The Fourth Sister

Chapter Seven

I wasn't sure what exactly Marvolo was trying to accomplish by giving me something that was not only a Founders heirloom, but also in fact one of his horcrux's.

But I also knew that there wasn't a way that I could refuse the gift either.

Not when I was so very weak compared to him.

Something that had to do with more than just the age difference, since he was one of the most magical powerful seen since Dumbledore. There was a reason he was so feared.

A truth I was more than aware of, and why I followed his orders and demands.

So, with only a moment of hesitation I write a response back to him.

"Tissy," I called out what felt like hours later but was only minutes causing the house elf to appear before me. "Please give this to Marvolo."

With only a bow did the house elf accept the sealed envelope before apparating away.

Now it was time to continue moving forward as best as I can.

"Lyra," called out Narcissa from the door leading into my dorm room making me hold back the urge to sigh as I placed the Slytherin locket around my neck. "You seemed quite pale when you returned to the dormitory."

Sometimes I would wonder what it would be like if my second chance, and that of my family, had been normal. If maybe things would be different if I had been born a Weasley or even a Malfoy who were both all about family.

But I cannot change what has happened and who I was now.

I also wouldn't betray the true family I had that has been there for me through it all.

That included Regulus and Bellatrix.

"Sirius had made a slightly annoying remark during Astronomy," I answered with a light gentle smile as I opened the door even as I felt her eyes lock onto the necklace. "Nothing I cannot handle, dearest Narcissa."

Because I knew each word I said would be repeated back to Father, more so than Mother who barely spared us a glance, that meant I had to pick and choose my words.

Father was more likely to let it go if it involved Sirius than if it was about anyone else.

Seeing as Sirius Black was the Heir Black.

"That's a lovely necklace," mused Narcissa instead of continuing to inquire about my actions leading up to entering my dorm room. "Where did you get it?"

"It was a gift," I answered with a downcast look so she wouldn't catch the disdain that flashed through my eyes. "Marvolo wanted to congratulate me for making it into Slytherin."

I was also aware that she more than knew who Marvolo really was.

Again, I had to use the name and action of another to keep myself safe.

Something I wouldn't hesitate to do if need be.

"Is that so?" breathed out Narcissa going pale as she tried to hide her trembling hands from my sight as I continued to watch her with a gentle smile.

"Why would I lie?" I inquired back before falling silent as someone called for Narcissa from the common room area. "You should see who that is, it might be important."

Being that of her chosen future husband, Lucius Malfoy.

It honestly felt like we were placed into gilded cages because we were born female and to our parents. Mainly as they had always wanted a boy for a chance to take the Lordship from Uncle Orion and more so from Sirius after he began to get older and started to act out.

Instead, they had four daughters, four daughters they wanted to sell off to the highest bidder.

One had run off the first chance given, another had become someone strong and under the protection of a Dark Lord, and that left the two youngest to be sold off in marriage.

Narcissa had easily fallen into line seeing it as an easy way to live without hardship considering we'd be paired with those who would inherit their father's titles and lands.

I had just seen it as trading one cage for another.

Not even my seemingly special attention from Marvolo would save me from marriage.

Especially one that had been placed under a magical binding oath.

Meaning my future was already sealed to that of Rodolphus.

'Well, you handled that quite nicely,' mused a familiar voice causing my body to freeze before turning slowly around. 'Ah, I'm afraid you won't be able to see me just yet.'

That had been Marvolo's voice, and yet he was not in the room with me.

Nor did we have any connection between us as he had with Harry Potter in the future.

It left only one thing to be the answer...

"Are you speaking from the locket, Marvolo?" I inquired having to play dumb since I shouldn't know anything about his horcrux's or just what those were.

Instead, I could act somewhat intelligent by guessing he was using the locket as a medium.

Hopefully it worked.

'Not exactly,' answered Marvolo with a deep chuckle as I felt almost a ghostly caress against my face making me blink and lean away. 'But that is close enough to the truth to stand for now.'

Well, this just meant I had an even closer guard and watcher compared to that of Narcissa since I doubt, I would be able to remove the necklace now that I had placed it willingly around my neck.

Not that I had much choice but to do so.

Seems my collar was no longer symbolic but an actual reality in the form of the necklace.

"Alright," I breathed out in agreement to let it go silently as I made sure to place up the usual wards around my room to keep anyone from spying in any form, a spell Bellatrix had taught to me before my leaving for Hogwarts. "Again, I thank you for gifting me such an amazing and worthy gift as Slytherin's locket."

Because I knew the full meaning behind why he could have gifted me that instead of one of the other horcrux's, if it had to be one, and that was the symbol it would stand for.

A symbol the others in my house would pick up on and know meant that I was fully under Marvolo's protection and couldn't be touched.

He was in a way marking his territory using his own family's ancestor to do so.

It was something I should have expected from him, and yet I hadn't seen it coming at all.

'Think nothing of it,' stated Marvolo as that same ghostly feeling of a caress returned. 'I mainly gifted it to you as a means of protection as your surroundings are not fully safe.'

What he could mean by that could be anything.