ᴛᴇᴀʀ ᴍᴇ ᴀᴘᴀʀᴛ [D.Malfoy, 18+]

VI: Dear Diana,

July 10th, 1996

Dear Diana,

I'm in Bulgaria today. Mother needed time away and the sunshine has been rejuvenating for her. Though when the sun goes down, she gets scared, anxious even. As if somethings going to come out of the dark and swallow her whole. I'm worried for her but I don't show her that. She needs someone strong since father failed to do so; so I will.

I'm glad your injuries weren't severe and that you're healing. And yes, there are still tinges of red in my hair (no thanks to your brother and Weasley) and no, I will not be keeping it.

I wish you could see Bulgaria. It's beautiful and the countryside is quiet. You'd love it here. Perhaps I can steal you away one summer and we can vacation in my summer home. Of course it'd be just us.

I'm not too sure how long we will be here but I'll send you an owl should I come home sooner than expected. I want to be home soon, I want to see you.

Yours,
Draco

PS. Should I bring a dragon egg home? We could raise it!

July 27th, 1996

Dear Diana,

I still haven't forgotten about my promise to take you to the Menagerie. What was it you were looking for again? A new cat? Or was it a new rat? Regardless, I should be heading home soon and I'll take you as soon as I get back.

My mother has been doing better though she's been having more nightmares as of late. It's worrisome but I took your advice and made her some chamomile tea. She slept peacefully for the first time in several days.

She'd love you, Diana, she really would. I wish you could meet her.

How are your summer lessons going? It still surprises me that you're doing that since you seem to excel in most of your classes – with the exception of potions, of course. Is Arlo dragging you back? Should I knock some sense into him?

Hope to hear from you soon,

Yours always,
Draco

August 8th, 1996

Dear Diana,

I wish to be home.

My mother had some visitors today and I thought I heard them talking about me. It's probably from my lack of sleep. When I get back, do you mind if I stay a few days with you?

Yours,
Draco

August 20th, 1996

Diana,

I hope you receive this letter quickly.

I've read in the Prophet that there have been attacks throughout Diagon Alley. There's also word that some Muggles have been attacked.

Are you okay? Is your family safe?

Please write to me.

Be safe out there – at least for me.

Draco

August 27th, 1996

Diantha,

There's something I need to talk to you about.

I'll be returning to the Manor within the next week, let's meet.

Draco

    August 31st, 1996

It'd been a few days since she received Draco's last letter. The past few correspondences had been short and brief; not like how they were before. Diantha chewed her bottom lip, rereading the same sentences for what seemed like the millionth time. What had he planned on telling her? Why hadn't he contacted her? Was he safe?

The kitchen door swung open, a ruckus of noise surprising her as she quickly folded the letter and hid it underneath her plate. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Arlo strolled in, the boys sharing a tussle as Hermione glided over towards her before taking a seat across from her. "Boys." She muttered, rolling her eyes and reaching for a pair of tongs to serve herself some salad.

They had been staying at Sirius's house for the past week in preparation to leave for Hogwarts but also to keep the remainder of the Order members safe. There had been several attacks within Hogsmead, Diagon Alley, and even in the Muggle world. Diantha worried daily for her father who continuously went to work regardless of the danger.

Arlo took a seat beside her, shooting her a slight smile before throwing a napkin towards Ron's face. She was happy to see her twin mingling finally with Ron and Harry and most importantly, she was happy to see him at ease. "Did any letters come for me?" She asked, holding onto the small hope that Draco had sent her something – anything.

Her twin shook his head but not before shooting a fleeting glance towards Harry. Diantha frowned, noticing how silent the table had gotten. She looked towards Hermione who gave her a sheepish smile before looking down at her plate and playing around with the lettuce. Harry and Ron were both attempting to look anywhere but at her as she sighed. "Did I miss something?"

After a few awkward seconds, Arlo finally sighed. "It's nothing, Diantha. Have you tried this halibut? It's fantastic." He quickly shoved the fried fish into his mouth before sliding another piece onto her plate. "I've got to get this recipe–"

"Will you just tell me what's going on?" Diantha interjected, elbowing her twin in the side. Arlo coughed, catching his unchewed food into a napkin. He took one last glance towards Harry before clearing his throat and turning to face her slightly.

"You know how we were at Diagon Alley yesterday?" Diantha nodded slowly, remembering their last minute excursion, "well, when you went off with mum, Harry spotted....Malfoy."

Diantha's eyebrows furrowed together as she continued to listen to her brother.

"We decided to follow him and we ended up at Borgin and Burkes."

"I'm sure he was there for business–" she stammered.

"Oh, he was there for business alright." Ron interjected, only silencing when Hermione slapped his shoulder, "--sorry..."

Arlo shot Ron a look. "What he means is, Malfoy wasn't alone when we saw him. His mother was with him and–" Arlo's face twisted uncomfortably, "--some Death Eaters."

Diantha's blood ran cold. Death eaters? Draco? "N-no, you must've seen someone else. There's no way Draco would—"

"It was definitely him, Diantha. We all saw him." Hermione said, quietly. The burnette's gaze looked sadly towards her. If there was one person in the world who wouldn't lie to her, it would be Hermione.

But by the heavens, she wished she would.

"I...I don't understand.." The words meekly left Diantha's lips. Her whole body had turned numb and a stubborn ringing had begun to gnaw its ways into her thoughts. "He...he would never...not after what happened at the Ministry...right?"

She desperately turned towards her friends who all shamelessly turned their heads from her. Desperately, she reached out to her brother and grasped the sleeve of his jacket. "He wouldn't do that to me right, Arlo?"

And for the first time, her brother didn't reassure her. Only silence met her pleas. In the distance, she could hear Molly's voice call for them but Diantha didn't know if this paralyzing feeling of panic would ever leave her. She felt Arlo clasp her hands in his and give them a slight squeeze before dropping them into her cold lap.

"I'm sorry, Diantha...but we knew this would happen."

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a/n: :)