DIFFERENCE

The Greengrass family lived in a big manor, with almost twelve individual rooms, three private gardens, and a small private lake; a house that had been inherited for generations. Unlike most of the Pureblood houses in Great Britain, this one was always filled with sunlight. It was a very beautiful manor- its gardens were always covered with colorful flowers, the lake sparkled under the sunlight, and the house itself was built to make its owners feel extremely comfortable. Some might say it was too big for a family of four, but nobody knew anything about the family tradition.

Every girl in the family had to marry a Pureblood, and her father was responsible for finding her a suitable, rich husband. So when a girl turned nineteen, her father invited a Pureblood family over for summer and asked them to stay for a week or two, so their children would spend some time together, and hopefully, fall in love. This had been their tradition for over a century, and for the prejudiced family members, completely undeniable.

The house was now serving the last generation; a man of the Greengrass family who had two daughters. The two were, perhaps, the most important girls the family had ever had, for they were the only remaining children of the family, and their marriage meant everything. Their names, Daphne and Astoria.

Daphne was everything the family expected from her. She was blonde and beautiful, loved her family, was a talented witch, and most importantly, a Slytherin. Her sister, however, was completely different. Like Daphne, she was beautiful and talented and kind, some even said she had the most beautiful brown hair they had ever seen, but Astoria was never sorted in Slytherin, much to her parents' disbelief.

Solving twisted riddles and learning incredibly fast, Astoria had been a rather obvious Ravenclaw since childhood, but nobody seemed to notice. "She'll be what we all turned to be." They would say proudly. "Slytherin house will be lucky to have a brain like hers." But all their pride shattered to the ground when she entered Hogwarts. "RAVENCLAW!" the Sorting Hat had shouted clearly, and though her older sister's supporting smile never faded, Astoria knew it too good; it wouldn't be the same for her parents; her ruling days were over.

Despite the great change they tolerated- something that hadn't happened for half a century- they were still a loving family, teaching their daughters to never leave each other's side. But then again, this was the calm before the storm, even if they didn't realize it then.

The second wizarding war came along, endangering and threatening their lives. Their father was having a hard time deciding what the family should do while the girls were away at Hogwarts, but he finally chose the path his fathers had picked ages ago. The family wouldn't take any sides. They would just sit back and let the others fight; just what a real Slytherin would do. Mr. Greengrass didn't allow the children to go back to school after the Christmas holidays, keeping them inside to fully protect them. None of them argued. But the real problem started with the Battle of Hogwarts.

Astoria begged her parents to fight against the Dark Lord, telling them how wrong it is to do nothing. She yelled from anger, saying all the things she had kept inside for years… she crossed the line. From that moment, Daphne became the ultimate princess.

Astoria didn't mind it at all. She never liked to be under the spotlight, and was glad to switch places with her older sister. She was glad to have some time on her own without sensing all the eyes on her. And then, the most important family event occurred.

Daphne Greengrass turned nineteen.

"This is perhaps the hardest thing I've ever done." Their father had said, staring at a list of Pureblood families. "Most of them are in Azkaban now… except… well, the Weasleys are most obviously off limits…which leads us to… the Malfoys."

The arrangements were done very fast. A friendly invitation was sent to the Malfoys right away, and they came along with bags and trunks to stay for three weeks. The golden ticket, Mr. Greengrass's friendship with Lucius Malfoy during his days at Hogwarts.

Daphne looked at Draco as he entered the room. He was tall, his hair a very pale blond, and every inch of his face radiated arrogance. Daphne snorted in disapproval. "Don't prejudge." Astoria whispered in her ear, looking at the young man with equal dislike.

"I wonder how the three weeks are going to pass." She wondered to herself.

On the other side, Draco Malfoy approved of the house. Unlike their own manor, it was very well- lit, with bright colored furniture and great big windows. After a few moments of admiring the place, he recalled he had to look at the elder girl. Draco Malfoy turned to meet Daphne Greengrass.

"We do know each other, of course." She said, shaking his hand with a small smile. Draco only nodded. His eyes still looking around secretly, Draco's look fell over the girl greeting his mother. Her long brown hair fell around her shoulders elegantly, her brown eyes twinkling.

"Who's she?" he asked Daphne.

"She's my sister Astoria." She replied. "She's two years younger than us."

"I see…" he said, his eyes never leaving her face.