"Draco," Lucius said smoothly, "your mother and I have urgent matters to attend to. Please show Estelle around the manor and help her settle in."
Draco blinked, finally shaking off the dreamy haze that had wrapped around him since the moment he'd first seen her. He met his father's calm, unreadable gaze and gave a quick, serious nod.
Narcissa smiled, reaching out to ruffle his pale hair one last time. "Go on, darling."
From the corner of his eye, Draco felt the silver-haired girl watching him with those wide, mist-blue eyes. He cleared his throat, stepped forward until he stood beside her, and puffed out his small chest like the miniature lord he was trying so hard to be.
"I'll take excellent care of her," he declared.
Lucius and Narcissa exchanged a brief, knowing glance before turning toward the grand staircase. The ancient wooden steps rotated silently beneath them, carrying the couple upward and out of sight.
The entrance hall suddenly felt very quiet.
Draco could feel the heat creeping up the side of his face where Estelle's gaze rested. *No. A proper Malfoy does not get flustered.*
"Why are you staring at me?" he asked, lifting his chin exactly the way his father did, voice cool and aristocratic.
His pale grey eyes met her misty blue ones—eyes shaped like soft peach blossoms.
Estelle tilted her head, completely sincere. "Because Big Brother is very pretty. Like a sparkling gemstone."
!!!
Draco's cheeks flooded with colour. His eyes widened before he could stop them.
No one—*no one*—had ever said anything like that to him. Not Lucius, not Narcissa, not even the portraits back home. The compliment hit him square in the chest, knocking the breath out of him for a second.
He looked away fast, ears burning. "Th-thank you," he managed. "You're… very pretty too."
Afraid she might say something else that would completely undo him, Draco added quickly, "Come on, I'll show you Malfoy Manor. What a troublesome little kid…"
The last words were muttered under his breath, so soft and half-hearted they sounded more like an endearment than anything else.
He strode off with purpose—three whole steps—before realising the little footsteps behind him had stopped. Frowning, the young Malfoy heir turned back.
Estelle stood exactly where he'd left her, chubby cheeks puffed out, huge teardrops the size of pearls trembling on her lashes.
Draco's heart lurched. He was back in front of her in an instant, voice tight with sudden worry. "What's wrong?"
Mammon, sitting regally by Estelle's feet, flicked his fluffy tail against her ankle in silent support. *My little Estelle has never been called a bother in her entire life. Hmph. Make her cry, you stinky Malfoy brat—then you can fix it. This cat is not cleaning up your mess.*
The misty-blue cat lifted his head, shot Draco a withering glare, then turned his back with an indignant huff.
"Big Brother…" Estelle's lips wobbled, her voice small and thick with tears. "If… if you really think I'm a bother, I can explore the manor by myself…"
She dropped her chin. The elegant little bun at the nape of her neck—silver hair twisted into a perfect flower bud—bobbed sadly.
"N-no, that's not what I meant!" Draco blurted, panic rising. "I just said it without thinking! I don't think you're a bother at all!"
"Really?" She peeked up at him through wet lashes, eyes shimmering like morning mist.
The ache in Draco's chest was instant and unfamiliar. He nodded so hard his hair flopped over his forehead. "Really. I promised Father I'd look after you, Estelle. I will. I promise."
Five-year-old emotions shifted like quicksilver. Estelle sniffed once, wiped the corner of her eye with the back of her hand, and offered him a tiny, watery smile. "Then… thank you, Big Brother."
Before she could finish the words, Draco reached out and wrapped his hand firmly around hers. His palm was warm—warmer than anything she had felt since her father's last days.
"Let's go," he said softly, looking anywhere but at her.
Estelle's eyes widened. The gentle heat spread from her palm up her arm, different from her own body temperature, different from Mammon's soft fur or Pegasus's feathered back. She stared at their joined hands for a long second, then broke into the brightest smile she'd worn all day. Two perfect little dimples appeared in her cheeks.
"Okay," she answered happily.
Malfoy Manor unfolded around them like a dream sculpted by centuries of magic and wealth. Sunlight poured through tall arched windows onto marble floors polished to a mirror shine. In the distance, the vast stables housed magnificent horses that trotted and galloped across emerald pastures, manes streaming like silk. Beyond them lay the private Quidditch pitch, its tall white fences gleaming. A delicate fountain danced nearby, water sparkling as it leapt between beds of perfectly trimmed roses and enchanted lilies that swayed in time with the breeze. Winding gravel paths meandered away beneath ancient lampposts, each one flanked by ivory benches that looked as though they had stood there since Merlin's time.
Draco walked slowly, still holding her hand. He was only six himself—curiosity soon won out over his attempt at grown-up poise.
"So… what do you think?" he asked, trying to sound casual. "How does Malfoy Manor compare to Belling Manor? What's different?"
Estelle swung their joined hands gently as she thought. "They're both beautiful," she said honestly. "This place is cleaner and tidier… but Belling Manor has a huge enchanted forest. Mammon and Pegasus used to take me there to play every day."
"Mammon and Pegasus?" Draco glanced down at the cat trotting beside them, then back at her, puzzled. "Who are they?"
Estelle pointed at the misty-blue cat whose tail swished proudly. "This is Mammon. Pegasus stayed behind to guard the manor."
At the mention of her other guardian, the little girl's shoulders drooped again. The sparkle in her eyes dimmed just a fraction—she already missed the warm, feathered back she used to nap on.
Draco nodded, assuming Pegasus was simply another magical family pet, like the enormous cat at their feet.
"What about your father and mother?" he asked next, voice softer now. "Did they go away on a long trip and leave you with us because they couldn't take you along?"