Chapter Seven - Mari
Mari's POV
Past
There was smoke in the air. Muggles were screaming, a pitiful mass running amok as the two dueling wizards fought. Moeder and Pappa kept firm grips on my hands, running towards a tree. One of my shoes was left on the cracked pavement, and I glanced back over my shoulder in time to see a green light. "Avada Kedavra!"
Moeder was screaming when I opened my eyes again. Pappa was lying on the street, red and black streaking his dark skin, and his eyes blank. I reached out to shake him awake, and felt a burning pain on my back, opposite my heart. I cried out, and my thin child's scream entwined with my mother's, a terrible duet. Then she was falling, struck by a red light, and with a crack, she was a limp doll on the ground. "M… Mamma?" The noise seemed to fade as I touched my left hand to my mother's Mark, keeping my right on my father. A rush of something knocked the breath from my body, and I stared up at the sky. A man's agonized scream echoed over my head, followed by a rat scampering over my stomach, disappearing into the darkness of an alleyway. Turning my head painfully, I looked at the victor of the duel. Taller than Pappa, yet scrawny, he held himself not like a champion, but like a broken man. His clothes were tattered, his hair unkempt, and his eyes bleak.
Within minutes, Aurors swept into the square, formally arresting the lone wizard. I learned to hate that day, upon hearing the name of that man. Sirius Black.
"So." I perched haughtily on a plush, oversized armchair. It felt almost like a throne, and my vanity was pleased. "Harry Potter." Draco Malfoy sneered at the mere mention of the Boy Who Lived, and insults immediately rolled from his tongue. I smirked. "Well, it seems that's something we share. Our hatred of Potter." A sneer twisting my face, I lounged back in my seat, crossing my legs and folding my arms over my chest. Astaroth coiled around my shoulders loosely, almost invisible unless observed closely.
Draco arched a brow, intrigued. I continued, unperturbed by the presence of Mei. "Such… colorful company he keeps. A blood traitor and a filthy Mudblood. I'm surprised he doesn't gallivant with half-breeds, too… but wait! He's Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived! Any association with such beasts is sure to be excused, because Potter can do no wrong." At this point in my rant, I was standing, pacing back and forth, and Mei was curled up slightly, as though anticipating an attack. I snapped my fingers at her. "Get up, Mei. No Slytherin cowers. That's a job for Hufflepuffs." Astaroth hissed lowly as Mei lifted her head, uncertainty in her eyes. "Excellent. We'll make a Slytherin of you yet."
"Well, Draco," I purred, turning to the Slytherin Prince. "I do believe that we haven't been formally introduced. You may call me Mari." I paused, a predatory smile coming over my face. "We are going to be great friends, you and I."