We return home a few days after the party incident. The mood is unwelcoming as always. Draco avoids me as soon as we step in the doors, heading in the opposite direction. I feel a pull in my gut and go to find my father in the large finding room.
"You have disappointed me once again Verena." My father says from his seat at the head of the table. "Sit."
I sit on his left and before I can settle, his hand strikes my cheek. I grimace as I stare at the table under my bound hands.
"I'm sorry, father," I mutter.
"How could you be so foolish as to attempt to curse Dumbledore? The girl you cursed has survived which means he would have as well. Obviously, that school has not taught you well enough." He scolds. "In light of you and Draco's failures, we will be using the cabinet to infiltrate the school. Our death eaters should be able to finish the job if Draco and yourself fail once again."
"I understand Father," I mutter.
"Speak up!" He yells, standing from his chair. "And look at me when I speak to you!"
I look up at him, my jaw clenched.
"I understand Father," I repeat in a clearer tone.
He strikes me again before holding out his want. My body tenses as I expect a curse but he drops his wand and decides to strike me once again. He rubs his temples before crossing the room.
"Leave." He orders, and as I exit I hear him mumble, "Why did I choose to have a child."
The rest of my holiday in the manor is spent in my room. My only visitors are a few house elves who bring me food until Narcissa enters with a small parcel in her delicate hands.
I watch her carefully as she enters and sits across from me on the bed.
"How are you dear?" She asks kindly.
"Fine," I say simply.
"I never got the chance to properly thank you for taking the vow." She says. "It is quite a brave thing for such a young girl to do."
"I'm not a normal young girl now am I?" I say.
"No, you are not." She says quietly. "I brought you a gift. It is Christmas after all."
She hands me the package and I toss it over in my hands, eyes flicking between her and the shiny green-wrapped package. I gently peel back the layers of wrapping to find a leather-bound sketchbook and expensive pencils.
"Draco tells me you like to draw so I had this made specially for you." She says flipping over the book.
On the back side, I find my initials engraved on the leather surrounded by a snake. The pencils all also carry my initials engraved in silver on the black wood. I stare at the gift tears stinging my eyes.
"Do you like it?" She asks carefully.
"Yes, sorry," I say as my gut turns. "It's just, I've never gotten a present this thoughtful before."
I have received candies in a stocking in my time here but I have always been forced to watch Draco open his expensive presents every year with nothing but candies for myself.
"Thank you," I say, avoiding her eyes.
"Of course." She says, taking my hand in hers. "Merry Christmas dear."
She leaves the room and I flip through the pages before sketching the one person that comes to mind. From memory, his face looks slightly disproportionate but it's him, Draco. His smirk taunts me through the page and suddenly I get a feeling of resentment. I slam the book closed and shove it deep into my school satchel.
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We return to Hogwarts as we do every year only this time my mood is even more spoiled than normal and Pansy notices. She sits across from me, beside Blaise. They aren't technically dating but they have been flirty and touchy since fourth year. She sits across from me with Draco beside me. His leg kicks mine.
"Come on Vee." She groans. "I'm getting tired of this warming up shit. You were only gone like two weeks."
"Well, I'm sorry my mood is spoiling yours," I say into the window.
"Right well, I am going to get something sweet from the cart, want anything? Anyone?" She says.
Blaise requests something but Draco and I tune it out. I reach into my bag and find the sketchbook Narcissa got me for Christmas. I flip it open to the second page, ensuring to keep the sketch of Draco out of sight.
When we get to Hogwarts I have not spoken another word. We head to our dorms immediately and get settled back in. I take Pansy's old bed against the wall, farthest from the girls and she asks no questions. We head to dinner and again I don't say a word. Our task is nearing closer and that is all I can occupy my mind with.
Over the next few days, classes go normally and I warm up again to the girls and Blaise. Draco is as cold as ever, sitting near our group but not close enough to involve himself in conversation. I trap him in the halls about a week after our return.
"You can't give me the silent treatment forever you know," I say as we walk down the crowded halls. "We have a job to do, after that you can very well never speak to me again if you prefer it that way."
"I don't. . ." He debates his next words. "I wouldn't prefer it that way."
"Doesn't seem like it," I say sharply.
"After final period meet me in the commons." He says simply before veering off into his class.
YOU ARE READING
The Slytherin Heiress
FanfictionWhen Verena Riddle is presented to the world she has one goal, one purpose in her life, rule the world alongside her father. Raised in the shadows, the serpent is finally ready to emerge. When she does her goals shift unknowingly as she is to work w...
