ethereal - draco malfoy

warning

My father and I sat in the library and talked about how my third year of Hogwarts was, how therapy had helped me, etc.

We had been sitting in a comfortable silence when my father cleared his throat. "Cynthia, there's something I need to discuss with you. You can't tell anyone, not even your closest friends or therapist." he said quietly.

"Um, alright?" I said hesitantly.

"At some point during your fourth year, The Dark Lord will come back. I'm sure you already know the fate that your mother has chosen for you; forced you into." he says warily.

I nod my head slowly. I knew what he was talking about; what would happen at the end of my fifth year of Hogwarts. What I would have to be branded with.

"You know your mother and I were loyal Death Eaters before you were born. Your mother believes that I will continue to serve him when he comes back, but I've got other plans. If she finds out about these plans, she will for sure tell The Dark Lord. I'm telling you this now, Cynthia; I will never just up and leave. I won't just run away in the middle of the night. I won't give Aurors any reason to harm me. If something happens, it was either your mother or The Dark Lord. If this happens, don't believe a word your mother says." he explained in a whisper.

I felt my blood start to boil as I grew nervous; scared. Scared for my father. Scared of what my mother would do to him. Scared of what would happen to me if he died.

"What I'm saying is, I love you very much, Cynthia. No matter what your mother thinks, says or does, I am proud of you. I am so unbelievably proud of you. He will come back, and you will be scared. What you need to do is focus on yourself and your task. I know you care about your friends, but if you want to keep them safe, you need to distance yourself from them in your sixth year. It sounds difficult now, but you'll soon realize that it's unbelievably easy. You have to be safe, Cynthia. You're so smart, Ravenclaw level smart, please take advantage of that." he ranted quietly.

I started to feel tears build up in my eyes, making my vision blurry. I know he was speaking the truth, he wouldn't say these things to scare me. I blinked the tears threatening to fall down my face back quickly and swallowed down the large lump in my throat.

"Please be safe, father. Be smart, be safe. Be careful." I said, hoping he didn't hear the small voice crack.

A small tear rolled down his cheek as he placed his hands on the sides of my face. "I will. I love you, Cynthia."

I felt my heart tug slightly before replying, "I love you, father." I whispered before wrapping him in a large embrace.

-

I skipped dinner that night and decided to go to my secret space. I opened the window in my room and stepped out of it, using the windowsill to keep me balanced as I placed a foot on the slightly slanted roof. I walked up until I was at the top of my windowsill. It had a long flat surface, so it was easy to get there and sit down. I swung my legs back and forth slowly as I overlooked the forest and sunset.

I took in a deep breath, then released it. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

I came up here a lot when I was stressed or angry. The breeze always had a way of seeping into my body and calming me down. The sound of the river near my house mixed with the warm breeze and the sounds of the tree leaves brushing up against each other put me in a blissful state.

It's crazy how nature works. Everything so different yet so alike. The way the trees dance back and forth in the wind. How the warm summer breeze feels soft against my cool skin. Summer time reminded me of happiness; like a Hufflepuff. Happy, soft, kind. Summer is probably my third favorite season.

Winter's my absolute favorite. Followed by Fall, then Summer and then Spring.

-

I sat on the rooftop until the sun had only peaked behind the trees and the sky was growing dark. I carefully walked back down to my window and climbed inside.

I checked the clock, it was almost seven p.m.

I sighed before picking up a book from off my shelf, laying on my bed and reading.

-

I read for a few hours and before I knew it, it was 10:46 p.m. I closed my book and changed into a large sweater and athletic shorts before laying back down and going to sleep.