The Fearsome Name of Riddle

Checking In

The silence of an empty Manor house was both maddening and peaceful to the Lady of the house. Abraxas and Tosia Malfoy lived within the halls with her but their attempts to keep her company had been met with disdain and irritation. The only other noise that could break the everlasting silence was the wailing cries of her son, something that made her want to crawl out of her own skin. 

A charm around the room muted all noise from outside it. The darkness inside softened by the glow coming out of the marble fireplace that framed the whole room. Victoria sat in a sitting room on a long, green leather sofa facing the fire. Her mother's portrait hung above the flames. It had been her father's favourite room, he would spend hours in there just talking to her. 

“Where is your father's portrait?” Roanna Malfoy asked, lounging in the dark green chair in her portrait. 

“I don't know.” Victoria shrugged, drinking the last few drops of wine in her glass. “Abraxas probably burnt it.”

“He loved you.”

“He tried, but he loved you,” Victoria said, the glass hitting the table heavy-handedly as she swung forward. “You loved us. We reminded him of you, his joy and his grief.”

The painting sighed. A portrait was just a charmed image, it knew as much as it was told. It wasn't her mother, just an echo. 

"The wine, my Lady." Dobby popped into being beside her as he placed a bottle of Victoria's favourite wine on the table in front of her. 

"Thank you Dobby," Victoria smiled slightly, watching the elf open the bottle for her. "Would you like some?" 

“Victoria.” Roanna scolded her lightly but her daughter didn't listen. 

The house elf froze. He wasn't allowed to refuse her. He also wasn't allowed to take what was hers. But if she offered it to him, what was he supposed to say?

"I'm only joking." Victoria chuckled as she lounged over the sofa in front of the fireplace. 

"Right." Dobby nodded nervously, hugging his hands into his chest. "An excellent joke, my Lady." 

Smiling softly, Victoria had appreciated Dobby's company in the past few months. Obsidian Lestrange had sent him to the house as a gift for Lucius before he had been born. A servant for the young master as the first born heir to the Malfoy name. It was customary between the Lestranges and Malfoys but Dobby has the sweetest nature of any house elf that she'd ever had. He was hers now. The elf was an anchor to her sanity. 

"You're a good elf, Dobby," Victoria told him, her mind a little foggy from the first bottle he had brought her. "I really do appreciate the work you do for us at the manor."

"Dobby is honoured my Lady." The house elf smiled and gave a deep bow. "Dobby is happy to serve such a kind Lady." 

A creak in the floorboards by the door turned Victoria's head. Expecting her sister-in-law, Tosia, Victoria only half turned her head to greet her. 

"If you're done elf, be on your way." A deep voice surprised Victoria. 

Her mother stood in her portrait and gave a gracious bow of her head as she left the frame. Victoria frowned and turned in her seat. 

Black curls hung much messier than he had ever kept them in school, dark brown eyes smiling softly at her. Obsidian Lestrange wore an all black suit that fitted his broad shoulders perfectly and hugged his slim waist as he leaned against the door frame. His arms folded across his chest, one foot up on its toes. He was just a little taller than Tom was and the curls of his hair a little tighter.