Coven

A very well known fact in the Wizarding World was that the Malfoys were blood purists. They looked down on half-bloods and muggle-borns and despised all things Muggle.

Everyone knew it and everyone knew that Lord Lucius Abraxas Malfoy from The Noble House of Malfoy had been a follower- or forced follower in some eyes, of the Dark Wizard, Lord Voldemort….

So, if anyone claimed to see a muggle convertible that was blasting muggle rock music driving 1up the long road to their house, no one would think twice if a hex was thrown at them or they were thrown in St. Mungos for insanity.

Hey satan

Payin' my dues

Playin' in a rockin' band

Which was exactly what Anya Evermoore was counting on as she drove up the miles long road to the large Wiltshire Estate, drop top down and the cool wind blowing through her long auburn and honey blonde hair that was fluttering behind her in the breeze.

Hey mumma

Look at me

I'm on the way to the promised land

Suppressing a yawn, Anya sang along to the music playing off the CD. “~I’m on a highway to hell~”

Which she was. Dealing with Lucius was a nightmare on the best of days. Today, though? 

She wanted to enjoy the drive after all, not spend the day cursing out idiotic muggle drivers, so she needed to leave before dawn in order to beat traffic and she was exhausted. She had only driven for three hours, but she had spent far more time with Albus than she had planned and only got maybe four hours of sleep.

Now, she could have apparated to her destination but she wanted to see the look on Lucius’ face when he saw her newest muggle toy…

It would be glorious.

The lack of sleep would be worthwhile and if he couldn’t keep his prejudiced yap shut? Well then she would be more than happy to send a couple hexes his way.

It was nearly a quarter to nine when she finally pulled off the road and onto the nearly equally as long drive, arriving at the gates of Malfoy Manor. Putting the car in park, Anya stepped out of the car and walked closer to the wards, closing her eyes and letting the ice cold feeling of the wards wash over her. 

The gates opened as soon as they recognized her magical signature and with a smirk she called. “Nossey.” Very softly.

With a pop a small house elf- small even for a house elf, with large teary blue eyes appeared, wringing its large floppy ears anxiously. “…Missus Anya called for Nossey?” The elf asked tentatively in a mousy voice.

A soft expression appearing on her face, Anya nealt down so she was eye level with the creature. “I did.” She agreed, her voice reminiscant of speaking to a scared toddler. “Please inform Lady Malfoy that I’ve arrived and require her assistance at her earliest convenience.”

Nossey squeaked, looking slightly fearful. “Lords and Ladies Malfoy just sat for breakfast, Missus.”

Anya frowned. Nossey was Narcissa’s personal elf. She had always been a bit nervous, even back before Narcissa married Lucius….but this was slightly concerning.

“Nossey…” Anya started softly and with a startled squeak Nossey utter a quick: “Nossey be back!” And disappeared with a pop.

Frown deepening, Anya waited by the gate for a moment, musing over her interaction with the young elf. Why had Nossey reacted like that? She was nowhere near that nervous the last time she saw her.

Anya clenched her fist. Did something happen?

Unfortunately, she didn’t have long to ponder that question before Nossey returned with a slightly irritated and confused Narcissa.

Seeing the blonde witch, Anya smiled happily. “Narcy!” She called joyfully, walking towards the blonde with open arms and a pep in her step.

Narcissa stepped forward to meet her before Anya embraced the younger witch. “Anya, darling.” Narcissa greeted before pulling away with a questioning look. “What on earth was so urgent that-“ Seeing something shiny from the corner of her eye, Narcissa cut herself off abruptly once. “…is that a muggle vehicle in my drive?”

Anya’s smile widened, turning into a full grin as her Irish accent became slightly more prominent. “Wonderful, i’n it? It’s called a cahr.  Need something the muggles call a driver’s license, now,  but it was worth it, sure.” Narcissa seemed annoyed but Anya continued rambling. “A bit like flying really, though not as smooth. If pavements got bumps or holes then the cahr doesn’t drive very well.”

Narcissa raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow, a look of exasperation on her face. “What in the blazes is it doing in my drive? And why didn’t you just floo?”

“I drove it here, sure.” Anya said offhandedly. “I saw a muggle driving one the other day and just knew I wanted one. Would you please modify the wards so it can enter the property?” and that just made Narcissa deadpan.

That was just like Anya. Getting random muggle devices on a whim and wanting to show them off.

“Lucius will not be happy.” Narcissa mused and Anya grinned.

“I know.” Anya said happily, causing Narcissa’s shoulders to drop slightly and she sighed.

Narcissa had known Anya since she was seven and Anya was twelve, there was no point having her prim and proper pureblood mask up around the woman- she was too used to her antics by now. 

….and too used to her husband's rants about her antics….

Altering the wards to allow the contraption onto the grounds, Anya smiled and thanked her before heading towards the vehicle. “You want to join the drive to the door?” she offered and Narcissa scoffed,.

“In a muggle vehicle? Funny, darling.” Narcissa responded snootily.

Opening the driver’s door, Anya blinked before rolling her eyes and sitting in her seat. “It was just an offer.” She replied, closing the door and starting up the car once more.

Narcissa’s face soured at the thought of riding in such a contraption. “Yes we’ll, thank you but no thank you. I’ll see you inside.” 

With that Narcissa apparated back inside the manor while Anya drove closer to the door. Once the car was parked and after a quick protective charm, Anya headed up the marble staircase that led to the front entrance of the manor.

She barely had time to pause before the large wrought iron doors opened of their own accord and welcomed her inside. 

Passing through the dark gallery full of old family paintings, Anya’s footsteps echoed across the marble as she made her way into the foyer where a young blonde boy was waiting for her, still in his night robes.

“Aunt Anya!” Draco called excited as he ran up to her with a smile, his voice echoing in the empty room.

Catching the nine year old as he barreled into her, Anya let out a laugh. “Draco!” She mimicked, hugging him tightly and murmuring into the top of his platinum blonde hair. “Oh how I’ve missed you.”

Draco didn’t pull away as he asked. “Will you be staying long?”

Anya laughed as she pulled away slightly, raising her hand up to rest against his right cheek. “Until you’re sick of me.” She assured before pulling him back into another hug. Catching movement in the corner of her eye she mentally added with a grimace. Or until your father kicks me out.

“Draco.” The slimy voice of Lucius Malfoy hissed as the young boy tensed in Anya’s arms. “Show your godmother some proper respect!” 

Covertly rolling her eyes, Anya closed off her emotions before pressing a kiss to the top of the nine year old’s head. Releasing him, she straightened her back and backed away slightly.

Draco stepped back a few steps of his own before bowing, refusing to meet her eye. “A pleasure to be in your presence, Lady Evermoore.”

“The pleasure is mine, Heir Malfoy.” Anya responded cooly, dropping down to a bow of her own. “I thank you for the generosity you have bestowed upon me for allowing my stay at your manor.” Straightening, Anya turned towards Lucius. “Lord Malfoy.” She greeted with a nod of her head and Lucius looked like he smelled something horrible as he bowed. 

“Lady Evermoore.” The older blonde greeted. “Welcome to Malfoy Manor, please feel free to stay for as long as you please.”

Anya sat in the garden with Narcissa, drinking tea as the two watched Draco fly in the air on his broom. Crossing one leg over the other, Anya sipped at her black tea.

“Surely, I can interest you in some sugar and milk for your tea.” Narcissa asked aghast at Anya’s preference.

“Hm?” Anya asked, turning back towards Narcissa before glancing at her tea and laughing. “Perhaps later, Narcy. Right now I’d like to enjoy the flavors of the tea itself.”

Any witch of lesser upbringing would have stared at the curly haired woman in open shock, Narcissa, however, simply shook her head at Anya’s response and went back to watching her son play.

She had known the woman for far too long to be surprised.

The two descended into silence and It was quiet for a brief  moment before Anya sighed, slumping slightly as she relaxed. Narcissa turned towards the older woman and blinked. 

“Anya?” Narcissa asked in concern.

“I just can’t understand how you can put up with him.” Anya muttered low enough that Narcissa had to strain to hear. “I hugged Draco and he admonished him, telling him to show me ‘proper respect’.” Anya snorted and Narcissa gasped. “The boy’s not even ten, he deserves to be hugged.” Shaking her head Anya added. “I don’t know how you do it Narcy, If I was contracted to him and that’s how he reacted every time Draco got a hug, I’d be in Azkaban by now for murder.”

Narcissa’s hold on her saucer and cup tightened. “Well let’s be glad you aren’t.” She said softly.

Anya winced, that was a poor choice of words. Although, it may have been an unspoken rule that you didn’t ask others about their marriage contract but with Narcissa’s answer…..

Anya turned towards the blonde, a serious look on her face. “Is he treating you right?” She asked and her companion startled.

“W-what?” Narcissa asked in surprise. 

Anya’s eyes narrowed, taking in every detail in the blonde's movement and expression. She seemed fine.

Narcissa, for her part, was shocked. If it was anyone else, she would have labeled the question as rude and been appalled at their nerve before using the wards to (very abruptly) remove them from the manor grounds.

Anya, though…

Anya was, in a way, her big sister. She knew she was just being protective.

Narcissa huffed. “He barely gets close enough to mistreat me.” Now it was Anya’s turn to startle. Narcissa smiled in amusement at the response. “It’s a proper pure-blood marriage, Anya…that’s all it is.” Narcissa’s eyes narrowed. “Something you were able to get out of.” She reminded her, accusingly.

Anya placed down her tea cup and saucer, holding her arms up placatingly. “To be fair, I would have been in a contract if my partner’s family didn’t violate the agreement.”

Narcissa sighed before she glanced up at Draco, sadly. “…part of me wishes that were the case for me…but then I wouldn’t have Draco….” Anya hummed as she also watched Draco in the air, picking her tea back up. “…It’s hard to believe he’ll start Hogwarts next year…” Narcissa chuckled. “Part of me wants to go with him.” Anya grimaced, something that Narcissa didn’t miss. “Anya..?” The Lady Malfoy asked worriedly.

Anya bit her lip before sighing, turning to Narcissa, electric blue met worried Ivey blue. “Dumbledore offered me a teaching position.” She admitted. “Starting in September.”

Narcissa considerably brightened. “That’s great!” She said happily with stars in her eyes. “Then you can keep an eye on Draco when he starts!”

Anya didn’t share Narcissa’s sentiments as she sadly muttured. “It’s for the Defense Against The Dark Arts position.”

“I-oh.” Narcissa murmured. “Oh dear…”

Perhaps she should have heard Anya out before she got so excited. Anya, for her part, just let out a bitter laugh. “Exactly.” She said with a shake of her head. “I’ll be lucky to last the year, let alone make it to Draco’s year.”

But if the insurance policy works….Anya thought hesitantly. …I’ll be able to see….

Tightening her fist on her tea cup, Anya felt her eyes prickle at the thought.

After so many years….she would finally be able to see her daughter and godson again….