Prosapia Aenigmatis - The Family Riddle

Chapter 1- The Library

Quinn Finnigan walked into the Hogwarts library and spotted her best friend at their usual table. Aislinn Macnair was bent over the table with her eyes trained on the book before her. Aislinn's wavy black hair cascaded around her face as she read.

Quinn began to walk to the table but proceeded very slowly. She closely examined the rest of the room but couldn't find who she was looking for. Quinn seated herself across from Aislinn so that she faced the door. She tried to look casual yet stunning as she positioned herself.

Aislinn glared up at her friend who appeared to be posing for an invisible cameraman. "Quinn what are you doing?" Aislinn asked irritably. She already knew the answer of course.

"I think Fred is coming up to study," Quinn replied, abandoning her attempts to strike a pose. Aislinn scowled as Quinn pulled her hair out of its ponytail and fluffed it repeatedly. Aislinn lost her patience when Quinn began applying lip-gloss from a small pink jar.

"Why are you obsessed with that bloody Gryffindor?" Aislinn snapped suddenly. Quinn gave her a look of warning so Aislinn leaned back and resumed reading. "How do you even know which one is Fred?" she grumbled under her breath. Aislinn was so sick of hearing about Fred Weasley. Quinn had always liked him but during the previous year, her crush had escalated. Aislinn couldn't take another minute of this fixation.

"Oh there he is," Quinn whispered, fluffing her hair one last time. Fred Weasley, his twin, and their friend Lee Jordan waltzed into the room. Quinn followed Fred with her eyes as he and the others found a table across the room. Quinn wondered if she could convince Aislinn to move closer. Quinn glanced at Aislinn and thought she heard a growl coming from the other girl. She decided not to ask. Aislinn was in a wretched mood because Gryffindor had taken an early lead in the house cup that year.

Quinn sometimes wondered if people thought them an odd pair. Quinn herself was fair-haired, petite, a Ravenclaw, and a teacher's pet. Aislinn was dark-haired, tall, and a Slytherin. The two girls had been friends as long as either could remember. Aislinn hypothesized that their parents had planned the pregnancies together. Aislinn was a mere 4 days older than Quinn. The girls' mothers had been friends for quite some time as well.

Although outwardly they were very different, anyone who knew the girls knew that they were very similar. The familiarity, which was the cornerstone of their relationship, sometimes made Quinn wonder where she ended and her friend began. Today was not one of those days, however, as Aislinn was clearly crabby.

"Why do you even bother with that Muggle stuff? Why don't you break your wand in half if you don't want to use it," Aislinn snapped, glaring at the small container of lip-gloss that was still on the table. Quinn dropped her book onto the desk with a loud bang, glaring into Aislinn's eyes.

"Look, just because Slytherin keeps losing the cup, don't take it out on me," she snapped now, trying to be patient with her friend. "And this isn't Muggle lip gloss. It's infused with fairy dust to attract the opposite sex. Alyssa Davies and I made it in Snape's class this morning." Quinn knew this would intrigue Aislinn. Any mention of Snape was enough to pull Aislinn out of her funk. It worked, too. Aislinn stopped scowling and adopted a dreamy countenance. Quinn didn't understand her obsession with Snape at all but knew better than to bring it up unless she wanted a detailed explanation of every nauseating quality that made Aislinn think him so fabulous.

"Since when do you take an interest in Potions?" Aislinn asked with a smirk. Quinn eyed her warily. Aislinn, the best Potions student in fourth year, undoubtedly knew how easy the lip-gloss was to make. Quinn never did well in Potions herself. She couldn't pay attention with Snape hovering over them like a bad-tempered vulture. His outbursts of condescending rage both infuriated and frightened her.

"Alyssa is the one who showed me how. You know Potions and I are not a good match," Quinn said with slight irritation. Quinn did well in every class but Potions, and it was always a source of frustration. Quinn abandoned the conversation momentarily as Fred stretched lazily, his long arms in the air. She got a goofy look on her face watching his happy smile.

"I don't know why you're pining over Fred when you could have Terry Boot," Aislinn said, trying to stop herself from smiling. Terry Boot was far more attractive in her opinion. He also came from a wonderful family. The Weasley's were pureblood, but Aislinn could never understand their obsession with Muggles.

"Very funny," Quinn snorted in a decidedly unfeminine manner. She gave up on watching Fred and took out a nail file. Quinn always filed her nails before studying, though Aislinn wasn't sure why. "He talked to me all through lunch again. Honestly can't a girl get any peace and quiet? Why can't he figure out that I only went with him to the Yule Ball because I needed to go with a fourth year or above?" Quinn gave an exaggerated sigh. "And I don't see how you can even compare him to Fred. Fred is wonderful and smart and hilarious as well. Terry is vain, self-centered and boring. But I forgot, that's the kind you go for." Quinn glanced over at Fred again, ignoring the glare she got from Aislinn. "No one can compare to Fred," Quinn added with a sigh. Each time she said his name, Aislinn noted, she treated the word like a precious gem.

"Even George?" Aislinn wondered, trying not to laugh. Quinn's pale blue eyes clouded with anger so Aislinn decided not to push it. "Why are you so desperate to see him today anyway?"

"Oh my god, didn't you hear?" Quinn asked, dropping the nail file. She had a mischievous smile on her face now as she leaned closer. "He and Angelina broke up! Can you believe it? I finally have a chance."

"Ooh what happened?" Aislinn's eyes lit up. She picked up the nail file and put it to use. She might not have cared at all about the Gryffindor's in question but Aislinn was a sucker for juicy gossip.

"Who cares? The point is," Quinn adopted a gazed and dreamy look now, "I can comfort him in his hour of need." Aislinn rolled her eyes.

"Now you just need him to notice you are alive," she said, watching Quinn start out of her reverie. Aislinn was sick of hearing about Fred Weasley. For four years now, she had watched Quinn stare at Fred and, in her opinion, the obsession had gone far enough. Quinn needed to take action before Aislinn was forced to kill her.

"Yeah we need a plan," Quinn said, chewing on her hair as she always did while thinking. Aislinn looked across the room to the red-haired boy. Plans were her specialty.

Aislinn pulled absentmindedly at the ends of her hair and bit her lip. The two girls sat lost in thought for a moment. Quinn set down the nail file and tried to look at Fred out of the corner of her eye, hoping Aislinn-or Fred-wouldn't notice. Aislinn looked at Fred again, trying to find a good way to get close to him. She had to think of something perfect, Aislinn didn't know if she could stand another week of this obsession. She furrowed her brow and chewed her lip vigorously. Something perfect...

"Well, while you think of the plan, I'm going to study," Quinn said haughtily, pulling an arithmancy book out of her bag. She settled in her chair and quickly became absorbed in the book. Aislinn noticed Quinn wasn't taking her usual notes. She smiled slyly as she realized that Quinn wasn't actually reading the arithmancy book. As Quinn chewed on the end of her hair, Aislinn snatched the small book hidden inside Numerology and Grammatica. Quinn protested momentarily but didn't dare draw attention to herself with Fred just across the room.

Aislinn began to read,

Lady Gesebelle soared to an amazing zenith, then gradually floated back down to earth, and he was there beside her. He'd abandoned his perch between her legs, and had tenderly kissed a path up her enchanting body. Roderigo rained kisses on her hair, her brow, her cheek, his lips seeking and ultimately finding her own. His tongue tenderly mated with hers in a delicate dance of affection.

"Well now I know how you do so well in Arithmancy. Such devotion to the text Quinn," Aislinn said jokingly. She looked at her friend in surprise. Never had Aislinn seen Quinn interested in something so vapid. Quinn blushed crimson and snatched the book back. Aislinn glimpsed the title for the first time, Vixens and Vendettas and burst into silent laughter.

"I found it in my mom's closet. And that's not all: there's something you would be very interested in. It involves your favorite potions professor, but I'm not showing you until you come up with a plan." Quinn said with an evil grin. Aislinn knew immediately that Quinn wasn't joking; she really had something good. Aislinn's thoughts quickly returned to Fred, trying even more desperately to think of a plan. "I'll just be, um, studying," Quinn said, and resumed reading the romance novel.

Quinn couldn't wait to show her friend the calendar she had found but knew that Aislinn needed to concentrate on the plan first. Once she saw that picture of Professor Snape at age 17, Quinn guessed Aislinn might never be able to concentrate again.

Quinn looked up sharply as Aislinn gasped. Quinn knew her friend had something. If there was a good thing about Slytherins it was their cunning. Aislinn's eyes opened wide.

"I've got it!" she said, "Your cousin!"

"Seamus?" Quinn asked with confusion.

Aislinn grabbed her arm and gave it a firm squeeze. "It is perfect! He is in that excuse for a house with Fred. Seamus must know a way to get Fred to notice you. You have to get close to him!" Quinn gave Aislinn a frightened look. Aislinn might be her best friend but Quinn knew to run for it when Aislinn got that maniacal look in her eyes. Quinn waited for Aislinn to calm down a bit.

"Aislinn that's a good idea but it will never work. Our families have not spoken one word to each other since his parent's marriage. Aunt Brenna didn't respect the Finnigan name enough to marry a wizard, let alone a pureblood. She gave Seamus our name to protect him but neither him nor his parents are a part of our family anymore. You know how my parents feel about Muggles." Quinn shuddered slightly at the idea of marrying someone who couldn't do magic. "And besides, what would I say to him? Hey cousin I have barely spoken to in my life, let's hang out. Come on Aislinn, get real." Quinn's look clearly said Aislinn should be committed to St. Mungo's psychiatric wing.

Aislinn scowled and leaned back in her chair. She glanced at the three boys who were sitting across the library. The boys had their heads leaned into the middle of the table, apparently deep in discussion. Knowing the twins, Aislinn could only imagine what sort of scheme they were cooking up. She actually admired them in a way. All their jokes had an underlying brilliance that any Slytherin could appreciate. Aislinn could never tell Quinn this of course.

"Well then, what do you suggest wise Miss Ravenclaw?" Aislinn asked in a mocking tone.

"I don't know," Quinn snapped. "Schemes are your department. I will just sit back looking pretty and hope he notices me." Quinn tried to stifle her giggle but soon both girls erupted into loud laughter. Fred looked up momentarily at the disruption and Quinn turned scarlet. "Oh Aislinn you have to think of something. This is his last year, then I might never see him again."

Aislinn took a deep breath to dispel her giggles. "Okay then let me think." As soon as Aislinn said this, the library door opened and inspiration walked right in. Aislinn watched the red-haired girl walk past their table to sit with her brothers. It was perfect. Aislinn was a little embarrassed that she hadn't thought of it earlier. "Quinn meet your new best friend," Aislinn said proudly, gesturing to Ginny Weasley.

Quinn looked up from the book and smiled happily. "Aislinn you are a genius. That is a perfect plan. Now how can I win her trust? We don't really know much about her." Quinn immediately tried to recall all her conversations with Ginny Weasley. She had two classes with Ginny, the perfect time to befriend her.

"You're going to have to find something in common with her," Aislinn replied. Quinn would be on her own with this plan. Ginny would never become friends with a Slytherin. "Besides your mutual love for Fred that is." Quinn laughed and began to chew on her hair once more. Aislinn decided not to bother her and began studying her own Transfiguration work.

Quinn was in the middle of formulating a plan to befriend Ginny when someone walked past the table and smiled at her best friend. Quinn looked up at the blonde boy and then back at Aislinn. As bad as she had it for Fred, Aislinn was worse for Draco. Only Aislinn wasn't the type to gush openly about it, very often anyway. Quinn saw Aislinn smile back and continue to watch Draco as he took a seat against the far wall.

Aislinn sighed softly and turned back to face Quinn. Aislinn nervously met Quinn's eyes, which were twinkling playfully. Quinn had seen her exchange with Draco. Aislinn blushed a bit. Quinn was silently staring at her. Aislinn fidgeted anxiously, pulling at her hair and twirling her quill in her hands. When she looked up, Quinn was still staring. "What?" Aislinn asked defensively, "He smiled at me first. I was just returning the gesture." Hoping Quinn wouldn't notice, Aislinn looked at Draco out of the corner of her eye.

This is ridiculous Aislinn thought. Why am I embarrassed about this? She sighed, unable to keep quiet any longer in response to Quinn's silent query. "He's gorgeous Quinn. Every time I see him I feel weak. When I am around him, I just want to grab him. It's like he's using a love-curse or something on me. Am I the only one that feels that way?" Aislinn looked up at her friend pleadingly.

"Aislinn," Quinn tried desperately to contain her laughter. Aislinn's _expression was priceless. "You know you aren't the only one. He is fabulously attractive; I can't deny that. But he is too arrogant for my tastes. Why do you think I loathe Terry Boot so much?"

"He isn't arrogant," Aislinn said with a wounded look. "He is just confident, as he should be. My father says that a confident man is one who gets what he wants. And my father is always right. He is friends with Mr. Malfoy you know." Aislinn leaned in and spoke with a soft voice, "I have heard some people say that Draco's family is in with You-Know-Who but I don't believe it. I think those people are just jealous of the Malfoys." Aislinn leaned back and sighed. "They seem perfect to me. The way Draco is always going on about his father. And Dad is an excellent judge of character; you know that. He said that Draco would grow up to be just like Mr. Malfoy. You know he'll be a good person one day even if he can be a little," Aislinn paused in thought, "over-confident sometimes."

Aislinn smiled over at Draco who was reading Quidditch through the Ages. The match between Slytherin and Gryffindor was coming up and Aislinn knew Draco would want to be in top form. She watched as he got up from the table. Draco glanced around the library and saw her watching. He smirked and winked at her before leaving the library. Aislinn was shocked by the display. His wink wasn't a friendly one; his wink wasn't like anyone else's. Draco's wink seemed to be almost an invitation. Aislinn could feel her knees weaken at the very thought. She shook herself mentally; this was getting bad. Aislinn was sure Draco only thought of her as a friend. Aislinn looked guiltily back at Quinn who was giggling silently.

"Well I agree that if your dad is friends with his family, they must be good people. But that doesn't change the fact that he is arrogant." Quinn smirked at Aislinn's pained expression. "Now if Draco is all you want to talk about, I'll just keep my surprise to myself." Quinn smiled gleefully.

"What surprise?" Aislinn asked with only a bit of enthusiasm. Now that Draco had left the library all the room seemed dimmer and more dreary.

"Well I can tell you're too excited to wait a minute longer," Quinn said sarcastically. "So I'll tell you now. Professor McGonagall is going to teach me to be an Animagus!" Quinn whispered happily. "But you can't tell anyone, she doesn't want anyone else asking for lessons."

"Oh my god Quinn that's so awesome!" Aislinn tried to keep her voice under control as she processed Quinn's news. Animagus transformations were very advanced magic but Quinn could handle it if anyone could. Aislinn was often amazed at her friend's natural prowess with Transfiguration. "Do you pick what animal you want to be?" Aislinn asked, trying to picture Quinn as an animal.

"No, Aislinn that's not how it works. The animal picks you, sort of like your wand," Quinn explained patiently. It had taken all her effort to hide this news over the last half an hour and she was bursting to talk about it now. "You never know what you will be until you take form. Professor McGonagall says that if I work hard enough I could be done by the spring!"

"Quinn," Aislinn was completely shocked. "You didn't even tell me you were thinking about it. What put the idea into your head?" Quinn blushed.

"I've been thinking about it since we studied them last year. I did some extra research on it and I finally asked Professor McGonagall a few weeks ago. I just hope I'm magically powerful enough to complete it, especially at this age." Aislinn laughed. Quinn had never failed any type of spell she had tried. "But what if I turn out to be a huge Flobberworm or something?" Quinn scowled. Aislinn tried to picture her friend leaving a trail of mucous wherever they went and burst into laughter. Quinn scowled more deeply.

"Or maybe," Aislinn tried to overcome her giggles, "One of those horrible Skrewts Hagrid kept last year." Quinn's scowl deepened as Aislinn shook with laughter. Aislinn couldn't stop laughing now; she snorted several times which only caused her to laugh harder. Quinn leaned back with her arms crossed, waiting for her friend to regain control. Aislinn pictured a 10-foot gray Skrewt with Quinn's blonde hair atop its head. She shook with more laughter and yelped when her chair fell sideways and she collided with the floor. Quinn burst into laughter now as Aislinn tried to right herself. Fred looked over at them as Aislinn put her face in her hands and tried to breathe. Quinn turned bright red under Fred's gaze and hid her own face behind her Arithmancy book.

"If you're going to make fun of me, I'm not going to show you what I found of my mother's," Quinn said, angry that once again Fred was looking at her as though she had grown an extra head. Quinn wanted Fred to notice her, but not because he thought she was insane.

"No, you can't do that to me. You know how I am with secrets," Aislinn said. She finally had her giggles under control.

"Yes, I do know. In fact, I remember quite specifically last year when you told everyone about that time we were at the beach with those really hot guys and my top came off. That was a secret, and I emphasize was," Quinn said icily. Aislinn sighed.

"I cannot believe you are still mad about that. You were being such a brat at the time, you totally deserved it." Aislinn realized too late that this wasn't the best thing to say. "I said I was sorry. Besides it wasn't that embarrassing. You told everyone about my," Aislinn blushed very deep read, "my Snapey bear." Quinn giggled at the memory. Since their first year, Aislinn had slept with a large teddy bear, which she had secretly named Snapey. When Quinn had told Lisa Turpin, the biggest gossip in school, everyone knew by the end of the week. Professor Snape himself heard about the bear and confiscated it from Aislinn. Quinn had found it hilarious at the time but now she felt sort of guilty.

"Well, speaking of Snape," Quinn said with a wide grin. "Check this out." Quinn whipped something out of her bag and placed it before Aislinn. It appeared to be an old calendar. Aislinn examined the picture more closely.

What she saw made her pulse quicken rapidly. There stood a young Severus Snape. He was wearing a Slytherin Quidditch uniform and looked like he had just finished playing. Aislinn eyed the picture with a strong look of desire. He was flushed from the game, his hair was pulled back and was slightly dishevelled. He had a lean, muscular build. Chaser, Aislinn thought as she watched the young man try to duck out of the picture. She was enraptured by how handsome he was, even with the serious scowl on his face. Aislinn wanted nothing more than to jump into the picture and ravish the young man. Aislinn sighed loudly and looked up at her friend's revolted expression.

"Isn't he gorgeous? I am telling you, I could get lost in those dark eyes. They are like two dark caverns, containing the secret to my soul." Aislinn was gazing at the photo dreamily when she heard a choking sound. She looked up into the blue eyes of her friend who now looked physically ill. Aislinn shot her a pleading look.

"Erm, he looks...less greasy than usual?" Quinn shrugged and dodged Aislinn's hand. "I'm sorry Aislinn I just can't think about...ew." Quinn shuddered at the thought. "But here's one I know you will agree with me on." Quinn flipped the page and Aislinn leaned in once again.

It was the Hogwarts library, not far from where the girls were sitting. A tall boy with light brown hair was sitting in a large green chair intently reading a book. He was chewing on the end of a pair of reading glasses as he looked up at the camera. He had a slightly muscular build and beautiful blue eyes. He seemed to be ignoring the camera, focusing on his book, but his eyes kept wandering upward. Eventually he smiled shyly at the camera, still chewing on the end of his glasses.

"Wow, I always thought Professor Lupin was handsome, but he was down right sexy when he was at Hogwarts." She sighed. "Why don't we have more boys that look like that now?" Aislinn asked in a rather loud voice. Madam Pince looked up from her desk and headed over. Quinn panicked and threw her huge schoolbag on top of the desk, covering the old calendar. Madam Pince shushed them emphatically before walking away. Fred gave them another look.

"There's more. Most of these guys are our classmate's fathers." Quinn flipped through some of the calendar. The girls examined some of the lesser specimens in the calendar, rating them between one and ten. "This is from when our parents went to school you know. They actually knew Professor Snape when he was seventeen. How weird." Quinn flipped the page to October and both of them stared.

"He looks just like-" Aislinn said with a gasp.

"I know," Quinn answered. It seemed that an older Harry Potter looked up at them with a smile. He was dressed in Gryffindor Quidditch robes, holding his broom. He was tall and skinny and looked almost exactly like his son. The boy had the same disheveled black hair and glasses that slipped down his nose. His brown eyes were twinkling and his whole face crinkled with laughter.

"James Potter," Aislinn said, almost to herself. The name was written at the bottom of the page, confirming what they had already guessed. The girls were silent for a moment, each moved by the site of someone so cute and happy. Quinn started, thinking that the boy probably died only a few years later.

Fred, George, and Lee got up from their table and walked straight toward the girls on their way to the exit. Quinn turned bright red and hid the calendar under the desk. Aislinn became very interested in the nail file. Quinn made the mistake of looking up and immediately met Fred's eyes. He gave her a mischievous smile and Quinn froze in panic. She didn't move or blink until he had passed.

"Come on I want to see more," Aislinn said with a hungry look at the calendar.

"I'm not sure you can handle it, but I saved the best for last." Quinn turned the last page and sighed deeply. Both girls watched with wide eyes. A boy was exiting the prefect's bathroom with only a towel around his well-muscled torso. His hair was dark and shiny with moisture. He lifted his hand and raked his fingers through it, removing the damp tendrils from his eyes. Oh his eyes, Quinn thought with a gasp of breath. They were dark and sparkling with intelligence and happiness. The boy wore a huge smile, revealing even white teeth. He was laughing loudly.

Aislinn's eyes travelled down the boy's body. He had well-tanned and glowing skin and an athletic build. As if sensing their attention, the boy began to flex his muscles and wink seductively at the camera. Quinn felt physically weak at the boy's magnificent smile.

As the boy flexed his biceps, both girls gasped in unison. The fluffy white towel fell suddenly to the floor. The boy went bright red and grabbed the towel quickly. Laughing, the boy shrugged and continued his posing, the pink tinge still brightening his cheeks.

"Oh my god Quinn," Aislinn exclaimed, "Do you know who that is?"

"The man of my dreams?" Quinn answered dreamily.

"Oh, gotten over Fred so soon have you?" Aislinn replied acidly. "No, look." She pointed at the name on the corner of the page and Quinn gasped. "Remember? From our second year?"

"Oh wow. He sure looks different from his posters. Who would have thought that Sirius Black ever looked so," Quinn paused searching for the right word. "Wonderful." Both girls sighed now.

"He murdered thirteen people Quinn," Aislinn said, almost unable to believe it herself. She looked down at the still laughing Sirius Black and couldn't comprehend it.

"Yeah but he's so..." Quinn sighed

"I know," Aislinn agreed. "But no sense in pining over him. We need to study for the Arithmancy test. And I mean really study, no Vixens and Vendettas. In fact," Aislinn adopted a very serious manner that Quinn saw right through, "maybe you will be too distracted, I should just hold on to," Aislinn reached for the calendar and Quinn snatched it quickly.

"You can have it when you pry it from my cold dead hands Macnair," Quinn said, gripping the calendar to her chest fiercely. Aislinn gave in and pulled out her Arithmancy book. "You're right though. We need to study. Vector has it out for you I think. She was in Gryffindor after all." Aislinn nodded in agreement and Quinn heard her grumble, damn Gryffindors.

The girls resolved themselves to study and quickly became engrossed in the task. So engrossed, in fact, that they didn't notice two hulking figures move out from behind the bookcase near their table and walk across the library and out the door.

The two boys walked down to the end of a dark hall. "Sincerus" The hidden door swung open and they walked into the underground room. They walked over to the sitting area in front of the fire. In the largest black, high back chair, they found who they were looking for.

The blonde boy was staring into the fire when the two large boys stumbled over to him. Morons, he thought. They really didn't deserve to carry the name Slytherin. He was actually surprised that they could speak.

"We have something to tell you, Draco." Crabbe said. He looked excited, as though Hogwarts would be holding a pudding-eating contest. Crabbe stood there grinning, and Draco wondered if those two could ever tell him something that he didn't already know. Still, he decided to hear them out. Draco waited to hear the news, but the two imbeciles just stood there staring at him.

Draco let out an exasperated sighed. "I know I am gorgeous but there is no need to stare. If you have something to say, spit it out. Otherwise go away, you are blocking the heat of the fire." He couldn't imagine how his father could have been friends with Crabbe and Goyle senior for all these years. He hoped they were more intelligent than their idiot sons were.

They continued to stare at him and finally Goyle spoke up. About time, Draco thought. "We were just in the library," but Draco interrupted before he could continue.

"You two know where the library is?" He was amazed. Draco didn't think they had ever been in there.

"Yeah, well . . . uh . . . Crabbe was following, erm, that Finnigan girl. You know, the one he . . . er . . . likes." Crabbe blushed and Draco cringed. Crabbe in love, the thought alone was nausea inducing. "Anyway, um, while we were spying, we heard Aislinn say something . . . about you. And then she said something about, um, her dad. She, um, said how great of a man he was, or something." He stopped for a moment. He had a painful look on his face. Draco assumed he must have been thinking. "Then she said something about your family. Um, something like, you were going to grow up and, erm, be a good man like your father. I don't think she knows . . . about her dad."

Draco glanced at a clock nearby. That revelation had seemed to go on forever. So, Aislinn Macnair had a thing for him. He wasn't surprised. Three quarters of the Hogwarts female population were in love with him. The other quarter, he assumed, were either in a relationship or gay.

"She might not know about her father now, but she will soon. My father is going to invite them to the manor for the Christmas holiday. I have a feeling some rather interesting things will take place then." Draco waited until he saw the look of comprehension pass across the faces of the boys in front of him. "We're done now." Draco said firmly and the two boys scattered to other corners of the common room, leaving Draco alone with his thoughts.