Hello! The sun is back, and I'm not working next week, yay!
Hope you are alright :) New POV introduced in this chapter! I guess you know who this is thanks to the title. WARNING: mention of torture, murder.

"Draaaaakey, where are youuuu?"

Hidden behind a curtain, Draco stiffened. He had thought he would have more time to catch his breath, but it seemed that he had been wrong: she was getting closer.

"Come out, little Draco, don't you wanna play with your auntie? The Muggles are not fun anymore!" Bellatrix pouted, and a man let out a bloodcurdling scream before collapsing loudly on the floor. Draco's stomach clenched, and he fought the urge to throw up.

"How stupid of me," his aunt laughed suddenly, "we are already playing! Hide and seek has always been one of my favourite games," she continued, "and I'm very good at it!"

Draco whimpered quietly as he listened, his eyes filling with tears when he heard the door being opened. She was in the room, and it was only a matter of seconds before she found him.

"I can hear you…" Bellatrix singsonged, and Draco stopped breathing.

The sound of her heels was becoming louder and louder, and he knew she was approaching from his hiding place. Finally, she paused in front of the curtain, and his body went cold with dread when he saw the fabric being slowly lifted.

"… and I can see you," she said, leaning in until their noses almost touched. "You lose, nephew," she whispered, grinning like a madwoman. He could feel the point of her wand against his chest, and he felt a flash of terror when the curse left her mouth.

" Reducto."

Draco woke up with a start and immediately reached for his chest, his hands frantically trying to find the gaping hole created by the blast that had just hit him. When he felt nothing, he finally remembered that he had left the Manor a few hours earlier and he inhaled deeply, trying to get his heart rate back to its normal pace. The newspaper he had been reading had fallen on the floor and he leaned in to pick it, snorting loudly as he read the front page.

MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN

Seven Death Eaters Missing From Their Cells

On Christmas Morning!

A picture of his aunt illustrated the article, and Draco shivered when their eyes met. Crazy bitch, he thought angrily, still shaken by the nightmare he just had. Crouch was already mad as a hatter, but the rest of them are just totally insane. The first thing Bellatrix had done when they had met (apart from squeezing his cheeks for five minutes and marvelling at the colour of his eyes) had been to try to bond with him through a common interest: their hatred for Muggles.

Of course, Draco hadn't expected that torture would be involved.

Or mutilation.

Or murder.

Especially not murder.

Draco did not like Muggles. They were gross, stupid, and had no magic. They polluted the world and had the audacity to produce aberrations like Muggleborns. Yes, permanently removing them from the surface of Earth had seemed like a very nice idea, until the day he had met his aunt. Let's just say, his worship for the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord had been severely compromised upon seeing their methods in action.

Draco did not like Muggles, but he had discovered that he hated their screams for mercy much more and that, above all, he hated to see them being slaughtered in the room where he usually relaxed. Neither his mother nor his father had seemed disturbed by the fact that other humans were being left bleeding on their expensive carpets, but Draco had been. Very much, to be honest.

Draco did not like Muggles but, after one week of daily murders just before tea time, he had decided that simply ignoring their existence might be a better solution than wanting their brutal extermination. Especially, when he knew he would be expected to take part in it one day.

So, because of that, going back to Hogwarts had never sounded so wonderful, even after his Father had told him he was supposed to keep them informed on Granger's whereabouts. Why he had to do such a thing was still a mystery to Draco (shouldn't the Dark Lord want to know about Potter instead?), but at least, it was within his capacities.

Well, he thought as he left his compartment, speaking of Mudbloods.

Not far from him, Potter and Granger were making their way out of the train, a grim look on their face. Weasley, for once, was absent, but that did not surprise Draco a lot. He had seen him and his siblings barricade themselves in a compartment soon after their arrival, and they must have stayed together since. Knowing he did not really have a choice, he followed the two Gryffindors, hoping to learn some details about Granger's holidays.

After almost ten minutes of walk, however, Draco was beginning to fear that the only information the Dark Lord would receive tonight would be some advice on knitting when suddenly, Granger rose her hand in the air and a brief silvery flash caught his eyes.

Wait, was that…

"Granger," he shouted, startling her, "what's that awful thing on your wrist?"

She raised an eyebrow, apparently confused by his sudden interest in her choice of jewellery and the near lack of insult, and seemed about to ignore his question when Potter nudged her, rapidly whispering something in her ear. Granger's eyes narrowed in Draco's direction and slowly, a self-satisfied smile appeared on her face.

"That, Malfoy," she said, lifting the sleeve of her coat and putting the trinket he had spotted earlier on display, "is a promise bracelet."

Draco's mouth fell open, and he stared stupidly at the very expensive bracelet the girl was wearing. His brain pointed out that Weasley would never be able to buy her such a thing, a fact that confused him even more. Who on Earth could have given her that?

"I can see that, Granger," he said, feeling a bit irritated, "how come you have one?"

Granger's smirk grew even more.

"Well, you see, when a boy likes a girl very much, he…"

This time, Potter burst out laughing, and Draco felt his face burn with anger. How dare they make fun of him?!

"I know perfectly what a promise bracelet is, Granger," he snapped, "as it is a Pureblood custom."

"Well, then, you've got your answer Malfoy," she said, sounding a bit too satisfied to his liking. "I have a promise bracelet, because a Pureblood gave one to me."

The owl landed graciously on her wrist, and Narcissa gave it a small treat before taking the letter, hastily tearing it open when she recognized her son's writing. Her sister, who had been trying to act regally despite her disturbed demeanour, finally stopped pretending that she had manners when she realized who had written.

"Is it my favourite nephew already?" she asked excitedly. "What does he say?"

"Well," Narcissa answered coolly, "Barty's Mudblood is being courted."

"Courted?" Bellatrix shrieked. "But… but this is a Pureblood custom, isn't it?"

"Blood-Traitors and Half-Blood court as well, but I'm afraid it's not the case here. The girl says her pretendant is a French Pureblood."

"She's lying," her sister asserted. "There's no way a Pureblood would want to court her, even a French one."

"Draco isn't so sure, he says the bracelet she was wearing looked goblin-made. Only an old family like ours would decide to spend that much money at the beginning of a relationship."

"Hm," Bellatrix answered thoughtfully, "I won't believe it until your son gets us the name of that fool."

"Well, whether or not this is the truth, Crouch won't like that. Honestly, his obsession with the Mudblood is disturbing. Why the Dark Lord accepts this madness is beyond me."

"Crouch proved he could be useful, so the Dark Lord is being lenient for the time being," her sister answered dismissively. "Let him have his fun and think he is the favourite, soon our Lord will lose his patience and put him back to his rightful place. What I don't understand, however, is why they insist on keeping that Muggle. Can you believe Crouch almost crucioed me when I tried to kill it?"

"They seem fond of it, indeed. I was doubtful as well at the beginning, but it seems that the Muggle can be trusted when it comes to the Dark Lord. Crouch told me they had stopped imperiusing him a while ago, and that he had never seen a servant so dedicated to its Master. I trust our Lord's judgment on the subject, as should you."

"Of course," Bellatrix immediately agreed, "the Dark Lord knows better than the rest of us. But still, a Muggle…" she shivered. "Anyway, that subject is dreadfully boring, let's talk about my Drakey instead. Have you found someone suitable for him yet?"

"I'm still looking," Narcissa admitted, trying not to sound too preoccupied by the fact that her son seemed more obsessed by Potter than by girls his own age. "There are a few options here, but I think we'll have to look in France too. Lucius likes the idea of a French bride, and there are a lot of more… traditional families on the other side of the channel."

"Take care of the matter quickly, then," Bellatrix replied. "We have to think of the future, Cissa, and your son and his wife need to be amongst the firsts to produce a new generation of warriors for our Lord."

A few hours earlier

Ginny stared at the passing landscape, her mind going back to the last few weeks over and over again.

Bill's announcement in Dumbledore's Office. Ginny's heart crumbling to pieces. The trip back home, in a daze. The sight of her mother, crying hysterically at the bottom of the clock, a picture of her husband secured tightly against her chest. The burial. Her mother's health rapidly deteriorating. The long nights, trying to get her to eat something. Percy's sudden comeback, and his rage when he saw their mother's state. His attempts to remind her that she was not alone, and that they wanted to help her. His exasperation when he saw that nothing was working. His sudden outburst of anger that surprised everyone, including their mother. Her long-awaited realization that her family needed her. Her shy return to a normal life. And, finally, her will for revenge.

Once again, it was Ron who voiced their fears.

"Do you think we're gonna lose mum as well?" he asked, glaring at the ceiling of the compartment.

"Mentally, the worst is behind us," Fred said quietly, "but physically… I mean, she sounded pretty serious when she talked about killing that snake, right?"

"You don't honestly think she's going to become a fighter for the Order?" Ginny asked. "I mean, there's us and… and it's mum!"

Would she be able to defend herself, after years of taking care of her children? Being able to cook four meals a day for a family of nine was talent very few people had, but it wouldn't help her during a battle.

"I wouldn't be surprised, honestly. Mad Eye said she was a very good warrior, but that she stopped after the death of her brothers."

"Guess I can understand why," George said, eying his twin and shivering slightly. "I wouldn't be surprised either but I know she won't, not after what Percy said. Doesn't mean she'll stay at home like before, however."

"What could she do, then? Do you think it could be dangerous?"

"Gathering intel, spying on well-known supporters… so basically, yes, everything could be dangerous."

"I don't like it," Ginny said. "I don't want dad's sacrifice to be in vain, but we can't lose mum either."

"What do you propose, then?" Ron asked her, "I get that you wanted to train in case you were in danger, but you don't really plan to go after Voldemort yourself, do you?"

"Why not?" Ginny asked sharply. "Someone has to do it, right? And Harry doesn't look like he's about to do anything to stop him."

"Ginny, you can't," her brother sighed, sounding exasperated.

"But WHY?"

Ron stared at her and their siblings for a while, looking more and more distressed as the time passed.

"I can't tell you why," he finally said, "the only thing you know is that you can't kill him."

January had passed in a blur, each day seeming more and more like the day before. Between his classes, his Quidditch trainings, his duties as a Prefect and member of the Inquisitorial Squad and now his spying for the Dark Lord, Draco was more than ready when the next Hogsmeade weekend was announced. Of course, he wouldn't be able to go by himself and would have to spend the day with his friends, but at least it would allow him to relax for a few hours.

It wasn't that he hated being the leader of the infamous Squad that Umbridge had created, but he was surrounded by idiots, and the blasted woman was getting more and more unnerved by their lack of success in unmasking the perpetrators of the pranks she was subjected to. She summoned them at least twice a week and expected detailed reports about their activities which, let's be honest, they were never able to give. The fact that the whole school seemed to have decided to work against them did not help either, and just last week the team had lost Montague. The boy had vanished for a day before reappearing inside a toilet, speaking incoherently of some sort of cabinet where he had been pushed.

But that was the past and right now, right now he just wanted a warm butterbeer, and maybe some fish and chips to go with it.

"Crabbe, Goyle," he said, nodding towards the Three Broomsticks, "drinks?"

The boys, understanding that it was more an order than a choice, followed him hastily as he made his way to the pub. Soon enough they were inside, and Draco nearly groaned when he recognized the couple sitting next to the door.

Sirius Fucking Black and Andromeda Tonks.

Great, just great.

"… of course, Ted wasn't exactly thrilled to learn that his baby girl was going to get married, but deep down he's really glad they are finally officialising things. A year and a half…"

"… sniffing around each other?" Black suggested.

"dancing around each other, before the first move was made," the woman answered dryly.

"Whatever you say," Black said, grinning. "But I'm glad he's asked her, honestly, I think they are good together. You should have seen Remus' face when he told me she had accepted, he was all over the moon."

"Honestly, Sirius, aren't you ashamed?" Mrs. Tonks asked, rolling her eyes. "Your jokes are terrible."

Draco had to privately agree with her. Good thing his mother hated him, or family dinners would be a nightmare.

"Rita thinks I'm funny."

"The poor woman has no choice; you pout for days if she doesn't laugh at your antics."

"I'm funny," Black insisted, and Draco decided it was time to leave.

"Crabbe, find us a table. Goyle, drinks, and some food," he told his two lackeys. Both of them left in a hurry, and Draco was about to do the same when he caught something Mrs. Tonks was saying.

"Did Hermione like the flowers he got her? I wasn't really sure if she had any preferences."

"Honestly, they were fine. She likes the gesture and the fact that they are from him, you could have procured a bouquet of thistles and there would have been no differences."

Granger? A bouquet?

"I can't even look in their direction," Black continued, "so much cuteness, it's positively disgusting."

Draco tuned out the rest of the conversation, focusing on what he had just learned. Granger was there, and apparently on a romantic date, which meant that her mysterious suitor would be there as well. Brilliant! He scanned the room, quickly locating her thanks to her bushy hair, and his eyes widened comically at the sight of the man in front of her.

Draco knew that, compared to most of his comrades, he was fairly lucky. He was rich, well-mannered, and considered one of the most attractive students in Hogwarts by more than a third of the students' population (boys included). Girls would faint with only a smile in their direction, and boys would puff their chest proudly when he acknowledged them.

So, yeah, Draco looked good. The man facing Granger, however, looked gorgeous. And, judging by the murderous glares sent in the couple's direction, most of the witches in the establishment shared Draco's opinion. First Crouch, and now that guy was interested in Granger? No, really, what was he missing?

"Draco," someone called him, "we got a table."

Draco, who had momentarily forgotten why he was here, was glad to see that Crabbe had managed to find a place near the fire. Sadly, it was at the exact opposite of Granger's.

"Goyle got food," the boy continued, realizing that his boss hadn't moved.

"Yeah yeah, I'm coming," Draco answered, following the idiot while staring at Granger's boyfriend. He looked kind of familiar, but where had he seen him before? Hogwarts? Diagon Alley? Hogsmeade, maybe?

"The Quidditch Cup!" he suddenly exclaimed, and Crabbe looked at him strangely, before deciding it would be wise not to question his sudden eccentricity.

Yes, Draco remembered now, he had seen the boy at the Quidditch World Cup, defending Granger! He had been with Black, and the man had mentioned he was his secretary. Draco sat down at the table, satisfied. The man looked good enough to be a Pureblood, but there was no way he was from an ancient family if he had to work. Black was rich and had seemed to like him, so he must be the one who had bought the bracelet when he had learned that his employee wanted to woo his Godson's best friend.

Mother will be happy with my findings, he thought, taking a chip from the nearest plate and shoving it in his mouth. I just hope Crouch will think it's enough.

"Do you want to get married?" Sirius asked her one night as they were getting ready to go to bed.

"Married?" Rita repeated, surprised, "why? I thought you hated the idea of being tied to someone forever?"

"Yeah well," he shrugged, "I like you well enough and…" he paused, apparently looking for the right word.

"And?"

"And I don't know," he answered. "Remus' getting married, and Reg will propose the moment Hermione puts the final dot on her NEWT's copy so I thought that, maybe, you would want me to ask you as well?"

"Honestly, Sirius," Rita interrupted him, "it's not because everyone is suddenly getting married that we have to do the same."

"Right, if you say so," he said, sounding a bit irritated.

"You know that, if something is bothering you, you need to say it instead of waiting for me to understand what it is, right? If marriage is something you really want, let's talk about it then."

"It's not that," Sirius said, looking uncomfortable. "It's… babies."

"Babies?"

"Yeah. Babies."

"What about babies?"

"I… I can't have them," he told her, sounding ashamed. "The Healers said that the chances for me to have children was very, very low."

"So what?"

"So wh…" Sirius began, "don't you want to have children? I thought all girls wanted babies? That, and getting married."

"One day, love, we're going to have a reeeeally long conversation about biases on women. That, and the pressure society puts on everyone. But for now, the only thing you need to know is that I just don't care if you can't have children."

"Oh," he replied, sounding a bit disappointed. "So, you don't want to have any?"

"I never said that, you idiot, but maybe now is not the time for that discussion. We've been together for less than six months, and there's a war coming, so I'm not sure this is a good combination for starting a family."

"Right," he said, and she knew he wasn't satisfied by her answer. "What about after the war, then?" he asked a few seconds later, feigning disinterest.

"Well," Rita answered slowly, a small smile on her lips, "I'll have to think about it."

In case you wondered:
- The title is about Draco waking up, physically and litteraly: he suddenly realizes that the reality is not what he thought it would be.

- Bellatrix & Draco's eyes: he has the eyes of the Blacks, so she is happy!

- The promise bracelet is (I'm pretty sure) something I read about in An Unexpected Malfoy (it's a WIP, but definitely worth reading!). I imagine it's given at the beginning of a courtship, then for the bethrotal it's an engagement ring, and then of course the wedding ring. Maybe earrings & a necklace for their 1st anniversary, so that the girl has a set.

- Narcissa knew Regulus loved Hermione, and she learned that Regulus had decided to court her thanks to Severus who came to the Manor during the festivities (or murder party, your choice). She isn't a huge fan of the fact that she is not even a half-blood, but she wants her cousin to be happy. Calling Hermione a Mudblood, however, is part of the act!

- Despite what Bellatrix thinks, Voldemort will keep Barty as his right-hand. I think they developed something that could be almost like a father/son relationship thanks to their past (see: Barty's revelations in the GoF). Voldemort knows Bellatrix is loyal but volatile, and he also knows that Lucius avoided going to Azkaban.

- About the Pureblood lines: I'm still trying to figure things out, but I tried to come up with something logical. A Muggle-Born arrives in the Wizarding Society, thus creating a new line. However, he or she needs to wait two centuries before it is recognized as "pure", and has to marry with someone magical. For the first marriage, another Muggle-Born is ok, but then it has to be a Half-Bloods or Purebloods. And yes, I made a list with exactly 128 names in it, beginning in the 12th century. I need it for my next fic, alright?

- Life of a Pureblood, part 2 (not fully developed, just to give you a general idea):
Age 17: the father officialy introduces his Heir, the Heir learns a few things about the estate and how to manage it.
Between 17&20: heir studies under a Master
Between 20 & 25: the Heir works with his or her parent and learns how to manage the estate.
25 – 50: have children, the Heir officialy takes over his father to manage the estates
50 – 90: Wizengamot
- If you only have daughters, then the first one can marry a second son and her children will get her name, so your line can continue.

""Rita thinks I'm funny."
"The poor woman has no choice; you pout for days if she doesn't laugh at your antics."
"I'm funny," Black insisted, and Draco decided it was time to leave." so, this part is totally inspired by my life x)