Estelle sat down at the Slytherin table, followed by her fellow snakes.
She looked up at the head table and caught Severus' eye. He gave her a barely noticeable nod that told her she had complete control of the snakes. Not that she cared, considering she would have done whatever she wanted to do with them anyway. But she does like to know she has his complete confidence.
As she was looking away, she saw that Quirrell was looking at her with red eyes. She smirked and gave him a wink. She could tell it riled him up. She just laughed to herself. Who knew it was so easy to piss off a Dark Lord?
Her friends looked at her curiously. She just shook her head — indicating she'll tell them later.
She went to go take food off the table to plate but looked at her plate to see it was already full. Looking up in front of her, she saw Draco looking around the room like it was the most interesting thing in the world.
"Thank you, cousin." she thanked with a full smile, that got all the boys and some girls around her to blush.
Draco looked at them all in barely concealed disgust, "I promised mother to look after you." he muttered.
Estelle shook her head with a smile. Of course she did, that's Narcissa for you.
Her first class of the day is Herbology with the Hufflepuffs. She likes the Hufflepuffs; they're nice, but she knew not to underestimate them — unlike some people.
Estelle surveyed the Hufflepuff table. They would be of use. After all, badgers eat snakes. She would have to befriend Susan Bones, as her Aunt, Amelia, is the head of DMLE. And who knows? Maybe a good friendship could happen.
Her eyes stopped on Cedric Diggory. She had taken a long time to get over his death — even after she had died. She felt as if his death was her fault. But she accepted that it happened and visited him in the afterlife. He will make it this time, and if not: she'll drag him back from the dead and have a big talk with Mortimer.
Blaise, who sat beside her, nudged her shoulder a little. "You okay? You spaced out for a bit," he asked, concerned.
Estelle cleared her throat and shot him a smile that looked slightly unfriendly, "I am, thank you for asking."
Draco waved his hand at Blaise and the others, "Don't worry, she's always like that when she's scheming. You'll get used to it."
All of them nodded — as if everything about her was explained.
Estelle gasped in mock offence, "Cousin! I feel betrayed! How dare you tell people my darkest secret."
They all looked at her with a deadpan expression. She sighed. Yeah, even she didn't believe a word she said.
"Anyways," Estelle rolled her eyes, "Blaise," said boy looked at her upon hearing his name, "I was wondering if you could send a letter to your mother for me." she had a lovesick look on her face, "I'm a huge fan. Do you think she could teach me some things?"
All boys near her scooted away from her slightly, while all the girls scooted closer.
Blaise cleared his throat, "I-I can, yes, that's fine."
"Sweet," Estelle turned to the girls, "Did you see the latest witch weekly? It's horrendous what Kimberly Finber said about Jorga Vega." All the girls nodded and started talking about it. The boys looked at them, alarmed, wasn't she just talking about her awe for a famous Black Widow?
Before they could get too deep in their gossip, owls started coming through with letters from parents and other family members.
The Malfoy family owl, Thor, dropped in front of Draco with two letters, one for him and the other for Estelle.
Estelle took the letter with a giddy smile. Carefully opening it, she began to read,
'Dearest Estelle,
Well done for making Queen your second week! Your grandmother, Uncle, and I couldn't be prouder.
Your grandmother has asked me to tell you to remember to read your star chart every night — she used to make your father and uncle Regulus do the same thing.'
Estelle paused her reading and chuckled. Typical grandmother Walburga.
'Did you hear about what Kimberly Finber said about Jorga Vega? Appalling. Such a shame, I almost liked her. But Jorga will always be our number one.
Update me when you're back for the yule holidays, and your grandmother, yourself and I can all have tea and discuss any gossip you've heard, as will we.
Now, on to other matters. We've heard who you have befriended and are happy with your pick, but we know there will be more.
Draco has told us in his letter what happened at the duel, and it's easy to say you are his favourite person. I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt, but who am I to have such feelings if you, too, are my favourite. Don't tell Draco or Lucius — although it would be rather amusing to watch their reactions.
Attached are some sweets and other treats for you and your friends if you so wish to share. I also included a bag of mice for your spoiled snake.
Look after Draco for me.
With love,
Aunt Cissa'
Estelle lifted her head slowly to meet Dracos' icy blue eyes and smirked, "So I'm your favourite?" she teased.
Dracos' cheeks suddenly had a pink tinge to them. He opened his mouth and shouted, "That snitch!" he pointed at the letter accusingly.
All his friends laughed as Pansy who sat beside him pouted mockingly, "Oh yes, how very sad. How dare she!" Draco, who didn't know she was being sarcastic, nodded, until Pansy turned to Estelle with eyes full of amusement, "Send my thanks to Lady Malfoy."
Draco gave a dramatic gasp. Ah, the Black genes. He placed his hand on the right side of his chest, "The betrayal!" He cried, "My heart!"
They all looked at him unbothered.
"Your hearts on the other side, idiot." said the normally quiet Odette.
Everyone laughed at Draco. However, Estelle was looking at Odette with calculating eyes — which held the question; 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲?
She had never heard of her when she first lived; but, then again, she was held back by Granger and Weasley. But, that still didn't answer her question.
She may not know now, but she will.
★
Estelle now sat on one of the benches in Greenhouse one — for Herbology.
And it is just her luck that Susan Bones was the lucky Hufflepuff to be seated next to her. This made her plan much easier.
She sent the Hufflepuff a small smile, which she instantly returned. 'Interesting', thought Estelle, she doesn't seem to be afraid. In fact, none of the Hufflepuffs did. She wondered if there was some secret sort of alliance. And if there isn't, she'll make one.
Last week - her first week - she hadn't observed anyone in her classes, nor had she introduced herself. Everyone knew who she was, of course, but they didn't know her.
"Merry meet Heiress Bones," greeted Estelle, "Heiress Potter-Black of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter and Black." she introduced as if Bones didn't know who she was, "I would curtsy, but seeing as we're sitting down..." she trailed off.
Bones sent her a smile, but there was a small calculating look in her eye — almost unnoticeable to most, but not Estelle. And she knew why. Bones was supposed to introduce herself first as she is of lesser social standing than Estelle; so for her (Estelle) to introduce herself first means that she wants to build an ally with the house of Bones. "Well met, Heiress Potter-Black. Heiress Bones of the Noble and Ancient House of Bones."
Estelle sent her a too sharp smile, "Lovely to make your acquaintance, I'm sure we will be lovely friends."
Susan searched her face and, too, gave a smile too sharp, "Yes, I think we will."
"Great." said Estelle as Susan turned away to look at where Professor Sprout had just entered, "Just great."
★
After finishing her morning classes, Estelle made her way to the great hall for lunch.
As she turned the corner, she collided with another person. She felt her eyes widen, slightly; as she looked at who she had run into.
The infamous Weasley twins.
They also felt their eyes widen as they saw her. They looked at each other and grinned; thinking the same thing.
They got on their knees and put their hands together in a pleading motion, "Oh our Lady, please forgive us for we have sinned." they said together.
"For we almost maimed and killed our shining light," said Fred.
"Our Lady," continued George.
"Please forgive us for we have sinned." they finished.
Estelle looked at them blankly, "I like that." was all she said as she turned and walked away, knowing they would follow.
As predicted, they followed. They fell in line with her slow pace.
"I know about you two," said Estelle looking straight ahead as if she saw something they didn't. Which she did — she saw her daughter, Helena, at the end of the corridor reading their favourite book 'Little Women'. "All about you."
The twins gave each other a glance, "What do you mean, M'Lady?" asked George, the more serious one.
Estelle continued looking at her daughter, as she had stopped walking. "About your family. More precisely — your mother."
Before she became the Mistress of Death — when she first lived as Estelle — she remembers how Molly Weasley had treated her children, that weren't Ronald or Ginerva, but she had never thought twice about it; stupid compulsions!
Now, at this current moment in time, all she feels for Molly Weasley is disgust; more that she's a mother herself. Helena is her daughter, her flesh and blood. If she had multiple Helenas', she couldn't imagine neglecting one or more. Hell, she couldn't think of neglecting any child atoll.
The love of a mother can never be rivalled.
"She has mistreated you and your older brothers," Estelle said in a small voice, void of emotion, but her eyes — oh her eyes, were full of so much rage they almost flinched. "I can fix that, well not fix, but I can avenge."
She turned to look at the twins with a look in her killing curse green eyes that made them know she wasn't lying to them or giving them false hope.
"Only if we can help." They said,
"Of course. After all, that's the best part of revenge —taking part."
And in that moment, the twins knew that they had given their loyalty to the green-eyed lady.
And they didn't, nor will they ever regret it.
★★★
here is your treat little moons for 100k reads.
don't worry, more chapters coming very soon.
do we want to make mcgonagall 'bad' or 'good'?
let me know.
thank you for reading, and i hope you enjoyed!
-abi