our little angel

A Sister's Innocence

Age 13
Words. 472
Summary: Abbi doesn’t understand why Raven is in so much pain and can't play. She just wants to play with her sister but can't because Raven is dying slowly, abbi is only 2 and doesn't understand.

The sound of tiny footsteps echoed through the halls of Malfoy Manor. Abigail, with her wild curls bouncing and her favorite stuffed dragon clutched tightly in her little hands, toddled towards Raven’s room with determination.

She hadn’t seen her big sister play with her in days.

The door to Raven’s room was slightly open, and Abbi peeked inside. The dimly lit space felt different—wrong. Her sister, who was always strong, always smiling, was curled up in bed, her breathing shallow.

“Rae?” Abbi whispered, stepping closer.

Raven barely stirred. She looked pale, dark circles under her violet eyes. The pain never truly left her anymore—it was just there, like a shadow creeping beneath her skin.

Abbi climbed onto the bed, her tiny hands pressing against Raven’s arm. “Sissy, wake up.”

Raven groaned softly, blinking open tired eyes. “Abbi…” Her voice was weak, hoarse, like she had been fighting something even in her sleep.

Abbi grinned, clearly oblivious to how sick Raven was. “Play wif me?”

Raven's heart clenched. She wished she could. She wished more than anything that she had the strength to run through the halls with her little sister, to laugh and chase her like before.

But she couldn’t.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she forced a small smile. “I can’t today, bumblebee.”

Abbi frowned, her little nose scrunching up. “Why?”

Raven hesitated. How could she explain to a two-year-old that she was dying? That something dark was inside her, and no one knew how to stop it?

Before she could answer, Abbi suddenly pressed her stuffed dragon into Raven’s hands. “Here.”

Raven blinked at the soft toy. “What’s this for?”

“Mr. Puff makes things better,” Abbi said simply, smiling. “He protects me from da bad things. Now he protect you too.”

Raven felt her throat tighten, her fingers clutching the stuffed dragon as if it really could chase away the darkness creeping into her soul.

Tears slipped down her cheeks.

“Oh, Abbi…”

Her little sister didn’t understand what was happening. Didn’t understand why Raven was in pain. She just knew that something was wrong and wanted to help the only way she could.

So, even though it hurt, even though her body ached with every movement, Raven pulled Abbi into a gentle hug, pressing a kiss to the top of her soft curls.

“Thank you, bumblebee.”

Abbi beamed, completely content in her sister’s arms. “Now you get all better, ‘kay?”

Raven let out a shaky breath, forcing another smile.

“I’ll try.”

But deep down, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever have the chance.