As she sat at the breakfast table the next morning, Ebony could still feel the tension from last nights argument. Her father, Rodolphus, was tucked behind the Daily Prophet and hadn't looked up since she came into the room. Her mother, Bellatrix, was busy writing something but Ebony didn't want to risk looking over to see what it was. Instead, she returned to her scrambled eggs on toast, Ebony thought eggs were revolting but she daren't mention that to either of her parents or she would end up with no breakfast whatsoever.
The silence was finally broken by her father. He folded the paper up and turned to face his daughter.
"The Malfoys will be here to collect you at 9:30 so I expect you downstairs before then"
"Yes, Father." Ebony glanced up at her father and then returned to her breakfast. She could feel his eyes burning into the side of her head but she pretended to be very interested in her food. Whatever he was going to say next could not be good.
"I feel that we need to have a little discussion about your behaviour this term, don't we dear?" There was something in his tone that made it clear that the conflict last night was not yet forgotten.
At this Bellatrix stopped what she was doing and joined her husband in glaring at her daughter. Ebony gulped and then looked up to meet her fathers gaze.
"Your results thus far have been truly atrocious. We expect this to change." His eyes narrowed at her as he spoke."
Ebony took a shaky breath. " I'll try."
"No" At this Ebony turned to face her mother, confusion on her face.
"W-What?." Ebony stammered
Bellatrix seized her daughter by the wrist and brought her close to her face. "You will improve your results or there will be severe consequences. We won't have you shaming us by making everyone think that we not only have a Gryffindor piece of shit for a daughter but a thick one at that. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes ma'am"
"Good, now clear off and get ready." Bellatrix dropped her daughter's wrist and returned to her writing. Ebony shot a look at her father who glared and then jerked his head toward the door. Ebony slid off her chair and left the room as quickly as possible.
Ebony threw herself on her bed. She wasn't that bad at school. Sure, she was no Hermione but she still tried. .It was just that she could never really get the hang of anything. Except for DADA, which probably had something to do with growing up with the dark arts. However, she still received fairly low marks but these were more down to a lack of a competent and consistent teacher. Maybe this year would be different. It would have to be. Or she was dead.