Chapter 9: Halloween and Half-truths
6 years ago
The door opened with a soft creak. Footsteps were muffled against the plush colorful carpet. A light on a night table near the window sent colorful shapes of pumpkins and bats up at the ceiling and around the room. On the other side of the night table was a large canopy bed, its curtains were tied back against the posts revealing a small form in the center of the bed. 4 year-old Zara Malfoy's chest rose and fell with each breath that she took and her thumb remained firmly ensconced in her mouth. A pair of arms reached out and gingerly picked the small child up. The figure to which the arms belonged sat down on the bed. Lucius Malfoy's face was illuminated in the moonlight as he cradled his youngest child to his chest. He pressed a soft kiss into her long hair and rubbed her back
"Zara, darling wake up," He said softly into her ear.
The child stirred but did not open her eyes. Lucius expected this and continued to rub her back, easing her quietly out of her sleep. Tonight was Halloween and the Malfoys had been invited to a party hosted by the Goyles. It would begin in one hour's time and it was expected to last well past midnight. Usually, the social functions that Lucius and Narcissa attended did not include the children. But because it was Halloween all of the children in their social circle would also be in attendance. Both Draco and Zara had gone down for naps at 4pm effectively missing dinner. However it was just as well since Narcissa knew that sweets would occupy her children's thoughts tonight. Draco would then have fuel for staying up well past midnight. On the other hand, Lucius knew that Zara was not as keen on sweets as her brother and would probably not stay awake past the turn of midnight. Bearing that in mind, he was prepared to let Zara sleep safely in his arms while the party was still in going on, if he succeeded in waking her that is.
"Zara," He whispered again and Lucius heard the soft intake of breath before he saw his own eyes staring back at him, albeit sleepily. "Hello princess," Lucius said giving her a soft smile that was rarely expressed anywhere else.
"Daddy," Zara said pushing sleep out of her voice. Her eyes lit up when she saw him.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes."
"Are you ready to go to the party?" Zara nodded vigorously and Lucius put her down gently. "Mummy has your dress. I'll be waiting downstairs with your brother." He said and Zara went off to the master bedroom.
The sounds of running footsteps overhead could be heard even over the chatter of the adults sitting around a long dining room table two hours later. Occasionally Narcissa glanced up at the ceiling discreetly. There were 5 boys upstairs including Draco. However, Zara remained the only girl in attendance tonight. The Bulstrodesand the Parkinsons had daughters as well but had chosen not to bring them. Being the natural leader that he was, Draco had involved his sister in much of his play with his friends. But most of the time this ended badly for Zara. The last time Draco had friends over, her hair had been unceremoniously cut in one motion instantly shortening it to just below her ears. Zara had been devastated and had to live with her new hairstyle until Narcissa could recall the spell that could grow her pale blonde locks back. Needlessly to say, the experience was not one that she cared to repeat.
In the library upstairs, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Zara and several other boys had built a castle fort out of various pieces of furniture in the room as well as pillows from some of the other bedrooms near there. Being the largest room in the upstairs part of the house, the library was the perfect spot to have a castle fort. Each of the boys had taken on their roles. Crabbe and Goyle were guarding the castle while Teddy Nott and Blaze Zabini played the role of knights. Draco of course assumed the role of King and made Zara the princess.
But as Zara watched her brother engage in pretend sword fights with Teddy and Blaze she became bored and wandered across the hall to a guest bedroom. She intended to find something to decorate the castle with. After looking around for a few minutes, the little girl spotted a wardrobe against one wall. Thinking that she would find something there, Zara approached it and with some tugging and determination she managed to open the door. However, the minute she did so a giant troll stepped out.
Zara's eyes widened and she backed away from the wardrobe. The troll, really a boggart in disguise, lumbered out into the room and grunted. The small girl only looked a foot tall in comparison. Despite the fact that Zara was frightened of what she saw she knew she had to make it go back where it came from. Looking around the room for something heavy, she saw a trunk in the corner. Summoning all of her concentration, she stared at it and then began to move her hand in an upward motion. The trunk levitated. Only weeks before, Zara discovered that she could cause things to levitate after a bad dream. Since then, she had been working to master this aspect of her unpredictable magical abilities. She had done a good job as was evidenced by her ability to levitate the object toward the troll in hopes of distracting it. But it took a step forward and she lost control causing the trunk to bang into the troll's massive leg. It became angry and went for the little girl who backed into the corner and tucked into a little ball. Then she did what any child would do in this situation.
Zara screamed bloody murder. And that was when the floodgate of uncontrollable magic broke loose.
Everything in the room began to shake and the lights began to flicker. Narcissa and Lucius were already on the stairs when it occurred, the others on their heels.
Zara never screamed.
The boys had stopped their play when they heard the troll and currently stood frozen in the doorway of the library. Narcissa reached the room across the hall only a second before Lucius.
"Ridiculous" She said pointing the wand at the pseudo-troll without thinking, causing a jet of purple light to hit the creature. The boggart changed into its natural state before it flew back into the wardrobe.
Lucius was in the room before she had even lowered her wand. But the little girl made no move to look up, staying put in her ball. Deciding to let her father be the one to tend to her, Narcissa went to see to her son, who was staring at the door wide-eyed. She immediately swept him up in her arms, the only one of the parents who was there to do so. However, upon doing so, Narcissa discovered that Draco had wet himself from pure fear.
"Everything is alright darling," She whispered, soothingly as she kissed his head. Instinctively, she knew that the other adults were staring at her. Showing affection in public, even in a circle of friends, was not done. That was for nannies to do. But in this moment, Narcissa Malfoy showed true class as she walked across the hall to find her husband doing the same to Zara. "Lucius we have---"
"To go," Lucius replied finishing her sentence. Zara too had had a small accident though it was something neither parent would say here
After saying their goodbyes, the Malfoys returned home and despite their unspoken division, both of them helped their children change into clean pajamas. A half hour later, Zara and Draco were asleep in their parents' bed, clinging to an adult on either side of them. To most their actions over the past hour would be considered unacceptable. They were Malfoys. The Malfoys let their staff see to the children.
But tonight they embraced this behavior, in the open and behind closed doors.
After Lucius had returned Zara to school, he returned home. He found Narcissa in the sitting room.
"Narcissa," He greeted coming into the room."Hello Lucius. Did Draco like his new broom?"
"Of course he did. He is guaranteed a spot on the team for as long as he wants it."Narcissa smiled, "That is wonderful.""I also took the time to speak with Zara.""Did you?" She asked stiffening slightly.
"Yes. How can you fill her with such lies?"
Narcissa looked taken aback by such a comment, "What in the world are you talking about?"
"I took Zara to dinner since Severus informed me that she has not had an appetite as of late. During dinner she informed me that even though she understood that being sorted into Gryffindor House was not in her control; Zara thought that she would be blasted off the family tree. How could you tell her such a thing?"
Narcissa scoffed, "Zara was five when I told her that. But it doesn't matter. I am glad that she is aware of what being a pureblood means."
"You are putting fear into her."
"Oh, like you don't when it comes to Draco? You make no illusions when it comes to telling Draco what is expected of him."
"Draco is my heir. He will carry on the family name."
"Zara will carry on its reputation just as I have for the Black family," Narcissa retorted. "My father treated us just like you treat Zara. That all stopped once---Well you know what I mean. Zara needs to know the truth about what is expected of her as a member of this family. You will not do it so I will."
"I do tell Zara," Lucius replied defensively.
"You tell her half truths," Narcissa said coolly. "If you do not start being completely honest with Zara now, it will not be good in the future. I know that you want Zara to see you in a certain light. But eventually, she will find out the truth about us both, good and bad alike."
Lucius set his jaw and Narcissa could see that he was not happy with this response, "Zara is too young. I would like to keep the past where it belongs, Narcissa. There is no need to dredge it up now."
With that last statement Lucius left the room. Narcissa heard footsteps going down the hall and then she heard the study door slam shut.
Chatter echoed off the dungeon walls as the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor first years made their way down to double potions on Wednesday afternoon of the following week. The Hufflepuffs had just come from charms and the Gryffindors from Defense Against the Dark Arts. This explained most of the Gryffindor girls' giggly demeanor. Zara Malfoy however was the exception. She walked quietly behind the group of children walking towards dungeon 4. Her new best friend Ginny Weasley walked beside her also silent. While the two girls had each other, both were plagued by family worries as of late. They never broached the subject with each other. But even in a time such as this, each other's presence was a comfort. As they approached the dungeons, the door opened and Snape ushered everyone in but held Zara back.
"Yes Professor?" Zara said looking up at him.
"Professor McGonagall has requested to see you in her office. Take your things and give me your essay."
Zara did as she was told and handed the parchment over, "Professor, am I in trouble?"
"No," He said softly. "You have nothing to worry about. I will inform you of your assignment later."
She nodded and left, going upstairs to her head of house's office. Despite Snipe's assurance that she was not in trouble, Zara couldn't help but feel nervous as she knocked on Professor McGonagall's door.
"Come in," She called out.
Zara opened the door and stepped inside before closing it, "You wanted to see me Professor?"
"Yes Miss Malfoy," McGonagall said in a softer tone than Zara was used to. "Sit down." Zara sat. "It seems there has been a death in your family, your grandfather."
Zara nodded slowly, "Oh."
"Your parents have requested that both you and your brother be present at the funeral. Professor Snape has already agreed to the week requested and sent your brother home. I will be doing the same."
Zara looked up at her unsure, an unusual expression for the students that McGonagall had dealt with before, "What about my school work?"
McGonagall smiled faintly, "Professor Snape has informed me that he will keep you apprised of your school work until you return. Now go get your things. I will wait for you to return."
When she departed to collect her things, Zara felt strangely nervous about returning home. Before the start of team, she would have been excited to return home for a visit. But after being shunned by her brother and most of the Gryffindor first years, a part of Zara was sure that home would be no different. She would spend her home visits locked in her room and forgotten about despite her father's reassurances. She would become an outcast. When Zara stepped into the fireplace in McGonagall's office 15 minutes later, her stomach was doing somersaults.
"Goodbye Miss Malfoy," McGonagall said crisply as Zara took a handful of floo powder.
"Goodbye professor," She said. "Malfoy Manor!" She shouted.
Zara dropped the powder and vanished in a flash of green flames, McGonagall's office disappearing. As she spun away, Zara felt as if she was moving light years away instead of a few hundred miles. A minute later, Zara's feet hit solid ground and she stood there afraid to open her eyes.