Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All related characters, situations etc. are the property of JK Rowling.

Authors Note: OK, this is a rework of a fic I got up to Chapter three on, then deleted. The prologue and part of the first chapter may seem vaguely familiar to anyone who read the first fic, but after that it will be different. I hope this is much better than the original story.

I really want a beta for this, so if anyone can spare the time to give me some concrit before I post and encourage me when, inevitably, I end up with writer's block, don't hesitate to mention it in a review, send me a message or email me.

Also, please review and tell me what you think. Even just one sentence makes my day! Also, be honest as I want to make this as good as possible.

For want of a better beginning: Dear diary,

I received this mysteriously this morning. I was just returning downstairs after informing my son that Severus would be able to help him with the task he has been set. I did not tell him about the Unbreakable Vow, of course: his reaction was bad enough when I just told him that I had asked Severus if he'd be able to help.

I am so worried about him. It's terrifying. He takes my sister's line, saying that this task is a great honour and I should be proud he's been granted this opportunity. But I see it for what it is: a suicide mission. The Dark Lord doesn't intend him to succeed, I'm sure of it. I think perhaps this is beginning to seep into Bella's mind as well: certainly she seems less enthusiastic about it than a week ago, when we were first told about it. I'm grateful for her offer to teach him this summer: he will accept her help, and although I don't want my son learning to be a Death Eater, I know it will give him the best chance possible for the times to come.

Anyway, I appear to be rambling, but I suppose that is what diaries are for. Well, that is a rather uneducated guess for me, as I never owned one before. Which brings me to what I was writing about. I came downstairs, and the new house-elf, which we bought after Lucius very kindly and generously freed the old one as it was clearly not happy working in our service, brought me a parcel.

"This arrived this morning, ma'am," Hatty said, bowing so her nose almost touched the carpet.

I took it off her. "Thank you, Hatty, you may go now," I replied. Well, we didn't want any more house elves going off complaining to Harry Potter, of all people.

I opened the package and found a handsome blue book with silver binding and silver writing on the cover, saying simply "Diary". I opened it, and a piece of paper fluttered out. Picking it up, I read the following note:

Dear Narcissa,

I am sorry to hear about your husband's imprisonment and the issue with your son. I can offer little to help you, but if I cannot offer to be your confidante directly, I can at least send you this. I myself found a diary of great comfort in many difficult periods of my own life, and I hope you have the same experience.

I hope you are as well as can be expected under the circumstances.

There was no name at the bottom of the note, although I felt a vague recognition of the phrasing that I couldn't quite place. I cannot imagine who would bother sending me a gift and note like this, however.

Anyway, I must go. I need to take Draco to Bella's hiding place for the first lesson she will give him. As much as he insists he's perfectly capable of going alone, security precautions require me to accompany him. Meaning I want to be there, and won't take no for an answer.

Yours,

Narcissa Malfoy.

Yes, that was short, but it's only intended to be the prologue: future chapters will be longer.

Please remember to review!