Draco's POV:

A letter. That is how this whole year got turned around-well, how my entire life got turned around really. A single letter set me on a path I never once considered walking. But as the tip of my quill dipped into the ink pot I couldn't think of any other path I should be taking than this one.

My life was supposed to be nothing but what was expected of me because of where I came from: because of my family line. But within weeks of my first year, those expectations were blown away by a force I never once considered.

Always being bested in every class. Always having a slightly better answer. Always being slightly faster. It was my first taste of a bitter rivalry.

I turned it sour. From a childish competition to sworn enemies.

One word was all it took.

A word that was banned in our house for years because my mother found it distasteful. A word that my father would spit out in the parlor with his colleagues.

Mudblood.

One small and simple word.

But like that stupid letter, it changed everything. We went from teasing to cruel and intentional. It was nothing like the rivalry I have with Potter. With her, it is heated and malicious. All because of one stupid word.

It wasn't a full year later when my jokes almost became reality: wishing her dead to seeing her in that hospital bed completely lifeless.

That is when something inside of me snapped: she has been my perfect opposite for years. She pushes my limits every time. Sure, she pulls a head every single time, but I am still leaps and bounds above my peers. She might be a know-it-all, a prude and a little loud, but she is my goal to beat every time.

The image still haunts me-the fire from her eyes gone, it is not something I want to see ever again. And it was her getting petrified that started something.

I cried to my mother that day. The thought that this would be my future was devastating.

I wasn't better than her then and even now I still struggle to keep pace. But as I held onto my small mothers dress that is when everything changed for us.

My mothers calming touch clashed with the storm in her eyes. That was the first time I saw her as more than my mother, more than a pureblood Lady.

~Flashback / Narcissa's POV~

I was raised to never question my parents. To never question my husband. To a proud and proper woman of nobility and class.

I watched as my sister rebelled against those traditions: I watched her get burned from the family tapestry and left to be forgotten.

I watched my eldest sister conform and twist herself into an inhuman version of herself to fit the mold of her husband and her own delusions of greatness.

I watched as my noble house crumbled to dust with bitter hatred and contempt. I watched as pride destroyed my family line: leaving my son as the last true heir to its name.

I will not watch my family become another to be crushed by their pride and traditions. If I have to suffer the wrath of my husband then so be it. I cannot sit idle anymore. Not while my son's tears dried on my silk skirts.

I smoothed my son's fine hair until the shaking stopped and the grip loosened. As much as he pretends to be a mature man like his father, he has a soft heart.

Eventually his studies and training on being a young lord will stiffen that softness. But for now, I will savor every moment of it. Draco went to bed with little persuasion. His puffy little eyes didn't hide his pain that he was struggling to identify.

With a kiss he was taken upstairs by Misty to be put to bed while I waited in the parlor for my dear husband.

The parlor was always a dark and depressed room: dark paint, rich woods, and oversized fireplace behind an oversized desk. Everything in this room was made to feel impervious and intimidating.

My husband's decanter sat half full beside two high back chairs. Pouring myself a glass I sat and waited. Swirling the amber liquor in the crystal glass.

I had drunk a full glass and was mid pour on the second when the fireplace roared to life and my husband's disheveled body stepped out.

His long hair that was normally slicked back was brushed over his forehead. His overcoat was slung over his arm and the top buttons of his shirt were open. His eyes met mine, and flashed to the glass in my hand.

"Pour me a glass while you are at it dear wife, I feel like we have much to discuss."

His cane and coat were tossed to the sofa while he sat in the opposite high backed chair of mine. We both drank in silence, neither of us brave enough to speak first it seems.

The liquor burned, but it soothed the mind to feel that slight pain as it trickled down my throat. If I could focus on that relief I might be able to start this discussion-

"We need to make a change, Cissa."

My eyes widened but I turned in my chair to face him directly, "I have been sitting here for hours, consoling our only child-our son over the events that took place this year. These are just children Lucius. They are innocent lives. They are the same age as our son…and younger if it was in fact the Weasley's daughter that was harmed.

These aren't soldiers so why are we fighting a war against children-why are we following a mad man that is so focused on children."

I felt my eyes water, and my husband's hands on my skin before I noticed that he was kneeling at my feet, and his fingers were wiping up the tears that had fallen.

"I know. This isn't what my father agreed to when he joined this movement. This isn't the way to keep our way of life. How can we protect our future if the Dark Lord is instant on fighting children? There will be no future to protect."

"How do we protect our family and get out of this?"

"I don't know Cissa, but I will find a way. And I will protect my family-no matter the cost."

~End Flashback~

No matter the cost.

I heard it clear as day through the door. I had planned to barg in and demand that my father fixed this.

Demand a change. Demand he look at my competition and recognize that because of her that I am where I'm at. It's all because of her.

Father,

We need to discuss my succession to the Malfoy line and what that means for my future.

I feel that the protection of our family traditions should have this meeting where no other onlookers will be able to interfere.

With your position on the council, a brief visit to Hogwarts wouldn't be unheard of.

Please send an owl when you have arranged a date.

D.L.M.

Theo's POV

My best friend was certifiable insane. His brain has left the building.

I couldn't channel my pureblood training to mask my emotions. I could feel the anxiety rolling off me. It also didn't help that my leg wouldn't stop tapping against the desk.

We were waiting. I didn't know if she would show up today or not: we never arranged a way to communicate. So I was stuck waiting in blind optimism that she would show.

My companion was as calm and collected as any heir should be. His stupid blood hair perfectly in place, his face an expressionless wall and his body so still you would have thought he was a statue.

The nerve of this guy to be this calm when his idea could quite literally destroy everything.

I let out a very loud groan as my head slammed to the table. I was going to be sick.

The hum of unfamiliar magic rang in my ears and I sat up stiffly, and to my surprise Draco was also sitting taller and his fingers twitched towards his wand.

"Meow-" The orange hippo of a cat lept to the table and lazily flopped to its belly in front of me before a soft giggle seemed to come from nowhere.

Then a head appeared. Followed by a second familiar head.

"Good evening Theo, and you too Malfoy." I smiled,

"Good evening Hermione, and to you as well Potter."

I soon felt arms around my neck and a ticket of thick hair against my skin. It took me a moment to be able to return her embrace: it is still such a strange thing. Physical touch without it being a punishment or formality. To be embraced and held.

"I am so glad that you were smart enough to come up with a coy way of meeting! I was struggling on how to come up with a signal for us that would go unnoticed. It's almost embarrassing that I never thought of something so basic."

She was rambling and jittery and strangely enough that calmed me down. Slightly. Not enough to make this easy.

"Miney"

Her face flushed and she brushed her hands behind her ears, tucking in the stray hairs before she sat down.

"Right, sorry, Theo, this is Harry-who I know you already know…but he is my best friend and a brother to me in some sense…and Harry, this is my long lost Twin." Her hand gestured between us.

And with her introduction, any hope that I had that she wouldn't fight or would sit on the sidelines were dashed. She would have to make an impossible choice between two brothers.

With a stiff nod, I acknowledged Potter before I cleared my throat.

"Potter. You already know Draco, but like you and Hermione, he is someone I consider to be family."

It was more tight lipped nods, narrowed eyes and deafening silence. The animosity and the rivalry was deeply rooted in all our lives. This is going to be an obstacle.

"I think we all need to talk about the elephant in the room."

"What fucking elephant-"

Double update cause I was inspired.