The next morning, the trio gathered in the common room to write a letter to Hermione about Lucius Malfoy's conversation with the mystery woman. "What should we say?" asked Hugo.

"We should describe what we saw and heard, and ask Aunt Hermione to investigate," said Lily.

Hugo began writing.

Dear Mum,

Yesterday at the Quidditch match, Lily and Danielle witnessed Mr. Malfoy (as in Draco Malfoy's father) having a conversation with a mysterious woman. They were apparently discussing using some sort of Time-Turner to bring this woman's father back. I don't know who her parents are, but she was calling Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy Uncle Lucius and Aunt Cissy. I realise you are busy, Aunt Hermione, but Lily and Danielle thought it was important to tell you.

Love,

Your Favourite Son Hugo

Hugo hesitated before he looked over at his cousin and Danielle. "Is this sufficient?"

Lily skimmed the contents, and said, "Seems good enough. If she has any other questions, she can write back to us."

"I can have Duchess send it to Minister Granger-Weasley," said Danielle, standing to go fetch Duchess from her dorm. "Hey, girl," Danielle cooed. "I have a favor to ask you. I need you to send a letter to Minister Hermione Granger-Weasley at the Ministry of Magic. Can you do that for me?" Duchess hooted, and Danielle smiled. "I thought so." She attached the letter to Duchess's leg, and let her out of her cage before she opened the window of the dorm room.

Danielle joined Hugo and Lily as they made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. The tables were already filled with waffles, toast, pancakes, beans, and bacon, though Danielle would never get over what the Brits called bacon compared to back home. McGonagall stood and clapped her hands together. "May I have everyone's attention, please?" The students turned to face their headmistress. "As you all know, Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. But since it is also 2020, that means the Students' and Alumni Ball that occurs every ten years will be held this year. It is not required, though highly encouraged for you all to attend, as some of Hogwarts's most distinguished alumni will be in attendance. You will receive information from you House Prefects in the coming weeks." McGonagall took her seat again.

"Great. I forgot about that," said James.

"Will your parents and aunts and uncle be attending?" asked Danielle to everyone.

"Oh yes," said Rose. "Even some of our grandparents will be coming. All Hogwarts alumni and their spouses are invited."

"I wonder if that means Aunt Zelena will come?" asked Danielle. "I can ask her."

"I know a better way than via owl, though," said Hugo.

"You can use the fireplace in the common room," said James. "I'll show you how after breakfast."

"Uh, it's a Sunday. Maybe we want to wait until later tonight," said Lily.

"Fair point," said James. "Meet me in the common room later tonight, then. Maybe at 10 p.m."

After breakfast, Lily and Danielle went to the library to work on schoolwork. As they studied their astronomy maps, Danielle asked, "So, what is this ball, anyway?"

"It happens every ten years, during the first year of the decade," explained Lily. "Mum and Dad went in 2010. They say it's nice, but like most other fancy balls."

"Stuffy and boring?" asked Danielle.

"Yes. It's all about winning over alumni for donations, so most of the night is kissing the arses of the rich families who donate thousands of Galleons to the school every year."

"I wonder if Aunt Zelena will go with…you know?"

"Doubt it. When I said we have to kiss the arses of rich families, who do you think I meant?"

"Oh, right." Danielle's face fell.

"Besides, they might have made a Dark Mark at that Quidditch match. What moron would trust them together?"

"You said your aunt cleared them of any wrongdoing."

"I said there wasn't enough evidence to convict them. Doesn't mean they didn't do it."

"Do you hear yourself?" Madam Pince shushed them, and Danielle lowered her register. "You seriously still think they did it?"

"Unlike you, I don't have blinders on because they're my family. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy are very influential. And you heard what Hagrid told us at Christmas. She was treated like their surrogate daughter until they discovered she was a half-blood. I'm not saying they did it. I'm just saying we should be cautious."

Danielle wanted to hex Lily right there in the library, but decided to dismiss the daughter of Harry Potter. The entire family probably had the same bias against the Malfoys, even if Danielle hated Lucius and Narcissa's racist beliefs.

Later that evening, when the Gryffindor common room was nearly empty, James, Lily, and Danielle sat in front of the fireplace. "You should also find out if your aunt knows anything about Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy at the Quidditch match yesterday," said Lily.

"Why?"

"Because…"Lily didn't have an answer.

"Because you still think she's behind whatever Mr. Malfoy is doing. You defend Mr. Malfoy's wife, yet point fingers at Aunt Zelena."

"It does seem a little suspicious, mate," said James.

"Why? Because you both have been raised to hate the Malfoys? I know they're not upstanding citizens, but at least Albus gets along with them. Now show me how this stupid thing works."

James instructed Danielle on how to make a Fire Call before bidding her good night. Lily didn't say a word as she followed her brother up the stairs to the dorms. Danielle sat in front of the fireplace. "Zelena Mills's house, Storybrooke, USA." Danielle stuck her head into the fireplace, coughing as she was transported to her aunt's residence. "Aunt Zelena?"

A few moments later, Zelena appeared. "Danielle? I didn't know you knew how to make Fire Calls."

"James Potter taught me. I… have a few questions to ask you?" Zelena nodded, and Danielle continued. "The Students' and Alumni Ball that's coming up on Valentine's Day, are you going?"

"Yeah, I plan to. I just received the invitation today," Zelena confirmed.

"Great," said Danielle. "Also, yesterday at the Slytherin vs. Ravenclaw Quidditch match…"

"Don't come crying because Slytherin kicked Ravenclaw's arses," Zelena joked.

"It's not that. Ravenclaw's loss actually helps Gryffindor," said Danielle. "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were there."

Zelena was surprised. "What for?"

"Supposedly because Scorpius is the new Seeker for Slytherin because the previous one is on academic probation. But Lily and I followed Mr. Malfoy to the Dark Tower. He was meeting this young woman who kept calling him 'Uncle Lucius' and Mrs. Malfoy 'Aunt Cissy.'"

"I don't know why this mystery woman would call them that. They only had one niece: the daughter of Cissa's disowned sister, Andromeda. Tonks died during the Battle of Hogwarts. And Bella never had any children. She hated her husband."

Danielle didn't know that Zelena had been close enough to the Malfoys that she was allowed to use all of the cutesy pet names they had given each other, and she wasn't about to tell Zelena her conspiracy theory about Bellatrix and Voldemort having a child together. Danielle would let the Ministry take care of it. Danielle swallowed, before she said, "Also, I know you were cleared by the Ministry…when the Dark Mark appeared over the Quidditch pitch…"

Zelena's eyes widened. "You don't think Draco and I did it, do you?"

"NO!" said Danielle. "I mean…Lily wanted me to ask you."

Zelena sighed. "No, we didn't produce the Dark Mark. Draco and I were just as scared as everyone else. Besides, the Ministry claimed it was because Lucius Malfoy instructed us to do so. How can I do something for someone who disowned me years ago?"

"True," said Danielle. "Well, I guess I'll see you at the ball, then."

"All right. Have a good night, Monkey."

Danielle pulled her head out of the fireplace, and went up to her dorm, where everyone else was asleep. She quietly changed into her pajamas, and crawled into bed, relieved to discover what she now knew.