Hey everyone!

Well it appears that the whole northern hemisphere is freezing and the days are slowly getting longer. I think we can say the long dark of winter is finally beginning to make an exit. Hopefully Spring brings with it happier and brighter times that we will all enjoy. I can safely say that I am writing again which is great. I should just warn that I may be changing my name on here between this update and the next one. So just in case I do I wanted to give a warning. Also I have changed Astoria's parents' name to match my other fics. They are now Malcolm and Helene.

Stay safe and warm.

Lots of love,
LM xx

Finally Belonging Somewhere-Part 88:

The days were slowly starting to creep by and Bellatrix's trial was coming up. Narcissa was torn between wishing time could freeze so Aurora wouldn't have to face the courtroom and half wanting the court date so she cold finally close the chapter that had haunted her ever since her little girl had been snatched away from her.

Lucius and she were sat in their room at Hogwarts and Lucius looked at his wife, placing the Evening Prophet on the table next to his Firewhisky.

"Darling… what is troubling you? You've been getting more and more frazzled as the days are going by," he said as he watched her pacing up and down the room again.

"How can you be so calm about our 12-year-old daughter facing Bellatrix in court?! I am worried and distressed by the thought that we're letting her go up there when she barely understands a thing!" Narcissa said, getting angry about how calm he was being.

"Because Aurora is the one who made the choice. She decided that she could be brave enough to face Bellatrix with Astoria by her side. That is what is also helping her… the fact that Astoria will be there by her side," Lucius said, "I don't know why but that girl would die to save Aurora and I, for one, am happy with the fact that Draco and Astoria will wed when they are of age."

"That doesn't help Lucius," Narcissa sighed before finding herself being pulled onto her husband's lap, "she's still unable to understand a lot."

"I think she understands a lot more than we give her credit for. I've been speaking to Astoria's grandparents, James and Caitriona, and they said Aurora may have something Muggles have and that Astoria's aunt Jen wishes to look at her so when Astoria goes home I think maybe Draco and Aurora should go and see them. James says Jen will be able to know as soon as she sees her and the Highlands would be lovely for Aurora. She could also play with others around her own age and learn how to care for more animals up there."

"Yes… I think she'd love it there. Helene has said she and Malcom will stay away as well. Malcolm has never really loved Astoria so that would be wise," Narcissa said, "but, yes, Aurora can go up there when Astoria next goes home."

The next day and Narcissa had finished work for the day and she headed back to her room only to find Lucius stood talking to…

"Good afternoon Minister," she said as she bowed her head slightly, "to what do we owe this pleasure?"

"I think you know that deep down Narcissa. Your sister's trial," the Minister said and he sat down and waited for both Lucius and Narcissa to be seated and tea to be served.

"First of all can we please refer to her as Ms. Lestrange…? I'm sorry but I just cannot see her as my sister," Narcissa said and the Minister nodded.

"Very well," he said, "first of all Aurora and Miss Greengrass will not be called as witnesses until the afternoon. The morning will be witness statements from the hospital mediteam from the day Aurora was born. We will be using Veritaserum on them. Rest assured that none will be used on either child. They will tell the truth anyway… you on the other hand Narcissa will have to take it. I trust Aurora doesn't know that you're a witness yourself yet…"

"No. We aren't going to tell her until Narcissa is called to the stand. She may be brave enough to take the stand with Astoria but she may lose her bravery if she knows Cissa will be called as a witness," Lucius said, "we're trying to balance the determination she's showing with shielding her as well."

"That is rather understandable really," the Minister nodded, "I would hate to be in your position right now. I must say that you are coping very well indeed… well Lucius is but I can see that you are a bundle of nerves Narcissa…"

"Will she be protected in the courtroom? What protection will be in place for our daughter?" Narcissa asked as she looked at the Minister.

"I won't deny it that I hadn't been waiting for that question to be asked but, because she's only 12-years-old, there will be extra security in place that wouldn't normally be there. Also I know that you said, Lucius, that Astoria had said she'd be there with Aurora and I can confirm that Astoria and Aurora will be together when they are questioned. I got the impression that was key so I managed to get that arranged. There will be a slightly pause and then Narcissa you will take the stand afterwards. Then it's up to you if you stay or go but, obviously, I'm assuming you'd want to be present for the verdict," he said and Lucius and Narcissa both nodded as they looked at the Minister, "I can make sure that happens," he said before standing up, "if you have any more questions feel free to owl me. Believe me when I say that I want to see her behind bars for what she has done to your daughter as well," he said before leaving.

Lucius and Narcissa ate dinner in their room that night and mostly ate in silence.

"This is going to test us. It will be a test for Aurora too," Lucius said as he looked at her, "have the Minister's words comforted you at all?" he asked as he and Narcissa sat by the window looking out over the grounds.

"They have and they haven't," Narcissa sighed as she looked at Lucius, "she's going to be protected and Astoria will be with her but I'm really not sure I still want her up there but I must respect that our daughter is beginning to get her own thoughts and she's getting curious as well. She's read about it in a book so in some ways she knows what to expect."

"We can't pull her from the stand now anyway. The Minister has gone to so much effort to make sure that she will be safe in the stands that we really must let her do this… even though everything in us is screaming no. She will never forgive us if we stop her now."

"I already know that Luc and that's what makes me back down. I still see her as the baby we lost but she's also beginning to grow up and catch up to where she's meant to be. All we can do is love her and protect her whilst allowing her to grow and be there when she needs us," Narcissa said, "because I will not do anything that will make us lose her again," she said, "that is a promise."