Persephone Black

Chapter Fourteen: Five Letters

Persephone was required to stay at the manor until the end of term, which was fine with her. She was still frustrated by the conversations with Dumbledore and Potter. Her uncle had told her not to worry about them ("They're fools. Both of them."), yet she found herself pacing the manor most nights, anxious about returning to Hogwarts the next year.

Draco would be returning to the manor tomorrow, and her aunt and uncle had promised her a special day with only the three of them. While she loved her cousin, it was always fun having her aunt and uncle to herself without Draco complaining about his trivial problems. His complaints had already begun. They arrived in the form of a letter, the day before Draco was to return to the manor.

"Persephone! You have a letter from Draco!" Her aunt called, making the first noise of the day.

"Can you leave it on my desk," she said groggily.

Opening the bedroom door, her aunt whisked inside, flicking her wand at the drapes, and flooding the room with sunlight. She set the letter on the vanity, and then went to sit next to her niece in bed.

"Are you excited for our day of fun?"

Persephone had to smile at her aunt. There was no denying that she was thrilled for the day ahead. She nodded vigorously, holding her arms out to the beautiful woman next to her. Smiling back, Narcissa wrapped her arms around her niece, nuzzling her nose into her neck, and then kissing her forehead.

"Can we get some lemon drops?"

Narcissa laughed, "of course, my love, but come now, your uncle is waiting for us."

"Is that what you're wearing?" Persephone asked, looking at her aunt's appearance. She wore a black, short-sleeved blouse with a collar, a tight, black, knee length skirt and heels, and a simple, sheer traveling robe lay across her shoulders. Her hair was done up, and she looked beautiful. Rarely did her aunt show skin while she was out of the manor; however, Persephone guessed that it was warm outside, or else she would be covered from head to toe in robes.

Her aunt blushed, laying a hand on her niece's forehead, "yes, I am wearing this," and she kissed the spot where her hand had been before standing up and leaving the room.

Persephone smiled after her and began to get dressed. She picked a black and white dress with tiny polka dots littering the fabric. It fit her nicely, and she could still wear her lace up shoes with the outfit. Facing the vanity, she brushed through her hair, tying the front pieces back into a bow, and letting the remainder fall free. Quite pleased with her ability to dress quickly, she smiled and picked up the letter from Draco, beginning to read it as she made her way to the bottom of the stairs.

Dear Persephone,

I'm sure you've heard all about what's been going on at Hogwarts since you left. The culprit was caught, and I don't understand why you must wait for next term to return. Dumbledore returning is definitely the worst thing that's happened to this school. I truly thought father had gotten rid of him for good. Even Professor McGonagall is better than him. Obviously I would have liked Snape to take over the school, then maybe we could actually learn something in defense against the dark arts. I mean, did you hear about Lockhart? Memory completely blank, what an idiot, and to think they had him teaching us how to defend ourselves. Can't get much worse than that.

Potter's been strutting around the school again like he owns the place. Whispered some snide remark to me the other day about knowing about your father. I told him to piss off unless he wanted a personal meeting with my father. But don't worry, I told him truthfully that no one knows who your father is; not that he deserved that type of explanation, but it felt necessary.