Viper

April 23, 1990. 9 years old.

The day that my life changed would be forever embedded in my mind.

At first sight of me, Draco had grabbed my hand and pulled me out of there before anything could happen to us. His fear was obvious, as any child our age would be scared out of their minds but it wasn’t just. Nothing could or would happen to us in the Malfoy Manor. We were safe here.

Unlike my blonde counterpart, I was as calm and unphased as regular. Although, I was running out of breath as Malfoy’s little hand dragged me through the twists and turns of the manor. He pushed and pulled open doors and sped through the halls as if running away from something chasing him. He kept looking back behind us and when I would complain that I couldn't run further, he would squeeze and drag my arm harder to encourage my running.

He finally let go of me when we got near the Malfoy gardens. He slowed and fell down to the high grassy earth panting and spreading his limbs wide. My back was arched as I put my hands on my knees attempting to catch my breath. “What was that about?” I spoke, pausing in between each word to take a breath.

Draco took his hand and cupped it on his eyebrow to avoid the bright rays getting in his eyes. “I had to get us out of there. I couldn’t hide for another second.”

I scoffed and took in his face which was growing redder by the minute. Pale cheeks heating and leaving a slight blush. “And what is it that we are doing now?”

“Nothing. I wanted to leave, so we left. He is not here.”

I walked over to him and lied down next to him. “So that's why you bolted out the manor as if you pissed yourself?”

I felt a nudge on my arm as Draco punched me softly. “I did not look like I pissed myself.” His arm slowly reached up to scratch the back of his neck. A mannerism he had picked up that comes to light when he is nervous. His gaze fell down to his lap, and he spoke almost in a whisper, “I just didn’t want to be there.” He said.

“Yeah, ok.” I rolled my eyes and looked up to the sky. We laid for quite a while. The summer heat was burning into our skin and radiating off us to the touch. Our pale complexions began to tint toward shades of sunset pink, while Draco’s face became spotty with light freckles. The grass had started to mould to our shape. The Malfoy gardens were always such a sight during spring. There were various animals that found their home in the backyard. Deer were often spotted grazing and small bunnies would hop around chasing one another. However, the best sight was the peacocks. White frosted peafowl would gracefully walk around the large green garden. Their feathers would catch the sunlight and leave a reflection of sparkles on their features. And as we laid looking beyond, our eyes caught a glimpse of these magnificent creatures. The snow white peacocks were walking around. As always, I was first to break the silence.

“What do you think our parents are gonna say?”

Draco propped himself up onto his elbows and said, “I don’t know but they looked quite frightened didn’t they?”

I nodded my head, ”Yea, I don’t think I’ve ever heard my father stutter near anyone. Nor have I seen my mother so visibly nervous.”

My parents were not the type to get scared or shaken up by something. For years I would continue to believe that they were brave and fearless. They always told me to hide whatever I feel and that no one can know what happens inside my head. When advice like that gets embedded into a young child’s mind it truly moulds their upbringing in a peculiar way. Especially when that child is a witch.

Every child admires their parents. When asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” A child will respond: “just like my mummy.” or “just like my daddy.” I am a product of my parents. Their brave and fearless traits that they broadcasted inspired me. I absorbed their mannerisms and their ideologies like a sponge and soaked up every bit of them that I could. I'd analyse and copy every little detail. An imaginary mirror showing me standing next to my mum and dad, posh, exactly like them. This mirror would get shattered over the course of my life.

I would bend down and pick up the jagged shards of glass with my tiny fragile hands. I'd kneel and ask for forgiveness. My eyes would leak as I would patiently cradle the fragile pieces and hold my mirror until it was perfect again. Little did I know you can't fix a broken mirror.

I had lost track of how long we laid there. It must have been some time before soft footsteps approached in the meadow. Light footsteps grew stronger and less faint as they reached mine and Draco’s warm bodies.The person to whom these delicate steps belonged to would not be mistaken for others. Narcissa Malfoy walked with an elegant grace. She was wearing a set of white summer robes that contained a golden trim around the wrists and ankles. Her gloved hands were clasped in front of her abdomen. Narcissa’s white hat tilted a bit as she turned her head to take in the sight of me and her son on the grass. Her feminine voice interrupted the tranquillity. “I figured I’d find you here.” She parted her red lips and took a breath before continuing. “The house elves cooked up some deserts. But you must come inside first. We have important matters to discuss.”

That was what got Draco’s attention. He touched my arm before he got up off his back to signify I should as well. He raised his eyebrow at laziness. I let out a small grunt as I pushed myself off my back and onto my knees. We stared at each other as if we were trying to communicate without words. Narcissa noticed this and did not have the patience. “Follow me back to the manor, please.” Our staring contest was interrupted.

I got up and extended my hand to Draco. He clasped it and I pulled him up. He immediately withdrew his hand from my grip and dusted his robes clean of dirt. Draco was different from other boys. Had he known any cleaning and protective spells, he would have cast a shield that extended 6 metres from him. He absolutely hated getting dirty. Narcissa Malfoy started trailing back to the manor and we followed her closely.

We got to the manor and around the table sat my mother and father. Lucius Malfoy was pacing around the table deep in thought holding a cup of firewhiskey. My mother still looked a bit shaken from earlier but my dad had significantly calmed down. Lucius’s concern was frightening and when I looked at Draco I knew that whatever cane after this meeting would not be good. He understood the expression written across my face and met it with his own look of dismay. Lucius Malfoy broke his pacing and stood tall. “Sit down.” He demanded, “Both of you. We have matters to discuss.”

My mother got up from her seat and went to stand by my fathers side. Narcissa did the same. From my peripheral I saw Draco gulp and nervously walk toward the table. The legs of the chair drew across the marble floor, squeaking, as Draco pulled out a chair for me first, followed by his, filling the air with noise to add to the awkward silence. “The Dark Lord has assigned a task.” Lucius spoke.

My head perked up from looking down at the hands in my lap. I couldn't help but wonder what the task was. This was the first time I'd ever been included in the activities of the Dark Lord. Me and Draco were far too young to join the Death Eaters, and I never thought it would happen so soon. So, I tried my best I could to hide the little apprehension I had, and let my cold eyes scan the room in a similar fashion to my parents.

The cold eyes belonging to Lucius Malfoy locked onto mine as I met his gaze. Lucius was a difficult man, and his eyes were enough to make a person follow his orders. But I noticed that his mind had other concerts. I followed the grey irises until they landed on Draco’s tiny and warm ones. The disappointment that flooded Lucius’ face was not mistakable.

His broad chest expanded as he drew a breath before continuing. “Each day for a couple of hours you will begin to train. On weekends and holidays you will be granted a break, but must resume said training when time is up. It is crucial you learn how to properly use and manage your magic before you go off to Hogwarts.” I could feel Draco’s tenseness practically radiating off of him. He never liked it when his father was stern.

My father swished his glass of whiskey before bringing it to his lips. He lightly cleared his throat before adding onto Lucius Malfoy’s words. “This training will take place at our manor, as we need a large open space and the Malfoy headquarters already host other matters.” He swallowed the honey colored liquid before continuing. “Young Nott, Zabini, and Parkinson will be there as well. If the Bulstrode, Goyle, Crabbe and Greengrasses wish to join, they are welcome to as well.” My father finished.

I took a look at Draco and he turned his head to meet mine. After our eyes met we simultaneously looked at our mothers, who stood by their husbands with their hands on their shoulders. Their expressions were blank, emotionless.

Lucius Malfoy’s cold voice broke the silence once more. “Do we make ourselves clear?”

Draco’s bottom lip quivered as he shifted his gaze onto his father. “I thought Hogwarts was supposed to teach us magic. Why must we learn here?” Lucius Malfoy’s breath hitched at the mention of Hogwarts. Draco knew that he had overstepped. His grey eyes darted to me, waiting for me to back him up. I did not.

His father slammed his hand on the table rattling the bottles of firewhiskey. “You will do as you're told, Draco. Hogwarts is nothing but a pathetic excuse of a school along with its pathetic excuse of a headmaster. Dumbledore and his supporters can’t teach you anything remotely close to the skills you will learn here.” His tone was so low and bitter it sounded like a growl.

Draco recoiled in his seat and muttered a “Yes father.” before looking back down at his hands in his lap. I reached out and touched his arm briefly before crossing my hands in my lap as well.

The silence filled the room once again. However this time, it was broken by Draco’s mother. “So now that we’re all clear,” Narcissa Malfoy spoke. “Who wants dessert?”

The night ended with us eating the various pastries the house elves had prepared. It was a norm at the Malfoy manor. We would usually end our evenings with delicious food. However the energy in the air was definitely a first to take place. It went unacknowledged that this negative energy would grow to consume everyone around us, and that the future held dark times. Had I known then what I knew now, I would have ran. Taken Draco and ran far far away. We were not that lucky. But the child in me remains hopeful that in an alternate reality we actually escaped.