I Kneel Before No One | Harry Potter

T W E L V E

A week had passed, and Evanora searched the manor from top to bottom, inside and out, but couldn't find anything that could lead to her uncle and aunt.

She sat at the table having breakfast.

"Aramis, am I allowed in their rooms?"

"Your mother, uncle, and aunt's room? Of course, there's not a spell keeping you out of them, my lady."

She pushed herself up from her chair, making her way to her aunt's room.

Evanora had never thought to check their rooms. She didn't want to intrude on their things, and she just assumed the clue would never be there.

She stood at her aunt's door, turned the knob, slowly creaking the door open.

"It's beautiful and oddly filled with paintings. Who knew?" Evanora asked herself.

She studied each painting, and she had to say her aunt was an artist. She could barely draw a hand correctly, and here was Tzeitel drawing the most detailed backgrounds and people she'd ever seen.

As she continued looking at the paintings, she realized each one had dates on them—dates from times her aunt was missing.

Evanora smiled. "She painted the future!"

She found one with her in it; she was looking at a painting whose date said July 10, 1994, today's date.

She went back to the painting she saw earlier. Her aunt was on the left, her uncle on the right, and a woman in the middle. She had beautiful, dark chocolate hair and hazel eyes.

She hadn't seen that woman anywhere else in the manor.

"Aramis, who's this lady?"

"That would be Athena Rosier, Tzeitel, and Islwyn's best friend. She's been to the manor quite a few times during their time at Hogwarts."

"I wonder where she's at now."

"I'm sure if you're supposed to meet her, fate will have its way, my lady."

"Yes, you're right, Aramis. I shouldn't dwell on it too much. If I'm to meet her, fate will have to take its course."

She and Aramis walked out of Tzeitel's room. She was lost in her thoughts. Athena Rosier could very well be the person who knows where they are.

+++

The following week, there was an owl on the ledge waiting for her.

"What a beautiful owl." She opened the window, letting the owl in. "What have you got for me?"

She took the letter from its beak and gave him a few slices of fruit.

To: Evanora Emrys-Black

I'd love it if we could talk, Evanora. I had always wondered what happened to you. You were the mystery no one knew the answer to.

I'll be at Sugarplum's Sweet Shop tomorrow at noon if you want to talk.

Narcissa Malfoy, née Black

"Suppose it's time I meet my godmother after all these years." She grabbed a parchment and quill.

To: Narcissa Malfoy, née Black

It would be my pleasure to attend. I will see you soon.

Evanora Emrys-Black

Evanora folded the parchment and handed it off to the owl. "Safe travels." She told him, letting him fly back to his home.

Evanora then went outside to check on Tanzanite, whom she had been letting be his regular size. She wanted him to stretch and not make himself smaller just to be by her.

Now that they were at the manor, he could fly around all he wanted on the grounds.

"Tanzanite, we're due for tea tomorrow with Narcissa Malfoy."

"The brat's mother?"

"Yes, Draco's mother. I always imagined he'd act more like the Blacks. Strong, intelligent, independent, and ruthless, but instead, he's just a daddy's boy who whines."

He was bound to grow out of it eventually.

+++

Narcissa sat alone, waiting for Evanora. She checked her watch; it was 11:58.

She had been doing that quite a lot today—checking her watch, almost every few seconds. Narcissa was nervous, and she couldn't help but let them get the best of her.

She was nervous to meet Evanora. Draco had told them about her, the girl who came out of nowhere.

The girl with the mysterious family had disappeared into thin air, and Narcissa thought Evanora had done just the same.

The Emrys were always a weird family, possessing abilities no other family could even imagine.

Their secrets would become your secrets, and once you learned them, you'd know why they were so secretive. As a family, they could take over the world if they wanted to.

The clock turned 11:59.

The door opened to Sugarplum's Sweet Shop. Entering was a girl with caramel skin, brown hair, and light brown eyes. A purple dragon sat on her shoulder.

"Nice to see you in person, Narcissa." Evanora took the seat across from her.

"Hello Evanora." A few tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. "I'm glad you came. I want to formally meet after all these years. I had no clue you were in Azkaban."

"Yes, it seems no one did, thanks to that joke of a headmaster."

"Dumbledore put you in Azkaban? For what?"

"Because he's a bitter old man since he didn't get to marry his love, Grindelwald."

"I'm truly sorry you had to experience that, Evanora. If I-

"Don't blame yourself, Narcissa. I'm sure you're going through a lot with your son and husband. I do have a question: Do you know who Athena Rosier is?"

"Athena?" She smiled to herself. "I haven't heard that name in quite some time, but I do. She was friends with your aunt and uncle on your mother's side, of course. She was a very strong witch. I can't say I know what happened to her; however, no one knows. There was a theory she gave up on being a witch and went to be normal. Why do you ask?"

"I'm trying to find my family. That's all."

"Well, if you need anything, just let me know. I can see if anyone knows her whereabouts and get back to you. Now, how about we get some tea and cauldron cake?"

"I'd love to."