-----A Day in the Life of Leah Lovat-----
Leah jumped out of the fireplace and into the main sitting room of Malfoy Manor.
"HELLO!" She grinned widely.
This was how she typically arrived despite how often she found herself screaming 'hello' to no one. Today was not like that.
"Oh. Hello, Miss Lovat."
It was Emma, Leah recognized, a maid who worked in the manor. She was dusting a mirror on the wall.
"Hi!" Leah waved excitedly.
"Hi?" Emma greeted again, waving back awkwardly. "We were wondering when we would see you again. Miss Lestrange and Master Draco are having afternoon tea with Mrs Narcissa in the library."
"Okay, thanks!"
"Shall I bring more tea for you as well?"
"Oh, yes, please! And some of those tiny little cupcakes?" Leah licked her lips hopefully.
"I'll see what I can do." Emma chuckled.
"YES! NOURISHMENT!" Leah announced to the ceiling, voice echoing as if they were in an empty cavern. She then skipped from the room, bobbing her head and singing as she went. "I'm gonna see Val and Draaaco, I'm gonna see Val and Draaaco."
Leah knew the manor practically as well as her own home and made a beeline for the library. She knew she wasn't really supposed to be here but she was so painfully bored at home and her mother had only said to not go over as often and she hadn't been over for the entire morning so surely counted for something.
Her shoes padded across the lush carpets so that she practically bounced. She loved Valentine and Draco as though they were her sister and brother. She knew no life without them. They weren't always very nice and they had intelligence and talents that she couldn't even imagine having but that was what made them so special. She had always believed that her good looks and charming personality more than made up for all those other things. And for all of Valentine and Draco's insults, they had never stopped being her friend despite what she lacked. Leah knew they loved her and that it was unconditional no matter what they would say. The three of them would always love each other even if the world was to fall apart. And she supposed they could make up for not being able to see, talk to or even smell Olivia for a whole TWO MONTHS.
Olivia was so many things that Valentine and Draco simply weren't. She was sweet and humble and considerate. Leah could hardly believe she was real when they had first met. She seemed like a delicate and kindly princess from a story. She was so different from anything Leah had ever been exposed to before. She was shy and nervous and bashful and so lovely to be around that even Valentine Lestrange called her a friend. Leah had thought for a while now, that if there was an award for the best person in the world, then Olivia definitely should be the one to win it.
God, how she missed her. She had written to her last night and now definitely planned to do so again. And probably Liam and Blaze for good measure as well. She would get a reply from Blaze if she had to hunt him down and beat it out of him. Fighting via mail was already difficult enough without him making it one side.
When she reached the library she poked her head through the door.
"Guess who?"
She'd wrapped her face entirely with her own hair in an attempt to mask her identity.
"Is it the sweet, sweet relief of death?" Draco asked eagerly.
"Nope."
"Dammit."
"Draco," Narcissa shot him a severe look, "I know it amuses you but I don't appreciate you talking like that."
"And sometimes I don't appreciate breathing and yet here I am."
"Well, I-" Narcissa stopped herself, took a breath and a sip of tea. "Nevermind. I have the feeling this conversation will go nowhere."
"Smart move." Valentine scoffed under her breath.
Leah was glad to see her there, sarcastic and disdainful as per usual. That was a good sign after what had happened back at school. Just thinking about it put Leah on edge, so instead, she shoved it back with all her other worries unwound her hair mask.
"It's me!"
"Yes, hello, dear." Narcissa made sure to include her, gesturing for her to join them by the fire.
The curtains on either side of the mantel were pulled back but the room was still dark and cold. Malfoy Manor had always been like that. Leah kept a pair of gloves around for that reason.
Valentine and Draco were in the armchairs sitting adjacent for one another while Narcissa was on the couch between them and Leah hurried to sit beside her.
"Shall I call for more tea?" Asked Narcissa.
"No, it's already coming." Said Leah.
"So, how have you been today? These two are in quite a...difficult mood."
"I'm always like this." Valentine cut her a glare like ice.
Of all Valentine's many skills, Leah thought that might have been one of her finest. The things she could do with her eyes alone was practically magic. She could change the feel of a room like it had suddenly dropped ten degrees. She could silence someone or make them speak quicker. She could make a person feel so very small that they might fear they would disappear altogether. Leah was certain it was because of those eyes of hers. They were blue just like Draco's and yet they were so very different. They glowed like she had fireflies buzzing around in her skull. She had told Valentine that once when they were very young and Valentine had told her in turn that her eyes looked like honey if you stood in the right lighting. Leah just which she knew what that lighting that was so she could always stand in it. Eyes like honey were maybe the tastiest compliment she'd ever gotten and it was all more the special given that Valentine didn't really compliment anyone these days. Unless it was backhanded, of course.
"How is your mother?" Narcissa asked pleasantly.
"She's fine. Same as ever." Leah replied straightening her back abruptly, trying to mimic Narcissa's posture that always made her look so elegant.
"Bring your elbows in just a little more," Narcissa instructed, clearly amused. "Good. Now lower your shoulders and always get your chin level to the floor."
"Am I doing it?" Leah tried her best to hold the stature when all she wanted to do was lay on the carpet because she knew how comfortable it was. "Is it good? Am I a proper lady yet?"
"A proper nut is what you are." Draco snickered.
"At least nuts have sturdy shell's. I'd rather be a but then a mouldy cheese like you!"
"Excuse me?"
"You hear me, cheese boy!"
Draco opened his mouth retort but Narcissa stopped him.
"Now, now." She gave them both a scolding motherly look. "No one here is a nut or a cheese. You are young ladies and gentlemen and should learn to act as such."
"Well, that's my cue to leave." Valentine started to stand up out of her chair.
"Don't you dare." Said Narcissa. "Refinement is important.
"It's about an important as a third leg."
"Oh!" Leah lit up. "That could be fun."
"See!" Draco pointed at her. "A nut!"
"Hmm." Leah thought for a moment. "Wait. But what kind of nut am I? Like a peanut or a pecan? Or maybe a walnut? There macadamia nuts and cashews as well. Hmm."
"I love it when my point is proven with minimal effort." Said Draco.
Narcissa sighed heavily and rubbed at her eyes.
"Deportment is a basic skill to help you maneuver through society."
"I have deportment." Insisted Draco.
"I know you do because I taught you, but it hardly counts if you don't use it."
"Find me someone worth such useless niceties and I'll consider it." Said Valentine.
Narcissa sighed again but steeled her gaze. She seemed rather determined today.
Emma brought more tea and the cupcakes Leah had asked for. They had little frosting flowers on them and one even had a ladybug. It was so incredibly cute that Leah wanted to cry.
Narcissa spent the afternoon lecturing them on the proper etiquette of high society and Leah listened even if she had already heard it all from her mother. I was nice to be distracted and distracted amongst friends was even better. Valentine was constantly huffing witty or vulgar things under her breath while Draco insisted that he was already elegant and refined enough and that the world wouldn't be able to take it if he was anymore prefect. Narcissa lost her patience and left the room defeated around the same time Draco had said;
"Really, mother. This is wasted on me. I already know all this. Is it really fair on the common people if I'm so gentlemanly that they just have to kiss the ground whenever I walk by? Actually. I might not mind that."
And then Valentine made it worse by adding;
"Weren't you vying for your own death a moment ago? And now you want people to kiss the ground you walk on?"
"I can do both."
-----A Day in the Life of Leah Lovat-----
Leah had wanted to stay the night at Malfoy Manor but after an hour of 'um-ing' and 'uh-ing' that effectively lengthened her stay, she decided against. She would have dinner with her parents tonight to show that she wasn't spending too much time with the Malfoy's. She doubted it would be enough to escape a scolding but she could survive that.
She'd barely had the time to wash up before dinner when Penny was coming to find her.
She bounded down to the dining room. She excepting to hear her mother talking as she approached but heard nothing. She already knew she would find her father at the head of the table alone.
"Evening." Leah slowed to a skip as she entered and headed for the only other set plate.
"Evening." Her father spoke plainly and waited for her to sit before beginning to eat.
She didn't expect more than that from him. Her father had always been a man of few words and what words we're spoken we're usually in a low monotone. She wondered if he was different when he had first met her mother in school. Leah had never thought to ask before. She couldn't picture him as the chatty sociable type.
Leah picked up her fork in silence, frowning down at her salad. There was more than usual. She peered over at the only other person in the room.
"Father?" She asked, surprised by the meekness in her own voice.
William looked up from his food to address her.
"Yes?"
"Ah...is mama still-"
"Your mother is out in the garden." He said quickly.
"Okay." Leah nodded. She knew what that meant and didn't question it.
"I'll make sure she is brought in before it gets too late."
"Okay," Leah said again, pushing a pile of lettuce aside so she could get to the meat more easily.
Of the seven distinct personalities that were contained inside her mother's mind, The Gardener was still not the most concerning. Leah had learned to tell them apart with ease as she got older. She could even tell when another was lying and pretending to be the Rose everyone knew. The Dancer and The Gardener were the best at this although The Mermaid could be passable if it wasn't for long. Either way, Leah and her father, in particular, kept an eye out when she was away from the manor. This could never get out, not even to Valentine or Draco, not even Malfoy's their closest friends. Her father said it would cause trouble for everyone including her mother, that they would be judged and sneered at. If it meant protecting her mother, Leah would lie to everyone and anyone.
-----A Day in the Life of Leah Lovat-----
Leah was standing in the hall waiting for the lights of the greenhouse to go out. Five minutes passed and the boredom was starting to make her itchy so she pulled out the pack of crayons she had in a nearby side table for emergencies such as these. Then she realised she had no paper.
She groaned and cursed her own negligence. She let her head thump against the wall heavily and grumbled at the pain. When it faded and her head cleared, she was hit with an idea. The smooth creme wallpaper was embossed lightly but wouldn't prove too much of a problem. She selected a dark purple crayon and started drawing Blaze standing under a coconut tree with one inch from knocking him cleanout.
Then she drew herself and Olivia riding a unicorn and was working on a beautiful wedding scene between Draco and a monkey when a voice stopped her.
"Bloody hell."
Leah froze and ever so slowly turned to look over her shoulder.
Penny stared at her with a look that clearly said 'really?'.
"Uh. I wasn't me?"
Penny just sighed and rubbed at her face with both hands. People tended to do this sort of thing around Leah a lot.
"Miss...You're too old to be drawing on walls."
"But I was waiting for mother to come inside and I was bored!"
Penny's face changed.
"Is she still out there?" Penny moved to look out the window and down at the greenhouse that was still alight.
"Father said he would go get her before it got too late." Said Leah.
"I think he's already down there." Penny nodded and then looked back to the wall. "Well, then. What are we going to do about that?"
"About what? I don't see anything."
"Miss."
"Nope, nothing at all."
Penny sighed again.
"How about we get you ready for bed?"
"No! I want to wait until mama's inside." Leah said stubbornly.
"Your father can handle it just fine."
"I don't care!" Leah huffed.
"Miss, please be reasonable."
"No! I'm not reasonable, I'm ridiculous! Haven't you been paying attention?" Leah turned away from her and faced the wall, yellow crayon clenched fearfully tight in her hand as she scratched out Draco's hair.
Leah pouted and muttered bitterly under her breath as she moved on to the banana pattern on Draco's wedding dress.
Penny watched her for a moment. When she was like this, there was no stopping her. Instead of sighing again, she grabbed the crayon packet and pick out a red one.
She stepped up to the wall beside Leah and the girl looked at her in clear surprise as she pressed the crayon to the wallpaper.
"So." Said Penny casually. "What you drawing there?"
"Uh...it's a wedding..." Leah blinked. "...between Draco and this monkey."
"What's the monkey's name?"
"Name?"
"Oh, don't give me that. You name everything, I know you do."
She was right and the monkey did have a name.
"Marvin." Leah couldn't help but smile.
"Marvin the Monkey, huh?"
"Yep." Leah popped the 'p'.
"Very nice."
"...so...what are you drawing?"
"A seal."
"A seal?" Leah lit up excitedly. "Can you put a top hat on it?"
"Only if I can give him a bow tie as well."
"Deal!"
The next half-hour passed as the two scribbled away with abandon. Even Penny had forgotten all else but the colour drawings breaking the creme wallpapers monotony. There were kinds of animals to go along with Penny's seal. Giraffes and butterflies, cats and koalas. About fifteen minutes in Leah had become very determined to fit the near animal kingdom in the hallway and moved to a new section to start on a dragon while Penny was finishing off an antelope.
They spoke as they went, not a lot, mostly just to complement each other's work or to make a pun related to the animal they were drawing. Penny was quite good at coming up with them on the spot.
They were giggling at the buck teeth Leah had given a shark instead of the usual jagged rows when Penny turned to grab another crayon and froze in her place.
"Penny?" Leah noticed she had fallen completely silent and turned as well. "What? Shark got your...tongue...?"
William was standing in the hall, staring at the two of them blankly.
Leah squeaked and slapped her body up against the wall in an attempt to hide what they had been doing.
"Mr Lovat." Penny had averted her eyes to the floor, still frozen stiff. "I'm...I...I'm so sorry, sir. I will have this cleaned up immediately and I will accept any punishment you see fit. I can't believe I..."
"No!" Leah was still pressed to the wall. "You can't get mad at her father! I started it! She was only doing it because I was!"
"Miss Leah..." Penny finally seemed to be able to move and so was William.
She stepped right past Penny to Leah who was stretching out her dress to hide the lower scribbles.
"Yes, father?" Leah gave her best innocent smile. She'd seen Valentine do this to Snape a million times but didn't think she could ever be that convincing.
He stared down at her for a moment, dark eyes unreadable and Leah began to wonder If he was really angry with her. He'd never shouted at her before, would this be the first time? What would that be like? Most people were made nervous just by his presence, so wouldn't the sight of him angry be something frightening. Leah could feel every muscle in her body tightening one by one.
William reached out one hand towards her. She squeezed her eyes shut. If he was going to be angry, she didn't want to see it. And if he was going to hit her, she wanted to brace herself.
She wasn't quite sure what to expect but the gentle hand on her head hadn't been the furthest thing from that. She felt the large hand move to stoke the top of her hair once. No one had done this to her in years. For most people, she was far above a convenient height for them to do so. She slowly cracked her eyes open to peer up at her father.
His face was ever unreadable, an utterly blank slate betraying nothing.
"Goodnight, Leah." He spoke in that voice as untelling as his expression.
Then he took his hand away and continued up the hallway without another word.
Leah stared after him for the longest moment of her life, she only managed to force her tongue to form words just before he headed around the corner.
"Night, father!"
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net