"i had a dream
i got everything i wanted
not what you'd think"

The water was terribly cold —she showed it with a hiss and a scowl on her face— when she made contact with her feet. She folded her jeans a couple of turns so they wouldn't touch the water, and protected herself from the breeze with the jacket that wrapped around her shoulders. She discovered with a small smile and rocking on her heels that her jeans were already free of blood, and that Fleur had managed to lend her —despite her height— a pair of sweaters to replace them with the previous one.

Despite the fact that the wound on her abdomen was healing at an adequate rate and that she was now wearing only the bandages on her shoulder as a pure precaution, Fleur had been reluctant to let her wander outside the house alone. Yet that morning she had been able to sneak out of their company for a while —not by looking rude, but she preferred solitude to empty conversation.

The truth was that she was overwhelmed by the inevitable presence of people at her side. Upstairs, Granger had locked herself in one of the rooms with a huge cauldron, and smoke was coming intermittently from the doorway, making the Gryffindor one of the people who least managed to irritate the Slytherin. However, Ron's constant questions about her state of health —he even asked shyly if she wanted to play chess with him, as Ginny kept repeating how good she was— and Fleur's need to always be by her side in case something happened to her managed to put the girl in a bad mood.

So the best thing had been to sneak away, because she didn't know how much longer that knot that formed in her chest would endure every time she was surrounded by people who didn't know how to perceive the anxiety that it entailed. She thought of Eden inevitably, knowing that the boy had always given her her space. How would he be? Had he returned to Hogwarts after Easter break? And Daphne, what would have become of her and her family, how and where would she be living now? She felt deeply guilty for abandoning them, but nothing could stir that anguish in her heart more than Draco.

Her eyes watered and stared at the sand again, guilty. She had abandoned her brother, the thing she had promised herself not to do so many times. She had thought so many times about killing for him, dying for him, and now Draco was simply at the mercy of Voldemort and his minions. She closed her eyes tightly when she realized that her family was probably paying for her betrayal, and she wanted to disappear from the face of the earth. She had never thought he would feel so guilty about doing what she had wanted to do for years, and now that it had happened, she couldn't stop thinking about it.

Bellatrix was right: it was best not to have emotions. After all, they only brought constant torture and thoughts that plunged her into the deepest darkness.

"Overwhelmed much?" A voice said behind her. Harry came closer to her, his feet touching the water, too.

"I appreciate the help and everything, but sometimes I just need to be alone."

Harry covered his eyes due to the sun. "Alone with your thoughts or truly alone?"

The girl clicked her tongue, indicating that it was the first option. "I'm a thinker, Potter. Doesn't matter how many times you've replayed the question you want to ask me in your head: I've already thought about it."

"Do you think of them?" Harry wasted no more time, he was direct. "Your family."

"The family I once had is gone," whispered the girl, wind flowing through her hair. "There's only the ashes of what it was. No happy memories anymore, no one to connect them to," Maia thought she would kill for a cigarette right now. "I've never loved Bellatrix, but also never feared her. She taught me to be who I am today, and though she's crazy as it comes, it's taken me far in life. She saw in me what she couldn't be, she was forced into the marriage life very soon, so she tried —so hard— to make me become some kind of machine, restless, cold as ice."

The Gryffindor picked up a small stone and threw it sideways, causing it to jump for a couple of seconds and then lose itself in the infinity of the sea. "What was your brother like? Draco? Always a—"

"—douche?"

"—sorry."

"No. The opposite, actually. He was chosen as a Death Eater because he was a boy —supposed to be tougher, stronger, y'know— but I was the Death Eater material. He doesn't have the stomach for many things, being one of them killing Dumbledore. He's just scared of who he's been forced to become. After my father's mistakes, he was the one to carry everything out. He was the man of the family now that Lucius was in Azkaban."

Harry smiled a bit nonetheless. "I find that hard to believe, no offense."

"He cares about me, about our mother. That's why he became one of them, to protect us. He didn't have a choice, it was either us or no one at all. It's hard to understand when you're not in his position, but he did what everyone would've done: choose family."

Harry bit his tongue as he realized the comment he was about to make: but you didn't. What he didn't know was that Maia had chosen her family long ago, from the moment she decided to talk to Dumbledore about destroying the horcruxes. But maybe that explanation was too difficult to understand and explain —she was a Malfoy and a Slytherin after all— as far as emotions were concerned to Harry.

"What's Granger doing?" Maia changed the topic completely, not wanting to give them any more thoughts.

"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about," Harry looked at her intently, the wind also moving his already untamed hair. "We were thinking about how we could enter Gringotts without being discovered, not to talk about you aunt's vault. We... We found Bellatrix's traces in Hermione and you's clothing."

Maia let out a dry laugh, catching up with his words but, at the same time, believing they were bullshit.

"Oh, you're not fucking with me," Maia sneered when Harry didn't laugh. "So let me get this straight. You're brewing Polyjuice Potion —say it works— only for any of you fools to become my aunt. Of course, not thinking about what could happen to you if you get caught — which you most highly will."

"We did think about the consequences —and we all agreed to do it. It's the only way we can enter the vault."

Maia turned around, her eyebrow raised. "And if there's nothing?"

"We'll try to come out as soon as we can—"

"You're stupid," the Slytherin snapped. "But I like it. How much more do you reckon it will take her?"

Harry opened his mouth, stunned. "A couple of weeks, I think —wait, weren't you just lecturing me about all the bad things that could happen?"

The Malfoy started to walk out of the water, complaining about the sand getting between her wet toes. "I'm a Slytherin, aren't I? If there's something more ambitious than entering my aunt's vault —while being searched for because we're undesirables— without getting hurt, then you can call me the devil herself. "

"I'm concerned about your mental health," said Harry in a jokingly way, chasing after her. "I didn't think you would agree to this."

"Then you don't know how willing I am to risk everything to take my auntie dearest Dark Lord down."

The two went into the house, she putting on some slippers that Bill had lent her, and he putting on his own shoes. There was no sign of Ronald, so they assumed he must be in the same room as the Muggleborn, which they confirmed when they walked through the door to the new potions room.

"She knows," Harry announced.

"And...," Ron trailed off, waiting for an answer.

"It's mental, Bellatrix's kind of mental, so it's worth giving it a try," Maia shrugged, her shoulder not hurting anymore. Ron and Harry shared a big grin. "What have you planned, so far?"

Hermione pushed her hair back from her face, breathing hard from the heat the potion gave off. "It will take me two more weeks to finish it, but as soon as it's done, we leave —the effects only last for a few hours, maximum. We talked to Griphook, who has agreed to come with us to Gringotts in case something happened, in return to Gryffindor's sword."

"A bit stupid to believe the story about the sword, coming from an oh-so-intelligent creature." Ron butted in and Maia, surprisingly, agreed.

Hermione shot him a look. "Harry will take his invisibility cloak to cover both Griphook and him. We're trying to figure out something to slither Ron in, too."

Maia was quick to answer. "Ronald can be under the cloak, too."

"We just didn't want to leave Hermione alone. In case something happened, she'd be the only one discovered, as the Polyjuice Potion effects will die down eventually."

The Slytherin girl looked at the trio of friends, not knowing if what she was about to say was really brave or really stupid. "I can come with you. In a matter of days, my shoulder will be fully healed. In two weeks I will have recovered my skills already. Besides, if you become Bellatrix, having me by your side is a good excuse —they will suspect nothing, as we're family."

Hermione shook her head as well as her hand due to the potion. "No, this is not sensible. A month will have passed, what makes you believe there will still be people who don't know about your... loyalty?"

"Hermione has a point," added Harry. "We can't risk you anymore."

"But she's offered!" Whimpered Ron. "Let's be honest, she's the most skillful out of us, she could probably bat an eye and wipe them all out. Harry and I will be under the cloak all along the plan, and you won't be alone anymore, Hermione. She's a good cover up."

The boy with the scar was notoriously thinking it through. Maybe everyone knew about Maia's betrayal, but what if they didn't? What if the news hadn't reached Gringotts? The presence of the Malfoy next to the presumed Bellatrix would not raise such suspicions; besides, Maia was used to Bellatrix's mannerisms and gestures, she could warn Hermione of everything she had to do and, in case of alarm, run away.

"Those who work in Gringotts choose no sides," Maia explained. "They only care about the safety of the bank. If you behave exactly as my aunt and have me by your side, everything will go as you've planned —they won't suspect a girl who hasn't even graduated from Hogwarts will take her time to brew a potion to become Bellatrix fucking Lestrange. If something doesn't go as planned when we're there, I promise, we leave."

At that point, Harry was already convinced that the new plan could work. The excitement of finally being able to get the Hufflepuff Cup made him believe that they could achieve anything, no matter how difficult it really was. Ron put a hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"We know how hard it'll be for you. But we will by your side, let's give her a chance—"

"—another one?" Maia growled.

"You're so reckless," Hermione gritted her teeth, knowing there was no escapatory. "I expected more from a cold-hearted Slytherin."

Maia wrinkled her nose, "It happens."

The four of them shared a look when a loud crack! rang from the ground floor. Maia ordered them to stay calm and keep their mouths shut, but when she went downstairs she found only Bill picking up a vase —well, the remains of a vase really— that had been scattered all over the wood. A guilty looking Tonks grimaced as she looked up to see the guests coming out to greet her.

"It's fine, Tonks, do not worry," Fleur assured, her hand resting on top of the Hufflepuff's.

"It was a present from my aunt!" Bill grimaced.

Fleur shot him a look. "We can still repair it, honey —or not." She whispered to herself. "My goodness, is that...?"

The French stopped talking when Remus uncovered the small bundle in his arms. An ear-to-ear smile covered his face, distorting the scar that ran from his forehead to his cheek. Tonks let out a weak giggle as she took a seat, a look on her face as if it was taking effort.

Maia's heart seemed to understand who it was even before her eyes, which didn't leave the blanket that wrapped the little one. She approached slowly, as if he were asleep and with every step she took she was going to wake him up. Remus shot her a smile. "May I introduce you to Edward Remus Lupin, born on April 14th —your godson."

"But — But that's only a few days ago," Maia's heart fluttered as she took sight of the baby.

"Tonks wanted to come for you to see him. He's also a metamorphmagus, you see. He's only a few days old but his hair and eyes have already changed twice," Remus laughed whole-heartedly. The ex professor looked at Fleur before asking Maia, "Do you want to hold him?"

The French blonde seemed to be thinking for a moment, but then nodded, as did Maia, slowly.

From the moment little Teddy touched her skin, Maia knew there was a new person added to the list of those she would give her life for. The baby didn't sleep, but he did rest peacefully in the arms of anyone who dared to rock him. A fledgling blue hair was visible on her head, and Maia stroked it very gently. At that moment Teddy moved his lips as if he was licking them with pleasure.

"Hi, little one," gushed Maia lowly. The baby babbled and saliva came out of his mouth. Maia touched his skin lightly, not wanting to bother him. "Oh my God. He's grabbed my finger," the girl said, his small hand rounding her large —in comparison— finger.

"Can I touch him, too?" Asked Ron, doing so nonetheless.

Maia slapped his hand away. "Wash your hands before touching him, you uncultured swine."

Ginny, Remus and Tonks shared a snort.

"Everyone shut up—"

"—But we aren't even talking—" Harry butted in.

"I said shut up!" Maia growled. She then changed her voice. "He's looking at me."

"Actually, babies can't really see during their first days born."

Maia pursed her lips. "Why do all of you hate me? Everyone leave, I'm keeping him."

Tonks stood up, sweating. "Believe me, I'd like that very much —he doesn't let us sleep at all— but it's his time to eat, so he'll probably be very grumpy in a few minutes."

A shy oh escaped from Maia's lips as soon as she heard that. She returned the little boy to his mother's arms, who sent Maia a motherly, knowing look.

"He's so tiny," sighed Maia.

"Well, who would've known the Maia Malfoy could love?" Snickered Ronald, crossing his arms.

"Hey!" Protested at the same time Maia and Ginny.

The cheeks of the two took on a reddish tinge and everyone present looked at each other with small smiles on their lips. "We were only here for a while," Tonks said. "We need to get going, we both need to rest," the Hufflepuff then whispered in her ear, "Whipped. Call me in case something happens, yeah?"

Maia nodded with a shy smile on her lips. She agreed to accompany them outside, where it was already dusk, since no one could appear and disappear from inside a place protected by the fidelio charm. Teddy's blue hair stood out against the moonlight, and Maia's heart sank again.

The Slytherin waved her hand in the air until the little family evaporated from Bill and Fleur's grounds. She felt arms wrap around her neck from behind as she continued to stare at the spot where she had last seen Teddy.

"You looked so dreamy holding him," Ginny husked in her ear. "He looked like he loved you already."

"I think this is a sign, Ginny. He's the fresh beginnings, the start of a new life that I much need. He's hope, he's light. I will do everything in my power to make sure that baby grows up in a good world, where he doesn't have to worry about Death Eaters, or snatchers, or dementors," Maia turned around and leant down to peck the redhead's lips. "That kid is going to love me, I assure you."

Ginny let out a cry as Maia picked her up, but wrapped her legs around the Slytherin's waist, who held her as if it took almost no effort —as if she hadn't had a dagger stuck in her and a dislocated shoulder for weeks. "And why is that? Enlighten me."

"Because I'm buying him every single toy in the stores. And I'll sneak candy to him when his parents don't want to. He'll come to me when Remus and Tonks make him buy himself new clothes —be honest, I have the best style. And I'll buy for him the best broomstick in the market, I don't care which house he's in, but he'll be in the Quidditch team."

The redhead still in her arms brushed a strand of blonde hair out of her eyes. "It's been ages since you played Quidditch, how exactly do you want to teach him?"

"That's where you go in, lovely," A smile danced in Maia's lips. "You'll make the best chaser out of him, or seeker, I don't care. Wouldn't you like that?"

Maia pulled her out of her arms and set her gently on the floor when Ginny's smile froze on her lips. "You think we'll still be around each other by the time Teddy makes it to Hogwarts?"

"Of course," Maia grinned. "I plan on keeping you close to me for a long, long time."

Ginny's hands got lost in Maia's hair as she pulled her closer. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, so that Maia almost lost her balance. "Are you sure I'm not hurting you?"

"Merlin, shut up."

Maia circled her waist with determination as she placed another accelerated kiss on her mouth. The ecstasy of the moment was too strong —Maia could tell she was happy. Everything seemed to fall into place, now that she was healthy. She had a nephew and godson, a person by her side to share anything with, infinite possibilities to finally destroy the horcruxes. What else did she need?

Ginny laughed when a voice from the house said, "Stop snogging!"

"I will not be stopped by a Gryffindor!" Shouted Maia back, then added with a whisper: "Only encouraged by a certain one."

The Weasley peppered the Slytherin's face with small kisses. The sky was beginning to darken, and in that instant Maia remembered the photograph she kept in her pocket.

"Look at this. Fleur gave it to me the other day, I said I wanted to keep it," the blonde showed the redhead the picture, and Ginny grinned, reminiscing. Then, Maia kept the photograph in a pocket just by her heart. "Right here."

"Aren't you quite the charmer, dear?"

Maia looked at her intently. "I know this situation is far from what we both imagined we'd be doing with our lives, but I wouldn't change it for anything. This is all I need; your warm eyes but fierce look, the way you're able to speak to my heart like no one has ever done before. The sun going down as we speak, a light wind flowing through your hair, us here, —maybe swaying to a non-existent music," Ginny laughed a bit upon those words, Maia closing her eyes, "this is all I'll have replaying in my head for as long as I die."