[̲̅C̲̅] [̲̅R̲̅] [̲̅U̲̅] [̲̅C̲̅] [̲̅I̲̅] [̲̅O̲̅]; a Malfoy family novel

Chapter Five

Malfoy Manor
Wiltshire, England
Date: 1 February 2005

"Cosette!" The voice of Cygnus Black echoed throughout the manor. The baby, who was distracted by the blue butterflies she had produced with her hand, turned to her grandfather. She squealed with delight as he tossed her into the air.

"Honestly, Cygnus, I don't understand why you prefer to call her by her middle name," Druella said. Mr. Black rolled his eyes while playing with his granddaughter, who seemed to repeat his motion, much to her mother's dismay.

"Papapapa." The baby babbled, pulling on her grandfathers pocket watch.

"Dad, you can't teach her to do that," Narcissa said. It was no use. Her daughter, although not even a year old yet, picked up habits rather quickly.

"Dru, when Cissa and Lucius ask me to stop calling her it, I will stop calling her Cosette. That day has not come yet. Therefore, I will call her Cosette until the end of time." Cygnus explained. Druella crosses her arms and pouted slightly. Lucius couldn't help but turn his head and cough-laugh at the sight of his, "perfect pureblood" mother-in-law.

Cygnus buried his nose in his granddaughter's dark brown curls as she continued to conjure more blue butterflies. He couldn't help but laugh when he noticed they were the same striking blue as her eyes. They created this beautiful and calming aura that left the four adults in the room distracted into silence. Narcissa smiled proudly at her daughter knowing full well how powerful of a witch she would grow up to become.

"Ara, don't you think that's enough butterflies for today," Lucius said after nearly an hour of silence. The little babe looked over at him, eyebrow arched, nose scrunched, and lips formed in a deep frown. It stunned him into silence. His little princess was definitely a Black through and through. Cissa had given him that look many times.

"Father, please." Draco pleaded. The brother and sister, although nearly three years apart, were very close. Neither liked to see the other upset or in pain. Lucius, never being able to say no to either of them, nodded. Ara giggled again and soon the whole room was filled with blue butterflies floating dreamily around.

"You will definitely have your hands full, Cissa," Druella said, pulling Draco into her lap. The young boy smiled and played with his grandmother's flower-shaped broach.

Lucius walked over and took young Ara from Cygnus. She had rubbed her eyes and gently rested her head against Lucius's chest. Sitting back down with her, he had coaxed her into sleep. Lucius followed soon after, falling asleep in his chair next to the fireplace, Ara snug against his chest. Narcissa snapped a moving photo and moved to put the baby in her bassinet.

"You have all of us wrapped around your finger, don't you, Arabella?"

______________________________

Malfoy Manor
Wiltshire, England
Date: Monday, 10 February 2020

  Jenna and Elliot waited patiently outside of the large door to Malfoy Manor. Understanding that due to the war, the large house was very understaffed. This meant that they would be out here for a while or have to invite themselves in. Jenna clutched her jacket tight around her. She had not expected to be out in the cool air for this long. Elliot wore a wool flannel, so, he was not in the same pain Jenna was in right now. He certainly was not about to give up the only warmth he had either.

  Elliot stood beside his small friend. At a towering six foot four, he made Jenna look like a woodland fairy. His blue eyes matched the clear summer sky and his messy light brown hair framed his face perfectly. He had similar freckles to Jenna, beautiful tan skin, and a slightly crooked smile that made your heart melt. Yes, Elliot was quite the catch and Molly Weasley wished every day that the two would realize how much they love one another. But it had yet to happen.

Minutes had past and no one had come. Jenna felt that it was rather intrusive to just walk into the Manor. Her ideas for thinking so were perhaps benefiting for both her and the Malfoys. Elliot knew as well that they would have to invite themselves in. Who knew how much longer they would be waiting in the cold winter air? His hand gripped the gold handle of the large door tightly.

"Must we?" Jenna asked, her voice sounding small.

"We will be together, Jenna. They don't have their wands like last time and will be sent to Azkaban if they do something or try to do so. We will be alright." said Elliot. His smooth voice comforting Jenna and her queasy stomach.

"Right. Together." Jenna mumbled.

  Elliot pushed opened the door, stepping to the side slightly, so, Jenna could go first. He watched as she slowly walked into the Manor, trembling more than ever. If only their friends could have been with them on this "request". She always felt safe when Harry and Hermione were around. Her and Ron shared the same fears, the two could never really comfort one another.

  Stepping into the manor as well, Elliot felt a chill run up his spine. The cool air felt no different than outside, but the sight before him was comforting. Jenna stood to his left, shocked as well. Gone were the dark colored walls, and even the creepy chandeliers. The manor was now shades of light greys and whites, their feet stood on light wooden floors, and a more modern setting was in place of it all.

"Woah." The pair whispered in unison.

Jenna blinked a few times, "We should really look for them." She continued to look around as she took a few steps backward.

"I agree." Elliot didn't move from his place in front of the entrance. "Do you suppose that they did this on purpose? The light colored scheme?"

"Well, anything to make them appear less dark I assume. Elliot, we should really-."

"ANDROMEDA!?"