Prologue
“My Lord, you have returned!” It sounded rather low, but in his heart Wormtail wrote it down as his small victory.
It was this phrase that became a symbol of the war, which was getting closer every year. The One Who Must Not Be Named is back. Few people really believed Harry's words. Only his faithful servants saw this return, only the eternal enemies were there, only one person was sure that the war would return to England.
The girl returned with him. She returned to forever destroy the one who humiliated her, depriving her of such a desired death.
***
Graves fell to the cold floor, but so familiar. Again this room, like every day. All her dreams were somehow about this place, the girl could neither get out nor apparate. Such powerless nothing. High ceilings, columns, seasoned aristocratic style. There have never been people here. It was very bright despite the lack of windows.
This time everything was completely different: the light was dim, and a nasty draft was walking around the hall. And voices, she could have sworn she heard voices.
"Mom, what does this all mean?" The voice was getting louder. I sent him an urgent owl message almost 3 hours ago. And she went back, as if she had not found the way!
When the doors to the room abruptly opened, the silhouette of the girl had already disappeared behind the column. She couldn't believe it was all real. Alive.
"Draco, don't jump to conclusions!" - I heard a female voice. "I think Lucius would have time for those ministerial tails any other day."
The atmosphere was not pleasant. Graves tried to figure out where she was. Not a single clue: it was difficult to see the people who were talking, she could not take such risks. The voices were unfamiliar to her.
“You saw what happened in the Wizard Cup final!” - the male voice sounded calm, although it rather belonged to a young man. Tell me the truth, mother! Say what you really think! He is back?!
“I wish I didn’t…” empty words, and the ringing sound of heels grew quieter. Pulling herself together, she risked a single glance from behind the pillar.
The young man looked at the picture, clutching a magic wand in his hand. Blond. Not being particularly stupid, Graves immediately realized where she was. Malfoy Manor - that's where she had to be, even in her thoughts all this time.
"How to escape from here?!" was the first thought that entered her head. We needed a plan to avoid getting into the dungeons. The only quick escape and there is a fireplace. If the Tournament is being held now, it is unlikely that the fireplaces will be closed as during the war.
She waited for him to leave, but the guy only called for a house elf and quietly ordered him to collect some things. He seems to have mentioned that he is going back somewhere. With one last look at the painting, Draco headed out of the room. The girl literally flew up to the fireplace, picking up more flying powder in her hand.
Once. Graves stands in the fireplace and looks straight ahead, going through all the options for where to go in a second.
Two. Malfoy turns, hearing the gunpowder smash loudly on the floor. The gaze meets completely different eyes. She is a stranger here.
Three. He raises his wand to attack. The girl says the first thing that came to mind after so many years of loneliness. All that I remembered. A fraction of a second decides fate, it was easy to escape from the boy.
Hogsmeade hadn't changed a bit, and Boar's Head was still stuffy and smelled of old wood. Everyone went about their business, not even paying attention to such a young guest. Wasting no time, she quickly caught the first pub worker she came across - an elf.
“Miss would like something to eat or drink?”
"No, call Aberforth. Say it's urgent".
"How do I introduce you, Miss...?"
"Tell Half-Blood Princess..."