A/N: Here's the first chapter in Year 6! I hope you enjoy it!

-Casper

"I'm going out tomorrow."

I looked up from my bed and my book when Daphne walked into my room.

"Okay?"

I responded hesitantly and stared at her in confusion. She laughed at my face and tossed herself down on my bed.

"Theo and I are going out and I wanted to inform you that I won't be around."

I stared at her incredulously.

"Daph. We've barely seen each other for two days. You were driving me crazy with the closet thing so I left. It's been two days and other than meals, I haven't seen you. Although the house elves are also driving me crazy. You've scared them all so much that they're avoiding you so now they're harassing me."

"Sorry."

I rolled my eyes.

"No you're not. So do you want to tell me what the problem is?"

She looked around my room, as if checking for eavesdroppers. I jabbed her shoulder.

"Daph. No one else is here."

"Sorry, it's just… I don't want Astoria hearing about this until it's official. I only heard about it a few days ago. Hence my closet binge. My parents came to me to talk about an official betrothal with Theo."

I beamed at my best friend.

"That's great! Right?"

I added when she didn't really respond.

"It is; and I want nothing more than to marry Theo. But I have to meet his parents!"

"But you've already met his parents."

"As his girlfriend! Not as, let's sign the contract and I'll be your son's fiancé!"

"Hence the clothing struggle?"

"Exactly! Anyways. I found something so now I'm okay."

"I'm so happy for you."

She glared.

"Enough with the sarcasm please."

I laughed and she rolled her eyes in response.

"Anyways, when's the special occasion happening?"

"Tomorrow night. Theo and I are going to hang out tomorrow afternoon and then later that evening we're going to his place."

I smiled at her, ecstatic that she was happy. She looked slyly at me when I stopped talking.

"Enough about me though. What's going on with you and Draco?"

"What? Nothing. What makes you say that?"

I cringed at how I sounded. I was normally so smooth a liar, but a child could've picked up the weirdness in my voice there. Judging by Daphne's smirk, she knew something was up. She continued to stare at me until I finally cracked.

"I don't know! Happy?"

She grinned.

"Yes. You two have been getting closer and closer recently. I've also noticed that you two are more touchy than usual."

"I don't know. I mean, I get that strange flutter when he's close to me sometimes. But then I'm super comfortable with him. I just don't know. But he's also holding back. There's something that's causing him to withdraw. Not just from me either, from all of us."

"I've noticed it too. But I've also noticed that he seems happiest when he's with you."

I smiled slightly at that and Daphne grinned.

"I saw that smile. You fancy Draco."

"Alright, maybe. Don't think I haven't noticed that I'm the person you've been hoping Draco will end up with. You've hinted at it so many times over the last few years."

"It's not just me. Narcissa wants it too. Haven't you noticed her pointed look every time she says that she loves you like a daughter?"

I just stared at her in silence, contemplating what she had said. She just smiled lightly, got up and walked towards my door.

"Just something to think about. I'll see you tomorrow."

She said as she walked out into the hallway.

I was in the library, searching for a specific potions book when a squeaky voice spoke behind me.

"Mistress Herondale."

"Ahh. Goodness Loya, haven't we talked about this? You should try to scuff the floor or something. You are the quietest house elf I've ever met."

"I'm so sorry Mistress."

"Calm down Loya. It's fine. Just something to work on okay?"

I smiled at the house elf. I had clearly made her feel bad and I wasn't in the mood to deal with a depressed house elf all day. Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass were gone, Daphne was with Theo and Astoria was out with her friends.

"Mistress, young Master Malfoy is here."

I frowned.

"Draco?"

The house elf nodded. I was puzzled but quickly instructed the house elf.

"Well then, show him here and then bring us some tea please."

The library wasn't far from the fireplace so as I made my way to the main sitting area in the library, Draco was arriving. As soon as I saw him I rushed over.

"Draco. Goodness. What's the matter? You're so pale."

Draco didn't say anything so I guided him towards the sofa and sat down beside him. Loya appeared with the tea and set it down on the table before turning to me.

"Can I get Mistress anything else?"

"Not right now, thank you Loya. If anyone arrives, please tell them that I'm not to be disturbed."

"Yes Mistress."

After Loya had left I turned back to Draco and noticed that he had started shaking. I grabbed a throw off of the chair and wrapped it around him.

"Draco. Talk to me. What happened?"

"I'm sorry, I just didn't know who to go to. Daphne's always been more you and Theo's friend. I don't want to bother Theo because this might remind him of the future for him. Blaise is too…"

I cut him off before he could continue his list.

"Draco. I don't care. I've told you. I'm here for you. For whatever you need. So talk to me."

He didn't respond but after a moment he grabbed the sleeve of his shirt and slowly rolled it up. When it reached his elbow I gasped. On Draco's pale left forearm sat the Dark Mark. I gently grabbed his arm.

"Oh Draco. You're not even of age! How could he? What does he stand to gain? I'm so sorry."

When he just stared at the mark I gently unrolled his shirt so that it covered the mark again. He had also started to shake so I rewrapped him in the blanket and pulled him to me. I wrapped my arms around him and just let him sit there. A few minutes later he began to speak.

"He was so furious with my father. It's why I haven't talked to anyone since school. Mother and I have practically been under house arrest. Aunt Bella's living with us too. It's awful."

He paused and I didn't say anything. He needed to say it on his own so I just sat there and held him.

"Finally he came to a decision regarding my family. I will be given a mission in order to make up for my father's failure. I don't know what it is. But I can't change my actions. I have to pretend to be happy about all this. I have to pretend to be happy about this."

He gestured at the location of the dark mark. A moment later his face shut down, he pulled away from me and started taking off the blanket.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have burdened you with this."

I jumped in front of him, shoved him back against the seat and glared at him.

"Draco Malfoy. You will sit there and listen to me."

I knelt down and grabbed both of his hands.

"You needed to talk to someone; you can't leave now because you feel bad. Also, you are my friend. I care about you, so I'm not just going to sit by and let you deal with this by yourself. I'm going to try and help you in any way that I can, with or without your permission. So you might as well let me."

"I just don't know what to do."

His voice was so defeated; I knew my eyes had tears in them and my voice wavered but I spoke anyways.

"Well, we're going to let Theo and Daphne have their day and we'll tell them soon. Then we'll enjoy the rest of our summers as best we can. We'll deal with the school year when it comes alright?"

He nodded but then frowned.

"Wait, let Theo and Daphne have their day? What day?"

I smiled as I sat down on the sofa again.

"Assuming everything goes according to plan, our friends will sign their betrothal contract."
"They're going to be engaged. That's.. That's great for them."

His voice broke on that last statement and I looked at him curiously.

"Are you okay Draco?"

"Yes. I'm happy for them. It just made me think that I'll probably never get that."

"Draco don't say that!"

"It's true. Even if I found someone that I'd want to marry, they'd deserve better than a marked Death Eater."

I closed my eyes at that statement. Now it all made sense. Draco was pulling away because he thought that I'd be better off without him. Well I'd just have to prove him wrong.

"Draco, if you find someone the way Theo has found Daphne, that person won't care about the mark."

He looked at me, imploring with his eyes.

"But she should."

As I opened my mouth to respond, a scuffle came from behind me. I turned to see Loya standing there.

"The master and the mistress are home along with the young mistress. They wanted me to tell you dinner is ready. Will Master Malfoy be staying."

"No I will not."

Draco stated as he stood up. I frowned at him but he wouldn't look me in the eyes. I decided that I'd concede to him today, but I wouldn't give up on him.

"I'll walk you to the floo. Loya, tell the family that I'll be there in a moment."

I walked with Draco to the floo and before he walked through, I pulled him back and hugged him.

"Remember, you're not alone, whether you like it or not. I'll see you soon?"

He smiled at me, albeit faintly and nodded. Then without another word, he stepped into the floo and was gone. I turned and walked into the dining room.

"Loya said that Draco was here all afternoon. Is everything alright? You look a tad pale."

Mrs. Greengrass commented to me as I took my seat.

"Everything's fine. Thank you. He just wanted some company."

Daphne looked at me and I attempted to smile, but I knew that it was a failed endeavor. I dropped my gaze to my plate and let conversation flow around me. When dinner had ended, Daphne and I headed upstairs. I saw the ring on her finger and felt my first smile of the afternoon.

"It's a beautiful ring Daph. I'm really happy for you."

"Thank you. I'm really happy. But what happened? After our conversation yesterday and Draco being here all afternoon, I thought that you'd be happier. He didn't shut you down did he?"

I walked into my room and felt Daphne follow me. I gestured for her to sit on my bed and then I joined her.

"Worse. He told me that even if he ever found someone, then he couldn't subject that person to life with a marked death eater."

"No, don't tell me that he's been marked."

When I just nodded my head, Daph's eyes filled with tears. She placed her hand on mine and the tears that I had been holding back broke through.

"He wants to do it on his own and I tried to get through to him that I'll, we'll be there for him. I just don't know if it worked."

"You're not alone in this Kat. We'll get through this together. All of us."