Two Sides of the Serpent // Draco Malfoy

Chapter One: A Darkened Welcome

My name is Evelyn Ashthorn. I am only child, born into the cold, sinister embrace of the Ashthorn family. My tale is one of secrets, curiosity, family ties, and the endless pull of destiny.

The Ashthorn family has always remained surrounded in mystery, our roots sinking deep into the blackest chapters of wizarding history. But it's the malevolent connections we maintained with those who once served the Dark Lord that cast the longest and most sinister shadows over my life. My father, Octavius Ashthorn, a man of power and ambition, was once a devoted Death Eater, standing by the side of the infamous Lucius Malfoy during the darkest days of our wizarding world. Those days are now etched into my soul, haunting memories, their scars like festering wounds.

Yet, the most chilling twist in my tale is my childhood friendship with Draco Malfoy, heir to the infamous Malfoy family's fortune, a name whispered with respect among pure-bloods. In our early years, Draco and I were inseparable, exploring the mysterious corners in Malfoy Manor, casting spells under the watchful eyes of our parents. But life at Hogwarts began to pull us apart, like puppets being manipulated by an unseen hand.

As we wore our robes and ventured into the halls of our school, the bonds that once united us began to unravel. Draco naturally fit in better within the Slytherin elite, while I found comfort in the maze like depths of the library. Yet, even as we grew distant, the ghost of our fathers' past clung to us like an cloud, threatening to unleash a storm that could consume us both.

As the wizarding world shook once more after the Tri-Wizard Tournament, the return of the Dark Lord stretched its sinister fingers, casting foreboding shadows across our lives. The whispers of a evil force on the rise send shivers through the hearts of every witch and wizard who still bears the haunting memories of past horrors.

It's in these treacherous times that my tale starts. A story of concealed truths, unwavering loyalty, and the decisions that molded our destinies when confronted by the ominous echoes of our own past.

My room was covered in the soft, flickering light. It had intricate patterns upon the emerald and black walls adorned with tapestries bearing our family's crest. Ashthorn Manor was a mansion steeped in wealth and melancholy, was a tomb of secrets spanning over centuries. It stood as the ancestral home of my family, a lineage steeped in the dark arts.

Sat in an arm chair, my fingers traced the detailed designs etched into the armrests. My fiery-red hair cascaded down my back and was glowing from the fireplace.

A faint knock echoed through the room, breaking the semi-peaceful atmosphere. My mother, Selene Ashthorn, appeared in the doorway, a commanding presence that demanded attention. Her dark eyes bore into mine, carrying the weight of urgency and unspoken expectations.

"It's time, Evelyn," she uttered, her voice a whisper thick with authority. "The Malfoys have arrived. Come downstairs."

I nodded in response, my fingers pausing briefly on the armrest before I rose from the chair concealing my tumultuous swirl of emotions. As I walked down the dimly lit hallways of the manor, my thoughts mirrored the maze of complexity of the situation I find myself in. The alliance created between our families during the reign of Lord Voldemort had not only bound us to the Malfoy's but had also woven our destinies more deeply into the ominous fabric of those turbulent years.

Descending the grand staircase, I entered a room where my father stood in conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. Lucius, the family's patriarch, radiated an air of aristocratic detachment, his silver hair shimmering softly. Narcissa, elegant and poised, draped herself in a veneer of icy grace.

Standing slightly apart from the adults was Draco. His platinum-blond hair was immaculately styled and his gray eyes concealed a burden that spoke profoundly.