Dinner at Malfoy Manor
"Draco, you're pinching my cheeks like I'm a stress ball," Vega said with exaggerated annoyance, swatting her brother's hands away.
"Keep this up, and I'll have to charge you for cheek therapy."
Draco smirked. "Can't help it, Vega. Your face is just so... pinchable."
"Right. And your face is just so... punchable," Vega retorted, cracking a grin.
Before Draco could respond with another quip, Narcissa's voice called from the dining room, her tone soft yet firm.
"Draco, Vega, come to dinner. Now, please."
"Race you there, Ferret," Vega challenged, darting toward the dining room before Draco could even react.
"FERRET?! What the—" Draco sputtered as he sprinted after her.
By the time they reached the dining room, Vega had claimed victory, flopping dramatically into her chair.
"Too slow, Ferret. Guess I'm the fastest Malfoy in the Manor."
Draco glared at her, his cheeks pink. "Stop calling me that. I'm not a ferret!"
"You sure? The resemblance is uncanny," she teased, winking at him.
"Children," Narcissa interjected, her lips twitching in amusement. "Let's eat before the food gets cold. And stop tormenting your brother, Vega."
"Can't promise anything, Mother," Vega replied breezily as she grabbed a piece of bread.
---
The clinking of cutlery and murmured conversation filled the dining room until the sound of the front door opening silenced them.
Narcissa stood, her posture tense. "Lucius is home."
Vega's carefree demeanor faltered slightly, replaced by a subtle wariness. Her fingers drummed against the table as she avoided looking toward the entrance.
Lucius entered the dining room, his presence as commanding as ever. His sharp gaze swept over the table, landing on Vega. The air between them seemed to chill a few degrees.
"Vega," he said coolly, using her full name like a dagger.
"Father," Vega replied with an equally icy tone, though her lips curled into a defiant smirk.
"I see the Ministry hasn't worn you down yet. Still as sharp as your cane, I hope?"
Lucius's jaw tightened, but he didn't take the bait. "I trust you'll behave yourself while under this roof," he said, his voice low and clipped.
"Of course. I'm a model citizen," Vega replied sweetly, though the glint in her eyes suggested otherwise.
Narcissa cleared her throat, stepping between them. "Let's all sit and enjoy dinner, shall we?"
The meal continued in tense silence, punctuated only by the occasional clink of silverware. Draco shot nervous glances between his sister and father, clearly uncomfortable.
After dinner, Vega helped Draco pack for their upcoming trip to Hogwarts."Do you really need all these robes?" Vega asked, holding up a particularly gaudy emerald-green set.
"You planning to blind your enemies with your fashion choices?"
Draco snatched the robes from her hands, glaring. "It's called style, Vega. You wouldn't understand."
"Oh, I understand. I just choose not to participate in this walking Christmas tree aesthetic," she teased, tossing a pair of socks into his trunk.
Draco groaned but didn't argue further. Instead, he eyed the miniature guitar charm dangling from Vega's bag.
"Is that... a real guitar with minimizing charm?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
Vega smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe not."
"You're impossible," Draco muttered, shaking his head."
Thank you," Vega replied with a mock bow. And left to her room followed by Draco.
Draco, her wonderful twin brother, walked into the room and froze, staring at the creature with an expression that screamed both curiosity and revulsion.
"Wait—you have a pet?" he asked, his tone laced with disbelief.
Vega looked at him with faux shock.
"Oh no, Draco, you've caught me. I've gone completely wild and adopted a dangerous... fluffy animal. Quick, alert the press."
Draco narrowed his eyes, ignoring her sarcasm. "What even is that thing?"
"It's a kneazle hybrid, obviously," Vega said nonchalantly, scratching the creature's ears.
"His name's Ferret."
Draco's glare could've melted glass. "You're not naming it Ferret."
Vega tilted her head, smirking. "Why not? It's fitting, don't you think? Small, clever, and slightly annoying. Reminds me of you."
"I. Am. Not. A. Ferret," Draco growled, his pale face turning pink."
Touchy, aren't we?" Vega said, biting back a laugh. She glanced at her pet, who yawned lazily.
"Fine. Ferret's out. How about... you suggest a name"
Draco said smirking evilly, "Zagan? Heard it's the name of an angel or something."
Vega blinked, clearly relieved at the change. "That's... not bad."
"Glad you approve, Your Highness," Draco replied with a mock curtsy.
With that settled, they both headed to their room for their beauty sleep, Draco muttering something under his breath about how insufferable she was.
—
Morning at Malfoy Manor
"Draco, wake up!" Narcissa's voice rang through the house.
Draco groaned, burying his face in his pillow. "Five more minutes, Mom..."
Vega appeared in the doorway, fully dressed and wide awake. "Rise and shine, Ferret. We've got a train to catch."
Draco peeked out from under the covers, scowling. "Why are you so chipper this early?"
"Because I'm not the one who's about to miss breakfast," she replied, sauntering off toward the dining room.
Draco bolted out of bed moments later, muttering under his breath.
Vega had to admit, Platform 9¾ was impressive—if you were into crowded places filled with overexcited kids and overburdened parents.
She stood beside Draco, taking in the sight of the scarlet train billowing steam into the air.
"It's like a castle on wheels," Draco said, his voice filled with awe.
"Relax, Drama King," Vega replied, adjusting her bag.
"It's just a train. Powered by magic now, but originally a Muggle creation. Shocking, I know."
Draco gave her a skeptical look.
"And how, pray tell, do you know that?"
Vega shrugged. "Books, Draco. They're these things with pages and words. You should try one sometime."
Before Draco could retort, Narcissa stepped forward, handing them their tickets. "Now, you two behave. Write home regularly, and don't cause trouble." She kissed both of them on the forehead, earning a grimace from Draco and a resigned sigh from Vega. "I'll see you both during the holidays."
Vega waved her mother off as she disappeared, then turned to Draco. "Well, this is it. Hogwarts, here we come. Ready to make history?"
"Ready to surpass history," Draco corrected with a smirk.
"Sure, let's go with that," Vega said, rolling her eyes.
Just as they were about to board the train, a shrill voice cut through the crowd.
"Draco!"
Vega turned to see a girl with a pug-like face charging toward them.
Before either of them could react, the girl flung her arms around Draco in an overly enthusiastic hug.
Draco looked horrified. "Who the hell—"
"It's me, Pansy!" the girl cooed, her grin almost predatory.
"Dracoolor, you didn't think I'd let you leave without saying goodbye, did you?"
Vega raised an eyebrow. Dracoolor?
Oh, this was going to be fun.
"Uh, hi, Pansy," Draco said awkwardly, trying to pry her off without much success.
Pansy's eyes flicked to Vega, and her expression instantly soured.
"And who's this?"
"Vega," she said cheerfully, extending a hand.
Ok tip 1 never ever extend hands to obnoxious fools.
Pansy ignored the hand, her glare turning icy.
Pansy turned back to Draco, completely dismissing Vega. "Come on, let's find a compartment together." She grabbed Draco's arm, dragging him toward the train.
Vega stood there, watching the scene with mild amusement.
"Looks like you've got a fan club, Draco," she called after him. "Have fun!"
Draco shot her a helpless look as Pansy practically hauled him away.
Shaking her head, Vega boarded the train alone, her luggage floating behind her thanks to a simple levitation charm. She found an empty compartment and settled by the window, pulling out a book.
Before Vega could lose herself in her reading, the door to her compartment slid open. She looked up to see a girl with bushy brown hair and warm brown eyes standing there.
The girl looked polite, almost painfully so.
"Is this compartment free?" the girl asked. "Everywhere else is full."
Vega raised an eyebrow but smiled faintly. "Sure. Come on in. I could use some company"
The girl stepped in, setting her things down neatly. "
Thank you. I'm Hermione Granger, by the way."
"Zeta Malfoy BUT call me 'Vega'," she said casually, extending a hand.
Hermione hesitated for a moment before shaking her hand, her smile returning. "Well, nice to meet you, Vega."
"Likewise," Vega said, leaning back in her seat. She had a feeling this year was going to be interesting.
---
To Be Continued...