Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the amazing world of Harry Potter!

Chapter 1: Cory


Cordelia Malfoy lay sprawled out across her bed, casually flipping through a Witch Weekly. She knew that she should be packing the items that laid strew haphazardly all around her room into her waiting trunk and that her mother would be bursting into her room any second to bust her for neglecting said activity… but at that moment she really didn't care. Reading about a spell that could "make your man want you that much more" seemed much more important that preparing all of her things for her journey the next day back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for her seventh and finally year of schooling.

Cordelia, more often known as Cory, was experiencing what she had decided was an odd bout of nostalgia. She couldn't put her finger on it but she was decently sure that she was more upset then she had planned on being at the fact that her time in school was drawing to a close. This was the last time she would pack her trunk for a new fall term, the last grand send off at Platform 9 3/4 … it really was quite upsetting to her. The sadness that she was experiencing, she decided, was an sentiment unbecoming in someone so well versed in controlling her emotions.

She let the magazine fall to her lap and became lost in her thoughts as her fingers began to play with the tassels of the lime green pillow that propped her body up while she waited for her mother's inevitable entrance.

Sure enough a few minutes later minutes later Ginny Weasley Malfoy's voice filled her daughter's room. "Cordelia Jane! What is going on in here? It looks like some sort of a bomb exploded in your closet! Why has none of this made its way into your trunk?"

"Because I don't really feel like packing right this minute." Cory responded in a bored, distinctly Malfoy tone that was sure to annoy her mother.

"Cory, please. You're being ridiculous love. You are leaving for school in the morning and we both know that you will be taking so much stuff that you will be able to fill the whole dungeons. You need to start now so you have time to get it all done."

"Mum, I will get it done."

Ginny stood surveying her daughter contemplatively for a minute. "What's wrong?" she asked in that knowing tone that only a mother could.

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me love. I'm your mother, I can tell." She joked hopping her way around all the piles of clothes to reach the bed. Cory couldn't help but crack a smile as she watched Ginny shimmy up onto the bed to plop down beside her. "Tell me."

"I don't know Mummy. It's just weird that it is my last year that's all… Things just feel different and I can't put my finger on why. I just feel like something big is about to change."

Ginny reached up and tucked a long lock of Cory's hair behind her ear. She surveyed her daughter contemplatively. "Well perhaps something will change, but change is good right? As least that is what I have been trying to convince myself. It is a rather big change you know sending you baby off to her last year of school. It seemed like just yesterday I put you on the train for the first time."

"Oh Mum, stop that." Cory admonished in a strained voice.

"No it's true. You are growing up and I am getting old and wrinkly. It really is rather depressing." Ginny brought her hands to her face and pulled her skin back at the temples, distorting her lovely face in an effort to evade the alleged wrinkles.

"Your wrinkles are very becoming dear." A new voice chimed in from the hall. Moments later Cory's father, Draco Malfoy, stepped into view. "In fact, I think you are more beautiful now then when we were first married, if that is possible. But I must disagree with you on your first point. We didn't put her on the train for the first time yesterday. That was 5 minutes ago; it was only yesterday that she was born and now she is nearly 18 years old."

He took one look at the warzone that was once Cory's bedroom shook his head. He made no comment but simply took out his wand and levitated every item in the room up to the ceiling so that he would be able to walk across the room unobstructed. He settled his long lean form on the other side of Cory and she automatically shifted to lay her head on his shoulder.

There was no denying it: Cory Malfoy was a daddy's girl.

"Oh gods… Draco, our baby is practically an adult. Does that mean we are officially old?" She sat up, red ponytail swaying and warm brown eyes full of what appeared to be genuine concern.

"We, my love, will never be old. You are still the most exquisite woman I have ever seen, excluding our genetically perfect offspring here of course, I know for a fact that I am just getting better with age thus there is nothing for us to worry about."

"You have just earned yourself some serious brownie points that you may redeem this evening sir."

A satisfied smirk played about Draco's lips. "I will definitely be taking you up on that."

"Ew! Ew! Ew! Stop it! Both of you! I am right here and know what you are talking about!" Cory stuck out her tongue and made a gagging sound. She knew that her parents were still very much in love but sometimes they took it a step too far in the presence of one or more of their three children.

"Cordelia darling, where do you think you, Harlan and Silas came from?" Draco asked coyly. He loved his daughter dearly but sometimes it was just too much fun to push her little, rather prudish buttons. He loved seeing her explode with frustration; it just reminded him so much of Ginny when she was Cory's age.

"Oh no, Harlan and I figured that out a long, long time ago. We were conceived via handshake." She nodded her head emphatically.

Draco and Ginny both laughed.

"Have we ever shaken hands?" Ginny asked Draco.

"I don't believe so. I mean I suppose we could try that as well…"

Cory could see that this particular tactic would not work thus her quick mind shifted to a new plan of attack. "Well you know when I was dating…"

Her father's arm snaked around the back of her head and around so that his hand was able to clamp down around her mouth. "Point taken. New subject."

Cory smirked behind his hand as Ginny rolled her eyes. "You give in far too easily Drae."

"When it comes to my baby? Yes, yes I do." He replied, not at all ashamed of the loss.

"Alright then, I still very much have to harass your brothers. I'm sure they have done even less than you have!" Ginny said as she slipped easily off the tall bed. "You two behave and try not to blow anything up. Also, Cory, get this done."

"Yes mum. Of course mum." Cory responded doing her very best to sound like the innocent and well behaved child both of her parents knew she wasn't.

Cory and Draco both watched dutifully as Ginny exited the room. They chatted benignly about the new editions that were supposed to be made to the Slytherin Common Room, a mundane topic that was sure to throw Cory's mother off their trail. They continued to talk until the last of Ginny's footfalls were heard at the end of the hallway where she would undoubtedly be taking the right that would lead her down to Harlan and Silas's rooms.

As soon as she was safely out of ear shot Cory sprang up and began to bounce up and down in anticipation. She looked at her father expectantly but said nothing.

Draco in return stared back at her as if she had lost her mind. "May I help you with something Cordelia Jane?" he asked in a calculatedly bored tone, one eyebrow raised.

Cory still said nothing. After nearly 18 years of living with her father she would not fall for that trick so easily.

She simply stared him down and waited for the present he inevitably had hidden in one of his pockets.

You see, every year Draco Malfoy would surprise each of his children with one extravagant gift for their birthday. It was something that they each looked forward to all year.

When the children were younger the gift was received on the actual day of their birthday, but now that school interfered with all three they received them during the holiday closest to the date. For Harlan, his came at the very end of the winter break for his March birthday, Silas got his the first week of summer to coincide with his late May birthday, and Cory always received her present on the last day of summer for her birthday in late October. It was not so much of a surprise anymore as it was an expectation but all three had to dutifully play their part and of course they could not ask for the gift or Draco would intentionally withhold it.

There was also the added problem of keeping the gifts secret from their mother. Ginny Malfoy had always been of the opinion that just because her family had money did not mean that her children should grow up as spoiled brats who got anything they wanted. She was a firm believer in chores and earning the things they desired. It was her greatest desire that all three have a strong work ethic that often escaped rich pureblooded children.

The only problem with her plan was that her husband genuinely enjoyed spoiling his children. As often as he could manage to evade Ginny, Draco would spare no expense when it came to the whims and desires the Malfoy brood. He loved to surprise all three children and also his wife with extravagant gifts and was more than willing to dish out extra spending money to whichever child desired it when Ginny wasn't looking.

It made her absolutely livid. More than once over the course of their lifetimes Ginny had tried to forbid Draco from buying them anything at all.

That was why the birthday presents remained a secret between father and children. They all wanted nothing more than to avoid Ginny's wrath, which could be considerable depending on the circumstances. For such a tiny woman, Ginny Malfoy packed quite a temper.

"You can stare at me all you want Cory. I really have nothing for you right now."

Cory raised one eyebrow in a distinctly Malfoy way. "I'm confused."

"There is nothing to be confused about my love." Draco responded with a glint in his eye. "Your present is a bit more… extensive this year so I thought it would be best for both of us if I send it to you tomorrow night where your mother can't get a hold of it."

"More extensive? How upset is Mummy going to be?"

Draco smiled a maniacal little smile. "Pretty upset but it has already been taken care of with the people I am getting it from and I have already checked with Professor Snape for the legality of said object. He said that it passes with Hogwarts rules thus you will be in possession of something rather unique in Hogwarts history starting tomorrow. And you deserve this because?"

Cory shook her head and repeated sarcastically. "Because I'm a Malfoy?"

"Exactly! Alright well, you have at least a clue as to your present; enjoy trying to figure out what it is. Now start packing!" Draco insisted as he rose from the bed. "Everyone will be here in a few hours." He turned around to face his daughter, kissed her on the forehead and then exited the way he came, letting all her things fall to the ground in a cascade behind him to make a point.

"Wait, who is everyone? Daddy! Who is everyone?"


This is the first chapter to the sequel of my story Dearly Beloved?. What do you think? I will admit that the writing in a little rusty. I am still trying to break in a new story and new characters so bare with me a bit. Please review! I'm unsure of how this is gonna go over so I need opinions! I would also love to hear any ideas that anyone has! This one is much more open so I might be able to incorporate ideas if someone has something they want me to try!

Also, as annoying as it is, the title is still subject to change. I am not overly happy with it but we'll see. The idea for this title I got from JazzyGeorgie's sequel story to Dragon Tears just to give credit where credit is due.

Lots of love!

Care