Interstellar || Draco Malfoy

15 || Malfoy Manor

Today was a day that I was dreading. It was the last day of the term; the day that I would be assigned a new family to live with. I tried to plead my case about returning to the streets, but Headmaster Dumbledore vehemently refused that offer, always claiming he would find someone to take me in. I never truly understood why he tried so hard to keep me with a family, especially after the first year I spent here, I returned to the streets.

However, one of the only upsides I'd found to staying with a family over the summer was being able to actually celebrate my birthdays. The Weasley's didn't go crazy for my birthday, as I'd spent most of my day in Ginny's room, but Molly didn't let it pass unnoticed. She'd baked plenty of cupcakes, leaving a plate just inside Ginny's door along with a new book that I'd read cover-to-cover more times than I cared to count.

"Malfoy, Miss Littlesea." Professor Snape called, drawing me out of my memories. Draco was sitting beside me, seemingly lost in thought as well. "Come with me. Bring your things."

Draco and I followed behind our professor silently, tugging our trunks and Lucina behind us. Snape led us to the staircase leading to Dumbldore's office, muttering the password to Draco before offering me a slight smile and darting off down the hall.

"Odd." Draco sighed, muttering the password. The phoenix statue turned, revealing the staircase. "Come on, let's leave our trunks."

"Alright." I nodded, following Draco up the stairs. When we got to the office door, I softly knocked.

"Come in." Dumbledore's voice sounded. I pushed the door open and stepped into Dumbledore's office. The headmaster stood in the corner, speaking to his phoenix softly as Draco and I wandered toward two chairs in front of Dembledore's desk. We shared a look before we sat down, watching the older wizard with confusion as he offered the phoenix a sherbert lemon. "Miss Littlesea."

"Yes, professor?" I asked, straightening my back at his authoritative tone.

"You and Mr. Malfoy have become close friends this term, is that right?" Dumbledore asked, glancing between Draco and I.

"Yes, professor." I nodded slowly.

"And, as you know," Dumbledore continued, sweeping over to his desk. He sat down before speaking again, his eyes shining with amusement at our expressions of confusion. "I have made it a priority of mine to find you a home for the summer."

"Yes." I nodded again. "But, professor, I'm more than willing to go back to the streets on my own."

"The reason I cannot let you back to the streets you lived on is because the woman who ran your orphanage has placed a bounty on you." Dumbledore cut straight to the point.

"A bounty?" Draco asked, his confusion growing deeper. "For what?"

"She claims you've run off and must be returned to her." Dumbledore informed. "You are no longer safe on the streets you once called home."

I sank back into the chair, feeling nauseous at the thought of someone taking up a bounty placed on a child. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the sick feeling settling in my stomach.

"Have you found a place?" I asked quietly.

"Yes." Dumbledore nodded, looking between Draco and I once more. "The Malfoy's have offered to open their home to you for the summer. If all goes well during this break, the Malfoy's have offered to make the arrangement more permanent until you are of age."

"Really?" Draco asked, his eyes alight with excitement.

"Will this be an okay arrangement?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes." I nodded, finally looking up from the floor. "Yes, that sounds fine."

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