Chapter 1

Thursday October 16th, 1997
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The Great Hall
8:57 a.m.

It had been a rough night for Ginny, one in a long string of rough nights where her dreams were plagued by nightmares. Her dreams flipping between memories of the events in the Great Hall the day before and memories from when her mother would punish her for doing what little girls normally do when they play with dolls. Once again she had found herself in the Common Room before the rest of her housemates, hiding out in her favourite spot by the fire as everyone made their way through to breakfast, waiting for a while after the last Gryffindor left before slowly making her own way down to the Great Hall.

By the time Ginny had made her way into the Great Hall, breakfast was almost over for the day, students already making their way out to get to the library or back to their Common Rooms for a few minutes before heading off to class for the day. Moments after Ginny sat down an owl crash landed in front of her, barely missing her glass of pumpkin juice, an ominous red envelope attached to its leg. Ginny only just managed to remove the envelope from Errol's leg before it exploded, her mother's voice echoing around the Great Hall.

"GINEVRA MOLLY WEASLEY WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT PRETENDING TO BE MORE THAN YOU ARE. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU HAD THE AUDACITY TO PRETEND TO BE OF THE NOBILITY. I HAVE TOLD YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT I WILL NOT ALLOW MY DAUGHTER TO GO ON PRETENDING TO BE ONE OF THOSE SPOILED, SELFISH BRATS WHO THINK THE WORLD SHOULD BOW DOWN BEFORE THEM SIMPLY BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE. AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT YOU'RE DOING RESEARCH ON THE NOBLE FAMILIES AND TRYING TO TEACH YOURSELF TO BEHAVE LIKE ONE OF THEM. I ALSO HEARD ABOUT YOUR LITTLE DISPLAY IN THE GREAT HALL YESTERDAY WHERE YOU MADE A COMPLETE AND UTTER FOOL OF YOURSELF IN FRONT OF THE MALFOY AND ZABINI BOYS, TRYING TO IMPRESS THEM. I'M EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU GINEVRA. I TAUGHT YOU BETTER THAN THIS AND I EXPECTED BETTER OF YOU. IF I HEAR ANYMORE ABOUT YOU CONTINUING ON WITH THIS STUPID FANTASY OF YOURS YOU WILL LEAVE ME NO CHOICE BUT TO PULL YOU FROM SCHOOL. NOW GROW UP AND STOP PRETENDING TO BE SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT AND NEVER WILL BE."

As Molly's voice slowly faded, Ginny quickly grabbed her book bag and made her way as swiftly as she could from the Great Hall before anyone saw her tears.

"Ron, how could you?" demanded Hermione angrily.

"What? She made a fool of herself, she wouldn't listen to me at least she'll listen to Mum," Ron shrugged.

"But how could you tell her about the books. I told you that in confidence hoping to get it through your skull what your sister did for you and you go and tell you're mother about it," argued Hermione

"For the love of Merlin Hermione, she's been like this all her life. Mum's been on her case since we were kids with her fantasies about being noble. She needs to grow up," Ron shot back.

"And you think humiliating her like that in front of half the school is going to help any?" demanded Hermione angrily

"It just might," Ron defended before standing up from the table. "Gods Hermione, just stay out of it alright? Ginny's actions are between her and Mum and the rest of our family. She's the one who humiliated herself first by that display yesterday."

"If what she told me yesterday morning is true Ron than she saved your neck with that display yesterday," snapped Hermione standing up to continue the argument. "Zabini could have killed you and the only reason you're still breathing is because of that display yesterday," she snarled before she turned on her heel and left the Great Hall.

"Great, now Ginny's got Hermione believing that crap," Ron sighed as he looked at Harry. "Well? You coming? We got class to get to."

"I'm coming," agreed Harry as he collected his belongings. "I think you should apologize to Ginny though, and Hermione," he said standing up.

"For what?" Ron rolled his eyes. "Gin's the one being stupid and Hermione is being stubborn. She's got no clue about what it's like with the nobility, probably the only good thing about being Muggle-born."

"She's your sister Ron. No matter what you think, she did stop Zabini from punching your lights out yesterday and how do you thank her? You go and get her in trouble with your mother. And Hermione isn't being stubborn; she's doing what you should be doing. Standing up for your sister," Harry said shaking his head as they made their way into the dungeons and towards the potions classroom.

"Harry, no offence mate, but just stay out of it. She's not your sister and not your girlfriend or something."

"Whatever," mumbled Harry as he made his way into the dungeon classroom and sitting down so that Hermione would be between him and Ron, thinking to himself about what an idiot Ron was. He had the one thing Harry didn't and he treated her like crap.

Thursday October 16th, 1997
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
2:21 p.m.

After running from the Great Hall at breakfast, Ginny had returned to her room in Gryffindor Tower, pulling the curtains of her bed closed as she finally gave into her tears. She did not know how long she cried but eventually she had fallen into a fitful sleep, waking a few hours later. She'd already missed her morning classes and her clock told her she had missed lunch as well, not that she had really wanted to attend lunch and deal with her brother again. Knowing that she would not be able to deal with her afternoon classes she made her way to the library, where she hid out in the corner - after returning all of the books she had checked out on wizarding nobility - for the remainder of the afternoon, knowing no one would look for her or demand answers about what had happened or why her eyes were puffy and bloodshot.

Ginny slowly made her way from the library, not really paying much attention to her surroundings, thanks to the potions book she was currently reading, nor was she really concerned about the fact that dinner had started in the Great Hall about thirty minutes ago. Nobody would notice if she showed up late for dinner, or if she even showed up at all. She was a social outcast, which made her invisible to pretty much everyone in the school, despite events of the past two days. Even the teachers tended to ignore her, with the exception of her head of house.

It was not an uncommon sight to see Ginny making her way through the halls of Hogwarts, her nose buried in a book. She had become quite adept at manoeuvring through the corridors and stairwells while reading, almost always aware of her surroundings and the people around her, which would explain her loss for words when she crashed into something, well someone, as she made her way along the corridor that led towards the Headmaster's office.

He had just come from a meeting with Albus in regards to his sister's return to England and her desire for Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode to spend the weekends with her. Albus had not been happy to hear of Josephine Malfoy's return, nor of her desire for the girls to spend weekends with her, but the Board of Governors had decided to side with the Countess de Winters and there was not much Albus could do to stop it, especially when the Board of Governors was led by his Grace, the Duke of Grey, who also happened to be the Countess' brother. It was as he was making his way along the corridor from Albus' office that it happened. Something or someone crashed into him. Luckily his reflexes were fast enough to catch the young lady before she fell to the floor.

"Thank you, I…" Ginny's words trailed off as she looked up and realized just exactly who it was that she had just walked into. He was even more handsome than she remembered and the pictures she had seen of him in the Daily Prophet did not do him justice at all. "For…forgive me your Grace," Ginny apologized nervously as she attempted to curtsey.

"Yes well…" Lucius trailed off as he gave Ginny a once over. "Good day," he said as he turned to continue making his way out of the school.

/-/Goddess Ginny, you are such an idiot/-/ Ginny thought to herself as she watched Lucius start walking away from her. She stood there for a few moments trying to decide what she should do. Part of her told her to pick her book up off the floor and head down to dinner and just be thankful that Lucius had chosen to overlook her poor apology, while another part of her told her to do something that could very well mean her death. Course if that was the outcome the Goddess had chosen for her at least she would die happy. Her mind made up, Ginny took off down the hall in the same direction she had seen Lucius go moments before. "Your Grace!" Ginny called out when she spotted Lucius as she turned a corner. "Wait! Please!"

"Yes?" Lucius asked curiously as he turned to face Ginny, who was now standing about a foot away from him, biting her lower lip, looking as if she was trying to make up her mind about something. He was about to turn around and continue on his way once more, when Ginny grabbed a hold of the front of his robes and pulled him down as she stretched up on her toes to close the gap between them before she kissed him.

Ginny maintained the rather chaste kiss for barely more than a few seconds before stepping back from Lucius and turning to make her way back to where her book still lay abandoned on the floor near the Headmaster's office. Ginny barely made it a few feet before she felt someone grab a hold of her upper arm, spin her around and throw her against the corridor wall. Before her brain could actually register the fact that she was about to be killed, she felt herself being pressed into the stone wall of the corridor by the strong, lean body of Lucius Malfoy, his Grace, the Duke of Grey. Seconds before she realized that she was far from dead, Lucius pressed his lips to hers, quickly deepening the kiss as his tongue worked its way into Ginny's mouth. As the kiss deepened, Ginny found herself wrapping her arms around Lucius' shoulders, burying her hands in his long flaxen locks. As the kiss continued, Ginny soon felt herself being lifted off the floor as Lucius continued to press her into the wall.

Whether it was the moan that escaped from Ginny's throat or the feeling of her legs wrapping around his waist or something else entirely that snapped him back to reality, Lucius could not tell you, as just as suddenly as the kiss started, he stepped back away from Ginny, breaking every form of physical contact he had with her so that she practically fell to the floor, landing in a heap at his feet. Without a word or a look back in her direction, Lucius quickly strode away, making his way from the school and apparating as soon as it was possible.

Ginny remained sitting where she was in the corridor for a few moments trying to process the fact that she had just kissed Lucius Malfoy of all people and that he had just walked away from her. She thought for sure he was going to kill her after the initial kiss, not kiss her back. She may have had to give up every other fantasy and dream she had in regards to being one of his kind but at least she had the memory of that one kiss to carry with her.

Thursday October 16th, 1997
Wiltshire, England
Malfoy Manor
Josephine's library
3:07 p.m.

Josephine had spent her day rather quietly, waiting for word from her brother in regards to if she would have two of her 'students' that weekend or not. When she knew that his meetings for the morning were finished, she gathered the whiskey she kept hidden away with the rest of the 'Muggle liquor' as it was considered nowadays. It drove Lucius crazy that she kept it from his reach and never told him just where it was... Regardless though, she was enjoying a quiet moment reading a letter from Lady Alexandra, one of her debutantes she had helped along, who was now planning her wedding to the Marquis of Waldorf in the States, a pot of tea by her side, when the doors to her private study burst open.

Setting the letter aside she sat back to watch as her brother stalked around the room, heading immediately for the whiskey she had left for him on her mantle, before he stalked back over to sink rather ungracefully into a chair.

"Dumbledore remind you why you despise him and his bloody members of the Order of Phoenix?" she asked after he drained the glass of whiskey, only to rise and head for a second.

Downing his second glass quickly, he growled and turned, throwing the glass as hard as he could against the far wall, shattering it into tiny pieces.

"Was it really necessary to destroy a glass that's been in the family for six generations?" Josephine raised one eyebrow as she regarded him.

Lucius merely levelled a glare at his sister before turning and leaning up against the mantle, his knuckles going white the tighter he held on preventing himself from hitting something.

"Good lord Lucia... Dumbledore couldn't have been that bad..." she trailed off concerned.

"You have your visitation privileges once more Josette," he said, his voice strained, never once turning back to face his sister.

"And that has you ready to break the marble mantle?" Josephine frowned before rising and walking towards him.

Lucius merely snorted in response.

"Merlin's Blood Lucia, I'm starting to think you need to get laid if I want to see you relax," Josephine huffed before sending the whiskey back to its hiding place. He did not need any more to drink...

"Ha. Ha. Josette," Lucius growled.

"Stop growling, the only one allowed to growl at me is Seraphine," she shot back. "Now are you going to bloody well get whatever it is off your chest or do I have to get you drunk to make you talk? And don't think I won't Lucius Malfoy."

"You're not helping dear sister," countered Lucius angrily.

"I'm your sister, it's not my job to help you avoid things," she shot back with a smirk.

"I'm not avoiding things Josette," he shot back angrily

"And I'm going to run off and marry a Baronet," she countered before turning to return to her chair.

"Better than being kissed by a commoner," he mumbled under his breath.

Stopping mid-step she turned around to look at him in shock. "Did you just say you kissed a commoner?" she asked flabbergasted.

"I said no such thing," Lucius countered

"Oh yes you did," Josephine argued. "My Gods, my brother who is determined to never do anything that would look even the slightest bit inappropriate kissed a commoner... And you weren't drunk, unless you went and got drunk before going to see Dumbledore... Oh my Gods! You kissed someone at Hogwarts... it can't have been a teacher... Oh Merlin you kissed a student..."

"Josephine Francesca," Lucius raised his voice and she stopped to stare at him. "We are not having this discussion."

"Oh yes we are," she shot back. "And you use my second name again on me and I'm going to tell Pére."

"He's bloody dead and a painting, what is he going to do?" Lucius snorted.

"Fair enough, you raise your voice at me like that again and I'll go marry Luciano," she countered evenly. "And we both know you can't stand him and then you'd be stuck with him for the rest of your life..."

"Josephine..."

Ignoring the glare he sent her way she turned to take her seat. "So, you kissed a student, she couldn't have been a Slytherin, not many of them are commoners... so that leaves a Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff... well my brother wouldn't sink to the level it takes to kiss a Hufflepuff and honestly I can't see you with any of those Ravenclaws which leaves a Gryffindor. Now that would obviously cause you some annoyance seeing as they are the hated rivals of your own house... And since it has been entirely too long since you did get laid that must have been quite the interesting situation... after all it's been what... fifteen, sixteen years since you had any sort of relationship with your wife and we both know that you wouldn't get a mistress no matter how many times I've told you to just cave and get one... And really now I mean it must be so bloody frustrating to be left with only yourself for company in that situation..."

"Merlin's blood Josephine, enough!" Lucius snapped finally. "I don't even want to know how you know so much about my sex life..."

"Or lack there of," she interrupted.

"Oh Gods, alright, alright! It was this red-haired Gryffindor, maybe sixteen or seventeen I didn't pay that much attention. It was stupid and should not have happened and why in the name of all that is holy are you laughing?"

"Because it's funny of course," she shrugged before he threw up his hands and started to pace. "Tell me it was at least worth it?"

"Hecate's Blood woman! I'm tempted to arrange a bloody betrothal for you so you'll stay out of my life!" he growled.

"And even then I'd still be here to tell you that you need to find some outlet for all that sexual frustration you have," she smirked. "Lucia, you need to stop pacing so," she sighed before reaching over to pick up her tea. "You're going to ruin the rug."

"I'll buy you a new one," Lucius shot back before stopping and running his hands through his hair. "Bloody Hell Josette, whatever possessed the girl to kiss me. If she hadn't… then I never would have kissed her back and we wouldn't be having this discussion…"

"Well, you have to admit Luc, you are a rather fine specimen of the male species," she smirked behind her cup.

"Oh shut up," Lucius snapped. "Gods I need a drink…"

"And you have a meeting with the Baron of Drake in twenty minutes," Josephine pointed out.

Glancing at the clock on the mantle Lucius groaned. "I hate dealing with that man, how Draco puts up with his son is beyond me."

"That's because Crabbe Jr. - and Goyle Jr. as well, are both perfectly fine bodyguards, even if they don't have the best conversation skills or personalities. Now go get ready to go, and I'll make sure there is a nice snuffer of brandy waiting for you when you get back," Josephine ordered lightly.

"You know, I don't want to know how you know my schedule so well Josette," Lucius sighed as he headed towards the door.

"Who else is going to keep you from forgetting important meetings," she called after him before settling back in her chair. "Hmm, I do think he protests too much about this girl…" Rising she made her way to the desk, grabbing a glass quill and piece of parchment she opened her ink well before carefully dipping the quill into the ink.

Evita,

Can you come to the Manor? There is something I need to talk to you about immediately; I need your advice desperately. I'm afraid I am having evil thoughts and may be plotting my brother's future again.

Josette

Summoning her barred owl, Lolana, she sent her on her way to Spain, and was waiting with a fresh pot of tea, and the other supplies for Cream Tea, when Eva Aragón arrived twenty minutes later.

"Do I even ask what it is that you are plotting now?" Eva asked as she took a seat across from her friend.

"The most interesting thing happened to Lucia today," Josephine began as she poured a cup of tea for her friend and handed it to her.

"I had assumed something had happened to him for you to be plotting," Eva countered.

"Impatient today aren't we," she smirked as she passed the cream. "Regardless, he went to Hogwarts today to speak with Dumbledore in regards to his denying Pans and Milli their weekends with me…"

"Did the fool finally agree to abide by the established rules then?" Eva asked. Both of the women had been shocked when Pansy and Millicent had written saying they were being denied their rightful visits to a noble of older age. The Founders had implemented that rule because they didn't teach things that those of noble birth alone needed to learn.

"Yes, thankfully. Of course Lucia had the support of the governors behind him, not to mention every noble family would immediately pull their children from all of the wizarding schools if we were to be denied our rights to teach the next generation while they are receiving 'public' education as it were."

"Very true," Eva nodded. "Once more I am reminded how thankful I am that I, like my siblings, and you as well, had tutors."

"I know," Josephine smiled. "As I was saying though, he was at the school and apparently ran into a student."

"And this relates to your plotting how?" Eva interrupted before her friend got into a long narration. "And hurry up with the sugar."

"You're ruining my enjoyment of this Evita," she sighed before sending the sugar Eva's way.

"Do you see me apologizing?" Eva countered with a smile. "Now speak and explain, I left Horacio very unhappy that I was skipping out on our afternoon tea."

"Your husband can deal with it, besides he should be used to me claiming you by now," Josephine waved off her argument. "As I was saying, Lucia ran into a student today."

"Still don't see how this relates to your plotting," Eva argued while putting jam on her scone.

"I'm getting there impatient one," she shook her head. "Now then, if you stop interrupting…"

"All right, no more interruptions; just get on with it," Eva waved before summoning the clotted cream just as Josephine went to put her knife in it.

"Evil woman," Josephine grumbled as she set her knife down. "So the girl apparently kissed Lucia. He wasn't forthcoming with details after all…"

"No…" Eva trailed off shocked. "Oh tell me what happened next," she continued with a grin as she set her tea aside and leaned forward.

"Well," Josephine began with a smile before leaning forward as well and telling her everything about her conversation with her brother. Neither of them cared that they probably looked like a couple of schoolgirls gossiping.

"Bloody hell," Eva sighed when she sat back. "It's a miracle your brother didn't kill her for that."

"I know," sighed Josephine as she picked up her tea once more, not happy to find it cold. "He's still having issues believing the girl did it, or that he actually kissed her back."

"I bet… Dear Merlin that is probably bothering Lucius more than the fact the girl kissed him. We both know how determined he is to not give Narcissa a reason to say he's been unfaithful. Bloody hypocrite that she is…"

"God I know, I swear I would love for that woman to just die off," Josephine grumbled.

"The Gods know you tried to help her along that path enough when you were a child."

"And who was there right beside me slipping the poison in her food?"

"Let's keep that between you, me, and the tea pot thank you very much," Eva countered. "I don't want my husband knowing I was trying to commit murder when I was eight. Let alone the rest of the nobility knowing that all those attempts on Narcissa's life were not done by outside sources."

"They'll never figure it out," Josephine waved off her concern. "Besides, Horacio would probably tell us a few new ideas on how to pull it off nowadays. You know he dislikes her as much as I do, which is saying something since I despise that woman. Only good thing she did in this life was give me my dear nephew."

"Who is a brat and a half at times," Eva countered.

"He's seventeen Evita; he's supposed to be a brat."

"Alejandro wasn't one at seventeen," Eva argued.

"Alejandro belongs in a mental institution."

"True," Eva agreed. "Thank the Gods he's not Papa's heir."

"Oh I know," Josephine shook her head. "I can't imagine your Papa trying to convince Lucius to have me marry Alejandro. It's bad enough he's been trying to convince Lucius to approve a marriage contract between me and Roberto, no offence of course."

"None taken, he may be my favourite brother, and a very good friend of yours, but I simply can't see you putting up with my brother's unique tastes," Eva paused sharing a familiar look with Josephine.

"I pity any woman who ends up being the one who marries your brother Evita. But at least she'll know from day one that she can take a lover as long as it's discreet and he keeps his own sexual orientations discreet as well."

"I pity my brother the day Papa learns he is gay," Eva shrugged.

"You and me both, I can hear your Papa now… 'El verguenza traéis en nuestro familia...',* (You bring a queer into our family…)" Josephine imitated before giggling with Eva.

"Actually it would be more like 'No creo esto , hijo! Qué estado usted pensamiento? El verguenza traéis en nuestro familia…',* (You are no son of mine! What ever gave you that idea. You bring a queer into our family…) " Eva countered.

"But back to evil plots, and not the ones where we fix your brother up with my on again, off again, boyfriend."

"Hmm that reminds me, are you and Luciano on again? Or off again?"

"Off again, he's in love with Anastasiya Grinkov, the daughter of the late Baron of Dondukov. Of course we both know her brother Alexi is not going to let that last long."

"You mean there is someone more protective of his sister than your brother?"

"Alexis isn't doing it for her though," Josephine argued. "He has plans to use her as a glorified first-class ticket to the big leagues. He's hoping the Kniaz of Sibirsky will take an interest in Anastasiya."

"You're kidding me," Eva sighed. "No, we both know people do it… Thank God Papa and Lucius actually care about the women in our family being happy."

"I know," Josephine smiled. "I mean sure they insisted on us making good matches, You got a Duque and we both know the only thing Lucia will insist on for my marriage is that he's either an Earl or a Duke..."

"Or the equivalent," Eva smirked. "Which is why I've never understood why he hasn't stepped in with Luciano."

"Lucia knows Luciano and I have no future, and there's no chance of me forming the bond with him."

"Very true," Eva agreed. "But we've gotten off-topic."

"That we have..."

"So what's your evil plan?"

"This girl's gotten under his skin Evita, really under his skin. And there is only one red-haired Gryffindor girl I know of… Little Ginny Weasley… Just this morning I received a letter from Pans and Milli, seems that article Gandalf wrote caused quite the stir at Hogwarts. Lord Prewett's grandson demonstrated once more how much Molly's managed to ruin her children."

"It's in a way amazing how much Molly Prewett's choice has managed to be remembered, nearly thirty years after she turned her back on her family for that peasant," Eva shook her head.

"Molly Elizabeth Prewett, daughter of the late Lord Prewett, she ran off to marry a peasant not worth a penny - left Lord Pembrook at the altar then turned her father's heir and final child against him as well." Josephine shook her head. "You and I were children, but I bet you still remember the day Lord Prewett buried his sons, I know I do."

"Molly didn't even come to see her brothers buried with the rest of their ancestors. She didn't even come, or bring her children to bury Lord Prewett. He died broken-hearted over the loss of his family, the betrayal of his favourite child. Now the Earldom lies dormant, waiting for an heir to claim it," Eva sighed.

"You realize the only possible heirs are Weasley's children."

"And Molly's come close to destroying any chance for this generation to take up the title," Eva shook her head in disgust. "Her children don't even know that they bear noble blood."

"Gods I know," Josephine sighed, "Seven children... William, the eldest and first possible heir... He's got this long messily cut hair and a fang in his ear. He's bloody well working for goblins..."

Both women shook their heads before Josephine summoned a house-elf with a bell. "Mistress Josephine..." the elf greeted when she arrived.

"Zeta, we'd like a fresh pot of tea please."

"And some of those chocolate truffles from France," Eva added.

"Yes Mistress Josephine, Mistress Eva." A second later Zeta was gone.

"Need some chocolate?" Josephine teased.

"If we're going to keep up this conversation, I need more than tea. And it's too early for a good merlot."

"That reminds me, I promised Lucia a waiting Brandy when he got home. He had a meeting with Crabbe."

"Oh Merlin, he's going to need more than one Brandy. That man is an idiot."

"He gives idiots a good name," Josephine countered.

"So true," Eva agreed as Zeta reappeared, tray in hand. A second later the pot of tea had replaced the cold one, and the bowl of truffles had appeared next to Eva. "Thank you Zeta."

"I am glad, Mistress Josephine, Mistress Eva."

"You may leave Zeta; I'll summon you if we need you."

"Yes Mistress Josephine."

"Now then, where were we?"

"Lord Prewett's heirs," Josephine reminded.

"I believe we were on Charles," Eva agreed. "Second son, second child, second heir... He's in Romania, trying to get himself killed with those dragons."

"Likely," Josephine shook her head. "Then there's Percival, quite the arse kisser isn't he?"

"Josie, watch your language."

"It's true though," Josephine argued, "I've never seen someone who worships a man like Percival does Fudge. Even Crabbe and Goyle Sr. don't worship Lucia like that. Even their sons don't worship Draconis like that."

"Alright, I give you that," Eva agreed. "Then of course there are the twins, Fredrick..."

"And George," Josephine finished.

"Brilliant minds those two, ingenious, the inventions they come up with. Lord Prewett would have been proud to claim them as his grandsons given the choice."

"Very true," Josephine agreed. "They too have chosen a different path; their shop, though small, is quite well known now. They would, and will, not give it up."

"That leaves young Ronald as the last male heir," Eva nodded. "A more impertinent boy I've yet to hear of. He does not hold true to his beliefs, and bears much anger and prejudice in him."

"Tis true," Josephine sighed. "The boy allied himself with young Potter, from the first day on the train, or so Draconis' letters claim. Then during the Triwizard Tournament, the boy turned on Dumbledore's last hope. Even Fleur spoke of it, before she chose William over the family."

"There must be something unique about Arthur Weasley. Through him, we've lost not one, but four members of the noble families. All heirs at that."

"And the God's know we don't have the numbers to loose... But at least Tristan has another child to be his heir. And we both know Gabrielle won't desert her family like Fleur did."

"Gabby is the more noble of the two. Fleur let the wealth and name go to her head, Gabby grew up at your skirts practically Josette, you were the only female of relation. It was only natural they'd send Gabby to you... I truly believe it was you who kept her from becoming what Fleur did."

"You're as responsible as I am Evita, with their mother gone; it fell to you and I to teach her the ways, just as we were the ones to teach Pansy and Millicent."

"True," Eva agreed with a nod.

"I will give Fleur one thing for her decision to love the son of a Weasley, to pick him over her blood..."

"She is a better person without the power and wealth," Eva agreed.

"Aye," Josephine sighed. "I will agree to that. You realize the only heir left now is young Ginevra..."

"Which I suspect plays into your plan quite well."

"Exactly so my dear Evita," Josephine grinned. "As I started many minutes ago, I received a letter from Pans and Milli. It would appear that Hogwarts was not without event after Gandalf's article was read. Harry Potter seemed to be surprised by the fact that there was another Malfoy in the world, and that I was nobility no less. From what I understand, with the help from Weasley's youngest boy, he managed to completely insult my name, honour, dignity, and title in a matter of minutes."

"What?" Eva whispered in shock. "How are they both still alive? Draco and Blaise alone would have killed them, Dumbledore and his rules be dammed. And we both know they would be released of all wrong doing by the Wizengamot. But your brother... Lucius is easily the more volatile when it comes to you than you're nephew and cousin."

"Well if we're honest, Lucius would be the one to kill them, Blaise would dispose of the bodies in the most fitting manner, and Draconis would provide their alibi."

"True," Eva agreed. "Blaise is more protective of you than Draconis. But you are his only other blood relative and we both know he can't stand his mother."

"He can't stand her, I can't stand her. Stupid woman only married my cousin for his title, and we all know his death wasn't an accident. She's a black widow hiding behind a pretty face," Josephine sighed in disgust.

"Oh hear hear," Eva agreed as she picked up a truffle before sending the bowl to Josephine. "So how is it that I have not heard of the great Harry Potter and his little puppy dog not being buried and witnessed the wizarding world in mourning yet?"

"Well, keep in mind I haven't heard anything from my dear nephew or cousin yet, all this is from Pans and Milli," Josephine began. "But it would appear just as the self-proclaimed second and third protectors of my honour were going to, at the very least seriously harm the two, young Ginevra pushed her way between the four and apologized for the two."

"No... she did?" Eva asked shocked. "Well I'll be; Molly's got herself a little Gryffindor full of courage and loyalty after all."

"I had already given the girl credit for her courage for kissing my brother," Josephine smirked. "Pans and Milli told me that she did rather well for one without training, she sunk to a curtsy and apologized for the foolishness of the two who had no knowledge of our ways, showed Draconis and Blaise the respect they both deserved."

"Hmm, I think I'm starting to see what your plan might be Josette, mi hermana del corazón."* (my sister of the heart)

"Exactly," Josephine smiled. "Young Ginevra can lay claim to the Earldom and become the Countess of Rosewood. She would then be nobility and there would be no issue for a relationship between her and Lucia."

"Other than the fact your brother has a wife," Eva pointed out.

"And that is easily fixed," Josephine countered. "If I knew, completely and truly, that Lucia loves the girl and she him. I would at last make sure that he had the means to divorce her with honour."

"You would arrange for her affair to come to light wouldn't you?" Eva shook her head. "I thought you didn't want to bring the shame to the family and Draconis."

"I don't, but we both know Narcissa has brought this shame on herself. This man has been her lover since before she even married my brother. Worse yet, she didn't even align herself with a peasant, she chose a Muggle, well the few times I've seen them meeting in Muggle London it would appear he's a Muggle…" Josephine shook her head. "If Draconis wasn't the spitting image of my brother at his age, and in turn my dear Pére, I would wonder… but as it is, at least Narcissa did one thing right. This is her shame though, not the family's, not Lucia's, and not Draconis'. The rest of our kind will see and know that. We will only have to support Draconis through the loss of his mother, but even then I suspect he will not forgive her for her betrayal as well. Young he may be, but he has grown up knowing his destiny and the responsibilities placed on our family as the last link to the Great King."

"Very true," Eva agreed with a nod. "How do you propose young Ginevra lay claim to Rosewood though? The other families won't accept her without her having at least the most common knowledge of our ways. She doesn't even have her stones…"

"Well, as Gandalf put it in his article. I am in need of a new pet," Josephine smiled.

"You are a very evil woman; you realize Lucius is not going to approve of you bringing the very witch who kissed him into your circle."

"And we both know Lucia does not dictate how I do things. He is my brother and my elder, both in this family and in the chain of nobility. But I am still the Countess de Winters. He will not make a public scandal by bringing this up in front of any who would speak of it. I will simply remind him that my pets are mine to choose. He has no say or right in it."

"It's a miracle Lucius doesn't ring your neck some times Josie," Eva chuckled. "You are far too convinced that it is your job to make his life right."

"It is my job," Josephine countered. "I'm his only sibling, yes Pére instructed him to care for me, but he also instructed me to watch out for Lucia."

"Well then, how should we go about extending the offer to your new pet?" Eva asked after a moment.

"I had a few ideas but wanted your opinion on them…" Josephine nodded before continuing.