A/N: This is my first story since returning to fanfic and I hope it pleases. Happy Reading! And if you would, please leave a note at the end to let me know your thoughts. Thank you! - C

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter. Everything I write is for my own entertainment, yours too if you see fit.

BURN

Chapter One:

Many Happy Returns

THEODORA

It's upon stepping out onto Platform 9 ¾ that Theodora Adrastea Malfoy promptly decides she is very fond of trains indeed. It's the first time she's seen the Hogwarts Express up close with her own eyes and she does her best not to look too impressed. Inside she's buzzing and is brimming with excitement at all the activity around her.

Scorpius stands next to their mother, looking up at her with worry in his eyes. Thea, however, prefers not to dwell on the sullen look the woman gives them in return, or the way she tries to hide her weakness behind a smile. Thea does not let her eyes linger too long on the two of them, the way their mother's fingers run gently over Scorpius' hair as she smiles down proudly at him.

She stands alone instead, watching as strangers busy themselves on the platform. Hoards of children with trunks and trolleys pass her by with smiles similar to the one Thea is hiding beneath a calculating stare. She grips onto Magnus' cage a little tighter as she watches, unsure of all the new faces despite her previous excitement. The small cry from the cage pull her eyes from the masses and down to Magnus who looks up at her, his green eyes wide.

"Not much longer, boy," she assures him, letting the black cat nuzzle against her fingers as she places them between the bars. "Once we're on the train, I can let you out of this silly old thing."

"Just be sure not to lose him on your first day," a voice advices from behind her and she spins around, unable to hide her elation at seeing her father looking down at her, a small smile of his own stretching his lips.

"Papa!" she greets, her excitement controlled though her hands twitch slightly at her sides. She normally hugs him but knows better than to do so here. Malfoy's were not much for public displays of affection, after all. Instead she looks up at him and whispers, "I thought you weren't going to make it."

"And miss your first day off to Hogwarts?" he teases her, taking her small hand in his larger one, much to her surprise. "Not a chance." She's beaming. "Now, let us find your mother."

"She's over here," she explains, leading him over where she left an over-anxious Scorpius next to their mother whose expression brightened upon seeing her husband.

Upon spotting his wife, Draco Malfoy's eyes lighten and Thea warms at the sight of his smile. She likes the way he looks at her mother. No one looks at her like he does. In fact, it is quite the opposite look that Thea normally sees. For some time she thought the looks people gave her mother was pity. Astoria Malfoy is a sickly woman, after all. But as she grew, Thea realized it was not pity. It was disgust and, worst of all, fear.

Ridding himself of the mark is ultimately impossible, her father told her once. She was seven when she found herself brave enough to ask about the mark and the taboo that came with it. He'd been uncomfortable, the same as he gets when he visits his parents during the holidays. But he was patient in his explanation and she listened, despite not fully understanding much about the man called Voldemort and the war that had happened long before her time.

But now the war is over and her father's defection is well known as well as his resentment for the old ways. But still Thea sees the looks, hears "Death Eater" whispered behind his back. Some aren't as subtle. People whisper many things about the Malfoys, things that sometimes include her but her father has always insisted she ignore them. Rumors, he explained once, were simply rumors and nothing more.

But Thea can't ignore them, not completely. She knows what they say about her and she isn't sure how it's even possible. The Dark Lord's bastard. Time travel. It is preposterous - or so she's told. But it doesn't stop people from looking at her, at all of them, like they're monsters. People only see the name Malfoy, and with it, a darkness long intertwined with its genealogy.

"Look, Mama. He came!"

"Indeed he did, my sweet," the woman says, grinning as she reaches out to him and Thea watched as her father grabbed the woman's hand in return. He squeezes it, she can tell because her mother blushes and she turns her head slightly in embarrassment. "Draco," her mother insists with a weak smile. "I am fine, truly."

"Mum," Scorpius speaks up and Thea can hear the concern in his voice again. "I can stay home this year. I can help make things easier for you and Father."

"Don't be daft, Scorpius!" is her outburst before she can stop herself and her brother narrows his eyes at her. "I can't go to Hogwarts without you!" She turns to her father for assistance. "Papa, tell him!"

"Your sister is right," he agrees and she can feel a hint of relief at the sound of his tone. "There is no need for you to stay. I've already informed the Ministry that I am needed at home."

"Draco," Astoria speaks and this time there is a frown on her lips. "You resigned? But you enjoy your work so much."

"I don't need the work, Astoria. I need to be home with my wife."

"I will be fine, truly. I don't need either of you to-" but she doesn't finish because he takes a step closer and Thea is shocked when he places his hand tenderly on her mother's cheek. She looks around but no one has noticed.

"It's done," he concludes, his voice gentle but there is a hint of finality in his words as he turns to Scorpius. "I appreciate your willingness, son. But what I want for you is a Hogwarts education and to look after your sister while she's there."

"I don't expect she'll need much help from me," Scorpius grumbles in return and Thea smirks.

"He's right," she teases. "I'm sure he's the one who needs me to take care of him."

He sticks out his tongue at her and she returns it with one of her own.

"Alright you two," their mother interrupts. Scorpius is the first to straighten while Thea still eyes him mischievously.

"It won't matter anyways," Thea adds. "He'll be much too busy in Ravenclaw to keep an eye on me, bookworm that he is."

"Oh?" her mother says, eyebrow rising at Thea's interjection. "And what makes you so certain you won't be sorted to Ravenclaw as well? You share many of the same interests as your brother." Thea scoffs. "Don't be so certain you know where you will end up, my dear. Scorpius was certain he'd be sorted to Slytherin. You never know where the Sorting Hat will say. Perhaps you'll even be sorted into Gryffindor."

Thea and her father make exaggerated noises of disgust at this notion and her mother rolls her eyes because she thinks they're both being childish.

"Scorpius has his mother's mind indeed," her father replies, placing his hand on his son's shoulder. "But I'm not sure any doubt this one will be wearing green come supper time."

The train sounds once, breaking up their quiet merriment and suddenly all of Thea's brief apprehensions dissipate. In their place, the dull excitement of the Hogwarts Express returns.

"It's time," she cheers under breath and she looks up at her mother who has tears welling up in her eyes. "Oh Mama, it will be alright. I'll write to you as much as you'd like," she assures, grabbing hold of her mother who engulfs her in a warm hug. Scorpius follows suit but lingers a few moments longer than Thea who moves quickly over to her father to say goodbye.

She looks up and he's not hiding his smile.

"I will be Slytherin, won't I?" she whispers, half doubting her own assurances just moments ago and he chuckled softly.

"Don't worry, darling," he says, placing his lips against her forehead. "You may have inherited your mother's looks, but you are undoubtedly your father's daughter," he explains, crouching down to her level and places his warm fingers under her chin. His face grows serious now. "Never forget that. Promise?"

She does promise him, nodding curtly as she does and then grabs hold of Scorpius' hand to pull him away towards the whistling train. She doesn't look back as she boards, too engulfed in the elation that is washing over her. Her family waits behind her waving though she doesn't notice.

If she'd known it was the last time her mother would be standing there waving her off to school, she would have turned around one last time.

But she doesn't. And she regrets it.

FIVE YEARS LATER

Magnus is meowing from his golden cage and Thea doesn't blame him because she's growing just as impatient. She stands on the platform, her patent leather flats tapping vigorously on the stone as she waits.

Albus is always late.

Even knowing this doesn't dampen her impatience as she awaits the arrival of the Potters. For the moment, the scowling is kept at bay and yet she still earns several stares from fellow classmates as they pass.

"Would it kill them to try and arrive on time for once?" she grumbles and her father glances down at his pocketwatch.

"It's nearly last call, the conductor will be shouting out any moment," he points out as if she hasn't been checking the time as well. Her tapping grows quicker.

Both glance up to see Scorpius, sitting a few windows to their left and Thea can see his eyes are far away despite the large group of his fellow Ravenclaws currently occupying the compartment with him.

"He hates today," she whispers and her father only nods. "He misses her all the time," she adds and when she looks back at her father she sees his eyes fall.

"I know," he replies, his voice catching slightly.

"He'll be okay," she adds, realizing she's just made things worse and even attempts a small smile in the corner of her mouth. He mirrors the false comfort and places his hand on her shoulder.

"I know that too," he says. "He has you looking out for him."

"As always," she teases and they both allow a small chuckle.

The conductor is shouting out and the warm moment with her father ends as scowls replaces both of their features and her father sighs.

"Honestly, Theodora, I do question your judgement in friends sometimes," he says and she knows he's joking but only a little because he has had plenty to say about her befriending a Potter, Slytherin or not.

"You know, I'm starting to question my own judgement as well," she grumbles but then sighs in relief when out of the previously blank brick wall comes an entire hoard of Potters. "Merlin's Beard, it's about time."

Mr. Potter is the first one through and she can see how flustered he is as he tries to get the trolley through to the train workers as they continue to load up last minute luggage. He's followed by Lily, the youngest Potter offspring and her usually plaited auburn hair is replaced with bouncy curls and Thea realizes for the first time that the child is no longer the little girl she remembered.

She ignores James who comes out third and he's running with his usual smug expression plastered to his lips as he carries his broom in one hand and his caged owl in the other. She lightens as Albus finally appears, followed quickly by his mother who fusses over something in his hair and he promptly brushes her off like the moody teenager he is and she grins.

Though based off of James' peculiar expression as their eyes meet, she thinks maybe it's a smirk but ignores him as he rushes by her and reaches her hand out to Albus before he gets lost in a sea of Weasleys who are now pouring onto the platform as well.

"Late," she scolds. "As always."

Albus gives her the same look he gave his mother moments ago and she is immediately aware that he wants her to shut up and she does but only because she's in a hurry. She turns quickly to her father and tells him she'll write after supper and she doesn't stop to hug him because she knows it will embarrass them both.

Grabbing Albus' hand, she rushes them both towards the train, ignoring his pleas to slow down. Magnus doesn't thank her either as he bounces slightly in the cage as they run but she'll apologize later.

As expected, the train is full and even though the conductor has whistled for last call the corridors are bustling with activity so much so that they have to squeeze through groups of fifth years who frown at her as she passes. If she had a free hand she'd return the favor with extra commentary but she has more important things to focus on. Like getting their compartment which is likely overrun by now.

Albus fumbles awkwardly and she thinks she hears him say he doesn't need her to hold his hand but she only tightens her grip as she pulls him through the halls until they've reached their usual compartment. She comes to an abrupt halt in front of it and Albus stops short of running into her as he reaches her side and peers in to see what has has her frowning.

It's full of first years.

She gives Albus a knowing glance and he rolls his eyes.

"We don't have to sit in this compartment. There are other spaces," he informs her and she stares at him blankly. "I just mean, there is no reason to-"

She doesn't let him finish before interrupting with, "Of course we have to sit here. We sit here every year just like every year we make sure the first years know that we are not interested in sharing or making friends."

"Aren't we?"

"No," she answers him quickly. "We most definitely are not. We don't need friends," she reminds him and he sighs.

"Thea, I have friends," he contradicts, as defiant as Albus Potter can possibly be and Thea raises and eyebrow.

"Oh? Name one," she insists and as he opens his mouth she adds, "not including me."

He doesn't finish whatever he was planning on saying as his mouth falls and shifts next to her. She reaches for the door to the compartment and when she starts to slide it open he mutters, "Be nice." She replies with a gentle elbow to his side and he stumbles.

"Oh, hello," she says in mock surprise and the four first years in the compartment return her pleasantry with smiles.

First years are precious in that way. They're so wide-eyed and optimistic about everyone and she can tell based on that alone that she's dealing with a compartment of future Hufflepuffs.

"My name is Theodora Malfoy, sixth year," she begins and already the innocent smiles begin to fall, fueling her own as she continues. "I thought I'd introduce myself seeing as you're new and sitting in my usual compartment. Which is fine, of course, we don't mind sharing. Do we, Al?"

Albus returns her sugary lie with a roll of his eyes.

"It looks like it'll be a bit snug, but I'm sure we can make it work. Oh, I do know a few spells that may empty up some space.." she goes on but she sees the first years already shifting nervously and she knows it's because of her name and because she's mentioning spells and they've likely heard all about what kinds of spells the Malfoys do.

One brave first year, perhaps a Gryffindor after all, stands up and pulls on his friend's shirt.

"Come on Nguyen, let's go," he says and the other three don't hesitate before following him out the door.

She ignores their whispers which aren't really whispers at all as they hurry down the corridor, talking about that awful Malfoy girl who kicked them out of their compartment. She only shrugs, pleased with herself because now their compartment is empty.

"Terrorizing first years already, Malfoy?" she hears from behind her and her smile fades as she spins around slowly, looking up at James Potter who is towering over her, arms crossed.

She hates that he's taller than her. And not taller like Albus is. Albus is tall as well but not so tall that she has to crane her neck as she looks up at him. James knows he is tall and she can see the amusement in her eyes every time he looks down at her.

Smug bastard.

"I wouldn't have to terrorize them, Potter, if your family could manage to arrive anywhere on time. I'd be happy to charm your watch there if it would help."

He doesn't like it when she talks about his family because his jaw always twitches and he has to spend a few extra seconds trying to think of what to say. This time is no different as the silence between them grows and she taps her foot impatiently. He only glances momentarily at his watch before returning his glare back on her.

"Well as invigorating as this argument is, I expect we'll be leaving soon," she says and turns to leave and this time he addresses Albus.

"Lucy needs somewhere to sit," he informs his younger brother and Thea lets her curiosity get the better of her as she glances over her shoulder at the little red thing that is Lucy Weasley.

"What about your compartment?" Albus supplies and James shakes his head, pointing to the boys behind him.

"Full up," he mutters, giving Albus an insistent look.

Albus is normally persuaded by such looks which is why Thea always feels obligated to intervene on his behalf. It makes her wonder how he ever became a Slytherin in the first place.

"Did you tell her she'd be sitting with a Malfoy?" she asks and the girl's eyes grow wide as she stumbles back into James.

Albus, quick to recover, adds "A nice Malfoy," as if it might help, to his younger cousin but she doesn't budge and Thea only scoffs.

"I'm not that nice," she corrects him, noting it sounds a bit like a boast and Albus pinches her gently in the side.

"She has a point there," is James' sardonic quip, barely audible under his breath and she can feel herself rising to the bait.

But instead of indulging in another chapter of the ongoing verbal disputes that she and James Potter consistently share, she clears her throat and points to the empty seat where Magnus is currently calling home. "Come on in, Little Weasley. I won't bite."

Lucy gives her a wary look and stares up at Albus who gives her an encouraging smile that he uses to hid his amusement at Thea's attempt at 'sweet'. Lucy does join them, finally, but sits on the opposite side of Magnus who she eyes nervously. The cat flips his tail in response before letting his green eyes close.

Thea returns her attention to James, then, who is still leaning against the doorway and she can see Sebastian Barbary and Davy Finnigan behind him talking. Despite having settled the dispute at hand, James still stares at her, his brown eyes burning for an argument that she refuses to give him. So instead she smiles.

"Anything else, Potter?"

It's enough to break him from whatever haughty response he is preparing and he lets his eyes linger for only a moment longer before they flick over to Albus and he jerks his head in the direction of the corridor.

"Prefect business, little brother. Remember?"

"Oh shit, I forgot!" Albus curses but then covers his mouth as he realizes they have a younger presence. "Shit," he says again trying to correct his profanity but it's too late.

Lucy sits wide-eyed and Magnus, stirred by Albus' outburst, jumps from his seat and makes his way over to the child's lap.

Thea can only smile.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. This one is a bit shorter than I usually write but I thought I'd just give you a quick peek at what's to come.