Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters you have seen before this story. They belong to the famous J.K. Rowling. If you want a list of what I do own here, please ask. It is all too long of a list to put into a short disclaimer.

Author's Note: I thank you all for reading this far. I am happy to announce the fifteenth chapter is here! I am so happy that it has gotten this long and I hope I haven't been too boring. If you have any ideas of where you want this to go or anything else even comments, please just review. Sorry for this. Thank you all for reading.

Esgalhothwen
Previous Chapter:

Erica smirked, "Oh, how little you know Harry. You hate my mother with all your heart and my father wasn't all too kind to you last year, from what you our friends have told me."

"Can you just tell me who you're related to, please?"

"My father... is Cornelius Fudge. My... my...," she took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She was going to say her mother but changed her mind, "My cousin is Anna Black... well... she's actually more like a second cousin, I think."

"Do you know who your mum is?"

Erica grimaced, she had been hoping he would not mention her mother, and put her face in her hands. "Yes. She's done worse to you than anyone ever has, love."

"Who is it? It's not that Skeeter woman is it?"

"No," Erica mumbled something impossible to hear.

"Who?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange."
Chapter 15 - Reactions

"You're kidding right?" seeing her serious face he plopped down on the couch, rubbing away at his tired eyes. "You have more than just Anna as you're cousin then," he said pulling her into a hug, surprising her.

"You... you don't hate me?"

"I told you... I can never hate you. You have no control over who your parents are and you certainly had no control over what she did last year when you were in America."

"You said I have more cousins? Who?"

"Let's see... there's Nymphadora Tonks, never call her by her first name. Just call her Tonks. Then there's..." his eyes widened when he realized who her other cousin was. Could it be? They had only been joking about that. Is he remembering the tapestry back in the House of Black correctly? He was, but didn't want to believe it.

"Who, Harry?"

"Malfoy," he spoke softly glancing towards the bathroom door

"Draco is my cousin?"

"Yes, his mother was originally a Black. That was before she married Lucius Malfoy."

Erica gaped at the door her mouth hanging open on its hinges as Draco stepped out. "What?" he inquired.

"You... you're... we... I..."

"Well? Can you translate that Potter? I know it's not Parseltongue but she is your bloody girlfriend."

"She's trying to say that you and she are cousins, Malfoy. You do know that Bellatrix is your mother's sister. Do you not?" Harry said gritting his teeth trying to keep his control. Draco just riled his anger so quickly.

"Bloody hell. I almost had forgotten. Well then, welcome to the family Kohle. I must send an owl to father, he will be so excited. Wait a minute; do you think anyone knows that Lestrange had a child? It's awful strange that she never tried to contact you don't you think?"

"Well, Malfoy. She has been in prison for the last eighteen years or so."

"Erica is only sixteen. She must have been conceived when Lestrange was in prison. How is that bloody possible?"

"Someone must have known about Erica. Someone had to take her out of there. Funny thing is... I can't really see Fudge fraternizing with a known felon. He hates the death eaters. Everyone knows that. They would never believe that he had slept with one of Voldemort's most known and not to mention dangerous ones."

"Too true," Erica spoke up, "Now what do we do? No one would ever believe me over the Prime Minister, you know that. Should I contact him? Go to the press?"

"I'm not too sure you should do anything." Draco answered, "I could talk to father and see what he thinks. I think he has the Minister in his pocket."

"Alright. I can wait a while. Should I tell Hermione, Ron, and Voula about this? What about Anna? This makes her my cousin too."

Harry gave his opinion, "I think this should be between just the three of us until Malfoy talks to his father, Erica. We don't know all of the facts yet. It's just a big mess. We don't even know if Voldemort knows about you yet. He would have gotten you years ago if he found out that Bellatrix had a child. Maybe she has some secrets that we don't know about, a reason that she could have given you away, if it was her."

Erica nodded her acceptance and stood up, Harry stood with her. "Can I talk to Draco for a second Harry?"

He looked tentatively between the two. "Alright. I'll be right outside." He had to accept the fact that they would be much closer now that Malfoy had denounced the Dark Lord and was Erica's cousin. Harry walked out the door with one last glance at them.

"Well, Draco. What's going to happen between you and Anna now? Did she ever say anything about you joining Voldemort?" She paused as she noticed one of Draco's eyes give a slight tick after hearing the name. "Is this going to ruin anything between you?"

"I don't know. We never really talked about it. We've only been dating a few days. Never got too close. If she dumps me, shouldn't take too long to get over her. How did Potter react when you told him who your mother was?"

"It was strange. Like he didn't really care, you know? Like it wasn't really that big of a deal. Even though it must have dug up bad memories. It scared me a bit. He was almost emotionless. He just seems to bury his pain and everything. I can feel that one day, he will just explode. Emotions can't be held in for long, I know. I couldn't even feel what he was feeling. It was like he was cutting me off. I don't like that feeling."

Erica stopped, feeling a wave of compassion flow from the platinum haired boy standing near her. "Give him some time, Erica. You just started dating him, and then he finds out that your mother killed his only chance of having a somewhat normal life with a father figure. It would be tough on any guy. He doesn't blame you. He'll be back to normal soon."

"Thanks, Draco. We should get going before Harry freaks," Erica gave a slight smile to her long lost cousin. Family. It's a great feeling to have family. Both of her adoptive parents did not have any brothers and sisters and their parents had died when they were young. She hadn't any family before and in the matter of hours; she had two cousins, a mother and father, and aunts and uncles! Feeling slightly overwhelmed and happy as she looked at Draco, she turned to walk out the door.

"Yea, it's probably best." He paused a moment and grabbed Erica's arm. Their eyes met and she could see a flash of sincerity in his steel gray orbs. "Welcome to the family, Erica. I have no doubt that my father and mother will welcome you too, that is if my father doesn't disown me for my actions. My mother, your aunt, is a great person. You're going to love her." He flashed her a true smile.

Erica gave him a big smile and pulled him into a big hug, "Thank you so much Draco. You have no idea just what you have done for me. I have a family, a real family. I'm so happy. Thank you." Before she pulled back, she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "Now lets go before Harry starts to suspect you of killing me," she said with a laugh.
Ok sorry this took me so long and yet it's so short. I have been grounded from my computer for a while. This was started weeks ago and I finished it a while ago but wasn't able to get on to post it. If anything does not make sense, please review and I will do my best to clear it up or fix the chap. Remember to read and review!

Esgalhothwen