Planning Our Escape
The little blonde looked up at Alyssa in shock. "Really Auntie?"
"Yes Draco, really. I plan on finding some way out of here as I don't want to bear my child in a prison cell," Alyssa replied, "And I don't like seeing you mistreated Dragon."
"You want me to come with you?" Draco asked, needing the conformation. Nobody seemed to care what Draco liked anymore, and he spent most of his nights crying in his room as he tried to memorize everything a good heir needed to know. Hearing his godmother say that she wanted him shocked the little boy more than Alyssa knew.
"Of course Dragon," Alyssa soothed, stroking Draco's blonde hair soothingly, "But I have to tell you that it's not a fancy place. I'm not rich, nor do I have any desire to be. My family and I were happy with our lives." At least until your father showed up.
Draco nodded before he remembered something his father had said about Alyssa. "Auntie, what's a half-breed? Father said that's one of the reasons you left, 'cause you married one."
Alyssa sighed. Why am I not surprised? "That's a very cruel term Draco, and I don't readily apply it to anyone. My husband is a werewolf, meaning that he is half wolf, prompting your father to call him a half-breed."
"But you don't like that name," Draco concluded solemnly. "Why does Father call him that?"
"Because your father sees no worth in anyone who isn't a pureblood," Alyssa answered truthfully. I still wonder how Sev and I were made your godparents.
Before Draco could ask another question, Dobby popped back into the cell with another tray, this one carrying bacon and eggs and a small glass of pumpkin juice. Alyssa's stomach roiled, but since there was nothing left in it, there was nothing she could throw up. "Eat your breakfast Draco," she said, trying not to retch at the smell.
Draco obediently moved over to the tray before looking back. "You need to eat too Auntie."
She smiled at the concern in the boy's voice. "I'm not hungry right now Draco." The very thought of food makes me nauseous at the moment, Alyssa thought as she moved off the cot. "Sit on the bed and eat."
Draco picked up his tray and sat on the bed as instructed, watching Alyssa pace the small cell. Auntie's worried. Maybe she thinks Father and Mother will mind if I stay with her. I doubt it; I'm a bad heir, they can just find another.
Alyssa was thinking of the possible ways to get a message to Remus. She could use her wand, but as soon as she used it Lucius would know. Meaning he'd come and search her, then decide that a few rounds of the torture curse would make her talk. She doubted that would be good for the baby, and she really didn't want Draco to see that either, so a patronus would be her last resort. Draco's quiet voice broke her out of her thoughts.
"What's wrong Auntie?" Draco asked, hoping that she would answer different than Mother and Father. They always said that he was the problem, because he'd messed up his lessons.
"I'm trying to think of how to get a message to my husband," Alyssa answered honestly, looking at the grey eyed child on the bed. "I need to tell him where I am, so that my familiar can come for me, and you as well."
Draco frowned for a moment, but then smiled as he got an idea. "Dobby," he called, hoping this would work.
The elf appeared with a pop, and bowed. "Yes Little Master. How can Dobby be helping Little Master?"
"Dobby, I need you to get Auntie a piece of parchment and a quill, then deliver the message to whoever she tells you to." He kept his tone polite, but didn't say please, wondering if that would make his Auntie mad like it did his Father.
Dobby began wringing the edge of his pillowcase again. "Dobby is being sorry Little Master, but Master is telling Dobby not to help Mistress Potions Mistress escape. Dobby is wishing he could help, as Mistress Potions Mistress is nice to poor Dobby, but Master would be angry with Dobby."
"Why don't you work for Auntie then?" asked Draco curiously.
"Dobby is bound to serve your family until he is given clothes Dragon," Alyssa replied, watching the scene with faint interest.
"Oh," said Draco, thinking for a moment before he undid the tie on his dressing gown, leaving him in his nightclothes and slippers. He handed the dressing gown to a shocked Dobby, saying, "Here. You're free now, so you can help Auntie, right?"
Both Dobby and Alyssa gaped at Draco. Alyssa recovered first, going over to Draco and hugging him. "Very cunning little Dragon," she whispered, pleasing Draco immensely. He knew he'd be punished if Father ever saw him being nice to a house elf, but Auntie was pleased.
Dobby was sobbing, clutching the robe to his chest. "Little Master presented Dobby with clothes! Dobby is free!"
Alyssa shook her head slightly as she watched the sobbing elf. "Dobby, as you are a free elf, I'll make you a deal. If you get me what I need to write a letter and take that letter to my brother, I'll give you a Sickle."
The elf's eyes widened at Alyssa's bargain. "Mistress would pay a free elf?"
"Yes I would. I need to get out of here, and you can help me. Therefore, I'm willing to pay for your help." Dear Merlin, I get the only house elf in Britain with no business sense. That wasn't strictly true, but Alyssa wasn't in the best of moods at the moment.
Dobby snapped his fingers, causing a self-inking quill and parchment to appear in front of Alyssa. She nodded her thanks, moving over to the bed and sitting down. She wrote rapidly, then while she was waiting for the ink to dry she removed the money promised to Dobby from her shoe. Draco's eyes widened in surprise as he saw her rather unusual hiding place. Dobby took the Sickle and the letter with a bow, popping away a moment later.
"And now we wait," Alyssa sighed, rubbing her temples tiredly. Draco moved closer, snuggling against his godmother for warmth and for comfort.
"Will they come?" he asked, looking at her tired and slightly worried expression.
"Yes," Alyssa said, drawing Draco closer as he shivered, "If they get my message, they'll come. If there's any way possible for them to get us out of here, they'll come."