Chapter 1: Coming Home

Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling.

Landing with a jolt I looked around to see my childhood home, the extravagant sprawling manor that had been in my family for generations. The three storey house was surrounded by giant stone walls though those alone did not keep out intruders. Ancient spells and wards prevented entry to anyone that was not of Malfoy blood, or anyone unaccompanied by a member of the family.

Striding forwards the wrought iron gates swung open to reveal the sweeping driveway that was rarely used. Behind me my trunk was levitated and began to hover up towards my bedroom window where I knew it would land within and be unpacked by a house elf by the time I made my way upstairs.

Pausing to collect my thoughts I waved my wand without sounding the incantation as I was a master at non-verbal spells, similarly I had yet to struggle with any aspect of the magic taught in my five years at the Durmstrang Institute.

The effect of my spell caused the sky to blacken and thunder and lightning began to strike behind me. In my opinion it created a nice dramatic background for me to make my entrance.

Before I had a chance to place a hand on the ancient door handle it was thrown open to reveal a terrified looking house elf who had obviously been alerted to my presence. Clad only in a ragged dish towel worn in the style of a Roman toga it ushered me down the hallway and towards my father's study.

With a glare from me it quickly scurried away in the direction of the kitchen without a noise, more than anything I hated to be announced as I walked into a room. Once again noting my location I smirked to myself and thought 'Ah this should be interesting.' The elf obviously had prior instructions as to where to bring me and I had an inkling as to why.

Pushing open the heavy oak door I caught a glimpse of the panelled walls, thick drapes and deep-pile carpet before seeing my father's thunderous expression.

Sensing that it wasn't the right time to make a witty remark about the similarity between his face and my newly created weather I walked gracefully to the chair on the opposite side of his desk, sat down and crossed my legs over each other. Looking up I displayed the fake angelic smile that I had perfected and greeted him.

'Hello Father, you look awfully irate tonight. Is there a particular reason for that, Draco perhaps? Did he break your Pensive again? Or wait was it the Vanishing Cabinet this time? Or maybe-'

His hand slapped down onto the polished mahogany of the desk and I realized he wasn't in the mood for my sarcasm. If anyone else had spoken to him in this manner they would be writhing on the floor under the effects of the Cruciatus curse. However I had always been able to get away with more than Draco by simply spending my childhood pretending to idolise my father.

'Where have you been? I've spoken to Igor and he told me that the school year finished four days ago. Don't even try and lie because I will be able to tell.'

Weighing up my options and deciding it truly wasn't worth the hassle of coming up with an excuse that was plausible, let alone one that my father would actually believe.

'I went to visit Viktor and his family. Did you know they have a castle in Bulgaria, it's practically medieval but the architecture is superb?'

Another withering glare from my father was sent in my direction and I faltered midway through my speech.

When he spoke it was a finality that I recognised from my younger years, the tone of voice he used when he was forbidding me to do something, such as playing with the nearest wizarding family because they were not of pureblood descent. The look in his eyes resembled the one that appeared when he was attending a Death Eater meeting or speaking about the Dark Lord with Aunt Bella and Uncle Rodolphus.

'Listen to me Sasha Elladora Malfoy because I will not be repeating it. You will not disappear with my permission, you will not associate with any people that I deem unsuitable and finally you will not be returning to Durmstrang next year. Instead you will transfer to Hogwarts where your brother will report to me on your behaviour. Is that understood?'

'Fine.' Shoving back my chair I stormed towards the door muttering under my breath.

'Sie sind ein bastard. Wer gab Ihnen das Recht, mich zu steuern?' (Translation: You bastard, who gave you the right to control me?) After attending school in Northern Europe for many years speaking German had become almost second nature to me. It also gave me the advantage of speaking a language my father did not, and therefore the ability to curse at him without his knowledge.

Slamming the door as I exited the room I noticed Draco, my twin brother, leaning against the opposite wall smirking the infamous Malfoy smirk. Echoing his expression I greeted him with the nickname I had created when I learnt that in fourth year a teacher had transformed him into a ferret.

'Hey Ferret.' Pausing to flick my wand in the direction of the study door I charmed it to slam into my father as he left the room. Turning back to my brother I began to hassle him about a portion of the lecture my father had just given me.

'You're going to report to him on my behaviour, are you,' I said mimicking my father's patronising voice. Jokingly he held up his hands in surrender.

'You now it wasn't my idea, Sasha. As long as you're discreet about whatever you do, he'll never find out. You know I'm no good at Occlumency so just don't let me know what you're up to, ok?'

'I suppose so.' I replied grudgingly. 'Hey have you seen Mum anywhere, when she wrote to me she said she had a surprise for me.' I brightened instantly at the thought of a present and dashed off in the direction Draco pointed me, towards the first floor drawing room.

I entered through the double doors and found her sat on a plush, velvet sofa going over the plans for her next ball, no doubt in aid of some ridiculous charity like Save the Purebloods. Although my mother was not as obsessed about heritage and bloodlines as my father she would openly admit that her pureblood background from the Black family made her proud.

Rushing towards her I kissed her briefly on the cheek and then garbled 'What's my surprise, what's my surprise?'

She laughed lightly, no doubt at the sight of me bouncing on the balls of my feet like a child on Christmas morning. My mother loved to spoil me with gifts; no doubt she lacked female company these past few years.

Father was an uptight git, Draco had to pretend to idolise him for some reason he would not explain and I avoided this house as much as possible, preferring to vacation with friends and inevitably causing trouble with my father. This latest outburst from him was probably another attempt to control my 'rebellion'.

'Hello to you too darling.' She gracefully pulled a small jewellery case from her designer bag lying next to her and handed it to me.

Wrenching it open I found an ornate silver ring studded with different sized emeralds, a startling, vivid green in colour. Seeing the relevance of the colour choices, Slytherin house colours, I knew my mother was trying to make my transition from Durmstrang to Hogwarts as easy as possible.

AN: Any good? Review and let me know if I should continue.

Next chapter: Welcome to Hogwarts