Vincula sanguinis, H. Potter

Nine.

August 15th, 1989. Malfoy Manor.

Theodore Nott stood at the edge of the vast Manor's garden, the midday sun warm on his face. It was a perfect summer day-the sky was clear and endless, the air smelled of fresh grass, and the light breeze that swept through the garden carried the sweet scent of roses. The manor's grounds stretched out before him, green and lush, dotted with elegant statues and meticulously kept flowerbeds that seemed to go on forever.

He could hear the soft murmur of the fountain nearby, its water sparkling in the sunlight, cascading from the stone dragon's mouth. The garden, like everything else about the Malfoy estate, was grand-too big for a boy to comprehend fully, but to Theodore, it felt like a world away from everything. A world far from home.

He watched as Draco, his best friend, ran ahead towards him, with his little sister Aurora in tow. Aurora's giggle rang out across the garden as she chased after Draco, her pale blonde hair bouncing behind her like a silken curtain in the wind.

"Draco, wait for me!" she called, her voice high-pitched and full of innocence.

Draco, who was only a year older than his sister, turned back with an exasperated look. "You're so slow, Rory!"

"I am not!" she protested, her tiny feet kicking up blades of grass as she tried to keep up. Her white summer dress fluttered around her knees, she pouted, determined to prove her brother wrong.

Theodore couldn't help but smile, his eyes following Aurora as she stumbled slightly, only to catch herself and continue running. She was always tagging along, always determined to be part of whatever the older boys were doing, even if they were reluctant to include her.

"Do you always have to bring her?" Theodore teased, looking at Draco as he caught up to him.

Draco rolled his eyes dramatically. "I tried to leave her inside, but she never listens. She's like a little shadow."

Aurora, who had heard them, stomped her foot and crossed her arms. "I'm not a shadow! I'm just as fast as you are, Draco. You'll see!"

Theodore grinned. "Ooh she's feisty."

Draco scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "She's annoying, is what she is. Always following us around, always-"

"I am not!" Aurora interrupted, running up to them and glaring at her brother. "I'm not annoying, am I, Theo?"

Theodore blinked, caught off guard by her directness. He opened his mouth to respond, but Aurora had already taken his hand, her small fingers curling around his. She looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes, her cheeks flushed from running.

"Tell him, Theo! I'm not annoying, right?"

The warmth of her hand in his sent an unexpected jolt through Theodore's chest. He glanced down at her, momentarily lost for words. There was something about the way she looked at him-so full of trust, so sure that he'd take her side.