Chapter 17: Invitation

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The rest of the month and into December, I withdrew from everything. School and my lessons with Snape felt like a chore. Hell, even quidditch wasn't making me happy. The revelation that my entire life was a lie shook me to my core. My hatred for the Dark Lord and his followers has grown tenfold. If it weren't for them I would've grown up with a family. A real family. One that didn't lie to me about my whole fucking life.

I'm sitting alone during Friday breakfast at the Slytherin table the week before Christmas holidays when I spot Athena soaring through the Great Hall with a letter pinched in her beak. She lands next to me and drops the letter on my plate of fruit. I pick up the last corner of my toast and offer it to her before she flies away. I immediately recognize the script on the front of the envelope and pick up the letter tentatively. I abandon the rest of my breakfast and take the letter to an alcove near the Great Hall. I stare at it for a few minutes before taking a deep breath and tearing the seal.

Olivia,

I'm sorry, truly sorry that you had to find out this way. I would have told you years ago but it wasn't safe. It still isn't safe. But you had to know. I have to keep you safe. And no it isn't the bond talking. I do love you. I've loved you since the moment Eva told me that I was going to be your godmother. No matter who your parents were, you would have never gone to an orphanage, it was my honor to take you in and raise you into the fine young woman you have become. You are the daughter I never had and nothing could change that. I would never betray you, my dear, I love you like my own. And it is because of my love for you that I must tell you this. You cannot come home for the holidays. Our company is back and it is not safe for you here. I apologize for this, but I can' t willingly put you in an unsafe situation. Happy Christmas. We love you very much.

All my love,

Narcissa

Tears drip onto the letter and I try in vain to stop them from flowing down my cheeks. I guess I'm not welcome for Christmas. At least I know that she loves me, or at least she thinks she does. To be honest I'm on the fence about the whole thing. I don't know who or what to believe anymore.

"Hey," A voice says. "What's wrong?" I look up and see Fred standing above me, concern written all over his features. In the time I've been avoiding my friends the one person I haven't been avoiding is Fred. Being mutilated by a teacher together will do that to a person. We've spent time together studying in the empty classroom by McGonagall's room almost every week since I found out about my family. He actually doesn't suck as a person now that I've gotten to know him better.

"Nothing," I reply, wiping the tears away hastily. "What's up?"

"Bullshit, Olivia," He replies sitting down next to me. "Tell me." I sigh and turn toward him on the bench.

"I'm not allowed home for Christmas, I just got the letter telling me I can't go home," I say, sadly.

"No way," He says, voice dripping with disbelief. "That's horrible, I'm so sorry."

"It's fine I guess," I reply. "I'll just spend Christmas here."

"Oh no you won't," Fred looks at me with a smirk. "My mother would have my head if she knew I was letting a friend spend Christmas by themself. Come to the burrow for the holidays. Mum won't mind." I perk up at his words.

"Seriously?" I ask incredulously. "Are you sure she won't mind a Malfoy in her home?"

"Seriously," He replies, smiling at me. "She'll welcome the extra company." Without thinking I throw my arms around him, wrapping him in a hug. He stiffens for a second before wrapping his arms around me in return.

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