Little Bird {A Harry Potter Fanfiction}

Prologue

From the outside, no one would guess that horrible things happened in the mansion. It seemed nice enough, if not a little too extravagant. Large black iron gates blocked the property from prying eyes. Peacocks dotted the green lawn and provided a pleasing aesthetic, yet the bold birds didn't hesitate to chase the younger occupants of the house. The mansion itself was large and made mostly of dark marble with intricate black designs. All in all, anyone would say that it was a beautiful house and that the people who lived there didn't have a want in the world. But, no one would guess the horrors that small children would face inside-- the lonely corridors that seemed to grow smaller, the screams that resounded throughout the house, the pain that was forever etched into the floorboards, and the tears that were hidden inside silk pillowcases.

Crashes echoed along the dark dull hallways of the mansion and Avianna flinched back into her bed. She knew her parents were arguing about her. It seemed like they always were in those days. Avianna winced as she heard her little brother's sharp screech of pain and she burrowed into her thick comforter.

A few seconds later, she heard her father drag her brother up to his room and then slam the wooden door to his bedroom. Avianna hoped he wasn't hurt too badly. Her door creaked open and she froze, hoping and praying that it wasn't her father.

"Avi?" Draco called into his sister's room, rubbing his eyes with a small fist. The blonde boy was only eight whereas his sister was almost eleven. Avianna had always acted older than she was, even before her father had taken the matter into his own hands.

"Draco?" Avianna lifted the covers from her head and turned to see her little brother. When she caught sight of his tearstained face, her heart broke. "Come here, little dragon," she whispered, using her nickname for him.

Draco silently shut the wooden door and locked it before padding across the floor towards his sister. Whimpering as they were plunged into darkness, he let out an audible cry.

"Shh... Hush, little dragon," Avianna murmured, lighting the candle that was by her bed, "It's going to be okay." Tears spilled onto Draco's pale cheeks and he let out a choked sob before Avianna picked him up and lifted him on the bed. "What happened?" she asked, searching his grey eyes carefully.

"Daddy got mad," Draco's voice shook and he looked down at his hands, "I told him I didn't care what house you got sorted into." Avianna immediately gave the boy a small smile for his words before wrapping him in a hug.

"Did he get out his wand?" the blonde girl asked, sincerely hoping that her father hadn't performed the dreaded curse on her beloved brother. When Draco nodded, she squeezed him tightly before wiping away his tears. "It's alright now, little dragon. Everything will be okay," she soothed, dimming the candlelight with a small cover. She helped Draco slide under the blankets before gently ruffling his platinum hair.

"Avi?" Draco whispered, turning to face his sister. His light hair appeared almost white in the moonlight and tears shimmered on his pale skin. "I'm scared," he admitted, looking to Avianna for some reassurance.

"Don't be, Puff," Avianna smiled softly, "I'll protect you." When Draco didn't look convinced, the girl poked his cheek before bringing him close to her.

"I'll always protect you, little dragon."