"Mother please, allow me to stay by your side and have a tutor. I do not wish to leave you at the manor alone." His mother's grey eyes waver slightly at hearing his desperate voice begging her to not let him go back to Hogwarts this year. Draco Lucius Malfoy Black had never begged for anything in his life nor had wanted anything more than to not leave her side at this very moment. He always got what he wanted, whether it meant by just asking or scheming his way to it. But there wasn't any scheme that could work against his mother, the woman who had taught him everything he has ever known, especially how to survive in the throat cutting pureblood society.

"My dragon, do not let your mind wander to unimportant matters. What have I always told you?" Narcissa Malfoy Black's voice was warm, a tone she reserved only towards her own blood.

"We are Blacks and Blacks always outlast." Draco whispered. His mother's slogan being a secret only the both of them shared. Draco grew up with the tales of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, his mother's House. He grew up with the stories of his aunts Bellatrix and Andromeda and cousins Sirius and Regulus, all prodigies of their own fields since before their Hogwarts age. The mercurial Aunt Bella who always added a new plot twist to a never ending tangle of stories and problems, her quick-witted, chatterbox and sometimes confrontative personality had always made Draco hold his breath to see what she did next. And his brave aquarian Aunt Andy, who never feared doing the right thing even if it meant she got into trouble. Aunt Andy always followed her heart, everyone loved her charisma, wisdom and willpower. Cousin Siri was always the light of every show, his laughter was contagious, his ingenuity was always the centre of attention and his magical stamina was breathtaking. Cousin Siri was just like his name suggested, the brightest star. And lastly Cousin Reggie, the youngest and quietest of them all. Cousin Reggie was always reading classic literature or poetry, he always made the most beautiful of drawings and had the most mesmerising words. Although he had never met any of them, his favourite was cousin Reggie. Draco always drew or read in the free time he wasn't doing his "Malfoy duties". Although he never said so out loud, not that he had anyone to say it to, he long for the effortless and sometimes irreverent way his mother's house was allowed to be. The young heir sometimes just wanted to let go and not be as put together and follow all the expectations that his father expected out of him, especially now that biting his tongue was not only expected but demanded out of him in order to protect his mother.

"Correct. Therefore you will not bother yourself with such matters much further. Have a lovely year my dragon." The daughter of House Black la bise her sun and with a light hug whispered in his ear, "When you do your rounds, stop at Potter's compartment. He has instructions for you." With that Narcissa Malfoy Black apparated, leaving her son speechless, confused and with a little bit of hope that perhaps his mother will be safe after all.

~OoO~

The three inhabitants of the compartment raised their heads as they heard their door open and locked quickly and quite loudly. The platinum blond teenager that they had lunch with almost a month ago was sliding his body to the floor in an impression that gave both, that he was hiding and at the same time was exhausted by whatever it was that he had been doing, probably his rounds as the newly assigned slytherin prefect.

"Do you fancy a sugar quill?" Hermione asked in an even tone, being the most level headed between the siblings, Draco after all is Sirius' cousin and he had asked them to be civil. Harry and Ron remained seated continuing with their muggle game of chest.

The slytherin boy raised his head surprised, "If you wouldn't mind, I do not wish to disturb you more than necessary."

Hermione smiled, and handed him a green sugar quill. "It's alright, you may stay as long as you need or wish. I understand it hasn't been an easy summer for you."

"So you know… Of course you know. Did Lord Black tell you?"

"He did. I apologise if I'm being too forward, but would you mind if I ask you a personal question?"

"As you so kindly allowed me to remain in your compartment I don't see why not, however I do not promise I'll answer your question."

"Reasonable, do you genuinely hate me?"

"That's your question?"

"Yes."

"Granger, you make it difficult to follow and believe my father's teachings. If you weren't the best of our year, I would not have to address you for any reason."

"Are you saying that you hate her?" Harry's voice sounded darkly at the corner of the compartment, his eyes flashed with a type of menace that would have given anyone chills however the Malfoy heir remained neutral and unbothered.

"No Potter, what I'm saying is that she is the reason why I still have a functioning brain attached to my head." Draco moves his head to look Hermione in the eyes, for a brief second he seems confused but it disappears as fast as it had appeared, "I do not hate you, I apologise for my words and the behaviours that has implied otherwise. I will not attempt to insult your intelligence by hiding the reason for my behaviour as I assumed that by speaking to Lord Black you already know the reasons behind them. I do not wish to antagonise you. My hope is now that you are all wards of House Black, putting aside the political climate, for there to be no need to do so. I find this conversation the perfect opportunity to confess I do not like such behaviours, much prefer the only company of a good book or a quill and parchment. Furthermore, it's my hope that the family magic will breach the gap that years have produced between us, if only to maintain civility and peace to the House." The only slytherin in the compartment rose up in an attempt to leave.

"Wait!" In a flash of seconds the tallest of the siblings stood up and held the blond's arm. "Do you like playing chess?"

"Yes?" Draco looked confused at the auburn haired boy.

"Great, let's see what you've got."

~O0O~

Draco was probably having the most eerie day of his life. Projecting security and confidence had never been an issue for him. "A Malfoys never falters." The eerie feeling however, was the two hours he managed to remain in the Gryffindor's compartment. Inside he didn't feel the need to be aloof, he could remain quiet or speak his mind without a need for a snarky reply. Outside the compartment was another story entirely, with the dark lord back, the dark families, specially the families of death eaters, had started gathering in small groups to not draw attention. This meant that old alliances were being restored and new ones were beginning to form. In his haze of recalling the day's events Draco ignored the headmaster's speech until he heard cousin Siri's name being introduced as the new DADA professor.

"Thank you headmaster, there's just a few words I wish to say before continuing the fest." Draco could tell by his mother's stories, even though he had only seen cousin Siri in person last month, his smile was the sign that mischief and chaos was about to ensue. "I, Sirius Orion Black III, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black hereby am annulling the marriage of Lord Lucius Abraxas Malfoy and the daughter of House Black, Narcissa Alya Black due to a breach in the marriage contract. And take as heir her son, formally known as Draco Lucius Malfoy Black, as is his birthright as scion of House of Black and henceforth rename him Draconis Regulus Black. So mote it be." Those were the last words Draco heard before everything went Black.

~OoO~

Hello, I'm alive! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

love,

Liria