DINNER WAS AWKWARDLY QUIET AT THE MALFOY HOME. Narcissa stared at her husband, then at her son; something had obviously happened between the pair but she didn't pry. Draco looked down at his dinner and fiddled with his fingers underneath the table, a habit he'd had since he was a baby. Narcissa smiled at her son, so big and grown. Her heart secretly broke for the life they were living, the future Draco was destined for. Nevertheless, that's life when you're pureblood.
"Draco, are you happy to be home?" Narcissa smiled at her beautiful son, he was her greatest accomplishment in life.
"Yes, mum." Draco smiled weakly back, Narcissa noticing a red mark on the side of his face. Lucius noticed that Narcissa seen this at the same time.
"Back talking." He said blandly. Narcissa knew, deep down, that wasn't the case. She loved Lucius, but as someone who had been at the blunt of his wrath before, it doesn't take much when he is already on edge.
He loved Narcissa. He was a good husband. Honestly, she got the better of two between him and her sister Bellatrix's husband, Rudolphus, who was bland and uninteresting. Lucius was a ladies man at Hogwarts, but his end goal was Narcissa. She remembered how he had won her over with flowers and candlelit dinners even through their first year of marriage, Narcissa always joked he was still trying to win her over. When he joined the death eaters, though, Narcissa knew her boundaries.
He had only ever hit Narcissa one time. She was pregnant with Draco. It was during the first war and, she got brave, saying a catty comeback at him when he came home hateful one evening. He smacked her across her face quite like he did Draco.
"Dear, please don't talk back to your father." She said timidly. Draco's mouth opened to speak but closed tightly.
"Yes mum." He whispered, looking back down at his fingers.
•
Upon returning to Hogwarts, Raven had finally decided to leave Willa alone. Thank God. She assumed it was the rise of Voldemort that distracted her but, Willa didn't really care what the reason was. She was just glad to finally have some peace. Willa waved a small wave at Draco, who promptly turned his head. Willa shrugged, assuming it was because they were in public. She knew they'd catch up in the common room later.
•
Willa waited up until almost midnight. Glancing once more at the clock, she stood up and made her way to the dorms. As she did, she met Draco. "Hey! I missed you!" She whispered excitedly. Draco looked at her with a concerned look.
"I can't talk to you anymore, Willa." He looked down, his face not meeting Willa's. "Father knows."
"What? How?" Willa's heart sank; she knew this was going to happen.
"He stole my letters. He got to the owl before I did." Draco's voice was shaky, as if he was trying his best not cry. "I'm so sorry, Willa. I should've been more care-"
Willa jerked her brother into a hug. She squeezed him tightly. Draco froze in her grasp; it had been a long time since anyone had hugged him. Draco was stiff in her arms, but Willa didn't let go. She knew it wouldn't only take time. She wanted to hold her brother and let him know that she understood this wasn't his fault, she wanted to thank him for doing his best.
After a few moments, Draco melted into his sister's arms and hugged her back. He laid his head on her shoulder and sobbed. "I'm so sorry, Willa." He cried harder.
"Listen to me." She smiled, terrified herself but wanting to reassure her little brother that everything was okay. She grabbed his face in her hands. "I'll be fine, Draco. Okay?"
"No you won't, Willa, he'll come for you-"
"Maybe so, but I'll fight like hell." She smiled, Draco laughed through his tears. "I love you, Draco. I'm so glad I finally got to know my little brother." Draco smiled widely. A big sister. Growing up, when Draco would play with the house elves, he dreamed of the day of having someone to share this life with. Not a wife, not a best friend, but a sibling: someone who shared a special connection with Draco that no one could break, not even their father.
"I love you too, Willa." He smiled.
•
Willa stood in her pajamas between the twins and waited nervously. McGonagall had requested her presence straight out of bed; which was odd, considering that she had never seen the head of Gryffindor house in the dungeons before, especially at this hour.
"What's going on?" Willa whispered, rubbing her eyes. The twins shrugged, confused themselves.
Soon enough, they found out why they had been called out of bed: Harry had a dream, a dream in which Arthur was attacked. Willa's heart sank, Harry was specially inclined to strange occurrences like this and if he had a dream, a vivid dream, it happened.
The children arrived back at 12 Grimmauld Place under the supervision of Sirius. Everyone was upset. "You have to let us go to St. Mungo's." Fred growled. Willa sat silently. She was just as upset as Fred, but he was just as what Molly had called him two years ago: "a hothead." He always let his emotions flare very verbally. Willa looked at Sirius as if she agreed with Fred. The rest of the children waited for answer.
"How would it look if you showed up before his wife is even notified?" Sirius asked. He was right. That would open a whole new can of worms and put Harry in danger, as well.
"Mum doesn't know?" George asked.
"No, but they're on their way to tell her now." Sirius sighed, "I suggest you get some sleep. It's going to be a long night."
"I'm not sleeping until I know my father is okay." Fred hissed.
"Very well."
•
It was a long night indeed; people had started dozing off around the table, all the children insisting on "waiting up." Ginny was the first to go, falling asleep with her head in Willa's lap. Eventually, Willa's eyes grew heavy as well. "I'm just gonna rest my head for a moment." She told Fred, leaning her against his shoulder. Fred knew his friend, and chuckled, knowing she would be asleep within seconds.
Soon, Fred and Sirius were the only two awake. Fred stared at Sirius for a moment, then down at Willa. "Can I talk to you about something?" Fred whispered, careful not to wake the sleeping bodies around the table. Sirius nodded.
"What do you know about Lucius Malfoy?" Fred asked.
Sirius smiled. He knew this was coming. The Order was well aware of who Willa's father was; they had known as soon as Calliope fell pregnant. "This is about Willa." Sirius said calmly. Fred looked down at Willa sleeping on his shoulder and nodded.
"My advice, don't go poking around the Malfoy's." Sirius said sternly, but calmly. He looked Fred in the eye. "the Order is aware of her paternity; we'll make sure nothing happens."
Fred stared at Willa, "I just want to protect her."
"Lucius is a powerful Wizard, with powerful friends." Sirius warned, "you love her?"
Fred stared at his friend. He knew he had feelings for her... but did he love her? He had girlfriends before, but he had never felt about them like did Willa. She was perfect in every aspect of the word. His heart pounded away just hearing her voice. He wanted to keep all evil from coming near her. He didn't want her to be upset.. mad... he just wanted her to be safe and happy. He wanted to be the reason she was safe and happy. "Yeah, I think I do." He whispered, coming to the realization hisself.
"Then tell her." Sirius leaned back in his chair.
Sirius sighed, looking at Harry who was sleeping soundly, thinking of two of his best friends who were in the grave. Even though it wasn't a romantic relationship, he loved Lily and James Potter and felt he hadn't told them enough. "One day, when she's gone... you're going to wish you had told her more."