Family ties

I was having a lot of fun at black manor with Aria and Uncle Moony. I got to meet Aria's Aunt Andromeda and cousin Nymphadora who told me to call her Tonks. She was the Auror for my case with the Dursleys. She was glad that I was doing well. I assured her that I was.

I was also working on my French. This past year with Tom hanging over my head and my fight with Draco I had slacked a lot on it. Since my father demanded I stay home after my trip to Aria's it wouldn't be until next year that I would be able to go to France with the Malfoys. Which was a good thing because I needed a lot of work on my French before I was ready to try it out in Paris.

Aria and I were excited for the new school year and the Marauders. I was determined to have a fun uneventful school year. Since there weren't many pranks last year we decided that we would have to make this year's really good. Also, we wanted to start the Animagus process. The first step was holding a mandrake leaf in your mouth for a month. We made plans to get them when we went to Diagon ally.

A few days into my stay the floo activated and Aria, Remus and I headed to the living room to greet the visitor. To our shock a girl with curly black hair and a regal face and brown eyes was standing there looking upset.

"You look just like your mum." Aria said shuddering.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"It's me Hermione or I guess its Arabella now." Arabella said sadly.

Aria and I wrapped her in a hug. "Tell us everything." Aria demanded.

Remus seeing that Hermione needed our comfort quietly slipped from the room.

Hermione or Arabella I guess told us what happened in the past few days. After leaving the station with her parents she confronted them about being adopted. They said her adoption was legal and that her Aunt had no claim on her. What they didn't account for was the fact that Arabella is a pureblood. Since in the magical world she was stolen not placed for adoption they threw the adoption out. She was immediately placed with the Malfoys.

"It's not that they treat me bad… I just miss my parents. I won't ever see them again." Hermione said.

"Herm….. I mean Arabella I know it's hard but you still have us. No one can take us away." I said.

"Thanks. It's really hard knowing my whole life was a lie." Arabella said.

"It would be for anyone just give it some time." Aria said.

"I don't know what I would do without you guys." Hermione… Arabella said.

When she smiled I noticed she had perfect teeth. "By the way what's with the sudden appearance change?" I asked.

Arabella bit her lip. "Well when I was being checked over they found concealment charms and of course those are gone now. Do I look bad?" She asked.

I shook my head. "Not at all Ella." I said.

"Ella?" Her.. Arabella asked.

"Well I doubt you want to be called Bella like your mum." I said shrugging.

"Most people call her Bellatrix only Aunt Cissa calls her Bella." Arabella said.

"Would you prefer Bella?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Ella is fine. Everything is going to take some getting used to." She said.

"So Ella have you met Aunt Andromeda and Nymphadora?" Aria asked.

Herm…..Arabella shook her head. This was going to take some getting used to. "They said they wanted me to start my lessons first. Narcissa is training me on pureblood history and culture. Lucius is training me in FAMILY magic." she said with distaste.

"I will probably be joining you in Narcissa's lessons. She wants to teach me too." I said.

"Really?" She asked excited. "Oh, that would be wonderful!" Arabella said.

"Maybe you can help me catch up on my French with this past year I am really behind." I said.

"I would love to." She said.

"You feeling better?" Aria asked.

Arabella nodded. She sighed. "I probably shouldn't have been as man as I was to Aunt Cissa but I just felt so angry and out of control. My whole life has been flipped upside down, and she is acting like everything is brilliant." Arabella said.

"Because to her it is. She thought you were dead. She now has a piece of her sister." I said.

"I don't want to be any part of Bellatrix! I don't want to be any part of Tom Riddle! I hate them both. They may be my mother and father but they aren't my parents. My mum and dad are the Grangers. Aunt Cissa has good intentions I am sure but she isn't my family either. She took me away from my parents if she truly cared why would she do that?" Arabella ranted.

"Ella look I know it's hard but it will get better. Aunt Cissa isn't bad I hate her husband but Aunt Cissa cares. She wants you to be her daughter. She tried to get me but she couldn't. She wants a pretty girl to dote on and groom. With Draco, he is mainly Lucius responsibility because he is the heir. Besides don't take this the wrong way but with Bellatrix and Voldy as your mother and father if something happens it's better for your parents to forget you exist." Aria said.

"You mean you think this is a kind of protection for them?" Arabella asked.

"Yea." Aria said sadly.

"I agree Voldy isn't going to give up. If he succeeds it will mean war. Your parents are better off far away from that." I said.

Arabella turned thoughtful. "You guys are right I never thought about that."

"Besides it is not like your have to instantly love Aunt Cissa. Just try to be positive and give her a chance." Aria said.

"We are always here for you. We will help you get through this." I said.

Arabella smiled. "You guys are the best sisters I could ever ask for." Arabella said smiling.

"Are you going to stay here or go back and apologize?" I asked.

Arabella sighed. "I suppose I should go back I was rather harsh." She said sadly.

"You're more that welcome here anytime." Aria said.

"We will see you soon." I said hugging her as she headed toward the floo.

"See you soon." She muttered. With one last wistful glance she headed towards the floo grabbing some powder and saying Malfoy Manor.

While we were eating dinner the Floo activated again. This time it was a certain blonde standing in the living room.

"Draco? What are you doing here?" I asked.

He wrapped me in a tight hug. "Hey beautiful." He whispered making me blush.

Aria rolled her eyes. "Hello cousin what brings you here?" Aria asked. With her arms crossed lazily.

"It's Arabella she makes me so mad! I mean first she insults mother. Then she runs off upsetting mother even more. Then she gives a half ass apology and locks herself back in her room." He snarled getting angry.

"Dray come on you can't expect her to just accept that her world has been turned upside down." I said.

"She should be greatful! My mother loves her like a daughter already and we have given her everything she could every want." He said heatedly.

"Draco don't be daft. This isn't about her getting enough or not getting enough. She is human and it will take time." Aria said.

"Why does she need time?" Draco asked.

I giggled. "You are so clueless." I said. "Ok let me put it this way. Lets say you suddenly found out Lucius and Narcissa adopted you. Instead of being a elite pureblood you were a muggleborn. Your muggle aunt won custody of you ripping you out of the only home you have ever known." I said.

His brows furrowed as he thought. Then he sighed. "I guess I see your point, but she could still be cordial." He said huffily.

"Just give her time." Aria said.

"Don't push her let her come to you." I said.

"AND DON'T INSULT THE GRANGERS. They are still her parents in her mind and always will be. They raised her and cared for her." Aria said.

"Just be nice Dray give her time and you will become her family to it wont happen overnight." I said remembering my current position with my father. We fought more than anything and neither of us knew each other that well. It's probably the reason he wanted me to stay home with him this summer.

"Your vacation to France should help." Aria said breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah anywhere Hermione can learn." I said.

"Arabella." Draco corrected.

"Right. Going to take some getting used to." I said.

"Well I should probably get back." He said giving we a quick kiss making Aria gag and screw up her face.

"I ate do you have to do that?" She scowled.

Draco just smirked. "Of course, I do cousin. The fact that it annoys you makes it all the sweeter." He said before taking the floo powder and leaving.

Aria scowled deeper. "Prat." She muttered.

I laughed. "You know the more you react the more he is going to do that right?" I said.

"Tell me why you like him again?" She said.

I shrugged. "Maybe I like annoying you two." I said before laughing.

Her jaw dropped open. Then she glared at me. It had no heat to it. I just wrapped my arm around her shoulder. "After all what are sister for."

"I'll remember that." She said grinning evilly.

"Bring it on! This means war." I said.

"What are the rules?" Aria asked.

"Pranks only can last one day. Whoever concedes first or runs out of ideas losses there can be no longer than five days in between pranks or that's considered conceding." I said.

Just as we were about to shake on it we heard. "Oh, no you don't! I want this manor to stay in tack thank you very much." Remus

said entering the living room.

We both pouted. He just chuckled. "You two look so much like James and Sirius doing that. Granted your faces are much more effective at it." He said chuckling.

"So why don't you want us starting a prank war with each other?" I asked

His eyes sparkled with laughter. "Because you two are so much like James and Sirius. One time they started a prank war with each other. It all started when James and Sirius were arguing who was the best prankster so they started a prank war. It got so bad McGonagall had to step in and stop them. They ended up in detention for a month because McGonagall went to talk to them and ended up in one of James's prank. She was covered in a sticking solution and doused with glitter. James nearly died from laughter but McGonagall was not too happy." He said chuckling.

We both laughed along. "I wish I could have seen her face." I said.

"I know I wish James had taken a picture!" Aria said.

"Your father did. I still have it." Remus said to Aria.

We both grinned and said. "Show us!"

Moony came back with a picture a few minutes later. James was on the floor clutching his stomach laughing and face red. McGonagall was covered head to toe in neon pink glitter. Her face contorted in rage she was shaking her first at James. We all laughed at the picture.

Remus sighed. "That was our seventh year. It was probably the last prank James pulled. That's another reason he got in so much trouble because he was head boy." He said sadly. I looked closer at the picture and finally noticed the head boy badge his robes. "He got wrapped up in dating your mum shortly after that. She reigned him in quite a bit. He got more serious in his studies and his duties as head boy. She was good for him." He said sadly.

We got on each side of Moony and hugged him. He kissed the top of each of our head. "I am glad you like to prank and are Marauders but you must remember to keep a line. Don't take it too far like James and Sirius often did." He said.

"We won't Moony" Aria said.

"We promise." I said.

After a long day, it was finally time for bed. We said goodnight and headed to bed.

The next day we awoke to loud voices coming from the kitchen. We got dressed and headed down stairs to see that the commotion was about. Kingsly Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Andromeda, Ted, and the minister of Magic, and Albus Dumbledore were all in the Kitchen.

"What's going on?" Aria asked.

"Nothing sweetheart we are just talking to Remus." Andromeda said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Just about some adult business why don't you two come with me to my house and I will make you some breakfast." Andromeda said smiling.

We followed her to the floo and went to her house. She made us tea and biscuits. It was really delicious.

"So what is going on Aunt Andromeda?" Aria asked again.

"Nothing dear I promise you." She said.

"It doesn't seem like nothing." I said.

"Listen you two. This is adult business. Like it or not you two are not adults. If we find it prudent to tell you, we will understood?" She said sternly.

I crossed my arms and huffed. Aria did the same glaring. A short while later Remus came through.

"Come on girls it's time to go back." Remus said with a worried look on his face.

We waved bye and headed back. "Jamie your father is coming to pick you up tonight. Aria you and I are going to stay with your Aunt, Uncle, and cousin for a while and you will stay with them during the full moon." He said.

"But what about going to the Weasly's." Aria whined.

"I am sorry but until further notice you will be staying with me or your Aunt and Uncle." Moony said sternly.

"Why? What is going on? I deserve to know if it is about me." Aria demanded.

"It is not about you. Look for right now you are going to have to trust me." He said.

"You know I trust you moony but I don't need to be coddled. I can handle whatever it is." Aria said.

"I said NO. That is final Aria Marlene. Keep arguing and you will be grounded." Remus said.

Aria huffed and stormed upstairs and I followed I started packing my trunk slowly. Trying to think of what could be causing such a uproar. I gulped. "Do you think Voldy is back?" I asked worriedly.

Aria shook her head. "They would tell us about that." She said.

"Then what?" I asked.

"I don't know." She said annoyed.

"Do you think my dad will tell me?" I wondered.

"Maybe. Hopefully you will owl me if he does right?" She asked.

"Of course." I said.

Too soon my dad was there to pick me up. "Dad what is going on." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "There has been a problem that the ministry is trying to deal with. They asked for Mr. Lupin's assistance in the matter." He said.

"Yeah but why and what for." I asked.

"You do not need to know that." I sighed.

"I am not a baby." I said.

"I know that but you are a child. My child and I do not think that you need to know this. Just trust me and you will be fine." He said.

I rolled my eyes and gave up. I would have to find the answer myself. I decided to write to Draco and Arabella surely the Malfoys would know and one of them would tell us.

Dear Arabella,

I am now back at spinets end with father. There is something being kept from me and Aria. They split us up and refuse to tell us anything. Let me and Aria know if you have any clue as to what is going on.

Love your sister,

Jamie Snape

Dear Draco,

I hope things are better than we last met. I miss you hope to see you soon. I have asked Arabella but I will ask you as well. Any idea on what is going on. Father refuses to tell me anything. Let me know.

Love,

Jamie Snape.

I sent off the letters with Hedwig and waited. I had just finished reading through one of the French children books. I was happy that I could get through most of it without having to look the words up.

My father came in a short while later and sat on my bed. "Well?" I asked annoyed.

"Don't take that tone with me young lady." He said sternly.

"Don't treat me like a child then." I said.

"You are a child." He replied.

"No, I am not." I said.

"Yes you are." He said. "Look I know that you are upset but I am trying to do my best by you. There are some things you are simply going to have to trust me on." He said.

"Trust works both ways. You don't trust me to know when its ok to date. You don't trust me to know who I can trust. James would have understood the bond of the Marauders. He would have trusted me. Mum would have trusted me." I said.

"You are still hanging out with them, aren't you? Look I get why it's hard for you to trust me. I am trying my best. I guess that will never be good enough for you though. Maybe James should have been your father since you think he is so much better that me." He said slamming the door.

I sighed. "I am sorry." I muttered miserably. All my dad and I did was fight I was beginning to wonder if we would ever be happy, be a family. I just ugh! I felt so stupid. Everytime he tried I pushed him away.

Meanwhile in his office Severus had a glass of fire whisky quickly downing it. If he didn't know any better, he would say Jamie was James's daughter. It hurt. It was like James was trying to mock him from the grave. Lily if alive would at least be able to help him. It was like every time he did something Jamie resented him for it. He shuddered to think about what would happen when she found out about his past he shuddered. He was losing her already and if she found out he would lose her for sure.

Another glass of fire whisky burned its way down his throat. He loved Eli and he wanted desperately to be the father she deserved. The father she wanted. He would not be Potter though. Potter had been the bane of his existence for seven years and it made Severus hate him even more to be losing to the man's memory.

He wanted to just drink himself into oblivion and wallow in self-pity but he had a daughter to care for to protect. HIS daughter not James bloody Potter's. His and Lily's. He pushed off from his desk and decided he would win his daughter even if it killed him. First step when she went back to school no more Jamie Potter. She would start going by Eileen Snape. Why Lily gave his daughter that retched first name in the first place was beyond him. Next they were going to take a camping trip. Just them and the wilderness. Maybe that was what they needed a nice family holiday. With this thought he headed to bed.

Jamie had trouble sleeping she felt horrible for throwing James in her fathers face. She was the worst daughter. Maybe that was why the Dursleys hated her so much. She couldn't be good. With that thought she headed to the floo. Maybe he is better off without me.