A/N Posting is going to be really sporadic for a bit

'Um, mum?'

'Hm?'

Ginny looked up at her daughter from the kitchen table, where she had been reading the Daily Prophet. Rose was cradling Ana in her arms and looking slightly guilty. Ginny couldn't believe how much she had grown. Her baby was about to graduate from Hogwarts in a matter of months. Hell, Ginny though incredulously, I'm getting old!

'What would you say if I told you that I'd neglected to mention I'm seeing someone?'

Ginny narrowed her eyes.

'Well, first, I'd know that if you were telling me about him, you must like him a lot. Then, after lecturing you about how I'm your mother and I need to know these things, I'd proceed to interrogate you about him. If the interrogation proves satisfactory, I may invite him for dinner.'

Rose looked rather relieved.

'Oh, well, in that case, since there won't be any bloodshed, I suppose that I should tell you I'm seeing someone.'

'Rose! I'm your mother! I need to know these things! Now, tell me about him. Age, height, name, weight, place of birth, house, future aspirations, etc.'

Ginny tried hard to put on a stern face, but failed miserably. Rose rolled her eyes.

'He's 17, like I am, and a 7th year Gryffindor. I have absolutely no clue what his weight is, or his height. We really don't talk about the future. It's been about four months since we've been an item.'

'You forgot to mention his name.'

'Oh.' Rose looked clearly uncomfortable, and looked at the floor. Ana yowled, and jumped out of Rose's arms. 'Well – mum, d'you remember Lucas Nielson?'

'I thought you hated him!'

'I did.'

'Isn't he Head Boy?'

'Yeah.'

'That's nice. He sounds like a responsible young man.' Ginny teased.

Rose rolled her eyes again.

'No, we sneak off every night when we're supposed to be doing rounds, and have pre-marital sex in the divination room.'

'Rose!'

As Ginny watched her rather relieved daughter walk out of the room, she had a feeling that she'd missed something. Shrugging, she went back to her paper.

'Oh, sweetie?'

'Yeah?'

'We're going to Granny and Granddad's tonight, for Easter, so remember to pack!'

''K!'

Lucas buttoned up his crisp white shirt and pulled on a navy sweater over it. Muggle wear was considered classy in the upper wizarding classes; although, for the life of him, Lucas couldn't understand why the same clothing that they found fashionable was worn by the same people that they hated.

'They're all insane,' he muttered, as he went to answer the door. The Parkinson-Malfoys were coming for dinner, and he did not look forward to it. He had a feeling Narcissa was going to try to set him up with Nicolette.

'Lucas!' Pansy Parkinson-Malfoy pinched his cheek. 'How grown up you look!'

Lucas winced. 'Thank you. May I take your coat?'

'Don't bother!' Draco Malfoy patted him on the shoulder. 'Let the houself take it. Filthy creatures. That's what they're here for, isn't it?'

The whole rotten family laughed, including Narcissa and Severus, who had just come down the stairs. Lucas sighed. It was going to be a long, long night.

Lucas sat next to Nicolette, sipping his champagne and trying not to look at her. The adults were discussing the muggle 'problem'. Lucas joined in half-heartedly, until the talk turned to Hogwarts.

'I still think you should've had him re-sorted, mother, the hat is obviously dysfunctional. Lucas is a Slytherin! Not a damn Gryffindor.'

'Well, Lucas has certainly gotten comfortable in the Gryffindor house.' Nicolette smiled sweetly.

Lucas froze, somehow managing to keep a calm face on. Fuck, he thought miserably.

'What do you mean, dear?' Narcissa looked at her granddaughter in confusion.

'Hasn't he told you, Grandmother? He has a girlfriend!'

'No, he hasn't told us,' said Severus, glaring at his young charge. 'Perhaps he should explain. Right now, in fact.'

Severus Snape looked at the boy. In his eyes, he saw determination, and strength that rivaled any he had ever seen before. Lucas' face was set in a hard expression.

'Her name is Rose Potter.'

'Potter?' Draco and Snape hissed simultaneously.

Nicolette grinned smugly. Now, Lucas would pay for what had happened at the Yule Ball.

Severus turned to Lucas as soon as he had bid the Parkinson-Malfoys goodbye. 'Upstairs,' he said. 'Now.'

Lucas gave him a hate-filled look. 'Yes,' he said, in mock-politeness.

Severus fumed. He was going to teach the impertinent boy a lesson. If his old master were here –

His train of thought was interrupted by Narcissa's incessant whimpering. 'Don't hurt him, please –'

'He must be disciplined, Cissa. Perhaps your affection is what has helped lead to this! The prophecy is about to come true before our very eyes!'

Severus turned around and stalked upstairs. Narcissa heard him yell 'Crucio!' and collapsed against the wall, sobbing.

Rose was sitting at a large table in her Grandparent's backyard. The Lupins were there, as well as all the Weasleys. Even Rose's Uncle Charlie, who had come from Romania to be with his family on Easter.

'So Charlie, have you found a girl yet?'

'Mum!'

'No, he prefers dragons, right Fred?'

'Boys!'

'Rose is going with someone,' Ginny proclaimed proudly.

Rose shot Harry and Lianne frantic looks.

'Really?'

'Who?'

'When can we meet him?'

'What's his name?'

'Lucas Nielson,' Rose said miserably. As predicted, the whole table exploded.

'Nielson? Rose, you're going out with a Death Eater?'

'I can't believe this!'

'Rose, he's dangerous!'

'My granddaughter? With a Death Eater?'

'You're more responsible than this.'

Ginny looked horrified. 'So that's why you looked so guilty when you told me! Rose!'

Rose looked furious. 'Look, he's not a bloody Death Eater! Lucas isn't dangerous at all!

He's Head Boy, goddamnitt!'

'Language!' Ginny was as mad as her daughter, now.

Rose stood up abruptly, and stalked to the room she was sharing with Lianne. She buried

her head in the pillow, and let the hot, angry tears run down her cheeks.

'Lady Malfoy.'

Aberforth Dumbledore raised his eyebrows as the aging woman pulled off the hood of her thick cloak.

'Please, take a seat. Brandy?'

'Headmaster, I think we both know why I'm here.'

Aberforth surveyed the woman carefully. She was pale, and her white-blond hair hung limply around her face. Dark circles hung under her eyes, like forbidding crescents moons.

'I have only a vague idea of what you wish to speak of, my Lady.'

'My son, Headmaster.'

'Your son? He is well past his Hogwarts days, is he not?'

'Draco may be my only blood son, but he is not the only boy I consider my son.'

'Ah,' said Aberforth. 'You wish to speak of young Lucas.'

'I am sick of watching him hurt and scorned for what he believes in. This war has already robbed me of my husband. Frankly, I don't care which side wins anymore. The hat put him in Gryffindor for a reason, and if this war is to end, the prophecy must come true.'

The Headmaster did not seem at all surprised she knew of the prophecy.

'It is already coming true, is it not?'

'Headmaster, I saw my son look at the Potter girl a few weeks ago. And I saw her look at him. 'Eyes of emerald and hair of red, like the one before her' – she looks exactly as I remember Lily Potter. And she will 'save the Dark Lord's heir'? She is saving him already, by turning him away from the destiny the Dark Lord chose for him. But he will be forced into this destiny once more if they are kept apart. Do you honestly think the old Death Eaters and their kin will let this relationship continue? Oh, they know of it,' she said, seeing the Headmaster's surprised look. 'They hurt him because of it.'

Narcissa trembled, and clutched her arms to calm herself. The Headmaster pressed a glass of brandy into her hands.

'Drink this,' he said.

She did. When she looked up, she was ready to finish. 'Watch over him, Headmaster. Keep him here. He cannot stay any longer. I have left the rest of his things with the house elves. Do not tell him this was my idea. He cannot have any ties left to our world.'

With that, Lady Narcissa Malfoy swept out of the Headmaster's office. He sat there for some time afterwards, until the sun began to set behind the Forbidden Forest.