The Malfoy family openly refrained from snickering at my surprise. However, the glare I shot them reminded them of the fact I was the daughter of the Dark Lord. I could tell that Leon was getting increasingly nervous at my newfound status that I was using to control the Malfoy’s.
He just didn't understand that I was sick of being Snape's useless niece. I had my own identity amongst my father's servants, and I was going to sample this life with Voldemort. Leon's fur bristled nervously as we entered the enormous building, and I couldn't help but feeling like a fly in a spider's web.
"Draco will lead you to your room." droned Lucius, his eyes filled with contempt.
Nudging Draco softly in his ribcage, Narcissa nodded at him to lead me to my temporary residence. The hallways were littered with all sorts of family portraits and crests, the occasional wall was filled with individual family trees, all leading the Draco.
I couldn't help but feel surprised at their high regard for blood heritage, it seemed as though they had every possible wizarding family running through their veins. After a short while of walking, I found myself in a long hallway, which comprised of another family tree and two doors.
"My room is right beside you." sniffed Draco, before walking into the door to my left, his room.
I looked at the door that I was about to open, and saw that it was incredibly ornate wood. The handle was pure silver, with a tiny snake coiling around its rim. Grasping it firmly, I twisted it and walked into the room within.
The room had deep emerald Victorian wallpaper, with black swirls swimming over the green, silky surface. The bed had four posts, posts that were connected to with ceiling and allowed beautiful, transparent curtains to rain down around the outskirts of the bed.
Running my hand down the fabric, I felt that it was a soft as silk. Parting the curtain slowly, so as to not disturb it, I lay on the bed. My back ached temporarily, after I had been standing for so long, but I soon sank into the amazingly soft surface below me.
The room was surprisingly hospitable, with high wooden wardrobes and cupboards and a small bookshelf. Walking closer, to inspect the bookshelf, I saw that it contained a row of books that spoke of Dark Magic. Frowning at the illegal book, I looked and saw a row on, no surprise, and family heritage.
The row above held various ancient textbooks, probably used by Lucius or Narcissa. I ran my fingers over the beautiful wood at the back of the shelf, loving the feel over it. One panel felt slightly loose under my fingers, and after slipping my nails through its edge, I saw that it could be removed.
Pulling it away, I saw seven small books kept at the back of the shelf. Curious. Reaching my hand into the secret compartment, I retrieve one of the relatively small books. Reading its cover, I saw it was titled
The Chronicles of Narnia, The Magicians Nephew
Muggle books? Opening the cover in disbelief, I saw that it belonged to 'Narcissa Black'. Narcissa read a Muggle series? Impossible. Replacing the wooden panel, I carried the book back to my bed and opened its cover, eager to read this forbidden book.
Snape had never cared for the Muggle world, but he sometimes allowed me to watch Muggle Television. I knew that he had a soft spot for muggles, after the mysterious Lily had passed through his life. The book intrigued me greatly, and soon enough I found myself at its back cover, thirst for more.
As I pulled the panel out once again, I prepared to take the next book out, until a knocking ran out through my bedroom. Frozen in shock, I tried to hide the book behind my back as Narcissa entered the room. Her startled blue eyes shifted from me and to the slightly ajar panel leading to the books.
"What have you done?" she whispered, flustered by the sight of my holding one of her books.
"I'm sorry... I was just browsing... And I found this, and I read it... It's rather good!" I replied, urging her to believe me.
"And you won't tell a soul?" she begged, walking closer to me.
"I won't!" I cried out, raising my eyebrows in earnest.
"Make an unbreakable vow." she urged, her eyes searching mine.
"But... We need a third person to overlook it, and it's nothing..." I muttered, confused at her overreaction.
"Draco will." she snapped, rushing out of the room to fetch her son.
They were merely muggle books, who on Earth would care? I shook in fear at the thought of death that would hang over me if I agreed to this vow, if I ever accidentally told a friend, I would die. I felt burning rage pulse through my veins at the idea... I couldn't do it...
Draco quickly stepped in to the room, followed by his Mother. I gaped at her certainty, the determined look in her eyes making her seem fierce. Instinctively clutching my necklace, I saw that it was a reddish purple, flushing with waves of green.
I could tell that it was my anger flushing with nervousness.
"We're underage! He can't perform the spell, or the Trace will record it!" I cried out, attempting to retrieve myself form this mess.
"If you tell the Dark Lord, I will be killed!" she hissed, nervously looking in to my eyes.
Reaching out and grasping her hand, a comforting motion it seemed, I uttered my verbal promise.
"Not a soul will ever find out, Narcissa. If they do, they will know I read it as well." i soothed, hoping that she would believe me.
A flicker of defeat appeared in her eyes, before she tentatively nodded and stormed out of the room. Draco lingered at my door, before turning back to speak,
"Thanks. To be honest, I don't think that the Dark Lord would be the only one who would try to kill her. Father would be furious." he said softly, revealing a Draco that I had never seen or met before.
Nodding slowly, I watched him leave, shocked to my core. I had seen a different side to two Malfoy's today, something that I couldn't believe. Though Draco had softened for a moment, I still didn't trust him. However, I saw that Narcissa possessed Muggle sympathies, even in such a household as this.
Walking over to the shelf, I grasped The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and settled down to read until a house elf knocked at my door. The creature bore a long nose and yellow-green eyes and magnificent ears, stretching out proudly.
"Dobby would like to inform Lady Elysia, that dinner is served." croaked the high voice.
Studying him further, I saw that his skin bore a sickly grey colour, different to the healthy Hogwarts elves. His clothing consisted of a dirty pillowcase and nose shoes, unlike the clean elves at Hogwarts. Horrified at his condition, I beckoned him to enter.
"Dobby, I'm a friend. At Hogwarts, I am a good friend with the elves." I said, warmly smiling at him.
The tentative creature relaxed, warily walking closer to me as I continued to speak of Hogwarts fondly. His eyes lit up excitedly as I spoke of the conditions and the happy elves.
"How do you like it here, Dobby?" I whispered, looking deep in to his eyes.
"Dobby doesn't like it all at, Miss." he replied, before squawking and running to smash his head in to the doorknob.
"Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!" his hissed, abusing himself further.
Grabbing his tiny shoulders, I pulled him from the doorknob and any other dangerous furniture. The creature writhed uselessly until her finally lay motionless in my arms. His green eyes moved around dangerously, looking at every aspect of the room deliriously.
"Dobby, I order you to never punish yourself in my presence." I order, trying to pump as my authority into my voice as possible.
"Dobby understands... Dobby is used to orders..." he sighed, looking slightly forlorn.
"It's not an order for me, it’s for you!" I begged, trying to make him see that I wasn't like his masters.
"I understand." he replied, nodding slowly.
"Now, you say that you don't like it here... Why?" I questioned, hoping to retrieve the information from him.
"Dobby must go now." he quickly stuttered, before running out of the room and down the hallway.
Stepping outside, I realised that I hadn't the faintest idea where the dining room was, so I warily walked over to Draco's room to ask. Knocking quietly, I heard no answer, so I opened the door slowly. I saw a brief glimpse of a long Slytherin banner before Draco stormed down the hallway.
"We were you! Didn't that useless sack of bones bring you to the dining hall?" he growled, grasping my forearm as he led me through the hallways.
"Um... No I sent him away." I replied, hoping to keep my newfound air of superiority.
"We fed your pet, too." he continued, still dragging me through this maze of a house.
Eventually, I found myself in a long, regal dining hall. The unimaginably large table was laden with food; thought there was only four of us gathered. Sitting myself opposite Draco, I slowly placed some chicken and vegetables on my plate.
"Father, you wouldn't believe it, but a stupid mudblood know-it-all, Hermione Granger, has practically taken over our classes!" drawled Draco, exaggerating Hermione dramatically.
"That's why I wished to send you to Durmstrang! None of that filth would ruin your education..." muttered Lucius, his face screwing up with distaste.
"Durmstrang is awfully far away... and I don't want my boy becoming a mindless Death Eater!" snapped Narcissa, before receiving a hideously furious look from her husband.
The dinner continued in silence, peppered with Narcissa's frequent glances at her husband. I saw that her love for him was strong, and perhaps his was strong for her as well. I envied her momentarily, until I thought of the hidden books.
She had made a connection with a piece of literature, yet she hid it from her families view. Pushing my empty plate from myself quietly, I smiled and excused myself from the table. Though I didn't know the way back to the bedroom that i inhabited, I had to escape the toxic family.
Walking in to the room beside the dining room, I saw a tiny built-in cupboards, small enough to fit me and close enough for me to over-hear the conversation as it unfolded. After Narcissa's insistent apologies, Lucius finally said something of interest.
"The diary... Chamber of secrets... Heir of Slytherin... Mud-bloods!" was all that I managed to hear, as Lucius raised his voice to pronounce the words with all of his pent up rage.
Hearing Draco's quiet 'Goodnight' directed to his parents, I jumped out of the cupboard and sprinted out of the empty room. Leaning Quickly against the outer wall further down the hallway, I waited patiently for him to arrive. I decided that the only thing that I could to get the information that I needed was to flirt.
Something that I had never done, and never needed to do. Flashing him my brightest smile, I shrugged sheepishly as he approached me.
"I don't know the way back." I chuckled, twirling my hair slightly.
"Right. Well, follow me." he muttered, barely even meeting my eyes.
Stupid.
Walking at an identical pace, I chattered enthusiastically to him, something that I didn't often do. Finding that he was intending on being silent, I met his silent with an even firmer silence. My mind wandered to the thought of that entrancing book waiting for me on my bed.
Stroking my necklace, a new habit of mine, I saw that it was a murky grey, I colour that I expected to be concentration. I soon found that I had been standing alone in front of my doorway for several minutes, a stupid act of thought that sometimes occurred.
Feeling a bit lonely, I realised that I hadn't seen Leon since we had arrived. Exploration was the only answer, so I soon set off to find my beloved companion. The hallways gave no promising evidence of him, only richly decorated bedroom and drawing rooms.
As I journeyed through the labyrinth of a house, I found it increasingly interesting. Suits of armour stood boldly every so often, and crossed swords hung on the walls, boasting of past battles won by the family. Opening a particularly plain door, a high contrast to the other doors used, I saw the most magnificent bath in existence.
It had clawed feet, and was wider and longer than any standard bath could be. It held a golden rack beside it, which bore every possible scented soap, oil or water possible. Selecting a rose water, lavender soap and a dash of macadamia oil, I prepared a scalding hot bath for myself.
Sinking in to the soapy water, I realised that I had forgotten to remove my necklace. Grasping it quickly, I saw that it had changed to a deep blue, relaxation. Sighing, I saw that the material would not rust, so I kept it hanging dutifully on my chest.
Relaxing, I thought of my potential houses next year. If I were to be sorted in to Slytherin, then I would keep my options open to join my Father... Yet if I was placed in to Gryffindor, I would stay loyal to my Dumbledore, and my friends.
As the bath grew icy, I knew that it was time to leave. Stepping out of the bath, I saw several fluffy, white towels and even more bathrobes. Wrapping myself tightly in a towel and covering it with a bathrobe, I took my used clothes and went to find my bedroom.
Surprisingly, after half an hour of searching, I found myself standing before my door. Opening it, I noticed that my hair was already completely dry, saving me precious time. Throwing my clean pyjama’s on, I plaited my long hair and nestled within the bed, seeking a beautiful sleep.
~
A single ray of silent intruded into the otherwise black room, showing that morning had arrived. After stretching my growing limbs, I stood up and walked over to the window, splitting the curtains apart to reveal the sun hanging high in the sky.
I had obviously slept in.
Rushing over to my trunk, I yanked out a pair of black jeans and a plain white singlet, before running out of the room to find a source of food. I needed to appease my growling stomach, but the idea of searching for hours was unappealing. Thinking hard, I remembered that House Elves bore their own magic, and a light bulb flashed internally.
"DOBBY!" I cried out, waiting nervously for him to appear.
Soon enough, a slight 'Pop' rang out through the room, revealing Dobby's presence. He looked tentatively to me, before shuffling over with his head bowed. I saw that he had a neck bruise stretching across his face, showing renewed abuse from his masters.
"Y-yes, Miss?" he stuttered, keeping his face low.
"I'm so sorry Dobby, this is my fault that you were hurt..." I whispered, stroking his skin soothingly.
The creature looked up to me with surprised eyes, a new trust flowing through them. Nodding, he waited patiently for her next order or command, his green eyes respectful.
"I need food." I finally said, realising that there was no need to pretty it up.
I was hungry.
Dobby winked at me, before disappearing again. He had left me alone to find my way through the halls? Sighing, I turned to re-enter my room and mope about my growling stomach, before a 'Pop!' rang through the hallway, alerting me of Dobby once more.
He handed me a plate laden with hot bacon, buttered toast and delicious egg. My mouth salivated insanely as I walked in to my room and sat myself on the floor.
"Dobby can get Miss a chair?" urged Dobby, fussing over my comfort.
I held my silver cutlery delicately, before shoving some toast in to my mouth with my fork. Smiling at him, I beckoned for him to sit beside me as I ate. His eyes widened with surprise, before he nodded and joined my in my sitting position.
"Dobby, you can trust me, right?" I questioned, looking to the house elf carefully.
"Dobby trusts Miss!" he applauded, smiling at me kindly.
"Would you answer any questions that I asked?" I whispered, connecting my eyes with his once more.
Dobby hesitated before finally uttering a scared "Yes."
"And you won't tell a soul that you did so?" I continued, looking at him nervously.
"Of course not." he breathed, nodding firmly.
Nodding, I continued in eating my food. I knew that I could retrieve my information from him, but I knew that I should do so tactfully. Finishing the last of my delicious meal, I wiped my face with a clean napkin handed to me by Dobby, I turned to him again.
"I overheard something... at dinner last night, with the Malfoy’s." I began, speaking slowly, so as not to lose his trust.
"Yes..." drawled Dobby, beginning to look nervous.
"And I need to know if they are still in contact with the Death Eaters." I continued, squeezing my necklace for comfort.
"Dobby believes so." he replied, nodding firmly.
Then it was as I thought... Mulling over my next words, I spoke quickly.
"Do you think they are making plans?" I whispered, looking to him desperately.
Dobby nodded gravely. I was so close to the truth about the Chamber, so very close. I had read briefly of the Chamber, which had been created by Salazar Slytherin, but had never been found nor opened. Sighing, I decided that it was time to say it.
The tension built, until it finally climaxed and pushed me to say my question quietly to him,
"What is the Chamber of Secrets?"
~
Hahaha, so I may have accidentally been a bit inspired by The Chronicles for Malfoy Manor, because the house is similar to the Professor's.
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Until next time, Livvi.