Delicate

mother's daughter

Delia went through the next day in a bit of a daze. She'd managed to get her letter out to her mother, but not before her mother had words for her. The year was almost over, and she was hoping her letter would change her mother's tune just a smidge. She wasn't too hopeful though; Vivian had surely let her know what was to come for 'tarnishing the Lightwood name.' Delia couldn't help but wonder how Draco had fared with his parents. Sometimes she couldn't help but be a little upset when she thought about him; how lucky he was. She knew Lucius was a lot like her own mother in regards to their family, but at least he loved his son. Delia couldn't remember the last time her mother had even acted like she loved her much less said she did. Probably before her own father was thrown in Azkaban. She was too young to remember. She'd managed to make it through all her classes fine and had time to catch up with Pansy in their room before her detention.
"So how bad was it?" Delia just let out a sigh. "Delia Layne, how could you tarnish the Lightwood name! When you return from school, do NOT expect anything good. You know what's to happen when you don't act accordingly, young lady." Delia mimicked her mother's far too posh voice and mannerisms as she gave Pansy the short version of what her letter said. Pansy grimaced at Delia's words and tried to already prepare for the nights she'd be sneaking over to help her friend.
"I'm so sorry, Dels, you know I'll help however I can."
"I know, dear, and I thank you, but I've got to meet Draco for our detention. I love you. See you soon." The girls hugged, and Delia felt slightly better. Draco hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but when Delia Lightwood opened up, you listened. It didn't happen often, and usually only to Pansy, but Draco and Blaize knew enough. Draco had seen Pansy enter the room and had gone to knock to get Delia, but then he heard a very good impression of Vivian Lightwood. He wondered what could possibly go on in their house. He knew her mother was hard on her, the way his father was to him, but from how she and Pansy talked, Draco was lucky. He had to run downstairs before she walked out or else he may have asked her about it all.
"Ready then, my dearest Draco?"Their ongoing joke of being overly posh suddenly didn't seem as funny to him, but he played along.
"Yes, darling, let us go and see how much we can annoy Potter and his filthy friends."Draco held his arm out for her; he smiled when she laughed and grabbed it. They were talking amongst themselves as they came into the entryway to meet Filch. Delia still hadn't taken her hand from Draco's arm, but he hadn't noticed. She pretended she didn't either. Neither of the Slytherins were happy with their detention.
"This is clearly biased!"
"My father will hear about this!" They'd tried to argue about it, but to no avail. Delia almost would've taken one of her mother's punishments. Almost. As they were escorted to Hagrid's hut, Draco saw Delia's faraway look, and once again, resisted the urge to ask about her mother. He took her arm again. She spared him a small grin. He saw her mask go back on when they reached the door of the hut. Hagrid had split them up to go find some unicorn, and the thought of a hurt unicorn made Delia a little sad, but the thought of tormenting Harry during the process managed to ease that sadness. They let Harry lead the way.
"Better you than us, Potter. You've already managed the Dark Lord." Delia had said that hoping to get under his skin; it worked.
"I didn't 'manage' anyone."
"That's why you're alive and your parents aren't." Delia watched him almost turn red at that comment and was delighted. Of course, she didn't have the best luck in the parent department, but they were alive.
"You got something you want to throw in, Malfoy?" Harry spat. Draco shrugged with a lazy grin on his face. Delia's eyes sparkled; she'd achieved her goal. "I think Dels has it covered. She doesn't get the opportunity as much as I do."
"Got your girlfriend fighting your battles?"Draco's face flushed a little, but he quickly composed himself. Delia's first reaction was to gag at the thought, but she couldn't manage it. This concerned her but was a problem for another time. Instead, she broke up their argument with a gasp. The boys looked in front of them to see the scene; it was not pretty. Delia grabbed Draco and bolted back the way they had come. Screw Potter and whatever that thing was, she didn't want to find out.
"Do you think that's a good enough excuse for why we left detention?" Delia was gasping for breath in between words. Draco nodded, catching his own breath.
"Honestly! What were they thinking sending us out there?" Delia still had a hold of Draco's arm and was a little too worked up to notice, but he did. He roughly took his arm from her.
"Not all of us are scared, Lightwood. You don't have to hold me." Harry's comment had really gotten to Draco. As if Delia Lightwood would be his girlfriend. She was only his friend because of their parents. He saw the glint of fury in her eyes, and almost regretted his actions.
"Let me get one thing straight with you, Malfoy." She enunciated his last name. "Just because you let Potter get under your skin does not mean you get to take it out on me. I am my mother's daughter, and don't make me prove that to you." Her voice got harder with each word she spoke, and her gray eyes were raging, but her face was perfectly composed. Draco was suddenly very aware of just how scary she could be, and realized why people didn't mess with the Lightwoods. But he couldn't help himself this time, he had to try to get an answer; maybe annoy her a little more.
"What's that supposed to mean? As if you could do anything to me, darling." He tried to lighten it with their joke. Delia did lighten a little. She wasn't quite as harsh when she spoke, but her eyes remained lit by rage.
"It's a long story, dear; I'm sure you don't have the time." They'd made it back to their common room, and she promptly went up to her room. Draco felt a little guilty about what he'd said, after all he could do much worse than Delia Lightwood. Pansy was still awake, waiting for Delia to return, and was relieved when she walked in the door.
"So, how'd it go?" Pansy saw the remainder of her irritation from her spat with Draco.
"Oh Merlin, Pans, that filthy halfbreed oaf had us tracking a dead unicorn, and then there was something out there like eating it or something. The only good part was I got to torment Potter a bit without teacher interference." Delia let out a groan and flopped in her bed.
"Did he say something back? You looked ready to murder when you came in." Delia groaned again. "No, actually that was Draco. Potter made some stupid comment about me being his girlfriend and he turned into a real git about it afterwards." Pansy chortled at this and came over to sit on the bed with her friend.
"Draco dearest just doesn't know how to react to things like that. Well, neither do you, but you handle them better. You have this thing where you just don't show any emotion."
"I do feel a little bad for how I told Draco off. Told him I am my mother's daughter." Pansy choked a bit. Draco must have really irritated her for her to say that.
"Have you ever told him about, well, you know?" "You're the only one, Pans. You know I can't talk about it." Pansy just nodded and pulled Delia in close to her.
"We can just sleep Dels, it's alright." Delia sighed content. She could always count on Pansy.