Bellatrix was livid when Narcissa and the children came downstairs dressed for a party. "Where are you going?" She demanded.
"We have been invited to Black Manor for a Christmas Eve Party."
"Are you mad?" Bellatrix asked incredulously. "You can't be serious!"
"I am," Narcissa told her giving her a look. "We have a name to uphold. And Sirius invited us. It would look bad if we were to decline his hospitality."
"The Dark Lord—"
"The Dark Lord would understand what we are doing, Bella. And you should keep your nose out of my business. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly," the dark haired woman said drawing back from her sister looking a little afraid.
"Come, children, we have a Ball to attend." Narcissa said heading to the great fire place. "Black Manor," Narcissa said clearly into the flames.
"Invitation, please," a voice asked. Narcissa dropped the parchment into the flames. "Invitation for four, Narcissa Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Dynius Monson, Karmen Monson. You may enter the fire."
They went in and walked out the other side into Black Manor, there were several fireplaces in a long corridor and people coming out of them. Sirius was welcoming those that had come. "Ah, Narcissa, I pleased you could accept my invitation." Sirius said holding out his hand.
"The pleasure was all mine, cousin." She said inclining her head as she put her hand in his.
"I hope you will save me a dance tonight."
"Of course," she said taking her hand from his and ushered the children up some stairs to the magically enhanced room. It was already crowded and people were dancing and talking. It reminded her of the balls they used to have when they were children.
Sirius looked in his hand and found a small piece of paper. He opened it and it just said, 'I need to speak with you.' He wondered about that as he looked up to where Narcissa and the children were entering the ballroom. She looked back at him once, a look of desperation in her eyes. It must be something very serious if she was coming to him. He merely smiled nodding to her before greeting a couple that had just stepped out of the fire.
Dean caught Louisa's eyes. She was dancing with her brother. She waved letting him know she saw him, but he knew she was having fun. He perused the food while Kaeli and Draco were dancing and Narcissa had accepted a dance from an older wizard. He saw many of his schoolmates and nodded to a few that he knew personally.
Erin and Harry were on the dance floor when a slow song came up. He held her close as they moved together. "We're not going to have too many more moments like this…"
"I know," she told him. "But we can enjoy them while we have them."
He nodded. "Yeah, we can."
Everyone was having such a good time. They had some Muggles there: Hermione's parents, Seamus' Dad, Dean Thomas' mother and father had been invited and had accepted. Andromeda was talking to them and Dean's mother told her about Dean's biological father. Andromeda looked surprised. "Oh, my dear…" Andromeda said looking at them. "I'm afraid you are mistaken. Benjy Fenwick did not abandon you and your son."
"How do you know this?" Mrs. Thomas asked.
"Because, my dear, Benjy Fenwick was killed by Death Eaters in 1981 during the First Death Eater War," Andromeda told her.
"Mum, what's wrong?" Dean asked never seeing her look so stricken.
"Your father…he didn't abandon us."
"My father? Oh, you mean my biological father," because his father was standing right next to her.
"Dean, your father was killed by Death Eaters during the last war." Andromeda told him. "He was a member of the Order."
It was Dean's turn to look stricken over this. All these years assuming his father just wanted nothing to do with him…a dead beat that abandoned them. "That means I'm a half-blood."
"Your father never told us about you or your mother. I'm sure he was protecting you."
Dean nodded and hugged his mother. "I need to go be alone for a little bit." He told her.
"It's all right, go ahead. We're fine here."
"I'm sorry things happened the way they did." Mr. Thomas said rubbing his wife's back.
"I am too…I need to know more about this war and what Benjy did."
"Of course," Andromeda told her. "Sirius can tell you more than I can. He knew Benjy better than I did."
They hailed Sirius, who was just about to go see to Narcissa, but he stopped and heard what was going on. "I would be pleased to speak with you about all I know," he told them. "But right now I do have something to see to. Erin!" He called waving over his daughter. "Would you mind showing Mr. and Mrs. Thomas the library and tell them about the First Order?"
"Oh, sure," she said, "Please, come with me."
They went with her anxious to know what was going on. Meanwhile Sirius headed to the drawing room. It was empty except for Narcissa, Draco, and Kaeli. "I assume this is a matter of gravest import," he said after closing and sealing the door.
"It is, Sirius," Narcissa said from her seat. Draco and Kaeli stood behind her. She looked down closing her eyes for a moment taking a deep breath before looking up at him. "I want to change my allegiance."