Love Comes From Darkness and the Son

Darcella Black was Draco Malfoy's half sister but she didn't look much like him. She had long dark hair with soft curls compared to his white blond, straight, hair. He was tall, at least 6'3". She was tiny, not more than 4'10". They did share the same pale skin and the same gray blue eyes, though. She was 18 years younger than he was but he was the only family she had left. She had been living with him since she was two; their mother had died soon after Darcella was born. She then lived with her father, Sirius Black. He died when she was two in the Great War. She had no other family besides her brother so the ministry sent her to live with him. It was hard on both of them at first. A 20 year old young man raising a two year old little girl with very little help was not easy. Draco had his job as an Auror, he worked with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger so they helped him some when Darcella was younger but she was now 11 and getting ready to go to her first year at Hogwarts.

Draco led Darcella onto platform 9 3/4 with her trunk and owl.

"I'm not sure I want to go," Darcella said sadly. "I’m afraid I won't make any friends, Draco." She gave her brother a hug, burying her head in his strong, muscular chest.

He hugged her back and patted her head. He suddenly gasped at what he saw over his little sister's back.

"Benjamin Weasley, do not set off your Uncle Fred's fireworks on the train. And if we get any owls about your behavior, you will be back home quicker than you can say 'Quidditch'." A plump red headed woman snapped at a young boy with strawberry blond hair.

"Yes, Grandmum," the boy said rolling his eyes.

"Weasley," Draco muttered under his breath.

"What?" Darcella asked looking up.

Draco turned Darcella around forcefully and held on to her shoulders. "You see that boy there? He is a Weasley. You try and stay away from him."

"But why, Draco?"

"He must be Percy's or Bill's. Charlie will probably be a bachelor for life so he’s not going to be his. The Twins are probably too busy with their store to settle down and have kids. Weasley is only my age so I doubt he is his. And there is NO WAY he can be Ginny's, " Draco mumbled to himself as his grip tightened on Darcella's shoulders.

"What are you talking about, Draco? Why am I supposed to stay away from that boy?" Darcella said wriggling out of his grip.

"Nothing. Just do as I say. Listen to your professors, especially Potter and don't give him a hard time. It is his first year as a teacher." He gave her a small peck on the cheek and watched her get on the train.

She sat by the window of the empty compartment she had found and looked out the window, watching her brother, forcing a smile but she felt as if she was going to cry. She heard the door to the compartment open but didn't look away from the window and her brother.

"Can I sit here?" a voice asked her quietly.

She looked at the person the voice came from. It was the boy that Draco had told her to stay away from. She shrugged and looked back out the window. Draco was gone. She scanned the crowds for him frantically but didn’t' find him. Then the train began to move. Soon she was on her way to Hogwarts.

"So," the boy said as the train started moving. Darcella looked at him silently, "is this your first year at Hogwarts, too?"

She nodded.

"My name's Ben. What's yours?"

She shrugged.

"You don't know your name?"

She shrugged again.

"You don't know if you don't know your name?" Ben laughed.

"Darcella," she said softly, almost inaudibly.

"What's that?" he asked moving closer to her.

"I said my name. It's Darcella."

"Oh, I saw you on the platform. Was that your Dad? My Mum was going to bring me but there was an emergency. She's a Mediwitch. My Grandmum brought me instead."

"My brother."

"Huh?"

Darcella sighed. "I said that was my brother," she said exasperatedly.

"Oh, were your parents too busy to bring you, too?"

"Yeah, too busy being dead. Thanks for bringing it up," Darcella snapped. "Now if you could just leave me alone for a while, I'd like to just sit here and look out of the window."

Darcella turned her attention back to the window. A while later her attention was brought back to Ben because of a small explosion. She jumped at the loud bang and hit her head on the window.

"OW," she screamed rubbing her head. "What the heck was that?"

Before Ben could answer the door of the compartment was thrown open and a tall man with dark hair and glasses stood in the doorway.

"Benjamin," the man said stiffly.

"Sorry Harry. I didn't mean to set it off. Please don't tell Mum."

"Give me the rest of them, Ben. I'll give them back after the sorting ceremony. And I won't tell the Headmistress," Harry said holding his hand out to Ben. Ben placed five more firecrackers in the older man's hand. "Good. Now go find the food Trolley and get yourself some chocolate frogs," Harry said tossing Ben a Galleon. Ben hurried out of the door and Harry then turned his attention to the other person in the compartment.

"Darcy is that you? You've grown so big. I haven't seen you since you were what, six? Are you and Ben friends?"

"We most certainly are not friends," Darcella said strongly. She stood up and walked over to Harry and gave him a small hug. "I'm so glad to see you, Harry. Or should I call you Professor Potter? My brother said you would be teaching this year."

"Yes, I am. I’ll be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. You and Ben aren’t friends? Then why are you sitting together?"

"I was alone in here, until HE came in," she said gesturing to where Ben was sitting before. "I don't have any friends, Harry," she said, her voice almost pitiful.

"None? Your brother doesn't let you have friends?"

"He would let me but you know the Manor. Not many kids live around there. And the ones who do don't really want to be friends with me. I’m not a Malfoy. They don't think I have the right to live in the Manor. You should know, your Godfather was my dad. The kids around there, their parents didn't approve of my Mum and Dad being together after Draco's dad died. I’m just a reminder of what they didn't approve of, so they don't approve of me."

"Well don't worry, Darcy, you'll make plenty of friends at Hogwarts. I did. You and Ben should become friends. I know his whole family. They're a nice lot."

"Draco told me to stay away from him. He said something about him being a Weasel and not to talk to him."

Harry laughed. "He’s a Weasley, not a Weasel. You remember Hermione, right? You probably haven't seen her since you were six either. Her husband, Ron, is Ben's uncle. You might have met him once. He and your brother never really got along."

Ben came back into the compartment with a loud bang of the door.

"'Arry, I 'ot you a choc'late f'og too," Ben said with his mouth full of chocolate.

"Um, Thanks, Ben. Maybe you can give mine to Darcy?"

"Who? Her?" Ben asked as Harry left the compartment. "I thought you said your name was Darcella."

Darcella shook her head. "It is. Harry calls me Darcy. He is the ONLY one who is allowed to. Get it?"

"I got it. You’re Darcella, not Darcy. You want his chocolate frog, anyway?"

"I guess. Thanks," Darcella said taking the chocolate from Ben. "Harry said your uncle is one of his friends. My brother used to work with him," Darcella said biting into the chocolate.

"Yeah, He's been friends with my Uncle Ron since they were our age. My Aunt Hermione, too."

"I know her. She used to work with my brother, too. They all went to Hogwarts together."

"The train’s stopping. We must be there," Ben said excitedly, "let's go." Ben pulled out his robe. "I can't wait to be sorted. I'll be in Gryffindor. My whole family has been. Well, almost my whole family. I don’t know what house my Dad was in," Ben said slipping on his robe.

"He never told you?" Darcella asked as she slipped her own robe on.

"I don't know my dad," Ben said quietly. "He and my mum never got married. My Mum was still in school when I was born; she was a sixth year. She took a year off and then went back to finish her last year. Dumbledore let her go to class and sleep at home in her last year. My Grandmum took care of me when my mum was in class."

"I'm sorry. I never knew my mum; she died when I was born. I don't really remember my Dad either. He died when I was two. My brother raised me. He's like a dad only cooler."

"Well I hope you’re in Gryffindor like me. It would be good to have a friend in my house."

"We're friends?" Darcella asked looking up at Ben

"Well, I mean, we could be. If you want to be," Ben said standing up and walking to the door.

"I'd like that," Darcella said with a smile. "Let's go."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Darcella stayed with Ben when they went into the sorting ceremony. They waited until their names were called.

"Black, Darcella," called out the witch with the list of first years.

Darcella walked up to the stool and sat down. The sorting hat was placed on her head.

"You are very smart, I can see, much like your mother. Brave too, like your father. Bit of a mischief-maker like him as well. Raised by your brother, you are like him as well."

"Please not Slytherin," Darcella thought.

"Don't worry, child. You will not be in Slytherin, like your brother. You will be. . . GRYFFINDOR!" Only the last word was heard by the crowd in the Great Hall.

There were many other young witches and wizards called and sorted. Finally the older witch called out, "Weasley, Benjamin."

Ben went up, sat down on the stool and put on the sorting hat.

"Your whole family has been Gryffindor except your father."

"I don't know my father," Ben thought.

"I know. I see it in your head. You are like the rest of the Weasleys, brave. And like the rest of the Weasleys you will be . . . GRYFFINDOR!" the hat called out his house.

Ben hopped down off the stool and ran over and sat next to Darcella.

"See Darcella. It’s good to have a friend in the same house."

~*~*~*~*~*~

The next day Darcella and Ben started classes. The started with DADA class. They were both excited to see Harry.

"Hello class. As most of you already know I am Professor Potter. I would prefer you call me that and not Harry, although I will answer to Harry if you forget."

The class was pretty uneventful. They learned about simple dark creatures but nothing to exciting.

It was almost time for class to end when Harry told them about their homework. "Now I know it’s only the first day but I have an assignment for you all. Many people have Dark Wizards somewhere in their family and don't even know it. I want each of you to go back three generations and make a family tree and a small history of your family. No longer than three parchments."

The class began chattering.

"But . . .I can't do that." Ben said quietly to Darcella. He sounded slightly worried.

"I can't either. I don't know anything about my mother's family and very little about my fathers." Instantly Darcella's hand went into the air.

"Yes Darcy, Is there a problem?"

"Can Ben and I speak to you after class, Har. . I mean Professor Potter?"

"Certainly. Class dismissed."

Ben and Darcella walked up to Harry's desk looking quite worried.

"We can't do this assignment, Harry," Ben said with a whimper.

"Why not? It just takes a little research."

"Harry,’ she said, ‘I've been living with my brother since I was two. I never knew my Mum and didn't get to know my Dad. My brother doesn't have the same Dad so I can't even ask him. I can't do it."

"Did you ever think that maybe I know about your father, Darcy? He was my Godfather.

"Harry, you know I don't know who my father is,’ added Ben. ‘How can I make a family tree with out a father's side?"

"I told you, Ben. Research. You'd be surprised who knows what if you only ask," Harry said cryptically. "You two better get going to your next class. I won't give you a pass for being late," he said shooing them out of the classroom.

"Who I am going to ask about my Dad? What did Harry mean by I'd ‘be surprised who knows what' if I ask? I've got to go and owl my mum. I'll meet you in class," Ben said as he ran off.

"But Ben . . ." but it was too late, he was gone. "I don't know how to get to our next class," Darcella said with a sigh.

Just then she heard a voice from behind her.

"Darcella," He said softly.

Darcella turned around to see who was speaking to her. It was Geoffrey Wood, another first year Gryffindor.

"I can help you get to class, if you want," Geoff said with a shy smile.

"That would be nice. Thank you."

"This way," Geoff said as he began to walk Potions.

"Ben is a bit inconsiderate, isn't he," Darcella said as she followed Geoff. She looked back in the direction in which Ben had run.

"He doesn't know how to treat girls. He doesn't live with many girls."

"How do you know? I thought Ben didn't have any other friends."

"I know his family. My Dad played Quidditch with his uncles Fred and George, His Aunt Angelina, and Professor Potter, too. Ben is the only kid in his Family. No cousins, no siblings. He only has his Uncles to hang out with. He has some Aunts but they don't really count as girls," Geoff said with a laugh. "And of course his Mum and Grandmum. He doesn't know how to be considerate to a young lady."

"Like you Geoff?" Darcella asked skeptically.

"That’s not what I meant. I was just saying I have two little sisters. And my dad, he used to play for Puddlemere United. There were tons of girls who went crazy every time they saw him. He taught me how to be nice and considerate to girls."

"Oh, okay," Darcella said with a smile.

Geoff smiled back. "Well, we're here. This is the Potions dungeon. I hope we don't have Professor Snape. He was my Dad and Mum's teacher when they were here. He didn't like Gryffindors."

"I know. I've met him. He’s close with my brother. Actually my brother was one of his favorite students. Unfortunately, he didn't care much for my Dad. Actually he hated my Dad. They went to school together, apparently. My Dad almost got him killed. My brother said he always had a soft spot for my mum though, so I don't know what he will think of me."

Darcella and Geoff walked into Potions. Sure enough Professor Snape was their teacher. He began to call the roll.

"Black, Darcella."

"Here," she called quietly.

"Where?"

Darcella raised her hand slowly.

"I need to speak to you after class, Miss Black."

Geoff looked at her puzzled. She looked back at him and shrugged.

He went through the rest of the roll and was about to call Ben's name when he burst through the door.

"And you are?" Snape asked snidely

"Benjamin Weasley," he said trying to catch his breath.

Snape stood in front of Ben and gave him an odd look, as if he looked familiar but he couldn't quite place his face.

"Who do you look like boy? Your Mother or Father?"

"Well being I don't know my Father. I am going to say my Mum," Ben snapped.

"Fair enough, Weasley. Sit down and if you ever come late to my class again it will be 50 points from Gryffindor."

Ben sat down next to Darcella and Geoff.

"I already don't like him," Ben whispered to Darcella.

"He's not that bad. He's been to my house. Never as nice to me as he is to my brother, though. I think he may only be nice to me because of my brother. Oh and thanks for walking me to class when I didn't know my way, Ben."

"I didn't."

"I know. Geoff did. I was being sarcastic."

Ben looked over at Geoff who smirked at Ben then when Darcella looked he smiled.

Class went by quicker than Darcella would have thought it would.

"Do you want me to wait for you, Darcella? We can go to lunch together," Geoff asked as he packed up his books.

"She can go to lunch with me, Geoffie," Ben said throwing his book into his bag and glaring at Geoff. "I'll wait for you, Darcella."

"It’s okay you can both wait for me. I’ll be right out," Darcella said pushing in her chair.

Both boys went out of the room. Darcella could have sworn they shoved each other but she thought, no.

"You wanted to see me Professor?" She said walking up to where Snape stood at the front of the room.

"Yes, Darcella," he said not looking up from his cauldron. "I know you know how I felt about your father but if you need any information about your mother for Potter's family history assignment, I can give you whatever information you need." He looked up at her and looked in her eyes. Then he said something that surprised her. "You and Weasley have the same eyes."

They way he had blurted that out made Darcella think that it had surprised him too. "What do you mean? How do Ben and I have the same eyes?"

"I don't mean you have the same eyes . . . I mean. You have the same colour eyes," he stuttered. "You're dismissed, Black."

"Thank you, Professor," Darcella said walking out the door. She was so thrown off by his comment about her and Ben having the same eyes that she didn't even notice Ben and Geoff standing outside the door. She hadn't really noticed that she and Ben had the same colour eyes. She never really looked at his eyes that hard. She knew Draco had the same eyes as she did, same shape and colour, as did their mother but she never knew anyone outside her family with the slate gray blue eyes she had.

"DARCY," She heard a voice yell behind her. She was drawn out of her thoughts and quickly spun around.

"MY NAME IS DARCELLA," she said roughly, through gritted teeth.

"It was Ben," Geoff said pointing at the boy walking next to him.

"I only did it cause you were ignoring us. I promise I will never do it again. I'm sorry," Ben said quickly.

"It's ok. But never call me that again. I'm sorry I forgot you guys were waiting for me. Snape said he would help me with information about my mother." She said as they all walked into the Great hall for lunch.

The three sat down at the Gryffindor table and began to eat.

"Darcella, why don't you like being called Darcy?" Geoff asked poking at the carrots on his plate

Darcella took a deep breath. "Well, I don't like being called Darcy, by anyone but Harry because it’s what my Dad used to call me before he was killed. That’s the only memory I have of him. It was right before he died, maybe two months; He and I were at our house in Godric's Hollow. It was before I moved into the Manor with my brother. We were in the back yard. He was pushing me on a swing made from a muggle car tire. All I really remember is him pushing, me laughing and him calling me Darcy. That’s why I don't let anyone call me that."

"Why Harry then?" Ben asked, genuinely curious

"Because, Harry is my father's Godson. He is like a brother to me as much as my own brother is. He helped my brother raise me. Actually, Ben so did your aunt Hermione. My brother never called me Darcy though. He didn't believe in nicknames. So that left only Harry."

"Oh. I’m really sorry about calling you Darcy before then. I didn't know," Ben said sheepishly.

"It's okay, Ben, really. Just eat your lunch so we can go to the library. We have to research our family trees."

~*~*~*~*~*~

After lunch Ben, Geoff, and Darcella went to the library, but they didn't find much information. Darcella could only go back one generation on her tree but she didn't know any information besides names. Ben knew all about his mother's side of the family but no luck on whom his father was. He didn't want to just come out and ask his mum, "Hey Mum I know you were really young when I was born but do you mind telling me who my dad is." That wasn't going to work. Geoff knew about his family. They were very big into Quidditch. His whole report was about Quidditch.

They had a good first night, got most of their homework done. The next morning Geoff and Ben were both waiting for Darcella in the Gryffindor common room. They didn't notice her walk up to them. They were too busy arguing who was the better friend to Darcella.

"Ben, I am telling you. You don't know how to treat girls. You can not treat them like they are one of the guys."

"I have been around plenty of girls, Geoff. I know how to treat them. They want to be treated like anyone else, and if that means like one of the guys, then so be it."

Darcella couldn't help but laugh. These boys were clueless. She didn't mind though; they were her friends. Her first friends and she didn't care how they treated her as long as they stayed friends. "Okay, that's enough. Let's go down to breakfast. I’m expecting an owl from my brother," she said with a giggle.

"Yeah," Ben said. "My Mum should be sending me an owl today, too."

They walked down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Sure enough when the post arrived both Darcella and Ben got owls.

Benjamin

I am going to talk to Harry about that assignment you told me about. I don't want you digging into your father or his side of your family. I'm glad to hear you are making some friends. And Yes, Geoff Wood's father really did play for Puddlemere United. He is not just telling stories to get on that girl's good side. Tell me more about this girl. Maybe I know her parents.

Stay out of trouble. I love you.

Mum

Darcella-

I hope you are having a good time at Hogwarts and making some friends. I talked to Harry last night and he said you were put in Gryffindor. That's great. That’s where Harry was and your Dad. I believe Mum was in Ravenclaw. Harry did say that you have been hanging out with the little Weasley. I told you to stay away from him, but I guess if he is in your house you have to spend some time with him. Try and make some other friends though, too. Harry also told me about the assignment he gave you. Don't worry about it. I will tell you what ever you want to know about Mum and so can Professor Snape, and Harry can tell you all about your Dad. I can tell you about my Dad but I don't think you need that. Stay out of trouble. I know you’re more like your Dad then I like to admit. I love you and miss you.

Draco

"My mum told me to stay out of trouble. She has so little faith in me."

"My brother told me to stay out of trouble, too. He says I’m like my dad." Darcella smiled.

"So they both want us to stay out of trouble, so you know what that means right?"

"Yeah," Darcella said with a sly grin. "What trouble can we get in?"

Just as the words came out of Darcella's mouth Harry walked up behind her.

"Don’t get in too much trouble, Darcy. Your dad and my dad were big trouble makers in their days and if you are anything like me, I know you’ll get yourself in some trouble as well," he said placing his hand on the top of her head.

"We are not going to get in any trouble, Harry," Darcella said with a sweet smile.

"Good. Oh, Ben your Mum sent me an owl. She doesn't want you to do that assignment I gave you. I’m going down to the Burrow later on to talk to her. Do you want to come with me?"

"Can I leave school to go back home? Is that allowed?"

"Sure, you'll be going with me. We’re only going for a little while. Darcy, you can come with us if you want. I'm sure Hermione and Ron would love to see how you've grown up."

"Okay," Darcella agreed

"How are we going to get there? We can't take the train. It will take to long."

"We'll go by Floo powder. Your Grandmum is expecting us."

"When?"

"We'll go before dinner. I'll meet you in your common room. We'll take the fireplace from there."

"Alright. We'll see you there."

After there last class, Ben and Darcella waited for Harry in the Gryffindor Common room.

"Maybe I should tell my brother that I’m going with you and Harry."

"How are you going to tell your brother? It's too late to send him an owl. Just tell him tomorrow and tell him you went with Harry. He won't care. He and Harry are friends right?"

"Yeah."

"So he won't care."

"Alright."

Just then the common room door opened and Harry walked in. "Are you two ready to go?"

"Yes," they said in unison.

"Okay. Ben you go first, then Darcy, then I’ll follow. Ben, here’s the Floo powder," Harry said handing the jar to Ben.

Ben took a handful and handed the jar to Darcella.

"The Burrow." Ben said throwing the powder into the fireplace. He stepped into the flames and disappeared.

Darcella stepped out of the fireplace, or rather tripped out of the fireplace and landed at Ben's feet.

"I see you have the girls falling at your feet already, Benny," said a tall red haired man standing next to the table.

"Ron don't tease him," said a woman with brown hair sitting next to him. "That's Darcella. How are you Darcella? How's your brother?"

"I'm okay. He's alright, too, thanks," she said standing up and dusting off her robes.

"Where's Mum?" Ben said looking around.

"She'll be here soon, Benny. Where's Harry?"

Before Ben could answer there was a small pop and Harry stepped out of the fireplace.

"Hey Ron, 'Mione."

"Hey Harry. Benny, why don't you take your girlfriend outside and play, Aunt Hermione and I have to talk to Harry before your mum comes home."

"She's not my girlfriend."

"He knows, Ben. He is just teasing. Ron don’t tease," Hermione said slapping Ron's arm. "Ben, you and Darcella go out and play."

The kids went out to play. Hermione got up and made sure they were outside before she walked back to the table.

"Ron, she can't be his girlfriend. She's his aunt."

"He doesn't know that. She’s a pretty little girl. If I were Benny I would be trying to make her my girlfriend."

"Ron, They're 11. The are not worrying about girlfriends and boyfriends yet."

"You don't know that, 'Mione. I was worrying about trying to make you my girlfriend when we were 12," He said wrapping his arms around her waist and putting his chin on her shoulder.

"Ron, stop," she said slapping his arm again. "Harry, I can't believe you gave your students this assignment, knowing Ginny never told Ben who his dad was."

"It's time he knew. Especially with Darcella at the school with him. She doesn't have any family besides Draco. She needs to know she has other family out there, even if it is a nephew who is her age," Harry said pulling out a chair and sitting down at the table. No one noticed the red headed woman walk in the door of the kitchen.

"Maybe it isn't for you to decide when I tell my son who his father is," she snapped.

"Ginny," Harry said standing up again. " I . . ."

"You what, Harry Potter? You think it's been easy keeping Ben away from Draco these past eleven year? Hell, I had to leave school and go back after he was born. He would have never accepted him. He didn't want a baby at 18 just as much as I didn't want one at 17."

"Maybe you two should have been more careful at 17 and 18 then, Gin. Maybe you wouldn't have got pregnant. I told you not to go out with him," Ron snapped.

"You just didn’t like him, Ron. I loved him and I am pretty sure he loved me. I just don't think he was ready to be a father at 18."

"But he became one at 20 didn't he," Hermione mumbled quietly.

"None of you understand. It was my decision to make and it is still my decision. Benjamin is my son. Not any of yours."

"You don't understand, Ginny. Ben's new best friend is Darcella Black. You know who she is, don't you? Draco's little sister. Once Draco finds out that his precious little sister's best friend's mother is GINNY WEASLEY, he'll add it up. He'll go back 11 years and realize that he, Draco Malfoy is Benjamin's father."

There was a small almost inaudible gasp from the doorway. None of the adults in the room heard it though. Darcella just stood in the doorway shocked. She didn't mean to be eavesdropping. She needed to use the bathroom. She was going to come in to ask where it was. She silently stepped back outside.

"I thought you needed to use the loo," Ben said seeing Darcella walking back.

She was in a daze. She hoped she hadn't heard right. Draco was Ben's father? He couldn’t be. He was only 29. He couldn't have an 11-year-old son.

"Darcella? What's wrong?"

"Huh?" Darcella said snapping back to reality. "Oh, nothing's wrong, why?"

"You looked sort of dazed."

"No, I'm fine. I think your Mum is home."

"Really?" Ben asked excitedly. He ran into the house yelling, "MUM"

"Hiya Benjamin. I'm so happy to see you," Ginny said holding her arms out for a hug.

Ben ran up to his Mum and hugged her. "I missed you, Mum. I'm glad Harry said I could come and visit. Did you meet my friend, Darcella?"

"No," Ginny said letting go. "Where is she?"

Darcella stepped out from behind Harry where she had been hiding. She gave Ginny a weak smile.

"Oh, Hello Darcella. It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Ms. Weasley."

"Oh call me Ginny, dear," Ginny said with a small smile.

"Ben and I are in the same year, just like Harry, Ron, Hermione and my brother were. You must know my brother."

"Oh did he go to Hogwarts, too?"

"Yes. He was in Slytherin. Not like Ben and me. We’re in Gryffindor like you all were."

"Oh. Gryffindor and Slytherin didn't get along. I probably don't know him."

"You must. He is friends with Harry."

"I don't think I do," Ginny said with a hint of anger in her voice. "Harry, don't you think it is time you get the kids back?"

"Uh, Yeah. C'mon kids. Let's get back to school."

"But what about my Family Tree assignment, Harry? I still don't know who my dad is."

"You are not going to do that assignment Harry gave you, Ben," Ginny snapped before Harry had time to answer.

"But I don't want to get bad grades, Mum."

"Harry understands, don't you, Harry? Benjamin, you don't have to do that assignment. We don't know who your father is so you can't do it."

Ben didn’t notice Hermione sigh and put her head down on Ron's shoulder. Nor did he notice the look on Harry's face.

"Let's go Ben. We’ve got to get back to the school," Harry said stepping closer to the fireplace. "Ben, you go first."

Ben threw the Floo powder, said "Gryffindor Tower", and stepped into the fire.

"She knows, Harry," Ginny whispered to Harry. "I don't know how but she knows. Make sure she doesn't tell him or Draco. I don't want either of them to know."

Darcella followed Ben into the fire.

"You don't know if she knows. She can't know. And if she does there is no way I can stop her from telling anyone," Harry said, stepping into the fire.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The next few days were weird for Darcella. She couldn’t decide if she should tell her brother what she had heard at the Burrow. She definitely didn't know if she should tell Ben.

"Knut for your thoughts, Darcella," Geoff said sitting down next to her in front of the fire in the common room.

"Oh, I've got a big decision to make and it is a hard one."

"What's the decision about? Is it about a boy?" Geoff said turning a slight shade of pink.

"Well, Geoff, it is and it isn't. I have some information that I got, um, well; I was sort of accidentally eavesdropping. I didn't mean to hear what I heard but now that I did I don't know if I should share it with the people it involves."

"Well, will they get hurt if you share this information?"

"They might."

"Well don't tell them then. But you can maybe help them figure it out on their own though."

"That is a great idea, Geoff," Darcella said excitedly, throwing her arms around his neck. "You will help me won't you? I don’t know if I can do it on my own."

Geoff hugged her back awkwardly. "Sure. I'll help you. What about Ben though?"

Darcella immediately pulled back from their hug. "We can't tell Ben what we are doing. It involves him." Darcella looked around the room to see if anyone was listening to them. She stood up and pulled Geoff into an alcove in the common room. "When I went with Harry and Ben yesterday I heard something that I suppose I wasn’t meant to hear," she spoke quietly.

"What did you hear?" Geoff asked extremely curious.

"Well you know how we are supposed to do that Family tree for Harry's class? And you know how Ben can't do his ‘cause he doesn't know who his father is? His Mum knows; actually everyone seems to know but Ben."

"And now you know? Why don't you tell him then?"

"That's the problem. He may not believe me and if he does that’s a whole other problem."

"Why is it a problem if he does believe you?"

"Erm, because that would make me," Darcella lowered her voice to a whisper, " his aunt. I should have known earlier. Snape said that Ben and I have the same eyes yesterday when he wanted to speak to me after class. I have the same eyes as my brother. Ben must have his father's eyes."

Geoff didn’t know what to say. He was a bit shocked. "How can you be his aunt? You’re only 11."

"Yeah, but my older brother is 29. He’s Ben's dad. Apparently Ben's mum and my brother were dating when they went to school here. Ben said that his Mum had him when she was in her sixth year."

"So how are we going to get them to figure it out on their own, with out telling them?"

"We’re just going to have to get Draco and Ben's Mum together again, somehow."

"How? You can't just invite your brother to Ben's house."

"No," Darcella said the wheels in her head turning. "But if Ben and I get in trouble, our guardians will have to come and speak to the Headmistress."

"Darcella, you can't get yourself in serious trouble just so Ben can find out who his Dad is."

"Yes, I can and Ben will go along with anything I say because we’re friends. You’re just going to have to let me do this."

Geoff sighed and rolled his eyes. "When you get Ben and yourself expelled don't say I didn’t tell you so."

"We won't get expelled. C'mon we have to go plan what we’re going to get caught doing," Darcella said pulling Geoff out of the alcove and towards the common room entrance.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Geoff and Darcella sat in the library looking over the Hogwarts Rule books.

"I found it, Geoff. Ben and I are going to have to sneak out at night and try and break into one of the professor's offices. We just have to make sure we’re caught."

"I still don’t' think this is a good idea, Darcella. What if you get expelled? Do you think you could live the rest of your life with out your wand?"

"Well I lived the first eleven with out it but I am not going to get expelled. The most we will get is detention and lose some house points. They will have to get our guardians involved, though. Then Draco and Ginny will be forced into the same room. They will have to talk. Ginny will tell him that Ben is his son and then She’ll tell Ben that Draco is his dad."

"It’s good in theory, Darcella, but what if it doesn't work?"

"It has to. It just has to."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Darcella put her plan into motion the next night. She, Geoff and Ben sat in their common room. Geoff was finishing up his family tree, as was Darcella. Ben was playing with his Wizard cards.

"Oy, Ben, I think Harry has some information about who your dad is in his office. We should go try and sneak a look at it later," Darcella said not looking up from her paper.

"Really?" Ben said excitedly, throwing his cards down on the table.

"Yeah, I saw it when I was in there talking to him about my Dad."

"How are we going to get it?"

Darcella leaned in closer to Ben. "We'll have to sneak in tonight. We can get the paper and come back here and read it. Then you can do the assignment, too."

"You don't think we'll get caught?"

"No, we won't get caught. I have a copy of the map my dad and his friends made when they were in school here. It tells all the secret passages and where Filch and his stupid cat are."

"You won't tell on us, Geoff, will you?" Ben said turning his attention to the other boy sitting at the table.

Geoff rolled his eyes. "No, Ben, you and Darcella are my best friends. I would never tell on you," he said as if he was reading lines in a play.

"Okay. It’ll be just like when Harry and my Uncle Ron were in school. Going on adventures," Ben said ecstatically.

~*~*~*~*~*~

That night Darcella and Ben waited until everyone left the common room for bed. She pulled out her copy of the Marauder's map. Harry knew that she would use it when he gave it to her but she had every right to it as he did. Her father was just as responsible for making it as his.

"Look we can take this short cut up to Harry's office. Filch is dealing with Peeves in the trophy room.

"Alright let's go."

The two snuck out of the common room.

"Isn't it a bit late for you children to be out?" the Fat Lady said as the picture swung back into position.

"We’re, erm, hungry. We’re going down to the kitchen to get a snack," Darcella lied to the portrait.

"Well hurry children," the Fat Lady said as they ran away.

"That was close," Ben said out of breath.

"That was nothing. We have to make sure there are no professors around. That would be bad. Come on, down here," Darcella said leading Ben down a darkened corridor.

"It's dark down here, Darcella," Ben said getting closer to her.

"Honestly," she huffed pulling out her wand. "Lumos." The light from her wand lit up the darkened hallway a bit.

"Are we almost there?"

"Harry's office is the third one down. Hurry up," Darcella said picking up her pace.

The two children hurried down the hall until they reached Harry's office door.

"It's locked."

"Of course it's locked. Do you think Harry would just leave it open?" Darcella said pointing her wand at the lock. "Alohamora," and with a click the door opened. "Come on inside. And be quiet."

They ducked into the room. Darcella hoped her plan would work. She slammed the door behind her hoping the noise would bring someone to catch them.

"Darcella, you said be quiet and then you slam the door. That's bright."

"It slipped. Sorry." She shrugged and walked over to the desk. "I saw that paper on his desk. Start looking." Ben started looking through the papers as Darcella glanced at the map. She saw two little dots labeled ‘Darcella Black and Benjamin Weasley’ in the room marked ‘Harry Potter's office’. Then she saw what she had hoped she would see: a little dot labeled ‘Harry Potter’ moving down the hall towards the room they were in.

"I can't find it, Darcella. Help me look or let's go."

"No, we can’t go," Darcella snapped. "I'll help you look."

No more than two seconds after the words came out of Darcella's mouth, the door to the office burst open.

"DARCY, BEN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Harry yelled.

Both children jumped and stood there staring with their mouths gaping.

"What are you two doing in my office?" Harry asked strongly.

Neither child had an answer. The stood silently.

"I'm sorry guys but I can’t give you preferential treatment. I am going to have to take you to Professor McGonagall."

Harry led the children out of his office and down the corridor that lead to the Headmistress's office.

"I thought you said we wouldn't get caught," Ben whispered to Darcella. "So much for that map of yours."

"I'm sorry," she said softly. But this is working out perfectly she thought. I'm glad it was Harry that caught us. I think it would have been worse if it had been someone else.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The children sat silently in the Headmistress's office. Harry was right out side the door talking to Professor McGonagall. The door was ajar and Darcella tried her best to hear what they were saying.

"Do you really think we should call her brother and his Mother?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Potter. I do. Like you said we can not give them preferential treatment because of who they are to you. Just because it was your office doesn’t mean they weren't breaking the rules. Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Weasley can both be here quickly. The children need to realize that there are no special rules for them."

"Alright Professor. I’ll go and notify their guardians while you talk to them."

"Thank you Potter. And please remember not to tell Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Weasley what the children have done. I would like to tell them myself."

"They're going to get your mum and my brother," Darcella whispered to Ben.

"Great," Ben said starting to cry. " Mum is going to be so mad at me."

"My brother is going to kill me," Darcella said calmly.

Just then Professor McGonagall walked in the room. "Ms. Black, Mr. Weasley do you want to explain to me what you were doing breaking into Professor Potter's office?"

"We . . . " Ben started

"Ben, shush," Darcella interrupted. "We weren't doing anything Professor. We needed to get some information that Harry, I mean Professor Potter, had in his office."

"So you thought you would just break in, Ms. Black? And Bring Mr. Weasley along with you?"

"The information was for him."

"That is unacceptable. We have sent for your brother. He will be here soon."

"No," Darcella said flatly, "anyone but Draco."

"This is not a joke Ms. Black. You and Mr. Weasley here have broken a serious rule. You will get the proper punishment."

Just then there was a knock at the door. A very angry red head stormed in.

"Benjamin Noah Weasley," the women yelled, "what the hell do you think you are doing? Trying to be like your uncles?" She walked over to Ben with a purpose. She pulled him to a standing position by his ear. She didn't notice the young girl sitting next to Ben nor did she notice the older woman sitting at the desk.

"Hello, Ms. Weasley."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Professor," she said letting go of Ben so he could sit back down.

"Have a seat, Ms. Weasley," McGonagall said conjuring up a chair next to Ben's. "We just have to wait for Ms. Black's brother."

Ginny looked over at Darcella.

"Can't we deal with the children separately? I mean I really have nothing to do with Darcella just as much as Draco has nothing to do with Ben," Ginny said with a hint of panic in her voice.

"No. They committed the same crime; they receive the same punishment. It is killing two birds with one stone, Ms. Weasley."

"I'll be right back. Knowing Draco, he won't be here for a while," Ginny sighed. "I have to talk to Harry." Ginny walked out of the room.

Not long after Ginny left, Draco came in.

"Professor, you wanted to see me? What did Darcella do?"

"Ah, Mr. Malfoy. Have a seat. We just have to wait for Mr. Weasley's Mother to come back. She went to talk to Potter."

"His Mother? Wouldn't have been easier if his Dad came?" Draco asked pulling his chair closer to Darcella's.

"Mr. Weasley doesn't have a father to speak of, Mr. Malfoy. Ms. Weasley will have to do."

"Ms. Weasley?" Draco asked panicked. "You mean he's Ginny's?" He collapsed down into his chair. He didn't see Ginny walk back into the office.

"Yes, he's mine, Draco," Ginny said coldly.

"But how? He's Darcella's age. How can that be? You can't have a child that old."

"What do you mean I can't? Of course I can and I do."

"Ms. Black, Mr. Weasley can you please go wait outside. I think the adults need to have a private talk," McGonagall said to the children. They both nodded and headed out of the door. Professor McGonagall followed them. Harry was standing outside.

"You did this on purpose didn't you, Darcella?" Harry asked her as she stepped out the door.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Harry." Darcella closed the door behind her but left it cracked so she could hear what was going on inside.

"You can't have an 11 year old child, Ginny," Draco yelled.

"Yes I can, Draco and I do. Ben is my child. I had him 11 years ago." Ginny crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Draco.

"You were still in school 11 years ago."

"Yes I was."

"But . . . that makes him . . ." Draco stuttered and leaned against the desk to support him as if he thought he might fall.

"What? That makes him what? Yours, Draco? Yes it does. Are you surprised? That night of the Yule Ball in your 7^th year; I finally gave into you. We all have consequences of our decisions. My decision to sleep with you gave me a consequence, Benjamin." She stepped in front of him so they were face to face, so to speak.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He reached out and touched her arms.

"WHY? Do you think you would have wanted a pregnant girlfriend?" She asked pulling away from his grasp turning her back to him. "Did you really want a child at 18? Besides your mother was already pregnant. That would have gone over really well with your parents. 'Mum, Sirius, guess what? Ginny and I are going to have a baby, too.' Yeah that would have been great."

"But, Gin, I slept with you after that. I never noticed you looked pregnant." He placed his hands on her shoulders.

"I didn't really start to show until my sixth month and by then we had broken up and I was home."

"You should have told me, Ginny." He slid his hands down her arms; wrapped them around her and pulled her back into his chest. "I could have handled it."

Ginny leaned into him. "I wanted to. I wanted you to know but then I couldn't. I didn't go back to school that next year. I stayed home. Then the next year my Mum and Dad had a meeting with Dumbledore. They convinced him to let me finish my last year, go to class but sleep at home. Then after I finished school, Ben was almost two, which is when Sirius was killed and you had Darcella to take care of. I couldn’t tell you that you had another baby to take care of when you had your little sister." She turned around in his arms and leaned her head onto his chest.

"Did anyone else know he's mine?" He tightened his grip on her hugging her deeply.

"Well my family did. Ron wasn't too happy. He never wanted us together in the first place. He was appalled when he found out you got me pregnant. He told Hermione and then Harry found out. Don't get mad at them. I made them promise not to tell you."

"Ben doesn't know, does he?"

"No, I told him I didn't know who his father was and he never questioned it." She looked up into his gray blue eyes. "He has your eyes, you know."

Draco looked into Ginny's eyes. The dark brown eyes he once loved to see sparkle, now pink as if she was holding back the tears. He felt a chill up his spine. He never stopped loving her. The only reason they broke up was that she had another year of school and he was going to be heading to Scotland for Auror training. He bent his head down and brushed his lips gently and quickly across hers.

He whispered in her ear, "I think maybe we should deal with what the kids did and then deal with telling Ben that I am his dad a little later."

Ginny didn’t want him to let go of her. She loved how she felt in his arms. She missed the feeling of being warm and safe in his arms, like nothing could ever harm her.

Ginny thought back to the last time that she had been in his arms.

"Are you feeling alright, Ginny?" Draco said holding her tight on the Dance floor at his Leavers’ Ball.

She moved her head from the spot it had been resting on his shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "I . . .yeah I feel okay. I think it must be a cold or something. I've just been too busy with finals and stuff to go and see Madam Pomfrey. I'll take care of it when I get back to the Burrow. I'll go see a Mediwizard and everything."

He looked to her as if he accepted that answer. She put her head back on his shoulder and snuggled more into his hold. He kissed her forehead and held her tight.

"I'm sorry we aren't going to be able to see each other for a while. But as soon as I get back from training in the beginning of September I'll take you out to the best restaurant in all of Britain."

Yeah if I am not as big as a house or have a newborn baby to take care of Ginny thought to herself. "Alright," Ginny said with a small forced smile.

"I could stay like this forever," Draco said softly, " with you in my arms. I love you, Ginny, I always will."

"I love you, too," she said raising her head to meet his eyes again. He leaned in and kissed her softly. She moved her arms up and ran her hands through his baby fine blond hair. She intensified their kiss because she knew this would really be the last time she would see him. After she had his baby she could never see him again. She didn't want him to think she had tried to tie him down with a baby.

Just like last time she had been in his arms, she knew it wouldn't last. They each had their own lives to live and different things to take care of. The first thing they had to take care of was their kids. Ginny let go of Draco and turned to the door.

"Your right. We have to talk to McGonagall," Ginny said stepping towards the door. "Ben had always been such a good kid. I can't understand how he could have gotten in so much trouble."

"Darcella probably put him up to it; she’s just like Sirius. A trouble-maker through and through," Draco said with a laugh as he opened the door. Darcella tumbled into the room backwards. Obviously she had been leaning with her back on the door.

"Alright then, Darcella?" Draco asked trying to hold in his laugh as he helped her up.

She stood up quickly and dusted off her robes. "Alright"

"Good. Professor McGonagall, we're ready to discuss what the children have done," Draco said as the rest of the people in the hall came into the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~

After they all discussed what Darcella and Ben had done and how Harry caught them Ginny turned to Ben. "Why in heaven's name would you even think of breaking into Harry's office, Benjamin?"

"It wasn't Ben's idea, Ginny," Darcella spoke up before Ben had a chance to.

"It was your idea to break into Harry's office?" Draco said in response to his sister's admission.

"Well," Darcella paused. "Yes and no."

"What do you mean 'yes and no'? Either it was or it wasn't."

Darcella sighed and adjusted in her seat. "It was my idea to break into Harry's office, yes, but it isn't for the reason you all think it is."

"Pray tell, Darcy, why did you decided to break into my office? What were you hoping would happen?" Harry asked getting a bit annoyed.

"I was hoping my brother and Ginny would get together," Darcella said looking down at her lap.

"I…Uh…Ben I think you better wait outside while we talk to Darcella," Ginny managed to stutter.

"But Mum."

"But nothing, Benjamin. Wait outside."

Ben stood up, kicked his chair but then went and waited out in the hall.

"Now Darcella what do you mean you wanted to get your brother and Ms. Weasley together?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Well, I figured if Ben and I got in enough trouble that you would have to call his Mum and my brother and then Draco would see who Ben's mum is and figure out that he is Ben's Dad and then they could come live with us at the Manor and everything would be okay because Ben would have a dad and I would have a friend who lives at the Manor and the kids that live near the Manor would see I had a friend and it would be even better than a friend because he would be family, granted it is a bit odd to have a nephew who my own age but I’m just glad to have more family… "

"Wait, why do you think I am Ben's father?" Draco said interrupting Darcella's babbling.

"Because you are. I, erm, sort of overheard Ginny and Harry talking about it when we were at the Burrow. I didn’t mean to, I'm sorry," Darcella said looking at Ginny who was slowly turning all sorts of shades of red.

"Did you tell Ben, Darcella?" Ginny asked apprehensively.

"No. I didn't. I didn't want him to get mad and not believe me. That's why I didn't tell you either, Draco," she said turning her attention to her brother. "I figured the only way for you to find out was if you saw that Ginny was Ben's Mum. So, I told Ben that Harry had information about his father in the office and convinced him that we needed to break in to get it. Then I made a loud noise and waited for Harry to show up and catch us."

"A plan to rival only those of the Marauders, Darcy. Still you shouldn't have broken into my office."

"I know but I couldn't just come out and tell Draco that my new best friend is his son. So Geoff and I came up with this plan to get us in enough trouble to get Draco and Ginny together."

"Geoff Wood? He knows too?" Ginny said putting her head into her hands.

"Yeah, but I made him promise not to tell Ben either," Darcella said.

"Professor, is there somewhere where Ginny and I can talk to Ben, privately? I think he needs to know before the whole school does," Draco asked professor McGonagall.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy. You can Ms. Weasley can use my office. Ms. Black, since it was your brilliant plan, you will have a weeks detention with Professor Potter. Mr. Weasley will have three days of detention for going along with you, Mr. Wood will have one day for helping you, and 20 points will be taken from Gryffindor each. Now you better get back to bed; I don't want you to fall asleep during your first night of detention."

"Yes, Professor," Darcella said standing up. She headed towards the door but then turned around and ran back to her brother. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry, Draco. I just wanted you to find out about this and I couldn't just come out and tell you."

Draco hugged his little sister back. "It's okay Darcella. I’m not mad at you. You’re my sister; I love you. But just because I know that I am Ben's dad, doesn't mean that he and Ginny are going to come live with us at the Manor. They have their own lives to live. We can't just drag them into ours." He looked up at Ginny, who had her head down, seemingly amazed by her shoes at this point in time. "We'll talk about this another time. You better get to bed." He kissed her on the top of her head and let her go.

Darcella walked out of the door and ran into Ben who was leaning against the wall kicking at the ground. "They want to talk to you now, Ben. I'm sorry I got you in trouble. I have a weeks detention, you've got three days and even Geoff has got a day."

"What did Geoff do? He's in bed," Ben questioned.

"You'll find out. You better get in there," Darcella said walking away.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ben walked into the room and stood next to his mother. "I'm sorry, Mum," he said looking down at her with a sad look in his eyes.

"I know Ben," she said as she stood up and kissed his cheek.

"Mr. Weasley, for your part in Ms. Black's plan you will have to serve three days of detention with Professor Potter and 20 points will be taken from your house. Now I do believe your mother and Mr. Malfoy would like to speak to you privately. Let's go Potter," Professor McGonagall said standing up and walking towards the door. Harry followed her and closed the door behind them.

Ben was quite confused on why Darcella's brother wanted to talk to him. Perhaps to tell me not to listen to Darcella anymore. She really is a troublemaker, Ben thought.

"Benjamin, sit down. Draco and I have something to tell you," Ginny said nervously. She walked over to where Draco was standing leaning on McGonagall's desk. Turning to Draco, she whispered, "I don't know how I’m going to tell him. I've been keeping this from him for 11 years."

"I'll do it," he whispered in her ear giving her a small peck on her earlobe. He bent down in front of Ben so he was at his eye level. "Ben, you know that your mother didn't want you to do the family tree assignment that Harry gave you, right?" Ben nodded. "Do you know the reason?"

"She said she didn't want me digging into my father or his side of my family," he said as he was playing with the cuff on the sleeve of his robe.

"Right. Do you know why?"

"I don't think she knows who my father is," Ben said quietly and looked down at his lap.

Draco looked up at Ginny with a quizzical look. Her not knowing whom Ben's father was made her sound like a slut. Draco knew different. He knew that he had been the only one Ginny had slept with while at Hogwarts. He knew that she had given him her precious gift, her virginity. He looked back at Ben and put his hand reassuringly on his knee. "She does know who your father is, Ben. The reason she didn't tell you is because she didn’t want your father to know."

"But why wouldn't she want him to know? Does she think he wouldn't want me?" Ben looked as if he was trying his hardest to hold back tears. Draco could hear the quiver in his voice.

"Your mother thought she was doing the right thing by not telling your father. She didn’t think he wouldn't want you. She thought your father had too many other responsibilities in his life to deal with. Right before you were born your father's mother died. That was very hard for him to handle because his own father had died when he was in his fifth year here at Hogwarts. He had a stepfather, but your dad didn't live with him. He also had a little sister. Then when your mother finished at school and you were two she thought that she would try to tell your father but then his Step-father was killed and your father had more responsibility because he had to raise his little sister."

"Wait," Ben said confused. Something didn’t sound right to him.

"What's the matter, Benjamin?" Ginny asked.

"Something's not right."

"What's not right?"

"His story about my dad, it's not right. It sounds too much like what Darcella told me about… NO!" Ben stood up, quickly moved as far away from the two adults as he could get and turned his back on them.

"What's wrong???" Ginny asked in a panic, rushing over to her son who was facing the wall in the far corner of the room.

"HE is my dad? Darcella's brother? He's my . . .my . . .my dad?" Ben cried. Ginny wrapped her arms around her now crying son and held him close. Ginny looked at Draco not knowing what to do or say to comfort her crying boy. Draco walked over to them. He stood next to them and put his hand on Ben's shoulder. Ben shied away from his touch. "Don't touch me," he snapped through the tears. Draco put his hands up and stepped back. He mouthed "I'm sorry" to Ginny and went back over to the chairs and sat down.

Ginny let go of Ben and squatted down in front of him with her hands on his shoulders. "Yes, Ben, Draco is your father. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't want him to know. I was being selfish, sweetheart. I'm sorry. "

"But Mum, He must have known. Darcella knew, didn't she?"

"Darcella found out when you came to the Burrow with Harry. She overheard us talking."

"Wait, so Harry knew? And Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione?"

Ginny looked over at Draco who was sitting at the desk. He shrugged and motioned at Ben with his chin. "Yes, Ben. They all knew. Everyone in the family knew."

"Why didn't anyone tell me? Why couldn't I know? Why did you keep this from me, Mum?" Ben asked with desperation in his voice.

"I made them promise never to tell you. I didn't want you to know that the reason you didn't have a father in your life was because of me. Because of my choice not to tell him. I was trying to save Draco from the responsibility of having a baby to take care of at 18 years old. I thought I was doing the best thing for everyone, Ben. I’m so sorry," she said pulling Ben into another hug.

"But what's going to happen now, mum? Are we going to have to leave the Burrow and Grandma and Grandpa? Do we have to go live with him? Does he even want to be my dad?" Ben said quietly, making sure Draco couldn't hear.

"I don't know what is going to happen now, Ben. I suppose you are going to have to do the assignment Harry gave you," Ginny said trying to lighten the mood. Ben cracked a smile, but just barely. "Why don't you head to bed and we'll talk about this tomorrow."

"Alright," Ben said with a sniff as he wiped his eyes. "'Night Mum," he said giving her a hug. Ben headed to the door and was about to walk out when he stopped, turned around, and looked at Draco. "Good night, erm, Dad?" he said with a flinch, and headed out the door.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ben walked into the Gryffindor common room and was about to head up to bed when he saw Darcella. She was sitting at the bottom of the steps leading up to the dormitories.

"What are you still doing up, Darcella?" Ben asked stopping in front of her. "Will you get out of the way, please?"

"I wanted to talk to you," she said looking up at him.

"I think I’ve done enough talking to people tonight, Darcella. I'm going to bed," Ben said bluntly as he squeezed past her and headed up the stairs.

"I don't want you to be mad at me," she yelled up the stairs at him.

"Okay," he said right before he walked into his room and closed the door.

What did he mean 'okay'? She thought as she headed up to her own room. I hope he isn't too mad at me. She went into her room and changed into her pajamas and got into bed.

Ben, in his own room, changed into his pajamas and was about to get into bed when he heard a noise. He quickly turned around to see what the noise was and saw Geoff sitting on the edge of his own bed.

"Are you okay, Ben?" Geoff asked.

"I'm bloody fantastic, Geoff. Thanks for asking," Ben said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"What happened?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Of course I do. I told you before; you and Darcella are my best friends. I care what happens to you."

"You care what happened to me? Really? Well, You know that plan Darcella had about sneaking into Harry's office so I could find out who my dad was? Well sneaking into Harry's office was only part of her plan. It was the part that got us all detention, you included, but you probably knew that," Ben said no longer being able to hide the anger in his voice. He sat down on his bed and got under his blankets.

"I . . .I . . . " Geoff stuttered.

"You what, Geoff? You and Darcella came up with this plan to get my Mum and Dad together. Oh and if you didn't know Darcella's brother, yeah he's my dad. Who cares that we all got detention and lost 20 house points each along the way. It was a wonderful plan, " Ben said being overly sarcastic again. " Now if you don't mind I’m tired so I’m going to sleep." He pulled the curtains on his bed closed with force and lay down, leaving Geoff sitting there with his mouth open in shock.

~*~*~*~*~*~

After a night of little sleep, Darcella headed to breakfast, not even seeing if Geoff and Ben were waiting for her. She knew they probably weren't. She walked into the Great Hall and her thoughts were confirmed. She saw Ben already sitting at the Gryffindor table, alone. Geoff was at the other end of the table sitting with Daniel Watson and Payton Florentine, a couple of other first years from Gryffindor. She sighed. This sight meant that Ben was mad at Geoff too. Geoff was probably mad at her because he got detention just for helping her make up her plan. She walked up to the table and sat down by herself.

"Hi, Darcella," Geoff said cautiously as she sat down.

Darcella looked at him and cocked her head to the side. "You're not mad at me?"

"Well, " Geoff said sliding down the table so he was sitting across from her. "I’m pretty annoyed that I have detention for no good reason but I guess that the only way either of us will get Ben to talk to us again is if we stick together."

"You're probably right," Darcella said with a shrug. "I’m sorry I got you in detention. I thought I was doing the right thing, getting Ginny and my brother together. I thought Ben would be happy to finally know who his dad is. I didn't mean to make him so angry."

Geoff nodded silently. He looked up and saw the owls coming into the Great hall. "Post’s here," Geoff said as a large Eagle owl swooped in and dropped a letter in Darcella's lap. She opened it and began to read.

Darcella,

Since it is Friday, Professor McGonagall is allowing me to take you home for the weekend. You will meet me at the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room at 7pm tonight. You will not need to bring home anything but yourself since I will make sure you are back early on Sunday. Don’t be late.

Draco

"It's from my brother," Darcella said to Geoff, folding the letter back up. "He’s taking me home for the weekend. He’s still mad. He didn't even tell me he loves me or misses me in the letter," She pouted.

Neither Darcella nor Geoff noticed the minute owl that swooped in and landed in Ben's breakfast plate.

"Arghhh, Pig, get off of my plate," Ben said angrily trying to pick Pig up. "You didn't just come to visit, you stupid git, give me your leg so I can get the letter." Pig jumped around wildly until Ben brought his hand down on top of the fast moving owl and pinned him to the table. He pulled the letter off the owl's leg and let go of his prisoner. It flitted around his head insanely. Ben tried to ignore him while as he opened the letter but the owl flew into his head. "Ow," Ben said rubbing the spot where Pig had collided with him. "Here," he threw him the crust of his toast, "now go home." The small bird took the crust and hooted in wildly in thanks as he headed out the window again. "Daft bird," Ben said as he opened the letter.

Benjamin

Professor McGonagall is allowing you to come home for the weekend. Meet me at the fireplace in your common room at 7pm so I can come get you. We are making a stop before we head to the Burrow though so don't bring anything home with you. I’ll see you tonight, Sweetheart. I love you.

Love Mum.

Ben folded the letter and put it in his pocket. He was happy to be getting away from Darcella for the weekend. He glanced down the table to where Darcella was sitting with Geoff. Let them stay here by themselves all weekend. Serves them right. Maybe I’ll talk to them when I come back, Ben thought to himself. I need time away from my so-called best friends, anyway.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The day seemed to drag by for all three children. Ben was doing his best impression of a mute whenever Geoff and Darcella were around. Geoff stopped letting Darcella come up with plans to make Ben talk to them after she spilled two bottles of ink, broke his best quill and almost dropped her cauldron on his toes.

"I can't think of anymore plans, anyway," she told him after she came very close to snapping her wand in half.

"Maybe I'll try to talk to him while your gone, Darcella. He might talk to me if you aren't around," Geoff said as he and Darcella sat in the library doing their homework.

"I guess. I suppose he is more mad at me then he is at you."

"What time is your brother coming for you?"

"Seven. I better go and put my books away so I'll be ready when he comes." Darcella picked up her books and headed back to Gryffindor Tower.

When Darcella went into the common room she noticed Ben sitting near the fireplace doing nothing. She thought she would take her books upstairs to put them in her trunk and then come back down and try to talk to Ben one last time before she left.

She came back to talk to Ben after putting her stuff away but he was no longer alone. His mother was sitting with him on the couch talking to him. Darcella hid behind a big chair.

"So where do we have to stop before we go home, Mum?"

"It's a surprise," Ginny said patting him on the knee.

"I don't really think I can handle anymore surprises, Mum. Can't you just tell me where we’re going?"

Before Ginny had had time to open her mouth to say anything there was a sizzle and small pop and Draco stepped out of the fireplace.

"What's he doing here?" Ben asked standing up.

"I'm here to get my sister," Draco said flatly.

Darcella came out from her hiding place behind the chair.

"I'm ready to go, Draco. Can we hurry? I want to get away from people who aren’t talking to me because I was trying to help," Darcella said to Draco as she pulled him towards the fireplace, obviously aiming her words at Ben.

"I don't think that's possible, Darcella," Ginny said getting up off the couch.

"What? Why not?" She said spinning around to face Ginny.

"Yeah, Mum, Why not?" Ben said crossing his arms.

"Draco?" Ginny said looking at him pleading to him with her eyes to explain.

"Well, it's not possible because Ben and Ginny are coming with us to the Manor, Darcella."

"WHAT?" Darcella screamed with Ben yelling "WHY?" right after her.

"We thought that it would a good idea for us all to sit and talk about everything that’s happened," Ginny said walking over and standing next to Draco

"Can't we go to the Burrow and do that, Mum?" Ben begged.

"No, Benjamin. There are too many people at home. You know that. We all need to talk where it is quiet and there aren't too many people around."

"Why do we need to talk? He's my dad. You're still my mum. She's my no longer my friend but is now aunt and I'm not talking to her. There’s nothing to talk about," Ben said sitting down hard on the couch.

"Ben you are angry about how everything came down last night, I accept that but there are things we need to talk about and we are not going to do it here and we are not going to do it at the Burrow. We are going to Malfoy Manor and that's final," Ginny yelled pulling Ben off the couch by his arm. "Now take the damn floo powder and get going."

"But…"

"But nothing, young man. Darcella, you go first. Draco, you follow her then Ben and I will come."

"Ooh Gin, being forceful. I kind of like that," Draco said putting his arm around Ginny's waist.

"I'm sure you do, Draco," she said pushing him away, "but now is not the time to show me how much."

"You better go now, Darcella, before Ginny hurts someone," Draco said holding a jar of floo power for her. Darcella looked at him with a scared look in her eyes, and took a bit of the powder.

Darcella threw the powder into the blaze and said "Malfoy Manor" softly before stepping into the fire. Draco followed suit.

"You better let me do this, Ben, before you get any bright ideas of your own about going home," she said taking a handful of the powder. She threw it into the fire and said "Malfoy Manor" and then gave Ben a light push forwards. Finally Ginny passed into the flames.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Once they had all arrived at the Manor Draco led them into one of the sitting rooms. A house elf came hurrying in with tea, cookies and cakes for everyone. Ben sat down hard on one of the large, green, velvet chairs against the wall and crossed his arms. Darcella sat in a similar chair across the room, a bit more gently than Ben did but crossed her arms in the same manor. Draco looked at both kids and shook his head. He and Ginny sat down on a small loveseat in the middle of the room.

"Ready Ginny?" he said softly pulling out his wand.

"Yes," she replied pulling out her own wand.

They each pointed their wands at a child in a chair and in unison said "Accio" and soon both children were sitting in their respective chairs next to the loveseat.

"Now we are going to sit here and talk," Ginny said putting her wand away.

"I don't want to talk to her," Ben said turning his chair so he was no longer facing Darcella, "or him. I just want to go home and if I can't go home can I at least go back to school?"

"No, Benjamin. You can not go home and you can not go back to school," Ginny said turning his chair back. "Now Draco and I have talked, a lot, about everything that happened yesterday and we've decided that we need to talk to you two before we make any decisions about the future of this family."

"Family? We are not a family," Ben snapped circling his finger. "They are a family," he pointed at Darcella and Draco, "and we have our own family back at the Burrow. We have Grandma and Grandpa and us, Mum. That’s our family."

"Ben, we can't stay at the Burrow forever. My parents haven’t had that house to themselves since the mid '60's."

"But that's our home. That's where we live. I don't want to leave there."

"Ben listen, " Draco interrupted. "Your Mother and I talked a lot today and we figured out that we never really stopped loving each other."

"Sure," Ben said lightly. "You love each other. That’s why she spent eleven years avoiding you and not telling you she had your son. And that’s why after you left school you had no contact with her and didn't even know she was ever pregnant. That’s what I call love."

"If my brother says he loves your mum, then he loves your mum. He doesn't lie, Ben," Darcella yelled, leaping out of her chair.

"Don't talk to me, Darcy," Ben spat back at her making sure to stress her name. He stood up and got in her face.

"Don't call me Darcy, Benjamin." She snapped back stressing his name just as much as she pushed him away.

"Don't push me," he said giving her a hard shove. Darcella lost her balance and fell backwards, hitting the ground with a thud.

She looked up at Ben through misty eyes. "Ow," she cried as the tears started leaking down her face. "That hurt Ben. Why did you push me over?"

"I'm sorry, Darcella. I didn't mean to make you fall," Ben said extending his hand to her to help her up. "But you did push me first."

"You called me Darcy. You know I don’t like being called that," she said taking his hand and standing up.

"I know. I'm sorry. It's just… It's just I just found out that your brother is my dad and it is really quite a bit of a shock. And you knew and didn't tell me but you told Geoff and then I found out that everyone in my family knew and Harry, too, and no one told me. All my life everyone has kept the most important things from me and I just kind of snapped. I'm sorry Darcella. You really are my best friend, you and Geoff and I don't want to loose that just because I got mad."

"They kept it from my brother, too, Ben. His friends kept you from him, too," Darcella said as she put her arms around Ben and gave him a hug. "I don't want you to be mad at me. Geoff doesn't want you to be mad at him, either. We wanted you to know but we didn't know how else to tell you besides getting your mum and my brother together. We figured Harry was trying to tell you but he couldn't come out and tell you, either."

"Good now that you two are friends again can we all talk about this?" Draco asked motioning to the chairs.

"I guess," Ben said sitting down.

"Alright. Now, Ginny and I have figured out that we never really stopped loving each other," Draco said putting his arm around Ginny as they sat on the loveseat. "We want to try and start our relationship over. We want your blessing," he said looking at both children. Both children who now sat with their mouths gapping in shock.

"Wh…wha…what does that mean?" Darcella stuttered.

"That means, in pre-teen terms, Draco and I are going out, again," Ginny said with a laugh. Draco laughed too. Ben and Darcella though didn't find it all that funny. "We want you two to be okay with it."

"Okay with it? It's great," Darcella said excitedly as she hugged both Draco and Ginny.

"Ben? What do you think?" Ginny asked as Darcella sat down.

"I think… I think… I think I don't know what I think. I mean I want you to be happy mum and I guess if you are happy with him. Great. And he is my dad so I guess that it's okay," Ben said with a shrug.

"I'm glad you are okay with it, Ben," Ginny said going up to him and giving him a huge hug, "because I am happy with Draco. I always was. Well maybe not my first four years of school but…"

"Ginny," Draco said pulling her onto his lap.

"Not in front of the children," Darcella giggled.

Ben sighed. Ginny and Draco laughed.

Ben and Ginny spent the weekend at Malfoy Manor with Draco and Darcella. They all talked some more and by the time the kids had to go back to Hogwarts everything was okay again. Ben and Darcella were friends again, and he didn’t seem to be mad at Geoff anymore, either. Draco and Ginny were happy and together.