We're in this Together. ✷ Fred Weasley✷

Ch. 2 The Malfoy's

After receiving my Hogwarts letter, and my "discussion" with my uncle, I went back to my bedroom, and sat in the emerald green arm chair's that sat in front of my large window, overlooking the neatly trimmed hedge, rain was pattering against the glass as my hand reached up to the back of my head, I gently massaged the back of my scalp with my fingers, in an attempt to get rid of the stinging sensation I was feeling. There was a knock on my door before it was tentatively opened and my Aunty Narcissa poked her head in.

"How'd it go?" She questioned quietly.

"Fine," I stated, not even bothering to look at her, my eyes remained trained out the window, watching the raindrops race each other down the glass and onto the stone window sill. I didn't like being short with her, in fact, she was the only person in this house that regularly checked in on me, but my head was still reeling from the conversation that took place in my uncle's office moments ago. She sighed and walked in closing the door behind her, I could hear her heels clicking against the marble floors, indicating she was walking towards me, she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, I unintentionally flinched at the soft contact. I could hear her inhale sharply, as she released her light grip on my shoulder, as she walked around to the other armchair that was next to the one I was sitting in.

"Look at me..." she demanded lightly, I knew she wouldn't force me to do anything I wouldn't want while we were alone, so I kept looking forward in hopes of avoiding her guilt-filled gaze.

"Asteria..." she said softly reaching over and gently taking my hand that was hanging over the arm of the chair, "I know, he's done something. That's the only reason you won't look at me." I sighed and looked down on my lap before slowly meeting her eyes. She looked at me for a moment her hand slowly reaching to tilt my chin in different directions.

"I can already see the bruises forming." She stated, "What did you two talk about?" She asked me in a worried tone.

"There wasn't a great deal of back and forth Aunt Cissy, the conversation was pretty one-sided." As I looked back out the window.

My aunt smiled lightly, as if she were recalling a memory, "you're father used to call me that you know?" I glanced back at her, "As a matter of fact my entire family called me that, with the exception of my parents of course. My sisters, and your father, and uncle, all called me Cissy..." she had a faraway look in her eyes as she said this, it didn't last long however as she pursed her lips and looked me in the eyes. "That's what he wanted to speak to you about, isn't it? Your father? Regulus?"

"Yes. He seems to be under the impression that I will end up like my Uncle Sirius, and my father. A...how did he put it? Ah, yes, a disappointment. I think he fears I won't be in Slytherin, that I won't become a death eater and serve the Dark Lord." I said with a tone of disgust.

"Well, you'll just have to prove him wrong then." She stated smiling slightly.

I took a deep breath in and released it through my nose in a heavy sigh.

"That's the problem, Aunt Narcissa..." I trailed, "I don't think I want to prove him wrong." I began as I took in her expression, trying to gauge her reaction before continuing, "In fact, I think I want to prove him right... I don't necessarily care what house I end up in, but I don't know if I want to follow the Dark Lord. I don't think that's what my father would have wanted for me...I think he would have wanted me to make my own choices like he tried to do..." I trailed off. It was her turn to sigh, a small frown pulling on her lips,

"I think your father would have wanted you to live Asteria. He would have wanted you alive, and turning your back on the Dark Lord, like he did, like Sirius did, like...like Andromeda, that is a death wish. He would have wanted you safe. Becoming a death eater is the only way to guarantee your safety." She stated firmly.