Frannie stood at the entrance to the Great Hall, hiding behind a stone pillar as she saw the students begin to dig into dessert. The Marauders looked rather disinterested in their food for once, talking in hushed voices as Lily kept glancing at the doorway.
"I nearly forgot," Draco looked up from beside her, his gaze flashing with guilt. "Today's your birthday, then?" He smirked. "Finally joined the adult club?"
"That's in the muggle world," Frannie grumbled, "I was seventeen ages ago. It's not my fault I'm the youngest of our class."
Draco shook his head, looking rather disappointed. "I still don't see how you weren't put in Weaselette's grade."
"Because I'm special," Frannie winked at her cousin, twirling her wand. He rolled his eyes.
"Keep that up and you'll be the next Potter," Draco ducked his head around the doorway. "Now are we going to just stand here or—"
Frannie swatted him on the arm, sending him a glare. "Aren't you the least bit nervous? Your family and the relatives of everyone we know are in there."
Draco shrugged, buttoning the top of his collar. "After all we've experienced, I don't see why you're so fazed."
Frannie growled, grabbing his arm. "Fine, then." She pulled her cousin into the Great Hall, going largely unnoticed for the first few seconds as they made their way down the aisle, although she could feel Dumbledore's twinkling gaze on her side.
"Hold on," Draco pulled away from her as the Hogwarts students began to realize the strange duo had returned. Her cousin curled his lip. "In no timeline will I ever sit at the lion table."
Frannie rolled her eyes, heading towards the emerald and silver banners. "Fine." Surprised that no one had stopped them yet, she found an empty spot at the end of the table and pulled her cousin into a seat. "Now act normal."
"Black, you literally just dragged me across the entire student body," Draco reached over and grabbed a green apple, taking a satisfied bite. "I'd say it ruined those prospects."
Frannie flushed a faint pink, wondering how her cousin still had an appetite.
"Oi, who said you could sit here?" a dark-haired boy sneered at her from her right side, his blue gaze cruel. Frannie swore he was a Rosier.
Draco looked over, narrowing his silver gaze. "Didn't know I needed your permission."
"And who are you?" Lucius's tone was cold as he surveyed his son, a look of unease in his eyes as he noticed their similar features. Frannie suppressed a snort. The two could pass as twins.
"Draco." Her cousin replied, his gaze softening as it fell on Narcissa Black. His mum looked rather nervous; her hand placed hesitantly on Lucius's arm. "Draco Malfoy."
The Slytherin table froze, all gazes flickering between Lucius and Draco. Frannie buried her head in her hands, wishing her cousin wasn't so obvious.
"And yeah, I'm your son," Draco continued, his voice emotionless as he took a bite of his apple, his jaw twitching as he chewed. "And we're both technically Slytherins. So, I think I have a right to sit here, Rosier," he sneered, swallowing his bite.
"So, you're both time travellers?"
Frannie looked up as she heard Regulus's voice, her uncle examining them carefully.
"Yeah," Draco looked between them, seeming to recognize their shared features. "You must be Regulus Black," he smirked, holding out a pale hand. "I'm a big fan."
Frannie winced, thinking of the Slytherin Locket. She knew Regulus had died in its pursuit and it had also led to Dumbledore's death, although she had never heard Potter's full account of what exactly had happened in the cave. Something to do with Inferi.
Regulus shook her cousin's hand briefly and Frannie let out a snort. "Pureblood manners never fade, do they?"
"You shouldn't even be talking," Rosier snarled, as it seemed Lucius was at a loss for words. "You know nothing of blood purity."
"I am a halfblood," Frannie shrugged, exchanging an amused look with Draco. "But let me assure you, Walburga made sure I never forgot it."
Regulus stiffened, his grey gaze falling on his niece. "She knew you?"
"She raised me," Frannie bit into a bit of Draco's apple, snatching it from his hand. Her gaze softened as she looked up at the younger Black. "Ruddy horrid old hag."
Lucius let out a disparaging noise as Zabini, whose first name Frannie had finally learned was Samuel, shook his head in disbelief.
"How did you not get disowned, Black?" As Regulus and Frannie both turned to look at him, he let out a sigh, running a hand over his short hair. "I'm referring to the female one."
"She died in my fifth year," Frannie's gaze darkened as she remembered the stern-faced witch. "Orion the year before. Although, they moved away from Grimmauld Place years before that. Too many memories, I think."
She watched Regulus swallow thickly as the Slytherin clenched his goblet, bringing it to his lips to hide his emotion. She remembered how Walburga remembered her uncle almost fondly, and Frannie swore her resemblance to Regulus was the only thing that kept her from being kicked out.
Rosier leaned over the table, lowering his voice to a malevolent hiss. "So, whose side are you on?" He touched the inside of his left forearm. "Because you could be rather useful."
Draco and Frannie exchanged a look and she was relieved to see that her cousin was thinking the same thing. Their years of being spies were over.
"Not yours, if I didn't make that obvious the first time," Draco drawled, leaning backwards.
Rosier and Lucius stiffened, their gazes growing cold as they observed the younger Malfoy.
"I would urge you to reconsider your choice," Rosier replied, a twisted smile crossing his face. "The Dark Lord doesn't take a refusal lightly." He wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Especially by a bloodtraitor."
Frannie flexed her right arm, her gaze clouding as it stung slightly with memories. Draco noticed her actions, leaning closer to her side protectively.
"Considering we're already familiar with the Dark Lord's tactics," Draco snapped, glaring at Rosier with a spiteful expression, "we're not too worried. Especially if you're one of his henchmen," he raised a condescending eyebrow.
Rosier whipped around to face Lucius, disgust filling his face. "Malfoy, how could your son turn out to be so weak?" His lips drew back in a snarl. "Is there something you're not telling us?"
Some of the blood drained from Lucius's face as Narcissa clutched at his arm, sending Draco a worried glance. "I assure you, Rosier," the pale boy responded, his tone cold. "I would never tolerate such disobedience.
Frannie watched Draco worriedly as he observed his father with a look of repulsion. "And this is way I had such a messed-up childhood," he pushed himself away from the table, frowning at Narcissa. "Do yourself a favor mother, and run away while you still can."
Narcissa looked rather shaken as her eyes widened, taking in her son's features and seeming to search for some kind of recognition.
"Doesn't that mean you won't be born?" Regulus frowned, glancing between his cousin and her son.
Draco shrugged, picking up his apple. "If it means less people will suffer at his cowardice," he gave a sharp nod at Lucius. "It would be worth it." Turning to Frannie with a silver fire brewing in his gaze, he nodded towards the Gryffindor table. "I changed my mind, Fran. Slytherin isn't what it used to be."
Frannie followed her cousin, shooting a last worried look at Regulus before she approached the Marauders, who gazed at Draco warily.
"Why does he look exactly like Lucy?" James shook his head, pining Draco down with a reproachful gaze.
Draco didn't seem to notice, lost in his own thoughts and muttering "slimy git," under his breath as he took a seat next to Frannie, causing Lily to scoot back to make room for them.
Frannie suppressed a small smile as Draco gave a short nod to the redhead. Who would have guessed he and Harry's mum would get along?
"Er.." she looked at Sirius, who still seemed rather shaken by the nights events. "This is my best friend and cousin, Draco Malfoy."
James stiffened, clenching his fork rather harshly. "So, he's a Slytherin?"
"And so was I," Frannie reminded him, nudging Draco with her shoulder. "I promise he's mostly tolerable."
"I hate him." Draco stabbed his wand at his plate moodily, causing the gold to shatter into a million pieces. Lily gave a little jump.
Sirius frowned, gazing at the blonde boy hesitantly. "You mean Lucius?"
"You're not the only one who wants to escape their family, Black," Malfoy looked up and seemed to notice Remus for the first time, his gaze widening in surprise. "Lupin, you're looking young."
Frannie smacked her cousin on the back of his head, sending Remus an apologetic glance, although the Gryffindor just seemed amused. "Draco don't be rude!"
"Not that I blame him," Draco shook his head. "Look at Greyback, I mean he's the one that's hideous."
"Draco!" Frannie was scandalized as she saw Lupin grow pale, his eyes widening at the mention if his attacker.
Draco frowned, looking rather confused. "What? I was trying—" he broke off, his silver gaze widening as he looked at Remus. "He was the one that bit you?"
"Lower your voice," Remus snarled, looking over his shoulder fearfully, although most of the Gryffindors had returned back to their dessert. A few sixth-years were busy staring at Draco, giggling to one another and Frannie rolled her eyes. Her cousin had always been the lady's man.
"Right, sorry," Draco's tone was rather genuine as he took another bite of his apple. "He dies rather painfully, if that makes you feel any better." His gaze darkened. "Frannie's not the type you want to mess with."
Sirius's and James's jaws dropped as they turned to stare at her, Frannie's cheeks growing rather warm. "You killed Greyback?" James spluttered.
"It was in self defense!" Frannie protested, feeling her stomach clench as she looked down at her plate. "I had no other choice."
Draco rolled his eyes, seeming unbothered as he straightened his collar. "Of all things to feel guilty about Black.."
"A life is still a life," Frannie snapped, tugging at the ends of her hair.
"But think of all the ones you saved," Draco pointed out, nodding at Lupin. "And if I have anything to say about it, we'll stop him sooner this time."
"So, you really don't care?" Lily spoke up for the first time, her gaze wide in disbelief as she surveyed Draco. "Not about blood status or breed or house—"
"Hold on!" Draco held up his hands defensively. "I still think Gryffindors are a band of idiots," he ignored James's and Sirius's scowls. "And trust me, I have loads of evidence in that area. But you have a choice of house. Now blood status or creature identity?" he shook his head, "You can't judge someone for something beyond their control."
Frannie smiled with a pride, a dark gleam in her eye as she elbowed her cousin. "Not to mention, you had a terrible crush on Gran—"
"Black, shut your mouth before I make you," Draco snarled, pointing his wand threateningly in her face.
Sirius and James watched the pair bicker in amusement.
"Frannie, this is the most outspoken I've ever seen you," James looked at her in surprise, his hazel eyes glinting in amusement.
Draco raised an unimpressed eyebrow as Frannie sent him an innocent look. "Trust me, she gets worse. It's the quiet ones you've got to look out for."
Frannie noticed his gaze rest on Peter, who had remained silent during the whole conversation. She stomped on his foot, making him wince. The last thing Peter needed was another blow to his confidence.
"Well," Draco stretched, arching his back with a sigh. "I have no intention of repeating seventh year, so I think I'll hide out for a bit."
"No way," Frannie shook her head. "If I have to take classes, so do you. Besides," her gaze caught on Dumbledore. The headmaster watched them curiously, his blue gaze thoughtful. "Something tells me Dumbledore wouldn't let you."
Draco stiffened as he turned and met the man's gaze, a shadow flickering across his face. Frannie knew he was thinking of the last time they had seen the headmaster, his body flying off the Astronomy Tower and into the night air.
"Hey," she leaned closer to her cousin, although he usually preferred his personal space. "It's going to be different this time."
"I know," Draco shook his head, turning away from the Head Table and pressing a smirk on his lips. "This time, Potter won't know what hit him."
Frannie grinned, looking at James watching them suspiciously, his glasses glinting in the torchlight. "He isn't Harry."
Draco shrugged, taking another bite of his apple. "Doesn't mean I can't have my fun," he winked in her direction. "I've had years of learning the right buttons to push."