Prolouge
September 1979
The room was dimly lit, and an unsettling atmosphere prevailed as the mournful cries of a woman echoed through the air for hours on end. The agony intensified with each passing moment. A blonde-haired woman, appearing to be in her mid-twenties, swiftly approached the bedside of the dark-haired woman who lay in labor.
"Oh gods!" The dark curly haired woman screamed in distress.
"I have brought a healer, Cassandra. You will be fine." She exhaled as she gently stroked the top of her friend's head, attempting to comfort her.
Several hours had passed, yet the witch in labor had not yet delivered the baby. The anxious witch with curly hair was eager to bring forth the child her husband desired, a son who would be the heir to their household. She exerted all her strength and finally gave birth to the son she longed to hold. With a smile, she embraced her newborn boy in her arms.
"Hello, my dear little one," she whispered softly as she gently tucked the linen away from her baby's face.
"Lady Nott if you could give just another push..." The healer intructs her, The curly haired woman gave a confused look. She is only carrying one child, which was clear when she first discovered her pregnancy.
"Cissa..." She let out faint cry.
Before she could continue, another wave of pain came through. "Ah!" She exclaimed following the healer's guidance. With a few more cruciating pushes, the second child arrived safely into the world.
"Congratulations Lady Nott, a girl." The healer smiled as she hand over the girl, settling now on her arms.
"Cissa... I-I had t-twins." She was surprised that she gave birth to twins.
Her eyes widened in realization as she thought about her husband. Her husband is unaware that she gave birth to twins let alone a girl. Her husband saw girls as weak and the the Nott bloodline should only be male.
"Ignatius..." She paused, a little worried, glancing down at her sleeping baby.
"Cissa, he can't know about her." With a worried look in her eyes, she contemplated her daughter's future. She felt regret for bringing her daughter into the world.
"The chateau in France," Cissa spoke softly and elegantly.
"Perhaps we could utilize the Malfoy château in France to shield her from that unpleasant man you refer to as your husband." She added.
"Cissa, you are a truly genuine and loyal friend." Her smile, though faint, conveyed genuine and deep sincerity.
"Would you do me the honour of becoming their godmother?" She asked
"It would be my greatest pleasure my dearest friend." Narcissa gave a soft smile as she stroke her head.
⋆˙⟡
July 1981 Le Chateau De Malfoy
"I can't hardly believe that these two are almost two years old!" She looked at the twins, who were running as they were chased by a younger blonde toddler.
"Cassie.." Narcissa paused, taking a few deep breaths before continuing.
"It won't be safe for her.. You must tell him." She spoke softly, her eyes resting on the three children sprawled across the carpet.
"No! Mine!" The girl snatched her book from her brother, all huffy and babbling.
"He's on the move is he?" She asked her; she could not conceal the apprehension in her gaze.
"Yes, he is." Narcissa inhaled sharply.
"However, my dear friend, my concern lies with you."
"He had cruio'd you for Merlin's sake, imagine what he will do to you once he learned about her." She continued, sighing deeply before taking a sip of her now-cold tea.
"There's something you ought to know." Her eyes were blankly staring at her children.
"Cassie, what is it?" Narcissa hurried to her side.
"Several months ago, I consulted a seer to inquire about my darling daughter's future.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to hold them back. "The seer had said—"
She couldn't hold back her tears; she was trying to be brave for her children.
"The seer has told me that Hermione is meant to aid the chosen one." Her voice cracked.
"You mean—" Narcissa was astonished by what she had just heard.
"It means— She will be instrumental in defeating the dark lord alongside the chosen one." She stared blankly.
Narcissa sunk into the chaise she's sitting on. Words unable to leave her mouth.
"Muggles..." She whispered softly.
"She would be safer away from our world." The thought of leaving her daughter in the care of Muggles, about whom she knew little, made her uneasy.
"Cassandra, have you perhaps misplaced your senses?" The blonde witch's eyes widened at her friend's rather irrational suggestion.
"She is only two years old; her memories will likely be quite limited." She paused briefly, pressing her lips together. "It's perfect."
"You couldn't possibly be—"
"I am certain of this, Cissa." She stated with a composed demeanor, her walls had gone up, shutting down all her emotions. Narcissa graciously nodded and then spoke again.
"I will send an owl to Severus, as he is knowledgeable about such Muggle matters." She said.
"Thank you, Cissa. I truly appreciate your assistance." She gently placed her hand atop her best friend's, offering a kind smile in return.
"Of course, she is my goddaughter after all." Narcissa smiled back.
October 1981 France, Malfoy Chateau
The sound of an apparition was heard nearby, and the château's ward had not yet gone off.
"Severus?" Cassandra called out as she slowly approached the drawing-room, only to find him weeping in agony.
"He's killed th-them." He stated, his voice strained.
"He killed her." Cassaranda felt intense emotional pain listening to his voice, a sensation like a knife scraping her skin. The fire roared, emitting green flashes that made Severus flinch. She had never seen him so distressed; he appeared quite disheveled. She questioned how this man could possibly help her hide her precious daughter from her deranged husband.
"Severus..." Narcissa uttered his name softly as she swiftly moved toward him, who was kneeling on the floor in distress.
"We need to move her..." She said firmly.
"Cassie, he is in shock!" Narcissa glared right at her, never breaking eye contact.
"He doesn't know I had left the Manor." She stopped for a moment. "We must act now!" She insisted.
A hint of fear still lingered in her voice. Severus composed himself and began to his emotions.
"Mamma?" The young girl yawned and rubbed her eyes with her small hand. Cassandra carefully lifted her daughter and tried to soothe her back to sleep.
"Is it safe to administer her a sleeping draught?" Severus produced a vial containing the potion from his robes.
"Half would suffice." He paused before giving Cassandra the vial.
"She will remain asleep until tomorrow." He carefully explained to Cassandra, ensuring she understood, before allowing her to take the vial. She then gently administered the liquid to her child.
"That's it, sweetheart, drink it all up." With gentle, soothing strokes, she massages the little girl's back. Soon, the little girl's eyelids grow heavy, a soft yawn escapes her lips, and her breathing becomes calm and peaceful.
Cassandra inhaled deeply, assuming a dignified posture before speaking calmly, "It is time," she announced. Severus gave a slight nod, taking the child and departing swiftly.
⋆˙⟡
1984 Nott Manor
"You filth of a whore!" He shouted as he struck his wife repeatedly, leaving her trembling and whimpering on the floor.
"I-I just—" She attempted to compose her sentences, but before she could explain, a sudden, intense pain shot through her body, causing her to cry out in agony.
The discomfort was excruciating. She thought of her son; she thought of her will to live for him and that she must endure it. The torture felt like hours; her husband found her suffering and pain rather entertaining.
He thought of their child as an imbecile, unworthy to be his heir. He finally left her alone, lying in the cold ground; she could feel the wetness of her own blood pooled around her.
Her body ached, and the pain intensified. She wanted to cry out for help, but her energy was depleted. She wanted to close her eyes, rest, and never wake up, but she could not because her son needed her. It was a difficult decision to give up her daughter, but it was the right one, as the child would also suffer from his wrath. He only cares about having an heir, and in his eyes, she was a failure.
Nevertheless, she was unconcerned about his opinion of her. She had never loved him; her affections belonged to another, now deceased. He was gone too soon. She married Ignatius Nott to fulfill her father's wishes and because he was considered a politically advantageous match.
Ignatius Nott is a follower of a dark wizard who believes in purifying the Wizarding World. Which means to rid of muggle-borns or mudbloods as he likes to call them—people who they believe are unworthy to have magic. Someone like the daughter she had given up.
"Twinky!" Her voice was raspy, barely audible, yet she clung to the hope that her house elf would eventually hear her.
"Mistress has called for Twinky?" The elf opened her eyes and screamed in shock at what she was seeing.
"Twinky.." Her voice was fading as she spoke.
"N-no nned t-to p-panic" She attempted to speak clearly so that Twinky could understand her.
"How can Twinky help?" The elf attempted to conceal their distress.
"F-find Ci-Cissa a-and S-Severus." She whimpered, feeling discomfort spreading throughout her body.
"Twinky will for the mistress." The elf bowed and vanished into thin air.