Prologue
“Once upon a time,” His mother began as she tucked him into bed, “A Star fell from the sky and she landed on earth.”
“She?” The boy questioned. His mother laughed. She had asked the same question when her mother had told the story.
His mother nodded, “Yes. Stars are people too, you know.”
“What happened to the Star?” The boy asked.
“She was captured by a very powerful family. But don’t worry!” She rushed to say as she saw the boy’s scared eyes, “There is a happy ending.”
—--
Edrik’s parents were strangely energetic and excited that morning. Both him and his brother, Elwin, were quite perplexed by this change. Normally his parents were calm and collected, but something must have happened. Edrik and Elwin asked their parents what happened.
“Well,” Their mother started with a smile so wide, it might as well be splitting her face, “We found something extremely rare.” She grinned wider at her sons’ curious expressions, “We found a Star! ”
Edrik was confused, but Elwin seemed to understand, “Really? That’s brilliant! Where is it?”
Before Edrik could ask what they were talking about, their mother continued, “It’s in the dungeon, but don’t go down there just yet. We have some work to do first.”
Elwin nodded and the conversation was over. But Edrik decided he'd find out for himself.
As he walked down the stairs to the dungeon with only a candle to guide him, he wondered if this was a smart idea.
As he traversed the dirty underground, he could hear sniffling and crying. He followed it to a cell and the person made a scared noise of surprise.
“Who’s there?!” A feminine voice called out. Edrik grew nearer to the cell, the candle light revealed a beautiful woman with blonde-looking hair.
“Who are you?!” She demanded. Her voice was frightened And he was shaken from his stupor.
“I am Edrik.” He introduced himself as he set down the candle, “Edrik Black. And you?”
The woman eyed him suspiciously, but answered nonetheless, “Yona.”
Pollux smiled, “It’s a beautiful name.”
Yona leaned forward, “You’re trying to make me shine, aren’t you?” She asked accusingly.
Shine?
“Pardon me,” He said with a quizzical look, “I don’t know what that means.”
She seemed taken aback, “Y-You don’t…know what it means?”
Edrik shook his head, “Not in the slightest.”
She gave a slight smirk, “You don’t know much about Stars, do you?”
“You’re the Star?!” He shouted. She let out a small chuckle.
“You’re clueless.” She told him with a slight smile.
Edrik returned it with his own smile and asked, “What are you doing down here?”
Yona scowled, “On Earth or in your dungeon?”
“Both?”
“I was just minding my own business when I was suddenly knocked out of the sky! Then as soon as I fell, I was taken down here.”
“I’m-I’m sorry. That must have been frightening.” He told her sympathetically.
Yona looked surprised, but replied, “I-I’m not easily frightened.” Edrik knew she was trying to appear strong in front of him, but he did not comment.
“Are you hungry?” Edrik asked suddenly. Yona looked up.
“Are you offering?” Yona asked as her eyes seemed to light up at the thought of food. Pollux nodded. She smiled at him, “Please?”
After Pollux scavenged his kitchen, he came back down the stairs. He handed her some bread and she eagerly dug in.
“I’m sorry my family locked you up.” He said sincerely, “Why do they even want you?” Edrik asked.
She paused in her eating and seemed to think. Finally she spoke, “Come back tomorrow with food and I’ll tell you more about Stars, alright?”
It was Pollux’s turn to light up. Ever curious, he asked, “Truly?”
She smiled at him, “Truly.”
The next night he returned with more food and Yona told him more about the Stars. And thus, their nightly meetings began.
“Stars usually sleep at night.” She told him once.
Edrik looked panicked, “Am I keeping you up? I’m so-” Yona only laughed and tucked a hair behind her ear. She seemed to glow.
“It’s alright,” She told him, “I quite enjoy our meetings.”
Then, one night, he stole the cell’s key from his father’s clutches. He could no longer allow the woman he had grown to love be trapped in a place like that.
As he began to unlock the cell, Yona seemed confused.
“What are you doing?” She asked.
Edrik opened the cell door and helped Yona to her feet, “I’m setting you free.”
He grabbed her hand gently and began leading her towards the stairs.
“Edrik!” Yona shouted and stopped him in his tracks. She cupped his face with her hands, “I have nowhere to go-”
“I’ll find one-”
“And I don’t want to leave you!”
Edrik froze, “What?”
Yona looked at him with unshed tears in her eyes, “Why do you want me to leave? What-What did I do?”
“No-” Edrik placed a hand on her cheek, “I don’t want you to leave. I just want you to be free.”
She leaned into his palm, “When you are around, I am free.”
“I-I love you, Yona!” Edrik could see Yona start to glow, “What-”
She wrapped herself around him and squeezed tightly, “I love you, too, Edrik.” She looked into his eyes as she began to glow brighter and brighter, “I am so happy.”
“Can I kiss you?” Edrik whispered. She nodded and he pulled her into a kiss.
The kiss felt like magic. It was warm and loving and passionate above all. Edrik and Yona never wanted to stop.
“What’s going on?!” The shout startled them away from each other. It was Edrik’s parents standing on the stairs. He distantly realized Yona had stopped glowing.
“Mother, Father, I-”
—
The mother paused.
“What?” The boy asked eagerly, “What happened?”
“It’s time for bed.” She told her son, “I’ll tell you more tomorrow.”
The boy’s protests were immediate, “But-”
“Draco,” His mother said sternly, “Your father will be upset.”
Draco’s face fell, “Yes, mother.”
His mother sighed and kissed his forehead, “I’m sorry, my love.”
He shook his head, “It’s alright, mother.”
The mother turned off the lights as she left the room. The boy went to sleep and dreamed of Stars.
Draco never heard the end of the story, his father had told him he was too old for bedtime stories. In fact, he had all but forgotten the tale.
Until third year, that is.