Draco Malfoy and the Girl Who Hid

54

Yn was barely aware of the passing scenery as she was ushered back to her childhood home. The world outside the carriage window seemed to blur as the journey drew to an end, the landscape familiar yet somehow distant. Her mind raced with thoughts of Draco, of their whispered conversations and the plans they had laid. She glanced down at the bracelet on her wrist, the cold metal a silent reminder of the promises they had made to each other.

Finally, the carriage slowed, coming to a halt before the grand stone manor that loomed ahead. She had not seen her home in what felt like a lifetime, though it had only been a matter of months. She took a deep breath, steeling herself as the door swung open.

"Miss Yn," the Auror escort said gently, offering his hand to help her out. She accepted it with a shaky nod, her feet touching the familiar gravel path that led to the grand doors of the estate. Every step felt heavy with memories, the weight of her deception pressing down on her shoulders.

The doors opened before she reached them, and suddenly her father was there, his face pale and strained but alight with relief. He took two hurried steps toward her, gathering her into his arms before she could speak.

"Yn, my dearest girl," he breathed, his voice choked with emotion. "You're home... you're finally home."

She allowed herself to lean into his embrace, feeling the warmth of his arms around her, so familiar and comforting. For a moment, she let herself relax, to feel the simple, innocent joy of being back with her family. But beneath that warmth, the cold truth lingered—she was here under false pretenses, a spy masquerading as a daughter.

"I'm here, Father," she whispered, pulling back to look into his face. He cupped her cheeks, his gaze searching, as if he couldn't quite believe she was real.

"They told me what they did to you," he said, his voice trembling. "The horrors you must have endured... I can't imagine... and to think I couldn't be there to protect you..."

Yn swallowed, forcing herself to look away, feigning the pain he expected her to feel. "It was... it was terrible," she said softly. "But I tried to hold on. I tried to remember that I had something worth fighting for."

Her father's eyes filled with tears, and he pulled her close once more. She could feel the weight of his relief, the depth of his love for her, and it stirred a bitter pang of guilt in her chest. This was the man she was betraying, the one person who had always loved her unconditionally, and now she was playing a role that went against everything he believed her to be.

"Come, let's get you inside," he said finally, his voice regaining its strength. "You need rest. We'll talk later, when you're ready."

Yn nodded, letting him guide her through the doors and into the warmth of the manor. It was just as she remembered—the rich, dark wood paneling, the faint scent of lavender from the arrangements that adorned the entryway. She felt a strange sense of disconnection, as though she were a ghost returning to haunt a life she had once lived.

Her father led her to a small sitting room, where a fire crackled in the hearth. He helped her to a chair, fussing over her like she was a fragile porcelain doll.

"Can I get you anything? Tea, perhaps? Or something to eat?"

"I'm fine, really," she replied, forcing a small smile. "Just... a bit tired, I suppose."

He took a seat across from her, studying her face with a solemn intensity. "You seem... different," he said finally, his brow furrowing. "I can see that you've changed. But I can only imagine what you've been through..."

She lowered her gaze, the weight of his scrutiny feeling like a tangible thing pressing down on her. "I tried to stay strong," she murmured, letting a hint of vulnerability creep into her voice. "But it was... difficult."

Her father reached out, taking her hand in his own. "You don't have to pretend to be strong anymore, Yn. You're safe here. No one will harm you."

She nodded, her heart twisting painfully. How easy it would be to tell him the truth, to confide in him and share the burden she carried. But she knew she could never do that. She had made a choice, and she would see it through, no matter the cost.

For the next few hours, Yn settled into a routine of feigned exhaustion, letting her father believe that she needed time to recover. She allowed herself to slip into the familiar rhythms of her old life, masking her true intentions beneath a veneer of meekness and vulnerability. She knew her father was watching her closely, searching for any sign of the daughter he remembered.

Days passed, each one blending into the next as she played her part. She began to take on the appearance of a shell-shocked prisoner, often staring out of the window with a faraway look, or flinching at the sound of unexpected noises. Her father took these signs as confirmation of the torture she had endured, and his protectiveness grew stronger with each passing day.

Late one night, as she sat by the fireplace, she felt a faint tingle against her wrist. She glanced down at the bracelet Draco had given her, the emerald glinting softly in the firelight. It was a reminder of their connection, a symbol of the bond they had forged in the darkness.

Carefully, she reached for her wand and tapped it against the stone, whispering the words Draco had taught her. The bracelet warmed, and she felt a faint pulse of energy as the spell activated, linking her mind to his across the vast distance that separated them.

Yn, are you there? His voice echoed softly in her mind, as clear as if he were standing beside her.

Yes, I'm here, she replied, feeling a surge of warmth at the sound of his voice.

How are things? Have you managed to gain any useful information?

She closed her eyes, focusing on the connection between them. Not yet, but I've established my cover. They believe I've been tortured, that I'm recovering from the trauma. They won't suspect a thing.

There was a pause, and she could almost feel his satisfaction, the subtle sense of approval that seeped through the connection. Good. Keep playing the role. In time, they'll come to trust you again, and that's when we'll strike.

A shiver ran down her spine at his words, the weight of their plan settling heavily on her shoulders. She had chosen this path, but the reality of it was more daunting than she had imagined. Yet she knew she could not turn back, not now, not with everything that was at stake.

Be careful, she whispered, her voice laced with a hint of vulnerability. They're watching me closely. I don't want to raise any suspicions.

Don't worry, Draco replied, his tone soothing. You're doing perfectly. We'll see each other soon, and when we do, everything will be different. Remember that.

The connection faded, and Yn opened her eyes, feeling a renewed sense of determination. She would see this through, no matter the cost. For Draco, for the future they had imagined together, she would do whatever was necessary.

Over the next few weeks, Yn began to take on small tasks, using her position to gather information and subtly influence those around her. She allowed herself to slip into the role of the obedient daughter, the devoted friend, all the while feeding Draco the knowledge he needed.

Her father watched her with a mixture of love and concern, his own suspicions tempered by the deep-seated belief that she had been a victim, not a spy. And as she moved through the familiar halls of her home, she felt a strange sense of detachment, as though she were a stranger inhabiting a life that was no longer her own.

But beneath the surface, she knew the truth. She was playing a dangerous game, one that could end in disaster if she slipped even once. But for Draco, for the love they shared and the future they dreamed of, she would risk it all.

In the quiet moments, when the weight of her deception grew too heavy to bear, she would reach for the bracelet, feeling the cool metal beneath her fingers. It was a reminder of the promise they had made, a symbol of the bond that tied them together.

And as she stood on the precipice of a new world, one filled with danger and uncertainty, she knew that no matter what happened, she would never be alone. She had Draco, and together, they would face whatever lay ahead.