(AN: Welcome back! I am happy to be writing again! I'm not sure what inspired me to continue and complete the story, but I do know that I had always intended on Astoria dying. Now with Cursed Child making that canon, I've decided to revise my plan, and finally, finish the story for good! So, enjoy, and please review!)

2019

Daphne checked over her shoulder every few moments throughout their entire walk. Elora was skipping ahead of everyone, effortlessly weaving through the crowds of Kings Cross Station. Along with Joao Zabini, they were just far enough ahead that Daphne felt a little anxious. Within arms-reach ahead of her, Damien and Kiki were whispering secrets to one another.

I wish that Theodore was here… I thought nervously. I knew that I was acting suspicious, but I couldn't help it. I tried to come up with excuses, but I was terrified that I would give the whole game away.

"Mummy," Elora called back, standing just back from the entrance to the platform. Daphne snapped out of her trance and raised her eyebrows in acknowledgment. "Joao wants to know if we can get on the train right away? So we can get a good car."

Daphne bit her lip for a moment, then replied as calmly as she could, "Not before I kiss you goodbye, Elora."

Elora made a face of disproval. Daphne understood where she was coming from; when you're 13, you want everyone to think you're all grown up. But Daphne was determined to keep her baby young and innocent for as long as she could, and that included wishing her goodbye and good luck before she left for Hogwarts.

"Oh, let them go, Daph," her companion mused, putting his arm around her shoulders. Daphne looked up with a face of uncertainty at Blaise, who smiled at her, then added: "Joao, you can save Elora a spot while she says goodbye."

The dark-skinned boy, who could have been a clone of Blaise, nodded in response, and waved goodbye to his father before he dashed through the column with Elora. Damien and Kiki soon followed, without saying a word to Daphne. She opened her mouth to call after them but founds her words caught in her throat as they vanished.

"It's 10:45, Daphne. We have a few moments," Blaise said, steering her away from the path to Platform 9 ¾. She looked around in confusion, but he didn't lead her far. Instead, they moved out of the path of other passengers and huddled against a wall. "You need to tell me what's wrong," he stated matter-of-factly.

"I don't need to tell you anything, Blaise," Daphne replied with a sniff. "And I'm fine."

"You're not. You're nervous, checking over your shoulders, wanting to keep your children close. I can feel anxiety pouring out of you."

"Maybe I just don't like the idea of my children being away from me for so long?" Daphne offered. But Blaise didn't buy it.

"Let's go back to my flat after this, ok?" he suggested, looking around at the crowds of people. Some were Muggles, off to catch their ordinary trains, but many were not. Many were wizards and witches, some of whom worked at the Ministry of Magic with Daphne. "You really need to get whatever is bothering you off your chest, or other people will start to notice."

Daphne thought about it for a moment, then sighed in defeat. He was right. The fear, guilt, and anxiety of what had happened the past summer were really weighing on her. Every time someone made eye contact with her in the street, ran to catch the elevator with her at work, or walked past her driveway at home, she wondered if it would be the moment that she would be arrested.

Even Theodore can't save me if they find out what I did…

"Fine," Daphne nodded, then moved away from the wall and towards the entrance to the platform. "Let's say goodbye first."

Blaise nodded in agreement and walked with her towards the portal. They stepped through with ease and began scanning the platform for their children. Closest to them were Damien and Kiki, who had been virtually inseparable since Damien returned from Hogwarts in June. Knowing that they would be together at school now made them ecstatic.

I hope it lasts… I hope nothing goes wrong… Daphne thought with a smile creeping across her face. Damien had really matured over his first year, and Daphne worried their friendship might suffer from it. But, just like his father, Damien was loyal to his friends, and never forgot about who was always there for him.

"Damien," Daphne called. Her son looked up, shaggy brown hair half-covering his eyes. Daphne couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat; he looked so much like Theodore. Daphne motioned for him to come closer, which made him grimace a little. "Oh, stop it!" Daphne chuckled, pulling him in for a hug goodbye. "Take good care of your cousin, ok?"

"Of course! I'm going to make sure she gets sorted into Slytherin, too!" Damien replied confidently.

"Well, it's not always that easy, you know…" Daphne started, but then thought better of bursting her son's bubble. "But, if anyone can figure out how to do it, it's you two," she added with a smile. She bent down and kissed her son on the top of his head, and whispered "Have a good year, darling," into his ear. She then reached out and gave the same well-wishes to Kiera. From there, the two scampered onto the train, laughing to themselves as the went.

"Those two will get married, you know," Blaise remarked from behind her. Daphne nodded her head slowly, but didn't turn to him; she was busy looking for her eldest child.

"Except for the fact that they think they're cousins, but yes, I see your point…" she replied absently. "Do you think she got on the train without saying goodbye?" she asked, slightly panicked and hurt at the notion.

"I doubt it," Blaise replied airily. "Your child actually listens to you…"

Daphne looked up and down the platform. Even if red hair wasn't that common, there were still more ginger children than she was used to. As expected, there was a herd of Weasley families halfway down the platform; it made an almost literal sea of ginger hair that kept catching her eye.

Damn it, Elora… Daphne thought bitterly, now moving down the platform to try and get past the crowd of red-haired children. As she moved through the parents and children that filled the space, she accidentally made eye contact with Harry Potter. She felt a wave of ice cold chills flow through her. A wave of fear. She broke eye contact as soon as she could, and pushed through the crowd a bit faster now, anxious to get away from him.

He can't know… I must not let him suspect anything…

"Mum," the familiar voice of her daughter called. Daphne let out an audible sigh of relief, finally spotting her daughter just ahead, waiting beside one of the train doors.

"There you are," Daphne said with relief. "I thought you would have waited back there, by the portal."

"I was, but then I saw Scorpius," she said, nodding her head over by the wall. Daphne turned without thinking, and saw her daughter's classmate, standing with his father. In that moment, Daphne thought that she may vomit from nerves. They were both speaking with Blaise, who of course had made a B-line for Draco.

Despite everything, Daphne noted that Draco seemed fine. He looked well, albeit a bit tired. But, perhaps that was because of his work. His son, however, did not look as well. He had the sadness in his eyes that Theodore would sometimes have when they were young. The look of loss.

"You know his mum died this summer," Elora leaned in and whispered to her mother.

Daphne could almost feel her throat close, but she managed to crackle a response. "Yes, I had heard that…" All the while, she stared straight ahead at the remaining Malfoy family. Especially at her estranged nephew, who looked so much like his father, it was scary. And, of course, at Draco. Her brother-in-law, her nemesis… the former love of her life…

"Mum? What's the matter?" Elora asked, reaching out and touching her mother's arm. Daphne flinched at the contact, then hastily tried to cover up her mistake.

"Oh, nothing, my love," she said with a weak smile. "Now, let's get you on that train," she added, reaching out for a hug. "Have a good year, Elora. I'll see you at Christmas."

"Thanks, mum," Elora replied as she squeezed her mother with a hug. "I'll write to you tonight and let you know which house Kiki is sorted into!" Then, she gave her a big smile, waved goodbye, and hopped on the train.

I hope she's smarter than I was at her age…

"Daphne."

His voice gave her chills. Knowing there was no way to escape him now, she turned from the now-empty doorway onto the train, and back to Draco.

"Hello, Draco," she said as calmly as she could. "Seeing Scorpius off to Hogwarts?"

"Of course," he replied, slowly taking a step closer. Blaise was right behind him, hovering between them. Daphne wasn't sure if it was because he wanted to know what was going to be said, or because he feared they may fight again, but either way, Daphne was happy he was here. It made her feel a bit calmer. "There is no one else who can do it now, you know," Draco added in a low voice.

Daphne swallowed hard. "Yes, I had heard that. I am sorry for your loss," she replied robotically. Draco raised an eyebrow.

"Are you really?"

Daphne stared at him. She wondered if he knew. And if he did, was he happy about it? Or was he angry? Or maybe he felt so betrayed and heartbroken that he felt nothing at all.

Well, maybe now he knows how I felt…

Blaise now interjected, saving Daphne from having to come up with an answer to Draco's question. "Amazing how fast our children have grown, isn't it?"

Draco and Daphne continued to stare at each other, waiting for someone else to break first. Daphne knew that the game was pointless, so she turned to Blaise and answered him. "Yes, it is. And interesting who they become friends with, too," she added.

Draco took the bait and shrugged. "Albus Potter is an ok boy," he explained. "Even Potter is starting to grow on me," he added with a laugh.

Blaise laughed heartily at that. "Merlin, if only you could have seen yourself now when you were 15! I think you would drop dead at the thought!"

There was now an uncomfortable silence. Blaise had meant it simply as an expression of disbelief, but it was certainly in poor taste, given the current circumstance. Draco's expression of disbelief brought that realization to Blaise too late, but he muttered an apology none the less.

Daphne shifted uncomfortably. Aside from the awkward joke, the idea that Draco was close with Potter made her uneasy. If he had any suspicions, what was to stop him from asking Potter to investigate?

"Well, it's a different world from the one we lived in," Daphne concluded. "A better one, too, I think…"

"In some ways, yes," Draco amended.

The train whistle blew. Daphne jumped from surprise. Draco looked down at his watch and tutted to himself.

"Well, I'd best be off," he said cordially to Blaise. "Let me know when we can meet and discuss, Zabini," he added. Then, he gave a curt nod to Daphne and walked away.

"Discuss what?" Daphne whispered. Blaise ignored her and gently took her arm to lead her away.

Daphne and Blaise journeyed back to his home in virtual silence. Daphne knew that she should say something, but was too caught up in her own thoughts. How was she going to explain this?! Would Blaise turn her in? Shouldn't she tell Theodore, first?

Will either of them believe me? She thought anxiously. As the approached Blaise's townhouse, still enchanted with noise and chaos to the outsider, Daphne feared she may faint with worry.

"C'mon in, Daphne," Blaise offered casually, placing his hand between her shoulders and gently guiding her across the threshold.

The house had changed since the first time she visited, and yet it remained the same. The pictures of step-fathers were gone, as was Voldemort the dog. Instead, there were scenes of Quidditch matches on the wall, and two hairless cats (left by his former partner when he moved back to Portugal). The cats came bounding towards the door, meowing insistently for attention. Blaise only barked at them to bugger off.

"I really wish Hector took these damn things with him when he left. They were his cats after all!"

"Well, maybe he was punishing you for cheating on him?" Daphne answered without thinking. Luckily, Blaise wasn't the least bit offended, and just laughed.

"I tried to explain to him a thousand times! I'm just not designed for monogamy! I mean," he paused and looked at the small portrait of his mother on the end table across from him, then whispered "Can you really blame me? Given my role models in life?"

Daphne responded with a weak smile, then moved past the howling cats. Blaise walked ahead of her, calling that she should join him in the living room. She walked slowly down the hallway, aware that once she got there, she would have to either tell him what was wrong or come up with a very good lie.

Think, Daphne… think! What's something he would believe, but it's as bad as what you actually did?

"Do you want some tea?" Blaise called, already enchanting a kettle and two teacups over from the kitchen to the living room. Daphne just shook her head no. "Suit yourself," he muttered to himself, then motioned for her to take a seat across from him in the over-stuffed, brown leather armchair.

"Before we begin," Daphne started quietly, "You should probably send for Theodore and Tracey. I don't want to have to retell this story over and over…"

Blaise looked at her for a moment, wondering if it was some sort of trick. Eventually, he decided to believe her and walked over to the nearby desk. He scribbled two notes on parchment, transfigured them into animated paper birds, and sent them through the fireplace behind Daphne.

"Done," he said with a sigh. "I take it it's pretty serious?"

Daphne didn't reply but instead turned her wand over in her hands nervously.

"I have my suspicions; you know?" Now her head shot up, and she stared at Blaise. "But I hope they're wrong."

"I hope so, too," Daphne replied flatly, then resumed fiddling with her wand again.

As the waited for over an hour, Blaise had two cups of tea and read through some of his mail. Daphne, however, sat as still as possible, only moving her wand between her fingers. Blaise would occasionally look up at her as if he was trying to read her mind. He even tried at one point, but Daphne blocked him with Occlumency.

A flash of green light behind her air caused her to jump out of her seat, nearly stumbling onto the table as she did. She turned and saw her two best friends in all the world emerging from the fireplace, looking worried and confused.

"Daphne, are you alright?" Theodore sighed with relief, stepping forward and pulling her into an embrace. "Blaise said it was an emergency, and nothing more. I was so worried! Are the children ok? What's going on?"

"Sit down, please," Daphne requested, motioning to the couch where Blaise sat. Theodore stared at her, almost offended that she didn't answer his questions, but followed her orders and sat down with Tracey.

"Why are we here, Blaise?" Tracey asked, not irritated that there was no emergency. "I left a very important meeting for this."

Blaise closed his book at set it on the table. "Well, if my assumptions are correct," he stated in a slow, airy voice as he summoned two more teacups to the table, "I think Daphne may have killed her sister."

Silence filled the room like toxic gas. Daphne felt all eyes on her, and she froze in place. Damn it… she thought in defeat. The man should have worked for the Aurors. He's very perceptive. Slowly, she sat back down in the chair, and resumed fiddling with her wand anxiously. At last, she replied to the accusation.

"It's not what you think…"