𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐲 | 𝐝.𝐦.

thirty one

Betty might have remained there longer than she should, squatting in the corner of the hallway, right next to the door of Draco's bedroom.

If at any time, he decides to step out of his room, for whatever reason, he would see her, weeping mournfully by his door.

Maybe that's why she had decided to stay there a little. A small part of her wishes that the young boy would leave his room, ears perking up at the sound of her soft weeping from the inside of his room, and find her frozen by the door.

But he doesn't.

So she tells herself that the reason she is still dallying in the manor, outside of his room, is because she is too weary to walk aimlessly, too afraid to bump into the Death Eaters outside, and most of all, she has nowhere to go.

She is sure, by this time, that Hermione and Ron would have divulged the rest of her friends about Betty's disloyalty. And they would eschew her if she returned to school so early.

Her house had been burnt down ages ago, so she has no home either, other than the prison cell in this very manor -

"Betty?"

She raises her head, wipes her crystal-stained cheeks and rise to her feet, ignoring the quaver of her worn-out legs.

Narcissa saunters towards her, hastens her speed anxiously when she notices the girl's sniffles and imprudent movements of wiping her face - undoubtedly wiping her tears as can be observed from her red eyes.

"Oh, my dear. Why are you crying?" the kind woman asks, unexpectedly bringing Betty into her arms and patting her hair warmly.

Betty is startled by the gesture, but she doesn't pull away, realising she needs the hug tremendously. Neither does she wrap her arms around the woman though, considering how the mistress of the household is still a stranger to her.

She tries to withhold her tears, god forbid she stains Narcissa's undoubtedly pricey dress.

"And what are you doing here?" she asks, still rubbing the girl's head thoughtfully. "Outside Draco's room. You are aware this is his room, aren't you?"

Betty tears herself away, glances fleetingly at the room before shaking her head and smoothing down her robe. "No," she lies, "I'm sorry. I got lost - didn't intend on stumbling into this floor."

"Oh, nothing to apologise about.You haven't seen my boy then?" The mother does not seem convinced.

"Not around this manor, no," Betty lies feebly, earning her a curious brow from the older woman.

"He's not in his room?" Narcissa probes further, pointing certainly at the door.

Betty shakes her head, hoping the mother might believe her or at least feign her belief. She really didn't want to see the boy so soon after their dispute, not in the presence of his mother at least.

To her relief, Narcissa, though dubiously, says, "Oh, alright. Doesn't matter as I came looking for you anyway. I'll check on my boy later."

"Looking for me?"

"Of course, Betty," the woman nods, "Why the surprise? Your family's being set free. You should be happy instead of bearing that long face."

Betty blinks, thinking she's misheard the woman. "I'm sorry, Narcissa... I don't understand. I haven't done - "

Narcissa, looking quite irritated now, cuts her off, "Well, you've done your part in the task, haven't you? Draco's spoken to the Dark Lord - mentioned that you two have been working together. The Dark Lord doesn't scorn alliance's being made, as long as you two've accomplished your task so he's made your father stick to his promise - he's setting you and your family free."