Supernova: The Malfoy Twin's Story

Year 2 Part 3

     Summer was over by that point. My father locked himself in his study almost constantly and my mother always found ways to make herself busy. I'm not quite sure what Draco was doing, but I spent most of my free time reading over our new textbooks. I could already tell that Gilderoy Lockhart's class was going to be less than enjoyable, so I mostly stuck to potion books.

     "Would Ms. Malfoy like some hot chocolate on her last day?" Dobby asked as he poofed into my room.

     "Oh yes please!" I said excitedly, putting down my textbook.

He nodded his head before he quickly faded away. He had always been a bit of a nervous wreck, but lately he had been seeming more so than usual. I saw him wearing more bandages and he kept his head low, and it made my heart hurt for him. He had been around for as long as I could remember, and I hoped that my father would be kind to him when we left.

    He popped back in with a small smile on his face and hot chocolate in his hands. I happily jumped up as I took it from and started to drink it in silence. I couldn't believe tomorrow I got to leave all of this behind for a few months. I couldn't have been happier.

     "Ms. Embry?" Dobby's voice croaked.

     "Yeah?"

     "Dobby would you like to be careful this year. Really careful. Bad things may happen, but Dobby cares for the Malfoy twins."

      I put down my drink as confusion set over me. I got off my chair to become face to face with Dobby, but his eyes seemed to be full of fear.

     "Dobby, do you know something I don't?"

     "I do, miss, but don't make Dobby tell!" He nearly screamed. "He just wanted to warn Ms. Embry, nothing else."

     A panicked look set over his eyes, and I had to choose my path. I could make him tell me, but I knew he would punish himself later. I could also let it go, but then I would have absolutely no clue what he was referring to. I rolled it over in my head for a few seconds before I let out a deep breath.

    "That's ok, Dobby. Thank you for worrying about me, but I'll be fine."

     He let out a relieved sigh before he quickly scurried away. I looked at the trunk in the corner of my room that was nearly overfilling with all my new clothes as a smile appeared on my face.

"One more day." I whispered to myself.

As the sun started to set, I got ready for dinner before I made my way downstairs. I had to keep reminding myself the summer was almost over, because that felt like the only way I could survive the last night with my father. His ever growing anger and a new sense a fear in his tone didn't make anything easier, and I was incredibly glad to have a break from him.

Dobby was running around the table, setting everything up perfectly. As I entered the room, a smile appeared on his face, but almost immediately after it dropped quickly. I was confused for a second, before I turned around and became face to face with my father.

"Embry." He started.

"Yes, father?" I asked, keeping my head low.

"Just thought I'd remind you of the conversation we had at the beginning of summer."

My heart was racing as I tried my best to keep my eye contact. I remember the whole conversation word for word, and I really didn't need a reminder. I even began to run my hand absentmindedly over the place he had grabbed so tightly, but I tried to hide it from him. His stern glare showed me that he didn't actually expect me to answer, so I said nothing.