouldn't be as elegant and beautifully designed as the rest of the apartment was sure to be. Yet despite how big and grand it may look, it was unlikely I could fully appreciate it. How could I when the one person I wanted to share it with wasn't even on the same continent as me?
