firecracker ???

The trunks stood ready in the marble foyer of Malfoy Manor—black, silver-latched, polished to perfection. One bore the Malfoy crest. The other, the ancient starburst of House Black. An owl hooted faintly in its cage, and Elestara, already cloaked and composed, smoothed a gloved hand over her wand holster. Her mother gave the nod.

"Hold on tightly," Narcissa said, brushing an invisible speck from Elestara's shoulder.

Elestara stepped forward, slipped her fingers around Narcissa's wrist, and a second later they vanished into the pull and fold of Apparition—no spinning, no breath—just an inward shift and the feeling of magic winding them through the air.

With a soft crack, they arrived directly on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

The Hogwarts Express loomed in front of them, crimson and steaming, its gold trim shining through veils of thick steam. Students wove through columns of luggage, owls hooted from atop cages, cats darted between legs, and the scent of metal and coal filled the air. A moment later, Lucius and Draco appeared beside them, another sharp pop of displaced air.

Draco staggered slightly—he always did—but caught himself before Elestara could say anything. Not that it would have stopped her.

Lucius adjusted the cuff of his sleeve with a flick of his fingers, then turned to Draco with a gravity that quieted even the nearby owls.

"Final instructions," he said. "Listen carefully."

Draco nodded, spine straight.

"You will act with dignity and restraint. You will remember that your name holds weight, and that your behavior—"

"—reflects the family," Draco recited, half by heart.

"More importantly," Lucius said, raising a brow, "you will protect your sister. No matter what."

Draco blinked. "She's—"

"The younger one," Lucius finished, cool as ever.

Elestara stood silently beside Narcissa, gaze steady and composed.

"You will take the lead," Lucius continued. "Be the older brother."

Draco threw her a smirk. "You heard Father. Try not to embarrass me."

She tilted her chin ever so slightly. She didn't dignify it with a response.

Narcissa stepped between them, wrapping a cool hand around Draco's collar to straighten it, then cupping his cheek as she pressed a kiss to his forehead. He leaned into it just a little, before quickly pulling away.

To Elestara, Narcissa gave both cheeks, soft and certain, her hand lingering on her daughter's shoulder, then adjusting the clasp of her cloak.

Elestara stepped forward and hugged her mother tightly, burying her face for a brief second in Narcissa's shoulder. "I'll miss you," she said, voice low but genuine.

"You're my brightest star," Narcissa said, brushing a lock of hair back behind Elestara's ear.

Elestara looked her in the eyes, smile still warm. "I love you."

Lucius turned to her then—his features unreadable, but gaze softer somehow—and bent briefly to kiss her brow.

To his mild surprise, Elestara stepped in and hugged him as well. He hesitated only a moment before resting one gloved hand on her back.

Draco made a sound between a sigh and a scoff. "She's getting hugs now, too? What am I, the sacrificial son?"

"You'll live," Elestara said sweetly, stepping back.