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IT WAS BUT A WEEK before September 1st when Rebecca was awoken by the usual high-pitched bells that rang from the corner of her small room. As usual, alongside the chimes, came two small pops of apparition and the appearance of two elves. Dizzy and Minty had made a beeline to the eleven year old, already greeting the girl in hushed whispers and coaxing her out of bed. She smiled briefly in their direction, eyes crusted with sleep and hair tousled before she was ushered to the stout, thready chair in the corner where they'd begin to tackle her appearance for the day. Despite how her mother acted on the daily – Rebecca was still a Carrow and she needed to be presented as one. Meaning, she had to sit still and be groomed to perfection.
The elves worked their magic quickly, Minty having broke away to set out the usual outfit of various grey hues. Once done, the two black ribbons tied tightly around the ends of her plaits – Rebecca was summoned down to dining area. Dizzy was the one to chaperon the girl down each and every step from the top of the house, disappearing the moment she was passed the threshold of the kitchens.
Alecto Carrow sat atop a raised dais within the dining room, smack right in the middle of the long table with Roan just at her right hand side. They both looked up the moment the raven-haired girl appeared, the latter flashing the smallest tweak of the corner-lipped smile before schooling his features back down into neutrality.
"Well don't just stand in the doorway," Her mother scolded in just mere seconds, her beady eyes narrowing immediately, "sit down."
Rebecca shifted her gaze downward, taking soft but quick steps to her usual seat at the far end of the table. She sat slowly, a plate of eggs and slightly burnt toast appearing with ease alongside a tall glass of water. The three of them sat in complete silence, only the occasional scrap of silverware against porcelain china echoing around the room.
"What now?" Alecto's voice suddenly snapped, breaking the silence and making Roan's head whip around to glance at his mother briefly – only to find her hardened gaze locked to his sister, "are you too good to eat what's been given to you? Ungrateful, little brat."
"Speak up!" The woman exclaimed before her daughter could get more than a measly few words out, "Salazar knows I hate when you mumble."
"I'm not hungry," Rebecca raised her voice the slightest bit more, knowing if she had spoke any louder, then her mother would have ridiculed her for shouting.
"Not hungry," Alecto scoffed beneath her breath, "suit yourself, but don't come complaining when you're starving in an hour and no one will make you anything."
"Mother," Roan chimed up nonchalantly, acting aloof and as if he weren't trying to play peacekeeper between the two, "when will we be leaving for Diagon Alley? You've yet to buy any of my supplies for this year."
"We'll go when we go," She uttered with a stiff roll of her eyes, picking up a discarded edition of The Daily Prophet from the side of her teacup.
"It's only a week till the start of term," He protested at once, eyebrows furrowing, "we can't put it off much longer."
"Give your list to one of those blasted elves, they'll do the shopping for you and we won't even have to leave home," Alecto insisted, her eyes not sparing a single glance from where she was reading.
"I want a new trunk," Roan suddenly proclaimed, sitting in his seat in a way that just screamed 'entitled pureblood', "and a new broom."
Rebecca only watched the conversation like it was the most interesting thing in the world, eyes flickering back and forth between the two. She didn't know what Roan was doing or why – but she knew it was certainly something. She knew he only acted like a entitled prat when he wanted something he had deemed important.
"Your trunk is perfectly fine," Their mother scoffed, finally setting the papers down to spare him a glance, "as is your broom, it's brand new."
"Its not the newest model," He gave a scoff of his own, folding his arms over his chest, "Mother, I deserve this – I was made the newest chaser on the Slytherin House team!"
Alecto seemed to think for a moment, staring at her haughty son with careful eyes. Roan only stared back, eyebrows raised expectingly.
"I suppose we can reward your new position with the newest broom," Their mother smiled, though it was small and kind of crooked – it was still genuine for him, "and your trunk can surely be upgraded as well."
Before Roan could boast some more, ready to milk their mother for all she's got and more, there was a sudden knock at the front door. Two brief, sharp knocks. Roan and Rebecca could remain where they were in their seats – the guest wasn't one of those special ones. Even from the dining room, which was quite a bit from the front of the house was, there was some muttered conversation. It was then that Minty appeared, bowing her large head in respect to Alecto.
"What is it?" The woman hissed lowly, already with a face of disgust at the trembling creature.
"A visitor, Mistress," Minty squeaked out, head still bowed and eyes watering as they stared intently on the tiled floor, "uninvited visitor."
"Well who is it then, you fool," Alecto snapped impatiently.
"The Malfoy bride, Madam," The elf shook violently, nearly bringing herself to the ground.
Alecto was suddenly up from her seat, not another word passing her lips – not even to berate the elf before her and her billowing robes were disappearing out of the dining room in a flourish. Both children had eyed the action oddly. It wasn't uncommon for Mrs.Malfoy to stop by uninvited, she seemed to come by weekly. But their mother had never had such a reaction in front of them before. In another flash, Minty was gone as well and Roan was finally free to turn fully in his chair with a suddenly gleeful look.
"Good morning," He chirped out to his sister, giving a single snap of his fingers before Dizzy was appearing with the usual jar of raspberry preserves, "did you sleep well?"
Rebecca only nodded, the corners of her lips tweaking upward at his own smile.
"So, I hope you don't mind, but I figured a hand-me-down trunk is better than no trunk at all," Roan started lowly, taking the slice of toast off her plate to slather some jam on it – gesturing it out to her with another smile, "and I made sure that I kept it as clean as could be – so it's practically new regardless."
"And the broom, I never even used it," He added easily, continuing on as if the conversation wasn't one-sided, "I just made Marcus let me use his for the try-outs. So that's yours now too."
"You didn't have to –"
"Of course I did," Roan frowned, cutting in between her soft words, "it's your first year at Hogwarts. I want it to go perfectly."
Rebecca couldn't even manage another word out before she fell silent. The doors of the dining room opened suddenly, their mother stepping in first with a slightly sour expression to her features – Mrs. Malfoy stepping in right after her with a much more inviting aura to her slender figure.
"Children," Their mother began in her usual tone, her voice suddenly soft and light – acting the perfect, doting mother character she kept up with all visiting guests, "you remember Narcissa."
"Hello, Mrs.Malfoy," Roan greeted immediately, now turned back in his seat and sitting up straight, flashing a pearly grin.
"Good morning," The woman smiled timidly, glancing between the two seated children, "I'm sorry to intrude on your breakfast."
"Not at all," Alecto cut in suddenly, stepping further into the room with a tensed smile of her own before gesturing towards the table, "shall we draw you up a chair? Serve you a cup of tea perhaps?"
"A generous offer," Narcissa Malfoy hummed, clasping her hands in front of herself, "but I'll have to decline – are you ready, dear?"
Rebecca froze in her seat at the woman's words, feeling herself cave in her seat with dread. Still, like all other times, she merely nodded and was already scooting off her seat. Her brother was wise enough to notice the smallest shift in her features, sitting abnormally straight in his own seat – but still, he held his tongue. It was always the same routine, Mrs.Malfoy would come over, deny any refreshments, and then both her and the young girl would go off on a stroll in the gardens. Rebecca didn't know why the meetings happened, but she did have a small sense of gratitude to the blonde lady who always seemed to come at the right time.
"I shall let you say your goodbyes," Narcissa smiled gently, clasping her hands together softly, "I'll wait by the door."
Rebecca gave a weak nod, her shoulders slowly caving inwards when she felt her mother's figure loom over her from behind. Her mouth had grown far too dry to utter a single sound, the words dying on her tongue. She stood nervously, tugging at the seams of her pleated skirt as Minty tugged her dark cloak over her small shoulders, sparing a glance up at her mother wearily.
Alecto's smile didn't drop until the Malfoy bride was out of sight and ear. She was quick to swirl around, hounding her daughter as she towered over her dangerously, "listen here," She hissed in a whisper, her long uncut nails twisting the skin on the back of the girl's arm, "you are to be the perfect little girl. Do not embarrass this family. Do you understand?"
Rebecca didn't so much as flinch, only her eyes wincing at the pressure of the pinch – it wasn't the worst she's felt at her mother's hands – but she nodded rapidly regardless, wanting nothing more than for her mother to remove her hands away from her body that came under a rapid spell of goosebumps.
"And for Merlin's sake, you aren't a mute – speak when spoken to!"
Rebecca was ushered right out of the dining room at once, moving stiffly towards the sitting room where Narcissa stood patiently, like always, by the hearth; her pretty blue eyes glancing over the same framed pictures that always sat atop the mantle. At the sound of small footsteps nearing, she turned and smiled gently once more.
"Ready then?" She questioned softly, holding out a hand as the girl approached.
"Yes, Ma'am," Rebecca rasped out weakly, forcing her very best smile upon her features – reluctantly grasping the woman's outstretched hand with a shudder before her palm began to rapidly grow clammy.
Narcissa led them both outside the house, down the leading steps of the patio before out into the garden to follow the overgrown dirt trail. The woman only glanced down, meeting sapphire eyes before they both were pulled from the properly and landing down elsewhere. Rebecca was quick to drop the woman's hand as soon as she gained her bearings – grimacing as she wiped away her clamminess aside her skirt. Though looking curiously down at the girl, Narcissa made no comment upon the action, instead, simply gesturing the way forward. They walked in silence for a while, just stepping side by side down the grassy path and towards the familiar multi-coloured playground set.
Narcissa sat on the wooden bench first, Rebecca followed suit like clockwork, both of them just watching the other children run around in glee with their parents watching over them from afar.
"All the times we've been here and you've been on that swing-set just once," The woman hummed, "nothing like when I bring Draco."
"Mother wouldn't like me playing with them," The girl murmured, casting her eyes downward with a meek shrug, "and I don't like playgrounds as much anymore."
"Too old to play now that you're of age?" Narcissa questioned, a slight mocking tone to her voice as she smothered a fond smile.
Rebecca only shrugged again, watching boredly as she swung her legs back and forth, her shoes skidding across the gravel beneath her seat.
"Are you at least excited to start at Hogwarts?" The blonde spoke up once more, catching the girl off-guard and watching her head whip around to meet her curious eyes, "do you have a preference for your sorting?"
"Slytherin," Rebecca answered immediately, her eyes trained forward and her tone barely above a whisper – she knew the part she had to play, the perfect pureblood daughter. Should this be a test; should her mother be recounted of her answers by Mrs.Malfoy, she needed to be sure on what she said to the woman.
"Yes, Draco wishes to be Slytherin as well," Narcissa hummed softly, "he expressed excitement should he be chosen for other houses too, though –" She gave the girl a side-glance, trying to see if she had the slightest change in features, "he finds the Gryffindors endearing."
Rebecca only nodded dutifully. With pursed lips, she eyed Narcissa, her eyes glinting in the sunlight before she hesitated. The woman only smiled, standing and gesturing her to stand as well. The girl followed obediently, cracking the smallest smile as they reached the all-too-familiar pond once more – pulling to a stop right by the muddy edge to peer down into the shallow waters. The little girl sat cross-legged by the edge of the bank, running her fingertips atop the water to send ripples towards the center like she always did.
"Do you have your supplies for your first year yet?" Narcissa questioned, nonchalantly rummaging a hand through her bag that hung off her opposite wrist.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Are you lying to me?" She hummed, pausing briefly to glance down at the girl with a quirked eyebrow.
"N-No, Ma'am," Rebecca swallowed thickly, suddenly hyperaware that the woman was watching her far too closely.
"You know your nose twitches when you lie," She pointed out with pursed lips, a flash of amusement passing her glittering eyes, "and you fidget with your little fingers."
"I'm sorry –"
Narcissa watched the girl's eyes grow nearly three times their size, an obvious wave of fear crossing her features before she was reeling them back and scampering to stand from the pond's edge, "why do you lie?" the blonde questioned softly, "after all this time, do you not trust me?"
Rebecca only faltered in her stance, eyeing the woman wearily. The blonde only stared back, soft eyes that tried their hardest to read any form of indication that the girl might silently give. The girl merely swallowed her words and remained silent.
"Whatever you tell me, you know I won't tell your mother," Narcissa insisted quietly, still searching the young girl's face, "look at where we are," She mused softly, gesturing to the muggle children and their families, "you can trust me."
"Do you wish to return home?" She asked instead once it was clear the girl wouldn't give anything away, immediately gaining a hasty nod, "very well."
The duo began their walk back not even a second later, following their indented footsteps back towards the hidden apparation point within the thick flora and trees. Within a blink, they were back at the far end of the property, nearing the house that slowly but surely came back into view. Narcissa was the first up the steps of the house, pausing before she even knocked and turning around briefly. Rebecca stared up at the woman in mild alarm.
"Are you happy?" She had uttered softly.
"Huh?" Rebecca blurted out before she could stop herself, a look of pure confusion passing her features before she was schooling them down, "I dunno what you mean..."
"Are you happy here?" Narcissa questioned once more, her voice barely above a whisper.
She hesitated – growing weary again as she stared up at the woman. She knew Narcissa could tell when she was lying; she admitted it herself. But she had also said that she could trust her – that nothing she said would get back to her mother. They've been going to a muggle neighborhood for years, and that had yet to reach her mother. Rebecca's throat felt dry the longer they stared at one another, words on her tongue but lips screwed tightly shut. Her mind yelled at her to not say a word – why should she trust her? She's a Malfoy. Her allegiance is like her mothers; what's stopping her from lying to her face just to turn around and tell everything to her anyways. Narcissa didn't get to speak another word, the front door opening abruptly. Alecto stood in the threshold, a forced smile stretching across her pale skin – eyes darting curiously between the two.
"It's time to come inside," She spoke gruffly, juxtaposing her uncanny smile.
"Just as well," Narcissa suddenly smiled that pretty grin once more, as if she weren't just asking something so large of the woman's daughter, "Draco's lessons will have finished by now."
Alecto had reached over the doorway, grasping her daughter's arm in her hand to tug her towards the house. The blonde had opened her mouth for a split moment, hastily meeting the red-haired woman's eyes not a second after and falling silent.
"Goodbye then," She spoke up with a grin that just wasn't as cheery as before, her hands grasping the handles of her purse tightly.
"Mrs.Malfoy," Rebecca had began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper as her eyes followed wearily after the blonde woman – forcibly having to step backwards into the house by her mother.
She saw it then – the truth spilling right out of the girl's frantic eyes and she had her answer to the long-asked question, "It's alright, dear –" Narcissa assured her softly, smiling as she usually did, "I'll be back soon."
The door was slammed shut after the blonde took the final step from the porch, Alecto Carrow whirling around upon her daughter. She had stared her down silently, her beady eyes scouring the girl's face for answers to unasked questions. Though, she said nothing. The woman only glared silently before she was spinning on her heel and stalking from the entranceway. Alecto was long gone into the next room, but Rebecca was back to the front door – a shaky hand upon the cold, silver knob before she was wrenching it open with haste. She stood right before the edge of the doorframe, staring out into the garden; Narcissa Malfoy already to the apparition point at the far end of the property. Though, as if she had felt the young girl's eyes upon her back – the blonde woman turned around.
She managed nothing more than a brief nod, falling short of her usual smile as she was raising a dainty hand in a faint wave – before she was gone in a blink of an eye and Rebecca was left alone once more.
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