Hey everyone!

So, this was meant to go up around the time of my birthday but, in typical LSH fashion, things didn't work out and I was occupied for most of my birthday and then I headed down to my dad's house for the week. I may well be writing fic for NaNoWriMo next month to help keep up the momentum with writing as Cosy Season starts. It's my favourite time of the year.

Hope you're all doing well.

Lots of love,

LSH xx

Breaking Traditions – Part 65:

The day had arrived when Meredith would reunite with her family. Priscilla and Narcissa had breakfast and Narcissa made sure Rosalie was settled before she and her mother-in-law took the Floo to the Ministry of Magic. One advantage of Lucius working for the Ministry was the fact that they had a direct link there.

The two stepped out of the fireplace and could see the cameras around, more than normal. Clearly Meredith's return had caused ripples within the Wizarding World. A Malfoy witch goes missing, then shows up years later and her brother and father were Death Eaters. It was bound to be a story that everyone would want a piece of.

The two were shown to Fudge's office and he was there alone.

"How is she?" Priscilla asked, wanting to know how her daughter was, "where is she?"

"She's here and just finishing off her medical assessment to make sure that she is OK after everything. She will tell you things in time but I know you do know that she has been through a lot on this assignment."

"I am aware of certain things that have happened yes," Priscilla said as she looked at the Minister, "Narcissa knows nothing but I thought she was best to accompany me as things will obviously be tense between my boys and my daughter. Of course she does know about Rosalie. I was shocked when she asked me about her but she knows and can't wait to meet her baby niece."

"How is Rosalie, Narcissa?" the Minister asked.

"She's at the age where she's getting into everything and it's hard to believe she's going to be one soon," Narcissa said, "it doesn't seem that long ago that she was coming home to us," she said with a smile on her face and she sat down when offered a seat by the Minister.

"You will learn things in time Narcissa. I know that you were close with Meredith before everything happened, "Fudge spoke as he looked at Narcissa who nodded in reply.

"I do sometimes regret everything that happened but Lucius didn't have a choice and that is something that cannot be changed not but, hopefully everyone will be able move on and get along with each other now," Narcissa said before the door opened.

Priscilla stood up as she looked up and saw Meredith coming in. She looked a bit worse for wear but she was alive and well other than that.

"I'm fine mother," Meredith said before finding herself in her mother's arms and she kissed her cheek softly, "just tired and need to readjust to being back home," she said before her eyes fell on her sister-in-law, "Cissa…"

"Your mother wanted me to accompany her and I've left your brother and father with Rosalie so I could come to see you," she said as she stood up and moved to hug the witch, "we're here with you," she said as she hugged her sister-in-law.

"Where will I be staying?" Meredith asked as the Minister had excused himself.

"Your father and I have moved into Malfoy Manor. You will be too but the hope is that you'll bring life back to the cottage that's on the grounds eventually," Priscilla told her daughter and bit her lip waiting to see how she would react.

"That is fine. I want to be near to Rosalie and get to know her," Meredith said, "mother says she's getting into everything…?"

"She is and keeping everyone on their toes," Narcissa said with a chuckle, "I'm glad that Draco is home for the summer as it will be a help," she said and Meredith nodded softly.

"I can't wait to meet her," she spoke as she looked at her sister-in-law, "but can we go for something to eat first? That's if we can get passed all the press," she said with a sigh.

"You can slip out through my private entrance," Fudge spoke as he nodded towards a hidden door, "I trust you have made arrangements for lunch Madam Malfoy…?"

"Yes I have. Meredith needs time before she faces her brother and father. Lucius is more willing to speak to his sister," Priscilla spoke as she looked at her daughter before the Minister said that he'd be in touch before allowing the three to slip out his private entrance.

The three Apparated to the restaurant, Meredith's favourite, before they slipped into a private booth and wine was soon brought to them.

"This is going to feel good," Meredith said before she drank half her glass in one, "I haven't had wine in a good few months," she said with a chuckle, "I am also glad to get away from the Ministry."

"That I can understand for sure," Narcissa said, "the press were all over us when we arrived as well," she said with a sigh.

"I will have to have an interview with the press before long but Fudge is going to delay that as long as possible so I can adjust. I have been away undercover for a long time now," Meredith spoke as she looked at Priscilla and Narcissa, "yes. A long string of various undercover jobs. Mother doesn't know everything but she knows that I have been undercover for a while. I really wanted to get away from everything for a while so I did just that. I didn't use the name Meredith or Malfoy at one point," she said as she thought, "it was Isabella…"

"That's Rosa's middle name," Narcissa said as she looked at Meredith, "so it's funny that you chose that name for yourself," she said with a chuckle before the waiter came to take their order, which included more wine of course.

Meredith couldn't help but chuckle at Narcissa's comments.

"It seems that I have made a name for myself when I wasn't around," she said with a small smirk on her face, "I want to know more about her… my niece I mean. I know she's adopted but not much else," she said, "I heard your mother tried to sabotage it all."

"Mother was against it all from the start," Narcissa said, "even going as far as announcing it in the hopes that it would backfire on Lucius and myself… It divided people but a lot could see how it could help a lot of children and maybe help more children find a home. She's only just started to want to be around Rosalie and that is something that will take time."

"I know your mother has been traditionalist but you have longed for a daughter for so long now. I hear the Greengrasses have been your biggest supporters," Meredith said, "something as well about my nephew and Astoria…?"

"Your mother has been telling you more than she let on I see," Narcissa said, "yes. Draco and Astoria are in a loose marriage arrangement. I mean it is signed but it can be undone without breaking laws. Astoria is also so in love with Rosalie as well," she said and then chucked, "Lucius and I decided to be as open with James and Catriona as we could with that in mind and they've been our biggest supporters from the start."

"That's great to hear. The Greengrasses have always been grounded and sensible," Meredith said, "now what about my niece? What is she like? Do you have a photograph?" she asked.

"So many questions Mer," Narcissa said with a chuckle, "she's at the age where she's into everything. We've got invisible barriers up everywhere to keep her safe. She's trying to start walking which means the barriers will have to be raised up so she can't get to everything but we can get over it as well."

"The thing is she looks so like Cissa and your brother that it's hard to tell that she's adopted," Priscilla said before she pulled out some photos out of her blazer and passed them to her daughter.

Meredith took the photos and looked at them.

"She's adorable… especially with those tiny pigtails," she said with a smile, "she does look like a Malfoy indeed. I can see why she was chosen for you."

"She hadn't long been in the system either so it was a quick process as Fudge knew she was perfect for us," Narcissa said before their food arrived. They had all gone for pasta and that was something the three liked.

They chatted and caught up more before the time came for Meredith to turn her thoughts to going home and that had been something that she had been dreading but knew that it needed to be done.