AN: Uh Probably a short chapter, not sure. I'm also wondering if I should skip time a little bit to progress the story more, only becuase I want to see how it plays in book 2... To answer some questions. Uh, I don't know about slash... again not even sure who to pair with. Will mortimer open up? Mmmm... maybe, haven't found the route to it yet, secrets will be revealed in time. Special Special Special thanks to Foxtrot1702 n' Naruhina1519. Fav/Follow/Review. Thanks for reading, following, favorite-ing? Happy Monday!

A dull, yet some excited, clapping ranged in his ears. The classrooms watches the seated shy Mortimer. Receiving praise from his classmates was beyond strange, but ignores the feeling as the professor begins to speak.

"10 points to Slytherin. Well done Mr. Black." Professor McGonagall gives a light clap. "You've successfully manage to turn your mice into a snuffbox."

Pacing along the rowed desks of students she continues. "I want everyone to keep in mind, children, that this will be in the final exam. I am aware that this is the final day of class before the holidays. But that is not an excuse to start dillydallying."

"Am I clear?"

In unison, the agreement of murmurs was spread in a joyless pitch.

"Good, I expect everyone to continue to practice. Considering some of you…" Professor McGonagall glances at Weasley's one-legged box. "Were unsuccessful."

"I wish everyone a joyful Yule." Standing in front of her students, she casts one last look. "Class dismissed."

In those two words, the class erupts into merry delighted cheer. Excited to go home, some sprinted right out the door. The one's that stayed bid their goodbyes to friends. The rest were simply happy to end the day.

Mortimer leaned back into his chair. Unlike the rest of the children, he was in rush to leave. He did not particularly had plans to meet with anyone. Come the following night, he would be spending it in Malfoy Manor, assuming he was still welcomed after the troubles he's mucked up.

As a Black, there was a certain pressure among his circle of purebloods. Connections. If you wanted to succeed in this life, you have to associate yourself with the promising. He was still a child himself, though was expected to act with maturity. It wasn't problem for him. A behavioral trait that was embedded inside him made it easy.By no means was he perfect. There was a list of flaws he could write. The important one, the current one, meet the masses, engaging in social interactions. Concepts of fun, playing, chatting, were non-existing in Mortimer's hollowed domain. So anytime he was approached, his palms would turn clammy, his neck rigid, stiff as a board, he could barely talk.

So it was no surprise to him when replying to Granger's question that he found his muscles tense. "Uh – What was that?"

"Any plans for the holidays?" Hermione was watching him, noting the nervousness in his voice.

"I… No, not really." Mortimer looks away as he stammers.

The troll incident has changed Hermione. Over the weeks she's been quite bold when speaking to Mortimer. She wasn't quite jumpy nor nervy. Caused by his unknown uncharacteristic, playing a hero, that her view of the Black child has changed somewhat. Aware that he isn't blood crazed like the others, still there was something eerie about him, Hermione believes he was, in a sense, harmless. At least harmless enough to talk to.

"You're going home with Malfoy, right?" She starts packing her supplies, adjusting pieces of parchment.

Mortimer hesitated, staring at the empty desk, his hands were resting for a long moment. "I guess."

"What's Christmas with Malfoy like?" Her small frame seems relaxed as she then tilts her head.

Raising a hand, he uses it to scratch the middle of his scalp while the lowering gaze of his eyes lingers away. "I'm not sure… I'll probably find out later."

Granger stares at him blankly for a few seconds, seeming slightly confused. "But I thought you were living with them.""I am."

"Then, how do you not know?

A heavy sigh, he rolls his eyes at her, recognizing her curious nature. "I've only started living there since the summer."

"You have? But why? I thought the two of you had grown together."

"I've recently moved there…" Mortimer left out the part where and who he was living with previously. "Like you, I only found out that I was a wizard."

Hermione's eyes popped at the startling news that she walks closer to him. "Does that means you were raised by muggles! Who? Was it your father?" Her voice showed high levels of excitement, yet intrigue. "Is your father a muggle? If he is, that wouldn't make any sense. You know – considering your family – they probably don't like that idea." She babbles on.

To his credit, Mortimer appeared as uncomfortable as one would expect. Though, collected his calm out of dignity. No one needed to know he was a social mess. Having her chatter on gave him time to think of an excuse. "I don't know… I never met him."

"Oh!" Hermione places her small finger tips on her lips. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You wouldn't have known."

It did not take long for her to become deeply aware of how troubled he was. Mortimer eye sights were glued to his desk. Not so much as eye contact was made. He avoids it as much as he can."We-Well I'll be going home. Funny, they haven't put up the tree – said they wanted to wait for me." She rambles again, continuing the unwanted conversation. "It's my first time being away for so long. But then again, everyone here has too. I wonder if wizards celebrate it as much as we do… have you celebrated before? I mean you said – "

Finally, he looks up. "Breathe Granger."

"I'm sorry." She repeats awkwardly.

A bit hesitant, he stares at her for a short period before lowering his sights again. "No offense, but shouldn't you be chasing Potter? The train leaves at dawn and I'm sure you want to say your farewell's before then."

Nodding, Hermione doesn't turn to leave but merely stands there. "Can I speak…truthfully?"

A repressed sigh, mortimer casts an acknowledging look that gives her the confidence to continue.

"I'm curious. You're related to Malfoy but you don't act like it. Why? I thought your kind hates mine. And you saved me, when Ron told me you would most likely push me towards the troll rather than pull."

"And you believe him?" A dull expression forms at the absurdity.

"No. But it does raise some questions." Scratching her chin, she ponders

He feels slightly offended – no wait – He was offended. It was nothing new to him. Despite being muggle, Mortimer had no qualms against them. He's barely one himself and yet he related with them more than the purebloods. Nonetheless, he wasn't surprised to hear the ginger talk ill about him either.The Weasly boy made it clear, his distaste for Mortimer, and slytherin's alike, were not to be trusted. They were the evil of this world and to be placed in the house of snakes, you'd later become one.

Mortimer still wasn't sure what to make of Potter. After watching him for some time, he's learned that the round spectacled boy was very private, reserved. There wasn't a hint of the arrogant, cocky-bugger Draco had described him to be. He hardly looks threatening, no muscle just bone… Not to toot his own horn, but Mortimer was fairly confident that he could beat him up.

Maybe it was his brains that led him to victory. No that wasn't right. Potter was barely passing his classes. An average student at best, there was no way his smarts assisted him in becoming the boy-who-lived.

That being said, Mortimer wasn't sure how someone like Potter could have defeated someone as powerful as his father. The more he dwelled the more frustrating it became. Surely everything he's heard had to be false…

"So why did you help me?" She asks, waiting patiently, almost too eagerly.

Shadowed eyes moved between her and the clenched hand resting on his desk. "It was the right thing to do." It was a dark and uniquely answer.

Getting up from his own desk, he huddles his items and turns to leave. "Happy Yule." Paying no mind he doesn't hear her as she too wishes him well.

There was apprehensiveness with each step he took.

He was heading back towards his dorm. Children in the common room were packing, finalizing the last of their belongings. In less than a few hours, he would be going back to Malfoy Manor. Besides the letters he's wrote to aunt Cissy, not much else was said. Somewhere in the pit of his stomach was telling him that it wasn't the last he's heard of Narcissa Malfoy and motherly stern lecture.

He had been vague in his last letters. Avoiding her interrogatory questions anyway he can, Mortimer had kept it short and simple.The worst part has yet to come. A part he needs to avoid.

Most troubling – most concerning was her plans. Her plans being a large gathering of purebloods and their families. A celebration that will introduce Mortimer into the world of pure wizards and witches. In his head, this was simply an excuse for the Malfoy's to show off the Dark Lord's heir, specifically Lucius. To let ever family know that his legacy will continue through Mortimer.

He hates it.

Promptly waiting, he too was finishing the last of his possessions. There wasn't much left to do other than waste time. He could always spend it with Theo and the others he suppose. Though, he highly suspected there wouldn't be much going on, especially now that things had gone from bad to worse.

Not in the sense you might think.

Things did get better.

In the aftermath, confessing to Draco hadn't come to haunt him, yet. In spite of that, both children has come to a silent agreement. So long as Draco doesn't bring up Nana, Mortimer promised not to end him.

Truthfully though, while Draco did not understand why his cousin would choose to stay to quiet rather than tell someone, had respected Mortimer's decision. It wasn't all that bad. In a way, it has brought them closer. Knowing what other's don't only made Draco feel special.

Theo would later observe their interactions and use it as an excuse to start including Mortimer in a bunch slytherin hangouts. He was grateful, at the same time, became socially exhausting. The reason he was alone now was because he demand it. He needed time to think of a way to diverge the attention away from him.

"Mortimer."His head turns to the voice.

Draco's impatient head peeks from the outside of the dorms. "Have you finished packing?"

"I have." He moves to show his luggage. "I wasn't sure what to bring so I kept it light."

"We won't be gone for long, you probably shouldn't worry about it. Why so fidgety?" Draco grins as he enters.

Mortimer stared at the fully-packed luggage and then towards Draco. "I changed my mind... I think I'll stay."

"You can't back out now!" Raising his arms in exaggeration. "Mother is expecting you."

"Yeah well, I wasn't expecting her to make a big deal out of my existence." Rolling his eyes, Mortimer dreads the idea of going. "I don't want a party. I don't want to be in a room with posh, lofty wizards."

Draco laughs, for once it was not goad him into anger. "The party is more for them. It gives them a chance to show off whatever accomplishments they've done over the year while wives get to showoff jewelry their husbands bought them." Waving his hand off "They're likely to leave us in a room."

Mortimer frowned, confused. "Then why throw my name around?"

"As I said, it's an excuse. Every one wants to host their own gathering. This year, mother has the upper hand. No one is going to fight a spot against Aunt Bella's son. They're not that stupid."The revelation, mortimer's expression briefly softened. He never considered the politics that played around wizarding society. He holds his palms together, staring at Draco, he seems at a loss.

For a moment, following his little moment of panic, Mortimer was quiet. "We should get going. I don't fancy being late."

Nodding his head, Mortimer decided to rid of his uniform and go for something more casual. He puts on umber trousers and a slate-grey woolly sweater. Before he knows it Draco was already set and waiting by the door.

A quick check with himself, Mortimer suggested they made sure they had everything. Though, if he were honest, he was finding reasons to gradually waste the time. Still nervous, his effort to procrastinate the inevitable came to ruins once Draco began tugging him out of the common room.

Passing across the corridors, they travel the first-floor over the great hall. Just outside the doors of the school, there was various of children waiting. It was very busy, lively, as they hung back patiently.

Mortimer and Draco reached the school yard. Draco wanted to meet with Blaise before he left, considering he'll be out of the country, he at least wish him well. Honestly, mortimer wasn't to keen on the idea. The relationship he had with Zabini is somewhat strain. While they tolerated each other enough, they were both aware of the animosity that was between them. Blaise was vain, he was also very handsome and he knew it.

Which helped in only increasing his already-huge ego. And therefore, furthering Mortimer's irritation against the conceited Italian.

Elbowing mortimer, Draco shouts. "Hey look Potter's staying here for the holidays!" He points where Harry was standing, chatting with Ron and Hermione, they appeared to be engaged in a private conversation.

"What's wrong Potter? Did your family grow tired of you? I would be too." Draco smiles as he begins to approach them.

"Shut your mouth Malfoy!" Ron growled.Harry, casting boiling anger, didn't reply but glared at Draco when he smirks, knowing he was getting under his skin.

"He's spending it with me." Ron replies on behalf of his friend.

"Like you could afford to spend anything Weasly. What's next? Exchanging gifts with Granger? The mud-"

"Draco I think I see Blaise!" Mortimer points to behind the trio of friends. "I'd save him before Daphne murders him into the next life… but I'd be lying if I didn't say, I want to see Daphne murder him into the next life."

Draco sees pass the Gryffindors. He was right. Watching the scene, Daphne began tossing her hands in the air while Blaise folded his arms. You couldn't tell what they were talking about. But you could easily know it wasn't good.

And so Draco rolled his eyes and heroically sprinted, saving Blaise from the wrath of Greengrass.

What was left now were the of trio grffindors and one slytherin boy.

"Thank you." Hermione said politely, she was relieved.

"I'm sorry about him." Mortimer began apoligising.

Ron sneers, his answer shown through the spit that escaped his mouth. "Oh please, the only thing your sorry for is the fact that you have to be around those who are beneath you."Black pauses. "That's not true."

"You're related to Malfoy. So why wouldn't it be?" Harry said after having found his voice again.

He looks at Harry. "Unlike you and him, I don't go around judging people without actually having to know them." Then, points his index finger up. "And frankly, I hate everyone just the same…"

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at that one. Ron scoffs and rolls his eyes. "Then why hang with Malfoy? You know how much of a prat he is. Why follow someone who deserves a good wallop?" A curious Harry puzzled over.

Mortimer was surprised. Why did he indeed? He asks himself. It was a question he ponders ever now and again. The answer had been fairly obvious that it didn't need much thought. Purely out of survival, he was willing to play the game. Bear the environment he was put in, around those who relish in it.

At the end of day, whether he liked it or not, Draco was family and he'd do anything to keep it that way. "You wouldn't understand…" He starts to leave, not bothering Draco, he says, "Happy Holidays." Before deciding to head back inside.

So far Mortimer had made himself absent for the last weeks, he was always off doing something else, so he wouldn't have to face the trio. Ever since the troll incident, they've been acting sort of strange. Hermione saw this as a good thing. Ron thought it was some elaborate ruse to let their guard down. And Harry, well, he remained quiet, it was plain to see that Mortimer's actions confused him. He must have already decided that syltherin's were no good, and for mortimer to do the oppisite, had thrown off everything he thought he knew.

For the longest time, Mortimer imagined he might've been wrong, that he was destined to do bad things. Certainly the people he surrounded himself with was proof of that, however had refused to behave in a terrible manner. It would have been better to have a friend that could understand, but there was none to be found.

Mortimer frowns, but was cut off by a few Gryffindors who began shouting his name. Rolling his eyes, the black heir cracks his neck, at instant he could tell they weren't there to throw him holiday cheer. He wasn't sure whether to deal with it or, to ignore them and keep walking. Regardless both outcomes would only upset the trouble-making gryffindors.

At once the shouting ceased until one of them howled in a high-pitch call, as if they were hunting. By standers of students watched, completely ignoring the harassed boy.Squinting his eyes slightly he gapes at the unknown gryffindor boys when they start running towards him.

There was at least five of them.

Mortimer twisted around and in all his horrified glory, he began running for his life.

It took a moment before the others shook themselves from taunting and chased to catch up with him. "Get him!" One of them yells out.

Mortimer looks over his shoulder for a second, his eyes widen when he sees them getting closer. Panicked, he brushes past students, many of which were in his way; he'd hope to lose them in the crowd. To no avail, they laugh in sport at they hounded mortimer.

Trudging throughout the corridors, he nearly trips several times. Quickly, he rapidly runs up the moving staircase. He doesn't know where he's going. All he knows is that he needed to get away from them, lose them where they can't find him. Being bigger and stronger than him, mortimer knew it wasn't going to be easy.

He stops climbing at the fourth-floor. There he makes haste and makes another run for it. At this point he doesn't care if they're still chasing him or not. He just wanted to be alone.

With no particular destination Mortimer stumbles into an unknown classroom. It was empty and dusty. It appeared as if had been empty for many years. Years of gathered dust and sandy rubble made itself a home. Cobwebs covered most of the furniture, there wasn't a lot, still it made it distinctive enough to let anyone know of the time it was spent here. You could never tell what the room was used for with all the rubbish that laid there.

Once mortimer caught his breath, he looks around the area. Thinking he was finally safe, he realises he was lost from running around. He breathes deeply for a second, trying to calm his display of adrenalin.

At last, he moves to explore abandoned room. It was first time coming across such a strange place. He's done his fair share of exploring but not to this extent. The reason he decided to do this now was because he wanted to kill time, make sure the gryffindors hadn't followed him. The echo sound of his small footsteps made its way further in the unused classroom. Mortimer cocks his head to the side when his attention was suddenly brought towards a large heavy sheet. What was it covering, Mortimer did not know.Cautiously he starts walking in its direction.

He didn't know what to expect. Curious he uses both hands to pull down. He let's out a awe.

It was a large mirror.

The frame was engraved with words he could not pronounce. The more he studied it, the soon he realises that the letters were spelled backwards. The first word he made out was desire… the rest looked gibberish.

Closer, he started seeing his own reflection.

Just a stupid mirror…

He didn't know what to expect, considering this was a magic school, he thought there would be at least something more exciting. Nothing but a boring plain mirror that reflected a sweaty tired boy who essentially out threw a bunch of idiot gryffindors.

He chuckles to himself. Looking at his counterpart, there was a manifestation of sorts. When it does, the laughing immediately stops. Surely it was a trick, even so Mortimer couldn't peer away.

There wasn't any recognition, besides himself indisputably, it wasn't until he steps back disbelief.

An image of Mortimer. However, he wasn't alone, there stood his own mother. Her face of beauty depicting only gentleness, kindness, and care. The motherly love he's craved for.Beside her was a man, Mortimer guessed to be his father. Supportive, protective and a sense of understanding was written in his body.

They were standing besides him now, wordlessly they smile, baring their proud teeth, as if trying to cheer him on.

He looks back for a second to evaluate his sanity, only to return to the welcoming figures of his parents. His mother bends down to kiss Mortimer on his cheek, he doesn't feel it of course, nor the hand that belonged to his father as he ruffles his hair.

It was a lie. Mortimer isn't stupid, he also wasn't that lucky. Very much aware that this was a in fact a magical mirror, one that seemed to show a person's wish or desire. He should probably get away, who knows what else it was capable of. Yet, couldn't seem to turn away. The image of his parents left him disabled. It mocked him, teasing what could have been. Knowing once he leaves, mortimer will never see them, not like this, not with the love they were currently showing.

His mother notices the shift in her son's feet. Nodding her head, she gives him a sad smile and waves her hand gently, the warmth in her eyes never leaving him. His father offers a brief nod, understanding his son's departure.

The bitterness of having a family who cares for him could not be held. But he had to, clenching his eyelids shut he tries to close off the moisture that threatened to leak out.

Mortimer doesn't look. Fearing he'll never be able to leave, he runs out of the room.

A few minutes had gone by before he determines to go find Draco. His legs feel like jelly when he reaches the stairs. With every step, his body drains into the pensive of images he had witnessed. It had to be an illusion meant to poke fun of anyone dumb enough to face it.

The third-floor, he nearly trips when he fails to keep his balance.

It was ridiculous. Why is getting so worked up over something insignificant? It doesn't mean anything, it was a mere ruse, a farce, a trick that succeeded in its task. Who was he kidding? Mortimer was failing to convince himself. If it were up to him he'd break it in to tiny pieces.The second-floor, mortimer nearly runs into a group of hufflepuffs. Neglecting his surroundings his mind occupied by the taunting visuals. He doesn't understand what it means or why he's overthinking it. There was no reason to, he knows what he saw wasn't real.

Stepping down onto the first-floor, he huffed, though he tries to forget, he fixes his rat's nest of a hair, feeling like a total mess. He looks left and right for any signs of the bullies, peering at every corner, then heads outside the school grounds. Swallowing nervously, mortimer spots Theo, appearing to have been waiting for him.

They don't speak but start walking together.

"You ok?" Theo asks. "You look shaken."

"I'm fine. Have you seen Draco?" His voice drifting as they roamed the grounds.

"Yeah. You should have seen it! Bulstrode gave Zabini a what for and she was about to go after Draco but Daphne stopped her." Theo beamed up at the memory not long ago.

Cracking his neck, he smiled. "What were they arguing about?"

"Blaise was aiming for a head start in a marriage contract. When Greengrass recommended Bulstrode, he flipped! Millicent heard everything and went straight for gut." Theo made a perfect recitation of the Bulstrode's movements.

Mortimer laughed with him. "Wish I could have been there."

"I thought you were. I came a few minutes after Draco showed up. Said he didn't see you leave.""I… I was hiding…" He managed to say, a nervous smile tugging at his mouth as he took out his ball.

Concerned eyes found his face, watching Mortimer as he gives the toy a squeeze. "Who?"

Waving his hand, he tries shrugging it off. "Just some gryffindors, probably were bored."

Theo was shocked to hear him, playing it off as if didn't bother him. "You shouldn't have to go through that."

He cleared his throat. "It was five against one. Not exactly something I can control."

Theo stood quiet for a moment. "You should tell someone."

"There's no point. If anything, it'll make things worse for me."

"And it probably will if you don't do something about it."

"I have a plan."

"What's the plan?" For a moment Theo entertained his idea and was aching to hear."Graduate." He chuckles.

Rolling his eyes, Theo let out a hard breath. "I'm serious."

Black shrugs. "So am I."

There was disapproval in his gaze but said nothing.

Mortimer didn't understand why he couldn't let it go, when they all knew the reason this was even happening was because of his crazed mother.

"Can we forget about this? There are far more important things to talk about, like my Aunts 'grand' holiday bash." He rolls his eyes.

Theo wasn't surprised to hear his disdain for the event and honestly, neither could he. "I'm guessing you're not too thrilled about it."

"Are you?"

"Pffft… No. But we don't have a choice now do we?" There was a forced smile, shrugging what little power he had.

Children rarely got a say in these types of situations. "No we don't."

Both boys hadn't shown any incentive or wish to leave the school. Not that anyone could blame them, you'd hate the idea too of you've grown in such uppity self-engrossed territory.Standing out of the school's ground, the found Draco and a bruised Zabini standing amongst the crowd of happy students. All dressed and bundled, ready to head home for the holiday celebration. Without a care the two of them move, quailing over what seemed to be like a long vacation for the syltherins.