Author note: Sorry for the long wait but the first couple of weeks back at school have been rather hectic so updates may continue to be a bit slow.
should probably mention that some bits of this are directly from Harry Potter and the goblet of fire.
Only i would be able to write about the quidditch cup and barely mention quidditch !
keep smiling xx
"We're set for a portkey at 7:30."
"In the fucking morning?"
"Obviously," Rodolphus sighed.
Ebony just looked back an forth between her parents sat at either end of the table. She had absolutely no idea what they were talking about.
Her mother shot Rodolphus a disgusted look to which he simply sighed and returned to his dinner. "Just have your usual bottle of wine a little earlier darling, that way you won't care."
"Dickhead." Bellatrix muttered, a fierce scowl on her face.
Ebony was still frowning. She never liked to speak more than she had to at meals, they always came with tension due to whatever arguments had happened that day but she genuinely had no idea what was going on.
"Where are we going?" she asked quietly. Rodolphus looked up and stared at her.
"Oh, the Quidditch World Cup." Ebony tried very hard not sigh but apparently, her face gave her away. "Is there a problem?" he asked, sharply raising an eyebrow. Ebony turned her lips into a false smile.
"Nope, I love quidditch." Her parents either didn't notice or ignored the blatant sarcasm in her voice
...
Ebony was half asleep when they arrived with the portkey the next morning- an experience that she would not like to ever go through again.
Though she was definitely not looking forward to the match she had to admit that the rest of it all seemed quite exciting.
The campsite was unlike anything that Ebony had ever seen. It was bustling with wizards dressed in all kinds of ridiculous clothes - Ebony's parents had done the bare minimum of swapping out robes for smart muggles clothes. There were children running all over the place, tents of all different shapes and sizes and a strange variety of different creatures. In fact Ebony could've sworn that she'd seen a couple house elves riding camels.
Ebony had been so engrossed in the surroundings that she nearly didn't notice her parents crashing into another family.
"Oi, watch where you're going!" Even without the notable Irish accent, Ebony would've recognised the man that spoke as he was the spitting image of his son, Seamus. "Honestly you wizards seem to have less coordination than us muggle folk!"
"The fact that they even let the likes of you here is disgusting," Her mother spat, "You really think you can speak to your superiors like that?"
"What the hell did you just say to my husband?" Ebony watched as a sandy-haired woman emerged from the shamrock covered tent, swiftly followed by Seamus and Dean, whose eyes flicked between Ebony and her parents.
She desperately wanted the floor to swallow her up.
"I said-" Bellatrix stood dangerously close to Mrs Finnigan - "that your pathetic husband should watch how he speaks to his betters."
Ebony watched the woman's face burn with anger as she reached into her pocket, presumably for her wand. Seamus fixed his eyes on Ebony, with a mix of rage and confusion on his face.
Rodolphus grabbed his wife by the arm. "No need to make a fool of yourself woman, we won't spend a moment longer in the presence of such-" he turned his nose up at Mr Finnigan - "filth."
With that he half dragged Bellatrix away from them, clearly knowing that his wife couldn't be trusted not to commit homicide there and then.
Ebony cringed as her parents stormed off and she saw the stunned and angry looks on Dean, Seamus and his parents' faces. She did her best to give them an apologetic smile. "Sorry about them," she said.
They all continued to stare at her, Dean offered half a pitiful smile. Ebony gave a little nod before taking off after her parents.
...
They eventually reached a large tent near the edge of the site.
It may as well have just been house because when Ebony stepped in she almost forgot it was a tent. It had a main living area, which looked very similar to that of the one at Malfoy manor, and other rooms stemming off from it.
The Malfoys were already inside. Her parents immediately fell into conversation with Narcissa and Lucius - clearly muttering about what had just happened.
Ebony ducked into a bedroom off to the side where she found her cousin lying on one of the two beds with a book. He looked up as she came in.
"Hey," he said, sitting up, "you took your time."
"Yeah." Ebony sat next to him, scratching the back of her neck. "Ran into what my parents would refer to as, unpleasant company."
"I see."
"You been here long?"
"Thirty minutes or so."
"Draco, come on darling," Narcissa called. Ebony raised her eyebrows as he stood up.
"Where are you going?" Draco sighed.
"Father wants me to meet some of his ministry friends."
"So you're leaving me? With them?" He merely smirked.
"I think you'll survive for an hour so."
"Wouldn't bet on it." Draco rolled his eyes with a smile and left.
Ebony dumped her bag and sat for a few minutes before deciding to go explore. She ducked out of the bedroom into the main bit of the tent.
"Can I go for a walk?"
"Yeah, piss off." Her mother said from where she was lying on the sofa with a glass of wine in her hand. It was 9 o clock in the morning.
"Where's father?" She asked, noticing his absence as she glanced around.
"I don't fucking know," Bellatrix burped, "and I don't fucking care."
...
Ebony weaved in and out of various tents, slowly realising that she was most definitely going to get lost on her way back. It was just tents after tents, twist after turn and no real path. She did however manage to find the Finnigan's tent again and promptly avoided it.
She'd been walking for about ten minutes when she heard her name.
"Ebony?" She turned round to meet the freckled face of Ginny Weasley, who broke into a grin when she realised her guess had been correct.
"Hi, Ginny." The redhead pulled her into a hug.
"Merlin I've missed you," Ginny said before elbowing her. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"I only found out yesterday."
"Oh," she said and then frowned. "I thought you hated Quidditch?" Ebony laughed.
"I do, my parents have dragged me along for appearance purposes."
"How nice of them," Ginny said and then snorted. She grabbed Ebony by the arm. "Come on, you've got to meet everyone!"
"Oh, okay." Ebony allowed herself to be dragged into the nearby tent.
It was a little smaller and far more tent-like than the one she was staying in but it was cosy and inviting.
And Merlin it was loud.
She got a hug from Hermione, who was on her way to go and get water with Harry and Ron. She was just giving them a wave when she heard a shout.
"Watch out!" Ebony ducked just in time to avoid a firework shooting towards her head, followed by Fred and George.
"It's fine, just try and decapitate my friend why don't you!" Ginny shouted.
"Sorry Gin-Gin," George called over his shoulder swiftly followed by Fred, who ruffled Ebony's hair on the way past.
The action caught her very much off guard and Ebony frowned slightly, glancing after them.
She wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
"Bill, Percy and Charlie are apparating in later," Ginny said, bringing Ebony out of her thoughts.
"I still can't believe how many of you there are."
"Never a dull moment at the Burrow." Ebony couldn't help but notice the pride in Ginny's voice as she spoke.
"Dull is all there is in my house," she muttered.
"Ginny, can you go and find some wood for the fire." Ebony turned to see a short man with thinning hair the same shade of red as the rest of the Weasleys coming into the tent. He seemed puzzled for a moment as he studied her. "I don't believe we've met."
"Oh, dad," Ginny said with a grin, wrapping her arm around Ebony's shoulders, "This Ebony Lestrange."
Ebony winced a little, wishing that Ginny could've left her last name out.
"Well then Ebony," Mr Weasley said, shaking her hand with a friendly smile on his face, "lovely to meet you."
"You too, Mr Weasley," she said with a small smile. "It's been nice to meet everyone but I think I should probably get back."
"Suppose your parents will be worrying where you are?"
"Wouldn't bet on it," she said with a laugh, ignoring the uneasy smile from Ginny, "see you later Ginny."
And with one last smile, she ducked out of the tent.
...
Ginny waved her friend off and then returned to where her dad had now sat down. He looked up as she squeezed in next to him.
"Ebony Lestrange eh?" He said, "You've never mentioned her before." Ginny just shrugged.
"Only really started talking last year."
"I see." Arthur thought for a moment. "Gin," he said, leaning towards her and clasping his hands together, "Ebony seems like a very sweet and lovely girl but can you promise me something?"
"What?"
He sighed softly. "Promise me you'll be careful." Ginny furrowed her brow.
"Why would I need to be careful?"
Ginny watched her dad rub the bridge of his nose. "The Lestrange's, her parents, did some truly awful things in the war. Things they should've gone to Azkaban for but, unfortunately, they had enough money to bribe their way out."
"What things?" She asked. Arthur just shook his head and ruffled her hair.
"That's for when you're older sweetheart."
...
Ebony, as she had suspected, had a rather difficult time finding her way back to the tent. Everywhere looked the same yet vastly different at the same time. She didn't know how long she had been walking when she finally arrived back.
Her father was smoking in an armchair talking to Lucius. He looked up as she came in.
"You were a long time," he remarked.
"I got lost."
Her mother cackled in her almost conscious state in the sofa, "Of course you fucking did."
"Surprised you're still conscious," Ebony muttered.
...
Ebony had always thought that she was alright with heights but as they climbed up to the top box of the stadium she was starting doubt herself. She had made the fatal mistake of looking over the railing as they were about halfway there and it made her head spin.
"You alright?" Draco caught her elbow as she stumbled slightly on the stairs.
"Turns out I'm not a huge fan of heights."
"Quit being a baby or I'll give you a reason to be scared of heights," her mother snapped as she barged past them.
"Surprised she can still walk in a straight line," Draco said and Ebony snickered.
When they finally made it to the top they were greeted by the minister for magic, Cornelius Fudge who shook Lucius' hand very enthusiastically and then turned to her father.
"Rodolphus," he said holding out his hand, "Good to see you, haven't had a chance to thank you in person for that donation you made to the Auror department."
Rodolphus shook Fudge's hand. "It was my pleasure, always good to make sure the Law Enforcement is in top shape."
Ebony knew for a fact that this was a load of absolute rubbish and began to wonder what her parents had done that needed a donation to cover it up.
"And this must be your daughter." Ebony shook Fudge's hand, plastering a well-practised sweet smile on her face. He grinned back and looked towards her father. "Quiet little thing, you sure she's yours?"
Rodolphus laughed and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Wonder that myself sometimes."
They were introduced to various other wizards before Fudge said, "And I dare say you must know Arthur Weasley."
Ebony watched Mr Weasley turn round, locking eyes with the two of them, as he did she felt her father's grip tighten on her shoulder. Her gaze flickered down to Ginny who shot her a subtle smile.
"Good Lord Arthur," Lucius said softly, "What did you have to sell to buy seats on the top box? Surely your house would t have fetched this much?"
In a family that prided themselves on manners and appearances, Ebony couldn't help but think that everyone was being rather rude today.
Fudge, who clearly wasn't listening, said, "Lucius has just given a very generous contribution to St Mungo's hospital and Rodolphus has made a donation to the Auror department, they are both here as my guests."
"How - how nice," Mr Weasley said, his face twisting into a very strained smile.
...
The match eventually started and it seemed that it didn't matter that it was the World Cup or that the stadium was one of the wildest places she'd ever been, the fact still stood: Ebony fucking hated Quidditch.
The match itself was even more of a blur than usual and the commentary was far less amusing than Lee Jordan's. She glanced over at Draco who was leaning forward, engrossed in the action.
Her gaze lingered over at the Weasleys for a moment and her chest ached with longing as she saw Ginny and Hermione in fits of giggles over something.
...
"Why would he catch the snitch if they were going to lose?"
Draco just laughed as he climbed into bed. "You really don't get quidditch at all do you?"
"No," she said, doing the same, "and honestly I have no interest in 'getting it'."
"Suit yourself."
Ebony stared up at the ceiling as she listened to the murmuring of their parents in the next room, feeling her eyelids start to droop.
Maybe it hadn't been so bad after all.
...
"Quick get up you two."
Ebony sat up wearily, not enjoying being woken up by Narcissa's harsh whispers.
"Mother?" Draco said, rubbing his eyes, "What's going on?"
As Ebony became more awake she began to notice the screaming coming from outside.
Narcissa grabbed both their cloaks and tossed them on their beds. "Put these on and go wait by the edge of the woods, we'll meet you there soon." She pressed a quick kiss to her son's head. "Be quick."
They both watched her leave and stared at each other in confusion.
...
The campsite was in absolute carnage when they stepped out of the tent. People were running and screaming names. There were several fires dotted around the place, thick smoke rising into the air.
"What the hell is going on?" Draco said, "Where has father and the others gone?"
"I think I know." Ebony pointed to a group of hooded figures marching through the tents with four people floating in the air above them.
"Those are the muggles that own the campsite," Draco said, "Look, the woman's upside down showing off her knickers!"
Ebony was horrified to hear that he was almost laughing. She shot him a dirty look and stomped over to the woods. He hurried to catch up with her.
"Are we to wait here?" he asked as they reached the edge of the woods. Ebony just shrugged and leant against a tree. She didn't want to talk to him right now.
They stood and watched the chaos of the campsite. Ebony felt utterly helpless as the hooded group began to make one of the children spin around in midair. She wrapped her hand tighter around her wand in her pocket.
"Ron? Where are you?"
"Over here, I tripped."
Ebony turned around to see Harry, Ron and Hermione running through the trees with the ends of their wands lit.
"Well with feet that size it's hard not to." Ebony just gave her cousin a look of, 'Really?'. He ignored her.
The trio turned in the direction of his voice.
"Oh go fuck yourself Malfoy." Ron said and Draco merely smirked.
"Language Weasley." He crosses his arms. "Well? Hadn't you better be running along, now? He said. "You don't want her being spotted, would you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione said defiantly. Ebony just facepalmed, could her family just not offend people for five bloody minutes?
"Granger, they're after Muggles," he said, "do you want to be showing off your knickers in midair? That would give us all a right laugh!"
"Hermione is a witch," Harry snarled.
"Have it your own way potter." Draco grinned maliciously. "They can spot mudbloods from a mile away." Ebony just grabbed his arm, desperately trying to drag him away.
"Watch your mouth!" Ron yelled. He took a step towards Draco and Ebony continued to tug on his sleeve.
"Can we please go?" She muttered. Draco just shrugged her off.
The air around them was suddenly filled with smoke and a loud boom shook the ground followed by several screams. Ebony looked around with wide eyes, trying desperately to see what had happened but the trees were too thick and it was too dark.
Draco chuckled, "scare easily don't they?" He said lazily. "Suppose your daddy told you all to hide? What's he up to - trying to save the muggles?"
"Where're your parents?" Harry snapped. "Out there wearing masks are they?"
"Well if they were, I wouldn't be likely to tell, would I, Potter?"
"Let's go," Hermione said, grabbing both boys by the elbows and dragging them off.
Once the three of them left Ebony looked over at the muggles who were still floating in midair. She hated knowing that her parents were in amongst the masked crowd. Not only that, but she was also scared of what they might do. She knew better than anyone what they were capable of.
Having had enough, she turned and started to walk into the trees.
"We were supposed to wait here!"
Ebony continued further into the woods "I don't want to watch it anymore!" she called over her shoulder.
She sat down on a nearby tree stump and rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands. Draco came and leant against the tree next to her.
"Why did you say all that to Hermione?" she said, looking up and frowning at her cousin.
"Oh come on," he scoffed, crossing his arms, "it was harmless."
"It was horrid!" Ebony cried. "She's my friend!"
"She shouldn't be, you shouldn't even go near the likes of her ."
Ebony rose to her feet, anger bubbling up inside her.
"Who the fuck are you trying to impress Draco?" She said, throwing her arms up in frustration. "There's no one here, you can drop your little 'act'."
Draco looked a little taken aback, his mouth slightly parted.
"Or is this you proving that you really are just a shitty person," she said coldly, "that you're just like the rest of them?"
He said nothing.
Ebony sunk back down onto the stump, her back to Draco. She wrapped her arms around herself.
She was cold, she was scared, she was tired and she was hungry. She didn't want to be here. She wanted to be anywhere else but here.
There was a heavy silence between the two of them- apart from the noise from the campsite - that was only broken several minutes later by Draco.
"I'm sorry, okay?"
"It's not me who you should be apologising to." She spat.
"What, you want me to go find granger to say sorry?" He clearly found the idea ridiculous.
"Yes, I would actually." Ebony replied stiffly, still not turning to look at him. He sighed.
"Would you get off your moral high horse for five seconds?." Ebony finally turned to face him.
"Oh sorry," she said, "I'm merely showing that I'm capable of independent thought."
"The fuck does that mean?" He asked, clearly offended by her insinuation.
"It means," she sighed, crossing her legs, "There comes a time when you have to stop worshipping every word that comes out of their mouths. You're old enough to think for yourself."
Draco opened his mouth to reply but they both froze as they heard the sound of twigs snapping.
Soon enough both of their parents came through the woods, Ebony's parents and Lucius all with cloaks on and masks in their hands. Narcissa came up behind them and instantly walked over to Draco, wrapping her arms around him protectively.
"Time to go I think," Rodolphus said, wiping what looked like blood off of his chin.
...
Ebony knew her parents were Death Eaters. The war had been over for years and it was something that she just accepted and tried to ignore. But seeing the things they did, the things they were proud of doing, left a very uneasy and unpleasant feeling in her stomach.
She rubbed her arms as they walked up the drive, watching her mother practically skipping and drunkenly singing a vile song:
Grab a muggle
Twist their neck
Oh, look at that!
The dirt is dead!
It wasn't until they got into the hall of Lestrange Manor that Ebony finally snapped.
"Why did you do that?"
"What?" Rodolphus said, turning to look at his daughter as he shrugged his cloak off.
"All that horrid stuff at the campsite," she said, knowing full well that it was a terrible idea, "why did you do it?"
"They're just muggles don't know why you are making such a fuss," He sighed.
"They're people!"
"Barely," her mother scoffed.
"I knew that being in a house full of bloodtraitors would end up going to your head," Rodolphus muttered.
"That's got nothing to do with it!" Ebony cried.
"I might still write to Dumbledore, get that buffoon to fix things."
"No!" The thought of being taken from her friends and losing the one safe place she had found made her heart jump into her throat.
"You proud of what you are?" Bellatrix asked, a poisonous edge to her voice.
Ebony bit her lip and swallowed. "And what am I?"
"A good for nothing disgrace." She spat, "a stain on our name."
"I can think of worse things to be."
"Oh really, care to elaborate?"
"I could be a fucking death eater."
The wind was knocked out of her chest as Bellatrix seized her by the neck and rammed her up against the wall.
"Serving the Dark Lord is a great honour."
"Bullshit." Ebony choked.
"Say that again, you brat!" she cried, "I fucking dare you!"
Ebony couldn't have said it again even if she wanted to. She desperately gasped for air as her mother closed her fingers tighter around her throat. Her legs were flailing just above the ground but Bellatrix simply wore a sick grin.
"Put her down Bella," her father said nonchalantly.
Her mother didn't stop. Black spots appeared at the edge of her vision.
"Bella!" His voice sounded far more stern.
Ebony clawed at her mother's hands but it got her nowhere.
"Bellatrix!" Rodolphus' voice boomed around her and at last her mother let go. Ebony crumpled to the floor with a soft thud. She sat doubled over on her knees, coughing and spluttering.
Bellatrix strode over to Rodolphus and shoved him on her way into the living room. "You're no fun."
Ebony continued to take shallow breaths, running her hands over her throat. She looked up at her father. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again. He closed his eyes and sighed.
"Go to your room," he said, his voice a little softer than usual.
...
Ebony lay on her bed, gently running her fingers over the splatter of purple bruises on her neck.
Her head was spinning.
Her cousin wasn't who she thought he was. Draco had always believed the pureblood mania that came out of his parents' mouths far more than she ever had but, deep down, Ebony hoped that maybe he would see that it was lies.
But what she saw from him earlier made her want to be sick. The words coming from his mouth were no less sharp than anyone else in their family.
Not only that but the whole evening had been a harsh reminder of who her parents were, what her whole family stood for.
And Ebony didn't like it one bit.
She squeezed her necklace - which was now in her hand to relieve pain from her neck- desperate for any form of comfort.
It took a moment but soon it buzzed gently in her hand.
Ebony let a small, quiet sob escape her lips.