63 Ch63. Christmas 3

Hadrian and Narcissa entered Dora's room and found the poor girl warped in her blanket on her bed as her terse sobs resounded through the air and tears streamed down her cheeks.

Hadrian sat on the edge of her bed and pulled Dora into his embrace. The usually fiery girl didn't even fight him as she was too tired for that.

"Shhh, it will be fine." He cooed to her as he gently caressed her hair.

It took a while of whispering encouraging words to Dora's ear but the girl eventually calmed down. She still clung tightly to Hadrian, just resting her head on his shoulder.

"What should I do now..." She asked him hollowly.

"Nothing." Hadrian answered instantly without even thinking which made Dora raise her head and look him straight into the eyes, waiting for him to elaborate. "You can do nothing but live your life well. Learn to defend yourself and your mind and accomplish your goals. Narcissa here will make sure to train you in combat and mind arts."

He didn't want Dora anywhere close to fighting but he would be damned if he didn't make her suffer in order for her to learn how to kick ass. His little Dora had to learn how to defend herself.

Dora was at first grateful but that feeling quickly disappeared when she saw the smug, blood-thirsty smirk of Narcissa. Instead, she gulped in worry, her previous worries forgotten.

"On the second thought..." She was suddenly unsure if she wanted to train under her Aunt. Mother always told her Bella was the vicious one of the sisterly trio but as she saw Narcissa's expression, Dora was not entirely convinced about that.

"You have no choice in the matter, dear." Hadrian sweetly told her. "Order from you Lord."

Dora scowled at him and stuck out her tongue.

"Will you sit in my lap for long?" Hadrian asked jokingly, interrupting the angry ranting she was about to deliver to him.

It was only then that Dora realized she was sitting in his lap, her hands snaked behind his neck while her head was only inches from his. She blushed deeply and meekly looked in another direction only to see smirking Narcissa. Dora was so embarrassed, steam was almost visibly rising from her head as she yet again relocated her gaze.

She unhanded Hadrian and sat next to him unable to look up.

Hadrian sighed and pulled out a book from the storage rune on his left glove.

"Here, Dora. Your Christmas present." He gave her the book.

Dora was surprised but she took the book and read the title.

'Blacks and their minds. How to make suffer anyone who probes you, by Darius Black'

The book was ancient and was written in 1310. In a bookstore, it would cost at least a thousand galleons! Dora was surprised to see such an expensive book handed to her. She looked hesitantly on Hadrian with an uncertain expression.

"Don't look at me like that. I need you to learn the contents. Your Occlumency is good. Incredibly so for your age but you miss several vital aspects of the skill. Emotional control is one, as is ability to attack the mind probe. You can guard your emotions but your mind is not enclosed enough to shelter from outer influences. That is actually the reason why you so easily..." Hadrian hesitated to finish the sentence but Dora did it for him in a whisper.

"Why I was affected by love potions and didn't even know it."

Hadrian nodded.

"Well, don't you worry. I will whip you to acceptable shape in Occlumency before you return to Hogwarts." Narcissa joined the conversation and Dora shuddered. "You will come to Grimmauld Place 12 every day at 4 pm sharp. The lesson will last two hours. Prepare to return home half-unconscious."

Narcissa laughed in anticipation and Dora deadpanned at her. But then her eyes filled with resolve.

"I will do my best, teacher!" She exclaimed, trying to cheer herself up, making Narcissa chuckle.

"Well, let's go back, shall we?" Said Narcissa and Hadrian took hold of Dora's hand and pulled her to the dining room.

The rest of the evening was quite subdued and awkward but they still discussed various light-hearted topics and had fun. Andromeda observed Dora for any sign of discomfort or sadness but was happy when she found none. She had yet another thing to be grateful for towards her Lord.

The dinner was over and the family relocated to the living room where Dora swiftly grabbed the Daily Prophet as she casually flopped on the cozy couch.

When Ted saw Dora holding the newspaper his heart almost jumped to his throat but it was too late.

"What!" Dora exclaimed, attracting attention.

"What is it, sweety?" Andromeda who sat near Dora leaned closer and her jaw dropped.

"And here I wanted to tell you tomorrow." Ted resignedly rubbed his eyes. "Today is really not a good day." He chuckled.

"What happened?" Hadrian asked and Dora handed him the newspaper.

He looked at the main headline and instantly froze.

'Bellatrix Lestrange found dead in her cell! Heart-attack!'

His eyes quickly snapped to Narcissa who looked at him in confusion. It was only after she discerned he wanted her to read his mind she flinched slightly, getting an inkling of what's going on.

'Is Bellatrix dead?' Hadrian asked Narcissa in his mind.

Narcissa shook her head in denial.

'You will show me tomorrow.' He thought with finality.

Narcissa nodded reluctantly, not wanting to show him Bella's state but… it was order. She knew that much.

The entire exchange lasted at most three seconds so they didn't miss anything.

"Bella is dead?" Andromeda shrieked, not knowing if she should rejoice or weep.

"Seems so." Narcissa quickly acknowledged.

"Oh, Cissy... Our sister is dead." Andromeda looked empty at that. This day was...

"I think we should go." Hadrian interrupted and slowly stood up. "Today was a disaster on many counts but it was also fun. Let's just break it up before the heavy atmosphere returns. For all its worth, I give you my condolences Andromeda." He bowed slightly.

Narcissa also stood up, knowing well Hadrian wanted to avoid talking about Bellatrix lest something slip out of them. Nobody, not even Andromeda knew Bellatrix was alive. And it will be best for it to stay that way.

"No, no. It's fine. I am fine. I just..." Andromeda tried to persuade them to stay but it was obvious she was not in the right mental state.

"Andy," Ted put his hand on her shoulder. "Just, let's just rest for today. Okay?"

Andromeda's shoulders sagged, completely tired from the revelations of this supposedly joyful day.

A few moments later, Hadrian and Narcissa departed.

...

Later that evening Andromeda sat in the living room, her feet on the couch as she cradled a glass of wine in her hand, thinking about Bellatrix in a glum mood.

Dora approached her and sat next to her as she also poured herself a glass and downed it at once.

"What's up, sweety?" Andromeda asked Dora, seeing her conflicted expression.

"You know I love Harry Potter, right?"

"Well, it is kinda obvious!" Andromeda softly laughed.

"I think I am also in love with Lord Black." Dora bit her lower lip and closed her eyes in shame.

Andromeda stared at her with her eyes wide and the only thing her mind could reply with was.

"Oh, boy..."