"Are you going to answer my question Mariella?" he said my name with a mound of disgust on it, as if it were the name of some "mudblood" that he apparently used instead of simply calling them muggle born wizards.

"Always quick to point the blame at me, eh Lucius?" I said, using the same amount of disgust on his name as he had mine. "I guess you've forgotten who my father is." This I said with a hint of a threat embedded in it.

His form began to shake (from anger or fear, I don't know which), and then with one last use of the little power he had, he grabbed Draco's arm and dragged him out of the room.

I sighed.

"Well that was short-lived." I said a bit angrily, as I walked over to the bedside table and picked up my wand, feeling warmth run up my arm from its touch. I went back into the bathroom, closing the door behind me.

"Curly or straight?" I asked myself, each side of my hair displaying the problem in question. I stood in front of the large bathroom mirror, weighing the ups and downs to each style. Saving my straight look for the Hogwarts Express tomorrow, I took out my wand and cast a curling spell on the currently straight side of my hair. Noticing my currently boring haircut I took the front and chopped it off, leaving a straight line of bangs that made my bright green eyes appear even brighter against my long black tresses and my pale, almost peach skin tone.

After I had chosen a natural form of makeup, I put on a lash extender and fullness charm to make my eyelashes appear more dramatic making my eyes even brighter (Which didn't seem possible after all that I had done already). I then wrapped myself in one of the green, silver-trimmed bathrobes that was emblazoned with the Malfoy family crest and walked back into my bedroom.

I walked past a row of bookshelves next to the fireplace, to a wooden double-door. I pulled both sides open and found two long rows of expensive clothing. This past month has been the only time that I've needed permanent clothing because I've been growing so fast. I was surprised however when I found a section of muggle clothing in the mass of silk and velvet. Knowing I had to wear muggle clothing to London, I grabbed a pair of light wash skinny jeans with holes in both knees and some more lining other parts of the legs. I also reached in and found a black camisole hanging next to a royal blue petticoat. I grabbed both of these and with one last search I grabbed a pair of high black knitted Uggs, and a wide blue headband.

Throwing my clothes on, I took one last look in the full-figure mirror, grabbed my wand out of the bathroom (shoving it inside my coat pocket), and left the room.

I walked down a series of hallways, and finally down a flight of spiral stairs to reach the large dining room of the Manor. At one end of the table Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco sat in a huddle whispering quietly. Draco then looked up at the sound of my entrance, glanced at my father, and then seemed to fall back slowly in his chair a look of utter fear present on his ghostly white face. As he did this, Lucius looked up at me with such rage that I could almost feel the heat eminating off of his body.

I looked down at my father while noticing a large group of Death Eaters sitting near the end of the table where he sat. None however, sat as close as 3 chairs away from him.

Except for Bellatrix…I wish he'd kill her already...I thought as I walked down towards the far end of the table where he sat.

As I came upon the large group, they all suddenly went silent and each pair of eyes that had been looking elsewhere, were now trained on me. Some looked quickly away as if embarrassed of getting caught staring, some were still staring at me obviously unaware of what they were doing, and some were shaking in fear.

Hmm. This will be interesting.

Intent on making the fearful ones squirm, I put my hand in my pocket and flicked my wand. What happened next was a blur. The Death Eaters that had been cowering in their seats were now being held in the air upside down and began to slam into each other every time someone tried to grab their wand. Those that had been staring continuously seemed to snap out of it, shaking their heads as if to clear them, and those that seemed embarrassed were either on their feet trying to figure out the counter-curse, or just audibly guffawing in their seats. Some had even fallen out of their chairs.

A smirk crossed my face. But only for a second and then it was gone again as quickly as it had appeared. I lifted my head ever so slightly to peer at my father under my long lashes. He was looking only at the spectacle above him and was smiling evilly, a red glint in his eyes. Then suddenly sensing that my attention was trained on him he stopped his expression completely, turning his face in my direction with a new coldness to it. All he did was give a small curt nod before he got the same red glint in his eye as he began to watch again.

I knew that it was difficult for him to show true appreciation. Especially towards me, who had given him so much frustration with my tireless want to have a form of fun in this decrepit home. I guess Draco was that form of entertainment for me. That was most likely the reason why he didn't kill Draco. He knew that was the only thing he could give me that he didn't have to go to the extent to provide. He was just there. I was pretty sure that once I had things to occupy my time though, such as school, I would be killed in a heartbeat if I ever went NEAR Draco again. Let alone THINK about it.

As those being thrashed around were dropped to the ground from the counter-curses of the many trying to help, they eventually sat back in their seats and seemed to shake uncontrollably. Some however were letting the daggers fly. Their eyes seemed to penetrate all the way to my soul. This wasn't a new experience though. I was used to the constant shrewd eyes of the Dark Lord that seemed to read your inner thoughts. Unfortunately, that's exactly what they did.

I then continued my walk towards the head of the table.

"My lord, if there is anything you need just know that I'm here to serve you. I never gave up looking when you disappeared; I knew you were out there. So just know that I'll never give up on you as others have in the past." Bellatrix said as she gazed at Voldemort in awe, her mouth slightly open as she took in everything about him. It looked as if she were trying to remember every little detail, afraid that he would somehow leave if she took her eyes off of him for even a second.

"Yes Bellatrix. I know of your loyalty to Lord Voldemort and let me remind you that it hasn't been forgotten." My father said as he peered at Bellatrix with indifference, seeming to have heard this same speech many times before.

She then giggled maniacally, still not taking her eyes off him and still not stopping to close her mouth.

I tried to hide the disgust from my face as I approached the two. My father met my eye and already knew what I was going to say. I knew he did so I didn't say anything, waiting for him to give me permission to head off to Diagon Alley.

"All of your robes and such will be delivered to you in the Leaky Cauldron tonight by…" He said this and looked around the room, searching for a pack mule to do his bidding; until his eyes landed on the woman sitting directly to his left. "Bellatrix, and…"

But he was interrupted by the now cold voice of Bellatrix Lestrange "But sir, I am meant to do much greater things than to cart this girl's…"

"Now Bellatrix, you have just told me that you would do anything for me. Or was I mistaken?" He said this with warning in his voice, letting her know that if she were to defy him, she would no longer get the privilege of staring at him all day. Let alone take a breath again.

"No. My lord you are not mistaken. I would never refuse a request made by you." She said, almost pleading with him now.

"It is settled then." He said with irritation that he would have to provide the effort to "settle" anything. "You are to drop off her belongings at 9 o'clock at the Leaky Cauldron."

"Yes, My lord." This she said in a barely audible whisper.

"I shall go now then." I said, trying to maintain an air of maturity when in his presence.

He gave me another curt nod, and focused his attention on the now hushed room.

I walked back towards the other end of the table. As I did so I glanced over at Draco, who gave me a quick subtle nod and stood up to follow me out.

"Without Mr. Malfoy" came my father's booming voice, seeming to vibrate off of every surface of the hall.

I stopped in my tracks and threw a glance over my shoulder.

Everyone was still busying themselves with each other glad that I was finally leaving, and Draco still continued to walk towards me. I looked down the length of the table until my eyes landed on the Dark Lord. His attention was only on me. His slits for nostrils flared as he penetrated my defenses with his mind.

It was then that I realized that he had implanted the thought in my head.

I then glanced at Draco and shook my head slightly. He stopped then and followed my gaze to Voldemort. Suddenly understanding, he turned his back on me and walked the length he had just taken, back to the seat between his parents.

I wasn't just angry. I was furious. Since when could he decide who I went to Hogwarts with? He couldn't keep me from seeing Draco on the train that was for certain. So I guess I would just have to wait to see him then.

But then I remembered the purpose of me going to Hogwarts.

I'd have to barter my way into Gryffindor somehow, and befriend the "golden trio" as they now called the three. But, even as close as I may get to them I know that they wouldn't chance a secret in my direction. I'd have to be sneaky too if I were to obtain any information. Everything pointed to failure on my part, but I still had to try. Voldemort was counting on me.

I continued out through the main door and into the outdoors.

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