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11 August 1982
North America
Falcon Manor:
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"I can't believe that our little girl is turning one today!" Hannah said as she walked into the play room where Virginia, or Ginny as they have come to know and love, was playing with her many toys.
"I know dear. She has grown so much since we first brought her home. We have been so lucky that we have her as our daughter. So well mannered and tempered, I am truly surprised she does not throw fits." Edward said as he picked his daughter up and tossed her into the air, listening to her giggles.
"She acts more and more like you every day." Hannah said as she came over to her husband and placed a kiss on top of Ginny's head.
"But she looks more and more like you every day." Edward said as he remembered when Virginia's eyes began to change from a light blue to a mix of dark blue and violet, a mix of both of their eyes. "She has your beautiful hair, although it is getting darker and darker. And she has a mix of our eyes, and our face. She has your light splash of freckles." Edward said as he handed his daughter to his wife.
They celebrated their daughters first birthday with a family dinner and a few presents for the little one.
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11 August 1983
North America
Falcon Manor:
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"Master, the guests have arrived." Minky said in a bow.
"Thank you Minky. We will be down shortly. Please lead them into the parlor."
"Of course Master." And with a bow and a pop the house elf was gone.
"Oh Edward. The years are flying by. I can't believe she is turning two today. It feels like just yesterday that she was born." Hannah said as she zipped up the side of her tan skirt.
"I know what you mean Hannah" Edward said as he walked up behind his wife with their beautiful daughter in his arms. She had shoulder length blood red hair, violet eyes and a splash of sprinkles across her nose.
Hannah turned around and took her daughter from her husband's arms. "Must we do this? Can't we just have a small private party with our close friends?" Hannah said pleadingly as she looked into her husband's eyes.
"You know very well that we cannot put our duties on hold any longer. There are already rumors and speculations running around the nobles that something has happened. We must do this Hannah. After today we will have to go back to our roles and will have to keep up appearances, "Edward said as he ushered in one of the hand maids. "You will keep watch of our daughter tonight. If all goes well, and she is taken by you, you will continue to be her nanny. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir." Said the young woman, no more than 18 years of age.
"Edward!" Hannah said as she whipped her head around to look at her husband yet again. "No. Absolutely not. She is going to be in my arms all night."
"I am sorry Hannah, but you know as well as I, that she cannot. Rebekah here will stay by your side for most of the night with young Virginia, but you are not to strain yourself, or look like a commoner." Edward said with a note in his voice that told her that was final.
The night was long, and there were many people there to congratulate them on the success of their beautiful daughter. There were even a few proposed marriages for the young Virginia, but that is where both the Lord and the Lady put their foot down.
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11 August 1990
North America
Falcon Manor:
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"Virginia are you ready yet?" Called her mother as she walked through the door.
"Almost mother." Ginny said as she put her earrings in and looked at her mother through the mirror.
"You look beautiful as always pumpkin," Said her father as he walked up behind her mother.
"Thank you daddy." Ginny replied as she got up from her desk. She was now about 4'11'' and her hair hung down to the middle of her back. She had an emerald green gown on and had a small tiara placed on top of her head.
"Come let us go." Her mother said as she took her father's arm and walked out the door. "By the way, Virginia, dear. You do have an escort tonight."
Virginia continued to follow her parents until they were on the balcony above the entrance hall, where they would make their appearance. There, to the side of the staircase was a young man about a year older than her, waiting for her to join him.
"It is good to see you again Young Lady Falcon." Said the boy. He had shocking white blonde hair and silver eyes. Her was a tad bit taller than Virginia, and was well built for a ten year old.
"And you, Young Master Malfoy." Virginia said with a small curtsey as Draco Malfoy bowed then offered his arm. "How did you get dragged into being my escort this evening?" She whispered in his ear as she took his arm.
"I volunteered, believe it or not." Draco whispered back as they began their descent down the stairs.
"Oh…" She replied with a faint blush brushing her cheeks.
The evening was filled with joy and laughter as they danced and talked together. She received many "Happy Birthday!"'s from all of the guests in attendance. But her favorite one was at the end of the night when Draco wished her a "Happy Birthday and sweet dreams" then lightly kissed her cheek.
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30 June 1992
North America
Falcon Manor:
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"Minky!"
"Master called Minky. What can Minky do for Master?" the house elf said as he gave a deep bow.
"Please send for Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore." Edward said, "Please have them floo into my study."
"Of course Master. Minky will get right on that Master." Minky said with another deep bow.
Not fifteen minutes later, he was sitting behind his desk with Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore sitting in front of him. "Thank you both for coming. As you know, it is a tradition for the Falcons to attend Salem School of Witch Craft and Wizardry, but I have decided that it is in the best interest if Virginia were to attend Hogwarts. I want to know if this is even a possibility." Edward said looking more at Dumbledore than at Snape.
"Of course. Of course." Dumbledore replied.
"Edward. Is it really in her best interest to come to Hogwarts?" Snape asked with a look of concern on his normally stoic face.
"Of course it is. I understand the reason behind your concern Severus. She is of royalty, and the war that is going on in Wizarding Britain, but there are other factors that contribute to my reasoning behind her attending Hogwarts. I am sorry to say that I cannot tell you for you would only try and prevent it from happening, but there are certain things that must be done. And with you there Severus, her godfather, I believe that it is best if she were to attend.
"Very well. I have known you long enough to know that once you have made up your mind, there is no changing it. Have you told Hannah or Virginia yet that she may be attending Hogwarts?" Severus replied.
"Not yet. That is why I called both of you here tonight. I wanted to get all of the arrangements set up before I told them. I did not want to get Virginia's hopes up."
"This has something to do with the Young Master Malfoy doesn't it?" Asked Albus with a knowing look in his eyes.
"I have no idea what you are talking about Albus." Edward replied with a hint of laughter in his voice.
"I am sure you don't." answered Severus in a mocking town.
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11 August 1992
North America
Falcon Manor:
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"So, the Young Master Malfoy has decided to put up with me for another one of my birthdays I see." Virginia said as she approached the Entrance Hall staircase.
"Of course Milady." Draco said formally. "How could I pass up the opportunity to spend a whole evening with the lovely and beautiful Lady Falcon?" He continued as he bowed and then offered his arm.
"Oh stop it Draco." Virginia replied quietly in his ear. "You are making me blush."
"That was my goal." He said in a slightly seductive voice. He then leaned over and kissed her cheek tenderly.
"The Young Lady Falcon and her escort, the Young Master Malfoy." The Herald said as they reached the last few steps. Everyone in the room turned at this announcement, surprised that Draco Malfoy was again escorting Virginia Falcon. That was the third year in a row that they arrived at the Young Lady Falcon's birthday together.
The night was again filled with joy and laughter. Draco and Virginia danced many of the songs together. When the stroke of midnight began Lord Falcon called for everyone's attention. "Lords and Ladies. Ladies and Gentlemen. As many of you may know, tonight is our daughter Virginia's eleventh birthday. We are extremely excited to announce that our daughter will be joining the other eleven year old Witches and Wizards at Hogwarts School for Witch Craft and Wizardry."
As he announced this, applause rand out from all in attendance. Draco, who was still at Virginia's side, looked over at her. "Why did you not tell me?" he asked.
"I wanted to surprise you before you left. My father apparently felt it necessary to tell everyone at the same moment. I am sorry Draco." Virginia whispered as she faced him.
"I… I am just shocked. I was not expecting you to join us over in Britain… I would have thought your parents would want you here in the states." He replied, trying to cover his initial shock. "I guess we will be seeing a lot more of each other than we normally do." He said as he walked her towards the entrance hall.
"Yes we will…" Virginia said as she looked around. As soon as she saw that the coast was clear, she leaned forward and tenderly kissed Draco on the lips.
Draco was shocked in place. "Goodnight Draco. I am sure I will see you on the train." And with that, she disappeared up the stairs towards her bedroom.
