A/N: I am in the zone at the moment! I hope you all enjoy this chapter, I can't wait for Magnolia to get back to Hogwarts x
Chapter 43.
The following morning, Magnolia was stood next to George in one of the many rooms of Grimmauld Place. They all had cloths wrapped around their faces and were holding large spray bottles filled with a black liquid that Mrs Weasley had told Magnolia was Doxyside. George had told Magnolia the night before during dinner that the students had been forced to clean the house during their stay, and it seems Magnolia and Harry were now in the cleaning group too.
Magnolia had half hidden behind George when they had started, and the Doxy's had begun flying out at the group snapping their little jaws. George and Fred were currently telling Magnolia and Harry about their plans for their joke shop. They had already created a range of skiving snack boxes which Magnolia couldn't help but be impressed by.
She smiled as the Weasley twins spoke about their project with so much passion. She didn't have anything to be that passionate about. Magnolia couldn't understand how they didn't do better at school, they really were very clever when they put their minds to it. Not many people could come up with ideas they had and then create them.
In the corner of the room, the cupboard rattled, and Magnolia frowned. Sirius had said that there was a Boggart in there and after Magnolia's encounter with her own Boggart in Third Year, she wasn't keen to go near this one. Magnolia was glad when Mrs Weasley told them it was time to pause for lunch.
She was sat against the wall, listening to Mrs Weasley yell at Mundungus Fletcher and trying not to giggle, when an old looking House Elf wandered in to the room. Magnolia could only guess this was Kreacher, the House Elf that everyone but Hermione complained about.
"…smells like a drain and a criminal to boot, muttering about the great House of Slytherin, and she's no better, nasty old blood traitor with her brats messing up my mistress's house, oh, my poor mistress, if she knew, if she knew the scum they've let into her house, what would she say to old Kreacher, oh, the shame of it, Mudbloods and werewolves and traitors and thieves, poor old Kreacher, what can he do…"
"Hello, Kreacher." Fred said very loudly across the kitchen.
Magnolia watched in amusement as Harry, Hermione, Fred and George spoke to Kreacher. Kreacher would mumble under his breath as if no one could hear him, but they all could.
"Is it true? Is it Harry Potter? Kreacher can see the scar, it must be true, that's the boy who stopped the Dark Lord." Kreacher turned to face Magnolia, "And the Miss Potter, the forgotten girl, the forgotten Potter twin."
Magnolia's eyes widened as Kreacher turned on her, until Sirius appeared and sent the house elf away after a short argument. Magnolia had stood up and walked over to the tapestry that Kreacher had been trying to protect so much. 'The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black'.
"You're not on here!" Harry exclaimed.
"I used to be there." Sirius pointed to a small burn mark on the tapestry.
Magnolia looked over more of the tapestry, looking through the family tree, as Sirius opened up about his brother and family again. He told them about when he moved in with the twins' dad and how welcoming the Potter family were. Magnolia wished she had been able to meet her grandparents; Sirius was talking about them with so much pride and gratitude. She was surprised to hear about Regulus becoming a Death Eater though.
When Mrs Weasley came in with a tray of sandwiches, Magnolia quickly moved away from Harry and Sirius as the conversation turned away from Regulus. She had already seen Draco's name on the tapestry when Harry realised it. Sirius was telling him that most pureblood families were somehow related, but she pushed their voices away and instead joined in a conversation with Hermione and Ginny.
The rest of the week followed the same pattern; Magnolia would be woken up by Hermione and Ginny for breakfast, only to clean for the rest of the day, only stopping for lunch and dinner. She had wandered off during one lunch break and was ecstatic to find Buckbeak in one of the rooms above Magnolia's. She hadn't gone back to cleaning that afternoon but was found by George when dinner was ready.
Magnolia spent time with Buckbeak every day after that. She felt sorry for the Hippogriff being stuck in the room for long. She would talk to Buckbeak a lot about everything going on and all that she was feeling, almost like he could understand her. The evening before Harry's trial, she was joined by Sirius in Buckbeak's room.
They were both concerned about what was going to happen the following day, but at least Magnolia was able to go with her brother. Sirius had been told by Dumbledore the night before that he wasn't allowed to go with Harry to the Ministry, which Magnolia agreed with, but Sirius was furious about it. Magnolia knew he hated the situation he was in because of his past. She was leaning against him, his arm around her shoulders, as she spoke to him about her worries for her twin.
"If he's expelled from school, where will he go? He can't stay at the Dursley's all year."
"He might have to, at least for a little while."
"You don't understand, Sirius." Magnolia replied, "They're terrible. Life is already almost unbearable with them, and that's between the two of us and just for the summer break. If Harry is there on his own all year… it would be torment for him. It's always been the two of us, I can't imagine how horrible it would be there for him without me."
"What about you? Would you cope without Harry being around?"
"It would be weird, but I wouldn't be completely alone like Harry would be if he were with the Dursley's. I'd have my friends, and my family in my House."
Magnolia felt Sirius cringe at her words, she was desperate for him to realise that her friends in Slytherin loved her and would care for her throughout anything like they had already in the years she had known them. She knew that Sirius would never approve of her friends like he did for Harry's, there was too much history for him, but she needed her Godfather to trust her and trust her judgement.
Not long after that, Magnolia left Sirius alone with Buckbeak and went to bed to be up early for Harry's trail. She lay in bed, listening to Hermione and Ginny's deep breaths, but she couldn't sleep herself. Her thoughts whirled around her mind, and Magnolia couldn't focus on any of them for long enough to think it through properly before she started worrying about something else.
Hours later, Magnolia was still awake and watching the morning light creep in through the window. Huffing, she decided that sleep wasn't going to find her and so threw her bed sheets off of her and made her way to her trunk. She pulled out some clothes for the day, and a beautifying potion that Pansy had brought her for a belated Christmas present that was perfect for after a sleepless night.
Walking into the kitchen, Magnolia was shocked to see people already up and awake. Sirius stood up and hugged Magnolia good morning, before pushing a cup of sugary tea towards her. Mr and Mrs Weasley, Tonks and Remus were also sat around the table. Tonks looked as tired as Magnolia felt.
"Are you ready for today, dear?" Mrs Weasley asked Magnolia, as she piled a plate in front of her with breakfast food.
Magnolia picked up a piece of bacon and nibbled on it as she shrugged. Around the table, Magnolia heard chuckles, and looked up to see Sirius and Remus laughing at her, their faces lit up.
"I wouldn't expect much out of her before tea and food, Molly." Sirius chuckled.
"It's like being back with James and Lily." Remus added, "James wasn't respondent before breakfast and Lily was a nightmare before her morning cup of tea."
"Can you remember in our sixth year, when the first year tried to ask Lily for directions to class before she'd gotten to the Great Hall?"
Remus dropped his head into his hands as he laughed, "I thought she was going to curse him!"
Magnolia smiled as she watched Sirius and Remus laugh. She loved listening to their stories about her parents, and the little habits she had got from them. In times like this, Magnolia could imagine what her life would have been like if her parents had survived, if Voldemort hadn't risen the first time. She could be sat at a table, next to her mum and dad, listening to all of their friends laugh as they reminisced.
Eventually Harry joined the group, and conversation turned back to his trial. Sirius reminded him to remain calm and glanced at Magnolia when he told both twins not to lose their temper. Magnolia smirked and shrugged her shoulders, making Sirius laugh. Magnolia was glad when Mr Weasley stood up and announced that it was time for Harry to leave. She jumped up and was hugged by Sirius as Harry said goodbye to everyone else.
"Try not to worry, Princess, and don't get angry in the trial." Sirius whispered to her as he squeezed her tight.
The journey to the Ministry of Magic was a strange one, the three of them walked through London and got a train until they got to an old telephone box that looked like it was falling apart. The entire journey, Mr Weasley could barely contain his excitement at the Muggle world around him, pointing things out to Harry and Magnolia with wonder.
Magnolia grimaced when Mr Weasley told her and Harry to step into the phone box, the three of them barely fit in it and it smelt. Mr Weasley began pressing the buttons on the phone, and Magnolia was shocked when a voice spoke through the speaker.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."
Mr Weasley responded, answering for the three of them, and then two small badges were taken out of the chute on the phone. Harry handed Magnolia her own, and she pinned it to the front of her t-shirt. The telephone box around them then started moving down, through the ground, until the door flew open for Mr Weasley, Harry and Magnolia to step out.
Magnolia gasped as she looked around at the Ministry for the first time. The entrance they had come into was massive, with witches and wizards walking around everywhere. Magnolia followed along behind Harry and Mr Weasley, towards a huge fountain in a pool. Magnolia gawked as they walked past it, seeing the statues of creatures and people holding up the top half of the fountain.
Magnolia was glad when they eventually made it to Mr Weasley's office, but she barely had time to sit down before an old wizard came hurrying in and told them that Harry's trial had been moved and made earlier. Moments later, Magnolia, Harry and Mr Weasley were running through the Ministry of Magic to get to the Courtroom in time.
"Go on." Mr Weasley pushed Harry towards the door of Courtroom 10, "Get in there, Harry."
"Aren't- aren't you two coming?"
"No, no we're not allowed inside. Good luck!"
Magnolia saw her brother pale, and pulled him in for a hug, "We'll be right here, Harry."
She pushed him away then, into the door and watched him walk inside. Her stomach felt in knots, and she felt sick at the sight of her brother going inside alone. She began to pace the hallway, not knowing how Mr Weasley could be so calm and still against the wall.
Eventually, Magnolia couldn't stand to wait in the hallway any longer and had to get away. She asked Mr Weasley where the toilets were and rushed away as soon as he told her. It was the only thing she could think of that would mean Mr Weasley wouldn't follow her. She stood in the bathroom, hands on the sink, looking into the mirror. Her skin was dripping wet after she had splashed water on it.
Magnolia sighed and closed her eyes, pushing away from the sink when she thought she'd been too long. She didn't want Mr Weasley coming to find her, in case Harry needed him. She left the bathroom, her face now dry, and began slowly making her way back to Mr Weasley. As she made her way down a corridor, she saw a familiar man stalk past the end of the hall.
Making a split decision, Magnolia sped up and began to run down the corridor trying to catch up with the man. She pushed Harry to the back of her mind, focusing on her worry about Draco instead as she ran down the hallway, and turned the corner hoping that she would still see the figure she had just seen.
"Mr Malfoy!" Magnolia called, "Excuse me, Mr Malfoy!"
In front of her, Draco's father paused and turned slightly, allowing her to catch up with him. She stopped next to him, panting, and holding her sides. Lucius Malfoy looked down at her with a strange look on his face, like he was feeling multiple things at once. Magnolia could see the aggravation at her shouting after him, but amusement as well.
"I'm sorry, Mr Malfoy, for disturbing you. I don't… I don't know if you remember me. I'm Magnolia Potter, I'm in Slytherin with Draco."
Mr Malfoy nodded at her, "Yes, I remember you."
Magnolia could hear the weight of his words, he remembered her. They had met a couple of times before, and each time Mr Malfoy hadn't seemed to remember her. She didn't know why, but she could tell now that he was trying to tell her something with the statement.
"I was just wondering, is he ok?" Magnolia stumbled over her words, "It's just, we all said we'd write… and… well… Draco hasn't."
"My son has been incredibly busy this summer, Miss Potter, but I shall pass on your regards."
"Oh." Magnolia felt like she'd been smacked, Draco had been busy, "I… erm… I'm sorry for taking up your time."
Magnolia turned to walk away then, only to hear Mr Malfoy call her back again.
"I suppose you are here for your brother's trial?"
"Yes, sir."
"Why weren't you there? During the incident." Mr Malfoy pried.
"Harry had sent me home," Magnolia saw Mr Malfoy frown slightly, "I'd had a bit of an argument with our cousin and I think Harry was worried about what I'd do."
"Your muggle cousin?"
"Yes, sir." Magnolia replied.
Mr Malfoy hummed and nodded.
"Well, erm… I should get back to Harry." Magnolia mumbled.
"Of course. I will pass along you regards to Draco. I'm sure he'll mention it to Miss Parkinson and Mr Nott the next time they see each other."
Magnolia frowned; Draco, Theo and Pansy had been seeing each other, and yet they hadn't even written a letter to her during the summer.
"Don't bother. Goodbye, Mr Malfoy."
Magnolia turned back to the courtroom, leaving Mr Malfoy before he could see the anger on her face. She couldn't understand why they hadn't written to her, and she didn't want to think that maybe Sirius was right. They must have a reason why they hadn't written, but it didn't stop Magnolia's anger.
That anger didn't disappear over the next few days, even when Harry told her that had been let off. She and Sirius had spent more time hidden away with Buckbeak. They were both in bad moods; Sirius because although he was happy Harry had been let off, he was sad that he would soon be left in Grimmauld Place alone, and Magnolia because she couldn't shake the thought that her friends were abandoning her.
Sirius also saved George from Magnolia's anger a few times in the days following the trial, or he'd saved Magnolia from George. George was trying to cheer Magnolia up, but her bad mood was firmly in place most of the day.
"Maggie!" Hermione shouted up the stairs, "Maggie, the Hogwarts letters have arrived."
Huffing, Magnolia and Sirius stood from where they were sat on the floor, leaving the game of exploding snap they had been playing on the floor. They walked down the stairs, into Harry and Ron's room. Hermione, George, and Fred, were also stood in the room, staring at Ron in amazement and disbelief as he held a Prefect badge.
"Tell me my eyes are deceiving me." Magnolia mumbled.
"Nope, Ron got Prefect." Harry grunted, "Hermione too."
"Well, yeah. I could've put our inheritance on Hermione becoming Prefect." Magnolia responded as she took her own letter off the side when Hermione nodded to it, "Any new books we-"
"Is that…?" Sirius' quiet voice spoke from behind her as she dropped a badge out of the letter.
"Oh my god!" Hermione screamed, "Maggie!"
Magnolia looked down at the Prefect badge that was nestled in her hand. A large P was printed on top of the Slytherin serpent on a bed of green, with a silver trim around the edges. Her mind was blank. How did she get Prefect, when Harry didn't?
"Nola's a Prefect, too!" George chanted.
"Fantastic." Harry grumbled.
Magnolia was pulled into someone's arms and spun around in the air. She opened her eyes, grasping the arms that were holding, to see Sirius' beaming face.
"I'm so proud of you, Princess!" Sirius gushed, "Your parents would be over the moon."
Magnolia couldn't help but smile at Sirius' excitement. He was still hugging her, and she could see the complete pride and happiness in his face. Their moods had changed completely from what they were earlier that day.
"Molly!" Sirius shouted as he let go of Magnolia, rushing out the room, "Molly! We need to celebrate!"
Later that evening, Magnolia walked into the kitchen for dinner, to see a large banner taking up the entire opposite wall.
'Congratulations, Ron, Hermione and Magnolia. New Prefects!'
Magnolia rolled her eyes slightly at the decorations around the room. Everywhere she looked she could see the red and gold from Gryffindor, and a small bit of green thrown in here and there for her own House.
"I tried to get you some more green." George's voice came from beside Magnolia.
Magnolia shrugged, "I wouldn't have been surprised to come down to none. It's only Slytherin after all."
"I, erm, I wanted to apologise." George mumbled, "About not writing during the summer. I wanted to, but I wasn't sure if you'd want to hear from me. I didn't know what was going on with you and uh… you know."
"It's ok, I know you couldn't really write." Magnolia replied, purposefully not replying about Draco.
She didn't want George to get the wrong idea. She wasn't sure what was going on with Draco, but she had decided she wouldn't assume anything until she could speak to him face to face. Across the room, Magnolia could see Harry looking grumpily around the room. She excused herself from George and moved towards her twin.
"Cheer up, Harry, you're bringing the mood of the party down."
"Says you." Harry grumbled, "You've been in a foul mood before today."
"At least I've been taking myself away from everyone." Magnolia bumped shoulders with her twin, wearing a cheeky smile. "So, what's up?"
"Really? You have to ask?" Harry griped, "After all I've done, everything I've been through there, and you got Prefect instead of me. Seems like everyone forgets all the things I've done."
"Yeah, well, not everything's about you, Harry." Magnolia snapped back, walking away from him.
The rest of the evening went well, Magnolia spoke to everyone and felt happier than she had recently. It was nice to see Sirius looking so happy. Magnolia loved feeling that someone was so proud of her, Sirius was acting every bit the proud father figure.
When the time came for Magnolia to go to bed, she walked up the stairs to hear sobbing coming from the drawing room with the Black Family Tapestry in it, and saw Harry stood in the doorway. He turned to her and quickly told her to get someone to help Mrs Weasley. Magnolia sped back down the stairs, almost running into Sirius and Remus.
The three of them were followed up the stairs by the rest of the party, all worried about what was happening. As they drew closer to the room, Harry had moved inside, and Mrs Weasley was stood in front of the cupboard that had had the Boggart inside.
In front of her, on the floor were her children, husband, and Harry laying dead. Above them, standing opposite Mrs Weasley, Magnolia saw herself holding her wand beside her body and an evil smirk on her face. Magnolia shuddered; her own Boggart was similar to this, did Mrs Weasley really worry that Magnolia would kill her family?
Sirius wrapped his hands around Magnolia's arms, trying to comfort her as Remus stepped in front of Mrs Weasley. The Boggart shifted shape, the Weasley's and Harry disappearing from the floor. Magnolia felt her eyes fill with tears; Remus's Boggart had changed, it had adapted. Instead of seeing just the moon suspended in the air, Magnolia saw the same version of herself stood before it.