*Harry Potter belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling!
**I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! Whatever you celebrate, I hope you enjoyed it! :)
***Title of this chapter comes from 'Secrets' by One Republic. Great song!
*Leave a review! :)
"Say, how is your younger brother faring?" Simon questions, actually looking at me for once. "Better, I'd assume?"
I roll my eyes and drop my stack of papers on his desk. "Why the hell is this so amusing to you?" I demand. "Do you enjoy angering me? Isn't it your job to put families together for their better interest, not just your bigoted pro-pureblood ideals?"
Simon folds his hands and gives me a look as if this is all a joke to him. "Malfoy-"
"Either Isobelle, or Miss Malfoy. Don't disrespect me," I interject.
Simon smirks. "'Miss Malfoy', that has a bit of a ring to it. However, Isobelle, I believe I've explained to you before where I stand. I also believe that it isn't in your place to question me," Simon drawls, clenching his jaw.
Honestly, I'm past being Simon's intern. Nothing good's come of it, and he's just a loathsome prick. "You don't tell me what I may and may not do. I have the right to question you if you aren't doing your job correctly. You can't decide who my brother's mother should be based on heritage!" I argue.
"Interestingly enough, I believe that's exactly what I did," Simon counters. "Isobelle, you may honestly believe that I'm doing this for bigoted reasons, but I am not. I'm doing your family a favor by salvaging what little pride in the Malfoy name there is left. Singlehandedly, your father managed to tarnish that name. Do you want that to continue with your brother? Not only does he have a half-blooded sister and a mudb-"
"Watch it," I warn Simon, listening to him slightly.
Simon rolls his eyes. "Right, politically correct terminology. A muggle-born mother, could you imagine him having to say that he had no ties to his biological mother at all? You know first-hand how judgmental purebloods can be, and everything about your brother is considered scandalous in one way or another. The only thing that isn't taboo about him is his blood."
"Well, wouldn't that be enough?" I question, my voice clipped. "After all, if you've got 'pure blood', you're golden, aren't you?"
"Quite the contrary," Simon answers, shaking his head. "It isn't just about blood. It's about status as well. All that's tied in with the names, and I must say, the Malfoy name's really going down these days. At least let your brother grow up with an ounce of dignity. That can't happen with your mother."
I would be lying if I said I didn't understand what Simon was saying. I don't agree with it, but I understand him perfectly. Dad's decided to marry- and have children with- a 'mudblood', and people like Mum apparently are 'ignorant and uncivilized'. If Mum raises Scorpius, according to them, he'll become the same way. Scorpius will be subject to that for the rest of his life. I don't want that for him.
"Will it really be that way?" I question.
Simon nods. "Don't think I'm such an asshole now, do you?"
I suppose that in his own crooked way, Simon is trying to protect Scorpius. Being a pureblood himself, he understands Scorpius' plight far better than I do. But, where does this leave all my other siblings?
"I have three other siblings. Having Scorpius' mother back won't exactly be good for them," I point out.
"Well, no, but I'm sure they could make it in the world far better than your brother could. Now, before you become offended, think about it," Simon tells me. He's right. Hugo, Rose, and Nina don't have to appeal to anyone. They simply are who they are. They don't have a name to live up to, unlike Scorpius, who will be singled out terribly because he's a pureblood, and he's been raised the same as his half-blooded step-siblings.
"All right, but blood discounted, Scorpius' mother is a crazy bat. That can't be safe," I reason.
"Well, there's nothing I can do about that. You may just have to-"
"Deal with it?" I question, crossing my arms. "Is that what you were going to say?"
Simon narrows his eyes at me. "How about you let me finish my damn sentence?" He suggests harshly.
"Fine then, go ahead." I gesture my hand for Simon to continue.
"Look, I'm a lawyer, not a miracle worker. That's all I have to say. If need be, you can help out with your brother just fine," Simon reminds me.
"What do you mean 'if need be'? I'm not his mother, I am his sister."
"Half-sister," Simon interjects, as if that's important right now.
"I don't like this, Simon. It seems that Scorpius' social standing isn't worth risking Astoria," I say.
Simon looks at the papers on his desk, then at me. "Have you ever heard the muggle proverb 'keep your friends close, but your enemies closer'?" He questions.
I nod. "Of course, I've heard it. But I don't think it's meant to be taken literally."
"Why couldn't it be? Astoria's less likely to spring something on you if you can predict it," Simon explains.
"Only one problem, though. Astoria's brilliant at masking what she really is going to do," I remind Simon. Knowing Astoria himself, he should be well aware of that.
"Everyone has their tells," Simon informs me knowingly, watching me closely. "Any reason in particular you keep glancing at the clock? You aren't done until noon."
I bite my lip. "Well, I sort of have to be somewhere at half eleven," I tell Simon. That's only about ten minutes away.
Simon glares at me. Now, I know he's gone back to normal. "And were you just expecting to up and leave? When were you planning on letting me know?" He demands.
"Er... right about now, I suppose."
Simon sighs and rubs his chin. "How unprofessional of you," he mutters, rifling through all the letters on his desk. "Where is it that you need to be?"
"It's personal."
"Personal? I don't think I like the sound of that," Simon says, smirking. We make uncomfortable eye contact.
"I don't mean it that way," I snap. "I'm sorry, but it really is rather important. If I have to, I suppose I can come back later on-"
"No need. I've got a case to attend the next hour anyway. You've just been doing my preparations for me," Simon tells me.
"Is it time for you to 'protect' someone else's family?" I question acerbically, all but using air-quotes. I glance at the clock again. "I've got to go."
When I walk past Simon's desk, his hand closes around my wrist. "What are you doing?" I question, giving him a hard look.
Simon stands up. "I'd just think you'd be a bit more appreciative, Miss Malfoy," he drawls. I'm stuck looking up at him, wondering what the hell is going on. "And you know, I don't do favors. I've told you that."
"According to you, you've done me two already," I point out.
Simon cranes his neck so that his lips are close to my ear. "It isn't a favor if I get something for it," he says in a low voice.
I raise my eyebrows. "What in Merlin's name are you talking about?"
Simon shakes his head. He moves his hold on my wrist to my hand. I pull away. "You'll know when the time comes. Just you remember, Miss Malfoy, no favor goes unreturned," Simon reminds me. On second thought, I really don't like it when he calls me 'Miss Malfoy'. He does it in such a way, I feel as if it's amusing him.
"Sure, I'll keep that in mind," I say sarcastically. "Now, I really do have to go. If you'll excuse me." I walk past Simon and open the door to his office. "Good afternoon."
"Hello, Miss Malfoy. How are you feeling today?" The Healer asks as I take a seat on the white sofa across from her. I haven't really wanted to go to the Healers', but Holden said I really needed to. I suppose it was him who finally made me realize that.
"Today? I feel fine, I suppose," I answer.
"No anxiety?" The Healer questions.
I shake my head. "Not today, no."
The Healer glances down at her clipboard briefly, then back up at me. "It seems you haven't seen us in over a month," she tells me.
"I haven't," I agree.
"Why is that?"
"I don't know particularly. Honestly, this entire idea doesn't appeal to me. I have more important problems than whatever this is."
"More important than yourself?" The Healer asks, raising her eyebrows. I nod. Why is it that people always seem to think that me putting others before myself is such a bad thing? Actually, it's pretty selfless. "So, why is it you're here today?"
"I had an appointment," I answer dumbly. The Healer gives me a look, and I realize that wasn't what she meant. I clear my throat. "My boyfriend thought it would be a good idea."
"And your parents?"
"Well, you know how they feel," I mutter. "Especially my mother." I don't think Dad really likes to acknowledge the fact that I'm supposed to go to the Healers, but he supports it all the same. Mum, on the other hand is adamant about it. She's the reason I'm here in the first place.
"Most importantly, how do you feel about this? Your idea about it has seemed to have changed," the Healer notices.
"Of course, it has. When I was younger, this entire thing seemed appealing. But now, it's too much. I'd like to have my own life, without this," I explain. It would be liberating to not have to feel as if someone were responsible for me.
"Isobelle, you can't move on without any help. Has that worked for you yet?" I shake my head. "Especially not with your mother, am I right?" I nod. "How is your relationship with her now?"
"It's all right, I suppose. We argue a bit, though." Or Mum nags at me, more like.
"What about, may I ask?"
"Basically what I can and can't do, whether I drink or not, things like that. Like yesterday evening, she caught me taking down my tea with vodka and had a right fit," I answer. Mum doesn't understand the concept of stress-management. Or being over the age of seventeen.
The Healer's eyebrows raise again. "Do you believe she was wrong to become so upset?"
"I mean, it isn't as if she can control what I do," I reason.
"Well, after your splinching accident last year, I would assume your mother finds it necessary to be concerned for you," the Healer explains helpfully. Honestly, that entire incident was my parents' fault. Who in their right mind argues with someone who's been drinking? Of course, despite my terrible judgment, I wanted to leave. That little excursion left me in St. Mungo's for a few days. Splinching really is a nasty thing.
"Even so, she isn't making anything better. I understand her, but she's just adding more stress that I don't particularly need right now," I tell the Healer.
"And that seems like a perfect way to combat it?" She questions.
I shake my head. "Of course, not. But it's all I've got. Besides, my youngest sister knocked over my entire bottle of calming draught a couple weeks ago," I reply. "Actually, I believe it's time for me to have another."
The Healer purses her lips and shakes her head at me. "Miss Malfoy, you know that it would be imprudent of me to prescribe you any more potions."
I frown. "Why so?"
"They have to be taken in certain amounts, and by themselves," the Healer answers, giving me a knowing look.
"What are you saying?" I demand, crossing my arms.
"Miss Malfoy-"
"Isn't it your job to help me?" I feel myself growing frustrated. I don't even want to be here, first of all. This sure as hell isn't making anything better.
"That doesn't necessarily mean prescribing you potions," the Healers informs me.
"What does it mean, then?" I question bitingly.
"I'm here to help you get some things off your chest that have been bothersome to you lately, and hopefully that will give you a better chance for the future." I've heard that bullshit line for years now.
"Well, I've got a lot to get off my chest," I huff.
"Such as?" The Healer prompts.
"Such as my boyfriend and I arguing constantly. Well, I suppose it isn't constant, but it's rather unpredictable. And my siblings' parents coming back into the picture. Both of those things aren't anywhere near good. I feel as if my brother and sister are beginning to blame me for why their parents weren't always there," I confess.
"Please continue, Miss Malfoy."
"Also, I don't want any of this to put strain on my parents' marriage, although I fear that it might. You see, normally, I tell my cousin about all these things, but we aren't exactly speaking at the moment."
The Healer leans forward in her chair. "Why is that?" She questions.
"I would rather not say."
"Well, it seems to me that you are placing much more stress on yourself than you really need to be. Do you not feel as if your parents are able to work out the problems in their marriage on their own?" The Healer questions, scrawling something on her clipboard.
I look around the room for a while, twisting my bracelet around my wrist. I don't really know what to say. I glance out the window for a long while, looking at the people walking on the street below. All the people who aren't crazy.
"My parents hated each other. Er, I mean, they don't anymore, but they used to. And when they argue, it's so terrible that I'm just not sure if they could handle anything more," I say, looking at the window still. How long will it be until I can go?
"I see, and do you feel as if your parents are more absorbed in arguing with one another than they are in raising your siblings?"
I turn to the Healer and shake my head vigorously. "No, of course not. I only said that my parents argue sometimes. It isn't often. And it's not like I'm forced to parent my siblings either, that isn't it. It's just that my parents don't really understand them as much as they think they do," I explain.
"It's great of you to do that, Miss Malfoy, but you cannot ignore yourself in the process," the Healer tells me. What in Merlin's name does that even mean?
I couldn't leave St. Mungo's fast enough. Afterward, I decided to take some time to myself, and just enjoy the fresh air. Of course, that didn't last long. I got distracted by a set of robes in the window of Twilfitt and Tatting's, and decided to have a look at them. After all, I'm sure this is what the Healer meant right? Do more for myself? If not, I'll have some new robes either way.
For nearly five minutes, I stand staring at the clothes rack, trying to decide which color will compliment me best. Oh hell, I'll just buy them all. If I don't like them, I'll let Rose have them, or Nina. She'd have to grow into them, though.
"Small world, isn't it?" A voice questions. My shoulders tense as I turn around. "Why, Isobelle, you don't seem too happy to see me," Astoria drawls, smirking.
"Have I ever been?" I retort, walking away from her. "Just because you want to play mummy to Scorpius now is no reason for you to speak to me." I turn my back to Astoria again. Why the hell can't she just leave me alone?
"Oh, I definitely have no intention of doing that," Astoria assures me.
I can't help but turn around. "You never cared about him then, and you don't now. What do you want?" I question, taking care not to raise my voice. There are only two other people in the shop, but I still don't want to draw attention to myself and Astoria.
Astoria puts her hand to her chest. "Isobelle, it really does amuse me how you think you're able to see through me so easily," she informs me. Honestly, I don't think I can see through Astoria at all. That's what scares me about her.
"I have no idea how Scorpius can even like you," I tell Astoria, staring her directly in the eye.
"That's because Scorpius isn't a hateful little child like you are," Astoria informs me, staring at me coldly. It's unbelievable to me that Astoria thinks she has the right to call anyone else on this planet hateful.
"I'm not a child."
Astoria raises her blonde eyebrows at me. "Only children still live with their parents," she says.
That comment bothers me more than I expect it to. I clench my fists slightly. "I wish I could tell Scorpius how terrible you truly are." I won't though, because Simon's words were meaningful. I also don't want Scorpius to be angry at me.
"Now why can't you?" Astoria questions, as if she doesn't actually know the answer. "Right, because Scorpius would hate you, and blame you for ruining his life more than you already have. Because of you, Scorpius doesn't even have a proper mother."
"If you haven't cared to notice, Scorpius does have a mother, and it isn't you," I counter.
Astoria looks as if she is actually about to laugh. "You can't be talking about that mudblood."
"Actually, I am. You know, she actually loves Scorpius. And she didn't get her ass landed in Azkaban, so she could actually be there for her children. But, it isn't like you were ever capable of raising a child in the first place," I tell Astoria, shrugging.
The look on her face says she could strangle me now, but there isn't anything she can do. Astoria steps closer to me. "You listen to me, and you listen well. Scorpius is my son. I'm not going to let him be corrupted by your filthy-blooded whore of a mother. She's been around long enough!" Astoria whisper-yells. By now, we're alone in Twilfitt and Tattings. I don't know if I like that. I also don't like the way Astoria's speaking about Mum.
"You know something, Astoria? You can talk about how 'filthy' my mother's blood is or what have you, but at least she wasn't forced to have her children. That's the thing: You treat your children a whole lot better when you actually want to have them in the first place," I explain to Astoria.
"Your mother didn't want to have you," Astoria points out, grinning as if she's pleased with herself.
"That may be, but she still wanted me a lot more than you ever wanted Scorpius," I remind Astoria. I step around her. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going home, to my family. It was a displeasure speaking to you, Astoria."
I don't give Astoria a chance to say anything before I walk out of Twilfitt and Tattings. Without my robes.
After the day I've had, I just need to relax at home. Going to the Healers' didn't exactly help, not that I had high hopes for it anyway.
I walk upstairs to find Rose, Albus, Hugo, and Nina sitting cross-legged at the table in the 'games' room, playing a game of Exploding Snap. My siblings have friends over quite often.
"Hey, Al," I smile, greeting my little cousin. Granted, Al isn't he exactly related to me, but he's just as good as.
Al gives me a half-smile back. "Hi," he says back quietly. Al is the most soft-spoken out of all his siblings. With his messy mop of raven hair and bright green eyes, he looks exactly like a miniature Uncle Harry. Only, his glasses have rectangular frames instead of circular ones.
"Tell your family I said hello."
Al nods slightly. "I will."
Nina shrieks as a card explodes in her hand. "Ow!" she whines. "Hugo, I told you I didn't wanna play anymore!"
"Well, you can't just quit in the middle of the game," Hugo tells Nina, who's pouting and wincing. He has the largest deck of cards. He's winning. It's very difficult to beat Hugo at games, especially Exploding Snap.
"Yeah, we'll get you some ice after we're done," Rose assures her.
It took me a little while, but now I realize I don't see Scorpius sitting among them. That's a bit odd. "Where's Scorpius?" I question. "Didn't he invite Daisy over?"
Rose nods, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, they went up to his room a little while ago. Said we were boring them. They're probably snogging," she tells me disgustedly. Al nods in agreement.
"Snogging?" I repeat in disbelief. Since when does Scorpius think he can go around snogging people?
"Yeah. He and Daisy are girlfriend and boyfriend," Al tells me, quickly taking two cards from the table before they explode.
"Daisy's a tramp. She let a Fifth Year feel her up," Rose tells me. "Other than quidditch, all Scorpius can talk about is how fit she is."
I roll my eyes. This is too much. "Well, that's enough mind-numbing pre-adolescent bile for the day. I'll see the lot of you later. And Rose, don't forget about Nina's hand," I remind her, turning to leave the room. I walk down the hall until I'm standing outside of Scorpius' door. I've got no idea what's up the little bugger's bum, but since when does he think he can snog people?
I can't hear anything for at least a minute or so, so Daisy and Scorpius definitely aren't just talking to each other. Then, I hear Daisy's voice. "Speak to me in French, Scorpius. It's so cute when you do that."
Scorpius mutters something incomprehensible to me, and Daisy giggles, then says something back. I bet Dad wouldn't think those French lessons for Scorpius were such a good idea now. I can't help but open the door.
Scorpius and Daisy jump apart. Scorpius turns and glares at me. "Isobelle, get out of my room!" He shouts.
"I'm not in your room. What were you and Daisy doing?" I question, crossing my arms.
"Isobelle," Daisy grins. The little cow. "Scorpius and I were just...talking." That's such a lie, considering I just saw them kissing, with my own eyes. They must think I'm stupid.
"Really? To me, it looked like you were snogging," I say.
Scorpius trains his cold eyes on me. "So what if we were? It's none of your business."
"Right," Daisy agrees, twirling her hair around her finger. "It really isn't. Scorpius and I can do what we want. That's why the door was shut." She combs her fingers through Scorpius' hair and gives me a steady gaze. I could rip her hair out.
"I remember when you were young and cute, both of you," I say. Now, they're demons. Especially Daisy."Scorpius, do Mum and Dad know about this?"
Scorpius nods. "Well, my mother does. She says Daisy's a nice girl," he informs me triumphantly. Well, of course sodding Astoria doesn't have an issue with this. Why would she? If anything, she'll let Scorpius do whatever he wants in hopes that it will create more drama between my parents.
"That's because I am a nice girl," Daisy says, smiling at Scorpius. "Tell your sister to leave so we can be to ourselves. I have something else to tell you."
"You can't just barge into my room, Isobelle. Leave us alone!" Scorpius tells me, getting up to slam the door in my face.
Once the door is shut, I can hear Daisy's muffled voice say, "Scorpius, I really hate your sister."
I wait for Scorpius to come to my defense and say something, but he doesn't.
"I know," he mutters back. That hurts. I turn and stomp downstairs to Dad's study. He's always in there at this time of day.
"Dad?" I question, walking in. Mum's sitting in the chair in the corner of the room, reading a book with her feet propped up. She looks rather upset. "Oh, hello, Mum."
"Evening, Isobelle," Mum says back, turning a page of her book instead of looking up at me. What's her problem?
Dad sets his quill in his inkwell and looks up at me. "Do you need something?"
I nod. "I've just got a question for you."
"Well, what is it?"
"Do you think it's at all appropriate for Daisy and Scorpius to be snogging?" I question, feeling heated just thinking about it. I hate referring to a child badly, but Daisy really is a little bint. "I walked in on them."
Mum closes her book and looks up with interest. Dad gives me a confused look. "Isobelle, I'm afraid I don't know what you mean," he says.
"I mean, Scorpius and Daisy are upstairs snogging each other. Don't you have a problem with that?" I question, trying to get Dad to see the light.
"I, for one, do!" Mum agrees, turning to Dad. "Draco, you need to go speak to him!"
Dad sighs and runs his hand through his hair. These days, he's starting to look much older. I think it's all the stress he's been under lately. "I don't see what all the fuss is about."
"Scorpius is twelve!" I remind Dad. "And Daisy's going to be fourteen in a few months, there isn't anything wrong with that?"
"There most certainly is. Draco, they shouldn't even be by themselves," Mum says reasonably.
"Hermione, will you calm down for one second? Isobelle, I trust at your age, you know better than to open a door without knocking first," Dad tells me, giving me an accusatory look.
How is he making this out to be my fault? "That is such a double-standard! If I recall correctly, you threatened death upon Holden for kissing me! And we were a lot older than twelve!" I argue, throwing my hands up out of frustration.
"You certainly aren't acting it," Dad tells me. "Besides, Scorpius is very responsible, and considering he and Daisy are most likely going to be married one day, it isn't a big deal at all." I feel terrible for Scorpius, pretty much already having his life decided for him. He can't really get out of it unless he runs away and gets disowned, or pulls the same stunt as Dad. I don't think that will work for two generations in a row.
Mum glares at Dad. "Well, this isn't 'one day', Draco, this is today! I agree with Isobelle completely, that behavior is inappropriate and you shouldn't condone it! I don't know what's gotten into Scorpius lately."
Dad puts his face in his hands for a count of three. "Don't be so oblivious, Hermione. You know exactly what his problem is."
Mum sets her book on the coffee table beside her. "I don't, actually. Please enlighten me, dear husband."
"Isobelle, would you give us a moment?" Dad requests.
I nod, stepping backward out of his study. I shut the door, and press my ear to it. The doors are rather thin at the Manor. Considering that sound-proofing and silencing charms exist, the doors don't really have to be too thick.
"Are you going to tell me now why Scorpius had been acting the way he has these past few days?" Mum questions.
"Isn't it obvious? I don't know what the hell Astoria's told him, and frankly, I don't care. I just want her gone. She's been poisoning his mind enough. I swear if I could, I'd march straight down to the Ministry myself!" Dad says angrily.
"Why can't you?" Mum asks.
"I can't simply keep Astoria away because I don't like her, Hermione. Things don't work that way," he explains testily.
"I'm aware of that," Mum says shortly.
"It wasn't even my choice for her to show up again," Dad growls angrily. It's silent for a few long seconds.
"Excuse me, Draco for suggesting that Ronald actually see his children. Harry said it would be a good idea," Mum says defensively.
"You aren't married to Potter, Hermione! You're married to me! I don't give a damn what Potter thinks!" Dad shouts.
"I don't understand why you're so hung up about it!" Mum argues back. "It isn't as if Astoria's still out of the picture!"
"Because, Hermione, you didn't even ask me! And I don't have a child with Astoria that I didn't tell her about!" Dad points out. I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers that.
"Nina is yours, Draco!" Mum says fiercely. "Ron doesn't even know she exists!"
"Biologically she isn't mine! Ron could take you to court!" Dad reminds Mum.
"For what?" She demands. "For not telling him about Nina? I didn't have to tell him anything!"
"No, for passing her off as mine!" Dad answers. Now of course, I knew something like that was morally wrong, but I didn't know it was illegal. "It's my name that's on Nina's birth certificate! It's not Ron's name, it wasn't left blank, it's my name, Hermione! That document says I'm Nina's father, which I'm not! We could both be in legal trouble!"
"Draco, we talked this over for months. You knew what you were agreeing to," Mum reminds Dad, lowering her voice.
"What I didn't know, Hermione, was that there was a chance of Weasley coming back! Had I known that, I wouldn't have agreed to anything! I love Nina as if she were my own daughter, but Hermione, this really wasn't a good idea. I know it and you know it," Dad sighs.
"What wasn't a good idea?" Mum questions.
It takes Dad a while to respond. "We should have known this would happen sooner or later. How did we think we could raise five children with all different parents?" Both he and Mum have defeated tones now.
"Because we love them, Draco. And we love each other. We're good parents. No matter what," Mum assures him. "But still, I'm sorry if you ever felt as if I forced Nina on you."
"I never felt that way," Dad tells Mum. "I never felt that way at all."
"I just want things to be all right," Mum says quietly. I know she's nervous for her own children, and she's nervous for Scorpius, too. He's up against a lot more than Rose, Hugo, or Nina.
"I know, Hermione. Hopefully, they will be," Dad says back. Well, my parents seem to be okay for now. I turn around to go back upstairs. I freeze, dead in my tracks.
Rose is standing right behind me, her eyes wide.
*Ah! Cliffhanger! Sorry about that! A lot happened in this chapter, sorry if it's so much to absorb, but I kind of wanted to bring together a few loose ends.
Hope you liked it! Thank you so much for reading! LEAVE A REVIEW :)