*Thanks for all the awesome reviews from last chapter! Means a lot, keep it up :) I really love you guys, all my readers are so important to me, I'm glad I'm making you happy!

*The lovely Joanne Rowling owns Harry Potter!

**Title of the chapter comes from 'Show Me What I'm Looking For' by Carolina Liar! Great song :)

"Simon, may I ask you for something?" I question hesitantly. Simon's quill quits moving, and he glares up at me. "What do you want?" He demands.

"I need a favor," I say.

"I don't do favors, Malfoy," Simon informs me. "Where the hell are those papers I asked you to organize an hour ago?"

I'm so caught up in my thoughts that I can't even remember what I did with them. "Er, they're in that cabinet there," I answer, remembering.

Simon looks at me like I'm stupid. "Well, go get them," he orders.

I cross the room, bending down to remove a stack of papers from the filing cabinet. When I turn around, I briefly notice Simon staring at me intently, with a look I've only ever seen Holden give me. I decide to ignore it. "Um, here," I say, handing them to him.

"Set them on the desk. Don't you see me writing?" I swear, if I didn't want anything from Simon, he absolutely wouldn't be speaking to me this way.

"Sorry," I apologize, setting the papers down.

"What did you want?" Simon questions.

"What?"

"What were you going to ask me? It's obviously distracting you, and I'm not in the mood for your half-ass work." I breathe out of my nose and close my eyes for a count of three, trying to calm myself down.

"Well, um, you see... my brother sort of wrote to my mother, asking for her to come back. It really isn't a good idea, though. She was released from Azkaban seven years ago, and we had restraining orders then, but I was told they only last five years, so I was-"

"Wondering if I'd allow you to file another one?" Simon questions. I swallow and nod. "Do you have a reason to? Have you got any evidence that she's currently posing any sort of threat to your family?"

"Well, no but-"

"Then why the hell are you asking me for a restraining order? Simply because you don't like her?" Simon questions. Perhaps if he could shut his damned mouth for a minute and let me explain, he'd have the answer to his question.

"No. She was terribly abusive to us both, and she... tried to kill me," I answer. Simon all but shrugs.

"When was this?" He asks.

"Seven years ago."

Simon raises his golden-blonde eyebrows at me. "Not recently, then?"

I shake my head. "Last time I checked, seven years wasn't recent," I retort, unable to handle his asshole behavior any longer. "Are you even going to listen to me?"

"I am listening, but your point seems far from valid," Simon tells me.

"Valid? For you to have studied my case, you obviously know nothing about it!" I argue.

"Oh, I know a great deal about you and your family. And I must say, Astoria was one of the best things that ever happened to it. What do you have against your dear younger brother having a proper mother?" Simon asks.

"Not a thing. That's why I don't want Astoria back," I inform him. "She doesn't know how to a raise a child."

"She'd be better than your mother. Do you honestly believe that your brother won't be embarrassed to say he's been brought up by some muggle woman?" Simon questions, looking disgusted at the thought. "I could hardly imagine the humiliation."

"Blood doesn't have anything to do with how well of a mother you are," I tell Simon bitterly.

He rolls his eyes. "Believe what you want. But magical blood knows how to raise magical blood. Muggles and muggle-borns don't understand. They don't know our ways." Our ways? In no way am I part of this!

"If you believe that, you must not know Astoria at all," I scoff.

"I know her quite well, actually," Simon replies. "Her mother and my grandmother are friends." I should have guessed as much. "She's the perfect pureblood wife. Given a second chance, she might actually do something right for your family."

"Merlin, that's amazing..." I mutter.

Simon furrows his eyebrows. "What is?"

"Your head's shoved further up your ass than I ever believed possible!"

Simon shakes his head mirthlessly. "It's so rude of you to speak to me like that. Perhaps you should have allowed Astoria to mother you. What else can I expect, though, from someone with so much muggle filth in their blood?" He drawls, narrowing his eyes at me.

Before I can even realize what I'm doing, I take my wand out, and point it at Simon. "You take that back!" I shout, seething.

"I'd rather not," Simon decides. "What are you going to do? Hex me? You don't have it in you."

"You don't know that!" I snap. Simon walks from behind his desk and comes up to me, until the only thing separating us is my wand.

"If you were going to do something, you would have already done it," he reasons.

"You really want to be hexed, don't you?" Even I can hear my voice faltering just a bit. Simon takes my hand and gently pries my wand out of my fingers. His hands are softer than I would have thought. "Don't touch me."

"Why not? It's completely honest, unless you're making something of it..." That's smooth of Simon to make it look like my fault. He twirls my wand in his hand leisurely.

"I'm not. Give me my wand." I reach for my wand but Simon draws his arm back, causing me to stumble into him.

"Getting ahead of yourself there, Malfoy. At least let me take you out to dinner first," he jokes, smirking at me arrogantly.

"You aren't funny! Let me have my have my wand back!" I ask, reaching for it again.

"Getting flustered are you?" Simon questions.

I shake my head. "No, just highly annoyed. It tends to happen when I'm forced to spend so much time with an idiot like yourself," I tell him sarcastically.

"Now, now, no need to get testy. You know, Father always said I had a terrible habit of sleeping with my interns. He doesn't appreciate it one bit. I suppose that's why he hired you," Simon explains conversationally. "But you see, I rather like that fiery attitude of yours. Do you have it in bed as well?" I'm shocked that Simon is outright asking me something so personal and rude.

"I wouldn't worry about it, because I have no interest in sleeping with you!" I assure him.

Simon looks at me odd. "Great, I'm not exactly too keen on shagging you either. Besides, you've been running about with McKinnon for Merlin knows how long. I remember the way he used to talk about you," Simon mutters, rolling his eyes as if the thought sickens him. "Mother and Father never did care for that family."

"Then it's a wonderful thing that I don't give a damn what your family thinks, isn't it?" I question, finally succeeding in snatching my wand back from Simon. "Now, are you going to help me or not?"

Simon nods. "Sure, I will. I'll have an order allowing Astoria's return out in less than two days," he tells me.

"What the hell does that even mean?"

"Let's just say if you get a knock on your door in the next two days, your brother may just have his mother back," Simon tells me, giving me that awfully smug look of his. I could kill him! How could he?

"You despicable asshole!" I shout. "That wasn't what I asked you for!"

"I told you, Malfoy. I don't do favors," Simon reminds me. "What reason do I have to listen to you, anyway? You're blinded by hatred."

"I am not!" I protest. "The only person I hate right now is you!"

"Why? Because I'm doing my job?" Simon questions.

"If you're job's to ruin families, then yes, you're doing it perfectly! What kind of lawyer are you?" I question.

"One who knows how a proper pureblood family should be run," Simon informs me. That's the thing. My family isn't a pureblood family anymore. The only pureblood are Dad and Scorpius.

Isn't part of being a lawyer not being so biased until you have a reason to be? However, I'm sure that Simon would much rather put his own views in front of his job. "Must that be different than any other family?" I ask.

Simon nods. "Different, yes, and better. You'll thank me later, Malfoy," he assures me. I know that won't be the case.

When I get home, I stomp upstairs and slam the door to my room so hard my mirror shakes. Simon is such a disgusting asshole! How the hell could he possibly decide to put Astoria back in my family? Because 'pureblood mothers are better at raising pureblood children'? Who the hell ever came up with something so idiotic? The worst part of all this is the fact that I was stupid enough to ask Simon about it! What the hell did I think he was going to say?

After I change my clothes and take my hair down, I try to get my thoughts together. What the hell am I going to say to my parents? They're going to be absolutely pissed at Scorpius and I both. But then again, I don't really have to say anything. I could pretend to be just as shocked as they'll be when they see Astoria on their doorstep in a couple days. The thought of that makes me angry all over again. I let out a frustrated scream and chuck one of my shoes across the room. What the hell did anyone do to deserve this? Granted, Mum and Dad are liars, my grandparents are demons, and I'm not exactly perfect either, but no one deserves Astoria in their life, not even once. I don't want to be forced to relive my childhood years.

I can't think straight at all. All those memories concerning Astoria come back to me, and I feel my head beginning to ache. I don't know why I'm so worried about how Astoria's going to be, because I'm an adult now. I can protect myself. I think I'm more afraid of what's going to happen between her and Scorpius. I know that he'll be so blinded by the excitement of finally meeting her again that he won't even realize for a while what kind of person she really is. The same thing happened to me. There's inevitably going to be conflict between Mum and Astoria over who is Scorpius' mother. They never really interacted when I was younger, but I know things won't be pretty now. I just know it. As if the thought of that isn't enough, I really am nervous for what Astoria may try to do. She could ask the Ministry for Scorpius back, she could take him- she's done it before- the possibilities are just endless. I really do need to relax.

Since I have no calming draught left, I decide I have to settle for the next best thing. I open my wardrobe and root around for a second, procuring a bottle of Firewhiskey. Now, generally it's people with 'problems' who hide alcohol. I don't have a problem, I just hate hearing my parents whine about my drinking. It makes me feel better, and they should want that for me.

I uncork the bottle and pour it into a glass from my nightstand. The burning sensation of Firewhiskey going down my throat is enough to calm me slightly. Soon, I finish that glass and pour myself another. I'm feeling much more relaxed now.

I don't know how it happened, but soon I'm in my bed, and I've drank off half the bottle of Firewhiskey. However, I do feel much better.

There's a knock at my door. "C'me in..." I say. My door opens, and Nina walks in. She begins jumping on the edge of my bed.

"Dinner's ready! Mummy says come eat!" She announces.

"'M not hungry," I tell her, putting my hand to my forehead. It seems that Nina jumping up and down is making my headache worse.

"But Mummy says come and eat! Come on, Belly!" Nina bends down to tug on my arm. "Belly!"

"Stop..." I mutter. "Just leave m'alone."

Luckily, Nina obliges and runs to the doorway. "Mummy! Belly won't come and eat! And she's talking funny again!" She shouts.

I swear Mum apparated or something, because she's in my doorway in an instant. "Nina, won't you go downstairs and tell Daddy to come up here? The four of you can go on eating without us. We want to speak to Isobelle a moment, and then we'll be down," Mum assures her.

Nina nods. "Kay, Mummy."

As soon as she's out of my room, Mum sticks her fists on her hips and glares at me. "How could you?" She asks.

"'Ow could I what?" I question.

"What is it?" Dad asks, coming into my room as well.

"Draco, she's drunk," Mum sighs. "Again."

Dad nudges Mum gently in the back, moving her further into my room so that he can shut the door behind them. "What the hell is the matter with you?" He demands.

"Nothings'a matter," I answer. "I just hadda bad day. That's it."

"'Nothing's the matter'? Isobelle, this is the third time you've done this in two weeks! That can't honestly still be your excuse!" Dad shouts angrily.

"Draco, it isn't any use. She doesn't understand a word your saying," Mum tells him. Of course, I understand them!

I nod my head in protest. "Yeah, I do . You're givin' me all've your normal bullshit..." I answer.

"Please forgive your mother and I for not approving or your reckless drinking! You have four younger siblings, this isn't something they need to see!" Dad argues.

"... why I'm in m'room, dumbass." I roll my eyes at Dad's stupidity.

Mum has to grab Dad's shoulder to keep him from charging at me. "Draco! She doesn't know what she's saying!"

"I don't give a damn, Hermione! She won't speak to me this way, sober or not! This wasn't what we decided! I'm not taking care of a grown-"

"I know, Draco, I know. Just calm down, we'll let her sleep it off, and we can talk about this in the morning," Mum suggests. Dad doesn't look like he agrees with this, but he clenches his jaw and doesn't say anything else. Mum turns to me. "We're very disappointed in you, Isobelle." Dad opens the door and they walk out. He's sure too slam it. It doesn't really bother me what they think. Mum and Dad have enough problems to deal with. Maybe they should find a way to cope like I have.

"Hey, Teddy," I say the next afternoon, as my older cousin appears in the living room. I'm feeling remarkably better after my episode yesterday with my parents.

Teddy smiles at me. "Hey," he says back. "What was it you wanted to tell me?"

"Er, let's go outside first," I suggest, taking Teddy's arm and leading him out back to the patio. "It's a beautiful day."

"Yeah," Teddy agrees, taking a seat in the chair across from me. "But I don't think that's the reason you wanted to talk to me?" I sigh and shake my head.

"No, not the weather. I just need someone to keep my head on my shoulders. That person's usually you," I say.

"I try to be a good fiance when I can," Teddy says, smirking at me.

"You git." I roll my eyes and try not to smile back. As ridiculous as it sounds, Grandmother and Grandfather have been adamant about Teddy and I marrying. They believe that if we've messed up the families of our respective bloodlines, we should at least be together, because that would strengthen the Black line either way. Even though Teddy would make the best husband in the world, I can't see him as any more than family, and an older brother at that. We do joke about it sometimes, though.

"It's absolutely disgusting, isn't it? If Andromeda were alive, could you imagine her and Grandmother saying their grandchildren were married to each other?" I ask.

Teddy shudders at the thought. "Yeah, that's gross. But it's completely normal as far as Black standards go."

"Poor Scorpius, he'll probably be subjected to that absolute insanity when he grows up," I realize.

"If there're any purebloods left for him to marry," Teddy adds. The whole lot of them is decreasing at a fast rate. I suspect it's due to severe inbreeding.

"Well, Dad's thinking about Daisy. They're already friends, but she's older than him." It's frowned upon in pureblood marriages for a wife to be older than her husband. As if it isn't enough, not only is Mum muggle-born, she's also older than Dad. They were screwed over from the start.

"It's only a year, though. That isn't too bad," Teddy reasons.

"I know. It's sad, though," I insist. Purebloods don't really arrange their marriages, per se, they sort of just make suggestions on who they believe their child should be with. But, if you don't marry who your parents want, they'll probably disown you. "I don't know how Dad can instill all these values in Scorpius when it's obvious he doesn't believe in them himself." I know Dad does it so that Scorpius won't ever have to catch all the shit that he does, but how can he raise Scorpius as a pureblood, knowing who his wife is? And who his step-children are? And who I am?

"Do you think every pureblood believed in all the stuff they were taught?" Teddy questions.

I shake my head. "I never did." Even though I shouldn't have been, I was given a pureblooded upbringing. I understand the way my dad and grandparents think, and I know what kinds of prejudices against muggles exist. At an early age, I was prepared not to carry on those sorts of ideals, but I suppose it never mattered. I can't fathom why Dad would be any different.

"So what's the question? Your dad doesn't know any different. What is he supposed to do?"

I know Teddy's right, but the idea of it is wrong. "Learn from Mum," I say hopefully. Even though they're married, Mum and Dad both have different parenting styles, and they kind of stick to raising their own children certain ways. Mum doesn't know how to prepare Scorpius for the world in the way that he'll need to be, likewise with Dad and Rose and Hugo. The only one they can really parent together is Nina, and even that probably won't work out in the long run.

"That wouldn't work," Teddy reminds me. I know that, but I wish it did.

"You're right, because apparently only purebloods are fit to raise other other purebloods. It must be an unwritten rule," I say.

Teddy wrinkles his turquoise eyebrows. I don't think he's ever going to outgrow having his hair such an insane color. "What do you mean?"

I may as well tell Teddy. He'll know what to say. "Well, Scorpius found that paper I had and wrote to Astoria asking her back, and Grandmother gave it to her. Then, like an idiot, I thought that Simon might possibly be able to help me keep Astoria away, but that didn't happen. Instead, he said it was good that Scorpius was finally having a pureblood mother raise him again, and that he could bring her back soon as possible. Which happens to be tomorrow," I explain.

I can't read the look on Teddy's face. "Well, Simon's an asshole," he tells me. Merlin, I knew that. "But more importantly, what are you going to do?"

I shrug. "What can I do? It seems as if I'm always powerless to do much of anything."

"Have you told your parents yet?" Teddy asks. I shake my head. "Why not?"

"I couldn't possibly admit to them that this is partly my fault. Besides, we aren't exactly speaking at the moment," I admit to Teddy.

"Are you arguing again?"

I nod. "More than ever. I'm sure I said something to Dad last night that really ticked him off. I don't quite remember what it was, though-"

"Are you drinking again?" Teddy asks. His voice isn't at all accusing, and I can tell he isn't assuming anything about it.

I nod slowly. "Not as much as I used to, though, I don't think."

Teddy reaches across the table and takes my hand in his. "Why?" he questions.

"I just... I don't know. It makes me feel better, I suppose. Forget about things for a while, you know?"

"But your problems are still there when you wake up, aren't they?" Teddy points out.

"I mean, I suppose so, but... it's hard to explain, okay? You can't judge me for it," I tell Teddy, more pleading than asking.

"I won't. But it's not healthy," He reminds me. "Does Holden know?"

I shake my head. "That's not exactly something I can mention in casual conversation," I say.

"It should be something you're able to tell the man you love," Teddy points out. I know it should, but it wouldn't be fair to Holden telling something like that.

"I know. But I'm sure he's got other things to worry about," I respond.

"That's what you always say about these kinds of things. You can trust him, Belle. I mean, if Victoire ever felt like she couldn't-"

"Victoire and I are two different people," I remind Teddy harshly. I know he doesn't mean it, but I don't ever want to be compared to her. Victoire doesn't have nearly as many problems as I do. She's the way she is purely because she chooses to be.

"Sorry," Teddy apologizes. "I didn't mean it like that. It's just, being able to tell each other stuff is important in a relationship. You know that."

"I know, but so is wanting to protect that person."

"You're protecting Holden from yourself, then?" Teddy questions.

When he puts it like that, it sounds stupid, but I suppose I am. "Some parts of me," I answer.

"You shouldn't. It's been years now, and Holden hasn't gone anywhere. He accepts you, Belle," Teddy tells me, giving my hand a squeeze before letting go and offering me a small smile.

"I know that. It's just, I wish everyone did. Things are going to change again, aren't they?"

Teddy nods. "Yeah, but you know who you are. That isn't going to change."

"Thanks," I say quietly, looking Teddy in the eye. "You don't know how great it is to talk to someone about all this."

"You can always talk to me, Belle," Teddy assures me. He notices the look of slight apprehension that's still on my face. "What's wrong?"

"I just don't want things to be the way they were when I was growing up," I admit. "That's what I'm most afraid of. And when Astoria comes back, what is Rose going to think? She's going to want Ron back as well. I know this is going to put a lot of strain on Mum and Dad's marriage, too.

"Well, just takes things one at a time. If anything, you've got to worry about how you're going to act with Astoria, if you argue with your own parents so much," Teddy points out.

"I was never nasty to her," I remind Teddy. Even when Astoria threatened to run me out of my own home, I never once got out of line with her.

"Think that'll last?" Teddy questions, raising his eyebrows. "I don't think there's enough calming draught in the world to prevent that."

"Teddy, do you honestly believe that I'd blow up on Astoria?" I question.

He nods. "I'm your cousin, I'm not under any obligation to lie to you," he says at my put-off look. "Just choose your battles with her, you remember how Astoria is."

"Too well, I might add," I say under my breath. "I'm sure Dad will be worse about it than I, though."

"You're probably right," Teddy agrees. "The Malfoy temper's a hell of a lot worse than the Black one."

"And he's inherited both," I point out.

"So have you. You've got a natural talent for arguing. The law would love you," Teddy tells me, leaning back in his chair.

I shake my head in spite of myself. "That isn't true at all. I'm not pureblood, nor am I a male."

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"Come on, Teddy. You know that's the criteria to be anywhere high in the Ministry. They say things have changed, but really, have they?" I ask. "The Ministry's full of old purebloods, with their backwards views. Then, when they resign, who takes their spots? Their sons that they've raised to be exact copies of them. I mean, look at Simon. They way he thinks, you wouldn't believe either of those Wars ever happened."

"What about Aunt Hermione?" Teddy questions. He puts his hands behind his head and closes his eyes, taking in the sun. It must be a blessing to not burn so easily.

"They don't take her seriously at all," I tell him. "Having a muggle-born woman working in the Ministry is about the same as hiring an extra house-elf to them. You barely notice it. You know, the older I get, the more I realize what a nasty world we live in."

"Tell me about it," Teddy agrees.

"Do you think it's the same for muggles?" I ask. Although I've never considered muggles much different from wizards, I've never given so much as a thought on their society.

"What d'you mean?"

"If you think about it, they really wouldn't have the same problems as us. I mean, muggle is as plain as you can go. You can't be less muggle than anyone else. None of them have any magic," I explain. Teddy opens his eyes and looks at me.

"Can you be any less wizard than someone else?" He asks, wrinkling his eyebrows at me.

"I wouldn't say that. But, according to most, that isn't true," I mutter.

"Bullshit. If you've got magic, you're a wizard. Simple as that," Teddy says with finality. "Since when are you so concerned with all of this anyway?"

I shrug. "I suppose the thought of it came about when I realized that there could have been a chance of Astoria coming back. And once I found out my grandparents weren't the only people who believed there was such a difference in upbringing between pureblood and muggle. I mean really, if Scorpius is introduced to all that, what's he going to think of Hugo, Rose, Nina, and I? We're half-bloods, he'll be raised to think he's better than us," I remind Teddy.

"Well, it all comes down to whether or not you think Scorpius will believe that. He grew up with all of you, he loves you, and he's a bright kid. I doubt a couple of ignorant words will change that," Teddy tells me.

I purse my lips. "I hope you're right," I say quietly.

"I hope I am, too."

"You're my best friend, Teddy." That's one thing I can be certain about. I never really understood how Teddy could be so many things to me at once. He's my cousin, but he's also my best friend, my confidant, and the older brother I never had.

"I know, Belle." The backdoor opens and Hugo and Scorpius walk out, carrying their brooms over their shoulders. Scorpius is holding a quaffle.

"Hey, Teddy," They say in unison. Teddy waves to them both.

"Hey, Belle," Hugo adds. I smile at my younger brother. I notice Scorpius doesn't say anything to me, nor does he even meet my gaze. He must think that I'm still upset with him. I'm not as upset anymore as I am worried for Scorpius. I don't think I would have ever been angry in the first place if Scorpius' mother wasn't Astoria. I can understand him wanting to meet his mother, it just makes things worse considering who she is.

(A/N: Thanks for reading, lovelies! Sorry for not updating for while! BTW, Thanksgiving is Thursday, so I don't know if I'll be able to update this week, but I'll try my hardest!) So yep, Astoria will be back, very soon... Predictions for that? And must I say, I absolutely love Isobelle and Teddy's friendship! Oh yeah, and boo Simon for being a butthole! :) Thanks for reading, leave me and awesome review!