Author's Note: This is the last full chapter. There will be an epilogue published next week. However this is not the end of the Slytherin story line, note that I did not say Malfoy story line. It is my intention to eventually write a story that will cover from January to June of First Year

There has been some concern that a statement I made about the charms caused by Lucius and Erlene's marriage not allowing anyone but his seed to make her pregnant resulting in Victoria's child being her father's child as well. This is not the case. Victoria's child is her step-father's, though she would like to change that if she could. This was not incorporated into the story due to it not quite fitting into the discussions and scenes. I'm afraid that all the implications of what might happen generally rests on incomplete information. In other words, don't trust a student to know everything, or a parent to say everything to their child in my stories. You'll be as misled as I want them to be.

For this chapter I would like to thank the following people for their assistance; slickRCBD, Wolfkin, fibinaci, jim trigg, MoKR, and gemma ethan whitaker

Chapter Nine: Joyous, Beautiful and Free

Lucius Malfoy stood between his two wives waiting for his guests to arrive at the New Years Eve Ball that his family had hosted every year since eighteen-thirty-one. It had been 'The Ball' since eighteen-forty-one, when they had scored the attendance of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert. This year Lucius hadn't quite scored as much of a guest list as that storied ball, where the Queen had actually turned the Minister of Magic into a frog.

By tradition, you either flooed or apparated into the portico, and then entered the grand entry of Malfoy Manor. The grand entry was done in Regency style, and had not changed much since the last visit of that Queen in eighteen-eighty-eight. The Malfoy Family had changed greatly since then. Most Malfoys had one, maybe two children, a fact that the Queen had derided back in her last Ball. The heir would usually be waiting near the ballroom door, shepherding guests that way, a task that Draco had taken the previous year, for the first time.

That had changed this year. His own Victoria thought she was up to the task, and she was his eldest, but Lucius figured that with her swollen womb, it would not be good for her to stand too long, so it had been decided that she and Draco would alternate, while she could, escorting guests to the Ballroom.

He'd just finished checking up on his children, making sure that Victoria, Draco, and Juliet were ready for the ball. He'd told Julie that for the night, she was Juliet, and she had not been pleased, but Julie was not a traditional wizarding name, or nickname for that matter. Juliet was. The bells above the door rang. They'd been long programmed to play a bit of a song for each guest, to warn the hosts which ones were coming through the door. If the guest was well known by the family, it might even be a particular tune of their choice.

The first tune was a fairly new choice for this friend of the family. It had replaced a sixties piece that had been fine when Severus Snape had been just a student of potions sponsored the family, but had worn out. That "dun-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh" really got on your nerves

The Head of Slytherin claimed that the new tune was from the same source, but it was much more plaintive, at least the portion that Severus had chosen. It was still way too catching.

"Welcome to Malfoy Manor, Severus," Lucius said, as the Potions Master's cloak cleared the door. As expected, Severus had stuck to his traditional black.

"Thank you for the invitation," Severus said. "It was nice to have an excuse to remain away from Hogwarts for the rest of the Yule Break."

"Indeed," Lucius said. "I don't think you've been properly introduced to my wife Erlene."

Erlene offered Severus her hand, as was proper, and Severus placed a gentle kiss on its back.

"I'd like to thank you for your gentle hand in taking care of my daughter at Hogwarts," Erlene said, as Severus stood back up straight. "I do not think my daughter would be as well off as she is if it was not for your care."

"Thank you, madam, but it is but my duty," Severus replied. "I am her Head of House; all of Slytherin should expect no less than that which I have given her. Indeed, she deserved more than I was able to give her. The bastard, if you will pardon the term in the current company, who hurt her deserves the unforgivables."

"You will not find many, if any, who disagree with that," Lucius replied. "Rest assured that everything has been taken care of on that score by the family. However, I believe that Victoria, herself, has no complaints from your care. In fact," Lucius's voice peaked louder, "Victoria, please escort the Potions Master to the Ballroom. I believe you said you had something to say to him."

Sometime the tune would be specific to the office holder, which explained how "Rule Britannia" ended up playing as Minister Cornelius Fudge entered the room.

Lucius plastered on a perfunctory smile as he greeted the man. "Minister, how nice of you to come. I believe you know Narcissa, and this is my first wife, Erlene." The man had been a useful foil, but if recent rumors about how much the man was badgering Dumbledore for advice rather than acting himself were true, the man was proving to be the wrong man for the job.

"Lord Malfoy, may I express my condolences on the recent death of your father," Fudge said. It was not the first time that Fudge had said the perfunctory condolences. Lucius thought that perhaps he would have gotten the hint that the family wasn't mourning his father's passing by now, and it had been over a week and a half since the death without support for actions notice had been published.

"Abraxas has gone on to his eternal punishment," Narcissa replied shortly in the long silence that Lucius had left.

"Indeed," Lucius said. At that moment, Lucius made a decision. He would call for a vote of no confidence. "You may find my house's goals greatly changed with his death. We shall of course speak of that anon. Draco! My son has heard that you're a fan of the Wanderers, and were at their game last Saturday, when he was regrettably unable to attend."

As the door opened again, Lucius was quite surprised to hear the next tune. It was soft, played on the celestial bells. It was not the expected pipe driven tune that he had expected, the moment that he had spotted the Deputy Headmistress. Instead, it was the tune long established for the Head of a family that had not attended the ball, nor even visited Malfoy Manor in three quarters of a century.

As the Professor cleared the door, her charge was revealed to be a first year Gryffindor whose invitation, Lucius knew, had been extended not by his fellow first year, Draco, but by Victoria. If there was a young lad who was more famous in the wizarding world than the Boy-Who-Lived, Lucius was unaware of him. This was the first time that Lucius had been able to really examine the Harry Potter.

"Welcome to Malfoy Manor, Professor, Mister Potter," Lucius greeted. The boy seemed quite a bit short for his age, and his hair was quite messy. His bangs seemed to be specifically positioned to hide his famous scar. The cream tail coat he wore did not disguise his thinness. It seemed that he'd chosen a tuxedo with tails for his outfit, though Lucius suspected that it was more McGonagall's choice. Draco had made a similar choice to forgo the traditional robes, so there was no fault there.

He knew from Victoria that Potter had been in Kingston-on-Thames for the same reason as Victoria had. In a world before his father's death, Lucius would have been making political hay out of that fact, but not anymore.

"Thank you for the most gracious invitation," McGonagall said, formally. Lucius had to wonder if she ever smiled. "It is not often that we are afforded an opportunity to attend an event with such a rich history away from Hogwarts, especially this time of year. Nor do I often have an opportunity to visit your noble house."

"Indeed," Lucius said. "And Mister Potter, I see you are fascinated by the Malfoy chimes. I take it that you have not heard the tune that announced you before?"

"No, sir," Potter said shortly, looking as if he wanted to blend into the cream paneling on the wall behind him.

"It is the theme of your family," Narcissa picked up. "I believe they call it Hedwig's Theme. I understand you are continuing the tradition of naming your owl the traditional Potter name."

"I didn't know that," Potter said softly, almost stuttering. "I mean, I just picked the name out of my History of Magic text book."

"It is a most fitting name, especially for a snowy owl," Erlene said. "But we have held you enough. I believe Draco wants to talk to you, Mister Potter, and Victoria would no doubt wish to talk to you, Professor, given her Christmas gifts."

The next tune was a rather famous toccata and fugue, and it only took six notes for Lucius to realize that it was one of those that he really wished he could avoid inviting. "Madam Umbridge! How nice of you to accept our invitation..."

Draco Malfoy came back to where those his age were gathered after the last guest had arrived. He figured that he'd lucked out with much of the escorts that he'd split between himself and Victoria. He'd actually done two for every one that his older half sister had done, but that was okay. Victoria had the misfortune to get both Madam Umbridge and the Goyles, and Lacretia Goyle had been particularly nasty to Victoria, given her condition and lack of attachment.

"I do hope you can dance, Potter," Draco said. "These balls are extremely boring if you can't take some girl to dance some time. Father may like circulating around talking to people, but there is only so much talk and punch I can stand."

"Professor McGonagall taught me some," Potter replied. "She says I shouldn't embarrass my house too much, but I'm not sure who to ask."

Draco looked around the room, as the string quartet took up some Hayden. Pansy was out. He had to ask her first. Daphne had one of those smirks on her face. Better for everyone if she was the last to be asked, or had to dance with Vincent first. Then he spotted his little sister, in her first formal gown. "I think I have just the person to start with," Draco said. "She won't expect much, and no matter how bad you are, she'll love the fact that she gets to be the first to go out on the floor with Harry-the-Heartthrob. And since I taught her last night, I know she can dance. Go ask Julie."

"Okay," Potter said. It was obvious that the 'Harry-the-Heartthrob' line had him ill at ease, if not the having to dance thing.

Draco looked on as Potter approached his little sister and asked her to dance, then turned to Pansy. It was obvious that she once again had not had control of her dress. That was probably for the best. Pansy preferred what he'd heard called bubble gum pink. It did not look good on her, but the silver and gold satin dress she wore did. Draco gently took her offered hand, like he had done for the last two years, and asked, "My pretty Pansy, may I have this dance?"

Pansy smiled, something that Draco didn't get to see her do often. Pansy seemed to be in a perpetual frown, especially at Hogwarts, and it did not look good on her. Dancing though, that seemed to always bring a smile to her face. Draco's father said that was important.

The tune was a waltz, and soon Draco and Pansy were joined by more of the guests, not just dancing alone with Potter and Julie.

"So, who's the girl that you sent Potter to dance with?" Pansy asked.

Draco smiled, realizing that he hadn't yet told any of his housemates about his new siblings. In fact, Potter, his great rival at school, was the only one of the first years who knew about them. "She, Pansy, is my middle half-sister Juliet Antonia Malfoy, though you might not want to call her Juliet, despite what Father says. He can get away with not calling her Julie. I'm sure I can't."

"Where did she come from?" Pansy said as they executed a twirl. "I thought you were an only child."

"Apparently father had a previous relationship to my mother that my grandfather was preventing, unsuccessfully," Draco said whispering in her ear. "He eloped with mother Erlene right after they finished Hogwarts. You know that my mother was arranged."

"Yes," Pansy said as they rotated around Potter and Julie. "So, how many half-siblings do you have now?"

"Three sisters, and one, maybe two brothers," Draco said. Then at Pansy's questioning expression, he continued. "Julie was a twin, but we might be able to get back her twin bother, but it's complicated."

"I'll bet," Pansy said. "So, there is Victoria, obviously, and Julie, who Daphne has apparently already christened the little scamp ..."

"Judith, who is three, and I'll warn you right now, don't accept a chess game with her," Draco said, moving to dance a bit closer. "She'll cheerfully beat you, over and over again. Then there is Joseph, who is not quite two."

"So, what's it like having siblings," Pansy asked, as they executed a dip.

"Kind of fun, actually," Draco said. "Victoria's more serious, but it's nice to be able to talk to someone who has gone through everything. I think Judith is more of a scamp than Julie is. Victoria says that when Julie and I get on the same side of something, she starts worrying. Julie's got the room next to mine now."

"You mean the one that they'd never let me stay overnight in?" Pansy asked.

"Yes, so I'd get on Julie's good side," Draco said. "That might require you learning about a muggle show on the telly called Star Trek. She's a bit obsessed with it."

"I'm not obsessed, Drake, I'm a Trekkie," Julie said, as she extended out from Potter to be just short of impacting their dance.

"Who calls puffleskins tribbles," Draco said, before Potter pulled Julie back into his arms. "Like I said, obsessed. And she's trying to get the rest of the family in on it."

"Muggle shows?" Pansy questioned.

"My sisters may be purebloods, but they grew up as muggles," Draco shrugged. "I'm getting used to what they think. And Mother Erlene has figured out how to hook up a telly so we can see them, and they aren't that bad. Kind of like watching that painting of the fight in the Ministry Hall on the third floor, but a lot more fun."

"You mean the one with the pies?" Pansy said.

"Yes," Draco said. "You never know who is going to show up, or what is going to trigger the fight this time. Muggle telly shows might be even better, though I don't get what Father likes about some sports he watches."

"I don't get my father's love for Quodpot," Pansy said. "I mean, the balls blow up."

"Still want to try out for chaser?" Draco asked, as the quartet shifted to a faster waltz.

"I want to knock the whole cheating team out," Pansy said with a passion that Draco had become quite familiar with. Slytherin may have only played one game so far, but Pansy had often accompanied her father, who was also a governor at Hogwarts, to the games. Her father was a just plain sports afficionado, and actually owned a sixty percent share of the Arrows.

"I know," Draco said. "The one good thing about Potter catching the snitch when he did was that I didn't have to keep watching the blatant fouls. We're Slytherins. The least they could do was to be subtle about it. Victoria wants to join our conspiracy. They wouldn't let her even try out last year because she's a girl."

Victoria sat in a chair on the side of the Ballroom, looking longingly at the dance floor. Her state of pregnancy had forced her to find a seat, though she really wanted to dance. This was her, as well as Julie's, first ball. Julie was already dancing, and had started to dance with perhaps the most sought after Hogwarts student in the ballroom. Of course he was taken, but Victoria wouldn't turn down a dance with Harry if he offered.

"It's a disgrace, really, how a house can be brought low by a disgraceful daughter who would be better hidden." Victoria knew the voice. It wasn't the first time she'd heard it, and the disapproval of that Umbridge woman who knew nothing about how Victoria had ended up in her current condition.

"How the mighty fall," a voice that Victoria thought was Madam Goyle, but she wasn't sure. She would have to turn around to tell, and she wasn't quite sure she wanted to. "I remember the glory days of the House of Malfoy. The revels, oh how joyous they were ... and this ball used to be the event. This year it's just sad."

"The Minister is here," Madam Mengala said. That scratch squealing voice could only be that woman. Victoria had shown her the way to the ball room. The old lady looked like a sow.

"Yes, but the DMLE Director isn't, and neither is the head of Magical Games and Sports," Madam Goyle said. "They couldn't even get the head of the Goblin Liaison Office!"

"Actually, I think I saw Dirk," another lady said. "Yes, there he is. Pardon me ladies, but I think I'm going to go see if I can maneuver him to ask me to dance. Rumor is he broke up with Ophelia a couple weeks ago."

Victoria saw the young woman stroll past her. There was no way that she could contrive to get any boy to dance with her. No one would dance with the shameful pregnant girl.

Suddenly her vision was obscured by bronze and gold robes. She blinked to clear her tearful eyes. Victoria hadn't even realized that she was tearing up. It was Julian, her potions tutor. He offered her his hand and said, "My dear Victoria, would you do me the honor of joining me for this dance?"

Victoria took his hand and replied, "the honor is mine, Journeyman Ollivander." He took hold of both her hands, and somehow made her difficult, pregnancy impaired rise seem perfectly normal.

Then Victoria found herself dancing. It was a waltz, not a slow one, but not a fast one either. She twirled and rotated past Julie and Harry, past Draco and Pansy, past her father and mother. Her feet felt as if they were dancing upon air. Each tune seemed to impart more energy to the pregnant girl. When the tunes slowed, Julian held her close. When the piece's energy increased, their bodies twirled, dipped, and sashayed across the dance floor.

How long Victoria was on that dance floor she didn't know. She switched partners, twice, taking a single dance each with Harry and Draco. Eventually though, the musicians had to take a break, and Victoria found herself back next to the drinks and food table. She was very careful to make sure her juice was just that, juice. She was also sure that Draco had done the opposite.

"Avoid the pineapple punch, I think I saw someone pouring fire whisky into it," Penny Weasley said. Victoria hadn't realized that the newlywed prefect was nearby. "I don't think they've touched the strawberry yet."

"They better not have," Victoria growled. Strawberry juice was her favorite, bar none.

"Ask your family's house elves to fix it," Penny said. "Professor Dumbledore assigned one to help Percy and me, and they're very helpful. I just wish my new mother-in-law wasn't so against getting one."

"Let me guess, six pregnancies, seven children, and never needed one before?" Victoria asked. Penny nodded. "Father says he's going to let me have one of the family elves. I'd like Dobby, but I think Draco's got him twisted right around his little finger."

Victoria looked over at Draco. He was on his third partner of the night, if you didn't count sisters. Victoria didn't count brothers. Draco had to side step, and nearly tripped his partner of the moment, Tracey Davis, when Narcissa strode across the dance floor, anger clearly emanating from her.

As the long time hostess of the Malfoy New Year's Ball, Narcissa kept an ear on all the threads of conversation in the room. She'd charmed one of her earrings to help her. She was quite proud of that spell. She'd created it herself. It recorded almost all the conversations in the ball room, and allowed her to review the last hour or so at any time that hour.

Having just switched off with Erlene, allowing her sister wife another turn with Lucius, she touched the earring and began to review the conversations that were going on to see where she needed to be. The first couple ones she checked on were fine, with nothing she needed to worry about. Well, not immediately, Julie was talking to Potter about babies as she danced.

Then she heard the words. "She's obviously a scarlet woman. And look, they invited that apprentice at the wand shop. I bet she seduced him, and that's why he's here."

Narcissa quickly reviewed as much of the conversation around that area as she could. It didn't take long to determine who was poisoning the well of good will for her husband's first child. This had to end. It was one thing to spread gossip about the oldest daughter of a noble house. It was another thing to do it as an invited guest of that noble house.

Narcissa did not bother going around the dance floor. It was time to purge the poison from her house. As she strode across the floor, she just missed Draco. She'd have to apologize to him and his partner, later.

She suddenly realized that she might be making a scene, and diverted her course just a bit, putting her hand on Julie's shoulder. "Julie, Mister Potter, a word for a moment."

"Yes Mum," Julie said, with just a hint of fear to her voice, as if she thought she had suddenly done something wrong. Both stopped dancing.

"It's nothing bad ... for you," Narcissa said. "I'm about to remove some guests who have worn out their welcome by making unwise comments on your older sister. Can you discreetly pass the word to your father? Oh, and Mister Potter, I think it best if you would be nearby and willing to lend a word in support of Victoria. I understand that the two of you are friends."

"We are," Potter said. "Would you be doing something about the toad in the brown and gold dress?" Narcissa nodded. "Thought so. Draco sent Journeyman Julian over to get Victoria away. You better head over there quickly. It looks like Parkinson is about to take things in her own hands.

Narcissa spotted her son's favorite, and resumed her course, intending to head Pansy off. The girl had a cup of one of the more staining punches provided. Pansy hated most berry punches, and especially the carbonated blackberry one imported from across the pond. Lucius loved it.

Narcissa caught Pansy's attention and shook her head. Pansy stopped, cleverly next to Daphne Greengrass. One problem solved.

With just a few more steps, she arrived at the knot of women around the Minister's Undersecretary. It was clear that Umbridge was the center of the conversation.

"Madam Umbridge," Narcissa began, "I've heard that you have a rather strong opinion of my husband's eldest." Narcissa kept her voice even, only allowing a hint of her disgust to leak through.

"Yes," Umbridge said. "It is a shame that such a girl would displace your son's position in such a noble house."

"I see you've made a particular judgement of Victoria," Narcissa said, schooling the sharpness out her voice to see if the toad ... Potter's description of the woman was apt, Narcissa decided.

"I would have thought that it was self evident, given her condition, what she is," Umbridge said. "A scarlet girl who can't keep her legs together, destined to end up as a tavern wench."

"I see," Narcissa said. "I think perhaps you may be mistaken. Then again, believing rumors can lead one very astray. I have heard the swill which you have been feeding others at this ball. It is swill that is beyond the pale of any guest of this family. And I do say family.

"You have insulted a courageous daughter of this house, whose condition is no fault of her own. Moreover, you have disparaged the morals of a young woman who all of this house is proud of. I say it proudly, Victoria is my husband's daughter, heiress presumptive by virtue of her son-to-be. She is a witch beyond all expectations, worthy of honor, proud possessor of "The Grimoire for the Noble Heiress" with both endorsements as a worthy student.

"As for her condition, the House of Malfoy has taken action against her despoiler. Rest assured that our action was greatly satisfying to all of the House of Malfoy, especially to the privileges of the once a man. Our actions towards all who trouble in the slightest the presumptive majority heir of the house shall be equally satisfying to us.

"And as for you, Madam Umbridge, I would suggest that you do not darken the doorstep of this house, nor trouble us again. You are from this moment forward no longer welcome in our presence. Go, and pray that you do not attract our notice again."

Narcissa took great pleasure watching the toad leave. Pansy wasn't the only one to ruin the toad's robes on the way out. Someone, Narcissa suspected Victoria, transfigured the Undersecretary's dress robes into sack cloth, just as the toad reached the ballroom door.

"Now, if you don't mind, I believe that our family's eldest daughter finds herself in need of a good partner, as she seems to have danced Journeyman Julian out. Perhaps I should introduce her to the Warashham heir. I understand he's quite the waltzer."

Erlene loved to dance. It was one thing she had truly missed when she had been exiled to the muggle world. Fortunately so did Lucius. Narcissa wasn't quite so enthusiastic, which helped. Erlene didn't want to monopolize their husband. She was determined to make sure the family worked. If that meant that she had to give up a few dances to Narcissa, so be it.

As Erlene took up the waltz with Lucius, she spotted her two daughters dancing. It looked like Draco was taking another turn with Victoria, and Julie was still monopolizing Potter's time. It was good to see Draco and Victoria getting along. When Erlene had found out that Lucius had a son with Narcissa, that son's reaction to Victoria was one of her biggest worries. Especially given what happened to Victoria, already.

Inheritance of magical houses was a bit different. You weren't in the line of succession until you reached your majority. For most, that meant turning seventeen, but for some, like her daughter, that came early, with the birth of their child, if they didn't marry out of the family. So, once Victoria had her baby boy, she'd be Lucius's heir, until Draco turned seventeen. If Lucius died before he did, it would be Victoria who lead the family for the rest of her life and Draco would come after her son in succession. It wasn't all that likely to happen, but you never knew. A wise family acted like it was going to until it couldn't.

Lucius had just become head of the Noble House of Malfoy, after his unlamented father's death. Until Victoria had her baby, he had no immediate heir, making Victoria a very presumptive heir. Erlene pulled Lucius close for a moment.

"Don't look now, dear, but I think Junior just peeked into the ballroom," Lucius said, turning her so she could spot her ghostly offspring sneaking a peek from the main door.

Erlene nodded. "Well, that means that Judith has finally nodded off. Junior can't resist checking in on Julie. I think he blames himself for what happened to her after he died."

"He shouldn't, and neither should you," Lucius said firmly. "And if everything goes well, you'll be getting him back by the beginning of next month."

"It's going to be strange having a set of twins who are three and a half years apart in age," Erlene said, as she spotted Narcissa crossing the dance floor with grim determination. "Lucius, keep me in line so I can hit someone leaving with my wand."

"Do I wish to know who has angered my wives?" Lucius asked, changing the pattern of their dance slightly to accomplish Erlene's wishes.

"I think that Narcissa is about to tell Dolores Umbridge never to darken our doorstep again," Erlene said, letting her wand slide out from its sleeve in her dress robes. "I will want to watch the memory later, from multiple points of view."

Erlene admired how Lucius kept his dance with her even, not missing a step, as she heard Narcissa coldly tell Umbridge that she would never be welcome at Malfoy Manor, or even in the sight of any Malfoy, again. Then out of the corner of her eye, she caught Umbridge getting splashed with punch by Pansy Parkinson on her way out. She would have to do something for that girl.

Erlene shifted her arm just a little bit as Umbridge reached the door, and transfigured the woman's clothes into sack cloth. Even Umbridge's undergarments and shoes were now the same fabric as Erlene had once seen her twins race in at a school fun day. Umbridge looked back into the ballroom, and Erlene let her wand fall back into its holster as she waved her hand at the Undersecretary, making sure it was understood that Erlene was just as upset with Umbridge.

Erlene had an excellent view of Junior tripping her, before the door closed. Lucius resumed his usual pattern, as a faster waltz began. "By the way, Lucius, while I'm going to be a bit occupied for a while with Junior's rebirth, I understand that Narcissa has recently rekindled her desire for a little girl. It would be a shame for you to disappoint my sister wife."

"It would," Lucius said, whispering in Erlene's ear. "I'd hate to disappoint either of you."

"I could have danced all night." Julie sang as Erlene escorted her second daughter into her bedroom.

"Please, Julie, don't get that tune stuck in my head," Erlene pleaded. "It's after three now."

"I don't agree now," Julie shot back.

"You ought to be in bed," Erlene ordered her daughter. "And unlike Eliza, I can strip and put you in bed with a few waves of my wand. Don't think I won't do it either. We're in the wizarding world now."

"Okay, mum," Julie said, turning around. "Unbutton me? Remind me to thank Draco for getting me a dancing partner."

"I will," Erlene said. "I expect him to go right to bed, as well, after he finishes his hosting duties with the younger set, but I wouldn't be surprised if he looks in on you before he does."

"He's done it every night I've been here," Julie said, as Erlene finished unbuttoning her. "I'm glad he taught me to dance. It would have been so boring standing around the sides like Victoria did a lot."

"I imagine that Victoria needed to sit down every once in a while," Erlene said, as her daughter pulled the dress over her head. "Being pregnant doesn't help you stand or dance a long time."

"Yes, but I didn't have to sit down," Julie said, kicking off her shoes. "I danced with Harry Potter! Victoria said he was some sort of famous person, but he didn't really act like he was. He told me he was in his first year, and likes treacle tart like I do! He was missing his friend Hermione. He wondered if she had as a nice as dress as I did. His friend Ron Weasley apparently plays chess as well as Judith does, maybe better!"

"At least one of Arthur's children would have to," Erlene said, sliding a night shirt over Julie's head. "He was the one I beat the last time I won the Ministry's Chess tournament."

"Maybe he can teach Draco to play good enough to make him a challenge for Judith," Julie said. "Someone other than you has to be able to beat her, and I'm not it."

"I understand dear," Erlene said, holding open the covers on Julie's bed so she could climb under them. "But now it's time to sleep."

Julie climbed into bed, and Erlene pulled the covers up, tucking her in. Julie yawned big before closing her eyes, and as Erlene exited the room she could hear Julie softly humming the tune that had already infected her. Erlene couldn't help repeating the words as she headed to the room that she shared with Lucius and Narcissa.

"I'll never know what made it so exciting
Why all at once my heart took flight
I only know when he began to dance with me
I could have danced, danced, danced, all night."

This chapter contains parts of one song from the musical My Fair Lady. It is used in pieces, not in its entirety.