*Thank you my brilliant readers for all your lovely reviews of last chapter! They're greatly appreciated!*


"Did you bring it?" I question looking at Teddy expectantly.

"Yeah," he answers, patting his pocket. "It's in here. Extension Charm," he adds at my questioning look.

"Take it out, then. We've got to put it on."

"We?" Teddy repeats, pulling a cloak out of his shorts pocket. "I didn't bring it for us, I brought it for you. No way I'm helping you spy on your parents." I take the cloak from Teddy, noticing how the hand grasping it suddenly becomes invisible, and I can see the cobblestone of Diagon Alley under it. This is perfect.

"Pity, Uncle Harry's going to kill you," I inform Teddy, sighing sadly and shaking my head.

"Why?" He asks, confused.

"Because you gave me his cloak. I mean, there are so many things that could go wrong without your supervision. I could lose it, ruin it; hell, I could even give it away to some nameless stranger, all because I'm without any proper guidance. And you'll be in just as much trouble as me because how else would I have gotten Harry Potter's Invisibility Cloak in the first place? " I question, smirking at Teddy. He narrows his eyes at me.

"You tricked me," he mutters angrily.

"No, I didn't. The way I see it, you still have a choice on the matter. Either you can help me out and I'll gladly return Uncle Harry's cloak to you unharmed, or you can find yourself having to explain to him why you were going through his possessions in the first place. Not that I can't guarantee you won't get yourself in a lot of trouble for going with the latter."

"Fine, then," Teddy grumbles. "Come on." I follow him behind a brick wall so that we can put Uncle Harry's cloak on without drawing attention by disappearing out of thin air. It easily covers us both, and it's the weirdest feeling. I feel as if people can still see Teddy and I, but that isn't the case. Teddy and I walk in short steps so that neither of us get ahead of the other.

"What time is it?" I ask. Teddy takes his mobile out of his pocket and check it.

"It isn't even two yet," he answers.

"Good, that'll give us some time," I tell him, walking a bit faster. Teddy catches on to my pace and starts walking faster as well.

"Careful not to bump into anyone," Teddy reminds me.

"Well, we've got to walk faster then this. Come on," I tug Teddy's arm, bringing him to meet my brisk steps. He turns around to look over his shoulder.

"Hey, isn't that your dad?" Teddy questions, pointing in the opposite direction. Sure enough, it is Dad. But, the Leaky Cauldron is the other way. There's nothing in that direction except for... "Looks like he's heading toward Knockturn," Teddy observes. It does. But what would Dad be doing going to Knockturn Alley of all places? I tug Teddy's arm.

"Come on, we have to follow him." Teddy looks at me like I'm insane.

"Are you mad? I'm not going to Knockturn Alley!" He whispers vehemently. I shrug.

"Fine, then. Leave me the cloak and I'll go myself. But if I've sold it off by the time I get back, that's going to be on you." Teddy sighs and rolls his eyes.

"Y'know, you are your Dad's Daughter."

"Yeah, I know. He's getting away." Teddy and I break into a half-run, weaving through the busy street trying to keep up with Dad. He looks over his shoulde rbriefly before rounding the corner onto Knockturn Aller. Teddy gives me one last uncertain look, but I gesture for him to follow me. Dad walks quickly and with purpose, as if he knows exactly where he's going.

"You can hear our footsteps," Teddy whispers. I listen for a moment and realize that our feet are making quite an echo. I take out my wand and point it at my and Teddy's feet.

"Silencio." At once, our footsteps become inaudible. Meters ahead, Dad opens a shop door and looks around again before walking inside.

"Borgin and Burkes?" Teddy questions. "Blimey, that sounds like a bloody department store," he says jokingly. I roll my eyes.

"Come on." Teddy and I walk quickly to the door. I don't see anyone up front, the shop looks pretty deserted anyway. I decide that it's safe enough to go on and walk in.

"This place is creepy," Teddy mutters, changing his mind.

"We're in Knockturn Alley. Didn't expect Honeyduke's, did you?" I ask sarcastically. Truthfully, I'm just as scared as he is. Something isn't right about this place. It's dark in here, and it's crowded with sinister looking objects, and it's even less assuring to think of the kinds of people that would purchase them.

"Where's your Dad?" Teddy asks. I don't see him anywhere either, but I hear his voice, near the back of the shop it sounds like.

"Caractacus, I haven't any time for your bile. I've got other places to be," Dad says irritatedly. Whatever reason he's here, he doesn't sound too thrilled.

"Sounds like he's this way." Teddy and I walk in the direction of Dad's voice. "Watch it," I hiss as Teddy bumps into a box and it clatters to the floor. We look around a large shelf, and sure enough, Dad is standing there, his back turned to the counter. He's speaking to an old man standing behind it. From the hand movements Dad's making, I can only assume that he has objects spread out before him on the counter, but I can't tell what they are.

"What is he holding?" Teddy asks. I shake my head.

"Don't know. Let's get a closer look." Teddy and I tiptoe to the counter so that we can get a sideways view.

"Jewelry?" Teddy has a confused look on his face. "What's your Dad doing with all that?" I glance over all of the precious bracelets, necklaces, and rings. They must of cost a fortune looking at all of the fancy stones they're made with. But something tells me that I've seen them all before... I'm sure I have. That's Astoria's jewelry. Dad's selling it. But why? He could give it away, destroy it, or just choose never to look at it again. Another question strikes me- why would Astoria have left it with Dad in the first place?

"It's Astoria's," I whisper back. "I don't know why he has it." I answer Teddy's question before he can ask it. The man at the counter, Caractacus I assume, picks up one of Astoria's necklaces and examines it closely, dangling it from the end of his bony finger.

"It's real?" He questions skeptically. Dad rolls his eyes.

"Of course, it's real. I find it ironic that you're questioning me, considering the fact that I remember quite well cheating others was your game, Burke," he drawls venomously.

"Burke, he must be part owner of the shop," Teddy reasons.

"Then where's Borgin?" I ask. Teddy shrugs. A shrewd smile crosses Burke's face.

"It's only my job, Mister Malfoy. Have you anything else for me?" Dad takes something from the pocket of his robes and hands it over to Burke.

"Only this. I haven't a use for it. Sell it to Ollivander if you want. I don't give a damn." Dad thrusts Astoria's wand into Burke's hand. Burke twirls it over and over, looking at it.

"I expect I'll get quite a fine sum for it." He sets the wand on the counter, still eyeing it greedily.

"Speaking of sums, surely you don't expect me to hand you over any of these fine things purely out of the goodness of my own heart?" Something in Dad's voice takes all of the question out of his statement. Burke shakes his head.

"Of course not, Mister Malfoy. I suppose one-hundred galleons would be a just profit." Burke slides a pouch filled with gold toward the counter in Dad's direction. Even I know that everything on that counter is worth at least ten times that much.

"One-hundred galleons?" Dad repeats mockingly. "You don't ever change, do you, Burke? I should do business with you just so that I can have you handed in for trying to stiff me!" He shouts.

"I wasn't aware that it was your intention to acquire even more money, Mister Malfoy. Excuse me, but that seems to be a redundant attempt on your part," Burke points out. Even I can't disagree with that. Which is why I don't think the amount of money he's receiving really matters to Dad.

"I don't want your dirty money. But, I'm afraid that's the only sure way to validate this exchange," Dad drawls, slipping the money into his robes. "What I want is to make a trade."

"A trade? You've just taken my money!" Burke yells angrily.

"And you've just taken some of my ex-wife's most prized jewelry. As you've made clear, I have no reason to sell it, so what will people think when it turns up in the likes of scum like yourself? Her wand, even? Surely, you wouldn't ever sink so low as to purchase a witch's wand?" Dad smirks, knowing full well that he's got Burke backed into a corner. Never in my life have I seen Dad behave so cunning and demandingly. He's willing to put an innocent (well, in relation to him anyway) man in jail, just by tricking him into buying some things and then framing him for it. If it weren't so sly and underhanded, I might commend him for it.

"I haven't yet," Burke growls. Dad shakes his head in a joking way.

"I believe you have. You see, I've given objects over to you, and you've given me money in return. It seems like a proper transaction to me," A look of defeat is apparent on Burke's face.

"What is is that you want, Mister Malfoy?"

"Stop doing business with my father," Dad demands, plain and simple. Grandfather? What business would this man have with him? Teddy and I exchange looks of confusion. "You don't tell him why, you don't even so much as give him a hint. You return whatever money you've taken from him and you settle his accounts. You are not to retrieve any more money from him, honest or not," he instructs. I don't get why this is so important to Dad, or how it would have anything to do with him.

"It isn't up to you who I make trade with," Burke says testily.

"You're right, it isn't. But, should you so choose to blatantly ignore my numerous warnings, I'm sure you'll find yourself sitting in a nice comfortable cell in Azkaban. See just how well your business is doing then," Dad sneers.

"And should I choose to heed your warnings?" Burke questions. Dad smiles at him patronizingly.

"Smart man. Then, after I see you've kept good on your end of the deal, we go about this like it never happened. You breathe a word of this to anyone, and I assure you, I'll have to drop a few hints to the Auror Department as to who they should warrant their next arrest on. And if you try to sell any of it, I'll report it stolen before you can even make an offer. Clear?"

"Crystal," Burke spits. Dad clasps his hands together.

"Brilliant. Pleasure doing business with you, Burke." Without another word, Dad turns and walks off. Teddy and I have to move quickly to avoid being ran into.

"What the hell was that about?" Teddy whispers.

"Your guess is as good as mine," I reply. Dad checks his watch.

"Damn," he curses under his breath, quickening his pace. Teddy pulls his mobile out of his pocket to check the time.

"It's nearly a quarter past now," he tells me. We follow Dad closely onto the street, careful to keep our distance though. My arms a tiring a bit from holding the cloak up, but I'll manage.

"Well, that was weird," Teddy says wryly, referring to Dad's appearance at Borgin and Burke's.

"I know. I just wish I knew what it was about, though. I mean, what would Grandfather be doing in there?" I question, more to myself than to Teddy.

"Maybe he was taken by the collection of shrunken heads," he suggests. Really, now isn't a time for sarcasm.

"Oh, shut it. I'm being serious. I mean, Dad seemed pretty miffed back there. He has to know something," I reason. Teddy shrugs.

"Maybe he'll tell Aunt Hermione about it?" I shake my head.

"No chance. Because as soon as he did, she's probably spend the rest of the afternoon trying to talk him out of it."

"You're right. Well, I dunno then. And I don't wanted to get hexed in the face for trying to find out,"

"Where's your sense of adventure?" I question.

"It's right beside my common sense. And, seeing as I let you talk me into going to Knockturn Alley with you, I must have left both at home," Teddy grumbles. I roll my eyes.

"Come on, he's going in. Hold the door." Teddy holds the door open for an extra second as Dad walks in. He doesn't seem to notice us. "Where's Mum?" I whisper. Teddy points to a far corner in the dimly lit pub. Mum is sitting there, reading a book, her eyebrows wrinkled. Dad makes his way over to her, and she doesn't look up until he's sitting before her.

"I don't want to stand the entire time," Teddy complains in a childlike tone.

"Well, we can't exactly get a table for two, now can we?" I point out. Teddy shakes his head.

"We can take the booth behind them, though."

"And what happens if someone tries to sit there?" I question.

"We confund them," Teddy answers. "Come on, before my legs fall off." Teddy and I slowly slide into the booth behind Mum and Dad, trying to make as little noise as possible. We turn around to face them, kneeling on the seats. We can hear perfectly, but the only disadvantage of it is the we can only see Dad's face. All I can see of Mum is the back of her head.

"Sorry I'm late," Dad apologizes. "I had some things to finish up." Mum closes her book and moves it to the edge of the table.

"Oh, that's fine. I only just got here."

"Have you thought about it any?" Dad questions. Mum nods, taking a sip of her tea.

"I've been thinking it over for three days now. Draco, I really don't know what I want to do. I mean, I've still got to do what's best for Rose and Hugo, and... my daughter." she says hesitantly. Dad's eyebrows raise.

"It's a girl?" he questions. Mum nods again.

"Isobelle's going to have another sister, and Scorpius too, I suppose. He's practically siblings with Rose and Hugo, too." Teddy turns to me with a confused look on his face.

"Aunt Hermione's pregnant?" He questions. I forgot he didn't know.

"Yes, and you can't tell anyone. Not even Uncle Harry," I say seriously. Teddy's very trustworthy, but even the most secretive of people can blurt things out at times.

"Okay," Teddy promises. Mum sighs heavily.

"Honestly, I think it would be a good idea. But at this point, I just can't afford to go off of assumptions. And what will Ron think?" I wish I knew what they were talking about. And why does Mum give a damn about Ron's opinion anymore?

"That he was stupid for letting you go," Dad answers. "Hermione, I just think it really would be far more convenient, if it's something you're comfortable with. I mean, you come over nearly every day after work, and Rose and Hugo are there just as often."

"I know, but I don't know. And I honestly can't expect to just uproot Rose and Hugo so quickly. They're adjusting, but I don't want to push them into anything. Don't you think this is a bit too soon?" Mum questions. What isn't too soon for her?

"Perhaps it could be. But, I just want you to be sound. In a sort, I feel a bit, for lack of a better word, responsible for you. If anything happened to you, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. You're Isobelle's mother, and the closest thing Scorpius has to one, now. It's only natural that I'd want you to live comfortably," Dad says sincerely.

"I think your Dad's asking Aunt Hermione and Hugo and Rose to move in with you," Teddy whispers. I know, that's what I got from it, too. Only, I don't know how I would feel about that. That would really make it feel as if Mum had a more consistent role in my life, if she lived with me permanently.

"A caring Draco Malfoy?" Mum questions incredulously, laughing quietly to herself. "That's something new." Dad's shoulders tense a little, and I can tell that he's slightly put off by Mum's comment, or the fact that she can be so nonchalant about it.

" I do have the ability to put others before myself," he informs Mum, keeping his voice very calm.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it sound like you didn't. And of course I know that. You've shown it with the way you are to Scorpius and Isobelle, and me too, I suppose. You really are a great father," Mum tells Dad. I know he's glad to hear that because, given everything that's been going on, he probably feels like a really shitty parent. Anyone would.

"I really needed that. I feel like I've got no idea what I'm doing anymore, especially with Isobelle," Dad admits.

"You don't have to fault yourself, Draco. You're trying, and it's difficult to parent any teenager," Mum assures him. How would she know? The oldest child she's actually parented is only five.

"I know, but Isobelle's..."

"Different?" Mum guesses. Dad nods. What's so 'different' about me? I've got all my limbs, don't I?

"Yes, she's just been so withdrawn lately. She hardly speaks to me alone anymore, unless she wants something, or if she's angry of course. Do the two of you talk?" Mum nods, but she takes a considerable pause before answering.

"We talk quite a bit. I have to admit, though, that Isobelle seems to be opening up some, but it hasn't been anything substantial. I don't know if it's me particularly, but Isobelle just doesn't seem very social," she tells Dad.

"Told you," Teddy whispers. Well, I honestly don't have a reason to speak to man people.

"I don't think she gets on well with people her age, but she seems to be warming up just fine to that McKinnon boy," Dad drawls. Teddy snorts, and I bump him on the arm. Mum turns around briefly, but she can't find the source of the noise.

"His name is Holden, Draco. And really, it does hurt Isobelle's feelings that you always speak so ill of him. Honestly, I believe the two of them are perfect for each other." Teddy looks at me strangely.

"What?" I mouth. He shrugs. Only then does it dawn on me that it must be weird for Teddy to have his best friend and cousin be in a relationship. I hope he doesn't ever feel like he has to take sides.

"Yes, you'll say that up until he robs her of her innocence right under your nose," Dad murmurs, gripping the handle of his coffee mug tightly. I feel a warm blush creep up my cheeks when Dad says this, and I can't look at Teddy. What must he be thinking?

"He wouldn't ever," Mum promises him, in a voice that suggests she's quite amused with Dad. "And it isn't just Holden, Isobelle's grown quite close to Teddy, too. She tells the pair of them everything, things I'm sure she wouldn't even like to tell you or I. It saddens me a bit, though, that a pair of sixteen year old boys are doing better for our daughter than we are."

"I feel bad for Aunt Hermione," Teddy whispers. Yes, she must be a mess, but aren't we all?

"Do you really think that?" Dad questions. I don't think he's upset, but bothered by the fact that Mum thinks that's the truth. Mum nods silently. "I figured. And he's rarely ever got any time to herself."

"Well, between my home and yours, she spends just as much time over at Harry's," Mum points out.

"How is your friendship with Potter now?" Dad asks seriously.

"It's fine as ever, why?"

"I can't imagine he'd exactly be thrilled that you have a child with me. I mean, we both know what Harry thinks of me," Dad answers. He doesn't much like Uncle Harry either.

"Please, Draco. You and Harry have both grown up long since your school years. I'm sure his opinion of you has evolved at well," Mum answers. Dad doesn't seem so convinced.

"You didn't answer my question," he reminds Mum, looking at her expectantly.

"If you must know, of course Harry was upset. Because I cheated on Ron, not because of you specifically. And he's gotten over it since then. Draco, I never knew that you were as self-conscious as you are," Mum tells him. Dad shakes his head proudly.

"I'm not. I only don't want the wrong opinion to be had of me," he corrects Mum.

"You don't have to deny it, Draco. I mean, it's refreshing to see another side of you after so many years. You're a lot more than I thought you were," Mum confesses. I wish I could see the expression on her face right now, it's boring looking at Dad, considering his expression rarely ever changes.

"To be fair, you really didn't think too much of me to begin with," Dad points out.

"You're right. But the things we quarrelled over were so childish, it's hard to believe the things we made big deals out of," Mum says, shaking her head at the thought of it.

"Well, at least now we can put this behind us. Things sure do have an odd way of playing out," Dad mutters.

"I couldn't agree more. But, I don't wish anything would have happened differently."

"I know, Hermione. I don't either." Mum glances at her watch.

"If I'm keeping you too long, just say so," Dad tells her. Mum shakes her head.

"You aren't. It's just that at three, I'm supposed to apparate to Harry's to get his cloak so that we can try some charms against it," Mum explains. I immediately turn to Teddy. Why didn't he tell me this? From the look on Teddy's face, he doesn't know either. If Mum gets there to find out Uncle Harry's cloak is missing, along with Teddy and I, I don't think it'll take her very long to figure out that we took it.

"We have fifteen minutes," Teddy tells me. "We should go. Plus, Victoire's coming over then, I think." I don't want to go, I want to hear then end of my parent's conversation. I also don't want to see Victoire. She seems to be someone that I'm just not able to get along with., b

"Fine," I whisper. Teddy and I slide silently out of our seats, making sure not to make any unneccessary noise. "How are we going to get out?" I question. It's not like we can walk right out of the door without raising any suspicion.

"The back way," Teddy suggests. "There isn't anyone over there. Thank God Aunt Hermione said something. Can you imagine if she'd just left?" I can. I can imagine that we'd be caught in a heap of trouble. Teddy and I tiptoe quietly and unnoticed to the door. Before we leave, the last thing I can see is Mum and Dad's faces, and I just wish that I had more time to listen to them.


Teddy and I made it in time to return the cloak, just a few minutes before Mum came to get it. Neither of them even suspected a thing. Teddy and I are still trying our hardest to make sense of Dad's visit to Borgin and Burke's, but we haven't been able to think of anything good.

"I'm going to the loo," Teddy sighs, getting up to leave. "I can't think of anything."

"Good. I was getting bored of hearing you two discuss it over and over," Victoire mutters, flipping her hair. I inwardly roll my eyes. Victoire doesn't like any conversation unless it's about here.

"No one made you listen to it. You could have stopped us at any time," I inform Victoire.

"Yes, well, I didn't want to interrupt your tale of woe. It was just too good," Victoire says in a mocking tone. She's so annoying.

"That's kind of you," I reply sarcastically. "I wasn't aware that you had such manners."

"I've got more than you and your Death Eater family," Victoire sneers, glowering at me. No, she didn't just say that.

"Don't talk about my family," I growl, feeling myself get angry with her.

"Oh, are you upset with me? I didn't know Death Eaters were so sensitive," Victoire scoffs, smirking at me.

"Shut up. You don't know anything about me or my family. I'd be quiet if I were you," I warn Victoire. She just rolls her eyes like I'm bluffing.

"Is that a threat? What are you going to do, tell your Dad to round up his Death Eater mates and attack me? I'm sure it'd be nice of them to get sent back to Azkaban. They'd feel right at home, wouldn't they? I'm sure he's even trying to turn Aunt Hermione." The next thing I know, I pounce on Victoire, tackling her the ground before she can even get her sentence out. I'm fucking sick of her. I rear my hand back and punch her square in the face. I've never hit anyone before, but I'm glad the first person I've ever decked in the face was Victoire

"DON'T TALK ABOUT MY FAMILY!" I scream, hitting Victoire again. She doesn't look so smug now. If only my wand was in my reach, I swear to Merlin I'd curse her into next week.

"Holy shit, what are you- Isobelle, get off her!" Teddy yells, trying to pull me away from Victoire. One of my hands is tangled in her 'perfect' blonde hair, and she screams when Teddy finally succeeds in getting me off of her. I'm at least able to aim a kick at Victoire before Teddy drags me all the way across the room. Just then, Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry rush into Teddy's room. They take in the sight of Victoire sitting up against Teddy's dresser, holding her face, and Teddy restraining me from further beating the shit out of Victoire.

"What's going on in here?" Uncle Harry questions.

"She attacked me, Uncle Harry!" Victoire sure is brilliant at playing the victim. "My nose... I think it's broken." Oh, please.

"Come, Victoire. I'll have a look at it." Aunt Ginny quickly ushers Victoire out of Teddy's room, not before giving me a look like I'm some criminal. Please, if anything, Victoire'll learn from now on to keep her mouth shut. Uncle Harry turns to me. This is the first time I've ever seen him look remotely upset.

"Isobelle, is that true?" He questions. Well, it's technically true, but I wasn't without justification.

"She called me a Death Eater! She said it about my whole family!" I yell. Uncle Harry looks like he wants to say that this isn't that big a deal, because it was true. "Even Mum!" I add. Yeah, I knew that was a difference.

"I know it wasn't right of Victoire to say what she said to you, and I'm sure that her parents will speak to her about it. But you cannot hit anyone. I'm afraid I'm going to have to Floo your parents," Uncle Harry tells me. I honestly don't care. He can tell whoever he wants.

"Okay." Seeming a bit irritated at how unperturbed I am, Uncle Harry turns to Teddy.

"Stay here with her, I'm going to Floo Draco and Hermione." Teddy nods.

"Kay."

"You can let me go, you know," I inform Teddy as Uncle Harry walks out.

"Oh, right. What the hell was that?" Teddy questioned. "You looked like you were going to bloody murder her."

"I wish I did. Least then her mouth would be shut for sure," I say bitterly. "You know what she said to me?" Teddy shakes his head.

"Can't say I do."

"Apparently, everyone in my family are still Death Eaters, and Dad's going to coerce Mum into become one, too. And then that stupid sodding smirk on her face..." I just get angry thinking about it. "That's complete bullshit."

"Yeah, that isn't right," Teddy agrees. I can tell that he's trying not to get too involved in in it though, because of his feelings for Victoire. From day one, she's had a problem with me. It was obvious, but I never made a big deal of it. But when she brings up something like that, that's where I have an issue. I don't mean to cause any more tension between the Weasleys and Dad, but honestly, Victoire crossed a fine line with me.

"Victoire, what happened?" I hear Mum ask. Really? Victoire is who she's concerned about right now? I bet she wouldn't be if she knew what Victoire said about her not five minutes ago.

"Isobelle happened! Aunt Hermione, she jumped on me and hit me!" Victoire wails from down the hall. She makes me so sick.

"Where is she?" Mum questions.

"In Teddy's room- ow! Aunt Ginny!"

"Er, Hermione, d'you and Draco want to speak to Isobelle in private...or?" Asks Uncle Harry.

"That's fine, Harry, thank you," Mum says. I hear her and Dad's footsteps coming closer to me. When they walk in, Teddy gives me one last look before leaving. I thinks it's odd that Teddy has to leave his own room so that my parents can speak to me. Mum crosses her arms and looks at me disapprovingly. Dad doesn't really look like he cares either way. He's probably happy that I hit Victoire.

"Isobelle, what would make you think it okay to do something like that?" Mum asks. I shrug.

"Victoire called Dad a Death Eater, and I hate her. She trash talks me every chance she gets," I explain, knowing Dad'll take my side on this.

"That doesn't make it okay to fight her," Mum informs me.

"It wasn't a fight. I'd say it was pretty one-sided." Dad smirks, and Mum just glares at me, switching her hands to her hips.

"You know what I mean. And someone saying something to you that you don't like doesn't give you the right to put your hands on them. I'm sure Draco's told you that." Actually, Dad hasn't. It's just one of those common sense rules that no one follows.

"Yeah, I know. But Victoire also said that Dad's going to try and turn you into a Death Eater, too. And really, I didn't mean to harm her, it's just that my anger got the best of me,"I say, defending myself. Dad's eyebrows raise and her clenches his jaw.

"She said that to you?" I nod, which only seems to make him more upset. "I'm sure now that she won't say anything like it again. I'll bet anything she picked up that stupid kind of talk from one of those damned Weasleys," he drawls.

"Draco!" Mum chides, turning to give Dad another disapproving look.

"What?"

"I'm not saying that she didn't. But really, Isobelle it would have been so much better for you just to turn the other way and ignore her. Then you'd probably be in less trouble now." What is she talking about?

"What would I be in trouble for?"

"For hitting Victoire!" Mum answers. "And if you don't learn that it isn't acceptable to do that now, it'll only become habit."

"No, it won't. I've never so much as pushed anyone before today. And it isn't even like I started it," I remind Mum.

"I don't care who started it. You're to keep your hands to yourself." Really, that's something people say to four-year olds.

"This is just going in circles. How about we just forget about it, and you two can go back to work, and I'll go home. Problem solved." Mum puts out a hand to stop me from getting up.

"No one is going anywhere until you apologize to Victoire," she tells me firmly. We could very well be here all night, because she isn't getting an apology from me.

"I don't think that's a good idea. How does 'I'm sorry for giving you half the beating you deserved sound'?" I ask. Mum sighs and puts her hand on her forehead.

"I'm taking this seriously. Draco, maybe you can get through to her?" Get through to me? Mum says it as if I'm mentally handicapped or something.

"Isobelle, this isn't going to happen again, is it?" He asks me.

"Nope. Because I'm not ever talking to Victoire again. She no longer exists to me," I inform him. Dad turns to Mum.

"There you have it," he tells her simply. Mum's mouth drops open for a second. Honestly, what is she expecting?

"That's it? Asking her not to do it again?" She demands. Dad shrugs.

"It isn't as if she knocked over a store or murdered someone. Honestly, I believe it was Victoire's fault. I don't really see a punishment fit for the situation. But, that's just my opinion." he tells Mum.

"Well, I on the other hand am completely disappointed in your behavior, Isobelle. I think you should spend the whole of tomorrow in your bedroom. It will give you plenty of time to think about what you did," she tells me firmly. No way, she's mad. Mum isn't grounding me, is she?

"I didn't do anything!"

"Isobelle, you're grounded for tomorrow and that's the end of it. I'm sorry, but that behavior is something I just cannot accept," Mum tells me, her voice lacking any kind of sympathy whatsoever. I turn to Dad for help.

"Dad, that's not fair!" I complain.

"I agree with Hermione. No matter what Victoire said, that doesn't give you any grounds to hurt her. One day isn't going to kill you," Dad replies. Merlin, it isn't me being grounded that I care about, it's the fact that Mum thinks she can ground me. She might be getting just a bit too comfortable too quick.


(A/N: Hope you guys liked this chapter! So, yeah, Draco wants Hermione to move in. And he's starting to agree with Hermione now on how Isobelle should beparented because she realizes there are some things he never taught her. When I brought Teddy into this story, I always imagined he'd be her partner in crime. Anyone wonder what Lucius is up to?

So, I'll stop rambling now, I need to go to bed. I have my first day of high school tomorrow! Thanks for reading everyone, and leave a review :)