Pandora Malfoy, the twin sister of Draco. Although she was brought up to loathe Muggles, Mudbloods, and blood-traitors just as Draco was, her hidden exposure to the Muggle world meant she felt differently to how she was supposed to. But what will th...
The conversation over dinner was sparse, and when we did talk, it was just Father saying how amazingly Draco had been doing, and Draco complaining endlessly about Harry Potter. I wondered how long it would be until Father stopped pretending I didn't exist and started getting violent again.
After dinner, Draco and I went with Mother to choose our outfits for the Winter Ball. It was at this point that Mother finally pulled me to one side to talk to me about the lack of contact.
"I'm sorry I didn't write, Pandora," she said softly, her hands on my shoulders. "I tried, at first — but then it became clear you weren't receiving my letters. Lucius had told Dobby to stop them leaving the grounds."
"Why did he?"
Mother sighed. "Because, although I didn't tell him, I think he knew that I didn't — don't — mind what house you're in, so long as you're happy," she explained, her voice quieter than usual, so I had to strain my ears to hear what she was saying. "He didn't want you thinking that being sorted into Gryffindor was alright, so he cut off all contact with the one person in the family who would allow you to believe that."
"Did he hurt you?" The question tumbled from my mouth before I could stop it. I swallowed, then added, "After my sorting, I mean."
Mother hesitated, as though unsure what to tell me. But I knew just from the pause that the truthful answer was yes.
"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I should've argued with the hat more — should've gone to Slytherin—"
"Sweetheart, you don't have to apologise to me," Mother said, giving me a quick hug. "I'm happy if you are." She pulled back from the hug, and fixed her blue eyes on my odd ones. "Are you happy in Gryffindor?"
I nodded silently, not quite sure of what to say.
"Then that's all that matters."
***
A while later, Draco and I were both in the outfits we'd picked out. Draco, as ever, looked very uncomfortable in his suit and bow tie, and I looked even more like a miniature adult in my green dress and heels than I had done in previous years.
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