Hey everyone! I'm back with yet another story! This is round 6 of Houses comp, where I remain HOH if Slytherin! This is my drabble. I've picked the prompt (character) Draco Malfoy. I know, I've kind of got an unhealthy obsession with him, don't judge me! Just enjoy the story!

Note: This is a prequel to my story More than imagined, where Draco has a squib family.

Beta: Aya, Dhrish, Ash

Word Count: 913

Draco stood in the shadow of a large tree, rubbing his hands together to warm them. It was an absolutely freezing day, and his thick cloak was barely enough to insulate him from the weather that was ever-nearing snow. In any other circumstance, he would have been at home, reading or drinking a cup of tea before a roaring fire. But this wasn't an average day.

He stepped out from under the tree and onto the nearby sidewalk, examining the houses nearby. This was a peaceful and quaint Muggle neighborhood, and Draco couldn't help but slightly marvel at the Muggles going about their day, driving in heated cars, using snowblowers to clear the fallen snow from the night before, children making snow angels and throwing snowballs at each other.

Checking the piece of paper in his hand, he checked the houses until he came to the correct one. It had been several years since he'd visited his sister's house, but he did recognize it once he found it.

As he took in the small changes—Riana had painted the house a pale green, and it was decorated elaborately for the holidays—he considered what had happened in their lives. He remembered when he had discovered his father's covered-up affair after a genealogy project in Potions class in his second year.

He had gone in search of his sister and had found her, along with her small family. He'd also discovered that she was a squib, and he finally understood why his father had wanted to cover up the affair.

Over the next couple years, they had occasionally visited each other. Draco had been glad to find that his family wasn't as small as he'd always thought. After Voldemort's return, Draco had severed ties with them in order to keep them safe—and it had worked. Their hastily written letters had been their only contact, and that had kept them all alive.

Now, although Voldemort was gone, they were still in danger. Draco knew that ignoring them was no longer an option. The few remains of Voldemort's army were more determined than ever in their efforts to purge the world, and Riana and her family had been discovered. They were in danger.

Avoiding slipping on the patches of ice, Draco reached the front door. Staring intently at it, he sincerely regretted what he was here to do. They are in danger, I'm helping them, he reminded himself. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door. It took a few moments, but eventually, it did open.

"Uncle Draco!" Riana had opened the door, but she was accompanied by her ten-year-old daughter Katrina. The little girl jumped straight into his arms, and they embraced. As he squeezed her tightly, he knew he was doing the right thing. I have to keep her safe.

Riana looked Draco up and down, taking in the changes that had come over him since he was fourteen. Draco, for his part, did the same. She was definitely older but hadn't undergone as dramatic a change as he had. Her smile lines were deeper and the wrinkles on her forehead more prominent, but otherwise it was hard to tell that four years had passed.

"Draco, hi." Riana embraced him as he released Katrina. "How are you?"

"I am well, Ri," he said. She seemed to sense he was tense because she placed a hand on his wrist. He said, "I… Remember the plan we made?"

At these words, her eyes widened. "It's that bad?"

Draco nodded emphatically. When he spoke, his voice was full of urgency. "I don't know how long we've got. We have to go quickly. Is Peter home?"

Riana nodded as she moved to allow Draco inside. "Yes, we were about to have lunch. I'll tell him and we'll get the kids ready. Fifteen minutes tops."

Draco nodded. As she headed down the hallway, he stayed behind. He heard her from the next room as she spoke to her husband, "...they're coming, he can protect us there…"

The next few minutes were tense. Draco paced as he waited for everyone. Finally, Katrina was the first to make her way over, a small backpack and duffel bag on her shoulders. As she saw Draco, she smiled and hurried over to hug him again.

Looking up at him, her smile faded. "Uncle Draco, are we really in danger?"

Pursing his lips, Draco nodded. "You are, Kat. I'm sorry that we have to drag you away from your life, but I don't want anything to happen to you."

She nodded understandingly. "Don't worry, Uncle Draco. I know you'll keep us safe."

In the next couple minutes, Riana and Peter came down the stairs, joined by the last member of the family, six-year-old Elaine. She also gave Draco an enthusiastic hug, which was slightly

obstructed by the cat carrier she held. Inside, a sleek grey cat observed the goings on. Peter gave Draco a nod, which he reciprocated.

"All right," Riana said after they were all together. "No time to waste. Are we all ready?" Everyone gave nods of assent. "Are we Apparating, Draco?"

"Yes, it's easiest. I'll Apparate us just outside the Manor since we can't Apparate directly inside."

"Okay then, let's go. Everyone, take Draco's hands."

They all obeyed, grasping Draco's hands tightly. "Brace yourself," he warned. "It's not exactly a pleasant experience."

And with that, he turned on his heel, and they all disappeared into the infinitely small tunnel that was Apparition.