Hey guys! New chapter time! I didn't know where this chapter was going at first but after a few paragraphs, I figured it out! So I hope you all enjoy! =)

A special thanks to RosiePaige for making this awesome pic/cover for my story. =)

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"Can't you see that you're smothering me? Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control, 'cause everything that you thought I would be has fallen apart right in front of you." –Numb, Linkin Park

Audrey sat down at the table in the Weasleys' dining room. As everyone else began filling in the seats, she couldn't help but feel alone. Sitting between Nicole and Ron, she at least knew there were some friends here. As Mrs. Weasley began to set the table with loads of homemade food, Audrey realized how hungry she truly was.

Everyone started to fill their plates, and Audrey hesitantly did the same. The girl felt left out in the large, close-knit family. All of them were having conversations amongst themselves; Audrey just sat there eating her food quietly, wishing Draco was there with her. Admittedly, she was a tad depressed, but she was trying her hardest not to let it show. At least, until her thoughts were interrupted by a balding man she presumed was Mr. Weasley.

"So... um... Audrey is it?" he asked, unsure if he was addressing the girl by her proper name.

Audrey nodded, just as unsure of where this conversation was heading. "Yes sir."

"Why haven't I met you before?" he inquired.

Audrey wasn't sure what answer to give him. Was it because she was a Slytherin? Or was it because she was with Draco Malfoy? Or even better yet that until today nearly everyone at the table she swore hated her? "Honestly sir, it's probably because I only recently became friends with Nicole," she eventually answered, hoping her hair was covering her tie's colors, though her efforts were futile.

"Well honestly when a Slytherin showed up on my doorstep I was a little miffed," Mrs. Weasley added. Audrey mentally groaned; her cover had been blown.

Mr. Weasley immediately gave her a shocked look. "A Slytherin?" When Audrey barely nodded, he continued. "Impossible. There's no way that you could be."

"But I am," Audrey said quietly. "Just because my first name means 'noble,' I have the brains of a Ravenclaw, and the loyalty of a Hufflepuff, it doesn't cast me away from Slytherin. I have a very... complex personality I've gathered."

Mr. Weasley stared at the girl with a complex expression for a moment. "Well for Merlin's sake, why would they have sorted you into Slytherin?"

"Slytherin values ambition, leadership, cunning, and ingenuity," Audrey answered. "I've been told on more than one occasion that we are 'determined to get our way.' And if there's anything that I am, it's definitely determined." The girl thought silently about her impending marriage with Draco, and how she wasn't going to let her parents say otherwise.

"Don't let her forget 'evil' as one of those values," Harry interjected.

Mrs. Weasley quickly shot him a dirty look. "Now Harry, we mustn't talk like that about our guest."

"Guest? Seriously? She is far from it," the boy continued. "I'm not going to stand for this." On that note, he snatched up his plate and left the room. When Audrey heard the door slam shut, she was sure he was outside and instantly glad for it.

Mrs. Weasley sighed angrily. Audrey knew right away the woman was at her wits' end with the boy and his behavior. "Anyways, dear, what were you saying?"

"Another thing I remember the Sorting Hat saying the night we got sorted was 'in Slytherin you'll make your true friends,' but to be blatantly honest I have far more friends in other houses," Audrey muttered, more to herself than anyone. "And right now, I'm not even sure if I have half of them either..."

"Well why ever not?" Mrs. Weasley questioned.

Audrey was honestly unsure if she should give Mrs. Weasley the truthful answer to that question. Half her friends had abandoned her because she had for all intents and purposes been a Death Eater, though never branded as one. The girl was afraid that if she had revealed that information now she would surely be told to leave and the last thing Audrey wanted was to go home.

"Because her friends were jerks," Nicole stepped into the conversation. "They all got mad because she's with a guy they can't stand."

Ron looked over at her, still chewing on his chicken leg. "Who the heck are you with? And why didn't I know about it?"

Audrey bit her tongue for a minute. Did she dare say? "You would know Ron if you hadn't run off to find Horcruxes. I thought everyone knew."

He swallowed his food before speaking, picking up his glass of water. "Well c'mon. Who is it? He can't be that bad."

Audrey took a deep breath before speaking his name. "Draco Malfoy."

Ron spit out his water, spraying it across the table, for which Hermione immediately punched him in the arm for. "What?! Malfoy?"

Audrey nodded, staring down at the table in front of her and toying with her engagement ring. "He's my fiancé," she said quietly but proudly at the same time.

The Weasley parents exchanged nervous glances for a moment before either of them spoke. "He's your fiancé dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Mmhm," Audrey mumbled back, looking up from her food for a second.

"Err... and how do your folks feel about that?" Mr. Weasley asked.

Audrey resisted the urge to laugh. "They hate the idea, and aren't even willing to give him a chance to show he's changed. They don't realize I'm an adult now, and I'm making my own choices. They're mad because I won't listen to them for once..."

Once again, the parents exchanged glances. Nicole knew a war was about to erupt, so she decided she would help Audrey. "Draco saved her life in the final battle, and they killed Yaxley. He really has changed for the better. I always thought that he was a jerk, but ever since then he's actually become quite a muffin."

Audrey glanced at her friend with an expression that only could be interpreted as 'thank you,' even though she was a little miffed by the word 'muffin.' She was hoping that would seal the deal with the Weasleys. Perhaps if she had them on her side everything would work out fine.

"So you mean to tell me that they won't even consider having him over for dinner to even discuss what their concerns are?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Well of course not," Audrey responded. "Being Aurors they just tend to assume that no one can change, and that he chose to be the way he was. I mean... part of him did, but a large majority of his life was decided by his parents, who may I add have been absolutely wonderful to me."

"That's ridiculous, darling," Mrs. Weasley went on. "Regardless to what they want, they have to learn to let you make their own choices, and if you want to marry this boy then they should be okay with that."

Audrey was shocked to hear that. "They've always been control freaks so they're not used to letting me do what I want. I'm surprised I don't have the Ministry out looking for me right now to be completely honest with you. I didn't tell them I was leaving."

"Whether they like it or not there's nothing they can do now. You're seventeen correct?" Mr. Weasley went on. Audrey nodded, so he continued. "You no longer have the trace on you. The Ministry can't do a damn thing about it."

"I know, but they'd still try to," Audrey sighed. "What they don't realize is that I'm going to go about it without them there if they don't change their views. I'm going to have to have a stand-in family."

The parents once again looked at each other, as if debating something over silently. "Well," Mrs. Weasley began, "why don't you send an owl to Draco and invite him over for dinner tomorrow night?"

Had Audrey been eating she would've spit it out. "Are you serious? You want me to do that?"

"Why not dear? Someone has to scope the boy out," Mrs. Weasley responded. "And if your parents don't want to do it, I will."

A huge smile formed over Audrey's face. "Awe, thanks. I'll get on that after dinner."

The remainder of dinner passed smoothly, and Audrey felt loads better after the Weasleys had basically accepted her as their own. After they had finished eating and cleaning up, Audrey stole away to Ginny's room to write a brief note to Draco:

'Draco,

I just want to inform you that I'm currently staying at the Weasleys. I got into a huge argument with my parents when we got back from King's Cross. So I went and found Nicole. I don't know how long I'll be here, but at least for now. I'm going to head home for a minute to get some clothes, but I'll be coming right back here.

I hope you found your parents okay. I would be devastated if something happened to them. Let me know what's going on with that please.

So Mrs. Weasley told me to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. She's kind of acting as a stand in mom for me right now, so it's kind of nice. You don't have to come if you don't want to, of course, but the offer stands.

Anyhow, I should wrap this up so Ginger can get this to you at a reasonable time. Anyhow, I love and miss you Draco. I hope I can see you soon. Bye for now.

Yours truly,

Audrey'

She sat down the quill on the desk before turning to her owl who was perched on the windowsill next to her. Audrey pat Ginger on her head as she attached the letter to the birds ankle. "Bring this to Draco please," she said quietly. The owl hooted once before turning and flying out the window.

The girl looked out into the night, watching her owl fly until she could no longer see it. A lot of thoughts were running through her head. She was really hoping Draco would accept the invitation to dinner...