Chapter Twenty-Nine

-1996-


Scarlett

New Year's morning found me stepping out of the floor of my grandmother's grand townhouse in London. I'd never visited her alone, and it left me nervous. Grandma was extremely British and kept to the old Pureblood ways, which is why dad had begrudgingly asked her to babysit me while he went away for a couple days.

I was far from happy. The fact he decided I needed baby sitting was all because he thought if I was left to my own devices, I'd invite Deatheater sons over for tea and biscuits. I had never heard back from Draco, so he didn't even have anything to worry about. I did though, because Draco had never owled back and I was unsure if he was ignoring me, or something was wrong.

"Scarlett! Delightful to see you, dear." My grandmother entered the entrance room where I had floo'd in, as graceful as ever. She swept me up in a light shoulder embrace, kissing my cheek. I stood there like a statue, unsure how to react. Grandma was never this exuberant, well at least never when I had been here to visit with my dad.

"Come, come, I'm glad you've dressed nicely, we've a luncheon to attend today." She looked me up and down, seeming happy with my attire as one of her Elves took my outer winter robes and levitated them onto a rack.

"Hi, um a luncheon? Dad didn't say anything about going out…" I followed her through a hall and up a stair to her guest drawing room.

"What your father doesn't know, won't hurt him." She replied airily, gesturing to one of the three mahogany chaises to be seated. "Cora, tea!" She called out and with a pop, grandma's other house Elf appeared, placing down a silver tray of fine China.

"Two sugars, please." I smiled at the quiet Elf when she asked my preference, daintily pouring tea into a cup for the both of us. There were no biscuits, but four slices of a chocolate cake with creamy white frosting which immediately appealed to my sweet tooth. Cora placed two on a plate, setting them before me and I immediately took my spoon, trying some. To my surprise, grandma gave a light laugh. You've always loved that particular chocolate cake."

"I thought it tasted familiar…" My mind whipped back into the past. Ashwood Manor, my seventh birthday, a great big vanilla and chocolate cake with minty frosting.

"You've grown into such a lovely young lady over the years, made quite a head turner at the Ministry Ball, I see." I turned to her in confusion.

"Where you there, grandma?"

"Goodness no, Ministry functions are an absolute bore. I'm referring to those wonderful photos in the paper."

"Paper?" My brows furrowed in confusion as grandma tutted, rising from her seat to retrieve the Daily Prophet from a nearby table.

"Front page, and page two and three." I took the paper from her and my heart slammed to a halt. Central to all others in the photograph were Draco and I, waltzing slowly together at the Ministry Ball. Pixies erupted in my belly as I recalled the moment, and where it led.

MINISTRY YULE BALL SUCCESS

Read the bold title.

Event highlights on page 2 and 3. Accompanied the photo, followed by; Pictured Hogwarts leading students: Draco Malfoy and Scarlett Ashwood.

Silently I turned to the two-page spread on two and three. Various photos adorned the two pages, the Minister of Magic, my dad and Kinsley Shacklebolt, Draco's parents with another likely Pureblood couple, Theo Nott, Sabine Silvaer, other people I didn't know, and Umbridge with the Minister applauding Draco and I as we finished our performance. Below that photo was a specific write up on the new Ministry Approved learning method and its success. Each photograph had an accompanying headline and write up, including my own. The photo depicted the moment I had entered the ball, wide eyed and nervous. It was a nice photo at least, but the headline is what gripped my attention.

Return of Ashwood heiress: After eight years of neither sight nor sound of the youngest Ashwood in a line of prestigious British wizards and witches, the now fifteen-year-old debuted her return into British Wizarding Society at her father's side. Demonstrating her high level of academics in the Finer Arts as a new student of Hogwarts School beside Draco Malfoy (see above photo and front page) and scoring second highest in the Hogwarts mock O.W.L exams, this is one witch proving beauty and brains can go hand in hand.

I re-read the write up, questions piling up in my head before I shoved the paper down, staring at my grandmother, unsure where to start.

"Its quite a nice write up, don't you think?"

"Ashwood?" I found myself uttering.

"Your true surname, Scarlett." There was a hint of smugness about her when a small smile crept onto her face. "Much to my annoyance, when your father took you away to Australia, he left behind your true identity. To keep you safe, I understand after your dear mother…" She dropped her gaze to the paper between us, arranging her hands in her lap before looking at me once more. "After the war, as you know, families of the winning side were targeted by those who lost. When your father lost your mother, he was terrified you would be next. Threats had been made. He has won himself many enemies in his line of work." Her voice took on a mild disappointment. "You were so young and despite my greatest efforts to look after you here when he could not, he chose to remove you from the country and threat upon your life. Giving you an altered surname and removing you from the public eye where no one could track you, it was the only way he could give what he believed to be a normal upbringing without fear after you had lost your mother."

I nodded, a numbness sweeping through me as I pieced together her words. "But why didn't he tell me?" I fought tears, a sense of betrayal now overtaking my numbness. "He could have told me before we moved back, before the ball, why keep me in the dark?"

"I cannot say I understand all my son's methods of protecting you. I wish he had not kept your heritage from you. It is your birthright."

"I tried asking him Yule eve, we argued, and he fobbed me off. Will you tell me, I feel like I don't know who I am now." I toyed nervously with the length of my dress, hoping my grandmother would go against my father and explain. By the pleased smile she graced me, I knew I had an ally in this crazy mess.

An hour later my new, well restored identity was making its second public appearance, this time to Lady Nott's New Years Luncheon. Much to my horror, it was an elite Pureblood gathering and it was like walking into a snake pit. The grand gardens were charmed to feel as if it were a warm spring day in the midst of winter, and the dress I had chosen thankfully fit in. Still, as a house Elf led us to the long garden table, adorned with light foods, many sets of eyes scrutinized me. I recognized some from the ball, including my aunt and Daphne and Astoria Greengrass and Blaise. He flashed me a surprised yet welcoming smile. Daphne seemed confused, while Astoria intrigued, as the older witches exchanged greetings with my grandmother who appeared right at home in this environment.

"My granddaughter, Scarlett, I do hope you don't mind an extra guest, Della?" Without awaiting a reply from the hostess, she ushered me to a seat beside her, to my relief, beside Blaise who sat across from Daphne. I guessed the beautiful looking witch beside him was his mother, seated across from my aunt whose dagger glare I was trying to ignore. On Daphne's other side sat Theo Nott, eyeing me with annoyance. There were two empty chairs beside him.

"Welcome, Scarlett." Della Nott spoke to me, from her seat at the head of the table.

"Thank you, your gardens are lovely." I inclined my head in polite response which seemed to please her.

"We always take a walk after lunch, I'm certain you will enjoy it." She turned towards the great manor behind us. "Finally, our last guests have arrived!" She called out. I followed her gaze and my heart practically stopped in surprise. It was Draco, accompanying his mother towards the table.

"Della, the gardens are looking lovely as always." Narcissa Malfoy stated in way of greeting, floating in a regal manner to the table to seat herself at the hostess's side. Draco followed silently, his entire body stiff as he walked. Not seeming to take notice of the table occupants, he took the remaining seat between his mother and Theo, the seat directly across from mine.

Grey eyes widened as they locked onto mine and I'm sure mine were just as wide. I didn't know what to do, what to say. I was aware of another gaze upon me, less than friendly. Still, I stared back at him, hoping for a hint that everything was okay.

His initial surprise settled into an indifferent stare, his eyes growing cold, the way his mouth turned down, displeased.

"Draco, congratulations are in order I believe?" Della Nott called down the table.

"Thank you." He replied, voice low, tearing his glacier eyes away from me.

Thankfully lunch appeared upon the empty plates a moment later. It was good food, delicious, but my appetite had fled along with my hope. What had happened? What had I done wrong? Was it because of this new-found identity I seemed to now have? Questions raced through my mind as I tried my hardest to be a good guest and eat the food upon my plate.

"I shouldn't have given you so much cake for morning tea." My grandmother murmured. Guilty, I glanced up at her. "It won't be frowned upon." She reassured. Nodding, I continued to pick slowly at the food until everyone was finished and the plates were vanished.

"Holding out for dessert?" Blaise whispered, initiating a quiet conversation.

"Something like that." He quirked a brow but said nothing more as deserts appeared upon fresh plates. I felt a loaded stare from across the table but chose to ignore it, focusing on the taste of the hot fruit pudding and cream upon my plate and the gossipy conversations going on around me. None made any sense to me, stories of the goings on in this elite circle of woman.

The only thing which caught my attention was a charity event which Narcissa Malfoy usually organized and hosted for St Mungo's to raise funds for healer research. It was the least self-absorbed conversation I'd heard, discussed between her and my grandmother and Della Nott.

Blaise's mother interjected, stating what she intended to wear, followed immediately by my aunt Zephrine.

"Perhaps you'd like to attend, Scarlett?" Della Nott had seen my attention on their subject, whereas it seemed everyone else excepting Blaise, were having their own conversations.

"It sounds like a worthy event…" I trailed off, feeling the death stare across the table of Narcissa Malfoy. Clearly, I was not welcome at an event she hosted.

"Really, Narcissa, you'll scare the poor young witch off, and it was you saying these events need young blood." Della spoke out, challenge in her final words. I glanced to where Narcissa sat, blue eyes narrow slits in Della's direction.

"Which they will have, the Greengrass girls will be attending this year, along with Pansy Parkinson. I also have a short list of members of the Harpies, including Miss Silvaer."

"Are you implying my granddaughter is unwelcome, Narcissa?" Grandma flat out asked, setting down her desert fork. In that moment I wanted to both hug her for the way she stared down Narcissa, and crawl under the table in embarrassment.

"Did I say that?" She hissed back. The table had now fallen silent, listening to the growing confrontation at its head.

"Why don't we take a walk in the gardens now?" Della announced, barely breaking through the tension.

"A wonderful idea." Grandma replied, still glaring at Narcissa as she dabbed at her mouth with a napkin and rose from her seat. I followed suit, along with everyone else, stomach in surely a thousand knots. Hopefully the garden would be an escape.

"Theo dear, accompany Scarlett, ensure she sees the pond." Della instructed her son. Internally I cringed as my grandmother shooed me off towards the others as the elder witches strolled away, not without Aunt Zephrine throwing a cold stare my way. I really wanted to go home now. Instead I looked to where Theo had been standing, instead finding myself watching Draco as he stalked away, still oddly stiff in action, almost as if he'd had an injury.

"Let's go." Theo muttered, gesturing the rest of us to follow him after Draco, in the opposite direction his mother had gone. Daphne spoke with Theo, while Astoria walked behind them, stopping every now and then to admire a flower. Blaise, to my relief, was my savior, easily dragging me into a conversation about an orchestral concert he had overheard Professor Flume asking permission from Dumbledore to take the Finer Arts students to.

"I hope I'm allowed to go!" I whispered, excited at the prospect.

"Why wouldn't you be?" Blaise asked, and I grimaced.

"Auror for a dad, and I'm only just learning now exactly how protective he is." He stared at me in confusion.

"Haven't seen the paper?"

"Nope, have I missed something?" I sighed, touching the petals of a pure white rose.

"Not really."

"Doesn't sound like 'not really'." He pointed out.

"I found out from my grandmother that my surname isn't actually Asher." I confessed.

"What is it, Ashwood like the lady in question?"

"Well, yeah." I frowned. "But I didn't know that, I mean I've hardly seen my grandmother since we left England when I was younger, and she's always been grandma to me, and I always figured she was just Clarice Asher."

"Does it matter, that you didn't know?" I stared at him, I thought it mattered Id been lied to. "Does it change who you are?"

"No." I replied, and he grinned. "Then it doesn't matter. Now, if you found out you were say a Goyle, well then we'd be in trouble!" I burst out laughing at that and he laughed along, causing Theo and Daphne to turn back and stare.

We continued, now discussing favorite professors, and I compared them to ones from back in Australia. I felt better for Blaise's perspective on my sudden change in surname. A large pond loomed ahead of us and we fell into silence, watching the great white swans on the still water paddle their way towards us. Smiling, Astoria inched forward, suddenly pulling two bread rolls from lunch from her robes pocket.

"Really, Tori? That's disgusting." Daphne muttered as her sister let the swans take the torn-up roll from her hand.

"I want to try." Blaise declared, striding forward to where four swans now gathered, their long necks snaking about. I continued walking towards an overly large willow tree, half draped in the water. Wondering if Astoria was approachable, because I did want to know my cousins, I ran my fingers along the curtain of drooping green leaves. When something grabbed my hand, yanking me forcefully through that curtain, I barely contained a shriek in surprise, swallowing it as stormy eyes glared down into mine through the greenish light beneath the tree.

"You don't belong here." He hissed once I'd gained my bearings.

"Why? Because I'm an Ashwood now?" I challenged, suddenly peeved with him for how he'd been acting.

"Because you're a blood traitor." His lip curled in detest and I don't think id ever seen him look so horrible.

"That's rich coming from you, after the last couple weeks at school in a certain music chamber, not to mention Yule eve." I challenged.

"A lapse in judgement, nothing more." He deadpanned, and I knew it wasn't just his views on blood status he spoke of, but us as well. I tried to fight it, but my heart sank.

"Your loss." I quipped back, yanking my hand back from his and spinning on my heel so fast to leave, I heard him curse as my loose hair flicked him in the face and I hoped id gotten the jerk in his stupid grey eyes. I couldn't decide if I was hurt or angry. Both I think. I masked it, returning to where Blaise walked now with Astoria, hoping she wouldn't also tell me I wasn't welcome.


Draco

I was ready to tear out my hair. That bloody witch, whose idea was it to invite her to the New Year's luncheon? Sitting across from her had been torture. My mind revolted against the idea of her, detesting her values. My body, well it wasn't so easy to shake the memory of kissing her, no matter how brief it was. Even under the willow, I hadn't been able to let go of her even as I verbally did. Was she hurt? I couldn't tell, no I didn't care.

Because of her, I'd nearly been killed by muggles! I didn't go near her again, but no thanks to her hair, I couldn't get rid of the minty scent which had hit me full force in the face. She and the others had left, thank Merlin, and it was now just Theo and myself in his quarters, having a game of chess.

"Seriously mate, you're making this too easy." Theo's bishop took out my knight. I groaned, re-assessing the board before making my next move. It landed me in deeper trouble. "If your father knew you still had a blood-traitor occupying your thoughts." He jabbed, taking out one of my remaining pawns.

"Shut it! And that's not what's on my mind."

"Sometimes you're a shit liar, how exactly are those occlumency lessons going with your mother? He smirked, baiting me.

"Fine, she was trying during lunch, but I gave her nothing."

"Luckily, what with the object of your thoughts right across from you."

"For the last time, I made it very clear to her she means nothing to me." I bit out, temper rising. I no longer knew how I felt, but I knew father was right and her beliefs were wrong. She was the enemy. "If it wasn't for the bloody Prophet and their photos." I muttered, hating how good we had looked together on the front page. Mother had screwed the paper's front page up in distain, tossing it to Pippa to discard.

I'd found it restored and set out on my study desk, Pippa obviously thinking I'd still want it. I didn't want the reminder, but I'd stashed it away with my letters from Raven. Another conundrum. She too was to blame for the state I'd ended up in over Yule. Her constant pushing to make me believe her beliefs were right and my father's were wrong. She'd poisoned me against my own family!

"We're going out tonight." Theo broke through my thoughts.

"What?"

"You need a distraction, clearly. We'll go to Illusions, that nightclub Blaise's mother owns."

"I'm not going to Illusions." I muttered, trying to focus on not stuffing up my next move.

"Half of the Harpies team will likely be there. Blaise was telling Astoria today, they've been frequenting the club while they are on break." This did perk my interest. Maybe I did need a distraction?

"I'll think about it."

"Again." I barely had a wall mentally erected when mother's magic was slammed against it, trying to tear through. Until now, I had never known she was so accomplished in both legilimency and more so, occlumency. It seemed I had her talent for occlumency. So far, I'd kept her out of my more private thoughts, especially the ones concerning blood traitors I'd foolishly gotten too close to. Instead she dragged forth a memory from my childhood, of the first Yule I could remember. It was a memory I had forgotten. I was five I think, and I'd been given a child's potions set and I seated at the foot of father's chair in the drawing room, listening as he explained various ingredients and how to make the simple laughing draught. Caught up in this forgotten memory, and seeing this side of my father, I nearly missed my mother as her magic dove towards my weakening mental wall. Scrambling, I threw it back up with determination to keep her out. She pulled away, breathing hard.

"Well done, Draco." Her smile was a smug one. "I do wonder what you are so adamant you must hide from your mother?" She quirked a brow at me.

"We all have secrets we don't want our mothers to know." I quipped back, smirking, hoping she would believe it was just past conquests I hid from her, nothing more.

"Very well." She seemed satisfied albeit a little shocked by my answer. I was after all, her precious son who could do no wrong, including casually shagging witches. Even though that was a one-time thing for now. "You must remember not to become distracted by what your opponent pulls forth from your mind." I nodded, lesson learned. "Also, make it believable to your opponent that they have accessed your inner thoughts. Show it in your face, no blank mask."

"Yes mother, can I try now?" I asked, eager to practice my growing skills in legilimency. I had a feeling it was going to prove useful to the task I still needed to fulfill for the Dark Lord.

Later, I awaited outside my father's study shifting nervously from foot to foot. He'd summoned me for a 'chat'. I hadn't done anything wrong, but that didn't stop my nerves. The door eventually swung open and I entered, taking in the sight of my father at his great, carved desk of mahogany wood. "Sit, Draco." He gestured to the leather chair across from his. Verging on shaking, I took my seat.

"Have I displeased you?" I asked, needing to know if this was a punishment.

"I don't believe so, unless there is something you wish to confess?" I shook my head, relieved.

"I have called you here to discuss the future." I nodded for him to continue. He pushed forth a leather-bound book which I vaguely recognized. "It is imperative you remember you are part of a very special circle of pureblood wizards and witches. Thus, you must remember these people are our people. All others do not meet our aspirations towards the future, our belief of a better world for wizard kind." I nodded again.

"Hogwarts, as you have learned is filled with those with weak minded ideologies, including unfortunately, the headmaster and many of the staff. You will find those professors names do not reside in the more important pages of this book. What you will find is centuries upon centuries of commitment to our magical blood lines, and to our family names. Yes, there are a couple who have forsaken what it is to truly embrace their heritage and magic, having fallen under the influence of those of lesser blood and little to no morels, but you must ignore those smudges upon our great history, and see where you have come from Draco, and where you can go, where you can lead the Malfoy name."

I took the book, both excited and nervous to read through the pages. I had not seen this magically updated book which is master was owned by Theo's father, in many, many years. "Thank you, father." I held the precious book to my chest, rising from my chair as he dismissed me.

Back in my quarters, I lay on my favorite chaise lounge, carefully turning the pages until I reached the Malfoy family tree. I could have just as easily gone into the tree room in the manor, where a life size tree upon the far wall depicted every Malfoy from Armed Malfoy who had been given the very land top build this manor, to my own name, the last Malfoy to be born. One day, when I married, my branch would extend to include my wife, and eventually a new branch would form when I produced an heir.

I flipped back to the list of the Sacred-Twenty-Eight, reciting names of people I went to school with, and families I knew of, along with others I did not know. I had forgotten Olivander was one of the twenty-eight families. The surname directly below his stopped my reminiscence. Ashwood. No, she couldn't be… I flipped through the book, searching out the Ashwood family tree and found it, scanning for her name. it was there, the youngest and technically the last for there were no more wizards after her father.

How didn't I figure this out sooner when I'd read the Prophet? It made a little more sense now, what they had written about her being an heir. I hadn't known until today that it was Lady Clarice Ashwood who was her grandmother, a witch I knew my own mother usually had respect for. Scarlett had told me her mother was a Greengrass, and I could now see every aspect of her family tree. Her father's parents were Henry Nicolai Ashwood and Clarice Avery. Further back she Rowle bloodlines and on her mother's side, which I had forgotten of the Greengrass's, Nott blood. Going back further, it seemed, like the Malfoy lines, there was no inbreeding, the only potential of such an occurrence from her Gaunt heritage from the sixteen-hundreds, from her Sayre heritage. It seemed Scarlett wasn't lying when she'd said she was a descendent of Isolt Sayre, founder of Ilvermorny. She had married James Ashwood.

In small writing at the bottom I noticed notes on Charles and Rose Ashwood, stating they were blood traitors, along with Scarlett marked as pending side. I found this interesting. Did that mean I could sway her to our side? I'd heard Della and my mother in a heated discussion regarding Scarlett once the others had left. While mother believed she was a blood traitor just like her parents, Della believed the young witch had yet to make her own decision. Mother had scoffed at such logic, but Della had pointed out she had the makings of a proper pureblood with impeccable social etiquette. That, I had to begrudgingly agree upon.

If I could sway her to the right side… no! I was meant to be forgetting her! She wouldn't change, she was a bloody self-righteous Gryffindor and she wanted to be an Auror. I turned from her tree, going over each of the remaining twenty-six.

No matter what, my mind kept drifting back to the revelation of Scarlett's heritage. It was as perfect as my own. It made no sense how such perfect linage could turn traitorous. Merlin, Theo had been right, I needed a distraction. Pushing the book aside, I summoned quill and parchment, simultaneously whistling up Jasper.

It was times like this I thoroughly enjoyed my status in the world. I was on my fourth fire whisky despite being underage, leaning against a pillar beside Blaise, smirking as Theo was dragged away to dance with a leggy brunette witch likely in her twenties. The music was loud, and my veins buzzed with the warm liquid I was drowning down. Finishing the glass, Blaise handed me another.

"Draco!" A familiar voice called out and I turned, eying the gorgeous Harpies Seeker as she sauntered over with two teammates in tow. The curvy, black haired witch immediately eyed off Blaise, seeming familiar with him.

"Ciao cosa preziosa." He greeted her lowly, taking her hand and kissing the inside of her wrist.

"I've missed you." She purred back, and I nearly choked on my drink in amusement.

"Hello, Sabine." I murmured to the blonde, going one better than Blaise and kissing her lightly on the cheek. The whisky was making me brave or reckless I wasn't sure, but I was here to be distracted and a distraction had presented itself. "Want to dance?"

"Don't you have a girlfriend?" Damn the paper!

"Would I be here if I had a girlfriend?" I flashed her my most dashing smile and she grinned, grabbing my hand and dragging me out onto the dancefloor.

Four drinks later, I was up for anything and when Sabine whispered lowly in my ear, suggesting we go back to her apartment, followed by a spine tingling nip to my earlobe, I agreed by way of spinning her around, to kiss her on the mouth before heading to the nearest apparition point.

Once out of the public eye, I pulled her to me, snogging her senseless. I felt like I was on a high, tasting the sweet spirits on her mouth. Impatiently she tugged at my robes, shucking them off, attacking my button-down shirt next. I kissed her neck, biting it lightly and she moaned louder than I expected. By Merlin, she wanted me! Shirt thrown aside her hands were all over me, sensations permeating my whisky fogged mind. I kissed her again, trying to take control, but she was pushing me through the condo until we were stumbling upstairs. This was going to happen, we were going to sleep together. I was going to shag Sabine Silvaer, hottest member of the Harpies and hottest witch I'd ever been with in any sense!

That's not true. An annoying voice whispered in the back of my mind. Unbidden, it was Scarlett I saw, hair flowing, donning the gorgeous green fitting robes she had worn today. No! I pulled Sabine towards the bed behind me, having now entered a bedroom. Somewhere up the stairs, she'd removed my belt, and Id kicked off my shoes and socks. Now she unbuttoned my dress pants, pulling both them and my boxer-briefs down.

"Damn." She sighed, and my blood swooped entirely down as she grabbed me, once again driving all other thoughts from my mind. "I've wanted you since the Ministry Ball." She whispered against my ear, letting go as I hastily stepped out of the last of my clothing. Salazar, I wanted this to, her to keep on touching me, kissing me, distracting me, but sex, now I wasn't sure. She pushed me back onto the bed, eyes dark as she quickly removed her ruby red dress and kicked her heels off.

I needed to decide, but then she was straddling me and again my train of thought was lost, and she decided for me. My body took over from there, but I couldn't find the enthusiasm Sabine had for me. I couldn't even bring myself to reach up, to touch her. I closed my eyes, envisioning another, and managed to survive the remaining moments, surrendering to the way she was using me.

After, when she had drifted off to sleep, I lay there awake staring at the ceiling, emotionally exhausted, hollow and filled with regret.


Well its been a while since I've updated anything on here, including this one! Don't think life is quietening down any time soon! Hopefully a few months off hasn't resulted in terrible work! I admittedly haven't gone over and edited, so hopefully it flows etc!

Reviews welcome as always. xx A