((A/N)) I hope to maintain regular updates like I did before Chapter Thirteen (which had a month and a day gap from Chapter Twelve). So please, check this fic occasionally… Btw, I'm sorry if the sequence of the events is sort of confusing… P.S. This is my longest chapter ever! I'm so happy! Hope you like it…

Disclaimer: You know the drill. I also do not own the song Dance With My Father of Luther Vandross. It's the song in Joan's memory.

Chapter Fourteen

Everything I Wanted

"Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter – would you care to share to the rest of us your conversation?"

Ron faced the person who had just spoken.

The Minister, along with the rest of the heads of the departments, was looking at them.

"Well?" Percy asked irritably.

Harry glared at Ron slightly and faced Percy. "No, I'm sorry, Minister for disrupting the meeting. Mr. Weasley was merely asking me about a topic of less importance. There is no need for a big fuss about it."

The Minister raised an eyebrow. "Very well, shall we continue with our discussion, gentlemen?" He faced the other people in the room but not after he frowned at his brother. This discreetly meant 'talk to you after the meeting'.

Ron groaned.

Why did this suddenly feel like Potions class?

---

"That would be all, thank you gentlemen." Minister Weasley declared and everyone in the room stood up to leave. He faced Ron to make sure that he does not leave.

Ron caught Percy's eye and walked over to him, asking Harry to wait for him outside.

"What?"

Percy narrowed his eyes in his superior way. "Ronald, you know that there is no nepotism in the Ministry, do you not?"

Ron restrained the urge to roll his eyes. "Yes, Minister. I am fully aware of that. I also know that just because I'm your brother it doesn't mean that I'm above the rules and decorum in here."

"Well, if you were aware of that," Percy held his head high. "What were you and Harry talking about that cannot wait and has to be brought up every few minutes?"

Ron sighed. "It's about Devon B-."

Percy's attention was automatically evident. "Devon Black, did you say?"

"Yes..." Ron replied slowly. "Why?"

"What about him?" Percy countered.

"It's about his identity and Draco Malfoy's, Harry reckons -."

"Ron, bring Harry with you to my office – pronto." Percy interrupted, and turned away, heading towards the door.

"I need to talk to the Aurors…" He muttered as he brushed past a bewildered Harry.

"What was that all about?" Harry asked as soon as Ron appeared in the doorway.

His best friend shrugged. "I don't know, but I reckon it's important. Perce told me to bring you with me to his office."

"Go to his office? But he was muttering about talking to Aurors when he left. I thought we were only supposed to have the monthly meeting today. It's a weekend, for Merlin sakes!"

Ron's faced clouded. "Actually, I told him that we were discussing Devon's identity when he became overly interested with that topic."

"Oh no, that'll be a long discussion with Percy." Harry's expression became grave. "Ginny's going to kill me… She and the kids had all woken up early today to prepare for our family outing. I told her I'll be back in an hour or two!"

Ron slapped his head in mock horror. "You are doomed!"

---

"3:30 PM – You're done with your assignments; go and hang out with your friends and encourage them to do theirs."

Joan sighed as she placed the clock back on her side table.

Encourage Andrei and James to do their homework and see them actually do it? Joan thought. That'll be the day.

She proceeded to lie down on her four-poster, staring at its ceiling.

"Bored, bored, bored…" Joan muttered to no one in particular. She had hoped to hear from either of her parents after last night. Due to circumstances and the attack, that would be out of question.

Being the rational and productive student she is, Joan got up and rummaged into her trunk. She pulled out several books that she had taken from the Manor and proceeded to read.

---

"That's her during her eighth birthday – blowing the candles and icing off the cake and onto the faces of the Potter and Weasley children."

Draco positively beamed as he watched his daughter in the wizard picture blow the candles hard and deliberately. The marshmallow icing flew off the edge of the cake and landed on her startled friends.

"It looks like she is a lot like me when I was younger." He commented as picture Joan smirked and clapped happily.

Hermione nodded. "I suppose so… You know what she said after that incident?"

"What?" Draco watched as Joan continued to clap while Andrei began to lick the icing off his face.

"She said, 'Mommy! Mommy! I got one of my wishes! I got one! I got one!'"

"It figures."

After breakfast, Hermione had suggested to Draco that they take a look at the album that she always kept miniaturized in her wallet.

Reminiscing was what the two of them did for most of the morning which they continued after a quick lunch of sandwiches.

"Wait," Draco asked. "Did she say one of her wishes? What's the other one?"

Hermione looked at her hands. "Actually, she had three wishes, two of which she told me that night."

"What are they?" Draco prodded gently.

"Well…" Hermione started slowly. "One of which is to have her father back."

Silence ensued.

Draco's voice cracked. "What's the other one?"

Hermione colored. "She said this can only happen if her other wish comes true."

Draco was confused. "Tell me then. Her second wish came true already, so what's the third?"

"She wants to have siblings."

---

"Hey, this is interesting." Joan took out her wand. "Why don't I try this spell out?"

She took out another of her father's old school books and flicked pages until she found a certain picture inserted in between.

It was Narcissa Malfoy's picture. The woman in the picture is blonde, tall and slim. Joan thought she looked rather pretty but there was something wrong with her expression…

"Let's see if I can make this work." Joan laid the picture in front of her and began to read the incantation that she found in another book.

After flicking her wand for the last time, Joan took the picture into her hands cautiously.

"Hello there, young lady." It spoke.

Joan almost dropped the picture in shock.

The spell worked. She is now able to communicate to the person in the picture.

"Hello there, Ma'am." Joan replied, unsure how to respond to her grandmother in the picture, who was years young to be a grandmother.

"I'm Narcissa Malfoy, what would your name be?" Narcissa said icily.

"My name is Joan – Joanna Leticia Malfoy." She replied slowly.

Narcissa continued to interrogate. "Really? How are you related to us the Malfoys? Who is your father?"

"Um, Draco Malfoy…" Joan let her answer trail off.

Immediately, the cold and snobbish exterior of Narcissa crumbled. "You are Draco's daughter?" Narcissa sat more comfortably in her elegant red seat that resembled a throne. "My, how time passes quickly. How old are you, dear?"

Joan felt at ease by now. "I'm eleven years old, turning twelve next year, Ma'am."

"Posh! Don't call me Ma'am," Narcissa insisted. "I'm actually your grandmother, are you not aware?"

"Yes, Grandmother," Joan smiled.

Narcissa smiled fondly back. "Well, aren't you going to tell me who your mother is?"

"She's Hermione Granger, Grandmother."

Narcissa clapped her hands. "Delightful! They ended up together? I knew it! Would it be ok if you tell me something about your family life? I want to know how my Draky is as a father."

Draky?

Joan grinned. "Sure, Grandmother."

---

"Why did you tell us about this only now, Harry?" Percy asked from behind his mahogany desk.

Ron echoed. "Yeah, Harry, why only now?"

Harry inhaled. "Do you remember how Hermione was when she was grieving? If I had said something about the possibility of Draco being alive, I might have given her a false hope. Besides, it was just a possibility; it might tear her more if that hope was shattered afterwards."

Percy nodded solemnly. "Point taken."

"But, Perce," Ron caught the look his older brother was giving him and rolled his eyes. "But Minister, what does it have to do with Aurors?"

"Ronald, Hermione was attacked last night. There was no evident motive behind. And naturally, we had to check on Devon Black's background, which surprisingly does not exist in any wizarding country around the world. So, naturally, we were all suspicious."

Harry nodded to show comprehension.

"And when Harry said that bit about that possibility of Draco Malfoy being alive, something clicks together about his story and Devon's. All of that seems to be aligned with the investigation."

"How so Per – Minister?"

"Ronald, it's confidential. We'll let the two of you know once the time is right." Percy answered pompously.

---

"Well, that could be arranged." Draco whispered quietly, inching closer to Hermione.

"What do you mean? Draco!"

Draco, for the second time that day, carried Hermione off the couch, but this time he was heading towards the bedroom.

---

---

The Gryffindor common room is, as usual; empty since it is after breakfast. Students were either outdoors enjoying the last bit of nature before the week starts, or in the library hurrying with procrastinated work. But Joan Malfoy is not the average procrastinator.

Joan is currently in her favorite seat in front of the fireplace, planning to read the book she had recently borrowed from the library. She is in a bad mood due to the incident when Snape, the perpetual killjoy, confiscated Narcissa's picture from her when he saw her talking to the picture on the way to the Great Hall. He claimed that it has all the marks of the Dark Arts.

"Dark Arts, my foot..." Joan had thought. "He probably just wanted to talk to Grandmother…"

Grudgingly and finding no other better thing to do, Joan slouched into the armchair and began to lazily turn the pages of the book.

---

"Professor Dumbledore! Look what Ms. Malfoy had brought to school!" Snape practically had rushed to the Headmaster.

Dumbledore peered at Snape calmly from his half-moon spectacles. "Really, Severus, you must not exhaust yourself too much on petty things."

"But, Headmaster," Snape insisted. "This is of utter importance: it has the markings of the Dark Arts!"

"May I see it, Severus?" Dumbledore reached out his hand.

Snape took one look at the picture and handed it to Dumbledore.

"Albus! What a pleasant surprise!" The figure in the picture exclaimed as he examined it.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Why hello, Narcissa."

"Headmaster! That's infected with the Dark Arts!" Snape cried. "Why are you so lax?"

Dumbledore was about to reason out when Narcissa injected.

"Severus, as my granddaughter has been explaining, my picture is not made through the Dark Arts! It was she herself who -."

"That proves it that it is Dark!"

"Severus," Narcissa continued haughtily. "Kindly stop interrupting me. As I was saying," She faced Dumbledore. "She was merely experimenting on a new spell that she read and thus she was able to make an interactive photo. Only portraits are able to actually speak but Joan, brilliant child, was able to perform the spell on the photo."

The Headmaster nodded understandingly, much to the horror of the Potions Master. "Yes, Narcissa, I am aware of that spell. And I believe that Ms. Malfoy is capable and responsible enough for her actions."

"But – but –but -." Snape stuttered, his greasy hair flopping. "Punishment must be due -."

"Honestly, Severus," Narcissa declared. "I agree with Albus that you are overexerting yourself with your duties."

"Headmaster -."

"Now, Severus," Dumbledore evenly replied. "I don't see any rules broken by Ms. Malfoy, so I don't think a punishment is in order."

Snape's eyes bulged.

"But," Dumbledore carried on. "If you see fit for her parents to be informed, please do so."

"I will, Headmaster." And Snape turned to leave.

"By the way, Severus, do you know how to contact Hermione?"

Darn it…

---

Hermione leisurely rubbed sleep away from her eyes. She turned carefully to face the sleeping aristocratic-looking man beside her. She cautiously, so not to wake him up, brushed strands of blonde hair on his forehead, just to make sure he was real. Merlin knows how many times she had fantasized about such a moment, only to find out it was all in her head. Her husband shifted slightly in his sleep but did not wake up. Hermione smiled to herself blissfully as she snuggled closer to him under the covers and closed her eyes, the man she had dreamt for so long is finally here, at last.

An arm snaked its way on her shoulder and Hermione opened an eye to see Draco still sleeping, or pretending to do so. She gently pinched his side, which caused Draco to open his eyes and give a sound of surprise.

"What was that for?" Draco faced the love of his life.

His wife grinned back at him. "Good morning, O Drowsy One."

"Actually, I'd prefer the title O Handsome One or -."

"O Narcissistic One?"

Draco showed a mocking frown. "Is something wrong with me taking after my mother?"

"No, not really." Hermione tilted her head in a teasing way. "But your mother was a lot prettier and more beautiful than you are or ever will be."

"Why you -." Draco suddenly dipped his head and met his wife's lips with his own.

Hermione was caught in surprise but was soon responding.

Draco held her head gently as he brought her closer to him. He brought the two of them into a more comfortable position on the bed as they continued to kiss. He allowed their tender kissing session to continue for awhile before exerting his so-called dominance.

Feeling a tongue prodding her lips, Hermione conceded. Soon it was a passionate battle of tongues and ardor.

The couple was so into each other that neither noticed that Draco was near the edge of the bed, that is, before he fell onto the wooden floor.

"Ouch!"

Hermione looked down on him from the bed with a slightly dazed smile.

"I suppose it's time for breakfast, isn't it?"

"MALFOY! I NEED TO SPEAK TO YOU RIGHT NOW!"

---

"Did you get that, Severus?"

"Yes, Headmaster."

"That would be all there is."

Snape folded the parchment where he had written the instructions that Dumbledore dictated to him on how to contact Hermione. He stood up to head to the dungeons.

"By the way," Snape froze when the Headmaster spoke again. "Would it be fine with you if you leave Narcissa here for awhile?"

"Yes, Headmaster."

"Thank you, Severus." Dumbledore beamed at Snape.

Snape was a few steps away when Dumbledore called out once more.

"By the way again, Severus, a word of caution."

Snape turned to face the wizen wizard.

"Yes, Professor?"

"I still believe it is a bad idea. Do you have a strong heart?"

Snape was taken aback with the question on his health. "Yes, Professor."

"Very well, then, carry on – but I warn you, you may not like what you see. You'll probably be in for a big surprise." Dumbledore stated with his usual twinkle in the eye.

Snape resisted raising an eyebrow. "Ok, Headmaster." And he took leave.

"What was that all about, Albus?" Narcissa queried from her picture.

The Headmaster simply twirled his beard and winked. "You'll find out soon enough, Narcissa."

---

After the Potions Master had been given the instructions on how to make the alternative communication device to contact Hermione, he immediately went to work.

Half an hour later, Professor Severus Snape had finally made TTWAVHH also known as The Two-Way Audio-Visual Hogwarts Howler. Such are very rarely made since these Howlers are made only for special and 'drastic' measures. To our favorite and only Potions Master, this is the perfect time to test it.

Snape then unrolled the now enchanted parchment and spoke to it. As he spoke, the words began to form on the parchment.

"To: Hermione Granger-Malfoy, Hiding Into The Unknown.

From: Professor Severus Snape, Hogwarts Dungeons

Subject: Delinquency and Practice of the Dark Arts of Joanna Malfoy."

Snape paused.

Well, that was a little bit exaggerated, but how else will Hermione take the situation seriously? Besides, it felt good to be reporting a Gryffindor's Gryffindor child who is in trouble…

And with that, Snape duplicated the parchment and muttered the complicated mailing spell which was designed especially for the TTWAVHH. Almost instantly, the duplicate vanished.

The Potions Master leaned back on his seat.

"Now to wait for the results…"

---

Joan had opened and shut the book on her lap for the millionth time. She had been reading and rereading the first phrase since she started that morning. Sighing, she gazed into the fireplace and lit a fire. She was obviously distracted. And, no, Snape is not the reason.

She had hoped to hear from either of her parents by breakfast time when the owls came. Disappointingly, not even one owl came for her. Joan was beginning to wonder with doubt what had become of her parents.

Maybe Dad hasn't revealed himself yet…

Sighing despondently for the second time, Joan could only wish that her mother has all the emotional strength she could gather now. She knew her mother is strong but only because she felt obligated to be such.

Little did the public know how she keeps her emotions bottled up in the day only to let the tears fall at night…

Joan summoned a picture frame from her dorm.

A few seconds later a gold frame with silver engravings came floating towards to her.

The war was over. I don't care; all cared about is that Daddy is always with Mommy and me. I don't even know what the war is. All I know about it is that it takes Daddy away from Mommy and me from time to time.

Back when I was a child,
Before life removed all the innocence,
My father would lift me high,
And dance with my mother and me,

"Draco, she's too old for that!" Mommy scolded Daddy as he took me in his arms and carried me.

"No, I'm not, Mommy!" I had said.

Daddy did not listen to Mommy but continued to raise me up and down. "No, she's not."

I giggle happily in Daddy's arms.

Mommy narrowed her eyes. "You are spoiling her; I would not want Joan to be the spoiled brat you were."

"Lighten up," Daddy said, placing me on his shoulders. "She promised me not to be a brat, right, Joan?"

I raised my hand as though to promise. "Yes, Daddy."

"See?" Daddy smiled at Mommy.

Mommy just rolled her eyes. "I still say she's too old for that."

Daddy raised his head to look at me as he held my legs to keep me from falling. "How old are you?"

"Four, Daddy." I raised four fingers."

"Young enough." Daddy faced Mommy with his grinning face. "Besides, I wasn't around much when she was younger." He raised an eyebrow at Mommy.

"Whatever." Mommy sighed and threw her arms up in defeat. She motioned to leave the room.

Daddy put me down the he took Mommy by her waist and held her close.

"What?" Mommy had asked.

Daddy faced me to grin at me and I grinned back. Still holding Mommy close to him, he pulled out his wand to enchant the piano to play on its own.

I clapped, knowing what was coming next and got comfortable on the plush sofa at the side of the room. It gave me a good view of my parents.

The song being played is the song when Mommy and Daddy had their first dance in their wedding.

And then...
Spin me around 'til I fell asleep,
Then up the stairs he would carry me,
And I knew for sure I was loved

After a sequence of steps with Mommy, Daddy came over to me and bowed.

"May I have this dance, young lady?" He extended his hand to me.

I glanced at Mommy who was smiling and nodding at me.

I took his hand and he carried me. I was obviously too short to be his dance partner. Daddy has always been very tall to me.

Nevertheless, he twirled around the room with me in front of his chest, pretending all the while that I was a 'young lady'.

If I could get another chance,
Another walk, another dance with him,
I'd play a song that would never ever end
How I'd love love love...
To dance with my father again.

I felt my eyes drooping. No, don't, I scold them; I don't want to go to sleep. I don't want to stop dancing with Daddy just yet…

"Draco," I heard Mommy's voice. It seemed to be far away. "I think Joan's tired now. It's past her bedtime."

I couldn't see her anywhere, and then I realize I already had my eyes closed.

I heard Daddy chuckle quietly. "I suppose so."

"Why don't I go ahead to her room and fix her bed and you just follow?" Mommy offered.

"Sure." Daddy changed the way he carried me and carried me as he would a baby.

I pretended to be deeply asleep. It felt good to be in Daddy's arms. I wish he'd never leave again.

When I and my mother would disagree,
To get my way I would run from her to him.
He'd make me laugh just to comfort me,
Yeah yeah...
Then finally make me do just what my momma said.

"Daddy! Daddy!" A blonde little girl of four with unkempt hair runs towards her father.

Her daddy looks up from reading a letter. "Yes, sweetheart, what's wrong?" He asks patiently, concern written on his face.

"Mommy is-."

Her brown-haired young mother enters the study after her daughter. "Yes, Joan, what was I doing?" She leans on the doorway, raising an eyebrow.

The girl throws a tentative glance from her mother to her father. "She wants me to wear long heavy robes with weird sleeves, weird bottoms and -."

"They're called dress robes, honey."

Joan's parents shoot a look at each other and her mother leaves the room, leaving her father to deal with her.

"Joan, come here."

Joan climbs onto her father's lap.

"Why don't you like to wear dress robes?"

Joan wrinkles her face. "It's too heavy for me."

The man smiles slightly and nods for his child to go on.

"And the boys with laugh at me. It's too lacy and girly for me," she continues. "I don't like it, Daddy."

Her daddy laughs – one of Joan's favorite sounds. "Too girly for you?"

Joan huffs. "Yes."

"Why – aren't you a girl?"

"I am a girl." Joan's facial expression and tone seems to say 'duh'.

"Then, what's the problem?"

"The boys will laugh at me."

The father raises an eyebrow. "The boys will laugh at you?"

"Yes – Daddy," Joan said. "Are you repeating my words?"

"I am repeating your words."

"Daddy!"

"Joan!"

Joan remains silent.

Her father spoke up. "Do you honestly think that Andrei and James will laugh at you?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Joan held her head low.

"I think I know," Her father started. "They don't expect you to wear such and this'll be the first time you will wear dress robes, isn't it?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"That's not a problem. There are first times for everything, besides; you might actually like wearing them."

Joan made a face.

Her father laughed. "Come on, it's not that bad. They too, don't worry, will wear dress robes for the commemoration."

"Really?" His daughter's face lit up.

"Of course. And knowing Weasley from the past," The man managed to flash a well-known smirk on his face. "He might even let his son wear dress robes with more lace than yours."

Joan laughed. "Ok, I'll wear mine, then."

"Shhh… Don't tell anyone I told you that…"

Later that night when I was asleep,
He left a dollar under my sheet.
Never dreamed that he would be gone from me.

"Daddy, promise me you'll come back?" Joan asked Draco.

Draco will be leaving early the next day for the International Wizarding Convention for Unity.

"Yes, honey, I promise." Draco smiles as he tucks Joan into her bed.

"Promise, promise?"

"Promise, promise."

Joan yawns. "Why are you going again?"

"It's because of my work and," Draco dims Joan's night light. "It's getting late. I have to leave soon. Good night, Joan." He kisses Joan's forehead.

"Goodnight, Daddy, I love you." Joan murmured with her eyes closed.

"Love you too."

Hermione, who was watching from the doorway, did not notice Draco slipping an envelope under Joan's pillow before he left the room with her.

Not one of them ever imagined that it would take years for Draco to come back to them.

If I could steal one final glance,
One final step,
One final dance with him,
I'd play a song that'd never ever end.
Cause I'd love love love, to dance with my father again.

Sometimes I'd listen outside her door
And I'd hear how my momma cried for him
I pray for her even more than me...
I pray for her even more than me...

Dear Diary,

Today is Dad's fourth year death anniversary. When we were having a service in commemoration, I recall the day I found out about it… I was very young then…

I knew something was wrong from the time Aunt Ginny fetched James, Andrei and I from school. It was Mom's turn to fetch us, but she obviously didn't. Aunt Ginny was also very quiet during the trip home. Also, she had kept shooting glances at me. I felt the hairs on my neck prickle. Something was up. Being young and naïve, I hadn't given it much thought. Then as we got reached the Manor, there were reporters swarming the place…

It's eleven-thirty in the evening. I know I must be sleeping, but somehow, I can't – knowing Mom is just a few doors away, alone. Despite the years, Dad's departure is still hard for the both of us, but much worse for her. Diary, you don't know how much I want to go and reach out to Mom. I do, I really want to… To hug her, and so on. But she wouldn't let me. I have heard her cry on some nights throughout the years. But whenever I turn the knob on her door, she stops and I learn that the door is locked. Tonight's one of those nights.

She never talks about it – sadness. I think it's not right for her to hide it but then again, she could be doing this for me. She's the only one I can lean on and vice versa. She wants me to see her as a tower of strength. It hurts me too whenever I see her with a wistful look on her face whenever we see a family. Even when being with the Potters and Weasleys affect her…

I know I'm praying for much too much,
But could you send back,
The only man she loved.
I know you don't do it usually,
But dear Lord she's dying,
To dance with my father again.

It's been four years, but the pain is still there. I want Mom to be happy. She loved him very much, actually, she still does. Some of my peers, a few of my teachers and sometimes even my mom call me impossible. And here I am, once again, praying for the impossible. I hope and pray for Dad to come back. It may seem foolish, but in the Wizarding world, I always thought that anything is possible. This is no exception.

The tears, the muffled cries – these haunt me tonight. I want Mom to be happy.

Every night I fall asleep and this is all I ever dream...

I recall the smiles, the laughter and gaiety we had as a whole family… I remember the times Dad had tuck me into bed, the times we ice-skated, the times we… Diary, I miss him so much – and I know Mom misses him twice as I do. I recall the good times… I erase from my mind Mom's stifled cries and tear-stained face and remember how they used to dance in rhythm with the music… Ok, that's all, I must be sleeping now…

11:57 PM

---

The parchment in front of him unfolded and on its surface he saw the image of a living room.

Must be where Hermione is hiding…

Snape then made it floating to his eye level and shouted.

"MALFOY! I NEED TO SPEAK TO YOU RIGHT NOW!"

---

Hermione quickly threw a robe on herself, wondering all the while how in the world someone was able to find them. As she was about to open the door, Draco caught her arm after putting on his pajama bottoms.

"Let me, what if it's an intruder?"

Draco went out first with his wife following close behind him. He had his wand out, pointing it in front as he entered the living room.

"BLOODY HELL!"

Draco was taken aback as a floating parchment shouted.

---

"BLOODY HELL!" Snape shouted.

Is that? It can't be… DRACO MALFOY?

The Potions Master then recalled the Headmaster's words: "…but I warn you, you may not like what you see. You'll probably be in for a big surprise."

Snape groaned as Hermione followed her half-clad husband, wearing a robe.

This is not what I expected to see…

---

"Professor Snape?" Hermione slowly asked, stunned and she adjusted her robe.

Draco took the parchment into his hands and stared at his former House Head, who was gaping with his mouth slightly open.

"Good morning, sir." Draco greeted, regaining composure.

Severus Snape snapped out of his shock and responded. "Good morning to you too… Draco and Hermione."

The couple faced each other with confusion evident in their faces. Before either of them could react, the professor spoke.

"No need to tell me any explanations given the situation, I'll ask the Headmaster for information since I am under the impression that he knows about this."

Hermione shot Draco a look which he ignored for the time being.

"But, may we ask why you are here Professor?" Draco calmly asked.

"Oh, it's about your daughter, Joan…" Snape started.

---

Joan sat holding the picture frame with their last family picture, taken sometime before her father had left. The very same picture her father had left in an envelope under her pillow the night he left.

Unconsciously, a tear dropped from her eye.

"Joan?" A quiet voice called from behind her.

Joan hastily wiped the tear and turned to face the voice.

It was James.

He shifted awkwardly from where he stood. "Um, I'm sorry…"

Joan shook her head. "It's ok, you're not interrupting anything. I'm just lost in my thoughts…"

"It's about your parents, isn't?" He quietly asked, coming nearer and seeing the picture frame on Joan's lap.

Joan nodded slowly, feeling emotions at the brink of her control, she hugged James.

James hugged her back and silence enveloped the two. Joan stared ahead with her head on James' shoulder while James stooped to be level with Joan, who was still sitting.

"Ahem."

Joan and James abruptly pulled back from one another; both stared at the intruders with shock. James' eyes widened with something akin to fear while Joan stood up with her face a mask of various emotions.

"Ahem." One of the intruders repeated once more.

James bowed slightly with a horrified and shocked look about him and with a tentative glance at Joan, scurried out of the common room.

Recovering from her shock, Joan rushed to the man and embraced him tight.

The other person, a woman, came out from the shadows, smiling.

The man enveloped Joan and the woman in a hug that very much signified how much they both meant to him.

The Malfoy family had now been reunited.