Deal with the dark lord

Chapter 3

Estella's pov

I woke up because of the sun illuminating the room, stretching and squinting against the warm sunlight pouring through the window. I glanced at the clock on my bedside table and realized I'd missed breakfast. As I swung my legs over the side of the bed, I heard Milicent call out to me.

"I'm heading out! I'm meeting my parents in Hogsmeade this weekend," she said cheerfully.

"Have fun, Milly!" I replied, trying to sound enthusiastic for her, even though a small pang of envy tugged at my chest.

"Thanks, Stella!" she called back, her footsteps fading down the hall as she closed the door behind her.

As I got ready, I reflected on the past few weeks. I had been at Hogwarts for a month now, and despite the challenges, I genuinely enjoyed it here. I loved my friends in Slytherin, but the atmosphere in the castle was complicated. Students from other houses often seemed unapproachable, casting wary glances my way, as if my father's past as one of Voldemort's followers meant I shared his beliefs.

Putting on my shoes, I decided to head down to the common room. Daph had mentioned yesterday that she was planning to go to the library early this morning since she still hadn't finished her potions essay. That meant I'd need to figure out something to do until lunch.

I spotted Blaise sitting on the couch, engrossed in a book, and chose to sit down next to him

"Morning," he said without looking up.

"Morning," I replied, my voice still a bit groggy.

"There was a letter for you at breakfast, but since you weren't there, I think Draco has it," he told me.
"Ah, where is Draco now?" I asked.

He nudged toward the boys' dormitories and said he'd probably gone back to sleep since he stayed up late working on his potions essay. I had already finished mine right after class ended; I didn't like to rush through my homework over the weekend.

"I'll be right back then, just going to get my letter," I said.
"Wake them up while you're up there," he asked.
"We have Quidditch practice in an hour," he reminded me.

I nodded and headed up the stairs. As I climbed the stairs, I passed Adrian and rolled my eyes internally, but he just winked at me and, for some reason—thank Salazar—left me alone.

I knocked on the door, hearing annoyed complaints from behind it. When I opened the door, I told them to get up and walked over to Draco's desk.

"Draco do you have my letter?" I asked him.
"Hmm, it's on my desk." He muttered still half asleep. I was already rummaging trough his desk when I saw a cream coloured envelope with my name on it in neat cursive handwriting. That's my mothers handwriting.

I decided to just open the letter here.

Dear Estella,

I hope you are doing well at Hogwarts. I heard from Professor Dumbledore that you are adjusting nicely and excelling in most of your classes. I am very proud of you and expected nothing less.

We need you to come home for the weekend, as your Uncle Joseph and a few of his colleagues are coming over for dinner, and they would like to see you. Your brother doesn't need to know about this letter or the meeting this weekend; I'm afraid it would upset him. For his own safety, I don't want him to come home.

You'll be back by Sunday morning, and if all goes well, your brother won't even notice your absence.

Please be careful around your uncle and his friends, darling!

Tout mon amour,
Ton mama xx

I knew what this was about, of course. I just hadn't expected the Dark Lord to call on me so soon. What could he want with a 15-year-old Hogwarts student? I hoped it wasn't because he wanted me to receive the Dark Mark, but surely Mom would give some kind of warning for something that significant, wouldn't she? If they'd even tell her what it was about at all.