Christmas Break was nearing and the kids planned on coming back home. Ginny and Draco were excited to have Maple stay over so they could get to know her. The kids were really eager and decorated the whole house. Hope and Madeline put up the Christmas Tree with Draco's help. Ginny was kicked out of the house with gallons of galleons for shopping. They wanted to surprise her. Natalie and Blake cut out snowflakes and angels, hung the lights, and hung the items on the Christmas Tree. Ethan and Dustin ran around each room and were allowed, with the help of Draco, to zap the rooms red and green. But Madeline wouldn't agree so they kept her pink room with little pink bunnies. Then Hope and Draco baked the food while Madeline, Blake, and the triplets watched with eager faces. The cake was baked by Draco. It was a beautiful, four-deck cake. It was filled with cream in the middle and strawberries and kiwis decorated the top. On it Draco wrote FOREVER TOGETHER. Blake was allowed to pour the eggnog into glasses and carry them gingerly to the table. Madeline put the plates and cutlery and the triplets folded napkins and dusted everything in the dining room. Draco also cooked a huge meal. Chicken, beef, fish, rice, beans, peas, pumpkin juice, penne, spaghetti, tomato sauce, meatballs, ravioli, cockroach clusters, canary creams (but without adding magic to turn everyone into birds), éclairs, tarts, and many cakes of different flavors. Hope helped with the desert and some of the food. But Draco allowed her to use the oven even though Ginny was afraid Hope would burn herself and had told her she wasn't allowed. They set up everything, and it was wonderful.

First came Narcissa along with Maple. Narcissa took care of the kids while Draco spoke to his sister.

"So you're my brother?" she asked, her chocolate eyes melting Draco's heart just like Ginny's did.

"Yep," he replied happily. Then he took out a lollipop and gave it to her. "Don't tell mum, okay?"

"Okay!" she said eagerly as she took the lollipop and licked it happily. She was 11 years old but Draco could tell she had a huge soft spot for candy. Which kid didn't?

"So you were teaching me DADA the whole time and I never knew you were related to me? Did you?" she asked as she sucked on the lollipop hungrily.

"Yep. But I didn't know you were related to me either." He tucked a lock of her sunshine hair behind her ear. She was adorable. His little sister looked like an angel.

"Who was the redhead? Isn't she Mrs. Malfoy? Does that mean she's your wife? And she teaches Transfiguration, right?" Draco looked at her. She asked a lot of questions.

"Yes, that's my wife, Ginny Anne Katherine Snape. She-"

Maple cut him off. "Snape! You mean she's Professor Snape's daughter?! But how does she have such bloody red hair?" He had gained her interest.

"Yes, she's Severus's daughter. And her mum had red hair so that's where she got it from."

"That's so cool! I always wanted to be related to him! He's so dark! And he's hair is so cool! But kids say he changed. That he's younger now."

"He is. He had an aging potion on himself."

"That' so cool!" Draco chuckled.

"Time to go back. Let's see if the rest arrived!" He grabbed her hand, thinking she was as young as Tigerlily, and she yanked it out.

"I'm not a baby!" she cried and ran down the stairs. Draco smirked and followed her. She even smirked the Malfoy smirk at him when he pulled out the lollipop.

Draco went down to find Snape and Serpena talking to Narcissa. Tigerlily was playing with Madeline and Blake. Her cheeks were red and Draco knew his mother had probably pinched them crying, "How adorable!" He giggled silently and sauntered over to Snape.

"Hey," Draco stated. Snape looked up and smirked.

"Draco, a new addition to the family, you must be happy." Draco smirked and looked over at Maple. She was playing with Hope and chasing the triplets around.

"Hello Mrs. Snape!" he said to Serpena.

"Hello Draco. Nice to meet you again," she replied politely.

"Serpena Snape. I do believe that is alliteration," Draco commented. Serpena smiled and Snape laughed.

Then came Aqua and Chris.

"Hi," Chris and Aqua said in unison as they walked past Narcissa, Snape, and Serpena.

"Freeze! You guys well greet your relatives with respect and greet your aunt, too." At the mention of a new aunt, they turned around. Chris had a wicked smirk on.

"Who?" asked Aqua, her eyes twinkling suspiciously.

"Maple," Draco replied, oblivious to their odd facial expressions. At the mention of her name, she stopped running and walked over.

"Maple?! You're our aunt!" cried Aqua. "You're too young! Are you Draco's sister?"

"Yeah! But isn't he dad to you?" asked Maple curiously.

"No, I'm not his daughter. I come from the Riddle family, You know, Tom Riddle. He's my dad. I am not his," she said, saying his as if Draco's name was foul. "Fortunately," she added.

"Young lady, you will not speak to Draco in that matter!" cried Snape, standing up. Aqua shot him a glare and ran upstairs, Chris running after her. Draco sighed.

"What did she mean, Draco? Is she really Tom's daughter? Voldemort?" asked Maple eagerly.

"Yes," he stated gloomily.

"Then how is Ginny her mu-Oh," stated Maple. "He raped her!" she cried out loud. At that moment, Ginny walked in.

"Hey! What's everyone so silent about?" she added as she looked around. Everyone looked so frozen.

"Tom raped you!" cried Maple. Ginny put down her bags slowly and looked at the child.

"Y-you must be Maple," she said. The girl nodded her head. "What's going on?" Ginny asked.

"Aqua and Chris came a minute ago. Aqua told," Draco stated.

"Oh," Ginny said. "Where is she?"

"Upstairs somewhere. She disappeared after criticizing Draco," replied Snape.

"How?" Ginny asked.

"She said she was lucky Draco wasn't her real father and she's proud that Tom is," stated Narcissa.

"Not again," mumbled Ginny. Then Tom popped in.

"Hey everyone! Merry Christmas!" he cried. Ginny looked at him. "What?"

"He's a ghost!" cried Serpena who knew nothing about this. Narcissa gasped.

"I'll tell them," Snape offered and led them away, leaving Ginny, Draco, Tom, and some very interested kids.

"Mum, is Aqua in trouble?" asked Madeline.

"I'll deal with that later, honey. Now you and the others go upstairs." They didn't argue. They wanted to talk to Aqua. Maple and Tigerlily followed though they were both eager to hear the conversation.

"What is up with this?" asked Tom.

"Aqua seems to have second thoughts about Draco's position in her life," stated Ginny as she sat down on the couch. Draco sat down, too.

"Oh. Should I talk to her?" he offered.

"No. That'll just cause more trouble. She'll want to know why you are a ghost. She thinks your dead and it best be left that way. God, I miss my little Aqua." Ginny muttered as a tear made its way down her pale face. She looked out the window.

"Then I best be going. I just came to deliver some news. The head ghost sees it best that I shouldn't come to visit anymore. He says it's causing too much trouble. So this is the last time I'll be here." He looked at Ginny and knew this was a bad time to tell. But he had no other choice. He only had 10 more minutes before he had to return.

"What! Nonsense!" cried Ginny as she stood up angrily. Tom pushed her back down.

"I don't have much time, Gin. I've got to go soon. But don't worry, you'll be fine. Everyone will. Merry Christmas."

He disappeared.

Forever.

Ginny cried.

Tom was wrong. But no one knew.

After a while, the party started again. Ginny had regained herself and the kids were all silent. It seemed that Aqua and Chris had told them nothing for they looked quite down. They all sat at the table and chatted merrily. But Aqua and Chris were not part of the conversation. Ginny didn't mind, she didn't want another mess.

After that all the kids opened their presents eagerly. Each got a new outfit and some kind of toy that suited them. Chris and Aqua grabbed their presents and walked upstairs. Ginny was about to follow, but Snape stopped her.

"It's okay, leave them alone." Ginny didn't feel like arguing with her father, so she let them be.

The party ended happily. Caitlin came at the end.

"Sorry everyone. Caprice kept me busy. She's such a fussy little daughter now," Caitlin stated. She sat down for a couple minutes and then James, her husband, walked in. His red hair shone in the light and his green eyes twinkled. The baby was in his arms.

"Ginny," cried Tigerlily, tugging on her shirt. "Who is that?" she asked.

"That's Aunt Caitlin, Tiger. And the man with the baby is her husband, James, and the baby is Caprice, their daughter." Ginny replied.

"Pleasure to finally meet you, Ginny," stated the man in a pleasant tone.

"Can I see the baby?" asked Hope eagerly. She loved little kids. Maple followed.

"Sure," James said. He handed her Caprice and she looked inside. Little tufts of red hair covered her head and her green eyes twinkled joyously.

"She's adorable!" cried Tigerlily. "She's my cousin, right?" she added.

"Yep," stated Draco as he picked Tigerlily up so she could get a better look. Maple didn't seem enlightened.

The grown-ups sat down and talked about the murders while the kids played happily. Then the clock struck midnight and everyone started to leave. But Maple wanted to stay so Draco said she could spend the entire break with them. Narcissa, James, Caitlin, and Caprice left. Snape and Serpena stayed a while longer, helping Ginny get the triplets, Blake, Madeline, Hope, and Maple all in bed. Chris and Aqua were already asleep. They were going to spend the break at Hogwarts so they needed to wake up earlier than the rest. After everyone was asleep, Ginny, Draco, Snape, and Serpena chatted for a while.

"Why didn't Sirius, Hermione, Harry, and my brothers come? And Lupin?" asked Ginny.

"I asked Sirius, but he was helping Lupin at Hogwarts. Hermione and Harry are busy with the kids and Hermione won't move from her job! Harry said he was too busy because he had a coming match in Australia soon. Ron was busy with Luna. He said she wouldn't let him go because he had to help with the kids. And the twins are too busy with their joke shop this time of year," replied Draco as he counted off the people using his fingers.

"Oh. Any more clues leading to the murders?" asked Ginny.

"No," stated Snape sadly.  Ginny sighed. Then a bird landed on her lap.

"Tiki!" cried Ginny. She pet the bird on the head and took the letter. She scrutinized it and then looked up, horror in her eyes.

"What is it" cried Draco as he took the paper from her hands. He looked over it.

"No!" he cried. Snape took the letter.

"Oh dear, this is grave." Snape finished off.

"Mum!" cried Draco as tears formed in his eyes.

"Better tell Maple," stated Ginny.

"Tomorrow," said Serpena. Ginny nodded. She took Draco's hand and stood up. Snape took his cue.

"We better get going, Serpena. If you two need any help, tell us. You've got a handful already to deal with." Serpena stood up, got Tigerlily, and they were gone.

Ginny and Draco headed upstairs that night with sunken hearts.

Ginny awoke the next morning and got up slowly. Draco was sitting on a chair hunched over a drawing. Ginny was surprised. She never knew Draco could draw so well.

"Wow, that's beautiful," she exclaimed. Draco smiled and scribbled a note on it:

A family is like a garden. Each person is a tree or a flower or a bush. When they are put together, it is a beautiful sight and bountiful garden. But when they are pulled apart and torn away, it is but a dead garden left in the dust.

"That's beautiful, Draco," she said again. She liked his little messages that he always wrote. He loved comparing things.

"Thank you," he stated. He pinned the paper on top of the desk along with the other paintings and portraits he had. Ginny smiled at his collection. Then she saw her picture. She loved that one.

He had drawn it by hand one day in Hogwarts. Ginny was in her first year. She was sitting by the lake, stretched out on her stomach with her head in her hands, watching the ripples in the water. Draco had drawn her and the scene. But he had added angel wings on her back and a halo on her head. And on the top of the paper it said: My Angel Forever. Ginny smiled. He had colored it using the most delicate of colors. Peach, baby blue, baby pink, sea green with a hint of mint green, and deep rich colors of brown and red. The grass looked as if the wind was blowing on it gently and the leaves swayed. Her halo glistened in the sunlight along with her vanilla wings. Her hair was flared all around her face and a few strands lay in her deep, rich, brown eyes. Her pale rose lips were in a peaceful smile and her whole body seemed at piece with nature. Draco had captured that moment well.

They headed downstairs and found the Daily Prophet on the table. All the kids were huddled around it and Draco and Ginny both knew why, they had received a letter about that last night. The headline was clear: LUCIUS AND NARCISSA MALFOY SENTENCED TO DEMENTOR'S KISS THIS MORNING!

Maple sat in a corner, crying hard. Draco walked over to her and held her tight.

"So their dead, mum? Why? Narcissa was nice! I know Lucius was bad, but why Narcissa, mum, why?" asked Madeline. Hope silenced her and they all sat down to eat breakfast. Then Ginny stayed with the kids while Draco took Aqua and Chris to the train.

"How could you tell dad that?" asked Chris as they awaited the train. Draco stood nearby, listening attentively.

"Because, he's pure evil! And what are you acting so nice about? You've got that evil scar on your back." cried Aqua.

"So what about the scar? It's a curse scar. Yeah, I'm supposed to be cruel and heartless, but he's still my dad. And Tom wasn't evil, you're saying?"

"He was but.."

"Admit it, you have no reason to hate him!"

"Fine, I don't. But still, I wish dad was still alive. I mean, I never really knew him." Chris looked at her sadly.

"I know. But dad did take care of you. And he didn't give you to an orphanage, he let mum keep you!"

"I know. I guess your right. The trains here! Bye Draco!"

"Bye dad!"

And both the kids ran on the train. Draco smirked and walked away.

Draco arrived back home to find everyone everywhere. Hope and Maple were out back in the pool along with Madeline. Blake and the triplets were upstairs in the lab, much to Ginny's displeasure. Who knew what kids like Fred and George plus one could do to poor Blake.

"Sunset, they called me," Draco stated as he sat down next to Ginny. Ginny looked up. Draco only called her Sunset when something was wrong or really good. But this sounded bad.

"Who?"

"Sunset, I have to go back to work as an Auror tonight. I have to work for at least a month. Then I can come back. With all these murders, they need someone. You've got to understand, Sunset." Ginny looked into his deep, blue eyes.

"Gosh, now? And with Maple all torn up? Oh well, you've got to do your job. I wish you best of luck." Draco smiled.

It had been two weeks since Draco had left her. Ginny sat down correcting essays for Transfiguration. The kids ran around and Ginny paid no heed. She was too busy worrying about the murders. There had been two more and Hogwarts and she was no wondering whether Aqua and Chris were safe there. Hope sulked rarely about how much she missed Hogwarts. Draco had send owls that they still had no clue who was behind these murders.

Ginny awaited Draco's arrival two weeks later.

"Hey, Gin!" he said as he picked her up and spun her around.

"Draco!" she cried. He put her down. "Any news?" she asked.

"No," he replied solemnly. "They still have no lead. It's amazing. The only clue, and they're not even sure about it, but their only clue is…Should I tell you?"

"Draco! No more suspense!"

"Okay Okay. The only clue is that they might be residing in Hogwarts." Ginny swallowed and her eyes flashed with terror.

Chappie done! I'm really sorry to say that this stori is coming to an end! I only have one more chappie left. Then I'll do an epilogue. I'm quite happy with the ending, and I hope ull like it, too. But now to the thank yous (btw its gonna be a tragic ending):

Rokamerica123- im glad u liked it! Lol yep Ginny used ur word! Bad Ginny! That's plagiarism! Lol! Anwayz thx for the

Review! Review again! Lol!

2. Smileyface1314-I'm glad u liked it! Lol! Accident! I'm glad u liked it no loved it! Lol! And I will thank Stephanie but I keep forgetting so remind me! Lol! I wasn't updating cuz I was afraid no one liked my stori anymore! I miss my reviweres! *sniff sniff* but if they don't want to review then that's their choice! Thx for ur review!

Now come on ppl u can do better! Two reviewers? Come on review!!! Just click the little button! Do I have to dance? Okay u made me! *twirls around and sings oops I did it again for ur enjoyment, hits desk, and falls unconscience*

*Dizzy* Review…cuz the little yellow birdies said so!