Seems I'm really good at forgetting to post chapters, hmm? Whoopsie-daisy XD
Dora
Elara sat cross-legged on her brother's bed, the boy listening sympathetically as she poured out her fears to him. "She's going away, and I'll be all alone," she said. "It isn't fair that she's leaving me."
Teddy shook his head slightly, unable to understand his sister's fascination with the Dark Lord's daughter, even though Elara and Delphi had been friends for nearly four years. "She'll be back during the holidays," he told her. "It won't be bad: you'll have things to practise with your dad while she's gone."
"That's not the same," Elara scoffed. "I want to be there with her."
"You're too young," Teddy retorted. "And they'll never let us go to Hogwarts because they all hate us."
"That's not true," Elara snapped at her brother. "Well, I know Delphi wants me to go, and if she has her way, I'll go when it's time. I just don't want to be bored while she's gone," she groaned.
Her brother frowned. "Well, I'm here," he said. "And I'm not going anywhere soon. Roo's here too, and Mum, Cissa, Draco, and even Grandmum."
Elara gave him the strangest look, then answered, "You've got to go to Hogwarts. I'm sure Delphi will agree that if she and her parents want you to be a Death Eater, you've got to learn magic."
Teddy sighed, shaking his head. "They won't let me go. Mum wants to see if she can convince your dad to say something to them, but I don't think it will work."
"It will work if I tell Delphi," Elara said to him sternly. "You should go. You need to get out of here once in a while."
"Thanks," Teddy chuckled, and Elara scooted over to him, wrapping her arms around him.
"You'll be fine," she told him firmly, hugging him tightly. "I'll make sure of it." She turned and walked from the room without waiting for her brother to reply.
Delphi sighed as she watched her mother pick through her closet enthusiastically. "Mother, I can pack by myself," she told the woman.
"Your father asked me to see that you had everything you needed," Bellatrix replied. "I have to make sure, and also—" she turned to smirked at the girl. "I want you to look and be your best every day."
"Of course, Mum," Delphi agreed, pausing a moment before she continued, "Elara is on her way here to stay for the night, so don't be surprised when she arrives."
Immediately, a scowl presented itself on Bellatrix's face. "You are much too close to her, Delphini."
Delphini drew herself up and looked straight into her mother's face. "The closer I am to her, the less she can hide from me," she said firmly. "As much trouble as Elara's mother is, it is very important that I monitor Elara so she cannot turn out the same way."
"You think Nymphie actually has influence over her daughter?" Bellatrix said in pretend shock. "Rodolphus must not know, as he told me Elara would turn out fine."
"Mothers always have an influence," Delphi said, rolling her eyes with a smirk. "Roddy just refuses to accept it."
Bellatrix giggled in amusement, though her face darkened when there came a magical knock on the door. Delphi turned and waved the door open, smirking slightly as Elara walked into the room and said, "Delphi, I—" only to see Bellatrix and immediately fall silent.
The older witch turned her back to the girl, sending garments out of Delphi's wardrobe to fly into her trunk, narrowly missing Elara's head. Delphi just shook her head slightly at her mother's antics as Elara stepped out of the way, casting a frightened look at Bellatrix's back and looking questioningly at Delphi.
"No," Bellatrix spoke. "I'm not."
Both girls paused, looking at her still-turned back, and Delphi shot Elara a warning glance. Seconds later, Bellatrix turned again, drawers flying open as other things shot across the room into Delphi's trunk. Delphi moved to step in front of Elara, though Bellatrix moved around her daughter and walked to the door, brushing past Elara.
"I will be back later tonight to check on the rest of your packing," Bellatrix told Delphi before reaching out to the doorknob. "Take care that you are not too distracted."
"Yes, Mother," Delphi began, but Bellatrix was already gone. The silver-haired girl shook her head and sighed, turning to her friend. "I didn't know she was going to be here. Father wants her to oversee my packing for school."
"It's fine," Elara said, shivering slightly as she walked further into the room, taking her normal seat on Delphi's bed.
Delphi turned to continue what her mother had been trying to do for her. "I think Mother is just realising that she's going to miss having me around," she said. "Her visits to Hogwarts are restricted, you know."
Elara shook her head, watching her friend pack. "I didn't know," she said. "Does she cause too much trouble there?"
The silver-haired witch smirked. "What trouble could Bellatrix Lestrange possibly get into around young, innocent children?" she laughed. "Perhaps Father considers it too great a temptation for her, although she has duties elsewhere that keep her entertained. Mum only mentioned it to me once, anyway."
"I'm going to miss you too," Elara muttered.
"Oh dear," Delphi pouted, then turned to actually see Elara's downcast face. "I'll write you," she sighed, "and you can write me...you'll just have to be very careful what you put in the letters."
"It won't be the same, though," the younger girl sighed, looking up at her friend.
"I can come visit here whenever I want, darling," Delphi smirked, walking over to the bed and sitting down next to the girl. "I can't exactly leave you alone if I've got to keep you under control, can I? Your mother might make a rebel out of you while we're not looking: you never know."
Elara giggled at the thought. "She can't," she told Delphi. "I won't let her."
Delphi smirked at the girl, pleased at her friend's response. "Good," she said firmly. "Then we have nothing to worry about. I'll come see you soon. Now tell me about how your practise with your dad has gone while I finish this packing Mum was so worried about."
Elara sighed and shook her head. "Dad's always afraid I'm going to hurt myself," she muttered. "I have to be persistent in asking him to watch and help me. He doesn't like to, and sometimes he and Mum argue about it, but he usually caves in."
"Yeah," Delphi rolled her eyes. "Mum says he's the most stubborn man she knows. Perhaps I ought to see if I can get Andromeda permission to oversee you...that might make your father cooperate a little more."
"He's just worried he'll lose me," Elara huffed. "He was so nice when I was younger, and now he just wants to shut me away so I'll be 'safe.' I haven't really talked to him because there hasn't been a good time, but I will soon. He really ought to be more willing to help train me. After all, he is supposed to be in charge of Mum's training."
"I doubt that's going well," Delphini giggled delightedly, turning and waving the lid of her trunk shut. "If Roddy doesn't behave himself, something will have to be done."
"But he is my dad," Elara said quickly, and the other girl nodded.
Delphi concentrated for a moment, moving her trunk to the other side of the room. "Which is why you should have that conversation with him soon," she said simply. "He knows better than he acts most of the time now. It's as if he forgets you all belong to my father."
Elara looked at Delphi, biting her lip nervously. "Sometimes, you really scare me, Delphi."
The older girl gave her a sympathetic smirk. "Good. I'm supposed to. Now." She practically danced over to another drawer, opening it and pulling out a package. "I bought you a present before I leave."
Elara took the brown package in slight shock, as Delphi had never given her a gift before. "Oh, thank you," she murmured.
"Well, open it, silly," Delphi said excitedly, jumping back onto the bed and laughing a little.
Very quickly, the package was opened, and Elara drew in a breath as she pulled the material out of the box. "What is this?" she asked, seeing the strange-looking birds on the material.
"It's a nightgown," Delphi grinned, laughing at Elara's astonished expression. "I know, I know, it's not something you'd expect from me. But I've got matching ones, and those birds are not just any birds. They are Augereys, like the one my mother has on her necklace. It's a symbol of me, just for you."
"Oh," Elara nodded, stroking the material. "Shall I try it on?"
"Sure," Delphi shrugged, Summoning her own.
The two quickly changed into their matching nightdresses, both giggling as they turned to look at each other. "I love it!" Elara grinned from ear to ear as she reached out and hugged her friend tightly.
Delphi returned the embrace quickly, though she soon drew back and said, "Your hair is purple again, Elara."
"Fiiine," Elara huffed, tossing her hair and morphing it blue.
"Now, now, Ms Elara," Delphi said firmly, "that's entirely inexcusable—" and she grasped one of her pillows, attacking the girl wholeheartedly.
Elara yelped, grasping another pillow and defending herself as best she could, though it didn't take long for Delphi to pin her down, Elara giggling helplessly as the other girl tickled her. "Stop!" Elara protested. "Stop! I'll be good!"
"I doubt it!" Delphi retorted, giggling too. She didn't let up til a few moments later, both girls breathless as they grinned at each other. "Come on," she said. "Let's get ready for bed. I need to be rested for tomorrow, whatever happens."
"Make us proud," Elara told her haughtily, making both of them go off into fits of giggles again. They hurried off to wash up, both talking happily as they went.
Elara was awakened early in the morning by the sound of a spell and the feeling of being grabbed and pulled off the bed. She yelled in fright and heard Delphi shout, "Mother, what are you doing?!"
The younger girl opened her sleepy eyes, full of fear as she found herself face-to-face with Bellatrix. "Let go of me!" she snapped, even as she shivered slightly.
"Oh dear, is baby Elara scared?" Bellatrix pouted, though she soon dropped Elara to the floor as Delphi snapped, "Let her go!"
"Elara," Delphi said, and the girl scrambled to her feet and was at her side almost immediately. "Mother. You do not touch what is mine."
Bellatrix glared back at her daughter for a few seconds before she looked away, and Delphi held back a sigh as she recognised her mother's expression. "Run along, Elara," Delphi said softly. "I will write you later this week."
Elara barely nodded before she hurried from the room, glad to escape.
Delphini Riddle turned back to her mother, meeting the witch's gaze. "You favour her too highly," Bellatrix hissed. "She is nothing!"
"It is not what she is, but what I will make of her that is the concern," Delphi replied, unmoving. "She is just a little girl so far, but she has promise."
"How can you be sure?" Bellatrix snapped.
"I know you and Father do not train failures," Delphi said firmly. "I intend to ensure Elara rises to be one of the best in our ranks."
Bellatrix cackled in amusement, the sound grating on her daughter's ears. "You believe that is achievable, with all that she has against her?"
The silver-haired girl smirked. "Well, I thought you might oversee her training a little, or at least threaten Roddy that you will. Elara says he won't help her practise, and I believe he needs a little...encouragement. Obviously she has to be taught basic magic first, which is why I want her to go to Hogwarts."
"No," Bellatrix said flatly.
"Mum, it isn't right to say no just because you want her to be stupid," Delphi sighed with a small laugh. "Her parents can't be bothered with teaching her all the little spells—actually, can't be trusted. I would rather she learns practical magic at school while she's taught combative magic on the side."
"We need to get you dressed to leave," Bellatrix said briskly, ignoring her daughter's words. "Come now, Delphi. I picked out a dress last night."
Delphi held back a sigh and let the subject drop for the moment. Her father would probably have to lay down the law for her mother to even think of Elara actually leaving Malfoy Manor for Hogwarts. Delphi doubted whether her mother would ever actually listen to her as her father seemed to think...or perhaps dealing with Bellatrix Lestrange was just a challenge she would have to overcome. Shaking her head slightly as she followed her mother back to the wardrobe, she allowed herself to become distracted and excited for the future events of the day.
Elara followed her grandmother from the room, leaving her father, mother, and brother together. Rodolphus smiled at his son, glad Reuben seemed to be a bit stronger and could play a little bit.
Nymphadora watched her little boy laugh at his father's antics. Poor little Reuben had recently been very ill, and was still recovering. She was awfully afraid that her young son would end up with side effects from his reoccurring illnesses, but she was helpless to do anything but stay with him all the time and watch over him.
"You're such a good child," Rodolphus sighed, wrapping the child in his arms once the game was over. "I love you, Reuben."
"What did you ever do to deserve him?" Nymphadora taunted casually as she stroked the child's hair off his forehead and kissed him.
Rodolphus turned to give Nymphadora a look of fury, but Reuben stirred and Rodolphus had to neutralise his expression.
Reuben wrapped his arms around his father's neck and said, "Don't be mad. Mum loves me." He looked over at his mother and smiled a little. "I love you too."
Dora brushed away a single threatening tear and nodded at the boy. "I know." It was unreal to her how much Reuben looked like his father, though with her eyes. "Your father loves you too, baby," she murmured.
"I'm not a baby," Reuben protested, glancing toward the door as someone knocked. "Come in!" he grinned.
Before either of his parents could answer, the door opened and Teddy stood there. "Teddy!" Reuben cheered in amusement.
"Hey, Roo," Teddy grinned before turned to his mother. "Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to you."
"Run along, Nymphie," Rodolphus said casually. "Take care of your cub. And don't call my son 'Roo.'" He made a face at the sound of the word.
"He's not a cub, Dad," Reuben laughed as the others left the room, ignoring Rodolphus. "You're silly."
"What is it, Teddy?" Nymphadora asked with concern.
The boy sighed. "It's not me; it's Elara. She's got a letter from Delphi and has locked herself in her room. She misses Delphi...it's weird."
"Well, in spite of everyone's protests, Delphi and Elara are friends," Nymphadora answered, grateful for Teddy's news. "Of course Elara misses her."
"Even though she expects to attend Hogwarts when it's her time?" Teddy sighed. "While I don't have any hope for that. I've got no Delphi to sway me to the Dark."
Chills ran through the boy's mother. "Don't say that about your sister," she murmured. "I think we'll be able to get you in if Elara goes, but I'll have to talk to Rodolphus."
Teddy rolled his eyes. "He has no more say than you do anymore," he muttered, then suddenly hugged his mother. "I love you. Go to Elara." And he hurried away from her.
Nymphadora sighed and walked down the hall to Elara's room, readying herself before she knocked on the door. There was a pause, and then the door opened, Elara sitting on her bed with a grin on her face. "You did that...wandlessly?" Dora said uncertainly, looking to her daughter before smiling at her small nod. "Very good, Elara."
"I can do some small things now, but Dad's supposed to be teaching me more," Elara answered, trying to discretely push a piece of parchment beneath her pillow.
"Elara, I know you got a letter from Delphi," Dora interrupted, deciding to cut straight to the point. "I'm not going to take it from you, and I'm not going to ask to read it. I just want to know that you're okay."
"She's in Slytherin and she's doing fine," Elara said, watching her mother carefully. "Delphi's not going to write bad things to me, Mum. She knows either her parents or mine might take the letters. I'll be fine."
"Good," Dora murmured, walking to the little girl's side as Elara held out a hand to her.
Elara curled into her mother's side, saying, "She's going to make me a warrior as I grow up. It's going to be okay, Mum. I'll be able to protect myself, and maybe even you."
Dora bit back a bitter laugh, though she hugged her daughter tightly. "I love you."
"I know," Elara said. "I promise I'll make you proud, even though you don't want me to be a Death Eater."
"I never said that," Dora frowned.
"Mother," Elara sighed, "everyone knows you don't want to be a Death Eater, and I know you don't want me and Teddy to be, either." She bit her lip slightly, then looked up into her mother's face. "But I think I have to be."
"You don't have to," Dora breathed.
"I want to be trained to do what Dad does," Elara murmured, seeing her mother wince. "I want my family to be proud of me, to be happy again. Being rebels won't help us."
"Killing and torturing are wrong, Elara," Dora whispered, clearly concerned about her daughter's words.
"I know," the girl agreed, though she didn't sound fazed at all.
Dora finally released her daughter as soon as she could without feeling as if she were pushing her away. "I'll be with your father and brother," she said, then left the room quickly. Her little girl was slipping away into the shadow of Delphi's apprentice.
