I know it has taken me forever but I swear I'm going to be working faster over the summer. Updated- 5/24/2012. Hope you enjoy :)


Happy New Years!

Elise did not stay with the rest of her friends in the hospital she visited and left like a 'respectable' woman. She has to be or her parents will notice. They do not notice much, since they work day in and day out, but they are always watching Elise, because she could 'ruin' the family image. They call themselves 'progressive' because they do business with half-bloods and muggle borns that have the money to do business. Her parents stay neutral their main goal is to build an empire of money, not that they do not have enough as it is, they just want more.

Elise does not agree with their ideas but she plays her part. She takes care of her little brother for them, presents herself as a perfect as possible so she does not embarrass them ever again, the first time was enough of a lesson, and makes sure not to break any 'rules' of how to act like a lady.

It was the day before New Year's Eve and her father called her into his office. It was a rare occasion that her father would request her presence in the middle of the day, so she rushed to him quickly. When she got to the room, she saw two other men in the room as well as her father and mother.

"Por favor siéntate, Elisa." Her father gestured to the chair on his side.

"Si papa," Elise nodded and took the seat. It was then she saw their faces, the Zabini's were there and she became scared. "Hello Mr. Zabini, Giovanni." She greeted politely.

Mr. Zabini nodded his head to her.

"Has your break been to your liking?" Giovanni asked gently.

"Yes it has been, thank you." She nodded.

Elise's mother smiled at the two, "Now let us get down to business." Her voice was heavy with a Spanish accent.

"Giovanni has asked for your hand Elisa." Her father's accent was just as thick as her Mother's voice. "We've set up a marriage contract and we will announce the engagement tomorrow at the party."

"I don't have any say?" Elise made the mistake to speak up.

"What do you have to say?" Giovanni looked at her, though she could see her father giving her a look from the corner of her eye.

"Nothing, I was just being silly. I'm sorry." she put on an apologetic smile.

"It is ok, it has been sprung on you," he nods.

"You will be graduating this year, won't you?" Elise kept the conversation going.

He nodded, "Yes, I will be. I have job lined up in the ministry until my father is ready to pass on the business. I have a flat in London set up and ready for after I graduate, you are welcome there, and when you graduate and we marry, we will have a house for us. He filled her in on his plans.

"So we are not getting married until I graduate?" Elise sighed softly in relief.

"Of course not, I feel like that would be a very bad idea for our future children if something were to happen to me."

"Oh right, a-are children in the contract?" Elise started panicking a little that he would sneak something in there.

"No, we left that for the two of you to decide" Mr. Zabini answered.

Elise nodded "I guess we have things to discuss then."

Giovanni stood up. "Shall we walk?" he held out a hand for her and her parents nodded for her to go.

"Don't forget to go to your fitting with Andrew." Her mother reminded her.

"Would you mind if I kept her past dinner? I promise her and Andrew will be fed." Giovanni looked at her father after helping her stand.

"Be my guest, just be respectable" he kissed Elise's forehead, something he has not done since she was a little girl.

"Siempre papa," she nodded. "I will see you soon Mr. Zabini," she said her good byes and left with Giovanni.

"Andrew!" Elise called when she entered the play room.

"Momma!" he jumped on her, she laughed catching him.

"I am not momma Andrew, I'm your sister." she shook her head at him with a smile.

"No momma!" he grinned hugging her.

"Ok little one, I'm Momma today" she kissed his head and put him down. Andrew looked around her seeing Giovanni.

"Who's that?" Andrew whispered.

"His name is Giovanni, Giovanni this is Andrew," Elise introduces them. Giovanni knelt down and held his hand out.

Andrew shook his hand hesitantly.

"It's nice to meet you," Giovanni smiled lightly. "Do you want to come and go out with me and your… Momma"

Elise was so thrown off, where did this come from? It has to be an act but he smiled. "Yeah. Right. Go get your jacket sweetheart."

Andrew grinned and ran off to get his winter clothes.

Elise looked at Giovanni, "What are you up to Zabini?"

He stood up. "What do you mean?" he brushed off his knees.

"You! This act, like you're a nice guy, smiling at Andrew, being all everything is good!" Elise crossed her arms glaring at him.

"This is not an act, can I not feel happy and subsequently be nice?" he raised his eyebrow at her.

"No, you can't!" she sniffled "do you think I forgot what you've tried? How you've grabbed me in the halls." She shook her head.

"Look Elise, I wanted to say I was wrong for how I've acted." He stepped closer to her and touched her arm lightly "I do have issues, and think I can take whatever I want sometimes which is wrong."

"You're just saying this because Olivia threatened to kill you."

"I'm not going to lie that was a factor in what made me see I need a change" he nodded and wiped away a tear that fell.

"What else was a factor?" she moved away from his hand.

"There were a lot of factors." He sighed.

"I will go through with all of this if you can do one thing for me," she stepped away from him.

"Ok what is it?"

"Get rid of my parents," She looked at him completely serious.

"You want me to kill them?" he looked at her confused.

"Yes," she nods

"Momma I can't zip it." Andrew walked back into the main room.

"Oh here let me help." she bent down and zipped up the coat.

"I'll see what I can do," Giovanni nods.

"Thank you." She got up and took Andrew's hand, "ready to go?"

He nods and they left to the designers. Elise and Andrew were immediately taken to the back while Giovanni waited out in the room.

"Would you like to show your boyfriend how you look?" the woman smiled and stepped away from Elise.

"No, he's not my boyfriend, just my future husband." She sighed at how stupid she sounded and looked at herself in the mirror. The dress was gray lace with a form fitting body and flowing skirt.

"Oh, go show him. It's not like it's your wedding dress." She pushed her out of the back.

Andrew was sitting next to Giovanni in his little suit eating a lollipop. Giovanni smiled and looked up when he heard them pushing her out the room.

"Wow," Giovanni sighed, "You look great Elise."

"Thanks," she smiled shyly. "Come here little man let me see you." Andrew got up and ran over to her. She smiled and looked him over. "You look so handsome," she kissed his cheek and he rubbed it off grumpy.

"Why are you grumpy love?"

"I don't like it here. I want to go to the park," he pouted.

"Well, let's get changed and you can go ask Giovanni if we can go, ok?"

He nodded and followed her back. Elise was walking out when she heard Andrew.

"Mr. Giovanni sir, can we go to the park please?" Andrew stood in front of him with big hopeful eyes.

"Since you asked so nicely, I think we can go for a little before we eat dinner." He nods and Andrew grinned.

"Are we all ready to go?" Elise walked out.

"Yes Momma. We are going to the park!" Andrew jumped around.

"Good then you can waste all this energy," She smiled and picked him up. Giovanni got up and followed them out and to the park.

Elise let Andrew go as they got closer to the park and sat on a bench around the edge of the playground. Giovanni sat next to her.

"So, can I ask a question?"

"Sure," she looked at him.

"Andrew, he calls you Momma, is there something to that?" he looked at her with honest curiosity.

Elise sighed, "I was hoping that wasn't the question, but I swear it's not because I am actually his mother."

"Ok good I was a bit worried for that." He smiled slightly.

"No he was born when I was ten. My parents aren't the parenting type so they didn't really do much. I was the one who stood up with him and took care of him with the help of house elves of course. In those first two years he got pretty attached to me as the one that takes care of him and his first word was calling me momma." She smiled softly at the memory.

"You really love him." Giovanni watched her as she kept her eye on Andrew.

"He's my world," she nodded. "Uh, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," he nodded.

"Do you follow the Dark Lord?" she bit her lip softly.

"Is that an important thing for you to know?" He moved hair out of her face.

"I just want to know if my future husband will be putting himself in harm's way like that." She looked at him.

"I do follow him, and his ideals. I will be joining the ranks when I graduate. I'm sorry if that upsets you but it is my plan."

"So I'm marrying a Death Eater." She sighed and looked down. "I wish we could stay neutral."

"We?"

"Yes we, if you are a death eater, then that associates the family with them." She looked back at him.

"I see you have strong opinions about this." He nods.

"I do, my family is based on staying neutral we use that to keep business flowing." She turned back to Andrew.

"I understand that-"Giovanni started

"Where is he?" Elise jumped up and ran to the Playground "Andrew!"

"AHHH!" they heard Andrew yell and Elise ran faster than she ever ran in her life snow kicking up behind her and Giovanni following far behind.

"Andrew!" she yelled running into a field.

"Momma?" Andrew poked his head up out of the snow and a dog popped up behind him.

"Oh god, don't you scare me like that!" she scooped Andrew up and hugged him tightly.

"I'm sorry momma," he hugged her back tightly.

The big black dog jumped up and started growling at Giovanni.

"Down Padfoot, no," Elise scolded.

"Is everything alright?" Giovanni stopped a little back.

"He's James's dog, Andrew plays with him all the time, but he might hurt you. James hasn't taught him to be a good puppy," Elise stood up. "Um- I'll take him home, and meet you at the restaurant?" she conjured a leash.

"That's fine Love," he nods, "how long will you be?"

"Half hour the longest I swear," she kissed his cheek politely and wrapped the leash on Padfoots neck keeping Andrew on her hip easily the whole time. Giovanni watched her go until he couldn't see her any more before he apparated away to the restaurant.

When they heard the pop of apparation Padfoot turned back into Sirius, and Elise proceeded to hit him with the leash.

"I hate you, how could you make me scared like that!" she sighed.

"ow! I'm sorry I thought he was alone - I didn't see you so I was bringing him to the house, when he fell off my back." Sirius defended himself as they walked on to the Potter Property and into the house.

"Elise?" Olivia walked out.

"Hey Liv." She nodded and put Andrew down and he ran to find Annabeth.

"She's in the playroom!" James yelled after him as he saw him run past.

"Thank you" Andrew yelled back.

Elise smiled and finally relaxed and hugged Sirius first then the other 2.

"Is everything ok?" Olivia asked

"No first, what the hell was Zabini doing with you and why did you kiss his cheek" Sirius interrupted.

"What!" Olivia and James exclaimed.

"Are you brain washed?" Sirius asked still trying to put things together.

Elise sighed and sat down "we're going to be engaged they're announcing it tomorrow, he's been good to me and Andrew today." James sat behind her and rubbed her shoulders.

Sirius sighed, "You're not going to be safe with him."

"Of course I'm not, he's going to become a death eater and I can't change that. But I-I asked him to get rid of my parents."

"What did he say about that?"

"He will see what he can do, he hasn't really asked about it yet. I promise I won't get close to him, but I will have to play my part" she sighed.

Sirius nods, "of course, at least you have us, you will always have us."

Elise smiled softly and hugged him again. Sirius held her tight, "you should tell Reg."

She shook her head "I can't."

"You need to," Sirius looked at her. She sighed and nodded.

-In the playroom-

"Beth!" Andrew jumped on her and they tumbled around.

"Drew!" she giggled and wrestled him like they always do. "I didn't know you were coming!"

"Siri saw me in the park."

"Got ya!" she grinned pinning him.

"Not fair you always win." He pouted.

"Cause I'm better." she stuck her tongue out and got up. He got up too.

"I will win one of these days." He sat down with her, "Beth I'm scared."

"Why?" she frowned and hugged him.

He hugged her back, "momma she's acting strange and she think I don't see it but she's upset a lot."

"It will be ok, it's like Jam says to me. Sometimes things are bad for them to be better." Annabeth tells him.

He nods "ok, I believe you Beth."

"Good" she kissed his cheek and he blushed. "Let's go get cookies." She took his hand and pulled him to the kitchen.

"What are you two up to?" Olivia saw them.

"Cookies!" they both giggled and kept running. Elise smiled and shook her head.

"They're perfect together," James chuckled.

"Oh, wait till they realize it," Elise laughed softly.

"Oh I hope they do young," Sirius shook his head.

"Don't us all." Olivia sat with Sirius.

"I should go back and meet Giovanni. Can Andrew stay here for a little? He doesn't get to see Annabeth much."

"Yeah it's fine, but be careful." James nods.

"I'm always careful." She gave them all hugs and told Andrew she will be back. "Bye," she waved and left through the floo.

Giovanni was waiting and got up when she arrived, "you're a little late, where's Andrew?"

"I know I'm sorry, Mrs. Potter had questions about tomorrow, and Andrew wanted to stay with her daughter." She smiled gently.

"It's alright, our table is ready." He held out his arm and walked her to the table.

They sat down, and ordered their food before either of them spoke.

"While you were gone I thought up a plan, but first I need to know why you want your parents gone." He looked her dead in the eyes.

Elise looked up from her plate, "I'll spare you the whole mummy and daddy were mean to me act and just tell you the truth. They're malicious assholes and I want the company." Elise knew playing this part could be dangerous but she needed to plan and not just for tomorrow.

"That's what I was hoping to hear, as part of the deal I become the head of the company if something were to happen to your parents."

"Of course, because my parents don't trust me they rather trust a stranger." She sighed and shook her head, "What was your idea?"

"Well you were talking of being neutral. I am not and never will be but if we have separate lives we can accomplish what we both want to." Giovanni proposed.

"What do you mean exactly?" her eye brows went up.

"There will be my business and I will give you your family business, we will do our own things respectively and nothing will be brought home." He tells her simply.

"And what about entertaining like good purebloods?" she nods along with his words.

"Not everyone entertains, but when we have kids we will discuss their birthdays and holidays." He nods.

She licked her lips and let the words sink in as their food was set on the table. 'This might be exactly what I need.' Elise thought as she watched him across the table, 'but what is he planning'. When the waiter left, Elise took a sip of her drink before acknowledging Giovanni.

"If we do this I want it in writing." Elise said as if she were talking about a potions contract and not something that can change her life. She maybe 14 but she knows how things worked and how to cover her ass.

"Well let's start it now," he conjured a paper and quill setting it beside them to write itself as they talked through the finer details of their deal. When they finished, they both read over the document and signed.

"This shall be an interesting relationship." Elise stood up her copy in hand.

"Ah, but I knew any relationship with you would be interesting." He kissed her hand and walked her to the door.

"I will see you tomorrow, have a good night Giovanni." Elise kissed his cheek.

"Sweet Dreams Elise, and please get home safe." He kissed her hand again and waited her to floo to the Potters before he left to a house not far from Diagon Alley.

Elise entered the Potters to see only Sirius in the room. "Hey where is everyone else?" she hugged him.

"James went with Olivia to see her father, and I think the minions fell asleep," he hugged her back. "So how was your dinner?"

"It went well. I'm starting something that could be considered dangerous." She sighed and handed him the contract.

"So how are you playing this?" he asked as he read over the contract.

"Indifferent, money hungry, much like my parents but I have a soul." She sat on the armrest.

"You can't tell the others about this, they won't understand as well as I do,"
Sirius sighed and rolled up the contract. "It looks good, fair and you won't get screwed over easily."

"Thanks for the approval," she rolled her eyes, "and I know I can't tell them, they would all try to save me from this."

"Keep Regulus in the loop." Sirius hugged her waist.

"We're not dating or anything, we are just friends." She sighed.

"Don't try to lie to me Elise. You both like each other a lot and I think you would be great together. And we both know if anyone can save you from this its Reg."

"Wow Sirius, when did you become such a romantic?" Elise giggled softly.

"Or have I always been like this." He raised his eyebrow repeatedly. Elise laughed and pushed him away.

"Did the little ones leave the play room?" she got up and headed toward the playroom.

"Not that I've heard," Sirius stretched back on the couch.

"Then get up so you can take Annabeth to bed," she scolded.

"Fine," he sighed and followed her.

Elise smiled seeing the two curled up under a little blanket together. She gently woke them up and headed home with Andrew.

Next day-

Elise spent her day pruning, primping and preparing for the party that night. It was never her choice, her mother sent up the crew ever since she was a little girl. It was such a routine that Elise gave up on trying stopping it and just let it all happen. When it was all said and done, she stood in front of the mirrors and sighed.

"Welcome back Elisa." She said to her reflection, her hair was perfect not a hair out of place, her makeup making her eyes pop and hid any imperfection she might have. It was her alter ego, she liked to say, and with this on, she always managed to stand taller, socialize flawlessly, and seem as perfect as her looks were.

Elise took a deep breath and left her room, she heard the people in the ballroom and the music softly playing as she went to the living room at the top of the stairs where her parents were waiting along with the Zabini's and Andrew.

"There you are darling we were getting worried that you would be late." Her mother looked her over almost trying to look for something to critizie. "you look nice." She finally stated.

"Gracias Mama." She walked over to Giovanni and Andrew.

"Wow, you look better than just nice." He kissed her hand softly and made her turn around.

Elise rolled her eyes, "you look handsome, and you really are quite dashing in gray." She fixed his tie a little. "Did you intentionally do that to match me?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about," he gave a little smirk.

"Now I know what those Slytherin girls mean when they talk about the Zabini charm." She smiled slightly.

"So you agree I have charm?" his smirk grew a little.

"Don't you get a big head, but you can be nice and I rather like that part of you more than the other side of you, trying to be domineering doesn't suit you very well." She straightened out his robes and their parents started down the stairs and into the party.

"Shall we?" he offered his arm.

"If we must, we will be the center of attention you know." She took his arm and they were the last to head down the stairs.

"You always are the center of attention," he smiled softly and everyone clapped for them as they came into view of the ballroom and immediately began to mingle and say hello to the entire crowd.

"Regulus." Elise froze for a second "I- It's nice seeing you, I'm glad you made it."

"Never miss it." He smiled his usual charming smile. "Zabini," he nods "hope everything is well?"

"Of course, and I hope the same for you." He nodded his head back.

"It is, would you mind if I stole your date for a dance?" Regulus asked civilly.

"It is up to her." Giovanni nods.

"I'll find you after." Elise kissed his cheek gently and walked off with Regulus to the dance floor.

Regulus led her into the traditional wizard waltz. "You-you kissed his cheek." He stated with hurt in his voice.

"I- we're announcing our engagement tonight." Elise practically whispered.

"You're- oh, that makes sense." He looked off over her shoulder.

"Reg please, don't get upset, we were trying to just be friends remember." Elise could not pretend around Regulus and it is something that scared her a little. She squeezed his hand softly.

"Is it because he's graduating this year?" he held her a little tighter.

"I think so," she sighed and resisted the urge to lean on him. "We aren't getting married until after I graduate."

"Three years." Regulus nods and looked at her, "You look gorgeous tonight. But I definitely like your curls better than this hair."

Elise blushed, "well you look like a Black." She smiled softly.

"Not sure if that's a compliment." He smiled as well.

"Dashing, debonair, a little mysterious, and sensual, I would take it as a compliment." She shrugged softly.

"My my, are you flirting with me Miss Elise?" he smirked much like Sirius.

"Of course not, that wouldn't be very proper of me." She batted her eyelashes and they both laughed.

The song was ending and Regulus became serious. "Eli I really like you." He whispered so only she could hear.

"I really like you too Reg." she looked in his eyes. They shared a sad look as the song ended. They broke apart reluctantly and walked off the dance floor side by side.

Giovanni was talking with some of his friends from Hogwarts when they found him. "Ah, how was the dancing?"

"Always enjoyable." She smiled and stood beside him.

"She a wonderful dancer you should take her to the floor." Regulus stood next to Lucius.

"Maybe I will, after the toasts." Giovanni gave his slight smile.

"Did you see your disgrace of a brother is here with the Potters?" Lucius brought up nodding over to where they were standing.

"I did not take any notice." Regulus lied.

"I don't see why they even come they're such traitors-"Lucius started bashing the Potter Family.

"I'll only ask you this once Lucius Malfoy, Please don't disrespect the Potter Family in my presence," Elise said softly but the threat was evident behind it.

"Who do you think you are talking to," he sneered at her standing taller as if her were trying to intimidate her.

"A small minded man who doesn't realize how a business can be run, the Potters might be traitors to your cause but our families businesses cross a lot of line I rather not see severed because of you." She snapped back not showing any fear. Regulus smiled into his glass.

"Are you going to let her talk to me like that?" Lucius looked at Giovanni.

"She is correct in this instance Lucius, show your manners." Giovanni stood tall beside her.

"I should go talk to them." Elise excused herself and left towards the Potters.

"When did she get a back bone?" Lucius grumbled slightly.

"I think she's always had it, it was just waiting to come out." Regulus says.

"Regulus let me talk to privately?" Giovanni nodded off to the side.

"Of course," he nodded and walked off with him.

"Oh, how beautiful you look Elise!" Mrs. Potter smiled and gave her a hug.

"Thank you Ma'am, you look wonderful as usual" she hugged her back and hugged Mr. Potter as well.

"I hope you're being good, I see you hanging with that bad bunch over there." Mr. Potter had a soft and concerned voice to him.

"I'm afraid you will be seeing me with them a lot." She smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry you have to go through that love." They were sympathetic.

"Go through what?" James, Sirius and Olivia walked over with Annabeth and Andrew following behind them.

"Arranged marriages," Elise answered and hugged them. She took the time with them to relax a bit.

"What is on your mind Zabini?" Regulus asked after a short silence.

"You and Elise are close are you not?" he looked at him.

"Yeah we're friends" Reg nodded trying not to give anything else away.

"And I can trust you right?" Giovanni eyed him.

"Only as far as you can throw me," Reg half joked.

Giovanni chuckled at it, "seriously, I need someone I trust to watch her when I can't, she needs more of the right kind of friends and I think I can trust you to help her with that." He raised his eyebrow at Regulus.

"You can trust me," Regulus nodded.

"Ah good man good man," he patted his shoulder. "Oh looks like the toasts will be starting soon see you after midnight," he winked and went to get Elise. "Mind if I steal her away? The toasts should be starting soon." He smiled at the Potters politely.

"Of course dear, whisk her away." Mrs. Potter smiled.

They walked to a slightly upraised area and immediately got all the attention as Giovanni got on one knee.

Elise gasped softly she knew it was being announced but she never realized he was actually going to purpose.

"Elisa Reyes," somehow his voice was louder, "will you honor me and my family by joining us as my wife?" he pulled out a gorgeous black and blue diamond engagement ring.

"Oh wow, I- yes Giovanni I'll marry you." She smiled and he put the ring on her finger.

"Ah what a good way to start the toasts, to Elisa and Giovanni, my they find love in each other." Her father raised his glass and every one repeated and sipped their drink.

"Thank you all for coming and making this night more festive than any other year. I am so grateful to share this moment with all of you. Now let us count down to the new year!" Her mother cheered enthusiastically.

Sirius and Olivia laughed together while James was stuck with Andrew and Annabeth sleeping on his lap.

"10!" everyone chanted with the glowing numbers.

Regulus was leaning on the doorframe to the balcony.

"9!"

"8!"

Giovanni pulled Elise closer against him.

"7!"

"6!"

Sirius looked at Olivia just as she looked at him still smiling.

"5!"

"4!"

Elise looked up at Giovanni, while being completely aware that Regulus was watching.

"3!"

"2!"

Olivia threw caution to the wind for the moment and grabbed Sirius by his tie pulling him closer.

"1!"

"Happy New Years!" everyone screamed, at the same time Giovanni swooped down and kissed Elise and Olivia kissed Sirius passionately.

Regulus looked away and left to the balcony. 'Zabini, you will never know what hit you when I am done,' he thought maliciously as the party started right back up.

"It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not."
― André Gide