"We sold the house. Try to understand. Expenses have started to add up. On top of that, our debts aren't going to clear for another ten years. I know you were expecting to inherit the manor, but circumstances… Your father and I are trying to keep a relatively stable lifestyle, but a few sacrifices must be made. We kept all the things from your room, so if you need them…

"You have no right making us feel guilty about this, Draco. You left us. After all we've given you… After we tried so hard to make amends, you just-

"The money in your bank account is money we made. How do you think that makes us feel? Yes, you are entitled to your inheritance, but you simply must think of us. We are doing what we can to live comfortably. That means taking responsibility for our actions. That is exactly what you aren't doing. How long are you planning on running off and staying with those Muggles in a godforsaken town? You want to live in obscurity now?

"You can't escape your responsibilities. We are responsible for each other, Draco. We have looked after you and it is your duty to look after us.

"We love you, Draco. Please listen."

As the taxi pulled up in front of my apartment building, I see a familiar figure sitting on the low stairs. The sight brings me back to the present. I wrench my eyes away and pay the driver before getting out with my duffle bag.

Seth gets up as soon as he sees me. "Hey." He is searching my face, his own expression carefully neutral. "Where were you?" He reaches out to take the bag from me.

"Family," I mumble. It's been a tough few days. I'm in no mood to entertain. But Seth was never one to expect that courtesy. I let him carry my bag. I take the steps slowly. Upon opening the main door, I smell the familiar mildew. It's strange… I don't know how or when, but I've started to see this place as my home. How laughable. Draco Malfoy living in a lowly Muggle flat. Seth simply follows me up to my apartment. I track my fingers against the wallpaper as I pull my feet up the wooden stairs. I haven't had much sleep in the past few days. I haven't had much peace either. But right now, I feel calm from this familiarity running through me. I must be delirious. I open the door and flip the lights on. It's nice to be back. It's nice to pretend.

I don't resist when Seth pulls me back and wraps his arms around me.

"Draco?"

I sink into his warmth as tears prick my eyes. I just want to pretend for a while.

"What's wrong?"

I don't say. Nothing is wrong. Now that I'm away from my wretched family once again, nothing is wrong. Everything should be right. Not wrong. I'll pretend like nothing's wrong. "Were you waiting for long?" I ask quietly.

"No."

He's so strange. I push back my exhaustion and tears. This is difficult. "Thank you," I manage to say. It is not often that I feel gratitude. No one has done anything deserved of my gratitude for a long while. I step away from him. He doesn't say anything. He simply looks at me, waiting. "You should go home," I tell him. "I'm not great company today."

"I don't want to go home yet."

"Oh…" For a moment I don't really know what to say. "Um…" I nod after that pause. "Okay. What do you want to do?"

"Watch a movie?"

So, just minutes after I have returned home, I am sitting on the couch with the flickering lights from the TV illuminating the otherwise dark room. It's like I never left. Seth is as always, slouched on the now familiar couch with his legs on the coffee table, crossed at the ankle. I try to focus on the movie, but it's one that I have already watched. I let out a quiet sigh. No work tomorrow. Good. I have to get used to the time difference. I lean back and close my eyes. Dull dialogue from the movie seems louder after a moment. I try not to listen. I can't afford to lose any more intellect on these sorry excuses for films. The plot is absolutely predictable and the scriptwriting even more so.

"So… Why did you go home?"

"It's personal." I really don't want to talk about it.

"Are your parents alright?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

My head hurts. I drag a hand across my eyes. Damn it. "They sold the house."

Seth simply mumbles without really saying anything.

"I grew up in that house." I don't know why I'm still talking. "Mother always said I'd inherit it one day. Family estate. But they sold it."

"Why?"

"It's not easy… living there." It's not easy living in London, amongst the wizards and witches. Everyone knows who we are. Everyone hates who we are. "Expenses add up." They should have moved away a long time ago. "They held onto the manor for so long and I just thought that…" I understand why they sold it. I would have done the same. "Do you understand?"

Seth presses a hand to my knee. "You're sad?"

"I think so."

He tsks sympathetically. "But I bet your parents were happy to see you, right?"

I manage a sordid laugh. "You don't know my parents, Seth."

"What do you mean?"

"They aren't exactly open with their… feelings." I glance at him. "As you can see, it is a familial trait."

"Oh, you've got plenty of feelings." He is so firm in his beliefs. "I'm sure they were glad to see that you're doing alright." He turns to the TV again and nods to himself, that's how sure he is. "Did you tell them about me?"

I doubt my parents would want to hear about the strange people I have been meeting. "No, I didn't."

He frowns. "Why not?" He looks at me again. "I'm cool. I'm sure your parents would like me."

"Let me tell you something." I sit up straight and shift around in my seat so that I'm facing him. "My father used to be a very prominent member of the government. And my mother came from one of the richest families in history. I was practically born with a silver spoon in my mouth. They've taught me almost everything I know. They've taught me how to live my life. They absolutely do not want to know about how I'm… living in squalor, as they might see it. They especially would not want me making friends with people who are not influential or important in some way."

Seth gapes at me.

Perhaps I've said too much.

"Ah, I'm important!"

"You've missed the point," I sigh. "As always." But I can't help smiling a little.

"I'm totally important!" He's forgotten about the movie. I can tell by his passionate exclamation. He tucked a leg under him and folded his arms against his chest. "I'm the only friend you've got in this place. I'm important, okay?"

"Right." He gets angry at the strangest things. "And how am I supposed to bring up the subject? 'Look, Mother. I picked up a big boned buffoon on the way and now he won't leave me alone.' How is that?"

"Kind of rude, actually."

"I thought so."