Persephone Black

Chapter One: The Visitors

It was the sound of her cousin which woke Persephone from her slumber. An annoying and drawling voice which she tried to block out with her pillows. Eleven years had passed at the Malfoy Manor, and while the exterior still bore the same daunting image, within the walls, both children had grown to create light in the dark halls. Photographs hung on the walls, each containing the same four people. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy had hardly changed in the years, their blonde hair still shone, and it seemed to have been passed to their son, Draco. His sleek hair blended with his pale, pointed face, one that was becoming quite handsome as he grew, and to his left was always the same girl. The only person in the photographs who did not share the same blonde hair, no, she had dark hair and pale features with brilliant green eyes. Persephone had grown into a beauty, and something that her uncle and cousin swore to protect.

Draco had severely injured one of his friends for chasing Persephone around the yard, trying to kiss her. While he was punished for the harm caused, Lucius praised the behavior, and Narcissa coddled Draco for protecting his cousin.

In many of the photographs, Persephone was seen sitting with a book in her lap, her aunt's hands laying gently on her shoulders. Narcissa had taught her children from a young age about the necessary skills to survive in the muggle and wizarding world. Reading had become a favorite of Persephone's, and she was encouraged by her aunt, and was found many times curled into her lap with a thick book under her nose.

The few photographs of Lucius and Persephone were candid shots. Portrait photos never depicted Lucius alone with his niece. However, one photograph hung in Lucius' office illustrating a seven-year-old Persephone holding onto her uncle's hand as she flipped a coin into a large wishing well several miles away near the forest. The look of glee on the little girl's face radiated to her uncle, who was rarely seen smiling in photographs. The other photo sat in Persephone's room and was taken several months ago during her eleventh birthday. An enthusiastic looking Persephone was kissing her uncle's cheek as she clutched a large book in her arms labeled Hogwarts: A History. The same book lay on her bedside table, and Draco now used it to whack his cousin in the arm, waking her up instantly.

"Draco! I'm gonna kill you!" Persephone growled.

Draco shrieked, running from the room and down into the safety of the dining room. Huffing, Persephone dressed herself casually, pulling on a black skirt, socks, and a white button up with a black bow near the collar. She brushed her hair, and when satisfied, made her way down the stairs.

"What's all this about killing your cousin?" Narcissa asked as Persephone sat at the table, grabbing some toast.

"He hit me with my book, Aunt Cissa."

"Draco!" she then hissed at her son.

"What? You told me to wake her up. Where's father?" he said, changing the subject harshly.

"At work."

"It's Sunday!" Draco protested.

"He'll be home soon, Draco, he had something to deal with."

"Does it have to do with Persephone's letter?"

Narcissa eyed her niece before answering, "yes."

Yesterday an owl had arrived for Draco, bearing his Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry acceptance letter; Persephone had not received one of her own. The Malfoy's had assumed this was a mistake; however, after contacting the headmaster, they learned she was not on the list. The news had sent the Malfoy's into a frenzy, and had broken Persephone's heart, as she had been looking forward to attending Hogwarts from a young age.