"Are they really letting me stay here?" She could almost not believe what she had heard.
Chuckling, Tristian gave his niece another squeeze before releasing her from their embrace. "We have you home right through Christmas and then on that day, we all go over to Malfoy Manor for a grand feast."
Rhyann was light headed from the exhileration of it. Simply staying with one's family was not such a precious thing to some people, but to her, it was the greatest gift she knew she would receive that season. She laughed out loud and spun around in an exuberant circle, taking in the familiar and comforting sights of home. "I did not think they would ever let me come back except on an escorted visit!"
A hand darted out and caught her in mid-twirl. Darcy had a rare warm smile upon his lips as well and guided her to sit down next to him. "You deserve it. We all do. This holiday season is one to be celebrated by all of us who serve our Lord."
She knew it was because Dumbledore was dead. The official report was that there was an explosion caused by an improperly mixed potion. The Daily Prophet went on to say that the Headmaster was getting old and forgetful. It was only a matter of time before such an accident occurred and that he should have been let go from his position at Hogwarts years ago. Rhyann knew there was more to it than that. No where was it mentioned that Potter was in the room when it happened nor that Professor Snape had been there too. She had found that she could not catch the secret in Harry's sleeping mind. Whatever trick he was using before to hide his knowledge about the horcrux was being used again.
Strangely, she felt no joy that the old wizard was dead. She was not depressed about it either. There were other Slytherins that had broken down in tears when Snape had brought the news to their House. Dumbledore had been well loved by many and his funeral only proved it. It had been extravagent not in the way that it was an expensive ceremony, but that fact that there were so many that attended. Not only well known wizards and witches, but creatures from all over. It was a strange menagerie and suiting to the old Headmaster.
Potter had been there bundled up in a thick cloak to hide his burns. They had locked eyes for a few seconds, but she did not hold the gaze. There was too much sorrow in those green orbs and something else as well. A new look of determination that seemed to gain strength from his loss. The Dreamer knew that whatever had happened in the dungeon had changed Harry and if some thought him more vulnerable now that Dumbledore was dead, they were greatly mistaken.
Leaning against her uncle, she brought herself back into the moment. "We will still have our own family dinner, won't we? Just the Rookwoods. And our traditional sleigh ride! I have years to make up with that."
"Of course." Darcy's dark eyes twinkled as he placed a kiss upon her head. "Edgar and his family will be here on Christmas Eve. We will all have dinner together then and take the sleigh ride in the evening. We have already had the elves prepare the silver bells to decorate it. Just make sure you don't push out Caden again this year."
Rhyann laughed at the memory. "He was being a brat. And he landed in the snow anyways. Aunt Ari just made it into a bigger deal than it was." She sat back, tucking her legs underneath her. "The boys are better behaved around me now anyway. They know I don't put up with their bad behaviors or their pestering."
Tristian had flopped down into the chair across from them with an impish grin and stretched out his long legs, placing his hands behind his head. "They only pester you because they like you. They're Rookwood males. They can't help themselves!"
Her uncles laughed at the joke, but she could not laugh as merrily as they did. Rhyann did not like to be reminded her her family secret and the duty that she knew that one day they would ask her to fulfill. She had sworn to herself that she wanted no part of it and they had not forced the issue for which she was grateful, but she was wise enough to know that it one day would not be that way. Even the Dark Lord had stated he would have a dreamer daughter from her. Draco had been her way out of it all, but if his father told him that he was to let it happen, he would not protect her from it.
Sensing her uneasiness, Darcy gave one of her shoulders a bit of a squeeze. "It's just about tea time. Let's have Poe bring it in and you can tell us what you have been learning while you've been at Hogwarts." He had not meant in her classes.
Upon mention of his name, the aging house elf waddled into the room with a gleaming silver tea set engraved with the Rookwood family crest. He poured out a cup for Rhyann first and handed it to her, knowing she did not like anything added to her tea. He poured cups for Darcy and Tristian in turn before disappearing off to one side without a sound. Poe's usual chatter was now silenced by age and abuse.
She sipped her tea and sat up very lady-like. It had been Narcissa that had perfected her tea time manners and now Rhyann did so unconsciously. "I've gotten much better at astral projection. I can do it with minimal meditation and I've gone as far away as the island where I grew up. I'm not sure what sort of limits there will be on my talent or if it will be of any use, but I continue to practice and test myself."
"You still have not told anyone of this?" Darcy asked with a raise of his brows.
"Of course not." She replied without a trace of indignation or her lie. She gave both her uncles an assuring look. "Not even Draco. Do not worry. I have learned my lesson there."
"The boy has deceived you before..."
"I know what he's about now. You don't have to worry about his influence over me any more." Rhyann repeated more firmly.
Tristian gave a little nod and set his cup and saucer down upon the table beside him. "It's just best to be careful. We trust you, sweetheart." He reached over and gave her knee a pat. "They are Malfoys after all. It is best not to under-estimate them."
"It's not a mistake I will make again." She gave a little inward sigh. She should not have been taken in the first time, but at least she could say she was a quick learner. "They under-estimate us though. I am working on a plan to have them taken out of the way. I can't do anything myself, but that does not mean I cannot have other people do something."
"You won't have them killed, will you?" Tristian remained leaning forward, frozen in moving back to recline in his chair.
Rhyann shook her head. "No. I know better than that. I was thinking more along the lines of having them caught by the Ministry for something. Hopefully both father and son, but Lucius at least."
"It's dangerous what you do, Rhyann." Darcy warned and quietly stirred a bit of sugar into his tea. "We will not have you taking any unnecessary risks. We can all figure out something together without invoking our Lord's displeasure."
"I do know what I'm doing. I'm fully capable..."
"We know you are, my dear." He interrupted, setting down the silver spoon and looking at her with eyes that were stern yet loving at the same time. "Now is not the time for it. You concentrate on what you have to do at Hogwarts and practicing your projection. It is getting too close to our Lord's final rise to power and the Malfoys play an important role in that. Afterwards, when you're done school and..."
"They will have me married off by then!" Rhyann protested, trying not to look sulky. They did not understand her need to be free of it all. She knew it was important to her family to concentrate on what was to come as loyal servants of Voldemort, but he would still rise to power without the Malfoys. Lucius was one of the highest ranking Death Eaters and obviously very involved in the Dark Lord's plan, but he still managed to carry out his personal agenda as proven by the situation her family was in. If she did not do something, it would be too late by the time next year was half over.
"We will see to it that it is put off until we can do something." Tristian waved it off nonchalantly and rose to his feet. He stretched his arms above his head and offered his hand to his niece. "Let's not talk of these things right now. Such worries can wait until next year. Right now, we have a tree that needs decorating." He smiled charmingly. A smile that made many witches weak in the knees.
Whether she wanted to or not, Rhyann felt her desire to protest melt and took his hand. "Until next year then." She would take care of things herself later. Next year was only a few weeks off and January would not be too soon for her.