i've been rewatching A Series of Unfortunate Events with my mum and sister and maybe that has inspired my writing...oops

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Malfoy Manor

Sunday

"You know, honey, you forgot about the seven Bs, didn't you?" My mum asked, after we had finished dinner. Draco looked over at me questioningly and I turned bright red as mum and Narcissa both giggled.

"What are the seven Bs?" Draco asked, smirking at me. I signalled to my mother to not say anything, but she laughed some more and answered, ignoring my protest.

"Books before boys because boys bring babies." I flushed a bright red as everyone started laughing. It had only been a week since I told everyone about my baby. My grandfather and his followers had been away for a while and I was enjoying the peace while it lasted. My mother made sure to conceal my stomach for me, in case anyone dropped by unexpectedly.

I hadn't spoken to Harry or Hermione. Both of them had no idea where I was, or what was going on with me. I knew they were in contact with my father. I still had yet to reunite with him. I wonder if my mother would want to see him again too.

"We'll go to Hogsmeade to get your school books in a couple of days, dear." My mum walked me up to my room. "He's coming back tonight. Don't come downstairs."

She gave me a stern look. "Is he giving Draco the Dark Mark?"

She sighed, knowing I had figured it out. "You have to stay here. He can't find out about your baby, dear."

I narrowed my eyes, facing her. "I have to be there for him." Mum sighed, knowing there was nothing she could do to stop me.

"Fine. But stay out of sight."

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Sunday, 9pm

Malfoy Manor

The time came and I heard the snaps of apparation as my grandfather and some of his most trusted Death Eaters arrived. I sneakily walked down the stairs and saw that everyone was gathered in one of the living rooms. I could see Draco's bright hair below me and the way he tried to stay calm. But I could see his body trembling slightly in terror.

Voldemort was talking about how this was a great opportunity and anyone would be lucky to be in his place. His Aunty Bellatrix was nodding along and encouraging Draco. I could see my mother standing behind her father, chewing on her nails. Voldemort never gave her the mark as she had left long before he could. Narcissa was standing beside Draco, holding onto his arm and trying to get Voldemort to reconsider.

"Cissy, let him have it. It is an honour!" Bellatrix tried to pry her sister off of her nephew. She succeeded and Draco was left to stand by himself. I couldn't bear to watch him receive something he never asked for. Forgetting the state I was in, I ran downstairs and stood in between my grandfather and Draco.

"Don't touch him." I warned, drawing my wand.

"[Name], don't." My mother tried to say, but Voldemort raised a hand to silence her and Bellatrix grabbed her arm, making sure she couldn't grab me.

"I won't let you do this to him."

[Name], please." Draco said. "Just go, I'm okay." I shook my head and stood my ground.

"Well, well, my dear granddaughter sticking up for her future husband. How lovely." He mocked. "You want to challenge me? How about I give you my mark as well?"

"No!" Mum cried.

"If that's what it takes to stop Draco from getting it, then yes." Voldemort gave me a weird sort of smile. It wasn't genuine and it didn't give me a nice feeling. My stomach started twisting and my breathing got heavier. I placed a hand on my stomach and remembered the life that was living inside of me. One wrong move and I could lose her.

"Bellatrix, take her." Bellatrix let go of my mother and lunged towards me. She grabbed my arm and threw me onto the ground. "Torture her while I give Draco what he deserves."

"Crucio!" It was like being burned alive, having my skin scraped off. My arms and legs twisted and I screamed. Everything was black. I could hear the faint cries of the people who cared about me. My whole body was on fire. It was excruciating and the worst feeling I have ever felt. My eyes burned with tears and I could feel liquid trailing out of me.

Blood. Everywhere. The last thing I heard was my mother sobbing beside me. Then everything went black.

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Monday

8 Days Later

It had been around a week since the incident. I didn't speak. I didn't eat. I didn't leave my room at Malfoy Manor. Draco tried to comfort me, but it was no use. No one could do anything except let me grieve.

"Honey, we need to go to Hogsmeade," Mum tried to hold my hand as I lay down, motionless in my bed. I hadn't left it or showered for days. My eyes were always red and puffy. My sleep was disturbed by nightmares. Nightmares of what happened to my unborn baby and memories of what happened to my brother. I had watched him die and I had felt my baby die.

"And you need to get some fresh air, please, dear." Mum pleaded and helped me sit up. She stared at me with a worried expression and brushed some hair from my face. "I heard Harry was going to be there too."

My eyes glanced up at her at the mention of Harry. He was always there for me and this could be a good chance to speak with him. I slowly pushed the covers off of me and Mum helped me to the bathroom. She ran me a bath and gently washed my hair like she used to when I was younger. I sighed in bliss as she massaged my head.

"Is Draco coming?" My voice came out as a whisper and cracked slightly, due to not speaking for a while.

"Yes, he is, dear. But he and Narcissa have some business to attend to, so we'll meet up with them later."

I got dressed and held onto my mother's arm as she apparated us to Hogsmeade. The place was dead. It was gloomy, deserted and dark. The only hope of happiness for it was Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. I smiled slightly as I watched people walk into the shop and come out with big smiles on their faces.

"There's hope." I whispered to mum and she nodded. We walked over there and I spotted the familiar green-eyed boy with his round glasses. "Harry!" I cried, running over to him and the rest of the Golden Trio. I enveloped him into a hug. Taken aback by the sudden hug, he relaxed and wrapped his arms around me.

"Are you okay?" Was the first thing he asked me after we pulled away. I shrugged, not really knowing what to say. No one knew I was pregnant and I wasn't sure if I could share it after it happening so recent.

"I've been better." He nodded, knowing that there was something I didn't want to share. I hugged Hermione and Ron and they caught me up on everything that was happening. My mum conversed with Mrs Weasley.

"How are you?" I asked after remembering his godfather. His eyes lost their shine and I could see the glimmer of tears threatening to appear. I rubbed his arm comfortingly and changed the subject again. But a loud sob broke us out of our conversation. I turned around to see my mother break down and I rushed over to her, unsure of what happened.

I looked at Mrs Weasley and she mouthed the word 'Sirius'. I had forgotten they were best friends. I embraced my mother and she wept into my shoulder. I took her outside to avoid the staring eyes and I looked at her.

"It's okay, Mother. He's in a better place now. You'll see him again, one day." I tried to reassure her and she took in deep breaths, calming herself down.

"He was my best friend. He offered to pretend to be the father of Benji to protect Remus and to protect me from getting an even worse punishment from my father. I owe him so much."

I nodded and rubbed her back, making sure she was okay before telling her to go and find Narcissa so she could take her mind off things. I walked back inside to the Golden Trio and apologised.

"Her and Sirius were best friends." Harry clenched his jaw and nodded. We engaged in conversation again and Harry brought up a touchy subject.

"I can organise a meeting between you and Lupin." I gulped. I hadn't see him since third year, but I didn't even know he was my father then.

"I-I guess, I can see him." Harry smiled. I looked around the shop, while the other three spoke among each other. I said hello to Fred and George and complimented their talents. They made me laugh for a while and I turned around to see if everyone was still there. Harry, Ron and Hermione had all disappeared.

I shrugged and said goodbye to the Weasleys, going off to find everyone. Mum had told me vaguely that they were going to Knockturn Alley. So now I had to walk there by myself. The streets did seem pretty deserted, so I'm sure I'd be fine. I set off walking and spotted Draco's infamous blonde hair. I sped up and waited outside Borgin and Burkes. Draco seemed pretty angry with the shopkeeper and he, Narcissa and my mother all came outside to meet me.

Draco embraced me and gave me a quick peck, glad to see I was out of bed and looking like a human again.

"What was that about?" I asked, as we walked down to get our books.

"Part of my task." And I could tell he didn't wish to keep talking about the matter. We held hands as we got everything we needed and we apparated back to Malfoy Manor.

Malfoy Manor

"See you at school, Draco." I smiled, wrapping my arms around him. He captured my lips into a deep kiss and snaked his arms around my waist. I melted into his embrace and pulled away. "See you at school." I winked at him and ran down to my mother. I held her arm and she apparated us to the small cottage we lived in.

We walked inside and I breathed in the familiar smell of flowers. We hadn't been here in a while and it was good to be at home. I flipped on the light and screamed at a tall figure sitting on our couch.

"Professor Lupin?"

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wrote this in 43 degree heat. gotta love Australia