"As agreed, Sir, one guest list." Carina leaned over Draco's shoulder as he sat in the great hall for dinner.

"Thank you very much. On time too, I like that." He took the folded paper from her and put it in his bag. He looked up at his peers as she walked away. Every student in the hall was staring after her as she left, but Pansy was glaring straight at him. Whispers could be heard all around the hall.

"Who is she?"

"Where did she come from?"

"She's in my potions class. She's friends with Parkinson."

"Must be no good then."

Honestly, Draco thought, how thick can you people be?

"A word, Draco?" Pansy hissed through her teeth.

Pansy removed herself from the dinner table and calmly waited for Draco to stand and follow her. Once they were on the other side of the the great hall doors, Pansy pushed Draco to the wall with her elbow at his throat. In a calm, low growl of a voice she asked, "What was that?"

"I can't imagine why Carina would want me to stay quiet about knowing she's your sister, you seem so very understanding." He choked out sarcastically.

"So you know. Which makes me want to kill you."

"Look, Pansy, I know the way I treated you was unacceptable but I swear I would never treat her that way! I can't take it back, okay? I took advantage, I know that now, it's not an excuse, it's just the way it is, but I swear, Pansy, never again!"

"Why? Why should I believe anything you say? You're an alcoholic teenager for Merlin's sake! You're arrogant, pig-headed, MEAN-!

"Yes, I know all that, okay? But it's not just her."

"Bastard!"

"That's not what I meant! I mean I never want to treat anyone that way again, not Carina, not you, not my mates, not the other students, not anyone!"

Pansy glared at him and stepped back.

"I'm just helping her plan a party, that's all."

"No, it's not all, Draco. You're spending time with her. You want to spend time with her."

"Yeah, but, Pans, I'm not trying to get her to bed."

"I'll kill you without a moment's hesitation if you ever even think-"

"Yeah, I know, Pansy. I got it. But she's still worth spending time with and I have no intention of that."

"Prove it. Prove you can be worthy of her, even as just a friend."

"Anything you want, just name it."

"Quit drinking."

"Fine, yes, here. Take it. Take the whole stash from the dungeons too." He rifled through his bag and pulled out his flask and pushed it into her hands.

She snatched it away and stepped back again. "So," she said. "A party.. can I help?" She grinned.

"You're mental!"

"Hey, I may be pissed at you, but I'm still a girl and I want to help plan my baby sister's coming out party!"

"No."

"Draco!"

He rolled his eyes. "Fine. Help her get a proper dress. Something fit for her new status."

"Fine. That's the best part anyway!" She stalked away to meet Carina and Severus in the room of requirements.

"No open bar, then?" He called after her.

"Not on your life!" She replied over her shoulder.

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Severus let himself into the room of requirements with a bundle in his arms. "Carina, the ministry's responded, come have a look."

Carina launched herself off of the plushy couch and she and her father tore the twine and paper off the package. Inside was a stack of papers detailing the planned visit for testing Carina's blood.

"Nothing interesting I'm afraid, but look, here's a list of what will happen after the tests are done." He handed her a list.

She scanned down the paper. "Changing my name legally, putting my magical signature in the census.. what's that?"

"When a magical child is born of a pureblood line, the ministry records their magical signature in a book that tracks the ancient and noble houses. No one talks about this, but every once in a while, someone will go through the book and if it appears that any of the ancient houses are in danger of dying out, they will encourage all of the adults in that line to have children. It's not as prejudiced as it sounds. It's just that if the pureblood lines die out, many believe that it won't be long before there's no magic left at all."

"Oh..that's quite a frightening thought, not having anymore magic.." Carina frowned.

"Indeed. And as your birth was kept secret, it was not recorded."

"Oh, right."

"Have you decided on when you'll be telling Minerva and meeting your uncle?"

"Draco is throwing her a coming out party." Pansy grinned from her spot on the couch.

A look of shock flashed over Severus's face. "Is that...wise?" He asked.

"I don't believe there's any reason to worry." She answered

"And it will be appropriate?"

"I'm right here, you know! And yes, I'm told he takes his social obligations very seriously!" Carina huffed which earned a chuckle from her father and sister.

"What are you gonna wear?" Pansy asked. "If I know Draco, and I do, it'll be a pretentious formal affair, and excuse me for assuming, but you haven't got anything, have you?"

"No," Carina answered. "I thought I'd go in my jeans just to irritate him." The girls laughed and Severus shook his head.

"No, as funny as it would be, it won't do. I'll take you dress shopping tomorrow. It's Sunday and I can't imagine you'll want to wait a whole week to get this over with."

"Alright, I'll go get a stupid dress." Carina muttered. "Don't see why I can't wear jeans, it's my party."

Pansy laughed. "As soon as you put it in Draco's hands, it became his party. And if you go in jeans he may not let you in."

"Well," Severus interrupted, "you're shopping trip will have to wait until after breakfast tomorrow. The ministry official is coming before breakfast for their tests, and Albus will want to make a speech."

"Are you guys nervous?" Pansy asked.

Severus and Carina looked at each other. "A little." Severus confessed. "I know the tests themselves will prove that you're mine, Carina, but I've been waiting so long, I just want everything to be legal and official. Then our lives as father and daughter can start in earnest. That's the bit I'm anxious for."

She smiled at him.

"Wait," Pansy said, frowning. "I've just thought of something. "Severus, you aren't a pureblood."

"That's right, but the moment I made that deal with Lucifer, my name showed up in the book. I don't know why. And Carina is considered pureblood because whether it's half or whole, I have magical blood, and your mother was a pureblood, so Carina is as well. You don't hear any of your friends refer to themselves as three quarters pure, do you? It might surprise you to know how many of them are, you know."

"Right, well why would your name appear in the book?"

"I'm not sure. No one ever questioned it either. I assume my master had something to do with it. Maybe he thought my having pureblood status would afford Carina better protection. Everyone just sort of assumes I'm a pureblood."

"Hm. Interesting. It amazes me to see and know the extent that Lucifer was involved in your life, Carina. All the little details that he had a hand in."

"Yes, it's a little unnerving."

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"Good morning, Severus, how are you?" An older gentleman wearing a ministry badge on his cloak entered the castle before breakfast on Sunday morning.

"I'm well, Mr. Baker, and yourself?"

"Fine, fine. I must say, when I heard that I was coming to Hogwarts to administer tests to prove Hermione Granger was the daughter of Severus Snape, I nearly fell out of my chair!" The man smiled broadly and shook Severus's hand in front of the castle entrance.

"You and me both, Mr. Baker. Right this way." Severus led the man to his potions lab where Carina and Pansy was waiting.

"Hello, and who is this?" Mr. Baker asked.

"Miss Pansy Parkinson," Severus answered. "Hermione Granger's half sister."

Mr. Baker's eyebrows both rose so high they were completely covered by his mop of curly brown hair. "Her what?" He said as he tripped over his scarf that was at least twenty feet long. Severus gripped the man's elbow and helped steady him.

"Really, Mr. Baker you must trim this scarf, it's dangerous."

"I like it!" Mr. Baker said defiantly. "Now then, let's get on with it. How fascinating!" He smiled again and clapped his hands together. "How do you do, Miss Granger?"

"It's good to meet you, Sir." She bowed in response.

"Oh, good manners, that's important, very good." He mumbled as he lay a row of parchments over one desk and fumbled with his pockets. He situated a vile in front of each parchment. "Here we are then. Severus you first."

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"Well, everything is in order! I just need you to sign here, under your father's name." Mr. Baker slid an open book in front of Carina.

"Actually, Sir, I was hoping to have my name properly changed." She said.

"Oh, yes! That's right, you did mention. Just sign these and these and Severus, sign these," Mr. Baker began pulling form after form from his pockets. When he looked up to see the amused faces of father and daughter and half-sister, he simply grinned and said, "- undetectable extension charm. My pockets are bigger on the inside!"

The sisters laughed as Carina and Severus filled out all the appropriate forms for her change of name.

"Very good, now, you may sign with your new name, Miss Carina Snape, and that's it! All good to go!" Mr. Baker beamed at them all with perpetually wide eyes as Carina wondered to herself if he had taken any muggle drugs recently.

Now that everything was done and the ministry would no longer be bothering them, Severus and Carina shared a hug and a smile. Mr. Baker still stood, wide eyed and smiling as they hugged. "Very good indeed! A good day to you all!" He marched himself out of the castle, getting turned around several times. There would be whispering later of an odd man in a long scarf and a funny hat muttering to himself and biting his nails appearing very lost, until he finally found the exit to the castle.

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Students were filing into the great hall for breakfast as Draco leaned against one of the doors. "How'd it go?" He asked as the sisters approached him.

"Interesting." Carina said. "He was quite an odd man."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Everything is taken care of, you can go and plan your party."

"Excellent! I've already spoken to the house elves in the kitchens, made up the invitations, and just need to put a date on them. I assume you'll want to have it Friday, Carina? That leaves the weekend wide open for..other things."

"What other things?" Pansy glared at Draco.

"Nothing to do with me, alright?" Draco rolled his eyes.

"No yes, that's great. Remember, Pansy the other day when I was told I'd have to make a choice?" Carina whispered.

"Yes...?"

"Well, I've decided."

"Are you sure?"

"It's apparent that I have no choice in the matter. Best to get it over with."

"And what about the other decision? About the..." Pansy glanced around. "family business."

"I've decided on that as well. I'll do both."

"Then you'll have to do mine first. With the protection of Lucifer's plan, you won't be able to do mine after. It's got to be before you go through with what ever he has in store."

Carina nodded and the three of them walked into the great hall. Carina stopped just inside the door.

"What are you doing?" Pansy asked.

"I don't know where to sit."

Draco circled back and led Carina by the arm to the Slytherin table where he and Pansy sat on either side of her. The food was taking longer than usual to appear on the tables and some of the students were wondering if they slept in too late. Then a disgruntled Head Master followed by an irritated Severus Snape entered through the opposite side of the room. Severus took his seat at the staff table and nodded to Carina as Dumbledore stood in front of the staff table and magnified his voice.

"It has come to my attention," He said and everyone stopped talking to listen. "that there is cause for a celebration. Over the previous summer our own Hermione Granger suffered a great loss. It has been revealed to me this very morning that though the loss was terrible, she is not alone. It was discovered that she was adopted and that her father is alive, and in fact with us today. While I find myself extremely surprised, to say the least, I must ask you all to join me in congratulating Professor Severus Snape in being reunited with his long lost daughter. I am told that Miss Granger wishes to adopt the name she was given at birth, so join me in welcoming Miss Carina Snape." Dumbledore beckoned to Carina and she went to stand next to him in front of the staff table. "It is my pleasure to announce that not only does she have a father, but a sister as well, so a congratulations to you, Miss Pansy Parkinson, in finding your long lost half- sister. I wish you, Carina, the best of luck in your new family, and I wish all of you all the happiness in the world." Dumbledore sat rather ungracefully in his seat as Professor McGonigal stood up, teary eyed, and led Carina to an empty seat between herself and Severus.

Minerva put her hands on Carina's shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"I was going to tell you myself," Carina said. "but I suppose I took too long."

Minerva laughed and pulled Carina into a tight hug as Severus looked on proudly.

"Is this where I sit now?" Carina turned and asked her father.

"If you want. Or you can sit with your sister and Draco."

Carina nodded and ate her breakfast which finally appeared on the tables.