"I can't believe that they would even show their faces here."

"Those rotten Malfoys."

"Look how the mighty have fallen."

Draco Malfoy let out a small sigh as he followed his mother down the platform, ignoring every insulting whisper that came. It was like wildfire had spread as increasingly rude remarks came. He could feel the glares of hatred and distaste that immediately formed on almost everyone's face as he quickly walked by. Almost every single person looked at the pair with absolute disgust as if they were something filthy and untouchable. In years past, he would have immediately dared them to say their insults to his face but now, Draco knew it was better to keep his mouth shut and ignore it all. Due to the incident at the ministry and Lucious' imprisonment, the Malfoy name had tarnished and had fallen from grace.

Yet, Narcissa Malfoy refused to hide like a beaten dog with its tail tucked between their legs. No, it was as if she had put on armor to prevent the insults and ridicule affect her. Just as proud as ever, she held her head high and would not back down. Even after that incident with Potter at Madam Malkin's, she would not allow the insults to upset her. Though, regardless of her best efforts to hide it, Draco was well aware of his mother's mental state. There were countless times that he'd find her, locked up in the room that she shared with his father, crying, and clutching a pillow in front of the fireplace. This whole incident was slowly breaking Narcissa's entire being into thousands of pieces. Luckily, there were still some families that supported her and were loyal to the Malfoy name. With their support and her son's, she was able to remain strong when the public eye was on her. It also helped that Narcissa's greatest shield was her very own sister who was none other than the Dark Lord's most devoted lieutenant. None would dare to cross Bellatrix Lestrange.

Draco turned his head slightly to make sure the house elf was following behind with his luggage, but he caught the dirty gazes of many. This time, he narrowed his eyes as he silently dared anyone to upset him or his mother. Luckily, there was no such bravery. He was grateful because in truth, Draco was tired. This entire summer had been exhausting to him and not just because of his father's imprisonment. No, it was the constant presence of the Dark Lord at his home that caused him such distress. He felt like a prisoner in his own home whenever the Dark Lord appeared and there was nothing, he or his mother could do to prevent it. His aunt had willingly opened Malfoy Manor to house the Dark Lord whenever he pleased. She hissed that it was to keep their family in his good graces since Lucious failed so miserably. Despite her unease with the entire situation, there was nothing Narcissa could do. Her husband had fallen, and the Dark Lord had branded Draco to assume his place with the unspoken threat that should he have any reason to question their loyalty, he would eliminate them from the world. Wanting so desperately to protect his mother in anyway possible, Draco obeyed every order given to him and never said a word.

Even with his eagerness to escape to Hogwarts, Draco still felt uneasy about leaving his mother. He did his best to keep her away from the darkness that was now consuming his life, but he didn't know what would happen when he wasn't there. He felt guilty that he had an out while she did not. The Dark Lord was not always at their home and Bellatrix would only come if he ordered her to come so who would protect his mother? That question ate away at Draco for weeks and he had offered on several occasions to stay home but Narcissa insisted that he return to Hogwarts.

"Narcissa, Draco," a familiar voice called from a few feet away.

Huddled away from majority of the crowd, he saw his friends with their families. A small smile formed on his mother's face as she quickened her pace to reach them. Immediately the adults fell into a conversation leaving their children to form one of their own. Luckily, like their parents, they all were friends and that was an easy task.

"How was your summer," Goyle asked as Draco gave Zabini a nod of acknowledgement.

"To be expected," Draco replied with a sharp tone that indicated he was not in the mood to discuss it further.

Fortunately, there were no further comments as the discussion shifted to the story of Goyle's run in with some muggle law enforcement and Zabini's latest conquest on the shores of Italy. Just being around his friends improved Draco's mood as he laughed at Zabini's complaint of the girl wanting to introduce him to her family. Blaise Zabini was one of the more attractive male members and rarely had any issues getting any attention from the female population. Draco didn't know how many notches he had on that bed post, but he knew that the number would continue to grow. It was a well-known fact that Zabini was a sex fiend but somehow was able to find a new girl to put on his arm almost every other week.

"Oh Drakie! There you are!"

The four of them all winced as Pansy Parkinson jumped into Draco's unwilling arms, wrapping her own tightly around his neck with a loud and obnoxious squeal. The two had started dating in fourth year and had been constantly on and off since then. Draco had hoped that his lack of response to her letters was enough for her to get the hint that he wanted to be out of their relationship but unfortunately, Pansy just didn't seem to understand. She was an attractive girl in her own sense but there wasn't any common knowledge and Draco was starting to feel that the only thing she was good for was just sex which at this point was just mediocre.

"How was your summer? Mine was just fabulous. I got a new bikini that I'd just would love to show you, Drakie."

Draco glared as Pansy continued to ramble, oblivious at Zabini snickering with Crabbe and Goyle. She just didn't know how to shut her mouth which gradually ticked away at his sanity.

"Do you have a muzzle or something because, seriously, Parkinson, you need to shut your fucking trap once in a while."

Everyone's attention turned to the girl that walked towards them. Dark chestnut hair was pulled back into a messy bun with a few strands escaping to artfully frame her slender face. Her forest green eyes sparkled with mock disgust as she twitched her button nose and pulled those plump red lips into a smirk. She had a tall, slender figure that many would kill for that Zabini shamelessly admired. Ellie Blake was another sixth year Slytherin that was part of their group of friends. She was one half of the Dresden Dolls who enjoyed pressing people's buttons for her own amusement and had solidified her standing as a smartass by infamously asking Dolores Umbridge if she was grouchy all the time because no man would have sex with her.

Luckily, Ellie's appearance gave Pansy a slight distraction as she loosened her hold on Draco's neck and moved to be set down. Standing several inches taller than her, Ellie raised an eyebrow in amusement as Pansy attempted to glare up at her. It was obvious that she felt threatened by the brunette even though she had no attraction towards any of her male friends. No, Ellie was too much of a free spirit to be tied down by a relationship but that didn't stop Pansy from feeling insure.

"Well, this is looks familiar," another voice called.

This time, a pair walked towards them. The first was an older man with ruggedly handsome features that caused several women and a few men to eye him with lust. His messy light brown hair gave him the appearance of just rolling out of bed, but his piercing grey eyes said otherwise. A serious expression was worn on his fine face, but it was his entire presence that commanded the platform. He walked with a grace that was mixed with absolute strength that absolutely dominated all. Wearing a simple attire of dark jeans and a button-up shirt did not hide the fact that rippling muscles made this man as he made his way towards the group. Everyone knew him as Dante Mycroft, the renowned Magizoologist that specialized in dragons. In his school days, he was known as the dashing boy with a love for creatures, like Newt Scamander. There were many that wanted to be with him, including one Narcissa Black, but he was more interested in his work. Occasionally he would have a woman on his arm whenever he attended various functions, but Dante was dedicated to his research. That was until one faithful day he somehow wandered into Avalon and stumbled upon a beautiful fay woman bathing in a pond. That fay was none other than Morgan le Fay, the noblest of all fays and High Lady of Avalon. Known for her fury and anger, it surprised all that the two fell in love and she bore him a daughter.

And it was that very daughter that spoke.

Standing behind her father was a delicate, lithe girl. She was several inches shorter than Ellie Blake but, like her father, she exuded absolute dominance. Inherited form her fay mother, she hair that seemed to be dipped in the moon with its silvery blonde shine that framed her doll-like face. Full pouty lips were pulled into a smirk as her stunning grey eyes that she inherited from her father twinkled with that chaotic maelstrom of emotions. Hints of muscles and womanly curves molded her body into something that many desired. Yet, surprisingly, Annabelle Mycroft was more subdued in comparison to her mother. Morgan was known as the harbinger of chaos who delighted in creating destruction whereas Anna preferred the quiet and the calm, something she got from Dante. It was often that she could be found, sitting in a tree, reading a book, or just relaxing in the grass. It was seldom that she had an outburst of emotion and always stopped to think before opening her mouth.

Because of that, Anna was one of Draco's closest friends. It was this closeness that caused a great deal of jealous from Pansy but there was never anything romantic between the two. No, Anna was probably his best friend, and he appreciated her honesty and opinions, trusting her without fail. Sure, at one point, Draco was attracted to her, but he knew that their friendship meant more than the chance of a failed romantic relationship. She would forever be the one person he would not attempt to sleep with because she was simply his best friend.

"If it isn't the other Dresden Doll," Zabini said as his eyes admired the way her clothing hugged that figure, "I was beginning to wonder when you'd show up."

"Daemon sent me a book last night that I couldn't help but read. I couldn't put it down," Anna replied, ignoring Zabini's lustful gaze.

Daemon was the name of the mysterious man that held the heart of Anna Mycroft. She had long resisted the advancement of any male at Hogwarts for years until last year when a parcel arrived for her one morning. It was a simple silver necklace with a beautifully crafted feather pendant with a letter that simply said, "To my little bird. -Daemon." Everyone had questioned Anna about it, but she simply smiled and said nothing. Even Ellie, who is Anna's closest friend aside from Draco Malfoy, revealed little. Aside from Dante, she was the only other person that had met Daemon. The only thing she would ever say about this man was that "Daemon is the type of person that would kill if that's what it took to make Anna smile. He would do absolutely anything for her and she would do the same for him."

Throughout the previous year, Anna received various gifts from Daemon, but she revealed nothing further about him but the smile that would form on her face whenever she read his letters spoke volumes. Draco never questioned her about it, knowing full well that she would tell her friends about him when she was ready.

"And because of that book, someone didn't wake up in time," Dante playfully snarked as he nudged his daughter, "I swear, I could leave you in a bookstore and your mother could destroy the entire world and you wouldn't even know because you're too stuck in your book."

Anna wrinkled her nose as she smiled, her hand immediately reaching for the feather pendant around her neck. "No, I would notice because I would have to eat eventually!"

The two laughed as if there was some hidden joke but soon, they turned to their respective groups. Instantly, Anna gave Draco a warm hug which he welcomed. She was one of the few people he had written to during the summer and whose letters he accepted. Normally, the Malfoys and the Mycrofts would spend a week or two traveling together. Before, they accompanied Dante on his expeditions before he left for Avalon to meet with his lover, but the Dark Lord had refused to allow this. Instead, Draco received various pictures of the places that Anna got to explore and was filled with envy.

"I'm glad to see you finally," Anna whispered in Draco's ear, "I was very worried for you."

She was well aware of what had become of Malfoy Manor and in addition to her letters and pictures, sent him little trinkets to keep his spirits up. They weren't much, just a flower from wherever she was or some little figurine. Just something to remind Draco that no matter what, Anna still worried for him and thought of him all the time. Even though it was such a small gesture, it had meant to world to him, and it made him appreciate her even more.

"You always worry," Draco said, tugging on a lock of her silvery hair, "If your hair wasn't gray already, it would have turned by now."

"I'm blonde, you idiot," Anna snarked, playfully shoving his shoulder.

Before another word was spoken, the whistle sounded, indicating the train's departure in a few minutes. Quickly, Draco turned to his mother and wrapped his arms around her. That dreadful question began nagging at his mind again as he struggled to find something comforting to say. Luckily, Narcissa gave him a small smile and kissed his cheek. "Do not worry about me, Draco. If I can, I will visit with Dante in Avalon. If not, I'll be with your Auntie Bella."

He hoped that she would be able to go with Dante. The man was like a second father to him, and Anna had expressed his displeasure with the whole situation that befell the Malfoys. If anything, Draco just wanted to know that his mother was safe, and he caught Dante's grey eyes. For a few moments, their gazes locked, and a silent understanding was formed. He knew Dante would take care of his mother, no matter what.

"I'll be okay, Draco," Narcissa soothed, running her hand throw his own blonde hair, "I'll be just fine. Not to worry."

"Alright," Draco muttered as he watched Anna hug her father, "Write to me if anything happens."

"I will."

With that, Draco released his mother and followed his friends onto the train. There was a small part of him that wanted to stay but he knew full well that his mother would shove him onto the train if he did. Or at least, she would attempt to. The mental image caused Draco to shake his head as he softly chuckled. Finding an empty compartment, Draco took a seat nearest the window with Pansy sitting next to him, rambling about some utter nonsense. Anna took the seat directly across from him with her nose already buried in some think book and Ellie sat next to her and Zabini sitting on the outer seat. Crabbe and Goyle had gone off to find the snack trolley. In a few hours, they would arrive at Hogwarts, and he was ready to just have a moment to relax without feeling like the Dark Lord was breathing down his neck. Closing his eyes, Draco allowed his mind to finally rest as the train began moving.