324Last chapter! Refer to my profile after you read this under Picture Perfect Family for the hyperlink to the Black Family Tree. It will help a lot, trust me. Yay, I'm soooo excited! I hope ya'll like it, cause it'll break my heart if you don't. -smiles like a lunatic- But, this isn't the last you've heard from little ole me. I've already got a H/G fic planned after this, and the beginnings of another that I still have to work the kinks out of. Oh what a time I will have…
Chapter Thirteen Arabella Sophia Potter
The redhead smiled and pulled the box of chocolates off their hiding place in the top of the kitchen cabinet. She placed them on the counter and looked around. After four children, she was a little disappointed that she had retained some of the weight, so she was forcing herself on a diet. But nothing, not even her will power, could withstand the temptation of half priced chocolate.
She carefully lifted the lid and screamed.
The raven haired girl watched from her spot in the doorway as her mother reached for her hidden box of chocolates. She grinned and hid behind the outside wall as the redhead took a paranoid glance around the kitchen before reaching to open it. Perfect.
The older woman screamed and the girl smiled. "Arabella Sophia Potter!"
Ara stepped into the kitchen and responded sweetly, "Yes Mum?"
The redhead's temper got the better of her. "What did you do to the chocolates?"
The pretty golden box of chocolates was now hovering above the counter, the chocolates turning different shades of neon colours as it floated. "Why whatever do you mean?"
Ginny, enraged by her feigned innocence threw a chocolate at her. "You know bloody well what I mean!"
Ara laughed and ducked as the currently electric blue lump whizzed by her ear. "Well, Uncle Fred and George needed a new product tested. I happened to volunteer." She narrowly avoided another chocolate landing in her hair. She dodged them all the way to the sink and grabbed the cleaning/squirting attachment. She held it out in front of her and smirked at her mother.
Ginny immediately stopped throwing the chocolates and her eyes widened. "You wouldn't."
Ara raised her eyebrow and grinned manically. "Or would I?"
They were at a stand off until an amused voice rang out. "What's going on?"
"Daddy!" Ara dropped the squirter and ran to her father. "Mum's cheating on her diet," she announced.
Ginny scowled. "I wouldn't have to cheat if you didn't cause me so much stress."
"Ladies," Harry interrupted. "Now, Ara, apologise for holding your mother at," he paused, trying to find the right word for their previous situation. "water point, and Gin, apologise to your only daughter for throwing neon chocolates at her."
They stared at each other for a minute before saying 'I'm sorry' at the same time. Ara hugged Ginny and then smiled. "So, where are the boys?"
She was referring to her brothers, Jamie, who was two years younger than her, making him nine, Evan and Parker, who were twins and six years old and Lucas, who was four. They were all redheads, unlike Ara, but all worshipped her. She could make them do whatever she wanted them to.
"MUM!"
Lucas came flying into the room, screaming. "They're taking my things!" he wailed, pointing behind him. Parker and Evan came scrambling in, followed by Jamie.
"I need to talk to Ara," Harry announced. "Boys, behave." The four boys nodded, and Harry motioned for Ara to follow him.
He led her up the stairs and towards the back of the hallway. She'd never seen half the doors in the house, just because it was so big, and once they stopped in front of the huge oak doors, she gasped.
She knew that the house had been left to her father and the people that had previously owned it had been deep into the Dark Arts. The heavy doors had symbols from where spells had hit it, and she didn't need a book to identify several Unforgivable curses. Ara followed her father into the old library, and marvelled at all the books on the shelves.
She noticed the huge tapestry hanging behind the old oak desk, but got an ominous feeling from it. Her father silently motioned for her to come closer to it, and once she did, her mouth fell open in shock.
Arabella Sophia Black
"Dad?" she whispered, reaching out to gently trace her name. "What is this?"
Harry took a seat at the desk and sighed. "We wanted to tell you when we thought you were ready."
She traced the line that led to her parents name. "What does this mean?"
"Those are your biological parents."
She whirled around to face him, her dark blue eyes clouding over menacingly. "Why didn't you tell me before? What happened? Did you kidnap me or something?"
"No," Harry replied gently. He pointed to Sirius Black's name. "That was my godfather." He pointed to a burnt patch. "This is your mother's great-great grandfather." He pointed to Tonks's name. "You know her, she's married to Charlie. They weren't Dark Wizards. Your whole family tree wasn't horrible, just certain people."
Ara didn't respond. She continued to look at the tree, her lips moving wordlessly as she pronounced each name. She pointed to Draco's name. "He doesn't have a death date. Who is he?"
Harry swallowed hard. This is what he'd been dreading. "That's your uncle."
She spun around and faced him, her eyes wide. "What do you mean? Where is he? Why isn't he here?" She had about a thousand other questions, but Harry quieted her.
He rummaged through his desk and pulled out a letter. "This is from Draco. It explains everything. I wanted to tell you this before you went off to school and you heard about it from someone else. You can't change your family, Ara. But you can change how turn out."
Ara gingerly took the letter andscowled at her father. "I'm not forgiving you for keeping this from me."
Harry sighed. "I don't blame you. When you're done, come downstairs and eat with us."
Ara watched his retreating form. He paused briefly and looked back at her, tears shining in his eyes. He closed the door behind him and for the first time, Ara felt alone.
She sat behind the big desk and inspected the letter. Her name was written in slanted scrawl and looked as if the person who had written it had been in a hurry. Gently, she opened the envelope and peered inside. She pulled out a small picture and watched it.
A man with bleach blonde hair was holding a small baby and smiling. She flipped the picture over and the names Draco and Ara were written on the back. She turned it over again and watched herself and her uncle. She noticed some of her facial features in his face and began to wonder what the letter said. Placing the picture on the desk, she pulled out the contents of the envelope.
Dear Ara,
If you're reading this, you probably have a thousand questions you'll never get to ask me, so I'm going to try and be as thorough as possible. My name is Draco Malfoy, and I am your uncle.
The whole situation began long before you were born, even before I was born. My mother, Narcissa Black was born into a prominent pureblood family. One that looked down on Muggles and Muggle-born wizards. She went to Hogwarts, graduated and fell in love. With a Muggle-born wizard. Her parents forbade their relationship, but they continued to see each other until Mother found out she was pregnant.
For her to bear a half-blood child would be scandalous to her family's strong pureblood reputation, so her parents and sisters tried to convince her to terminate the pregnancy. In what is perhaps the only time my mother has ever stood up to her family, she flat out refused. So, her family struck a deal with her lover. They told him they would pay him to take the child away. After some 'convincing' (I use this term as lightly as possible) he relented.
The baby was born healthy and whisked away to America with his father. My mother's family, still embarrassed by the entire situation, had Mother then betrothed to my father, Lucius Malfoy. A year after their marriage, I was born.
No one ever told me about my mother's affair. As far as I knew, I was an only child with unloving parents and a very strange family. After I graduated and the Final Battle was over, I distanced myself from my family, which really wasn't hard to do considering most are dead. It was then I learned of Mother's past from my aunt Andromeda.
I began to search for your father. All I knew was his birth date and father's first name, so it really wasn't a lot to go on. I hired detective after detective to try and find him and his family, but it was futile until one September day.
My father had found your family first. I suppose Mother had spilled the details of her affair before Andromeda told me. When he found out that your grandfather was a Muggle-born, he freaked out. Mother owled me afterwards, and I admit that I made a horrible mistake in ignoring her.
Michael, your father, and Janice, your mother, showed up on my doorstep with you in September. After explaining to me who they were, I ushered them inside and they explained the situation. My father and other aunt, Bellatrix, were after them because of a prophecy made. Most of it was just babble about Potter and his minions, but the part that caught the attention of all Death Eaters was 'And the last Black shall betray them all.'
That's in reference to you.
My father and aunt had searched the world for you, and once they found you, they had tried to kill your family. So they asked for my help.
I must admit, I never pictured myself of the fatherly type, but you were the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen. You inherited the better aspects of the family, our looks, not personalities or the fetish for all things evil. Michael and Janice left you with me so they could go into hiding. You must understand, Ara, that they didn't do it because they wanted to, they did it in your best interests.
The night before they were killed, they stopped by to see you. Both were crying by the end, and even I admit that I was misty eyed. The next morning I found out they were dead.
I didn't hesitate to turn you over to the Ministry and request Potter and Weasley be put on your case. They happen to be the best people for the job and I knew they'd treat you like family and protect you with their lives. And they did.
My father and Bellatrix attacked the place you were living and Potter and Weasley fought them off. I'm still not quite sure of the details, but they told me who was responsible.
I took you home that night, fully intending to be a real father to you. Being a better person than my father. I came into your room late that night and watched you sleep. It was almost unreal. I'd never felt that way about anyone, understand, and I loved you so much it hurt. It was then I realized that unless I did something, you'd never be safe.
So I killed them.
I admit, as I write this, that it wasn't the smartest thing to do, and I'm not going to sit here and try to justify it. But I know for a fact you will be safe, and that's all I really care about. When you go to Hogwarts, there will be rumours about me and my family, but I want you to act like you don't know anything. Don't feed the fire, or try and defend any actions taken because I don't want to see you hurt. Deny any connection to the family. You are a Potter. They are your family.
I realize this letter sounds like I'm trying to brainwash you, and I guess in a way I am. I just want you to know that you are the best thing that ever happened to me. You changed my life in ways you can't even begin to imagine, and I will always love you. But I'm also warning you, we Blacks tend to repeat the mistakes of the past, so remember: never get caught up in money. The whole family has, and it's been the downfall of us all. Don't meddle in the Dark Arts. Once again, the downfall of us all, including me. And don't be afraid to fall in love. The biggest downfall of us all, including myself.
Keep your head up at school and no matter what house you're sorted into, I'll be proud but if the hat asks, say Slytherin.
Signed,
Draco Malfoy
Ara let the letter fall to the ground, tears welling up in her eyes. Wasn't it bad enough her parents were murdered, but now, the only relative that cared for her was going to die, or dead already. She didn't even know, and it was driving her crazy.
She tucked the letter back into the envelope along with the picture and leaned back in the chair, wondering what it would've been like, if this Draco character hadn't completely thrown his life away. A horrible feeling of guilt crept into her stomach and suddenly she was very aware of the tapestry staring at her back. She turned slowly in the chair and studied it.
Her father. Her mother. She traced the names with her finger and dropped her hand. Betrayed by their family, she thought bitterly. At least it won't happen to me. She didn't understand it, and she knew she never would, but while she was still upset, a nagging voice in her head told her she somehow knew before this. Picking up the letter opener on the desk, she carefully began to cut her name off the tapestry. When the final rip echoed through the room, she smiled grimly, dropping the peice of fabric on the ground.
She turned out of the library and shut the doors behind her, hoping to forget about the family that had lived here before. She wasn't a Black. She wouldn't turn out like them, stabbing each other in the back or watching hers for the rest of her life. She was a Potter, and she wasn't about to let anyone forget it.
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Right now I'm toying with the idea of a sequel. If it happens, it won't be started until I'll Always Be Here and All He Ever Needed are finished. Hope you enjoyed this, and thanks to my wonder-betas who saw this all the way through. I'd be screwed without them.
-Missie-