Nothing really happened afterwards. Much like Voldemort said, Eliza was granted everything except leaving and if there was something she needed or wanted, a Death Eater -usually Lucius or Yaxley- would fetch it for her.646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD5KpFieT8
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Going into the library became a habit and she started to read instead of swallowing in her misery. Standing there, hidden from all the ruckus happening outside the mansion was making her feel both guilty and melancholic. School's already begun and she was curious what the others were doing.
Eliza was one of the few students who wouldn't go to Hogsmeade often. Most times she was dragged by Snape into his office or she had to do homework. During a Hogsmeade break, Eliza got the chance to talk to Harry in the common room.
Remembering the glasses boy, she started to feel bad for him. Eliza had to recognize she didn't like him much at first and now she knew why. It was Voldemort's influence over her mind.
"Mistress wants tea?" A house elf trailed over, already placing the cup of tea and plate of biscuits on the table in front of Eliza.
The green eyed witch looked at the elf with kind eyes, unlike the rest of the inhabitants.
“Have you been working here for a long time-“
“Mildred. Mildred has been working for master Malfoy for her whole life.” The house elf responded, her brown eyes staring innocently at Eliza’s green ones.
Eliza leaned on her knees, “Do I look familiar?”
Mildred hesitated and glanced at the door, “Mildred should not be talking about that. Master Malfoy gets mad.” She breathed out, scared that something may happen to her again.
Eliza raised an eyebrow before she grabbed Mildred’s thin hands softly, “It’s alright. As long as I am here, nothing will happen to you.” The witch assured the house elf.
Mildred smiled and held onto Eliza’s hands, “Mildred met the green eyed witch before and heard master Malfoy talk to Regulus Black about her. They vowed not to tell anyone of her child but the Dark Lord found out.” Mildred lowered her voice to a whisper before continuing, “The Dark Lord was angry and questioned the green eyed witch. Ah, Mildred could see it through the hollow in the door, he was so angry and he was screaming.” Mildred’s voice trembled at the memory.
“Why was he mad? What did she tell him?” The witch urged the elf to continue.
Mildred swallowed nervously and glanced at the door before turning to Eliza, “The green eyed witch asked to marry Sirius Black because she was pregnant with his child. The Dark Lord refused and told master Malfoy to keep her locked into the attic. Mildred heard from Dobby that she escaped with the help of Regulus Black and Severus Snape."
Eliza squeezed Mildred’s hands unconsciously.
“What happened afterwards?”
Mildred sighed and looked at Eliza with pity in her big eyes, “Mildred only knows that she escaped, nothing more. But master Malfoy was punished and Regulus Black disappeared a few days later.”
Eliza sighed and nodded with a smile, leaving Mildred return to her work.
If she were to place the pieces together, the three Slytherins made a vow to Ophelia. All three respected it until the end. Lucius probably kept the secret while Regulus and Snape helped her escape. Eliza remembered her dream. Snape said Regulus was punished but it seemed like he was already planning to defy Voldemort anyway. He died right after Sirius told him where was Ophelia.
But Voldemort found out and he imprisoned her in the attic, asking her to give him the child for sure. She refused and with the help of her friends, she escaped and hid with Snape, knowing he was the last person she would go since they didn’t seem close. However, in that letter from Snape, it looked like Sirius knew Ophelia's plan to hide which meant-
“Sirius knew Ophelia’s real identity.” Eliza whispered, her heart feeling lighter for some reason.
“Did you trust mom?” She asked, assuring Sirius that she definitely heard something from the former Death Eater.646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbMUDqG5D2
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He took a long breath in before leaning back and sighing heavily. Those eyes of his were concentrated on her; she was a blunt person who couldn’t express her thoughts and feelings yet her face was pretty much giving it away; but not now.646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWq1UQAuj3
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“I did. Even when I knew she was lying, I trusted her. Eliza, your mother had her own share of secrets, especially about her years before she came to Hogwarts but we never asked her; we waited for her to open up and tell us what she was comfortable with. I knew she never told me everything and I got jealous a lot from childish causes but she never looked at me differently. For her, I wasn’t a Black or a deception to a pure blooded family; I was just Sirius and she was just Ophelia and I was happy with that.”646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD5YCnB5DP
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Now that she knew the truth, those words made so much more sense than back then. He knew, one way or another he found out. Regulus probably told him everything that's happened and the fight that ensued between Ophelia and Voldemort.
“My younger brother was much more than what this room shows you.” Sirius added as he walked inside, stopping right behind her and looking at the picture above the desk. “So much more,” He trailed in a melancholic trance.
“Ophelia took good care of Regulus during our school years. She was more like a sister than I was a brother to him.” He started, placing his hands on her shoulders in a fatherly way, “She had a certain talent for understanding Slytherins and would often take their side against us. I couldn’t understand why she was so protective of Regulus until he became a Death Eater.”
Eliza closed her eyes and leaned back. Both Sirius and Remus knew Ophelia was Tom's daughter. Remus hid Eliza for her whole life and raised her as if she was his daughter. He always avoided talking about her dream and now she knew why. Eliza never saw Voldemort kill her mother and she never saw Bellatrix, Pettigrew, Crouch Jr and Malfoy when Ophelia died. It was a mix of what she believed happened and Ophelia's memories.
Draco came back as often as Voldemort requested, using him as a puppet when he felt like torture. Draco didn't return to his room, though and only transited between his house and Hogwarts. During the holidays he came back for real and he looked better, the color returned in his cheeks and he looked overly healthy.
His father, on the other hand, was in a far worse condition than before: he would skip meals and spend an awfully long time gone or in his office. Narcissa was truly worried for her husband but she also had Bellatrix to handle; besides, the manor was used as headquarters for the Death Eaters and Eliza avoided going downstairs.
Voldemort was pitching in from time to time but he seemed stressed about finding something. There was also the Harry Potter problem; the boy disappeared with his friends and the Order had no idea where they were.
Eliza spent an awfully long time in her room yet she would comply with the rules. For example she had to take breakfast, lunch and dinner with the rest, feeling their heavy gazes upon her. Her training with Bellatrix ended sometime along the way because she was needed for higher purposes, not that Eliza was complaining.
It just so happened that when Draco came home, Eliza felt that small sparkle of hope resurface in her heart. She cornered him in his room the night he arrived and stared at him expectantly.
"I told the Weasley girl that you are alive and well. She gave me a letter for you." He mumbled, getting the letter from his jacket and giving it to her.
Eliza snatched it instantly and opened it, sitting on his bed before reading the contents.
Dear Liz,
I cannot express my relief right now. I am glad you haven't done anything inadequate that would get you killed, especially because Bellatrix is there. I met Draco Malfoy and might have been a little rough on him but I’m sure he understood.
We have discussed this problem, Tonks and I, and we came to the conclusion that we should send you some help instead of barging like a pack of wolves. As for how you will escape, I will leave that to you and your loyal friend.
Take care,646Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK8BuBwdqO
Moony
"Is he referring to me?" Draco asked, reading the letter over her shoulder.
Eliza smiled and glanced at Draco's trunk, "No. It's him." She pointed at his luggage, confusing him even more.
When his clothes shifted suddenly to the side, Draco realized he has been fooled. Right there, inside his trunk was hiding a familiar black cat with wide green eyes that seemed to know everything.
"Furvus," Eliza whispered, life coming back into her eyes at the sight of the black cat.
Draco stared at Furvus for a few minutes before he remembered he had seen him before.
"This cat led me to you a while ago. He was very persistent." He said, watching the black cat jump out of his trunk.
"I know. But he is smarter than he looks and a great secret agent, as it seems." She said happily. Furvus jumped on her lap and purred before glancing at the blond.
"You'll have to hide him." Draco started but Eliza smirked and leaned a bit towards him, getting them close enough to give the impression that they were about to kiss.
"Not if you bought him for me." She whispered, her eyes tingling with mischievousness.
It was obvious she was feeling better and the presence of that cat was like a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. That was the main reason Draco accepted and told his mother of Eliza's Christmas gift.
"Aw, my dear son. He is adorable!"
Even Narcissa was fawning over Furvus and the cat loved attention.
"I wasn't aware you two were so close," Yaxley commented, narrowing his eyes at the black fur.
Eliza and Draco glanced at each other before she responded, "I believe it's a family tradition."
Lucius wasn't there so he couldn't agree or deny but Narcissa raised an eyebrow, her stare boring into the side of her son's head.
Before going into her room, Eliza spent a little more time in the corridor, Furvus trotting behind her like a noble, moving his tail from side to side elegantly. She entered the library out of reflex and went to her spot in front of the window.
Only five minutes passed before Draco entered and took his spot next to her.
"Your skill to find me anywhere I go is flattering." She said bemusedly.
Draco rolled his eyes and folded his arms in front of his chest, "Unfortunately. At least you know I will find you wherever you run off to."
Eliza blinked, those words sounding more like a promise than a threat. She looked at him, surprised that he was actually saying embarrassing things out loud.
Draco grabbed his wand and pointed it at the gramophone, soft music engulfing the room, the notes swirling in the air magically. She tilted her head to the side as Draco wrapped one hand around her waist and pulled her into his chest.
Eliza chuckled as they started dancing slowly, Draco's head leaning on her shoulder comfortably.
"You never cease to surprise do you?" She spoke softly for what felt like the first time in years.
"Blaise asked me about you. He was expecting to hear news of your death," Even the blond laughed at the memory of Zabini's grim face, "Your friendship was sudden." He added.
"He still believes we are friends? I suppose I inherited a soft spot for certain Slytherins."
Draco leaned back and danced while looking at her expectantly, "Well? Who are these honorable gentlemen?"
None could contain their bemused smiles spreading on their faces or the sudden glint in their eyes.
"Blaise is the only one." She answered, the tips of her fingers sparkling on Draco's shoulder.
"I thought you said you inherited this soft spot. I don't remember a Zabini in the tale of Ophelia and the Three Slytherins." Draco entered her game, playing like he they haven't strongly disliked each other before.
Her eyes widened slightly and narrowed at the same time, making her look like a human version of Furvus.
Eliza stopped dancing and looked at him, noticing how much the years have passed by and how many things changed. Eliza was aware Draco was genuinely handsome and playful and he was probably the one guy a mother would vehemently refuse. Yet, there was something about him, an innocence that not even the Dark Mark could overpower.
Draco Malfoy was not a Death Eater and he has never been one. He was too scared and too obedient but that was how he was raised. The blond has grown up and became so much like his father yet so different. Eliza started to appreciate the differences between Lucius and Draco when she woke up one day in the Hospital Wing and he came when she called his name out. That left a mark on Eliza and that dislike she had for him increased and decreased clockwise.
Maybe Draco was going to leave and abandon her as soon as the war was over but maybe he wouldn't.
With that thought in her mind, Eliza swallowed nervously and raised on her tiptoes, kissing him innocently on the lips. The blond froze at first but closed his eyes and kissed her back, wrapping his hands tighter around her, bringing her as close as possible. His heart was beating so fast that he swore it was going to give him a heart attack and so was hers.
That moment, be it one time only under pressure and emotional damage was enough to send both of them flying towards a better and happier place. With music literally swirling around them, it was a moment to remember.
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