Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Door #6

The fire crackled merrily and I sat in front of it, gazing into the flames and simultaneously toasting my face. Even as a child, I would be found in a similar position, especially at this time of year. I would have painstakingly written out my Christmas wishes in my best handwriting and then kneel in front of the fire for just the right moment to send it flying up the chimney. It had to be timed exactly right, otherwise it would just catch fire and my Christmas wishes would never come true.

I sighed and rubbed at my flushed cheeks as I heard voices from the past.

"He's too old for this, Narcissa."

"He's still a child, Lucius - not for much longer, I'll admit - but he is still a child. He'll be yours soon enough, let me have him for as long as I can."

"Fairy tales are not for Malfoys."

I sighed, pushing my hair out of my eyes as I wriggled into a more comfortable position. I was too old now for such childish fantasies but for a moment, I couldn't help but wonder, what would I wish for if I was so inclined? Toys and games were hardly important to me now, it was more a question of survival.

Swallowing hard, I grabbed a scrap of parchment and quill, scribbled a few words and without a second thought threw it into the fire. For a second, I thought I saw it dance on a breeze and escape the flames but I knew I was wrong. Shaking my head in despair at my foolishness, I turned on my heel and left the room.

It wasn't till the next morning, that one of the house-elves told me they'd found something in the grate and wondered if it was important. In my hand, they placed a small piece of paper, charred round the edges but otherwise intact. Printed on it in my neat hand were the words 'My life back.'

Fairy tales are not for Malfoys.