Escaping Darkness || Theodore Nott

6

When the Malfoys got back to their Manor, it was dinner time and Pandora was exhausted. She went up to her room and let Lotus out of her cage. Her snake immediately curled up around her neck, which was Lotus' favorite way to be with her.

Pandora went downstairs again to see if dinner was ready yet. She didn't find anything in the dining room, and there was no trace of Dobby, so she went back up to look at her new school supplies.

Draco had ended up getting a broom, but it had been Lucius's idea. Pandora had also been given one, although only because Narcissa commented that Bellatrix would be quite unhappy to hear Pandora wasn't being gifted the same things her cousin was. They both had Comet 260s now, and Lucius had agreed to teach them first thing the next day.

The other things Pandora had in the pile in her room were:
- her books
- a set of quills and inkwells
- her wand with its intricate case
- 10 robes, all with a slight green shimmer to them
- a pointed black hat, the winter coat
- protective gloves for herbology
- a portable cage for Lotus
- a small cauldron
- measuring flasks for potions
- an enchanted sketchbook that never ran out of pages but remained lightweight - an extra present from her aunt

Her new trunk was beside the pile, waiting to be filled. Pandora looked at her calendar. It was still 2 weeks until the school year started, but she figured she might as well pack up her robes, books, and all of the other things she wouldn't need outside of school.

---*---

The next two weeks were hot, and none of Pandora's or Draco's friends were available anymore because they were busy on vacation or shopping. So the cousins stayed inside or played two-person quidditch, which didn't work too well. Draco usually won.

Nevertheless, they went by quicker than expected, and suddenly it was the day before Pandora's trip to Hogwarts. She was just finishing breakfast when her Uncle called her to come into his office. She went there immediately. She hadn't been hit since the Hogwarts letters arrived, and she intended to keep it that way.

When she came into the office, she sat down in front of the desk.

"You wanted to see me, Uncle?"

"Yes. I wanted to speak to you about your meeting with the headmaster."

Pandora had completely forgotten Dumbledore's request to see her after the Sorting Ceremony. Now, thinking about it, she was nervous.

"What about it?"

"Well, I wanted to make sure you don't tell him too much. For instance, if he asks you what you think of your father's actions in the Wizarding War, or if he asks you if you have ever used your ability to see fears against someone. How would you react?"

Pandora thought for a moment.

"I don't know. I honestly forgot about the meeting with Dumbledore. I guess I would ask him if he asks all of the students such personal questions? Maybe I would just lie and say what he thinks is right. Like that my father's views are wrong and that I try to ignore my power as much as possible."

Lucius nodded.

"I think you have the idea, although I don't think it will work to try to lie to him. Sooner or later he will be aware of your opinions. In any case, you should try to answer as few of his questions as possible. You can try to point out the absurdity of the interview, or you could counter his questions with more questions, like you proposed first."