Attic

In an upstairs bedroom two pale children were giggling under the large four post bed. They were playing with brightly colored strings that were charmed to dance and wiggle when held. The strings shivered in their palms, like tiny snakes squirming to be free. The loud sound of the front door was the only warning they had and then there was the mad scramble for the attic.

He had arrived home early, surprising both of them. They had been expecting him a bit before dinner but work was apparently slow today.

The smaller of the children, a little girl with silver hair to her waist, tripped over her dress that was two sizes too big. Falling to the floor, she slid on her stomach over the brightly polished wood floors. The other child, a boy with the same color hair and slightly darker grey eyes, stopped to pull her up. His hands were clumsy and rushed, nervousness overcoming his movements.

Still tripping over her dress and being dragged by her brother, the little girl began to cry. His fear was showing through and alarming her. Vainly he tried to hush his younger sister before their father heard, but the distant sounds of footsteps showed his failure.

She quieted with his pleading words, her light blue eyes wide and shining with tears as her brother pulled her up to stand. His hand gripped her smaller one, holding tight and he began to run. Pulling her with him. She couldn't keep up, but her feet were bare and slid against the slick floors.

He led her through the winding maze that they called home, the sound of foot falls echoing after them. They ran through the great hall in the middle of the house, the large stained glass windows that lined the walls coloring them with pale rosy light.

The great door waited at the end of the hall but they didn't go through it. Instead he pulled her into the service entrance that the house elves used during banquets and parties.

The boy's heart tripped as he heard the great door open just as they ducked into the service entrance. He heard the startled cry of his father before the door slammed shut behind them. They were already twisting up the winding staircase when the door was opened again and heavier footsteps chased after them.

He looked back every few seconds at his little sister and beyond, to see if his father had spotted them yet. He only saw her frightened, pale face and large eyes looking trustingly up at him.

They were almost up there, just two more staircases to go. Halfway up the last staircase his mother appeared before them on the landing. He stumbled to a stop in shock, causing the little girl to bump into him from behind.

Panting, they looked up into their mother's still face. She stared at them impassively for a split second, then heard the approaching footsteps of her husband.

Wordlessly she moved so they could pass and then stood like a barrier to the man lumbering behind them. Her long flowing robes hid their departure as they crawled the last remaining steps.

A short hallway lead to an unmarked oak door. The boy wasted no time in moving to it and opening it. The girl was more hesitant. She stopped, resisting his pull for the first time.

He looked back at her, confusion on his face at her stubbornness. They could hear their father's voice rumble as he talked to their mother.

She gripped his hand with both of hers, holding tightly. Pleading with her tear-filled eyes, she silently begged him not to make her go.

He swallowed, his young face strained with a decision beyond his years.

"You have to." He finally whispered, as the voices in the stairwell grew louder.

The tiny hands loosened on his and finally one fell away. He lead her to the door and with a whispered word it opened. The sunlight shone brightly into the dark hallway, blinding him for a few seconds.

He had to push her slightly to make her take the first step but that was all it took. When she was completely through the door she turned around and looked at him.

She was the image of some fairy spirit or fey with her light coloring in the middle of the field of wildflowers. A small cottage stood a couple yards behind her and a wizened old House Elf was waiting for her.

With a sad expression she waved good-bye to her brother, the door slowly closing.

He stood there, staring after her. Pain filled him and he felt the desire to open the door and fling himself through it.

But a large, strong hand fell on his shoulder, and he slowly let his eyes lift to meet his father's. His mother stood a few feet away at the top of the stairs. The look of despair on her face made the young boy's heart sink.

"Come Draco." His father's voice was stern and final.

"We only keep secrets in the attic and they are not for you."