Summary: Tom Riddle had one daughter. Just one. But he never knew that she existed. Lela knew that her love for Tom would not save him from the downward spiral to evil. This is why she took her only daughter to grow up with Harry Potter. He could keep her safe

Disclaimer: You guys know I don't own Harry Potter because if I did Ginny and Harry and Ron and Hermione would never have ended up together. But sadly I don't so I can only right about it on line.

Note: I have changed Jonathan's house from Slytherin to Ravenclaw -_- I was informed about my mix up of names in the last chapter. Just to set things straight I meant Daphne Greengrass not Emily.

'Thinking'

Someone reading something

Memory

Riddles

Chapter Eleven: The Malfoy Ball

"Oh Hermione…" I whispered as I raised my hand to cover my mouth.

"Do I really look that bad?" She asked sadly.

"God no!" I answered quickly, appalled that she would ask such a thing. "You're anything but. You look amazing." She blushed and shook her head.

"You don't need to lie to me Cara, I can take it." Sighing I pushed her toward the bathroom and in front of a full body mirror. I stood behind her as she looked at her reflection.

"You're beautiful Hermione, don't let anyone tell you differently."

"But Ron says I have bushy hair." She said; bring a hand up and instinctively trying to flatten her hair. I chuckled and shook my head.

"And look at Harry's. Absolutely impossible to control yet girls drool over him." I rolled my eyes. "Sickeningly really. Watching them fawn over him just because of some good looks and a stupid title." Hermione smiled at this but the moment it appeared it was gone.

"I have large front teeth."

"You'll grow into them."

"I short."

"Not as short as I am."

"I've got a crooked smile."

"Ahhh…my favorite feature." We both turned and our eyes locked on a lean figure with glowing green eyes.

"How in the world did you get up here?" I asked. "There's supposed to be a charm on the stairs."

"It's a secret." Was all he gave as he bypassed me and took Hermione's hands in his. "Hermione…" He whispered. They stared at each other intently. I smiled gently and walked out of the bathroom, grabbed the my dress off the bed and proceeded down the stairs to the common room bathroom feeling that I was intruding on something private.

I prepared silently and alone, putting on my dress and very light makeup before locking the bracelet that Draco had given me around my wrist. Immediately I felt a surge of warm love. I felt as if Draco was here beside me, holding me in his arms.

I realize now that I wasn't with him that my heart ached to have him near. I wanted to hear his laugh, his snide remarks. I wanted to feel his protective touch and hear him murmur sweet nothings to me after a long day of lessons. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around myself imagining he was there. Soon he would be. I felt myself smile at the thought.

Leaving the bathroom I screamed and nearly fell over when I found the common room filled the brink with redheads.

"What the hell!" I shouted.

"Miss Riddle." I looked over and my eyes found the headmaster. "This is Ron's family the Weasleys. They will be your chaperone while you are at the Malfoy Ball with the young master…" He went on about all the do's and don'ts about being at a pureblood function and as I tuned him out I tuned in Mrs. and Mr. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley was leaning in and said in a hushed voice that I could hardly hear…

"This will also bring up our status. It we can befriend the Malfoys then our future is set. Their sign a marriage contract for Ginny and we will have control of one of the largest fortunes in the world." Mr. Weasley gave her a confused look.

"But what about Potter?"

"A Malfoy is far better then a Potter. But if they somehow manage to turn up down on our contract then Potter will always be there as a back up."

I growled angrily. They wouldn't lay a hand on Draco. He was mine.

"Now be off with you all…and have fun." Dumbledore swept out of the room and everyone crowded around the fireplace. Amount the Weasleys was their only girl, Ginny, who had been dressed in a pure white floor length dress that looked like it cost every scent the Weasley's had. Also there was the twins, Fred and George, and of course Ronald. I noticed that they all wore beautifully tailored dress robes just like Harry's. But unlike Harry's on the back I could see a tag sticking out reading 'Wilda's & Watch's dress robe rentals.' I shook my head as I threw the floo into the fireplace and shouted clearly 'Malfoy Manor'.

The moment I tumbled out of the fireplace I felt a hand on my waist pulling me up and into a quite familiar embrace. I held Draco as if my life depended on it. "I've missed you." He whispered gently in me ear. In the background I could hear a magnificent waltz being play along with laughter and idle chit-chat. "God, have I missed you."

His hand ran through my hair and I noticed the presence of a ring resting upon his middle finger. I smiled. So the bracelet really was a protection charm.

I heard the others stumble threw but didn't dare release Draco. The two weeks we had been separated hadn't felt like torture but now I knew what I missed so much.

"Out of the way lover boy, there are other's in this world besides you." Draco was ripped from my grip and I would have held on tighter if I hadn't recognized the voice. Theo picked me up and spun me around.

"What are you doing, Theodore?" I laughed.

"Hmm…who is this Theodore you speak of?" He teased.

"Stop being a dope." I smiled as he set me down on the ground and I pulled him into a long hug.

"Madam Riddle." Theo and I separated. A hand found its way onto the small of my back I felt instantly comforted by Draco's presence. "May I show you and your guests to the ball room?"

"Lead the way David."

We walked and talked as everyone took in the beautiful sight of Malfoy manor. I had expected the halls to be dark and frankly creepy but they were beautifully decorated in shades of whites, golds, and reds. Gryffindor colors? Yes, but they were set up in a design that was pure art and reminded me of a photo I had seen of the Palace of Versailles. The other wall was windows all looking like those from a fairy tale castle.

"Mother refused to live a life in the dark." Draco whispered to me as we walked. "She had the entire manor redone. I quite like, don't you?"

"I think it's beautiful." He smiled.

"Yes."

We reached the ball room and I was whisked off immediately and onto the dance floor where Draco and I danced.

"Here." He lifted me up after the fifth time stepping on his toes and placed me on top of his feet. He moved us around with ease and I just went along for the ride. Laying my head on his chest listening to his breathing we just swayed back and forth.

"My mother's giving us the look." Draco whispered.

"Uh-oh not the look." I rolled my eyes.

"No, you don't understand. Every time I get that look she's already planning a wedding."

"And how many times have you gotten this look?"

"Twice." I pulled away and looked at him.

"And who were you supposedly marrying?" I chuckled as he blushed and brought his hand up to nervously fluff his hair. I was so glad he had stopped greasing it back.

"Umm…let's see the first was a real snob, her name was Elizabeth, or maybe it was Victoria. You know the other one. Any guesses as to whom?" Immediately Pansy jumped into my mind. She was always over Draco, doting on him in ways I had never seen.

"Parkinson."

"Bingo." He smiled. "A few years ago the Parkinson's company hit a rode block and their stocks plummeted to the ground nearly putting them in the poor house. They came crawling to my family. They wanted to sell their daughter off to be my wife. She's still a very promising candidate." He reached up and gently took my cheek, rubbing it with his thumb. "But with you here I feel the future might have a brighter outlook."

"When did you become so nice, Draco?"

"What are you talking about?" He scuffed. I chuckled.

"I've seen you when you're playing cards. Don't think I haven't Draco Malfoy. You can be a right bully when you feel like it." He smirked and a dark laugh erupted from his lips.

"Hmm…you could blame if on my father but sometimes bullying is the only way to get what you want." I shook my head and laid it on his shoulder.

"Sometimes I wonder about you."

The dance passed in peaceful silence. Draco guided me along as I closed my eyes and simply listened to his breathing. "Seems Potter and Granger are getting along quite nicely."

"I think it's good for him. Hermione cares for him deeply and I won't always be there for him to depend on."

"And what about you? Do you have anyone else to depend on?" He pulled me closer to him as I looked up and met his stormy grey eyes.

"I think I already have someone." I wasn't aware of the closing distance between us until he was a mere inch away and my eyes were slipping shut.

"Master Malfoy, would you be so kind as to dance with my daughter. I'm sure you'll love her." A dark and irritated growl erupted from Draco's throat. His deadly glare locked onto the red haired form of Mr. Weasley and Ginny.

"Of course he will." We all looked up at the soft, commanding voice and found Mrs. Malfoy looking at Draco expectantly. "Would you mind joining me at my table, Miss. Riddle?" She gave me a kind smile and I found myself nodding. She held out her arm and I took hold of it as I moved away from Draco. I felt his hands brush my sides as I moved and he gave me a look that clearly said 'this isn't over'.

Ginny moved into my place and Mr. Weasley ran off to join in a conversation with a beautiful couple that looked oddly like Theodore. "I have been dying to speak with you ever since my son has come home for brake." I looked over at Mrs. Malfoy and saw her smiling. "He speaks highly of you. That's rare, you know?"

"With him I wouldn't doubt it." She laughed as she nodded.

"Yes, he and his father are very much alike in that aspect. Both extremely arrogant and proud of it." We approached a elegantly designed table and took seats. I sat in the chair with the tag marked Draco while she sat at hers. "So tell my Miss. Riddle, do you have any siblings."

I nodded. "Kinda, you see I'm an orphan or at least that's what Gringotts told me. That both my parents were dead. But before my mom died she gave me to this family called the Dursleys. But Harry and I live there together. We grew up together and have always considered ourselves siblings." She nodded.

"I'm so sorry about your parents." I shrugged.

"It's okay. I never really knew them so it doesn't really hurt."

"You should get a family tree done. Gringotts does it for a small fee. All they need is a drop of blood and it'll give you your family tree for as many generations as you choose. The Malfoys keep one going so any new addition to the family is added." She explained that idea seemed appealing. Not only for myself but for Harry as well. It'd do us good to know who our family was. "There are also my hidden inheritance that come out as well." Another plus.

For the next twenty minutes we talked about my childhood and Draco. Apparently he and his mother were very much alike. I could see it in the ways they talked and their hand gestures. Both were equally dramatic. The arrogant streak was also there. I'm assuming that it was in all purebloods. I haven't met one that wasn't.

My eyes wondered over to the dance floor where Draco was still trapped. Ginny smiling up at him. He looked ready to die of boredom. As if feeling my gaze on him he turned and smiled warmly. "If you'll excuse me, I think I should go save him." Mrs. Malfoy nodded and smiled as I walked away.

Ginny glared at me as I approached and I could also feel many glares of others as Draco took me back into his arms lovingly. "What did my mother have to say?" He asked as he picked he up and once again placed me on his feet. Resting my head on his chest I shrugged.

"That you're an arrogant bastard." He chuckled lightly.

"I wouldn't doubt it." He sighed contently before he look my hand and pulled me toward the doors.

"Come with me." He said. I followed. "I want to show you something." We left the ball room and he lead me threw the dimly lit halls and up a grand staircase. We stopped at two large double doors that he pushed open to reveal a bedroom. It was beautiful but what caught my attention was the large window balcony. He took my hand and lead me toward it. Unlatching the window we stepped out.

The balcony overlooked the garden and I swore I had never seen anything more beautiful. Candles had been set up for the couples that roomed threw quietly, enjoying each others company just as we were. Beyond the garden there was a beautiful crystal clear lake that sparkled with the moons reflection.

"It's beautiful."

"This is my favorite spot in the entire house." He came up behind me and his arms encircled my waist. He sighed and laid his head on my shoulder.

"Why do you touch me so much?" I asked. I didn't mind it. It felt good to be held by someone.

"My parents were never very cuddly and when I touch you…" He sighed. "It feels good. Safe." I leaned back and looked at him.

"You're much deeper then everyone says you are." He laughed darkly.

"Of course I am. You think I'm a flake like all those girls? Hate to break it to you babe, but I'm a pureblood with a brain. As rare as those are." I turned around in his arms and wrapped mine around his neck pulling him into a hug. We just stood there in silence. "Have you given any thought to my present?" I closed my eyes and remembered back to his gifted journal with the Malfoy crest. The same journal that he asked me to be his.

I cared for Draco. I really, really did. Not for the superficial reasons why all the other girls chase after him but because he was smart, just as he had said, and he was kind to me. He was the kind of rock that I never had in my life. He was someone that kept me grounded. It was also a plus that he was extremely hot. H.O.T. It wasn't just the money the pureblood girls were looking at, Draco Malfoy had to be the hottest pureblood since I don't know when.

"I don't know about forever." I looked up at him and he looked down, grimly. "But for now I'm all yours."