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Chapter Eight
SECRETS
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The winter break came and went, nothing exciting happened over the break. I did write to my friends everyday, and checking in on Ominis as he was with his family. When we got back to school he informed the three of us that he wouldn't be returning home this summer.

"Where will you go?" I ask. I would tell him that he could stay with me but then I think back to a conversation that I had with my mother over the break. She had asked me who my friends were, and I told her one of them was a Gaunt and she acted how Finn did. She told me to stop talking to him, that he is nothing but trouble. "I would say you can stay with me, but my family hates you." I tell him when he doesn't answer my question, confirming that he doesn't have a place to stay.

I glance up at Sebastian and Anne and I see her in deep thought, "I have to go talk to someone." she says and then walks away before any of us can question her.

I look to Sebastian for a explanation, but he shrugs his shoulders, "We may be twins, but she is hard to read sometimes." he says and then turns to Ominis, "Anne is coming up with a plan. I've seen that look on her before. I just don't know what she's planning."

"It's fine, Sebastian. We still got two months before we have to worry about the summer." Ominis says trying his best to hide his fear that he will have no choice but to return home. Sebastian and I share a look, we wouldn't let that happen even if I had to sneak him into my house. Anything was better than sending him back to his parents that make him torture people.

After my last class that day, Transfiguration, I head to my dorm and see a letter laying on my bed. I was confused as to how it got there but I pick it up and see the Malfoy family seal on the letter. My grandmother.

I take in a deep breath and break open the seal, pulling out the letter.

Lila,

I didn't hear back from you in my last letter. I hope you aren't angry at me. I would like to meet with you soon if that is alright with you.

I have something that I think you might find useful. And I just want to see my granddaughter. Please write me back with a time and place to meet.

- Azalea Malfoy

I didn't know why my grandmother was writing to me now, when she didn't want anything to do with me in the past years. But still I felt myself wanting to write back to her, wanting to have a relationship with a grandparent. Also a part of me was curious as to what she might have that I would find useful.

I let out a sigh and sit on my bed, pulling out parchment from my bag and a quill. I write to her, telling her that I am not allowed in Hogmeade but I tell her that we can meet by the black lake. I told her my schedule, how I had free time after three on fridays.

I honestly didn't know what to expect once I meet with her. I didn't even know what she looked like, I haven't ever met her. I see my owl siting on the post beside my bed and I hand her the letter and she flys off. I'm not sure how she gets out of the dorms and common room but she does.

Anne walks into the dorm shortly after. "Was that your owl?" she asks taking a seat on her bed beside mine.

I nod my head, "Yeah, I was just sending a letter to my mother." I say not really wanting to involve my friend in my own family drama. "I was asking her if Ominis could stay with us. I know her answer already, but it doens't hurt to try." It wasn't a complete lie, I did write to my mother this morning after talking with Ominis and asked her if he could stay with us.

She nods her head and pulls off her shoes sitting them down beside her trunk that sits at the foot of the bed. "Well, I just talked to my parents." she says. "I asked them about Ominis as well, and they said they would let us know before the end of term."

"Well, that's something I guess." I say.

She nods her head, "Yeah, but I wish they would let us know soon so we could plan something different if their answer is no."

"Have you told him?"

She shakes her head, "No, I don't want him to get his hopes up in case they won't let him stay with us."

The next morning I wake up late but still early enough to get some breakfast before our first class. I look over at Anne's bed but she is already gone.

I quickly throw on my clothes and my robe and grab my wand before hurrying out of the common room. The halls were mostly empty since the majority of the students and faculty were in the great hall having breakfast.

My footstep echoes in the empty halls as I run through them towards the great hall. I arrive at the doors after a few minutes and have to stand there to catch my breath. Then I push open the doors and see the four tables. I head to the Slytherin table and spot Ominis and Anne sitting beside each other.

I take a seat beside Ominis since Imelda is on the other side of Anne. "Hey guys." I great them and then I grab some of the food and put it on my plate.

"Morning Lila." Ominis greets me.

I look to Anne, "Where's your brother?" I ask her noticing an empty seat where Sebastian always sits.

She shrugs her shoulders, "I guess he decided to sleep in." She says.

"Yes he didn't make it to the dorm room until early this morning." Ominis adds.

I furrow my eyebrows, "What do you mean? Where was he?" I ask and then bite off a piece of toast.

"I figured the two of you were off sneaking around again." Ominis says in my direction.

I shake my head, "Not this time."

Anne nods her head, "Yeah, Lila was in the dorm all night."

I hear my owl as it flies into the common room. It drops off a letter in front of me and then takes off. "Is that from your mother?" Anne asks, our previous conversation forgotten.

I see the Malfoy family crest and I ignore Anne as I open up the letter.

Lila,

I am glad you want to meet with me. I will be there Friday around three in the afternoon by the black lake.

I look forward to meeting with you.

- Azalea Malfoy

I look up at Anne who is still waiting for an answer. I shake my head. "No, not my mother. My grandmother." I say.

At this Ominis drops his fork back down to his plate, "I thought your grandmother hated you."

"She does... or did. I don't know. I've never met her and now she wants to meet up with me." Words spill out before I can stop them. I didn't want to bring them into my family drama.

I glance between the two of them who seem to be lost in thought. Then Ominis lifts up his head, "Are you going to meet with her?" He asks.

I nod my head, "Yeah, that letter was informing me that she would meet me Friday at three by the black lake." I tell them suddenly not wanting to do this by myself.

"Do you want us to go with you?" Anne asks as if she is sensing my discomfort.

I think about it. I didn't want to face my grandmother alone. I spent all last year receiving letter telling me that someone is after me, for all I know this is a trap. I don't even know what my grandmother looks like. I didn't now why she all of a sudden wanted something to do with me. It was suspicious.

"Yes." I say after a few minutes. "But she might not tell me everything with you guys with me."

They think about this, "We could keep an eye on you from a distance." Anne suggests.

I smile at that, "That would be good."

Then movement at the entrance of the great hall catches my attention. Sebastian enters the room looking like he hasn't slept in days. He slowly makes his way over to us. "Please keep quiet about this. I don't what my problems to be every one else's." I whisper to Anne and Ominis just as Sebastian takes a seat beside me.

"Where have you been?" Anne asks acting like the older sibling. I actually wasn't sure which one of them is older but Anne always acts like it's her.

He doesn't bother grabbing any of the food that is laid out on the table. "I've been in the library." He says.

I look over at him, "Why?"

"I was talking with my father." He says and then look up at his sister. "He told me the same thing he told you."

Anne shifts her gaze over to the blonde haired boy in front of her, anxious because she hasn't told him anything yet. "What are you talking about?" Ominis asks.

"She hasn't told you?" Sebastian asks looking to his best friend and then back to his sister.

"No, I haven't. I was waiting until I had a final answer." Anne tells her brother and then turns to Ominis, "I asked our parents if you could stay with us this summer. They told me that they would let us know before the end of term." She explains.

"It will be fine if they say no," Ominis say but I can tell that isn't what he wants. "They are my family, and I have to be the one to deal with them. Can't get any worse than this christmas break." he adds the last part softly but the three of us heard it. We hadn't pressed him about what happened when school started back. We knew something bad had happened though, enough to make him not want to go back.

We let that conversation die out, none of us knowing how to help our friend if he couldn't stay with either of us this summer. Soon the food disappears from the tables and we are forced to stand up and head off to our class.

I glance at Sebastian wanting to tell him about my grandmother, but I also don't want him to worry about two friends. He is already stressed enough about Ominis, I don't want to cause him more stress.

The next day I walk with Sebastian early in the morning to the great hall when we run into his mother. "Sebastian," she says getting his attention.

Sebastian smiles at his mother and walks over to her, "Would you and Lila care to go home and retrieve my book for me. I would go but I have a class to teach." Sebastian glances back to me and I shrug my shoulders.

"What book?" He asks.

"I left my copy of the school book at home and I need it today. It's the History of Acient Runes book. It should be sitting on the kitchen table." She informs her son.

Sebastian looks back at me unsure, "We'll do it Mrs. Sallow." I answer for Sebastian.

His mother looks at me with a grateful smile, "Thank you. I will inform your professors that you will be absent today." she says and give her son a kiss on the forehead and heads off.

"Well, I guess we're going to Feldcroft." he says.

Neither one of us felt like walking to long distance to the small little hamlet so we went ot the nearest floo powder and we travled by the flames. We exit the fireplace at the small village. There was houses scattered about and a few stands with people selling various items. There was a few cows in pens and many people walking around.

"Come on." Sebastian says grabbing my hand and leading me to a small house a few yards away. It was a brown house and on the side there was a table with four chairs and a couch. There was shelves full of books. I guess that's is what to be expected from a family with two professors. "This is my home." he says a bit shy.

"I love it." I tell him my eyes looking over the books and then I see a hall leading down to what I would assume to be the bedrooms. "Did you find the book?" I ask turning my attention my my friend.

He nods his head, "Yes, I think she meant this one." he says as he picks up a thick book from the table.

We head back to the castle shortly after and find his mother in her office and give her the book. She thanks us and tells us that we didn't have to attend class for the rest of the day because we had been excused.

The week passes quickly and before long it is friday afternoon. I could feel myself growing nervous as I walked towards the exit of the castle. I had thought about changing my clothes to something more proper, that my grandparents wear but then decided against it. I don't need to impress her, I hardly know her and it's her own fault.

Anne and Ominis had agreed to stand out by the black lake by us but at a distance, and Sebastian still doesn't know anything about it. The sun was bright and warm as I walk across the grounds towards the lake. I see my friends standing underneath the shade of a tree. Anne sees me and gives me a small wave.

I wave back and stand a few feet from the tree. My hands grow sweaty as I become more nervous and I quickly wipe them on my robe. I watch as the first years stand by the lake on the docks, looking down hoping to see the giant squid.

Then I catch sight of an older woman with light blonde hair, almost white, making her way over to me. I'm guessing she is my grandmother. She wears a black robe over her and a white blouse underneath. Her hair is tied back loosely with a few strands falling down around her face.

"Lila?" she asks as she approaches me.

I don't respond I just nod my head. I didn't know what to say to this woman. My eyes glance over at my friends and see that they are listening in but pretending that they aren't. Anne sits with her back against the tree holding a book. Ominis lays on the grass, either pretending to be a sleep or looking up at the tree.

The woman wraps her arms around me, causing me to bring my attention back to her. I don't hug her back, my arms stay by my sides. "It's nice to finally meet you." she says.

I wish I could say the same, but I don't want to be rude. I force a smile onto my face, "Yes, I am excited to finally meet you." I internally cringe at how I sound. I hope that she doesn't notice how obvious my fake excitement sounds.

"I do have something for you," she starts and glances down to her bag my eyes trailing to it as well. "But first, how are you dear?"

I don't know how to respond. "I'm good." I say flatly.

"How are classes going?" she asks.

Is she trying to make small talk? Trying to make up for twelve years that she missed out on. "They are great."

She seems to notice my short answers and tone of voice. "You're upset with me."

I take in a deep breath, "Of course I am." I say, my voice becoming louder. "You ignored me my whole live and now all of a sudden you want to see me because you believe there is someone after me." I all but yell at her.

I look up at her, her blue eyes stare back at me with shock, "I'm sorry." she says after a while. "I should have made an effort to get to know you. Afterall you are my family."

I let out a scoff, "Well, apparently family doesn't mean much to you." I spat taking a step back from her. "You disowned your own daughter."

Azalea looks at me with anger, "Well what was I supposed to do, she went against me and married that filthy muggle."

"Blood status isn't everything!" I yell at her.

I can see her eye flash with more anger but she quickly pushes it down. "None of this is important right now." I roll my eyes at that and cross my arms over my chest. "Now, I hope you listened to me and haven't left the castle this year.

I think back to mine and Sebastian's trip into the forbidden forest before the holidays and then most recently to our trip to Feldcroft to receive a book for his mother. "Nope, I've been in the castle all year." I lie.

She studies my face, searching for the lie. "You dare lie to your own grandmother?" she asks.

"I can't really call you my grandmother, you haven't been there for me. My real grandmother lives in a small town in the muggle world. At least she comes to visit me and takes care of me." I tell Azelea.

I can tell that she doesn't like that responds as she grabs ahold of my arm. I see Anne stand up and say something Ominis, but they don't run to us yet. "Well, if you won't listen to me and stay in the castle where it is safe. I'll just have to take you back with me and teach you everything from home."

"What?" I ask as she starts to pull me away from the black lake. "That's kidnapping." I say, planting my feet on the ground and refusing to go with her.

"Foolish child, I am trying to protect you." she says and pulls out her wand, pointing it at me.

I look up at her with fear in my eyes. I don't know her well enough to know if she would actually use a spell against me. Anne and Ominis rush over to us and hold their wands out to her. Then Sebastian joins us. I hadn't even realise that he was around but I see the glare he is throwing at my grandmother.

Azalea grabs me more tightly and yanks me towards her pointing her wand to my throat. She hold my hand behind me and I am unable to move. "It is a shame we can't apparate on school grounds." she whispers in my ear. Then her eyes land on the blonde haired boy. "Oh so you befriended the defective Gaunt." I feel anger bubble up in me at her words, and I can see and Anne and Sebastian feel the same way but Ominis acts like he is used to it.

"Shut up!" I yell at her. "Let me go!"

"I will, if you promise to stay within the school ground or come with me quietly."

I shake my head, "Why do you suddenly care about me?" I ask, twisting my arms out of her grasp and rushing to my friends.

"I learned something about you, that makes you special." she says.

"So you only want something to do with her if she's special?" Sebastian speaks up.

"No... well... it's complicated." Azalea struggles with her words.

Sebastian shakes his head, "It's really not."

She looks at him annoyed, "There are many things you don't know or understand about her." she says pointing at me. "Very well, I will leave you if you promise to stay at the castle."

I roll my eyes and agree to it just so she will leave. She doesn't control me, I can leave and explore all I want. She reaches into her bag and pulls out two notebooks. "This is for you, perhaps you can enchant two more for each of you." She says handing the notebooks to me.

They are black leather bound books with tan paper on the inside. "What do you mean enchant two more?" I ask.

"They are special notebooks. You write in one and it will appear in the other. It is a way to message someone without sending an owl." Azalea explains.

I can't deny, being able to write to my friend without having to wait days for a response does sound nice. "I wouldn't even know how to enchant the others." I say. "Why give this to me?"

Azalea reaches into her bag once more and pulls out a sheet of paper that looks to have been ripped out of a book. "Here is the spell, it will work on any notebook." she says handing me the paper. I tuck it into the notebook. "And I'm giving this to you so maybe it will help you in times of need. The ink will disappear after a few hours to keep what you say a secret."

I don't know how to respond to that. "I do hope that we meet again Lila." she says. "Goodbye my dear." she brings me in for another hug which I reluctantly hug her back. It would be rude of me not to since she just gave us a really useful item. Then she leaves.

I turn to my friends and see them all staring at me. "Well, that went better than expected." I say awkwardly.

Sebastian looks at me hurt, "You didn't want to tell me what you were doing?"

Glancing up at him I struggle to find the words, "I didn't want to bring you into my family drama. But I'm guessing Anne told you."

"That would be me." Ominis speaks up, "He's my best friend I wasn't going to lie to him when he asked what we were doing this afternoon."

I let out a sigh, "I'm sorry, I'll let you know if she tries to contact me again." I say and then give him the extra copy of the notebook. "But hey at least we got a way to send notes in class without getting caught."

I look to Ominis knowing that he knows I am hiding something else and I hope that none of them bring it up since my grandmother had mentioned that someone was after me. But I guess they didn't catch that part because none of them ask as we head back to the castle.

"You can let me cheat off of you on our transfiguration test coming up," Sebastian says but I can hear in his voice that he is still upset with me.

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First chapter of the new year.

I really need to get back into writing this book because as I reread over the chapters before I publish them I get more excited about what is to come and I love this story even if no one reads it. I'm really proud of it.

This is the longest chapter so far with a little short of four thousand words and I had written the last chapter and this one all in one sitting like back in last march of last year.

I think it's kind of obvious but do you have any guesses on why Lila's grandmother suddenly wants something to do with her?