Circle of Love

Draco and Hermione arrived back in the small park near number 12, Grimmauld Place. Draco tucked the Portkey into his pocket and slipped an arm through Hermione's. “Back to reality,” He said and they walked towards the Headquarters.

“We could go back...” Hermione said with a hint of wistfulness in her voice. Her eyes took in the two buildings that stood around the magically hidden former Black home and sighed. She laid her head on Draco's shoulder and lightly squeezed his hand.

“Any longer, and even Professor Snape will come looking for us.” Draco replied and stopped walking for a moment to look at her. His gray eyes held the same desire hers held, and he gently kissed her forehead.

“It's just... they are going to know!” Hermione looked away and a slight blush stained her cheeks.

“So?” Draco reached out a hand and carefully turned her face to his. “We are together, no one is going to change that. I won't allow them to push us apart.” His eyes strayed to the steps up to the entrance door and gently pulled her along.

They walked up the stairs, and Draco pushed open the door. The house was quiet, and he closed the door slowly to hid their return. Leaning her back against the door, Draco lowered his head to capture her lips in a kiss.

Mariah felt her brother Caleb's arms fold around her in sympathy, and she leaned back and placed a hand on his. She barely registered the others entering the room or Minerva's words, and kept her eyes focused with those of the wizard she called grandfather.

“Our girl is home, Severus.” Albus said from his portrait, “Meet Mariah and her brother Caleb Sanders.”

“I see that.” Mariah heard through the haze of her mourning, and she turned to see who the unfamiliar voice belonged to. Her gray eyes took in the tall black dressed wizard, his long hooked nose, black hair and coal black eyes glowing against rather pale skin.

“Who are you?” Mariah asked him, and she felt Caleb's arm drift off her shoulder. She faintly recognized him from a picture that had been plastered in the Daily Prophet that her family had subscribed to all her life.

“Severus Snape,” Severus said, and realized that she had very little clue of who he was. “An old friend of Albus's.” He continued to say and barely had time to dodge the hex that flew from her now drawn wand.

“Levicorpus!” Mariah said clearly, and with a small shout Severus Snape flipped over and hung in the air.

Remus could barely contain the small smirk behind his hand, before arching an eyebrow at Harry, who was laughing openly.

“Mariah please,” Minerva began to say, but Mariah turned to look at the Headmistress of Hogwarts.

“This wizard killed my grandfather!” Mariah's voice raised an octave higher. “And you all trust him?” Her gray eyes blazed as she looked at the others in the room.


Hermione placed her hands on Draco's shoulders and wrapped her fingers in his collar and pulled him even closer. The commotion coming from the sitting room had them pulling apart, the blissful silence of the house broken by shouting of a young female voice and laughter.

“What the..” Draco mumbled, and both of them walked into the room, and the sight of Severus Snape hanging upside in the air both angered and amused him. He saw the ones in the room, and his eyes focused on the girl with her wand drawn.

“Who are you? Lower your wand.” Draco hissed out at the girl, looking her straight in her gray eyes. His own hand strayed to where his wand was kept tucked in the back of his waistband, and his fingers wrapped around it. His knuckles were white from the pressure of his grip.

Mariah's eyes looked up and down the blond haired boy that had just walked into the sitting room hand and hand with a bushy auburn hair girl. Her eyes narrowed in anger, and her wand shook. She almost shrugged off Caleb's hands on her shoulders, and one hand traveled down to encircle her wand hand.

“Enough Mariah, release him.” Caleb ordered her in a firm but soft voice. “Minerva explained to you he would be here, and you promised no trouble. Remember?”

“He... he... they...” Mariah sputtered out, and her eyes still held the gaze of Malfoy's. “Infinite Incantem.” She said with her wand pointed at Snape, and a small smile of satisfaction appeared briefly on her face when her original spell ended and he tumbled head first to the hard wood of the floor with a loud bang and a muffled 'ow'.

“What is the problem here?” Draco asked, his eyes still watching the unknown girl. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Snape. The professor still sat on the floor, a small smirk on his face and he didn't look like he planned on getting up anytime soon. Just what is going on here?

“My name is Caleb Sanders, and this here is my sister.” The American wizard said. “I'm here to counsel with the students at Hogwarts at Minerva's and Lupin's request.”

“That didn't answer my question!” Draco retorted hotly, and he kept his eyes focused on the black haired young witch. “Why did she attack the Professor?”

“Draco...” Albus said in a calming tone. “The girl is, for all intents and purposes, my granddaughter. She felt-”

“Don't make my explanations for me!” Mariah broke in, and glared at both Snape and Draco. “You both had a hand in Albus Dumbledore's death. I don't care how it was planned,” Her eyes glanced at Snape, “or what you,” Her gaze fell on Draco, “have tried to do to rectify it. I hold you both to blame.”

Draco looked in shock at the witch, and barely felt the comforting hand Hermione placed on his arm. He finally turned to look at Snape. “Professor how did she hex you?” He asked in wonderment. He'd never seen anyone other than Voldemort cast a spell on Snape and have it land. Not one Death Eater in the Master's Lair had dared to try without dying, and here was Snape calmly smirking over it. Something is definitely up. Just when he thought that all the conflict over Dumbledore's death was over at Grimmauld Place, in walks a girl who can get the drop on Severus Snape.

Or had she? Had Snape let her? Draco watched Severus Snape and waited for his answer. The Potions master shrugged his shoulders. He looked back towards the girl, and he noticed thankfully that her wand was now in her brother's hand. Mariah was still glaring angrily at both him and Snape.

“Draco,” Hermione whispered into his ear, “Let's go up to the bedroom. Let them sort this mess out. I'm sure we'll find out later what's up.” She suggested, and felt him tense up before nodding. She took his hand, and gently pulled him towards the door.

“We'll talk later,” Draco said with a glance at Severus, who nodded his head. The two walked out of the room, and the sliding doors of the room clicked softly shut.

Harry had finally stopped laughing, and looked at the two Americans. “Welcome to my home both of you.” He reached a hand out to shake Caleb's. “I'm Harry and this is my fiancée Ginny.” He smiled at the girl, and slipped an arm around Ginny's shoulder.

“Thank you Harry, and nice to meet you Ginny.” Caleb replied and firmly shook Harry's extended hand of friendship.

“Nice to meet you also Mr Sanders.” Ginny looked at Mariah, and noted that the other girl was still upset. “Would you like me to take you to one of the rooms upstairs to get settled in? Or maybe you'd like to go to the kitchen and we could get tea?”

Mariah took her eyes off of Snape finally, and looked to the redheaded girl. “Tea would be lovely.” She answered, “I need some fresh air anyhow.”

Ginny smiled, and opened the sliding doors, “The kitchen is this way.” Mariah followed her, and turned her head to give Caleb one last look. Her brother nodded his head reassuringly, and he smiled at her.

“Harry,” Remus said, and Harry slowly turned to look at his father's best friend. He looked as bemused as Draco had about what had happened.

“Yes Professor?” Harry finally replied, and gave Snape another questioning look.

“Why don't you join Ginny and Mariah in the kitchen? I'm sure they'd enjoy your company.” Remus carefully dismissed the him.

“Actually I'm in agreement with Malfoy. I'd like to know what's going on here.” Harry replied, and looked back to Snape. The older wizard had finally stood up, and was standing by the portrait of Albus Dumbledore.

“Everything will be revealed in time Potter,” Snape finally spoke without looking from the portrait, “For now let us adults talk.”

Harry's green eyes took in those in the room. “None of us are children anymore.” He reminded them, his tone even in its calmness. “There is something funny going on here. Albus Dumbledore didn't have any children, and if this Mariah is his granddaughter, why doesn't Mr Sanders refer to him the same way?” Harry spoke everyone's questions out loud.

“Harry,” Minerva placed a hand on his shoulder, “All will be answered later.” She emphasized the last word.

“They had better be.” Harry said, and walked towards the kitchen to where Ginny had taken the only person he had seen since Snape's pensieve memories get the drop on the hateful wizard.

The doors slid shut behind Harry, and Minerva turned to look at Severus. Snape finally turned from Albus's portrait, and looked at her, Remus and Caleb.

“This is a bad time to bring that girl back here.” Snape's eyes narrowed with his words to dark slits, “The dangers are still present for all concerned. Cissa's death should show that fact clearly. Time is growing shorter by the day, concentration should be on defeating the Dark Lord, not bringing another innocent into his path.”

“Caleb is needed at the school, and with their parents dead, Mariah couldn't be left in America alone.” Minerva responded, and gave Snape a look of understanding. “She'll be a help here, she's working on a masters in Potions. She can work with the others in that while you are gone.”

Remus rubbed the back of his neck, and looked at the two before looking at Caleb. He was in the Dark about everything as the younger ones had been. He had met Caleb a few times when the American wizard had come to visit Dumbledore before his death, and no mention had ever been made in his presence of the sister.

Remus walked over to the sideboard, and poured a some water in a glass, and chilled it before drinking. “Actually I have the same concerns that both Harry and Malfoy expressed. What's going on here?” He asked after a minute. “I'll admit, this time seeing you flipped over in a levitating spell was a bit more amusing then it had been twenty years ago Snape. Nothing said here since has explained to me how you allowed it.” Remus walked to one of the chairs by the fire. “You never once defended yourself, or even deflected the spell. This all leads me to wonder, what the bloody hell is going on.” He sat down, and looked at Snape.

Draco slammed another door after he and Hermione walked through it, this time the one to his bedroom. The pictures on the walls shook, but their sticking charms held. He kicked at the bedpost, and sat down heavily on the bed. Hermione moved closer to him, and placed her hands on his shoulders. He placed his hands on her hips, and pulled her into his lap.

“Draco?” Hermione said his name softly, and settled onto his legs. “Why did that upset you so?”

“No one hex's Snape unless it's the Dark Lord or on his orders. It's just not done. Something is going on, and it deals with Snape. Did you see the girl? Black hair, pale skin?” Draco spoke finally, and his eyes closed as if to see the features of the American girl once again.

“I'm sure we'll find out all about this girl when the Professors decide to tell us.” Hermione's reply came out softly, and she laid her head on his shoulder.

“He was smiling Hermione. I've seen Snape smile only once before, and that was with my mother. They didn't see me there, or I wouldn't have seen that.” Draco shook his head in disbelief. “The world's gone bloody mad!”

Hermione listened to Draco, and wished she knew how to help. She touched his chin with her hand, and kissed him. He returned the soft kiss with his own a little more forcefully. She smiled in their kiss as she felt his hands run through her hair, and they laid back on the bed.

Dobby stood in the kitchen, his hands busily washing the dishes in the sink. As each dish came out of the rinse water, he dried them magically and they floated to their appropriate spots in the cupboards and drawers. He winced as one fell to the ground when he heard Twinky's excited voice calling to him. The other elf seemed to hop into the room, and Twinky danced around the room happily.

“LilMiss is being back!” Twinky shouted the words again, and his dance became a jig across the kitchen's tiled floor. “Snarky Master has been finally seeing her!”

“You be hushing!” Dobby ordered the other elf, and stepped down from the stool to walk over to him. “You be quiet before the others be hearing your words. LilMiss be dead. Nothing be coming good from this lie!”

Twinky ended his dance, and cocked his head to the side to look at Dobby. His ears still flopped around in his excitement. “You just be remembering my words Dobby. They be coming soon.” Twinky said, and placed a kettle on the stove to heat up some water. “I be hearing Miss Ginny, they be coming here for tea.”

On the word 'tea' Ginny entered the kitchen with Mariah. Dobby's eyes opened in shock and he looked back to the other elf. He placed a finger carefully on his lips.

“You be's needing something?” Dobby asked , and looked at the dark haired witch carefully. It can't be's!

“Evening Dobby, my friend Mariah here and I would like some tea please.” Ginny said, and smiled encouraging at the older girl. She missed the looks that passed between the elves. Twinky's was triumphant, and Dobby's was one of shock. The glass he had been levitating to the cupboard fell with a shatter to the floor.

“Is everything okay?” Mariah asked, and looked at the elves. She pulled her wand out from her pocket, and repaired the glass. She levitated it to the counter, and bent to look at the elf named Dobby. “I've never seen any of your kind before.” She smiled at him, and held her hand out. “My name is Mariah Sanders.”

Dobby looked up at the witch, and almost died of shock as she held her hand out to him. “Elves be never shaking the hands, LilMiss. I be Dobby.” His head bobbed up and down.

Twinky placed the tea cups, sugar and creamer on the table, and filled a large teapot with leaves and the hot water and placed it on the table. “Tea be served!” He said happily.

“Thank you.” Mariah said, and followed Ginny to the long table and slid onto the bench beside her. Twinky poured them each a cup, and stood back and watched them.

“Would you be's liking some cookies?” Dobby asked, and kicked at Twinky's leg. “Twinky be happy to get you some.”

“That'd be great. It was a long trip from Salem, and we never got a chance to eat anything.” Mariah said, and sipped carefully at the tea after adding a small bit of sugar to it.

Harry walked into the kitchen and slid onto the bench on the other side of Ginny. He looked at the other girl over her girlfriend's head, and poured himself some tea. Away from the sitting room the other girl seemed to be a little calmer. Maybe she can answer some of my questions, he thought as he drank from his teacup.

Twinky brought over a plate of cookies that Mrs Weasley had left the other day and placed it on the table in front of them. He nodded his head.

“Thank you again,” Mariah said and took one. “These are delicious.” She added after taking a bit.

“My mum made them,” Ginny smiled at the other girl, and took one herself. “She swears a good cookie can heal anything.”

“My mom was the same way,” Mariah commented, and frowned slightly. “My parents died a few years ago in a werewolf attack on our town. Caleb won't let me go anywhere on my own.”

“I have six older brothers, so I understand that feeling. They tend to get over-protective.” Ginny laughed softly, and frowned herself. “My brother Ron died to a Death Eater attack a bit ago.” She leaned slightly into Harry, and felt his arm go around her shoulder.

“I'm sorry about that.” Mariah said, “I'd be lost without Caleb, even though I miss my parents.”

“I'm Harry,” Harry finally spoke up, “Ron was my best friend. How the bloody hell did you hex Snape like that?” He blurted out.

Mariah looked at him, and the hint of a grin appeared on her face before it disappeared. “Surprise I guess. He killed my grandfather.” She added bitterly, and frowned. “I don't care what Caleb and Grandma says. He shouldn't have done it.”

“Grandma?” Ginny quizzed, and felt Harry's small kick on her ankle. “Professor Dumbledore was a great wizard.”

“Yes Grandpa was.” Mariah nodded her head. “I was adopted as a baby,” She explained. “Grandpa brought me to America from here, England in fact. My birth parents were 'wanted' or something by Death Eaters.” She shrugged her shoulders, and set her teacup down. “They could be dead also for all I know. Grandpa said they did it out of love for me, but I don't know. I mean, who really just throws their kid away like that?”

Harry heard her words, and felt a small source of kinship with her. “Professor Dumbledore did that for me when my parents died. Though I got to live with a hateful Aunt and Uncle. Did you at least get placed with nice people?”

“I loved my adopted parents, and they loved me.” Mariah said and grabbed another cookie. “I'm sorry about your aunt and uncle though.”

Harry watched the girl, and found someone who didn't hero worship him name in seven years refreshing. Someone also who disliked Snape and Malfoy for the same reasons. He grinned and sipped his tea again.

“Life got better after I got my letter to come to Hogwarts.” Harry said, and shook away the thoughts of his relatives. “It was my home for most of the year and I only had to spend the summers there.”

“Who's your grandmother?” Ginny asked and poured herself some more tea.

“When Grandpa visited me last year, he brought her with him. He was expanding the Secret Keeper spell, because,” Mariah placed her cookie down on the plate, and rubbed a hand across her cheek. “He told me that something like this was going to happen.”

“But-- who is your grandmother?” Ginny repeated Harry's question. At Mariah's tears, her hand reached over and touched the girl's hand gently.

“Oh.. Minerva McGonagall.” Mariah said, realizing she hadn't given a name. “When Grandpa came to visit during the summer, he would talk about her. One year my parents took me to another place, and we met up with them. That's when I found out what a Secret Keeper was, and why she never visited us at our house. Until last year that is.” She picked up her teacup again, and missed the looks that passed between Harry and Ginny.

Draco gently brushed back Hermione's hair, and folded his arms around her as they lay in the covers of his bed. His nose gently nuzzled into the flesh behind her ear, and he lightly bit at the lobe.

“I'm making more of a commotion over this than I need to, don't I?” Draco asked her, and continued to hold her close.

“I think so- yes.” Hermione replied, and relished the feeling of his heart beating against her. “Don't get me wrong Draco. Something is definitely up that they aren't telling us.”

“What was that girl's name again? I missed it somehow.” Draco asked, and pulled her around to kiss her lips.

“Well,” Hermione mumbled, and then got lost in the kiss and the warmth of his skin on hers.

“Well- what?” Draco asked after pulling back to look in her eyes, and one finger gently made a trail along the curves of her face. “Did they even mention it while we were there?”

“Well let me think!” Hermione said with a laugh, and closed her eyes to think. “Mary I think or something like that.” She answered when she opened her eyes again. “Already planning on replacing me?” she joked, and Draco tugged at a lock of her hair.

“Never ever think that.” Draco rolled over her. “Where were we?” He asked and they got lost in each other again.


“That is no concern of yours at the moment,” Severus answered Remus with a slight hiss in his voice.

“Bloody well it is! If this girl is going to upset the balance in this house cause she's going to be casting spells at both you and Malfoy at the drop of a hat, I want to know why.” Remus stood up, and his normally easy going manner was gone as he advanced towards Snape. “Just who is she to you three?” He looked at Minerva and then at Albus.

“Enough!” Albus said from his portrait. “The girl is here now.” His eyes seemed to have lost their customary twinkle as he watched the room erupt in chaos. He sadly pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“She needs to return before the Dark Lord hears about her.” Snape hissed out and looked back to Albus. “I didn't do what I did twenty years ago for her to be in danger now. All that, breaking Cissa's heart-- and now you let her come back!” Severus strode angrily through the small sitting room, the clicks of his shoes pronounced on the hard wooden flooring. “She's probably been seen with you Minerva!”

“Severus calm down!” Albus commanded, and his eyes looked to Minerva. He gave her a loving smile, and nodded.

“We needed Caleb because of healing skills at the school Severus. Without her adoptive parents being there to keep her safe, she had to come with him. Wasn't it about time you met your own daughter?” Minerva said calmly from her place by Albus's portrait. She looked back to Albus, and her fingers ran over the gold edges of his frame.

“Daughter?” Remus gasped out, and the water from the glass he just spit went flying. “Oh this is rich! Who's her mother? Narcissa?” He joked, not expecting the answer to be what it was.

“Yes- Narcissa Black was pregnant with my child before she married Malfoy. You thought I was incapable of feelings? Or someone having feelings for me?” Snape sneered at Remus, and finally stopped pacing.

“But wouldn't have Malfoy have figured that out when the baby was born?” Remus asked, and placed his glass down.

“Mariah Malfoy was stillborn and buried on the Malfoy estate. Mariah my daughter was placed in Albus's care to keep her from Malfoy. You know what a tool for the Dark Lord she would be against me if he discovered her?” Snape sat down heavily in a chair, leaned back and closed his eyes.

“I see that.” Remus replied simply, and looked at Minerva and Albus.

“I've had enough of this all.” Caleb spoke up finally, “You all are discussing my sister like she was a doll to be placed her or there. Like she has no control over where she should be or shouldn't be. If I had realized what was going to happen, I'd have refused Minerva's call to bring her here. I'd have stayed with her to keep her safe in America. I've spent the last nineteen years watching her grow up, and I'm not going to let the lot of you scheming Brits ruin her life because it's deemed okay for her to be here now.”

“It's not like that all-” Minerva began to say.

“It's not? Looks like you're all throwing Snape here a bone to keep him under a leash- if he messes up, you going to reveal her to this Dark Lord he speaks of?” Caleb retorted. “I was just a ruse to get her here, wasn't I?”

“Not at all Caleb, the young students at Hogwarts are scared and need someone they can talk to.” Minerva answered.

“What can you say to me that will stop me from grabbing her hand and heading back to Salem? It's not safe here- and quite frankly, she comes before anyone else in my life.” Caleb said, and his eyes strayed to the black haired wizard he now realized was Mariah's birth father. He remembered the day Dumbledore had brought the baby to his parents. The whispered words between them all. The yearly visits and how Dumbledore had never really answered Mariah's questions.

Snape stood up, and walked to Caleb. “I bloody wish you could take her back, but in the light she's already been seen with Minerva here, it's impossible to send her back.” He rubbed the spot between his eyebrows above his nose, and sighed. “This house is safe for her. As the Order's headquarters and Harry Potter's home, it has plenty of wards up as precautions.”

“Who was that blond haired boy? Why did he jump all over Mariah about you?” Caleb asked, deciding to ignore the others. This man he decided was the one who was going to answer his questions honestly.

“That was Draco Malfoy, and he's actually Mariah's half-brother.” Snape answered, and watched Caleb's reaction.

“He has no clue about Mariah being alive, does he?” Caleb asked, a thoughtful look on his face. He had been told about Snape after his parents died when he had took over their job of Secret Keeper with Dumbledore. He hadn't been told about the Malfoys though.

“Draco thinks Mariah is buried in the Malfoy family grave. Their mother now lies next to that grave.” Snape replied, “You and your parents did an admirable job raising the child. I see I made a wise choice.”

Remus choked on another sip of water, and replaced his glass back on the sideboard. Snape looked at him and smirked slightly, an eyebrow raised.

“No comment,” Remus said, and looked at Snape. Wonder what other secrets lay behind that mask? He wondered.

“I've got a potion brewing that needs to be stirred, good night.” Severus turned without another word, and headed for what he considered his new dungeon. He paused at the doorway to the kitchen to look in and smiled.

She's beautiful, Snape thought to himself and continued down the stairs. He entered his room, and walked over to the small music box Twinky had given him and opened it. The music softly played and he pulled out the picture of him and Narcissa at the picnic. Her smiling face looked up at him, and he traced the lines of her face.

“Our daughter is home,” Severus said in a hushed tone, “and you'd be proud of her. She's got your fiery spirit.” He mentally cursed the Fates that had stolen her away before she could finally meet the child their passion had created.

“I'm hungry,” Draco mumbled as they broke apart, and he looked around for where he tossed his clothing, and hers. “I say we head to the kitchen.” He grinned at Hermione, and kissed her lips. “Or I could call Twinky-”

“No!” Hermione laughed, “I don't think Twinky needs to see us as we are!” She stood up, and found their clothes and threw his at him.

“I think these are yours?” Draco asked, and held up a lacy black pair of knickers. “Not my size or style at all.”

Hermione blushed, and caught them with one hand. They dressed quickly, an occasional bump as they did set her to blushing again.

“You're beautiful Hermione.” Draco said, and hugged her before opening his door. They walked down the stairs hand in hand, and passed the shut sitting room door. The corridor to the kitchen was dark, and he pulled her closer to peck her cheek before they entered.

“So you two decided to come up for air?” Ginny asked them as they walked into the kitchen, and she giggled. Harry rolled his eyes, and the dark-haired girl seemed to stiffen. Mariah's cup dropped to the saucer with a clink of china.

“I'm sorry if Draco here was rude earlier,” Hermione said, and settled herself into the bench on the other side of the table. “We've just never seen anyone get the better of Professor Snape before.”

Harry snorted, and raised his cup to drink. Should have hexed Malfoy too.. Now that would have been fun to see!

“That's all right.” Mariah said in a pinched tone, and wondered if she could just get up and walk out of the room. With no other place to go to but the sitting room, she stayed put.

“Master Draco-” Twinky pulled urgently on Draco's shirt, “Lil-” Dobby kicked Twinky's leg again.

“Would you be liking some tea and cookies sir?” Dobby spoke up. Draco raised an eyebrow over the house elves antics, but nodded at Dobby's question.

“So Mary, where you from?” Hermione asked the other girl, and stirred in a spoon of sugar into the tea Twinky set in front of her.

Mariah stiffened again, and looked at Hermione. “My name is Mariah, not Mary.”

“Mariah?” Draco repeated in a soft tone, and he sputtered his tea. “Sorry my sister's name was Mariah. She's been dead for nineteen years now. Coming in March it'll be twenty years.”

“That's... sad,” Mariah replied, “How did she die?”

“She died when she was born,” Draco said, and he felt Hermione's hand give his knee a reassuring squeeze beneath the table.

“Oh! That's sad,” Ginny said.

“Why are we just hearing this?” Harry asked suspiciously. “No one's ever mentioned another Malfoy child.”

“My father didn't like it discussed.” Draco replied, “And it's none of your business Potter.”

“Whatever,” Harry stood up, “I'm going to the library. Ginny?” He turned and walked out.

“Merlin's beard, I'm sorry.” Ginny got up. “You'll be fine with Hermione, Mariah.” Ginny hurried off behind Harry.

“I'm getting tired,” Mariah said, “Do you know if there is a place I could sleep? I really wished-”

“You can sleep in my room,” Hermione offered. “I can find another bed for the night if need be.” She blushed as Draco's hand closed around hers.

“I'm sorry about your sister,” Mariah said, and looked at Hermione. “I need to talk to Caleb before going up. You think it's safe to return to the sitting room?”

“There was a lack of shouting when we passed by it-- so I'm sure it is.” Hermione answered, “Let's go.”

The three of them walked to the sitting room, and Hermione's hand raised to knock,. Draco smirked and pushed the door open, “A good way to find out what's up.” He whispered.

The door opened, and the three walked in. The three occupants turned to look, and Caleb stood and placed his hand on his sister's shoulder.

“Better?” Caleb asked her, and she nodded. He looked at the boy and saw the eyes he'd seen for the past nineteen years.

“Hermione here is taking me to a room to sleep in, will you be here tomorrow?” Mariah asked Caleb, and frowned at the shake of his head.

“I'll be back in a few days if you need me though.” Caleb replied, “It's safe here. Just get your potions a-brewing and you'll forget all about me like usual.” He grinned down at her.

“Ready to go Caleb?” Minerva asked, “I'll apparate us from the safe point.”

Caleb kissed the top of Mariah's head, “By lilsis.” He whispered to her, “Take care of her for me.” He looked at Draco, who could only nod.

Curious and curiouser. Draco thought. Why me?


a/n: Thanks for reading this so far. Made a ton of edits with the beta. Hope you like the changes-- and thanks for the reviews. I love them.