The Sanctuary of Yesterday

2.4 | CHILDREN

AGE 3 TO 4

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Drawing had become a big pastime of the twins this year. They loved to color and draw, especially funny pictures of the residents of Nott Court.

Once, they drew their father as an elf and Tippy as a human. Tippy was over delighted with this, and she treasured the picture under her pillow.

Narcissa also found joy in this, and she had the twins and Draco draw whenever they pleased.

Her favorite picture was a stick drawing, done by Theodore, of himself, Sage, Draco, Lucius, and Narcissa. They were all out by the orchard, a place the five of them visited frequently.

Drawings made by all of the Malfoy Manner occupants lined the walls of Narcissa's powder room, all but one.

Theodore's picture stayed on her at all times.

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Bedtime was much more interesting now. The twins had learned to help turn the pages.

"Nana, good dog," he said, patting her, "I have put a little milk into your bowl, Nana"

Tippy nodded at Sage as she finished reading the page, motioning for her to turn it.

Her small fingers gripped the paper and moved it to the other side of the book. Her brother smiled at her, a warm smile filled with adoration.

Tippy noticing, continued, "Nana wagged her tail, ran to the medicine, and began lapping it."

Tippy continued to read about the dog who was mistreated, the children who did the impossible, and the boy who never grew up, along with his little green friend and crew of boys.

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"Okay, Sage, can you tell me all the colors in front of you?" their governess asked, looking down at the little girl.

"Red," she said pointing to the apple, "Green," towards the quidditch pitch, "Orange," towards the crayon, "Blue" towards her mothers dress, "Yellow," towards her brush, "Purple," towards the Nott Crest, "And Pink," towards the teacup.

"Very good!" the young lady smiled, "Now Theodore, can you count up to ten for me?"

"One, two, three, four, five..." he effortlessly counted, "nine, ten."

"Brilliant! That was wonderful," she cheered, "Now, what is the time we wake up and eat breakfast?"

"Morning," the twins cheered, and at the approving nod, they gave a high-five to each other.

"If we eat breakfast in the morning, then we must eat diner at?"

"Night," They cheered again. Even without the playtime, Violet used to allow them, the twins continued to find joy in every bit of their school days.

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Playdates at Malfoy's manner were truly wonderful.

This particular day though, was more than wonderful, magical even.

The five, the Malfoy family and the Nott twins, sat out by the orchard like usual. Narcissa was never one to enforce society rules on these days, but Sage still sat and drank tea with the lady.

Theodore, Draco, and Lucius were on brooms flying around aimlessly.  They had no quidditch gear, but a load of energy and an abundance of fun.

"Sage! Look at this," Theodore yelled, he zoomed past her, no higher than three feet off the ground and no faster than a few miles per hour. They rode children's training brooms, but they still found fun in the chase.