Lego

The room stood frozen in time as Atria's mind came to terms with the event which was about to unfold. Dumbledore sat placidly at his large desk, the minister of magic by his side.

All eyes were on her, including that of Snape's and her body went rigid under her uncle's gaze.

"Uncle," Atria said clearly, she knew how much he hated it when she mumbled.

Lucius stood proudly, his cane clasped in front of him as he gave her a nod of acknowledgment, "Atria."

"What's going on?" She asked her eyes darting between the three men in the room waiting for answers although in her heart she already knew why. It wasn't long before the dreaded words left her uncles lips, "I'm here to take you home."

Atria's face fell even further until it was completely impassive, all life left her eyes and her uncle's unforgiving eyes measured her up.

"What?" she asked meekly.

He said it as if it were the most simple thing in the world, "Your aunt and I have decided that being at school at the present time is not in your best interest."

"But why?" She asked her eyes shadowy and pleading.

He tilted his head in disturbance at her probing but still continued, fighting back his anger for the moment, "Do not question me Atria now go and pack your trunk," he commanded sternly.

"Mr Malfoy," Dumbledore called. His voice the more superior of the two, as well as his station. His voice boomed loudly and breathed air into the tales of the legendarily fierce man. Lucius paused before turning back to Dumbledore looking dumbfound.

He turned to the young girl then, his eyes kinder when focused on her and for a moment she was not afraid.

"Please Miss Black, come, have a seat," Dumbledore said before holding out his hand to the awaiting chair in front of him.

Atria looked to her uncle before deciding it was best to follow the headmaster's instructions. She timidly moved from the stairs, past the others until she sat in front of Albus Dumbledore.

Dumbledore gave her a reassuring smile before he raised his hooked nose and addressed the rest of the room, "Now I think we are all capable of a civilised conversation no theatrics as of the likes of last year please Mr Malfoy."

Lucius' mouth fell open as his eye filled with outrage at Dumbledore humbling statement. His teeth came forward before he began to angrily hurl words a Dumbledore, "I will not be blamed for this school's incapability to protect its students!" He snapped, "And I must say I am outraged at the lack of communication from the school after not only a criminal but a murderer made his way on their grounds. Not even under the circumstances. Had it not even occurred to you that my niece may have been his target? What deliberation have you had to her safety?"

"If you don't remember Mr Malfoy, this was covered at the start of the year. We along with your wife decided Miss Black would return to school, Something you agreed to as well as I. If Sirius Black was here, he is no longer. And there is no urgent need for her to be removed," Dumbledore said scoldingly.

"How can you be sure of that? You didn't even realise he was here to begin with," Lucius said in a wry manner.

The minister intervened before the verbal conflict could go too far, holding up his hand to hush the noise. His eyes darted between the two men as he addressed them both, "This is not an attack on Hogwarts capability to protect its students Albus. It is simply the matter of a Childs well being."

His gestured to Lucius before continuing, "Lucius confided in me the worry for his niece and who was I to keep it from him." He said guiltily looking at Dumbledore but also asking for forgiveness.

"I am not blaming you, minister. I am simply appalled by the bombardment," Dumbledore said his patience running thin.

"My wife and I, as her guardians have a right to decide whether or not our ward is safe and we have decided she is not, can you blame us after the events of last year."

Atria froze at the mention of last year. While Lucius used it in his defence, she knew he was reminding her of her past transgression and how she had once again misstepped.

He then turned to Severus before addressing the entire room in a pompous display, "Over the last few months, Severus has written to me with some very displeasing news about my niece."

Dumbledore eyes darted over to Snape as he stood away from others only perking up after the mention of his name, "And what displeasing news might that be Severus?"

Snape stepped forward before explaining to the three men. Talking about Atria as if she were not even in the room, "As her head of house, I have observed Miss Black over the course of the last few months and she has not been in her best form, as of late headmaster."

"Do explain Severus?" Dumbledore urged on.

Snape clasped his hands in front of him and in a cool and silky voice began, "I have aided her in every way I can, she has been having trouble sleeping so I have put her on a regiment of potions with the permission of Mr Malfoy to calm her before bed. But still, she is constantly showing signs of exhaustion and stress, and it has taken effect on her Daily performance in class."

Atria's eyes widened and a sense of anger and betrayal filled her at his statement. It wasn't until after he was finished that he finally looked to her and met her pained eyes, in that split second Atria swore she saw a trace of guilt.

"She needs to be home," Lucius began again, "With her family, her aunt has been driving herself insane with worry. Atria is to.."

"But I don't want to go home," Atria murmured softly.

The room fell in silent as she spoke her will for the first time. She raised her eyes to meet Dumbledore across from her ignoring the stares and glare she received from the others.

Fudge gave her a patronising smile, before walking closer to her to lean against the desk infant of her, "My dear, it is for the best," he said making her feel utterly voiceless from all except one. Dumbledore watched Atria. With his age, he gained wisdom and below her hollow eyes, he could see the distress, the terror.

"Cornelius," Dumbledore said his eyes on Atria. She looked to the headmaster in his deep observation, and he asked her gently.

"Miss Black, Do you want to stay?"

"This is ridiculous she's a child, she doesn't know what best for her," Lucius tried to rationalise as he walked forward to where Atria was seated. But Dumbledore simply held his hand up towards Lucius silencing him, his eyes fixed on Atria.

"Atria?" he said warmly.

She was thrown back by the use of her first name but even more so by the warm and encouraging glint in the headmaster's eyes. "What do you want to do?"

Dumbledore looked at her pleadingly like he knew what she wanted to say and was trying to push her softly over the edge.

'You want to stay, tell him you want to stay.' But the room seemed to shrink in size, and her uncle's hold on her grew closer and closer until even from the other side of the room she could feel his breath ghost down the back of her neck.

She bowed her head in defeat everting her gaze from the inspirited old man. "I should go home."

Lucius lips twisted up in a smug smile before moving further forward and placing a hand over Atria's shoulder, "So it's decided then."

Dumbledore eyes remained on Atria's disenchanted figure before he turned his head a calmly addressed Malfoy, "And when shall she return we don't want any negative impact on grades, Miss Black is one of our brightest students after all."

Lucius straightens out his shoulder as he replied to Dumbledore, "until we feel it is safe for Atria to return." He then looked down to his niece, and she fought the tremble as her eyes met his and his hand tightened on her shoulder in warning, "Go pack your things Atria."

Atria slowly back her trunk try to delay her travel home. She was happy she had this small moment for herself as her dorm-mates were still all in class. She pilled up her clothes in neat pills knowing she would never hear the end of it from her aunt if her clothes were creased.

"How did you get up here?" she asked the figure that appeared by the door, watching her.

"Please, Pansy worked out a way for me to get up here in second year."

Atria face scrunched in disgust not wanting to know why her cousin would need access to Pansy's room.

"Why aren't you in class," Atria asked as she staked her books in her trunk.

"Where are you going?" Draco asked ignoring her last question, watching her actions, confused as she packed.

"I'm going home Draco," Atria said tirelessly, still refusing to look at him.

"What?" He said caught off guard by her declaration.

"Your father is here now to take me home."

Draco's eyes widened as he played out the event's over again in his mind before looking at her full of guilt, "Atria I didn't.."

"I know you didn't Draco," She said over him.

Draco's eyes looked as lost as her own as he watched her pack her things, her rushed breath and hands trembling ever so slightly as she did so, "But why are you going?"

"Because it is what's deemed to be right in your father eyes."

"What if I talked to him," Draco said as she walked around the dormitory grabbing loose pieces she had left here and there.

Atria laughed at his naivety before answering, "Somehow I don't think that would work."

The sound of students echoed up from the common room signalling the end of classes for the day.

"I have to go," she said before closing her trunk and flicking the latches up.

As she moved to walk past him, he grabbed her arm to turn her back to face him, "It'll be okay, write to me, it's just a little while and then I'm home with you okay."

She watched Draco for a moment and could see the genuine worry in his eyes, and while it was no comfort to her to know that he knew the next part would be worse, She wrapped her arms around his neck. "alright," She said allowing herself to feel his comfort with no false expectations. She leant into his embrace as his arms went around her waist.

Atria rarely showed physical affection usual just giving him a smile or a kind look. So he tucked his head down and enjoyed the moment.

Atria slowly pulled back from the hug before turning and shrinking her trunk down so it could fit into her pocket.

"Bye Draco," she said before passing him out the door and down the stairs.

She was scared, but this was just proof of what she already knew. That no matter how hard she tried nothing she ever did would be good enough. It was bound to happen sooner or later and she would rather face Lucius anger now rather than let it grow.

She went through the common room moving quickly to avoid her classmates. Her heart was beating out of her chest and her body felt like it was running on pure adrenaline as she made her way back into the headmaster's office.

Her uncle stood speaking to Cornelius fudge in hushed whispers which stopped immediately as she came into view.

Lucius immediately straightened out his figure as he watched her walk towards him.

But she never reached him as Dumbledore cleared his throat drawing the attention back to him.

They all turned to the headmaster who leant on his desk hands folded in front him.

"I would like to have a word with Miss Black in private," he said looking to Lucius for permission but all knowing he would not deny the headmaster.

The three other men left the room but not before Lucius gave Dumbledore a glare. His eyes fell on Atria, and she could read his look from the other side of a crowded room. Act accordingly.

He stared at the young girl for a moment and in her looks, he saw how much she resembled everything a true Black should be. But he had taught his fair share of Blacks and watching her over her three years of schooling at Hogwarts, he had come to the conclusion that she was not like the rest. Not as dignified or exalted. She was reserved and pensive. He could see the cogs constantly turning behind her eyes. Almost as if she was always in a game of chess, contemplating her next move as well as her opponents.

"I would just like to ask you once more, not what others want but what you want."

Atria stood, unexpressive trying her hardest to block out all optimistic thought, "I think that has been decided, besides as my uncle said I'm a child, how could I possibly know what is best for me."

"I think we all know what's best for us Miss Black, I think we know what's best for us even in the direst of situations. But when the situation changes what's best for us changes as well, whether it be for better or worse."

"I know what's best for me now and that is why I am going home, staying here will only make it worse," and she was right it was best to go now without a fight. Even if she stayed, she would still be back by Christmas, and he would have had more time to think, to rage, until she was back in his hold and would let it out like a plague upon her.

"I know your last year at Hogwarts must have been something horrific to experience. But help is but one question away all you need do is ask for it."

She could do it. She could take this opportunity by the hand and run with it until her feet bled. But it would only be a temporary pause before it all caught up with her and she was back where she began. There are no guarantees no absolutes and Atria was never one for leaving something to chance, "I think I need time."

Dumbledore nodded to her, "As you wish, miss Black."

When the men came back into the room, Lucius strode in with a sour and suspicious look on his face, "Anything else?" He asked, his tone defensive almost as if he was expecting bad news and ready to explain away anything she may have said against him.

Dumbledore shook his head. "Not at all, if Miss Black is ready to go."

"Come along Atria," her uncle said as he led her gently by the arm to the Floo.

As she took the finale steps that sealed her fate she came to a state of acceptance there was probably nothing she could have done to avoid this. It would have happened no matter what she did or said. Her uncle had lost all trust in her and his paranoia had finally led to this. She took a handful of Floo Powder before stepping in the archway,

"Malfoy Manor," she said clearly. And as everything around her burnt away and the last thing she saw was Dumbledore's disappointed gaze.

As Atria burst through the green flames she almost immediately fell into her aunt's waiting arms. Narcissa hand came to the back of Atria's head and run her fingers through her long dark hair soothingly.

Atria tucked her head further into her aunt's neck before she mumbled, "I don't know what I did wrong."

Narcissa pulled her neice back by her shoulder tucking her hair behind her ears, "I know darling, I know."

Atria turned to the fireplace expecting an enraged Lucius to come through any second, but alas he was still yet to come.

Narcissa's gaze followed hers before she placed her palm on Atria's back before leading her to the stairs, "Go to your room, we'll be up in a minute," Narcissa said solemnly as she gave Atria a small push up the stairs.

Atria walked up the grand staircase the eyes of past member's of the Malfoy family glaring down at her coldly. She turned into her bedroom. No matter how much she detested her return, she had missed her solitude and while this room held many dark times it was still he room, still her haven.

A photo of her and her grandmother sat on her desk as well as one of her and Draco, it was one of her favourites. The two young children sat on the ground as her cousin wrapped his arms around her neck in a tight hug, causing her younger self to giggle before beginning all over again.

She pulled her trunk from her pocket before waving her wand watching it swell up to its original size. Maybe she would be lucky, maybe that was the end of it, maybe she would be left alone, no consequences or price to pay. But life was not kind.

Loud footsteps had begun up the stairs before she heard them grow closer and closer to her door.

"Lucius please," she heard Narcissa's faint voice say before the double doors of her bedroom burst open with a bang and Lucius stormed into the room in a vicious rage.

"You ungrateful little witch!" he yelled at her as he staunched forward. Her aunt followed her husband into the room, looking at her niece nervously.

He moved quickly, grabbing her by the arms. His palms and finger pressing into the muscles, causing tears to form in her eyes and her forced down yelp to nearly escape. He shoved her onto the bed, so he could tower over her, his face a shade of red. No longer contained, only pure fury breaking through.

"What did I say!" Lucius barked at her, making her flinch further back onto the bed.

"I gave you one warning at the start of the year what was it?"

Atria took a moment to collect herself and her vision grew blurry with tears of fear. "One step out of line," She whispered.

Lucius nodded to her, his teeth bared like a dog trying to resist ripping his prey to pieces,"Yes, and as I hear it you have taken many."

"But that's not true," her voice stammered.

He raised his eyebrows as a manic smile grew and his eyes burned with madness, "Are you calling my son a liar?"

"Of course n…"

"Are your calling Severus a liar?" He interrupted her raising an eyebrow at her rebuttal.

'yes,' "No," she said her eyes burning now with freefalling tears.

"Well then it is you, who is lying," he said walking closer to her until he was towering over her. Atria's fingers gripped the bedsheets trying to feel some sense of control over herself before she burst.

Her head was shaking in denial, "I didn't lie," she said softly in defence.

Lucius shoved his finger in her face, shaking his head as he spat, "But you didn't tell the truth either, technicalities won't save you."

"But everything was fine," she felt the heat begin to grow in her belly, and it was making its way further and further up. She knew it was only a matter of time before it got to her head.

"Oh yes mouthing off to your teachers and cousin is fine behaviour for a pure blood witch, your grandmother would be so proud."

"Please I tried," she said softly her body shaking with adrenaline her heart beating so fast that you could see her pulse about to break out from her neck.

"And not only the deceit but embarrassing me in front of the minister, questioning me. Who are you to question me, the daughter of a murdering maniac and a lowlife …."

"I DID NOTHING WRONG!" Atria screamed.

Her uncle straightened up, his face becoming unreadable and his eyes stuck on Atria's shaking form. Her tears running like a river down her face.

"Narcissa leave," he said stoically.

"Lucius," Narcissa began to reason.

"Now!" He screamed.

Narcissa eyes darted to her niece one more time and Atria let out a small sob as her aunt turned towards the door.

Only when it was closed once more did she try to save herself.

"I'm sor-" but the apology never left her lips, in fact, it was hurled back into her mouth as his ringed finger met her cheek in a shattering slap.

The sound still echoed in the room as the top half of her body was thrown even further back and she brought her hand up to cup the now aching skin. The taste of blood filled her mouth and for a moment the only sounds that filled the room were his heavy breathing and her wounded whimpers.

It took time but she grew the strength to stare up at him as he straightened out his hair which had gone aray by the power of his swing.

"Draco told me your attitude was in need of an adjustment, but he didn't tell me just how much."

His hand snapped forward grabbing her by the roots of her long hair making her cry out in pain, her eyes scrunched up in pain and she felt him press something against her lips. The thick, Lukewarm liquid poured into her mouth and she felt smothered by its presents there.

He threw her back on the bed as she began to splutter from the forced consumption. As soon as the potion sunk to her belly, she felt her eyes beg to be closed, and her head slowly began lull back.

Her vision began to blur as he held the empty phial up before him "It is a heavier dosage, for a more immediate reaction."

She coughed trying to clear her airway and sprays of the liquid came shooting out of her mouth. She felt his hand dive into her cloak while she struggled on the bed, taking her wand from its pocket. Lucius twirled her wand in his hand before he placed it in his pocket. He watched her disoriented eyes try to focus on something in the room and her tears were no longer flowing like a river.

He leant over her and his hand moved forwards gripping her hair pulling her into and sitting position. His other hand moved to her chin grasping it tightly, tilting her head back so there was no way to avert her gaze from his.

"Stay away from Remus Lupin," he said venomously, his grip tightening on her chin with every word so it would surely leave bruises.

"What," She slurred as black spots filled her vision.

His grip tightened with every word so much that she thought he would shatter her jaw, a drunken whimper escaped her mouth as he tugged on her chin to bring the focus back to him.

"You are not to contact him do you understand me, or the consequences will be worse than that of a bruised cheek," He said before he pushed her face away from him as if she were the most disgusting creature on earth.

Bringing the conversation to a close, he stormed from the room closing the double door firmly behind him. She heard the look click in place and his feet grew distant down the hallway.

She tried to stand but instead fell back to her bed her body no longer following her orders.

And then she breathed. Her mouth opened as she gulped in the breath she had forgotten to take and the oxygen ran to her brain as fast as it could. She fell back onto her bed as she held a hand over her mouth to silence in the sobs that were muffled by her palms. Her chest grew tight as air rushed in extinguishing the burning suffocation. Tears run down the sides of her face until it soaked through her hair where it gathered.

For a few moments, the only sound that filled her bedroom were her muffled cries and gasping breath.

Fear freezes you, like the panic before you fall that makes you forget the ability to catch yourself. And sometimes it is so crippling, that even when you fall you forget how to rise back up.

Her eye grew heavier and her mind slowly became more and more disorientated, no matter how hard she tried to fight it.

She heard the faint sound of small feet come across the floor and something shift on the bed next to her.

"There, there Mistress, Kreacher shall watch over you," The shrivelled elf said. She felt him rub the side of her face, in an attempt to dry her cheeks. She slowly felt heavier to the point she thought she would sink through the bed as Kreacher's promises of security sent her slowly to sleep.

"Rest Mistress," He whispered.

When she woke up, she was still dressed in her uniform, lying on top of her quilt. The only light in the room came from the moon beyond her curtain that shone through the window. She sat up slowly her eyes dry and scratchy as she rubbed the sleep away from them. She heard deep breathing coming from her side and turned to see Kreacher who had curled up on the end of her bed. She stood slowly as to not wake the old creature, before moving softly towards her trunk.

The floorboards creaked beneath her as she walked, but something halted her halfway there. A small hand gripped her as she felt something pulling her back to her bed.

"No mistress must be to bed now, must rest, must sleep." Kreacher croaked out as he pulled her with all of his body weight, trying to manoeuvre her back to the bed.

"Kreacher stop," Atria said softly pulling against his grip.

"No mistress must sleep or she will get in more trouble," the elf said pulling harder and harder on her hand.

"Enough Kreacher," she snapped pulling her hand from his much smaller one.

"Go," she said in one clear command.

The old elf's eye filled with rejection before the familiar sound of aperation clapped in the room, and he was gone.

She walked over to her trunk before picking it up and placing it on her bed. She lifted the lid, moving aside her clothes to reach the bottom before picking up the leather-bound book.

Her finger ran over the inky wound that ripped the diary almost in half before she pulled the cover back. She had placed the photo of her mother and father inside, her father being folded behind as to not ruin the only photo of her mother.

She quickly flicked further through the diaries pages and skimmed over every passage. The diary was full of desperate scribbles, two different styles of handwriting going back and forth in conversation. Some unreadable from the damage done to the pages, But still, she read. She read them over and over again, trying to decipher her next action out of past pieces of advice from her once closest confidant.

She opened her inkpot which contained a few remaining drops of ink, but no matter. Five words were all she needed. She felt her self give into hope no matter how little validation there was behind it. Her hand moved in delicate curves as the ink settled on the parchment forming a single sentence.

Tom, what should I do?

Okay so the next chapter may take some time and it may be split into 2 parts . It will be a covering the entirety of second year and everything that Atria went through. I hope to have it up by the end of February or start of march or even sooner depending on my schedule. Please review I love hearing everything you guys have to say and it really inspires me to keep going.

Sincerely blackchild80