| Girl on Fire |

45

VERONICA MALFOY

"Ah Severus, thank you for escorting the twins." Dumbledore said as the large door shut behind us. Snape nodded and stood behind us. "Take a seat, please." he asked. Draco and I sat in the two chairs in front of his large desk. "Lemon Drop?" he offered. Draco gave me a look and I returned it. "Forgive me for being blunt sir but I'm sure you imagine our situation. So if you don't mind, what is it you want?" I said. Dumbledore gave me a smile and Draco just squeezed my hand. "I wanted to see how you two are doing with your fathers arrest. That must have been hard news to hear." he said. Draco scoffed and I elbowed him. "Yes sir. Is that all?" Draco asked. "No, I am also supposed to convey a message from your mother." he said. "What is it?" I asked quickly. "Seeing as OWL's are over and there is only 1 more week of school, your mother thinks it might be better if you return home tomorrow." he said. Draco and I looked at eachother and gave a nod of approval. "That's fine. We can go home tomorrow." Draco said. Dumbledore nodded. "Well then, that's all. I do hope things improve for your family. Have a good summer and we'll see you next term." he said. Draco and I left as quickly as possible. We were halfway down the hallway when Snape called for us. He walked over and I stared at the floor. "I want you two to be careful. This trial is going to be dangerous and stressful. Take care of your mom and take care of eachother. If you ever need me, I can be there in a second." he said. I gave him a hug and he was stiff. "Thanks Sev." I said. He just nodded and Draco and I walked off. "I'm going to go pack. We can leave tomorrow at 12." he said. I nodded and went to my dorm. When I walked inside everyone was sitting throughout my room. Theo, Enzo and Blaise had a joint that they were passing around. Allison stood up and hugged me. "How'd it go?" she asked. I shrugged. "Draco and I are leaving tomorrow." I said. "What? Why?" Blaise asked. "It's alright Blaise, we want to. It's better if we are with mum. This trial is going to be stressful for her." I said. Allison nodded. I packed my things in my truck until my dorm was empty. "Have any of you seen Mattheo?" I asked as I sat down at my desk. They all shook their heads. "He'll turn up. It's probably just death e-" Allison started. "Don't-" I said, cutting her off. "I don't want to think about that." I said. Everyone was quiet. Later Draco walked in and we all spent the rest of the night together. "So they had the audacity to talk about your father, Mattheo and you guys?" Blaise asked. "Yeah, they said we'll end up in Azkaban too." Draco said. "You guys know that's not true right?" Allison said. I looked at her. "Maybe, maybe not. I don't care. But if Potter harms any of my friends or Mattheo or my family again, he better hope God shows him some kind of mercy because I truly have none." I said. The room was quiet for the rest of the night until I fell asleep.

"Ronnie-" Draco whispered as he shook me gently. "Go away." I groaned. "Ronnie got up, it's time to go home." he said. I looked at the clock and it was ten. I nodded and Draco left to get ready. I got up and showered. Then I put on a black dress with an emerald green jacket. Then I put on my shoes and grabbed my bag. I took my trunk and met Draco in the common room. Our friends all sat around the couches and Allison got up and hugged me when I came down. "You'll be ok right V?" she asked. I nodded. "I'll be alright Alli, take care of our boys ok?" I said. She nodded. I hugged each of the boys and I swear each had tears in their eyes. "We'll be fine guys. Everything is going to be fine." Draco said. They just nodded. Draco and I went downstairs and to the apparition point. "I love you sis." he said as he took my hand. "I love you too." I said. I took his hand and we spoke at the same time. "Apparate." and we were there.

The gates to the Manor were open which was rare. "Why are the gates open?" I asked as we walked towards the manor. "I'm not sure." he said. We got to the front door and went inside. "Mum! We're here!" I called out. It was dead silent. "Where's Barry?" I whispered. Draco shrugged. We walked through the house. Then we walked into the kitchen and what I saw had us both stop dead in our tracks. "Ah, the Malfoy Twins are finally here" a dark voice said.

Sitting at the dining room table was at least 20 death eaters. At the head of the table sat the Dark Lord himself. At the other end of the table was... "Mattheo?" I said in shock. "How wonderful of you two to join us." The Dark Lord said. My heart was racing and I looked at Draco. We both bowed our heads to show respect. "My Lord" I said. "My Lord." Draco said too. "Please sit, there is so much for us to discuss." he said. I looked at Mattheo. He was looking dead straight ahead and he wouldn't meet my eyes. "Where's our mother?" I asked. The Dark Lord smirked at me and stood up. "She's otherwise preoccupied." he said smugly. A few of the other death eaters chuckled to themselves. "Where? What did you do to her?" I said. "Ronnie-" Draco whispered. "You seem to be forgetting who you are speaking to Veronica." he said sharply. I swallowed my anger and looked back up at him. "I'm sorry My Lord. I just don't think my mother should be punished for my fathers shortcomings." I said. "Would you rather I punish you instead?" he asked. "It wouldn't be the first time." I mumbled. He used his wand to lift my chin and I looked into his piercing eyes. "I'd rather you punish my father. He's the one who failed you." I said. The Dark Lord stared at me for a minute before speaking again. "Mattheo was right about you." he said.