Author's note. I know it's been a while since I've last posted an update, and I'm sorry. Believe me when I say that I would love it if I had more time to focus on writing. If nothing else, I hope I made this chapter wort the wait.

Easter in the wizarding world is very similar to what I'm used to. We (myself, Hannah and Hermione, although Hermione already had plans with her family) were invited back to Bones Manor for a party, which of course meant dress shopping and another trip to Diagon Alley. I have really come to love the fashion of the wizarding world where, contrary to muggle fashion, color schemes do not go out of style with the mere change of season. I found a beautiful sleeveless, knee length dress in black with white pinstripes and purple trim at the bottom. The best part about the dress is that my new boots will go with it perfectly. All that I needed were matching stockings which I actually found at Quality Quidditch Supplies, oddly enough. 

Bones Manor had been decorated with streamers in pink, light green, and light orange and floating lanterns were littered through the house that changed colors either randomly or when new people entered their proximity. Herds of bunnies were running and jumping all over the place. They were made out of light, but as solid as and tangible as the real things. It was fun to watch them for a bit but they were as skittish as real bunnies, which made it difficult to watch them for too long. Not that there was time to sit for that long anyways, as there were baskets of candies to be rummaged through and several party games to be played. 

It seemed that the adults were just as into the games as us kids, from the three legged broom race, to the egg floating relay race, to a game that mixes a pinata with pin the tail on the donkey. Prizes were handed out to all of the winners, but nobody went home empty handed at the end of the day. 

The rest of the break passed quickly. I got to see Susan one more time, and only briefly, and contact with Hermione was limited to only a couple owl delivered letters. She did seem very excited about something though, but said she wanted to tell me in person. I also got my invitation, plus one, to the Malfoy's party that they will be hosting the weekend after the school year ends. The festivities start on Friday, the 26th of June, with a formal dinner and continue on through Saturday evening with a casual affair. 

I was writing a letter to Susan when Regina, Mrs. Abbott, called me and Hannah downstairs. "Hannah, Holly! Can you two come down here for a minute?"

I put down my quill and made my way downstairs, about thirty seconds ahead of Hannah. Regina's expression was a mix of happy and serious. "Go ahead and have a seat Holly. You too, Hannah." She was sitting in one of the lounge chairs so I sat on the couch across the coffee table from her, Hannah joining me a moment later.

"So, where to begin." Regina paused for a moment, as if she had rehearsed what she was going to say but had lost her notes. "I've been offered a job in Egypt. The contract is for eighteen months, possibly two years."

"That great, mum, but what will you be doing?" Hannah asked.

"Well, if you remember me telling you, I used to be a curse breaker before you were born. In fact, that's how I met your father." They both had a moment of remembrance. "That life isn't conducive to raising a child, but now that you're away at Hogwarts most of the year, I'm wanting to get back to it."

"So are we going to be living in Egypt over the summer? And what about during breaks?" Hannah asked, and at that moment I realised the yet unspoken reality of things.

I felt numb. I understood that this was an amazing opportunity for her, but couldn't help feel that I was being abandoned. Regina explained how the immigration laws were very strict, but I had tuned out most of it. Thoughts of being sent back to the Dursley's came to the forefront of my thoughts. "I can't go back there. I can't go back to that life." I said, and soon couldn't hold back the tears.

Regina was quick to action and was sitting beside me before I knew it. She held me in a comforting hug and stroked my head. "Nobody is sending you back to your aunt and uncle. I don't know everything that they did to you, but Minerva told me a little bit. If sending you back to them was the only option, I'd have turned down the job."

Sniffle. "Then what will happen to me?" Sniffle. I asked. 

"Well, I've already received confirmation from Minerva that if nothing else can be arranged you can stay at Hogwarts over the summer." She continued stroking my hair. "I doubt it will come to that though. We are looking into other options for you. There are plenty of other parents that we can ask to look after you over the summer."

We sat there in silence for a while, and Hannah at some point joined the hug. Feeling a little better, the crying stopped at least, I untangled myself from the group hug and went back up to my room to finish my letter to Susan asking if she would like to be my plus one and also explaining my new living situation, and then a reply to the Malfoys. 

"Thank you very much for the invitation, I am very much looking forward to it. I have invited Susan Bones as my plus one, but have not yet received confirmation back from her yet. I will notify you of any changes should she not be able to attend. Travel arrangements may prove difficult as I might have to be staying at Hogwarts over the summer. I hope that is not an issue.

Sincerely, Holly"

The Malfoy's owl had long left, so I gave both letters to Nimueh instructing her to deliver Susan's letter first. I watched her fly off and then, checking the time and seeing there was still over an hour till dinner, layed on my bed in silence.

Dinner was an unusually quiet affair. Hannah was doing her best to hide her excitement about touring around Egypt so as not to make me feel worse, and Regina was probably trying to figure out what to say without hurting my feelings. They were like this for a few days over Christmas break when I had my emotional breakdown. "Congratulations on the job, Mrs. Abbott."

"Thank you, Holly. It'll be nice getting back to work again."

"So you said you were a curse breaker. What does that mean, exactly?"

"There are a lot of ancient tombs and vaults that are continually being uncovered, and there are almost always protection charms or curses that are still active. It's our job to remove those protections. Curse breakers generally get a flat pay rate, but also a percentage of the value of recovered vaults. Sometimes we also work with the next of kin in the event of someone's death, but those jobs are generally easier and have a smaller pay out."

"So the wizard version of Indiana Jones?" I asked only to get blank stares. I then had to explain both Indiana Jones, as best as I could recall anyways, and then the concept of movies and television.

The concept of going to the movies sounded interesting, and both Regina and Hannah seemed it would be wonderful to indulge in the beloved muggle activity. I wasn't as interested as they were, but maybe the activity would cheer me up.

Hannah was dressed in something that wouldn't stand out too much, but I told Mrs. Abbott that she might want to change to avoid drawing attention. She came back wearing something that looked like it came from America a century ago, so Hannah and I went to her room with her to find something more 'common muggle'.

Once we were all properly attired, a box was pulled off the shelf and dusted off, which contained a stash of muggle money, probably a few thousand dollars in total, but it was a mix of Pounds, Mark, and a few I didn't recognize or get a good enough look.

We ended up watching the movie 'Hook', but I had to explain the story of Peter Pan to them first. I also had to explain that popcorn was a necessity and also a large pop, which were both enjoyed immensely. It turned out that it was just what I needed to take my mind off of things.

Nimueh was waiting for me when we returned with a response from the Malfoys, so I gave her a treat and then read the letter.

"Holly,

Sincerely, Narcissa"

I read the letter several times, and was so happy I was on the verge of tears. A few realizations came to me though. Does she know she's my aunt? Could she know? Can I finally find out anything about my mum?

I took a moment to compose myself, and wrote my response.

" I would love to come and stay with you tomorrow and Friday, and would be honored to stay with you over the summer.

Sincerely, Holly"

I sent Nimueh out one more time, with a promise of extra treats when she gets back, and then went to find Regina and Hannah to let them know what was happening.