A/N: So no one complained about how I spelt Mya/Mia in the last chapter, so I'll be sticking with the new version. I may edit this chapter as I'm not sure about the transitions, we'll see.

Over the next month Mya made sure to stay out of everyone's way in the manor. Draco had locked himself in his room once more, letting only the brunette in on a daily occasion and sneaking her out late at night when no one was around. She did what little she could to help soothe the pain on his back, but the cuts were taking longer than usual to heal.

"Come on" The blonde in question was now stood beside her as they walked to the platform, several paces a head of Lucius and Narcissa. Thankfully Bellatrix had decided against joining them on this pleasant family outing.

"Would you rather we just make a break for it and run onto the train?" Mya hissed back, attempting to keep pace with the youngest Malfoy whilst pushing black waves out her eyes and regretting not tying her hair up earlier in the morning. He ignored her. They stepped through the wall quickly after checking no muggles were watching and paused beside the train. This would not be an easy year. In the month off Draco had been forced to receive the dark mark and attend a meeting with the Dark Lord. Of course Mya hadn't been involved in either.

"Mya?!" Someone had run up to her and had their arms around her waist before she could realise what on earth was going on. The stranger had pressed his lips to hers in an awkward kiss and Mya finally caught a glimpse of bright red hair.

"Mmwedmfh" Fred blinked, taking a step back in confusion,

"What?" Mya mirrored his step back but was trapped within the confines of his arms. What was going- Oh. She hadn't been able to get an owl sent to anyone over her stay at the manor, so explaining what had happened hadn't, well happened.

"I said, Fred I need to talk to you" But before she actually could talk to him Draco was over her shoulder, hands clenched into fists.

"Get your hands off her" Fred blinked again before the confusion cleared, his face changing to open anger. He'd never been one for keeping his expression guarded, unlike Draco. Then again, right now even the blonde wasn't looking so calm. He side stepped Mya within the second and then did something very unexpected. Punched Fred right in the jaw. Mya watched in shock as Fred stumbled back several steps, catching himself and lunging at Draco. The blonde ducked and Fred slammed hard into his back. Draco let out a cry of pain that would have caused everyone around them to stop and look, if they hadn't been doing so already. Draco was hunched over and breathing hard when Lucius grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt collar, roughly hauling him up right and dragging the stumbling blonde far enough away for Mya not to catch what he was hissing at his son.

"What are you even doing Mya?" Fred asked, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. Draco must've punched him pretty hard to cause the trail of blood that had been there. Mya chose not to answer, turning away quickly and rushing onto the train. Hopefully everyone would just disperse if she made her way out of there and not watch the conversation between Draco and his father.

The train was still half empty, so hurrying down to the Slytherin compartment was reasonably easy. Only Blaze was sat on the far bench who barely acknowledged the younger Slytherin. Mya sat close to the door on the opposite seat, eyes trained on the sliding door in anticipation for the blonde.

Pansy was next to enter unfortunately, sneering at the brunette and flaunting down next to Blaze.

"What're you doing in here?" She asked continuing the sneer. Mya raised an eyebrow,

"I've been in this house for the past 5 years, did you not realise?" She plastered on a fake smile purely with the intent to annoy Pansy.

"Fine, what're you doing in this carriage? No one wants you here, and when Draco gets here-"When I get here, what?" The blonde had managed to open the door and step in without the other three noticing. Pansy stammered for a second before composing herself,

"Kick her out. Right Draco? I'm here after all" She elongated his name so he came out as 'Draycooo' and finally the blonde didn't have to fake contempt for her.

"I don't care if you're here, I'd rather you weren't but you seem to follow me like some love sick puppy I've been wanting to kick." He spat, sitting down on the other side of Mya, his right arm going around her shoulder. Pansy's mouth hung open. Ha!

"So, what are you doing here Pansy?" Mya knew she shouldn't have sounded smug, but the she couldn't help it. She'd had to put up with that wall flower for years throwing herself over Draco and now he'd finally told her what he thought. Pansy huffed, turning to look out the window. The blonde was on edge, sat bolt upright in the seat until the train started moving. Then Draco's attitude shifted slightly. He became more relaxed and moved to lean against the window, his hand rubbing small circles on the side of Mya's arm. She wanted to ask about what his father had said but now wasn't the time, especially with Pansy in the carriage. Instead she didn't listen to much of the conversation, and instead took to staring out of the doorway as few people walked past. Blaze went out of the compartment at some point, something to do with professor Slughorn wishing to see him. He'd also asked Mia, but she didn't want to leave Draco. Though for some reason she had the felling he wouldn't take no as her final answer. Somewhere along the journey her and Draco shifted positions, and she ended up with his head in her lap. It was comfy at least, and she sat content eyes shifting from the ceiling to the blondes chin now and then and wondering how the year would pan out. He looked strange from this angle, features appearing harsher and sharper. That could have been because Pansy was speaking to him though.

Blaze came back roughly half an hour after grinning from ear-to-ear and bragging about how Slughorn wanted him to join a private club. Mya didn't focus on his words however as she'd noticed the trunks above her and Draco's heads move. She frowned looking up at them, swearing for a second that she saw a shoe. Draco spoke little after that, slightly about what had happened over the summer, but not going into much detail about anything. He must've seen something too.

"Just going to the toilet" She mumbled to Draco, standing up and walking with false purpose out of the carriage, hoping they'd all buy the excuse. Well, Draco wouldn't buy it, the look he threw her as she closed the door gave that away, but that didn't really matter. She needed a break from that atmosphere. Pansy had been glaring at her the whole time, ready to jump on her every time she'd opened her mouth. No, she needed some fresh air and that wouldn't be found in the Slytherin end of the train, for some reason none of their windows even opened so she had to trek half way down the train. Several Hufflepuffs were gathering around the next carriage, all clustered around the sweet trolley and deciding what to buy. Scowling in annoyance, half at herself for not bringing any money, Mya moved past them, sliding the door to the next carriage and praying for it to be clear. Ha, no such luck.

Fred was stood at the end of this carriage, his hand stuck out of the window as the train sped along. If he wasn't careful he'd get it caught on a branch and at this speed it could really do some damage. Mya mentally cursed, turning as quietly as possible and back peddling down the carriage.

"Mya?" Damn it. The teenager stopped, turning to look over her shoulder and raising an eyebrow. "What's wrong with Malfoy's back?" Double damn it.

"You slammed into it what did you expect?" Yeah, he wasn't buying that. "Fine" She grumbled, "But I'm not having this conversation here." With that in mind she walked down to the nearest empty carriage, pushing open the door and waiting for Fred to follow before pulling the blinds down and closing it back into place.

"Can't you just let it go? He shouldn't have hit you, he knows that" Ok that wasn't strictly true as in Draco's mind it probably was a reasonable thing to hit a Weasley.

"What are you doing with him?" Fred started the second the door was closed barely letting the brunette finish her sentence, "What the hell happened?" Mya rubbed the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger.

"It's complicated"

"Try me" Ok he was being ridiculous.

"Why? Why does it matter what I'm doing? Or who I'm doing it with?" Hmm, that didn't come out quite right; technically she wasn't doing anything with anyone. Fred shook his head, laughing at what appeared to be his own personal joke.

"Do you love him?" That caught her off guard, and it wasn't really something she'd thought about, which in itself was bad considering she'd asked him that before. Did she love Draco? Well, yes, she supposed so. Yes, yes she did.

"I do" she nodded to herself in agreement. It really was just that simple when it came down to it.

"And does he love you?" This time it was Mya's turn to laugh, just as harsh as Fred's had been seconds before.

"Not in so many words."

"So he doesn't?"

"No, no I think he does, it's just not easy for him to say" That was an understatement. Fred was silent for a heartbeat, then out of nowhere launched into a mini speech;

"And what about me? I loved you Mya and then you disappear for two months, killed for all I know, and then turn up with Malfoy! What the hell's so special about him?!" Special? Special?! Nothing was 'special' because that would imply there was something good going on his life.

"You don't know him, not really." Once she started she wasn't able to stop, "No one does. That whole stupid facade of being Slytherin's prince, the rich kid who can do whatever he wants because who his father is. Do you honestly think that's how he wants to act?" Fred was speechless, which was good because Mya still wasn't finished. "He needs me." Her voice had risen through her outburst, but dropped down the a whisper at the end.

"I needed you."

"No you don't. You have a family, and friends, and people around you who would never even think of harming you! Draco has none of that, not really. He has me, and that's it."

"What's wrong with his back?" Back to the that again, really?

"That's not my place to tell."

"Before, in the courtyard, you said no one knew about his father, or his back" Mya cursed herself inwardly.

"That's not my place to tell." She repeated, arms crossed over her chest "And it's not your place to guess or spread rumours." The hidden threat was there showing on Mya's face as she pulled open the door, pausing to look back at Fred. He had a solemn expression on his usual happy face that made Mya's heart ache. What was she doing?

"I truly am sorry Fred"

And with that she walked back to the Slytherin compartment, head down to avoid any unwanted eye contact.

When the train came to a stop, Mya waited for the other two exit the carriage before standing up herself ready to reluctantly follow, but was stopped as she realised Draco wasn't walking behind her. She gave him a questioning look, leaning against the door lightly.

"I'll catch you up" he said looking around. She shrugged, half curious but not wanting to miss the carriages, she continued off the train. Pansy and Blaze had disappeared off into another horse drawn carriage, so Mya was left with the 'dogs'.

"If you chase your tails I'll give you a cookie" Both looked up intrigued though had clearly missed her private joke. Thankfully Draco soon strode towards them. She knew better than to ask him what that was about, so instead she settled for placing her hand over his and keeping her eyes down.

ZNZNZN

Mya sat through the sorting ceremony barely paying any attention. Slughorn was the new teacher, and the plump man appeared more interested in the food available than being introduced. Although she did pick up on the fact he hadn't been named Defence against the dark arts teacher and potions master instead. Snape had finally gotten his way then. That was a little worrying considering the last time the head of Slytherin had been in a D.A.D.A class it had resulted in Mya nearly killing the professor. With that going around her head she ate little at the feast, managing half a plate before heading down to the Slytherin common room before anyone else. She'd snuck into the Gryffindor common room last year thanks to the help of Fred and George to stay in Ginny's room, and after that had gone south had had to stay in her actual Slytherin dorm room, but it was anyone's guess what she'd do this year.

Sighing she walked through the portrait and looked at both sets of stairs.

"Now where" The brunette muttered, slight bitterness in her tone. It would have to be her actual dorm room wouldn't it. Oh, yippee.

"Top of the right stair case" Ok that wasn't her dorm room. Turning only her head, Draco was stood directly behind her.

"Your room?" She frowned taking a step backwards to separate them slightly. For some reason that thought hadn't occurred. Why hadn't it? It was the logical suggestion considering she'd spent most of the nights in his room at the manor anyway. But Draco simply nodded and moved past her, walking up the stairs and not bothering to check if he was being followed. Perhaps he just expected her to.

"Fine but you can be the one to drag my trunk up there" Mya grumbled, jogging up the stairs two at a time in an attempt to catch up.

The room still looked exactly the same; green walls, green and silver sheets, even a dark green carpet. A typical Slytherin room really. And a 'typical' Slytherin was sat on the far bed. She went to join him, pausing to peer down at the blonde head of hair. It was still kept in neat perfection, but no longer slicked back with a ridiculous amount of hair gel. Mya reached out unconsciously to touch it and Draco's head jerked up blinking in surprise.

"Sorry" She mumbled going to take a step back before he caught her wrists with his hands and pulled her down onto his lap.

"S'fine" He murmured, hands releasing her wrists and moving painstakingly slowly to her waist. His lips were slow and practiced against hers, giving the occasional nip on her bottom lip as his hands tightened around her waist. Mya was overly aware to keep her own hands off his back, noting how painful it would be to touch. But she wasn't thinking quite clearly enough.

Draco fell back against the sheets, a cry of pain causing Mya to jerk back instantly.

"Oh god I'm so sorry" She said, her hand flying up to cover her mouth. How could she have been so stupid to push him backwards? Draco had moved off his back and was now balancing carefully on his elbows attempting to breathe through the pain.

"Not your fault" He said through gritted teeth, eyes squeezed shut until the burning sensation had passed. Well, it was her fault for the new wave of pain, but she certainly hadn't caused it to begin with.

"What did your father say?" Draco sighed standing up and pulling his shirt over his head, discarding it on the floor as he walked to the mirror to examine his back. Of course Mya'd want to know that, she cared. And that was a hard thing to get used to.

"To focus on the task ahead and not disappoint the Dark Lord, needless to say he also mentioned not getting involved with you" This time it was Mya's turn to sigh. It sounded like the exact same speech her mother had given her, only there wasn't a specific task given to her yet. Draco returned back to the bed, edging himself down next to the brunette. The bandages had been discarded several weeks prior once most of the cuts had closed up to scars, but they were still all prominent. It had never looked ok when Mya'd first seen it, but thanks to Lucius' recent outburst the blondes back was ten times worse. She reached out to take his hand, leaning her head on his shoulder and blowing out a breath. No words needed to be said. No words ever needed to be said, just like when they were younger.