Atlas Malfoy and how history repeats itself

Part 40

Christmas morning is incredible and during the lunch meal, Tonks and I sit and talk over a roast meal. She says, "It really is amazing how easy you transitioned from not using your skills to being able to use them with ease. How is home?"
"Awful." I say, "It's like I'm the guest in my own house. And with Lucius in Azkaban, Bellatrix acts like she owns the place. Mum is too scared to stand up to her really, and all the death eaters act like they're better than me. He who must not be named said that I wasn't valuable enough to have as a death eater, and even though I don't want to be, it still hurts that he would tell everyone I am not good enough."
Tonks nods and says, "You know, Atlas, I find it odd that you think of the manor as your home."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"You are treated like filth there." Tonks refills her tea and says, "I would say you are treated more at home here than at the Manor."
"I wouldn't want to disrespect Molly by calling her home my home." I say shrugging. Molly overhears and says, "Darling, you wouldn't be disrespecting me. I would be honoured."
"Well then Tonks, I guess my answer was wrong. Home is amazing."

After food, Tonks teaches me how to make my hair two different colours. It isn't hard, but I have to focus a little harder. Molly walks them out and I hug Tonks tight. She says, "Atlas, you're acting like we don't have forever to spend with each other. It wont be long till we are together again."
"But what if we don't?" I say. She pulls me off her and says, "You're a good kid, Atlas. And your new walking stick is sick."
"Thanks Tonks."
"Are you sure you can't both stay?" Molly asks, kissing Tonks on her forehead.
"We really must be off." Tonks says.
There is a rustle in the bushes and I turn round with my wand out. Molly gasps and I say, "It might be a fox."
"Doubt it Atlas." Tonks breathes.
 Remus whispers, "Get inside Atlas. If it is someone like your aunt, she cannot know you are here."
"Remus please-" I beg. He cuts me off, "No. Get inside now. Do something to change yourself."
He pushes me inside, gently but firmly. I run to the second floor window in Ron's room, much to his annoyance. He asks, "You alright?"
"No. There is someone out there, and they wont let me help."

We stay silent for a second before a ring of fire surrounds the burrow. I watch as my aunt appears, laughing and she sprints into the plants. Ron drags me downstairs and I grab my walking stick. My hair is short and red, and from the back, I hopefully look like a Weasley. I groan as I realise Harry and Ginny are gone. Molly grabs me back and I sob, "I'm going to kill her. I'm going to make her pay."
"Atlas," Molly whispers, "Atlas, she will kill you before you get the chance to do anything. Please stay here."
Ron pulls us away from the burrow as it explodes into flames. Molly lets me go, holding her hands to her face. Her breathing is shaky. Everyone is outside the house, unable to move. The burrow.


The mood at Hogwarts is awful. Everyone is so happy, and I hate it. It's not like I don't think they deserve it; I just don't understand why I don't. I feel like a zombie for weeks, only really noticing anything when my leg hurts. It isn't long before I'm in the infirmary for my leg. I can't walk even with the stick. Suddenly, Ron is brought in. He looks dead. Is he dead? People flood in after him, one of them being Lavender Brown. She is sobbing and begs, "Has he been asking for me?"
Ron begins to stir and she says, "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing?" Hermione scoffs. I don't care to listen to them. Lavender's entire being annoys me, and I notice Ron mumble something.
"Mione."
It's barely audible, but Lavender certainly hears. Hermione smirks as she runs out and I can hear Lavender wailing for ages. Eventually, Hermione walks over to my bed. She smiles as I say, "You seem happy."
"Well," She says, rolling her eyes, "Can you blame me?"
"Mines!" I gasp and she says, "Oh shush. I have the right to be happy. She was doing my head in."
Same.

I stay in the infirmary overnight, and after I finish the lunch that was brought up to me, Draco is dragged in by Severus. He is crying, and I say, "What did you do to him?"
"An unknown student attacked him." Severus says as he puts Draco onto the bed next to me. I turn to him and say, "Why is he here? What happened to him?"
Severus turns to leave and I yell, "GIVE ME ANSWERS."
He turns round to face me in shock and I cry, "I just need someone to give me a straight answer. What happened to him? Why is he here?"
Severus says, "I found him bleeding on the floor. Nobody was there. I healed him and he is going to stay here until he has stopped crying. Is that okay with you?"
"Draco," I say, "Draco? Man up! You have things to do."
He looks at me, jaw dropped before nodding and saying, "Man up.... yeah."
"Make dad proud."
"Dad proud..."

Draco gets up and walks out, leaving Severus and I alone. Severus says, "Why did you tell him to man up?"
"So they wouldn't hurt him."
He nods and says, "You are destined for great things. This situation must be difficult."
"Pretty much," I agree, "Doesn't help that I can't walk some days. It's just brilliant."
I roll my eyes and he says, "Bella wants you to do good. She wont let anyone else hurt you."
That surprises me and I say, "She wants me to be okay? She wont let people hurt me?"
"She feels... oddly protective over you. I think it's because even after she tried breaking you, you still respected her."
"That wasn't respect, sir."
"You called me sir?" Severus says, looking taken aback. I nod and say, "That was respect, sir."