AN: Sorry if you got a lot of notifications for this. Fanfiction was removing my spaces and smushing all the text together, so I had to keep reuploading until it finally accepted it. Thank you for your patience~!
She was in big trouble; that was clear from how red Lucius's face was turning. She was sitting on a couch as the couple loomed over her. Narcissa attempted to calm him down, "Dear, I'm sure she meant no disrespect." Lucius shouted over her, "NO DISRESPECT!? What do you call stealing then, Narcissa? There was a lock on the door, how did she get this broom!?"
Amalthea heard a soft inhale next to her, and she shot a warning glare. Kreacher was not to reveal himself. She wouldn't allow him to take this punishment for her. She was the one who went too far, and she would accept whatever they decided.
Narcissa gave a slight chuckle. "Dear, she is just misbehaving. She is a child."
"She is undisciplined. Just like your cousin Sirius." At the mention of her uncle, she looked up. Lucius stared down at her with a twisted face, looking practically fuming, "Thank Merlin, you won't be our problem after tonight."
What did he mean? She looked confused, asking him softly, "Does that mean?"
"Yes." He hissed, "Tomorrow you will be returned to where you belong."
Joy filled her, but she dared not grin in his presence, bowing her head submissively, "Thank you for everything, Lucius.."
"That's Lord Malfoy to you."
Narcissa looked saddened as Amalthea raised up, offering them both a delicate curtsy. As the teen passed, she tried to call out, "Amalthea.." But she was simply offered a farewell, "Goodnight, Lady Malfoy." The girl quietly retreated to her room, leaving the couple alone. Narcissa looked at Lucius helplessly, "She's-"
"Not our problem." He shot her down, his tone less harsh when directed at her.
Narcissa caved in, nodding her head silently.
Her last night in Malfoy Manor, Amalthea couldn't stop smiling as she lay in bed, staring up at the canopy. She had only been here three days, but that was more than enough. Sighing happily, she closed her eyes, "Tomorrow, we're both free."
Her dreams that night were a mess, images and scenes speeding past her, so fast she could barely hold on.
When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in her room. Instead, she was in a rickety old cottage. Calling out for Kreacher in a panic, but there was no response. That wasn't right, he was next to her when she fell asleep, he wouldn't have let anyone take her.
Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned around quickly, seeing the familiar figure of a man. He was wearing the same grey wool clothes, and now she could see his face. It was old and wrinkled, tired blue eyes looking through her. As he stumbled to her, she took a step back, "Who are you, sir?" He moved with a limp, like his leg was stiffened, but he continued forward. She yelled and tried to shove him back, but her hand just went through him.
She paused in confusion, watching as he continued to hobble forward and through her. Turning around, she saw him approach a window. Looking over his shoulder, she saw a light on in what looked like a manor. It wasn't Malfoy manor, it wasn't anything she recognized.
The sight of the light on seemed to worry the old man, who hurried to grab his cap and light. As he stumbled out of the cottage, she spared a look at the tea kettle on the stove, calling out, "Wait you—oh right.. He can't hear me." She tried to grab the kettle, but it was no use, her hand went right through.
Sighing in frustration, she followed after him, lifting her nightgown as she trekked through the grounds. As they got closer to the manor, she felt a chill enter her bones. It felt stranger, but oh so familiar. The old man entered the manor, she tried to stop him by calling out, "Wait!" But as she expected, he couldn't hear her, so he continued inside.
Looking around the outside again, Amalthea's lips thinned, taking a deep breath before she stepped inside. Phasing through the closed door, she saw the man standing beneath the stairs. There were voices upstairs, unclear and hard to hear. Amalthea tried to walk up the stairs first, but was unable to, her foot going through the step.
The old man walked through her, going up the steps towards the voices. As he got halfway, Amalthea took a step, and to her surprise, she was able to finally walk on the step. Following after him, she could finally hear the voices inside the lit room.
"My lord, may I ask how long we are going to stay here?"
"A week, perhaps longer. The place is moderately comfortable, and the plan can't proceed yet, it would be foolish to act before the Quidditch World Cup is over."
The older man stood by the crack of the door, listening in.
Amalthea joined him, peeking in through the crack to see what looked like a cloaked man next to a bundle of blankets in a chair. When he turned into the light, she could see the rat-like features on his face, "Your lordship is still determined then?" The bundle of blankets hissed, "Certainly, Wormtail."
Curious, Amalthea tried to walk through the door, but couldn't go any further. Looking at the old man, she whispered, "Hey! Can you hear me?" He showed no reaction, listening in to the room. She sighed, looking down at the stairs, seeing the python climbing up behind them, "Great."
"It could be done without Harry Potter, my lord."
That name was familiar, she turned back to the door curiously, listening in.
There was a tense silence before the stammering voice came, "My lord, I do not say this out of concern for the boy!"
"Be quiet..I think I hear Nagini coming.." The creature in the chair cooed, before beginning to speak in a dialect that sounded like a snake. The old man stiffened beside her as the python crawled over his feet and into the crack of the door. She watched as it slithered to the chair, hissing back.
"Nagini has interesting news, Wormtail."
"My lord?"
"According to Nagini, there is an old muggle standing right outside this room.. Listening to every word we say.."
A muggle? Amalthea's eyes shot to the old man, seeing how he remained frozen in place, his hands trembling with fear. She took in a panicked breath, feeling her chest begin to tighten as she tried to grab at him again, "Please! Run!"
There was no time, there were hurried footsteps, and the door was thrown open. The man called Wormtail, grinning crudely at the poor muggle.
"Invite him in Wormtail, where are your manners?"
As he was beckoned in, the old man stumbled in slowly. Amalthea took a tight breath, stepping in with him. As he had a conversation with the creature in the chair, she tested the limits of where she could explore. Once she was sure she could move around freely in the room, she took a few steps towards the front of the chair.
There was something whispering in her mind, something bothering her. When she saw the figure illuminated with the dim firelight, she let out a horrified gasp. The creature in the chair looked like the cross between a man and snake, small limbs and form held within a blanket. His nose was just slits, his eyes a deep red.
"My wife knows I'm here, and if I don't come back—" The old man stammered.
The creature stared at the wall, which felt like he was looking straight at her, "You have no wife. Nobody knows you're here. Do not lie to Lord Voldemort, muggle, he knows…he always knows.."
No. Not him. Amalthea had heard enough from her grandmother and the tabloids of who this wizard was. But he was supposed to be dead. A wheeze left her as she inhaled, and she quickly realized she didn't have her potions. Rushing over to the old man, she kept calling out, "Run! Run now!"
He called out to the creature, "Turn around and face me like a man!"
"I am much more than a man…but very well..I will face you."
As Wormtail went over to the chair to turn him towards the old man, Amalthea grew more panicked, screaming in the older man's face, "He's going to kill you! Run!"
She watched the horror enter his eyes as he saw Voldemort's form, a scream tearing through his lips. A flash of green lit up the room, going through her and into the man. Within seconds, he was on the ground, dead. She screamed, dropping down to him, "No! Please! Sir! Hello?!"
There was that sharp whistling, the tea kettle going off down in the cottage, but it pierced through her mind like an alarm. She covered her ears in pain.
The shrill scream of the kettle slowly morphed into a voice, "-thea! Amalthea! Wake up!"
She opened her eyes, feeling her body being shaken roughly. When she came, she was face-to-face with Narcissa. The older witch looked terrified, shaking her, "Amalthea, wake up!" Confused, she pulled away from her, "I am." Water sloshed around her, and she looked down. She was in the lake. They both were. Looking back up to Narcissa, she softly spoke, "I'm awake.."
Narcissa pushed her wet hair out of her face, asking her frantically, "Who is Frank Bryce?"
"What?" Amalthea stared at her confused, "I don't know that name."
"Well, you sure kept saying it!" Narcissa scoffed before grabbing her hand, "Come on, let's get you dry and back to bed."
-Narcissa's perspective-
She was unable to rest, feeling terrible for the incident earlier. Though she wouldn't admit it to Lucius, she did see Amalthea on the broom earlier in the day. But the girl just looked so happy, and it was the first time she had seen her genuinely smile, she didn't have the heart to stop her.
But even if she felt Lucius took it too far, it wasn't her place to decide. Lucius was the Lord and Master of the manor, she convinced him to let them take in Amalthea when the letter from Dumbledore arrived. She always wanted a daughter, and though Lucius despised Sirius, she knew he did manage to get along with Regulus. Perhaps that was what convinced him to allow it.
But sadly, Amalthea was clearly more independent than they were planning. A part of her was relieved that Sirius would be able to take her. If he was truly innocent, then that meant.. Well, she didn't want to think about it. After the dark lord's fall, she and Lucius agreed to never speak of it again, for Draco's sake.
Slipping out of their bed, she slipped on her dressing gown and stepped out to go to the library. Perhaps a good book could ease her worries.
But as she began her journey to the room, she heard the silent steps coming down the stairs.
Checking to make sure it wasn't Draco needing something, she went over to look. To her surprise, it was Amalthea. Her eyes were wide open, as if fully conscious.
Calling out to her softly, she tried to get her attention, "Amalthea?" But there was no response, her eyes peering through her. She watched as the teen walked out the garden doors and onto the grass, bare feet making slow steps. Narcissa followed after her, beginning to panic as she saw the lake in the distance, "Umm, Amalthea? Wake up, dear!"
But again, no response. As Amalthea's feet touched the water, Narcissa whipped out her wand, "Rennervate!" There was nothing. But that should have worked. Was she not asleep?
As Amalthea continued further into the water, Narcissa followed, grabbing at her shoulders, "Amalthea dear, wake up!" She looked at her eyes, they were bright in the moonlight, almost white from the glow. She seemed imperiused, her eyes glazed over..
Amalthea continued further into the water, until it reached her mid-thigh, that's when she came to a halt. Her eyes stared out towards the water, as if seeing something, but Narcissa knew there was nothing there.
She shook her shoulders roughly, "Wake up! Amalthea!" Then, she heard it, a soft whisper beneath Amalthea's breath. She leaned in close, trying to understand it, "What did you say, dear?"
"..nk..yce…"
Her eyes remained staring forward, the whispering growing slowly louder, "..ank…yce..Frank..Bryce..Frank…Bryce.." Narcissa was beginning to get freaked out, looking around them to make sure there was no one around, "W-Who is Frank Bryce?"
"Frank Bryce…Frank Bryce…Frank Bryce..Frank Bryce..Frank Bryce…"
She began looping like a broken record, eyes glazed over and locked onto something in the distance. Narcissa tried to wake her again, shaking her, "Amalthea! Amalthea! Wake up!" Then, as if it was all a dream, she watched as the teen girl blinked, her eyes seeming to clear and refocus on her.
"Amalthea! Wake up!"
When Amalthea pulled away and looked at her confused, she let out a sigh of relief.
"I am..I'm awake.."
-The Next Morning-
Narcissa didn't mention last night at breakfast, for which Amalthea was grateful. Lucius and Draco didn't seem to know either, the elder Malfoy was still glaring at her, while Draco just smiled smugly her way. Everything seemed normal.
Except her.
Amalthea broke the yolk of her egg, watching it run down the plate, her thoughts heavy. Was she truly going mad? Narcissa had this pitiful stare when helping her dry her hair last night, like she knew it was coming. Perhaps because she saw it with her own sister.
But it was strange, she's heard of violent episodes, but walking into a lake? Was she suicidal?
Kreacher hadn't said anything all morning to her, she knew he was there though.
"Black is coming to retrieve you after you finish playing with your food." Lucius's sneering tone broke through her thoughts.
She perked up at that, relief settling in her, "Really?" She looked around the table, seeing Narcissa's worried stare, "I'll excuse myself then, if you don't mind."
Lucius snorted, looking down to his food, "You are excused. Look at you asking for permission."
She ignored the jab, getting up to quickly pack her things. When she reached her room, she prepared the suitcase that Narcissa got her, "Kreacher."
There was a snap, and all of her clothes were transported to the suitcase, folded neatly and stacked. She zipped up the suitcase and sighed in satisfaction, sitting on the bed for a moment. In the beat of silence, her thoughts returned, looking towards the empty room, "Kreacher, say something."
"Kreacher asks for the mistress's mercy and forgiveness." His voice came softly.
She frowns at that, confused, "What do you mean? What do you have to apologize for?"
"Kreacher fell asleep last night and didn't protect Mistress last night. Kreacher felt ashamed when Lady Malfoy returned with mistress.."
Amalthea realized he didn't see what happened last night, and she asked softly, "Kreacher, have I ever sleepwalked before?"
"Kreacher's never seen Mistress sleepwalk."
That stumped her, and she laid back on the bed with a sigh, "What was that then?"
A chime in the manor went off, signaling that someone had apparated in. Amalthea sat up excited, "He's here!" She grabbed her suitcase, "Come on, Kreacher!"
As she hurried down the stairs, Draco caught her arm, smirking at her, "So excited to leave? I'm hurt." She forced a polite smile, pulling her arm away, "Thank you for your hospitality, cousin, I'll always remember it."
Draco went to say something, but she caught sight of Sirius and Remus at the front doors, "Bye!" She sped down the stairs, seeing Narcissa gliding to the doors, opening them to reveal the pair.
Narcissa gave her cousin a weak smile, "Hello Sirius.."
He raised a dark brow at her, his lips quirked up, "Cissa, you're still..blonde." Remus nudged him a bit, clearing his throat. Sirius blinked before bowing his head slightly in respect, "It looks nice on you."
Narcissa laughed softly, "You still haven't changed, have you? Still a terrible liar." She motioned to Amalthea, who stood there barely able to contain her excitement, "I believe she's yours."
Sirius smiled warmly the moment he saw his niece, "Yep, she's mine. Where's Lucy?" Narcissa's smile faded slightly, "Ah, he's in his office. He regrets not being able to attend." Sirius caught sight of Amalthea rolling her eyes, showing that was obviously a lie, "I see..well, pass along my thanks for taking care of her."
He reached out a hand, and Amalthea hurried to them. As she turned to Narcissa, she gave a small curtsy, "Thank you, Lady Malfoy for letting me stay." Narcissa looked sad as she held her hands out slightly for a hug, before she lowered them, "Of course dear."
Sirius looked worried at that, looking at Remus with a frown, wondering what happened. Remus gave a soft shrug before placing a hand on Amalthea's shoulder, smiling politely to Narcissa, "Well, we're going to be off. Thank you again, Narcissa."
Narcissa glanced his way with a bit of disdain, not feeling comfortable with the werewolf, "Safe travels."
As the doors closed, they headed to the courtyard to apparate out. Sirius took Remus's hand before grabbing hers, "Hold on tight, love." She squeezed his hand, feeling Kreacher grab onto her skirt.
There was a sharp pull, and she closed her eyes quickly, feeling like she was pulled through a keyhole. As the ground hit her feet, she stumbled a bit, but Sirius kept ahold of her hand.
"You need to puke?" He asked bluntly.
She felt her stomach swirl, and she shook her head, "N-No, I'm fine."
Sirius chuckled, letting go of Remus's hand to rub her back, "You'll get used to it."
Remus watched them both, smiling softly. Amalthea held onto Sirius's hand, her eyes closed as she tried to keep her breakfast down.
Kreacher disillusioned himself, appearing by Sirius, "Young Mistress needs water?"
Sirius jumped at his appearance, "Merlin! How long have you been here?!"
Kreacher gave him a glare, "Kreacher has always been with mistress."
Sirius made a face, "That's creepy, Kreacher."
Amalthea waved them both off, standing upright as she felt the nausea subside, "I'm fine, you two." She walks on to Remus, "Let's get back to Grimmauld Place."
Kreacher mumbled as they followed, "Not creepy, Kreacher protects mistress."
"You're going to start showing up in my nightmares again, Kreacher."
"Good."
