The Scorpion and the Bear

"What do you mean she isn't allowed to attend?" Scorpius almost shouted at his grandmother. It was a week before Christmas and their parents were going over the final preparations of the anual Malfoy Christmas Eve Party. Not only was it one of their family's oldest traditions, it was one of the most glamorous parties in the wizarding world that wasn't technically considered a ball or gala. Their grandmother had been a stickler for the semantics of nobility and argued with the twins whenever they called the party a ball.

The twins had wanted to attend for years, but were never old enough. One of the traditions that came with the Malfoy Chritmas Eve Party, was the Undecim Aetatum, the presentation of a wizard when they become of age to bare a wand and begin learning magic. No child was permitted to attend if they were not of age to attend Hogwarts. Aniara and Scorpius had talked about the party for months. They had always tried to sneak in or listen to the party when they were younger, but they were always warded out of it. It was a very private event that only other purebloods were invited to. It was also one of the most anticipated and sought after invitations. This year they were both finally of age and were excited to attend. Just a day before their mother had given Aniara an early Christmas gift especially for the occation.

"Aniara dear" Astoria called to her daughter from the door of her room. Aniara sat in her reading nook devouring the new book for her and Rose's owl book club.

Aniara, though usually annoyed to be interrupted from her reading, swiftly looked up at her mother. She didn't usually seak her out herself, typically sending a house elf to send the children to her. Astoria entering her room to seek out her daughter with a tone of both comfort and seriousness surprised Aniara.

"Yes Mum?" Aniara answered gesturing for her mother to enter. She stood up and approached her respectfully. Astoria was carying a case that Aniara didn't reconise. It was a dark mahogany case with silvered handles. There were precious stones set into the side of the case. It held the air of old money and sacredness that almost intimiated Aniara. Her mother set it down on Aniara's vanity with care but she didn't seem to be as intimidated by it as her daughter was.

"I have an early Christmas gift for you. Since you and your brother will be able to attend, you will need a wand for your Eleventh Age."

Aniara's eyes got wide in surprise and excitment . She was slightly worried that with her magic status that she wouldn't be able to attend. Hearing her mother confirm that she would be able to attend had her heart fluttering.

"Since you don't have a wand of your own, I went to the vaults today. I have retrieved some of the ancestral wands, older ones that would not be as easily reconized, or as volitile being held by a..." Astoria drifted off and proceeded to open the case. She gestured for Aniara to approach and presented her with almost two dozen old wands in near perfect condition.

"I chose from a few varities, mostly from your female ancestors. You father and I have agreed that, you may chose one to be yours and even keep it after the party permanently." Aniara hestitantly difted her hand over the wands reverantly. She wasn't sure what to do or say. She was sort of there when Scorpius recieved his wand. Olivander had measured her brother and tried out two wands before finding one that fit well with Scorpius. He had gotten a 11 and a half inch willow wood with a Unicorn tail core. It was a bright brown color with a dark curving disign around it that reminded Aniara of a river. She had been rightfully jealous us of her brother, but now almost all that jealeousy was fading away. She would be able to have a wand of her own.

"I can just.... pick one?" Aniara's voice was quiet, her hand still not touching any of the wands. She looked up at her mother with a nervous look in her eyes that she was unable to hide. Her mother nodded at her, "Yes dear. None of them are younger than two centuries old and have been in the vaults for that length of time. They should be well dormant and a sleep so of no use to anyone and shouldn't cause any harm. But I thought you could like the chance to chose one that like for yourself. I know it has been hard for you these past four years and I-" Astoria's voice cut off as a tear pricked her eye. She took a breath and held it back.

"You may chose a wand for the party and keep if for yourself afterwords. If we want to keep up the cover story you are pursuing your studies at home, then you will need a wand for such functions you are now old enough to attend. So go head darling. Pick whichever suits your fancy."

Aniara nodded at her mother and allowed herself to smile. She looked back at the case of wands and looked them over. There were some that were as small at 8 inches and some 12 inches. Some were straight, other in various curves, some dark, some almost pure white. There were plenty of options to chose from and Aniara's heart almost broke out of her chest. How was she to pick just one. It wasn't like chosing an actual wand. She wouldn't know it had chosen one she held it or been put off by it when it broke something as she waved it. It wouldn't even chose her. She had to chose it. To look over all of them and then just pick one to be her cover wand until the end of time, or until her secret was found out.

Some part of her willed a wand to chose her. Logically they wouldn't as none of them were Olivander made and had belonged to a witch before her. But that hopeful, childish side of her wished one would. Wished that when she touched it, magic would flow through her, that her squib status would have been some sort of fluke or mistake or that she was just a late bloomer that needed one of these wands to bring it out of her.

She picked one up, a 9 inch red wood wand with a curved handle. She didn't feel anything. No spark. No magic. No tingle. It felt like a stick he found on the grounds that was sanded and polished, nothing special or magical about it.

Her heart sunk slightly. She would have to just pick a wand that looked nice, that spoke to her visually. One she could live with pretending was her wand for the rest of her life.

She put the 9 inch red wand back in the case carefully and scaned the rest of the box. 'If only one of them was purple' she thought to herself. She would have picked it easily and loved it forever.

There was a long dark wood wand with snakes carved into the hilt, shorter plain oakwood wand with no special markings or added filigree, a black wand that seemed to have some diamonds engrusted in a swirled pattern towards the tip, and one that had a faded blue hue to it that seemed like it belonged to a wizards that would custom paint their wand every few years. In the back of a case something caught her eye. A ten inch long wand that seemed to be made of a familiar wood. It was stained black and had silver flowered filigree all the way around the wand. It had an elegant whisped curve at the end of the hilt. It had a simple but elegant old world feel to it and Aniara picked it up. It fit in her hand comfortably and her heart skipped at beat. She didn't feel any magic radiating from the wand, but it didn't matter. This wand was almost calling to her, begging her to chose it. All the others had felt plain sticks that were simply carved or painted or encrusted to look like a magic wand. This one, was the first that actually felt like a real wizard wand in her hand. She held it up in front of her face then pointed it out towards the wall behind her mother. No sparks came out the end and no lights flickered but Aniara didn't care. When she held this wand she felt like she could pretend to be a witch like the rest of the wizard would thought she was. For the first time in years, she felt like she belonged in her family.

Her mother looked at the tag attached to the wand a read the lable, "Felicity Olbrit Greengrass, 1699-1789. Ten inch willow wood with a ditany stalk core. She is your five times great grandmother. Is this the one you want?"

Aniara nodded and her mother smiled before closing the case with the other wands. 'Willow, same as Scorpius' Aniara thought to herself. That was why it had called to her, so she could match her brother.

"I see no reason to allow her to attend the party. If she cannot attend Hogwarts because 'her magic is too weak' then there is no reason to have her at an hours long Christmas Eve Party with so many other witches and wizards attending." Narcissa said calmly back to Scorpius.

"Because she is eleven mother. It is tradition. I'm sure Aniara can control herself enough at the party to maintain her weakended state. She is a smart girl who knows not to embarrass the family name." Draco said back to his mother almost just as calmly. Aniara could tell that her father was hiding his upset with his mother.

Her parents over the last two months had been trying to mend their relationship with their daughter. Astoria wasn't gone as much planning social functions and doing charity work. Her father had even taken a few days off from work Halloween weekend to spend 'quality father daughter time' with her. They were still somewhat distant while with her, which she didn't always hold against them. She knew she was raised better than they were and that they simply didn't know how to interact with a non magical person let alone a their daughter being one. But she could tell they were trying.

Narcissa on the other hand felt as if she were getting worse. She didn't even look at Aniara when they were in the same room anymore. And now she was forbiding Aniara to attend the party.

"I have allowed you to break tradition by inviting those four and their of age children, but I am drawing the line at letting a sq-" Draco shot his mother a deadly glare, warning her not to use that word in any of their presense. Aniara tried not to cringe, she was use to how her grandmother saw and treated her, but being bared from the party still hurt.

"Mother, " Draco started, still glaring daggers at her, "It is high time the Potter's and Weasley's be invited. Should have been done long ago. But seeing as how Scorpius is now friends with the young Potter and Weasley, it seemed only logical that they be invited too. Astoria and I have been working hard to years to bring some goodness back to the name of Malfoy. What better way to do just that then extend a social olive branch to both families. With our children as friends there is already a bridge between our families, we might as well cross it."

Aniara looked at her mother who was staring stoicly at her mother in law. She was glad her parents were still trying to make an effort, even if they were not always perfect. Maybe if their efforts were successful and her brother's friendship with Al and Rose lasted beyond Hogwarts, then the rest of the world would stop sneering at and talking badly about her family.

Maybe her grandmother could be a decent grandmother to her again. Aniara had some faint memories of the older witch that she remembered as happy, but they were so long ago and tainted by how the witch acted now that she wasn't sure if they were real or she was making them up to make herself feel better.

The argument about the party lasted almost an hour before Draco had to relent to his mother. She was still the matriarch of the family, and her final piece of the argument had made her father's face pale slightly. Narcissa had threatened to lock and ward Aniara in her room the entire night and next morning if Draco continued to press the issue.

Her father, as much as he was working to make their family better, had relented. Aniara wasn't allowed to attend the party.

Later that evening, the twins spent time in Scorpius' room. It didn't have as many bookshelves as Aniara's but it did have an impressive writing desk filled with mulitple different colors of ink, many different quills and drawers full of stationary items. He had dearly missed his desk while at school. It was the first thing he gravitated towards when returning home for winter break. The familiar smell of wax and ink had relaxed him. His bed was placed in the corner of the room rather than in the center of the back wall like Ani's was. He had steel grey sheets and bed curtains and his walls were lined with childhood art their mother had framed. There were a few posters of quidditch teams as well as childhood photos from their many trips to France, Spain, and Italy. He had a few rugs of different colors from a moss green to pale yellow scattered on the floor. In the opposite corner from his bed there was a shelf with his childhood toys and collectables.

Aniara sat on his bed reading while Scorpius was at his desk writing another letter to Al. He had been writing him every day of the break so far, even if Al's letter's back were not as consistant. The twins were always content to just exist in the same space together, even more so now that they were actually physically together again and not just existing with Aniara astral projecting to Hogwarts. Reaching the end of her chapter Aniara looked up towards her brother.

"Did you inform Al of all the dumb tradition stuff so his family is prepared when they come to the party?"

Scorpius didn't look up from his writing but nodded his head in reply. When they were informed that Harry and Ginny Potter as well as Ronald and Hermione Weasley were invited to the party, along with their children, which was only James, Al, and Rose as they were over the age of 11, the twins immediatly owled their friends to tell them all the proper ettequette and traditions they would need to observe when attending so as not to cause trouble with their grandmother and other older purebloods who would be in attendance. Aniara had recived a thank you letter back from Rose confirming that their family didn't in fact know all those rules and that her mother would be studying them and making sure that her father would behave himself. Aniara hadn't heard if Al has responded yet, possibly due to his inconsistant letters. Aniara wanted to talk to her brother, but knowing that trying to pull him away from his desk was about as easy as pulling her away from books.

Just before Aniara had gone back to her book, there was a tapping on Scorpius' window. They both looked over to find a tawny owl perched on the sill with a letter around it's leg. Scorpius quickly shot up out of his chair and ran to the window to let the owl in. Aniara recognized it as one of the Potter's owls and smirked at her brother's excitement. He gave the bird a treat as he untied the letter from it's leg. It flew over to his bookshelf after it was instructed to wait.

Scorpius closed the window and almost skipped back to his desk to read the letter. "What does your boyfriend say?" Aniara teased.

"He's not my boyfriend Ani," he shot back over his shoulder quickly, as he opened the letter carefully and began to read. After only reading a few lines, Aniara could feel Scorpius' heart increase in speed as she felt his emotions go from exctited anticipation, to intense elation. She chuckled to herself but waited a moment for her brother to finish reading, knowing he would tell her anything of importance. After a minute, Scorpius finaly looked over at her with the biggest grin Aniara had ever seen.

"Al's mum sent back a reply to the invitation, they are coming to the party as well."

"She probably sent back a reply the same time Rose's mum did" Aniara chided before she engrossed herself in the book.

"Al's birds are just a bit slower is all," Scorpius commented back over his shoulder. She could feel his heart beat was still a bit fast even after he was sitting back down again.

After a few lines her heart sunk. Scorpius would be able to go to the party. He would be able to spend time with his friends just as he did at Hogwarts. Aniara would be left alone again.

**************

The morning of Christmas Eve was loud. Some house elves and other hired help were decorating the Manor for the party while others were preparing the food for the guest list of close to 100 witches and wizards.

Aniara tried not to get their ways as she calmly wandered the halls. She knew her parents and especially her grandmother, would be too busy to notice her breaking the rule about wandering when others were at the manor. She made her way towards the dark wing, trying to keep herself hiden so as not to draw her father's attention. He and a few other Aurors were working to put up enough wards and charms around the dark wing to prevent guests from wandering down and to maybe spare their new guests from the memories they experienced in the drawing room at the end of the wing.

This was one thing she had always looked forward too every Christmas. As the wards and charms went up Aniara could feel the dark magic dulling. Like walking into the shade on a hot summer day after spending most of it in the sun, Aniara could only barely feel the sting of the dark magic coming from the wing. She breathed in a heavy breath, felt herself relax. Tonight was the only night of the year that she didn't feel the weight of the dark magic in her home. She also knew she was the only one that felt the change.

She opened her eyes to find her father looking directly at her. She must have moved out from her hiding spot when she felt the relief from the dark magic. And now her father was coming towards her with a mildly scolding look on his face.

"Aniara darling. You know the rules." He said almost too calmly as he knelt down next to her. She looked at him with an ashamed look in her eyes. Usually she put on more of a brave face and would stick her chin out at her father whenever she was caught breaking any rules. But right now felt different. She wasn't sure if it was the effects of the wards or her sadness to not being able to go to the party being set up around her, but all she wanted to do was appolgoize and go back to hiding in her room like she was suposed to be doing. She went to turn around to do just that when she felt her father's arms grab her shoulders.

She looked back at him and noticed the look in his eyes. He only had that look when he was talking to or about Aniara. He sighed at her and pulled her into a brief hug before looking at her in the eye again. The look was still there.

"I'm sorry. This family has been going down a rough road for years. Your mother and I are doing out best to walk away from it but,"

"I know dad. The world has a hard time forgetting and grandmother doesn't help in the matters. It's fine. I've made my peace with my life and accepted it. No need to appolgi-"

Her father cut her off with a look she had never seen from him before. It was both hard and soft at the same time. Like the moment before the first raindrop falls or the second after the harsh wind stops blowing. She couldn't place the emotions behind it. Anger? Pitty? Regret? Hurt? Acceptance? Missery? Whatever it was it stopped her in her tracks.

"Cygnet," he sighed and smiled at her, "le changement est difficile."        ("Change is hard")

"Mais je nai pas change. Et je suis doue' pour garder de secrets."         ("But I haven't changed. And I am good at keeping secrets.")

"Ta grand-mere veille sur toi et cette famille-"               ("Your grandmother is looking out for you and this family-")

"I'm not an idiot dad," Aniara cut him off before he could finish his usual speech that consisted of talk about family duty and how a malfoy always protect their own, but Aniara was tired of hearing it. "But I cannot keep hiding here forever. What is plan for when I grow up? Am I going to be perminantly confined to the manor or is Pip just going to go with me everywhere and pretend to be my weak magic when needed? What about when I am old enough to be married, or is that also off the table for my future? Or maybe Grandmother is already planning all the stories and headlines to fake my death and move me to another country to live out my life not only in solitude from the world, but from my own family?" Aniara said all of this too calmly. She had thought about her future often, excess alone time allows for too many though processes.

"Aniara. Missing one party isn't the end of the world. And you are never leaving this family. Nothing could take you away from me, your mother, and brother. You are only eleven. Maybe in a year or two we can convince your grandmother to let you come to the party. We have time to figure out your place in the world and keep your magic a secret. I know you hate hiding, but if other found out..." he sighed and looked down at the ground, gripping her shoulders a little tighter before speaking again. "If you heard all of the things already being said about this family, you would want to hide away here at the manor. I sometimes wish I could. But things would get a lot worse for all of us if your secret was found out. No one in this family wants to hear what people would say about you if they did. You don't want to hear that."

Aniara sighed in frustration and defeat. While her father was partially right, it hurt to admit it. She did hear what people said about her family, sometimes more than her own family heard it. But if would be wrong to assume that people wouldn't see her lack of magic as some sort of karma to the family name. And with her sickness cover story, it would be even worse. She could see the headlines.

MALFOYS HIDE CHILD SQUIB, HAVE THEY REALLY CHANGED

BLOOD PURITY STILL PREVILANT IN MALFOY FAMILY

ONCE A BLOOD PURIST FAMILY, ALWAYS A BLOOD PURIST FAMILY

MALFOY PREDJUDICE EXTENDS TO THEIR OWN FAMILY

ETC. ETC. 

It was part of the reason Aniara had accepted her life in hiding and tried to make the most out of it. She was protecting her family as much as they were protecting her. But with Scorpius off at Hogwarts, accepting her fate was getting harder and harder to maintain.

Draco must have seen his daughters pain because after a beat of silence, he pulled her into a hug. A proper father hug. He hadn't hugged her like this since she was a child. She didn't cry, but basked in the type of love she hadn't felt in a while and probably wouldn't feel again for a long time. He patted the back of her head softly with one hand and squeezed her tighter with the other. She squeezed back and breathed in a heavy sigh. They held eachother for a moment before letting go. As he did, Draco put her face in both of his hands and kissed her forhead.

"You are strong my little bird. And I thank the gods everyday for it." At his words Aniara shed a single tear and smiled up at him.

*********

Scorpius stood at the doule doors of the Manor ballroom in his new dark green dress robes. His grandmother had insisted that he recieve new ones just for the occasion. The memory of getting fitted for them at Madam Malkin's made him slightly sad as his sister had not been able to come and get a new dress for the party. She had spent the last two weeks of school deciding on what dress to wear from her incredibly large collection in her closet, only to not even be able to attend the party in person. Standing at the doors, Scorpius was nervous. He had only seen his friends a week ago but now they were coming to his home. His home that had once housed dark wizard. Dark wizards that meant and even succeeded in causing harm to their parents. Scorpius knew he understood more about the war and it effects on their parents than his peers. His father didn't hide their family's misdeads. While his father never went into severely grusome detail, he had overheard some conversations at Hogwarts that informed him that other kids, sometimes even the 5th to 7th years, were never told any details by their gardians. Some students didn't even know what had happened to their parents during the war and had to learn some of them at school.

He was at least glad he had heard about his family's involvement in the war before instead of learning it from school. He was pretty sure he would have had to leave class and hide in the bathroom crying if he did. Instead he was able to prepare for the stares and whispers from those around him during those lessons. Some of the basic points of the war were taught to the first years almost imediatly, mostly for the benefit of the muggleborns who where just learning about the wizarding world. With the war being so recent it was important for them to have some understanding of its and its effects just as much as it was for them to understand how to levitate an object or brew a forgetfulness potion. But it seemed that Scopius was one of the excedingly rare few that knew about the horrors of the war.

And now his best friends were coming to his family's anual Christmas Eve Party as if nothing had ever happened between their parents. He was, however, glad that Lily and Hugo were not able to attend due to their age. He couldn't imagine how well behaved they would be if they were in the same room together at a very fancy party. He couldn't wait until they attended Hogwarts to see their mischief for himself.

He could hear the ballroom already full of guests. Due to tradition, he wouldn't be able to enter and mingle with guests until after the Undecim Aetatum. The ceremony was simple. His father would gather everyone's attention and give the traditional patriarch speech about family, heirs, magic, etc. (there used to be mentions of blood purity and their family motto but his father had dropped all of it and reworked in talk of change, progess, and a new world.) Then his father would introduce him by full name and open the hall's main doors, inviting Scorpius to join. Scorpius would then present his wand first to his father then Grandmother and mother and recite the Undecim Aetatum oath before doing an elebrate bow to the guests of the party. Then they would all clap and the party would resume.

He had done his best to prepare Al for the ceremony, trying to explain the tradition behind it and that the bow would look rediculous and awkward.

"Tell you mum to cast a silencing spell on your family if anyone, probably your uncle, can't hold in their laughter. If you think you lot will get dirty looks for not knowing all the stupid pureblood customs that will be expected that night, laughing at my bow will get you all kicked out. My family considers this tradition to be one of the most sacred and you don't want to be on my gran's bad side."

"If the bow is as rediculous as you say, my uncle will need to be silenced the entire night, or sworn to secrecy because he will definitely be making fun of it all night and to his brothers too. On second thought maybe he shouldn't come."

Now it was only minutes before he would be presented and he was standing behind the double doors nervously fiddling with his wand in his hands.

"Maybe you should have learned how to brew polyjuice so I could do this for you if you are so nervous about messing up, Ned."

"You know that is illegal Bear," Scorpius said outloud, which he didn't do very often when talking to his sister's projection, "and it isn't messing up I'm worried about."

"Oh Ned," Aniara chuckled slightly before teasing him, "it's only been a week since you have seen your boyfriend. I'm sure he has only gotten more handsome and is egar to see you too."

"He's not my boyfriend Ani." Scorpius growled but Ani notice the slight pink spreading on his face, "He is my best friend and I'm not nervous to see him. I'm just excited is all."

Aniara flicked her hair and folded her arms at his obvious lie, which finally drew her Scorpius' gaze to her. He stopped wringing his hands and quirked a brow at her. She was dressed in soft pajama shorts and a plain camisole. She was barefoot and her wand was stuck behind her ear as her curly hair was hanging down her back unstyled. She unnescessarily dressed up for classes she wasn't physically present at, so Scorpius assumed she would dress up for the party as well in the beautiful soft grey tule dress she had finally chosen just a day before being informed that she coudln't attend. Scorpius was now confused at his sister's actions.

Aniara, noticing his confusion, dropped her hands and did a spin and pose for him.

"You like it? I think if I was actually there Gran would really approve of my choise of attire." Scorpius nodded in understanding at choice of attire and obvious sarcasm.

"She won't even see you, so its not going to make her mad."

Aniara shrugged and leaned against the doors, "which is why I chose it. Why spend time getting dressed, doing my hair, and looking nice when you are the only one that can see me. That is the whole point of dressing up for this stupid party, so I might as well be comfortable if I'm not actually there. And I think its funny to pretend to attend this fancy pants ball in my pajamas looking like I just rolled out of bed."

Scorpius nodded and chuckled at her before hearind his father's voice enhanced with a sonorus spell.

"Esteemed Witches and Wizards. It is my honor and pleasure to introduce a new member amongst us tonight."

Aniara quickly lept from her leaning position at the door and stood shoulder to shoulder with her brother. They both stood quiet as they heard their father's speech.

"For generations, the Noble House of Malfoy has introduced great wizards into our world on this Holiday Eve. Armand Malfoy, who settled our family here in this very manor, started this tradition to commemorate the continuation of his family's line here in England. We recognize Sparros Malfoy in his work in Astromony, discovering and charting every known star in the sky and creating the Astra Compendium that is still housed in our family library. We recognize Delano Malfoy and his honored service as advisor to King Henry II."

Their father went on to name a few more notible ancestors. They both chuckled when he left out a few that they knew were supposed to be in the speech. Their father had informed them that he would be leaving them out due to their involvement in dark wizards or outdated legislation. He was also supposed to regognize his own father to pay him respect, but would be leaving him out as well for the obvious reasons. Their grandmother was noticibly unhappy about these changes but didn't have much in the way of arguments as she understood the family's need for leaving the horrors of the past where they lay.

"The Malfoy family has respected the magic that flows within us and that is passed on to each heir of our name. Their has been no Malfoy that hasn't been the best in their studies and skills. We have always lived up to the values of Slytherin house, we are ambicious, we are resourceful, we lead those around us to be better than they are, and we are cleverly cunning when we set out minds to achieving our goals. For the Malfoys, family is everything. We honor those who have come before us and those who will come after us. We value loyalty, if you cross one Malfoy, you cross us all. To be on the wrong side of a Malfoy is a risk one wouldn't want to take. We are loyal to our companions, those we fight along side and to those that protect one of us as their own. I would like to recognize our honored guests tonight that have earned the respect and loyalty of the Malfoy family for this very reason. The Potters and The Weasleys have protected the Malfoys, now, on numerous occasions, one more notible at a dark time in our history that came at a great personal risk. My family thanks you for this."

There was a respectful moment of silence, Scorpius assumed his father had raised his wand in a sign of respect towards his best friend's family, before continuing.

"And now we welcome the newest Malfoy decendent who has honored our name and come of age to recieve a wand and begin his lessons in the hallowed halls of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Allow me to introduce my son and the Malfoy heir, Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy."

All the guests began to clap as the double doors to the ballroom were opened. Scorpius saw his father just a few feet ahead of him holding his arm out to his son, wand out and towards him, welcoming him in. His mother stood just a few steps to his left side next to his Grandmother. Scorpius swallowed and walked forward, nodding at his family before looking out to the party guests. He quickly scanned the crowd to look for the faces of his friends. Just off to the right of the room standing around a table they had obviously just been sitting down at, were the Potters and Weasley's.

Harry Potter, who Scorpius was used to seeing in soft grey and brown robes that looked simple and inexpensive was now dressed in nicely tailored black dress robes that Scorpius had rememebered seeing him photographed in on the front page of the Prophet for other big events. On his right was his wife and children. Ginevra Potter was dressed in a floor length silk gown with off the shoulder sleves. It was a deep red at the top that faded to a yellow creme at the bottom. Her hair was left down with a few pieces pinned out of her face. To Ginny's right, were James and Al. They wore similar styled dress robes as their father, only James' were a dark navy and Al's were a dark grey. James had his usually messy hair slicked back and Al's was neatly parted to the right. 

To the Potter's left were the Weasley's. Ron was wearing slate grey dress robes that seemed recently tailored as he kept adjusting the neckline and sleve length uncomfortably. Hermione was to his left and wore a button up ruffled white top tucked into to a dark black skirt that was slightly higher in the front. The skirt had charmed floral on the bottom that appeared to be flowing in a nonexistant breeze, with light glittering snowflakes falling on the red petals. Her hair was braided atop her head with well places curls falling out framing her face. Standing in front of the table, as she had been sitting inbetween Al and her mother,  was Rose. She had on a bright navy blue halter top tule dress that had bunched tule on the sides. It had lilac flowers flowing from one shoulder down just past her waist. Her hair was styled in a fancy pinned up braid with silver beads pinned throughout.

Scorpius locked eyes with Al and relaxed a little before making a subtle questioning glance at Al's mother and uncle. Al noticed the question and answered it with a wink and a nod before subtly pointing to Rose as well. Scorpius smiled and held back a chuckle of his own, realizing that while Rose was a very empathtic and kind person, would also absolutely laugh at the bow he was about to perform, even if she was prepared to witness it.

Scorpius stood next to his father and held out his wand in both hands for his father to "inspect" it. He wouldn't touch it, but simply look it over in acknowledgment of Scorpius having recieved a wand of his own. Once his father nodded in approval, he stepped aside so Astoria and Narsissa could see it as well. They both nodded in aproval and Scorpius took his wand in one hand and look out towards the guests to recite the oath he had memorized.

"Sure you memorized it, or do you need to repeat after me?"

Scorpius felt his sister's presence on his right and send back the image of a rude gesture, which made her laugh out loud, though only to his ears. He felt a small pange of guilt before pushing it aside to finish the ceremony.

"I, Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy, first born and heir to the Malfoy name, having turned 11 years of age and receieved my own wand, so solomly promise to uphold the good name of my noble family, bring honor to it through my deeds as new wizard, and continue my family's long legacy here in England which began with my Grandfather Armand and is now passed to me. I will be loyal to my family and those who respect our name and will protect my family with every ounce of magic down to my core-"

Scorpius noticed a new feeling come over him as he said that line. His father had told him that while this oath had been magical binding for all previous generations, it wouldn't be for him. It was only in keeping with tradition, as Draco didn't want his children or later decendants to have to uphold such an oath if they were faced with any troubles even remotely close to the ones he had faced himself, such as a dark wizard making him sware fealty or have literal toturous consequences befall his family. But Scorpius could feel something stire in his magic, like a shiver going down one's spine, only it was more like a burning ember sizzling at his core that was being slowly stoked to life.

"I swear this in the presence of my father and patriarch of the Malfoy family, Draco Lucius Malfoy."

He glanced over at Al and gave a subtle look in hope to convey the message, 'Get ready for the overly elaborate and rediculous bow, ugh"

He raised his wand out in front of him with his other arm behind his back in a fist. He made three small circles with his wand feigning casting a spell, then at the end of the last circle he brought his arm to his chest pointing his wand down towards his elbow. Smoothly dragging his arm from across his body then into an arch as he brought his other hand out from behind his back in a similar arching motion before they changed places. Then puting his foot opposite his wand hand forward slightly so he could almost bend in half in a bow with his wand behind his back and other hand bent in front of him. He then twisted towards his wand hand and spun around in a full circle now facing the guests only standing again, before proceeding to put both his hands out to his side, with an open plam, as if to present himself, then bowed again and held it for a beat. He then stood up straight and turned towards his father. Facing him again, he put his other hand behind his back in a fist again and brought his wand over his heart. He looked his father eyes and held the gaze as he bent slightly at the waist before adverting his gaze. Once he held that for a beat he stood back up and smiled at his father. Draco nodded at his son in approval before coming over to him and clapping him on the back.

Everyone in the ballroom clapped in awe and respect. Scorpius glanced over at the Potter/Weasley table and noticed Mr. Weasley's face red in silenced laughter, and Rose's scrunching her face in giggles. Both were trying to hide their laughter in their body language, but Rose was doing a much better job at it than her father. Mrs. Weasley and Professor Potter were smiling though Scorpius could see the slight confusion on their face from their unfamiliarity to pureblood customs. Mrs. Potter, Al, and James however were all smiling with respect and pride (Al's pride was a little more pronounced than his mother and brother's) and Al and James had a slight twinkle in their eye that Scorpius noted at them findng the bow as rediculous and hillarous as their uncle and cousin, but they were at least able to surpress their laughter.

Scorpius' father gestured over to the musicians for them to comense playing and the party continued with everyone going back to their food or mingling. A few of the other pureblood patriarch and matriarchs that were aware of the Malfoy traditions, having been witness to them before, came up to Scorpius to welcome him and congraduate him. He tried to be respectful to them in shaking their hands and giving the proper greetings, but Scorpius was anxious to get away from them to see kids his own age, and more spesifically, see his best friend. He hadn't realized how much he missed Al until he saw him here.

After his proper greetings and small talk with the older witches and wizards were done, he quickly made his way to his best friend's table to avoid anyone else that would want to stoicly congradulate him for continuing his family's pureblood tradtions and honoring his house by being sorted in Slytherin at Hogwarts.

He quickly hugged Al before letting himself be introduced to the rest of Al's family. He thanked them all for coming and appologized for the rediculous family traditions, namely the bow. As he took the open seat inbetween Al and Rose, he noticed Rose's father was still laughing under the silencing spell. Al's mother noticed the glance and smiled kindly at him.

"Thank you for your warning to silence my brother and niece. Unfortunatley he may have to be under the spell's effect for a little longer so as not to embarace himself." She gave her brother a disaproving look as he whiped laughter tears from his cheeks. Rose had composed herself enough to allow the spell to drop and squeezed Scorpius' hand supportively, "You did a very good job, I don't know how you didn't fall over on that spin halfway through."

"Practice. Lots and lots and lots of practice. My grandmother made me do that bow infront of her almost 50 times a day this last week to make sure I didn't mess up. I'm so glad it's over and I never have to do that rediculous bow ever again." The entire table chuckled as his delaration and continued eating their meal. A plate full of food appeared in front of Scorpius and his smile reached his ears as he noticed it was full of all his favorites.

"Aren't you supposed to sit and eat with your family?" James questioned as Scorpius began to eat.

He shook his head before answering, "That was one of the traditions, but my dad dropped it as it would be just me alone at the table while the three of them walked around and mingled. Gave me permission to sit with you tonight, much to the disaproval of my Gran, but thats not the only thing she has diaproved of tonight so its only a slight ruffle in her already messy feathers."

Conversasion around the table began while they all ate. Once Rose's father was able to stop laughing the spell dropped and he took a big bite of food and swallowed before speaking to Scorpius in a teasing voice, "So how did you convince my daughter and nefew to befriend you young man? A secret friend making charm perhaps?"

"Ronald," Hermione scolded, "just ignore my husband dear. I really should have left him at home if he was going to behave so uncouth."

"I am perfectly couth Mione. I'm simply teasing him."

Scorpius chose to ignore Hermione's instructions and answered Ronald's questions honestly, "Well Mr. Weasely, to be honest, they befriended me. I was just minding my buisness on the train, sitting alone, when three kids decided to interupt my reading time by sitting with me and being nice to me. As a member of the respectful house of Malfoy, I was none to please. But they just wouldn't leave, so I guess I had to accept their friendship."

Everyone at the table laughed and Ron gave Scorpius a thumbs up in approval, "Malfoy with a sense of humor, I can get behind that. I bet you drive your father crazy. Good on you my boy."

"Actually Weasley, I am quite proud of my son."

Everyone quickly looked up at Scorpius' father in surprise as if he had popped up out of nowhere.

"He is a proper Slytherin and even doing just as well as your own daughter in his classes. I guess Malfoys are just destined to be one step behind the smartest witch of her age."

"Damn right!" Ron responded before being elbowed by his wife and sister.

Hermione looked up at Draco and gave him a soft grin, "Thank you for your inviation Malfoy. Our family's are honored to be included and glad to see your family is moving past old predjuices."

Scorpius huffed before saying a bit louder than he ment to, "Well, most of us are." He felt his father place a firm hand on his shoulder before clearing his throat.

"Yes, well, me and my wife Astoria are working to make right the wrongs on the past and raise our children better than we were, but my mother is still stuck in some of the old ways. You may have noticed her faces during my longwinded speech just then. It has been the same for generations save the adding of names as the centuries went on. But I took the liberty of changing the more, er, unsavory parts, leaving out a lot of family memebers that were supposed to be respected that never really had mine, even more so now." Everyone nodded in understanding. "Thank you all for attending. You should have been invited years ago, but with our children being friends it made it just a bit easier to get my mother to agree to it."

"Probably as much time as it took me to agree to this I bet-" Ron was cut off my a hard elbow from Hermione. The table went silent for a beat not wanting to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Draco was brave enough to break the silence.

"I understand being here is hard for you. It may comfort you to know my family has a hard time living here, but its our home. And as I stated in the invitation, I would have completely understood had you all declined to come. And you are also some of the few that even know about that wing of the manor being warded off. Only my close few friends know about that. But I promise you, you that no one will be able to accidentally find tonight." He then looked down at Hermione and gave a sympathetic smile.

"I know I have appologized before, and you have accepted it before, but in the vein of teaching my son by example, I would like to offer an appoligy for my behavior and choices as well those of my family and harm we have caused, especially to you Hermione Granger Weasely." He put his hand to his heart and gave her a slight apologetic bow.

"As always, I accept your appology Draco Malfoy. You are working hard and showing imrovement every day. And I see you are succeding in your mission with raising your son and daughter. They are wonderful friends." She paused Scorpius noticed the realization dawn on her. No one else had brought it up yet and Scorpius was hoping to keep it that way. Hermione quickly glanced around before asking, "Where is young Aniara. I was hoping to meet the young girl tonight."

Scorpius dropped his head looking down to his food and began pushing it around in on the plate. Even though he could feel her astral presence behind him, he still wished she were able to be at the party. Over the last few months he could feel her sadness at becoming more and more left out from their family and wizarding society as a whole.

"Yes, my daughter cannot join us unfortunatley. She had been so excited for weeks, but yesterday she woke up feeling more tired than usual. Our family healer saw her and recommended she not attend the party so as to not wear her out more. Young girl was quite dissapointed." Everyone offered their appologise and sympathy to both Draco and Scorpius. Al reached for his hand under the table and squeezed it for a moment in comfort. Al was always really good at catching Scorpius' moods.

"I hear she is also big fan of yours Mrs. Weasely, so she must be kicking herself for missing the chance to meet you."

"Dad!" Aniara shouted suddenly causing Scorpius to wince slightly, "I wanted to be the one to tell her I follow her work! Absolutely unacceptable. I'm telling mum!"

"You're not here, Bear," Scorpius reminded her silently and smiled again.

"A fan of my wife? Friends with my daughter and nefew? Are we sure your children are yours Malfoy?" Ron's comment lightened the mood at the table

"I believe the trademark Malfoy blonde would indicate that answer, Weasley, but I guess I shouldn't inform my wife about you questioning her fidelity. Keep in mind I meant the words of my speech there. I wouldn't risk getting on her bad side." Scorpius nodded in agreement to the table before chuckling at little. He was surprised at how comfortable his father and Ron were talking and joking with each other. They may not be best friends but it seems that most of the animosity the two men had for each other during their school years was behind them.

"Scorpius is a joy to have in class, Malfoy. Doesn't cause a fuss and is remarkibly skilled at protection spells."

"Thank you Potter. I glad to hear that."

The adults politely conversed for a minute longer before Scorpius father moved on to talk with other guests. Scorpius continued eating and enjoying the conversations around the table. He was happy to note that his best friends family were not uncomfortable in his home as he had worried they would be. Soon after they had finished dessert, Rose nudged Scorpius to get his attention.

"So, is there any dancing at this party, Ned, or is it just a snooty eat and chat kind of deal?"

"Don't worry Thorns, the dancing will start soon. Once my parents dance first then everyone else will get up and enjoy the highly paid musicians."

Rose clapped her hands and wiggled in her seat excitedly.

"Been talking about dancing since we got the inviation." Al whispered towards Scorpius, though not quiet enough for Rose to not hear, "My dad and uncle are none too excited about it. Rose made her mum teach her so she didn't fall on her face. Me and James have a bet about it, want in?"

Rose glared at him and then gave a look to James. She then surprised the three of them by stating, "I want in, 3 galleons says I won't fall once. And tripping doesn't count."

"Does for my bet," James snickered and winked at Scorpius.

"Sure, why not," Scorpius chuckled, "10 sickles she trips more than 4 times, and 1 galleon she falls at least once."

"You that bad of a dancer, Ned?"

Scorpius turned and gave Rose an impassive look, "I've been taking lessons since I could walk. And if you think you are dancing with me tonight, another 3 galleons says you step on my toes at least 7 times."

Rose responded in kind, "5 galleons says I don't step on them once."

The two shook on it and swiftly went back to their dessert.

Once Scorpius' parents took to the floor to start the dancing for the night, the bets were on. Each boy made sure that one set of eyes was on Rose at all times to be able to catch any toe crunching, tripping, or falling. So far Rose hadn't done a single one, though she wasn't yet dancing with any of them. Scorpius had made a point to ask a few of the other girls his age to dance with the excuse of waiting until later to damage his feet by dancing with Rose.

After a few dances, Scorpius sat back down next to Al to watch Rose dance with Damien Fawley. They chatted for a moment before Scorpius noticed he hadn't seen James for a few minutes.

"Went out for some air and break. He isn't big on being around a lot of people for too long. Its why he spends so much time with his group of friends at school. After a while he gets too claustrophobic or something and needs to get away from the crowds." Al answered when he asked.

"Wish I could do that. Gran would have my head if she knew I left the party for even a second."

Then Scorpius finally noticed it. He had been so distracted with dancing and keeping an eye on Rose, he hadn't noticed when Aniara stopped projecting.

**************

The night sky was always a little brighter in the winter, which was why winter was Aniara's favorite season. There was however only one downside when stargazing during the winter. She was standing outside the manor, stubbornly breaking two rules, as she leaned up against a pillar near one of the side doors leading out to the gardens and hedge maze. Breathing in slow, deep, purposeful breaths of the clear crisp winter air, Aniara let her body relax.

Once Scorpius had started having fun dancing and keeping and eye on Rose, Aniara began hurting too much to stay. It was one thing to listen in on conversations she couldn't be apart of, but seeing the fun her brother was having that she was unjustly robbed of, she was done. She made her way out of her room and down the stairs of the manor, not caring if anyone left the ballroom and caught sight of her. She just wanted to get out of manor and breath.

She was stupid and hadn't made any plans for herself tonight, expecting to be able to enjoy the party from the outside, content to be a spectator to the fun. But after her brother's oath, it all got so much harder than expected. It was always like there was a weight in her chest that she couldn't remove. She thought maybe being outside out of earshot of the music that it would go away. She was wrong.

Focused on her meditative deep breathing, she didn't noticed the door next to her open, or the young wizard that stepped outside standing next to her. Both jumped at the sound of the two letting out a deep heavy sigh at the same time.

"Bloody hell!"

"Sweet Circe!"

Aniara clutched her chest as she stepped away from the pillar and faced the boy next to her. She had seen him many times before, her eyes were always inexplicably drawn to him whenever he was in the room. Now that she was seeing him in person for the first time, she couldn't look away. His hair, which had been slicked back earlier, was now mussed up from running his hands through it. His dress robes vest was unbuttoned and hanging loose while his bowtie was completely undone. He had his winter cloak overtop which he gripped in one hand with his other in his pocket presumably gripping his wand.

"I didn't expect anyone else to be out here." He finally said as they both let out the breath they were holding from shock.

"Same," Aniara said letting out another breath and hesitantly went back to leaning up against the pillar, this time with her arms folded, "not enjoying the party?"

"Party is fun, I just the people. Sometimes they can be just too..."

Aniara smirked and tried to finish his sentence, "Snobby? Overbearing? Rude? Condescending? Fake-"

"I was going to say a bit much." James cut her off and rubbing the back of his neck, "I'm not a huge fan of people out lots of people. I get overwhelmed. Especially if they are around be because of my last name."

Aniara sighed, wishing she knew what that was like. Because things didn't feel much when she projected, she didn't understand the feelings of being crowded or closed in by people or even in small rooms. She could also easily move without having to excuse herself and get by other so she never had to worry about being trapped inbetween people. Now being trapped was a feeling she knew very well so she responded, "I understand."

"You do? Got a super famous last name that makes people talk to you for hours on end about things that happened long before you were born as well?" James teased with a huffed chuckle.

Aniara tilted her head slightly at him and waited a second before answering, "Opposite actually. People don't want to talk about my last name. At least not nice things anyway."

James glanced at her in confusion and looked her over once as if trying to figure out her last name. Aniara just let him look and try to figure things out himself. After a moment he shivered from the cold and pulled his cloak tighter, but then jumped at a different realization.

"Merlin you must be freezing," He had taken in her attire, short pajama shorts, thin strapped camisole and bare feet then proceeded to quickly take off his cloak and offered it to her, "Its the middle of winter and its snowing, why do have barely anything on, love?"

Aniara held out her hand in refusal and shook her head. Neither of them noticed the term of endearment passed between strangers. "I'm fine. I actually enjoy the cold. Doesn't seem to bother me. My brother on the other hand is a wimp even though he is a constant heat sourse. Boy radiatates so much heat he doesn't save any for himself." She laughed and leaned back fully against the piller before closing her eyes and breathing in a big breath of cold, winter air, letting it fill her lungs comfortingly.

When she opened her eyes, James hadn't put his cloak back on and merely dropped his hand to his side and looked at her again with a confused face. He looked at her, as if waiting for her to shiver or rub her arm. When he didn't see what he was looking for, he shoock his head, put his cloak back on, and proceeded to come closer to her to lean against the pillar as well, only he leaned on his shoulder facing her instead of his back like Aniara was.

"Not a party person I take it?" He gestured his head to the side in reference to the party happing just inside the manor a few doors away.

"Oh me? I love parties. The music, the dancing, the food." She smiled up at him whistfully as he tilted his head at her.

"So why aren't you at the party?"

Aniara shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal, even though it was to her, "Wasn't invited." Her voice didn't waver but she felt her heart sink slightly at her own statement. She also didn't catch her slip up.

James looked her over once more, trying to figure her out. He looked at her bright blonde, curly hair for the third time and the answer hit him, "You're Scorpius's sister Aniara?"

Aniara laughed sweetly and patted his head as if he were a dog, "The one and only. Took you a minute, though it should have been obvious from the start. Hard to miss the Malfoy hair."

"Well, in my defense, I was just getting over being incredibly claustrophobic and overwhelmed by the party and then being scared by a young witch standing out, inappropriately dressed for the weather. Did you cast a warming charm on yourself or something. Seriously how are you not freezing?"

"I told you," Aniara giggled, "it doesn't bother me. Hasn't for a long time."

James leaned his head against the pillar and looked down at her. They both just stood there for a moment in each other's presence, breathing in the Decemer air. Aniara then shifted her gaze to the sky and smiled at the view of the stars. James moved his head as well to follow her gaze and breathed a sigh of awe.

"Wow. The sky looks brighter here than it does at home. Almost like the view at school."

"Its part of the wards," Aniara explained, "The manor has tons of them. One of my ancestors, Sparros, put up a particular charm around the house and grounds so that the light from the manor or surrounding ground torches, wouldn't impede on the view of stars. He was obbsessed with them. He was incredibly skilled in astrology and astronomy. Was even friends with Nicholaus Copernicus before the two had a falling out."

"I think my Uncle has his chocolate frog card. Its one of the rarer ones I think. Why did they fall out of friendship?"

"Nicholaus was in a relationship with his muggle housekeeper he wouldn't end. Wasn't even maried to her either so that was two scandles Sparros couldn't handle."

"Well go Nick!" Aniara laughed and repeated the sentiment. They were both silent for a moment again before James spoke up.

"Your brother is named after a constelation right?" Aniara affirmed that question with a hum before James continued, "Where's at?"

"Its December."

"Okay... and?"

Aniara looked over at him, "The constellation Scorpius is only visible during the summer months. What year are you again? I feel like this was in the first year astronomy textbook."

"Second. And I wouldn't remeber if it was. Astronomy is not my favorite class."

Aniara gasped sarcastically and clutched non existent pearls, "Well that's it, conversation over. I cannot be friends with someone that doesn't like Astronomy. Its like a family requirement from my Grans side, and I value her opinion as law."

She laughed so hard at her own sarcasm she had to grip her knee as she bent over while James laughed along with her.

"I heard about your Gran from your brother. She sounds delightful."

"An absolute joy, especially when she isn't around. Which is all the time for me lately."

"She hate you that much?"

"Yeah," Aniara said, not realizing her continual slip of the tongue about the truth, "Doesn't even look at me when I'm in the same room. Not that we were ever all that close, but still."

"Wish my granmother wasn't as smothery as she is. I'm nearly 13 and the woman still kisses me on the cheeks and squishes my face. What did you do to make her hate you?"

I was deemed a s-" Finally Aniara caught herself. She was about to tell James the full truth. Never had she ever slipped up about her cover stories or as compelled to tell the truth as she was now. What was it about James that made her loose her wit? She quickly shifted gears and coarse corrected her words, "sickly, weak witch unable to attend Hogwarts. Unable to carry on the family legacy of being sorted into Slytherin and becoming a great witch, she just pretends like I don't exist."

"Damn," James said and huffed out a breath, guess I can't use that with my gran. I'm already a year and a half in and also in Gryffindor so I've fulfilled my family legacy."

"That you have, James Potter."

There was beat before James caught his name, "How do you know my name? I never told you."

Aniara was prepared, this wasn't a slip up like before, "I'm a seer. I know all things, see all things." She said in an overdramatic voice while putting her hand to her forehead as if she were seeing the future at this very moment. She smirked at James as he stared at her in surprise, no longer leaning on the pillar. He was apparently believing her. Aniara laughed before revealing her secret, "I read the Prophet dummy. Its one of my few sources of entertainment and a view into the world outside this massive manor."

James chuckled and leaned back against the pillar, a little closer to her this time, "Guess I should have expected that. Unfortunately I'm in it a lot. My whole family really, and my dad predominantly. Though I guess there was a lot of press this year about me not playing quidditch just like my dad. 'Youngest-Seeker-In-A-Century's Oldest Not Playing Quidditch' 'Savior's Kid Not Following in Father's Footsteps' 'Does Harry Potter Cast Too Big a Shadow For James?' Yes yes he does. Honesty I'm really glad my dad is a teacher and not an Auror. Him off catching dark wizards would just be even bigger shoes I can't fill."

Aniara didn't respond. She could feel James go from casual conversation to emotional venting. She knew he needed to get some things off his chest, especially any feelings that the party tonight had brought up. She let the silence hang for James to fill if he needed, and fill he did.

"Its at least one thing me and my dad have in common. We look so much like our father's that people can't help but remind us and compare us. A little more so with me as my dad saved the world twice, a lot bigger shoes to fill than a prankster who died too young in a war. That is all most anyone who doesn't really know me talks about with me. How cool is it to have Harry Potter as a Dad? What is the famous Potter like at home? Has he taught you all his hardest spells and tricks? Does he reminisce about the war and his incredible years at Hogwarts? Can you speak to snakes too? What great plans do you have for your life? Kill any large snakes yet this year like your dad did? At least Al has gotten a break from that and his press is all about him being sorted into Slytherin and best friends with Dad's nemisis. Our dad's respect each other so much now they are almost friends. Hell your family invited us here tonight, doesn't that count for something? Ugh"

James rubbed his face and stood with his head in his hands for a moment. They both stood like that in the cold for a moment. The silence was comforting for both of them. After a minute James let go of his head and shook off the cold before looking back at Aniara.

"Sorry, didn't mean to trauma dump on a witch I just met. It's usually Charlie or Faris that have to hear my whinging."

Aniara shook her head and put her hand on his shoulder. She felt an unfamiliar tingle run through her that she decided to ignore, "Don't worry about it James." He thanked her as she removed her hand from his shoulder, this time feeling a surprising cold shiver wash over her briefly.

"I guess the bright side of you never leaving this place is not having to hear the rubbish people say about your family, right?"

Aniara rubbed her arms looked down at the ground for a moment before meeting his face again then sighed, "Not first hand anyway."

James quirked a brow but gave her a look of sympathy. Her left hand gipped her arm tightly before letting go and explaining herself, "I don't just read the headlines of the paper, but all the smaller stories too, even the ones that dare to badmouth my family even in the slightest. Its doesn't happen often but I see it when it does. And Ned hears enough. It hurts him more than he lets on, which I of course feel just as clearly if I was experiencing it myself."

"Right you two are twins. My uncle George told me about the twin bond stuff. You can hear each other's thoughts and stuff right?"

Aniara nodded, "We feel each other's heart beats next to our own and I feel any strong feelings he has," a thought to lighten the mood occured her and her face began to light up a little, "which is how I know whenever he is talking to all. How he doens't feel those butterflies I feel second hand because of the bond I don't know."

"So Scorpius likes Al back?"James asked excitedly, his face turning into a grin to match her own.

"Al likes Scorpius. I haven't been able to tell - seeing as how I haven't seen them together and don't read their letters," Aniara caught herself again.

"Oh you have no idea how bad he has it for Scorpius! Has jumped up to be the first to get the owls all break. At school they are inseparable, even Rose hangs out with other people more than Al spends time away from your brother. Talks about him non stop whenever his given that chance. He is the only one that calls him Cori, and unconciously glares at anyone who tried to use that nickname on his bestfriend," James put best friend in air quotes, "Rose and Andy have taken to calling him Ned which I don't get."

"Of course you don't, you are a Gryffindor."

James looked almost genuinely offended, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You lot are more into playing pranks or doing dumb stunts rather than studying. Rose didn't even need me to explain the nickname, which I was the one that started that nickname. Rose made the rule about being able to call him Ned if you can figure out why. A rule I now support as it is more fun to know who can figure it out."

"I will have you know Miss Malfoy," James said with his finger pointed towards her in a joking threat, "I am top of my class in Herbology. Almost two years ahead actually."

"Really," Aniara puffed up her chest towards him squaring off, "I bet you couldn't name 20 plants in our greenhouse."

"How much?" James said back to her, smirking almost menacingly.

"How much what?" Aniara said confused.

"How much are you betting? Me and my friends take bets seriously you know. Even our brothers join in. I'm hoping to make some money tonight at the expense of my cousin's dance skills. So how much Miss winter-doesn't-bother-me?"

Aniara was a bit taken aback. She had witnessed the betting going on earlier, and wished she could join, and now she was given the chance. "Hate to dissapoint Mr. Potter. But I don't have any spending cash to bet with. I never leave the house remember."

"Then just borrow your brother's if you lose, which you will."

"I would never steal from my own twin. I'm not some common Gryffindor, thank you very much." Aniara stepped back and folded her arms across her chest, turning her face away from James and sticker her nose in the air.

"Gryffindors don't steal. I'm pretty sure its the Slytherins who have been swiping my stuff all year. Al's probably helping them."

Aniara looked back at him and smiled smuggly,  "Well I think if I were to actually be sorted, I would be a Ravenclaw."

James took a step towards her and tilted her chin with his finger playfully, "Then you are smart enough to steal and not get caught then."

Aniara relented and smiled at him, "I guess you have some smarts in you Potter. Fine, I can just give Ned the money I win to buy me more books."

"Oh Miss Confident now."

"Always." she raised her eye brows challengingly before moving her head away from his hand, "10 galleons says you can't name 20."

"Oof, high better I see. I am going to have plenty to spend at after Christmas. And maybe, just cuz I like you, I will buy you an advance herbology book so you can catch up to my already extensive knowledge."

"Joke's on you Jay, I love books so it could be the most thoughtful Christmas gift you could get me. But you are a second year, there is no way you are up to advanced herbology."

"I would ask if you were willing to bet on that, but you already have." He grinned down at her before lacing their cold hands together, "Let's go earn me 10 galleons." And with that he pulled her down the steps from the door to the manor and down the path to the greenhouse. 

When James opened up the door to the greenhouse, they were both met with the perpetual charmed warmth. James sighed in relief to the cold and blew into his hands, with one still holding Aniara's. After a second he dropped them and turned towards her. 

"Ok Mr. Potter. Go head, 30 plants. I'll keep count." Aniara held up her free hand ready to tick off fingers. James looked at her for a moments before looking around the large greenhouse. She saw his eyes go wide in amazement before turning back to her.

"Its not as big as the greenhouses at school, but you have a lot more rare plants. Professor Longbottom would die to spend even a few minutes here."

"Lots of rare ones. Perks of being the richest wizard family in all of England. Scared to lose the bet now?"

"Never," James looked back at her, fully accepting the challenge before him. He walked over to the first section of plants on a table nearest the door. "Daffodil, daisy, tulip, rose, lavender, pepermint, basil, nutmeg. " 

"Yes, by all means get the easy ones out of the way," Aniara teased him but kept count. He smirked up at her and responded, "I'm just getting started."

Aniara rolled her eyes as James dragged her down the row to the more plants, "Shrivelfig, Knotgrass, Gurdyroot, Moondew, Molly, Belladonna" James peaked over his shoulder towards her and winked.

"16 more to go sir, don't get cocky now."

James laughed and moved on from that table to the next one, "Bouncing bulb, Bubotuber, Mandrake" He was skipping around now, bouncing from tabe to table. Aniara groaned, "slow down, you are going to pull my arm off." James appologized and slowed down. "Ditany, Scurvy grass, Yarrow, Munkswood, Wolfsbane," 

Aniara stopped him, "Those are the same plant Jay."

"Nope, totally different."

"James, they are the extact same plant."

"Uh, no. Munkswood is purple, wolfsbane is white."

Aniara huffed and crossed her arm over her chest, "They are the same plant just different colors."

James gave her a side eye, "I'm positive the different colors are important in potions making. The colors affect the potions."

Aniara rolled her eyes, "No, you are just preparing the potions wrong if are worried about the color of the exact same plant!"

James laughed and pulled her over to another table, "Agree to disagree love. Now where was I? Jewelweed, Lovage, Mallowsweet, Vervain, Hortinia and..." he dramatically waved his hand with his finger out pointing in circules over a small section of tree saplings just beginning to grow, "Alihotsy. Ha, you didn't think I could recognize those little tree saplings, but I do! Time to be a Slytherin and swipe your brother's coin pouch."

"Not so fast Mr. Potter. That is only 29."

"No" James stuck his chin out difiantly, "That was 30 even."

"Munkswood and Wolfbane are still the same plant. I can even show you in the first year herbology text book to prove it."

"Fine, I will name 31 just to appease the noble lady." James said bowing dramatically. He was still holding her hand so he got pulled down a bit. 

"Stop trying to pull my arm out!"

"Maybe I just think you would look better with one arm." James smirked and then proceeded to look around the greenhouse for another plant to name before settling on an easy flower, "Lily. There 31 plants."

"Nope, thats 30, with two different names for the same plant. But it really isn't all that impressive when you named a bunch of common flowers."

James shook his head and smiles, "Bet was that I could name any 30 plants in the greenhouse. Not my fault you have common flowers growing in here. But speaking of that whole two names dibacle, if you are so insistant they are different, show me the entry in the textbook and prove me wrong Ravenclaw." He said Ravenclaw in a teasing voice and rolled his eyes.

"Ok then, lets head inside so I can show you, Gryffindor" She smiled up at him, ready to take him down a peg. 

As they walked out of the greenhouse, laughing at each other, James looked down at the ground when somthing in the freshly fallen snow caught his eye. He stopped them and bent down to pick it up. Standing back up he held in his hand a small droopy looking white flower with a bright green stem and two leaves. He twisted it between his fingers so it spun left then right and then held it out to her. 

"What is that one, herbology master?" Aniara teased him. 

"This, is a flower that only flowers and blooms in the winter. One of my favorite actually, Galanthus Nivalis, it is used in a potion that makes wizards magic stronger for a moment. Its more common name is snowdrop. Now I'm up to 32." He put the flower in front of her face as she shook her head and corrected him, "Nope, 31." He still held in in front of her face for a moment longer, no longer twisting it so she could look at it just before he stuck it in her hair behind her ear where she had stored her wand during the party earlier. He smiled and huffed a small laugh. 

"What?" Aniara asked.

"Matches your hair. And the green brings out your eyes." Aniara felt herself start to blush and attempted to hide it by turning towards the manor and getting revenge on James by pulling his arm. "Come on, I have a point to prove and some money to steal." 

***************

They made their way back through the manor carefully, Aniara lead the way as she knew the best corners to hide so they wouldn't get caught sneaking around. Aniara pulled him up the stairs quickly as they just missed being spotted by an older couple Aniara couldn't remember the name of. Winding their way through the halls upstairs they finally made it to the door of Aniara's room. Opening the door she made a beline for her bookshelf that housed all her school textbooks. Once James stepped inside he finally dropped her hand. Aniara peaked back at him once she pulled the book off the shelf to find him looking around her room with a shocked, almost conserned look on his face. 

"You... wow... erm... Purp... uh..." he let out a breath through his teeth and rubbed the back of his neck. His eyes were as wide as saucers and he gaze didn't linger on anything for too long until it met back up with Aniara making her way towards one of her cushioned chairs by the window. 

"Purple and books. Thats who I am. Stuck inside this manor for basically the rest of my life, I have already figured out who I am. I love purple, and I spend all my time reading. Come sit so I can prove your advanced herbology knowlege wrong." Aniara pointed to the seat across from her before flipping through the pages of the book looking for her desired information. James slowly made his way over as he briefly scanned her small library of books. 

"And I thought Rose had a big collection."

Aniara laughed and didn't look up at him when she responded, "If you think this is a lot, Rose would die upon seeing our family library. Its bigger than the one at Hogwarts, so Ned has told me." Aniara was getting better at catching and covering some of her slip ups. Spending more time and laughing with James was making it easier to not want to spill all her secrets. 

Once James finally sat down on the chair across from her and flung his cloak over the back as he took it off, Aniara found the passage on munkswood and wolfsbane. Firmly, but without damaging it, she smacked the book and exclaimed her find, "Ah ha! Don't challenge a Ravenclaw on her knowlege of her favorite subject. Read it and weep Potter. 'Aconite (also known as munkswood or wolfsbane) is a mundane plant with toxic leaves. It's most commonly in the brewing of wolfsbane potion." She punctuated each work by pointing at it, "I would have bet money on this, but it was too easy of a bet, wouldn't have felt right just taking your money."

James read over the passage a few times before looking up at her over the pages of the book, turning his head away smiling in embarrasment, "I concede. You were right. But I still named 31 so I am owed 10 galleons. Please prompt make your way to your brother's room and retrieve my well earned money." He looked back at her and smiled smuggly. He then proceeded to put one leg on the other knee and lean back in the chair, continuing to read the first year herbology text book with only one hand and messing up his hair with the other.

Aniara threw her hands up in defeat and walked towards the adjoining bathroom that lead to Scorpius's room. She opened her brother's smaller trunk that he brought back from school for the winter break and dug around for his coin pouch. She grabbed a handful of coins and proceeded to count out 10 galleons before putting everything back where it was and making her way back into her room to pay her debt. 

"10 galleons. Lets just hope my brother doesn't notice it missing."

"You're Malfoys, will he really notice?" James smirked up at her from the book, quirking his eyebrow.

Aniara shrugged and sat back down in her chair and streached her legs over the small coffee table that separated them. "Unless he plans on having an older student buy out the candy from Honeydukes for him," she quirked her head at him as he still held her book open in his hand, "doing some very late revising? That is a first year book you know."

"Since I was clearly in the wrong about aconite, I thought it would be prudent to brush up on some things." James said as and looked back down at the book. Aniara chuckled to herself and picked up the astronomy textbook she had been reading to distract herself from the party earlier in the day. They both sat in silence for a while, simply reading textbooks not of their school level. After what felt like an hour, though it was probably only twenty minutes, Aniara glanced up towards James and noticed he had closed her book and absent-mindely looking around her room. She let him look for a moment until he caught her looking at him. 

"What, something on my face?" Aniara shook her head and pursed her lips holding back a chuckle. 

"Still not over the amount of purple in my room?"

James shrugged and rested his elbows on his knees. "Kinda growing on me. There is an odd calming sensation, as if its just after sunset. Still a bit of light, but the darkness is overtaking it. And I noticed your bed curtains," he turned his head almost 180 and pointed towards them, "I bet at night when you close them its like looking at the stars."

"Stars are a family thing. Can't be helped when you are named after them."

"How does your family not run out of names. Do the Blacks and Malfoys just use the same names every few generations?"

Aniara nodded, "Mostly. Although thanks Sparros, there is now a handy book that comiles all the stars and constelations in real time. It's his greatest achievement. It is a complex charm that hasn't been able to replicate since. Every new star formed, discoverd, and named gets added into the book with its corrisponding chart, as well as all the constellations from different countries and cultures. It's really impressive and how my mom found my name. It's a newer star." 

James leaned forward, engrossed in her story. Aniara felt a blush try to creep its way on her cheeks and held it back by standing up and walking towards her door, "Want to see the book. Then you can also brag to Rosie about seeing the library."

"Oh she will be so jeleous. I can use it to get good birthday gifts." 

They snuck down to the library, a little eaiser than sneaking back into the manor from the gardens as they didn't need to walk by the ballroom to get there. Once she opened the door, James stood in the doorway again and gaped at the sight. The library ceiling was thirty feet up with every wall, top to bottom covered in shelves. There was a second story to the libraray that were only acccessable by a few spiraling staircases. Unlike the Hogwarts libraray there were not books flying around sorting themselves. The library didn't get as many visitors and Aniara keept most of her current reads in her room. There were a few soft chairs to sit in scattered throughout. There were portraits of past Malfoys, mostly the notible ones that contributed to the library. Aniara couldn't wait for her own portait to hang when she got older and she knew her own personal collection had increased the library's capacity, if only by a fraction. There were many priceless, first editions, and one of a kind tomes and scrolls that had a perminant residence in the library. Some of the oldest works dated back to before Armand Malfoy even traveled to England. 

"Told you Rosie will be jealous. Almost want to sneak her out of the party just so she can experience it. But if you go in to get her, you both are never going to be able to leave. Not even sure how you got out in the first place, my grandmother doesn't like undersage wizards wandering the halls."

James stopped looking around at the library and gave Aniara a cheeky grin, "That is an old Potter family trick. Can't make me reveal all my secrets day one."

"Well seeing as how I'm almost never leaving this place, today is probably your only day with me, so any secrets you are just dying to tell me should probably be spilled now or I may never get to hear them. How tragic." Aniara sighed and dramatically leaned up against a bookself as if she were fainting. Laughing, she stood back up and guestured to one of the spiral staircase. They made their way up and Aniara lead him towards a back sections that was a little darker than the rest of the library. On a book stand mounted to one of the book shelves was a large, almost ten inch thick book with shifting dark green to navy blue cover. There wasn't a title, only the symbol made up of stars that wasn't a constelation James recognized, not that he was well versed in them. Aniara explained that it wasn't a real constelation but her Grandfather Sparros' personal crest. She opened up the book carefully and showed him the malfoy family crest that was embossed on the inside cover. The title page read, "Astra Compedium, by Sparros Malfoy." James could see the title page, while extremely old, was not only in great condition, but had a slight shimmer of magic to it. He unconciously reached out to touch it but didn't feel the telltale sign of any magic signature he knew. Aniara began flipping through the pages to find one of the large full page illistrations of the northern hemisphere's constellations. She pointed towards Ursa Major. As she pointed the illustration began to shift and focus in on the group of stars. Soon they filled the whole page and she was able to point to one star in particular that was less visible that the others. 

"This is my star, Aniara. You cannot see it with the naked eye or even with the best eagle eye spells. You can only see it in magic illustrations such as this one, or with a highly advanced and charmed telescope. It was discovered and named just a few year before I was born, and even named after an old muggle space film. Don't tell my grandmother that last bit, she will loose the few marbles she has left." Aniara chuckled and let the illustration shift back out. She then showed James the position of the constallations to show how Scopius is only visisble in the summer, and the Orion family is visible in the winter. She rambled on for a moment about each star and even their mythologies behind the stories. 

"I know you aren't the best as Astronomy, but when you have endless amount of time alone in this giant house, you tend to read up on lots and lots and lots of subjects. I mostly love this book because it is one of the most interactive ones we have. Not all my ancestors were perfect, or even great, but Sparros was by far one of the smartest." Aniara felt James looking over her shoulder, moving closer and closer. 

"So where is my star again?"

Aniara looked over her shoulder at him confused, "There is no James star-"

"I know that, my middle name. My dad's godfather was named after a star, Sirius. I think you mentioned it. Show it to me again, please." 

Aniara indulged him and had the illustration shift to focus on Canis Major and Sirius the dog star. Once the star came into full view James' hand reached around her to softly touch the image. 

"Its the brightest star in the sky, one of the first visible at night."

James didn't respond to her information. He just gently ran his fingers over the page. They were both quiet for a moment just watching the image of the star shift as if it was twinkling on the page. They stood like that for a moment before they heard the grandfather clock in the library sofltly chime ten till the hour. James let out a sigh but didn't move. Aniara let him have his moment. She was quite calm and relaxed in his presense and she had a feeling that James was experiencing the same with her. James slowly removed his hand and leaned his head gingerly on her shoulder. Just like their hand holding earlier, this physical interation was not surprising or unwelcome, not like it should have been between two young wizards who had only properly met two hours before out in the cold. 

"I should get back to the party before my family leaves without me."

"You could always just use our floo if they did."

"Nah," James sighed and let more of the weight of his head rest on her shoulder as he looked at the illustration that was now unfocusing from Canis Major, "They wouldn't leave me. The press would have a field day if they did." James joked which made Aniara giggle a little. She slowly began to close the book as James shifted his head on her shoulder, now leaning on his chin instead of his cheek. "Thank for teaching me about munkswood and wolfsbane. It was a lot more fun than that stuffy party."

"It was better than spending it in my room wishing I could have been at the party. Thanks for stealing my brother's money," Aniara said back just as she finished closing the book, "I hope you buy something fun with it."

"Oh I have some plans." his head lifted off of her shoulder and made a dramatic gensture of grabbing he hand, slightly bowing at the waist and kissing her hand, "till we meet again fair maden trapped in a house too large. 

"Need help sneaking back into the party? I'm particularly skilled at sneaking." 

James shook his head, "I think I can manage on my own. Potter secrets and all." He winked at her and let go of her hand before walking back the way they had come. She followed after him a few steps behind, and quietly closed the door to the library behind them as if they had never been there. She turned around to find James leaning up against the wall opposite of the doors, his eyes were closed. 

"Someting wrong? Potter secret not working?" Aniara teased. 

James opend one eye and quirked up one side of his mouth, "Just gathering myself before heading back into the snake pit." 

"Floo travel is still on the table if you would rather." She copied his position, leaning up against the library doors. 

They looked at each other for a beat before James let out the breath he was holding and pushed off from the wall. "Ready?" Aniara questioned. 

James nodded and looked at her face for a moment before looking slightly to the side of her head and smiled, "Yup. See you around Snowdrop." With that, he waved his good bye and walked around the corner towards the ballroom, leavnig Aniara alone and confused. She turned her head to the side to see what he had looked at and saw only the plane wood doors behind her. She shifted her hair behind her ear in though when she felt it. 

The flower he had put in her hair was still there. 

**************

The party was coming to a close and most of the older wizard couples were saying their goodbyes at half past 10. The party would officially end at 11 and everyone would be forced to either apparate or floo home. Scorpius had spent the whole night dancing and joking with his friends. Half an hour after James had left to get air, they gave up on looking or waiting for him to come back and both took turns either sitting off to the side and watching, or dancing with Rose so they could determine the results of the bets. In the end, Al had lost 9 sickles to his brother, Scorpius lost 10 sickles and 1 galleon to Rose as she had only tripped 3 times and didn't fall over once, but Rose lost 8 galleons to Scorpius as she had not only stepped on his toes once, but 11 times. She blamed it on his dancing skills but Scorpius and Al both knew that was just an excuse. 

At just before 5 till, James finally appeared behind the three first years as they sat at the table making note of what they owed each other. 

"James, you are one lucky wizard tonight," Al said looking up at his brother.

James face paled then blushed for a moment, "What do you mean? I just went out for some air is all." 

"By the look of your face, too much. You must have almost froze out there, your nose is so red."

James rubbed the back of his neck and huffed out a chuckle, "It was extremely cold outside, but it was definitely better than being in here."

"Not likely mate, you missed a show with my last dance with Rose," Scorpius said proudly, "I earned 8 galleons just from that dance alone. She stepped on my foot 11 times."

"It was your terrible leading Ned! I bet if you had eight legs like your name sake it wouldn't have been an issue."

Scorpius chuckled and nodded to her, "well maybe if your hands weren't so thorny, you could have properly felt my dance prompts and saved my poor aching toes." He leaned down to dramatically rub his toes in his dress shoes. Rose playfully slapped his shoulder.