None of her house elves responded to her call. There was a fucking riot outside and her house elves were nowhere to be found. Pansy only let herself panic for a moment before casting a charm on her sister and throwing her over her shoulder and running out of their tent. It wasn't safe, there were no defensive wards because the Ministry had decreed that too many wards cast by the average witch or wizard would be dangerous. Her sister was screaming and crying hysterically, the screams and explosions set her on edge but she was determined to get to the edge of the woods.
"Father!" Primrose shouted and Pansy remembered that she had abandoned her father to fires that were quickly spreading through the camp grounds.
Fuck.
If they investigated, it would be obvious that he was potioned. Her sister had no occlumency shields and would definitely blame her. For whatever reason, her sister was just fine marrying her father and supplanting with her own nephew. What the fuck kind of family was she reborn into. However, the crowds had already spread out once they reached the forest, many of them staying near the entrance to watch the fire. It didn't take long to find a large tree to sit down with her sister in her
There were no witnesses so she just kept casting light bubbles while her sister sniffled in her arms. Eventually, they were surrounded by hanging balls of color that let off a soothing glow. Primrose was still crying for their father who Pansy obviously could not carry out on her own. Pansy tried to calm her but once she realized they could see the fire from their tree, the child grew hysterical. She did the only thing she could think of that soothed her when she was a toddler.
"I am a lost boy from Neverland
Usually hanging out with Peter Pan
And when we're bored we play in the woods
Always on the run from Captain Hook
"Run, run, lost boy", they say to me
"Away from all of reality"
Neverland is home to lost boys like me
And lost boys like me are free
Neverland is home to lost boys like me
And lost boys like me are fre-" Pansy cut herself off when a twig snapped and Draco Malfoy stepped closer.
Prim made a wounded sound and turned her face into her neck, her breath hitching like she was about to start wailing again so she continued to sing softly. He was oblivious to how awkward she felt when kept coming closer to their tree until he sat down beside them. Apparently, her voice wasn't low enough because more people drifted closer, mostly teenagers and young children who had lost their parents. She ended up singing two more songs before her sister was finally asleep but still there were no aurors or responsible witches or wizards coming.
"I've never heard those songs before." Draco whispered, not looking at her, instead he was focused on the lights suspended over their heads.
"Just silly songs." She shrugged, it wasn't like he would ever go out into the muggle world to hear them in the years to come. Maybe she should have just stuck to the Beatles, Primrose loved the Beatles.
"You have a nice voice." He cleared his throat, shifting slightly in place when he realized how close he was sitting.
In fact a lot of the children had crowded around and were looking at her with big eyes, practically begging her to continue but too terrified to make a sound. The fires still burned bright through the trees and Pansy could see where people were huddled together to watch the destruction. Was it fiendfyre that tore through the camp? She wasn't sure but she sure as hell wasn't sticking around to find out with her little sister.
"Father?" Primrose cracked open her eyes as if sensing her dark thoughts.
"I'm sorry, Prim." Pansy whispered softly, softly smoothing her hair away from her face.
"Your father was…" Draco whispered softly, raising his eyebrow in question.
"He wouldn't wake up." Pansy turned away from the look of shock on the boy's face, he most likely assumed her father was with his own parents creating mayhem. It probably never occurred to him that people would die, at least not distinguished purebloods.
"Oh, what's this then?" A loud voice broke the somber atmosphere, a pair of aurors walked towards them in magenta robes.
"These are nice." His partner poked one of the balls of light, watching as it floated higher away from him.
There was a rush of children and teenagers scrambling towards them with questions and tears. All of them had probably lost sight of their parents, wondering if they had died in the flames. Pansy would have thought that they would have been anxiously looking for their children if they were alive, running and screaming their names through the trees. Draco looked a little panicked, probably worried about his parents when suddenly Narcissa rushed into the clearing with her wand drawn.
"Draco!" It was odd to see her so flustered, but her husband's green pallor showed just how things must have gotten out of hand in the camp grounds.
The screams and magical fire still raged in the sky until the dark mark was cast overhead. It was as though someone had silenced the grounds when the skull and snake broke through the purple smoke. Pansy barely paid any attention to it, too focused on her sister to care about what a crazed death eater and his brothers were doing. The movement meant very little to her outside of what her father would decide to contribute. It wasn't like Voldemort accepted women into his ranks, so he couldn't sacrifice her like he did with his sons and nephews. The only exception had been Bellatrix Black and her dead brother's journals spilled all the tea about their lord breaking ancient fidelity charms to sleep with the unhinged witch.
"Lord Malfoy." One of the aurors greeted him with squinted suspicious eyes while the other had a rather slimy smile on his face and even winked. Lucius sneered at them both, following his wife and looked surprised at the sight of them.
"Miss. Parkinson." Lucius raised a brow, barely glancing at her sister sleeping in her lap. "I assumed you left with your father after the game."
"Father wouldn't wake up." Pansy was proud of the way her voice didn't shake, she knew that Perseus was most likely dead. She had heard the grinding noise the tents made as their enchantments collapsed. "Our house elves wouldn't come so we had to run."
"Come." He ordered, his son scrambling to follow his command and turning to offer his hand. If he felt any guilt over his fellow Lord's death, his face gave nothing away.
"Prim." Pansy said softly, shaking her. Her sister stirred, her eyes immediately filling with tears once again but Draco helped her stand with Primrose clinging to her.
"Oh, you poor dear." Narcissa tsked sympathetically but kept her distance by standing beside her husband.
"These three yours, Lucius?" The weedy auror stood beside him, watching them in a way that had her cringing back into Draco.
"Yaxley." Lucius nodded to him with a sneer on his lips, making the man flinch. "I'll be taking the Parkinson girls back to their tent and then home. Apparently, their elves never responded to their summons."
"Ah." Yaxley nodded, pointedly looking away from the trio when Narcissa came closer to look them over with a concerned expression. "Wards went up before the game, blocking all house elf magic. 'Cept the higher ups' elves o course. Couldn't risk a fan ordering their elves to sabotage the match."
"And they couldn't be lifted after?" Lucius drawled, looking displeased at the oversight.
"Not my department, I'm afraid." Yaxley shrugged in an unconcerned manner that sent Primrose into a new round of tears.
The trek was quiet once Yaxley realized that Lucius was displeased with his presence but he had attempted to kiss Narcissa's hand before he was suddenly hexed. Whatever it was looked painful but she was just happy he had not looked back at her with those lecherous eyes. Primrose could not bear to look at the scorched remains of the campground, all that was left were charred bodies and the frames of the tents.
Their tent was the same except for their trunks that had been enchanted to be nigh indestructible. Primrose let out a wail when there was no sign of their father, he was in one of the expanded rooms. When the magic of the tent unraveled, Perseus should have been expelled unless he vanished into non-existence. It was rare but it had happened when expansion charms failed, it was why a witch or wizard must be licensed to cast them.
"He may have woken and gotten home." Narcissa offered in the face of an inconsolable child, Pansy just flicked her wand to shrink her trunks.
"I'll take you ladies home." Lucius said, his somber face pointedly looking away from the sisters.
"Sorry, Parkinson." Draco actually sounded sincere, he definitely looked conflicted when his mother took his arm to apparate away.
"Where is he?" Primrose whimpered into the fabric of her robe. Pansy just sighed and looked away, giving her one more brief squeeze before leading her to where Lucius had his arms out.
In the next moment they were in their receiving hall, their mother waiting for them even though it was near midnight. When she saw them with Lucius she burst into great heaving sobs and it felt like her ears were filled with cotton. The wizard was saying something, probably empty platitudes and even patted her shoulder before he twisted and with a pop was gone. Her mother was mumbling to herself, rocking back and forth on the lounge while her sister tried to hug her. Poppy slapped her daughter's hands away viciously, sneering that it was her fault or some such rot.
"Enough." Pansy barked when her mother raised her hand to strike Primrose across the face, she caught her wrist easily.
"I am your mother!" Poppy screeched, the very first time she had acknowledged them as such.
"Go to your rooms, you are obviously distraught if you think an eight year old killed her father." Pansy snapped back without fear, her burning eyes seemed to cow her mother for a moment.
"I'm pregnant!"
"Congratulations." She said dully, looking at her mother impatiently. The healers had warned her since her sister was born that eventually the pregnancies would kill her.
"It will be a boy!" Poppy said smugly, tilting her head up to glare at her eldest daughter defiantly."Your brother will be heir and I will be regent and you will never lay another hand on me. No one will ever lay a hand on Lady Regent Parkinson."
"Mother. Go to bed." Pansy was unimpressed with her declaration, the chances of her having a healthy wizard were practically nonexistent.
Even if she did get a brother, she would already be Lady Parkinson and his parentage would be under constant scrutiny. The Paternity charm could not be cast after the death of a parent so it always ended the same, the witch or wizard being publicly seen as a bastard. It wasn't like the blood couldn't be tested but since the charm was quick and easy, it was preferred. Wizards were so stupid, even though she knew her mother was bound to her father in a way she could never be unfaithful, her future siblings' paternity would always be questioned. Especially if it were a boy.
"No, you must listen to me!" Poppy's eyes were brighter than she had ever seen them, even after Primrose's birth. For the first time, her mother was begging to be seen and heard which broke the last thread of patience she had. Why couldn't this woman have mustered the same energy for the children she had ignored or belittled for years?
"Εγώ Pansy Parkinson διεκδικώ το δικαίωμά μου ως κυρία του σπιτιού μου. Από αυτή τη μέρα μέχρι την τελευταία μου μέρα. Είθε η μαγεία να καθοδηγήσει το χέρι μου." Pansy ignored her mother's shriek of rage and her sister's wails as the magic built up around her. The entire castle shook as she claimed her family magic, she felt like a warm blanket surrounded her. (I Pansy Parkinson do hereby claim my right as lady of my house. From this day to the last of my days. May magic guide my hand.)
"What have you done?" Poppy shouted before she crumbled like a marionette without its strings. "How could you take this from me?"
"Honestly?" Pansy asked, looking down at the woman who had given birth to her but had never loved her. She understood, to an extant. However, she would never let anyone have power over her. "You never completed your O.W.L.s and you've spent the last fifteen years in bed being subservient to my father. I couldn't trust you to make smart choices with so much power over us. So, rest up. Once you have that baby, I'll be expecting you to start your studies."
"Studies?" Her mother whispered to herself, looking down in confusion.
"What about the baby?" Primrose asked, moving to clutch her skirts now that the magic of the castle settled.
"He or she will be our little sibling and get the best of everything this world has to offer, just like you." Pansy explained with forced patience, she felt like every cell in her body had been born anew with magic. Honestly, she wanted to run through the halls charming every tacky corner until she passed out from exhaustion. It would take a long while, she felt like she was bursting with magic.
"What if it's a boy?" Poppy glared defiantly and Pansy wondered idly where this witch had been her entire life. She was sure if she ever stood up to Perseus he would have keeled over in shock and done them all the favor of dying sooner. "Are you going to give him his birthright?"
"Birthright?" Pansy snorted, running her fingers through her sister's hair. "Go to bed, mother. Sparkle, take my mother to her chambers."
Poppy opened her mouth to argue but the Lady's words were always final, so she was whisked away. Primrose sagged against her side, obviously spent. Pansy would need to hire private healers for them both and look into hiring muggle tutors. Her sister would have options in the muggle world unlike in the magical. If they weren't obliviated in shame, they were typically only offered the less than savory positions. Honestly, Filch probably has the best a squib could ever get even though he was ridiculed daily and forced to clean up after unruly children. Other squibs disappeared in Knockturn alley or the Ministry cleaning staff.
Pansy would also have to arrange a quick private O. test, History of Magic, Astronomy, and Muggle Studies could be done in one day. She only needed an A to move on to the N.E.W.T. level in those courses. If she chose to but if she didn't, could she keep her time turner? She would send an owl to Flitwick in the morning for advice, he was a very smart man and he wouldn't expect something outrageous in return. Like the Malfoys or Dumbledore, they would both assume her unwavering loyalty for an hour of their time.
"Mother's yelling." Primrose woke her early the next morning, they had fallen asleep in her room while she was writing her head of house.
"MOVE YOU BLASTED ELF!" Poppy's voice was hoarse, as if she had been yelling for hours and it brought a small smile to her face. Honestly, for the last fourteen years the woman had been a zombie the rare times she had been let out of her room.
"Good morning, Mother." Pansy smiled brightly, swinging open the door to see Poppy looking like she had been through war.
"Do you have any idea what these bloody elves are doing?" Poppy hissed, twisting the fabric of her night dress so tightly it had ripped in spots. "They won't listen to my orders and refuse to punish themselves!"
"Oh yes." Pansy nodded easily, looking her mother up and down to make sure she had not hurt herself. "I let them know that I would be the one to enforce punishments, honestly you and father. It's a bit sad that the little enjoyment you get out of your day is watching house elves poke their eyes with quills and sodomize eachother. It's gross."
"I am Lady Parkinson!" Poppy seethed, color creeping up her cheeks at the acknowledgement of their weird pastimes. "What I do with my elves is none of your concern!"
"Mother, until you are seen by a healer you will not be allowed to order anything unusual from our staff." Pansy said very patiently, glancing down at Sparkle who was looking at her as if she hung all the stars in the sky. The elves loved her but when they realized that she was serious about not punishing themselves, it became devotion. "So, go to your room and Sparkle will help you dress. You may not order him to do anything other than assist in readying for your appointment, do you understand?"
"How could you do this to me?" The fight went out of her, curling into herself just like she usually was.
"Primrose." She called out into the room, even knowing that she was hidden just behind the door. "Take those scrolls to owlery, please."
"Okay!" Her little sister's smile fell when she saw the pathetic mess their mother was but she rushed off happy to be helpful.
"Mother, you need help and less stress." Pansy took Poppy's hands in her own, they were so bony and cold. She was still a beautiful woman but she had been aged and withered with each magical pregnancy and loss. "I'm doing this so that you can get well and raise my siblings, hopefully with more love and care than we've gotten."
"What do you mean?" Poppy looked genuinely confused at the comfort she was being offered. "You had the best tutors and governess, your father always made sure your robes were high fashion. We've given you everything."
"Mother, you've been in bed almost fifteen years." Pansy said gently, her mother wasn't beaten but she had been suppressed down to just one thing. Her father didn't need a wife or a companion, he needed a womb so that was all she was. He never even let her get to enjoy the perks of being his wife like the balls and status or just redecorating the castle. "It's time you see what else you can do, okay?"
"You can't just take everything from me and expect me to thank you for it." Poppy started to weep, falling to her knees holding her stomach. "I was going to give him a son and I could finally be free."
"And who would marry this son?" Pansy asked curiously, sliding down the wall until she sat across the hall from her mother.
"Obviously your sister."
"And when you realized that Prim doesn't have any magic of her own?" Her mother gasped, looking up in horror.
"No, I did not give birth to a squib!" Her mother shouted angrily, fire burning in her hazel eyes. "How could you say something so horrible?"
"I love Prim." Pansy snapped and with a wave of her hand Poppy found herself pressed back against the wall so she couldn't stand. "However, I've known for a very long time that she doesn't have magic. There's been no outbursts and the elves couldn't feel her, the tutors get replaced often enough that they never catch on. So, I ask again who will marry this little brother of mine, if he is a boy or has magic at all."
"Of course he'll be a wizard." Poppy ground her teeth angrily but her eyes filled with tears as she cradled her stomach.
"I don't care if he is or isn't but you're the one that wants to continue to follow my father's wishes. He would have obliviated Prim and dumped her off with the muggles unless he decided to keep her for other reasons. He pointed out last night that she looks just like Petal." Her lip curled in disgust and her mother shook her head in denial.
"Perseus would never!" She sounded so offended Pansy almost sighed in relief but then she continued. "With a squib, that's disgusting."
"No, it would be disgusting because it's my eight year old sister, you dizzy witch." Pansy barked, wondering if not for the first time if she was the only one in this family born with common sense. "Sparkle, take my mother to her chambers. Help her prepare for the day and serve her breakfast. Come to me if she does anything you think would concern me."
"Yes, Mistress." Sparkle bowed, taking her mother with him and Pansy couldn't help but let out a deep breath.
That was the longest conversation she had ever had with her mother and Pansy wasn't sure if she ever wanted to see the madwoman again. She had grown up with a very clear picture of the woman Poppy Parkinson was. Poor, sad witch who had any chance of a life stolen from her by Perceus, her uncle. She was sure her mother had not wanted to marry him and that she had to resent his treatment. Her only very rare comments towards her daughters were always filled with bitterness.
Gringotts sent notice that she would need to come to the bank at her earliest convenience to speak to her account manager. There was no etiquette when it came to goblins, it was mostly grit your teeth and hope it ends quickly. She understood, they were a race of beings who were subjugated by the wizards. However, they were also assholes who she had no doubt were currently looking for ways to fuck over Perseus' young and naive heir. They were smart as fuck and they knew two things; war and money. It was unfortunate that her father had almost an entire century to piss off their account manager.
Getting a healer to do a general health check on her mother was simple. St. Mungo's did not pay well since they were funded by the ministry and private donations. Her family was of course an annual donor, just like the Parkinsons did with the Ministry and Hogwarts. The tax laws were absolutely criminal, most purebloods never paid tax on anything. Except the Hex Tax. Her mother scowled while the healer checked her over, casting diagnostic charms on her and the baby.
"I would advise bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy." Healer Salsbury, a middle aged witch with salt and pepper hair, tsked and shook her head. "Your body is not ready for a magical pregnancy, so you'll need to keep your stress levels low."
"That's a little hard with my daughter stealing my son's birthright!" Poppy threw her pillow at the healer but she deflected it easily with her wand. "Then my other daughter murdered my husband, stole his magic! It's why I can't have any more children. She's been draining my magic since she was born."
"I'll have Sparkle sit with her, make sure that we keep interaction low." Pansy assured the healer who ignored her mother completely.
"No! You can't Perseus is dead, I'm free!" Poppy wailed, ripping at her pillow with her nails and Pansy waved her wand to charm the durability of her bedding.
"Yes, Mother." She said patiently, the witch didn't even have a wand. "However, until you're healthy we need to listen to the nice healer."
"I can prescribe a mild calming draught that she can take while pregnant." The healer tilted her head and raised a brow at whatever her scans showed.
"I'll have the elves set up a nice spa day for you, Mother." Pansy smiled encouragingly but that showed the gap in her teeth setting Poppy into another screaming fit.
"How is it possible that she has been pregnant fifteen times in the last year?" The healer demanded once they exited her room.
"My late father was adamant that they would have a male heir." Pansy sighed, feeling a headache coming on under the condemning gaze of the healer. As if it were her fault somehow? "When it didn't happen naturally they started using potions."
"Poor dear." Healer Salsbury shook her head, handing over the list of recommendations for private healers. She also ran through a list of calming activities that hopefully wouldn't over stimulate her mother, the most common recommendation was to be isolated in a barren room. What the fuck wizards? Pansy was almost happy to see the back of the healer if that was her recommendation for long term psychological trauma.
Perseus' office was a mess. The man had no sense of organization but he did journal religiously, nearly every minute of everyday for the last seventy eight years was cataloged. She felt sick to her stomach as she read the words of her father since her birth. The tutors gave accurate reports, raving that she was gifted. He lamented that she was born a witch, if only she had a cock. Apparently, he had been set on betrothing her to Theodore Nott after Primrose was born.
Her cousin, Theodore Nott. Her elder sister's son, Theodore Nott. When she looked back far enough, she found that her father knew his daughter had been murdered by her husband. What the fuck. She had no idea she was even related to the quiet Slytherin in her year. The only reason Perseus had not gotten his wish was because her older sister grew a spine and tried to leave with her son. Thoros killed her and told Perseus he would never allow his milquetoast heir to further weaken his line with another Parkinson.
Thoros had been bed ridden ever since.
"Miss. Parkinson!" Her head of house's face was in her fireplace, almost making her jump out of her skin. Turning to the ornate grandfather clock, she noticed it was almost lunch.
"Professor!" She gave the man a tired smile once she put her face into the fire, she hated floo calls. "I didn't think you would respond so soon. Thank you!"
"Of course, I couldn't delay when one of my favorite eagles needed me." His mustache twitched, looking at her as if he were disappointed that she would think so lowly of him. "Are you busy now? You said you needed my advice and I cleared my very busy summer schedule."
"Oh, please come through." Pansy quickly stood up and to the side, tapping the knot on the mantle to allow him to pass the wards.
"Oh my dear girl." Her professor's face immediately crumbled when he passed through the floo. A few quick waves of his wand and they are both cleaned of soot. He hesitated only a moment before pulling her into a quick hug, even without her heels she was still more than a foot taller. "I'm so sorry that such a heavy burden has fallen on your young shoulders."
"Truly, thank you so much for coming." Pansy stood up straight with a little smile, waving a hand towards the large desk. There were two wingback chairs on one side of the desk opposite of the seat that was once her father's. She wanted to replace it with a nice swivel chair eventually. A small step stool appeared without her having to say a word, she knew what it was like to be short. No one likes to be called out. "Would you care for lunch? I've been going through my Father's journals because the rest of his filing and correspondence is a bit of a mess. I've been owling and flooing healers all morning for my mother and sister. Only the ministry has been prompt in letting me know I can take my O.W.L.s on the twenty fifth. Oh, and Gringotts needs me to come in and I-"
"I understand." Flitwick continued to look sympathetic even though she was sure that he knew she was about to disparage the goblins. "And I would love to have a meal with you and help in any way I can. However, I am concerned that you are attempting to take your O.W.L.s two years early."
"Noodles." An elf in a butler's uniform appeared before them, visibly shocking her professor. "Did my sister and mother eat lunch yet?"
"Yes, Mistress." Noodles nodded eagerly, bowing to them both. "Miss. Prim be back with tutors and Mistress Poppy be napping after lunch."
"Thank you, Noodles. Would you mind bringing something for my professor and I?" Pansy paused and turned to Flitwick who was still staring at her elf in bewilderment. "You don't mind hotpot, do you?"
"That sounds wonderful, thank you." Professor Flitwick's eyes flickered between her and her elf in a strangely calculating manner. The elf nodded once more before disappearing and popping back with a silver cart loaded down with food.
"Oh, thank you Noodles." Pansy smiled gratefully at the selection, Noodle produced two trays that stood alone over their laps so they did not have to eat on the desk. "Please thank Gnocchi, I'm sure it's delicious."
"Gnocchi will be happy, Mistress." Noodle practically vibrated in happiness before turning to her professor, looking a little unsure. "Professor Flicky be needing anything?"
"Oh, no thank you." Flitwick still looked off kilter before he took a bite of his meal with an appreciative hum. "If you could give my compliments to the chef?"
Once the elf was gone, they returned to their meals. Her professor was eating slowly, deep in thought. He kept sending her calculating looks and Pansy was beginning to worry she had made a mistake. In the last three years, he had easily become her favorite professor. He was one of the few teachers who's door was literally always open to any who had questions. In fact, it was him and Professor Sprout who visited the Hall most often in the off chance that anyone needed any help. It didn' hurt that he always had delicious dancing cupcakes when a student came to visit him. He was only half finished his meal when he set down his cutlery and stared into her soul.
"How did you manage to get your elves to wear real uniforms?"