Emily never got a chance to say a proper goodbye to Draco. She was busy caring for her father, who had developed a fever. Draco did remember that her birthday was the day before school started and sent her a birthday gift and letter by owl. Wishing you a happy birthday! I will miss you! Write often! When she unwrapped the gift, it was a framed picture of Draco; a special wizard picture that smiled and waved at her.

A few weeks later, she got another owl from him. Hogwarts is all I hoped, but I wish you were here to share it all. I am in Slytherin! My potions teacher seems to favor me. The big news is that the famous Harry Potter is starting this year as well. He completely blew me off when I offered friendship and seems to prefer the company of MuggleLovers. Sorry, a bit of my father speaking, but Potter rubbed me the wrong way. Rotten brat somehow got himself appointed to the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Suppose father will want to know why I didn't manage to as well.

Emily sighed as she read Draco's frustrations. He always took things so personally! She wrote back what she hoped was a mollifying reply. SO happy to hear from you! I cannot wait 'til you're home on holiday and can tell me all about it! Try to forget about Potter- he has no idea what a great friend you can be. I didn't think first-years were supposed to play Quidditch anyway. Next year you will be on the team, I'm sure!

As holidays approached, Emily counted the days, feeling lonely without her best friend. There were not many children her age living nearby, and those that did avoided her and her father because of his lack of magic. Being an outcast for such a ridiculous reason just confirmed Emily's opinion that she had no desire to find out if she could do magic or not. Her father had tried to talk her into it especially when he found the invitation to Hogwarts in the trash bin, but she refused. On the other hand, she could not wait to hear about all of the magical mystery that was Hogwarts.

Unfortunately, for both Emily and Draco that winter was a near constant stream of bad weather and there was no way for them to meet safely. Because Draco was keeping their friendship a secret, he did not get the chance to send her an owl but once while he was home. Once he was back in Hogwarts, he was able to send her messages more often and told her just how bitterly he missed her. Do wish we could have met! No one understands me quite as well as you do Em, there at home or here at school. In fact, most everyone here avoids me all together, except Goyle and Crabbe who follow me constantly. I think their fathers and mine decided I needed bodyguards. At any rate, they are useful for getting my way and keeping me at the top, which should please father. But they are a bit thick and sometimes I wish they would leave me alone.

As concerned as that letter made her, Emily began to really worry about Draco after the next. Caught Potter and his cronies out after hours, but Prof decided I should be punished too. Simply unfair! Had to trudge through the forest with that giant man/beast Hagrid looking for something dangerous. As if the creature wouldn't be dangerous to us as well! When we found a dead unicorn, the dog and I had the sense to run away leaving Potter to stand stupidly and meet up with whatever had killed it. Wish whatever it was had gotten him too!

Finally, first year was over and Draco was home. Emily was nervous for their first meeting. The letters he had sent were increasingly dark and morose and she hoped her friend had not been changed so drastically; that their friendship would not be affected. When the moment finally came, she noticed he was taller and the shadows under his eyes were deeper. There was a harder look to him. But when he saw her, he smiled and reached out to hug her warmly.

She smiled back. "It's been nearly a year Dray; you've gained inches on me!"

"Yeah, mum keeps going on about it. The house elf is busy altering half my clothes to hold me over 'til we go shopping."

"Well come, tell me all about Hogwarts." Emily sat and patted the ground beside her.

So it was that over the summer they renewed their friendship. Emily was relieved to find Draco still valued her. Draco was grateful to have someone who truly listened and cared, something he was quickly learning was a rare treasure. Even when she elbowed him in exasperation, he realized that Emily was one of the few who had physical contact with him. When he left in the fall for second term, they both felt a little bereft.

Draco's first letter to Emily started out all about Quidditch. Made Seeker this term. Everyone teases that it's only because Father bought new broomsticks for the whole team, but I'll show them! He went on to describe in great detail his uniform, his teammates, how he got compliments and attention from everyone for his skill on the practice field. He was so obviously enjoying himself that it make Emily smile to read it. Then, as if he had started the letter one day and finished it another, the subject turned to recent exciting events at the school. Everyone is saying the heir of Slytherin has returned to Hogwarts. Mudbloods and Mugglelovers beware! Someone or something is attacking students and leaving threatening messages behind. Many people think Potter is behind it, but I don't think he has the spine for it. I enjoy seeing him be blamed though!

Emily tried not to worry about Draco, but she still felt relieved as she started to read the next letter. The first game was exciting, but I got distracted and missed my chance to catch the Snitch. Somehow, a ball was bewitched to attack Potter and I was so busy enjoying watching that, I forgot to watch for the Snitch. Caught trouble for that from Marcus and Father. Won't make that mistake again! Got Potter back though in a duel. You should have seen his face when I conjured a snake! Obviously he underestimated my skill! I'm sorry I won't be home for Christmas. Father says the Ministry has been snooping about the manor looking for dark magic items, and its best if I'm not there while they search since I know where they are hidden. So I'm stuck here. Maybe I'll use the time to figure out who the real heir of Slytherin is so I can help him.

As she finished the letter, Emily wrestled with the feelings twisting her stomach. She had found out that the Malfoy family was associated with cruelty, greed, and vengeance, but she had never before made the connection to dark magic. Every waking moment for the next several days, she analyzed conversations and agonized over details she had overlooked before. Always she came back to the question of whether or not to continue this friendship that had become so very dear to her. Each time she sat down to write Draco a reply; she ended up tossing it in the bin.

Two weeks passed as Emily struggled with herself. Draco sent another message, short this time, but definitely to the point. You haven't written back Em. I hope all is well. I miss you. I'm going mad with only Goyle and Crabbe about. It occurs to me that I may have frightened you with all my talk of Slytherin's heir. You needn't worry about me. Being a pureblood, I'm quite safe. Don't let your fear get in the way of our friendship, please. I don't know what I'd do without you. Hope you have a Merry Christmas! Tears filled her eyes as she read and she determined to stay friends with Draco if only for his sake. After all, he had never hurt her before, and if he did in the future… well, she would walk away then. In the meantime, she would hope that she could influence him away from the dark magic of his father.