Evergreen

“Malfoy, you have a guest! Better be on your best behaviour, ay?” The guard sneered in his face after he loudly opened Lucius’ cell, startling the man from within it.

“Who?” He then simply asked, hoping it was Narcissa.

But no, the person who entered his cell wasn’t his wife, it was someone he wasn’t expecting in a million years…

“Come to gloat then, Lady Potter-Black, as I have heard.” He blankly asked of the young woman in front of him, who only gazed at him for a moment before she turned her gaze upon the guard with a smile, one he noticed, did not reach her eyes. Now that he was truly looking at her, she seemed completely different…much more cold, that is. But she seemed to wear it well, he thought. 

Especially with the dark green robes she had on, which only enhanced the unnaturalness of the colour of her eyes, it being the colour of the killing curse.

“Thank you, that will be all. I shall let you know when I’m done.” She then simply said to the guard, still smiling at him until he would leave that is, which he eventually did when he stopped gawking at the girl.

The guard only respectfully nodded to her before he turned towards the door, which then closed with a simple ‘click’, which resounded  the whole cell then. It had turned silent then for a moment before the young Lady in front of him waved her hand around the room, which surprised him, seeing as he wasn’t aware that she could use wandless magic…he only ever saw his Lord use it before, which was sparingly.

But the way Potter did it seemed to be effortlessly.

He then stood still for a moment in realisation, gazing at her in trepidation, and fear.

‘Surely she wouldn’t? Would she? Potter might have been many things, but he was under the impression that she was rather honourable, she wouldn’t…’ He then thought to himself in shock.

“Why are you looking at me like that, Lord Malfoy?” The girl in question then asked in bemusement by the sight of him. And he was sure he looked quite the sight to her then, long lost was the arrogance he had worn from before.

But it didn’t escape him, that she used his title to refer to him as, which he felt gratified by, seeing as his name had only been uttered here with ridicule, the respected tone brought in him a certain feeling he seemed to have lost for the time being. And seeing as the girl had been waiting for an answer for some time, he then sat straighter on his cot.

“If I might be frank with you, what are you doing here?” He then simply asked, it would not do well to cower before her, for he was not that long gone.

“Isn’t it obvious? I intend to get you out of course, you can thank your lovely wife for that.” She then boredly said, making him freeze in shock at the statement.

He was sure his mouth stood foolishly open then, agape like a fish’s, which seemed to amuse the young girl in front of him then, by the way her lips twitched for just a moment.

“Ah before I forget, here, aunt ‘Cissa, as she asked me to call her, wanted me to bring you these.” She said before she got a small bundle in her arms which she after a moment then enlarged to its proper size, they were warm clothes, and a rather large basket, which he was certain was filled with his most favourite foods. 

His heart then swelled at the sight of them, he didn’t deserve his wife…

“You’re a lucky man, you know?” Potter then softly said after she had handed them over to him.

“...I know.” He then simply answered, while he gazed at the objects in his arms. The clothes had warming charms on them it seemed, which they were already charmed with in the first place, but he was sure his wife had made it much more stronger with her own magic as well, seeing as his wife was rather talented in charms.

“Well, don’t mind me. We shall discuss me being here afterwards, when you’re much more settled that is, aunt ‘Cissa would have wanted it, that is…” Potter then awkwardly said, while she looked away from him for a moment.

He couldn’t stop himself from asking anymore,

“...Why are you doing this?” he asked her, his confusion clear in his tone, which had embarrassingly contained much emotion in it, which the younger girl thankfully ignored.

She then looked at him in seriousness,

“Well, you’re family, aren’t you?” She then said, before she continued, “You may be many things, Lord Malfoy, and we both know you’ve done many things in the past as well,but what I do respect, is the way you clearly love your family. And that is why I am here, for them.” she then elaborated.

“Seeing as we’re speaking of it nonetheless, I’ll keep it brief then. We both know that the man you might have sworn your loyalty to, by own choice or force,  is not the same man anymore, seeing as he has grown rather insane, and very foolish for one, and neither is he fulfilling any of the goals he had sworn to be seen to, has he?” She then asked him, the both of them knew who she was referring as ‘he’ to. And Lucius felt complete dread then, he shook his head furiously then.

“I can’t do what you’re going to ask of me, he will never-” He then started to beg, before she stopped him.

“I can and I will. He is not as invincible as you think he is, Lord Malfoy. I have been planning for this from the moment I have known of his revival. I’ve already set the motions in plan, now I hope you’ve taken the time you’ve spent her to think very deeply over the future, and that of your family’s, because I’ll be frank with you, if you think for one second that you’ll be safe if you continue to serve him, you are wrong. Because the way he’s continuing, he intends to destroy us all. Do you think for one second that he’ll have enough, that he would be simply alright with having complete control over the British aisles? And do you think, that you, as Purebloods, will be safe from his ire as well? He is already disatisfied with you, Lord Malfoy, and with the way I have gifted him with the head of his dearest Bella, he’s even more furious, which is rather understandable. But the fact of the matter, Lord Malfoy,is that we both know that there won’t be a future for any of us with him in the picture, certainly not for the betterment of the magical world that is. Both him and Dumbledore, that is. Oh yes, him as well.” She then unamusedly chuckled, seeing the clear shock in his eyes by the revelation.

“I’m glad I even seemed to fool you, which is good for what I have planned in the long run, very good in fact. But no, I was never Dumbledore’s pawn if that is what you thought before. But anyways, that is a conversation for another time, for I am here to ask you to swear you’re loyalties to me.” She then said in the end, before she once more continued, with a glint now in her eyes. One he flinched at.

“And if you do, I give you my word, that I’ll give you asylum,  as any of those I consider to be one of mine, and only if you swear it to me, for if you do and you follow my instructions, which your wife shall explain to you tomorrow, then and only then will you be free.” She said, before she raised her hand towards him.

“So, what shall it be, Lord Malfoy?” 

He thought about it for a moment before he finally raised his hand  to hold hers, holding it in a tight grip.

“Lucius, call me Lucius.”

He was then enraptured by the small but rather radiant smile that then formed upon her lovely face.

“Only if you call me Hariel. Now do continue eating that, won’t you? You do look rather frail…”

And Lucius could only laugh at that, which surprised him, seeing as it was some time ago that he ever laughed like this. But  he nonetheless did as he was asked.

It was never a good idea to worry his wife, he knew more so than anyone.

Cut from his musings, he then glanced at the young girl in front of him.

He always knew that there was more than met the eye of one Hariel Potter, but from the moment she had walked into his cell, he wasn’t expecting this, that’s for sure, but he was nonetheless grateful for it, for it seemed that there might be hope after all…

And while the young woman is rather young to shoulder such responsibility, a burden really, which she seemed to carry without any effort (which even he couldn’t carry at her age, which made him feel for the young girl, no, woman in front of him.), she was carrying it with a certain grace, which he was astounded by. But what he was astounded by the most, is the fact that he completely believed her.

That there would be a change for the better, that is.

He would repay her kindness, he then decided,  for no Malfoy left their debts unpaid.

Whatever it may be, he would gladly pay it, he thought while he took another bite of his warm, and very delicious food, which he hadn’t had in quite some time…

“Do wear the clothes aunt ‘Cissa gave you, alright, I don’t want her to worry anymore. Oh and the papers won’t know of your release, well not for another week that is, so you’ll have enough time to get back to your former self, be with your family and to of course ready the coming storm. But don’t worry about that, just focus on your recovery first, and on your family… they missed you a lot.” Hariel then said with a cough, her gaze now looking anywhere else but him.

He didn’t understand how she could be so kind, especially after all she had been through, and after her revelation of her killing- beheading his former sister in law, which he knows was no small feat for there was a reason she was the Dark Lord’s right hand…but he’s grateful for it, especially seeing as that he rather despised his wife’s sister, especially after he heard of her treatment of his son.

Either way, he is grateful for it.

“...Oh and can you maybe tell me the whereabouts of you former colleagues, well the top-lieutenants that is.” She then asked in a too casual tone. 

He then choked on his food.

Watching the rather dingy looking manor in front of, which was at the moment burning, because of the Fiendyfire curse that she had used a moment ago.  The inhabitants inside being stuck in within its walls, with no way out except for the front door, that is, which she made certain of, seeing as she warded the whole place with anti-apparation wards before.

She was getting rather bored by it all to be honest, the waiting that is, with the only plus side being how pretty the flames looked. Oh and the shouts, don’t forget those, they were like music to her ears. 

She then watched as the door was pushed out of it hinges, a dishelved and rather crazed looking Tiberius Nott then falling on the ground afterwards.

“Oh,I expected there to be more rats coming out to finally play, but I see you’re the only one then. Pity, or maybe not. Hah, did I just make a joke? You get it? Nott haha.” She then chuckled, which alarmed the man in front of her, who at first looked at her with clear fear in his beady eyes, before they hardened into anger. 

“Potter.” He hissed, which amused her very much, seeing as he was no threat to her whatsoever, especially now, when he looked that weak.

“Oh yes, me. Surprise.” She  droly said, before she then stepped aside from the incoming killing curse he sent her way.

“How uncreative, truly, I’m a bit disappointed really. I expected one, if not the highest lieutenant of Ol’ Tommy boy to have a bit more flair than this. But it is to be expected…” She then said in feigned disappointment. Which of course angered the older man even more, by the way he was now wildy throwing spell after spell at her, which she again,  all side stepped.  

“I heard you liked to harm children, Nott. Especially your own son, I’ve heard. Does it make you feel powerful? Beating on children? How pathetic.” She then sneered, being done with the little cat and mouse game she had been playing before.

“What would you know about that, little girl.” The man then hissed, his eyes looking at her with hatred now. The tone he used to refer to her as that, did it now.

And with a glint in her eyes, she broke all of his bones then. His sudden scream in pain then exhilarated her.

“Don’t call me that.” She then coldly said, before she prowled over to the man, who now laid all pathetically on the muddy ground, still moaning in pain.

“Let it be Karma finally handing you your dues, Nott. And I hope you know that Theo never needed you, no one actually, for you are nothing. Do say hi to dear old Bella and your other fellow slaves for me, won’t you?” She then said with a bloodthirsty grin on her face, before she then cut his head off. 

Another head added to her collection now.

Walking once more on foot to Grimmauld, which seemed to be rather relaxing really, Hariel then suddenly looked at a rather strange sight then.

Three elderly women were sitting in chairs, which wouldn’t have been strange if they weren’t sitting directly in the middle of the road that is…which sure, was rather safe-ish, what with the neighbourhood she lived in, but the sight seemed to spark a certain dread in her gut then.

And she would never ignore such a feeling, never.

One of the women then looked up from her knitting, she held her gaze in a trance then, seeing as Hariel couldn’t look away from her. The other two women then handed her a strange looking thread, and some rather big, and ancient looking shears. The both of them also staring at her in thought then, before they all focused their attention upon the thread, and the dread then kept on building up when the shears kept coming closer to it. 

Not truly understanding the situation she suddenly found herself in, Hariel, as she usually does, tried to intervene. Which seemed to be rather hard, seeing as she still found herself frozen. 

Before the shears chomped upon the thread they all then disapeared in the blink of an eye.

“Harry?” A familiar voice then called to her.

Remus.

Feeling her limbs once more, she then looked for him and found him standing in front of Grimmauld, his face was filled with worry when he looked at her.

She froze at the sight of him, before a certain paranoia then seemed to fill her, and with quick stride towards him, which surprised him then, but before he could ask her what the problem was with her she quickly shut him up, by opening the door and finally pulling the both of them inside of it.

Where she knew no harm would come to them.

“Hariel, what is the matter? Why did you suddenly pull me into the house like that…Is someone after you, well of course there is, my apologies, but-” He then started to ramble, before Hariel then finally took a good look at him.

“Why are you here, Remus?” She then simply asked, her tone devoid of emotion, which seemed to get a harried response out of him then, by the way his eyes then turned wide, and then tightened in a familiar look of anger, no, worry.

Remus would never be angry at her, not truly. Worried? Always.

“What do you mean, why I’m here, I’m worried about you, Hariel!” He then shouted, which she unconsciously flinched at, which he of course noticed by the way his eyes then turned alarmed, and then softened in apology, his voice now much gentler.

“I’m worried for you, Harry.”

Her throat felt constricted then, by the clear concern and affection she felt coming from him.

She didn’t deserve it.

Nor did she want it, not now.

“I’m fine.” She then simply said, while she turned her back to him, now moving towards the parlour, where she could see Kreacher already waiting on her. His eyes looked at her in concern as well then, he always looked at her like that, as though…She’d disappear any moment. 

And Hariel understood why he would look at her like that, seeing as she must remind him of his former Master-

“Mistress, would you like Kreacher to clean your clothes for you?” He then softly asked, before he then continued. “Kreacher has made supper as well, would you like to eat afterwards?” He then asked, his eyes still only on hers, and not once sparing a glance at Remus who then barged into the Parlour with a huff.

“Harry-” He started to say, before she interrupted him.

“Thank you, Kreacher, I’d like that very much.” She softly said to the old elf, the both of them only looking at one another then.

“And Remus shall be joining me it seems.” 

Kreacher then looked irked at that, before he then simply nodded towards her.

After he flicked his hands towards her robes, to clean if from whatever mess he could see upon them, he then directed her towards the dining table.

“Do sit, Mistress.” He said before he then popped away to get their supper for them.

She then turned her gaze towards the older man,who was wringing his hands in clear worry then, his gaze still centered on her.

She hated it. 

“Make yourself comfortable, and sit, supper will be here shortly.” She then simply said.

“Harry, you can’t ignore me forever you know.” Remus then said during the end of their meal.

But she ignored him and continued eating her meal, especially because of the worried glances Kreacher kept sending her, which she tightened her jaw at for a moment.

“...Why did you hide, why didn’t you let me help you? Harry I-” He then distraughtly started to say. The both of them knew what he was referring to. 

After Sirius’ death.

She closed her eyes then for a moment.

1

2

3

And exhaled.

But it did not seem to work then, for she could still feel her heart beating furiously against her chest, the loudness of it ringing in her ears. 

It seemd to be a never ending sound then, and Hariel couldn’t seem to breathe properly then.

“I didn’t need your help, I was fine, I am fine.” She then uttered, her breathing faltering at the end, which Remus now seemed to notice, but also Kreacher.

“Hariel, don’t lie, you clearly aren’t fine. I should have been there for you, this isn’t healthy-” He then started to say, now getting out of his chair, his gaze emblazoned with worry then.

Over her.

“Mistress?” Kreacher then loudly said, but when she looked at him then, he there seemed to be two Kreachers then, and Hariel had to hold her hand to her eyes then.

She felt dizzy then.

“...Harry? HARRY!” She then heard someone shout, probably Remus, before she fell on the ground, her vision then turned dark.