The Werewolf's Daughter

16: Family bonding time

That night at tea, Maya asked Hermione the usual question. 'Is he there?' Hermione, used to this, started to nod but then stopped.

'No, wait. I don't see him!'

Maya whipped her head around, forgetting that she wasn't supposed to actually be looking at the Slytherin table. 'I wonder where he is?' she whispered, turning back to Hermione.

'Well, let's not worry. Do you know what you're going to wear tomorrow night?'

'I bought a new dress.' Maya responded, her mind still on Draco. 'I'll show it to you when we go upstairs.'

The girls finished their tea and then headed upstairs so Maya could show off her dress. It was a cute red skater dress with long sleeves. She paired it with black shoes and a black bag.

The next evening at 6pm Maya made her way down to her father's office. 'Hi dad!' she beamed. It was nice to call him that.

'Hi Maya. You look lovely! Are you ready to go? We're going to meet Tonks and her parents are the restaurant.'

Maya nodded, 'I'm ready'.

They used the floo system and made their way to the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. 'Where are we eating?' Maya asked when they stepped out of the fireplace.

'At a little Italian restaurant; Tonks choice!'

'I like Italian…pizza, pasta, real Ice Cream…. what's not to love!'

Remus smiled. 'Come on then, before we're late.'

They walked along the street together, chattering as they went. They were the first ones to arrive and Maya could see her dad getting more and more nervous as they waited. 'Are they late? Maybe they're not coming?' he kept saying.

'Dad, you've said it yourself that Tonks is always late. They'll be here – stop worrying!'

Five minutes later the restaurant door opened, and Tonks bounced through. 'Hi, you two!' she said, beaming at them both.

Maya smiled back, and Remus stood up to greet Mr and Mrs Tonks. He shook both their hands, then held a chair out for Tonks to sit next to him. Maya was opposite him and Mr and Mrs Tonks sat on the same side as her.

Once drinks had been ordered, Remus started to introduce Maya. 'Andromeda, Ted, this is my daughter Maya. Unfortunately, I only found out about her this year, so we are still getting to know each other but I'm glad I know her now.'

Tonks beamed at her parents and Maya; she held Remus' hand on the table.

'Nice to meet you Maya.' Mr Tonks – Ted – said. 'Remus, you've got your work cut out with you with a daughter!' he said.

'You have a daughter?' Andromeda asked, stiffly. 'Nymphadora, is this really what you want? You are dating a man 13 year older than you and he has a child?'

Tonks shot her mother an angry glare as Remus dropped his head.

'Mother, first off don't call me Nymphadora and second, yes this is I want. In fact, Remus and I are engaged! I'm not sure why it's so hard for you to comprehend mother, but please try to be happy for me!'

Andromeda turned bright red 'Well, that's me told I suppose', she stood up and flounced out of the restaurant. Ted stood up to go after her, but Maya said, 'Let me go Mr Tonks; I don't know her so maybe a neutral person can help?'

Ted shrugged.

Maya made her way out of the restaurant and found Andromeda leaning against the wall outside.

'Mrs Tonks?' she said quietly, as she made her way over to her 'Are you ok?'

Mrs Tonks smiled at Maya. 'I'm sorry dear, it's just I always imagined my daughter with a man her own age. Your father is a good man, I know that – my cousin certainly thought so anyway – but 13 years is a big difference! What if he doesn't want any more children and Nymphadora never gets to be a mother to her own child?'

'Mrs Tonks, I understand your issues, but I have to say I've only known my dad and Tonks since New Year's Day – they are so in love. When my Dad's with Tonks, I wouldn't even know there was an age difference. She brings out his youth and he brings out the maturity in her. They are a really good match. Why don't you spend a bit more time with them? You will hopefully then see what I see.'

'Also, the thing about babies – I don't even know if they do want them, but I'm sure they will have that conversation!'

Maya realised that the Tonks obviously didn't know about her Dad's 'affliction' – she was sure that would be a reason if they did know.

Andromeda nodded. 'You're a pretty wise 13-year-old you know! I will give them a chance – let's go back in.'

'By the way, Andromeda, who is your cousin that spoke highly of my Dad?'

'It's actually Sirius Black – my maiden name and family is Black – but I have nothing to do with any of them. Haven't done since I ran away to marry Ted 20 years ago.'

'Oh, I didn't know – sorry.'

'No, that's ok. They're not a very good family; I have gotten over them and have a much better family now.'

'So, even though you were brought up with them you feel no affiliation to them. You changed; you got away from it all?'

'Yes, I managed to get away. Only because I met Ted though. If I hadn't, I would probably be married to a pure-blood wizard and living the way they live. I thought Sirius was the same but obviously not. Come on, let's go back in and get some food.'

Andromeda put her arm around Maya's shoulder and guided her back inside the restaurant. 'I want to say I am sorry to you all for my little outburst. I am happy for you both, if you are both happy. Remus, you have an amazing daughter and I can't wait to get to know you all better. We should start doing dinners once a fortnight!'

Everyone was shocked but happy at Andromeda's change of heart. The rest of the evening was spent laughing and getting to know each other better.

'That was a brilliant night Dad; thank you for asking me along.'

'No, thank you! If you hadn't been there, the evening would have been over before the drinks had even arrived.'

They made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron and used the floo powder to get back to Remus' office. As they arrived, they heard a knock on the door. 'Remus, it's Minerva, can we talk?'

'Quick, in the cupboard – she doesn't know!'

Maya quickly jumped in to the cupboard and Remus shut the door on her. 'Come in!' he called.

'Oh, thank god. Remus, we need your help. One of the students has been attacked – by their parent! We don't know who yet – Cornelius just sent a patronus saying: 'Student attacked by parent. At St. Mungos and on way to Hogwarts in 30 minutes.'

'What? How?'

'He went home for the weekend, at the request of his parent, but the Ministry got a request to go over to their house due to dark magic signs. They got there and had to arrest the parent; the student is now in the Hospital Wing with Dumbledore.'

Remus and Minerva hurried out of the room and Maya came out of the cupboard. She wondered who the student was?

Draco's POV

It was 5pm on Friday evening when Draco made his way down to Snape's office, still wondering why he had been summoned home.

'Floo's ready Draco; have a good weekend. See you back here on Sunday night.'

Draco got in the fire and called out 'Malfoy Manor!' As soon as he got out of the fire he knew something was wrong. His mother was nowhere to be found and his father was sitting in the dark, waiting on him. A drink in one hand, his wand in the other.

'So….'

'Father, are you ok?'

'No, it seems I have an insolate child. Why did you not tell me you were hurt at school? Why did I have to hear it from your friends and girlfriend?'

'My girlfriend?' Draco asked, confused.

'Pansy! Why did she tell me about your injury and not you?'

Draco stayed silent. 'Well?'

'I wasn't that hurt. You didn't need to know.'

Draco didn't say the first slap coming, so he couldn't avoid it. He felt his cheek stinging; his fathers ring had caught his lip and cut him.

'I don't care if you were hurt boy. I care that this was a wasted opportunity to get rid of certain teachers at that school!'

Draco stayed silent again. 'Where do you keep disappearing to?' he asked. 'Pansy said you disappear every night after tea – where do you go?' Lucius asked.

'Nowhere. I just need to be away from Pansy!'

Draco saw the next hand come up but didn't duck in time. This one caught him across the back of the head, knocking him to the floor.

'You will tell me, one way or another!'

Draco tried to shout but nothing came out. The next thing he knew, his memories were being forced out of his head and into a pensieve.

'So, you've been meeting with a Gryffindor; a half-blood no less. Have I taught you nothing?'

Draco cursed himself for not removing his memories before – what would he do to Maya?

Draco couldn't think about that much longer; he lost consciousness after a while. When he woke he was sore all over and he could hear shouting 'My son, what have you done to my son? You evil bastard! Let me see him! Lucius, let me see him!'

'Your son is a traitor to our kind – he deserves this punishment! Now GET OUT!'

Draco noticed his mother go silent – what had he done to her? He tried to get up, but he could barely move.

'I'm not finished with you yet boy! I'll teach you a lesson if it's the last thing I do! CRUCIO!'

Draco's whole body was racked with pain, he could hear someone screaming and after 30 seconds realised it was him. He lost consciousness again.

The next time he woke, he seemed to be in a warm bed, with a soft hand wiping his brow.

'What happened? Where is he?' he started shouting, trying to get up.

'Draco, please calm down. He's gone – arrested. He can't hurt us now.' Draco groaned and lay back down.

'You're going to be moved to Hogwarts soon – you'll be safe there until Summer. I'll find somewhere else for us to live. Be safe my lovely son, I'll come and see you soon!'

Draco was soon moved to Hogwarts, where Dumbledore was waiting for him. He couldn't talk though; he was too tired and sore.