Adopted by the Malfoy's {Harry Potter fanfic}

14. Comfort from a friend

A/N: I own nothing except Lexie, all else belongs to J.K. Rowling

Lexie was silent, mentally turning the names over in her mind. True, she was now one step further than she’d been because now they were no longer nameless. They were still faceless though, a fact she hated.

She looked back up at the Headmaster but was distracted by a portrait that gasped, “No! Regulus Black’s daughter?”

Not a moment later did the portrait empty, its occupant gone to some other destination. The plaque on it read Phineas Nigellus Black. Perhaps he was an ancestor? She turned her gaze back to the Headmaster, wanting the answer to one more question before retreating to her Common room. She needed to think on what the night had revealed, maybe she could even wheedle Hermione into helping her find more on her parents when she returned. “How did they die sir?”

Albus Dumbledore looked upon the young girl seated before his desk, unconsciously clutching the packages from her deceased parents. His eyes lost their twinkle at the thought of the fate the girl’s parents had fallen to. She should have gone to Sirius Black, being her father’s older brother and her godfather. Alas, this had not happened.

“It is with great regret that I cannot give you the answer, you are still too young to handle such a tale Miss Malfoy.”

Lexie felt tears prickling in her eyes as she stared at the old man.Who was he tosay she was too young? She deserved to know how her parents had left this world, left her.

“While you have every right to know, I am afraid I must ask you to put it out of your mind for now. It does not do to dwell on the past.”

“Yes sir,” Lexie’s reply was spoken in a whisper as she cast her eyes down. She had no desire to show the Headmaster such a weakness but the outright denial stung. She stood, holding her parent’s gifts tightly, “excuse me sir.”

Not waiting for an answer, the girl left the office as quickly as possible, careful not trip in her haste. Discreetly she brushed the tears from her eyes and returned to Gryffindor tower, where she hesitated. The rest of the school would not be returning for a few days yet, Ron had fallen asleep on top of some homework it looked like. She was just debating going up to her room when she heard a familiar voice penetrate her musings.

“Lexie?” Harry called to the girl who’d just entered, laden with two packages. He’d been reading before the fireplace when his friend had entered and stared off into the distance at the girl’s staircase, worrying her lower lip.

The girl started and looked over to see Harry watching her in concern, then slowly went to join him. ‘Hi Harry.”

“Are you well?”

Not trusting her voice, Lexie shook her head faintly and sat down on the couch with him, then looked down at the parcels held firmly in her grasp. “These were from my parents to me.” Her voice was barely above a whisper and Harry leaned closer to hear. “Professor Dumbledore gave them to me.”

Harry was at a loss, he had received the cloak but it hadn’t been quite as upsetting for him as it clearly was for his brunette friend. He chose to remain silent, waiting for some clue on how to act or what to say to ease the pain in her usually warm eyes.

“He told me their names, Dorcas Meadowes and Regulus Black,” she went on. “But he wouldn’t tell me how they died.” Her voice was even softer now, and Harry could plainly hear the grief. “He says I’m not old enough.”

The two friends sat in silence, one trying her hardest not to give into her tears in front of the black haired boy, and the other hopelessly trying to think of something to say. Agreeing with the man was clearly not the answer; Lexie would only get mad at him.