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NARCISSA MALFOY PACED

around the main drawing-room, waiting for her daughter to visit her. She was worried, she hasn't heard from Celeste since she left but Narcissa tried to assure herself that Celeste was just too busy with school. Now that her daughter was back and more importantly alive, she was happy beyond words but scared as well. Things were really unstable at the Manor and putting Celeste in danger was out of the question, but Narcissa couldn't stay away from her daughter either.

"Cissy," Bellatrix entered the room frowning. "She hasn't arrived, has she?"

"No," Narcissa said quickly, clasping her hands together. "But I'm sure she'll be here soon."

Bellatrix gave her sister a thin lipped smile and poured herself a glass of fire-whiskey. "Do you want any?" She asked her sister and pointed at the bottle.

Narcissa just shook her head, she wasn't even quite sure what Bellatrix had asked her. She was too exited and nervous to focus. Sure, she has spent few days with Celeste but she was still very nervous around the girl, she was still quite unsure how to approach things with her. Then finally the floo filled with green smoke but it didn't reveal Celeste, but Draco.

"Draco," Narcissa sighed and walked over to her son. She was happy to see him, especially now that he was on a suicide mission and there was nothing Narcissa could do about it. She hugged her son tightly and guided him away from the floo point, expecting her daughter to show up but she didn't. Narcissa stared at the floo point for another minute, but there was still no sign of her daughter. 

"Mother," Draco said quietly. "She isn't coming."

Narcissa turned her face quickly at her son. "W-what do you mean, she isn't coming? Is she ill? Merlin, is she fine? S-she's not gone, is she?" She started to panic and list all the things she was afraid of.

"No no," Draco said quickly and took his mother's hand and led her to the couch. He took a deep breath in and exhaled it before speaking. "She...she just needs some time to think."

"Think?" Came Bellatrix's voice as she approached her sister and nephew. "What exactly does she need to think about?"

Draco rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably, unsure what to say. How could he inform his mother that her long lost daughter wasn't sure anymore if she wanted to be part of their family. That she was ashamed over the things they have done, and thinks them as evil.

Narcissa noticed her son's anticipation. "Draco?" She asked and placed her palm on her son's cheek and stroked it gently. "What happened?" She swallowed.

"She's not entirely sure if she wants to be a Malfoy," Draco sighed and flinched when the flicker of pain and sorrow flashed in his mother's eyes. "She knows that I accidentally hurt Katie Bell and Weasley but I couldn't tell her who I was really trying to..."

"Kill," Bellatrix finished her nephew's sentence bluntly. "She doesn't approve killing."

"Merlin no," Draco chuckled dryly. "She's every different from us."

"We don't approve killing Draco," Narcissa said sternly.

"I know, I know," Draco sighed.

"So, she doesn't want us?" Narcissa bit her lip from trembling. "She said that?" She asked, to confirm what she had just heard. 

Draco pinched the bridge of his nose. "She just said that she needs time. Apparently she got too caught up in the moment that she forgot to check the facts."

"But she's ours," Bellatrix said matter in factly. "She's not theirs, her aunt and uncle's to be more exact."

"Perhaps, but we can't really take her from the only family she knows. It's her choice, so just let her make it," Draco shrugged. 

He wanted his sister to make her own choices, unlike him. He knew that if Celeste chooses to leave, and go on with her life without them, he would be sad but at least it will be her choice. 

"Mother," Draco sighed when he heard his mother sniffing and biting against her sobs. "She just needs time. I'm sure she'll come around."

Narcissa shook her head, tears filing her eyes. "I can't loose her again," she said. "I won't. I can't take it again." 

She left the room in a hurry and Draco knew that she was up to something. His mother has never been much of a schemer, unless it came to the well-being of her family. Draco followed her into Lucius' study, Bellatrix just behind him and found his mother writing a letter.

"Mother, what are you doing?" Draco asked carefully as he approached her.

"I will not loose my baby girl again," Narcissa said sternly but before she could had finished her letter, Draco snapped it from her hands. "Draco!"

Draco read the letter and his eyes grew wide. "You can't do that mother," he said. "You can't command for her custody."

"Yes of course she can!" Bellatrix exclaimed. "She's her mother."

"But she's William's niece, legally at least," Draco explained.

"But not blood related," Bellatrix pointed out the obvious.

Draco snorted. "Like we care if someone's blood related or not. Didn't great-aunt Walburga disown Sirius Black? And you two don't speak to your sister."

"Draco!" Narcissa cried. "Do not speak of them, especially her."

Draco just huffed and gave the letter back to his mother. "If you send this, Celeste will hate you. And then, she will never want to be part of our family. It's your choice, mum."

Narcissa watched as her son left the room, and knew that there was truth behind his words. Celeste will never want to see her again if she sends the letter. But what else could she do? Wait? Definitely not, she waited for twelve years and she was not about to wait any longer.

"I can't send this," Narcissa sighed. "Draco's right. She will hate me if I do that. And Celeste hating me, is something I can't take."

Bellatrix huffed and crashed on the armchair near her. "So now we just wait? That's your marvelous plan?"

Narcissa nodded. "Maybe it's for the best, at least for now. I don't want to loose her but I will not let another child of mine get into this mess."

"Mess?! Cissy, Draco should be honored by the task he was given," Bellatrix shrieked, she couldn't understand how her sister didn't see her son's task as an honor.

"Don't Bella, just not now," Narcissa whispered and buried her face to her palms, and let the little sobs escape her lips.

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CELESTE STARED

at her two best friends, her eyes fighting against tears. She knew that this was going to happen, she just didn't expect it to happen now. The thought of being so far from them was unbearable and now Celeste realized she truly has to make a choice.

"W-when?" The blonde girl chocked out the word.

"In two weeks," Beth sighed sadly and moved closer to Celeste. "My mum and dad don't think that Hogwarts is safe, and they miss me. I haven't been at home for a long time."

"I understand," Celeste said weakly and turned to Nathan. "You'll leave at the same time?"

Nathan kissed the top of Celeste's head. "I'm afraid so," he said and silently cursed himself when the tears from Celeste's eyes just kept running down her pale cheeks. 

He hated seeing her like this, he has always done everything in his power to make sure that Celeste wouldn't loose her friends. It wasn't like she was going to loose them forever but the were going to be in a different country. But the thought was so strange and painful, Celeste and Nathan hasn't been apart since they met.

"I-I think I don't want to be a Malfoy" Celeste said after a long silence. "I actually know that I don't," she said more confidently.

"Cele, are you sure?" Beth asked and placed her head on Celeste's shoulder. "You don't need to say that just because of Harry and Ron..."

"I'm sure. Sure finding my biological family was a happy thing, until things got more complicated. I just need to move on. They're my past but you two, Will, Liv and Leo, you're my present and future," Celeste explained and a soft smile appeared on her face.

Nathan smiled, if this was what Celeste wanted then he was going to support her. "Well as long as you are happy."

"Yes" Beth said and wrapped her arms around Celeste's torso and squished her in a very Beth alike hug. "B-but what about the---"

"--Malfoys? I'll figure it out. And besides, I'm not their property just because we have same blood running in our veins," Celeste said.

"Very well but I just want to point out one thing," Nathan smirked. "Can't you leave Leo as well?"

"Oh please," Beth sighed loudly while Celeste gently slapped Nathan's upper arm.

"Okay okay, it was just an suggestion. Damn it..." he rolled his eyes, making his best friends laugh.

When the trio of friends were laughing their hearts out, Olivia walked into the library where they were spending their time. Celeste turned her head when she heard familiar click of heels and her face lit up even more by the sight of her aunt.

"Liv!" Celeste smiled and ran to Olivia. She captured her into a tight hug before letting he go. "Guess what?"

Olivia chuckled at her niece's enthusiasm. "What is it?" She asked and placed a loose hair behind Celeste's ear.

"I was thinking if you and uncle Will could have the talk with the Malfoys," she announced smiling but frowned when her aunt gave her niece a sad smile. "What?" Celeste questioned and quickly glanced at her friends who were now standing just behind her.

"Nothing nothing," Olivia sighed and took Celeste's hand. "I just..are you sure? I just don't want you to feel like you have to."

Celeste shook her head. "I want my old life back. Without the Malfoys, lies, death and hurt."

Olivia smiled at her niece and gently stroked her cheek. "Well if you are sure."

But before Celeste could hug her aunt again, Leo and Severus Snape ran to Celeste. The blonde girl frowned. "Leo what is it?"

"It's your brother," Leo panted when he stopped just in front of Celeste and quickly kissed her, making everyone in the room, except for Beth, groan.

"My brother?" Celeste questioned and turned to Severus. "What has he done now?"

Severus shook his head and gave almost a sympathetic look. "He didn't do anything, it was Potter," he said, spitting Potter's name. "He nearly killed Draco."

Celeste's eyes grew wide and she sighed. "What is it with this family and poorly timed incidents..."

there are four/five chapters left before we enter act 3

so beth & nathan are leaving for awhile cause they are precious and i want to keep them safe:)