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Chapter 19:
"How on Earth do you remember the way to the Great Hall? It's like a labyrinth," Daphne wondered, staring at the girl sandwiched between them in thought. When Odette woke up that morning, it was to the sight of Daphne and Tracey giggling together in the dormitory, awaiting her. The redhead felt disturbed with the obvious show of camaraderie, only used to accepting Lexi, Lee and Bree and their abundant display of solidarity toward her, but she merely nodded in comprehension, bathed and quickly donned on her robes.
Odette shrugged, "I was paying attention last night, Daphne." The redhead couldn't exactly inform the blonde and brunette that she was a dangerous assassin trained to memorize her surroundings ever since the age of five. Feasibly, Odette could've merely told them about her eidetic memory, but where was the fun in that?
"Odette is like a GPS tracking device," Tracey giggled, prompting a fond eye roll from the blonde and a raised eyebrow from the redhead. Tracey smiled in comprehension at Odette and clarified, "My mother is a Muggle. Although my dad is a Pureblood from the Noble and Ancient House of Davis and was neutral in the war, the snooty bigoted Purebloods grudgingly accepted my mother into their social circle because she's the daughter of Charles Tripp."
The assassin merely nodded her impassive mask deftly in check, but inwardly her mind was whirring with activity; Charles Tripp was an American billionaire. The Tripps practically owned the Hamptons. Although the hypocrisy was glaringly obvious toward the prejudiced Purebloods, the assassin understood the meaning of power and riches, no matter what bloodline one came from.
"Well, I don't really care about the whole ideal of blood bigotry rubbish. The British Community would do well not to underestimate muggles and what they are capable of," was all Odette said as the three Slytherins entered the Great Hall and took their respective seats aligned next to each other. Daphne and Tracey didn't have the opportunity to question Odette on her matter-of-fact statement, but while they ate their meal in peace, each girl pondered the possibilities of her words.
Halfway through breakfast, the mail arrived and the Great Hall was swarming with owls and activity, however the assassin felt many pairs of eyes concentrated on her person, hearing cooing and hushed whispers; looking up, she smirked at the sight of Divus preening herself with her head held high, enjoying being the center of attention after eons of hiding.
"Your owl is gorgeous! Where did you get her from?" Tracey cooed, staring at Divus in awe. Divus clicked her beak and rubbed her head against Tracey's hand before perching onto Odette's shoulder. "She found me. Apparently she's my familiar," Odette informed her casually.
My Queen, I have sensed James and Lily Potter in the Headmaster's office. They are to call on you about your sorting, Divus' musical voice brushed past her Occlumency shield. The words had barely settled in to be processed before Professor Snape marched over to her, "Potter. Headmaster Dumbledore wishes to see you in his office."
Sighing, Odette got up onto her feet with Divus, who vehemently refused to leave her Queen's side, and followed Professor Snape, his cloak billowing behind him, over to the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office. Her head of house left her after murmuring the password and once she entered the office, she was welcomed to the sight of James Potter pacing in lengthy strides and yelling like a lunatic, Lily Potter standing gravely by Dumbledore's side.
"You called, Headmaster," Odette drawled, halting James' frantic pacing.
Dumbledore flashed an insincere smile, "Ah, Odette-"
"I don't recall giving you permission to use my chosen name, Headmaster," Odette glared at him, interjecting his next words. Lily walked over to her, fury shining in her nearly identical eyes, "Albus is a friend of the family, and he will call you whatever he pleases, Odette!"
Rolling her eyes, Odette sauntered confidently over to the armchair, ignoring her father as she bypassed him and interlaced her fingers together, "But it is not your name to give, Lily." Silent was the recipient of her biting words and Lily trembled, either in rage or sorrow, at Odette's usage of her name instead of mother.
"Odette, Albus has allowed you permission to get resorted into Gryffindor," James told her, wanting to get the reason for their visit over and done with as soon as possible.
"That's marvelous. But there is one problem … I don't want to be resorted. I am happy where I am," she answered dryly, her eyes locked onto her fingernails, barely sparing them any eye contact.
"Odette Arielle Potter! When I tell you to do something, you do it!" James snarled, consumed by rage, "There has never been a Potter sorted into Slytherin, and I won't allow you to tarnish the Potter name!"
Eyebrows raised, Odette stared at James with ill-concealed fury, "The choice is not up to you, father," she spat, "I am a Slytherin, and I will not be resorted."
"Then you are not my daughter," James spat out, the words rushing out without a thought. But if the Potters or Dumbledore where expecting tears and sorrows, or Odette begging them for forgiveness, they were sadly mistaken. To the three occupants stunned shock, Odette Potter burst out into cruel , malicious laughter filled with mirth and scorn.
"Believe me James Potter, I haven't been your daughter for years. Your words merely proved my point." Odette gracefully stood up, staring at them all with utter boredom, "If you don't mind, I actually have classes to get to-"she was interrupted by Fawkes who flew over from his perch and onto Odette's free shoulder, garnering baffled looks from James and Lily and a creepy smile from Dumbledore.
My Queen, I go by the name of Fawkes. I must warn you, Albus Dumbledore is conspiring against you. I am here to warn you; although I am his familiar, the wizard has changed drastically. Darkness, evil and power has subjugated his mind.
Odette gently stroked Fawkes' red and gold plumage, smiling down at him; do you accept spying on him on my account and regaling anything of importance?
Yes, my Queen, Fawkes answered without a doubt, pecking her ear lightly and returning over to her perch behind the Headmaster's desk. Dumbledore threatened to explode with delight; Fawkes had obviously taken a shining toward the unknown Potter daughter, indicating that she was light.
Clearing his throat, Dumbledore chanced a glance at the two bewildered Potters, "James, Lily, I see no reason to ail over Od-, uhm, Miss Potter's sorting into Slytherin. Ambition is a wondrous aspect in one's personality, there will be no need to fret over her."
Odette inwardly scoffed, if the old coot believed sucking up to her would miraculously morph her into a mindless minion of his, then he was utterly wasting his time. But Odette Potter wasn't the most manipulative, dangerous and dexterous assassin who surpassed the Red Room for nothing … no, she was Shadow Swan, and she would immensely enjoy manipulating the Headmaster's machinations.
"Oh, Albus, look out for her. We don't want our daughter turning dark," Lily beseeched him, ignoring her daughter's presence completely, unlike James whose hazel eyes were attached to her person almost as though he were scrutinizing her, like she was an enigma.
"Nice chatting with you, we should definitely not do it again," Odette smiled saccharinely as the elder Potters disappeared from the fireplace. Left alone with the old codger, the redhead turned around to leave when he called her back, adopting her over-usage grandfatherly persona, "Do have a seat, Miss Potter. Lemon drop?" Odette glanced at the offered bowl with mistrust and revulsion, especially when her Ladyship rings began buzzing frantically with activity in warning.
"Don't mind if I do," Odette plucked out two, and vanished the lemon drop before entering her mouth, feigning delight, "Tasty. You don't mind if I leave the other for later, do you?" she asked innocently, noticing the triumphant gleam that passed over the codger's twinkling blue eyes.
"Not at all, not at all," Dumbledore beamed, nodding his head jovially. Odette plastered a fake smile, "Well, Headmaster, I have class to get to, excuse me."
Well done, my Queen. The old manipulator definitely laced those sweets," Divus communicated with her as Odette approached Transfiguration class.
I thought as much, Divus. I will dissect the sweet and find out what potions were concocted.
The old codger's first mistake was plotting against Shadow Swan, and Odette promised herself that by the end of the year, the daft fool will be out of a job and hopefully … dead.
***THE FORGOTTEN POTTER***
"Grænn gimsteinn minn," the familiar husky soprano voice called out, and Odette turned, smiling at Loki before running into his arms. "You haven't visited in a while, Odette."
"Sorry, Loki. I've been busy with my preparations in attending Hogwarts," Odette smiled; ever since reconnecting with Loki after running into him and Thor in New York, their relationship had been frigid and awkward at best, but overtime they reestablished their previous familiarity and Odette was learning to trust him and treat him like she did Lexi, Lee and Bree.
"I've managed to watch over you, sneaking a peak at times, but tell me, how do you like your classes?" Loki smirked as they both made themselves comfortable in the courtyard where they could observe Thor, Fandral, Hogan, Volstagg and Sif spar at sword point.
Odette scoffed her visage one of utter boredom, "I have already excelled in all magical studies, Loki. The Professors and my classmates are shocked with my deftness in magic. But you know I am not attending Hogwarts due to me being studious. I plan to build a base in the magical world, and begin my plot for revenge against those that had wronged me."
"Yes, yes, however can I forget," Loki said cheekily. Standing up, he brushed his trousers and helped her stand, "Come along, Grænn gimsteinn minn, we must proceed with our lessons. I am of opinion that you will deeply enjoy what I am to teach you today."
And enjoy she did; Loki decided that Odette had surpassed all expectations on trivial and basic spells and began introducing darker ones. Today, Odette was learning how to inflict images of torturous means and the redhead was glad to say that it was very challenging.
"Again. Odette you must concentrate. Keep your eyes open, hold eye contact with my own and be creative; imagine how you'd torture me and project them into my mind.
Gritting her teeth, Odette concentrated on Loki's words, imagining him burning to death, his skin charring as the flames licked his skin, one of the lesser and unimaginative means of torture in the assassin's large repertoire and finally, she smiled in success when Loki's forest eyes widened, sweat poured down his forehead and fear flashed in his eyes as he trembled in illusionary pain.
"Very, very good, Grænn gimsteinn minn. You have surpassed my expectations. I was under the impression that you would have to return at least twice more before succeeding," Loki smiled, pride emanating from him as he placed a fondly chaste kiss onto her forehead.
"You are just an excellent teacher, but don't let that get into your head. You're already arrogant enough as it is," Odette smirked, accepting the offered orange juice as stimulation. "Thank you. Although I do relish in physically torturing my opponents, I am not against subtle torture."
Loki rolled his eyes upon seeing the sinister visage of his Grænn gimsteinn.
"I have a gift for you, Grænn gimsteinn minn," Loki grinned, snapping his fingers twice. Odette gasped in a mixture of awe and shock upon noting the gorgeous snake that lay between them. "Lok-Loki? Is that a Taipan?"
"Why of course. I'd only get the best for Grænn gimsteinn minn. The Taipan is also known as the Fierce Snake, and has the deadliest venom known in the universe. Fierce and deadly, depicting you, my gem," Loki had a Cheshire smile on his face, one that usually referred to pain and the redhead couldn't help but squeal, a sound emitted that was very unlike the cold-hearted assassin.
Are you my mistress? The Taipan snake slithered over to Odette who nodded energetically and responded in parseltongue, yes, what is your name?
I don't have one yet, Mistress. Maybe you can give me one. Odette began tapping her index finger against her lips before an idea struck her, how about, Shiva? It was said in Indian Myth that Shiva had a cobra coiled on his head…
The Taipan snake started dancing… dancing without legs if what Odette depicted correctly; the Taipan Snake began slithering in circles in excitement, yes, yes, Shiva. I approve, I like it. My name is Shiva.
"Loki, thank you so much! I love my gift," Odette smiled, rare emotions always presented itself whenever she was around the Asgardian Prince and she had long ago decided not to fight them.
Loki embraced her in an affectionate hug, "Of course. Besides, now you can practice Parselmagic much easier now." His head cocked to the side, and a mischievous grin appeared on his face as he clicked his finger, "You are about to receive a wonderful wakeup call my dear, right, about … now-"
"AAAAAHH! Daph! DAPH! AHHHHH!"
Odette shot up from her bed, wand already in hand and her other hand reaching down to her ankle incase her throwing knife was needed, "The hell, Tracey? What's wrong with you?" At that moment, Daphne ran out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her head, having dashed out of the shower when she heard Tracey's frightened screams.
Tracey's vocal cord wasn't functioning properly, and so, the terrified brunette let out a whimper from where she stood on her bed, and her index finger shakily pointed onto the small beige Taipan Snake that was curled onto Odette's bed, amusement in his eyes as he observed the frightened brunette.
Oh, Loki. That God really enjoyed mischief and pranks, and poor Tracey ended up being the victim.
"You're a Slytherin and you're scared of snakes?" Odette snorted, "Ah, the irony." She turned her back on them and stretched out her right arm, allowing Shiva to coil snuggly around it, eliciting a squeak from Tracey and a choking sound from Daphne. "Daphne, Tracey, this is Shiva, my familiar."
"You're familiar? What about Divus?" Daphne asked cynically, helping the shaking Tracey off her bed. Odette smirked, "Well, Shiva will be invisible so you two are the only ones that know about him." After ten painstaking minutes where Odette forced patience, Daphne and Tracey ceased all fear of Shiva and began petting him slowly, identical smiles flittering on their faces.
As the three Slytherins made their way to the first potion class with the Gryffindors, Odette charmed Shiva to remain invisible to all but Daphne and Tracey using an Old Norse spell that Loki taught her.
Snape started his lesson with an intimidating, yet rehearsed speech about bottling fame, brewing glory and putting a stopper to death before bulldozing Charlus with questions, taking delight when the idiot knew none of the answers.
"Hmm, clearly fame isn't everything," Snape drawled, prompting Charlus' face to redden with anger and the Slytherins to all snicker behind their hands.
"Nobody would know the answers! Except for Granger, but she's a bookworm," Charlus shouted before smirking smugly, "You're just a greasy bat out to get me!" The whole class gasped, some staring at the 'Boy-Who-Lived' in awe and fandom, while the Slytherins glared at him for insulting their Head of House.
Snape's lips curled in contempt as he stalked toward Charlus, looming over him with rage, "Detention, and fifty points from Gryffindor! You are just as arrogant as your father, and I will not allow disrespect in my class. Miss Potter," Snape whipped around to face the emotionless redhead, "The same questions. Answer them!"
Charlus and Ron snorted audibly, confident that the Squib wouldn't know the answers. But Odette flashed them a smirk and in a bored drawl, replied, "Asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful known as the Draught of Living Dead. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and will save one from most poisons," except Shiva, she added internally, "Monkshood and Wolfsbane are the same plant which also goes by the same name of aconite. Really Professor, are those the best questions you got?" she challenged him with a smirk, taking great delight in the stupefied and flabbergasted expressions on everyone's face.
Snape strolled toward her, a menacing look on his visage from beneath his hooked nose, "Very well. What ingredients are used in making Felix Felicis?" the Slytherins and some Gryffindors who knew the complex potion gasped and Hermione Granger scowled in confusion, angry at herself for not knowing the answer.
"Ashwinder egg, horseradish, juice of a squil bulb, chopped up anemone-like growth on the back of Murtlap, dash of tincture of thyme, Occamy eggshell, sprinkle of powdered common rue; in chronological order, Professor Snape," Odette retorted in utmost boredom. Every occupant in the classroom could be seen gaping at her in bafflement; the redhead didn't even pause for a deep breath or a moment to ponder the answer.
Snape hid his enthralling awe behind his Occlumency shield and shot out another question, "Recite Golpalott's Third Law."
The redhead lifted an amused eyebrow, and calmly countered back, "The antidote for a blended poison will be equal to more than the sum of the antidotes for each of the separate components."
An impressed hush engulfed the classroom; Charlus gaped at her in utmost confusion; Daphne and Tracey beamed at her in pride; Draco and Aaron had a thoughtful yet impressed expression on their visage. Snape however, had a curl upon his lips that could almost be mistaken as a smile.
"Forty points to Slytherin, Miss Potter," was all the professor could say before he snapped at the class to begin their potion.
"Odette, you coming?" Tracey chirped on her way out with Daphne.
"I'll meet you in the Great Hall," Odette absently replied.
Once the door closed behind them, the redhead ambled over to her Head of House whose eyes never wavered from hers, "Professor Snape, I understand you hold a deep … let's say animosity with James Potter, therefore transferring that hate toward Charlus. However, I am not either of them, and I would prefer we start anew. Your insistence on treating me with such unwarranted hatred is really not the best course of action for you. I will not accept continual attacks on my person such as yourself and it is beneficial if we built an amiable or at least courteous relationship since you are to be my Head of House and Potions Professor for the next seven years."
Snape's eyes flickered slightly, and respect shone clearly in those blank onyx orbs, "James Potter? You do not call him father. Why?"
Sitting down on the chair opposite to him, Odette decided not to pour all her oranges in one basket, but to give him the benefit of the doubt since they both shared mutual loathing toward the Potters. "I have an eidetic memory, and every memory I have of my, for lack of a better word, parents are of them ignoring me, berating me and favoring that fool of a twin over me. That Halloween night, Albus bloody Dumbledore decided to check my magical signature. Due to the backlash of Voldemort's attack, he spotted no magic within me and hailed me a Squib," no need to inform him of her having the ability to hide her magic from the old codger – yet, "Ever since then, James and Lily ignored my existence. I have never been showered with love or affection, at least until my Hogwarts letter arrived. So no, Professor Snape, those people are no family of mine. I spent years with my faithful house-elf and caretaker, as my only companion, who helped me learn magic in the solitude confines of the Potter Library. I hope we can be amiable toward each other."
Sighing deeply, Snape glanced at the beautiful redhead in regret and sorrow, "I apologize. I judged rashly. But you are a student of my house, and I will always protect you and … change my attitude. I accept your proposal."
"Thank you, Professor. Also, please do not share what I have relayed to you with the Headmaster. I don't trust him."
That night, in the confined solitude of his room, Severus pondered the strange Potter girl who had been sorted into his house; he of course always knew of the female twin's existence due to the prophecy he had overhead that fateful night, and often found it odd that she had disappeared for a decade. The collaboration of Odette confiding in him explained everything crystal clear …
His alliance with his old friend, Lily, halted completely after he regrettably called her a Mudblood during their fifth year, and although he joined the Light Side as a spy, she still cut all ties with him, growing cold and more distant during the decade after the Dark Lord's defeat by Charlus Potter. He could not imagine the woman Odette spoke of to be his Lily, the girl who held so much compassion and tender toward others, the girl who fought for the rights of Muggleborns, Squibs and Half-Breeds; to alienate her daughter, her own flesh and blood due to her being a Squib was unimaginable and for the first time, Severus was disgusted with the redhead.
But Odette Potter ailed him … he was disturbed by how detached the eleven-year-old seemed to be with her surroundings. Her emerald gems remained cold and uncaring, her pale face smooth, emotionless and impassive, and her lips would always be curled sinisterly. The Potters did a number on the girl and the spy knew a deftly placed mask when he saw one. There was more to Odette Potter that meets the eyes and the spy was adamant in finding out her secrets.
The girl was a member of his house, and he protected his snakes fiercely no matter how cold and aloof the masses though him to be. But deep inside, Severus knew the girl to be powerful, especially when he tried Legilimency on her at the beginning of the lesson, only to be blocked deftly by the smugly smirking redhead.
Yes, Odette Potter had many secrets, and the Potions Master knew that it was best NOT to get on her bad side.
***THE FORGOTTEN POTTER***
Two weeks had passed, and Odette continued to excel in all her classes, vastly shocking those who previously thought her to be a Squib. The redhead found acquaintances in her roommates, Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis, but other than that, the redhead didn't allow them to morph into friends.
Odette kept her distance from the other Slytherins and only spoke with Daphne, Tracey, Divus and Shiva, not bothered in building friendships with others. She had visited Lexi and Lee during the first weekend and received a huge lecture and tongue-thrashing from the blonde vampire who kept on insisting the cold assassin to make friends, but to no avail.
She was like a sink, all Lexi's lectures and insistence leaking down the drain. The redhead was unlike all girls her age, she didn't put too many thoughts in friendship and all those wishy-washy emotions. Acquaintances were all she needed in life, and wasn't interested in being held back by caring too much for the outcome of others. The Red Room taught her as much; her first friend and older sister, Zelda never strayed from her thoughts, and it was safer not to get close with people for they were all frail and easily perishable.
The loss of Zelda never wavered, and at times, Odette would glance curiously at Daphne and Tracey, a fond smile on her face; those two reminded her dearly of the only friendship she formed in the Red Room, and sometimes, the redhead wished to get closer with her roommates, but her greatest enemy was herself, and she always managed to cease such wishful thinking, creating an even larger distance between them. Unfortunately, the blonde and brunette were adamant in befriending her and the redhead didn't know how much longer she could hold out.
At the moment, the Slytherins and Gryffindors were lined up in the Quidditch pitch for their first flying lesson with Madam Hooch. The lesson was going well, except for Neville who was unfortunate enough to break his wrist when he fell down from his broom and then sent off with Granger to the hospital wing.
That was until screams emanated from around her, and the redhead whipped her head in time to see Charlus knock Draco Malfoy quite viciously off his broom, a victorious sneer evident of her twin's face. The daft flying instructor wasn't paying attention as she was distracted by the bumbling fashionistas of Gryffindor, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil.
The Slytherins all ran toward the broken and bleeding form of the blonde, congregated around him with fearful and horrific looks on their visage while some tried gaining the attention of Hooch.
"Out of my way! Move it!" Odette snarled abruptly, kneeling beside Draco's fallen and pitiable form. The assassin was obviously not disturbed by the crimson blood oozing from the pale face and smeared around the silver-blonde hair; in her line of profession, she was used to gore having been the cause of most of them. The young redhead did not know why she was adamant in saving the boy she barely traded a few words with.
Maybe it was because the Potters had a huge enmity with the Malfoys. Maybe it was because she knew Charlus would be outraged with her saving the Malfoy Scion. Maybe it was because of such foolish house loyalty. Maybe because Odette wanted a powerful and influential family owing her a life debt.
Or maybe, my Queen, she heard Divus speak through their familiar connection, maybe because you remember this boy when he was the age of four being bullied by your violent twin and don't want to see him die.
Such foolish sentiment, she inwardly spat to herself. But nevertheless, she wandlessly cast a silencing charm around her and began hissing with Shiva; it was time to use her gift of parselmagic for the very first time and put it to good use.
Diagnose, she hissed with the aid of Shiva; her eyes were as round as galleons when she received the results. Draco was dying; in fact the only reason he still managed a few lungful of breaths was due to the potent magic running through his veins, vehemently fighting to save his life. His skull was crushed, and if he were a muggle, then the Malfoy Scion would have been dead upon impact.
Cautiously, she seeped some of her own magic onto Shiva, transferring it toward Draco and hissed, restructure of temporal lobe. The sound of his skull realigning could be heard only by her, and if it were anyone else, they would have shied away, recoiling in disgust from such a gruesome noise.
Odette noted from the peripheral of her vision that Madam Hooch was dashing toward them and she removed the silencing charm; her faith was restored and she knew that Draco was far away from death's arms now and would be in great hands under the administration of Poppy Pomfrey.
And that was how Odette found herself sitting by Draco's bedside listening to the Malfoys, the Potters and Headmaster Dumbledore arguing a few feet away in the Hospital Wing. Of course, the old codger dismissed any form of punishment for the Boy-Who-Lived nearly murdering the Scion of an ancient house, stating that it was a mere innocent accident.
"I promise you Potter, your son will pay for what he did to my son. Dumbledore cannot protect you outside the castle walls," Mr. Malfoy hissed threateningly. Mrs. Malfoy ambled over to Draco's side, affectionately stroking his pale face with tears in her eyes and Odette felt a pang of jealousy – this was how a mother should treat their children; an emotion the redhead was never lucky enough to receive.
She was shaken from those rare morose thoughts by Dumbledore, "My chi-, Miss Potter," he corrected upon viewing the warning glare she sent him, "How did you succeed in saving Mr. Malfoy's life?"
James, Lily, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, Professors Snape and Minerva and Poppy Pomfrey all stared at her curiously, a thousand questions flittering in their eyes. Rolling her eyes, Odette focused on the old codger with a challenging stare, "I read, Headmaster. There are many books on healing in the libraries you know. Any other ridiculous questions you wish to ask?"
"Odette! Show some respect," James shouted staring at her in disapproval.
Scoffing, the redhead drawled, "Respect is earned, James. I see none here that managed such a feat."
Without a word, the scandalized and furious Potters marched out of the hospital wing with McGonagall and Dumbledore following close behind, leaving the Malfoys and Snape alone. Odette shot up to her feet and went to depart, leaving the Malfoys privacy with their son, when Mr. Malfoy whispered her name, halting her footsteps.
"You're the-, Odette, you're the girl from Potter's Birthday Ball at the Ministry seven years ago. You're Charlus' twin," and although it was a statement, a hint of a question was there.
Turning around, the redhead smirked, "Very astute, Mr. Malfoy. You have a sharp memory."
"Yes, well," Mr. Malfoy tried collecting his bearings as he gave her a piercing yet confused look, "You seem to be making it a habit of protecting my son from the Boy-Who-Lived."
"But, the Ball… if you're his twin, why was there no mention of you whatsoever?" Mrs. Malfoy asked, and only the detected sincerity had Odette answer her, "As you can see, no one is more important to the Potters than their precious savior. I was thought to be a Squib until receiving my Hogwarts letter."
"Thank you, for saving my son," Mrs. Malfoy whispered, her cerulean eyes shining with tears and gratitude.
"Yes," Mr. Malfoy awkwardly cleared his throat, "The House of Malfoy owes you a life debt."
For the life of her, the assassin didn't know why, but she found herself blurting out, "I don't want it," achieving in earning herself three bewildered and gaping stares from the Malfoys and Snape. "I know it could be implied a terrible faux-pas to purebloods and their customs, but I don't want a life debt from you."
Damn you Lexi Branson and that damn compassion you seemed to have grilled into my conscience, Odette inwardly snarled.
The surprises kept on coming as Mrs. Malfoy ran over to her and gathered her into a motherly hug, an action she had never been on the receiving end of causing her to stiffen in confusion. Never before had the redhead been given a hug by a mother, it was alien to her. Loki, Lexi and Bree often at times hugged her, but it was more of a friendly embrace. Zelda hugged her before, but that was before all her ideologies changed due to the Red Room and the multitude of torture sessions by the Petrovich brothers.
"Thank you, dear," Mrs. Malfoy sobbed.
Hesitantly, Odette patted the matriarch on her back, shifting uncomfortably and breathing a sigh of relief once she was released and allowed her personal space, "It was nothing, Mrs. Malfoy."
"Oh, none of that Mrs. Malfoy from you, dear. Call me Cissa," Narcissa beamed tearfully.
Mr. Malfoy approached her hesitantly; the sharp eyes of Lord Malfoy did not fail in noticing how the redhead flinched upon receiving affection and physical contact, and after recalling James Potter's treatment of her at the ball seven years ago, he grimaced at the implication, "And I give you permission to call me Lucius. You may reject the life debt, but we will never forget that you saved out son, and for that, you have our deepest gratitude and we shall forever be in your debt."
A/N: Done!
Grænn gimsteinn minn: My green gem.
Saving Draco Malfoy's life was a very important factor to my story, especially with the new alliance that shall form between Odette and the Malfoys. Relationships will be changing now …
Yes, Odette is still an assassin and cold-blooded killer who hates showing emotions, but we are about to see her opening up to a selective few … I mean, come on, Odette was bound to make FRIENDS and not acquaintances other than vampires. Just because she doesn't show emotions and can be cold, it doesn't mean Odette will be friendless forever.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter … next, we will see Odette building strong bonds with a few people ;)
R&R.