Part 2:

An Invite with a Curse

The Christmas Holiday came extremely fast that year. As always I dreaded going home, but even more so this year. I had to somehow make my way to Diagon Alley and get the money for a gown that my mother was going to despise for two reasons. I was doomed.

The break started out the same as usual. Grandfather was angry…etc. I was used to it after five years.

Christmas Dinner that year was different. Mother was pleasantly chatty, well chatty for a woman who never really says anything.

"Scorpius, does it feel weird to be graduating Hogwarts this year?" She almost looked sincere. Truthfully it scared me.

"Yea, I guess. I mean it would be better if I didn't have to go to some ball for Lise's class." I almost choked on my fork. I swear that boy always brought up the wrong thing at the wrong moment. Why could he never talk about his report card?

"Lise's class?" Without looking up from my plate, I felt the whole family turn to stare at me. When I decided to look up, I made sure to make eye contact with Scorpius first. He didn't even look apologetic; he almost looked pleased with himself. I could strangle that boy one day and not feel anything at all.

"Yea, I guess I forgot to tell you guys. I'm taking a Historic Sociology course and we are hosting a Debutante Ball for the whole school." No one looked mad from the brief glimpses I allowed myself.

"Hmm… a historical wizard sociology course. You know Scorpius, that wouldn't have been a bad course for you to take." Mother wasn't mad. This was good.

"Umm, well, he couldn't because… it's a new course this year and he couldn't fit it in with Dueling Club, because we meet at night." I tried to look confident, but I was definitely pushing my mother's good mood.

"Yea, that and that it's also a muggle course." I kicked him under the table. "Ow!" The only thing my father said was…

"Liseanile, no kicking under the table." Mother couldn't just scold the kicking though.

"A muggle course? Why are you taking a muggle course?" I watched her eyes get narrower and her lips tighten.

"It's not all a muggle course. You would be surprised in the similarities between our two cultures. Wizards use to have Debutantes also. Many of them even went before the muggle Queen in addition to the Minister of Magic." Her face wasn't getting angrier but wasn't softening either. She continued to eat.

"Well, I guess one course that is half muggle isn't so bad." I saw Scorpius almost laugh out of the corner of my eye.

"One, she's taken like twenty." He let out his laugh.

"Well, at least I still get top grades taking extra courses! You fail with the bare minimum!" His laugh stopped. My grandfather and grandmother had said nothing this whole time. I looked toward them as I heard my Grandmother's voice. Her eyes were full of tears.

"Enough! Can't you see this family falling apart? Draco was never perfect and I fought with him all the time, even in public, but this? These are my only grandchildren! Carlamine, you're my only daughter in law, and you are like a daughter to me! Scorpius is barely passing school, we know that. Lise is a Gryffindor. Can't we all as a family accept this? Those two are the only ones to carry on the Malfoy name! Let them have a family that they are proud of! We've been fighting and bickering over the same thing for the last five years! I can't ever remember a Christmas where everyone was happy! This whole house is cold and bitter! I'm sick of it! Sick of it!" She broke down in endless tears. I had never seen my grandmother cry. Father got up and walked over to her.

"There, there mother. We are done fighting. You are right. It's ok."

And that was how our Christmas ended. My mother had peeked out of her shell only to be slammed back in again. My grandfather was frozen silent in shock. Scorpius had a large bruise on his ankle from me, and my grandmother was sobbing.

Definitely a Christmas to remember.

Christmas Evening- The Burrow (Lily's Point of View)

I loved coming home for Christmas break. The whole extended family was together at the Burrow. The Burrow was a lot more run down then our home in London, or the estate out in Westershire, but it was a family home. It was where my mother grew up. When I was little, I never understood why we all packed into Grandpa and Grandma's for the holiday, instead of the larger and spacier places the family owned, but I grew to understand that it was the memory's the house held.

And it was the one time a year, everyone was home. Even Teddy, dad's godchild, came.

Everyone helped make Christmas dinner, so when we all gathered around- everyone had added something to the table. I started hungrily filling my plate with baked ham, tea cakes, mashed potatoes and other things I didn't even know the name of.

I sat between Lucy and Rose. We were all chatting about the upcoming ball and were so excited.

"I want a pink dress with golden trimming!"

"Lou," started Rose for the 14th time, "A pink dress with your hair just wouldn't work. How about emerald with silver?"

"Rose! That's what I'm getting! She can't have the same dress as me!" I tried to point out, politely.

"Well, fine I'm not getting in to this any more." She turned towards Dom. "Hey Dom! Help these two nuts pick dress colors!" I couldn't help but laugh.

"So you are not going to get involved more, so instead you call Dom and Roxy over? That's definitely not getting involved at all." All three of us started laughing as Dom and Roxy brought their plates over by us.

"We should figure out the colors now-" Dominique began.

"Because Ms. Malkin wants to have a good fabric selection ready for you guys next week." Roxanne finished.

It wasn't soon after we return from school, we figured out exactly why the three of us and Lise were assigned to Madame Malkin's. Dominique and Roxanne decided to intern there before going to Paris in the summer.

"I know exactly what I want. My gown is going to be black with light blue trimming. Simple, yet gorgeous." Rose stated this as if it was obvious.

"Not bad choices Rose, maybe we could even add a white or blue net over the bodice." Roxanne made some paper and color pencils appear, and started sketching.

"Lily, do you know what Lise might like? Her black hair and violet eyes are so intense that any dark color would totally darken her complexion." Dominique started to stare off into space, not doubt trying to pick a color before even talking to my best friend.

"I was thinking, perhaps we should invite the Malfoys to join us next week." The table grew quiet as I looked up to find the source of the voice. It was my aunt Hermione. Every one looked in shock.

Sure, my family understood my friendship with Lise, better than her family did, but no one has ever thought of inviting them places before. I watched as my mother put down her fork.

"I think that's a splendid idea. The girls are very close to Liseanile and she is Albus's debutante. It only makes sense." Mum turned to dad as if waiting for a response.

"Ginny? The Malfoys?" Was all she got. Uncle Ron on the other hand, like usual, had more to say.

"Are you two nuts? Inviting Lise, I can get that! But Draco? When did he ever get along with us?" His ears began to redden. I found it quite amusing. Aunt Hermione stepped back in.

"Ron, have you talked to him in the last 26 years? The only time you ever see Draco Malfoy is when we are dropping the kids off at King Cross." She continued to eat as if it was a normal conversation.

"Ya, Uncle Ron," I added, "Lise says he dad is really understanding. He sounds nothing like the boy you and dad tell stories about." He looked as if he knew he wasn't getting many people on his side. Most of the family just watched as if the whole thing was a muggle sitcom. It could have been.

"Ok, well Draco fine. But what about her mother? She's an orphan because of mum and Harry. You think she'd want to come?"

"We don't know if that is her exact heritage, it's a guess and it's only an invite hun, she doesn't have to accept."

"But what if she does?" My mother started to laugh. I don't think she's laugh that hard in a long time.

"Ron, she thanked Harry for killing him! I don't think she minds!" Dad started to gain his confidence.

"I think they're right Ron. Liseanile is Lily's best friend and the others seem to like her." He refused to make eye contact with Uncle Ron. I couldn't remember him ever disagreeing with Ron before.

"Well," said Aunt Audrey, "It's settled then. Ginny, Hermione and I will take the three girls to Madame Malkin's, hopefully joined by Lise and her mother, and Ron, Harry and Percy will take the two boys, Draco and Scorpius to get suits and then keep them entertained while we finish up."

The three men who were in question looked shocked, and so did Albus and Hugo. At once all five spoke.

Ron- "You guys are the ones inviting them! Why does Draco have to come with us?"

Percy-"I don't have a son going? Why am I?"

Hugo- "I hate suits; the tie feels like it's choking me."

Dad- "Do we get a say in anything?"

Albus- "I've never really talked to Scorpius much, I'm not sure this is a good idea."

Aunt Audrey looked extremely calmed as she began answering each statement. "Hugo, you have to wear a suit and we can tie the tie loosely. Albus, you two are graduating together, get to know him. Harry and Ron, just be sorry you didn't put aside your differences thirty years ago. And you Percy, you have the day in question off and your daughter is part of this so you are going to support her, and truthfully I trust Draco more than I trust those two alone with him."

Everyone remained silent. It was the longest thing we ever heard her say if she was telling someone something they didn't want to hear. And for some reason, just having her say it, no one argued.

Malfoy Manor (Lise POV)

After that Christmas dinner, mother was her usual self again. I still wondered exactly how I was going to get my dress made, and how Scorpius planned to buy a suit for himself.

Only two days after, my questions were answered.

My father called Scorpius and I down to the parlor, which was a rare event. Each of us had been called our own share of time, but never together. To add to my surprise, mother was sitting on the couch when we walked in.

My mother was frozen, clutching a lilac envelope. For a minute I believed that perhaps it was a howler. My curiosity took hold of me and I slipped it out of her hand without a protest. The envelope was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy and Family. I pulled out the letter, and the tension in the room made my hand shake slightly.

To the Malfoy Family,

We would be honored if your family could join us next Tuesday in Diagon Alley. Our family's girls, Rose, Lucy and of course my daughter Lily, have been assigned to Madame Malkin's for the debutante ball gown making. Taking the girls will be myself, Hermione and Audrey Weasley. As the girls are getting their dresses fitted, my husband Harry, Ron and Percy will be taking the boys to get fitted for suits and would be honored to have Mr. Malfoy and Scorpius join them. After the fittings we can all go out for a nice lunch.

With hopes to see you soon,

Ginny Potter

I was as shocked as my mother. I heard stories of father fighting with the Weaslys and Harry Potter when they were young. Lily's father had even cursed my father in their 6th year. But yet, they had managed to put all these differences aside because Lily and I were best friends. My parents would never do that.

I looked up from the letter. Mother was still frozen. Scorpius grabbed the letter from me, and scanned it quickly.

"Oh, it's about you. I don't care. Can I go?" Scorpius turned from the room.

My father's voice sounded. "Scorpius, sit." He waited for Scorpius to follow his command. "Now, Lise, do you want to go with your friends?" I was surprised I had a say here. I thought for a minute then meekly mumbled that I did.

"Fine, Carlamine hun, what about you?" My mother raised her head to make eye contact with father.

"Yes." I didn't believe the word had come out of her mouth. She wanted to go. My father, brother and I all wore the same expression- shock. Father spoke once again.

"That settles it than. I will respond to Mrs. Potter saying Carlamine and Lise will join the other girls and Scorpius and I will join the others." Scorpius stood quickly.

"Don't I get a say in this?"

Both my parents said at the same time, "NO!"

Scorpius left the room quickly with no objections. My parents went out a few minutes later. I stood in the parlor like I was confunded. It had all happened in five minutes, but I didn't mind.

Scorpius was waiting for me in my room, wand out. It was odd having a brother who was of age, even though he hadn't passed his apparition test. As I entered, the door swung closed behind me and clicked locked. His eyes were full of obvious rage.

"It's all you fault." He said darkly. I was scared almost. His wand was pointed at me. I slowly took out my wand with no thought of actually using it.

"Put your wand down, Liseanile. You're underage, and wouldn't dream of using it." He snickered, and I pointed my wand at his chest.

"You put yours down first, or I'll make you." He just started to laugh harder. "Tell me, dear brother, why is this all my fault?"

"Why? Because of what you have done to this family's name!" Now it was my turn to laugh.

"What I've done? I've made a name for myself at school! You have made the Malfoy family contaminated with an Idiot!" His laughter stopped.

"I'm not talking about academics. I'm talking about your house and your friends. You think Slytherins bother you? Think of what they do to me! My sister is basically a blood-traitor! Your friend's parents killed the pure-blood's power in the world! I could be a king between all of them with my grand father, who he was, but no one cares about past generations, they care about this one!"

"Scorpius, have you dared to mutter our grandfather's name to any one. You are as scared of him as the little kids of the wizarding world are when they hear the stories!" He raised his wand once more.

"Do you expect me to go quietly on Tuesday? Go quietly to be with that trash you call friends?" I raised my wand again too.

"They are less trash then your friends are, and no I don't expect you to go quietly. I actually believe that it will be quite hilarious. Mum and Dad have never forced you to do anything, have they? You think you just get everything you want because they like you better, but truthfully they are just sick of dealing with you being such a pain." He looked really angry now.

"That's it!" The wand was pointed right toward my chest. "Cruic-"

The door slammed open and Scorpius's wands flew from his hands. "Never curse your sister!" It was my mother. She seemed as much in rage as Scorpius had just been. "What were you thinking? An UNFORGIVABLE CURSE! On your own SISTER!"

Scorpius was stunned. He looked as he never knew what he was doing. He started stammering, trying to come up with something to say and nothing came.

My father must have heard the yelling, for he came running in wand out.

"What is going on here?"

We all froze. What do you say when someone asks what happened, and what did is that their kid tried to use an unforgivable curse on their other kid? Somehow, he figured it out.