Chapter 1: First Friends

Mali could not take it any longer. She was sick and tired of father dragging her along to these parties. Sick and tired of hearing him repeat those same words over and over.

"And have you met my daughter?" Here we go again, she thought as she heard the words that forced her into such conversations, in which she had no interest. "Allow me to introduce Amalthea Elara Rowena Levesque. My pride and joy." There he goes, full name and all. Mali had to quickly stop herself from rolling her eyes. Instead she plastered on her 'dearest, darling daughter' smile as she fell into a graceful, practiced curtsey.

"Good evening Lord and Lady Ellesmere. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Though she was only a mere seven years of age, she knew manners beyond many. Whether she meant the words that cordially left her mouth or not was an entirely different matter.

"Oh what a darling she is Rasalas!" Lady Ellesmere cooed, bending down to Mali's height. "I have a son just a little bit older than you dear, I'm sure you to would get along marvellously." Turning back to my father. "Rasalas we must get the children together sometime, we haven't since Thalassa…" She trailed off looking at Mali. "Dear Amalthea, why don't you run along now? My husband and I have some adult things to talk about. Much too boring for a child like yourself." Mali looked up at her father for his permission. The slight nod of his head was all she needed before she began walking away.

She was glad to get away. She knew what they were going to talk about. Mother.

Mali's mother, Thalassa, had passed away that summer and everything had changed since then. Father had thrown himself into his work barely leaving anytime for Mali and Danny (her older brother). She thanked the Lord that she still had Danny because she didn't know what she would do without him. Being three years older than her left him in charge. He took care of her, comforted her after one of her nightmares, played with her in the garden. He helped her understand that Mother was gone, and she wasn't coming back.

Since their mother's death, Father had become distant. He had stopped calling them Mali and Danny like he used to. Now it was all 'Eridanus this' and 'Amalthea that'. He had stopped laughing like he used to. He had stopped showing any emotion at all. He was just an empty shell, but he was still their father. Danny and Mali took care of him as well as themselves.

Mali's eyes began to fill with tears as she thought of mother. How her light brown hair used to flow in the wind, how her green eyes used to sparkle with laughter and her smile that could light up a whole room.

Wanting to be alone with her thoughts, Mali ran from the room, out into the courtyard. But, for not looking where she was going, she accidentally ran into someone. Being her they both ended up sprawled on the grassy floor.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" The said someone exclaimed sitting up, rubbing his head.

Mali looked up to see a boy who had to be near her own age with a stormy expression on his face. However seeing the tears brimming her bright blue eyes, his expression softened.

"A-are you alright?" The boy was unsure of how to act.

Mali quickly looked away and wiped her eyes. She too was unsure how to act. She didn't see children her own age often and had certainly never spoken to them. Parents could only bring their children to these parties if they themselves were hosting them or if the child was eight years of age. She was here because it was her pare- father's annual Christmas party, meaning this boy had to be eight years old. He was older than her.

"I'm sorry! I should have looked where I was going. I didn't mean to knock you over." She avoided answering his question, not wanting to think about Mother again. He must have sensed this because he didn't pry.

"No worries." He assured her, running his hand through his pale blond hair. Mali had only seen such a shade of blond once before, this had to be Lord Malfoy's son. "My name is Draconis Varien Lucius Malfoy. And you are?"

He held out his hand to shake hers, Mali took it, hoping it could be a sign of friendship between the two.

"Well my name is Amalthea Elara Rowena Levesque, but if you dare call me Amalthea I'll hex you into oblivion. As soon as I get a wand that is… Would you mind calling me Mali?" She replied hopefully. Pleading with her eyes.

"Sure!" He smiled. "As long as you agree to call me Draco."

"Hm… Draco." Mali tested the name. "Not Drake?" She grinned cheekily.

"No!" Draco began to laugh. This girl was… Different. Of course, he hadn't met another to compare her to, but she was not what he had been expecting. Draco had expected a proper young lady with a stiff personality. But this girl, Mali, she was wonderful! She was funny, sweet and a bit of a smart alleck but he didn't mind. She was his first friend.

Mali was having similar thoughts about Draco. Her blue eyes met his silver, both twinkling, perfectly matching their wide grins.

Friends. They thought.

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