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

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Holly hugged Lady Malfoy goodbye, and accepted a hug and kiss on the forehead from Lord Malfoy. Part of her wished they could leave the platform, and return home to Malfoy Manor. They could split their days between Malfoy Manor and Potter Manor, have fun, and never have to worry about a thing.

But that was unrealistic. They had to go back to Hogwarts, there were rituals to be done, and spells to learn. Lord Malfoy noticed her reluctant smile, so timid and unsure. He thought she had outgrown that. It would never do.

He leaned down so he could look her in the eyes. Holly looked at him with wide eyes. It was quite a gesture for a man as tall and dignified as Lord Malfoy to bend down to her diminutive height. Her lip wobbled, and she threw herself into his arms. She would miss him so much while she was at school.

He caught her easily and picked her up. He twirled her a bit, and those assembled marvelled at the effect the petite witch seemed to have on the famously condescending Lord Malfoy.

"You're going to have a marvelous year darling," he told her, "you'll finally take your rightful place, there's no more terrible Headmaster, and if Draco is daft you can make him buy you all kinds of baubles on your Hogsmeade trips. We'll be there for your Quidditch games, and you have your mirror if you need us. There's nothing to worry about."

Holly nodded her head as he placed her back on her feet. She knew she would be okay. She took Draco's hand and allowed him to lead her onto the train and into a compartment with their friends.

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"Can't you control your snakes?" Blaise complained. Godric and Sally had curled up together in the seat by the window, soaking up whatever sun they could get. Neville and Holly had been given permission to bring them since they were magical familiars, so they no longer had to hide.

"I could, but why would I want to? They're adorable."

Neville nodded absently as he read a herbology book he had picked up in Italy. Hermione had helpfully placed a translator charm on it so he could actually understand it.

"Where's the ginger menace?" Theo asked Ginny.

She shook her head, "Ronald is not returning to Hogwarts this term."

At that the heads of everyone in the compartment snapped to her.

"What do you mean?" Draco asked. A term without him would be most welcome, especially when Holly had to do her Heiress ritual. He knew his soulmate was nervous about the ritual, and would likely be on edge until it was complete.

"Lord Weasley told me about it when we had tea. Apparently Lady Weasley covered for Ronald a lot. Lord Weasley decided to keep him home and have him work with mind healers to sort out his anger and violence issues."

Draco breathed a sigh of relief. One less thing to worry about.

"What happened to Lady Weasley?" Pansy asked, she couldn't help herself. She had seen the headlines about the divorce in the paper this morning. It was breaking news that Lord Weasley was divorcing his scandalous wife.

"I don't know. Lord Weasley said she left the Burrow the day he told her to, and hasn't been seen since she signed the divorce papers. What if..."

"What?" Neville asked when she stopped, setting down his book.

"What if she's gone to find Dumbledore, and help him? She clearly has some delusional loyalty to the man."

Theo and Holly traded a look. She knew he would be passing this information onto his father. He and Lord Malfoy kept a wary eye out for anyone that could pose threats to her or their families. Theo was easily the most strategic mind of their friend group, and was always keeping an eye out for trouble.

"You're safe, Ginny. You're always safe now," Neville told her as he touched her Heiress Longbottom ring. Holly smiled at them, she was sure her sister would always be safe with Neville.

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Lord Weasley strode into the Ministry. He saw the way people's eyes lingered on him. Clearly people had seen the Prophet this morning. He noticed more than one person viewing him with pity.

He shrugged it off.

It was unfortunate, but he wouldn't let himself dwell on it. He didn't have time to fall into despair, he had a family to rebuild. He took a deep breath, and pushed the down button on the lift.

He had sent in his resignation to the Department of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts last week. He felt like he was waking up from a long fog.

Was it depression? Was it potions? Whatever it was, it was ending now.

He felt the lift slow to a stop, and the golden doors slid open. The Wizengamot chambers. He hadn't been here since his father held the family seat, not even during the trials after the War. He winced now as he thought about it. It seemed impossible at the time with babies at home, but he should have been here.

He could feel that now. He could feel now.

He passed offices on his left and right that had family names inscribed on the heavy black doors. These offices were held and passed down within pureblood families. He approached a door at the end of the hall, and stared at the name emblazoned in gold against the dark black wood of the frame.

"Weasley"

He took another deep breath and raised his wand to tap on the door three times. Tap tap tap. The lock turned and the door swung open of its own accord.

Sitting there on the desk was his father Septimus' favorite quill, and his gold pocket watch, as if he had just stepped out to get some tea. It filled Arthur with a sorrow that took up residence in his chest and flooded his being.

His father had died at the beginning of The War, and he had never truly had time to grieve. Things had been non-stop since then between marriage, babies, and work.

Lord Malfoy stopped at the door and peered into the office. He had never seen Lord Weasley in his office, not since his father died. It was like his ambition, whatever little he ever possessed, died with Septimus.

"Lord Weasley," he greeted. The red headed man stirred as if being pulled out of a deep sleep.

"Lord Malfoy," he greeted, holding onto his father's watch. He straightened his posture, and drew himself to his full height once again. He was tired of hiding.

"Have you come to take your hereditary seat in the Wizengamot?"

Lord Weasley nodded, raising his eyes to look at Lord Malfoy.

"It's about time. I'm sure you've heard the news about the divorce. Ginny will be okay with you and the Longbottom's, thank Merlin, but I've got to do better for the boys. Ron's not even going back to Hogwarts this year. His issues will take some time to resolve."

Lord Malfoy nodded. He was glad that the man was taking the steps necessary to correct the young boy, even if he personally found him hopeless. Perhaps they could find a way to salvage something of him, he was still young.

"The Minister has issued a mandate saying all Wizengamot members must be tested for potions and hexes. I recommend you get to the healers upstairs, so you can get to work."

"I'll do that," Arthur promised. Lord Malfoy gave him a curt nod and left his office.

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"Ravenclaw!" the sorting hat called out.

Little Astoria Greengrass got off the stool, smiled at her sister sadly, and went to sit amongst her fellow Ravenclaw's. Luna and Hermione shot her smiles, they had spent some time with her in Italy, and knew she would make a good addition to their house.

Ginny watched her friend go somewhat wistfully. She and Primrose had been hoping that Astoria might be in Slytherin, but no such luck. The Headmistress took to the podium once the sorting was done, welcoming them to Hogwarts once again.

"Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts. We have some new staff to welcome, and some announcements to go over. Taking the position of our new Magical Culture & Etiquette class will be Lord Black. He will also be the new head of Slytherin House."

Applause sounded from around the Great Hall. All of the students that summered with Holly and Draco were clapping wildly while Lord Black glared at them, despite the small smile gracing his face. They had all gotten used to his grumpy ways. Luna beamed beatifically up at her father. She couldn't be happier that he had come to live at the castle.

"Yes, yes, thank you. Now, we have a few other additions. Professor Lupin will be taking the position of Head of Gryffindor house, and will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Holly and Draco cheered. Holly repressed a smirk. It wouldn't be long before the entire wizarding world knew he was the next Alpha of the famed Greyback pack.

It had been decided over the summer that it was best not to hide it, but to educate the students about the difference between werewolves and pureblood shifters, and help them understand why both were not dangerous, if managed properly.

"Professor Tonks will be taking over the position of Potions Master, and Professor Rubeus Hagrid will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures."

Holly looked at Draco imperiously. How had Hagrid been approved as a teacher? Draco shrugged, his father had left that bit of information out.

"Your attention please," McGonagall called and silence descended upon the hall once again. "As you know the curriculum has changed, and there are different electives and opportunities than there used to be. Please approach your head of house if this conflicts with your career plans, or you are interested in something that we do not offer. We are here to serve you, and for too long that has gone overlooked."

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"Merlin she's fast," Lord Black noted as he watched the Slytherin Quidditch team practice from the stands. Remus sat beside him, watching Holly fly with excited eyes. She barely outstripped Draco's quick pace, but she managed to stay just ahead of him.

"It's a shame she's decided not to be first string this year," Lord Black moaned. That was news to Remus.

"What do you mean?"

Lord Black looked at his friend in amusement. Remus always did miss the point in pureblood niceties, though he was beginning to catch on.

"Marcus offered the position to her, but she turned it down. She'll still practice with them though, in case Draco can't play in one of the games. Apparently she told him she has too much on her plate."

Remus laughed at his friend's tone, "And you think that's not the real reason? She does have a lot on her shoulders already."

"I think she has realized that the survival of the Slytherin bloodline depends on her. Several pureblood families ban their young Heiresses from playing Quidditch for the same reason. There is another Potter now, but she is still the sole Heiress of Slytherin. If something happens to her before she has children, the bloodline is over."

Remus stared at the players as they zoomed around the stadium. It was so much for one young woman to bear, and yet she did so with so much grace.

"Any progress on your little investigation?" Lord Black asked. Remus sighed heavily and carded his hand through his hair.

"Nothing definitive, the man swept the castle thoroughly before he left. I've resorted to looking through newspapers from The War years, to try to see if I can find a common link. I feel like I'm just on the edge of something, like it's just out of my reach, but I can't put my finger on it."

"Keep trying," Lord Black encouraged, "you'll find it."

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"Lady Potter, Heir Malfoy please stay after class."

The class of mixed Slytherin's and Gryffindor's oohed and awed in mock shock, but a glare from Lord Black had them all returning to their work. No one was really afraid of him as they had been of Snape, but they still didn't want to receive detention.

The class packed up their quills and parchment into their bags, and emptied the room when the period was over. Greg and Vince waited in the hallway for Holly. Holly and Draco went to stand in front of Lord Black's desk, and he waved his wand to shut and silence the door.

"Do you know why I took this position?"

"Because you're passionate about the education of magical youth?" Draco quipped.

One of Lord Black's eyebrows rose and Holly couldn't help but laugh. She believed he cared about their education, and about Luna's, but that was probably as far as that went. She tried to pull herself back together,a s Lord Black looked at her expectantly.

"Because Luna and I are doing our rituals this year?"

"That's right, Holly. I see it's you that's the smart one in this relationship. Nice to see you breaking gender norms. Have you picked your guard for the ritual?"

"To a certain extent," she dallied. She hadn't set it in concrete, and she hadn't asked them yet.

"Well, decide quickly. This sets a precedent for who will be in your inner circle."

"What about Ginny?" she asked weakly. She wanted her sister there.

"Ginny is your sister, it is expected she will be there to support you, along with Draco."

Holly nodded her head. She understood.

"I am here if either of you need anything. Now run along."

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Holly sat in the Slytherin common room, stroking Sally as she thought by the fireplace. She needed to solidify who was going to be her guard during the ritual.

Tom had used his Knights, including Lord Nott, but he had bound them to him using the Dark Mark. She had no such plans. The idea sent a wave of nausea through her. She had been offered vows of loyalty by some, but that was not nearly as binding as the Dark Mark.

She had read about it in Lord Nott's journal, and the very idea was repugnant to her. So, who could she and Draco trust?

Greg and Vince, obviously. They went everywhere with her anyways, and she knew that would only increase after she claimed her title. She had retained some freedom this summer that would not be extended to her again. She would be carefully guarded from this point forward.

Theo was next, his family had a history with the Slytherin family, and he was a childhood friend of Draco's. Though Blaise would make a good choice, she knew he would prefer to stay in the background. Marcus was next, he was older and loyal.

Holly looked up and over the room. Primrose and Ginny were looking at catalogues in a corner. Pansy and Daphne were working on an essay, while Marcus and Draco were drafting complicated Quidditch plans on a chalkboard they had wheeled in from somewhere.

She was glad she had decided not to take the seeker position this year. It was a bit too much for her, and the threat of danger was ever present in her mind. She couldn't risk getting hurt and ending the Slytherin bloodline.

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Draco looked at his father in Holly's mirror. He had borrowed it tonight to call home. The first Slytherin game was tomorrow, and he wanted to speak to his parents about something that had been bothering him.

"Draco, I'm not sure what the problem is. You get to play in the games, Holly still gets to play in practices, and everyone is happy."

Draco shook his head, and Cissa took the mirror out of Lucius' hands unceremoniously.

"Dearest, what is it about this that's bothering you?"

"She could have it all, mother. She's really good. She can be seeker, Lady Slytherin, and everything. Will she resent me for this?"

Lady Malfoy chuckled weakly. Draco was only ever unsure when it came to Holly. It was amusing to watch, and incredibly sweet.

"I don't think so, dear. It was her decision. We discussed it over the summer. She loves to fly, but it is not the most important thing to her. There are just some things that are more important to her."

She left out that their future family was what was more important, but it seemed not to bother Draco, he nodded his head. He was easily reassured by her words and went to bed satisfied.

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Holly strode into the Common Room. Slytherin had properly trounced Hufflepuff in their first Quidditch game. The team piled in behind her, smiles bright on their faces.

Holly was drawn to the sight of Daphne on one of the couches, she had tears in her eyes, and had her legs drawn up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them.

"What's wrong?" Holly asked, taking the seat by Daphne. Daphne tried to pretend like she was fine, but Holly could tell she was faking.

"C'mon what is it?" Blaise asked kindly, leaning forward in the chair he had just claimed.

Daphne's eyes looked between them, then around the room. She fiddled with her gloves, and placed her wand in her pocket, before she leaned forward to speak in a low voice.

"What if...what if there's something wrong with me? I mean you've both found your soulmates. What about me? I mean there's a few others like Greg and Vince..."

Greg coughed from his position in the chair next to Blaise, and their eyes snapped to him.

"Actually," Greg said, "Vince is my soulmate."

"What?!" Pansy shrieked. The eyes of the common room turned to her. She waved them away and they went back to their activities, they were fairly used to her theatrics by now.

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Holly demanded. She had never had the slightest suspicion, they never even showed any outward sign of affection for each other. Though, they were always together, even when she wasn't there. She had clearly misjudged them.

Greg shrugged, "Didn't seem like anyone's business."

Daphne slumped forward even more, "See, there's two more! That's exactly my point!"