1 PROLOGUE

'And Cassandra Aries Malfoy was no more.'

*

On May twelfth, 1964, a baby girl was born into the Malfoy family. Her name was Cassandra Aries Malfoy.

Athena, her older sister, at age four, was simply elated to have a younger sister, and would not stop trying to play with her or amuse her. Eight year old Lucius Malfoy, their older brother, gladly tried teaching Cassandra a few words, even if they were the family motto.

All in all, life back then was near perfect. The three Malfoy children got along well, and for the next five years, nothing major happened.

^*~___~*^

May 14th, 1968

The Blacks and the Lestranges visited, already discussing when their children would start showing magic.

Cassandra, at the age of four, still hadn't shown any signs, which Walburga Black looked down upon greatly.

"Perhaps she's a late bloomer," Walburga Black said tightly, watching as her nieces played with the Malfoy sisters.

Athena was chasing Cassandra, as they could see in the huge main area, while Andromeda was trying to distract her. Bellatrix was fast-walking, as she thought running to be unladylike, even though Bellatrix was only fourteen at the time. Andromeda was twelve, and Narcissa was nine.

Narcissa was usually very quiet, and wasn't participating in their game of tag.

Lucius Malfoy smiled, thought it wasn't very noticeable, as Athena tacked Andromeda to the ground, yelling, "Got you!"

"Athena!" Luna Malfoy scolded. "Get off Andromeda!"

Celeste Lestrange barely spared Athena a glance, and continued her conversation with Druella.

"So, who're you planning to marry Bellatrix to?"

Sirius, from his spot beside Lucius, barely suppressed a groan. His younger brother, Regulus, was sitting beside their mother, looking quite clueless.

"Celeste, you know tradition states the 'boy's' family comes to her first. Not the other way around," Druella rolled her eyes. The men were sitting to the far right, conversing silently between themselves.

Luna glanced at Cassandra through the corner of her eye. Her and Athena were now running around, giggling like mad.

"ATHENA!"

Athena winced and turned to her mother. "Yes, mother?"

"Come here for a minute."

Athena pursued her lips and reluctantly walked over to her mother. Walburga was sitting beside her, that was part of the reason.

"Sit."

Athena took the seat on Lucius's other side. She was grateful that Rodolphus Lestrange wasn't there; apparently he was too busy.

"So...'Athena...'" Celeste Lestrange began sweetly. Athena didn't crack a smile.

"'Smile,'" Luna hissed in her ear. Athena crossed her arms.

"What is wrong with her?"

Luna looked murderous as Walburga eyed Athena in distaste. "If she cannot even respect her elders, I may reconsider the arrangement—"

"What arrangement?" Sirius asked warily.

"Sirius, you will listen when someone is talki—"

"Then why can't we speak without being shushed?" An irritated voice interrupted.

Everyone stared at Athena in disbelief. Even Sirius.

"Athena, to your room."

Athena stubbornly remained in her spot.

"'Now,'" Luna said dangerously.

Lucius stood up and grabbed Athena by the hand, then proceeded to escort her to her room.

^*~___~*^

A Year Later, Cassandra's Fifth Birthday...

A year later, the Lestranges and Blacks came over again, since it was Athena's ninth birthday and her sister's fifth.

"Andy!" Athena called out as Andromeda and her sisters took off their coats in the entrance hall. Athena was wearing a medium length dark green dress with a few spots of dark blue. Cassandra was wearing the same as well.

"Hey, Ath," Andromeda smiled at the nine year old.

It was common knowledge that Athena seemed to like Andromeda more than the others. Even though sometimes things were tense for Andromeda, the family still hadn't done anything about it.

Sirius was a few months older than Athena, but his personality was never like how normal nine year old should be, living with the Blacks prevented proper childhoods. So Sirius usually understood the adult-talk, like marriage contracts and pureblood nonsense and Squibs.

Sirius was usually to be seen and not heard, while Regulus never really spoke. But at Hogwarts, Regulus was different. Cold, even.

Athena started blabbering on about random things which the thirteen year old could hardly make out.

Cassandra still hadn't shown any signs of magic, which the Malfoys were highly concerned about. Because if they had a Squib in their family...

Which is what all the adults were discussing while Narcissa and Andromeda were entertaining the kids.

*

"So Cassandra still hasn't shown any signs?" Celeste Lestrange asked tightly.

Luna shook her head in annoyance. "Abraxas and I are worried that she's going to be a Squib."

Abraxas Malfoy was discussing the same issue with the other men.

"If she's a Squib, what are you going to do?" Druella inquired. "Surely you aren't going to keep her around?"

Walburga smirked evilly. Oh how she did love humiliating other people when they had Squib children.

"Of course not!" She exclaimed, outraged by the thought of raising a Squib. "Abraxas and I were planning to give her away soon!"

Walburga sipped her tea while Druella's eyebrows rose slightly.

"Like when?"

"Perhaps this year. Cassandra is proving to be a blood traitor. 'Already,'" Luna said in disgust. "Just the other day, she tried helping one of the house-elves after she had her elf," she wrinkled her nose in disgust. Walburga definitely felt the same way as Luna and the others did.

"'What?!'"

Celeste was frowning in disapproval.

"Anyways," Luna continued. "Do you have any idea on how I can give Cassandra away? She's even worse than Athena was her age!"

*

That night would be the last night Athena and Lucius ever saw their sister again.

No amount of laughing, joking, or hugging would be able to make up for the years to come.

But Cassandra Aries Malfoy was no more.

Or was she?

•

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