"Are you okay?" Hannah asked as Amethyst approached.
"Still processing some things." They sat at the head table. Amethyst figured some in the family would be talking about everything.
"Aunt Violet was talking to my dad about some of it. That was all kept from you?" Hannah said in a hushed tone.
"I understand why. At least to a point. I don't understand the change my father had because of his debts though." Amethyst thought for a moment. "I'm not sure if my lineage is something I want to hide now that I know. At the time, it was safer that the truth was hidden and even more so during the Second Wizarding War."
"Someone had to have known though." Hannah speculated. "I remember us both getting the letter saying that we didn't have a choice to attend Hogwarts. It was compulsory for all pure-bloods."
"Maybe they thought you were sisters?" Neville asked.
"No, the Ministry would have us registered as cousins, not siblings." Amethyst shook her head. "Either someone knew, or the Abbott name was all they needed to prove my lineage. I mean, the name is one of the 'Sacred Twenty-Eight'."
"That was probably it. You would have been registered as Alexander Abbott's daughter. At the very least you would have been considered a half-blood from an old family." Hannah added.
"Abbott would have been considered a blood traitor." Draco spoke up. "Not as 'bad' as the Weasley family, but still blood traitors for marrying muggles."
"That's true. It is more likely that someone knew the truth, then?" Amethyst looked at Draco, he nodded.
"I guess it doesn't really matter much outside of knowing who else knows." Hannah said.
"I would think someone close to either family." Neville suggested.
"Maybe someone within the Avery family. Rachel might have said something, even if it was just speculation." Draco tried to think of families connected to the Abbotts, Karkaroffs, and the Death Eaters. "The Avery family had been supporters of Voldemort from the beginning."
"Violet made it sound like Rachel had a change on heart after her husband died. At least enough to send a letter about the blood curse." Hannah added. Draco squeezed Amethyst's hand. She squeezed back, remembering the panicked look in his eyes when her aunt had first mentioned it. They changed the subject when students and other professors started filing into the Great Hall. Draco spotted Scorpius in conversation with Albus as they headed to the Slytherin table. As the last of the students took their seats, Professor McGonagall stood up to make some announcements.
"Reminder that it is a Hogsmeade weekend next week for third year and up. Halloween is next Sunday. There will be a feast Saturday evening with a Ball. Dress robes are recommended, but not required. However, please dress appropriately." She paused to allow the whispering to settle. "Class will resume on Tuesday. There will be no classes next Monday. However, students preparing for their O.W.L.s and NEWTS are encouraged to utilize the day wisely. Care of Magical Creatures will move into one of the classrooms starting next week. Professor Abbott will resume teaching tomorrow." Muffled cheers erupted around the room. Amethyst glanced over at Hagrid who just winked at her. There were a few more minor announcements and then everyone began eating. Draco noticed that Scorpius kept glancing at them with a questioning look on his face. He had expected a few more announcements but Draco just shook his head and mouthed "soon" at his soon.
"If you'll excuse us, we need to discuss something with Professor McGonagall." Draco said as he stood up. Amethyst stood up and faced Harry and Ginny.
"Talk later?" She asked. Ginny nodded. Amethyst and Draco headed towards the Headmistress' office. McGonagall was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs.
"Stonehenge." McGonagall said and the stairs leading to her office appeared. The three ascended without a word. McGonagall suspected that a lot would be discussed. They entered the office and McGonagall motioned for them to sit. She sat behind her desk and whispers were heard from the portraits on the walls. Amethyst looked up at the portrait of Albus Dumbledore and felt a sadness wash through her. She glanced at Draco and could tell he was trying not to look at the portrait. "Now, I understand that there was a lot for information gathered and some decisions made over the weekend?"
"So much that I'm not sure where to begin." Amethyst replied. She started with what they learned from Roberts and then what her aunt told her. She even mentioned her grandfather's wand.
"That is a lot." McGonagall sighed. "How are you holding up with it all?"
"Surprisingly, well. At least the acromantula attacks should, hopefully, slow down. I will be practicing wandless magic in the meantime." She looked over at Draco and then reached for his hand. "I'd be a lot worse if Draco hadn't been with me."
"I see." McGonagall noted their hands and thought for a moment. Somehow, she wasn't surprised by this, however, that wasn't her main focus. She turned her attention to Draco. "Have you thought about the offer?"
"Yes. I have discussed things with Scorpius and have decided to accept the positions." Draco looked over at Amethyst and tightened his grip on her hand. "There is one more thing."
"There is nothing in school policy against your relationship. You have notified me and that is all that is required on that. I do ask that public displays be kept to a minimum in front of the students. If it begins to affect your jobs or the students, I will have to say something. Otherwise, consider this all I have to say." McGonagall looked at both of them but her gazed settled back on Draco. "I assume you have discussed this with Scorpius already as well?" Draco nodded. "I will talk to the current Defence professor about when you can expect to start. As soon as I find that out, I will make the announcement, especially if it is next term."
"Professor, about Head of Hufflepuff…" Amethyst spoke softly.
"If you want it, start of term, it's yours." McGonagall replied with a smile. "I can make that announcement at the same time."
"Thank you." Amethyst and Draco stood up to leave.
"There is someone who would like a word, Draco." McGonagall said before they reached the door. She made her way to the door and motioned towards Dumbledore's portrait. She nodded once for Amethyst to stay and then left the room.
"Young Draco." Dumbledore's portrait spoke. His tone was soft. "I guess not so young anymore though." Amethyst squeezed Dracos' hand which seemed to give him the courage to look up.
"You were right in the end, Professor." Draco spoke after a moment. "I didn't have it in me to kill."
"There is nothing to be ashamed of. You did what you had to in order to protect your family. Even if you don't talk to them much now, they are still your parents." Dumbledore smiled. "Even if you managed it, it wasn't going to be you who killed me. I wasn't going to allow you to live with that. You have raised your son well. I was hoping you would accept the professorship. The students can learn a lot from you as you can from them." Dumbledore looked at Amethyst as he continued. "The relationship between you was a long time coming, but this is the way it was meant to happen. Slytherin and Hufflepuff united in this way will show that we don't have to be in opposition even if our traits conflict at times."
"I almost didn't accept the position. And I almost lost Amethyst. I'm pretty sure I will fail at both." Draco looked at the portrait and then at Amethyst. She smiled at him.
"The important thing is to try. If you try and still fail, then at least you tried. If you don't try, you have already failed." Amethyst placed a hand on his chest. "Same goes for us. You may hurt me, you will probably disappoint me, you may even fail but I will always be here when you need me. I love you, Draco Malfoy, nothing will change that."
"Couldn't have said it better myself. Well, apart from that last bit." Dumbledore chuckled. "Hogwarts will always be your home, Draco. Always." He bowed his head slightly and Draco mirrored in.
"Thank you, Professor." Draco turned his attention to Amethyst. He kissed her on the forehead and smiled. "And thank you. I love you, Amethyst Abbott." They headed out of the office.
"Oh, Professor McGonagall, I was wondering…" Amethyst paused before they headed down the stairs. "When things calm down with the acromantulas, I would like to discuss a more permanent residence here at the school."
"Of course." McGonagall replied with a smile. "We can discuss details later, right now you should probably get a good night sleep."
"Good night, Professor." Amethyst and Draco left and headed into the courtyard. Harry and Ginny were sitting on a bench.
"About time." Ginny smiled when she noticed they were holding hands.
"I guess quite a bit happened this weekend." Harry smirked. "We checked records but found nothing saying that Boris or Rachel were Death Eaters. Only through family were they even connected to Death Eaters. But they were listed as supporters of Voldemort." Harry took a more serious turn. "Boris and Rachel had Illyana, but Alexander wasn't her first husband."
"What?" Amethyst faltered. She wasn't sure she could take any more news. Draco steadied her.
"Illyana married young and had a son. Just after his birth, her husband was killed in a duel. The boy was placed up for adoption by Illyana to keep him away from her parents. She, then, left out of grief. That's when she met your father." Harry continued.
"I have a half-brother out there?" Amethyst leaned into Draco for support.
"I'm not sure if he knows the full truth, but you've already met him." Harry looked concerned.
"Dimitri?" Amethyst looked at Draco and then back at Harry who nodded.
"If he knows, he didn't mention it. But that might explain his reaction when he found out Illyana was my mother." Amethyst could feel her head spinning with this information. It was Draco's arm around her waist that kept her standing. "If Aunt Violet knew about this she didn't bring it up. She just said that he'd been to see her a few times since he learned my mother and father married."
"Are you okay?" Draco asked, tightening his hold on her. "I was planning on going to Diagon Alley tomorrow, but I can postpone it."
"No, go. I'm okay. It's another question but I'm okay." Amethyst looked at Draco. "I know tomorrow is the only day this week without any lectures." He kissed her forehead. The four chatted for a while longer before heading to their respective rooms for the night.