26. we've only got so much time



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DUMBLEDORE


took her, to protect her. But he took her, although it was for her own good. But what did he know about it? How he knew that taken from her family would be the best thing for her? If You-know-who was gone already, why would he take her? Why did he wait for three more years? He must had known that You-know-who was going to come back at some point. WhyΒ would Dumbledore hadΒ taken her other wise?Β 


She was furious at him but grateful. ButΒ then again it didn't matter because you-know-who is back now and Celeste knowsΒ everything, she isn't safe. So basically, the whole 'let's protect Celeste' plan failed. Then again she has to tell her parents but they are supporters of You-know-who. Everything was a huge bowl of mess and Celeste did not like that at all.


These were only the fracture of the things Celeste had thought about for the past few days.


It was the middle of the night when Celeste woke up to strange sounds. Celeste got up from her bed and walked over to Hermione's, who wasn't there. Confused and slightly worried, Celeste wrapped her robe over her pajamas and walked out of the room, into the common room and then out of the Fat Lady's portrait.


The school felt haunted, abandoned and cold. It was darker than normally. Walking towards the Great Hall Celeste started to hear more voices, cries coming from outside the school building and maniac laughter from the Great Hall. Celeste started to walk even more quieter, scared of what might be hiding behind the corners.Β 


She carefully walked behind the Great Hall's door and peaked to look what was behind. Her aunt, her brother and some very dangerous looking people were dazzling in the Great Hall, and walking towards the door where Celeste was hiding behind.Β 


Celeste backed away from the door but for her unfortunate she backed straight at someone. She felt this person's hot breath against her back before she started to slowly turn around. The person who was now in front of her wasn't a human, it was something from between.


A werewolf. Celeste has met only one werewolf in her life, Remus Lupin but Celeste already knew that this one wasn't anything like Remus. This one was death itself. This one was the one who was there when Bellatrix set the Burrow on fire.


"Greyback!" A high pitched voice shrieked from the door, making Celeste turn towards the voice. "Don't even think about touching my niece!"


It was Bellatrix, and a hit of mixed emotions took over Celeste. She wasn't exactly glad to see her, sadly. She wanted to be, just like the first time she saw her when Celeste spent the weekend at the Malfoy Manor. Now Celeste had become unsure, she was going to leave for Merlin's sake. But now there was the new matter, Dumbledore took her and she needed to tell her parents this.Β 


"Bella," Celeste sighed but before she could had done anything, Draco ran to her and trapped her into a tight hug.


"It's over," he whispered to Celeste who frowned as she let go of her brother.


"What are you talking about?" Celeste asked and quickly glanced at Bellatrix who was beaming, and Bellatrix Lestrange doesn't just beam because something good happened.


"Your Headmaster is dead," Bellatrix squealed like a child who got an extra cookie.


Celeste took a step away from Draco and shook her head. "No, Draco. You didn't..." She gasped in horror.


She didn't feel anything for the man but the thought of her brother being a killer was too much for her at the moment.


"I didn't," Draco said quickly. "I didn't do it."


"You shouldn't be so proud about that Draco. The Dark Lord isn't going to be happy," Bellatrix reminded him before one of the dark cloaked men came to Bellatrix and whispered something to her.Β 


"We have to go," Bellatrix said and walked over to Celeste and Draco.


"I-I'm not going anywhere," Celeste said and took few more steps back.


"Are you sure?" Draco asked, his eyes filled with hope. "Can't you come and see mother once more?"


Celeste sighed. "Draco, I meant it, when I said I'm done."


The truth was that she didn't know anymore. The fact that Dumbledore had taken her all those years ago and she has fought for him ― against her own father ― just made her head and heart ache in a way they never have.Β 


Draco stared at his twin without saying a word.Β 


"Your father will be there," Bellatrix said suddenly, making both of the Malfoy siblings turn to her. "The Dark Lord freed him just now."


Celeste turned around, and thought. She needed to tell her parents about who took her, but then again if You-know-who was going to be in the Manor, Celeste would be in danger. There was no right answer anymore.Β 


"Okay," Celeste said, and even surprised herself by her answer. "Okay."




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NARCISSA PANICKED


and paced around the drawing room. She had heard about Dumbledore's death but there was still no sight of her son, which terrified her. Lucius sat on his armchair, still wearing his Azkaban clothings but he didn't dare to leave his wife. He slowly got up from the chair and walked over to Narcissa, wrapping his arms around her and soothed her.


"Draco will be all right Cissa," Lucius whispered to her but Narcissa just shook her head.


"I lost Celeste again, I can't loose Draco too," she said, her voice breaking and tears starting to flee her eyes. "Why can't I keep my children? Why do everyone take them away from me?"


Lucius tightened his arms around his wife when suddenly the front door of the Manor flew open, and countless steps ran towards them. Bellatrix was the first one to arrive.


Narcissa immediately pushed her way out of Lucius' hold and ran to her sister. "Where's Draco?" She asked, nearly yelling.


"Oh Cissy, I didn't mean to break your and your husband's tender moment," Bellatrix teased her sister. "Draco is fine. He's not hurt but he did not kill that old man."


Narcissa's face paled and she turned back to Lucius who took the hint and wrapped his arms around her waist. "He was the reason they got into Hogwarts in the first place. Dark Lord won't hurt him," he tried his best to assure.


"I'll say a good word for him," Bellatrix sighed shrugging and her emotionless face turned to into a small beam. "But guess who's here?" She asked and backed to the door and opened it, revealing Draco and Celeste.


Lucius froze, the girl next to his son looked just like Narcissa. His little princess looked like the little four years old girl she once was, only now more mature. She was beautiful.Β 


Narcissa's knees gave up as she looked at her children, both all alive and well. She fell down on the floor, Lucius quickly kneeling besides her. Draco sniffed silently before running to his parents. To his mother who was worried out of her mind and to his father who he hasn't seen in a year.


"I-I th-thought you had---" Narcissa sobbed but couldn't finish her sentence as she wrapped her arms around her son tighter.Β 


"I'm all right mother," Draco sighed and lifted his face from his mother's shoulder and turned to look at his father.Β 


The father looked at his son who had grown up so much over the year. "I'm so sorry Draco," he said. "For everything."


Celeste stared at the trio in front of her, unsure wether or not to go to them or just leave. She glanced at her aunt who gave her a little smile and walked to her.Β 


"Go on," Bellatrix said and walked past Celeste, and left the room.


Carefully Celeste took a step closer to her family and took a deep breath in and exhaled it out. "It was Dumbledore," she said quietly, and her family turned to look at her. "He got Barty Crouch Junior to take me but he orchestrated it."


Hearing Celeste's voice made Narcissa get up from the floor. She walked closer to Celeste, so that there was only one step between them. "H-how did you--?"


"Dumbledore showed me, I guess he knew he was going to die," Celeste sighed and moved her gaze from her mother to the floor.


"You said you were done with us," Narcissa swallowed and felt her husband's arm finding its way back to her waist. Narcissa quickly glanced at Lucius who was unable to say anything, he was in a trance.


Celeste kept her eyes fixated at the floor. Then she carefully lifted her gaze back to her mother, only to see her father as well. The memory of the last time she had seen the regal couple together washed over her, the night she was taken and just like that, every inch of dislike and prejudice towards her family vanished. Celeste's eyes stared to fill with tears as she bit her tongue from crying.Β 


Without even thinking, Celeste took the one step between her parents and herself and wrapped her arms around them both. "I'm so sorry mommy," she began to cry against her chest. "I was so awful to you."


Narcissa quickly wrapped her arms around Celeste and buried her face to her blonde locks. "It's all right my sweet girl, it's all right," she whispered and placed a kiss on Celeste's cheek.Β 


Narcissa had dreaded that Celeste was never going to come back to her, never going to hug her again, never calling her mommy again and even if this was going to be the last time, she didn't care. She was taking it all in.Β 


"I love you my darling," she cried, as she held her daughter close to her chest.


Slowly, Lucius wrapped his arms around the mini version of his wife and a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders. A void in his heart was filled once again. He tightened his arm around Celeste and fought against the tears he hasn't shed in years.


Celeste felt her father's arm around her and lifted her face slightly so she could look him in his eyes. "Hi," she said shyly.


"Hey," Lucius smiled softly and kissed the top of Celeste's head. "You're here," he sighed.


"Yeah," said Celeste and while she wished to say more to her father, she didn't quite know what. Especially since the last time she had seen him was at the Department of Mysteries.


It was odd to see the man who was ready to hurt a group of teenagers now so full of emotions. But Celeste understood of course. The last time Lucius Malfoy has seen his daughter ― Celeste herself ― was over a decade ago.Β 


"I'm so glad you are here," said Lucius and for a moment, all was well for the Malfoys.Β 


But just for a moment.

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