New beginings...where to start..tbd

I laughed and shook my head.  "No... I think that if Father ever did something like this, hell would freeze over," I said.  I knew that Father could never be this kind to anyone.  He was the kindest to me and even that I would not classify as being kind.  I shook my head.  "You are lucky not to have the attention all the time, though.  It's not what it's cracked up to be."

"The only time I have the attention is when something goes wrong and I get in trouble." I remind him. I shook my head. "Our lives aren't aren't all it cracked up to be."

She was definitely right about that one.  "Yeah, that is definitely true," I agreed.  I smiled at her.  "And that is why we try to keep attention off of you as much as possible."

I laughed. "And for that I'm extremely grateful." I turned to my brother, serious, "I know you get in trouble for protecting me and when I do things I shouldn't. Thank you for that." I wasn't sure what else to say, thank you hardly seemed sufficient but it was the best I could do.

"It's really what I'm here for," I assured her, giving her a quick little wink.  I really did not mind protecting her.  It gave me something good to do rather than what I normally did on a regular basis around the school to maintain appearances -- though, I did have to admit.  Part of me enjoyed being cruel to other students to a point.

"My knight in shining armour." I said, attempting to take some of the seriousness out of the conversation. "What would I do without you?" I liked it better when we were like this, it felt more normal. I knew Draco like to be the bully sometimes but I had to think he would want to be the person he is with me more often then not.

"Well, for one, you wouldn't have to babysit your twin making sure he didn't do anything tremendously stupid," I pointed out, joking around.  "So there would be a bonus."  I knew I did not make it easy on Juniper with the way I acted -- especially with Potter and his little gaggle of followers.  It just made Father happy and, to be honest, it did drive me insane that he seemed to have people just flock to him with little to no effort while I had to put forth all this work.  It made no sense to me.  What did he have that I did not?

I laughed, "I don't know about your twin but my twin would get a talking to if he ever did anything stupid." I wanted to talk with him about Harry and them but the conversation form earlier came back and I knew it would be an unwelcome topic.

"Exactly.  We're both on the same page," I pointed out.  "You know I'd definitely be having words with my twin if she did something moronic.  And we also know that I would attempt to keep it from getting to father, too.  No need in having my twin get beaten down for anything."  I enjoyed the fact we were talking of each other in a third person sort of sense.  I looked over at her and saw something flash across her face.  "Wait... now hold on.  What was that?" I asked.

I looked over at my brother with wide eyes. "Nothing." I said even through both he and I knew that was a lie. I had been thinking about Harry and them but when he mentioned getting beaten down, I though of Father. I though of all the weird and twisted things he did to punish us that only someone in our family could really appreciate. Since I liked that he continued talking about us in third person, I did as well, feeling more comfortable about it. "Your twin just seems to have a lot on her mind right now."

I stopped walking and put a hand on her shoulder.  "June, what's wrong?" I questioned, getting serious with her again.  I knew that look:  something was up.  Nothing may be wrong per se, but something was definitely weighing on her.  "You know that's what I'm here for."  If she could not unload on me, who could she talk to?

I stared passed him when I began to talk. "Just memories, thinking of Father. The things he did." I finally focused on him and smiled. "Really, it's nothing. It's just been a while, that's all." I sighed, knowing he would understand what was going on in my mind. He always seemed to be able to sort out my thoughts, sometimes better then I could.

I hated when she did not look at me when she told me something -- it meant I was not getting the whole truth.  Not saying she was lying to me, but it just meant that there was more to it.  I eyed her and nodded; I understood what she meant with Father.  "Are you sure that's it?" I asked.  I did not want to bother her with it if she was not ready to talk about it, but it has been awhile -- too long.  I just did not want to dismiss something and then take just as long to have the opportunity to talk about it.

I nodded, "We'd just been away from them for so long, you almost forget what it was like until someone brings it up." I liked being here. Draco and I could be ourselves and we didn't have to worry about Father but it hit me hard when Draco talked about it.

I understood.  "It hasn't been too horrid of a school year thus far... I haven't gotten any disapproving letters from Father about you or myself... Mother has sent some treats to both of us," I said, wondering when the other foot would drop.  It was only like this for a short period of time before Father got angry and upset at one of us.