Chapter 6: The Announcement

The one thing that could hurt Areyah the most about Scorpius was his parents not approving of her. She wanted to be with him openly more than life itself, but his father forbid it. Knowing this, she walked into the ballroom on her grandfather's arm with grace. Her father and Scorpius came in behind her with pride at her elegance. When Areyah reached the bottom of the stairs, The Malfoy's greeted her.

"Well, it seems that you now finally get your debut into the wizarding society. And at my ball of all things," Mrs. Malfoy said to her.

"Yes, ma'am," Areyah answered politely and curtsied gracefully for her then moved on to Mr. Malfoy, the man she was most worried about.

"Well, well, well," Draco Malfoy said.

Again, Areyah curtsied for him, but said nothing. Beginning to move, Draco spoke once again.

"Is this the daughter of one Hermione Granger?"

Areyah held her tongue back from saying, "Hermione Snape" and answered with a simple "yes." Draco Malfoy contemplated this while bowing to her.

Moving into the crowd, Areyah felt herself being watched by everyone in the room. Until suddenly, they all began whispering. After the Malfoy's greeted their guests as one, they shared a dance together. When a waltz picked up, Areyah found herself facing Draco Malfoy asking for a dance with her. She gave him her hand and let herself be led onto the ballroom dance floor. Following his lead, she made her way around the floor in his arms.

"So, what is the daughter of Hermione Granger doing at my Christmas Eve Ball."

"Sir, you and I both know that my mother's maiden name was Granger, yes, but it was then changed to Snape when she married my father. Why don't we not insult my intelligence by speaking as if she and my father were never married."

"Well, well, well, you have done your homework."

"Seventeen years worth of it, sir."

"Well then, may I ask you a question?"

"I believe you already did."

Draco Malfoy found himself smiling at the young lady's wit. If not for the upcoming announcement, he may have chosen this young woman as a bride for his son. "Why yes, I did. If I may…," trailing off, he waited for her nod and then continued. "When was it that you discovered your father's identity."

"If you must know, it was just yesterday afternoon. Almost into the evening."

"Does your father know of this revelation."

"No, sir. And I must ask you not to inform him."

"Why is that?"

"My mother will be coming back into the wizarding world in a few days or less and I believe that it is her responsibility to inform him."

Draco heard the music ending at the girl's revelation and found himself bowing stiffly, not knowing if she was losing her mind or telling the truth. He took her back to the spot he had found her in and went in search of her father and grandfather alike.

Areyah couldn't believe what she had just revealed to her boyfriend's father. She went onto the terrace and found herself alone with a young woman by the name of Chastity. The young girl looked at her with disdain and then turned around, walked back into the mansion and headed for what looked like her mother. Areyah stood on the terrace breathing in the night air when her grandfather came and found her.

"Areyah," he called to her. Turning around to greet him, Areyah saw that he was somehow troubled. "Follow me."

Areyah obeyed and found herself being led away from the ballroom into what looked like a library or study. Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape, and Scorpius Malfoy all stood in the room by the lit fireplace. Areyah took a look up at her grandfather and found herself shut out from him. He had never shut her out in her life. He had always been honest and forthcoming with both her and her mother. She didn't understand what had changed.

"What's going on," she asked her audience.

"Sit down," her father told her. Areyah sat across the room away from then while her grandfather stood by the door, obviously trying to block her exit. But she knew this house well. If what Scorpius had told her was true, they were in his father's study which held and escape tunnel under the desk by the windows covered in burgundy curtains. Her father spoke again and caught her attention.

"So you know now."

Areyah didn't have to ask what he was speaking of. She knew that either Scorpius or his father had told him. She was betting on his father. "Yes, sir."

"Cut the 'sir' crap now. You know and you don't have to call me sir anymore."

"Then what should I call you?"

"Anything but that."

"Very well, Snape."

"You do realize that you are a Snape as well, right," Mr. Malfoy asked her.

'Yes, I do, sir. I just don't wish to call him anything like Father or Dad because he's not either of those things. He has no idea how to be one and he does not get the privilege of being one now after seventeen years."

"You're absolutely right, Areyah," Snape said. "I don't deserve a second chance, And I'm not asking for one. What I'm asking for is much more important." He paused, giving her time to contemplate what he wanted to know or was going to ask. "What makes you think you're mother is alive?"

Areyah looked over at Mr. Malfoy and then back at her father. "Obviously Mr. Malfoy has spoken to you. However, I can not and will not reveal any more than I already have."

"If you refuse to tell us," Richard Granger piped up, "we won't have any choice but admit you to St. Mungo's for temporary insanity."

"I'm not insane. I can prove that she is alive. I have two different letters from her at Hogwarts in my dorm."

Scorpious had kept his eyes on the floor until now. He had kept silent until now. "When did you get them?"

"This summer one came to me by owl. The other one appeared at the back of my mother's diary yesterday afternoon after I discovered who my father was."

"Why didn't you tell me about them? Why didn't you show them to me?" Scorpious had walked up to the chair she was seated in and was leaning over her in anger.

"I'm sorry," Snape said. "I had no idea that two of you were so close. I also had no idea that it was any of your business, godson of mine."

The door to the study opened and admitted Mrs. Malfoy along with Chastity and her parents. "I'm sorry to interrupt, darling," Mrs. Malfoy spoke. "But it's time. Scorpius, darling, you need to come with me."

"I'm not going anywhere, mother."

"Scorpious, go with your mother. Now." Draco Malfoy was watching to see his sons reaction and then got the shock of his life when his son told him no for the first time in his life. The room was silent with anticipation. "Why not," Draco asked.

"Because I'm not getting married. Nor am I announcing an engagement Not tonight or any other night unless it's to the girl of my choosing."

The room remained silent for a long time until Draco spoke to the man who seemed to be Chastity's father quietly. Chastity and her parents left quietly while Mrs. Malfoy stayed behind.

"Despite what you may think, father, I do love someone. And I will do whatever it takes to be with her. Even if that mean leaving my fortune behind."

"I said that same thing to my father once, son."

"What happened," Scorpious asked.

"He beat me until I was within inches from dieing."

Areyah gasped and put her hands to her mouth, not wanting to witness anything so cruel. But Mr. Malfoy continued to speak to his son as he walked toward him. "I never thought I would be able to walk again. But, the next week I was back in this same study, telling my father the same thing. After the third beating, I finally got the message that I wouldn't be marrying the woman I wanted to. But then your grandfather was sent to Azkaban and I was free to marry my choice of a bride. Your mother and I may not show our love and affection for one another in public, but we do love each other. And whatever you choose to do, I'll be behind you all the way."

Scorpious looked back and forth between his parents and saw his mother's eyes light up with hope for him. She had always told him that no matter what he chose to do, his father would love him, but he never believed that until now. Turning to Areyah, he saw that she, too, was happy for him. But by the look in her eyes, he knew she didn't believe that she was the woman she was speaking of. To prove it to her, he got down on his knee and without a ring, said, "Will you marry me, Areyah?"

The room was silent with shock. His mother had known the woman was someone that his father wouldn't approve of, but never expected this. Severus Snape was in shock at never realizing that his godson and daughter had been dating let alone in love. Areyah's grandfather was still worried as to the extent of Areyah's delusion regarding her mother. The older males in the room all decided they would deal with that when Areyah became more adamant about it. They all waited in silence for Areyah's answer with a combination of awe and dread.

Scorpious held his breath until he saw Areyah slowly nod her head. Then he brought her into his arms and hugged her tightly. They could finally admit their love openly with people around and without repercussions for it.

The room filled with congratulations from both sides of the family. When Areyah and her father met, the room fell silent. Areyah looked up at him and waited.

"You know, I've made a lot of mistakes with you and there are things that I wish I could take back in my life. Marrying your mother and having you for a daughter are not one of those things. And I hope that with time, you can forgive me."

"I hope so, too," Areyah answered. It wasn't the answer that her father had been hoping for, but it was a start. Areyah gave him an awkward hug and then they all left the study for the announcement of their engagement.