𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕀 ~ ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕪 ℙ𝕠𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣

~ ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕦𝕖 ~

It was a warm summer morning outside the Malfoy Manor, the sun had fully risen, and the majority of the occupants had awoken from their slumber. Well, everyone except for Lilabeth Malfoy, that is. The blonde-haired, grey-eyed girl shifted in her bed, muttering incoherently as her eyes remained shut. The sound of quick-paced footsteps came from down the hall, and without warning, the door to her room burst open.

"Lila, get out of bed!" The bitter and harsh voice of her brother Draco snarled. But surprisingly, Lilabeth continued to sleep as if he had not burst in yelling. Draco exhaled a quivering breath, having no choice but to shake her awake. If words couldn't do the job properly, then this surely would. "Come on! Come on!" He muttered, both hands shaking at the right side of her waist.

Five or so shakes later, the girl's eyes began to flutter open, and she barely had time to adjust to her surroundings when she felt the harsh shakes. "Okay okay, I'm up!" She groaned. At her words, Draco stopped and walked out, mumbling under his breath as he went down the hall, probably saying something along the lines of "Why couldn't I have been born an only child?"

Since birth, Draco and Lilabeth did NOT get along well. They would be constantly bickering about the littlest of things, whether it was who took the last piece of food at breakfast or which twin took what book from the library the other wanted to read. The only time they ever got along was when their parents forced them to whenever there was important business. Being the son and the heir of the family, it was no wonder why Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy focused practically all their attention on Draco.

Lilabeth tried to prove herself to her parents on multiple occasions, trying to copy the traditions and ways of a Malfoy, but her efforts went unnoticed, and her parents continued to look down on her. They didn't have to say anything, but the cold looks on their faces just proved to the eleven-year-old that her parents saw her as nothing but a disappointment.

After changing into appropriate clothing, Lilabeth walked down the hall, her pace becoming increasingly faster, her blonde curls bouncing at her shoulders. As she rounded a corner, she heard the sounds of banging and faint grunts. And as she got closer, she saw Dobby, a house-elf and servant to the Malfoys, banging his head against the wall.

"Dobby?" She spoke up, getting his attention. "A-ah, Ms. Lilabeth..." he stuttered, one hand going to the top of his head. The girl stooped down a few inches away from him, meeting his gaze. "Punishing yourself again?" She asked softly, her voice sounding smoother than fine silk. Dobby could only give a slight nod before feeling tears well up in his eyes. Lilabeth extended her arms out and lightly hugged him, hoping to cheer him up.

For as long as he served the Malfoys, Dobby was constantly abused and told to punish himself whenever he did something disagreeable to them. His only friend in the Manor was Lilabeth, who did her best to make his days even the faintest bit brighter. "Dobby dropped cups of tea on the floor. Master was very angry!" He explained. "I'm sure you didn't do it on purpose," Lilabeth whispered, her hand gently resting on the side of Dobby's face.

"I'll sneak you something to eat after breakfast. Will that help you feel a bit better?" Dobby gave a slight nod before thanking her for her kindness. Finally, she reached the dining hall where her father, mother, and twin brother sat, all of them looking at her disapprovingly. "About time you arrived!" Draco hissed as she took a seat at the other side of the table. The family then began to eat their breakfast, which was getting colder by the seconds. The disapproving looks continued in Lilabeth's direction, and as much as she was tempted, she resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Your letters from Hogwarts should be coming in today," Lucius stated, breaking the silence at the table. Lilabeth's eyes beamed at the thought of attending Hogwarts. When all her attempts at proving herself failed, she held hope that when the time came to attend Hogwarts, she would prove her loyalty to the house of Slytherin, and her family would finally give her the love and appreciation she deserved. A few moments after, Dobby walked into the dining room, carrying two envelopes in his right hand. "Master! Dobby has two letters for you!" he spoke up, handing them to Lucius who snatched them away, giving Dobby a minor paper cut.

"You may go," The Malfoy commanded, making the house-elf shudder before listening to his master's words. With a black-gloved hand, Lucius passed the envelopes to the twins who carefully peeled the red wax seal off and pulled out the letters. Lilabeth carefully unfolded hers, smoothing it out on the dark oaked table before reading.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed of Wizards)

Dear Miss Malfoy,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Students will be required to report to the Chamber of Reception upon arrival. Please find an enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. To avoid detection by Muggles, please use the entrance located at Kings Cross Station, Downtown London, on Platform 9 3/4. We look forward to having you at our school.

Your Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Lilabeth could feel her body begin to tremble with excitement, and she tried her absolute best to hide it. But even then, she felt the corners of her lips tilt up. "Well then, we'll have to take you to Diagon Alley for supplies next week," Lucius said, his words specifically focused on his son. Lilabeth scoffed lightly to herself as she looked down at her letter from Hogwarts again, imagining herself at the school, getting the recognition she had been striving for after so many years in her brother's shadow. I'm not a disappointment! And when I finally prove my worth, Mum, Dad, and golden boy will be sorry they ever doubted me!