AN: Please Read This First
This is the second story in a trilogy. Please read Book One: Family Secrets, first. If not, you may be very lost.
Marian Malfoy, having publicly and legally changed her last from Yoder, stood with her team and other Aurors-to-be before a large platform where the Minister of Magic stood with a couple of well known Aurors. Today was the day everyone had been waiting for. The end of Auror training and the beginning of their new careers as full fledged Aurors. She turned to smile at Harry and Ron on her left. Harry looked calm and cool, while Ron looked like he would fall over in a faint at any moment. Marian looked at Hermione, on her right. The two shared a smile before looking back at the stage.
"Today," the Minister said. "You all become full Aurors. You will go forth and do wonderful things to protect the Wizarding world. Each and every one of you have gone through four months of touch, albeit strange, training. But it is over, now. When I call your team and your names, please come forth to collect your degree and receive your Auror badge." He began to call names of teams and people.
Marian looked around at the others attending the ceremony. There was a large group of red headed people that Ron had said was his family. The red hair was a dead give away, though she coudln't make out any other features, they were too far away. Marain continued to search the crowd until she saw her mother and brother. Narcissa and Draco stood together and waved at her when they saw her looking. Marian waved back, smiling. They'd been so excited when they had found out she'd passed her training with flying colors.
Marian dropped her hand and she felt something nip at it playfully. She looked down at Quillic, her Barghest, and smiled. She quickly adjusted his collar, which held a badge stating he was a specially trained Auror companion; the first ever. Julia, Marian's Auror instructor, had brought up the idea of training Quillic as an attack dog and using him on the team. It had taken only two month of continuous training, but he had finished his training and was ready for action.
"Team Gold," the Minister said. "Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Marian Malfoy, and Quillic."
The crowd parted for the team and they made their way up to the platform, Quillic dutifully walking next to his mistress. They walked up the steps and accepted their degrees and badges, shaking hands with Aurors and the Minister. Quillic even offered his paw to Julia, who shook it as the crowd chuckled. The group turned to the crowd and the crowd cheered as they raised their degrees. Then, they made their way off the stage, taking their places once again in the crowd.
"Thank you, everyone," the Minister said. "That concludes the graduation ceremony. Good luck, Aurors."
The graduates raised their wands and shot sparks into the air. Quillic threw his head back and howled.
Marian was pulled into a group hug and almost had her breath squeezed out of her by Ron. She laughed and pulled away once the hug was done. "Team Gold," she said. "Who came up with that name?"
Hermione shrugged. "No idea," she said. "It's so cheesy. It's like the Golden Trio, only we've got you and Quillic."
Ron snorted. "Who cares?" he said. "We're Aurors now. Full Aurors. We passed." Harry high fived him.
"Let's celebrate," Harry said. "Drinks on me at the Leaky Caldron."
Marian raised and eyebrow. "But I'm not 21," she said.
"Drinking age is 18 in England," Ron said. "Honestly, you've been here how long and you didn't figure this out, Maria?" Marian stuck her tongue out at him and laughed.
"Congratulations, Marian!" Draco said, lifting her up and spinning her around.
Marian laughed and hugged her brother. Well, half brother. She pulled back when her feet hit the ground and she looked up into his silver eyes. "And you thought I wasn't going to make it," she said. She extended her hand. "Pay up. You owe me three Galleons."
He laughed and ruffled her hair. "Aren't you cute when you want to be scary, baby sister," he teased.
Narcissa hugged Marian, smiling widely. "Well, I, for one, knew you would do it," she said. She turned to her son. "Be nice to your sister, Draco. She worked hard for this."
Marian smiled and looked at her friends. She laughed as she saw their stunned looks. No one had probably thought the Malfoys could look so normal. Or family like, for that matter. The label 'Death Eater Family' was still hung around the Malfoy name, though it was slowly fading, thanks to Marain's sudden appearance in the family.
"Mom," Marian said, "I'd like to introduce you to the rest of my team. Harry, Ron, Hermione, this is my mom, Narcissa."
"Call me Cissy," Narcissa said, smiling.
The three stared and nodded, too dumbfounded to say anything. Marian looked at Draco and rolled her eyes at his scowling face. "Say hello, Draco," she said, elbowing him in the side. He'd promised to behave at her graduation. He had a history with her three teammates and marian didn't want that to have problems with the team.
Draco glared at her momentarily before saying, "Hello. Potter, Weasley," his eyes stayed a second longer on Hermione. "Granger."
Marian didn't miss how his voice had gotten a bit softer when he said Hermione's name. The others hadn't noticed, but she had. She smiled slightly, but the group was soon greeted by the Weasley Clan.
A stout woman hugged Ron. "Oh, my little Ronikins," she said. "I'm so proud of you." Ron's face turned red as Marian tried to hide her laughter.
A young girl walked up and hugged Harry. "Congratulations, Harry," she said, kissing his cheek. This must be Ginny, Marian thought.
She was proved right when Harry said, "Ginny, I'd like you to meet Maria. Maria, my girlfriend Ginny."
At Marian's name, all the red headed people stopped hugging Ron and turned to look at her. Marian smiled and said, "Hello." She extended her hand. "Marian Malfoy. Pleased to meet you."
There was a pause, then the stout woman smiled and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Maria," she said. "I'm Molly Weasley. This is my husband, Arthur." Marian shook a tall man's hand, smiling the entire time. "This is Bill, his wife Fleur, Charlie, Percy, he works in the Ministry so you'll probably meet him a lot; George, and my daughter Ginny. Fred, my other child, isn't here today. He's off on some trip or other."
Marian shook everyone's hand, giving them all sweet smiles. "Nice to meet you all," she said after all the introductions were made. She turned to her family and said, "This is my stepmom, Narcissa, and my half brother, Draco. Though, I guess you all know each other."
The Weasleys exchanged polite, but cautious looks with the Malfoys. Marian could feel the tension between the two families and cleared her throat. They looked at her. "So," she said. "Harry said something about celebrating."
Harry nodded, taking the hint. "First round of drinks are on me at the Leaky Caldron," he said. He put an arm around Ginny and said, "Last one there has to buy the second round." His gaze fell onto Draco. "You can come, as well. If you don't start anything."
Marian smiled at her friend, glad he was making an effort. "I'll make sure he plays nice," she said. "Race you there." With a quick turn, she apparated to the pub with Quillic.
AN: So, what do you think? Comments, questions, snide remarks?