“Wait, why do I need to take you to Devon ― are you leaving already?” Draco's voice was nothing but of pure confusion, his scarred face was scrunched up in dislike and his brows are furrowed.
Annalise was panicking already, her mind was filled with tons of notions about Adelaine's well-being, what if by the time she came home, Addy was injured badly, what if Adelaine would hate her for taking her so late when she promised she'd be there as fast as she can?
“Yes! I need to ― I mean, we, need to leave, take me to Devon, Draco!” Annalise nearly yelled from the top of her throat, and both Narcissa Malfoy and Madam Rosmerta flinched from her agressiveness.
Draco appeared to look more discombobulated. “Oh, alright, alright, I will take you there.” he cannot comprehend what her hastiness is all about, but he is more than glad to know that Annalise needed him more than anything, maybe he can redeem him self while they are on what Annalise is about.
He gently move his hand to hold Annalise's own hand, hoping she would not flinch or jump especially in front of the hostess, Madam Rosmerta. To Draco's surprise, Annalise seized his hand and shot him what look like a mix of reassured and iffy smile.
“Madam Rosmerta,” Annalise started after feeling that familiar tugging on her stomach, and she knew then they're going to disapparate any minute. “I have this parchment scroll in a small charmed bag in my suitcase, please take care of it.”
Madam Rosmerta looked as though she was going to protest but before she could say anything, Annalise felt her feet rising from the floor, the tug in her stomach became tighter and her vision's swirling, soon enough, her heels landed on a grassy field. She looked up at their four-level house while catching a breath, and to her dismay, she saw, through a glass window, Chantelle talking to Borgin, holding what seemed like a small sealed crate.
Her mother's crate.
“Not in my watch, missy.” Annalise muttered under her breath and marched towards the door when suddenly an arm yanked her back, she turned around and met Draco's eyes. “What the bloody hell are you doing?” she asked madly.
“You can't just barged in!” Draco retaliated, he seemed rather aghast, probably thinking they'll be trespassing. “I don't know what are we doing in Devon and I don't know what's the purpose of bringing me he ―”
“As if you're not use to invade other's lands.” Annalise snapped back and seized her wand from the pockets of her dress. “Look. This house is my brother's house, I lived here before he kicked me out, but he let Adelaine stay. That woman inside ―” Annalise point to chantelle in a nearby glass window, “Is his wife. I just learned that she's selling everything of my mom's belongings after torturing my sister and I won't let her get away with it.”
Ignoring Draco's aghast look, Annalise barged inside the door with a simple unlocking spell. The moment she entered, her feet collided with tons of boxes that were sprawled on the floor, containing muggle books and other instruments that no witch or wizard would see in the wizarding world, and she nearly tripped over it. Annalise's blood boiled even more by this.
“Chantelle!” She yelled out and no sooner later, both Chantelle and Borgin came into sight, Annalise stood next to the settee and chuckled after seeing the mortified expression plastered across Chantelle's face.
“W-what are you doing here? You're not allowed here by the Minis ― ”
“And you're also not allowed to sell my mother's treasures.” Annalise quickly cutted her off, her bottom lip was trembling due to immense pique. Just seeing Chantelle all dressed fancy while gaining off of everything in this house makes Annalise want to kill someone. “Did my brother refused to give you money? Did he? Or is his wage a little low in his position in the Ministry now?”
Annalise could see that one of her two assumptions was correct after seeing the irk in Chantelle's eyes. “I will call the head of the deputy ―”
“Stop bringing the Ministry in this case, Chantelle. You might want to hold your tongue.” Annalise bellowed, and she look over her shoulder to make sure Draco was just behind her, and he is, but he looked aggravated. Looking back at Chantelle, Annalise smirked, knowing she has the advantage in this situation. “I know what you did to my sister, Chantelle. Wouldn't want the information to reach the Ministry, would you? It's a one way ticket in Azkaban for you once they found out.”
However, Chantelle proceeded to act all innocent. “I don't know what you're saying. Have you already signed the parchment? Have you got a house yet? If not then leave this instant. I have rights to do whatever I want in this house!” she yelled, and suddenly whip her wand out, making Annalise alert.
“Do not change the subject, Chantelle. You know well what I'm talking about.” Annalise said, her voice was dripping with venom. “Wired my brother's thoughts, you got him to kick me out of the house, ordered the ministry to put a contract in my name just so I could suffer trying to get my sister from your ruthlessness! then you tortured Adelaine with the cruciartus curse and now you plan onto selling my mother's belongings. You are an evil bitch!”
Chantelle just laugh, Borgin looked aghast by this coercion. “I grow up in a toxic household, Beaufort. Now I have a lovely family, and all I want is my husband, me and my children ―”
“And our family's fortune.” Annalise added, and to her surprise, Chantelle nodded shamelessly before ordering Borgin to take the boxes with him and apparate.
A hand touched the small on her back, and Annalise looked at Draco as he spoke, “Since when had you been collecting muggle items, Borgin? I thought you only buy dark artifacts and sell it in your shop later on.”
Borgin looked surprise, and obviously didn't want a say in this conversation, “Oh well, you know, times have changed. Some wizards are very intrigued about having muggle gadgets paraphernalia, and they like to collect.” He answered with feign timorous before piling the boxes in mid-air with his wand. “I reckon I shall take these, then. ”
“I order you to stop,” Draco responded, keeping a stealthy eye on the man. “Get out of this house if you do not want to partake in any mess ― ”
“Excuse me, now just becase you're rich Mr. Malfoy doesn't mean you can intervene in this matter!” Chantelle shouted, her neck was red with all the yellings. She directed her wand to Draco, and ordered Borgin to take the boxes, along with the small crate she's holding in her free hand, Annalise knew that crate was filled with her mother's jewelries.
“I am not intervening because I am wealthy.” Draco responded with utmost elegance and pride, he didn't even flinch nor jump when Chantelle threated to hex him. “I am butting in because these things ―” he looks down on all the boxes in his feet and the ones suspended in the air. “Belongs to the mother of the girl I loved, and you've no rights to sell them.”
Chantelle just laughed maniacally, it seems as though she's been wanting to show her true colours long before. “Your love?” she asked with a hint of jeer and disbelief. “Are you telling me you're actually in love with this girl?” she gave a nasty glance at Annalise before staring at Draco. “Let me tell you what, if you've no money to give her, you'll end up with a good for nothing, spoiled little brat.” she spat.
It took Annalise ever restrained she got not to jinx Chantelle, but Draco simply held her hand and intwined their fingers for her to calm down.
“You think she loves you?” Chantelle bellowed, and a small light starts emitting from her wand out of uncontrolled anger. “She just wants your money! A whore!” Borgin stepped aside, not wanting to be invole in this fight.
“I would have not needed money if you hadn't kick me out!” Annalise shouted and directed her wand to Chantelle. “Give me my mom's belongings and Adelaine or else you'll end up in Azkaban, Chantelle. I am not joking around anymore.”
Due to her rage, Chantelle shouted and a scarlet light burst out of the tip of her wand and shot directly in Annalise's chest, Annalise flew meters back and her body collided against the brick wall, making her yelp in so much pain.
“You bitch ― stupefy!” Draco shouted and soon enough, Chantelle laid across the floor, unconscious. “Borgin I'm warning you to leave this instant!” Borgin scrambled and was about to take the boxes when suddenly ― “Without those damn things!” Draco's fury scared the man, and Borgin set off.
“Are you alright?” Draco asked gently, and he bent down over Annalise's limped body.
“I'm fine, I'm fine.” Annalise panted, but her spine felt as though several boned has cracked the moment she crashed. She ignored the pain and stood on her feet with Draco's guidance. “Thank you for that, I knew I would need you.”
“I'm glad you need me, but you're definitely not fine.” Draco said flatly, he move towards the unconscious Chantelle and seized her wand. “I'm going to the Ministry for a moment, talk to some officials to fix this mess, alright?” he asked, before cupping Annalise's cheek with one hand.
She merely nodded, afraid that Chantelle would do something murderous while he's away, but then Draco leaned in and place a short amorous kiss on her cheek. “I'm sorry I wasn't that much of a help when you were struggling, I wish I would have known, Annie..”
Annalise shook her head at him, “It's alright, Draco. You should go, I really want to see my sister.”
With a nod, Draco disapparated, which leaves Annalise alone. She placed a petrifying spell on Chantelle, so when she gained conscious, she still wouldn't be able to move a muscle. Annalise then sprint up the spiral staircase, and noticed more boxes were placed with each steps.
Chantelle must've planned on breaking the family apart so she can sell mother's belongings with no worries. Annalise thought. Clearly there was a flaw in her plan. Adelaine became the flaw in her plan.
Annalise banged on the door to her right hand-side on the first landing. “Addy?!” she yelled, but no answer, deciding that banging is completely nonsensical, Annalise started unlocking every doors from the first floor with a simple charm.
However, Adelaine was yet to be seen.
So Annalise climbed higher, as soon as she reached the second floor, where Chantelle and Adam's childrens' rooms were, she started unlocking them, and on the last door, she found Adelaine laying on the littered floor, obviously unconscious.
“Addy!” Annalise cried and quickly kneeled down next to her little sister. She flicked her wand to the small body and immediately, all charms that prevented Adelaine from moving a muscle lifted away. However, Addy was still unconscious.
“What did she do to you?” Annalise teared up, her heart broke seeing her little sister, what Chantelle did to Addy was because of the fury she hold for Annalise. It was all my fault, she thought. She seized Addy's body and lift it up onto her lap then hugged her. “I am so sorry, so sorry Addy..” she sobbed, tears flowing down to her cheeks.
How could they do such a thing to a little girl? Annalise thought. It was her duty to protect Adelaine from the likes of Chantelle and Adam, but she failed miserably.
There were red and purple marks all over Adelaine's arms, which were clearly the spots where Chantelle regularly hit her. “Episkey ― Ferula ― accio murtlap” A small cork-bottled murtlap zoomed into Annalise's hand, and she pulled the cork out with her teeth before rubbing the essence all over Adelaine's small wounds and scars, while she's unconscious.
Annalise couldn't help but cry even more, how could she allow such things to happen to her younger sister? As soon as the bruises disappear with the help of murtlap essence, Adelaine slowly fluttered her eyes, her small hands starts to flinch, and her body became rigid. “A-Annie?” a tiny voice escaped, and Annalise nearly broke down from how much she longed to hear her sister's voice.
“I'm so sorry I know I took so long but,” she briefly stopped to swallow a heavy lump on her throat. “I am here Addy, your mom's here.” she hugged the frail body of Adelaine so tight that Addy had to remind her that she was being too clingy which made Annalise laugh.
Adelaine opened her mouth to say something until a chaos was heard downstairs, without even having to process or move a muscle, loud steps emitted outside the room and the door burst open, then came in Draco Malfoy, with one short men holding a brown case in his left hand, then behind the short men, Annalise recognize ― was the Minister of Magic ― Kingsley Shacklebolt.
“M-Mr. Shacklebolt..” Both Annalise and Adelaine jumped from surprise and they stood instantaneously, despite their weak bodies and bowed down to the Minister of Magic.
“Miss Beaufort, apparently your husband's been very grumpy the moment he entered my office, he demanded to have me looking at your case here.” Kingsley gave a short nod before looking at Draco and the young man with the suitcase. “Do your job, Bishop.” he said to the short man.
Husband? Annalise thought.
“Yes sir..” the short man who Kingsley called 'Bishop' stride towards Annalise and Adelaine, he dropped his suitcase and to Annalise's surprise ― a clean, white parchment flew out of it and rose in the air, along with a self-writing quill. “Miss ―” he faltered.
“Annalise Beaufort, and erm, my little sister, Adelaine.”
“Miss Beaufort, I am Boris Bishop, a new auror in the ministry and this is my first investigatory case ― can you share us what happened on the ground floor? Why is there a woman unconscious?” he asked, and the quill scribbled in the parchment.
Draco stood in the corner with his hands inside his pockets, listening intensely to the investigation and Annalise shot him a confused look before answering stupidly, “Oh, Erm ― Draco ― I mean, Mister Malfoy stupified the woman and I petrified her.”
“Oh, are you implying you're the one who started the duel?”
The quill wrote even more agressive on the parchment, causing Annalise to remember how Rita Skeeter interview people. “No, I ― she started it, she hexed me and we just returned the same act and put a stop in the mess before she harms more people!”
“Are you related to that unconscious lady?” Boris asked demandingly.
Annalise took a moment to answer, “She is my brother's wife ― her name's Chantelle, Chantelle Easton, her maiden name. I don't consider her to be part of our family, neither does my own brother...” she confessed.
Boris hummed in response as the quill made a scribbling noise while writing on it's own. “There seems to be a family issues here, tell me when it all started, the crashing ― and how you've come to hate your brother along with his wife, Chantelle ― tell me every little matt ―”
“Boris, would you please take it easy on her? She had just been hexed and has gone through a long, horrible night.” Draco interrupted, with his voice, Adelaine jumped and soon beamed,
“Mister Malfoy!!!” the tiny girl yelled in joy before she sprint into Draco's arms, he picked her up as though she weigh nothing and smile at her with utmost joy. “I knew you'd come!”
Draco tuck Addy's hairs behind her ears that were sprawled all over her face. “What do you say we leave the room for a moment and have a talk downstairs over a cup of hot chocolate with the Minister of Magic?” he asked and Adelaine nodded in delight, the both of them soon was out of sight, leaving Annalise alone with the sprightly Boris Bishop.
Half an hour passed by since the auror has been investigating Annalise and checking the house, the moment all questions were asked, she sigh out of relief. “Does this case needed a hearing, Mr. Bishop?” she queried just as Boris was about to leave the room.
“Well cases like this don't often require a hearing but,” he stopped and place the quill and the parchment inside his case that were following behind him. “If the victims would desire so, then yes it is possible. Would you like a hearing on Ms. Easton, Miss Beaufort?”
Annalise quickly shook her head no by the question. “No, I've heard enough of her.”
“Very well, I'll talk to Kingsley and we'll see how long Miss Chantelle's imprisonment, usually for those who used one of the unforgivable spells, they stay more than half their life locked up in Azkaban ― the rules and laws have changed now.” then he went on.
“Mr. Adam Beaufort will get notice this forthcoming evening, he is currently on his working shift but we'll notify him so he can get a last talk with his wife, don't worry about their kids, they're staying at Ms. Easton's grandmother, and as for you, you ought to stay in Malfoy Manor for the time being, me and the minister have decided it's best for you in the hands of Mister Malfoy.”
then he left.
Annalise was astound, I'll have to stay more in the manor? She thought. But her thoughts were cutted off when she heard a raging female voice, she sprint down the stairs only to see Chantelle yelling at Boris, her wrists were bounded behind her back with a golden rope, causing her to restrain.
“YOU BITCH! I WILL KILL YOU BEAUFORT, YOU AND YOUR SISTER ― ADAM WILL GET ME OUT OF HERE, I DID NOTHING WRONG, LET ME G ―” Both her and the Auror disapparated, which caused a heavy sigh of relief out of Annalise's mouth.
She looked around the empty house, but quickly forgot she wasn't alone. Adelaine was sitting in between Draco and Kingsley Shacklebolt in the sette, while drinking hot chocolate in a mug.
“How are you feeling?” Kingsley asked in a manner of a childish voice, as he sips on his drink.
“I'm okay!” Adelaine exclaimed. “My sister taught me to be brave, you know.” she answered before taking a small sip. Draco chuckled at this,
“Well your sister is a strong, brave woman as well.” he said enthusiastically, and Annalise's heart skipped a beat. “You're just like her.”
“Mhmmmm, no, Annie is more matured, she takes care of my problems, she would sacrifice everything for me..” Adelaine responded. “I can't do that, I'm scared for my life.”
Kingsley then butted in, “What you did today was very brave ― writing a letter to your sister about the situation at home when you were just tortured is amazing ― you're very brave, little tyke, just like a boy I knew.”
Adelaine hummed in response and she look over her shoulder. “Annie!!!” she beamed, dropped her mug gently on the floor and run towards Annalise's arms like she did to Draco. “I missed you..”
Annalise bent down and hugged Adelaine before kissing her forehead. “I'm here, Addy.. I am here now, I wouldn't leave you behind, I missed you so much too..” she nearly wailed.
“I know you wouldn't leave me,” Adelaine spoke in a faint voice. “You're my mother..”
“I am..”
~
The moment they arrived in Malfoy Manor, Adelaine kept on jumping at every flagged stone floor, and running around hedges while chasing Perseus and Fornax, Draco's owls. Then she explored the entire Manor with the help of Kreacher. It was a fun day for her, especially after meeting Narcissa Malfoy who kept on feeding her, clearly delighted to have a kid in the house.
However, Annalise wasn't so delighted. She was twisted. She stayed in the balcony, watching as the skies turned darker, eventually, night has fallen, yet she stayed in the balcony, now staring up at the night sky. It was the same balcony where she confessed to Malfoy. The place where it all started.
And she wondered where it had gone all wrong. She fiddled with the silver ring embellished around her middle finger and thought that she should give it to Draco, for saving her again. Despite all the terrible doings he did.
I did love him, Annalise thought, and I still love him. However she wouldn't let the same things happen to her again, he cheated on her, then used her, and pained her. But why does he save her all the time? Why does he hurt her and then save her afterwards? She just couldn't understand.
“We're having dinner downstairs, you know..”
Annalise turned around and saw the man she was just thinking about, and immediately, her heart skipped a beat. “Oh, I am not really hungry at the moment..” she answered timorously.
Draco nodded and he walk towards her with caution, Annalise simply turned to the balcony and looked down at the hedges as Draco now stood next to her.
Quietness filled the air, the silence was too much, Annalise simply cannot bear it. “Why are you not having dinner with the rest?”
His eyes gazed up at the stars. “Same reason as yours.”
She nodded and continued watching the hedges, the peacocks flock over it and sat gracefully on them, and Annalise admired the sight.
“Annie..” Draco started, and the name caught her by a surprise. “I am really sorry...” he stared at her, and Annalise stared back, there was so much guilt in his moonlit eyes, so much emotions, so much shame. “I never wanted to hurt you, never..”
Annalise took a step closer to him, her fear of his actions vanished, but she was still in conflict of her own feelings. “You save me and my sister today, I think you've redeemed yourself now. And I thank you for saving us again.”
Draco's Adam apple bobbed, and he stiffle in a tear. “I was always torn between being the good person or being just like my father ― everytime I see you, this overwhelming feeling take over me, I don't know what it is but I want you to be mine only and I want you to stay with me ― but everytime I do something wrong, I realize I can never be with you because ― what if I treat you like how my father treats me? I abused you, already. I cannot hurt you again... But goddamit it is so hard to stop loving you!” he bursted out.
Annalise simply stared at him with shock, she took a deep breath to say something, but found that she nothing more to say.
Draco run a hand through his hair, “Hurt me, Annie..” he said softly, voice full of desperation. “Hurt me because I don't know how to stop loving you, and I want to stop loving you because I'll only hurt y ―”
“Why did you cheat, Draco?” Annalise cutted him off, and finally the words left her mouth. The question she's been dying to ask finally escaped. “Why?”
Draco looked aghast, and he tore his eyes away from her, and the shame intensified in his face. “I didn't want to do it, whether you believe me or not. I didn't know what I was doing at that time, I mean I did, but I thought I was with you.. I called her Annie.. And then at the train, I got so mad, because I was so used to sit with you, so I went to her, I don't even know her name, I went to her, I yelled at her, and slapped her, then blamed her for everything, I told her she was the reason why we broke apart... And she got scared of me.. Like how you got scared of me..”
Annalise was shocked, her mouth parted open, and her heart leaped in an odd joy as the revelation opened upon her. “Wait ― didn't you shagged that girl in the train?”
Draco's face scrunched up in dislike and he shakes his head furiously. “I told you, I would never cheat on you intendedly, it was a mistake, what I did on the train, was that I slapped the girl, yelled at her, and did awful things. But I would never cheat on you in my senses. Never. I was just soused that night it happened ―”
“All these time I believed you cheated on me twice..”
“I would never repeat my mistakes again, Annie..” his cold, trembling hands found her face, and his shaky breath fanned her skin, moonlit eyes sparkling with love. “Merlin I ruined you... ” his voice broke.
Annalise leaned closer and hold his hands that were cupping her face. “You did, Draco... Yet somehow, I could never hate you... You and I are crazy.”
All feelings flowed, the voice in her head cursed her, her stomach did a twirl, butterflies raging inside, her heart felt as though it could rest in total peace the moment she pressed her lips against him, and the way he captured her love was bounding, she kissed him more, memorizing his lips while he caress her skin under the moonlight. Fire was lit between them, and this time, Annalise knew Draco would never hurt again, because he felt like home, the home she never had.
As Draco pulled away, his bottom lip quivered and his whole persona changed. “Tell me I can kiss you like that, again.. Please..”
Annalise chuckled lowly at his desperation, nevertheless she nodded, people might think she's stupid for giving him another chance, but that's love, love makes everyone stupid. “Yes, Draco, kiss me always..”