"You know, I had the strangest dream last night." Aurora began as she spread the butter onto her toast.

"What was it about?" Draco asked taking a bite out of his breakfast.

"I'm not sure," Aurora looked up. "I think it was about graduation or something, I can't really remember. All I know is that it was strange, I think Nathaniel was there…but that's just about all I can muster."

"I once had a dream that I walked into class thinking it was the first day of the semester but it wasn't. It turned out that it was the day of the final exam and I missed the whole semester." Draco took a sip from his coffee. "I always have dreams like that during summer holiday. "

"I can only imagine your distress," Aurora giggled. "I have similar dreams like that during vacation too, they're the worst! I wake up in a panic thinking that I'm going to be late for class or something-"

Aurora stopped when she heard a loud crash coming from behind the counter.

"Harleen!" A young man shouted, it was Leven, Harleen's older brother.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" The young woman sputtered.

"Clean this mess up! If mom finds out that you broke the dishes again she's going to flip!"

The young woman sighed pulling out her wand to fix the damage. "It was an accident." She muttered meekly.

"Yeah, well, those seem to happen a lot when you're around."

Both Draco and Aurora as well as the other patrons of the establishment watched the siblings interact with great amusement. "Oh that Harleen, always getting into trouble." Aurora mused.

"Is that what having siblings is like?" Draco asked taking a sip from his coffee.

"Yes, although I did not spend much time with my brothers. I only saw them during the summer. However, growing up with five other girls…That was a nightmare." Aurora focused on her plate cutting her toast into small pieces. "It was like they were always in my face, and we were extremely territorial. We fought over everything: clothes, bathroom time, attention…lucky for me I saw very little of them when I attended Metis. Although Beatrice and Rhea attended the academy as well, but still, it was a big school and we were in different years so we really didn't cross paths that much." Aurora was absent mindedly cutting into her toast as she spoke.

"You want to know something." Draco stated as he learned back in his chair looking up at the ceiling."

"What?"

"I think you have an extreme abhorrence toward your family." Draco crossed his arms.

His words caused Aurora to stop, she narrowed her eyes at him and leaned forward. "Excuse me?"

"Just an observation love, I have yet to hear you say one positive thing about your kin." Draco looked her directly in the eye, he noticed that her eyes were no longer moss green, they had darkened and her pupils dilated ever so slightly but enough for him to notice. He wasn't just giving her any look, Draco was subconsciously looking at her the way a Healer would look at patient when they were diagnosing them.

"You find your parents unbearable, your brothers insufferable, and your cousins deplorable…" Draco continued mercilessly. "Your parents I can understand, I'd be miffed if I was sent away; however, your brothers and cousins had nothing-"

"I don't think that's any of your business."

Aurora gritted her teeth, her cheeks were turning red. She was becoming extremely angry with Draco. More so over the fact that he was right, she couldn't stand her family, but this was something that she never like to admit out loud. Her parents well…she had come to accept the fact that it was completely in her right to be angry with them. Her brothers and cousins however, what did they do besides torment her nerves? She didn't find her brothers insufferable, okay well maybe Emerson…and Reginald too sometimes, but Nathaniel was alright…When he wasn't acting like their father. Alright, all three of them were annoying but she didn't hate them all the time. She'll even go as far as to admit that some of her aversion towards them was from jealously. They all got to stay in France and attend Hogwarts together and where was she? Here in America stuck with Beatrice and Rhea! Why did Draco care anyway? Why bring up the subject?!

"I'm not saying it is, all I did was point out something that's so blatantly obvious. Are you even aware that you dislike your family so?" Draco drawled contemptuously, she was getting defensive and he didn't really like the tone she was taking with him.

Aurora's lips formed into a thin line, she stood up abruptly and glared down at his smug face. He thinks he's so smart! "Do not psychoanalyze me!"

"I wasn't. You feel the need to stand up and tower over me as a way to assert your authority because now you feel threatened…There, I just demonstrated how to psychoanalyze a person." He picked up his mug and took another sip from his coffee without breaking eye contact. "Be sure to take notes so in the future you will know the difference."

Aurora was livid, how dare he talk to her this way?! She was Aurora Pontellier! She hailed from one of the oldest and purest families in all of France! Yeah okay, the Malfoys are an old dynasty as well but still, he was not better than her! They were of the same caliber when it came to social standing and wealth, Aurora turned her nose up at him. "Funny that someone like you would dare to pick other people's brains."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Draco looked up at her challengingly.

"Let's say that I'm not the one who has nightmares so bad that they make me physically ill. Clearly there's something going on there."

Draco's face fell, he glared up at her fuming. "That was low."

"Oh I'm sorry, and here I was thinking we were just pointing out the 'obvious' here."

Draco opened his mouth to retort but Aurora interrupted him.

"Non dico quod non intellegunt."[1] With those final words she stormed out of the café with her nose so high up in the air Draco wondered if she was able to see where she was going.

Draco sat for a moment trying to register what had just happened between them, one moment they were having a nice chat and the next- He looked down at her plate; she didn't even finish her breakfast, oh well her loss! There was no need for her to get snippy with him all he did was just make a simple observation.

"Man, what was that about?"

Draco looked up and saw Leven standing next to him.

"She looked really mad." The young man observed. "What did you do?"

"Absolutely nothing." Draco muttered was he reached into his pocket to pay the bill, he left without uttering another word.

Aurora rushed back to her apartment, still angry over what had happened over breakfast. Just because they were good friends did not give Draco the right to speak his mind so freely about such a sensitive matter…Okay maybe it was tactless of her to throw his flaws in his face too, she was raised better than that, come to think of it she was feeling a bit guilty about it. That was not courteous of her, he can't help the fact that he has horrible nightmares. But still! Draco shouldn't be poking his nose where it shouldn't be nor should he have been talking down on her, the nerve…She'll only apologize if he apologizes first, he started it anyway. Aurora pushed the door open and gasped at the sight of the woman sitting in her living room.

"What are you doing here?" Aurora asked accusingly.

"Have you forgotten yourself?" Beatrice stood from the couch looking uncharacteristically regal. She was clad in burgundy and black robes, her hair was pulled back into an elegant twist, her lips were painted red and atop her head sat a black hat that dipped on one side and rose on the other with peacock feathers were poking out of it.

"Where are your manners?" She continued

"Where are yours?" Aurora snorted. "I don't recall inviting you over, how did you get in here anyway?!"

"You should really put a locking charm on that door of yours. I'm not here on my own accord."

"Oh?"

"I'm here upon request of your mother."

"My mother?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I don't think she's going to allow you to cancel your appointment today. Why did you cancel in the first place?"

"Long night…"

"Party?" Beatrice smirked.

"You could say that." Aurora avoided Beatrice's gaze.

"And why wasn't I invited?"

"Because I didn't know it was going to happen."

"I see, surprise party?"

"Yup."

"Whose idea was it?"

"Draco's."

"That was nice of him. What is he doing now?"

"He's still in medical school, I believe he's in his second year."

"You two seem to spend an awful amount of time together." Beatrice smirked.

"What of if?" Aurora crossed her arms leaning against the door, after this morning's tiff she was in no mood to speak about Draco Malfoy.

"Nothing, nothing," Beatrice up her hands up to emphasize that she meant no harm. "Come on, your mother is expecting us."

Aurora bowed her head and groaned in frustration. Why won't that woman ever leave her alone?!

"Oh come now, Madame Faure is very skilled. She won't take more than ten minutes!"

"It's not Madame Faure that I'm worried about, il est ma mère ennuyeuse qui me concerne."[2]

Beatrice let out a breathy laugh. "Ma mère est ennuyeux aussi bien[3], however I make due. Take my advice, écouter à travers un oeil et par l'autre."[4]

"Easier said than done."

"Come on and get dressed, we have to go."

Without a word Aurora walked up the stairs to her bedroom.

"Wear something nice! I have box seats to the opera tonight and you are my plus one, Enrique is stuck at a meeting with some broker and can't make it! I plan on leaving as soon as Madame Faure is done taking your measurements."

So that's why she's all dressed up, she's going to see a show. Aurora opened her closet where she kept all of her impressive robes. As irritating as Beatrice was she did have good taste when it came outings.

Wyatt looked down at the photo in his hand, a young woman with thick black hair and big brown eyes smiled up at him.

"Sometimes I wonder how different life would have been if you had stayed Jihnora," There was nothing but bitterness in his voice. "Would you have been proud of me? Or would you just tell me that I'm way in over my head?" Wyatt let out a light chuckle. "Or perhaps we would have had little tykes of our own running around, terrorizing the neighborhood. Who's to say? The future is so unpredictable and at times very cruel."

Jihnora Darvi was the love of his life, he met her in organic potions in his first year at university; he was a silly 18 year old boy who fell for a dazzling 18 year old girl. He remembered first catching sight of her when he entered the class room, she was wearing dark green robes and her thick black hair was tied back in an elegant ponytail. He walked up to her and asked if he could sit next to her, she flashed a smile that literally made his heart stop and the rest of history. Young and foolish he asked her to marry him two years later at the age of 20 and she accepted. He was so happy he pressed his wand to his throat and announced the good news to the entire student body in the middle of the university courtyard.

Preparations were made, invitations were sent out but the wedding never happened, Jihnora was taken from him all too soon. Instead of standing at the altar, hand in hand, vowing to stay by her side until he took his final breaths he had to bury her instead. Wyatt never allowed himself to fall into despair but from time to time he couldn't help it. It was a burden that he carried with him silently, he didn't like to talk about her. It was just easier that way, if he didn't speak of her it was like she didn't exist, like those three years they had together never happened. If he pretended it didn't happen then it wouldn't be so painful, but he still kept all their photos. He didn't have it in him to destroy them, deep down he didn't want to forget her, how could he?! She was the only woman we was ever faithful to, the only one he ever truly loved, and she gone. There was no bringing her back, all he had were these memories that he so desperately tried to shut away…

"Stop being sentimental you soft fool!" He scolded himself quietly.

"Wyatt, your boyfriend is here!" Ramona's voice called from the top of the stairs, freeing him from his thoughts.

Wyatt immediately composed himself, stuffed the photo back in his wallet and rushed up the stairs.

"What?! It better not be that guy I met in Hvar! I told him that kiss meant nothing to me! I was high and super lonely! I swear, I had no idea what I was doing! Tell him to give it a bloody rest, I'm not interested!" Wyatt reached the top the stairs and found Ramona and Draco staring at him.

Ramona crossed her arms over her chest. "Do you really think I would have let…hang on what was his name? Orson? In the house?" She turned her attention to a very bewildered Draco. "Complete nutter, I'm telling you!"

Draco opened and closed his mouth struggling to find words, Wyatt was a very unique person that never ceased to amaze him. "So-uh-what were you on?"

"Something I put together in my hotel room the night before. I believe it was similar to benzoylmethylecgonine, I believe the muggles call it cocaine…I had coca leaves and I ground them up and mixed them with…" Wyatt stopped and eyed Draco. "Why are you here?"

"So it's okay for you to blast my door off its hinges but I can't stop by your place for a visit?"

"There's nothing wrong with that. I just prefer you send and owl so I can know ahead of time." Wyatt walked towards the sitting room, "I'm a very busy man you know?" He made his way to the bar and began to prepare them some drinks.

"That's rich coming from you." Draco snorted as he followed his friend.

"Want a drink?" Wyatt raised a glass offering it to Draco, who respectfully declined. It probably was best to stay away from alcohol for a while.

"So what brings you here Malfoy?" Ramona asked taking the glass out of Wyatt's hand.

"Nothing, just wanted to visit." Draco took a seat on the arm chair.

"Ah, I see." Ramona smirked. "What? Was Aurora too busy for you? Or are you finally fed up with that small suburban town you currently live in?" She turned to her brother, "Wyatt what was that town called?"

"What town?" Wyatt was currently fixing his own drink.

"The town where you lot go to school."

"Ah, it is the quaint village of Briarcliff Manor."

Draco remained silent not wanting to respond to Ramona's irritating inquires, but his silence was more than enough. Ramona looked at him with great amusement. "Can you believe it Wyatt? Draco has known us his whole life and we're only ranked second best compared Miss Pontellier. He's only here because she didn't have time for him today."

Wyatt shook his head in mock disapproval. "And to think we were best mates, but no, what do you want with me eh?-"

"When you've got a cute, petite, French girl to be ogling at." Ramona finished with a smirk. "I've noticed that you seem to have a thing for petite women, what is it about them that gets you off? Is it a dominance thing?"

Draco clinched his jaw, he can endure a few jabs from these two but he was in no mood. "Listen, I would appreciate if you guys could not mention Aurora-"

"What do you think Wyatt?" Ramona ignored Draco. "Lover's quarrel?"

"Aye, it seems so." The twins continued to talk amongst themselves as if Draco wasn't even there, aggravating him even more."

"You know," Draco stood adjusting his waistcoat. "Clearly it was a mistake coming here." He began to hurry to the door when both Wyatt and Ramona rushed after him each grabbing one of his arms and leading him back to the arm chair.

"Wyatt! How rude of us!" Ramona boomed. "I had forgotten that Draco Malfoy heir to the Malfoy Dynasty must have all eyes on him at all times. You know how he hates being ignored."

"Stop it!" Draco growled.

"Calm down mate! We're just having a spot of fun." Wyatt giggled. "Now tell us what happened with Aurora?"

Draco told them what had happened over breakfast and they listened. Wyatt thought for a moment before speaking.

"Well you know what this means, don't you?" He asked.

"What?" Draco leaned forward in his seat.

"It's all your fault."

"What?!"

"Yup, completely your fault." Ramona said thoughtfully rubbing her chin.

"How was it my fault?!"

"Well you went all 'Healer' on her. You should never do that!" Wyatt rebuked.

"Yeah, and last I checked you don't have a license to go and psychoanalyze people anyways. For future reference avoid psychoanalyzing your friends," Ramona motioned to herself and Wyatt, "and potential girlfriends. I'd say you are really jeopardizing your chances here."

"How many times do I have to keep repeating myself? Aurora is NOT my girlfriend!"

"I didn't say she was! I said potential girlfriend!" Ramona snorted condescendingly.

"To be honest you two are way beyond the point of courting." Wyatt said thoughtfully. "You're practically married."

"No we're n-"

"Oh come off it! You are and just accept it!" Ramona's voice had gone up a few notches. She was honestly done will all the bullshit. "You two spend every waking moment together! It's either you are with her or she is with you! I honestly wondering from time to time if you ever get sick of each other!" Ramona huffed. "If I had to look are your face every day I'd go mad! So clearly she likes you enough to endure you every day and vice versa, when are you going to ask her out?"

"Now, now Romy." Wyatt assumed a soothing tone, resting his hand on his sister's shoulder. "You cannot rush these things, let them take their time. Maybe they're just not ready to admit that they are so madly in love with each other that they can't even see it themselves…So Draco, can I be the best man at your wedding? I promise I won't make any lude remarks or mention your ex-girlfriends during my speech!"

Draco ran his hand over his face in frustration, why did he even bother coming here again? These two were completely mad! Going to Wyatt and Ramona for advice, what a joke! Did he actually think that these two had anything useful to say? And in all honesty, being around them for too long was bad for his blood pressure.

"Fine Draco," Wyatt continued. "You could at least admit that you two are a little bit married-"

"Just a tad!" Ramona finished.

Complete nutters, he had to get out of here quick before they gave him an aneurysm.

"Children it's time for- Oh Draco! What a surprise!" Mrs. Belby entered the room and smiled brightly at him.

'Oh thank sweet merciful God!' Draco sighed in relief. "Hello Mrs. Belby. How are you?"

"I am well, and yourself?"

"I'm fine…Though, I was wondering if you could help me." Draco motioned to Wyatt and Ramona.

"Tsk, tsk. Children, I hope you are not bullying poor Draco here, two against one is hardly fair."

"We weren't bullying him mum!" Ramona huffed stamping her foot like she used too when she was a child.

"Yeah, if anything we were trying to help him!" Wyatt crossed his arms and pouted.

Draco eyed them, amazing, the moment their mother walks in they regress drastically. It felt like he was taking a trip to the past, except that they looked like adult versions of their five year-old selves.

"Don't you try feeding me that hogwash! You don't think I know you two? Leave the poor boy alone! Now both of you go upstairs and get dressed for dinner." Mrs. Belby scolded and turned to Draco. "Would you like to stay for dinner dear?"

Draco wanted to decline but he knew better than to turn down a dinner invitation from Imogen Belby, she didn't look like much but from his experiences in the past she was quite a formidable woman. "Sure, I would love to Mrs. Belby."

"Excellent! I'll tell the maid to set an extra plate." Imogen turned to her children once more. "Well what are you two still doing here? I said upstairs! March!" She pointed in the direction of a mahogany staircase that lead to the second landing of the house.

The twins stood grumbling to themselves.

"Thanks a lot Draco."

"This is all your fault."

"What was that?" Imogen eyed them accusingly.

"Nothing!" They exclaimed in unison before rushing up the stairs to their respective bedrooms.

Draco shook his head, complete nutters.

[1]: "Do not speak of which you do not understand"

[2]: "It is my tiresome mother who concerns me"

[3]: "My mother is tiresome as well"

[4]: "Listen through one ear and out through the other"