Darkness on the Horizon

Ch. 20

"I only really talked to Bella," Danielle said as I grinned.

"Well, we need to change that," I said simply getting to my feet taking her hand. I pulled her with me downstairs to where the rest of my family was. Danielle's hold on my hand tightened slightly as we walked closer. "Danielle, this is my mother Narcissa. She's Bellatrix's sister and also a Black just like you."

"Hi," she said a little shy. My mother smiled at her sensing her discomfort.

"I like your dress it's very pretty," my mother said as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment not used to the compliments.

"Thank you," she said softly glancing at me. "Isabelle bought it for me."

"But you picked it," I said with a smile.

"When do you have to return to school?" My mother asked as I paused thinking it over.

"I think we should head back tomorrow assuming Danielle wants to stay overnight," I said as she grinned nodding excitedly.

"Great. I'll show Miss Danielle to her room," my mother said with a grin. Danielle hesitantly walked after my mother. Once Danielle had left my sight I flopped onto the couch with a groan.

"What am I supposed to do?" I asked Bellatrix as I looked over at her. "I have to somehow defeat Dumbledore when I'm not exactly sure how."

"You will figure it out," Bellatrix said sitting next to me. "In the meantime enjoy getting to know Danielle. I can see she's very attached to you."

"Yeah, she's a great kid but I find that I can't just relax especially now that I know she's family. Danielle can't be put in that position again! Dumbledore targeted her probably because he knew who she was to me." I stated with fire blazing in my blue eyes.

"You are acting like her mother. Are you going to take her in?" Bellatrix asked as my eyes widened. I hadn't thought about that option and now it was all I could think about.

"I'm not ready to be a mother, I'm only 23. I love her so much but I don't think I could ever be what she needs. In some ways I'm too damaged for that," I said tears pooling in my eyes.

"I disagree," my mother's voice drifted to me as she walked into the room. "You have shown that you are going to make a good parent. You put her needs first. You sent her away knowing that you might not be able to help her. You didn't hesitate to save her. That is being a parent. Yes, you've been through so much. Things no one should go through but so has she."

"I'll think about it," I said softly. I heard a crack causing me to look over. My eyes widened as my blue eyes met the gaze of a panicked Dane. I jumped up walking over to him.

"Thank merlin!" He said pulling me into his arm despite the fact the my mother and aunt were both present. I relaxed into his arms hugging him back.

"I'm okay," I whispered in his ear as he held me. I pulled back giving him a smile.

"I thought I lost you today," he said and I could see his fear. I grabbed his arm pulling him outside so we could talk more freely. Once outside my lips pressed against his firmly.

"I was terrified of losing who I was. Dumbledore tried to take my memories and that would mean losing those I care about most. Luckily it didn't completely work and I was able to regain them," I said seriously. "I care a lot about you Dane!" I said as he embraced me.

"Me too," he said caressing my cheek. "I've never felt so connected to someone in my life."

"Until you I didn't think I was going to care about anyone other than my family," I said as he grinned. His lips pressed against mine again sending fire rushing through me.

"When are you coming back to school?" He asked me when he finally broke the kiss.

"Tomorrow. I wanted to give my new cousin a chance to know the rest of the family," I said as he nodded.

"Severus filled me in. Do you know who is going to take her in yet?" He asked as I bit my lip.

"They think I should," I said as he nodded.

"You would be great," he stated shocking me slightly. Most guys wouldn't like the idea of suddenly dating a single mom. "It's up to you and I'll support whatever decision you make. If I'm being honest I've wanted a family so if you did adopt her it wouldn't change anything between us."

"I'm considering it but I have until the end of the year to decide so I'm going to spend time thinking about it," I said firmly.

"Good. If you want to talk about it I'm here," he said as I smiled.

"I should probably head back in but I'm glad you came," I said as he nodded.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said kissing my cheek before he apperated away. I sighed thinking about him before I walked back inside. Once inside my mother grabbed my hand pulling me up to my bedroom with a smirk.

"Tell me," she said facing me with a grin.

"What?" I asked as she sighed.

"I know you guys are together. No guy who is a friend would hug you the way I saw before you took him outside," my mother stated as I blushed.

"Okay but you can't tell anyone. We want to keep things between us for now until we are more sure about what we are exactly," I said as she nodded eagerly.

"I won't tell a soul!" She promised.

I took a deep breath before speaking to calm my frantic heartbeat. "I agreed to let Dane court me," I told her as she squealed pulling me into a hug.

"I'm so happy," she said looking into my eyes. "I won't tell anyone. I get the amount of pressure relationships like that are under. Me and Lu almost didn't get married because of the constant hovering of our parents through the courtship."

"Thank you for understanding why we want our relationship to be a secret for now," I said hugging her again.

"If you want to talk about anything I'm here. I won't tell anyone unless you give me the okay," she said firmly.

"Thanks mom," I told her as she walked towards the door.

"You should get some sleep. We can talk more tomorrow," my mom said exiting my room. I didn't waste time curling up in my bed. I was exhausted from the days events that I fell asleep almost instantly.