July 1996
Harry didn't even have time to properly wake up when both of his friends barged in, asking him a multitude of questions that he didn't have answers for. Before he even could wrap his mind around everything, too many things happened in a quick slide.
Slughorn might be their new DADA teacher. Fleur Delacour, the new occupant of the Burrow, appeared out of nowhere, carrying the breakfast trail for him. Ginny threw around one venomous word after another at Fleur's presence at her home, which Mrs Weasley silently agreed with even though she tried to sound like she didn't. Hermione was strangely quiet about the whole theme of the conversation, and he couldn't help but notice how sad and tired she looked.
He knew why. He and Ron saw them at Sebastian's funeral. How Lilith shied from her touch and walked away. They were the ones to hold her afterwards, comforting her. If Ron was surprised by the revelation of the secret relationship, he didn't say a word and saved all of his reactions for later when it was just two of them and Harry had to explain everything. And even though Harry knew about Ron's distrust towards the Farrows and his general ignorance when it came to feelings, he had to give it to Ron. He put all of his negativity aside and supported Hermione through all of it. Maybe he was really growing up, and not only in a physical way. So Harry felt bad for Hermione because being stuck in one house with her girlfriend's/not-girlfriend's best friend wasn't probably the way she hoped to spend the summer. Getting a black eye by the twins' creation must have been the cherry on the top for her.
His brain hurt from all the questions about the Prophecy and Dumbledore, and he just wanted it to end so he threw in a bomb that he was sure would work. The O.W.L.s results.
As he expected, it completely changed the subject of the conversation as Hermione ran off downstairs and he had time to eat his breakfast in peace. When he reached downstairs after some time, both Hermione and Mrs Weasley were frustrated, trying to get rid of the black eye but to no away.
"It just won't budge," Mrs Weasley was saying anxiously, standing over Hermione with her wand in her hand and a copy of The Healer's Helpmate open at 'Bruises, Cuts and Abrasions'.
"This has always worked before, I just can't understand it."
"It'll be Fred and George's idea of a funny joke, making sure it can't come off," said Ginny.
"But it's got to come off!" squeaked Hermione. "I can't go around looking like this forever!"
"You won't, dear, we'll find an antidote, don't worry," said Mrs Weasley soothingly.
"I've heard that Fred and George are very amusing!" said Fleur, smiling serenely.
"Not now Fleur," Hermione groaned and looked back at Mrs Weasley. "Has she come down yet?" Mrs Weasley smiled sadly and shook her head.
"No, poor dear, I don't think I've seen her leave the room since she's been here." Harry looked around, confused. Who were they talking about? Most of the people in the kitchen fell silent but Fleur stood up from her chair.
"All right, that's it." She started walking out of the room, making Mrs Weasley's head snapped in her direction.
"Where do you think you're going?" Fleur raised her eyebrow, her smile gone.
"I've let you try it your way. Now it's my turn." she said and before Mrs Weasley could stop her, she was halfway up the stairs.
"Who are you talking about?" Hermione and Mrs Weasley exchanged a look but before Hermione could open her mouth to speak, he heard it.
"Aveline Sophia Farrow, open the door right now or I'm going in!" Harry gaped as he heard Fleur's yell from upstairs.
"Avy's here?" Mrs Weasley nodded sadly. He could hear a loud bang from upstairs, signalling that Fleur indeed had to get in by force.
"I thought she'd be at Cave Hill." Hermione sighed.
"Harry, even before the Ministry happened, Lilith and her got into a very bad fight. Why do you think she practically lived at my dorm?" Harry never questioned that, he just reasoned that Aveline missed Fred and George. "And after the Ministry..." Hermione bit her lip, looking at the ground sadly. "They didn't even speak at the funeral. Whatever happened, it must have been bad." Harry's eyebrows furrowed.
"You don't know?" Hermione shook her head.
"No idea. But please, don't bring it up with her." they could hear footsteps on the staircase and in a few moments, Fleur appeared in the doorway, holding Aveline by her biceps.
Harry had to do a double take. Aveline was always cheerful and full of life. She was the quick-tempered star chaser who caused trouble all around Hogwarts and always wore a smile on her face. But this version of Aveline scared him. She was pale, at least a few shades paler than her normal skin tone, he could see deep, almost purple bags under her eyes, and her cheeks were sunken. The most frightening thing was probably the look in her eyes. Aveline's eyes were always the most expressive ones. There was always a spark of mischief in them, joy shining brightly out of them. But now they were completely dull, blank, almost lifeless. He could feel the guilt ripping through him as he watched her. It was his fault they were at the Ministry in the first place, it was his fault Sebastian was now dead, buried on the grounds of their family's estate.
"Hi Harry." It wasn't her voice normal voice. This one was quiet, heavy, almost as if she ran on auto-pilot. Fleur tugged her towards one of the chairs.
"You're going to sit here and eat."
"Fleur," Aveline mumbled.
"You're going to sit here and eat, even if I have to sit here with you and force it down your throat." she said sternly and Harry didn't miss Mrs Weasley's disapproving look at her words.
"Whatever," Aveline said and sat down in the chair Fleur nearly forced her into. Fleur quickly went into the kitchen and grabbed a plate full of food that she put in front of Aveline, and true to her words, she sat in the chair next to Aveline, watching her like a hawk.
The heavy silence in the room was interrupted by Hermione who shrieked and covered her mouth with her hand as she gestured toward the window. Four owls with large squared envelopes flew in through the window that Mrs Weasley opened, and lined up at the table, extending their right legs.
All of them moved towards the owls, except for Aveline who pushed around the food at the plate. Harry saw Fleur rolling her eyes before she took the envelope with Aveline's name on it from one of the owls, the others following suit.
His hands shook a little bit but his nerves couldn't compare to Hermione's.
To his surprise, his results weren't as bad as he thought. They weren't as bad at all. The only thing that stang was the E in Potions, meaning his chance at being an Auror was gone. Snape was well-known for only accepting students with O into his N.E.W.T. classes. Hermione was a bit theatrical with her single E, and Ron couldn't be happier with his results.
"Aveline? Darling, what about you?" Mrs Weasley asked gently to which Aveline just shrugged.
"She did very well." Fleur said as she passed the letter to them. Harry took his second double-take that morning as the three of them stared at Aveline's O.W.L. results.
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS
Pass Grades:
Outstanding (O)
Exceeds Expectations (E)
Acceptable (A)
Fail Grades:
Poor (P)
Dreadful (D)
Troll (T)
AVELINE SOPHIA FARROW HAS ACHIEVED:
Astronomy O
Care of Magical Creatures O
Charms O
Defence Against the Dark Arts O
Ancient Runes O
Herbology O
History of Magic O
Potions O
Transfiguration O
"You've got all O's." Hermione said, blinking in surprise.
"Really? That's good I suppose." Aveline mumbled numbly, the revelation doing nothing with her as she turned to Fleur.
"I ate. Can I go now?" Mrs Weasley nodded sympathetically.
"Of course dear," but Fleur interrupted her, a stern look on her face as she pinned Aveline down with her eyes.
"No." Harry watched as Mrs Weasley frowned.
"Fleur,"
"I said no. It's a beautiful day, so you will go outside with the others and I don't care what you will do there. You can help de-gnome the garden, you can lie around, or you can maybe finally touch your broom that's just collecting dust in the shed. I don't care. But you will not go back into that room." Aveline finally showed some emotion as she glared at Fleur but the blonde witch didn't budge.
"You're not my mother, Fleur."
"No, but I might as well be your family so suck it up and go." Harry gulped as he watched the mental battle between the two but after a few moments, Aveline looked away, defeated as she got up and begrudgingly walked toward the door leading outside. Once they heard the door close behind her, Mrs Weasley turned toward Fleur.
"That was a bit too harsh, don't you think?" Mrs Weasley spat out angrily with her hands on her hips. Fleur stood up and crossed her arms over her chest.
"You've been coddling her."
"That girl just lost her brother! She's grieving!" the older witch looked like she was about to explode but Fleur stood her ground.
"You can't coddle her, especially not the way you've been doing so far." Harry took a careful step back, and as he noticed, he wasn't the only one. Most of them did when they saw Mrs Weasley's face get red.
"You don't know what she needs! She's a child." Fleur took a step closer as if she was daring Mrs Weasley.
"I've known that girl since she was four!" Fleur spat out. "She's expressive. She's very much in touch with her emotions, and she experiences them thoroughly. She always did. What she's doing right now is pushing them down. And if you keep coddling her the way you do, if you let her be alone with her grief, she will push them down until she explodes. And if she has even a speck of the power her sister has, you don't want to be around when that happens." Harry gulped as he remembered the battle at the Ministry. The sheer raw power of Lilith's magic that shook the whole room, started a hurricane and lit a ring of fire. He'd never experienced such magic first-hand and was glad he was not on the other side of it. Mrs Weasley took a step back, seemingly taken aback by her words. Clearly, she didn't know how deep their history ran.
"What she needs right now is a trigger. She needs something to trigger her to let it all out. And if she takes it out on me? Then I'm fine with it. I will be as harsh as I want, and I will push her as much as she needs, as long as it takes for her to snap. Because if Lilith was here, she'd do it. But she's not. So I'm the next best option." she glared at Mrs Weasley. For the first time in a long time, Harry was genuinely afraid of Fleur Delacour. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't interfere."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fleur stayed true to her words. At any chance she got, she pushed Aveline's buttons. Eating? Check. Showering? Check. Cleaning her room? Check. Washing dishes? Check. She was glad that everyone stayed out of her way, letting her do her thing as they silently watched on. She knew her future mother-in-law and sister-in-law were talking about her behind her back but she was used to that sort of talk since she was little. It didn't bother her. Her sole focus was Aveline. She and Lilith always shared the care of their younger siblings when they were together, and now Lilith was the last person Aveline would want to see, locked away at Cave Hill from the rest of the world. So Fleur had to make sure at least one ticking time bomb would explode under her watchful eye before she took care of the other one.
And her plan worked, ever so slowly. She could feel Aveline's emotions coming onto the surface. All she needed to do was to push her one more time. And her chance presented itself two weeks after she took over Aveline's care. It was a bright, sunny day and Harry, Ron and Ginny took up to the sky on their brooms, practising their quidditch moves high above, as Aveline laid in the shade of an old oak tree, staring blankly at its canopy.
"What?" she asked, and Fleur knew she was rolling her eyes.
"They look like they need a fourth. Will you ever pick that broom up or should I glue it to your hand?" Aveline pushed herself up into a sitting position.
"Will you get off my back already?!" there it was. Fleur could see a spark of anger in her eyes for the first time since the summer started.
"I will if you finally start doing something productive!" Fleur hated that she had to use that tone with Aveline. She always took her as her little sister, much like Lilith did with Gabrielle. But she knew what she did was necessary. Aveline stood up, her fists clenched.
"Well I'm sorry for being sad, Fleur!" Finally, Aveline snapped. Her fists were clenched so tightly that her knuckles whitened and her eyes pierced through Fleur.
"I'm sorry that I feel like the biggest fool on Earth!" her voice rose with anger.
"I'm sorry that my sister betrayed me!" she spat at her and Fleur could feel the wind picking up. She had an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She was fully aware of the powerful magic that ran throughout the Farrow family, but this was the first time she felt it manifest in Aveline. But she was the one who decided to take care of it so she was prepared to take it all.
"I'm sorry that my brother died!" Aveline yelled out and the wind continued to pick up.
"I'm sorry that I've lost everything I've ever known!" Fleur gulped but held her head high, feeling the wind against her body, almost pushing her a step back.
"But you wouldn't understand that, would you?!" Aveline spat out and Fleur could see her eyes water.
"You have your perfect family! You have your mum!" Tears finally started to fall down Aveline's cheeks.
"You have your dad!" Aveline's voice jumped a little bit as more tears came out.
"You have you precious Gabrielle!" The wind was now so strong it actually knocked Fleur back a little bit, but her main concern was the young witch in front of her in the process of full meltdown.
"You have your fiancé! You have everything! So leave me! THE FUCK! ALONE!" Aveline screamed the last part at the top of her lungs as she collapsed on her knees. Her magic exploded, knocking Fleur to the ground with its tidal wave. Fleur blinked in surprise, groaning as she pushed herself up from the ground and looked around. She wasn't the only one affected by Aveline's magic. It turned out to be so strong that it shattered all the windows in the Burrow even if Aveline was in relative distance from it. She saw Mrs Weasley in the doorway along with Hermione, watching the destruction in shock. She warned them that Aveline was a time bomb. In a distance away from them, she could see the trio that was previously on their brooms that was now laying on the ground, just like her. They had to fly down when they felt the wind picking up.
But when Fleur's attention turned back to Aveline, her heart broke for the girl. She was kneeling in the same spot she previously stood, her head hanging low, her hands covering her face but the violent shaking of her shoulders told Fleur all she needed to know. She picked herself up, making her way to the younger witch, and as she walked closer she could hear her violent sobs and gasps for air.
Fleur kneeled in front of the girl, gently prying her hands from her face. Aveline looked up at her, her sky blue eyes no longer holding the anger she previously had or were as lifeless and dull as they had been since Sebastian's funeral. They clearly reflected all the pain and sadness the younger girl harboured and kept bubbling inside of her for so long. Fleur cupped her cheeks in her hands, brushing away the never-ending waterfalls.
"There you are." she whispered softly. "You're not alone, Avy. I've got you. I promise." Aveline squeezed her eyes, choking out another sob as she fell forward, right into Fleur's arms, letting herself be wrapped in them and let Fleur rock her from side to side, listening to her reassuring words as her sobs continued on and on.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The grovel crouched beneath her feet as she slowly walked onwards. She felt melancholy sweep through her as she took in the familiar grounds that she'd missed so much, the smell of late July afternoon in the air, the well-known architectural design of the manor in front of her. This was the place where she used to spend a part of her childhood. The memories were bittersweet. The sound of broken English and French accompanied by laughter echoed in her mind. The feeling of nervousness and joy as she experienced her first kiss. The dread and fear that filled her when she had to leave in a hurry.
She felt the wards as she walked through her, surely alerting anyone in the manor of her presence but she didn't care as she continued walking until she reached the massive mahogany door, opening it and stepping inside.
She wasn't surprised by the silence in the manor, and she wasn't surprised when her back was shoved against the wall and the tip of a wand buried itself under her chin.
She smiled sadly as her blue eyes met the familiar brown, taking in the rugged appearance of her eldest friend.
"Hey Vala." she spoke softly and the pressure of the wand on her skin disappeared. Lilith blinked at her in surprise, her mouth slightly agape as they stared at one another, so close that Fleur could count the little, almost unnoticeable white scars on her brows and lips.
"Fleur." Lilith's voice was husked, tired as she took in the fact that Fleur was really standing right in front of her. "What are you doing here?" The sad smile stayed on Fleur's lips as she raised her hand and gently cupped Lilith's cheek, her heart breaking a little bit as she noticed how Lilith leaned into her touch like a small animal seeking warmth. She loved Lilith, purely, wholeheartedly. They understood each other on a level that even her fiancé couldn't, and she thanked her lucky stars that her father's business ventures intertwined with the Farrow family so long ago.
Fleur was only seven when her father took her to England for the first time and her eyes first landed on Cave Hill manor. She remembered clear as day as they walked towards the manor, her small hand clasping around his, and saw the Farrow family already waiting for them outside, all three children lined up next to their father who politely greeted her father and introduced them. She remembered Aveline's energetic, eager smile, Sebastian's red cheeks as he stared at her, stunned, and Lilith. Six-year-old Lilith, who first half-heartedly scolded Aveline to calm down before greeting Fleur in broken French, unlike her siblings who only spoke English which Fleur didn't understand. Who knew that a friendship out of convenience could so quickly grow into a strong, life-long bond? She was fascinated by Lilith, who was only a few months younger than her but carried around an air of confidence and mystery Fleur couldn't figure out. And she noticed that the more time she spent with Lilith, the more the girl smiled and let out the more free side of herself. Thankfully her father, always the perceptive one, recognized the blooming friendship immediately and offered Lilith's father to send the girl with him to France for a month, under the guise of bettering her French and Fleur's English. So that's how it all started. Throughout the years the exchange continued, in the summer, Lilith would spend a month with her family in France, and Fleur would spend a month at Cave Hill. She recognized immediately that the Farrow family dynamic was different than hers, and that Mr Farrow barely tolerated her at Cave Hill due to his business partnership with her father even though he tried to put on his best polite mask when she was around. She knew that from the nervous look in Lilith's eyes whenever her father entered the space they were in. But it didn't matter to her. Lilith was the first friend she'd made who never wanted anything from her, didn't use her and only gave her love and happiness. She was the only friend like that she'd ever made, even when she started attending Beauxbatons at ten. Lilith's letters were her source of comfort in the place where she quickly learnt to hide her emotions and true intentions from other students. Lilith was her safe place, and she was Lilith's. And as they got older, almost there was almost no secret between them. Lilith was the one who embraced her and wiped away her tears when she confessed to not only liking boys but girls as well, quickly putting a smile on her face when she confessed in her favour of girls instead of boys. She finally didn't feel alone. And maybe that's why she started to cling to Lilith more, mistaking her love for her as romantic love when she kissed the younger girl when she was fifteen. She didn't want to be alone, and could sense Lilith felt the same way as their short-lived summer romance began. That was the summer when she finally uncovered all of her friend's secrets. When she learnt about her role in the wizarding world. When she saw the scars on her back for the first time. And when she saw the other side Lilith's father came onto the surface when he barged in on them, kissing in Lilith's room. That was the last time she stepped foot into Cave Hill. As the Portkey took her home, and she broke down in her father's arms, telling him about Mr Farrow's yells and unkind words towards Fleur and his eldest daughter, her father immediately cut off all business contact with the Farrows, and Lilith sent her one quick, short and very blunt letter before going radio silent.
The Lilith she met a year later wasn't the Lilith she knew. Well, she knew her but at the same time, she didn't. She wasn't Lilith Farrow anymore. She wasn't her Vala. She was Lady Farrow. At least to the public. But Fleur saw the pain, the hurt, the tiredness in her. Saw the weight of the world laying on her shoulders. Saw how her friend withered away and grew up so quickly in the span of the year but there was still a spark of her old childhood friend in there.
The Lilith she saw standing in front was different. Her stern facade that greeted Fleur when she shoved her into the wall, cracked immediately as she leaned into Fleur's touch, her fingers wrapping around Fleur's wrist, revealing an imagine of a broken woman desperate for connection.
Her hand slipped around Lilith's waist, pulling her closer to her, embracing her tightly.
"I'm here for you, Vala. Did you think I'd just leave you?" she could feel Lilith's hands grabbing a fistful of her shirt, clinging onto her as she slowly swayed them from side to side.
"I'm just surprised." she could hear her whisper.
"I know." Fleur pulled away and pushed a strand of Lilith's hair behind her ear.
"How about some coffee on the balcony?" Lilith offered and Fleur smiled.
"I'd love to."
"Squeaky?" Fleur expected it so she wasn't startled when the house-elf appeared with a small bang. She missed the old elf.
"Yes, Miss Lili?" her big eyes went from Lilith to Fleur, and a smile broke on her face but Fleur could see the prominent frown lines on her small face. "Miss Fleur! It's been so long!" the elf clasped her hands in excitement. "Squeaky has missed you, Miss Fleur!" Fleur smiled.
"I missed you too, Squeaky."
"Squeaky, we'll be on a balcony. Could you bring us some coffee there?"
"Of course, Miss Lili."
"Thank you." Squeaky turned on her heel and skipped towards the kitchen. Lilith gestured with her hand for Fleur to lead the way. She remembered where to go even though it'd been some time since she'd been at the manor. She went to the right, continuing through the hallway until she reached the sitting room. She had fond memories of the place and it seemed that it still remained the same. The large family coat of arms was still above the fireplace. Her family never had anything like it but the Farrows were a very old family so it always fascinated her. A silver helm with gold bars sat on the top, with silver and blue mantling tied to it, falling down on both sides of the crest. A silver eagle depicted mid-flight with an outline of a crown above its head on a midnight blue field. The family motto was written right under it. Per aspera ad astra. Through adversity to the stars. Beautiful.
She walked through the sitting room and opened the glass door right next to the staircase, leading out to the stone balcony, which still had two chairs and a small table right in front of the railing. The manor was on a small hill so when she sat down in one of the chairs, she could see the whole estate in front of her, basking in the dimmed afternoon sun. Lilith sat opposite her and pulled out her cigarette case and lighter, offering her one which Fleur gladly accepted. She didn't know which one of them started smoking first but it was around the same time. They must've been thirteen or fourteen, just starting their rebellious phase. Fleur didn't smoke much, only occasionally but noticed that Lilith took on the habit of smoking at every chance she got. It didn't surprise the older witch, Lilith always said that it calmed her down, soothed her nerves, and helped her think. It worried her, yes, but it didn't surprise her.
It didn't take long before the door opened and Squeaky walked, a tray with a pot and cups levitating in the air right before her.
"Here you go, Miss Lili." she said and put the tray down on the table. Fleur could see her frowning. "Miss Lili shouldn't smoke. It's bad for Miss Lili." the corners of her lips tugged a little bit as she saw Lilith bow her head and rub the bridge of her nose.
"I know, Squeaky, I know." Squeaky turned to Fleur, her little hands on her hips.
"You too, Miss Fleur?" Fleur could feel her cheeks heating up.
"I'm sorry, Squeaky." Squeaky shook her head and walked back into the manor, leaving the door open. Fleur looked over the table at Lilith who poured the coffee into the cups, cigarette hanging between her pointer and middle finger of her right hand. She was pale as paper, bags under her eyes told her how much sleep she was getting, her fingers were shaking slightly and her hair, tied into a low ponytail hung over her shoulder, was dull and lifeless.
"How have you been?" she asked as she accepted the cup and took a sip, watching Lilith curl up in her chair, her knees brought to her chest as cradled the cup in her left hand and took a drag from the white stick, looking at the estate in front of them.
"How do you think?" she sighed and looked down into her cup. Fleur bit her lip.
"Is it true what I've heard?" Lilith looked at her. "You invoked the Farrow Law?" Lilith took a sip of her coffee and closed her eyes, leaning back into her chair.
"I did."
"Why?" she tried to not sound accusatory.
"I didn't exactly have a choice, Fleur." Lilith sighed. Fleur inhaled from her cigarette, the taste taking her back into happier times. She let Lilith continue.
"One moment I was..." she paused, taking a deep breath. "I was on the ground with Seb, and in the next, I was standing in the middle of that room with three Death Eaters, that were bound to me, laying on the ground, dead by my wand." she shook her head and took a sip of her coffee. Fleur wasn't horrified or felt scared. She knew exactly what Lilith's job was, and she knew her friend's nature. She wasn't scared of her, she pitied her.
"If I used the dagger, it would be a different matter. Maybe, if I tried, I could've come up with some solution. But I was just so angry with everyone. Hermione, Potter, Dumbledore, Aleksey..." she closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. Fleur frowned. "I just declared it."
"It was Aleksey?" Lilith nodded. She remembered what the younger witch told her. Aleksey Fyodorov was the embodiment of evil.
"They brought him there. They fucking brought him there. I should've expected it but he's such a wild card that I couldn't be sure." Fleur took a drag from her cigarette as she listened. "Whatever agreement I had with Voldemort," Fleur flinched slightly as she heard the name. "It already hung by a thin thread. After what happened, I just want to destroy them."
"But did you have to sever the agreement with the Order too?" she took a sip from her coffee. Squeaky always made delicious coffee and she missed it.
"I don't even want to hear the name 'Dumbledore'." Lilith sighed and took a drag from her cigarette. "He's responsible for so many innocent deaths, and people still regard him as the greatest man that ever lived." Fleur didn't speak up, she was intrigued. She wasn't very impressed with Albus Dumbledore when Beauxbatons visited Hogwarts, but everybody spoke so highly of him. Lilith was the first one to contradict it, and Fleur knew Lilith could probably be the only person to be actually right. She had the knowledge, the informations, the facts. She had everything. Of course, Fleur knew about the archives in the study. There were no secrets between those two.
"Everybody regards him as this all-mighty wizard, the Man who defeated Grindelwald. The only one that can defeat Voldemort." Lilith scoffed. "I'm not saying that he's not a powerful wizard, he is. But he wouldn't have to defeat Grindelwald if he didn't help him rise to power in the first place. Which is the truth that the majority of people have forgotten." Fleur took a sip, hanging on Lilith's every word. "And there wouldn't be any Voldemort if Dumbledore was a competent teacher and nurturer. He isn't. That boy lived right under his nose for seven years, and if he was competent enough, he would've seen the dark in him. He could've stepped in, he could've done something, he could've stopped him before he grew into the man he is now. But he didn't lift a finger." Lilith took a drag from her cigarette. "And even after Voldemort rose to power and Dumbledore was the most powerful wizard that could defeat him, did he? No. Instead, he formed The Order of the Phoenix full of people that believed in him, blindly. And he sent them to their death, one by one, all while sitting in his chair and twirling his thumbs." she looked at Fleur. "Did Bill tell you?" Fleur frowned.
"Told me what?" Lilith shook her head.
"Of course he didn't." she muttered to herself and took a drag from her cigarette before looking back at Fleur. "His two uncles, Gideon and Fabian Prewett, Mrs Weasley's brothers, were in the Order too. Both of them were killed. They were only twenty-six. Same age as Bill is now if I'm not mistaken." Fleur blinked in surprise. She didn't know that. She knew Bill had one uncle, Theodore, but he didn't tell her about Gideon and Fabian.
"Can I let you in on something?"
"Always."
"The only reason why Mrs Weasley is alive right now and not buried alongside her brothers, why her husband and children are alive, is because Theodore Prewett came to my father and begged him for help. He bound himself to him in exchange for protection. I was there, I remember him knocking at the front door in the middle of the night." Fleur gaped at her.
"Do they know?" Lilith shook her head.
"Of course they don't. He's a very capable man, and loyal. He'd never tell his family what he had to do in order to protect them."
"So if he was bound to your father, does that mean he's bound to you now?" Lilith nodded. "Can you release him from it?" Lilith gave her a sad smile.
"I can't. Once you take the runes, there is no way back. You're bound until your death." Fleur took a drag from her cigarette, and Lilith sighed, taking a sip from her cup before continuing.
"The Prewett twins weren't the only ones. The original Order had many members, all of them putting their trust in Dumbledore to protect them and help them. Only a speck of them survived the war. And Dumbledore did nothing. Voldemort was defeated by accident. And now? He's back and Dumbledore repeats the same tactic he used before. He brainwashed everyone to be blindly loyal to him, he parades Potter around as his Golden Boy even though the boy doesn't have a clue how to defeat someone like Voldemort. He's good, he's capable but he isn't good enough. And still, his friends are blindly loyal to him and follow him everywhere." there was a bitter tone in Lilith's voice.
"Did you join?" Fleur shook her head.
"No but Bill is in." Lilith puffed out a cloud of smoke, and Fleur bit her lip. "Vala, there's something I need to tell you." Lilith raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?" Fleur took a deep breath and put out her cigarette into the ashtray on the table before reaching behind her shirt. A soft smile made its way onto her face as she pulled out the silver chain with a shamrock pendant on it, accompanied by her engagement ring.
"I'm getting married." she tugged at the chain and lifted her eyes to watch Lilith's reaction. The brunette's lip slowly curled upwards into a smile as she blinked a couple of times, her eyes travelling from Fleur's eyes to the ring. Her face visibly softened, gone was the bitter look, and her legs uncurled from her chest and fell on the ground. She put out her cigarette.
"You're getting married?" she whispered softly, and Fleur couldn't help her smile getting bigger as she nodded.
"I am. I would've told you sooner but..." Lilith shook her head, putting the cup on the table.
"No. Don't apologize." Lilith stopped her and reached out for Fleur's hand and the older witch let go of the necklace and took it. "Fleur, this is wonderful!" she gave her a squeeze and rubbed her thumb over the back of her hand. "When?"
"Next summer." she bit her lip. "I was hoping you could be my maid of honour?" Fleur's heart fluttered when Lilith finally fully, genuinely smiled. It was so long since she'd seen her smile so brightly.
"I was afraid you wouldn't ask." Fleur squeezed her hand.
"Thank you."
"Although there is something I must insist on." Fleur lifted her eyebrow in question.
"What is it?" Lilith smirked.
"You're going to tell your father that I will be the one paying for the wedding dress because I have to make sure you'll have the most beautiful dress there is." Fleur's eyes watered as she chuckled.
"Vala..."
"I want to do it, Fleur. Let me do it." Fleur chuckled once more and nodded, knowing there was no way of swaying Lilith.
"Alright." Lilith gave her hand one more squeeze before letting go. Her legs once more curled to her chest and she lit another cigarette.
"So I'm guessing you're getting to know the family?"Lilith chuckled at Fleur's loud, heavy sigh.
"They are a lot."
"Oh I know." Lilith paused and her eyes glazed over.
"Avy's there, isn't she?" Fleur's smile dimmed.
"She is."
"How's she?" Fleur took a sip of her coffee.
"Better. Not well but she's getting there. Baby steps." her eyes watched Lilith.
"That's good to hear."
"Why aren't you two speaking? I heard you had a big fight. What was it about?" Lilith closed her eyes, rubbed the bridge of her nose and was quiet for a long but Fleur didn't interrupt her. She would speak eventually, she knew she would.
"Because Avy found out the truth."
"Truth about what?" Lilith looked at the estate and blew out a small cloud of smoke.
"That I killed our father." Fleur hummed and sipped her coffee. Lilith looked at her.
"You're not shocked?"
"I had my suspicion, so no, I'm not surprised or shocked."
"Well the same thing can't be said about Avy. She hates me now." Fleur rolled her eyes.
"Because she doesn't know the whole truth, Vala."
"And she never will." Fleur shook her head and emptied her cup.
"You're a stubborn ass."
"But you love that about me."
"Shut up." Lilith gave her a small smile and Fleur looked down on her watch.
"I'm sorry, Vala but it's getting late. I have to go." she gave her an apologetic smile but Lilith didn't seem to mind. Both of them stood up and started walking back into the manor, Lilith still smoking her cigarette.
"It's alright, Fleur. Future daughter-in-law duties?"
"Don't remind me." they entered the sitting room and Lilith closed the door. Fleur was opening her mouth to speak but paused. Her eyes caught movement on the staircase. She looked up and saw a blonde girl she'd never seen, standing in the middle of the staircase, holding an opened book in hand, looking Fleur right in the eyes. She looked like a deer caught in headlights. Lilith seemed to catch the pause because her eyes travelled in the same direction as Fleurs and she sighed.
"You're Fleur Delacour." the blonde nearly stammered as she looked at Fleur, clearly caught by surprise. Fleur's eyes narrowed as she looked back at Lilith. Surely she hadn't moved on from Hermion so quickly.
"Vala?" Lilith turned to look at her. "Can you explain?" she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Fleur, this is Daphne Greengrass."
"That doesn't answer my question." Lilith rubbed the back of her neck.
"Do you recall what I told you about Theodore?" gaped at her.
You've got to be kidding me." she turned to look at the girl, Daphne, who in the meantime descended the stairs and was now standing just a few feet away from them. She looked so young. "You're what? Fifteen? Sixteen?"
"Sixteen." Daphne quipped, her cheeks red in embarrassment as she looked at the ground. Fleur looked back at Lilith.
"Vala, what the fuck?"
"I didn't really have a choice."
"You didn't?" Lilith shook her head.
"No. I discouraged her, vehemently. I told her multiple times what the stakes are but ultimately, it's always in the hands of the person coming to me. It was her decision." Fleur sighed.
"So you're training her." Lilith shrugged and took a puff from her cigarette.
"Trying to." Fleur rubbed the bridge of her nose before looking back at Daphne.
"You," the girl looked startled as Fleur directly spoke to her. "You foolish, foolish girl. You better listen to everything she has to teach you. If you can be as reckless as you can, you can also be a quick study. Do you understand?" she saw the girl gulp and nod. She turned back to Lilith.
"I will write before I pop up next, alright?" Lilith nodded and Fleur rubbed her arm. "And don't worry, Avy's in good hands."
"I know." Fleur opened her arms and Lilith wrapped her arms around her waist tightly, her own arms tightening around Lilith's shoulders.
"I will miss you."
"Me too."
"Remember, you're not alone." she felt Lilith smile against her neck.
"I know." Fleur leaned down and gave Lilith a kiss on the cheek before letting go of her. "Bye Vala."
"Bye Fleur." she rubbed Lilith's arm one more time before turning around, walking out of the sitting room, down the hall and out of the entrance door, leaving the Cave Hill manor once again.