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august 1994
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"𝚊𝚋𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎"
𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚛𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐
Violetta sighed when she arrived at the comfort of her home. The drawing room was empty, which was quite unordinary. Normally the family spent most of their time there but then again, Violetta was normally there at home ― not missing somewhere in the middle of a riot. The manor was surprisingly quiet or maybe it was just because Violetta had witnessed the terrors and screams earlier. She walked further into the house, her father right behind her. She heard him clearing his throat which made Violetta sigh and turn around.
"I am sorry daddy," Violetta apologized yet again. "I didn't mean to wander so far and get lost," she continued, her big brown eyes filled with remorse.
She honestly didn't mean to worry her parents, she just simply wanted to go for a walk. How was she supposed to know that a riot was to take place?
Lucius sighed and placed his hand on Violetta's shoulder. "I know Lettie," he said with a small smile. "But I think it's your mother who you need to convince," he reminded the girl and the relief in her eyes disappeared.
Violetta groaned, tilting her head back while Lucius gave her a sympathetic smile before walking to the main corridor. Everyone in the family hated to worry Narcissa, there was no amount of regret and remorse when it came to her. The woman lived for her family.
"Cissa!" He called Narcissa, and it didn't take more than five seconds for the woman to run from her room, the stairs down and to her husband and daughter.
The normally so graceful and poised Narcissa Malfoy was a walking mess. Her previously perfectly done hair was now open and tangled. Her face was free from any makeup, she had clearly cried it all off by the look of her red and puffy eyes. She had a handkerchief tightly in her hands and she sniffed by the sight of her only daughter.
The second she had realized that Violetta was out there somewhere, she was rather mad at the girl but then the riot happened and all that anger left her shaking and scared body. She had insisted that she would stay behind to search for Violetta but Lucius and their sons didn't feel comfortable leaving the woman in the middle of the riot.
"I'm sorry mama," Violetta said right away before her mother even had a chance to say anything. She took a few steps closer to her mother. "I'm all right, nothing happened. I only got lost, there isn't even a scratch. I promise," she assured.
Narcissa shook her head, using her palms to hide her face. Violetta sighed and closed the distance between the two Malfoy women and wrapped her arms around her mother's slender figure.
"Don't you ever scare me like that Violetta Narcissa Malfoy," Narcissa sighed out of relief and wrapped her arms around her daughter. "You had me worried sick."
"I didn't mean to," Violetta said, lifting her chin up so she could meet her mother's eyes.
Narcissa just nodded with a smile and placed a kiss on Violetta's temple. The daughter eventually let go of her mother and the older woman wiped her fresh tears of relief.
"I should lock you in your room," Narcissa chuckled tearfully, making Violetta roll her eyes. "You can never disappear like that again."
"There's no need for drama, mama. I'm fine, I just got surprised, that's all."
The moment was interrupted when two pairs of running footsteps approached them. Regulus and Draco ran from their rooms to their missing sister. The boys stopped by the doorway, trying to look as cool as they could but they ― just like their parents ― have been worried sick about their sister.
Violetta turned to her brothers and gave them a smirk. "Were you boys worried about me?" She teased them.
"No, we were worried for mother and father," Draco argued. "I swear mother had a heart attack,"
"And father had a stroke," Regulus continued his brother's words.
"Sure thing," Violetta said but she could clearly see that her twin brother had been worried sick about her.
Normally, she would tease her brothers about this but not this time. She has given them enough headaches for the day. Instead, she walked to her parents and pecked their cheeks.
"I think I'll head to bed, it is midnight after all," she informed them but Narcissa stopped her by placing her hand on her shoulder. "Mama please, I'm rather tired," she groaned, arching her brow.
Narcissa merely shook her head and placed a soft kiss on top of Violetta's head. "
Go on then," she said, unsure should she leave the girl out of her sight.
Violetta nodded, leaving the room and her slightly confused family behind. She dragged her tired body up the many stairs and finally managed to reach her room. Once she was in her dark grey colored room, she closed the door and walked over to her bed and crashed on it. She has never been this tired. Her body was exhausted. She didn't realize this before but maybe it was the adrenaline that kept her so awake but now that she was safely at home and the adrenaline was gone, she was exhausted.
Yet, she changed her clothes and washed her face before heading to sleep. Violetta pulled out her comforter and placed herself on her mattress, her head on her silk pillow and pulled her duvet over her tired and still slightly shocked body. But even being this tired, she couldn't fall asleep. She could hear her parents talking something downstairs, and unlike every conversation they have, this one sounded more argumentative. There were loud hissing and heavy sighs, and Violetta turned on her side, facing one of her three huge windows.
She closed her eyes, trying so hard to fall asleep but nothing seemed to work. Then, she tried to occupy her mind with some random things just so that she would eventually fall asleep. She thought about her last year at Hogwarts, what it will be like. The Triwizard Tournament and her graduation.
Coming of age was exciting but it was also very nerve wrecking. While her parents have never pressured her to think of marriage, she knew that was just around the corner. It was her duty as a pureblood daughter and she couldn't possibly embarrass her family by ending up as an old maid ― Druella's words, not hers.
As for possible husbands, there were none. All the boys her age were disgusting, walking hormones who believed they were her superior just because of their sex. Especially the ones she knows.
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When the sun hit her perfect features the next morning, Violetta was more than ready to forget about last night's events. After spending half an hour awake in her bed, she finally decided to make a move and go for breakfast. She tossed her silky nightdress on her bed and put on a white cardigan and a pair dark green pants. If Druella was to see her outfit, the woman would fall into cardiac arrest which made it all better for Violetta.
After dressing up and brushing her hair, she left her room and headed to the dining room. She walked past the wall of portraits and glanced at them, the portraits always made her feel uneasy. She felt like dozens of dead Malfoys were silently judging her and giving her a scolded look. When she managed to get past the wall, she reached the stairs and escalated them.
Once she reached the dining room's two gigantic doors, she was able to hear her family chatting. She opened the doors and walked in, her head held high and sat in her place. A place where she has sat her entire life.
"Good morning sweetheart," Narcissa greeted her daughter and sent her a warm smile.
"Morning," Violetta said, her eyes wandering to her mother and then to her father, and then to the morning edition of Daily Prophet that was laying on the table.
She narrowed her eyes so she could read it better.
Death Eaters rioting in the Quidditch World Cup.
Regulus noticed this too, and maybe he had some sort of a telepathic connection with his twin sister which made him notice how his sister wanted to say something about the matter. Regulus on the other hand, wasn't too interested in talking about it. He had already talked with their parents, and they weren't happy about the upcoming rise of the Death Eaters.
Not even Lucius who was one or used to be one.
"Father, I was thinking that I should visit the Ministry before school starts. To check on the work, see what I would like to do once I've graduated," Regulus said, making Lucius turn to his eldest.
Violetta glanced at her brother and gave him a sharp look for distracting their father.
"And what makes you so eager to talk about it now?" Lucius frowned slightly. "Not that I'm not happy to hear about your interest regarding your future."
"Oh you know, the thought just popped to my head," Regulus shrugged.
"Well I'm glad to hear that you're still interested in working with the Ministry. Generations of Malfoy men have, and Draco will as well," Lucius said and turned to his youngest. "Isn't that correct, Draco?"
Draco nodded immediately. "Of course father. I can't wait either," he said, making Violetta roll her eyes.
He glanced at his sister and saw how her mouth was gaped open, she was clearly about to say something.
"I am just bummed that there won't be Quidditch this year," Draco continued.
Violetta shot one more look at Draco before interrupting him. "The riot was caused by Death Eaters?" She asked, making everyone quiet and stop whatever they were doing.
Draco's fork was half way to his mouth but he froze, Regulus choked on his water and Lucius and Narcissa's faces paled.
Violetta arched her perfectly shaped brows. "Mum, dad?"
Narcissa glanced at her husband who seemed to be as lost in words as she was. They knew that Violetta was aware of their past but they didn't wish it to catch up with them. To catch up with their children. There was always the matter of what had happened to Violetta, or did anything even happen to her, when Abraxas handed the four month old infant to their Lord.
"Those are just rumors, Lettie. You shouldn't worry about them," Narcissa finally said, her eyes focused on her plate instead of her daughter.
"There's a picture of the Dark Mark in the sky, mama. I think this is a real deal," Violetta pointed out but when her mother only stiffly nodded to her, the girl turned to her father.
Lucius cleared his throat, trying to find words. "It's surely nothing, really. Just some Death Eaters trying to scare people."
"Why now?" Violetta asked.
"I don't know darling," Lucius shook his head. "But that's none of your or your brothers' concerns. All right? Just don't think about it."
Violetta frowned. How was she supposed to just forget this? This was huge.
"Is he coming back?" She asked, and Narcissa made a weird high-pitched sound. "Is he?"
Lucius rubbed the back of his neck, and Violetta knew that there was something off. She pierced her eyes at her father's, trying to make him give her an answer but the man didn't say anything.
"I don't think that's important," Regulus shrugged, and for a moment, a sign of relief traveled through Narcissa's eyes.
Her Regulus wasn't like Regulus Black. He didn't care about the Dark Lord nor wanted to be his servant. When Narcissa named her firstborn after her favorite cousin, she was frightened that the name would somehow draw her son to their Dark Lord. She wanted nothing more than to spare her children from him.
Violetta scoffed at her brother's statement. "What do you mean, it's not important. It would change everything."
"Well not everything has to change," Regulus argued. "Do you want him to come?"
"What? No!" Violetta said with disbelief in her voice.
Why would she want him to come back? The earliest memories she has of her life were filled with her parents fearing their Lord, fearing that he would hurt her or Regulus, later on Draco as well.
"Then why are you so heated about this?" Regulus asked.
Violetta groaned and got up, slamming her hands on the table. "Because nobody bloody talks!"
"Lettie!" Narcissa cried and got up as well.
She knew her daughter's temper, she knew how much of a Black the girl was. The mother walked over to her daughter and placed a soothing hand on her shoulder. She placed a kiss on Violetta's cheek and the girl turned to her mother.
"If he is coming back, you can't just shut down. You can't pretend that everything will be normal," Violetta said quietly.
"We know that little flower," Lucius sighed, running his palm down his face. "But until we know for sure, there's no reason to cause unnecessary hysteria. The Dark Mark might have been just some idiot's idea of a fun. And my money is on Elias Crabbe," he smirked, making Violetta chuckle.
The girl nodded. "Crabbes are quite stupid."
"Yeah," Draco said, although Vincent Crabbe was his friend. Well, more like a minion who did whatever Draco asked him to.
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It was an understatement to say that Narcissa Malfoy became very paranoid of her children's whereabouts and safety after the riot. She checked on them every ten minutes, always making sure that they were where they were supposed to be. Never letting them go somewhere without an adult.
Now the Malfoys, Montagues, Golds, Greengrasses, Notts and Parkinsons were having their annual get together before the start of another semester. Violetta loved these gatherings, she got to spend time with her best friends but the only downside to this was Pansy Parkinson and the Greengrass sisters. For some reason Violetta has never liked them.
Pansy was just straight out annoying and there was just something about Daphne and Astoria Greengrass that Violetta didn't like.
"He's still harassing you?" Vivian asked once Violetta had told her what happened during the riot. "I thought he had gone over his silly crush."
Violetta shook her head. "It's not a crush, it's an obsession. He's been obsessed with me for years now."
"Have you told your parents or brothers? I'm quite sure they would do something about it," Vivian pointed out the obvious.
"Yes but then I would have to go to Azkaban to see them because they will kill Peregrine if they knew," Violetta said. "And end up in Azkaban."
"If they knew what?" Gabriel Montague entered the conversation.
Violetta groaned and turned to look at Gabriel. "Guess twice."
Gabriel grimaced. "Aaah you are talking about Mr Derrcik, huh? Does our Violetta have a little crush?"
"For Merlin's sake!" Violetta sighed loudly. "I do not. It's like I would say you're in love with Daphne," she said and saw how Gabriel's face turned in disgust. "See. I feel the same way about Peregrine as you feel about Daphne."
"Mmm well I don't think anyone can be as bad as Daphne. Or any other pureblood girl," Vivian scoffed, glancing to see the Parkinson girl and Greengrass sisters.
"So it is a wonder that you two are purebloods," Gabriel grimaced at his friends. "I mean, you two are tolerable. You think with your own brains instead of with your lip glosses."
Vivian and Violetta bursted out laughing ― Gabriel wasn't wrong.
Unlike other pureblood girls from the Sacred Twenty-Eight, Violetta was nothing like them. She hated the vanity the girls possessed, their stupidity. Vivian was nothing like them either, but she wasn't part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight ― she was a pureblood however.
"What's so funny here?" Regulus asked as he walked to the trio of best friends.
Regulus was friends with Gabriel and Vivian as well but not the same way Violetta was.
"Oh we're just talking about how you and Draco have to marry some bubblehead at some point," Violetta smirked at her brother.
"Hilarious," Regulus grimaced, but couldn't disagree with his sister. "As long as it's not a Greengrass or Parkinson, I'll manage," he said, expressing his dislike towards them as well.
"Imagine Lettie," Vivian gasped and grabbed her best friend's arm. "Imagine if Regulus or Draco were to marry one of them. Oh god, you would be sister-in-laws," she giggled breathlessly.
Violetta couldn't tell if it was all the champagne Vivian had consumed that made her so giggly but anyhow, the girl had a point. Violetta pointed her finger at her brother and her brown eyes were dead serious.
"I swear to Salazar, if you or Draco marry one of them, I'll get as far away from you as possible," she said, her eyes serious but her smirk vivid. "I mean it brother."
"I'm not planning on marrying Daphne, Astoria or Pansy. And if I ever do consider it, please sister, send me to St.Mungos and put me in a straitjacket," Regulus said, earning a laugh from Violetta.
"And why does my son need to be put in a straitjacket?" Narcissa's voice echoed to Violetta, Regulus and their friends.
The two Malfoy children, Gold girl and older Montague boy, all turned around to see Narcissa Malfoy standing just some steps away. She had her arms crossed over her chest and a classic smile on. She looked at all four teenagers but her attention was mainly at her own children. Violetta knew that her mother was coming to check on her and her brother.
"Nothing mother. Just a joke," Violetta said politely, she knew that there were people watching.
She knew that people like Penelope Parkinson, Pansy's insufferable mother, were watching, judging and trying to find a new topic to gossip about. Violetta wasn't going to give the woman the satisfaction and give her a reason.
Imagine; the Malfoy heiress calling her own mother something else than a mother. Mum, or even worse, Mama. Very unladylike. But then again, Penelope Parkinson's relationship with her Pansy was so bad and corrupted that she wouldn't really understand the human emotion called mother's love.
Narcissa flinched slightly, she hated when her daughter called her mother. It reminded her too much of how she addresses Druella.
She didn't mind her sons calling her that, but there was something wrong when Violetta called her that. Maybe it was just that she saw herself in her daughter, they were so much alike, and the fear of being like Druella creeped inside of her. She dreaded of being like her, she dreaded of treating her daughter the way Druella treated her and her sisters.
No, not sisters. Just a sister.
"All right then," Narcissa sighed. "Carry on, we have to leave in an hour Violetta," she said, formally calling her daughter by her given name instead of a pet name.
Once Narcissa had left, Violetta turned back to her friends and brother.
"She called you Violetta," Vivian grinned, she knew that Narcissa Malfoy or Lucius Malfoy never talks to their daughter so formally.
"Yeah, the bat was listening," Violetta chuckled and jerked her head towards Penelope Parkinson who quickly turned around on her heel, walking away from the group of teenagers.