Chapter 2
Over the next few days, Minerva, Kingsley, and Molly were in and out of Shell Cottage, speaking to Selena and making plans for her trip into the past. She would return just before Harry Potter's fourth year, not long before the Quidditch World Cup. She would meet with the Order there and explain everything that happened and what needed change. Kingsley hoped it would be enough to change their world.
“You will leave tomorrow. Lucius will escort you close to Grimmauld, and hopefully, the time turner will leave you there.”
Lucius didn’t say anything to them as they spoke to her; they had plans in place already. They would leave for Malfoy Manor, and she would go back to Narcissa, who would hopefully help turn the family to the side of the light. It didn’t matter where she went as long as she went back and saved her parents' lives. Even saving Potter would have an impact.
“Grandfather.” Selena came over and sat beside him. Lucius took the time to look at her. She was a copy of her mother with the Malfoy hair color. Her personality was all Draco at this age, and it was almost hard to speak to her.
“We are leaving tomorrow morning. Do you have everything you need?”
“Yes.”
“You will not like me in that time.”
Seventeen years ago, he was obsessed with the return of the Dark Lord. He knew that with Selena going back, she would see the parts of him she had only heard of in stories.
“I know.”
He didn’t say anything else, just sat in comfortable silence until she went up to bed.
The following day, there were only three of them in the house. Ronald Weasley was the only occupier who was a permanent fixture at Shell Cottage.
“You’ll be great. Don’t be shy about knocking some sense into me.”
Lucius watched as Selena smiled and hugged the redhead—her godfather.
A choice he had questioned, yet the young man had proven himself to her parents even if they were here to see it.
“Selena, we must go.”
Leading her out, she took his arm as he apparated them away.
Landing at Malfoy Manor for the second time in fourteen years made Lucius sick; he had shamefully avoided it.
“Come, we’ll go to Draco’s room.”
He wondered how Narcissa would react to the girl. His heart ached at the thought of her. Entering Draco’s wing of the manor, everything looked untouched; time stood still here. His books sat on his desk, and he made the bed, although the boy would never admit to it, anything to keep Pip playing.
“I’m sorry for all you’ve lost, grandfather,” Selena said. He responded immediately, unsure of what to say to the fourteen-year-old girl who never even knew the son he mourned.
“I should apologize to you, my dear. You never had the chance to miss him. Either of them.”
Lucius opened the closet. The dark coloring of Draco’s wardrobe made him smile. The boy did have a flair for dramatics. Yet something green caught his eye. Pulling it out, he realized it was a sweater. It was hand-knit, and its imperfections gave away the lower quality. As he pulled it out, a note fell.
“Draco, I hope this gift keeps you warm in your large, lonely manor.
HJG”
Hermione Jean Granger.
She was the most significant ghost of them all. Her presence in his life was far from welcome, yet he missed her as much as his wife and son.
“What is that?” Selena asked, peering over his shoulder.
“A gift from your mother to your father.” He passed it over to her. Lucius watched her as she looked over the sweater, her expression unreadable.
“Can I keep it?” Lucius nodded. Selena was unusually sentimental, but he couldn’t deny her when she asked.
“You should go.” His voice came out as a whisper, his emotions getting the better of him. If she succeeded, they would see each other in a better world; if not, he didn’t want to consider the possibility.
“They will sense the time turner's magic as soon as you begin the rotation. Remember, seventeen turns when you arrive, summon Pip. She’s Draco’s elf. Have her take you to Cissa, then give her the first two letters. You can not inform me of your identity until you speak to her first. Draco can not know who you are or about your mother.”
Taking the time turner, she nodded and slipped it over her hair, letting it rest like a chain on her neck. Lucius pulled her into his arms. She was so young for her burden, but if anyone could, it was her.
He stood back as she began to turn it. The air vibrated with magic. Suddenly, the sounds of apparitions signaled that they weren’t alone.
“The Dark Lord has been looking for you!” One of the Death Eaters said as Lucius dodged the hex sent, casting a quick protego on Selena’s disappearing form. A stinging hex landed on his right shoulder.
“What have you done!” He immediately recognized the other, the golden mask giving away the status of The Dark Lord's general.
“Fixing the mistakes of my past.” Lucius aimed a bombarda at the wall
“You think she will succeed?” the general asked, sending a body bind his way. Lucius knew he wasn’t making it out of this. Looking around, he realized Selena was gone.
“She will, she is her parents' daughter. You, on the other hand, are a traitor!”
“You betrayed your Lord and yet call me a traitor! Come, my sweet apprentice, let him see your power.”
Lucius was helpless as he watched the second Death Eater come towards him. Taking off the mask, he almost choked at the sight of what looked like a younger Draco.
“Scorpius.” Lucius hadn’t heard what became of the boy when the Death Eaters attacked. He ran with Selena as Draco had asked. He always assumed Scorpius had died with them.
“SectumSempra” was all he heard from the boy as he felt the curse slice him open. Lucius hoped Selena was safe and prayed to Merlin that when he saw his family on the other side, they wouldn’t be angry with him.
The last thing Lucius Malfoy saw before he died was his grandson's silver eyes reflecting back at him.
Selena wanted to yell for her grandfather as the Death Eaters apparate in, but the time turner's magic made it impossible. She watched as time rewound, the years that Malfoy Manor spent empty, the fighting at the war's end; she even caught small glimpses of her father. Until everything stopped whirling, the room was neat and empty. She knew it had worked. The manor felt warm, something she could never say both times she had been.
“Grandfather.”
She knew it in her bones that they had killed him. Tears welled in her eyes. She had a chance to save them, save everyone. Her grandfather had told her to focus on family, yet she knew Harry Potter was the key to saving the wizarding world.
“Pip!” She shouted, the little elf appearing almost instantly.
“Who is you? Yous, not master Draco!”
She had to be quick. She didn’t want to do it, but commanding the elf was the only way.
“Pip, I command you to take me to Narcissa!” she yelled loudly, causing the magic to take hold.
The little elf’s eyes went wide.
“Yous a Malfoy.”
Selena just nodded.
“I take you to Mistress as you commanded.”
Pip led her out of the room and down the hallway, opening the doors to the stairs and leaving that wing of the Manor. Selena looked around in awe. The manor was beautiful, decorated in light colors with hints of green to honor the family’s ties to Salazar himself.
“Pip, there you are; I thought I felt the wards let someone in.”
“Mistress! Pip does not know how the young miss appeared in Master Draco’s room, but she did and commanded Pip!”
Selena stood frozen at the sight of Narcissa Malfoy. She had heard stories about this woman her entire life, and now the sight of her tall, willowy frame and piercing blue eyes made Selena want to cry.
“Who are you? And how did you get Pip to follow your commands.”
Suddenly, Narcissa's wand was out, and she pointed at her, ready to hex her. Selena raised her hand, her beaded bag hanging off her shoulders.
“You know that the wards wouldn’t let me in if I weren’t blood. Could you listen to me? I’m also famished if we could have some tea and biscuits while I explain it all.”
Narcissa watched her momentarily. Still holding her wand, she came closer, her expression softening.
“I know you.”
Selena shook her head, a sad smile on her face.
“No, I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”
Selena meant it; her grandfather had spent years telling her stories about the great Narcissa Malfoy. Yet the reality of seeing her felt bittersweet.
“Let's have some tea, " she said, walking away and motioning for Selena to follow. Selena took a deep breath, knowing she had to get this right to save everyone’s future.