The Chaos Within (A Bellatrix Fanfiction)

Under The Same Roof

The frost-bitten grass crunched underneath my boots as I stepped into a space between two hedge sculptures, before I waved my wand, and golden lights twinkled across the garden hedges, each one hovering perfectly in place as snow began to settle. I paused, watching the glow, and wondered if this Christmas would feel anything like normal. 

Before I could dwell further on that, Narcissa joined my side, handing me a steaming mug of hot chocolate. "Beautiful." She nodded, surveying the garden. "You've really got an eye for this sort of thing."

"Thank you." I smiled slightly. "I thought about adding lights to the hedge sculptures too, but I wasn't sure if it would be too much?" 

"We can decide later." She said lightly. "In the meantime, Vaella is baking mince pies. Come and have one." She gently steered me back into the house, and we entered the kitchen, which looked like a flour bomb had hit it. I barely registered Vaella, who was also covered in flour and was wearing a cute santa hat. She was stood on a step-stool, rolling out raw dough. A freshly baked batch of cookies sat on the counter. 

I reached for one, taking a bite. "Oh, wow. You didn't go easy on the cinnamon." I muttered. 

Vaella looked up. "Apologies, Miss Erin, I can make some with less cinnamon?"

"No, that's okay, I love cinnamon." I said quickly with a grin. It wasn't exactly a lie. 

Vaella nodded, resuming her work. 

"Your parents will be arriving tomorrow." Narcissa told me. "I thought we could have a little soiree. Nothing too big." 

"Sounds perfect." I agreed. "I'll go and freshen up before dinner." 

Narcissa simply nodded, so I left the kitchen and headed towards the stairs. The front door opened just as I walked past and I automatically turned to see who it was. 

Draco entered the house, dragging his luggage with him. He looked paler than normal, his skin an ashy complexion. He had prominent dark circles under his eyes, and he hadn't changed out of his school shirt or tie yet, which had been loosened. 

"Draco." I smiled tentatively. "Welcome home." 

He took one look at me, put his luggage down, took two steps across the foyer, and enveloped me in a tight hug, catching me completely off guard. 

"Well, I missed you too." I said in confusion, as I instinctively wrapped my arms around him in response. 

He didn't say anything, just held me tightly, like I might disappear. He didn't let go for a good minute. I was definitely not expecting that. Draco had never been the openly affectionate type in the five years I'd known him. 

He finally released me. "Hey Erin." 

Narcissa walked into the foyer. "I thought I heard the door." She pulled her son into a hug. It wasn't as long. "You look skinny." She stepped back to look at him. "Dinner won't be for a while, if you're hungry, I can send Vaella up with some sandwiches whilst you settle back in." 

"That'd be great, mother." He nodded. Narcissa left us alone, and I pulled my wand out, pointing it at Draco's luggage. "Wingardium Leviosa." I muttered, floating the suitcases ahead of us up the stairs. 

Draco took his things into his room, and emerged a moment later with a full bottle of firewhisky. "We're going to want something to wash down the sandwiches." He shrugged when I gave him a questioning look. 

"Bloody hell, did you take a class in "how to be like your father" or something?" I muttered as we headed into my bedroom. "Incendio." I pointed my wand at the empty fireplace. Flames instantly sparked up, bathing the room in a warm glow.