Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling, except Graces Malfoy, who is my own. I do not claim any ownership of the characters or settings contained within. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line.

Author's notes: I am very sorry for the late upload guys, but we all know how it is with the holidays. Which I hope all of you enjoyed. I would like to start by thanking my beta AuthurDent2 for editing this chapter! My other beta, Denarii, isn't getting a chance to edit this before I upload it. I just didn't want to make you all wait any longer, so I just sent it to him for final review and am going to upload this in the mean time.

Special thanks to Morgan Morai, DamonSalvatorelover, Phoenix, Snakespur, and Olli! You all are such loyal reviewers, and I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate it.

Morgan Morai: haha I loved that you put what quotes you like! Super helpful for me to see that kind of detail!

Phoenix: I feel you should know I now go around saying such a turn because of your review hahaha I adored the phrase. Loved the review as well! I am so glad you enjoyed the beauty mark scene. I was hoping it would be noticed.

This chapter is nice and upbeat! I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 13

Draco sat in his usual arm chair down in the Slytherin common room, staring out at the window pane into the dark murky lake. He remembered sitting up in front of that cold glass for hour in first year with Graces. He had been absolutely convinced if they sat there long enough, a merperson would come by. Their father had told them of how he saw two merpeople his very first year at Hogwarts, and Draco wanted to see them too. When no merpeople ever approached the window, he concluded it was because Graces giggled and fidgeted too much. Graces had pouted at first, but eventually gave in and for the next few days she was as quiet as a church mouse.

On possibly the tenth night of waiting, Graces, in her boredom, had fallen asleep against him. That was the night Draco saw something lurking in the dark water. He had cautiously woken his sleeping sister up so that she could see the dark figure drifting closer and closer over to the window. Draco had leaned in towards the glass, holding his breath in anticipation, all the while thinking of the letter he would write to his father after he saw the merperson, but Draco never was able to send their father that letter, nor did he see that merperson, because as the figure loomed nearer to them, he noticed how tightly Graces was gripping his arm. She held it so hard that it was tingling from lack of circulation, and when he looked down at her, she was sheet white with fear. Draco didn't even need to think about what to do. Graces was his sister, and seeing a merperson wasn't worth her being paralyzed with fear. Before the figure could come into view, he faked a sneezing spell, sending the merperson away, and Graces' fear with it.

Graces had of course seen it as a ruse and apologized, but Draco continued in insisting that he really had just sneezed, going as far as vowing that Graces and him would sit in front of this window whenever possible for the rest of their time at Hogwarts until they saw a merperson. Draco smiled at the memory. Here he was, in his sixth year at Hogwarts, and he and Graces still could be found sitting in front of this window on quiet nights, looking out into the water for merpeople, each of them pretending for the other that they were looking, when in reality they were just enjoying one another's company, usually talking quietly or jesting. Because of that, Draco never saw their time in front of the window as a waste.

It was different nowadays though; the mood was no longer light hearted, and Graces didn't speak often. She seemed to be as lost in her own thoughts, as Draco was in his own. She would come in late at night, knowing he would be there, and cozy up in the arm chair with him. It was Draco's greatest comfort, sitting in the still common room with his sister laying against him. Often times she would fall asleep, his arm around her shoulder and her face laying in the crook of his side, and when no one was around, he would watch her lying against him, far away in a dream, and cry.

He just sobbed silently for hours, because he had no idea how to protect Graces anymore. It was so simple before, when they were just children. All he had to do was hold her hand in Diagon Alley, fly under her when she was learning to ride a broom, chaperone her dates to make sure no wizard got handsy or disrespectful, and fake sneezing spells so she wouldn't have to see a merperson. Nothing was so simple anymore. Now she really did need protection and he was unsure if he would succeed at giving it to her. Draco realized none of this was his fault, that if it was to be anyone's fault it was his father's for putting them in such a situation, but it not being his fault didn't matter. The burden was still his to bear. He used to be able to talk to Graces about everything, there was nothing he could not tell her, but he couldn't talk to her about this. He couldn't tell her that he thought endlessly of how she may die, and how no one would be around to even properly bury her. He also couldn't tell her about what he was planning to do. Draco had decided when he took the mark that Graces soul would not bare the same scars his would. Her hands would remain clean, he would not allow her to shoulder any of this burden.

He knew that she wanted to help him though. Many times she had sat with him and opened her mouth as though to ask the questions that were floating heavily in the air, only to stop herself at the last moment. It was hard not telling Graces everything, but he convinced himself it was for the best. She didn't need to know about the necklace sitting in his trunk or the letters he was receiving at the end of the day from other members of the Dark Lord's following telling him of how their Lord was growing impatient.

A shiver went down Draco's spine at the thought, and he looked down at his watch. It was now late morning, he had been sitting in this chair for hours expecting Graces to come down and sit with him. She usually was the first up in the mornings, after him. He was starting to wonder if he should be worried about her, the last time she slept so late was when Blaise found her in the Greenhouse.

She had better not have gotten that pissed again, Draco thought darkly.

"Good morning, Draco!" Draco scowled as his sister practically skipped down the staircase.

"My, my, aren't you the pleasant one today," Graces teased, a mischievous smile on her lips as she flopped down next to him and kissed his cheek. "We should play a game of quidditch today," she mused, ignoring the look that Draco was giving her. "Oh! And we should get Blaise to join us! Ooo and Pansy too! I know she isn't much of a player, but it would still-"

"Who are you, and what have you done to my sister?" Draco interrupted, giving Graces a leery look. The girl started for a second before laughing gallantly, and the sound alone made Draco smile back. He had missed his sister's smile and laugh more than anything else, and he had not even realized it. Now though, watching high aristocratic cheeks pink with laughter and her silver eyes brighten with mirth, it was like being home in the manor, before the start of the war.

"Can't a witch be happy without her brother thinking she's polyjuiced?"

"Yes she can," Draco admitted slowly, "but you have not been like this in… I don't know ages." Graces merely shrugged, as though an explanation was not needed. "Well?"

"Fine," Graces huffed, "if you must know, I met with Longbottom yesterday and he shagged me so thoroughly, I slept like a baby the whole night and most of this morning, and now, aside from some mild soreness, I feel like I could go out and conquer the world, or whoop your pampered ass in a game of quidditch."

"You really do have a sick sense of humor," Draco groaned, as images he did not want in his head bombarded him. "You know that? Utterly depraved."

"You asked," Graces sang, making herself more comfortable in the chair.

"Okay, I get the point. You can be in a good mood to just be in a good mood. Now, let us please get back to something I understand, such as a quidditch game, and away from your warped sense of humor."

He listened to Graces prattle on for the next few minutes about how to convince Pansy to play with them. It took her all of about three seconds to come up with the plan that Draco would ask her to play, and that he would be exceedingly charming towards her when he asked. Whipping out some the famous Blaise Zabini moves even, and Draco, despite his own good judgement, ended up agreeing to all of this. He just couldn't bring himself to argue with Graces when she was this vibrant.

She used to always be this vibrant, Draco thought sadly, taking in his sister's appearance. She looks well rested too, and she slept in. My Gods, it's been so long since she slept in, I almost forgot that she liked to sleep in on weekends. Draco took note of how healthy his sister looked. For the first time in months he could see that she had truly slept, and since she didn't appear at all groggy he knew it was without the aid of a sleeping potion.

Draco was listening to Graces tell him about how she had decided to order new dragon hide gloves when Blaise walked into the common room. The dark skinned boy stopped dead in his tracks at seeing Graces excitedly talking, buzzing with energy on the sofa with her brother. Blaise looked over at Draco silently asking what had caused such a miracle, but the blonde boy just smiled and raised his shoulders as though to say 'who the hell cared'.

"Blaise!" Graces screeched, jumping up from her lounging position and throwing herself into the boys arms so he could swing her about. "I was just talking to Draco about you!" Graces confessed breathlessly, while the tall boy placed her back on her feet. "Please, say you will play quidditch with me today!"

"With a greeting and a smile like that, how could I refuse?"

Graces clapped her hands in delight, before running up stairs to change into athletic wear. Draco cringed when he heard his sister telling Pansy he wanted to speak with her, and groaned aloud at hearing Pansy giggling in delight. Yet, it seemed worth it to have to kiss Pansy's hand and charm the girl into playing a few games, especially when Graces came down moments later, all ready to go and shooing the rest of them to get changed.

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Neville was in an amazing mood as he sat down in the Great Hall for breakfast. Usually on days like this he felt awkward sitting alone and eating, while the rest of his housemates were off making plans for their day. Days like this were often just a reminder that he didn't have people who expected to be spending time with him, he usually was invited to go along with Dean and Seamus when they noticed him, but it wasn't the same as just being expected to be with someone. Not that Neville minded, he usually could find Luna somewhere and ask to join her in whatever she was doing. Seldomly she declined his offer to give her company, and on the rare occasion that she did he could just go and aide Professor Sprout in the Greenhouse. Neville, however, didn't feel awkward today, nor did it even cross his mind that he didn't have any plans for his weekend. The only thing his mind was focusing on was how unbelievably happy he was.

Graces, the infuriating prat, was finally not running away and had even acknowledged their relationship. Sure, she acknowledged it as one that was strictly sexual, but that was still a great improvement from her pretending that nothing was happening. It was a start, a very grand start in Neville's opinion, he imagined that with time he would eventually get labeled something a bit more meaningful. I believe she said she would never be your girlfriend, a snide voice clipped from inside his head.

Yeah, well, she also said that she would never sleep with me again. So I think I have a good shot.

"Hello, Neville," a dreamy voice greeted. The sandy haired boy looked up, and saw Luna taking a seat across from him at the Gryffindor table. She was wearing so many bottlecap necklaces that Neville could not even see half of her shirt. Neville smiled fondly at the sight, it was things like this about Luna that made her so richly unique and easy to talk to.

"Hullo, Luna. Enjoying your Saturday so far?"

Luna smiled airly. "Yes, very much so. It is a lovely day isn't it?"

"It is," Neville agreed.

"Would you like to go for a walk with me? I was about to go over near the quidditch pitch and look for nargles. I feel there must be a lot of them over there, judging by how people act during the games."

Neville tried not to grin too widely at Luna's statement. Luna and him were really starting to become close friends. He supposed it must have been the ministry ordeal that really sealed their relationship. Before they would talk in DA and occasionally hang out, but after the ministry he and Luna had sent letters to each other practically every day. He didn't even mind that hers were mostly filled with talk about mythical beasts he had never heard of, he enjoyed the correspondence. Luna had even visited a few times over the summer. He, at first, didn't know if it was going to be a good idea, his gran could sometimes be overbearing and Luna was of the opposite sex, but his gran seemed to like Luna. He had received a few odd looks from his gran when Luna said the occasional strange comment, but overall she approved of the friendship. It helped greatly that his gran was aware that Luna had been at the ministry as well, Mrs. Longbottom always had an appreciation for the brave. Though the elderly woman had made a point of talking to him about what would be considered a suitable wife, and judging from the conversation Neville gathered that, while his gran liked Luna, she did not think that he should ever pursue anything more than a friendship with her.

Neville had been a bit miffed at his Gran's presumption. Luna was in his opinion a wonderful girl: smart, funny (though she didn't mean to be), pretty, kind, brave, and had an amazing character. Luna could only, in Neville's opinion, add to someone's life. However, Neville did not have feelings of a romantic nature for Luna. He had started to develop them, but as wonderful as Luna was, he sometimes felt like she was too involved in her own world to actually be here with him. That might have still been fine, but since Graces, Neville was starting to realize how much he longed for someone that could be here in the present with him. Graces was able to do that, and she made him feel like he was the one that was needed. With Luna, he often felt like she didn't need anyone. Still though, he enjoyed her company more than any of his other friends.

"That sounds swell, Luna," Neville said, rising from his seat.

They headed off to the quidditch pitch and Neville listened intently as Luna told him all about her father's recent letter. Part of which detailed how he almost convinced a ghoul to stay in their attic.

"I don't understand why you and your father WANTS a ghoul," Neville said, shaking his head in bewilderment.

"How could he not? They're so fascinating. It's so unfortunate that none has ever decided to stay in our house. Father has tried to keep one, but they often leave after a day or two."

"Tried keeping one? How do you try to keep a ghoul? My gran has wanted ours out of the house ever since I can remember."

Luna frowned at this statement, as though she could not possibly understand why someone would not enjoy a loud, slimy, bucktooth ape looking monster in their home. "Well, my father and I would go up there often and talk to it, we would play music loudly in the house for it, and we even moved a bed inside the attic for it to sleep in. I decorated the whole attic as well. Still after a few days it left when me and father were sleeping."

Neville had to try very hard to look empathetic at his friends woes. "I am very sorry, Luna," he apologized, trying desperately hard to sound sincere. "You are welcome to come over to the cottage all you like in the summer and see our ghoul. Your father too."

Luna immediately brightened at the idea, and Neville was happy to see her excitement. His gran would be overjoyed as well, not only because she enjoyed Luna, but because he would tell her of how the Lovegoods somehow had a knack for driving ghouls out of attics.

"Pansy!"

Neville and Luna turned and looked over at the quidditch pitch to see Graces in front of the goals an exasperated look on her face, yelling over to her friend who was hovering high above her while Draco and Blaize were passing the quaffle up to one another heading for her posts.

"What?" the dark haired girl whined.

"You have to actually try to get the quaffle! NOW!"

"Graces, isn't it enough that I agreed to play?" Pansy asked, heaving out a great sigh. At the same time Blaize and Draco tried to put the ball through the hoops. Graces barely moved in time to prevent them from scoring.

"Pansy!" Graces growled, " You get your pampered arse down here now! I swear if you don't help me defend these goals, I will hex your hair off!"

"Lan-guage," Pansy sang, making no attempt to move as she continued examining her nails.

"Yeah, darling, language! I dare say I can't let you kiss me with a mouth like that," Blaise called, throwing the quaffle down to Draco as he zig zagged around the post trying to confuse Graces as to which hoop he would throw the quaffle into.

"Well, since I have no plans to allow your lips to grace mine, I can curse all I want," Graces retorted casually, after swinging herself upside down on her broom to punt Draco's throw. She crossed her arms and smirked at her brother as she dangled by her knees. Obviously, supremely confident in her flying skills.

Draco seemed to be pouting as he sped through the air and caught the quaffle where his sister had thrown it. He sat on his broom watching her for a brief moment, before tossing the quaffle to Blaise, with the instructions to put it through the center hoop then the left and lastly the right.

"You'll have a better chance of getting into Mcgonagall's knickers than getting the quaffle past me!" Graces taunted loudly, almost falling off her broomstick as she clutched her stomach laughing. The smile she had quickly went off her face though. Draco was now zooming in the air straight towards her. "No! Draco, you can't! That's cheat-"

Neville and Luna watched as Draco tackled his sister, head first, on her broom. Pansy was laughing madly, while Blaise continued to make goal upon goal. Meanwhile, Draco was wrestling Graces into submission on his own broom. The site alone was making Neville a little woozy, seeing Graces so high barely on the broom. Graces, however, did not look the least bit frightened, the only thing she seemed concerned with was the game.

"NO NO NO! Pansy, do something! Defend the goals! Defend the goals!" Graces was trying vainly to gain control of her brother's broom as he laughed loudly. "Draco! You cheater! Thou art the rudeliest welcome to this world! Were I like thee I would throw away myself!"

Draco just continued to laugh, even as his sister turned around on the broom and began whacking at his chest. "Thou dissembling folly-fallen fustilarian!"

"Ow! Ow! Graces, stop that, we're going to fall!" Draco bellowed, still laughing, even as his sister continued in her efforts to beat him up.

"Owner of no good quality! Away you moldy rogue away!" Draco's broom began wobbling in the air, and the pair of them began to tumble downwards to the pitch. Neville took a step forward, as though he were planning to run over to the pitch and catch them, but Luna placed a calm hand on his shoulder.

"He won't let her be harmed," she reassured tranquilly. Neville opened his mouth to argue with her, but she was right. Draco, despite the fact that Graces was still smacking him, had folded her into his arms and when they came to the ground slowed the broom as much as possible before he rolled off the broom protecting her from impact. He then proceeded to hold her down as he tickled her mercilessly.

"What did you call me? Rudeliest welcome to this world?" he asked, shouting over Graces squeals while he continued to tickle her her stomach. "Folly fallen what?" he chided, holding her arm up and attaching her under arm. "Owner of no good quality?" He had now reached a hand around him and was going after the under of her knee. "And I have no idea what the last was, but you, Graces Bellatix Malfoy, shall pay dearly for the insult."

Neville had never seen Draco like this. His pale face was pink with laughter and he was wearing a smile that matched his sister's. As Neville watched his tormentor become human, he realized why Draco meant so much to her. While the rest of the world received a cruel bully from the older Malfoy, Graces received a loving and playful brother. He had seen that Graces was very different in private, but he had not thought of the possibility that Draco was as well until now.

When Graces escaped, her face red from activity, Draco chased her around the pitch trying to tackle her at every turn. Blaise and Pansy just watched from above, laughing at the Malfoy's antics as though this were a common occurrence before both blondes collapsed from exhaustion on the ground, still giggling every few moments.

"Graces looks so much better today," Luna mused, turning away from the scene and heading to the edge of the forest. "The wrackspurts must have finally left her mind. I don't think they were letting her sleep." Neville looked back one final time enjoying the sight of Graces in sporting gear, pieces of her hair falling out of her ponytail, and her vibrant smile still plastered on her face before following his friend. "I tried to talk to her about them."

Neville could only imagine what that conversation had been like. "What did she say?"

Luna shrugged and looked dreamily up in a nearby tree. "She wasn't very pleasant; I don't think she liked me pointing them out."

"Was she cruel to you?" Neville asked slowly, not liking the idea of anyone being cruel to Luna, who was never mean or hurtful towards anyone.

"Graces isn't cruel, it's the wrackspurts they sometimes take over her and they are cruel," Luna stated certainly, turning her blue eyes over to look at Neville. The sandy haired boy didn't feel that comforted by Luna's explanations though. "I had no idea Graces knew Shakespeare."

"What is Shakespeare?" Neville asked.

"He's a muggle writer and poet. Very old, muggles consider his works to be classic. The insults she were saying are all his work, she must read a lot of his books."

Neville smirked. Graces Malfoy lover of muggle music and muggle books. Interesting. I should ask Hermione about this Shakspeare fellow.

Luna looked back towards the castle where the group of Slytherins were heading back. Obviously done with playing quidditch for the day. Pansy and Blaise were walking on both sides of the twins while Draco had an armed slumped over Graces shoulder. "It must be nice."

"What?" Neville asked, joining Luna at watching the scene.

"Having a sibling," Luna sighed, her voice filled with longing. "I imagine it would be like having a friend that loves you unconditionally."

Neville nodded, he had many times wished that he had a sibling. When he was younger he just longed for someone who would play with him and keep him company. Growing up with his grandmother didn't allow him the same kind of fun Ron must have had growing up. Now that he was older though, he longed for a sibling for very different reasons. He longed for the companionship that was sealed by blood. Siblings had a the most intriguing of relationships. One minute they could be screaming at each other, and the next they were joking around in the common room like nothing happened. It was that simple for them. They didn't need to hold back any feelings from one another. Neville imagined that if you grew up with someone, there really was no point in ever trying to act any way other than yourself with them. You could do and say whatever you wanted with a sibling. Neville had never been so open with anyone. He couldn't go up to anyone and tell them his deepest secrets and expect them to understand and love him no matter what. Suddenly, Neville felt arms around his middle.

"I wish you were my brother, Neville," Luna said quietly, hugging him tight while her face nuzzled his chest.

Neville blushed at compliment, unsure of how exactly to respond. Luna just always seemed to say whatever was on her mind, while Neville often felt the need to think things over.

"I wouldn't have minded having you for a sister," Neville admitted awkwardly, patting Luna on the back as she continued to squeeze the life out of him with her small arms. "Though, if I were your brother you would never get a date, and I would tease you mercilessly," Neville joked, slightly uncomfortable with the intimacy Luna was showing him.

"I can't imagine you teasing," Luna frowned, releasing Neville. "Why wouldn't you allow me to have a date?"

Neville blushed till he was so red in the face he looked like a beet, he thought that joke would have been rather obvious. "Uh… well umm…"

"Would you be concerned I would have sex? That's silly, you should want me to enjoy such pleasantries."

Neville just continued reddening, and muttered about how brothers tend to care for their sister's virtue. Luna didn't seem to quite understand the concept, but decided that it was just one of those things she wouldn't understand about people. Everyone seemed so odd to her anyway.

They walked back to the castle and after Neville's face returned to a normal parlor she decided they could speak again. "Neville, do you care if I pretend you are my brother?"

Neville frowned for a moment, clearly taken aback by the request. He honestly had no idea, what he should say to that. Luna was looking up at him, and for the first time Neville saw she was nervous. Neville gave her a soft smile, deciding that the request wasn't too odd. "No, Luna, I don't think I would mind that at all." The blue eyed girl smiled excitedly and gave Neville a tight hug, before she headed off to the Ravenclaw common room.

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Hope you all enjoyed! Don't forget to review/follow! Also, the next chapter is a bit intense. Nott is coming back... Boo right?