ᴛᴇᴀʀ ᴍᴇ ᴀᴘᴀʀᴛ [D.Malfoy, 18+]

V: The Fifth Year

July 24th, 1995

     "Are you sure this is the place, mom? Granted, blending in with muggles is a good coverup."

"Be quiet, Arlo." Diantha muttered, nudging her brother in the side as a Muggle couple walked past them on the sidewalk. Their curious glances didn't go unnoticed as Diantha shifted uncomfortably in her stance. She took a step closer to her mother who was preoccupied with the cracks in the sidewalk.

"I think Remus said it was this one." Gisella mumbled. Her mother smiled at her before making sure the vicinity was clear before brandishing her wand and tapping a section of  the cracked sidewalk.

Immediately, the large apartment complex in front of them began to rumble before separating all together and forming a new entry right in the middle. None of the muggles seemed to notice the new addition as Arlo let out a whistle of approval.

"Nice. Now this is what I call a secret hideaway." Diantha sighed, just as he nudged her shoulder with eyebrows wagging. "But what are we doing here again?"

The two followed after their mother who silenced them with a single wave of her hand. She stood on the top stair, taking a thorough glance around her before gently wrapping her fingers around the silver serpentine knocker. She knocked twice, a second long pause in between, before taking a step back. Diantha and Arlo exchanged a glance, curious on what exactly waited for them inside. Their mother had mentioned briefly that they would be meeting Sirius and Remus but Diantha was unsure of their current location.

Slowly, the door opened on its own, welcoming them into a dark, dim, and narrow hallway. "Quickly, now." Gisella ushered them inside, Arlo pushing Diantha to lead the way. She scowled at her cowardly brother who masked his fear with a lopsided grin.

Upon entering, the door closed quietly behind them and dim candles began to illuminate their path. Their footsteps were muffled against the dusty carpet as Diantha glanced at the numerous portraits that lined the walls. The contents of the portraits were hidden under what seemed like five layers of dust and the wallpaper behind them was chipped and peeling at every fray. Above them, a cobwebbed filled chandelier swung languidly.

"How much do you wanna bet someone died in this place?" Arlo whispered, standing so close behind her that his shoes would catch her heel.

"Hm, how about a whole new outfit from Gladrags?" Diantha questioned, grinning at the thought of a new outfit before term.

"You're on." They shook hands briefly before Arlo clapped both hands on her shoulders. "This is gonna be so easy. You know, I've been eyeing the new Quidditch jumpers they have but it's fairly pricey if you know what I–"

"HALF BREEDS! HALF BREEDS!"

Arlo and Diantha both nearly jumped out of their skin from the startling screeched words, Arlo emitting a shriek so high it could contest a dolphin. She could feel her heart beating rapidly, threatening to burst from her chest as she placed a trembling hand over it to calm herself. Only portraits surrounded them fueling their panicked confusion.

"What the hell was that?!" Arlo shouted, digging his fingers into Diantha's shoulders and peering over her sister's shoulder. Diantha, slightly calmer now, drew out her wand and held it out in front of her.

"Let's calm down now. Diantha, there's no need for your wand." Gisella smiled at her children, holding in her laughter at the sight of her twins. She patted Diantha's arm reassuringly and tapped Arlo on the cheek twice. "It's just a portrait, see?"

The nearby candlelights swelled revealing a rather large portrait of an older woman. She was dressed in Victorian clothing, her raven hair bundled up in a tight bun, and utter distaste etched on her porcelain features. Her lips were pressed in a frown, her slanted gaze eyeing the twins. Gisella stepped in front of them, motioning up to the portrait.