Reminder: due to our current jam project, we'll only be posting every other week during the month of March!

"You humiliated me in public! You never listen to me, no matter how insistent I am! You ganged up on me with those disgusting redheads! You turned me into a cat! You paralyzed me, tied me up, and insulted me! You almost got all of us killed!"

Tigris gasped for air and fell to his knees as Draco finally broke through his defense, ramming his quarterstaff into his side without restraint. Tigris had improved at fighting with staffs – he was good enough to keep Draco's furious attacks at bay for a while, but not nearly as skilled as Draco. The fact that Draco chose the weapon he himself was least experienced with was encouraging. His brother paused, out of breath, propping himself up with his staff.

"Good. Now I'm better."

"Good to know." Tigris flinched when he touched his side, getting to his feet. This will leave a mean bruise.

"But don't forget that you threatened to kill me."

"For which you gave me every reason."

"Yes, yes. We already went over this. Fine. I apologize. Truce?"

Draco grabbed his hand. "Truce."

"Why do you even carry around all those daggers?"

"They give me a feeling of security. Also, they can be surprisingly useful in a fight. Few wizards expect non-magical attacks."

"But you aren't taking them to Hogwarts, are you?"

"Weapons aren't allowed in Hogwarts. Really, brother, I thought you would've read 'Hogwarts, A History' by now."

Tigris laughed. "Yeah, but I don't remember all the details. What I do remember is that some time during the eighteenth century, duels to the death were banned."

"You read Father's old copy from the library. I thought you got the newest edition for your birthday."

"Yeah, I did. But I didn't have time to read it yet."

Draco offered him a disapproving look. They had cleaned up by then and were on the way to their rooms. "You'll have to get over this aversion of yours eventually. They meant well with their gifts, you know?"

Tigris sighed. "I know, I know. I'm trying. I'll have to pack the new trunk anyway if we're going to leave for platform 9 ¾ tomorrow."

Draco grimaced. "Don't remind me. I don't understand why Mother insists we do this when the house elves can get it done just as easily."

"Maybe because we won't have house elves taking care of it in Hogwarts either?" Tigris scoffed.

"Which is just as ridiculous. I mean, how many house elves does Hogwarts have? Hundreds?"

Tigris laughed. "Sometimes, you're quite the spoiled brat."

Draco grinned back with a mock bow. "That, I am. From head to toe."

Tigris filled the entire fourth drawer of his trunk with his clothes. His mother insisted he take almost his entire wardrobe to Hogwarts. Tigris had no idea when he was supposed to wear all of it, especially since most of the time he'd be wearing his uniform, but oh well.

He used another drawer for books and one for potions ingredients. The things he'd be using the most, he put into the top drawer. A few books for the train ride, sweets, which the house elves happily provided, and games.

Having multiple drawers had its use. He even found space for his broom and Sceolaing's cage. Tigris was grateful that his father accepted Sceolaing, despite his disapproval.

While stacking books in the second drawer, he found 'From Taliesin to the Witches of Salem: A history of wizards and muggles from antiquity to present'. He had completely forgotten that he had taken this book from the library. The elves must have put it on his bookshelf. With a shrug, he stuck it in the trunk. His father would hardly miss it and he was still planning on reading it. The title sounded interesting.

Later that night, when Tigris laid in bed, preparing to meditate as was his habit by now, anxiety rose within him. Tomorrow, he'd return to Hogwarts. Hogwarts had essentially always been his true home. Tomorrow, he'd meet all of his old friends again. Would they talk to him at all? Would they hate him? What exactly was in store for him? What house would he be sorted into? A long time ago, Dumbledore had said that in the end it was everyone's personal choice that largely determined the outcome. Tigris wasn't sure if he still belonged in Gryffindor. If he was truthful with himself, he feared getting sorted there. Would this make the crucial difference?

"I expect exemplary behavior from you two. I'll be keeping an eye on you this year. One letter per week, Draco. I want to be kept up to speed. Make sure your brother behaves. Tigris, I hope you won't disappoint me. And don't get sorted into Gryffindor. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Father."

"Surround yourselves with the right type of people and stay away from the old fool. Don't doubt that I'll find out should you defy me."

"Come on, Lucius. That's enough." Their mother gave each of them a kiss on the forehead.

"See you at Christmas. Don't forget to write. I'll send you packages. Greet Severus. Have you packed all your things?"

"Yes, Mother. Goodbye. I'll write as soon as we arrive."

She smiled at them. "Have a good trip and don't forget your exercises."

"We won't, Mother. We'll write."

"Come," said their father. "It is time. Take the portkey."

They grabbed the medallion that their father was holding out towards them. A few seconds later, they stood on platform 9 ¾ together with their luggage.

The platform was crowded with departing students and the families seeing them off. Tigris caught himself instinctively searching for a group of redheads or a shock of bushy, brown hair. Draco surveyed the masses as well.

"Why don't you look for a cabin? I'll go find Vincent and Gregory."

"What?" asked Tigris, ripped from his thoughts. "Oh…Yes, of course."

This was a strange feeling. In front of him stood that same old, red train, billowing smoke into the air like all those years before. Around him he heard all the usual voices. Everything was so familiar, yet completely different.

Tigris grabbed his trunk, enchanted to glide over the ground, and entered the train. Despite them being early, there were still several people out in the aisle, talking or looking for their own cabin. Tigris headed for the end of the train and quickly found an empty cabin. He set his trunk to the side after taking out a book and sat down next to the window.

Instead of reading, he watched the people on the platform. He found neither the Weasleys nor Draco, but saw Justin Finch-Fletchley with his parents and the Creevey brothers instead. Neville's grandmother was seeing him off. His nose appeared a bit more crooked than before. Tigris smiled when Neville's grandmother ran after him to hand something over. Some things never changed. Then, he shook his head. He had to stop thinking like that. He wasn't supposed to know any of these people. The thought stung. He couldn't greet any of his old friends. Instead, he'd spend the ride with Crabbe and Goyle…Vincent and Gregory… Tigris grimaced. Who else? Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode? He shuddered. Not a pleasant prospect. Maybe they'd leave him alone if he was too engrossed in his book, but he didn't have much hope. Most likely, they'd be obnoxiously curious, riddling him with questions for the entire ride. Tigris sighed, absentmindedly brushing over his book. The more he thought about it, the less he looked forward to the ride. His father's voice echoed in his memory. 'I hope you won't disappoint me...' It didn't help ease his anxiety. He wasn't naive enough to doubt that his father had ways of figuring out what was going on in Hogwarts. Even if it was thanks to the children of less important death eaters, gratefully embracing the opportunity to get into the good graces of a member of the Dark Lord's inner circle. Tigris' hands balled into fists. He couldn't escape him…but that didn't mean he couldn't hate him. He smiled grimly. 'And I hate you with all my heart, Father…'

Tigris was ripped from his thoughts by the door opening. He reflexively jumped to his feet and froze when he saw who he was facing. 'Ron…'

For a moment, Tigris' feelings overwhelmed him. He came to the sudden realization that he wasn't as much in control of himself as he may have liked to be.

To his luck, Ron didn't notice his expression since he had turned towards someone behind him.

"Come on, there's still room in here."

Tigris stepped into the door, successfully shoving his feelings into the furthest corner of his mind.

"I'm sorry, but this cabin is taken."

Behind Ron stood Seamus and Dean. Tigris felt oddly cold. A detached little voice deep inside him wondered if he was too thorough in his rush to repress his feelings.

Ron turned back around with a frown. "I only saw one trunk."

"That's correct, but my cousin and his friends should be here any moment."

Ron's eyes flashed with anger. "You can't just claim a whole cabin for yourself! Who are you anyway? I've never seen you before!"

"I transferred from Ginevras," said Tigris calmly and mustered Ron with a pointedly judgmental glare. "You must be a Weasley…the youngest, Ron, I assume? My cousin told me about you."

"And who, if I may ask, is your cousin?" countered Ron, now angry. Then, he stepped back, scrutinizing Tigris with narrowed eyes. "Then again, maybe I don't have to ask…another wannabe death eater for the snake pit, it seems."

Despite his restraint, Tigris felt fury flare up. "You must be in desperate need for enemies, Weasley, if you run around insulting people you don't even know…Or maybe you're just terribly stupid…"

Before Tigris could react, three wands were pointing at him. "I dare you, snake," said Ron threateningly. "You'll regret it. We don't have any patience for Voldemort's cronies, as you'll soon figure out."

Tigris involuntarily flinched, causing Ron to grin triumphantly.

"You seem to know a lot about me, considering we've only known each other for a minute." Tigris didn't manage to keep the sarcasm from his voice. "Fascinating. Please, do continue telling me about my own opinions. There's never harm in learning something new."

Ron glared at him in contempt. "I don't need to know you. One look is enough to figure out where your opinions are coming from."

Tigris felt his lips twist into a smirk. "Oh, please, Weasley, enlighten me…"

"Problem, Tigris?"

He turned to find Draco in the aisle, Crabbe and Goyle on his heels.

"Not in the slightest, cousin. These three kind people were just about to leave."

Draco's eyes wandered from Tigris to Ron before he produced his all too familiar arrogant grin that had been missing for the past few weeks.

"Look at that…if it isn't the weasel…Must be a strange feeling for you."

"What, ferret?" Hissed Ron.

Draco's grin widened. "Your robes, of course. It must be so unusual for you to be wearing something that didn't come from a trash can for the first time in your life. Tell me, did your mother die from shock when she had a look at your vault?"

Ron had turned almost purple. "Watch your mouth, Malfoy!"

Draco sneered. "Oh please, weasel. You don't honestly think you can take me on, do you? This year, there's no Potter to hide behind."

Ron raised his wand, shaking with fury. "Don't you dare…Don't you dare sully his name with your dirty mouth, you abomination…We should've taken care of your father and his accomplices when we had the chance. Don't tempt me to correct that mistake with you."

Tigris had pulled his wand before he realized he'd moved. Draco, Vincent, and Gregory pulled theirs as well.

"Don't you dare threaten my family, Weasley." Tigris was surprised by the coolness of his own voice. "Trust me, you don't want me as your enemy."

Ron looked at him and something he saw made him shrink back. His face pulled into a grimace of unrestrained hatred. "Are you already stepping into your uncle's footsteps, Malfoy? I shouldn't be surprised."

"Leave, Weasley," said Tigris coldly. "We just want to spend the ride in peace. So take your little friends and find…whatever company you keep."

"Yes," said Draco. "Your mudblood girlfriend is probably already crying her eyes out for you."

"That's enough!" Hissed Tigris. "This whole discussion is pointless. I'd prefer to get back to my book."

Draco seemed disgruntled for a moment, before nodding. "He's right. We've got better things to do. Get lost, Weasley."

Ron hesitated before finally lowering his wand. "This isn't over, Malfoy!" With that, he turned and left. Seamus and Dean followed.

"Seems like the weasel properly cultivated his idiocy over the summer break." Draco took a seat opposite Tigris.

"You just love provoking him, don't you?" He answered.

Draco grinned. "Of course. Especially since it's so ridiculously easy. He's really the paragon of a Gryffindor."

Vincent and Gregory giggled. Tigris had to fight not to glare at Draco.

He leaned back, opening his book. "Ancient runes, a deeper look." Not exactly the best distraction. Now that the adrenaline and tension was wearing off, the encounter hit Tigris with new vigor. What in the world was Ron's problem? He had insulted Tigris…attacked him…without any cause! Fair, Tigris now looked a bit like Lucius Malfoy. So what? Ron hadn't even listened to him! He remembered the twins' warning. Could Ron have changed this much in such a short time?

Then again, maybe it only appeared to be sudden because he now stood on the other side. Tigris was reluctant to admit that Ron had always been impulsive, easy to provoke. He and Hermione had had to restrain him several times. What would have happened if they hadn't? Tigris didn't like that idea. Then, it dawned on him what he had just thought…he now stood on the other side. He really did. Terrifying, how little it took to achieve this. Tigris had hoped he could somehow stay neutral. Now, he began realizing that he had never had that choice. Getting sorted into Slytherin or not wouldn't make a difference. His appearance and his name decided which side he belonged on. Ending up in Slytherin would only make his life easier. Tigris cracked a bitter smile. Ironic, really, how his former best friend was the one to cement a decision that he had never wanted…

"Problem with the Gryffies?"

"No more than usual. Good day, Theodore. Join us."

A lanky, brown-haired boy entered the cabin, heaving his trunk into the corner with the others. He shook Draco's hand before turning towards Tigris.

"Someone I should know?"

Draco grinned briefly.

"Tigris, this is my old friend Theodore Nott. Theodore, my cousin Tigris."

"My pleasure." They shook hands.

Theodore settled down next to Draco. "I assume you transferred schools?"

Tigris nodded. "I'm from Ginevra's Institute for Magic."

"Is that a school? I always thought it was more of a loose group of private teachers."

Tigris chuckled. "Technically, it is. I think Madame Rosier likes to compare herself with Hogwarts. Her house is large enough to house all the students. There were never more than thirty of us."

"You must be Agrippinilla Malfoy's son. Else, I would've heard of you before."

"That's right," said Tigris, surprised. "Two months ago, I had no clue that I was related to the Malfoys."

"That's what I thought. Up for a game of chess?"

Tigris shook his head. "No, thanks. I've never been particularly good at chess."

"Shame. Draco?"

His brother glanced at the platform, where the final stragglers were saying goodbye to their parents.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go meet with the other prefects."

"Oh, come on. It won't take more than ten minutes," said Theodore with a grin.

Draco got up. "As much as I regret robbing you of my company, I have to leave. I'll be back in an hour, provided the new prefects aren't too idiotic."

"Don't let us stop you," said Tigris with a slight smile. Nott had to be quite good at chess if Draco refused a game with him. He wouldn't pass on a game if he had a chance at winning.

Draco nodded and left.

Theodore leaned back, scrutinizing Tigris more closely.

"How come you and Draco know each other this well?"

"My foster parents died this summer. Lucius Malfoy adopted me."

"Strange. I never expected him to welcome a mudblood into his family."

Vincent and Gregory exchanged confused glances.

"You're a mudblood?" Asked Vincent.

Tigris resisted the urge to roll his eyes. These two truly were as moronic as he had taken them to be. Instead, he glared at Nott.

"My father was a pureblooded wizard, just for your information. There are tests to prove it."

Vincent and Gregory seemed appeased and returned their attention back to their collection of chocolate frog cards.

"Really. Who?"

"None of your business." Tigris opened his book and pretended to read.

Theodore grinned. "They don't know? How…unusual."

Tigris huffed, lowering his book.

"It doesn't matter in the slightest. Lucius Malfoy adopted me and I now bear his name. If my biological father had had any interest in my mother or myself, he would've found me after her death, don't you think?"

"You'd think so. But it makes sense that he wouldn't show any interest in you. Not if you consider how easy it usually is to figure out the parents of a wizard. Except, of course, if the respective parent makes arrangements to prevent this. Oh well, better a bastard than a mudblood, I suppose."

Tigris' eyes narrowed minutely. He hadn't spent as much as ten minutes with this boy and already felt an urge to strangle him. This must have been a new record. Even Draco had taken at least a day. "If you don't mind…," he said with a frigid tone. "I'd like to continue reading my book."

"Of course not," answered Theodore with excessive kindness. "I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on."

Draco returned after a little over an hour, arm in arm with Pansy Parkinson. She settled on his lap after he took his seat and obviously didn't intend to leave. Tigris was proud of how he knew Draco well enough by then to recognize his carefully hidden distaste.

"You won't believe how glad I am to be back here," said Draco. "They appointed the youngest weasel and that plague Creevey into prefects. Oh, and that insane one, Loony Lovegood. I pity the first-graders."

"Which Slytherins?" Asked Theodore, looking up from his book.

"Evan Larkey and Helena Wilkes."

"Well, that was to be expected. Hufflepuff?"

Draco shrugged, bored. "I don't remember."

Theodore offered him a disapproving glare, but returned to his book. In the meantime, Pansy had shifted her attention towards Tigris.

"You didn't tell me that someone new would be here, Drake," she trilled, winking at Tigris.

"That's my cousin, Tigris. Tigris, this is Pansy. I told you about her."

Truthfully, Draco hadn't mentioned Pansy a single time, but Tigris already knew her anyway.

"I remember. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure's all mine," she purred, eyes roaming over Tigris a moment too long.

"Do you like my cousin, Pansy?" Drawled Draco, tracing a finger along her neck. Pansy turned towards him, offering him a beaming smile.

"You two look very similar, cutie." She leaned forward, pulling Draco into an intimate kiss.

Theodore snickered quietly. "Really…can't you wait until we reach Hogwarts?"

Pansy looked at him before provocatively pulling Draco's hand from her hip to her chest.

"Jealous, Nott? Maybe you wouldn't be this bothered if you found a girl willing to look at you for longer than it takes to hear the answer to an arithmancy question."

Theodore's eyes turned cold. "I doubt you even understand the word arithmancy, Parkinson."

"You poor little boy. Some day, you, too, will recognize that there are more interesting things to life than numbers and equations." She smirked mischievously. "Or not."

Draco grinned, massaging her breast with his fingers. "Now, now, kids. No reason to be spiteful."

He pulled Pansy closer to kiss her again. Theodore apparently decided to ignore them, so Tigris followed his example.

A little later, Pansy and Draco left to patrol the aisles, Gregory and Vincent on their heels. After some time, they returned without Pansy.

"She left to chat with Millicent and the other girls," said Draco at Tigris' questioning glance.

"Why do you even bother with that bitch?" Commented Theodore without looking up from his book.

Draco shrugged. "We're betrothed. She has her uses."

"Yes, for a quickie."

"She never did offer to you, did she?" Mocked Draco.

Theodore shut his book with an audible clap. "Do you intend to continue where she stopped?"

"Calm down." Draco smiled good-naturedly. "You asked for it and you know it. Bad summer break?"

"You know it was." Theodore glared at Draco. "Father is still in Azkaban. And Libentina…you know Libentina."

"Ah, yes…" Draco stared off in the distance. "How could I forget that woman?"

"She's a cheap whore," hissed Theodore. "I'll never understand what Father likes about her."

"Watch out." Draco's eyebrows pulled together. "She's still your stepmother."

"That doesn't make it any less true."

Draco sighed and smiled at Theodore. "It'll get better, you'll see. Before you know it, he'll be back."

"You already said that before the break," retorted Theodore with a lost expression. "And even if…he won't be able to see me. And I tell you, Libentina is happy enough…A few more years and Father's entire fortune will be gone." He shook his head. "I don't want to talk about this. Tell me about your break instead."

"Not much different than usual. There was a bit of excitement because of Tigris, but that was that."

"What about Potter?"

"What about him?"

"Did your father tell you anything?"

"Theodore, you know he never really tells me anything. Also, what sort of question is this?"

Theodore shrugged. "Just curious. I don't get a whole lot of news now that Father…you know."

"Nothing against your father," said Draco coldly. "But he talks too much."

Theodore grinned briefly. "Maybe. So what did you get for your birthday?"

From this point on, the conversation turned towards completely normal subjects like school, friends, and quidditch. Tigris' opinion of Theodore rose a little, which wasn't difficult after it had previously sunk into the abyss. Finally, it was time to change into their school robes.

For a moment, Tigris feared the moment they'd have to take off their robes, but Draco appeared completely relaxed. It turned out that he was right to be. None of the other boys asked about the scars on their backs, despite Theodores eyes narrowing a bit. A welcome difference between Gryffindors and Slytherins. Tigris was sure that Dean and Ron would have instantly riddled him with questions or possibly tried to convince him to talk to McGonagall…Vincent and Gregory simply ignored them. Or maybe they were too brainless to notice.

When they exited the train, Tigris noticed Hermione and Neville. Hermione was trying to calm Neville, who was staring at the coaches with wide eyes. Tigris followed his line of sight towards the Thestrals, impatiently pawing at the ground. A cold shiver ran through him. The final piece of evidence…Sirius was truly dead. If there was even the slightest doubt that the veil hadn't killed him, this put an end to it. A sense of finality overcame him.

Draco pulled on his sleeve.

"What are you waiting for? Come on."

"You over there! Come here!" Hagrid's voice roared over the other students. "Yes, you, Malfoy! You're supposed to go with the first-graders."

Tigris grimaced. The thought of crossing the stormy lake with the boats filled him with unease.

"Amazing. I should've expected this. Well, then…see you later."

Draco grinned gleefully at his predicament. "Until later, cousin. I'll save you a seat."

Tigris only nodded and made his way over to the first-graders. Hagrid regarded him with a fleeting glance before waving at them to enter the boats. Tigris muttered a water-repelling spell and climbed into a boat with three nervous eleven-year-olds. It took off and he looked up at the towering castle with a mix of excitement and trepidation as it grew closer. He strangely felt like he was about to experience his first year all over again.