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THE WAR

had ended nearly two months ago and finally everything was starting to go back to normal. Thank you to Celeste's quick thinking after the battle of Hogwarts and discussion with Harry, the Malfoys were pardoned from their crimes. All they received from the Ministry was house-arrest and limited access to magic. In the light of everything, in the light of what where they could had ended up, this was better than good. This was another chance for them. 

"Cele," Beth said as she went through her best friend's closet. "I know you love your clothes but are you sure you want to take them all with you? Because I am in a need for new pair of boots," she grinned and took a pair of boots out of the closet.

"Well, if you truly are in such desperate need for them, I suppose you can have them," Celeste smiled while Beth's mouth gaped open. 

She knew how much Celeste adored these boots.

"Are you sure?" Beth asked to make sure and by the look on Celeste's face, the girl was sure.

"Just bring them back when you come back," grinned Celeste. 

Beth squealed happily and ran to give her best friend a hug.

Life has been great lately. Beth and Nate have been spending the summer in England with Celeste and soon all three were about to start Hogwarts again. But for now, Beth and Nate were heading back to America for a couple of weeks to spend time with their families before school starts.

And as for Leo ― the boy wasn't going to let his girlfriend live in another country so he's transferring to Hogwarts as well. 

"I will wear them every day," Beth grinned.

The door of Celeste's room opened and Nathan walked in, his hands filled with sheets of his piano composes. He walked over to his two best friends, the two girls he considers as his sisters, and stopped right in front of them.

Celeste let go of Beth and frowned at Nate who just rolled his eyes. 

"I though you might want these," he said and handed the pieces of papers to Celeste. "These are your favorite pieces I've composed," he said with a thoughtful smile.

"Thank you Bash," Celeste said and tiptoed to give Nate a peck on his cheek.

The Malfoy girl placed the papers on her trunk and closed it, this was it. She sighed heavily, wondering what her life was going to be like from now on. She sat down on her bed and gave her friends a teary smile, making the two brunettes walk to her.

"I'm going to miss you two so much," Celeste said and sniffed.

"But we'll come back soon. And then we are going to spend every single day together. I mean I think you need this time off," Beth said, and placed her head on Celeste's shoulder.

"Exactly, and it's not like we'll be gone for good," Nathan reminded, making Celeste chuckle.

Suddenly the door opened once more and William walked in. He had a wide smile across his face, he was so happy for his niece but of course he felt utter sadness as well. He was going away with Olivia ― to spend a few months abroad, traveling and exploring the world.

Celeste had suggested this to his uncle and aunt. She was aware of their dreams of traveling and they had asked Celeste to come with them ―several times actually― but she was going to be too busy with school. Also, William nor Olivia didn't want to leave her alone but things were different now.

Celeste had another family to look after her for the time being. 

"They are here kiddo," said William who standing by the threshold with Olivia.

Celeste nodded and walked to her uncle and aunt.

"I'm going to miss you," she said and wrapped her arms around the two adults. 

"Oh we are going to miss  you too honey but we won't be gone for long," said Olivia, tightening her arm around Celeste. "And besides, you are going to get some awesome souvenirs."

Celeste chuckled. "That's good."

"Now kiddo, we have to have a little talk," said William once their hug was broken.

"Not that talk, right? You gave it to me when I first stared dating Leo. I really don't want to relive that conversation," said Celeste.

William rolled his eyes. "No, not that one. And trust me, I didn't enjoy having that conversation. I just need to tell you that I love you kiddo. Having you in my life is my greatest joy and know that I will always be there for you."

"Will..." sighed Celeste.

"You will always have me and Liv, and you will also have your parents. I support your relationship with them. I have actually started not to dislike Lucius Malfoy that much," said William.

"I love you two very much, thank you for everything," smiled Celeste.

Soon Celeste was all packed and ready to go.

She entered hallway that led to the front door, her face brightened up by the sight of her parents. They both looked much better, at least compering to the last time when Celeste saw them. It was right before they were arrested and oh boy, that scene was not pretty. Both of her parents were fine with their arrests, they knew it was happening but they weren't fine with Draco being dragged into it as well. 

And as a cherry on top, they weren't allowed to see Celeste until their trial was done.

"Hey," Celeste grinned and ran to hug them both.

The Malfoy couple felt like a rock rolled over their hearts and they were finally able to breathe. They wrapped their arms tightly around their daughter and muttered "I love you"  to their daughter.

"Oh my darling girl," Narcissa sighed and placed a kiss on Celeste's forehead. "We've missed you so much."

Celeste let go of her parents and smiled widely at them before turning to her friends, uncle and aunt.

"I'll see you soon," she said and hugged each, giving them pecks on their cheeks.

William gently stroked his niece's hair and whispered to her. "I love you kiddo," and placed one more kiss on Celeste's temple.

"You ready?" Lucius asked carefully and picking up Celeste's trunk.

Celeste took a deep breath in and exhaled. "Yes, I am ready," she said and walked back to her parents but before they could had Apparate them, Celeste placed her hand on her father's shoulder, making the man turn towards her. 

"There's one stop we have to make," she said and whispered something to him.

"Tonks residence," Lucius said and like that, they were gone.

Narcissa stared at her daughter with shock in her face once they were standing in front of a muggle house. All she remembered was her husband saying something about a Tonks and now they were here. 

Celeste chuckled nervously and took her mother's hand. When they war had ended and Celeste herself suggested her mother that maybe she should go and see Andromeda, Narcissa had declined this. The Malfoy woman knew how much her sister had lost in this war and wasn't ready to face the guilt that was in her.

"My sweet..." Narcissa sighed, caressing Celeste's cheek with her free hand. "I don't think this is the best thing to do.."

"But she wants to see you mum," Celeste argued and Narcissa's worried face melted away just by the sound of her daughter calling her mum. "Just say hello and we'll be gone."

Narcissa bit her lip and turned to look at Lucius who wrapped his arm around her waist. He pressed a kiss on her temple and nodded to her, this was meant to happen at some point.

Celeste could tell her mother giving in for the idea, and she walked over to the door and knocked on it. After her second knock, the door opened and revealed Andromeda whose lips turned into a smile when seeing her niece.

Andromeda immediately trapped Celeste into a gigantic embrace. "I'm so happy to see you darling," she said when she pulled away. 

She cupped Celeste's cheeks and could see the light in her eyes that she was sure she had never seen before. "You look so well. I mean, you look just like---" she started but her eyes moved to the woman behind Celeste. "---Cissy."

"Hello Andy," Narcissa swallowed, clutching tight to Lucius' arm. "I-I hope it's alright that we're here..."

"Y-yes, it's alright," Andromeda said and pulled Celeste by her side.

Narcissa wasn't able to say anything, neither was Andromeda. Celeste gave her father a worried look and the man took action.

"Thank you, Andromeda," Lucius said, shocking the Tonks woman. "Thank you for looking after Celeste when we couldn't, and for keeping her safe."

Andromeda nodded and glanced at Celeste. "She's a great girl."

"Yes she is," Lucius agreed.

"Umm, I would invite you in but I just got Teddy down for his nap," Andromeda said but when Narcissa didn't say anything, the woman took a few steps closer to her sister.

"Cissy," she sighed and carefully wrapped her arms around her little sister for the first time in decades.

The Malfoy woman took a deep breath in and slowly returned the hug. When Narcissa and Lucius sent Celeste to Andromeda, they never thought that the Tonks woman would want to see them but it seemed like the war had taken so much from her and she didn't want to loose any more people.

"I-I'm so sorry Andy," Narcissa finally spoke, tears threatening to leave her eyes. 

She was sorry for not speaking to her in decades, she was sorry for the loss of her husband, daughter and son-in-law. She was sorry that it was their older sister who had killed Nymphadora.

"I know Cissy," Andromeda said and softly stroked Narcissa's hair, just like she did when they were little and their parents had one of their big fights yet again.

Slowly, Narcissa let go of her sister and took one more good look at her. "And thank you. Truly, for all that you've done for Celeste. You weren't obligated, you had no reason to..."

"She's my niece, I wasn't going to let her alone just because of the issues I've had with her parents," Andromeda said and glanced at Celeste, winking her eye at her. "Besides, how can you say no to that face?"

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MALFOYS'

Life had completely changed once the war was over. Celeste had finally settled in and she was there for good. There was no chance in the world that Narcissa nor Lucius would let her leave. Nor did the girl want to. The Malfoy family's days were quite simple nowadays, eating breakfast together, Draco and Celeste flying around the grounds of their enormous home, having dinner together and eventually spending the evening by the dimming fireplace.

Celeste woke up with the sun shining against her face. Ready for the new, problem free day, she rolled off of her bed, slipped her feet into her slippers, pulled her silk robe on and left her room.

The first few days at the manor were rather strange for Celeste, she got lost several times but now after spending some time there, she knew exactly where to go. She walked through the corridor, quickly checking if her brother was in his room but by the sight of his empty room, Celeste kept walking until she reached the stairs. She escalated them and entered the big foyer before turning on the left and walking towards the dining room.

She heard chattering coming from the dining room and knew that the rest of her family was there. She walked in and the chattering stopped like every single morning. It didn't matter how much everyone loved having Celeste with them, it always felt like a dream. Like she wasn't really there but the grin the girl sent them proved other wise.

Celeste walked over to her father who was nearest to her and pecked his cheek before walking over to her mother and did the same thing. Then she sat on her very own place, the place where she used to sit when she was a little girl.

"Morning sweetheart," Lucius said and placed his morning edition of Daily Prophet down on the table. "Did you sleep well?" He asked and took a sip of his morning coffee.

"I did," Celeste grinned while taking some toast on her plate. "You?"

"Very well darling," Narcissa said with a smile that seemed to be stuck on her face.

She didn't remember when she had smiled this much in her life, probably back when Celeste and Draco were little and they were both home with her and Lucius.

"What are you planning on doing today?" Draco asked, arching his brow.

Celeste took a bite of her toast and smirked. "I'll see Leo, and I think we'll go to Andy."

"Will you be gone the whole day?" Narcissa asked.

"With the Marchal boy," Lucius muttered, only to earn an eye roll from his daughter. He couldn't help but smile.

"I'll be gone for four hours max," Celeste informed them and could see her parents' faces relax. "Leo is picking me up in half an hour."

Lucius narrowed his eyes slightly. "And Andromeda will be there the whole time? You and Leo won't be alone for a second?"

"Dad..." Celeste said in a warning tone.

"I'm just making sure," Lucius said and held his hands up in defense.

Celeste grinned, she loved being home. "But no, we won't be alone," she assured her father and she could see him sighing out of relief.

After the breakfast, Celeste quickly changed into a dress, did her hair and make-up and just like Leo had promised her, he was there at 11:30 sharp. Celeste could hear her father warning the boy the second he got in, and Celeste quickly picked her bag and ran the stairs down to the foyer where Leo was waiting. Narcissa, Draco and Lucius standing few feet from him.

"Hi!" Celeste squealed and ran to hug her boyfriend who returned the sentiments right away.

Draco cleared his throat and Celeste unwrapped her arms around Leo's neck. 

She turned to her family and graced them with a smile. "I'll be back in few hours."

"That's a promise then," Draco said and pointed his finger at Leo.

"Yes, that's a promise," he said. 

He has learned not to argue with Celeste's family.

"Bye Draco! Bye mum and dad!" Celeste waived and left the Malfoy Manor, Leo's arm around her shoulders.

Draco left the foyer the second Leo and Celeste had. Narcissa leaned against her husband and turned in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. She placed her head to his chest and breathed in the same sense she has for as long as she could remember.

"She's home," she said and felt Lucius giving her a kiss on top of her head.

"She's home," Lucius repeated.

By six o'clock in the evening, Celeste had returned home and was now curled up on the couch, her eyes focused on the book she was reading. She was so focused, that she completely missed her mother walking into the library.

Narcissa was sure she would never get tired of the sight. Her girl back at home again, and now there was nothing or no one to make her leave. The older woman walked further into the room and finally when the clocking of her heels approached Celeste, the girl lifted her head from the book and smiled widely at her mother.

"Hey," Celeste said and placed her book down on the small table next to the couch. She smiled as her mother sat next to her and placed her arm around Celeste's shoulders.

"What are you reading?" Narcissa asked, her eyes wandering to the book.

"Oh it's just about astrology," Celeste shrugged, looking back at her book and then at her mother. She snuggled closer to her and rested her head on her shoulder. "I wanted to read about stars and constellations."

Narcissa chuckled lightly and stroked Celeste's hair. "That's a Black family trait," she smirked.

"I figured," Celeste grinned and took her mother's hand and played with the ring on it. "Mummy?" She asked after a moment silence.

"Yes sweet girl," she said and placed a small kiss on Celeste's temple.

"Are you afraid that this is all a dream?" She asked carefully and felt how her mother's breath got caught in her throat.

Narcissa swallowed. "Why would you ask that darling?" She asked, trying to avoid the question.

"Oh, just because sometimes I'm afraid that it is," Celeste said quietly. "But I know it isn't but it's just that, often when things works out for me, then they don't and I..."

The mother pulled her daughter into a hug, her fingers running through Celeste's hair. 

"You're here for good, Celeste. And I am never, ever, going to let anything bad happen to you again. Neither will you father and brother," she assured.

"What's happening in here?" Lucius asked once he and Draco stepped into the library. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes," Celeste said and gently pulled away from her mother's embrace but let her head lean against her shoulder. "I'm just happy to be here," she said to her father and brother, and they walked over to the two Malfoy women. 

Lucius sat on the other side of Celeste while Draco and sat on a armchair just opposite of the couch.

"So are we princess," he said and for everyone's surprise, Celeste didn't argue with the nickname. "What? No comments about the name?" He teased the girl.

Celeste shook her head. "You can call me that," she grinned, earning a peck from him on top of her head.

"So now that you are here for good," Draco pointed out. "Does Leo have to too? All in favor on dumping the boy?" He grimaced, only to make everyone laugh.

"I love you," she sighed and settled better between her parents and grinned at her brother, she was home and there was no way that she was never going to be taken away again.

THE END

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STICKING WITH ME UNTIL THE VERY END! I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH IT MEANS <3 I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS LITTLE STORY OF MINE AND WILL CONTINUE TO CHECK SOME OF MY OTHER WORKS!

LOTS OF LOVE <3