AN: This chapter mentions a stillbirth.

Over the next few weeks, people were abuzz with preparations for the Students' and Alumni Ball. With special permission, everyone was allowed a day in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade to find ball gowns and dress robes for the event. Arthur and Molly decided to join their children, children-in-law, and grandchildren at Madam Malkin's, and Danielle was with them as well. "Danielle, I'd like you to meet my grandparents, Arthur and Molly. Grandma, Grandpa, this is Danielle Locksley."

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley." Danielle shook their hands.

"Oh, no need for formalities. Grandma and Grandpa are fine with us," said Molly.

"Okay," said Danielle.

"Now, we'll probably save time if we split up. Arthur, you can go with Harry, Ron, James, Albus, and Hugo to the wizards' department. Hermione, Ginny, Lily, Rose, Danielle, and I will go to witches' wear. We can meet at the Leaky Cauldron for lunch."

"Sure thing, dear." Arthur kissed Molly on the cheek, and led the boys and men over toward the dress robes.

Danielle followed behind everyone else as Molly said, "Now, the invitation says it would be best for everyone to wear the colors of their houses, or their spouse's house if they aren't Hogwarts's alums, so we should ideally find red or scarlet dresses for the ball." Danielle wondered what sort of green dress Zelena would wear. "So Danielle, Lily and Rose tell me that you have an aunt who attended Hogwarts."

"Yes, ma'am. She was in Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Mrs. Granger-Weasley's class, but she wasn't in Gryffindor." Danielle left it at that.

"Danielle, what did I say about formalities?"

"Yes, Grandma Weasley." Danielle corrected herself.

Molly smiled, and the witches began to browse the racks of dresses. When Danielle found a tea-length red dress, she took it to go try it on in the fitting rooms, which were past the wizards' dress wear. It was there where she saw Draco and Narcissa, though Lucius and Scorpius weren't in sight. Danielle hid behind a rack of dress robes. "You know how your father feels about her, Dragon."

"I know, Mother. He made it clear in fifth year when he forced me to break up with her," said Draco. "No half-bloods or mud…Muggle-borns polluting the pure Malfoy line."

"I'm just saying, you're lucky it was me who discovered the note Lena had written to you, and not your father," said Narcissa.

"I'm not a kid anymore, Mum. And I gave Father a pure heir for the Manor at the hastened expense of my wife's life. What more does he want?" asked Draco.

"I'm just saying be careful at the ball next week," said Narcissa. She walked past the rack Danielle was hiding behind into the fitting rooms, emerald green ball gown in hand. Danielle waited until Narcissa was done before she dare entered the fitting room.

Danielle didn't tell anyone what she had heard in Madam Malkin's. Lily already believed Zelena and Draco were up to no good, and to add in the fact that Narcissa knew about their encounters on top of that, not to mention Lucius's conversation with mystery woman. It just wasn't worth any more arguments at this point. Besides, she was too busy with schoolwork and Quidditch practices to worry about it too much.

The evening of the ball finally arrived, and Danielle and Lilly were both at the Potter house, preparing for the festivities. "This makes me feel like I'm attending a prom," said Danielle.

"What's a prom?" asked Lily.

"It's a Muggle dance in the States where students where tuxedos and fancy dresses," said Danielle. "Henry gets to go to one this year."

Molly came into Lily's room, fully clad in a maroon ball gown, and said, "Now, when you enter the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall will announce your name, house, and graduation year. Don't be surprised if certain opposing houses jeer when you enter."

Danielle and Lily looked at each other, knowing full well that what Molly said was code for the fact that Slytherins would jeer. "We understand, Grandma," said Lily.

"Now then, most everyone is ready. We'll go via the Floo Network. Danielle, I don't know if you've traveled that way before, but it's quite easy. Just watch the others, and you'll be fine." They reached the living room of the Potter house, where everyone was wearing scarlet or red dress robes and ball gowns. Harry grabbed some Floo powder, stepped into the fireplace, and shouted, "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He disappeared in an instant.

One-by-one, everyone else Flooed to Hogwarts. Danielle was last besides Molly. Danielle grabbed some Floo powder once in the fireplace, and announced, "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

She arrived in the fireplace of Hogwarts near the Great Hall, and people were already being introduced. Witches' and wizards' house colors—yellows and reds and greens and blues—adorned their apparel. Soon, Molly arrived, and lined up next to Arthur. Danielle listened as everyone's names were announced.

"Mr. Arthur Weasley, Gryffindor Class of 1968, and Mrs. Molly Weasley, Gryffindor Class of 1968," announced McGonagall. "Mr. William Weasley, Gryffindor Class of 1989, and Mrs. Fleur Weasley, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic Class of 1995. Mr. Charles Weasley, Gryffindor Class of 1991. Mr. Percy Weasley, Gryffindor Class of 1994, and Mrs. Audrey Weasley. Mr. George Weasley, Gryffindor, and Mrs. Angelina Weasley, Gryffindor Class of 1996. Mr. Ronald Weasley, Gryffindor, and Mrs. Hermione Granger-Weasley, Gryffindor Class of 1999. Ms. Rose Granger-Weasley, Gryffindor Class of 2024, and Mr. Hugo Granger-Weasley, Gryffindor Class of 2026. Mr. Harry Potter, Gryffindor, and Mrs. Ginevra Potter, Gryffindor Class of 1999. Mr. James Potter, Gryffindor Class of 2022, Mr. Albus Potter, Slytherin Class of 2024, and Ms. Lily Potter, Gryffindor Class of 2026."

Danielle was next. As she entered the Great Hall, the room was decorated with streamers and balloons of the house colors. The four long tables had been pushed against the wall, and there were some taller standing tables. There was also plenty of room for dancing, along with food and drinks for everyone. "Ms. Danielle Locksley, Gryffindor Class of 2026."

Everyone cheered expect for the Slytherins as Danielle joined Lily and Hugo. "Professor Neville Longbottom, Gryffindor Class of 1999, and Mrs. Hannah Longbottom, Hufflepuff Class of 1999. Professor Edward Lupin, Hufflepuff Class of 2016, and Ms. Victoire Weasley, Gryffindor Class of 2018. Mr. Rolf Scamander, Hufflepuff Class of 2005, and Mrs. Luna Scamander, Ravenclaw Class of 1999." McGonagall read the names of several more Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws.

Danielle and Lily went to get some punch, though they started hearing groans and boos as McGonagall introduced everyone. "You know which house we're up to," said Lily.

"Mr. Lucius Malfoy, Slytherin Class of 1972, and Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy, Slytherin Class of 1973."

Danielle and Lily turned around, and watched the Malfoys strut into the room, heads high, noses toward the ceiling, clearly not caring about the negative attention. Narcissa was wearing the same emerald green dress Danielle had witnessed her carrying in Madam Malkin's. "And there's Slytherin Ken and Barbie."

"You have got to get away from that Muggle doll reference," said Lily.

"Mr. Draco Malfoy, Slytherin Class of 1999, and Mr. Scorpius Malfoy, Slytherin Class of 2024."

Several other Slytherins were introduced, and Danielle was wondering if Zelena had indeed decided to come. Suddenly, Danielle noticed Zelena come into the room, wearing a long sparkly, green dress, black heels, and her hair was in a bun. "Ms. Zelena Mills, Slytherin Class of 1999."

Zelena smiled at her niece, and walked over to her. "Hi, Monkey." Zelena kissed her cheek.

"Hi, Aunt Zelena," said Danielle, embracing her.

"Lily, it's nice to see you again."

"Pleasure, Ms. Mills."

Slow music began to play, and the couples went out to the middle of the dance floor. Danielle looked over to where Draco was conversing with some fellow Slytherins, though Greg Goyle and Pansy Parkinson weren't among them. "You're not going to ask Mr. Malfoy to dance?" asked Danielle teasingly.

"I would, but there's one problem," Zelena said, gesturing to where Lucius and Narcissa were slow dancing together. If Danielle eliminated the fact that they were pure-blood supremacists as well as the fact that they generally looked down on everyone, she had to admit that the couple looked genuinely happy and in love even after all these years. Molly and Arthur, Harry and Ginny, and Ron and Hermione were all on the other side of the room. Seeing all of the happy couples made Danielle homesick, since there was so much true love in Storybrooke. After the slow song ended, other students and alumni joined their friends on the dance floor.

After a few hours, Zelena slipped out of the Great Hall to take a break. She stared up into the night sky, gazing at the stars. She was so engrossed at the sight that she didn't hear him come up behind her. "Stars are beautiful, aren't they?"

Zelena jumped, but turned around and smiled. "Reminds me of the first time you led me up to the Astronomy Tower, and you showed me all of the constellations your family members are named after." Draco came up beside Zelena, and she asked, "So where's Scorpius?"

"He's inside with his mates, I suppose."

"I meant the constellation in the sky," she chuckled.

"Oh," Draco chuckled with her. "Over there, near Libra and Sagittarius." Zelena nodded. "Can you still name them all?"

"I can try," said Zelena. "Pollux, Orion, Regulus, Cygnus, Bellatrix, Draco, of course." She smiled at him, pointing to various spots in the sky. "And…" she trailed off before she named the constellation.

Draco sighed. "You can say her name, Lena. Mother and Father gave her one for a reason."

"Lyra," said Zelena. Draco looked down, and Zelena asked, "Do you ever think about her?"

"Sometimes," responded Draco. "I wonder what she would have been like, if she would have had blonde or brown hair. If she would've been a proud Slytherin like the rest of us, or rebelled somehow. It's hard not to think about her. But Merlin bless, you came into our lives at a time we needed you the most."

"Until I made the mistake of finding out my blood status and telling you."

"If it wasn't for Pansy, I would've kept your secret until the grave. I loved you."

"I loved you, too."

Draco took Zelena's hand and said, "I thought about you all the time those last two years."

"You were too busy trying not to get you and your family killed. After that, you married Astoria."

"And I loved her very much, but Mother and Father didn't really like her."

"I thought she was a pure-blood?" asked Zelena.

"She was. But she didn't want to raise Scorpius with the same beliefs that pure-bloods were superior, and everyone else was scum. Mother and Father considered her a blood traitor. Mum always did have a soft spot for you, though."

"Don't remind me. The year of the Triwizard Tournament and the Yule Ball, we spent hours in Madam Malkin's trying to find a dress."

She looked over at him, and gazed into his gray eyes. She leaned closer to him, until she heard a roaring voice. "Draco Lucius Malfoy!"

Draco and Zelena pulled apart when they saw Lucius and Narcissa coming toward them. "So this is the friend you've been connecting with the past few months? The filthy little half-blood?"

"Lucius…" Narcissa warned.

"She's my friend, Father," defended Draco. "And the last I checked, Professor Snape was a filthy half-blood, and so was the Dark Lord, yet you had no problem with them."

"They weren't trying to muck up the bloodline, and bring shame upon the family."

"And I gave you your pure heir for the Manor, and I'm raising him by myself for the most part. Because he was a child whose birth sped up the death of my wife! All for you, Father. I was fine with the Malfoy bloodline ending with me, but Astoria and I had a child for you. I love you, and I tried to do everything to live up to your expectations as your only child, especially after Lyra died. I joined the Death Eaters, I served the Dark Lord, and I excelled in school. So don't you dare think I didn't care about the honor of this family!"

"And that blood traitor you called a wife has made you think it's acceptable to be with half-bloods?" asked Lucius.

"She was a woman Draco loved until her dying breath. Just like I was a half-blood you once loved and treated as your own daughter until you found out I wasn't a pure-blood. All because of your stupid, racist beliefs," said Zelena.

Lucius pulled his wand out, and pointed it at Zelena. Narcissa promptly pulled her wand out as well, and laid it on Lucius's shoulder. "Don't even think about it, Lucius. It's not worth a lifetime imprisonment in Azkaban for one comment." Lucius hesitated, but lowered his wand. Narcissa pointed her wand at Zelena, and said, "However, if you dare insult my husband ever again, I will make sure it is the last thing you do. Understand, Lena?"

Zelena looked down and answered, "Yes, Cissa."

"Now let's go bid Scorpius good night so we can go home," said Lucius. Narcissa followed her husband into the castle.

Draco glanced over at Zelena, but followed his parents. Once everyone had disappeared, Zelena said, "I know you're hiding, Monkey. I can sense your magic."

Danielle slowly appeared from behind a bush. She approached her aunt, and said, "So that's why you and Mr. Malfoy can't be together."

Zelena sighed. "Not as long as Lucius is alive. Maybe after he's gone. Narcissa doesn't like Muggles or Muggle-borns, but she likes me and a few other half-bloods like Professor Snape."

"Do you think they'd have you killed?"

"No. But they would make my life miserable, I'm sure."

Zelena and Danielle began to walk by the lake, when Danielle asked, "Did they really treat you like a daughter, and then just stop one day?" Zelena stopped abruptly, and glanced down at her niece. "Hagrid told me that the Malfoys disowned you because Pansy Parkinson told them about your half-blood status."

Zelena nodded. "Yes, I wasn't even allowed to stay with them on holidays anymore."

"Who did you stay with, then?"

"Professor Snape. How do you think I found out about Draco's mission from the Dark Lord? I was in my room listening to Professor Snape, Cissa, and Bella make the Unbreakable Vow. He didn't tell them I was there."

"And that's when you go the idea to join the Death Eaters?"

"Yes," admitted Zelena. "But given the fact that Mum and my biological dad abandoned me, and that my adoptive father treated me horribly and made me feel like a freak, I had a low view on Muggles and Muggle-borns. It wasn't hard for the Malfoys to indoctrinate me with their toxic beliefs. It was during our seventh year that Draco and I finally decided being a Death Eater wasn't what it was cracked up to be."

"I would think so," said Danielle. She hesitated before she asked, "One more thing, Aunt Zelena. When Mr. Malfoy mentioned Lyra…who is Lyra?"

Zelena sighed, contemplating on how to answer her niece. "Draco's younger sister."

"Mr. Malfoy has a younger sister? Did she get eliminated from the books like you did?"

"No." Zelena shook her head. "Our first year here, Draco took me up to Astronomy Tower, and he showed me all of the constellations he and his family members were named after. He ended with Lyra…the name his mum and dad would be giving his little sister."

"Really?"

"They had told him right before he started his first year. He was so excited to have someone who would look up to him. Someone he could show all of the cool things he was learning."

"So, what happened?"

"Draco and I went to the Manor for the Christmas holiday, and Lyra was perfectly fine when we first arrived. But something happened in between Christmas and New Year's. Christmas morning, we were in the sitting room, opening presents, including stuff for the baby. By New Year's Eve, when Cissa was twenty-two weeks along, Draco and I spent it in the lobby of St. Mungo's because the day before, Lyra was shown to have no heartbeat. So, they had to induce labor, but of course, she was born stillborn. I never saw her, but Draco went back to say goodbye. He said that she was so small that she fit into the palms of his hands. She was buried with the Sacred Twenty-Eight, with the other Malfoys."

Danielle didn't think it was possible to feel sorry for a family of Death Eaters. "I didn't know about any of that."

"Needless to say, they kept it tight lipped, and it isn't included in the books," said Zelena. "But I know they all still think about Lyra Bellatrix Malfoy." Danielle wrinkled her nose at the middle name. "Remember, your mother and I weren't exactly upstanding citizens."

"I guess," said Danielle. "I just can't even imagine anyone going through that."

"Why do you think Draco was sometimes a spoiled brat? And it was another reason I became the surrogate daughter. I helped everyone heal from Lyra's death. So, I don't defend what they did anymore, but I guess that's why I still feel a connection with them, even after they disowned me. I've seen something most of the world hasn't seen. A family that loves each other. A crying Draco. A heartbroken Narcissa. And a distraught Lucius."

Danielle couldn't imagine any of that right now, but she supposed the Malfoys were Slytherin to the core: a family that cared about no one, but was extremely loyal to each other. She supposed it wasn't much different than her family back home. "I'm glad you told me. I promise I won't tell anyone. Even they deserve their privacy."

Just then, Lily ran out toward the two witches. "Danielle, Professor McGonagall says it's almost curfew. She's going to make final announcements, and declare which house raised the most money. It's always Slytherin."

"We should get inside the castle, then," said Zelena.

"Not so fast." Out of nowhere, the woman with silver hair and blue tips appeared. Her dress wasn't any of the house colors; instead, it was as silver as her hair. "You aren't going anywhere."

"Who? Who are you?" asked Danielle.

"I am Delphini. Daughter of Lord Voldemort."