Chapter Fourteen

ARIA SLID OUT of the fireplace and along an expensive fur rug that decorated the floor of Malfoy Manor. Lucius's harsh glare met her eyes as she looked up at him.

She dusted herself off and stood up as Malfoy slipped through the fireplace and landed at her feet.

He stood up swiftly. "Father. We missed the train."

"I can see that," Lucius replied solemnly, turning his attention to Aria. "Miss Snape?"

"Yes," Aria replied and looked around. She hadn't been in the manor for years. The last time she had, Draco was not even born yet.

"Will your father be accompanying you?"

"No." Aria searched from an excuse that didn't involve the truth about his new appearance. "He got caught up at school. Draco offered to let me stay here for a few days."

"I see." Lucius raised one eyebrow. "Dobby!"

A house-elf appeared next to him instantaneously. "Yes, master."

"Do not stand so close to me." He shoved the creature back with his walking stick. "Show Miss Snape to a spare room and unpack for her."

Aria watched as the house-elf grabbed her suitcase (which was even bigger than he was) and followed him out of the door. He led her to a room, which was surprisingly big for only a spare room.

"I hope it is to your liking." Dobby allowed her to enter first. The room was already decorated and had a large white bed opposite great glass windows. This was the kind of life Aria craved, even considering she and her father were well off, they didn't have nearly this amount of money.

Dobby began to unpack her bag and Aria decided that she trusted him enough to leave the room and go exploring.

It had been ages and yet everything was still so familiar. As she turned the corner into the kitchen, Aria saw the brilliant blonde of Narcissa's hair and raced to hug her.

"Aria! It's been too long, darling!" She squeezed Aria and pulled back, admiring her face. "You must tell me everything, come sit."

So the two sat and spoke as if they had never lost contact and soon Draco wandered in. He immediately reached for the cookie tin.

"How has it been, dear?" Narcissa asked him.

He shrugged. "Rubbish."

She nodded, a small smile appearing on her face. "Just like your father." She mumbled. "Anything exciting happen?"

He shook his head.

"And you?" She turned to Aria. "Anything exciting?"

"Actually, yes." She reached up and separated a part of her to reveal her scalp. "A troll hit me on the head. You can still see the scar. Fancy, huh?"

Narcissa's face was decorated with concern, but she nodded anyway. "Very fancy, yes. I hope the nurses knew what they were doing." She separated Aria's hair even further and continued to examine the scar and then looked towards Aria's eyes to search for any signs of a concussion.

Aria was taken aback by the sudden overwhelming feeling of being cared for, but all she could do was sit back and enjoy it.

ϟ

A few days had passed and Aria was still staying at Malfoy Manor with no word from her father. She had begun to worry that her roommates had killed him.

"So, what shall we do?" Draco asked as he sat across from her on his floor.

Aria shrugged. "I don't know. Let's talk."

"Talk?" His face scrunched in disgust.

Aria chuckled. "Yes, Malfoy. Talk."

It took him a moment to register that she was being sincere. "Fine. What do you want to talk about?"

Aria was about to respond with something witty when he cut her off.

"Wait, I know. How about we talk about your utter disgrace of a Hufflepuff boyfriend." Malfoy snapped bitterly.

"Cedric is not my boyfriend."

"He kissed you! You're completely betraying Slytherin."

"Well, we're not dating. Besides, I'm not even sure that I like him. My dad would never allow that and as you said, he is a Hufflepuff after all."

"A filthy Hufflepuff." He gagged.

Aria rolled her eyes. A silent moment passed before either of them spoke again. "And what about you? Surely you fancy someone."

His cheeks turned the lightest shade of pink at the mention of fancying someone. Aria smirked.

"Draco has a girlfriend." She sang and laughed as he blushed even harder.

"Shut up, Snape! She is not my girlfriend. I just think she's the most beautiful and intelligent woman I have ever met."

"Aren't you a bit young to be fantasizing about women?" Aria snorted. "But do I know her?"

"You could say that."

"Well, who is it then? Don't keep me waiting."

Draco was about to reply when the unmistakable voice of Professor Snape echoed throughout the manor.

Aria stood up immediately and ran to find him. "Father!" She was so glad that he was safe.

"Aria." His harsh face softened slightly when he saw her. "Get your things, let's go home."

She nodded and went to grab her bags, heading to say goodbye to Malfoy, but she stopped when she noticed that he was in the middle of what appeared to be an intense conversation with his mother. She didn't want to interrupt the moment and headed back to her father.

"Malfoy." Professor Snape said as he grabbed Aria's arm and headed for the fireplace.

"Snape." He replied. "Happy Christmas."

The last thing Aria saw before she disappeared into the fireplace was his cruel smirk.