The murmurs from the crowd below the dais gradually faded.
Lucius continued, his voice carrying easily through the hall. "Moreover, today is also Miss Estelle Belling's birthday. So, on behalf of the Malfoy family, I wish her a very happy birthday and hope she creates beautiful memories here at Malfoy Manor."
As he spoke, he tilted his head slightly and looked down at her.
Those pale grey eyes—so like Draco's—softened with open tenderness and quiet pride. In the few short months Estelle had lived with them, she had given Lucius and Narcissa something they hadn't known they were missing: the simple, heart-melting joy of raising a daughter.
Where Draco had once been a whirlwind of Quidditch brooms, exploding potions, and near-catastrophic adventures that threatened the castle spires, Estelle was their little angel. She drifted through the manor in soft puffy dresses, always looking up at them with those huge, watery blue eyes, polite and gentle and impossibly sweet. Even when she trailed after Draco like a tiny silver shadow, the Malfoy couple's patience and affection for her only seemed to grow stronger every single day.
Mammon, watching from the sidelines, could only click his tongue in exasperated wonder and seize every chance to remind little Stelle of "proper Belling independence," terrified the Malfoys might accidentally spoil the family's last heir into helplessness.
"Thank you, Godfather," Estelle said, gazing up at him with eyes that sparkled like stars.
Lucius, nearly undone by the public display of cuteness, had to fight the urge to ruffle her perfectly styled curls. He cleared his throat. "Go on, sweetheart. Go find Draco. There's nothing more for you to do up here."
Since both children were still too young for formal dances, Lucius and Narcissa would open the ball in their place.
Estelle nodded obediently and slipped down from the dais under the weight of dozens of curious stares. The moment she reached him, Draco took her small hand without a word. The steady warmth of his palm steadied her more than anything else could.
Beautiful music swelled once again. Lucius and Narcissa glided to the centre of the floor, moving together with effortless elegance. Soon, nearly half the guests joined them, skirts swirling and laughter rising.
"Stelle, come with me," Draco whispered close to her ear. "Your birthday gift is over there."
"Okay." She nodded, a flutter of excitement mixing with a quiet, aching sadness she couldn't quite name. This was her first birthday away from Belling Manor.
In past years her father would watch her with that complicated, bittersweet look, then pat her head and press some exquisitely enchanted trinket into her hands. Mammon and Pegasus would carry her deep into the enchanted forest, stuff her cheeks with strangely flavoured fruits, and call it the best gift in the world.
*I wonder how Pegasus is doing…* she thought. *I'll have to ask Godfather soon if I can visit home.*
Lost in quiet memories, she barely noticed Draco leading her to a velvet sofa tucked in a quiet corner of the hall. Dobby had arranged every guest gift on a low wooden table; the stack of beautifully wrapped boxes rose like a small mountain of colour and ribbon.
Even so, Estelle spotted Draco's gift instantly.
The dark-green silk box dusted with real gold flecks sat front and centre, impossible to miss. Only Draco would have Dobby place his present so prominently.
Under his subtly hopeful gaze, she picked it up and hugged the box to her chest. "Thank you, Brother~" She tilted her head and gave him the sweetest smile.
Draco tried—and failed—to keep his lips from curving. He cleared his throat, aiming for cool sophistication. "Open it, Stelle."
He tugged her down beside him on the sofa. The soft silk ribbon slid free beneath her fingers. Inside lay a sleek black obsidian bracelet. A faint, living darkness swirled within the stone—thin rivers of shadow one moment, tiny glittering constellations the next. Under the warm glow of the castle's enchanted chandeliers, it looked both ancient and impossibly luxurious.
Estelle, who had never met a gemstone she didn't love, fell for it instantly. Her misty blue eyes flew up to Draco, bright with delight. "Brother, this is…"
Seeing her reaction, Draco couldn't hold back his grin any longer. "I made it myself!" he announced proudly, voice lifting. "It's enchanted with Scourgify. Once you have your magical outburst, just touch the bracelet and your magic will wake the spell."
Estelle didn't fully understand the mechanics yet—she was still years from her first spark of power—but she understood perfectly that Draco had poured his whole heart into this gift. That was more than enough.
What she didn't know was that the very first time he'd opened a Charms book, he'd begged Lucius to teach him Scourgify. For a six-year-old, infusing an object with permanent magic was incredibly difficult. So for months, while Estelle napped, Draco had sneaked into his father's study, pestering Lucius through dozens of failed attempts. Lucius had been ready to wave his wand and finish it himself, but the little dragon had stubbornly insisted on doing it alone.
After countless explosions and one very singed eyebrow, he had finally succeeded—just in time to place the finished bracelet in the box and earn that bright, grateful smile from his little sister.
"Brother is amazing!" Estelle declared without hesitation. She slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, then leaned in, lips puckered, aiming for his slightly flushed cheek.
"Stelle—there are too many people here…" Draco stammered, ears burning, yet he didn't move an inch.
Before her kiss could land, a shrill voice sliced through the music.
"Draco! What are you two doing?!"
Draco's shy smile vanished. He frowned and looked toward the voice.
"Pansy?"
The moment he spoke, Pansy Parkinson marched over, short dark hair bouncing with every furious step. Trailing behind her were several other children, including two large boys who immediately broke into a run the second they spotted Draco.
"Draco!"
"Goyle. Crabbe." Draco nodded in greeting, but his attention stayed locked on the furious girl in front of him.
Before Pansy could reach them, Draco casually stretched his arm along the back of the sofa, resting it protectively behind Estelle's shoulders. The message was clear: she was with him.