Chapter 21:
To the casual observer, the New York branch of the American Bureau of Magic was a dilapidated off-Broadway theatre. Many people never gave it a second thought and anyone who was dared to enter the building always suddenly remembered something else they had to do and the dare was forgotten. To American wizards and witches, the façade was grand with both the American flag and a flag displaying the emblem of the ABM (the American bald eagle holding a wand in one claw and an olive branch in another) above their slogan "Peace and Freedom in Magic" flying proudly. A bulletin board outside displayed the top news items that magically changed for those who could see the building. It was updated by the New York Wizard, the leading wizarding paper in the city. Items could also be seen from the Washington Wizard Daily, Boston Magic Times and the Wall Street Journal (the Wall Street Journal updated the stocks from the New York Magical Stock Exchange).
Inside, there was a magical board that listed where every department was and which elevator to take. Three informational booths were situated in the lobby which clearly imitated Grand Central Station. A grand staircase led to the ABM's ballroom, used only for special events. Currently, a large Christmas tree was standing in front of the entrance doors to the ballroom and was lit. Christmas carols played through the lobby and many of the departments. Most were empty since the regular working day was long over; in fact, the new one would be beginning in a few hours. Only maintenance workers wondered the hallways but the Auror and Obliviator departments were still full of people.
The Obliviator department was on the fifth floor and directly above that were the Auror offices. Currently, all the people in both departments were out on a large mission that came over from England. In the head Auror's office, three Britons sat nervously. While, two sat while one paced the entire room. "What could be taking them so long?" Kiki moaned, still walking the room.
"Patience, love, patience. You're an Auror, you know these things take time," Severus said soothingly.
"Patient. I've been patient during the past few months. I was patient when Ron and Hermione said they found our daughter and the plan began to form. I'm through being patient. I want my daughter and I want her NOW!" Kiki was now panting as Severus scooped her into his arms. He rocked her gently as Draco watched in understanding. She sniffled a bit but calmed down considerably.
Suddenly, a commotion arose downstairs and they could hear screaming. "Someone, try to calm down the girl!" a man was heard yelling. Kiki, Draco and Serevus all looked at each other.
"My baby!" Kiki called. "Let me calm her down!" She rushed the door but Ace walked in, stopping her. "Please—that's Sam screaming."
"That's Serena, not Sam. Serena doesn't know you," Ace said, but Kiki didn't listen. The minute he moved, she was out of the door. Severus and Draco followed while Ace sank down on a nearby couch, sighing. He had to do what was the best to get Sam away from the Malfoys but he hoped she wasn't too scarred.
Serena was still being carried by the strange pink haired woman who insisted her name was Tonks and that she knew the woman. Serena never met this woman in her life, she was certain. She clutched her reindeer closer, wondering where her parents were. This was kidnapping but not a single officer had helped her. And these people claimed they were Aurors. How unbecoming of their position! Her father would not be too happy. This was why he mostly associated with muggles. She was a smart girl, though, and had learned that her screaming would do nothing except deafen this pink haired Auror. Time for her to be polite. "Excuse me," she said. "Could you please put me down? I must be heavy and I can certainly walk on my own."
Tonks looked surprised but put her down. "I think Lucius definitely had some influence over her attitude."
"What else do you expect?" another one of those British Aurors said. Serena looked between the two. Who was this Lucius they kept referring to? Is that who they thought her father was? His name was Luke Malon! "What do we do about the girl?" He jerked his thumb in Serena's direction. She wasn't too happy about being talked over.
"I'm right here," Serena said. Tonks smiled at her while the Auror rolled his eyes, ignoring the little girl.
"Should we put her in the room while we interview the Malfoys?"
"Who are the Malfoys?"
"What room?"
"The room?"
"Who are the Malfoys?"
"They've got her b-r-a-i-n-w-a-s-h-e-d."
"Um, you know she can…"
"I am not brainwashed!"
"…spell."
"Where are my PARENTS!" Serena stomped her foot. Screw being polite! She wanted to know and if she had to throw a rare temper tantrum, then so be it.
"We're right here!" a female voice called out. Serena twirled around to find the source. A black-haired woman was standing behind her. She had gold eyes and wore black robes, which matched the man behind her. He had slightly greasy black hair that was loose, black eyes, pale skin and a hooked nose. These people were claiming to be her parents? She would rather be back arguing with that idiotic Auror. She looked nothing like them! "Sam, honey," the woman cooed again.
Oh great, another person who thought she was this Sam/Sammy person and kidnapped by Lucius Malfoy. Serena realized she clearly was the only sane person currently in the room and promptly turned on her heels to speak with Tonks. "I wish to see my parents, please," she said, once again polite. At least they would be more sensible. "Now, if possible, please."
"Samantha Kristin Snape," the man said in a stern warning.
Serena spun back around, arms crossed in front of her. "My name is Serena Narcissa Malon," she replied. The man went to go to her, but she kicked him instead. Without looking back, Serena took off like a rocket through the ABM.
Kiki sighed. "Well, that went well," she said before turning to her husband. Serena had unknowingly (?) kicked a rather weak spot for Severus from his torturous days as a Deatheater. He clutched his leg as he collapsed on the ground, one of the Aurors getting a magical ice pack for him until a healer could properly look at it. She knelt down and grasped his hand. "We royally screwed that one up, didn't we?" she asked him. Severus nodded.
"You were the ones who told us the charm she might be under and that she wouldn't recognize any of us," Tonks replied. "She's six years old, thinks her name is Serena but everyone is confusing her with this girl named Sam. To her, her parents' names are Luke and Nora Malon but everyone keeps mentioning a Lucius Malfoy. She doesn't know who he is and probably doesn't trust us."
"When you put it that way, I wouldn't trust us," Severus said, grunting a little. "We rushed in, thinking our little girl would be returned to us but she doesn't know us. Probably thinks we're all crazy and is trying to find her parents now."
"Isn't someone going to go after her?" Kiki asked.
The other Auror spoke up. "This place is crawling with Aurors now. They'll return her when they find her."
Serena had gotten herself lost. The hallways twisted and turned, some had dead ends, and it was a maze. A maze that never ended and with no signs to help her. The paintings weren't helpful either. Many were sleeping and didn't want their rest disturbed by a lost little girl. "This is great. Way to go, Serena," she told herself. She gave up and slid down the wall. Someone would have to find her eventually, right?
She became sleepy as the late hour, party and kidnapping caught up with her. She drifted off and awoke when she felt herself being carried. She cracked open and eye to see a man that could've been her older brother (or even her father, for that matter!) walking with her back through the halls. She felt she could trust him and fell back to sleep. The next morning, she was sleeping on a cot in an office with the man next to her. She could see through a crack in the door the couple from before that thought they were her parents. She now felt a pang of sorrow for the two, knowing that this Samantha that everyone thought she was really was their missing daughter. It must've been torture for them, just like her separation from her parents.
Serena pushed herself up off the bed and into a sitting position. Her party dress was now wrinkly since no one changed the girl before tucking her in. Her shoes were off though and she swung her stockinged feet to and fro. "Good morning," the man said. "Did you sleep well?"
"Very well, thank you," Serena replied. She held out her hand. "My name is Serena Malon."
The man took her hand and shook. "I'm Draco Malfoy," he replied. Serena nodded.
"So, you're related to the man everyone keeps mistaking my daddy for?"
"I'm his son. And I'm afraid you're daddy is really my daddy."
"Don't be silly. My daddy's name is Luke Malon, not Lucius Malfoy. Are you going to be like all those other people from last night?"
"No, Serena, I'm actually going to try to explain why we believe Luke Malon is really Lucius Malfoy. Is that okay with you?" Draco asked. It had been Severus' idea, but knew neither he nor his wife could be the one to do it, or any Auror for that matter. They had blown their chance the night before when Serena came in. Draco volunteered to do it after rescuing the little girl and bring her back. She hadn't seen him and, since he looked related to her, she would probably trust him.
Serena seemed to be debating the offer and finally nodded. Draco leaned back and decided to start with the beginning. He explained to Serena about the seven children who were kidnapped by Lucius Malfoy and why. She nodded politely. He then explained Madi was saved and then the five children were rescued from Portugal. "But shouldn't there be six children?" Serena asked, doing the math.
"Exactly," Draco said. "There was no sign of Samantha Snape, or of my parents Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Fudge. And it seemed they ran off with her." He launched into the story and then left it for the little girl to figure out. Her parents were extremely intelligent and Samantha/Serena was so for her age as well.
And trying to figure it out was she. Serena sat there, pulling all the clues together. The woman they mistook her mommy for was named Narcissa, her middle name. She was six, but Serena didn't believe in coincidences, especially when there were too many to explain away. Her middle name being the same as Mrs. Fudge's. This Draco Malfoy looking exactly like her parents and her. The fact Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Fudge disappeared with Samantha Snape the same time she and her family arrived in New York. Why everyone thought she was Samantha Snape. Everything clicked and she nodded. Draco smiled and held out his hand. Wordlessly, Serena took it and the two walked outside.
There, the woman from the day before dropped to her knees. "So, you're really my mommy?" Serena asked. "And he's really my daddy?" She motioned to the man. The woman nodded. "And I'm Samantha Snape?" Another nod. "Well, prove it!" Serena said, crossing her arms. Draco's jaw dropped.
"But…I thought…you…what?" He couldn't form a complete sentence as he had the feeling he was just outsmarted by his godfather's six year old daughter.
Serena had a smug smile on her face as she faced Draco. "Oh, I believe everything you said and I acknowledge everything you said, but all of it was circumstancial. I want something tangible! Like…like the DNA tests they do on CSI!" she said.
The man sighed. "My daughter has been inundated with American television. What's next? Her wanting a Britney Spears CD?"
"Severus, darling, shut up!" the woman said. "She wants proof, she'll have proof. Isn't there a spell to establish paternity?"
"Actually, there is but only healers know the spell," a new blond man said. "You know that, Kiki."
"I also know that you happen to be married to a healer."
"No! I want an American healer to do it. They won't be biased," Serena said. Everyone groaned as she smiled.
"Severus, you taught your daughter too well!" the Auror said, but went to request an American healer. The healer was a plump, older woman who waddled over to the small group now gathered in the office Serena spent the night. She tsk-ed at the sight of the girl.
"Well, I can tell you right off, she's underfed," the healer said. Everyone else rolled their eyes because it was obvious Serena was a perfect weight to all except this woman.
Ace cleared his throat. "We're here to establish paternity to prove that she is really Samantha Snape," he explained.
"Well, I'll need both fathers claiming paternity," she explained. Ace nodded and ordered Lucius to be brought up. A few minutes later, Lucius Malfoy was led into the room and sat down.
"Daddy!" Serena said, hugging her father. She knew he would hug her back if his hands weren't bound. He was able to kiss the top of her head and let her sit on his lap for a bit. Severus, Kiki and Draco all had to hide their envy at the moment. The Snapes because their little girl was sitting contented on Lucius' knee, Draco because his father showed more tenderness to the little girl in a few minutes than in the boy's entire life. Finally, the healer called Serena off and cast a charm over her. She sent Serena out of the room with Draco as the pink sphere now magically containing Serena's DNA—something that cannot be affected by any glamour charm—floated in front of her.
"Now," the healer said, "when I cast the charm, the sphere will fly to the man who fathered this child. I could cast a maternity spell, but I would assume whoever this went to meant his wife was also her mother." The healer gave a pointed look at Kiki who glared back at her. The healer smiled sweetly at both Lucius and Severus, but soon frowned when met with the patent Severus Snape glare. "Alright, here we go." She cast the charm and the pink sphere flew right to Severus, knocking him backwards. "Congratulations, you are apparently her father."
The healer swept passed Draco and Serena, who were watching through a window above the door. Well, Serena was watching and relaying everything to Draco who held her on his shoulders. She was followed by the Auror and Lucius. Serena watched him with sad eyes while Draco's only held contempt for the man. Once he was out, Draco brought her back into the room. He plopped Serena down on the bed and she was looking at the people in the room. "Now what?" she asked, sounding like a scared little girl. Which, of course, she was.
"We're going to restore your memories," Ace replied, patting her head. "Tonks come here."
The pink haired woman came in and she talked with Ace for a bit. The woman, Kiki, who was just revealed to be her real mommy, sat down next to her and stroked her hair. Severus just looked on with interest and concern. The two Aurors stopped talking and spoke to Kiki. "We decided it's best to return her memories before taking off the glamour charms. It'll take more effort and can't have anything diminished, even for something as easy as a glamour charm." Kiki and Severus nodded. "Severus, hold Serena. Both the charm and the counter charm hurt. Kiki, we'll need you to cast it with us since you're her mother."
"What are you using? Are you re-recording her memories?" Severus asked, now holding Serena on his lap. He gave her reindeer to clutch and she decided he wasn't completely bad.
"No. It's an old counter-charm Hermione found for us after she got back. Apparently, it will erase all the memories that were magically created. She won't lose any memories of being Samantha Snape. We just need someone who is close enough to the person to be sure." Severus nodded as the three readied their wands. Serena's clutch on her reindeer tightened at the same time Severus' on her did. With a few words, a flash of light burst through the room and raced towards the little girl's mind.
She whimpered a bit as the light died down and three very tired Aurors collapsed on the couches around them. Serena opened her eyes and looked around, blinking in confusion. With a yawn, she turned around and fell asleep in her father's arms. He smiled and cast the charm to change her appearance back. Soon, his black haired daughter slept soundly as he went to help his wife up. She smiled and the British group planned their return to England.
A/N: Oh my god, I'm almost done! I think I'm going to cry when I close this out for the last time! Well, there is the Sam series I've promised. And there will be a one-shot Rent story soon as well as a short chapter story under the American Girls category. For all those taking finals, good luck. I'll be writing my final speech afterwards! --Mac