ethereal - draco malfoy

time skip

Nothing significant has happened in the past four months. Umbridge is taking over the school, she is now High Inquisitor and she's started a stupid little squad, I haven't talked to Malfoy at all, Lucius is now in Azkaban, Dumbledore is on the run and Daphne shoots me glares every time she sees me.

I pack my trunk quickly, ready to get out of this place and go home. It's crazy how much has changed in the past five years; I used to dread going home, and now that's all I want to do.

Once I'm done packing, I don't waste any time. Everyone else is in the Great Hall eating breakfast before getting on the train, but I shrink my trunk and head straight for Hogsmeade.

-

Once I get closer to the apparation point, I look for my mother. I quickly spot her and walk over, desperate to get to the Manor. She was looking around, and when her eyes finally fell on me, a big smile crept up on her face.

She held her arms out as I approached her and I didn't hesitate to give her a large embrace. "I missed you so much." she mumbled into my neck.

We pulled away from each other and I flashed her a smile. "I missed you, too."

She rubbed my cheek with her thumb and gave me a smile. "Let's get home, yeah?" she suggested. I nodded before grabbing her hand. She waved her wand and apparated us away from Hogwarts and to the Manor.

-

When we got inside, a house elf took my coat and trunk from me and took them upstairs to my room. My mother beckoned for me to follow her into the kitchen and I obliged.

I sat down at the kitchen island while she made us cups of tea. "So how's Hogwarts?" she asks while the water is boiling.

"Fucking terrible. Dolores Umbridge is my DADA teacher and she makes my life a living hell. She used one of those medieval quills that scratch the writers hand on me for detention. Dumbledore's gone, no one knows where he is. Malfoy's insufferable. Daphne hates me. I hate it there, mum." I vented.

She sat down beside me and handed me a cup of tea. "I'm sorry, dear. Is there anything I can do?" she offers.

"You could take me out of that pathetic excuse of a school." I mumbled into my teacup before taking a sip. I look up at my mother to see that she has her thinking face on.

"Perhaps. I could homeschool you until next year. I'd have to owl the minister since Dumbledore is missing, but if I say you're having trouble at school because of your father's and Cedric's passings then I'm sure he would oblige. You could take your o.w.l's here also." she suggested.

I thought about it for a moment. I would be able to stay here with my mother and help her when she's upset. She cries a lot and tries to hide it, but I always notice. I wouldn't have to see Malfoy or the group or Umbridge.

"How soon can you owl the minister?"

She smiles before getting up and walking out of the kitchen. I sit in silence for a few minutes before she comes back with parchment and a quill. She sits down besides me and begins to write.

Minister,

I am requesting for my daughter, Cynthia Morningstar, to be homeschooled. She is currently having troubles at Hogwarts. She's struggling to live a life of normalcy. As you know, her father passed away almost a year ago, so times are tough. Cedric Diggory, the boy who died in the Triwizard Tournament, was a brotherly figure to my dear Cynthia, so his death also impacted her life. Please owl back whenever you get the chance.

Signed,
        Katherine Morningstar

She folds the paper and slips it into an envelope before whistling, calling her owl. When the owl flies into the kitchen, she ties the letter to his leg. "To the Minister, at the Ministry of Magic." she demanded before the owl flew away.

She then turns to me with a smile. "And now we wait."

-

We sit in the kitchen for an hour or so, talking about Hogwarts and such. My mother told me about how she and Cissy were extremely close in their Hogwarts years.

My mother was about to get up and make another cup of tea before she was interrupted by her owl flying onto the kitchen island. She gives me a look before untying the letter from its leg and opening the envelope.

Mrs. Morningstar,

Thank you for reaching out to me. Of course you can homeschool young Cynthia, whatever is more comfortable for her. I will owl Dolores Umbridge to inform her. If you need anything else, feel free to owl me. Have a good afternoon.

Signed,
      Cornelius Fudge

My mother smiles brightly and waves the letter in the air before bringing me into a warm embrace. "Now I won't be lonely whenever Cissy isn't here!" she exclaimed giddily. Her smile then drops.

"Oh, dear." she says in realization.

"What is it?" I asked.

She gives me an apologetic look. "Cissy invited us over for Christmas dinner with the Malfoy's! If I knew you didn't want to be around Draco I would've said no!" she says with a grimace.

I release a large sigh before pressing my lips into a line. "It's fine, mum. Don't worry. It's just dinner." I assured her. She gives me a grateful smile and we continue to talk for the rest of the night.

-

After hours and hours of talking with my mother, we decide to call it a night and go to bed. I give my mother a hug and a kiss on the cheek before heading up to my room.

Once I get into my room, I take off my clothes and throw on an extra large sweater. I crawl in between my silk sheets and pull my duvet up under my chin.

I catch a quick glimpse of Cedric's scarf and I place it between my neck and my pillow so I can smell it. I sigh when I remember the day we carved our initials into the willow tree by the Black Lake.

I flutter my eyes closed and take a few deep breaths before slowly drifting to sleep.