Something floated by her...she could feel the soft breeze hit her cheek. She needed to wake up; something was wrong about this.
There. was. music.
Hermione's eyes fluttered open as the music grew in sound. She could feel her heart beat in tempo as the melody continued; weaving its way into her very soul. So many emotions were reflected in the sad lullaby. Hermione sighed as it grew fainter. The music was moving; Hermione had to follow it. There was no questions about it She mushed the covers off her small body and got up from the king-sized bed. her dirty jeans and shirt had been replaced by dark satin pajamas; the inscription of "M" was embroidered on the tight shirt. Hermione felt like she should be angry; she had been captured by Lucius and his dim-witted partners. She was stuck in Malfoy Manor with no escape, yet there was something about that music that calmed her. Almost like it was hypnotizing her to come closer..and she did.
Hermione slowly walked out of the room and sighed. The halls were dark; the moonlight barely illuminated the hallway. It was close to midnight, the stars shining brightly against the dark sky. The girl had obtained a strange fascination with the nighttime sky. It reflected so much about her; the feeling of emptiness Hermione had as she watched the people she loved go their separate ways. Pin points of light seemed to show what Hermione found best in her small world. Hermione began to make her way down the hallway; each step calculated and precise. The shadows behind her move around; each tendril of darkness swaying around her, dancing to the melody abroad.
They had ghosts at Malfoy Manor; it wasn't anything new to Draco.
One in particular was a favorite of Draco's, his great-great-great grandmum Arabella Malfoy. He had first discovered the young ghost when he was ten, searching the cold halls for something to entertain himself. She had just appeared out of nowhere, playing her beautiful music. Draco researched her anme when he grew older. She had been a music prodigy in her time; dieing at the age of 21 during childbirth. Arabella had become a superb flutist and had started learning the harp. Such beautiful music came from her mind; it had astounded her peers to no end. Ari, a name he called her since that first meeting, became one of his closet friends in the Manor. Guess imagine what people would say if they found the Malfoy heir talking to a ghost like an old friend?
On this particular night, Draco listened to the melodies with an uneasy heart. His father, over supper, had been talking about Maria and their upcoming engagement. He was pushing for this wedding; his mother couldn't sway him. Maria had no say in the matter as far as Lucius was concerned. Yet soemthing was off about this; his father never would have pushed this onto Draco if it had been any other girl. There was something about Maria that set Lucius Malfoy off. Draco would have to find out; he couldn't let Blaise's little sister get hurt. Blaise...Dear Merlin, Blaise was going to kill him.
A large squeak echoed through his door; causing Draco to pull himself up. Someone was up; the footsteps were too light to be his father;'s and too heavy to be his mother's. Draco quickly pushed the covers off of his bosy and got up. Maria was up and about; the music must have woken her up. Drao quickly pulled on a white wife beater and sweater. He would have to follow her; he couldn't let anything happen to Maria.
Draco slowly opened the door as the small frame went around the corner...he guessed it right. She was following the music. Ari's melodies sometimes had that effect; a sensation that was purely hypnotizing. That's why so many people feared her when she was alive. Her magic pulled people towards her by blending in with the music. It was dangerous...such a gift. It reached beyond the grave.
Hermione felt the music grow intense as her hands ran over a set of large oak doors. She sighed, pushing back a strand of rebellious hair. she might as well go in; Hermione wanted to know who was playing. She slowly pushed the doors open, her muscles tightening from the work. Hermione gasped at the sight before her.
It was so beautiful, this ballroom. The rook was crystal clear, showing the blazing stars above. So much work had to be put into this room. Hermione swirled, taking everything in. Large, silk tapestries were slung up onto the walls; thier white shine illuminating the room with an ethereal glow. Hermione liked this room; there was something about it that made her feel content. There was beauty in this dark Manor.
"Hello. Who are you, if I may ask?" Hermione turned to address the voice. Her hand instantly went to her mouth; a scream began to build up in her throat from shock. It was a female ghost; yet in appearance, the girl had to be at least 20 years old. Her raiment was very regal; Victorian maybe. Hermione had to emit, the ghost was very beautiful. "I'm so sorry if I scared you. I didn't mean to."
"O-oh its okay." Hermione answered with a small smile. "My name is Maria Zabini." Hermione bowed slightly, showing her respect like she had been taught. The female ghost smiled, shaking her head with laughter.
"You don't have to do that, Maria. I hated bowing back then..I still do." the female stated with a voice filled with merriment. "I'm Arabella Malfoy; you can call me Ari. Draco does...that dear boy" Hermione's eyes widen in surprise.
"You talk to Draco?" Hermione asked shocked. It was shocking that Draco would do such a thing; he never seemed to like the ghosts back at Hogwarts.
"Of course, dear. I've talked to him since he was ten years of age." Arabella stated raising up- what appeared to be- a flute. "He caught me playing by accident. He loves music...partially because of me. I was the one that taught him how to play the piano. My father was a superb pianist; taught me everything I knew. My forte, however, is the flute."
"You were the one that was playing!" Hermione stated happily. Arabella nodded with joy. "It was so beautiful. I almost felt like I was home." The ghost frowned at the sight before her.
"What do you mean, dear?"
The music stopped, that was surprising. Ari never stopped, not unless she felt like it. For a dead person. Arabella Malfoy was very demanding. She got what she wanted, whether it was free rein over the house or just a time to play her music. Draco had seen Ari on one of her bad days when nothig went her way. Draco and Narcissa left the Manor for a week in Paris just so his father could work something out with the ghost. When they returned, a smirk decorated the friendly ghost face every time she passed by Lucius Malfoy. Free rein it was...
"What do you mean, dear?" Ari asked the oblivious girl. They had no idea that he was watching them from the shadows. Draco had inherited his ability to remain unseen by his mother. She could sneak up on you at any moment and you would never know. Bloody sneak, she was.
"I had a music box my mum gave me. She...Dear merlin, Lucius kidnapped me!" Maria sobbed walking over to the window. The pearly white moon was reflected in her sad eyes. "Everyone is going to be so worried. Oh god, what about Blaise and Harry?" Sobs shook the small frame. Draco watched as Ari floated around the woman, her sad expression quicky becoming angry.
"That fool! Why would he do such a thing, dear?" Ari asked concern flushing the dead woman's face. Maria looked towards the flutist and sighed. Tearstains decorated her soft skin, Draco could feel his heart skip a beat at the sight before him. She was so beautiful.
"I was placed in a muggle couple's home when I was born. Someone was after me but my father died to protect me. I never knew my family until I turned 17." Hermione stated her voice calm and smooth. "Lucius reinstated the contract when I made an appearance to the ball that was hosted here." Ari floated around her hands moving over her flute; Draco could remember her telling him that it calmed her down, this action she was committing now. It made her think more like she once did. Music brought everything back to her dead mind. "I'm so scared. They took my wand...I'm defenseless."
"I'll think of something, dear. Lucius doesn't know this house as well as he thinks. I'll help you escape." Ari mumbled looking at the frightened girl. "Do you want me to play for you? It might help your nerves. I can't have you scared when you escape from all of this." Maria nodded watching as the woman before her began to play a soft tune, familiar to both viewers. Draco smiled as Maria began to sway to the melody. She was so beautiful.
Draco believed in Arabella; she would get Maria out of the house. Ari always kept her promises. How she kept her promises was something Draco found frighteneing.
Arabella Malfoy was a force to be reckoned with.