A/N: Thank you to all my reviewers! I'm really thankful for your feedback : )
There was a humming in the air, distinct yet somehow mysterious. Blue-gray eyes blinked open eagerly, anxious for a new discovery. The sound was far away and close by all at once, merging into something that was both sweet and sublime. Livia Malfoy had heard it many times before, but each was different and unique, something to look forward to. It was the sound of the birds nesting in the trees, the flowers slowly turning towards the sun, whispering voices still soft and raspy with sleep. It was the world coming awake, and in a deep secret place in her heart she believed it was all for her.
In so many ways she was as naive as she was clever. She was at a perilous age, where she believed she knew everything about the world but still remained blissfully unaware of it's dangers. At sixteen she was restless and desperate for excitement. It was only now, during the first hours of the day was she able to feel completely at peace.
Esra lay close by, her soft steady breathing lulling Livia in a calm trance. They had pushed their beds close enough together so their whispers would not be overhead, though in truth neither felt safe sleeping alone. Livia had balked when Lucius has suggested the girls sleep in separate bedrooms, after all there was room enough, he had laughed.
There was an innocent comfort between them, a complete understanding of the million things that no one else could begin to comprehend. They shared a sisterly intimacy, and neither could even begin to grasp what life would have been like without the other.
Livia had been a shy, frightened eleven year old when she arrived at Beauxbatons. Her father had sent away without explanation. This did not damper her love for him, but she would never be able to trust him as she once had. She had long suspected her father had done it to appease Lucius, but whatever the reason, she swore she would not have survived even a year at Beauxbatons without Esra. They were in the same year, and both were the only English girls in the entire school. Esra was vivacious and caring, and the two immediately became inseparable.
The only unpleasant moment in their friendship had been the somewhat hazy truth behind Esra's heritage. She had told everyone that she was descended from very noble pureblood family, whose fortunes had withered over time but whose name was still golden. Esra had told the story of her tragic upbringing, her parents dying within weeks of each other, she remaining poor yet proud, with such convection no one would have questioned it. Livia had only learned the truth by accident, when she had overheard Madame Maxime speaking to another professor.
"Esra Lufkin is such a wonderful example for the other girls." Madame Maxime had said in a hushed tone. "I understand that it must be very difficult for her, but she always manages to pull through splendidly."
"How so?" The professor had whispered.
"Well..." Madame Maxime looked hesitant. "You must promise to keep this in the strictest confidence."
"Of course." The professor said, her eyes already overflowing with compassion.
"Esra's parents were muggles..."
"No!" The professor whispered, shocked. "But she has been telling everyone..."
"I'm afraid she has a very active imagination." Madame Maxime interuppted. "It really is the saddest thing. As soon as her magical abilities started to show her parents reacted quite harshly. Her parents were living in Paris at the time, and were more than happy to be rid of her here. Poor thing! They paid for all seven years up front, and then simply vanished. They told her they never wanted to hear from her again, and they certainly haven't tried to contact her. "
"Can you imagine doing that to an eleven year old child?" The professor gasped. "Where do you think they went?"
"Esra claims they said something about moving to America, but the young girl creates such fantasies when it comes to her parents. I'm almost positive they are back home in England now."
"Oh, that is so sad!" The professor exclaimed.
Livia had listened as her heart first beat with anger and then swelled with pity. She was livid that her friend had lied to her, but could not imagine what it must have been like for her. Livia had never spoken of the incident to anyone, even to Esra. She let her spin her tales of her days of pureblood grander, never revealing that she knew the truth.
"Are you awake?' Esra whispered groggily, burrowing into her blankets.
"I have been for a while." Livia whispered back, grateful her friend was here.
"Are you ready for today?" Esra asked, sitting up slowly and yawning.
"Yes. I just wish I didn't have to wear that ugly pink dress. I think Narcissa just wants to punish me by making me wear it. I don't think she likes me very much." Livia said, silently wishing that she wasn't in the wedding party. It seemed an horribly boring way to waste a fine summer's day. Esra probably wouldn't understand. She thought a wedding was the most exciting thing in the entire world. Of course, when it was her turn she would be standing next a man she actually wanted to marry.
The morning past in a flurry of activity and excitement. Livia had helped Narcissa dress, as a gesture of kindness towards the woman that would be her sister in a only a few short hours. Esra had satquietly in the corner,gazingadmiringlyat the new bride. Bellatrix had been thereas well, but seemed to be more content reminding her sister of various family shortcomings than to offer her any support.
The ceremony was short, and afterwards the guests strolled the garden. At first Livia had followed Narcissa, holding the back of her dress up for her so it wouldn't get dirty as she accepted congratulations.
"Are you happy?" Livia had boldly asked her new sister, when they were finally alone.
She had known Narcissa for many years, but didn't know her well. She knew that she was pretty and quiet, and was well known for her domestic talents. Other than that, Narcissa was no more intimate to her than a stranger.
"What kind of a question is that?" Narcissa had asked.
Though her voice was not quite cold, there was a warning in her tone.
"You just look very happy, that's all." Livia recovered, forcing herself to smile brightly.
"I'm going to go and sit a while. Go to your friends." Narcissa sighed, the weight of her dress and the summer's heat making her weary.
Liviafound Esra sitting under the sweeping tendrils of their willow tree along side Regulus, entertaining him with a lively story. She gestured wildly with her hands, and even from a distance Livia could see how widely he was smiling.
"You look like you're having fun." Livia sat down on the grass beside them, leaning her head on Esra's shoulder.
Esra giggled, and Regulus reddened. Livia rolled her eyes at the younger boy, she had too many memories of him following her around at holiday gatherings and either whining about something or trying to kiss her.
"Who is your friend?" Livia suddenly asked, her eyes resting on Severus Snape.
He was standing on the outskirts of a small group of boys about her age. As she watched they all burst in a loud fit of howling laughter, everyone but Severus. He smiled weakly, his eyes flitting in her direction. He had been staring at her all through dinner the night before. While Livia normally refused the attention of boys (it was all pointless anyway), or found it plainly distasteful, with Severus she strangely didn't mind. In fact, she found it flattering.
"You mean Severus?" Regulus looked shocked that she would have even noticed him.
"I know his name." Livia scowled. "I mean, what is he like?"
Regulus ignored her, and glanced longingly in Esra's direction. Livia fought the urge to slap him. He was such a little git.
"Oh, he's alright." Regulus said, only after Livia won back his attention by jabbing him in the side. "He's pretty quiet, but he taught me all the dark magic I know."
Regulus puffed out his chest and held out his wand, as if this alone would demonstrate some sort of unbelievable ability.
"Then either he's a bad teacher or you're just a horrible student." Esra laughed, but Regulus looked crushed.
"I think I'd like to talk to him." Livia said, glaring at Regulus.
"What?" Regulus stammered for a moment. "Oh, right. Well, I'll see what I can do."
But a moment later he was engrossed in Esra again. This time telling her all about how his brother had run away from home, and how he had bravely tried to stop him.
"You liar!" Livia hissed, hitting him in the arm, perhaps a little harder than she meant too.
She got up and shook out her dress. She would just have to find him herself. It wasn't exactly proper, but she had done it last night, hadn't she?
She had not gotten very far before a distinctly familiar voice stopped her dead in her tracks.
"Ah Livia, you look more beautiful than ever."
"Mr. Lestrange, a pleasure as always." She quickly turned to face the older man, holding her chin up in the air but saying nothing more.
He knew well enough how she truly felt about him, there was no need for any added theatrics.
"I've asked so many times dear Livia, please call me Rabastan. People will think its strange when are husband and wife if you call me Mr. Lestrange, won't they?"
"When we are married I will call you whatever you wish. Now excuse me Mr. Lestrange, I was looking for someone."
Rabastan laughed, but reached out and grabbed onto her arm. There was a look of warning in his eyes, one that she didn't like.
"You are my date this evening, there's no need to wander off. I see your friend has found company."
Livia glanced towards Esra. She was looking in their direction, a storm cloud of emotion brewing behind her hazel eyes. There was no love lost between Esra and Livia's intended, and she knew well enough that as soon as they were married he would probably try to keep her from seeing her one true friend. She desperately pleaded with her eyes for Esra to stay where she was, it wouldn't help matters to have a confrontation.
"Help me find Narcissa." Livia whispered, defeated.
Rabastan led her away from her friends, speaking to her a proudsweeping voiceof the house he was building.
"Of course, it is not nearly as large as your mansion..."
They approached Severus, he was standing alone now, looking both venerable and guarded. His arms were drawn up across his chest in a defense gesture, but his expression was calm and untroubled.
"I must bring you to see the land. It is surrounded by woods with a lovely stream running through it, very much like the fine park you and Lucius have here..."
Livia stepped away from Rabastan slightly, just enough so if Severus did not move she might be close enough to touch him. She wouldn't actually touch him of course, it was more the though of it that was exciting.
"I've spared no expense on the carriage house, though I can't decide whether I would rather have horses or thestrals..."
Severus looked up, his gaze betraying his surprise. He moved as if he might step out of her way, but then thought better of it. As she closed the gap between them she quickly changed her path, so their shoulders would brush. She smiled at him as she passed, and fought back a strange gleeful feeling as his face reddened.
"Livia!" Rabastan nearly shouted.
"What?" Livia asked breathlessly.
"I asked you a question, haven't been listening?" There was a lingering impatience in his voice.
"Its just the heat." Livia said coldly. "I feel a little faint."
Rabastan ignored both her frosty response and her complaint, and continued to talk. In fact, he remained glued to her side all through dinner, and then late into the evening. She saw Severus once more, and smiled at him. After a moment of looking shocked he gave her a hestiant smile back. She longed to talk to him again, but could only escape Rabastan under the premise of going to bed.
She meant to sneak out again, but then Esra had come in and started giggling about Regulus. Before Livia knew it she had fallen asleep, and by the time she woke up the next morning Severus had already gone.