Narcissa Malfoy nee Black had just put her four month old son, Draco, down to sleep for the night when she heard the ringing of the doorbell. Her husband, Lucius, was out with the others on a mission for the Dark Lord, so she was alone with her son. Blonde hair styled in the latest fashionable bun, she made her way to the door, only to pause at what she saw there.

Laying on her doorstep was a babe, just slightly older than her son Draco. She had a head full of snowy-white hair, her skin pale. Seeming to be asleep in her basket, a pink blanket swaddled around her body, and a letter adressed to Narcissa herself. Looking around, as if trying to determine who had brought this little girl to her, she bent to the child, picking up the basket and bringing her indoors.

Even though there were warming charms on the grounds, no child should be left in the cold November night.

"Dobby! Prepare another bottle!" she called as she strolled towards the dining room, setting the child still in her basket on the table and plucking the letter, preparing to read the familiar scrawl of her twin, who she hadn't seen nor heard from in ages. Of course, she knew her husbands...alliances, for lack of better word, were looking for her.

'Cissy,

I write to you in the event of my death. I know who is looking for me, to convince me to join His ranks, but I cannot. I will not. I know I have no right to ask you this, but please, if you ever felt any love for me, look after my child. You're the only living relative I trust will raise her right.

Her name is Celesta Hecate Selwyn, or, if you accept, Malfoy or Black. I care not what last name she has, if she's raised properly. Her birthday is April 2nd, 1980. Now for the tricky part...'

Narcissa had to pause there, tears in her eyes as she was alerted to the sounds of her house elves cooing around the child, the newest elf to their employ already working on warming up some formula. Drawing in a ragged breath, she ordered a cup of tea before turning back to the letter, sipping the cup once it'd arrived next to her almost distractedly, not even realizing when it had run out of liquid.

'Should you accept the responsibility of raising Celesta, you will need to make an Unbreakable Vow. Only with this vow made will you be able to hold your niece, no, your daughter if accepted. Should you refuse, I've instructed Luli, my elf to take her from you and to go somewhere safe. Perhaps even to America, to be raised there. If accepted, Luli will become your elf, only to take orders from you and Celesta.

Your vow, Cissy. I need it. She needs it. You need to swear you'll protect her from Him. You'll love her as your own, no matter the circumstance. No matter her actions when she's grown. No matter who says what. You'll support her. That she'll always have someplace to live, as long as you are around. I understand this might put you in a spot with Lucius, but I cannot accept anything less. She doesn't need to be your heir, only your daughter.

Once the vow is made, the key to her vault, where I've hidden more instructions, as well as secrets, will be seen to you. But you MUST vow, Cissy. Nobody is to know her secrets but you and she, and when she's of age, who she trusts with her life. Not the Ministry, not Him, and not your husband.

Tap the letter once the vow's been made, then destroy it. Luli will be watching. Should these steps not be met...she will be taken. Please, Cissy, for me, your twin, watch over Celesta. Raise her as your child.

Lovingly,

Eunomia Selwyn, nee Black.'

It took several minutes for Narcissa to finish the letter, her tears running down her cheeks. This letter affirmed her sister's death, as well as the birth of her niece-no. From now on, Celesta would be her daughter.

"Elves. Nobody is to mention how Celesta came to us. Do you understand? Even a stray word will result in your death. She is to be mine and Lucius's daughter from now on." she ordered, holding out a hand. "My wand." she ordered, waving the produced want over her hand as she reached for Celesta's.

"I, Narcissa Malfoy nee Black, hereby swear to raise you, Celesta Hecate Malfoy as my own daughter. You will always have what you need from me, shall it be shelter, money, love, or protection. I will be your mother, your friend, your confidant, your supporter. You shall never need to worry that I won't be there for you. No matter your future actions, no matter who you become, I will always be there for you. Your secrets shall always be safe with me."

A thin golden chain of magic wound against their wrists, before settling under her skin, binding her life and magic to the words she had just spoke. The letter flashed, a secondary message written that Narcissa didn't bother to read, too busy picking up her daughter for the first time, taking the bottle from Dobby and dismissing the elves to watch over her son, as well as conjuring a craddle and crib for Celesta, garnering her thoughts to purchase what else she'd need the next day from Diagon Alley.

She tapped the letter, before casting Incendio on the parchment, the embers soon turning the letter to ash as she strode from the room.

'Cissy, thank you. All my love..well it seems moot now. In any case, as far as anybody's aware...Her records, everywhere, will show her birth as Celesta Hecate Malfoy. I gave birth to her alone, as my husband had already died when I found out about her imminent arrival. Not even Dumbledore or He will be able to tell she isn't yours.'

Celesta had been put to bed by the time Lucius had come home. If he had noticed that Celesta was new to the household, he made no mention of it. For all he knew, Celesta had always been there, she and Draco were born months apart, Narcissa having ovulated while pregnant with Celesta, resulting in Draco. By the next morning, he merely smiled at his wife as she coddled their two children, even holding Celesta while Draco was being fed, and vice versa.

"I will be shopping today," spoke Narcissa, already dressing the children after breakfast. Lucius had nodded, a look conveying his wish for her to be safe and home swiftly. A kiss on the children's heads, and he was off, nodding to his wife.

"Don't dally too long. The Dark Lord has eyes and ears...I do hope you don't become too friendly with those not...applicable." were his words to her as he left, a flash of fear on his face for her.

Narcissa had nodded, and after getting introduced to Luli, a young elf much like Dobby, but more calm in nature, the two of them were off.

Draco was left in the care of the elves. At his age, he mostly slept, ate, and soiled his diaper, so it wouldn't matter too much as Narcissa carried Celesta into Gringotts, blinking calmly towards the goblins. Goblin magic, the only magic that could know Celesta's secret about her birth...as well as the only magic that could've ensured nobody else knew. Sort of like the Fidelius charm, now that the blonde matriarch of the Malfoy family thought of it.

"I wish to make a withdrawel. Here's the key. Luli." she requested, the elf in question sending the key up to the Goblin in charge of withdrawls.

"Follow me." a goblin stated, leading the three females to vault 723. "Young Lady Selwyn-ah. Malfoy now. Young Lady Malfoy's vault, Lady Malfoy."

Nodding, Narcissa entered the vault, taking the letter and noting the allowance. While not as large as her own, it still had plenty of galleons, Celesta being the sole heir of the Selwyn family, as well as the last of her sister's money. It was enough that Celesta would want for nothing, even if she never worked a day in her life. "Only myself and Celesta is to be ever allowed in here. Should Celesta wish to add more permissions, that is acceptable." she ordered, conjuring a seat and table in order to read. "Luli, watch Celesta." she murmured as she began.

'Cissy,

As you're reading this, I can only thank you again for taking in Celesta. As you're most likely to know by now, goblin magic was involved in moderating her records. Even Lucius will think Celesta came from you. Only you and I know the truth, save the goblins.

I've done what some will consider unspeakable. And it is illegal. Celesta...I would do anything to keep her safe. And so I made her an animagus. She turns into a snowy fox, retaining her red colored eyes. Right now it's a kit, when she shifts. She understands to keep the trick to only when she's in danger, when she needs to run and hide. As she grows, please impart the importance of keeping this secret to her just that, a secret. One only to be shared with those she implicitly trusts with her life. Not even the ministry should know this secret.

Now for more instructions. Before Hogwarts, please teach her occlumency. Not even the Dark Lord should be able to break into her mind before she attends classes. Any other magic you feel she should know for her safety please teach her. Duelling can come after her first year, of course, but please, make sure she's safe.

My last request, is that when she's older, she knows of me? This of course, is not a requirement, but a simple request. My last.

All my thanks, all my love,

Eunomia.'

Narcissa sighed as she finished the letter, destroying it immediately after. Standing, she adjusted the sleeves of her dress before gathering enough galleons for the day's shopping trip and leaving, Luli and Celesta in tow.

"Come, we need to get her things." she merely said. If anybody noticed the waver in her voice, nobody said a word.

Author's Note: Thank you all for your support so far. I know it's pretty slow going, but I did warn you! Things will speed up a bit from here- I just had to get her beginnings down and out. See you all next time!

-Nura (pervychan1)