THE FURIES ▸ Draco Malfoy

Chapter Fourteen: ELEOS

◤ ❝Oh, have no pity on the damned! They are the only ones who will escape this war unscathed; everything they had is already gone. The real pity goes to the ones still alive when the fire has burned out and the bodies are collecting around them.❞ ― Kal Radnor ◢

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN: ELEOS

December 10, 1996

                  December was Andromeda's least favorite time of year. The only exception to her hate, she supposed, was that it was the birth month of her cousin. Aside from that, there was absolutely nothing that she despised more than the cold festivity of everything. Others reveled it, both in celebration of winter break and Christmas, but Mia had no fond memories to look back on like they did. Winter break was always quiet, unnaturally still in the Erebus manor. Her grandparents would come over for three days between the 24th and the 26th, and Theodore would visit, as well, but familial bonding has never been a specialty with her family. Even when her father was alive, they tended to step on one another's feet and try not to get into arguments (her family, unsurprisingly, were very opinionated witches and wizards). It had been that way for as long as she could remember. Only after her aunt's death did it get worse.

As the time approached, and both winter break and Slughorn's disgusting Christmas party neared, Mia started to feel a drastic change in the atmosphere around her. She wasn't entirely sure why, but in some ways, it felt like she was taking her last breaths of fresh air. Everything would change when she returned back to Hogwarts in January, that she was sure of. It would be a new year. Time was dwindling down significantly, and June was only a few months away. Life, she realized, was escaping her―and she had a sneaking suspicion that 1997 would not be a year of prosperity for anyone in the War.

Thoughts still running wild, Mia glanced down at the piece of paper in her hands. Earlier that afternoon at lunch, she received a letter from her mother. It was obvious that it came from her by the way that her name was written on the envelope. The elegant handwriting, curving all of the letters but her first A, was symbolic of Celicia Erebus. Theo and her only acknowledged it briefly, knowing that she wouldn't open it in front of everyone. She learned that a long time ago.

Now, she was alone to her own mind in the Room of Requirements. Sitting on the cold floor, the dusty, old rug was barely enough to make her comfortable. Her back was turned to the Cabinet, one thing that she found herself doing the second she walked into the Room. For some reason, she could not build up the courage to look at it as she read her mother's letter. Perhaps it was because Celicia always made her feel like the world around her wasn't completely caving, and the Cabinet was the resting reminder that it most certainly was. The letter was impenetrable hope, and the Cabinet was impending doom. 

Nevertheless, she ignored the fear creeping up her spine and tore open the letter.

Andromeda,

I apologize for not writing sooner. It has been incredibly difficult to find the opportunity, and the Ministry had been keeping a close eye on what I was doing as of late. The aftermath of the trial has ceased any suspicion, and the manor is finally allowed its peace. I know Atlas, that wicked cat of yours, had set his sights on Arthur Weasley if he dared disturb him again. He is doing well. He misses you.

I hope that things are going well at school and that you are enjoying your classes this year. I spoke with Narcissa a few nights ago. We have been meeting often recently. It's particularly unsettling in an empty home for the two of us. She says that Horace Slughorn is teaching again at Hogwarts. He was spectacularly mad when he taught my year, but incredibly wise in a mind of his own. He has always found intrigue in talent―I was not surprised to find that his interest peaked with you. He wrote to me recently, soon after the trial, to give his condolences. He seemed particularly fond of you and your gift with magic. Remember where he came from. How he is no different than you or I. We always did love the color green. That may provide you with later assistance.