Death Eaters Daughter Part Two

Two Hundred Thirty One

I didn't go back to Romania, I wanted to fly on Cor but being next to my dad right now took importance for me
We didn't stay at the burrow, we went back to Sirius' house for the last few days we had together
Tomorrow I would be going back to Hogwarts
The full moon would arrive when I got back

He showed me Sirius' old room, it was filled with Muggle bands and Gryffindor decor
His defiance was truly inspiring
I saw a sweater laying on his bed, I picked it up and brought it my face
I held it tightly, he was my age wearing these clothes
"That was his favorite sweater. He showed me it again when we were here together, he wanted me to see his old room. We didn't stay here, no one ever went into his old room not even his house elf Kreacher. Did you know he left a will?"

I shook my head no

"He left the house in my name, he wanted us to have a safe place to call home" metallic formed in my mouth, I hugged my dad from his side "I'm sorry"

"I forgive you" I learned to not say it was ok, because it wasn't. The way we treated one another was far from good. I learned to forgive him in place of that

"He left you a third of his wealth. When he passed, the three parts of his bank got divided into your account, my account and Harry's"
I wasn't sure how much Draco had placed in mine, but with his and Sirius' I can't even imagine what the amount is now "he also left you his room. Whatever is in here that you want, you can take"

I put the sweater on, it was engraved with his last name and I swear it smelt like him even after all those years of it just laying around
Sweet like vanilla, woodsy like oud wood
"Will you write to me if I write to you?" I asked him solemnly

"I'm sorry again" he was always apologizing these days "I deserve your skepticism on lettering me. I promise I will be there for you from now until my last breath"

"I don't want to think about you having a last breath"

"Death comes for all of us one day sweetheart" he seemed bonded with the nickname Sirius used to give me "we greet death like an old friend, it's really quiet poetic. The ones we love never truly leave us, we feel them everywhere we go"
I nodded my head and let him hold me in a room that meant so much to both of us

My dad brought me to Kings Crossing, he knew how important it was for me to be brought here by him.
I grew up watching families give their children affection before sending them off, I craved it so deeply
My dad made sure to hold me tightly before letting me walk onto the platform with my friends who were escorted by Arthur Weasley
When we found a compartment I looked out the window and he was there waving to me, I waved back with a smile my face didn't recognize

The train ride back was more enjoyable now that I wasn't worried over my dad
I didn't realize it before but I craved affection more than I let myself believe. Growing up with no signs of love, made me dependent on those who showed it to me.
I thought about Nico on the train, I thought of how I fell so fast for him
Did I love him as deeply as I thought I did?
Was I so desperate for love I found it with anyone who showed me a sign of kindness?
Not to belittle my feelings for him, I truly felt he was one of the most memorable guys I had the pleasure of knowing
But even with Fred, the first one to make me smile I don't think I was truly head over heels for him
The only person I know for a honest truth I loved with every part of my being was Draco
No matter what happened he was on my side, he never let me fall
Even now, when I can't be anywhere near him he's still protecting me
I don't have to like what it's doing to us for me to respect his dedication to my well being

I let myself cuddle into Harry for majority of the ride, he defended me when my dad was attacking my character. Harry cares deeper than the rest of my friend group, he is willing to go against everyone for what is right. No one else wanted to step into our fight but he showed true loyalty to me in that moment.

I had to change soon, I didn't want to take off Sirius' sweater but we had to arrive in uniform
I reached up to get my uniform bag, Ron noticed it and used his height to get it for me instead
Everyone seems to be acting nicer to me now, letting myself be vulnerable in front of my friends made them realize I hold onto a lot of feelings that I don't let show
I want to feel open with them, that's how I plan to be from now on

I opened my compartment door, Ron followed me to the bathrooms to get changed
He let me go in first
I looked at the mirror and really took the time to notice my features
I remember a time when I was all bones
Now I have curves that have come with age, being almost 17
The way my uniform fit was more snug around my legs and chest
I started to like the way I looked, I noticed things that others have told me
Like my hair is soft and healthy, the length being middle of my back
My eyes were a bright blue, the contrast from my dark hair brought them out
I had long lean legs, my chest was protruding and my bottom was toned from my quidditch games
I was starting to feel kind of full of myself, how have I never seen my true beauty
A knock on the door brought me back to reality
"Are you ok?" Ron asked

I opened the door
"Yeah I'm sorry I was ehm...admiring myself"

Ron's cheeks brightened
"Well you are beautiful"
I knew he meant this in a sibling way, but hearing him tell me something sweet brought me more joy
Almost enough to forget about someone who's showing me nothing
Ron closed the door and left me in the hallway, smiling with my thoughts

That was until the love of my life walked towards me
His emotions were turned off, I couldn't enter his mind
That's weird
It seemed that he learned occlumency, something I knew Snape was an expert on
I didn't want to imagine it was to keep me out of his mind, but seeing that he knew I was an emotion reader it felt kind of personal
He walked up to me, his face showed nothing for me
The shell of someone I once knew

"What are you looking at Lupin?" He said in a manor I've never heard him use against me

I wanted him to hold me, I wanted to feel his warmth for me
But behind him was Blaise Crabbe and Goyle
I wanted to believe he was putting on a face for them

"I suppose nothing" I said back

"Cora, you do that uniform justice. No one else looks as...tempting as you do" Blaise purred at me
I kept contact with him, but in the corner of my eye I watched for Draco to react like he did in potions class
He didn't say anything
I pushed back the way that made me feel

"Shove off" I said to him

"What's more tempting, your body or your mouth" he said biting his lip "the night I spent with you is something I relive when I'm alone in bed" he went closer to my face
Was he looking for my reaction or trying to egg Draco on

I shoved him away from me
"You're disgusting. If I could go back I would have just beat the shit out of you instead of let any part of you touch me"

"I'm here now, beat the shit out of me" he was back to being in my face
Draco still showed no reaction, but I noticed his two best friends had their fist clenched

"As you wish" I said smirking