human again / hp.

Prologue

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of the Malfoy Manor, casting a soft, golden glow over the grand bedroom. Everything in the room spoke of wealth and refinement, from the intricately carved bedposts to the gleaming silver-framed mirror on the far wall. Beneath the covers, Celeste Malfoy stirred, her blonde hair splayed across the silk pillows, tangled from a restless night. Dreams of enchanted castles and moving staircases had kept her in a light, fitful sleep, their allure mingled with an unfamiliar sense of unease.

"Celeste, wake up! It's our birthday!"

Her twin brother's voice rang through the still air, shattering the delicate quiet of morning. Celeste groaned softly, pulling the covers over her head as Draco's excited footsteps drew closer. Moments later, the mattress dipped beneath his weight.

"Come on, don't be lazy! We're eleven today!" Draco's grey eyes sparkled with impatience as he leaned over her, shaking her shoulder for good measure.

"I'm up, I'm up," Celeste mumbled, though her voice carried the groggy reluctance of someone who wasn't quite ready to face the day.

Draco huffed, crossing his arms. "You'll thank me for this when you see what's downstairs."

That caught her attention. Pushing the covers aside, she sat up and rubbed her eyes, stifling a yawn. "You're too loud for this early in the morning," she muttered, but her lips curved into a faint smile.

"Too loud? You'll change your tune when you see our presents!"

Draco grinned, offering his hand, and Celeste took it, letting him tug her out of bed. The cool floor met her bare feet, and the two of them dashed out of the room, their laughter echoing through the ornate halls. The grandeur of the manor—its marble floors, gilded fixtures, and towering portraits of Malfoy ancestors—was something they'd grown used to, but today, the house felt different. More alive.

As they approached the dining room, the scent of freshly brewed tea and warm pastries greeted them. Celeste's stomach fluttered, not just with anticipation but with the realization that today marked the start of something new.

When they entered the room, their mother was already seated at the long, polished table. Narcissa Malfoy, the picture of elegance, looked up from her teacup, her serene smile softening the sharpness of her aristocratic features.

"Happy birthday, my darlings," she greeted them, her voice warm yet tinged with the regal composure she always carried. Before her, two piles of perfectly wrapped presents sat, ribbons shimmering in the morning light.

Draco's eyes lit up. "Are those all for us?" he asked, his voice reverent as if he couldn't quite believe his luck.

"Of course," Narcissa replied, her smile widening slightly. "But that's not all."

She reached into the pocket of her tailored robes and withdrew two pristine envelopes, their creamy surfaces bearing the Hogwarts crest. The sight of them made Celeste's breath catch in her throat.

"Look what's arrived," Narcissa said, her tone filled with pride as she handed one envelope to each of them.

Draco snatched his eagerly, tearing into it with a whoop of triumph. Celeste hesitated for a moment, her fingers trembling as she reached out for hers. The parchment felt heavier than she expected, and for a fleeting second, her mind was overwhelmed by a thousand questions.

Would Hogwarts be everything she dreamed? Would she fit in? Would she... measure up?

"Open it already!" Draco's voice broke through her thoughts, and she tore the envelope open, the crackling of parchment filling the room. Her eyes scanned the letter, the words blurring together in her excitement until one line stood out clearly:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

A wave of joy swept through her, mingled with a faint, inexplicable pang of nervousness. Celeste glanced up, meeting Draco's gaze across the table. His excitement mirrored her own, his grey eyes alight with the same wonder she felt.

"We're going to Hogwarts," Draco said, his voice full of awe.

Celeste smiled, nodding as she clutched the letter to her chest. "We're really going."

"Of course you are," Narcissa interjected, her tone gentle but deliberate. "This is the beginning of a new chapter for both of you—a chance to carry the Malfoy name into a new generation. Remember who you are, and make us proud."

Her words hung in the air, a reminder of the weight that came with their family name. Celeste nodded, but deep down, a flicker of doubt stirred. She glanced at Draco again, wondering if he felt it too, or if his confidence was unshakable.

As they sat down to breakfast, Draco dove into the details of what he hoped Hogwarts would be like. "I bet I'll be top of the class in Potions," he declared, piling his plate with pastries.

"And I'll master every charm before Christmas," Celeste replied, a playful challenge in her voice.

Despite their banter, a question lingered unspoken between them. Would Hogwarts change them? And if it did, would they still be as inseparable as they were now?

Celeste pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the thrill of what lay ahead. The future was waiting for them, just beyond the gates of Hogwarts, and it promised to be unlike anything they had ever known.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the Malfoy twins shared a smile, their bond unbroken. For now, at least, nothing could come between them.

But deep down, Celeste couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to change.