Sir,

I've been in the hospital for what has seemed like weeks, I hope you're not upset that I missed my lessons. I can get up now after a whole eternity and Samira, out of all people, was the one who helped me to class! Yes, that Samira. The Samira that says I'm like Merlin's beard gone rotten. It does hurt my pride a little though. The two of us have been tight-lipped the whole time we go to class together. I know I should be thankful, but I just don't feel like it. I shall try to think better of her from now on. You might be wondering as to why I haven't talked much about Alice. Well, Alice and I aren't having much of a problem. It's just that she needs her own time. And I can respect that.

Astoria Greengrass

OvO

Sir,

I've been thinking about Alice a lot. And it hit me that Alice never mentioned anything about a mother. I sat down with Alice in the evening and asked her about it. I was cautious. I thought that I might come across to her as insensitive. But she was fine with it. I feel like she was forcing herself to seem fine. Alice never knew her mother. She had already died when Alice was young, which only left Mr McGregor to take care of her. I can see why Alice is so distraught about her father. I have almost no doubt that he's innocent. Alice said that she knows where her mother's grave is, I offered to come along with her. Alice confessed that she was mad with me. And she still is, she can't understand why. I feel very sorry for her. I thought I was in a bad position but really, Alice is much worse off.

Come to think of it, Sir, that brings Draco's parents to mind. I prefer not to be too involved in other people's personal business, but I remember how Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy used to come to Hogwarts often to try and speak to Draco. They are quite forbidding, I was afraid of them. And I quietly disagree with their view on blood superiority.

I don't know if I'm right, but I think Draco's ashamed of them. He does sort of own a right to be, I think they made some serious mistakes. But looking back, seeing them looking through the windows of Hogwarts, shouting for Draco convinces me that they do care for him. That makes me want to be like them.

Astoria Greengrass

OvO

Sir,

I've caught up on my schoolwork, it didn't take as long as I thought it would. Now that I've some spare time, I think it would be a good idea to pay a visit to Hagrid. I do think I owe it to him.

Astoria Greengrass

OvO

"'ave some tea, Astoria." Chipped porcelain teacups hovered over, which Astoria gladly received as she gazed at the fireplace. She felt something gently brush by, causing her to recoil in horror. She trusted that Hagrid knew what was going on, but she was naturally preparing to defend herself. Hagrid chortled, "Forgot ter tell yeh 'bout my guest. Young Thestral. Hurt her wing. Real beauty, isn't she?"

"I can't see it."

"Oh, sorry 'bout that. Must 'ave given yer a scare." Hagrid extended his arm and dotingly stroked it. "Don't know why wizard fools hate 'em. They are gentle creatures, wouldn't harm yer."

"That reminds me of Draco."

Hagrid snorted, "Dat Malfoy scum! He 'urt my hippogriff!" He gave a noisy sniff, his eyes turning watery, "But 'tis nothing to worry. My hippogriff's safe now."

"I think Draco's changed, Hagrid."

"Yer really think?"

"Really."

"I believe yer." Hagrid was still bitter and crunched on a rock cake. "Can't be as bad as his father."

"You know Lucius Malfoy?"

"Nasty man. Came 'ere years ago. KILLED MY BUCKBEAK!"

His voice then softened as he caressed the Thestral again. "Sorry, didn't mean ter startle yer."

Astoria looked on with apprehension, beginning to doubt herself. "So, he really is that bad?"

"Hogwarts never did good for him." Hagrid brooded over this with much thought. "He was a strange boy. Never spoke. Sit at the side, do people-watching."

"You mean he did that in all of his school years?"

"Yes. 'specially in seventh 'ear. When Lily and James Potter came ter Hogwarts. He stopped talking, always by 'imself. Gave James and his friends lots of detention. 'specially Sirius Black. He 'ated him."

OvO

Sir,

My visit to Hagrid's place was most interesting. I shall be stopping by Hogsmeade this week and getting more things for myself. If I've time, I should go and see George as well. I'm not sure if I should ask Alice to tag along. She may not like it. We'll see about that.

Astoria Greengrass

OvO

Sir,

Draco and I bumped into each other at Hogsmeade today. I'll admit, it was a coincidence that I was hoping for. Draco bought Drooble's gum and shared half of it with me, I felt terrible about what I did. He asked me about my friends and I just couldn't help but bring up Alice. I wanted to find someone I could confide in. I told him everything. I hope that Alice won't get mad with me after this. Draco was very understanding, he said that he wants to come with us to pay respects to Alice's mother. I think that's very kind of him, I don't think Alice would mind too much. I'm slightly disappointed that I couldn't see George. I was looking forward to it. Draco said that it might be too rushed and there's no point in seeing him today, I guess he's right.

Astoria Greengrass

OvO

Sir,

I asked Professor McGonagall for permission to have a day-off tomorrow for Alice and myself. I'm now writing to Draco to tell him the news. I do feel proud of myself. I think I'm becoming more selfless by helping Alice like this. I hope she won't be angry about Draco coming with us. I know he means well.

Astoria Greengrass

OvO

Alice was spiritedly making her way through the long stretch of grass that reached her knees.

"I've never seen her so happy." Astoria remarked with emotion.

"Thank God for that." Draco had been uneasy since Alice was clearly disgruntled on meeting him. He deserved it, if he were to be honest with himself. He could not bring himself to tell Astoria that he was not here for Alice. He was present for selfish reasons.

His mind cleared when rows of slabs of stones began to tower, with skeletal trees in the background. He nervously stepped over the uneven ground that occasionally had muddy puddles. His father would have been infuriated if he knew where his son had gone. It was troubling, that he was trampling over the blood of Muggles. There were sharp branches that jabbed at him. He swore that they were sneering at the bloodshed that he himself caused previously. It bothered him, until he had to let it off. "I heard from McGonagall that you are taking Alchemy."

"What?"

"I do enjoy Alchemy. It's a challenging subject that has brought about great changes."

"No, I mean, why are you telling me this right now?"

"There's nothing wrong with sharing such interests."

"Don't you get it?" Astoria was stressing her words. "You said that you would come, to be with Alice. And now you're talking about these things?"

"It's just small talk."

"You don't care about anyone, do you?" Draco shrugged, infuriating her further. Astoria stormed off ahead of him, refusing to speak.

Alice walked past each grave wistfully, stopping to examine each one of them closely. They fascinated her and she felt at home. She almost could trust them wholeheartedly. Finally, she reached one that was crowned in ivy and she ran over to it, ready to embrace it. She crouched down and tenderly tugged the leaves aside with one hand, the other tightly grasping the stone. She breathed out the carved inscriptions, "Here lies Anna. Loved by all. Dearly missed by Martin and Alice McGregor." She flung herself over the headstone, crying joyfully.

"Your mother must have been beautiful." Astoria whispered, placing her arm on Alice's shoulder.

Alice slowly removed Astoria's arm. "My father buried her." Astoria tried to pull out the ivy, wanting to clear the grave.

"Don't." Alice violently smacked her hand. "My father planted them for her. He said it was her dying wish."

"Why did she want that?"

"How would I know?" Alice threw her hands in frustration. "She never told my father, she never told me."

Astoria was briefly silenced. "I'm sure if she was still alive, she would have loved you. Much more than my parents would—"

"I knew it! I knew you would only be concerned about yourself. I'm sick of this, all of this, Astoria."

"I came here to be with you."

"I should have known, Astoria. That you would be like this. I gave you a chance. And you had to be like this. And I don't even know why you brought Draco along. You know what, just leave—"

"But—"

"LEAVE!" Alice's voice resounded and Draco shuddered when he overheard this.

Alice buried her face and waited until she heard nothing from around her. Draco warily treaded towards her. Alice glared at him, but Draco ignored it. He stood in front of the grave, melancholy surrounding him and he bowed deeply. He did not have a particular reason for it, he felt pushed to do it. He wanted to.

He stood back up and saw Alice was speechless. He genuinely pitied her. Undecided on how to respond, he said gently, "Your eyes are a beautiful grey."

OvO

"Draco left again without telling us," Narcissa clung onto Lucius' arm, distressed. "Where is he?"

"I am quite certain as to what is going on."

"What? Tell me, quickly."

"He has been talking to someone. One who is disgraced."

Narcissa intensely shook her head in denial, "No, he can't leave us like that." She agitatedly wrung Lucius' hand, "What do we do?"

Lucius pompously wore his coat, huffing, "I'm afraid I'll have to go and see our…pathetic relatives."

"You don't mean…"

"We have to."

Narcissa paced about in a frenzied manner, "But our darling boy…" She was blubbering with despair, close to giving up on herself.

"We are left with no choice." Lucius himself was vanquished, mulling over this outrage. "Nobody would want us after we failed to serve The Dark L—" Lucius cut his words off as Narcissa gasped, her eyes wailing at him to stop.

Lucius was beating himself. He deeply sighed. "Draco has forced us to come to this."

"But our…relatives…"

"The family is already the best we have for him. One of the members is a prominent Auror, quite easily persuaded and he has a daughter. We shall make a negotiation."

"I won't have it," Narcissa sputtered. "They are a…a nuisance. Even Draco knows that."

"He brought it upon himself."

"There has to be a way to—"

"There is no. Choice." Lucius clipped his words.

Narcissa slumped against the wall as he left. She demanded herself to be collected. This is what Lucius would want.

She could only choke harder. "Our boy…"

OvO

"You're an idiot, Lucius. We're just innocent first-years, what much can we do? Don't you agree, Peter?" James Potter was determined to maintain a sickly-sweet tone.

"Why…y-yes," Peter muttered, scrubbing the floor so hard that his brush was wearing out.

"To be fair to James," Lupin folded his arms, feeling quite wronged, "What you did was not justified at all."

"Really, Remus?" Lucius sniggered. "To think you would have the audacity to say that. Running in the school grounds is childish behaviour and you all deserve a proper lesson." He then sensed that something was amiss. "Where's Sirius Black?"

"Someone called me?" Sirius gleefully skipped past him, munching on an apple.

Lucius yanked Sirius by the collar, "You were supposed. To be. Scrubbing the floors."

Sirius leisurely continued snacking, talking with his mouth full, "I joosh wen to doh keechoon."

James gave a loathsome giggle to aggravate matters.

Lucius was ready to explode, "All of you run off! Sirius Black, you are staying here. And don't let me catch any of you again!"

Sirius watched the rest scurry off and mouthed to them, "Catch you later."

"Sit." Lucius commanded, pointing a threatening finger.

Sirius stuck out his tongue, "What do you think I am? A dog?"

"Do you want further punishment?" Sirius sulkily dunked the brush into a pail of soapy water.

Lucius wondered if he had gone too far. "How were lessons today?"

"I don't care about that," Sirius spat, the water in the pail sloshing. "You're always like that. One moment, yelling at me. Next moment, you try to act civilised. Shows how pretentious a person you are."

"How dare you call me that!"

"Oh, and let me see, you were asking about lessons…" Sirius fidgeted with his hands. "…Awfully boring. Except Potions. That was still decent. I finished too quickly, so I made a small brew of the Draught of Living Death. Wasn't too hard. Just get the proportions right and modify the stirring directions. Professor said it just needs fine-tuning." With that, he said nothing else and lazily resumed his task.

Lucius was too absorbed to notice that Sirius did not bother to soap his brush. In all his years, no Professor had ever said that his potion only required 'fine-tuning'. For Sirius to already reach that stage in his first year, he was capable beyond his years. Of course, he had already realised that from the past detentions he meted out to Sirius. He kept it to himself that he was, in fact, in awe of Sirius' rebellious antics, something that he would not have the courage to do.

"Your hair's in your face. Get it out."

"No."

Lucius gritted his teeth. "Then I'll do it for you." Lucius ruthlessly pulled it aside, feeling its softness in his fingers. Sirius glowered at him, giving off a dark air that Lucius found hard to resist.

If his father Abraxas knew what he was doing all this time in Hogwarts. Not finding a potential suitress. Feeling giddy when the captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team swept by him. Not paying attention in class because he was too focused on that one student who was a born genius. And Sirius was all of it. He was not even his age.

He dreaded the shame that crept up, what Father would say.

OvO

Lucius stumbled his way to the door and rapped on it. To think that this was even a house. He curled his lips at the thought of how it was built out of a flimsy structure. It was shabby, plain, he was starting to regret visiting them already.

The door creaked open and immediately slammed shut. Lucius stuck out his foot to stop it from closing. "I'm not here to see you, Arthur."

Arthur had his nostrils flaring, face close to turning redder than his ginger hair. "No Malfoys are welcomed in my household."

"I have already said it. I am not here to see you. I wish to talk to your brother, Bilius Weasley."

Reviews and feedback are welcomed! Apologies for this late update, I won't be active the first 2 weeks of December as I'm going to the UK for a school immersion trip. Feel free to pm me if you've any advice on the weather, the culture, the students or anything about the UK, I'm most looking forward to my first time in such a country. I'll try my best to squeeze in a new chapter next week, thank you so much for your patience!