I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, this is merely a work of fanfiction.

This chapter is fairly long, so prepare for that. I had a lot to set up for the future to make sense. I want to remind everyone that Voldemort is completely dead, and there are no horcruxes. We just have a paranoid headmaster. Please let me know what you think! Enjoy :)

A/N#2: I have been informed that my understanding of the Potters genealogy is wrong, and they are not descended form Slytherin. They are, however, distantly related through marriage in the Peverell line. At this point, it is integral to the story that Holly be descended from Slytherin, so I am going to disregard that. We are so far off canon in almost every way, that I am not worried about it. But thank you to the person who brought it to my attention, I appreciate you.

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Holly had never had so much fun before. When she woke every morning, Lady Malfoy braided her hair and helped her pick out an outfit. Then they would join Draco and Lord Malfoy for breakfast.

Draco watched her closely to make sure she was eating enough, and taking her nutrient potions. If he happened to load up her plate with an extra helping of fruit when no one was looking, well, he was just trying to help.

Theo and Blaise had been invited to stay at the manor until school started, to make their lessons easier. They both had rooms in what Lady Malfoy had dubbed "the children's wing" near Holly and Draco's adjoining rooms.

Their parents were often at the manor to consult with Lord Malfoy, so they saw them regularly despite the arrangement.

The lessons included the usual teachings about The Olde Ways their families followed, though it was new information to Holly.

"Who exactly is Mother Magic?" Holly asked during their first lesson.

Lady Malfoy paused, thinking deeply about how to explain.

"Mother Magic is both a person and a force of nature. It is said that it was she that gave magic to Merlin. He honored her in return, and we honor her still today. All who have been blessed with magic. The Olde Ways honor Mother Magic, and honor the natural cycles of the year. There is life and death, dark and light, in everything. We must acknowledge that."

Holly learned about Samhain, Yule, Beltane, and all the other many holidays. She learned how slowly the muggle holidays had subsumed their own, dishonoring Mother Magic. As the muggles' traditions took over, the observance of the Olde Ways lost favor.

Traditions that had once been observed, such as witches wearing their hair up, or wearing gloves, became a popular custom instead of an homage to Mother Magic. It disseminated through the culture so thoroughly that now almost every witch wore their hair up, regardless of if their families observed the Olde Ways or not .

Lady Malfoy assured them that the decline of the Olde Ways and the decline in the birth rate of magical children was no coincidence. As the Olde Ways began to die out, Mother Magic ceased to bless many with large families.

Holly didn't want to dishonor Mother Magic. She wanted to be a traditional witch, like Lady Malfoy. She was grateful for her gift of magic. So she made sure to put her hair up, as a tribute to Mother Magic, every day. She chose to wear gloves as well, like Lady Malfoy. It was just a small token of her appreciation for her magic.

The study of occlumency was unusual, but not unheard of, for pureblood children to learn. Lady Malfoy informed them that it had risen in popularity in recent years. Families learned the hard way during The War that mental protection was invaluable, especially the Malfoys.

The etiquette lessons were highly unusual, though. All the boys had attended etiquette lessons their entire childhood, but this was something new. Lady Malfoy was teaching them oligarchy etiquette, something that had not been adhered to for ages, since the Founders families were still prominent. They, along with a few other families, had formed a higher class that led magical society.

Theo, Blaise, and Draco may have been young boys, but they weren't daft. They knew there was a reason that Lady Malfoy was being so particular about this. Holly had to be more than just Lady Potter. There was no other reason for them to suddenly be taught oligarchy etiquette.

The day they found Holly speaking to a snake in the gardens, confirmed their suspicions.

Holly must be the Heiress of Slytherin.

Lady Malfoy stumbled upon them, still looking dumbfounded at Holly and Draco, who knelt near a garden snake as Holly hissed back and forth with it.

Lady Malfoy called them all into the library, along with their parents and Lord Malfoy. Everyone sat in seats around a long table Lady Malfoy had laid scrolls out on. Lord Malfoy stood at her side. It was time to tell them the truth.

"Holly, I told you I would look into your family heritage, and I have." She motioned to the scrolls on the table. Lady Zabini and Lord Nott's eyes snapped to the table.

What was all this about?

"The Potter's are descended from Salazar Slytherin, through the Peverell line."

Lady Malfoy flicked her wand and the scrolls unfurled, and hovered in the air so everyone could see the family trees on the parchment.

"That makes you the Heiress of Slytherin, should you ever choose to claim the title."

Gasps sounded from the adults. Blaise and Theo had triumphant smirks on their faces. They knew something was going on. Draco was similarly smug, he knew his Holly was special.

Holly was suddenly overwhelmed. "What does this mean?" she asked shakily.

She knew it was important, she could tell that by the way everyone was reacting, but she still didn't know quite what it meant. Lord Malfoy took over now.

"It doesn't have to mean anything. It is merely a fact. You are descended from Salazar Slytherin, and that is why you can speak parseltongue. We are not sure what that will mean for you at Hogwarts. The last Founder's Heir that claimed his title was Tom Riddle. He was extremely secretive, even amongst his allies. The castle may recognize your magic, and respond somehow. Though we believe it unlikely, if you are unreceptive to it."

Holly thought. Did she want to go into Hogwarts, as a Founder's Heiress? She was already the Girl-Who-Lived. The boys had informed her of the cult of personality people had built around her, despite the fact that she had been absent from the wizarding world for a decade.

"What does claiming a title entail, exactly?" she asked.

"Excellent question, Holly. I believe Lord Nott would know the most about this, since he was there when Tom claimed his title."

All the children's eyes snapped to Lord Nott. They knew he was older than the other parents, and one of Tom's early supporters, but he was there that early?! When he was still in Hogwarts?!

He looked evenly at the children. "Yes children, I was there, back when Tom was still Tom. He was not always so mad."

They looked at him with awe written clear on their faces. Lord Nott missed his friend Tom- smart, ambitious, traditional, funny. The monster he had become was but a shade of the brilliant mind he had met during their first year at Hogwarts. He was going to change their world, he was going to make it better- but alas, he had lost himself to madness.

"There is a ritual that can be done on Hogwarts grounds. It must be done on Samhain. It was exceedingly hard to do since the Olde Ways are frowned upon. Tom didn't discover his heritage until second year, but it took us until fifth year to be able to complete it. I would recommend you wait, if you wish to claim the title. There will be those that make your way hard, even if you are an oligarchy Lady. I recommended we keep this knowledge to the people in this room, for now. Wait until you are stronger, and older. Perhaps we will get lucky, and Dumbledore will be dead by then."

Holly looked at Lord and Lady Malfoy. They seemed to agree with Lord Nott. He was clearly older than both of them, and had seen Tom's rise and fall from power. How hard it must have been to witness his close friend slip into madness.

Holly would be cautious, and heed the advice of Lord Nott. "I will wait. There's no need to rush."

Lord and Lady Malfoy seemed to relax slightly. This would keep her out of the limelight for a little longer, well as much as the Girl-Who-Lived ever could be.

They were concerned about her safety. Some insane fan may try to harm her, or perhaps a true supporter of Voldemort would seek vengeance.

Holly was powerful, but she was still young and untrained. They had to keep her well protected, until she was old enough to do it on her own.

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Lord Malfoy pocketed the jewelry box, and made his way down Knockturn Alley. Parents often sent their Heirs and Heiress's presents upon sorting into Slytherin, and he had special pieces commissioned for Draco and Holly.

Only the artisans at The Poisoned Dagger would work the powerful, borderline illegal protections, into the goblin-made silver. They charged a hefty price, and it was worth every galleon to keep his family safe.

He had one last stop to make. He would rather not, but it was necessary. He may have been under the Imperius curse during the war, but Severus Snape was not.

He was fueled by a hatred for James Potter to destroy all that he held dear, and Lord Malfoy could not allow that to extend to Holly. He would happily kill the potions master before he let him harm Holly or Draco.

Lord Malfoy drew up the hood on his robes and skulked into The Gallows, a dingy pub that he would usually never be caught dead in. However, it was best to err on the side of caution. He could not risk meeting with Severus in a popular pub. He needed anonymity.

He made his way to where the dingy potions master was sitting in a corner booth. He sat swiftly, but left his hood up, he had no desire to attract attention with his notorious platinum hair.

"Severus," he greeted curtly.

The potions master glared at him over his drink. "Why have I been summoned here, Lucius?"

Lord Malfoy tried not to sneer. Severus had always taken too many liberties, thinking he was better than others for some inane reason or the other. He had been Dumbledore's lap dog for years now. Lord Malfoy suspected the old man had made him some sort of deal to keep him out of Azkaban.

"My Heir and Heiress are beginning Hogwarts this year. I want to make something clear. Whatever quarrel you had with the Potters, died in Godric's Hollow. If I hear even a whisper that you are targeting her for her fathers actions, what you saw from me in the war will be nothing compared to what I will do to you. "

Severus swallowed hard. Lucius may have been under the Imperius curse, but the magical power behind those hexes had been all him. He was a formidable opponent in any duel. He had always been ruthless, even in Hogwarts, but had become more so since the war ended. He would stop at nothing to protect his own.

"Understood." Severus replied.

"Good." Lord Malfoy replied, and stood to exit the pub quickly.

Severus had never intended to target the young Lady Potter. He had promised Dumbledore to help protect her, as a tribute to Lilly. He would have to be particularly careful of his behavior, though. He had no intention of ending up the enemy of the Malfoy Family.

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"Does it bother you?" Theo asked Draco, as they passed the Quaffle back and forth.

Lady Malfoy had taken Holly off to double check her wardrobe, and make sure she had everything she needed for Hogwarts.

The boys had chosen to stay on the quidditch pitch.

Draco scrunched his face in confusion."What? That Holly can kick my arse at quidditch? No. It's quite attractive, if I do say so myself."

Holly had taken easily to flying, and her small size allowed her to zip ahead of Draco and the others, easily catching the snitch in record time. Draco thought she looked magnificent while flying.

Blaise laughed at him as he caught the Quaffle and hurled it back at Theo.

"Does it bother you that Holly is in such a higher position than you? If she claims her title, you become Lord Slytherin."

Draco thought for a second. It was different from what he expected, but not bad. He certainly had no objections to being Lord Slytherin one day.

"No. It's great really. We can hold multiple titles at once, and pass them onto our children someday."

The answer came out easily, but Blaise and Theo cooed at him, amused by his talk of children and the future. Draco caught the Quaffle Theo tossed easily.

"You asked, you prats!" Draco sneered as he hurled the Quaffle at Blaise's head. Blaise dodged it, laughing all the while.

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Holly sat on the couch in Draco's sitting area. She watched, holding Draco Junior, as he repacked the trunk that Mipsy had packed earlier that day. He wanted everything organized just so.

She had been sick to her stomach all day, knowing that they would be leaving for Hogwarts tomorrow. She was comfortable here, in the sprawling manor with Draco, Cissa, and Lucius.

These had been the happiest days of her life, and she didn't want them to come to an end. What if she got sorted into a different house than Draco and the boys? She wasn't sure she could handle that.

Draco was already her everything. He protected her, he took care of her, he was her soul-mate. They couldn't separate her from her soul-mate, could they?

"Draco, what if I don't get sorted into Slytherin?"

Draco jolted and turned around to look at her incredulously with one eyebrow lifted.

"What do you mean, Holly? Malfoys are always in Slytherin. Besides, you couldn't belong in any other house, you are the Heiress of Slytherin!"

Holly gaped at him weepily.

Draco set down the scarf he was folding and rushed over to her.

"What's wrong Holly? What is it?"

Holly shook her head, it was dumb, but Draco wouldn't be deterred. He sat next to her, and took Draco Junior from her arms so she would be forced to look at him.

"You called me a Malfoy," she said simply, trying not to cry. It was so different and overwhelming to be a part of a loving family.

To know that Draco was her soulmate, and she would never have to give him up, was amazing.

Draco paused for a second, and then beamed back at her.

"Yes, I did. You have nothing to worry about. Your parents may have been in Gryffindor, but you're the one getting sorted tomorrow and you want to be in Slytherin. Besides, you know if they upset you that father would storm the castle to rectify the situation."

Holly let loose a few giggles at the mental image of an irate Lucius storming the castle to demand that she be sorted into Slytherin with Draco.

"Besides, you'll have Draco Junior with you. It will be alright."

Holly nodded, and let Draco get back to organizing his trunk.

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Holly watched Lady Malfoy in the vanity, braiding her hair for the last time before she left for Hogwarts.

It was hard to accept that she wouldn't see them until Yule, but they assured her she would be having too much fun to mind.

Holly adjusted her sheer summer gloves, glancing fondly at her Heiress ring through the material. She had chosen to not have one commissioned. It felt like she would have a piece of Lady Malfoy with her this way.

Lady Malfoy was busy doing a particularly intricate style of braids for Holly. It was a pureblood custom to dress up for the train ride, and she wanted to make sure Holly looked perfect. She weaved sparkling pins into Holly's hair, so it sparkled when the light hit a pin.

Draco was wearing his usual black dress robes, and Holly was in a fetching set of black robes that had silver stars embroidered around the hem.

They made the perfect pair.

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Holly held onto Draco's hand tightly as they stood on Platform 9 ¾. She couldn't believe that the school would have allowed her to try to find this place on her own, if she hadn't found the Malfoys.

She had little confidence she would have found it on her own. As it was, she held hands with Draco and followed Theo and Blaise at a run through the pillar that divided the magical world from the muggle.

They now stood on the platform as the adults greeted each other, and introduced their children to each other. Holly stayed halfway behind Draco, preferring the protection he offered. Mipsy and Dobby had gone to put their trunks on the train for them.

A large family of redheads came bustling through the gate, yelling at each other and laughing. Their volume startled Holly, and she took another step behind Draco, holding onto his hand all the while. He looked to see what had startled her, and sneered at the redheads.

Lord Malfoy followed his son's line of sight, and noticed Holly's position. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

The Weasley's were long time followers of Dumbledore. They had been one of the first Pureblood families to abandon the Olde Ways, and it showed. Their family was destitute, while families that followed the Olde Ways continued to flourish. How they managed to have so many children when most magical families were lucky to have more than one, remained a mystery.

The train gave a loud toot, making Holly jump in her spot. Draco pulled her back to his side with a gentle tug. Theo and Blaise were already heading towards the train to grab a compartment.

Lady Malfoy gave them both a hug, while Lord Malfoy patted them both on the shoulder. "Take care of each other. Write home often." he instructed.

Draco slid his occlumency shields into place. He was just as sad to leave his parents as Holly was, but he needed to be strong for her. This world was entirely new to her. Holly noticed, and raised her shields as well. It was time to board the train.

She gave them one last smile, and then followed Draco's lead onto the train.

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Draco led Holly to the compartment Theo and Blaise had reserved, throwing glares at anyone who dared to look at Holly for more than a moment. People may not know that she was the Girl-Who-Lived yet, but word would circulate quickly.

"Finally decided to join us, have you?" Blaise called from his seat by the window. He had a quidditch magazine in his hand, and flipped through the pages leisurely as the train raced along. He and Theo had dressed in impeccable summer robes, and looked like quite the pair.

They settled in, and Holly took out a book on the Olde Ways that Lady Malfoy had charmed to look like a copy of Quidditch Through the Ages. Practicing the Olde Ways, while not technically illegal, was frowned upon. It was better to not be seen as in support of them, for now.