Enchanted ──── Draco Malfoy

chapter fifteen

chapter fifteen : a beacon of light at the end of the tunnel

the van helsing's were long time family friends to the hastings. they lived upon the streets of new orleans, rulers of the city they fought to conquer, in massive penthouses and apartment blocks. the venoms often visited them, and the van helsing's often visted them, vise versa.

this time, only anastasia had made the journey. molina twiddled the ends of her dress, loose pieces of string from rips beginning to break through. her eyes glancing down towards her plate, a sour look plastered across her face.

"how come you've decided to come over? i mean it's a long flight" sapphire asked, looking towards her anastasia with eyes of softness and admiration. sapphire had always looked up to anastasia, in a big sister type of way.

she smiled in response, taking a sip of wine from her goblet and clearing her throat "i missed you all dearly. your father wrote to me, asking if i could help. apparently you have all been behind with your studies."

lara coughed on her food upon hearing this, her eyebrows furrowed into a V "rudeness. i haven't"

"oh. perhaps not all of you?" anastasia mumbled, her face unable to read, alaric nodded in response to her question.

"everyone eat up. we'll talk about this later" molina said, encouraging them all.

everyone began to dig into their food, the dinner commencing. a feast sprawled upon the table, rotisserie chicken, goblets full of rich wine and expensive champagne, lots of delicious meat, bread, dishes full of steaming vegetables, hearty soups and stews, and more and more. all dishes that the house staff had poured their pure hearts and souls into. the hum of a violin being played by itself danced away into the background, rendering the sound of classical music.

by the end of the banquet, a few chicken bones and left over vegetables remained. the house staff began clearing away the silverware and antique china. molina and alaric's words were beginning to slur, everyone still sat around the table, conversing about different matters and subjects. a yawn was released from molinas mouth making her eyes dart towards the grandfather clock that was tucked away in the corner, ticking every moment

"it's eleven. i believe i should start to make my way to bed now." molina stretched briefly before giving all of her children a kiss on the head and making her way upstairs

alaric followed quickly behind her, the children and anastasia still sat at the table. "you must tell us about your time in greece, anastasia!" lara said, everyone deeply involved in conversation about travelling and adventures, practically clinging to every word.

"please, it's been long enough, call me anna. well, me and my sister went awhile ago. it was beautiful. very unique." everyone stared in awe, clinging to her every word. the children had never left london, besides from the wizarding world and the occasional visit to new orleans. they always loved to hear of ventures around the world, it interested them deeply.

"tell us more" they all asked, eyes so full of keen & eagerness. anna laughed momentarily, to her they looked as if they where waiting for her to tell some sort of fairytale

"we partied a lot, met a few people, danced. it was good."

they all talked for a few more hours about everything and anything before eventually they all headed up to bed, besides sapphire and anna.

they where sat in the living room, the fire place flickered and and danced, illuminating the room. "i can see great potential in you saph." she said peacefully, her lips curved into a smile.

" don't lie. im nothing compared to my siblings. lara's the smart one, auroras the brave one, fortis is the strategic one and what am i? the nice one? the funny one?wow, so intriguing " she rolled her eyes, tired of constantly being in a losing battle of hierarchy and competition against her siblings.

"you self sabotage. you can achieve greatness. i can feel it deep within your bones and soul." anna's words felt as if they where a warm blanket, a place of solace and comfort. "i sound crazy, but. i can see into the future almost, it's not like a vision or image but more a less a feeling" anastasia muttered, looking into sapphires eyes.

"really?" sapphire questioned unsure on weither she was telling the truth or maybe was actually crazy. "what do you see then? for all of us?"

"well, for aurora i can feel loss, grief, pain but i can also feel acceptance and endorsement."

"for lara, i feel struggle, a sense of battle, a descent, effort."

"alaric, tiredness, hope, fear."

"fear?" sapphire asked, a bubble of confusion and fear beginning to form within her. a million questions running through her mind. "whats he afraid of?" her voice croaked

"like i said, i can only feel, not see"

sapphire nodded, now afraid to hear hers. sweat began to form along her forehead, every noise began to sound almost like as if it was booming from a speaker, every feeling intensified.

"now, for you. i feel, love, growth, power, deceit, the urge to be free?"

sapphires eyebrows furrowed, "what? the urge to be free? what does that mea-. oh, you don't know." anastasia nodded, "i'm sorry love, i wish i could tell you, i do, but i know as much as you. just know don't fear the future. i can get things wrong, the future is always changing, and sometimes what we view as bad can really be good, a blessing in disguise."

sapphires fears began to fade away, the embers of the fireplace bubbling up. the room fell silent, the only noise the fire dancing majestically.

"oh. you've not come to help us with our studies. you've come to read our futures haven't you?" sapphire asked, her smile falling.

anastasia nodded, placing an arm around sapphire in comfort. "your father just wants to help you."

"i know. thank you."

"you're a strong girl saph, never forget that. i can see a bright future for you. you're destined to achieve and become great things. embrace what's to come, overcome things, deal with your problems head on instead of running, do the right thing, learn things and share your wisdom. and most importantly, never stop fighting for what you believe in and always always always be the amazing girl you are and will become"

sapphires eyes began to form tears, anastasia's words bringing her hope and solace. she could never thank her enough, she saw hope in her that no one else ever had and she could never thank her enough

"thank you anna, really. i do love you. you're like family to me" she embraced her with a hug, holding her tight. anna rubbed her back gently, a tiny smirk upon her face. "i think you should head to bed. you've had a long day. oh, and don't tell your siblings about this? i'd rather they didn't know"

saph nodded, her and anna having one last hug before she ventured into her bed. her eyes began to close, her sleep practically screaming her name, until a few taps where met at her window. she rubbed her eyes, sitting up and looking towards her window, it was an owl, a beautiful one. the owl flew into her room, the moonlight illuminating her room with a silver glow, it placed a letter into her lap before it flew away.

she teared the letter upon, a big smile forming upon her face realising who had sent her the letter. "draco!"