"Lucius told me that he found you and Draco dueling. I hope he didn't goad you into anything." We had finished lunch and were on the veranda having tea. Draco was back on the Quidditch pitch with his dad dodging bludgers or some such.

"Not at all. Honestly, when he told me that we could use magic here I was more than excited to duel again."

"That's right, you're in the dueling club, aren't you? Quite an achievement for a first year."

I blushed a bit. I'm still getting used to people mentioning my accomplishments. "Thank you. I know it's really rare, but I understand that your sister was in the dueling club her first year."

"You seem to know more than I would assume."

"Can you tell me more about her? There is only so much I could learn from school records."

"You seem to have an interest in my family. I would like to know why." Her tone was serious but wasn't hostile.

"Well… she's been a big inspiration to me. She was the dueling champion for three years in a row, and the youngest champion in like a hundred years. She also had a killer fashion sense."

The last statement made her chuckle just a tiny bit. "She did seem to stand out from the crowd. And she liked the attention as well. I remember her getting into trouble with our father over that. She never wanted to settle down and that always upset him."

As hard as I tried to contain it, I couldn't hold back a smile and I was overcome with emotion. I guess my emotions were picked up on because she placed her cup down on its saucer and stared at me intently. I felt like I was sinking into my chair, and the outside world seemed to fade away.

"What are you hiding? What are you after?" Her tone was serious, but there wasn't any hostility.

We were interrupted when Draco asked, "Mum, may I have a cup? I'm parched."

"Of course, dear. How did practice go?"

"Excellent! He caught the snitch twice and only got hit by a bludger once." His father answered, joining us at the table. 

"Yeah, but it was right as I caught the snitch the last time, so it was worth it." Draco replied in his defense.

"And if you hadn't caught the snitch, that bludger hit could have cost your team the match. Even a certain victory must be treated as though failure is possible." Mr. Malfoy turned his attention to me. "I'm sure you understand that, Holly, being in the dueling club."

"Yes, sir. But I think that the opposite is even more true. Even when defeat is certain that doesn't mean you give up. Sometimes you have to fight with everything you have, and go down swinging, taking as much out of your opponent as possible."

"Well said. I'm sure your parents would be proud of you." 

Did Mrs. Malfoy just wink at me? Was she reading my thoughts just now? Is she still reading my thoughts? La la la la la. Two plus two is four. Four plus four is eight. Eight plus eight is sixteen…

"Holly!" Draco nudged my shoulder, almost making me jump. 

"Sorry, my mind was miles away."

"Quite alright, my dear. I shouldn't have mentioned your parents." Mrs. Malfoy said.

I gave a weak smile in response. "It's okay."

"Would you like to check out the library? Dad wants me to look over the upcoming course material before we head back to Hogwarts."

"That sounds nice. I've already reviewed the course work, and there won't be too much new stuff before we start the year end reviews."

"Awesome."

We excused ourselves from the table and went inside, leaving the adults there on the veranda.

"So, what do you think of our new guest?" Lucius asked, while pouring himself a glass of wine.

"A little early for wine, isn't it, dear?"

"Not after the meeting I had today."

"That bad?"

"You're deflecting."

Narcissa took a long sip of her tea, then sighed. "She's hiding something. Something to do with my sister."

"Which one?"

"Bella. It's funny. At times she reminds me of Bella at that age. Did I tell you we met at Twilfitt and Tattings? She was buying a pair of boots that could have been a part of Bella's wardrobe."

"I wasn't going to mention it, but when I walked in the duel they were having…" Lucius had a far off stare as he took a large gulp of his drink.

"What?"

"I saw it in her eyes, the same way your sister would instantly light up when she knew a fight was about to start. And the way she moves. It's like she was dancing around the platform to music only she could hear."

"You were with my sister during the last years more than I was. Do you think it possible?"

Lucius raised his eyebrows as if asked an impossible question. "I never saw even the hint of a bump on your sister." After taking another sip of wine and pondering the events of the past he continued. "But there was a three or four month period where I can't recall seeing her."

Narcissa poured herself a glass of wine which earned a questioning look from her husband. "So the rumor could be true?"

"That your sister had a love affair with him resulting in a child no one had ever seen, who was kidnapped and raised as the child of James and Lily Potter, and has had a Gringotts beneficiary test confirming that fact, who is now staying in our home as our guest?"

"When you say it like that…" Narcissa cut herself off with a long drink from her glass, emptying its contents.

"It might turn out to be a very long summer." 

"This is in the restricted section at Hogwarts!" My excitement barely got a glance up from his textbook.

"Yeah. You'll probably find several volumes here that Hogwarts has restricted."

"But I've been wanting to read this one for ages."

"No offense, but you haven't even been alive for ages, let alone known about magic. What's it about, anyways?"

"Advanced combat charms and curses." I said sitting down in a chair opposite the table from Draco.

"If it's the one I think it is, I hope you're not squeamish."

"Why?" I asked as I opened the book to a picture of a body lying on the ground having been decapitated rather violently. Even though it was hand drawn, it was still very graphic. "Oh… ewww."

Draco chuckled. "Better reaction than Crabbe. He actually threw up the first time he saw that picture. Granted we were only eight or nine at the time."

"Your parents let you read this stuff at that age?"

Draco chuckled again. "Of course not! I had to sneak into his office to get my hands on that!"

"Holly!" Hermione was the first of my friends to greet me, and with a big hug. "Malfoy." She said to my companion after we finished our hug. "Ready to get back to Hogwarts? I've already got us a compartment."

"Someone's eager to get back." Draco said. 

"Of course! I think I saw your lackeys already on the train, Draco." 

Draco muttered his response and boarded the train in search of his friends.

"So? How was your stay at Malfoy Manor? And I love that dress. Is it new?

"Yeah. I went shopping yesterday. And the Malfoys are great. I think you'd really enjoy their library. I only had a few hours, but there were several books I think you'd be interested in that are restricted at Hogwarts."

"Hello Holly. Hey Hermione." A familiar voice came from behind me.

"Hi Susan." I responded after turning around, getting another hug and this time a little kiss.

"Did you enjoy your time at the Malfoy's?"

I chuckled a bit, as did Hermione. "Yeah. I was just answering that same question when you found us. I had a great time."

"That's good. Is that a new dress?"

"Yeah. I bought it yesterday."

"Going shopping without us? I see how it is."

"Mrs. Malfoy had to pick something up and asked if I wanted to go with. I didn't exactly have time to send out owls and wait for their replies." I said with mock defensiveness.

"Uh huh. Excuses, excuses. The way I see it is you owe us a shopping trip."

"Deal." I got another kiss that was interrupted by the five minute warning whistle coming from the train. "We better get on board. Hermione already claimed a compartment."

"Then lead the way, 'Mione." 

We followed our friend through the crowd onto the train and to the compartment that already housed her belongings. Susan and I both stowed our things and took our seats opposite Hermione.

"Anyone seen Hannah?" Susan asked.

"I think I see her coming." Hermione said, pointing out the window.

I opened the window. "Hannah! Over here!" I shouted as I waved. I saw her acknowledge me as she was continuing to run down the platform.

The train's final whistle blew and the train lurched forward, starting our last trip to Hogwarts this year. A few minutes later an out of breath Hannah joined us.

"I'm glad I made it. Jorpey accidentally packed up my school trunk yesterday and it took a while to find it."

"When does your mum leave for Egypt?" Susan asked.

"Tomorrow, but it's just to arrange housing and meet her team. She actually Moves out there next week." Hannah replied while stowing her luggage. She plopped down next to Hermione and let out a long yawn and a sigh. "Things have been hectic at home. So Holly, how was it staying with the Malfoys?"

Hermione, Susan and I giggled a bit before I gave my response.