A/N - Happy Thanksgiving (well yesterday) and Black Friday. I refuse to participate in this event, I am currently wrapped up on my chair with a fire roaring quietly and listening to music. All in all, a good way to spend the day.

Totally making up a back story about Theo's mom. Whatever the actual story is on her, doesn't matter to this story. I needed three girls who weren't tied to anyone other than each other. How did the three of them survive the first year and subsequent years? We find out today. Girl Power!

Percy and Stephanie are mine - I picked Percy as the father's name because it's a good abbreviation for Perseus and I wanted to tie in Greek mythology. It has nothing to do with the Weasel Head Boy (stuck up prat). Just a coincidence in the name that I didn't even think about until the other day when I was reading a story with Percy Weasley in it.

One clarifying point...in this world, Riddle was the same year as Lucius and Percy. Lucius was the first Malfoy to join as a follower. While the older generation may have agreed with the ideology, they weren't the active participants. Lucius went into this all on his own.

This chapter discusses some of the horrors of war. More of a trigger warning here than in the previous chapter. But again it's not graphic just stating that things happened. A little foreshadow to Pansy as well.

Today we start to get into the real meat of the story. tee hee.

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"It all began when we were in school. I had been betrothed to Lucius as a child. I, honestly, cannot remember a time when I wasn't destined to become the next Lady Malfoy. One of my earliest memories is of my mother talking about it. When I first met Lucius, I don't believe he was evil yet, but he was always cold; that whole "Malfoy image" nonsense which I don't understand and doubt I ever will. We had seen each other a couple of times in our childhood. Lucius never paid much attention to me, but I didn't really care for him either. We were young and all I knew was that I would marry him at some point in my life. I never dwelled on it. We didn't see each other frequently until Hogwarts. I suspect his father reminded him of my arrival prior to my first year there."

Hermione hadn't thought what it would be like if she had known as a child who she would end up marrying. It seemed to take the surprise out of life.

"When I got on the Kings Cross, I met Louisa and Stephanie. We were scared first years. Stephanie's family was from Poland and had recently moved to Britain. Louisa was also from a pure blood family, but had spent the majority of her life in Scotland. We became fast friends and by the time we arrived at the school we had already bonded as lifelong friends. The battle between houses was different. Slytherins believed they were better but there wasn't a sense that the other houses were inferior to them. It's hard to explain, but after he came to power the Slytherins believed others need not exist; however, before it was just an air they held. I was sorted into Slytherin, Louisa into Ravenclaw and Stephanie into Gryffindor. Lucius was already an established fourth year and starting to make a "name" for himself. Being betrothed, he knew that while he could date he was saved for me and I for him. After we were sorted to our houses, Lucius made it known that I was off limits. I'll admit it, I liked feeling wanted. At the time I was not sure why he felt the need to make such a bold statement, but he did. Once the Dark Lord started his horrors, I understood why Lucius had made the pronouncement as vehemently as he did. For all his faults, all his ill-conceived actions, and everything else, if he had not made that statement I'm not sure how I would have survived those first years before the war."

Narcissa stopped for a moment. She hadn't thought about how Lucius tried to protect her for a long time. That was one of the few reasons she remained with him once Draco was old enough for school. She truly believed that he loved her at some point in their relationship. She also knew it was the Dark Lord's fault that Lucius picked power over the love of his family. She shook off those thoughts and continued on with the story.

"Louisa, Stephanie and I were inseparable. As I said Lucius was considered a popular guy, he would say the most popular but again that's the Malfoy arrogance."

At that comment the room turned to Draco who smiled in a manner only a Malfoy could, shrugged his shoulders and motioned for his mother to continue.

"I didn't really know any of the boys in the classes above me. Lucius was not a fan of me getting to know them either. Through Lucius I knew his friends. He ran around with 3 others. There was Theo's father (also Theodore), Perseus Phoenix (Percy) and Tom Riddle." Narcissa shuddered when mentioning the old name of the Dark Lord. Hermione smiled at Narcissa, in silent support of her attempt to treat him as another mortal.

"It didn't dawn on anyone in Slytherin that he wasn't a pureblood. Everything he said and did made him out like the rest of us. There were other half-bloods in the house but they were only treated with a modicum of respect if they were able to prove themselves. An example is Severus, he only received the respect he did because he could provide potions and information. Had he not been able to do that, I doubt he would have been treated any better by his house than the houses treated him." Narcissa didn't elaborate, but Harry knew she was referring to the way his father and godfather treated the man. Harry didn't know how to respond. He had just learned what the "marauders" were and he was still coming to terms with them being bullies.

"I'm going to jump ahead in the story a little. In my third year, Percy and Stephanie started to see each other regularly and it was obvious they were falling in love. I knew Lucius cared for me to an extent but it would never be the love that they shared. Theo and Louisa were friendly and their parents found it in their best interests for them to be married. Their marriage, like mine to Lucius, was out of family desire and obligation not love." Narcissa took a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing.

"After our graduation we each started to plan our weddings. Louisa and Theo were the first to be married. It was a lovely affair. Lucius and I were next, it was, at that point in time, the event of the year. I knew that Stephanie and Percy's wedding would be the event of the year/decade/century. And it was."

Narcissa pulled a vial from her robe and walked to the pensive no one had noticed. Instead of diving in an image was projected on the wall. It showed everyone an image from day Stephanie and Percy were married. A young Narcissa stood next to Lucius while Louisa and Theo stood on the other side of the happy couple. The happy couple; however, monopolized the image. Stephanie Phoenix was beautiful; her long brown hair was kept loose and hung past her shoulders. Percy's light auburn hair was just long enough to show that it had a bit of a curl in it. Hermione was struck again at how she felt she knew them. It bugged her to no end that she couldn't place it. Narcissa was focused on Hermione at this point watching the emotions move over her face as she continued to look at the image. Percy's hair seemed to flick in the breeze like a campfire on a windy night. Harry also felt like he should know them. There was something so familiar about them.

"Within a month of their marriage Stephanie was pregnant. Louisa and I were both pregnant at their wedding. No announcements had been made yet. Witches are special in that they can only become pregnant if they feel loved, protected, and safe. Had any of us known what was going to happen in the subsequent months I don't know that Draco or Theo would be here today. When Stephanie told us she was pregnant it was not a celebration. Louisa and I were already seeing our husbands change. The Dark Lord had started to show his true feelings and started to discuss his plans. Percy was disgusted at what he saw, but Lucius and Theo though it was what the wizarding world needed. I don't know what they thought the first time they watch a muggle be raped and killed by him. But I'll tell you Percy never spoke of that night except to Stephanie." Hermione gasped not wanting to think about what happened in those early years.

"Percy knew what was expected of the males under his reign but it was the expectations on the females that were the most shocking. While pureblood society had some out dated traditions, listening to newlyweds consummate their marriage, being present at the birth of the first child but the "taking" of engaged woman and eventually his follower's daughters as a right made us sick. We felt lucky to have been married before he totally lost it. We knew our children were going to suffer for the sins of their fathers. We sat in the nursery one day lamenting our fates. It was then we decided we had to know the sex of our children. Stephanie, being the strongest witch Hogwarts had seen in decades, performed the spell on both Louisa and I. As you can see we were both blessed with boys. When it was Stephanie's turn it was my honor to perform the spell and to my horror she was carrying a girl."

The silence in the room was oppressive. Everyone now understood what the little girl would have to endure to survive. Hermione shuddered and thought about her childhood. She always felt safe and secure in her world. She could not imagine what others had to endure. Hermione decided that she needed to include Pansy more. She probably needed a friend more than Hermione ever realized.

"As a pureblood girl she would be tortured and raped by the men that were supposed to protect her thus proving her strength. Only then could she be married off. If she didn't survive the wife was expected to produce a "replacement". Percy knew he could not protect Stephanie and their daughter. It was then we hatched a plan. No one knew Stephanie was pregnant. We intended to keep it that way. They packed up their home and set a preservation spell on the manor hoping it would remain protected until the day they could return. They hid out during Stephanie's pregnancy stating they were traveling the world before attempting to start their family. Everyone believed the story as the Phoenix family was the top of the social ladder. If they could have left Britain I believe they would have; however, it was not possible. As soon as Stephanie started to show it was too late. They were taken to a safe house until they could get away." Narcissa then walked to Louisa and Theo. None of those present had noticed Louisa's reaction to the story. Upon Narcissa's arrival, Louisa looked up and nodded once to her friend before turning her attention to Theo.

"Theo was the first miracle to be born. Louisa was only 7 months pregnant when Theo Sr did something to upset him. Instead of taking it out on Theo Sr, he decided to have Louisa attacked. I found her blooded body on my front steps. I think it was a warning to Lucius as well as a statement to Theo. We got Louisa into the nursery just before she gave birth to Theo. We didn't know if he would survive. I lied and said that Louisa was sent away. The attack on her was claimed to be done by muggles as part of a botched robbery and the health of the baby was unknown. We still didn't know who was on our side or not. But that would soon be evident. In reality Louisa and Theo were sent to the same safe house as Percy and Stephanie. Our nursery. I kept them safe as long as I could. Soon rumors started and Lucius accused me of knowing where she was. I lied again; it was the only way for all of us to survive."

Narcissa's hand gently held onto Draco and she finished in a whispered. Neither Draco nor Theo had heard this story. Louisa sat stoically the only indication that she was hearing the story were her closed eyes and tear filled eye lashes.

"When I went into labor, Lucius was nowhere to be found. Later, I found out he was on some mission. Luckily for me I was able to have Draco and make sure the rest of my guests were safe before the onslaught of the Death Eaters. I regret that I could not protect my own son. The horrors he and Theo endured."

Narcissa stopped and started to cry. Draco comforted his mother pleading for someone help take her pain away. Hermione stood up and took Narcissa from Draco.

"Cissy?" Narcissa looked at Hermione with wide loving eyes. "Stephanie?"

"Cissy? It's Hermione...please tell me you are ok." Hermione's voice was on edge until Narcissa straightened up and looked deep into Hermione's eyes.

"Yes, Hermione, I'm sorry. It's that when I think about Stephanie. I miss her. I failed her."

"Listen Cissy you didn't fail anyone. What were you to do? You were 18 years old, pregnant and married to an arrogant ass of a man that treated you and his own SON as dirt. You survived. We all survived. Please try to move on. I have. I'm in love with Draco and as soon as I can address some of my personal issues I've already promised that I'll spend eternity with him. I hope you are ok with that but not even you can stop me." Hermione looked at the other witch waiting for her response.

"You love him?"

"Yes Cissy."

"You have forgiven him and want to be with him?"

"Yes Cissy."

"You promised yourself to him?"

"Yes Cissy."

"And he promised himself to you?"

"Yes Cissy." Narcissa felt a sense of hope. 'Could it be possible?'

"Draco, what did you feel when Hermione said these things? Be honest with me son." Draco stared blankly at his mother for a moment.

"I feel happy, elated by it. She loves me. She is the only person, save you, that has truly loved me for me not my status or fortune or looks. Hermione Granger loves Draco Malfoy and he loves her just as much. You can't love someone more than with your whole heart and soul and that is how much we love each other. She has forgiven me for the things she could forgive. When I hold her everything feels right. Like she was intended to be or maybe a better way to say it is that she is supposed to be in my arms."

"Hermione let me see your hands, your wrists." Narcissa had grabbed Hermione.

"What?"

Narcissa started muttering something only to have Louisa suddenly at her side. Hermione started to feel an odd sensation on her wrist. It was warm and comforting at the same time. A very light band of gold began to show on Hermione's wrists.

"Cissy, do you think? Could she be?"

"Shhhh Louisa, I'm about to figure that out." From out of nowhere a deep voice rang out in the Manor.

"Cissy, would you please send Hermione and Draco to the nursery? Now?"

Both Narcissa and Louisa looked in bewilderment. Louisa was the first to respond as she grabbed Hermione and Draco and pulled them out of the room and into the foyer. Both of the older witches recognized the baritone voice but couldn't believe they were hearing it. He was dead after all.

"I don't know where the nursery is. I've looked my entire life and have never been able to find it."

Draco was looking at Mrs. Nott and his mother. Hermione touched Draco's shoulder and looked up the stairs. He followed her eyes to the wall she had been transfixed on earlier. She grabbed his hand and started to ascend the stairs. They were followed by Narcissa, Louisa, Harry, Ginny and Theo. When Draco and Hermione got to the top of the stairs the wall started to shake; suddenly the walling fell free and set of exquisitely carved doors stood before them. Hermione reached for the handles as the doors were suddenly blown open and warm light spread across the Manor. Hermione and Draco stepped into the room and the doors slammed shut behind them.

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A/N - Prolly not a hard secret to figure out what is going to happen in the next chapter. But we solider on...