Chapter 9

We are still kids, but we are so in love

Fighting against all odds

I know we'll be alright this time

Darling, just hold my hands

Be my girl, I'll be your man

I see my future in your eyes

The Great Hall was filled with people as the reunion was well and truly underway. McGonagall had given a heartfelt speech that had Hermione tearing a little as memories of her time at Hogwarts assaulted her. Draco had felt somewhat conflicted as his last few years at Hogwarts had been anything but fantastic but it had also been his home for many years before that and it had been the placed he had felt safest. He wrapped an arm around his wife, pulling her close as she gathered herself again.

She looked around hoping to see her children and was a little panicked to find only Scorpius within her sights. She focused for a moment, picking at the magical trace that lay between her and her daughter. She calmed a little feeling her daughter close by.

"I can't see Rhaella," Hermione said nevertheless turning to her husband.

"She's not far love," Draco soothed picking up on the trace too.

"I know," she sighed softly. "You think she's okay?"

"I'm sure she is," Draco assured her. "Selene is probably showing her around the castle."

Pansy took a seat beside Hermione handing her a flute of champagne, "Mione, relax. Rhaella is perfectly safe here. No place safer than Hogwarts remember." Hermione smiled accepting the flute, "Drink and enjoy tonight. It's why you've come all this way."

"Does this mean you'll be leaving soon then?" A voice suddenly asked from behind her.

Hermione felt her heart hammer in her chest. She turned to see the man standing looking down at her.

"Ron," Hermione breathed standing slowly.

His face gave nothing away as he took her in, standing beside the man she had chosen over him.

"Ron," she said again looking shocked. She felt Draco press a gentle hand to her back, silently giving her support.

"So it is true," Ron said looking between the pair of them. "You really did marry the ferret," he said looking every bit as disappointed as he sounded.

Hermione frowned. "Of course I married Draco. I love him."

Ron scowled, "I guess I thought you would eventually see sense and do the right thing."

Hermione huffed trying to hold back her irritation. "And I would have thought you would have grown up in these past twenty years! I guess we were both wrong," she said icily and was about to turn back to Draco and her friends before she stalled for a moment, "Just because you and Harry don't like the decisions I've made doesn't make it wrong Ronald!" she scolded.

"It is wrong when you've left your family behind!" Ron said sharply. "Especially for the likes of him!" Ron spat pointing at Draco.

"Was it right for you to ask me to choose between two parts that made me happy?" Hermione shot back. "Was it right for you to throw me out when I decided not to lie to your myself anymore and finally follow my heart?" She asked a beat later not sparing him. "Is it right, Ronald," she bit out his name, "for my family to be treated with such hatred all these years later?" Ron looked like he was going to argue her on that but she didn't give him the chance, "And don't you dare try and use his past to help your ridiculous argument, because he's done nothing but try to be better!" She turned to Draco and he gave her a little smile.

"Doesn't make it any less true Hermione!" Ron cried angrily.

Hermione groaned in frustration, "I won't stand here and try and defend my decisions to you when I've done nothing wrong! The truth of the matter is, you didn't even try then to get to know Draco. You simply judged him on what you saw and thought that must be the truth. Well let me tell you, things are never as they seem. You didn't bother then and you won't now. You don't know the kind of man he is, the wonderful husband and father he is!" Hermione said looking her former friend straight in the eye. "The truth is Ronald; you blindly believed Harry then and you're still doing it today."

"Because Harry knows what is true!" Ron argued.

"Why?" Hermione demanded. "How could you possibly know that what Harry said is any truer than what I had told you?"

Ron opened his mouth to answer but he found he had no answers.

Hermione shook her head, clearly disappointed in her friend. "I had so hoped you would have learned to at least question things for yourself by now."

Ron's scowl deepened, "He was right about you," Ron muttered. "You've completely changed."

"I would hope so. It has been twenty years!" Hermione stressed.

"Can't you see, it's not the time that's changed you. It's the people." Ron snipped, giving Draco a pointed glare.

Hermione smiled as she felt Draco's reassuring hand pressed firmly against her back, "Yes, he has changed me." She looked up to meet her husband's silver orbs. "In possibly the best way."

"That's a load of bullshit Hermione," Ron spat dismissively.

"Just because she hasn't changed to what you want her to be doesn't make it bullshit Weasley," Draco said scowling.

"You were a bad influence then and you still are now Malfoy," Ron shot back. "I thought you were at least clever enough to see he was using you, but here you are twenty years later! I don't get how supposedly the cleverest witch of the century can't seem to see that!"

Hermione gasped, "How dare you!" she cried. "You have no right to make such insinuations about us! Especially when you didn't take the time to actually learn the truth."

"What more could there possibly be Hermione?" Ron cried viciously. "You left! That's all there is to it! You left and to make things worse you chose him over us… your family."

"You don't get to talk about family to me Ron!" Hermione raged. "You turned your back on me! I tried to make you understand but you didn't listen! You know I would never intentionally hurt you. You know that and yet you so easily cast me aside because you couldn't understand what I wanted!"

Draco tightened his hold her whispering in her ear hoping to calm her. "Easy love," he soothed. They were attracting a fair bit of attention too. Draco ran his fingers along Hermione's arm, whispering into her ear. It worked and the sight only seemed to further infuriate Ron.

"You didn't want to hurt us?" Ron repeated disbelieving, "You didn't want to hurt us and yet you still chose him over us. You chose the fucking Death Eater over me!" he yelled. Ron stepped forward and Hermione felt Draco instinctively curve his arm around her waist holding her firmly. "Of course I don't bloody understand it!"

"I chose him because he didn't make me chose!" Hermione countered furiously, audience be damned. "He was willing to let me go because he knew you wouldn't understand. He loved… loves me that much."

"You speak as if I didn't love you," Ron said angrily. "You forget that I spent many years loving you, Hermione."

"I know Ron," she said softly, her anger deflating slightly, "But you and I… we would never have worked."

"You don't know that," Ron argued. "You can't know that… because you gave up on us!"

Hermione bit her lip, unsure what to say then. "I didn't mean to," she whispered. "I'm sorry."

"A fat lot of good that is going to do me now," Ron dismissed coldly, glaring at them.

Hermione sighed, "I didn't mean for things to be as they are Ron. I didn't mean to fall in love with Draco, but I did and I won't apologize for that." She said softly. "I wrote hundreds of letters, hoping you would understand but … you never wrote back. Not once."

Ron frowned, "Letters?" he questioned. "What the hell are you talking about?" he asked, but before she could answer, they were interrupted.

"Dad, Damien's going to show me around the castle for a bit," a voice said drawing their attention away from the increasing tension.

Scorpius stopped short seeing all eyes were on him. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt." He apologized quickly.

"That's alright," Draco replied gently hoping that his son wouldn't be drawn into the argument.

Ron did a double take as the boy stood beside Draco. He looked exactly like his father, but there were hints of his mother in him too. Despite the fact that he had the obvious Malfoy colouring and height, there were subtle traces of Hermione too. Ron was further surprised at the way the younger Malfoy met his gaze, steady and confident. There had not been many young wizards who would have looked at a war hero like the young man before him was doing. He knew immediately then, that while the boy had inherited his father's looks, no doubt he had inherited his mother's boldness and bravery.

"Scorpius," Hermione said taking a small breath, "I'd like you to meet Ron Weasley." She said motioning to the man standing before them. "Ronald, this is my son, Scorpius."

"Bloody hell, he looks just like you Malfoy!" Ron gasped still in shock.

Draco smirked at this and even Hermione chuckled.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr Weasley," Scorpius said and then tentatively held out his hand. They all waited with bated breath to see what Ron would do next.

Hermione sighed with relief when she saw Ron reaching forward to grasp her son's hand in a firm handshake. Ron couldn't seem to believe the sight before him, almost unsure whether to believe this was Hermione's son or not. He couldn't settle on what to say next so he simply nodded before releasing the young boy's hand.

"What's this I hear about seeing the castle then?" Hermione asked turning and smiling at her son.

"Oh, yeah," Scorpius mumbled tearing his gaze away from the red-haired man before him. "We're just going to walk around a bit," Scorpius told them. "We won't go far." He promised giving his parents a small smile. They knew he would be watching over Rhaella should anything happen.

Draco and Hermione nodded and with a "see you in a bit," the young Malfoy was gone again. Hermione turned back to Ron eyeing him for a moment, almost waiting for another attack.

Ron's anger seemed to have deflated considerably, "I …um I… I've got to go," he stuttered shocking both Draco and Hermione. Before they could object, Ron turned and walked away.

"Well … that didn't end as I imagined." Draco mumbled slightly confused.

Hermione nodded in agreement. "The night is still young so I guess there's still plenty of time for more surprises." She joked as Draco groaned beside her.

"At least tell me there is something harder than pumpkin juice to drink," Draco mumbled steering Hermione back to their table.

"I think Blaise mentioned something about alcohol," Hermione laughed as they rejoined their friends.

"Mind you I can't drink like I used to," Blaise said frowning a little and Draco mutely agreed.

"Must the old age catching up to you both," Hermione teased. Both Draco and Blaise looked affronted while Pansy laughed in delight.

"You're one to talk seeing as you're the oldest here!" Blaise quipped back.

Hermione chuckled, "Fair point," she conceded. "Feels a little odd being back here after all these years doesn't it?" she asked her friends.

"It does," Pansy agreed, "And yet it still feels like….home."

They all smiled softly at that. Hogwarts had always been home to all of them. Before and even after the war, it had always been the one place they had felt the safest.

"I do hope the kids are having fun," Hermione sighed looking around the Great Hall. The night was turning out to be more emotionally exhausting than she had imagined. She only hoped her children were at least having a good time.

"They are," Pansy assure her.

"And they are safe," Draco added knowing she needed to hear it. "You can feel it," he said and she nodded. "Now how about we have some fun of our own?" he asked smiling at her.

"Draco, the last time you said that we ended up with Althea," Hermione mumbled causing both Pansy and Blaise to chuckle.

"And how did our little nymph feel about being left behind tonight?" Blaise asked.

Hermione smiled ruefully, "I felt awful about leaving her behind, but between Lucius' never ending stream of presents and Narcissa's fancy tea parties I'm afraid she doesn't have the time to miss us."

They all laughed knowing the extent to which the older Malfoy's liked to spoil their grandchildren.

"Come on love," Draco standing rising to his feet, "Time for a dance." He said holding his hand out for Hermione to take. She rose quickly to her feet, easily sliding her hand into her husband's. "Mate, if you aren't going to ask your wife to dance, at least make yourself useful and find some of that alcohol." He joked, looking at Blaise before leading Hermione onto the dance floor.

"How many of those encounters do you think those two are going to have to suffer through before they can go home in peace?" Blaise asked his wife as they watched their friends dancing. They still seemed to be attracting quite a few looks, as people still didn't believe that Draco Malfoy notorious Death Eater had truly married war heroine Hermione Granger. Apparently, times hadn't changed that much.

"Too many," Pansy muttered. "But it won't matter."

"Oh?" Blaise questioned quirking a brow at her. "Why is that?"

Pansy chuckled, "Look at them love." She said motioning to the couple moving in rhythm together on the dance floor. "After all these years, the only thing that has changed is that their love has gotten stronger, and they have a family to prove it!" Pansy smirked and Blaise reached for her hand. "They're going to be just fine. In fact, I dare anyone to even try and drive a rift between them."

"You have a lot of confidence in them, love," Blaise commented, though not even he couldn't doubt his friends love.

"They've been our friends for a very long time," Pansy answered. "If they can make it through the storm that was Lucius Malfoy and his pride then they will see this reunion to its completion, with their eyes closed."

Blaise chuckled, "Now tell me, dear wife, do you have such faith in us as you do in them?" he asked truly curious.

"Of course," Pansy answered without missing a beat. "Though I think fate's tested them more cruelly than us. Not that I'm complaining mind you. Of course, fate did give me your mother to deal with and I think that's more than enough for a lifetime." She mumbled causing her husband to burst out laughing.

"And how wonderfully you've handled her love," he complimented placing a tender kiss on her cheek.

Pansy grinned before he turned to Blaise, "You were worth every argument," she said softly reaching out and grasping his hand in hers. She entwined their fingers, looking down at her wedding ring catching the light around them.

Blaise looked at her shocked for a moment. It was very unlike his wife to get sentimental, especially in public.

"Pans – " he started but she shook her head stopping him.

"I don't think I've ever said it," she said softly looking down at their entwined hands. "I could never have imagined all those years ago that this is where we would be. This amazing life, filled with the most beautiful children and more love than I've ever had in my life. I guess being back here has me thinking about how things might have gone if you hadn't given me that second chance. I know I wasn't easy to love back then, filled with such hate and anger and I will never understand how you managed it or why you even stuck around."

"Where is all this coming from?" Blaise asked frowning a little.

"I guess seeing them go through so much. Having everyone question the love that so clearly flows in their family; I'm somewhat selfishly glad that it isn't us." She mumbled looking towards their friends on the dance floor. "I don't know if I'd have half the strength to go through what Hermione had and …. I don't know … maybe I'm being silly but I've never thanked you for all this; for being able to love me so unconditionally and for fighting for us even when I wasn't willing to. I've never said thank you." she said uncharacteristically nervous.

"And you'll never have to," Blaise said firmly grasping her hand in his. "You have nothing to thank me for." He pressed. "Everything that we have, everything that we are… it's not all on me love. I could never have dreamed such a life for myself without you and I wouldn't want it with anyone else either." He told her grasping her flushed cheeks and kissing her firmly. "Pansy, you are stronger than you think. One of the strongest women I know in fact, and I've never doubted that, or you. You will never have to thank me for loving you, because it's the best decision I've ever made to this day, and that includes buying the Falmouth Falcons." He added teasing her. It worked, as she laughed, sounding more like herself.

"Now as much as I'd like to make good on Draco's words and find some of that alcohol, I think I'd much rather have a dance with my wife." He said smirking at her. "What do you say Mrs Zabini, can I have this dance?"

Pansy smiled, "Well I thought you'd never ask." She answered smiling as she let Blaise pull her to her feet and lead her onto the dance floor.

"Took you long enough mate," Draco muttered as they took their place beside their best friends on the dance floor.

"Just had to sort a few things out," Blaise replied quietly.

"All good?" Draco asked.

"Never better," Blaise replied pulling Pansy closer to him as they fell into a rhythm, the music filling the air around them.

"So what's it like being in Gryffindor?" Rhaella questioned picking at his red tie.

Albus had led them down to the Quidditch pitch with no haste, holding her hand firmly within his. He had conjured a blanket for them and spread it across the grass in the middle of the pitch for them. It was on the soft blanket that they sat with only the stars for company. They had filled the space with all kinds of conversation, everything from school subjects to the newest member of the Weird Witches lead singer. They had slowly and rather tentatively broached more sensitive topics.

Albus smiled, "Not as exciting as you'd think," he answered truthfully.

"I've read that only those who are truly brave and courageous are accepted. Is that true?" she asked curiously. Rhaella's knowledge of the houses was based purely on what she had read or her parents had told her. She knew that her mother had been a strong and very brave Gryffindor and that her father was as her mother had often put it, 'as Slytherin as they come.' She didn't think this was anything to be ashamed of as her father always smirked and looked rather proud of that fact. But she didn't think it was possible to be placed in a house for seven years based on just a mere few characteristics.

"In a way," Albus answered. "There are many types of courage and bravery." He looked at her intently for a moment before almost hesitantly continuing, "The hat almost sorted me into Slytherin." He told her.

"Really?" she asked surprised.

"Yeah," he sighed running a hand through his hair. "It said I would do well in Slytherin."

"Then why did it put you in Gryffindor?" Rhaella asked.

"Because I asked it too." Albus sighed, and Rhaella looked at him in surprise. "My brother had been in Gryffindor, as had my father and practically all my cousins. I guess in some way it just made life easier being sorted into Gryffindor."

"But it hasn't really, has it?" Rhaella asked and Albus almost cursed her perceptive skills.

"No," he answered sound almost rueful. "If anything it's been harder to tear away from my father's shadow." He cursed looking down at his hands.

"I'm sorry," Rhaella mumbled, "I didn't mean to pry."

Albus shook his head, "It's alright. Nice even, being able to talk about it."

Rhaella smiled and shifted slightly on the blanket so their shoulders brushed against each other. Sitting this close, he couldn't resist not touching her. His hands moved of their own accord then, drawing across her cheek and down her jaw when he spotted the unique necklace she wore. He touched it, running his fingers over the delicate silver. He looked up at her raising a brow in question.

"It's a gift from my father," she answered his questioning look. She smiled fondly as she reached for the pendant. It was a simple dragon in full circle, its hand clasped together around the Malfoy crest, almost as if it were holding the crest between its small claws. "The dragon obviously because I am the first daughter of the dragon… well, the first daughter of the Malfoy house really" she said beaming with pride, "and this is the Malfoy crest." She told him pointing to the crest between the dragon's claws.

"It's beautiful," he murmured, reaching out to gently rub the sigil shocking her a little. She hadn't expected he would say that of her house.

"And powerful too," Rhaella added a heartbeat later.

Albus looked at her curiously, "What do you mean?"

"It's a very convenient way to channel my house magic." She answered. "And it helps my father with the trace."

"Trace?" Albus questioned, "Like the one the ministry has on all underage wizards?"

"No, not quite," Rhaella said. "It's more unique to our house magic." She explained and when he looked at her silently asking her to go on, she did, "Almost like a magical 'find me' if you would. My parents will always know where I am and if I am in danger so long as I wear it."

"And this also channels your…house magic?" he asked trying to recall what she had called it.

"Yes. It's very old magic." She replied.

Albus looked up at her interested at this. "So it's like a talisman?"

"Hmm… I guess a little. I'm not powerless without it, it just makes using my magic a little easier I guess." she answered appearing thoughtful, though Albus could see the slight excitement she held back as they approached this topic.

"Tell me more," Albus said quietly looking at her with his brilliant green eyes. He was genuinely interested to know what had her captivated.

Rhaella chuckled as she looked at Albus. "Really?" she asked not attempting to hide her surprise.

"Yes," he said smiling. "You seem to know a lot about this and it clearly interests you. I want to know. Tell me more about this house magic, princess." Albus pleaded softly, reaching out to touch the small pendant.

Rhaella sighed and when she turned to him, she found herself wanting to tell him based simply on the intensity of his eyes upon her. She had his complete and undivided attention.

"Well, every family has magic that is special to them. It protects them and serves only them." Rhaella explained. She shivered feeling his fingers against her skin and he inspected the pendant in his hand. "It usually becomes most effective when you turn sixteen. It becomes stronger and I guess in a way it makes you stronger."

"So it gives you strength?" Albus asked furrowing his brow.

"A little," she said thinking carefully, "Mostly it simply enhances what is already there," Rhaella answered and then reached for the hand holding her pendant. "You, for example," she started looking down at their now entwined hands, "come from two very extraordinary families and their magic simply enhances all the qualities that make you the wizard you are." She said with a slight blush.

"Qualities like?" he asked his voice taking on a slightly teasing tone.

Rhaella turned to him, looking up to those dazzling green eyes that were fast becoming one of her favourite things in the world. "I'm sure you have many remarkable qualities Mister Potter, or so I've heard." She replied smirking.

Albus chuckled, "Well I happen to think I have one rather very remarkable quality," he said leaning in closer.

"And what might that be?" She asked as he moved a curl away from her face.

"This," he said and then his lips descended upon hers. Rhaella sighed into the kiss before pulling him closer by the collar. He teased her and when she growled, his hands wove into her blonde tresses. They pulled apart not a moment later, breathing heavily.

"I don't know if that's considered a quality," Rhaella said breathily.

"A talent then," Albus mumbled, his voice husky as his fingers danced along her jaw.

They were silent for a moment as Albus twirled a curl of her hair around his fingers. "Tell me more about your family." He requested softly.

She beamed at his question but she couldn't help the hesitancy that filled her.

"You know… or rather you've seen what my family is like. Everything I thought I knew about your family turned out to be wrong," He admitted and her breath hitched, "So please won't you tell me the truth?" he implored. "Tell me about your family princess," he asked again tugging gently on an errant curl of hers. She bit her lip, nodding as she gave in.

"My mother is the most brilliant witch I've ever met. She's amazing … and so much more than the bookworm your history books like to paint her as." She looked at him with a frown and Albus chuckled, "She's so fierce and raised us so that we've never felt ashamed to be born to the Malfoy house." Albus smiled liking the passion in which Rhaella spoke of her parents.

"And your father?" he asked curiously.

Rhaella's smile grew larger, "My dad…well he's not what people expect him to be." She answered smiling fondly at the thought of him. "Everyone expects this big bad mean Death Eater, and he couldn't be more opposite. I know my parents didn't have an easy start and that my father wasn't the nicest teenager, but in all my life I've never heard my father say a cruel word to anyone. He's truly changed."

Albus considered her words. He knew them to be true. Draco Malfoy was nothing like the dark shadow his father had originally painted him to be.

"There's no one he loves more in this world than us. He always knew he would have a son, it is part of the Malfoy lineage but Althea and I had thrown him for a loop. We're the first girls born to the House of Malfoy in centuries.

"Wait there are no other girls born to your family before you?" Albus asked surprised. Rhaella shook her head. "So you really are a rarity," he said softly leaning in close.

"I am," she replied her voice barely above a whisper. Albus tilted her head capturing her lips in a deep kiss. He pulled away, though still close enough that he was able to see her cheeks flushed with delight.

Rhaella smiled, "Anyway given that Althea and I are as you said a rarity, he's extremely protective, a trait my brother has inherited all too well." Rhaella went on a moment later.

"They're just trying to keep you, safe princess," Albus reasoned suddenly understanding the desire both Malfoy men had to protect her. He had seen it firsthand when he had rescued the Little Malfoy. No one could argue those girls were loved and well protected.

"I know!" Rhaella said quickly. "And I love them for it, but it doesn't seem fair that our lives are consumed by people so intent on hurting us because they think they know the person my father or grandfather once was." She said begrudgingly. "I couldn't even leave the Manor tonight without wearing the Malfoy trace." She told him huffing slightly in annoyance.

Albus sighed, "I have to admit princess, considering just how special you are, I can understand why your father would ask you to wear the trace." He told her. Rhaella blushed at his words, choosing not to say anything.

"Your mother doesn't have any of this house magic?" Albus inquired curiously a moment later.

"No, she doesn't come from a magical family… well, she does but not directly like my father. The benefits of such magic don't really affect her because it's been lost to her lineage for so long. She's still an exceptionally strong witch though. It was only when she had my brother that she started feeling the power of the Malfoy family magic."

Albus nodded, "And your father?" he asked. "How does this affect him?"

"Well my father is half Malfoy half Black and I'm sure you know all about those families." She said eyeing him carefully.

Albus sighed, "Only the bad I'm afraid," he admitted with a grimace. "I'm sure there is more to those families than their affinity for dark magic."

"Of course there is!" she huffed. "And it's really not as bad as you think. If my father's family had all truly gone dark then their magic would have turned wicked a long time ago. It would have turned my father and my grandfather well…wicked and evil I guess." She told him desperate for him to understand. She couldn't explain why it was so important to her then, that he understand this, only that he did.

"But they're not," Albus countered.

"No they aren't," she said, "They aren't evil. My grandmother Cissa and her sister Andromeda had the ability to love far better than anyone in their family. They saved the House of Black. And while my grandfather Lucius' almost lost the good Malfoy family magic, my dad's stubbornness and his love for my mother saved them and ultimately the House of Malfoy."

"Your father saved the Malfoy magic?" Albus asked looking slightly shocked. That seemed like an incredible feat even for a wizard as powerful as Draco Malfoy. It seemed almost impossible given everything he had heard about the wizard but Albus was coming to learn that nothing was as it seemed when it came to the Malfoy family.

"Well, he is a Malfoy and at the time the only heir so it makes sense that he would be able to turn the House of Malfoy in his favour – good or bad," Rhaella explained. "He was able to stop their magic from becoming wicked. It… it had already been tainted when my grandfather and his father joined with Voldemort." She said looking down again. "A wickedness found itself in our family and it only disappeared when my father broke tradition and married my mother."

Albus couldn't hold back his smile as he watched her, a fond look gracing her delicate face. "So…there's something wicked about you?" he asked teasing her gently.

Rhaella bit her lip, relieved he wasn't repulsed by what she was telling him, "There might be," she replied a smirk playing on her lips.

"I would love to see it someday," he said.

"Maybe," she told him. A silence fell over them as she watched his thumb trace circles along her hand. "You're rather lucky you know."

"How's that?" he asked looking at her once more.

"You come from a long line of very powerful wizards. All from the Prewett, Weasley and Potter houses." Rhaella started explaining.

Albus chuckled, "How do you know that much about my family?" he asked surprised at her knowledge of his family tree.

She shrugged nonchalantly, "I read a lot." She merely said.

"Given how we met, I am not surprised," he teased causing her to blush. They were both taken back to the moment she quite literally fell into his arms. "So you were telling me why I am so lucky."

Rhaella cleared her throat, "Right, well your ancestors have all done amazingly good things. You don't have to worry about whether your magic might turn wicked." Albus grew silent thinking over her words.

"I guess not," he said with a slight frown.

"What is it? Have I said something wrong?" Rhaella asked biting her lip.

"No. It's nothing." He told her pushing away his frown.

"No, I've upset you. Please tell me what it is." Rhaella pleaded feeling the guilt fill her.

"It feels a little silly especially after everything you've told me," Albus admitted ducking his head.

"I promise I won't laugh," Rhaella said solemnly. "Please," she pleaded softly.

Albus sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "I feel sometimes it might be easier not being a Potter." He mumbled almost ashamed at the thought. Rhaella had talked about how proud she was of being a Malfoy despite the negative connotations the name had to it. The name did seem like a heavy burden to carry… yet her family all did it so well. And here he was telling her he couldn't bear being a Potter when his father had been the saviour, not the villain.

Rhaella reached out and gently squeezed his arm pulling him from his thoughts and silently telling him to go on. "Everyone has this idea of what our family should be like." He explained. "My father has lived almost his entire life in the public eye and that brings with it a certain amount of judgment from everyone else. My brother and sister have come to accept this rather easily, they stick with what is told them. They don't question."

"But you do," Rhaella stated more than asked and Albus was sure he heard the pride in her voice.

"I've always been a bit of a troublemaker," Albus told her smirking a little.

Rhaella smiled, "But that can't be what upset you so?" she pressed.

Albus sighed, "As if being a Potter weren't hard enough as it is, my father had to go and name me after two of the most famous headmasters that have ever walked this bloody castle." He groaned.

Rhaella considered what he had just told her and what she expected he hadn't found the courage to tell her yet. She bit her lip nervously, wondering if she should ask. She didn't want to push her luck.

"What is it?" he asked softly noticing her conflicted look.

"Do you think you won't be able to live up to it?" she asked somewhat hesitantly. "Their legacy?" she added just barely above a whisper.

Albus let out a heavy breath. "Every day." He admitted.

"Albus," Rhaella started softly but he simply shook his head.

"Their legacy, Rhaella… I … Albus Dumbledore was one of the cleverest most powerful wizards ever, and Severus Snape was a selfless, brave man who literally devoted his life in memory of a woman who didn't even love him in return. If it weren't for them, we'd probably still be fighting a war. Their legacy…" he breathed the word almost as if it were a physical burden he'd been carrying, "It's not something I couldn't even dream to try and reach."

"Perhaps you're not meant to," Rhaella said a few moments later, shocking him.

"What?" he asked truly puzzled. That was not the kind of response he'd been expecting.

"Well… whoever said you had to live up to their legacy? What about making you own?" she pressed hoping he'd understand. "Take it from someone who comes from a family whose legacy is just about if not more complex than yours… sometimes our legacy…our destiny is to do things differently. Just look at my father," Rhaella said. "If he had chosen to do as my grandfather had wished, none of us would be here today. And perhaps the House of Malfoy would have turned dark and wicked. My father didn't live up to the pureblooded legacy of his father and grandfather, he made his own."

"You make it sound so easy Rhaella," Albus mumbled. "But it isn't."

"No, it never is. But that's how you know you'll be doing the right thing." Rhaella told him.

Albus paused, he had never really thought about making his own … until more recently. "I guess… I've never really thought about it like that," he admitted, "I just feel like … I'm disappointing my family. They've all done these amazing things and then there's me," Albus sighed. "Just the troublemaker."

"Namesakes or not, I'm sure they love you for you," Rhaella offered. "I'm sure they don't think any less of you."

"No, they probably don't. But people talk. I'm sure you're aware of this." He gave her a look and she nodded in understanding. "My grandfather helped found the Order of the Phoenix. My father's the damned saviour and as it turns out my brother is as badass of an auror as my father." He told her. "Those are extremely big shoes to fill. For some reason, it's expected that I will follow in my father's shoes. That I will do exactly as my father and brother have done before me. Why don't I get a choice?" he groaned.

Rhaella was fairly certain that she was the first person Albus had ever voiced these thoughts too. When she realized there wasn't much else she could say to help the matter, she simply acted on instinct, pulling him closer, instinctively; his hand wrapped around her waist holding her close as the other cupped her cheek. He leaned forward, his forehead touching hers. "I feel like I'm failing them already. I can't compete with the saviour and the wonder-kid that is my brother." He confessed after a beat.

"You shouldn't have too!" Rhaella cried frowning. "Your life shouldn't be a contest to see who can save the world next!"

"Well, it feels like that. They don't say it outright, but I can feel the heavy stares. Every time I dare to want to do something different I can almost hear them groaning. My sister practically lives of every word my father says. It's a shame too because she's such a brilliant witch." He sighed. "I can just feel it. My grandma Molly is just waiting for me to do something amazing. My uncle Ron is the only one that is vocal about it though," Albus said nonchalantly.

Rhaella gasped, "Albus that's not right!" she cried, and for a moment, Rhaella couldn't decide if she was more upset over what he told her or how casually he had told her. He looked at her in surprise. "It's your life! That bloody saviour and his sidekick don't get to tell you how to live it! And who's to say you aren't living an extraordinary life?"

There was a silence that followed her outburst and Rhaella wondered if she had overstepped her boundaries again.

To her surprise, he simply chuckled, "You truly are remarkable," he said whispered.

"Well maybe just a little," she teased glad that he wasn't upset.

"So I come from a family of saviours and their sidekicks … albeit their slightly annoying sidekicks. And you, my lady, come from two of the oldest families and added to the fact that you're the first witch born to the Malfoy line… I would bet my gallons that you're perhaps the most powerful witch yet. Not to mention you're remarkably beautiful and wickedly intelligent," Albus told her placing little kisses along her jaw.

She knew then that he didn't want to talk about such serious matters any further. Rhaella let him distract her so as she blushed and felt her heart beating inconceivably faster.

"Is that what you think?" she managed to ask.

"Oh no, it's what I believe," he replied earnestly.

"We should probably head back," Rhaella murmured regretfully. While she was eager to see more of the castle, she wasn't quite ready to share Albus' company with anyone else. But she knew sooner or later her brother or Selene would come looking for her if they didn't leave soon.

"Yes, I suppose you're right," Albus agreed sounding just as reluctant as she did. He rose to his feet and helped Rhaella to hers, holding her hands to help her balance as she slipped her heels back on.

Once she had found her balance again with her shoes back on she looked up at him and attempted to step back but Albus held fast to her hand, pulling her closer. He didn't waste time pressing his lips to hers, stealing her breath once more. Rhaella responded immediately, her hands grasping desperately at the material of his suit. They pulled apart slowly and Albus leaned his forehead against hers.

He smiled, "Time to go," he whispered reluctantly.

Rhaella nodded but didn't say anything further. She let Albus lead her again, this time towards the castle. They walked at a steady pace as Albus navigated them through the empty hallways of the castle.

"Where are we going again?" Rhaella asked trying to remember the room Selene had mentioned.

"The Room of the Requirement," Albus told her. "It changes to meet the needs of the user. You simply have to ask for it."

"I thought it burned down during the Final Battle," Rhaella said suddenly remembering what she had read about the room.

Albus looked at her a little shocked at her knowledge of the castle. Though given everything else she had shared with him, he really ought not to be.

"Is there anything you don't know?" he teased.

"Hogwarts A History happens to be one of my mother's favourite books. She read it to us all the time when we were little." Rhaella explained shrugging.

"It was repaired shortly after the final battle, though it was kept a secret considering how dangerous the room turned out to be," Albus informed her.

"I'm guessing it didn't stay a secret for long," Rhaella guessed.

Albus chuckled, "No it didn't. Nothing is ever kept a secret for long here at Hogwarts."

Rhaella laughed at this but his words had her thinking about something else. As her thoughts wandered, she faltered in her footing and Albus quickly caught on to her elbow, holding her firmly and looking at her curiously.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Rhaella bit her lip nervously, "I was just thinking, won't people question you arriving with me?" she asked.

Albus frowned, considering her words, "I suppose they would. Do you not want to go in together?" He asked her turning to face her. He silently and rather selfishly hoped she wouldn't deny him this.

"No…I don't mind that." She said hesitantly.

"Then what is it?" he asked. "We don't have to go to the party you know. There's plenty of castle to see."

Rhaella thought his offer over. "No, I want to go." She said. "It's just…"

"What? It's just what?" he pleaded.

"You don't mind what they're going to say once they see that you are with a Malfoy?" she asked casting her eyes down to their feet.

Albus sighed, "No. Rhaella, as I said, I have spent every moment of my life living in the shadow of my father's name. To everyone else, it's some big trophy I should wear proudly no matter how heavy it might sit on me. I am used to people and their misguided perceptions of me… I could care less actually." Albus told her truthfully. "But I would never put that on you." He added slowly extracting himself from her tight grasp. Before he could move away entirely she grabbed his hand firmly in hers once more.

"I just don't want you to be judged unfairly based on the perceptions people still hold of my family," Rhaella admitted.

To her surprise, Albus smiled, "You worry too much princess." He joked lightly before saying rather seriously, "I will deal with whatever may come from tonight because this is my decision." Rhaella took a steadying breath at his words. "Ready?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered.

"This way," he said motioning to the moving staircase.

Rhaella gasped in delight as the staircase started moving. Albus took hold of her hand and in no time at all, had them walking down the bare corridor towards the Room of Requirement. They were just short of the enchanted wall that would lead to the Room of Requirement when they heard voices. Looking up Rhaella saw Selene, Damien and her brother outside the room. Selene was the first to spot them and she gave Rhaella a knowing smirk. Rhaella, despite her best intentions, blushed but threw a glare at her best friend nonetheless.

"Shit," Albus muttered almost forgetting that Rhaella would indeed have come with her family. The last time Albus had seen Scorpius Malfoy, it had not been a happy affair. He didn't want to think what the other boy might think of him, especially after all the hatred his father had spewed towards their family. Albus had come to realize that Rhaella was exceptionally understanding and forgiving, though he doubted that would be the same for her brother. He steeled himself especially after he noticed Scorpius catching sight of their clasped hands, his silver eyes narrowing ever so slightly at the sight.

"And where did you disappear to, Ly?" Scorpius asked as they approached. His eyes zoned in once again on their clasped hands and Rhaella was certain she heard him sigh.

"Albus was showing me around the castle," Rhaella answered and when she was sure he was going to argue further she said, "Technically I didn't leave the grounds so no rules were broken. Everything is fine." She said praying and hoping that her brother would understand.

Scorpius looked at her and the siblings seemed to have a silent conversation between them before he conceded and turned his attention to Albus. He took in the boy standing beside his sister, knowing he would have to tread carefully least he unleash the wrath of his sister. Merlin knows she had a temper almost as wicked as their mother's.

Sighing he ran his hand through his hair, "I never did thank you for saving my little sister." He said holding out his hand to Albus.

Of all the things Albus was expecting, this was certainly not it. It seemed every time he thought he had the Malfoy's figured out they did something to surprise him once more. He had to admit it was something he was rather beginning to enjoy, especially when it contradicted with everything he had been told about them.

Despite all his shock, Albus was of enough sound mind to reach forward and accept the offered hand. But before he could let go Scorpius held firmly and said seriously, "But just so we're clear that doesn't mean I won't kick your ass if you hurt this sister."

Rhaella groaned and was about to scold him when Albus spoke up, "I wouldn't expect any less. I can see family is very important to you,' he said looking at both Malfoy siblings.

"Well now that we've gotten that out the way, shall we join the fun?" Selene offered. "Damien if you would please," she said motioning to the wall.

Damien smiled and walked towards the wall as they all took a step back. As he stood before the wall asking for the room to appear, Rhaella stepped away from Albus and turned towards her brother.

"Thank you," she said softly, only for his ears.

"I didn't do anything," Scorpius replied.

"But you did." She said looking over her shoulder to see Albus had engaged in a conversation with Selene.

"So?" Scorpius asked. Rhaella frowned at his vague question. "Was I right?" he asked and she recognized the teasing tone in his voice.

She laughed, "Yes, dear brother. You were right. It's exactly like that." She told him.

Scorpius groaned rather dramatically and Rhaella reached out and swatted his arm.

"Come on you two!" Selene called motioning to the door Damien was now holding open.

Already, Rhaella could hear the din of music and laughter behind the door. Damien opened the door and gestured for them to enter. Selene was practically giddy with excitement as she stepped through and Rhaella followed with Scorpius and Albus following soon after.

Whoever had first called the room, had done a brilliant job. It was lowly light, with fairy lights hanging all around the room. Candles floated high above them illuminating the room in soft lighting. There were tables in the far side of the room, with chairs around them and a table stacked high with all sorts of food and a large bowl of spiked pumpkin juice they had filched from the Great Hall. The middle of the room was taken up by a large dance floor and a table sat at the very back of it, where someone stood mixing about with the music that wafted through the room. On the other side of the dance floor, were various comfortable looking couches and small tables that various people had already claimed. From what Rhaella could recognize the four house banners were proudly on display behind the music table and the colours ran throughout the room. It made for an odd sort of arrangement but she found that she rather liked it.

So caught up in taking in the room, it took her a moment to realize the din had quieted considerably. As she took another step further into the room, following Selene, Rhaella realized it was their arrival that had caused it. Hushed whispers and curious stares followed them as they walked through the crowd. There was no mistaking the Zabini's and Scorpius looked very much like their father had at his age. It certainly didn't help matters that Albus Potter was with them.

They made it to the far end of the room, taking one of the free couches. No sooner had they made themselves comfortable, did a group of girls make their way towards them. Selene greeted them cordially but Rhaella could tell it was mere public politeness her best friend was using. Selene introduced them to the group, and it was only when Rhaella frowned as she noticed one of them eyeing her brother a little too much, did Selene send them off again. Scorpius chuckled beside her but Rhaella simply rolled her eyes. They sat talking for a bit and Rhaella was thrilled when she saw how well her brother and Albus seemed to be getting along. Damien joined their conversation and soon the boys had a roaring conversation about quidditch politics.

"So I take it things went very well after I left," Selene said moving closer to Rhaella. With the roar of the music and the chattering around them, they had no chance of being overheard.

Rhaella blushed, "You could say that." She said cryptically.

"Rhaella Lyra! I demand details!" Selene squealed excitedly.

Rhaella turned ever so slightly to Albus who was seated beside her on the couch, though his attention was fully in the conversation with her brother and Damien. She looked back to her best friend and she could only grin.

"Ly?" Selene questioned.

"I'll tell you later," she promised her friend.

"Everything?" Selene pressed.

"Yes, everything," Rhaella agreed.

Before either could say any more, a figure approached them. "Well, aren't you going to introduce us to your friends Al?" A voice said.

Rhaella heard Albus sigh, "Lily, you know Selene and Damien Zabini," Albus said giving his sister a steady look. Lily didn't seem all too bothered and barely acknowledged the Zabini's. "And this is Scorpius and Rhaella Malfoy." He said. His words seemed to create a hush around them confirming what most had already guessed.

"Malfoy," Lily said looking surprised and Rhaella heard the quick sharp tone her voice took. Lily looked carefully at the siblings seated before her, immediately recognizing the blonde from the bookshop. "You really know how to piss dad off don't you." She muttered looking at her brother.

Albus scowled, rising to his feet immediately. "You know Lily, surprisingly enough, not everything I do is about our father."

Lily frowned, "Albus – "

"Lily, don't," Albus warned raising a hand to stop her.

"What exactly do you think is going to come from this?" Lily asked snidely. "Nothing good I can promise you that."

"I don't have to explain this to you, Lily," Albus said trying to reign in his anger. "You forget I am not answerable to you."

Lily scowled, "And you forget dear brother just exactly who you are!" she cried her voice carrying much further across the now quiet room. "You forget who you answer to!"

Rhaella watched brother and sister fight in clear view of everyone, and she couldn't hold back her fear and guilt knowing she was the very reason for it. Yet at no part did Albus look at her with anything but adoration, even know as he stood between her and his sister. She rose to her feet, hoping to reach out but her brother quickly stopped her, subtly shaking his head. This was not their fight.

"I know exactly who I am Lily!" Albus snapped shocking even Rhaella with the harshness in his voice. "And how could I ever forget who our father is? Not when you take such pleasure in reminding me at every moment of every day!" he seethed.

Lily didn't like her brother's response, narrowing her eyes at the sight of Rhaella behind Albus. "Everything you do has a consequence, Albus. Don't you remember how upset dad was the last time you did something without thinking?" She asked giving him a pointed look. Her gaze flickered over his shoulder to Rhaella before going back to her brother, "Surely she's not worth all this trouble."

Scorpius scowled and stepped forward but this time Rhaella gripped his elbow holding him back, silently reminding him this was not their fight.

To everyone's surprise, Albus chuckled albeit humorlessly, "You don't know the first thing about her Lily. You know only what's been shoved down your throat all these years."

Rhaella knew if they carried on like this, it would escalate beyond repair. But she had no idea what to do, how to stop them from tearing each other apart. Instead, she simply wandlessly threw up a silencing charm around them. It was bad enough they were fighting in the middle of the party, she was pretty sure, having everyone else listen in was not going to make matters any better.

"You mean the truth!" Lily shot back. "You know what their family is associated with! How could you!"

Albus scowled and this time Rhaella had to tighten her grip on her brother's arm, "You know nothing about their family! Do not dredge up the past when you know nothing about it, Lily. It's not your place to judge them!" he said vehemently shocking both the Malfoy's and Zabini's.

"Of course it is!" Lily argued. "Seeing as I am the only one between us that has any sense!"

"Because you've decided to believe mum and dad and not question anything they tell you?" Albus asked sardonically. "Yes, that does prove it then. You certainly have more sense than me to just blindly follow whatever is put before you!"

Lily gasped, "You're one to talk about blindly following when you've been cavorting all over the castle with the likes of her! Did you stop to think for even a moment that perhaps she's just using you to get at our father? Did that ever occur to you?"

"No," Albus answered honestly and without hesitation.

"That's it? Just no?" Lily questioned disbelievingly.

"Yes Lily," Albus pressed, "Because not everyone has an alternate motive."

"She's a Malfoy!" Lily cried.

"So what!" Albus shot back angrily. "For Merlin sake, we're not at war with them!"

Lily looked truly distressed, "Why can't you see that this isn't going to end well? She's just going to end up hurting you!"

"And why can't you see that right now you're the only one hurting me Lily?" Albus pleaded, his voice softening slightly as he addressed his sister.

Lily took a step back as if seeing her brother for the first time. Rhaella felt somewhat sorry for her at that moment, releasing that her brother was changing, becoming someone new right before her very eyes.

Rhaella stepped forward, taking a steadying breath, "I know you don't like me or my family and I guess that it is not without its reasons but you should know that I would never do anything to hurt your brother, especially when he has been nothing but kind to us."

"I hope she's worth the trouble Albus," Lily told her brother choosing to ignore Rhaella, "Don't say I didn't warn you," she added before walking away.

The silencing charm fell away and suddenly Rhaella was aware of the crowd around them. She felt her face grow hot as she heard the whispers pick up, people speculating as to what exactly had just happened between the Potter siblings. There was no doubt amongst the spectators that she had been the cause.

"Come on," Albus said quietly, gently leading her through the crowd much further back into the room towards the more secluded couches.

She could feel the heavy stares of everyone as they tried to get the party swinging again. Once they were settled Albus turned to her and Rhaella felt that familiar twinge of guilt knowing all that had occurred had been partly her fault.

"I am so sorr – " Albus began but Rhaella stopped him immediately.

"Albus don't." She said. He frowned wondering if things had ended before they could even begin. "Don't apologize." She said softly. "It's not your fault." She mumbled looking down at her hands.

"It's not yours either," he said quickly before she could assign herself anymore blame. Rhaella opened her mouth to argue but Albus grasped her hands stopping her. "I've already mentioned Lily and I have a very … strained relationship especially when it comes to matters concerning our parents. Whatever happened now, it wasn't your fault, please believe that." He pleaded softly.

Rhaella bit her lip as she thought it over. She desperately wanted to believe Albus but on some level, she still felt guilty. When he squeezed her hand, she decided that for the time being she would do as he asked. She nodded and was rewarded with a smile.

"Thank you for the silencing charm," he said softly. "I'd hate to think what these people would carry out of here if they heard another famous Potter fight." He mumbled rolling his eyes in exasperation.

Rhaella frowned, "So this is a common thing between you two?" she asked. Albus sighed and nodded.

Rhaella bit her lip and turned her glance towards her own brother who was slowly making his way towards them. She wondered what it would be like if Scorpius and her fought like that every day. It looked utterly exhausting.

"Never mind that," Albus said pushing away her curls, "Let's just enjoy the rest of the night, yeah?"

Rhaella nodded and they turned their attention back to their friends as they all settled on the couches and were drawn into the conversation around them. The music picked up as the spiked pumpkin juice was passed around.

Rhaella realized as she sipped at the stolen spiked pumpkin juice, Albus was not at all as she had imagined. More so, he seemed so real in everything he did and said. It unnerved her a little. She was still a little shocked that he had so easily confided in her, such great truths about himself. She knew it could not have been easy for him, and yet he had. He had trusted her so effortlessly; it was all still a shock to her, as it had never been quite like this. Knowing who she was, who her family was, he had been so willing to look past it all to see just her, the only thing he saw was her. Just her. Rhaella cast her mind back to the argument they had just witnessed. He had stared down his sister's temper without flinching and had defended her in front of everyone without a seconds doubt, all in the same breath. Rhaella felt him run his thumb over her hands and she looked up smiling at him, finally allowing herself to be drawn into the conversation.

Rhaella didn't doubt that when it came to Albus Potter, there was always going to be a surprise, but she knew now that she trusted him. Without a shadow's doubt, she trusted him and for now, that was enough.

AN: I am truly very sorry for the delayed update.

A very sincere thank you to all the wonderful readers who have followed, favourited and reviewed this story. A million times thank you!

This chapter took a little longer to get up not just because of my very hectic schedule but also it's the longest chapter for this story yet. Naturally, the longer chapters take a while to sort through and edit, so if I have missed anything I do apologize. I do hope you're planning on sticking around to see what happens with these two families, I can promise there is more on the horizon.

Please don't forget to leave me your thoughts! I look forward to reading them.

Lyrics were taken from the song Perfect by Ed Sheeran.

Thanks!

xoxo

Immortal Dragon Empress