The Werewolf's Daughter

12: Happy New Year*

Draco and Maya sat in the Room of Requirement; it was New Years Eve and they had met up for a couple of hours to talk, before they made their way (separately) to the New Year's Eve masquerade party the Professors were arranging.

'How has it been with Hermione?' Draco asked, stroking Maya's hair.

Maya sighed. 'She's still not talking to me. You know, when I imagined it coming out about us, it was always Harry and Ron that caused issues. I always imagined Hermione to be the one who would understand and stand by me. She's being totally unreasonable.'

'Maybe you just need to giver her time?'

'Why should I? She's meant to be my best friend; she should be there for me no matter what. You know what she said, the last time she actually spoke to me? "Draco Malfoy of all people, how could you? You're like a traitor!" I mean really – a traitor! She hasn't said a word to me since.' Maya said, sadly.

'I'm sorry Maya. I don't know what else to say – I, like you, didn't think Hermione would be this way.'

They sank back in to silence until Maya spoke again; 'So, what do we do at midnight tonight?'

'Umm, say Happy New Year to everyone?' Draco answered, confused.

Maya laughed 'I mean about the kiss!' Draco raised his eyebrows 'You're supposed to kiss someone at midnight; preferably the one you want to spend the next year with.'

'Oh, well, I don't know how we're going to manage that' Draco said, thinking.

'Well…it is a masquerade party. If no one knows who we are, they won't care if we're kissing, right?'

'Maya, there is only going to be 50-60 people at this party; I'm sure someone will recognise us.'

'Ok, well I am adamant that we are going to kiss at midnight Draco; I will find a way! By the way, I have a surprise for you tonight; I hope you'll like it' she said, grinning at him.

Draco grinned back at her 'I'm sure I will. Now, I believe you ladies take about 5 hours to get ready for parties, so should I let you go now, as there is only actually 2 hours until the party?'

'What?! 2 hours! Oh my god – I need to go!'

Draco laughed 'Ok, I'll see you tonight' and he kissed her before she stood up and ran out the door.

Maya ran all the way back to the Gryffindor Common room and flew up the stairs to the dormitory. Once inside, she saw Hermione sitting on her bed, her eyes were all puffy and red, like she had been crying.

Maya stopped 'Mione, are you ok?'

'Yes.' The other girl snapped.

'I was just asking 'Mione, you don't need to snap at me! You know, you've been rotten to me for days. All because you saw me with Draco; big deal!'

'HE CALLED ME A MUDBLOOD MAYA! I GET THAT YOU WEREN'T HERE THEN, BUT HE'S NOT A GOOD PERSON!'

Maya took a step back, shocked. 'Hermione, I..I'm sorry. I knew that happened and I understand that must have been so hurtful for you; but when Draco and I first properly spoke, I asked him about that and he told me he never meant it and he was sorry.'

'Oh, he told you he was sorry. Never mind the person he actually said it to.'

'I know…I asked him why he didn't apologise to you. He said he can't; look, will you come and see him one day with me? I can let him explain. Please?'

'Maya, I just don't know how you can trust him!'

'Because you don't know the real him; all that crap that he does when it comes to Harry and Ron, it's all an act.'

Hermione rolled her eyes, she clearly didn't believe that. 'Please 'Mione; just think about it?'

The other girl nodded eventually 'I'll think about it.'

Maya smiled and then remembered Hermione had been crying 'Are you ok Hermione? Why were you crying?'

'I had another fight with Ron; he and Harry still aren't speaking to me.'

'I'm sorry Hermione; for what it's worth – you were totally right to do what you did!'

Hermione smiled at the other girl 'Thanks'.

'Now, shall we get ready for this party?'

Hermione shook her head 'No, I don't think I'm going'.

'EXCUSE ME? Of course you're coming! It's New Year's Eve!' Maya stood up, grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her up. 'Do you have anything to wear?' Hermione shook her head. 'Well it's a good thing I bought three dresses then!'

The girls spent the next hour getting ready; doing each other's hair, make up and making sure their dresses were sat ok.

'Maya, you look amazing! That colour!'

Maya grinned and turned to look at herself in the mirror; she had on a knee length emerald green gown with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was ruched and pulled in her waist while the the skirt flowed out. Her locket sat in the middle of her chest. She had curled her hair and then pinned it all to one side with a black and silver clasp. The final touch was the silver mask that covered her eyes. She looked very Slytherinish – hopefully this would help when it came to midnight!

Maya turned to Hermione 'You look beautiful too 'Mione' and she really did. Maya had used a potion on Hermione's hair to de-frizz, curled it all and then pinned it so it was a half-up half-down do. The dress she was wearing was blue in colour and all lace with a Bardot top; like Maya's, it clung to her waist and then flowed out. Maya tied a bronze mask to her face.

'Why do you have this dress Maya?' Hermione asked.

'I didn't know what to wear so I ordered a few choices; you can keep this dress though – it suits you so much!' I'll return the third one.'

The girls did last minute checks and then headed out the door; they strolled past Harry and Ron who were just about to walk out the door and kept on walking, towards the large room where the party was being held.

Maya spotted Draco as soon as she walked in the door; he had on black dress robes with an emerald green lining. He took Maya's breath away; he was so hot!

Draco obviously noticed Maya too; he had been leaning up against a wall with his arms folded when she walked in. Now, he stood up straight and looked straight at her; his mouth dropped open and he started to walk towards her. Maya's eyes widened, and she shook her head subtly. Draco seemed to remember and stopped, his face dropped into a sad, sulky look.

Hermione had noticed all of this – she still wasn't sure of Draco, but he did look upset at that moment to not even be able to speak to Maya.

'Do you want a drink Hermione?' she asked, forming a plan.

'Yes please – I'm going to go and speak to Ginny – see you soon.'

Maya made her way over towards Draco and said 'follow me' as she walked past him. He followed her to the refreshments table where they both busied themselves making drinks.

'You look so beautiful; I guess the colours are my surprise? They really suit you!'

'Thank you; yes, that was your surprise. I'm glad you approve! You look so ho… handsome by the way! Listen, at 11:59pm can you meet me outside the room? Hopefully everyone will be in here, so we can get some alone time.'

'Of course, I can't wait!'

Maya smiled at Draco and then walked away, peeking back to make sure Draco was watching her walk away. He was; he couldn't take his eyes off of her.

As Maya handed Hermione her drink, she turned around to grab a sandwich and bumped into someone.'

'Oomph! Sorry!' Maya said.

'No worries Ms Jones, I think I banged into you.'

Maya looked up into the smiling face of Professor Lupin; he started to walk away but Maya stopped him. 'Actually, Professor Lupin, I was wondering if I could talk to you? I was going to wait, but now seems as good a time as any!'

Professor Lupin looked puzzled 'o…k. Outside?' he asked.

Maya nodded, and led the way. Once outside, she turned around and started talking 'Professor Lupin, do you know who my mother is?'

'Yes, was it not Lyra Jones?' Lupin asked, smiling.

'What? No, Lyra was my aunt. Moira was my mother.' Maya responded.

'Moira was your mother?' Lupin asked, confused.

'Yes, and I wondered if you could help me. I'm trying to find my father and I think it might be Sirius Black!'

'What? Why would you think that?'

Maya pulled the photo out of her bag; 'Because of this.'

Maya handed the photo to Lupin who took it and smiled. 'I can see why you would think Sirius was your father. He and your mother were very close; however, they were more like best friends during our 6th and 7th years.'

'Oh. Well, in the letters I found, my mother mentioned a man she was dating. She never said his name, but she did note that he was in her year and he was a Gryffindor. She also noted that he had some "affliction", so I know that can't be you. Is it maybe Peter Pettigrew?'

Lupin closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. 'Maya, there is something you should know. I did know your mother at school and afterwards; when you were born she told me that you were her niece which is why I thought you were Lyra's daughter. Maya, I believe you're my daughter. I was in love with your mother right through school and we started to date in our 5th year. We carried on dating when we left school, but I soon realised I wasn't good enough for your mum and broke it off.'

'What? You're my father?' Maya said, confused 'But, what about the "affliction" she mentions?'

'I-'

'I can answer that I think.' Came a quiet voice behind Maya. Both Lupin and Maya jumped; Hermione was standing there.

'Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop' she said, blushing.

'Hermione, what do you mean you can answer that?'

'Well, I may be wrong about this, but bear with me. Professor Lupin – are you a werewolf?'

Maya gasped 'Hermione! Don't be-'

'Yes, I am.' Maya gasped again and turned back round to face Lupin – her father.

'You are?'

'Yes, that's why I never felt good enough for your mother and ended up breaking it off with her. At school we were fine, but once we got out in the real world it made me realise that I couldn't care for her or provide for her. We broke it off and the next time I saw her, she was pushing you in a pram. I asked about you and she said your Aunt Lyra had made a mistake with someone, which resulted in you.'

'Your mother knew I couldn't have kids – not because I didn't want them, but because I was so scared of any child of mine being just like me.'

'You can't imagine how hard it is to be a werewolf. I left school in 1978 and until this year, I have never had a proper job – no one wanted to hire me. Dumbledore eventually took pity on me this year.'

Tears were rolling down Maya's face. A mistake? She was a mistake?

Lupin seemed to read her mind. 'Please, don't think your mother ever thought of you as a mistake; that was what she told me, so she didn't have to tell me the truth. Your mother was one of the bravest and most amazing women I ever knew – she was looking out for me even when she would have needed me the most.'

'I am so sorry that this was the ending to your story Maya.' He said, as he started to walk away.

'Wait! Where are you going?'

'Maya, I am a werewolf and I knew I wasn't good enough for your mother 13 years ago and I know I'm not good enough for you now.'

'You think that I care about you being a werewolf?' she asked 'You said it was because you were worried about passing on your "affliction"' she said, using air quotes around the last word. 'I'm clearly not a werewolf so you have nothing to worry about.'

'Maya, I cannot offer you anything-'

'Really? Nothing? You could offer me the father I never had!' Maya shouted.

Lupin looked at her – she was just as beautiful as her mother. Maybe she was right? Maybe he could finally do something worthwhile with his life.

'Ok. I need to go now but meet me tomorrow at 11am – I want to take you out for lunch and to meet someone…special…in my life.'

Maya nodded 'I'll see you tomorrow'.

Lupin walked away, and Maya turned back to Hermione, who was crying. 'That was so beautiful' she said.

Maya smiled, put an arm around her friend and took her back in the room where they danced until 11:59pm; at that time, she snuck outside and walked straight into Draco's arms. 'I've found him Draco, I've found my dad!'

'No way? Who?'

'Time for that later! 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1…Happy New Year Draco!'

'Happy new year' he echoed and kissed her.

Maya melted in his arms, this was their best kiss yet.