"Amethyst Abbott, you haven't changed at all." He smiled warmly at her. She took a step back. "Tim will be along shortly, he wanted to pick up a few things."
"What are you doing here?" Amethyst tried to be polite but it was a struggle. Draco heard her tone and came out of the kitchen.
"Malfoy?" The man looked shocked to see Draco there. "What are you doing here?" He looked between the two.
"I was invited by Amethyst." Draco said curtly. It came as no surprise to Amethyst that the two men knew each other - or at least recognized each other.
"And I was invited by her uncle." The man said through gritted teeth. Kyle Roberts had always fancied Amethyst but she never once thought of him in that way.
"I cannot believe this…" Amethyst shook her head. Draco moved to stand slightly in front of her. Just then Violet came out of the kitchen and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Kyle.
"I told him not to invite anyone." She muttered and then the front door opened. "Speak of the…"
"Sorry I'm late, I stopped by to pick up some…" Tim trailed off when he saw the look on his wife's face. He looked around and noticed Kyle glaring at Draco Malfoy who was standing protectively in front of his niece. "What are you doing here, Kyle?"
"You invited me, remember?" Kyle answered but didn't dare take his eyes off of Draco.
"No, I mentioned that I was joining Violet and Amethyst here for dinner. There was no invitation made." Tim stood in front of Draco and Amethyst and faced Kyle. "I suggest you leave. Now." He had is wand out. He was not going to let Kyle anywhere near his niece.
"You heard him." Draco also had his wand out.
"This isn't over." Kyle looked at Amethyst as he spoke before leaving.
"Amethyst!" Violet screamed just as Amethyst collapsed. Draco caught her before she hit the ground. He carried her over to the couch.
"Amethyst? Are you okay?" Draco knelt on the floor in front of her; holding her shaking hands.
"Why was Kyle even told?" Violet turned on Tim.
"Bertha asked about dinner plans - she was throwing a small gathering for Stan's birthday - and Kyle must have been nearby. I would never invite him, not after he…" Tim trailed off.
"After he?" Draco asked looking between the three.
"Before Anthony, Kyle Roberts attacked me." Amethyst looked away; not wanting to see Draco's expression. "It didn't go that far, Anthony stepped in - though that was probably by design - before it could. I was still badly injured though."
"If he ever comes near you again…" Draco growled. He pulled her into his arms. Tim looked at his wife questioningly.
"We should eat before it gets cold." Violet said. She and Tim headed into the kitchen where she explained everything.
"Are you okay?" Draco stood up and pulled Amethyst with him.
"Yes." She nodded and smiled. "I figured you know him from your father's circle?"
"He's met with my father in his father's place but also along side. I've not had too many dealings personally. Astoria told him off a time or two. He's a creep."
"Always has been." They headed into the kitchen.
"How long have you known him?" Draco asked as they sat down.
"For as long as I can remember." Amethyst shook her head and muttered "unfortunately" under her breath.
"Kyle has been obsessed with Amethyst since they were little." Violet added.
"'Obsessed' is a strong word." Tim looked at his wife.
"But true." Amethyst replied. "It seemed like every time I turned around, he was always there. I was so relieved when he said that his father was sending him to Durmstrang instead of Hogwarts. He would have been in Slytherin…" She teased Draco.
"Back then? I would have eaten him alive." Draco smirked. "Still will if he ever comes near you again." They changed the subject and engaged in small talk for the rest of dinner. After cleaning up, they moved into the parlor.
"Aunt Violet, Uncle Tim, there's something you should know." Amethyst glanced at Draco and then went into her bedroom to get the broken wand and letter.
"What's going on?" Tim asked as she came back out.
"We found this hidden in mum's desk last night." She handed the wand and letter to her uncle. "The wand was still intact. The last spell was the killed curse."
"I remember when Alexander came home and told me what happened. Illyana was terrified that her father might come after them, but he never did. I don't think she saw him again after that either." Violet said after reading the letter. "Dimitri Karkaroff came to see me this morning. Said he was looking for Boris' wand. Didn't say why though."
"That's it." Amethyst pointed at the broken wand laying on the coffee table. "I remembered seeing a picture of Boris with when I was aboard. Never knew the connection until yesterday."
"How do you know Dimitri?" Draco asked.
"He's been to see me a few times since he learned that my brother had been married to Illyana. How do you?" Violet narrowed her eyes at him.
"Same way I know Kyle Roberts: through my father's circle of friends - though that is the loosest of the word." He explained. "Since my parents still live on the Estate, I have seen who comes and goes even if I have nothing to do with whatever they are discussing."
"We really should get going before it gets too late." Tim said, changing the subject. He wasn't particularly found of talking about Alexander, especially after learning about the hit. "Amethyst, don't be a stranger. You should come home for Christmas."
"Thanks, Uncle Tim, but I was planning on spending the holiday at Hogwarts again this year. I'll come back soon though." She stood and saw her aunt and uncle out.
"I guess we should get ready to head out too." Draco said a little unsure of things.
"Aunt Violet is suspicious by nature. Experience has taught her that. She rather liked Kyle at first, but then things just got weird." Amethyst reassured him. She checked on the owls before making sure they were secure enough to travel. Orion, who had been asleep on her bed, came out and jumped up on the table next to the owl cages. Amethyst scratched his head before turning back to Draco. "She likes you, Draco, trust me. If she didn't, she would have made that very clear by telling you to leave."
"Okay." He smiled and relaxed again. "I might sleep soundly tonight." He stifled a yawn.
"Me too." She yawned. "Better pack. We should probably summon the Knight Bus soon." She headed into her room. She grabbed what she brought and then grabbed the picture of her mother and father from their wedding day. Draco was waiting on the couch with his bag when she came out. He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms.
"I just want to hold you a little while longer before we leave. Won't be able to until I talk to my son." He kissed the top of her head. They stayed like that for a few minutes before gathering everything. Orion jumped onto Amethyst's shoulders while she grabbed one of the owl cages. Draco grabbed the other. They made their way outside to the street. "How do you summon the Knight Bus?" Draco asked.
"Hold your wand up to the sky and use 'lumos'. The Knight Bus will arrive a dew minutes after that." She explained. He did as she said and sure enough, a large bus came out of nowhere.
"Where to?" The driver asked.
"Hogsmeade." Amethyst answered as they climbed aboard. "It's the closest this thing can get to Hogwarts." She turned her head to explain to Draco. The bus was only half empty and they managed to find some seats towards the back. They settled in and braced for a turbulent ride. Several people got off in London as they made their way north. Amethyst closed her eyes and before she knew it, they had arrived in Hogsmeade.