Malfoy Manor
Wiltshire, England
Date: Friday, 24th of April, 2020
"But Jenna gets to."
Draco might as well have added a foot stomp at the end of his statement. This argument wasn't going to win itself. However, it didn't seem like he was going to win it either.
"Yes, and when your sister returns, she will get her arse handed to her."
Lucius slammed his fist onto the table for the room to go silent. The silverware rattled against the large dining table. Water and pumpkin juice spilled over the edge of the goblets they were using. He ignored his mother's flinch and Cygnus's surprised shout.
"Lucius, what on earth!?"
His mother's shriek barely reached his ears despite the volume. All of his thoughts were filled with Narcissa. The uniqueness of her dimples, the way her eyes still sparkled when she was angry, or how she always knew what to say to make him laugh.
"Your grandmother is right, Draco. If you pack a bag, you will be putting us through the same thing your sister is. As of right now, I view her as a disappointment. She left her family in a time of need. The Malfoys don't do such things."
"Lucius," Andromeda cut in. "you don't mean that. Please, say that you don't mean what you said."
His shoulders squared, and his back tensed. Someone was behind him. He closed his eyes and cursed Merlin's name under his breath.
"Don't make him say something he doesn't mean, Andy. You and I both know he wouldn't mean it."
Lucius stood and turned to face his daughter. His eyes widened at the sight of his daughter. Jenna was a strong girl, a brave one for her age. He knew enough to see that she channeled her trauma into something good. It caused her to strive and be humorous. His daughter was everything he wasn't.
"I see that you didn't bother to make yourself look presentable." He sneered.
Her mask of protection fell slightly. He smirked with satisfaction as she wasn't as hard to break as her aunt and mother. Jenna took the time to stand at full height and present herself in a larger-than-life way. Lucius noticed this and couldn't take her seriously.
Her dark locks, that once competed with being as luscious as his, were frizzy and graying. The face that once held round, chubby cheeks was tired. Those same round cheeks were sunken in, and dark bags rimmed her eyes. His heart hurt for her as he knew it was the curse that was doing this to her.
"I would have, but I have no one I need to impress. I really shouldn't even be here. My parents taught me to stay six feet away from stupid because it's contagious. Riddle me this, is this six feet?"
Her chin went out defiantly, the same way Cissa's did. Those dark orbs held a rebellious glint as a smirk settled on her lips. She had won the game.
"Everything is set up for the party. Andy, I did as you said and decorated it the same. All of the tables and chairs are placed the same way. I even found our seating chart from that day."
Narcissa walked straight past their daughter and sat on the head of the table. Their son smiled as he had not seen his mother leave her room in over a week. After last night, Lucius couldn't believe she hadn't even noticed Jenna.
"Dear? Are you going to join us?" Anita called out.
Lucius looked at her with suspicion. His mother favored Ara to Draco, why hasn't she said anything? Her green eyes studied him carefully, waiting for him to take a seat.
"Why haven't any of you said anything to her? She's been gone for days." He threw the cloth napkin over his lap. Lucius assumed his daughter would follow.
Andromeda looked around the room, "Lucius, who are you talking about?"
"Ara, she's over the—." When he pointed to the doorway, it was empty. Arabella had just been there looking disheveled and tired.
"Father?" Draco asked. "No one is there. You walked in and froze."
Narcissa's blue eyes widened as she looked up from her notes. She observed him as his mother had only moments ago. Looking for a reason for him to be acting like this, of course.
"That's not possible, Draco. We were all talking to her. She even talked to Andromeda, called her Andy."
"Yes," Andromeda nodded. "that's what she calls me, but Lucius..." her voice trailed off. "I haven't seen her since Christmas."
He had imagined it all. Everything had seemed so real to him. The way she acted, everything she said. It was his daughter he had been talking to. His princess, who didn't act like him or think like him, but found a way into his heart.
"I didn't sleep well last night. It must have been a dream." Everyone nodded in agreement, except for Andy.
Andromeda Tonks has always been observant. It was a skill her professors at Hogwarts told her to hold onto. Eventually, it would help her during two wars, and scope out the older man her daughter brought him. She never missed anything.
Andy taught Jenna to be the same way. To always be observant; watch a room and the people in it before saying something. She drilled it into her during their magic lessons. The same lessons where she taught Jenna to Astro-project.
Lucius thought his daughter had been there, and maybe, she had been. Astro-projection can only work for a few minutes before it becomes dangerous. Jenna had been scoping the room when he found her. She finished the spell. The thought put a small smile on her face. They would win this after all.
"If we could all speed this up, that would be lovely. I am requiring everyone's help for decorating the ballroom."
"The ballroom? Did I miss something, Narcissa?"
She nodded, "Mister. Williams found a luring spell for us to do. We have to set everything up the exact way it was the day our loved one was taken. It will not only bring that man forward but also bring Jenna back."
"So, our ballroom?
"Looks the way it did when we were celebrating Arabella's first birthday."
The energy in the room shifted as the words left Narcissa's mouth. It had been ages since they had spoken about that day..
"Alright, on with it." Cygnus clapped his hands together and everyone stood.
Lucius took this time to grab Andy by her arm and usher her into the nearest deserted room. A look of fear came over her as she turned to look at him. He knew he had done horrible things, but she couldn't possibly think this was something awful.
"You were the only one who didn't look surprised when I spoke about seeing my daughter. Why?"
Andromeda sighed, "When Sirius and I were training Jenna...we taught her how to Astro-project herself."
Her gaze fell to the ground as she could see the anger in his features. Lucius felt his blood boil at the information. How could they be so daft?
"You and Sirius!? You can't both be so daft as to teach a teenager that."
"We did it for her safety."
"You did it because Albus Dumbledore knew what she was capable of. He knew it would help him win the war. The two of you were the puppets, and he was the puppet master!"
In a blink, an arm was resting on his throat, his body pressed against the wall, and Andromeda had her wand aimed at him. Her crazed look and curled locks made him think of Bellatrix. She would have reacted the same way.
"I am not a puppet." Her voice was deadly calm. "I knew what the man was capable of. Don't belittle me or think I am something I am not. Everything Jenna knows, she knows because it keeps her safe."
"My apologies." Lucius sputtered, gasping for air.
She removed her wand and placed her wand away. He rubbed his throat and glared at her.
"So, Draco talking about leaving?"
"That didn't happen."
"What?" He was confused. It seemed like they had a five-minute conversation before Jenna arrived.
"Sometimes, someone Astro-projecting can make it appear to be a dream. It's for their protection and yours."
"She didn't want any of us to know was here. Why?"
"The potion is done. She needs to wait for the right time so that it works correctly."
Lucius nodded, "We should go help."
"You're correct, and Lucius?" He froze with the door open. "Next time, just ask before dragging me into a room."
"Of course."
"Pompous git."
He held back the small smirk that threatened to grace his lips. Jenna would have said the same thing. Lucius sighed, had they gotten so close? She usually ran to Anita and Cygnus if something went wrong.
"Those tables go there."
Narcissa was barking orders at the three house elves that had remained at the manor. They didn't tremble with fear as the others had in the past. It was a new law that all house-elves must be treated with respect. Narcissa didn't have a hard time following that. She had treated Dobby and Kreacher kindly when they were around.
"Cissa, darling." Anita approached her. "is this a good idea? Won't bring up some upsetting memories for everyone?"
"We have to go through with it, mum." Druella froze after overhearing her daughter say that word. She had never been called that. "Mother, would you help Anita put the centerpieces in place. The flowers are enchanted not to wilt, so don't worry about the ones in the sun."
"Of course, Cissy."
Narcissa tried to contain her shock by keeping herself busy. Druella had never used any of her daughter's nicknames. Why would she start now?
"Merlin's beard, I feel as if I've stepped through time."
"Lucius, that's what we're trying to achieve."
"I understand that, darling. It doesn't always mean it will turn out the same. However, you've seemed to accomplish it. Congratulations."
His wife smiled genuinely and walked away from him. He could feel his heart skip a beat at the sight. Jenna and Draco were the only reasons she smiled these days. It was nice to know he had achieved that beautiful sight.
"Trouble in paradise?"
"For someone who hasn't born the name Black for a while, you still act like one."
"I can't help that I notice when my sister is distressed. Especially, when it's your doing."
Lucius glared at his sister-in-law. Three days back in their lives and she's Narcissa's protector again. Her dark eyes showed nothing that he could pry at.
"Our marriage suffered when Ara was taken. When the Death Eaters were residing here, it was alright. When Jenna and Mr.Williams showed up, it was great. Our daughter brought us back."
"And now?"
He sighed, "We're back to square one."
Andromeda frowned at the news. Her brother-in-law looked truly distraught while Narcissa looked happy and put together. You never would have expected something to be wrong. That trick was something Druella taught them early in life.
"You can't be a proper pureblood lady with a troubled marriage that everyone knows about. You have to be perfect. Everyone must envy you."
"Narcissa was taught not to talk about her feelings. She loves you, Malfoy. Don't give up yet. You can get through to her."
"Thank you, Andromeda. After everything we have gone through together, I never would have expected a confidant to come from it."
"My daughter taught me to see the good in everyone. I've decided to spend the rest of my time on this Earth with the same mindset."
"Thank you."
"Anytime, Malfoy." Before she went to assist Elliot, she turned back to him. "And you can call me Andy."
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DuBaer Residence
AutumnWood, MO
Date: Friday, April 24th, 2020
"Pompous git."
Jenna rarely swore, but Lucius Malfoy brought out the worst in her. How could he say all of those things about her? Weren't little girls supposed to believe that they were daddy's princesses? Wasn't she supposed to believe that his shoulders were the highest place on Earth?
She slowly blew out the circle of candles that surrounded her. The potion was set in place and would take effect around midnight. She could return home tomorrow if need be.
"I hope you step on the Wizarding World's version of a Lego."