And here is the second part of Christmas Day! Full of laughs, love, and tears. I do hope you enjoy and look forward to hearing from you all! Thank you, as always, to Blueeyedsue for your continued help and support! Your comments and theories help more than you could ever know!

Without further ado...

The parchment was so small. So simple. The ink was the typical black that he had used since he'd been able to hold a quill. The words were written in a plain text. Neat. Easy to read. Even if he had tried, there would be no other words or letters that could be formed with how precise the words were written. Yet, he read the words again. And again. And again. Each time thinking, expecting them to change.

It couldn't be.

He couldn't let himself register what he was reading.

There was a heaviness in his chest that forced him to take a step back and his hand clutched the front of his shirt. He could feel the electricity within his magic sparking as his breathing became shallow. Goosebumps covered his body that had nothing to do with the winter chill that followed them through the door. He opened his mouth, but closed it again, not knowing what to say. He met Theo's eyes again, eyes that were a mixture of so many emotions. Emotions Draco could feel exploding within him at the moment.

"Say something." Theo said in a whisper.

Luna looked between the two of them with a dreamy smile. Either not understanding or not caring that Draco was having an internal, emotional crisis. If it were true, his life would be incredibly different. It would change entirely because of a few words. It would be strange but would ultimately be amazing. But he also knew if it was a joke, and he began to accept it for it only to be torn away from him. He knew that he wouldn't survive it. He didn't think he'd want to.

"Is this a joke?" Draco finally asked him, anger beginning to coat his whispered voice.

"I'd never do that to you." Theo answered.

The two of them blinked at each other for several moments without a word. Eventually, Draco's eyes drifted back to the words he held.

"How?" Draco snapped his head up to allow his eyes to jump between his two friends. "Where?"

"Draco…" Theo began before pausing with a heavy swallow.

Unable to handle the concern filling Theo's eyes, Draco looked back at the parchment in his hand. Four simple words. Words that have been claimed to be true. Words that will forever change his world for the better. If he could find her.

Cassiopeia Malfoy is alive

He needed to find her. She would be an adult now. She was alive and he could only hope she had been spoiled by whoever had saved her. Whoever had raised her. He hoped she had a loving family and if she was married that she was being cherished. He didn't know how well they would get along now. He did the math; she would be 21. Maybe she had children. He could be an Uncle. The thoughts flew through his mind quickly, and the concept that he might have the option to spoil a niece or nephew made the heaviness he had been feeling evaporate completely. He could spoil them like he should have been allowed to spoil her.

"Where? Did you find her too?" Draco's tone had originally been angry. He was afraid and angry. He had only told two people of his sister, and he had believed that those two people had been trying to mess with him. It was a knee jerk reaction for him. So many things had been dangled in front of him only to be ripped away. He knew he wouldn't be able to handle it if this had been one of those things. But now, he was full of excitement. Hope. Love. Joy. Emotions he'd been hard pressed to express since his mother died and he'd ostracized himself in America.

"Of course." Luna spoke and her eyes were alight with excitement. The change in Draco seemed to lift a heavy weight off Theo's shoulders and the excitement Luna had been experiencing since Draco walked into the room now flowed through Theo.

"Well?"

"You remember allowing me access to the Library and vaults?" Theo asked.

"Yes. What does that have to do with anything?" Draco furrowed his brows. Why was Theo stepping around telling him where his sister was? Was she injured? Was she a criminal? Was she like his Aunt? The last he felt had to be impossible. No one could ever be as sinister as Bellatrix.

"I asked for that to look into your power. Luna had been given a project with the Department of Mysteries. Specifics, obviously, can't be shared, but we have been allowed to tell you it was in regard to Elementals. It appears they are descendants of only a select few bloodlines."

Theo paused here and let the information sink into Draco's mind. His thoughts jump automatically to Hermione and his eyes went wide.

Waving his hand in the air to cut off anything Draco was about to say, Theo continued. "Hermione is from a different line. However, we've both been told about Cassi. So when we went to the Manor, her room was revealed."

"What?" Draco's legs buckled and he would have likely fell if it wasn't for Theo and Katrin's quick reflexes. They guided him back to the couch and Katrin sat next to him. He had almost forgotten she was there. He looked at her and the confusion on her face was clear, but she took his hand without a word and squeezed it. It wasn't the same as when Hermione, but it was comforting in its own way. He squeezed her hand back and turned back to Theo who was looking back to Luna. "Her room was still there?"

The question brought Theo's attention back to Draco and he nodded. "There was a notice-me-not charm placed on the door. It would only allow itself to be seen when the person looking was aware of her. Since both Luna and I had been told by you, and I actually got to read the entries, it makes sense we could see it. I can take you there if you want."

"I want to meet her first."

He raised his eyebrow, and a goofy grin crossed his face. "You already have." His eyes flicked back and forth between Draco and Katrin before pure joy took over his face. "You've known her for months."

"Vhat is going on?" Katrin asked as Theo started to laugh. Draco turned to look at her with wide eyes and his mouth agape. "Vhy are you looking at me like that?"

"Kat…" Draco stopped and looked back at Theo. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. But, there is a simple spell I can perform to supply you both with the proof." Luna said with a smile as she stood up and pulled her wand from behind her ear.

"Someone tell me vhat the hell is going on." Katrin said watching Luna as the woman began pointing the wand at Katrin.

Theo's mirth subsided enough to pull down Luna's hand telling her to wait a minute. "Katrin does need to know. Draco…"

"What if you're wrong?"

"I'm not. Don't tell me you're starting to question my intelligence now."

"Not your intelligence, your evidence."

"I'll show it all to you, just tell her."

Draco rubbed the back of his neck with the hand that was not still holding onto Katrin. He realized that his grip had tightened, and he forced his fingers to relax as he thought about how to tell her. He locked eyes with her, and the overwhelming feeling of memories started to flood his mind. Memories he had no idea were locked away in his mind, even after reading his father's words. Memories of a three year old running around the house telling every portrait he was a big brother. Memories of bragging to Theo that he had someone to take care of. And more promising Theo that he could help Draco take care of her too as long as he promised to never hurt her. Memories of crying himself to sleep because he couldn't find her. All of the love and joy he used to have with her and the misery he felt when she was gone threatened to overwhelm him. She squeezed his hand again and the feeling brought with it the reminder that she was actually still alive. A reminder that she was once again in his life and he could begin to make up for all the years he missed being a brother.

Before he realized he was talking, he began to tell her everything. Told her about growing up as an only child with a loving mother like Narcissa and a walking enigma as a father. Told her of the blood curse he believed to be on his family and how much his mother struggled to have another child. Explained what happened with him and his mother during and after the war and how he ended up in America and what happened to make him switch careers. It was all probably far more than she needed to know at the moment, but something in him told her to tell her everything. It was a feeling he felt the first time he met her and it was a relief to finally understand why. Their magic recognized each other. Knew they were siblings. As he talked, he felt her hand tighten in his. When he told her about Narcissa's death he thought his hand was going to freeze because of the cold, but it seemed his own magic reacted and warmed him enough to keep from getting injured. He explained the journal and the entries his father wrote about her and how doting he seemed to have been before she was taken from them. He elaborated on how much it hurt when he found out about her only to have her ripped from him without a chance to meet or remember her.

The entire time, she sat in silence. Listening to every word and looking at him with a mixture of disbelief and hope. When he finally handed her the piece of parchment Luna had given him, she read it and gasped.

"My name is…Cassiopeia?"

"Cassi."

She looked at him with tears in her eyes and a small part of him brain wondered if it were possible for them to freeze while they rolled down her cheeks. He reached up and wiped them away as she looked at Theo. "I have family?"

"You've had a family since you met us. This just makes it a little more official." Theo winked at her.

"You're sure?" Her voice was barely above a whisper and it was heartbreaking for Draco. He understood, more than probably anyone would. She was always so strong. So collected. Never wanting to show anyone she could be vulnerable, even though pushing forward past vulnerabilities are what made someone even stronger. Hermione was a prime example of that, Draco thought.

He couldn't stop it; a huff of a laugh escaped his nose and she looked at him. Shaking his head, "How could you not be a Malfoy? It all seems so obvious now."

Adding his own chuckle, Theo nodded. "Yes, but like Luna said. She can perform a spell to give you absolute proof."

A knock on the door cut through the air and all four of them turned to watch Hermione poke her head through with a smile. "Hey! You guys okay? It's been a while and…oh my! Katrin!" Hermione saw her tears and ran to her.

"I'm fine." Katrin, or was it Cassi now, said as she wiped the side of her face Draco hadn't.

Hermione's eyes lingered on their intertwined hands and looked up at Draco. If he didn't know her as well as he did, he would not have caught the quick flash of hurt that crossed her eyes before confusion set in. He nodded his head toward the empty space on the couch next to him and she sat down quietly looking between them all.

"Unless…" Draco turned to his sister in a question.

"Are you kidding?" She laughed, "I've been trying to get you to man up about her for months!" Draco felt the blush on his face and refused to look at the shifting Hermione next to him.

"Not helping." He hissed.

"Well, maybe if you grew a…"

"Hold up your hand." Draco said tossing the hand he was holding out to Luna as she laughed with Theo.

With that, Luna began the spell and cut into both of their palms. Several drops from each cut floated into the hair as Luna continued her incantation. The blood separated and began to swirl around before joining together and glowing in a bright green light before it disappeared.

"Oh!" Hermione clasped her hands over her mouth and looked to Draco and Katrin. Suddenly, without warning, she flung herself onto both of them gathering them into a hug.

Theo laughed before pulling her off, "Let's keep them from bleeding everywhere first, yeah?"

"Oh my, I'm so sorry." She quickly pulled out her wand and healed the cuts on their hands before sitting on her heels in front of them and looking at them with a smile. "I'm so happy for you both." She sat there for a few more seconds smiling at Draco before her eyes went wide and she stood up quickly. "I'm intruding. I'm so sorry!" She turned and went to run out of the door.

Draco stood and grabbed her hand as she went to open the door. "Please." Was all he said and she squeezed his hand sending a flood of warmth through his hand and up his arm into his chest. They went back to the couch and sat down before Luna looked between them all.

"Such a wonderful Christmas!" She clapped her hands and left the room on the balls of her feet with her hair flowing behind her.

Theo closed his eyes and shook his head while pinching the bridge of his nose. "Do you know how difficult it is to keep up with her?"

"It's a good thing Blaise has no lack of energy."

"Speaking of," Theo leveled Draco with a stare, "She's as bad as he is!"

"Seriously?" Draco asked.

"Please. Her only problem with him was that he slept around." Hermione said as if it was common knowledge.

"I think," Katrin was watching her hands twisting in her lap. The three remaining people in the room followed suit and saw her open them as they started to produce a frozen fog. Her fingers were moving causing the streams of mist to dance from the tips before she closed them into a fist and all traces of her Elemental magic was gone. She looked up at Theo as she rolled her shoulders back. "I'd like to go back Cassi."

"Cassi?" Hermione asked.

"My name is Cassiopeia Aster Malfoy." She said with a confident smirk, "I can't wait to learn more about our family."

Darkness overcame Draco's smile, "I don't know how excited you should be." He said and pulled down on his jumper sleeve.

Hermione's hand rested on his own to stop his fidgeting. He looked at her and she gave him a small smile. "Good or bad, family is family. We are in charge of the next steps our families take, and you've done nothing but wonderful things for your family. And now you have a sister to help you."

The three of them remained in the living room for a few more minutes before Cassi and Draco decided it was time to go back and mingle before everyone started to go home for the night. Draco threw his arm around Cassi while she laughed and pushed him off. It didn't take long for the Weasleys to start asking questions and making sure everyone was well. Draco nodded when Cassi looked at him. With a smile, she turned to everyone and announced what they just discovered. Draco was positive it was the first time ever that the entire Weasley family was left speechless for a complete thirty seconds.

Then everyone started talking at once.

"Are you sure you want that tosser to be your brother?" Came from George.

"If you wanted to be adopted you could have asked mum." Came from Ron.

"Now we see where the good looks went." Came from Angelina.

"The brains too!" Came from Ginny.

Molly wrapped them both into a motherly hug while Harry and Charlie raised a glass in a silent cheers Draco could see over the matron's shoulder. Arthur clapped Draco on his shoulder before taking a seat back at the table. The youngest children were looking on confused while Victoire looked to her mother.

"I thought they already knew they were brother and sister?" She asked in a stage whisper resulting in a bell like laugh from Fleur. "They look alike."

"Just because they look alike doesn't mean they have to be related." Teddy said with an eyeroll. He then proceeded to change his hair to a bright blond and his eyes a grey blue. His nose and jaw became more pointed, and he took on the appearance of a young Draco. "See. I look like them and I'm not related to them."

"Actually, Teddy." Andromeda laughed, "They would be your cousins."

"She didn't know that mum!"

"Yes, I did!"

"No, you didn't."

"Yes."

"No."

"Children. That's enough."

The rest of the afternoon was spent in a whirlwind of laughter and a lightness Draco never thought he'd be able to experience. Soon it was time for the children to take naps, even though Teddy insisted he was far too old to nap. Molly still sent him up with the rest of the kids and within ten minutes he was found passed out on the rug in the middle of the floor in the room Fred and Louis were napping in. With only adults awake, Molly allowed the whisky to come out and passed out the presents to those yet to receive theirs. Draco was handed a gift in silver wrapping paper with dragons flying across the surface and he laughed. He saw Molly hand Cassi as similar shaped package with blue wrappings. He couldn't see the creature stalking across the surface, but it made her face light up. Hermione's was wrapped in gold paper with a niffler scurrying across the front trying to pick at the very paper he was printed on and he let out another laugh while watching it.

"Well, go on! Open them!"

Draco ripped apart his paper without hesitation. He loved Christmas and loved getting gifts. It had been one of the best days of the year for him while growing up. Knowing how excited he had been when he got to share it with Cassi the first year probably cemented that feeling even without his memory of her. As he pulled out the dark blue knitted jumper, he looked up at Molly who was watching him with so much love in her eyes it broke his heart at the same time he felt it swell. He missed his mother, but he knew from that moment that Molly would do anything for him she could. Not to replace Narcissa, but to show him he was not without a mother's love. Without a thought, he pulled her into a hug, and he felt her laugh.

"Thank you." He whispered as she squeezed his waist one more time before shooing him back to sit on the couch. He finally looked at the pattern knitted in with silver yarn and felt his smile widen. He knew she typically added the first initial of her children on the front of their jumpers, but this was so much better in his opinion.

"Sure, your own children get a silly letter. But he, a Malfoy, gets a constellation?" George quipped from behind Draco. "Maybe she thinks we all forget our names."

"Nah, I doubt it. There are just so many Weasleys, she is bound to forget someone's name. It's a hint for herself." Draco winked.

"She is older." George feigned to ponder while rubbing his chin.

"If you two don't shut up, I'll make you dig out the gnomes from under the snow." Molly said with narrowed eyes while everyone else laughed.

Draco looked over to Cassi's and saw a green jumper with a white fox on the front. "It's my Patronus." She said looking up at the woman. "Did Harry tell you?" When Cassi was answered with a nod, she hugged the jumper to her chest and looked over at him with a smile.

"Let's see it, Granger." Draco said as he nudged her shoulder. She had a bright blush across her cheeks and pulled in her lips. Avoiding his eyes, she shook her head and tucked the jumper back into its wrappings. "Why?" He tried to reach for it, but she smacked his hand away.

"Thank you, Molly. I really appreciate…I understand."

Draco's confusion was matched by most everyone else in the room as they all looked between Hermione and Molly. The wink and nod Molly gave added to the confusion before she slipped into the kitchen.

"Well, it's getting late. I think I'm going to go." Hermione said and stood up, holding the gift close to her, careful to keep the wrappings around it.

"We have gifts at The Cottage." Ginny whined.

"I'll come by tomorrow." She offered a smile and a wave to everyone in general. Draco and Ginny exchanged confused looks as Hermione disappeared into the green flames. They then in turn looked to Harry who just shrugged.

Once the children began to wake up, presents were gathered and leftovers were boxed as goodbyes were said with promises to see each other soon. Draco even promised Grace he would make it out to Romania at some point so she would stop crying long enough for Siobhan to guide her through the Floo. Among the last to leave were Draco and Cassi with Harry and Ginny. Once back at the Cottage, the four sat down in the cozy living room with cups of steaming hot chocolate. As the three others began to talk, Draco took his time to look around the room.

It was decorated moderately for the season. A small, yet full, Christmas tree was set up in the corner with multicolored Muggle lights illuminating the window it was blocking. Gold and red ornaments were scattered among the branches as well as homemade ones. Stepping closer he saw a drawing signed by Teddy when he was four and another decorated ball with green glitter signed by Victoire when she was five. The star at the top of the tree was likely only staying up because of magic with the angle it was hanging. The lower branches were either pulled bare or covered in a thick white foam. He assumed that was the younger children trying their hand at decorating. Overall, the tree was mismatched and abysmal. His mother would have never let it anywhere near their main halls. To him, it was absolutely perfect. It reminded him of the tree his mother used to let him decorate in his own room as a child. Didn't match, wasn't even, no theme, but full of love and fun.

Garland covered the mantel of the lit fireplace with two socks hanging down. He remembered the first time he came over after Harry had hung them. Stepping out of the Floo, Draco had almost pulled them off and was confused until Harry explained it was Muggle tradition that Ginny learned about and liked. Apparently, they were hung and on Christmas Eve St. Nick would fill them with chocolates and other small gifts for children.

"We both know that it's really the parents that give the gifts, but Ginny loved the idea. So, I fill the stocking up with her favorites. It's her favorite part for some reason."

"Eating chocolate out of a sock," Draco repeated with a raised eyebrow. "I hope you washed it."

"You're an idiot, Malfoy."

"I'm not the one eating out of a sock."

"Hermione loves the tradition too, you know."

"She's bound to have moments. No one can be the smartest person all the time."

He moved to the wall between the window and the fireplace and observed the pictures hanging there. There were several of Harry, Ron, and Hermione from their younger years. One of them at King's Cross caught his attention because he saw himself in the background. He cringed when he saw his look go from admiration to a scowl when his Father came into view before the photo looped again. Next to that was a picture of the Weasleys on their trip to Egypt. There was a picture of Charlie petting an actual dragon that made Draco shake his head before letting his eyes scan the rest. Soon he came to pictures from their Hogwarts graduation. A copy of the same picture he had of them laughing and dodging a Quaffle. Next to that was Harry and Ginny smiling before leaning in for a simple kiss with Ron pretending to gag in the background. What surprised him was there was a picture of just Draco and Hermione hanging on their wall. It was the same picture Hermione had in her office of her kissing him on the cheek before Theo tried to sneak into the photo. He hated himself for not getting a copy before he left for America.

"I've always thought you two were good for each other. You know, after you stopped being a pompous arse." Ginny whispered as she pumped his shoulder.

"Then I fucked everything up." Draco whispered back still watching the photo.

"No. Just complicated things. Harry and Ron were so mad at you for a long time, but once they got over themselves, they began to understand. Especially when the papers were still writing things about you a year later."

"Yeah, I got a few articles sent my way." Draco ran a hand through his hair while watching Hermione laugh in the photo.

"Everyone has to follow what they believe to be the right paths for themselves. Not even Pureblood Princes get to have a life plan handed to them on a silver platter."

"Real witty there, Red." He snorted when she laughed and put an arm around his waist. "I'm going to go check on her."

"Happy Christmas, Draco."

"Happy Christmas, Ginny."

After saying goodnight to the others, he Floo'd to his flat to deposit the jumper he got from Mrs. Weasley as well as the food. He looked over to Hermione's window and saw the lights on and two shadows danced across the desk. He felt his heart drop to his stomach, he should have come home sooner. Rushing to the window, he tried to look into her flat, but the angle of the windows wouldn't allow him to see past the desk she had in the window. He tired the Floo but it had been blocked so he ran outside, ignoring the odd looks he was getting from the Muggles enjoying a Christmas walk. The door was locked and warded but he was able to break through them after a few heart wrenching minutes and barreled his way into her flat.

Reeves was standing in the middle of the room with his back to the door and Draco could see Hermione kneeling on the floor in front of him with her hands covering her eyes. Hearing the door bust open, Reeves turned and allowed his smirk to grow.

"Ah, Draco. How nice of you to join us, cousin."

"What the fuck do you want, Reeves?" Draco's wand was clutched in his hand and he could feel the electricity seeping from his fingertips.

"Oh, just getting Hermione here a Christmas present is all. You can put that away. I'm not here to hurt her."

A sob cut through the space and Draco's eyes flew to her small form. She was shaking from head to toe but hadn't moved other than that. He returned his gaze to Reeves who was now walking toward him.

"Not physically anyway. You see, I had plans. Plans that required different parts to function without interference. She, however, did not follow instruction. For that, she needed to see the repercussions."

"What are you on about? What did you do?"

Reeves had started to circle Draco now, like a shark would its prey. Slow. Menacing. For anyone else, it would have set them on edge, but Draco was used to this kind of tactic. Voldemort used it regularly. The monster wanted his victims to become nervous. Wanted them to try to follow his movements. It would make them stutter their words, stumble over their own feet, their own bodies would betray them trying to figure out Voldemort's next move. This is why Draco didn't move. He kept his eyes on the crying Hermione in front of him. He wanted more than anything to go to her, but Draco knew he wouldn't make it with the way Reeves was acting.

"It's a shame she can't tell you. Those unbreakable vows can be such a hindrance." The smirk was clear in his voice as Reeves slowly circled Draco. "But telling you would take away all of the anticipation. One little misstep will not ruin my plans for the wizarding world. She's learned the lesson of how important it is to allow my plans to unfold naturally. I doubt it will happen again. As for you," Reeves stopped in front of Draco blocking his view of Hermione. "This will be your last chance. The three of us could rule the entire world with the amount of power between us. We wouldn't need to hide, no magical person would. There could be harmony between us and Muggles, with us in charge."

"You're an idiot if you think our powers are truly a match for scared Muggles." Draco hissed looking into the darkness of Reeves' eyes. He could see the power itching to be let out and a part of him wanted Reeves to lose control. Wanted to show the man exactly how much control Draco had gotten over his power since the last time they had dueled.

"The Muggle bombs and guns? You think I can't stop them? You think they would have a chance against us, together? Once Hermione accepts what she is, we will put everyone in their proper place. We will be Kings, Draco. Can't you see this. I'll even let you keep her as your Queen if that's what you want."

Draco laughed. He couldn't hold it back. "If you think anyone can tell Hermione what to do and who to be with, you might as well dig your own grave."

Coldness began to seep into the room as Draco watched the whites of Reeves' eyes disappear behind the darkness. Small whisps of darkness started to emerge from his fingers and the top of his head, "I have no plans of dying, Draco. Especially at the hands of a woman with delusions of power. You underestimate my power and seem to overestimate my patience." He turned on his heel to face Hermione before saying, "I'm done with this little ruse, Hermione. I've gotten what I need from you for now. Remember what I said about the other one." With a flick of his wrist, all the lights went off in Hermione's flat and Reeves disappeared into the darkness.

Draco covered the space between him and Hermione in a matter of seconds before he let his wand fall to the ground. On his knees, he pulled Hermione into his chest and held on to her while she sobbed into his shirt. Resting his chin on her head, he ran a hand through her hair without saying a word. He knew she would share what she could when she could. Until then, he was content just holding her. Letting her know, she was not alone, regardless of what Reeves was telling her.

Dearest Readers,

It seems that my muse has gone MIA for this story. That being said, I am going to comb through what is already posted/written in an attempt to iron out any of the wrinkles that may be in the story at this time as well as add details that I've come to realize I have been keeping from you all. So, I will be updating the chapters and adding the date of the update in the AN so you are all able to know beyond a shadow of a doubt you have read the most recent posting of the chapter.

While I'm combing, I will be keeping an eye out for this harlot of a muse and write the next chapters and post them as soon as I can for you all. This story by no means is abandoned nor will it be. I refuse to allow that to happen, not just for you, but for myself as well. So I do promise more chapters will be coming, I just do not have a timeline in which I'll be able to share.

I do hope you have enjoyed the story thus far, and am excited to continue with it as soon as I can.