A/N: This is a pretty crappy chapter, so I'm sorry. Crappy in the writing style, that is. I was not myself when I made this so just forgive whatever mistakes I made. Anyway, you know the next sentence: nothing is mine except for the children and that dastardly woman, Serena. Before I forget, thanks for the reviews. I'm glad you liked the last chap, and I hope you'd like this just as much. So, without further ado, I give you Chapter 9. Don't forget to R&R!

A tense silence hung in the parlor. The children slowly looked at their father's direction with a mixed expression of shock and incredulity.

"What, Dad?" Apollo said, shaking his head as if to wake himself up. "I think my ears failed for a while there. I thought I heard you say she is your fiancée."

"You heard me right, Apollo," Draco replied. "She is my fiancée."

"Since when?" Artemis asked.

"Could you excuse us for a few minutes?" Draco asked Serena, who nodded. Taking the children to one side of the room, he said in a low voice, "She has been my fiancée since a few months ago. Now, I know you have a lot of queries, but we can discuss them when we get home. For now, please be nice to her. She really is a wonderful person, and the reason I brought you here is because I want you to get to know her. So please, please behave."

"Alright, Dad. We'll do what you want us to do. However, when we get home, we want answers, and we want the truth. Is that a deal?" Hades extended his hand to his father.

Draco took his hand and shook it. "It's a deal. Thanks, guys."

"No problem, Dad."

They turned back to Serena, who immediately averted her eyes to another direction. She had been watching them with a puzzled face. Draco gave her a smile as he sat beside her.

"Guys, what are you standing there for? Why don't you introduce yourselves to Serena?"

The children shared a look, as though telling the others to go first. They stood there for a few seconds, until, sighing and rolling his eyes, Hades stepped forward.

"My name is Hades. It's a pleasure to meet you," he sat down as he spoke, and his siblings started to follow.

"Artemis. Pleased to meet you."

"I am Poseidon, nice to meet you."

Their heads turned to Apollo, who remained silent. Hades gave him a stern look, motioning him to come forward. Sighing inwardly, he forced his friendliest smile and imitated his siblings.

"Apollo Malfoy. Absolutely charmed to meet you."

"Dad, we kept our promise, and now it's time for you to hold your end of the bargain," Artemis said as Draco emerged from the fireplace. They had just arrived at the Manor from The Four-Leaf Clover, and they were itching to get the answers out of their father. Draco sighed as he brushed the soot from his robes.

"Let's go to the study, we'll talk there," Draco replied, leading the way to his study. He seated himself in the swivel chair behind his desk and faced his children.

"So, what do you want to know?"

"The basics first. When, where and how did you two meet?" Apollo asked.

"We met at a party. Do you remember Nat, the head of our department?" The children nodded. "His wife is a close friend of hers. We met at his birthday party."

"How long have you known her, exactly?" Poseidon asked.

"I met her in April, you were still at school then, so that's about eight, nine months."

"In that span of eight to nine months of acquaintance, when did you officially become a couple?" It was Hades' turn to ask.

"July."

"What?!" the children exclaimed in unison.

"Dad," Artemis started. "That's barely three months!"

"Just how long has she been your fiancée?" Apollo asked.

"I proposed to her on October 28, so that's a month and a half, give or take."

"I cannot believe this is happening," Hades said. "Don't you think you're rushing things a bit, Dad? I mean, you can't have known her that well after only nine months of acquaintance."

"It may seem like we're rushing things, but - however cliché this may sound – I think she's 'the one'." Apollo had to control himself from rolling his eyes or throwing a retort to his father. However, someone else had done the retort for him.

"Has she given you Amortentia?" Poseidon blurted out. When his siblings looked at him questioningly, he rolled his eyes. "Amortentia-the love potion? Ring any bells? Oh, honestly!"

"Poseidon, that's enough," Draco said. "And no, she did not give me anything. I hope you understand. I'm only worried about you guys. I don't want you to grow up without the guidance of a mother, and so-"

"And so you looked for one?" Apollo said bitterly. "You should've at least introduced her to us before you proposed to her. You should've at least asked us what we thought. I don't think I-"

"Dad," Hades interjected before Apollo could say something else. "We understand where you're coming from, and you can't cancel your engagement now. What Apollo is trying to say, and I agree with him on this, is that you should've asked our opinions beforehand. After all, she is going to be our mother."

"Thank you, guys. I knew you'd understand. And I'm also sorry I didn't mention it to you before."

"Dad, it's alright, really," Artemis said, casting a glance at Apollo's direction. "We just want to see you happy, and we can see that she's the main reason you're happy right now."

"I'm glad you're all handling this in a mature way. I'm so proud of you," Draco said. "However, if I know you, and I have every reason to believe I know you very well, you're not doing this for free. And since I'm feeling so generous, name your price."

"You wound us, Dad," Apollo said mock-hurt. "Why would you think we're doing this for a price?" He was smirking as he said this; Draco had to roll his eyes at his son's overreaction.

"You know us far too well, Dad," Poseidon said.

"It does wonders for my part."

"But you're right. We do have to ask you something," Artemis said.

"I knew it. What is it this time? Don't tell me you're going to ask for the Firebolt 3000. I just bought you brooms before school started."

"As much as I'd like that, Dad, no, that's not what we're going to ask from you," Apollo replied.

"What then?"

"Well, Dad," Hades started. "You see, we invited someone to attend our Christmas dinner, and she agreed to come."

"So?"

"So now, we're telling you so you wouldn't be so surprised when she arrives," Poseidon replied.

"I need to know something first," Draco said. "Who is it?"

"She's a new acquaintance," Artemis said.

"And you asked her without informing me first?"

"We only found out that she was staying at school for Christmas a few weeks ago, and it seemed unfair for her to stay there all alone just because she didn't have any of her relatives around. I mean, not even Headmaster Lupin stays there for Christmas! So we invited her over," Apollo explained. "Aren't you the one who's always telling us to extend a hand to those who need it? We only followed what you said."

"Alright, alright," Draco said, flinging his hands in surrender. "It's not like I can do anything else about it anyway. She's already coming over, so that's that. I just hope you'd tell me her name. But if you want to surprise me with her identity, then fine."

The children shared knowing grins. If only their father knew just how much he would be surprised. If only he knew…

"Father," Poseidon said out of the blue. "Is Serena going to come to the dinner?"

"Of course," Draco said. "I'll be announcing our engagement there."

At that, the expressions on their faces changed to somewhat horrified looks. This is not happening… how come they didn't think about that earlier?

"Er- Dad, aren't you supposed to be getting back to the Ministry?" Hades asked.

"I almost forgot! Thanks for reminding me, Hades," Draco said as he stood up and proceeded to the fireplace. "Behave, you lot, alright? I'll be home for dinner."

"Okay. Bye Dad!" And with a burst of green flames, Draco had gone.

"What the hell are we going to do now?" Artemis said exasperatedly.

"Somehow I knew this would happen," Poseidon added.

"Alright, calm down," Hades said. "We need to think about this rationally. We need to find another way to do this."

"You know, I really don't see the reason why you're all panicking," Apollo said. His siblings looked at him incredulously. He just rolled his eyes.

"Apollo, are you kidding me?" Artemis exclaimed. "We have a whole lot of problems, don't you see? First Dad now had a fiancée, and what's worse, they're going to announce it at the dinner! Professor Parkinson will be there! This is not going to work out the way we want it to."

"Nothing ever works out the way we want it to," Apollo replied. "Do you remember what Mum always used to tell us? 'Every cloud has a silver lining.' We'll find a way around our current dilemma, don't worry."

"How you can stay calm in a situation like this escapes me," Poseidon said. "Just for the record, what do you think of Serena?"

"She's okay," Artemis said. "I mean, she's nice and beautiful and graceful and caring and- oh, who am I kidding? She's perfect! I cannot see any flaw to her! It seems to me that Dad has finally found someone who loves him and not his money or his looks."

"You forget one thing, my dear twin sister," Apollo said.

"And what might that be?"

"Nobody is perfect," Apollo said. "I am fairly certain that there is something wrong with her. However, we wouldn't have to work hard to find out what it is. The Fates will just let itself unfold, and it will be to our greatest advantage, believe me."

"Let's all cross our fingers and hope that would happen, Apollo," Hades said. "Or else we'll end up with a mother we don't want."

Ever since that day, the Malfoy family was often seen with a black-haired beauty dining at one restaurant or the other. Rumors started to spread with regards to Draco's relationship to Serena; some said she was a family friend, some said she is his girlfriend, some even said she was already his wife! No one knew the truth except for the children. Or so they thought…

"Dad, could you excuse me for a minute? I need to use the loo," Artemis said. They were currently at The Leaky Cauldron eating dinner. With Draco's nod, she got up and headed for the loo. It was empty. She headed for the first cubicle and did her thing. When she was about to get out, someone, or rather two people rushed inside.

"In here, hurry!" a female voice, which sounded very familiar to Artemis, said. "He might see us together, and then our plan will be foiled!"

"I know, I know," a male voice said. "So, what's the nitty-gritty behind you and our blondie, hmm?"

The woman must have shown him something, because the man cackled loudly. "That's my girl! I knew he'd fall for you in the long run! When you get married, you can ship those brats of his to the other side of the world, get rid of him and then run with his money. After that, we're rich!"

The woman laughed with him. "I know! Although, I'm having a problem with those children. They don't seem to trust me enough, and they can convince their father to cancel the engagement."

"Well, we can't have that, can we? Use your charms on them; do to them what you did to their father. It's that simple."

"I'd best get going. They could be looking for me already."

"Alright. You're doing well, Rena. Just keep it up."

"I know, I know. Scram already!"

The door closed with a click. Artemis listened for a few seconds, to see if the people will come back, then she came out. As she washed her hands in the sink, she thought about who the woman could be and why her voice seemed so familiar.

I know I've heard her somewhere, but where? Crap, it's at the tip of my tongue… Argh! I give up! But I'm sure they were talking about Father… I mean, who else in here is blonde, aside from my brothers? I'd better get back before they start to think I'm doing something here.

She made her way back to the table where her family and Serena (technically, she wasn't a Malfoy yet) sat. She found them laughing, and what they were laughing about she never knew, for they immediately stopped as she settled herself beside Hades.

"What have you been doing in the loo?" Apollo said, smirking.

"None of your business," she simply replied. "Unless you want me to describe it in detail for you…"

"Stop it. Can't you show a little mercy to your brother?" Apollo said, shuddering.

"Apollo, Artemis would you stop that?" Draco reprimanded, although he himself was smiling.

"You were at the bathroom?" Serena asked, her voice quavering slightly, and it seemed that only Artemis noticed. "How come I didn't notice you?"

"Er-" What was she going to say? That she was in a cubicle when she heard her enter with a man? No way. "Er- I didn't proceed to the loo right away. I had a chat with the barkeeper."

"Oh," was all Serena said in reply, and she resumed eating with her head down.

Wait a sodding minute, Artemis suddenly thought. The voice… it was hers! Rena… nickname for Serena. Bloody hell, the guys have to know…

"Arty!"

Poseidon's voice jerked her back to reality. Artemis gave him a questioning look, to which Apollo rolled his eyes.

"He was asking whether you'll be eating your side dish," Apollo said. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing," she replied. "Here, Don, you can have the corn and carrots."

Hades and Apollo looked at her questioningly, to which she returned a look which said, 'Later'. They merely shrugged and continued eating. What would Dad say when he finds out? She can scarcely imagine how angry Draco would be when he finds out. With a shudder, she returned to her food, trying to shut out the thoughts in her mind.

"What exactly was wrong with you earlier?" Hades asked as they entered Artemis' room later that afternoon. "Even Dad noticed you were acting weirdly. What's wrong?"

"Alright," Artemis started. "I excused myself earlier, right? When I was about to get out of the cubicle, people entered the loo. I didn't get out, because one of the voices belonged to a man."

"A man?" Apollo interjected.

"Yes, a man. There were two, and the other one was a woman's voice. They were talking about some plan about a blondie. And that's not all. She must have shown him something, like a ring, because he was extremely happy and he started talking about her getting married. Also, they talked about shipping his children to the other side of the world and getting rid of him and running away with his money. Tell me, who wouldn't be disturbed after hearing that?"

"The voices, whose voices were it?" Poseidon asked.

"I've never heard the man's voice. However, the woman's was familiar, and when Serena asked me if I had been to the bathroom, I remembered who it was."

"And?" Hades dared to ask, although he knew the answer fully well.

"It was her!" Artemis exclaimed.

"I told you so," Apollo said. "I told you there was something off about her. And there you have it."

"So what do we do?" Poseidon asked. "Do we tell Dad about it or not?"

"Let's weigh the odds," Hades said. "If we don't tell Dad, there's the possibility of him getting married to a potential black widow and us being carried off to China. If we do tell him, we save him from a disastrous, not to mention murderous, marriage, but now from heartbreak and sadness. Which are we going to prioritize, his life or his happiness?"

"I say we do not going to tell him anything," Apollo said. His siblings looked at him as though he had gone mad. "Look, Dad isn't stupid enough to be fooled by a plan concocted by a potential black widow and her associate, alright? He can figure it out by himself, and when he does, it would do us a lot of good."

"I don't see how it would 'do us a lot of good'. Apollo," Poseidon said. "I mean, he could be killed! We could be separated forever! I don't think-"

"For Merlin's sake! Dad is an Unspeakable! He will not be duped by amateur con artists, alright? I trust Dad and his decisions, so don't panic. That's the last thing you'd want to do in our current state."

"And what state is that?" Artemis snorted.

"Red alert."

"What if he doesn't work it out? What if they do get married?" Hades asked.

"Don't worry. I have a very good feeling that the tables will turn and Lady Luck will be on our side at the end. And besides, would you want to see Dad sad again, just like how he was when Mum died?"

"So we're just going to leave it at that?" Artemis said.

"No, we're going to give Dad a headstart when he needs it. For now, let that woman think she's winning. She doesn't know who she's fighting against, and that will be her downfall."