The sound of footsteps thumping across the tilled floor echoed through the hallway as a flustered young man rushed through. Arriving in front of a massive set of double wooden doors the young man didn't even wait before pushing the doors open and tumbling inside.
"Fletcher! What is the meaning of this?!" Fletcher gasped in breath as his boss, a large slightly balding man with graying hair confronted him.
"I'm sorry sir but we just received a notice." The large man behind the desk huffed in annoyance and began to shove papers into his briefcase, barely paying the other man any mind.
"Can't it wait until tomorrow? I was about to head home for the evening."
"No sir this cannot wait." The senior male was about to give another scathing retort when he caught sight of the paper the junior man was holding. The envelope was a thick cream paper with delicate handwriting emblazing the front with an address, but that is not what caught the older mans attention. Sealing the envelope shut was a large dollop of green wax and stamped into that wax was the large M of the Malfoy family crest.
"Give it here boy!" The junior male was thankful to turn the letter over to his imposing boss. The older man ripped opened the letter and read through its content, shock building with more with every word.
To Barnabus Cuffe
Editor and Chief
Daily Prophet
Dear, Mr. Cuffe
I am writing this letter on behalf of the Malfoy family who I am representing in future engagements. This letter is to notify your company that the Malfoy family will be hosting a panel tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM at the ministry. This panel is to address any matters involving the Malfoy children and subsequent actions the family is taking in response. Questioning will be allowed though the family is under right to refuse answering.
As the Malfoy family is concerned for the safety of their children rules involving the press will be strictly enforced. The following rules include:
1. The use of 'Quick Quote Quills' is banned, though dictation quills will be allowed if they are relinquished for an initial security check.
2. Photography will be monitored and allowed during specific times during and after the panel.
3. Any photographs taken during or after the panel will be cased and must be signed for approval before use. If a photograph is used without such approval the individual is liable for a fine and potential loss of employment.
4. There shall be no use of derogatory terms in person or in future articles. Any individual using such terms will be banned from the room.
5. Subsequent articles written on content of the panel must be approved by the Malfoy family before being allowed publishing. The articles will not be altered, however if they do not receive approval notes will be included as to why and another version may be submitted.
If these conditions are satisfactory then the Daily prophet is granted access to the panel for one reporter and one photographer.
Once chosen please sign your name along with the two representatives for the Daily Prophet on the lines below. By signing this document all those participating acknowledge the rules laid forth by the Malfoy family and are bound to follow them. Once signed the location of the panel will be forwarded to you. Do not attempt to bring a larger entourage, as the room will be warded to only allow those with signatures.
I trust you find these terms agreeable, the Malfoy family awaits your response.
Sincerely, Frederick Thompson
Malfoy Family Representative
T & S Law
Putting down the letter Barnabus Cuffe looked up to see Fletcher still waiting for a response.
"Get me Braithwaite and Adrian! Tell them to get their Asses in here right away, we have to plan and I don't care if we have to stay up all night to get it right!"
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The conference room was abuzz with the hushed tones of the many people crowded inside. Betty Braithwaite looked around and recognized the faces of reporters and photographs from every paper in Western Europe. I wasn't that surprising as the Malfoy family was a very prominent one known all over the world so this panel would be huge news. Looking to her left she made sure Adrian was still beside her, the room was so crowded that she didn't want to loose him. Catching her eye Adrian shifted a bit closer.
"You all ready Braithwaite?" Betty nodded as she looked up at the large conference table perched on a stage a few feet above the crowd. The stage had a fence around it preventing anyone from getting within two feet of the important people who would be sitting there.
"As ready as I'll ever be. When do you think they will start?"
"I don't know but I hope it's soon. Everyone is getting antsy and I don't like it." Betty watched as her male companion fiddled with his camera. Double-checking everything was set for what seemed like the 50th time.
"Well I don't really blame them, the security here is crazy. It's like we are waiting for the second coming of Merlin not some girl." Betty couldn't help the snarky tone that leaked into her voice.
"If she was really just 'some girl' then you know no one would be near here."
"I was being sarcastic Adrian. I'm kind of surprised that I was chosen to come instead of Amerinus, I mean he wrote the first article." Betty had been shocked when she had woken up in the morning and seen the paper. Not a word had been leaked before about this mystery child and suddenly Amerinus had the scoop of the century.
"Didn't you hear? He's under investigation right now and has been 'given leave' from the prophet."
"What?! Oh gosh I can't believe it."
"Well that's what happens when you mess with the Malfoys."
"Do you know how he got that info in the first place?"
"No he wouldn't tell me, probably what he's under investigation for." Further questioning was stopped as the door behind the stage opened and a man in his 40s wearing business robes walked through.
"Ladies and Gentlemen the panel will commence shortly. It is asked that you refrain from questions until a designated period. Now please take your seats, the Malfoy family will enter momentarily." The room was silent as everyone took their assigned seats. Betty was so focused on the door that she didn't even pay attention to the cold uncomfortable chair she would have to sit in for the remainder of the meeting.
All focus in the room jumped to the stage as the doorknob slowly turned and the first Malfoy stepped out. Lucius Malfoy looked as proud as ever with his perfect hair and elegant robes, following behind him was his son Draco like a younger copy perfectly put together and stone faced. Narcissa Malfoy followed after in a flowing dress and elegant robes taking a seat at the end of the table. Then behind her followed someone no one was expecting; Severus Snape stepped forth from behind the door his black robes billowing behind him. Now there was only one person left and that was the lady of the hour herself. The crowd held their breath as they got their first look at the mysterious Malfoy child.
The woman of the hour did not walk in so as she strode in with purpose, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor. Betty couldn't hold back the gasp as she took in the sight of Kagome Malfoy. The sketch done for the previous article did not do this young woman justice at all. While not tall she carried herself well, chin up and back straight. Wearing a form fitting burgundy dress with a pencil style skirt and high neck her curves and muscle tone could be viewed while still retaining a respectful look. A long black formal robe billowed behind her, held together at the collar with a Malfoy crest broach settled against her neck. Her pale skin contrasted beautifully with her dark Raven hair that was pilled atop her head in an intricate bun, small wavy ringlets framing her face. Taking a closer look at the female Malfoy proved an interesting study. Though she obviously had her Asian features Betty could see the strong sharp jawline as well as the piercing blue eyes that she shared with the Malfoy men. If one wasn't looking for it you would never know but once pointed out the family resemblance was obvious. In all she looked to be the paramount of pureblood grace and beauty that women of the Malfoy name had no trouble bearing.
Kagome took her seat and Betty observed the very thought out seating arrangement. In the center was Lucius Malfoy himself, made sense as the head of house and the leader of this panel. On either side of him sat his children, Draco on the left and Kagome on the right. Beside Draco sat Narcissa and Severus Snape took up the other side of Kagome. This calculated seating arrangement kept the children in question nestled inside a barrier of protection while still allowing them to remain a center of attention. The reasoning for Severus Snape being there was easy enough to decipher. Snape had been a close friend of Lucius Malfoy for many years and the godfather of Draco Malfoy. Being a teacher at Hogwarts he would have been familiar with Kagome and likely had known about her secret for some time. A trusted confidant of the family and a powerful wizard made him a perfect protector for the Malfoy children. The room went quiet as the Malfoy lord sat forward and clapped his hands together to get everyone's attention.
"Thank you all for coming today. I am sure everyone is eager to get started so let us begin. Firstly I will be clearing up some matters about my daughter. Most of you likely assume that I kept her hidden away to avoid shame and scandal, a secret known only to myself. This could not be further from the truth. Kagome has been a part of our family since a very young age. Narcissa has been aware of her since her birth, treating her like she would a second child. Draco and Kagome spent time together throughout the years and have always known each other as siblings." There was some silent scoffs at that comment. Many of the people there did no believe for a second that they were all one big happy family. However, Betty had a feeling he was telling the truth. Looking over at the Lady of the house did not yield much as her stoic face did not betray any emotions. Yet Betty saw a flash of something on the woman's face when she spared a glance over at her stepdaughter. A flash of emotion that Betty was very certain was not one of disgust and distain.
"The reasoning behind keeping her secret was for her safety. She was conceived during the war and I worried that someone would try to get to my family through Kagome. And now I am about to address the question I'm sure you were all about to ask, why I did not reveal her after the war was over. Safety was still a concern for me. I will admit that I have done things in the past that have made me enemies. Draco has the protection of not only the Malfoy name but also the Blacks and other families. Kagome was in another country, she already had an established life and so for her protection her mother and I agree it was safer to let her continue living her own life. I love my daughter dearly and I will do anything to protect my children. Now I believe we will answer questions."
With that everyone in the room surged forward shouting various question at the panel with Lucius Malfoy answering each in turn. Some were understandable and other made Betty feel disgusted at just how imposing and sick some people could be.
"She is older than your son why are they in the same year?"
"She took a break from studies for a few years to do some traveling."
"The Malfoys have always been Slytherins, how do you feel about breaking that tradition by having a Hufflepuff in your family?"
"Kagome is her own person and I am happy no matter where she is, as long as she is receiving the education she needs."
"Do you ever see the girls mother?"
"We correspond somewhat frequently."
"Why did you engage in sexual relations with the girls mother when you were already betrothed? Did it continue after her birth?"
"I will give no comment on that although Mr. Corson I believe you should perhaps ask your own father about your multiple unclaimed siblings. Perhaps he can give you some closure, guards escort him out." The addressed reported turned scarlet red and looked ready to rush forward when he was grabbed by two burly Aurors and dragged out of the room. The disruption only lasted a few seconds before the questions began flying again.
"Where does you daughter live when not with you?"
"She lives in Japan with her family."
"What noble family is her mother from?"
"Her mother is not from a noble family."
"Is your daughter a pureblood?" It seemed as if time had frozen. Every second seemed to stretch as the Malfoy lord opened his mouth and declared the one word that would have far reaching effects.
"No." That one word sent a ripple of silence through the room. "She is a half-blood, her mother is a muggle." The outcry was instantaneous.
"Lord Malfoy you have declared your disgust for non-purebloods for years yet you clearly go against your own beliefs."
"Did the mother seduce you get money from the Malfoy family?"
"How does it feel to be publicly ousted as a hypocrite?"
"How does Lady Malfoy feel about being passed over for a muggle?"
The questions went on and on. The amount of derogatory terms and accusation frankly made Betty want to hide in a corner. However, instead of throwing questions out herself Betty simply stood back and listened, watching the reactions of the family. They sat together, faces of stone as they were bombarded by accusations. Though they gave the appearance of unfeeling statues Betty could see the fire burning behind the eyes of all of them. That fire burned brighter than anyone else in the crystal blue eyes of the Malfoy daughter. She did not utter a word but instead turned to her father. A moment passed between them as their eyes caught, then together the two of them stood up.
The room fell to a hush and Photographers lifted their cameras as the Malfoy lord pulled out a small dagger. Cameras flashed as he sliced the blade across his hand before doing the same to his daughter's. Their matching eyes stared into each other as they clasped their bloody hands together and the senior Malfoy spoke, power ringing through the words.
"On this day I claim Kagome Malfoy Higurashi as my first-born child. Blood of my blood, bone of my bone, soul of my magic, I claim her a full member of the Malfoy bloodline. May she carry this name and lineage with pride, may she pass it down to future children and further a powerful line of descendants." The woman in question opened her mouth and for the first time her voice was heard. Her voice washed over the room, echoing with an unearthly tone.
"I, Kagome Malfoy Higurashi, the first born of Lucius Malfoy take the name bestowed upon me. May my blood run strong to carry magic through me to my descendants. I hold this name with pride and carry my duties forward to the future." Wind began to blow like a tornado around the two, the young woman's eyes glowing a bright purple. Flames erupted from their joined hands and continued to cover their bodies. People screamed in fright as the flames grew larger and an ear-piercing howl filled the air.
"In return I, Kagome Malfoy Higurashi, daughter, sister, mate, mother, friend, guardian, bestow my protection to the Malfoy name. From this generation forth I bless this family and promise to guard its descendants. May the blood of this family run strong, may their magic be bountiful, may darkness never touch them for the sacred guardian's light blesses them. For I say it is so, so let it be!"
A white light exploded out from where their hands were clasped, blinding everyone for a second. Once the light faded everyone blinked their vision back to normal and watched as the father daughter duo, hands now healed by the rituals magic, turned to address the crowd. The room was silent in shock.
There was the extremely rare occasion that a noble house would recognize an illegitimate child but normally only under the duress of no heir. Most bastard children where either hidden away, or if they were known, unable to take their family name. This girl had broken through so many centuries of tradition and barriers with this one move.
In addition to the claiming ritual was the ritual of protection that Kagome Malfoy had spoken. No one had ever seen something like that before, rituals of that power had not been seen for centuries. Most of wizarding kind simply did not have the magic to perform such as feat, and yet here this young woman stood. She was panting and Betty could see drips of sweat on her forehead but the ritual had been completed. Looking down at her pad of parchment Betty could see that her dictation quill that had been recording the panel with lay unmoving at her feet. The writing on the page stopping just before the ritual began, the quill having been overloaded by the magic present in the room.
In a panic Betty tried to scribble down all of the wording that she could remember. In particular she wanted to remember what had been said in the protection ritual declaration. But the more she tried to remember the less she did. Betty remembers the Malfoy daughter declaring her name and a bunch of titles including daughter and sister but she couldn't remember the fine details of the rest. Only that she had granted protection to the family for any future generations. Betty was dragged from her thoughts when the senior Malfoy addressed the room once more.
"I will do anything to protect my children, both of them. I hope that it has been clear that we stand together, as a family. Good day to you all." The room shouted questions but all were ignored as the Malfoy family rose from their seats and exited the room in a timely manner. As everyone began to file out into the hallway Betty only had one thought on her mind. That girl was going to change everything.
Yay another one done. Originally I had a different chapter in mind but I think that this turned out pretty good. I hope everyone enjoyed and don't worry we are back to the normal POV characters in the next chapters. Well I don't really have anything else to say except please review. The more reviews I get the faster I update.