Sympathy for the Slytherin

Chapter 8: Dabria and Draco
A/N-Please Read: NAME MEANINGS! Daimhin is Gaelic for Dabria is Latin for MLE Squad stands for Magical Law Enforcement Squad.
Talk talk talk talktalktalktalktalk! All this dialogue! They never shut up. And as to this update after so long a time... well, I've been in school, what can I say? You can't rush greatness! Just look at Book 5!

Chapter 8: Dabria and Draco

Dear Draco,
Headmaster Dumbledore has told me of your new powers and I cannot tell you how proud I am. I know many things have changed for you and will continue to change.
The time has come to tell you truths which have remained hidden since you were an infant. I was forced to keep secrets from your father but there is no reason anymore to deceive you.
Long ago, when you were just a baby, a little girl was born. It was a time of great turmoil, when he-who-must-not-be-named was at his most powerful. This infant girl was taken away to Ireland so that she might not be raised under the evils of her father's teaching.
This girl's name was Dabria Malfoy.
She is your sister.
You will want to speak with me. I will be waiting for you in Dumbledore's office when you receive this letter.
With affection,
your mother.

Hermione handed the letter to Harry and sighed.

Hermione mumbled. Well... h e'll be talking to his mother. Let's go have lunch.

Harry winced and rubbed at his forehead with one finger.

What's wrong? Ginny asked.

Feels weird, Harry said. Tense. Could be Malfoy. Anyway, let's eat. I'm starved.

*************************************************

What do you mean I have a sister?!

Narcissa stood at the window of Dumbledore's sitting room off to the side of his office. Draco stood behind her, a table between them, fists clenched.

Draco... she said simply. She turned and Draco saw the sorrow in her eyes and remembered the words of the letter. He took a deep breath and sat down at the table where Dumbledore had set out tea.

Just tell me, he said, trying to sound calm. What happened?

Narcissa sat and poured herself a cup of tea which she proceeded to only stare at. She stirred the tea slowly and reached back into her memory, trying to find the best place to start her story.

To understand, she began, you must know what your father was like when I met him. When we were younger. We went to school here together. He was Slytherin and, you'll hardly believe it Draco, but I was in Gryffindor. It wasn't like it is now. A school always has rivalries, of course. But Slytherin got along much better with the other houses back then, before the time of the dark lord. I hardly noticed your father until my fourth year. Lucius was two years ahead of me... but he seemed much older. We were paired together for a special potions project...

************************************************
Hogwarts
November 1969

And check and mate, Daimhin said victoriously.

Narcissa glared at her best friend and threw a plaintive pawn.

I think you cheat, she said.

I don't need to cheat, he said haughtily. You're just a terrible chess player.

he hmphed. Narcissa stood and smoothed down her robes. I've got to go anyway. More potions work with Lucius.

Daimhin rolled his eyes. Malfoy again? He said, annoyed. I don't work with my potions mentor half as much as you do.

Lucius studies hard, she said shrugging. He was almost head boy this year.

Narcissa caught her reflection in a mirror by the fireplace and just as quickly looked away. She hated her appearance these days. She had always been a pointy featured, pale blue eyed girl with thin blonde hair though her mother claimed she would grow into a beautiful woman. This year was the worst ever. Her hair was a mossy color and fell in unpredictable curls. But it was so fine that it would not stay put in a pony tail. And she was too skinny, not having the curves she saw that many of the other girls had already developed. Narcissa sighed and pulled on her cloak.

I don't trust him, Daimhin said pensively. I don't like him.

You're just prejudice, Narcissa said, because he's in Slytherin.

That's not why at all, Daimhin insisted. I have Slytherin friends. It's something else. He just seems a little... off. Somehow. And he's too proud. Don't tell me he's not. Just because he's from some rich old wizarding family.

Narcissa crossed her arms and rose an eyebrow. A lot of perfectly nice people come from rich old wizarding families.

Yes, Cissa, Daimhin said. But you're different.

Narcissa stepped over to Daimhin and tousled his tawny brown hair. She didn't ask Daimhin why she was different. She knew why. The two had formed a thick friendship their first year. A perhaps unlikely alliance between Daimhin, a scrawny but spirited muggleborn and Narcissa, a shyly intelligent little witch of aristocratic pureblood parentage.

I'd better go, Narcissa sighs. I don't think he likes it when I'm late.

Has he said anything to you? Daimhin asked.

Narcissa said laughing. He never says anything!

She slipped her school bag over her shoulder and made her way out of the tower to the library. She'd been working with Lucius since the first week of school on a new program that paired younger students with sixth or seventh years. Lucius was intelligent and polite. But he was also quiet, cold and distant. She sensed a brooding intensity about him. But other then those small observations and the fact that he played as Chaser for Slytherin, Narcissa knew little else about him. In the library, she found him typically alone at a table by the window, white blonde head bowed over his potions textbook.

Hi, Lucius, Narcissa said softly. She still felt awkward around him. He was so intimidating, a whole two years older then her and well out of the gawky pubescent phase in which she now found herself. Lucius was 16, tall and toned.

We should start on aging potions today, Lucius said in greeting, still staring at his book.

Narcissa was never surprised at his coldness. Lucius seemed to be a loner, except for a tightly knit small group of friends in Slytherin. He certainly wouldn't want to talk to some fourth year Gryffindor.

she agreed, sitting down across from him. I did very well on the exam last week. Wollsten says I'm improving. I owe that to you, so thank you.

Lucius merely grunted in response so Narcissa gave up and sat down across from him. Lucius handed her a list of terms to look up and the two worked in silence, Narcissa's eyes only on her work. They sat there silently for nearly an hour and Narcissa stopped for a moment, dropping her pen and massaging the crick out of her neck. She looked up to see Lucius staring at her from behind a curtain of almost silvery hair. His hard gray eyes bored into her imploringly. Narcissa gasped a little and then Lucius shot out of his chair, nearly knocking it over and grabbed his books.

That's all for today, he mumbled, making a fast getaway.

Narcissa sat there, stricken by the intensity of his gaze. She sat there for quite a while, thinking about Lucius.

******************************************************

Was Daimhin your boyfriend? Draco asked. It was the only question he could bring himself to ask. Even though he had so many more. It had just occurred to him that he'd never heard this story and it struck him how little he knew about his parent's lives before his birth. They had never exactly been a family that sat around regaling their child with family stories.

Narcissa did not speak and Draco looked up to see tears falling down her cheeks which she immediately endeavored to wipe away.

she said. He was like a brother. And I loved him like a brother. He warned me about your father. And I should have listened, he'd always had very accurate instincts about people. He became an auror because of it. In the end, it was your father that ended our friendship. But in the beginning... in the beginning it was just two children in love.

********************************************************

March 1970

It was raining again. Which was rather irritating for a Saturday. Narcissa was wandering the castle as she often did when she felt restless and out of sorts, as she did now. In between classes and conversations and chess games with Daimhin and the other Gryffindors, there was Lucius. Ever since that look months ago, Narcissa had searched for a crack in the enigma of Lucius. He seemed to haunt her and she hardly knew why. She didn't want to have feelings for Lucius. She didn't even understand him. And besides that, he seemed to loath her. When she neared him to hand him a parchment, he backed away. When she looked at him, he looked away. From Narcissa's point of view, she was so despicable to him as to be untouchable.

And yet, he would not leave her thoughts.

She was standing idolly somewhere in an obscure wing of the castle when she felt the hand clamp over her mouth, a hand she could not see. And suddenly she was being pulled back by an invisible person. She screamed into the hand, and clawed at its fingers, eyes wide and was yanked into an empty classroom. The door slammed and she was pushed against the wall. The hand came off her mouth and her wrists were grasped painfully.

No! No! Stop! Please! Narcissa cried, head spinning. Who are you?!

She could only see the hands grasping hers and the oddity of the vision made her head swim. Two hovering hands seemingly attached to nothing, forcing her against the wall. She could only hear his breathing. She was sure it was a man.

What do you want?! She cried, tears of fear falling. What do you want?!

She heard a gruff and unrecognizable voice say,

And she could not see it coming but she felt it soon enough. A pair of lips on hers that banged her head against the wall so that the kiss, her first kiss, was a painful and terrifying thing. In her fear, she tried to see a glimpse of his face, as his mouth was visible. But it was not enough. His lips were hard, as forceful as his hands and then his tongue thrust itself into her mouth. Narcissa struggled but he was much to strong for her and she wept into his mouth. Finally he pulled away and his grip on her weakened so that Narcissa was able to gain the upper hand for a moment. She took the opportunity to reach out for where she thought his head was and grasped at fabric under her fingers. She pushed back the hood of the invisibility cloak to reveal her attacker.

She gasped, tears still sliding down to her now swollen lips. She couldn't move. She couldn't speak. She was so shocked and scared and felt so small. Lucius's eyes were wild, impassioned and lusting and then as fearful as hers. He pushed her away and stepped back without a word and then ran out the door, his floating head disappearing into the dark corridor.

Narcissa remained in the classroom, hands shaking. She panted and hugged herself, sliding down to the floor.

***************************************************

So you thought it would be a peachy idea to marry a git who attacked you when you were fourteen, Draco said, fidgeting with a spoon.

Narcissa shook her head and took a long breath.

she said. It wasn't really like that. Or maybe it was, and I should've known all along. But I confronted him. It took all the strength I had. And he told me he'd fallen in love with me. And he meant it. At least then. Then he meant it. And I fell in love with him too.

Draco lay his head on the table. Why was she doing this to him? Making him try to feel for the man that he had killed? The man that had tried to kill him? His own father that had given himself over to evil? It was too much to process. But he knew she would go on and tell him their painful story. Because she had to.

*************************************************

Hogwarts
April 1973

DARK WIZARD SUSPECTED IN MUGGLE SLAYINGS

Cissa, listen to this, Daimhin said, a copy of The Daily Prophet in front of his face. Five muggles dead in two months. All killed by the avada... Cissa?

Daimhin put down his paper to see that Narcissa was completely engrossed by a piece of parchment in her hands. Daimhin scowled.

he said loudly.

Her head snapped up.

Another letter from Malfoy? he asked.

she said, flushing. He's in Romania.

Probably turning into a vampire, Daimhin grumbled.

You didn't even try to like him, she protested.

I did, Daimhin said. I tried to talk to him. He hates me. And damn it, I hate him too. Everyone can see what he's turning into, why can't you?!

Daimhin, please... Narcissa sighed.

Narcissa, he just stood there and watched Rochelle Peterson nearly drown in the water!

That was two years ago! she shouted. Besides, he told me he doesn't know how to swim. He couldn't have helped her.

Is that what he told you? Daimhin hissed. I can think of five spells off the top of my head that could've saved her easily and so can you.

You don't know him!

Cissa, he's dangerous! How many times do I have to tell you? Daimhin shouted, right there in the middle of the common room.

Narcissa stood up and fixed her best friend with an icy glare.

Look, Daimhin, she said. Just because you've got these little instincts does not make you psychic! And you don't know him like I do!

Don't you read the paper? Daimhin said desperately, slamming The Daily Prophet onto the table. People are dying! Muggles and muggleborn! Being tortured for no reason at all! Something's going on, Cissa. Something horrible! You can't trust someone like Lucius! You know he's studied dark magic! You told me!

You don't understand! Narcissa cried, trying not to get choked up. She sat down and took a deep breath.

He what? Daimhin said.

He met me in Hogsmeade last Saturday, Narcissa said softly. He asked me to marry him. And I said yes.

Daimhin was too astonished to speak.

said Narcissa, please, Daimhin. I care about you. More then you know. But I care about him too. I can't lose either one of you. I can't!

You haven't lost me, Daimhin said softly. But the time may come when you will have to choose.

Daimhin left her alone at the table, exiting the common room, cloak in hand. Narcissa swallowed and stared at her parchment. A moment later she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see a certain kindly smiling second year.

Hi, Remus, Narcissa whispered.

Hey, Cissa, Remus said, sitting across from her and feigning interest in the chessboard. Um... are you okay?

I'm fine, Narcissa insisted. I just...

I'm sorry, Remus said. We couldn't help but hear... I just wanted to make sure.

Narcissa looked across the room to see Remus's friends, James, Lilly, Sirius and Peter talking animatedly in the corner.

Thank you, Narcissa said. You're very sweet. But I'll be fine, she said firmly. Narcissa stood and with a final tight smile in Remus's direction she strode to her dorm room to be alone.

*****************************************************

You knew Potter's parents back then? Draco asked, staring at a biscuit. And Lupin? I never knew that. But hell, I didn't know you were in Gryffindor. It's strange.

They were very nice, Narcissa said. Wise beyond their years. I know Remus is here. It would be nice to see him again.

When are you going to tell me about my sister? Draco demanded. What's her name? Did you really keep her a secret from fa- from Lucius?

I'll get to that, Narcissa said slowly.

And was he really studying the dark arts back then? Draco asked.

she answered. I happened on him once out by the lake, reading things you can't even find in the restricted section of the library. Things you'd have trouble finding even on Knockturn. But he told me it was simple curiosity.

Draco mumbled.

We were married that summer, Narcissa said. After I graduated. You've seen the pictures. It was a lavish wedding. Absurdly so.

Your parents liked him? Draco asked. Draco had met his mother's parents once. They were stiff and cold, a typical example of an old rich wizarding family. Draco had always suspected that his mother had not enjoyed the warmest of childhoods.

Of course, she said, smiling just a little bitterly. He was rich and handsome. He had everything going for him.

Narcissa stood and Draco watched her clasp her hands behind her back and turn to gaze outside at the late November day. Draco crossed his arms and lay his head down.

He was restless, Narcissa said. After the excitement of the wedding,the honeymoon, moving into the manor... He drifted from occupation to occupation though he didn't need one. He was impatient. He'd always felt inferior, insecure... He wanted to be in charge of someone. He wanted a position of power. But his slide into the dark lord's inner circle was very gradual.

I guess people don't just wake up one day and think, what a lovely morning, I think I'll help author the world's destruction', Draco said.

Narcissa had to chuckle and Draco smiled to himself. So his father wanted to be in control, Draco thought. Well, it didn't take a genius to figure that out. But Draco considered the way his parents met. Lucius was Narcissa's potion's mentor and two years older, two years being a significant difference between a sixteen year-old and a fourteen year-old. Lucius had held a position of authority over her and it whetted his appetite for control. Gave him a taste. How easily it was worked out, Draco thought, wryly congratulating himself on his psychological insight. If only his mother had realized as much at eighteen.

He began dabbling more heavily in the dark arts, Narcissa said, turning around. He claimed it was the stronger side. And I should've known then. I should've told Daimhin in the beginning. The very first time he...

The first time he what? Draco asked.

The cruciatus, Narcissa said softly. The first time he used it on me.

The first time?! Draco shouted, sitting up quickly. Draco had always known that his parent's marriage was not one made in heaven. He knew Lucius had been a horrible husband. He'd heard their fights, fights that always seemed to be about him. But if his mother had been the victim of the cruciatus she had hidden it well.

When I questioned him. Or later when I... reproached him for the way he treated you or what he was teaching you, Narcissa explained. He didn't to it often, Draco.

Oh, well in that case.. Draco grumbled. He couldn't stand it. He couldn't stand the thought of it. Regardless of the image Narcissa had presented to the rest of the wizarding world, to Draco she was the closest thing to comfort he'd had at home. Lucius's hand was heavy and Draco was not often left alone with his mother. But when he was, he got an idea of what life would be like in a happy home and what his mother was like when Lucius wasn't around. The pain she had gone through... apparently even before he'd been born. He couldn't comprehend it.

Look, mother... Draco said, why didn't you leave him? You were married years before I was born, why didn't you just get away when you saw what was happening?

Narcissa shook her head. Daimhin hadn't understood it and neither did Draco.

I thought I could save him, Narcissa whispered. Draco looked up in surprise. That thought hadn't quite occurred to him before. I saw what he was. That he was consciously turning to the dark arts. But I thought I could save him from it. I thought I could change him. I didn't know then about what the dark arts due to a human mind.

What do you mean? Draco asked.

Narcissa sat down again and held her cup of tea.

They didn't teach this when I was a student in Defense Against the Dark Arts because there was no real threat back then. The dark lord was just starting to make himself known. I expect they'll teach you now. Perhaps in seventh year.

Teach me what? Draco asked.

Lucius started to practice the dark arts because he thought it was more powerful, Narcissa explained. And in a sense he was right. But dark magic is only more powerful upon the person who practices it. I'm not talking about simple hexes. I'm talking about the unforgivables. Curses. Magic that calls up the forces of evil. They produce a physical reaction, a high. And more then that, the force of dark magic takes a hold of your mind the more continually you practice it. It separates your heart from the forces of good.

Draco listened intently. He'd never heard this explanation of dark arts psychology before. But it made sense. Draco had experienced it himself. He remembered that night on Grier's Mountain, killing both his father and another death eater with the avada kedavra, a surge of something coursing through him. It was opposite in flavor to what he felt when he shot those mysterious lightening bolts out of his scars with Harry, which produced joy. Performing the avada kedavra produced intense anger and hatred, even fear. But Draco had had little time to dwell on it before he was fleeing the scene.


Once you've delved too deeply into dark magic, Narcissa continued, once you've reached a position of great power through it's use, such as that of a death eater... it is very hard to escape that mental hold. It takes a strong will.

Has a death eater ever tried to leave the circle or a dark wizard tried to become good? Draco asked.

Of course, Narcissa said. Tried and failed, most of them. They are either driven mad by the withdrawal or fall back into old habits.

Do you mean that no one has ever escaped from dark magic? Draco asked incredulously.

I do know of one man who escaped from the death eater's circle, Narcissa said wistfully. He taught you how to brew pepper-up your first year.

Draco's mouth gaped open in astonishment and he almost dropped his tea spoon. Narcissa gazed off at a painting of a Horntail on Dumbledore's wall as she continued.

Once your father tasted that dark power, he was hooked. Eventually he came to think of a life alongside the dark lord as a great opportunity, she said softly. And then... it was too late.

*********************************************

Malfoy Manor
August 1977

Oh, Meryl, no! Narcissa gasped, gazing at the image of her young friend's face through the fire. Another five deaths?

Meryl's worried face flickered in the flames as she nodded. These are dark times. And over each house is that horrible sign. A skull with a snake in it's mouth, she said, shivering.

Narcissa sat back before her stately fireplace and put her head in her hands. I don't know what to think, she said mournfully.

Narcissa had to reason to suspect as of late that Lucius was involving himself in some of these activities. He was often out the night before another nightmarish story broke in The Daily Prophet about mysterious hooded figures and muggle torture. Lucius's personality had also changed drastically in the last year. He displayed his rage and disgust openly, usually in her direction and the once common moments when she could reach the goodness she could still see in his heart were now few and far between.

Have you heard from Daimhin lately? Meryl asked.

Not for ages, Narcissa whispered, not mentioning that Lucius had forbidden her to talk to Daimhin. Off being an auror for the ministry, I suppose.

I wouldn't count on it, Meryl said knowingly. Didn't you read that article in the Prophet last week? There's a lot of infighting in the ministry right now. Particularly in the MLE Squad. You know my sister's husband works in that department? Well, she says that he says that Daimhin and some of the other aurors are fed up with Crouch's policies. Something about using evil to fight evil.

Narcissa was riveted until she heard the immense marble front door of Malfoy Manor close. Her heart leapt into her throat.

she hissed. I've got to go! Lucius is home.

Alright, Cissa, Meryl sighed. Please... be careful.

I will, I will, Narcissa said all too easily. Meryl's face faded from the fire and Narcissa stood quickly, smoothing her robes. She rushed into the corridor to see Lucius stalking toward her.

Lucius barked.

Hello, dear, Narcissa said softly.

Who have you been talking to? Lucius asked, scowling slightly.

N-no one, Narcissa stuttered. Just Meryl. You know Meryl.

That Bailey woman? I don't trust her, Lucius said gravely. Certainly not her husband. No. I don't want you talking to her anymore.

Narcissa's heart sank. She'd once felt a certain amount of indignation at commandments like these. Now it just made her sad.

But, Lucius... Narcissa said quietly, she's my friend.

I don't want you to have friends like her, he said simply.

First Daimhin... She sighed.

Did I not forbid you from ever saying that name again? Lucius hissed.

And I haven't till this day, Narcissa pointed out. But Lucius... why do you do this to me? Don't you know it hurts me?

Lucius gripped Narcissa's arms in a fierce hold and glowered down at his wife. Can't you understand, Narcissa? I'm doing this for us!

The anger that Narcissa had buried away suddenly came rising to the surface. His nights away from home, the fear she saw all around her that she could not deny Lucius was at least apart of, and there was something else...

Narcissa shook herself from his grasp. For us? Are you killing innocent people for us too? She demanded. Tell me the truth, Lucius!

Lucius responded with a backhanded slap across her face. Do not question me!

Narcissa stumbled back and held a hand to her cheek, tears welling up. I've seen that mark on your arm, Lucius! Did you think you could hide it forever?

I'm warning you, Narcissa...

It's the same mark that's been seen in the sky.



What've you done, Lucius? Narcissa pleaded. Who have you killed? I know what you're doing and I know it's not who you are!

Do NOT question me!

Whatever it is, I can forgive-



*****************************************************

Why didn't you leave him then? Draco couldn't help asking again.

I tried to once, Narcissa admitted. But he found me and put me under the imperius.

Draco's breath caught in his throat. What did he have? Draco asked. A death eater's check list of the unforgivables?

He started putting me under the imperius for short periods of time when I showed resistance, Narcissa said. But finally I just gave in to his wishes. I decided that to be forced to stay with my mind free was still better then having no control at all. And that was about the time he insisted on producing on heir.

That would be me, Draco muttered grimly.

An heir is important to any death eater. A male heir is a status symbol, even an instrument of power. It means you are, presumably, bringing the Dark Lord another recruit, Narcissa explained. We had complications at first. We had to talk to healers about fertility spells, which are very complex. It took a couple of years. But then there you were.

Draco sat back in his chair and stared at a spot on the table. His mother took another sip of tea and cradled the cup in her hands.

The day you were born... His mother said nostalgically. It was a good day. Lucius was in a good mood. He was so overjoyed that you were a boy... And I held you... small and pink.

Yes, yes, Draco said cringing. Babies often are.

And once you were born, Lucius knew I would never leave without you, Narcissa said.

Draco could hardly bear it and clenched his fists. As far as he could tell his very existence was the cause of his mother's suffering for the last sixteen years.

But his mother seemed to read his mind and said, I don't want you think any of this is your fault.

Draco glanced up at his mother but couldn't bear see her eyes. Narcissa reached out for his hand.

You gave me hope, Draco, his mother said.

I gave you hope? Draco said incredulously.

Even when you were an infant and your father was already trying to brainwash you to the dark arts... I whispered love into your ear. I hoped always that you would choose differently. And you have.

A little too differently, Draco mumbled. They were quiet as his mother clutched his hand. Mother, did you love him when... when he died.

Draco didn't know why he was seeking this pain. If she said yes, that meant that he, Draco, had murdered someone that his mother loved.

I loved who he was, Narcissa said. Not who he became.

Draco nodded and took a swallow of now cold tea. Now he could see his past for what it was. He saw his father's continuing words of hate as his mother watched over him with pleading eyes. He could see the conflict of his mother wanting to protect him and not being able to, and at the same time not being able to reach out to him, so afraid was she that he would turn on her too. He could see this but he knew she wouldn't say it because she didn't want to hurt him.

Narcissa took a deep breath and continued to speak. I had you. And Lucius was happy because he had his heir. Things got a little better. I had more freedom because he knew I would never leave you alone with him. But it was a very dangerous time. The Dark Lord was everywhere. People were dyeing everywhere. And then... not long after you were born, I got pregnant again. I didn't tell your father. But I went to see a healer and she told me it would be a girl. This was disaster. Lucius never wanted a daughter. And I knew how a daughter would be treated in Malfoy Manor. A little girl would be better off dead then under the hand of Lucius. There are death eaters who are women, of course. But they have a much rougher time of it then men. Whereas a son might have a choice, a daughter would be thought of as more of a slave. I couldn't do that to her. But I couldn't bear to do away with her either. So I hid the pregnancy for as long as I could. About six months. Finally, just after your first birthday, I had to get away to have the child. I told your father I was visiting my aunt in Eastern Europe. I used to go there as a girl and I convinced him that I missed it, that I wanted to spend a few months there. He was already suspicious. He made me leave you at home as a form of security. But I didn't go to my aunt. I visited an old friend to ask of him the greatest favor anyone can ask of a person...

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The winds of Kerry blew the rain so hard that it fell sideways, stinging Narcissa's face. Because it was such a dangerous time and it seemed to everyone as if the eyes of the Dark Lord were everywhere, Narcissa had taken mostly muggle trains all the way from the magical outskirts of London to the south most tip of Ireland, on the Bearra Peninsula. If anyone who knew Lucius had seen her traveling in the opposite direction of Eastern Europe, she could've counted herself as good as dead. But once she reached a village outside of Killarney, Narcissa had had to turn to magic transportation in the form of a horseless carriage.
The two story stone house sat away from the road up near the edge of a cliff overlooking the angry Celtic Sea. Narcissa barely had time to grab her bags out of the carriage before they took off again down the road, bumping over rocks and back into the storm. Narcissa pulled the hood of her cloak low over her eyes and trudged with her baggage up the long stone pathway to the front door. Her heart beat like the thunder over her head. She had been so scared over the last few days, terrified that Lucius would find out too quickly that she wasn't at her aunt's house and worse, that he would find out where she really was. Narcissa stepped up to the front door finally and tapped with a metal knocker in the shape of a lion's head. She heard a faint voice say, from beyond the door and shivered as she waited in the rain, staring out the ground under hem of her hood.

Narcissa heard the door open and a heard a voice say, Hel... lo...

Narcissa lifted her head, tears in her eyes and said, Hello, Daimhin.

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I stayed with Daimhin for three months until the baby was born, Narcissa went on. He was amazing. All I had to say was that I was in trouble and it didn't matter that I hadn't seen him in years... He was there for me. Those few months were the happiest I'd seen since my days at Hogwarts, if only you'd been there. Finally, the girl was born in October. We named her Dabria. I couldn't afford to stay any longer. And I didn't want to. I was afraid of loving Dabria too much and being tempted to stay or take her back home with me. So I went back to Lucius, who had long since found out I had not visited my aunt but unable to find me, was certain that I would return. He punished me greatly for my lie. But he never found out the real truth. I managed to convince him that I had really intended to leave but missed you too much.

A thought occurred to Draco. He never tried anything like Veritaserum? He asked.

My smart son, Narcissa said with a little smile. Well, he believed me when I came back. I suppose he didn't think it necessary. But Daimhin had performed several very complex and, I must say, painful spells on my mind which protected from releasing certain information even under pain of Veritaserum. He tried it years later because of some argument and I told him other things, but never about Dabria.

Draco sat back and took a deep breath. So Dabria is my sister, he said simply.

said Narcissa. I went home to face Lucius and come back to you. And about a week later, Voldemort was defeated. Things changed again. And for the last fifteen years, Dabria has been raised by one of the ministry's most skilled aurors, Daimhin Forsythe, as if she were his own daughter. I was able to find bits of information about her when possible. And once Voldemort was defeated, it was much less dangerous.

And has she ever been told the truth? Draco asked.

Daimhin told her when she was a child, Narcissa said, nodding. She had to be told that her father was dangerous for her own protection. So that she could know who to run from if he ever did find out.

And now that... that Lucius is dead, Draco said with difficulty, Dabria is coming here?

Narcissa bit her lip and Draco saw her forcing herself to control her emotions.

It's not just that, Narcissa whispered. Daimhin died too.

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TO BE CONTINUED!!!! (like no, i was gonna leave it there)