Veritaserum

Chapter 19

Outside the wind howled like a werewolf and the trees branches waved at one another. Rain dewdrops dribbled down the large windows of the manor reflecting the feelings of a certain girl inside. The library itself was dusty and crammed with shelf after shelf full with a variety of genres and authors of books. The window sills were large and wide with cushions and padding on to serve as chairs so that its occupants could view the wonders of the large garden whilst indulging in their chosen book. By the fire were a set of sofas and armchairs for extra seating if one ever decided to entertain guests in there with a afternoon tea, of course the fire was lit ever day by the house elves before they returned to extinguish it so the room was always warm and welcoming. Crouched on one of the window sills in a deserted library sat Bella, her face was streaked with the wet tears that stained her pale face. One hand was wrapped around her knees for support as her body shook with the silent tears, whilst the other hand traced the drips that dribbled down the window. The creaking of a door closing brought Bella back to reality and as she looked up her eyes met with the same misty orbs of her brother. "Common Bella hiding up in here is not going to get you ready for the party tonight is it, and no you can't miss the party since it's getting held in your honour mother is treading round the house looking for you. So what if Sapphire falls out with you when we get back to Hogwarts you'll be bombarded with new friends so dry your tears and move before i tell mother your in here and believe me when i say this she will be a lot more persistent than me." Draco finished his little monologue before slowly patting his sisters leg and shutting the door quietly. After tracing the rain drops with her finger one last time she reluctantly stood up and left the comfort of her room to go find her mother...

"What the hell was that for?" "I'm sorry dad i just got mad" "MAD her life has just been turned upside down and the first thing you say to her is that". On the first floor corridor the main guest bedroom was home to the two Snape's. After the events from the sitting room Lucius allowed the two too enjoy the grounds and house for their activities during the day as long as they were ready for the ball that evening. Guilt overtook Sapphires face for the cruel treatment towards her best friend and the disappointed look upon her fathers face. "I'm so sorry father i wasn't thinking" Sapphire said in shame her head bowed for her fathers judgement. "You better tell her that and not me-" Senior Snape replied looking at his own daughter. Taking a huge sigh he opened his arms up and embraced his only daughter. "- wipe that frown off your face and lets get you looking gorgeous for tonight okay" he lifted her chin up so that she could look up. "Yes father" "Good Tipney" Snape called and with the click of his fingers a scrawny looking thing appeared in front of Sapphire a house elf to be precise. She had long pointed ears that perked up at the sound of the guests voice. Her eyes were as wide as saucers and as red as blood clearly showing her lack of sleep, her skin was the colour of ash and the only thing to cover her was a flour sack that engulfed the elf too much and was usually the cause of her many trips. "Yes Mr Snape" "you are to help Miss Snape get ready for tonight!" "Of course sir" the house elf squeaked as it cowered in fear. Snape nodded in acknowledgement before swiftly leaving the room. He never did show emotion in public Sapphire thought as she followed Tipney into the bathroom...

Meanwhile Bella was scurrying all around the manor looking for her mother. "Gibsey" Bella suddenly called and before her very eyes was her personal house elf Gibsey. "Gibsey locate Lady Malfoy for me" Bella demanded. In the short time that she had lived at the manor she had quickly learnt from her father that the majority of house elves were impolite and unloyal towards their masters the best way to get them to work was to get straight to the point and be extremely strict towards them so that they learnt who was the boss from the very beginning. From her mothers etiquette lessons she also learnt that her family were classed as high up aristocrats in the wizarding world and were treated with the upmost respect. When referring to other family members even guests she would address them as their proper name as Lord Malfoy and Lady Malfoy or his lordship and lady ship, let's just say her head was spinning after those lessons and never in her wildest dreams did she think anyone would call her Lady Arabella even though she quickly adjusted to the idea. "Her lady ship is in your chambers my lady. Do you require Gibsey to get her for you?" Gibsey quivered under her lady's stern glare. "No that is all your dismissed" Arabella waving her off with a flick off her hand. Quickly walking to her chambers she took a deep intake of breath before pushing the double doors open to find her mother with her hands on her hips staring out into the Malfoy gardens. As Bella walked further into her bedroom she silently crept towards her mother and enveloped her in a warming hug from behind nearly making her jump out of her skin. After turning to see who it was she visibly relaxed and returned the embrace. " Where have you been all day, I've been worried sick!" Narcissi exclaimed as she gripped her daughter at the shoulders and turned her to face her. "In the library" Bella mumbled as she wriggled out of her mothers grip and stalked towards the bathroom. Minutes later water could be heard running and the sound of Bella stepping into her shower. "You and books inseparably since you got here." Narcissi quickly exclaimed from the walk in wardrobe. Picking up the dress they bought when they went to Diagonal Alley Cissa went back into the bedroom at the same time that Arabella finished in the bathroom, wrapped in a soft satin dressing gown she walked over to her dressing table and started to brush her hair. With a quick wave of her mothers wand Bella's hair was dried and curled framing her pale face and looking like a blonde version of her Aunt Bellatrix. Taking the beautiful dress of the hanger she stepped into the dress as her mother helped tighten the corset so that it fitted perfect, with a touch of makeup and the addition of her shoes she was standing by the mirror looking like a princess. Her mother walked up behind her with her hands rested on her daughters shoulders. "Just one more thing. There!"Cissa exclaimed as she placed a simple but dazzling diamond tiara upon her daughters head. "A tiara fit for a princess. My princess!" Misty eyes met misty eyes and Bella could see the glistening tears forming in her mothers eyes, turning around she embraced her mother one more time before she allowed her mother to leave to get ready for the ball.

Standing at the top of the staircase Arabella looked out at the arriving guests to her ball. Her parents were of course at the bottom greeting them and when the clock strikes eight the United family would make a grand entrance into the ballroom with a few photographs that would be on the front page the next morning. Bella had to say that her mother looked stunning in a deep scarlet heart line dress that showed a bit of cleavage it hugged her slender body in all the right places before fanning out into a mermaid tail at the bottom. Her hair was held up in a plaited bun with minimal makeup but let's just say she didn't need any. Standing next to her was her father who was cladded out in the latest of dress suits and of course let's not forget his signature cane. " Nervous" called a voice behind her and Bella was so sure that she could even hear her brothers smirk. " no of course not just cautious" "About what?" "Erm falling down the stairs" but the way Bella said it was almost as if she was questioning herself or reassuring she thought. Her brother looked rather dashing in his dress robes and the replica of fathers cane. A light. chuckle escaped his lips as he grabbed Bella's hand when he saw the time. 7:55. As if on cue her parents climbed the staircase to reach their twins and we're proud parents to see such beautiful children in their dress robes." You both look absolutely stunning" Narcissa complimented as she took her place in front of her daughter as she gripped the knuck  of her husbands arms. Grabbing her brothers arm in the knack of time as the clock striked 8!! The doors leading into the ballroom opened revealing a room crowded with people and the new Malfoy heard her family's names get called out. "Announcing Lord Malfoy and his wife Lady Malfoy and their twin children Master Draco and Lady Arabella" claps were heard from inside the room as the Malfoy descended the stairs gracefully with their head held high. All thoughts of Bella's old life had disappeared as of now she was officially annoyed and presented as Lady Arabella Narcissa Malfoy!!

Well here goes nothing...