"Mother, I need to get my school supplies."

"I told you we can send someone to get them for you." This was the third time they were having this discussion. It had been over a week since theincident, but his mother was still convinced he was too frail to go about anything. It was a miracle she let him out of bed.

"I want to go." Draco tried not to sound angry, but it was just so difficult when she wasn't listening.

"You are still recovering."

"I'm fine."

"You need to save your energy for your task." She was obsessed with his damn task.

"No! I need to get out of this blasted manor."

"Calm down. It's unbefitting to yell at your mother."

"What are you going to do about it? Get your sister to come and chain me up?" She glared at him. "I won't calm down. I am going to Diagon Alley."

"Don't be unreasonable."

"I'm not being unreasonable! I just want out of this house! Have I not proved myself capable?" He pushed up his sleeve revealing the mark. His mother looked away from it. If she didn't want to look at it, she shouldn't have let it happen.

"I am going," he announced and left her speechless. Regulus trailed behind looking impressed. "What are you so smug about?"

"She was being annoying and you stood up for yourself."

"What seeing me yell at my parents makes you proud?" Draco still felt irate.

"A little."

"Well, I don't have the same obsession over betraying my family like you do. I won't go as far as you did." That brought down Regulus's mood.

"I wouldn't want you to."

The next day his mother was waiting beside the fireplace. Her face was expressionless.

"You can't stop me," Draco warned.

"I am coming with you." She said it with such finality. He didn't think he had it in him to fight her again.

"Fine," he said as he gathered a handful of flu powder.

He did not wait for his mother to follow, heading straight from the leaky cauldron into the main street. Regulus and he had spent the days recovering coming up with a plan for this trip. They needed books from Flourish and Blotts. They were desperately behind in their research and had a substantial list of ones missing from the Hogwarts library. Potion ingredients were another must. Regulus had been surprisingly on board with his task to kill Dumbledore. For all his resistance to Draco joining the Death Eaters, now that he was in, Regulus was determined to see him through. Survival was a hell of a motivator, he didn't even require a deal for his efforts in helping Draco.

Poison was an auspicious avenue to Regulus. It was easy enough to localise to a single person, keeping other casualties down, and if unexpected, it had a promising success rate. Their final stop would be the most difficult with his mother tagging along. Borgin and Burkes.

Draco had been several times with his father in previous summers, and apparently, Regulus had frequented the spot as well. It was a haven for dark wizards for generations. Regulus hadn't said it outright, but Draco knew he was thinking it - Draco might not be able to castAvada Kedavraif it came down to it, let alone win a duel against one of the most powerful men in England. It was best to have other, more indirect options. Options that Borgin and Burke's would hopefully have plenty of.

He was on edge heading into the heart of Diagon Alley. It felt like he wouldn't know how to talk to normal people. His mind was filled with thoughts of his still sore forearm and the oppressive stress of having to kill or be killed. It's not like he could just bring that up in a casual conversation. His mood was lightened slightly by Regulus's obvious excitement at being able to visit wizarding London. He hadn't worn the ring the last time he was here out of fear of being too distracted in front of his father. This time though, Regulus was free.

"I don't know what I was expecting but it doesn't look like much has changed." Draco wasn't surprised by that. Wizards had a reputation for being stagnant.

"Fortescue's is still around? I remember sneaking off with Sirius each summer to get some of his ice cream. Mother would never buy it for us. Too sweet." He looked longingly at the ice cream stand, Draco wished they could get some.

His mother swept up beside them. "Books first." Even on a trip that she was clearly unwelcome to she still had to try and take charge.

They ordered them straight to the manor since with Regulus's suggestions it was far too many to casually carry about, even with a shrinking charm. Draco knew his mother found his selection and quantity of books odd, but didn't comment as he coughed up the galleons for them. Hopefully, she thought it was for his task.

They moved onto robes next; He needed new ones since he had grown inches since his last set. Madam Malkin was a nightmare to be around. The overly friendly witch had no problems touching him, more than what was needed for a simple fitting. His left arm was still painful and it twinged with any unwelcome contact. Contact that Madam Malkin was all too comfortable with.

"Watch where you are jabbing that thing!" He shouted after a pin got a little too close to the mark.

Madam Malkin just tutted not taking the reprimand seriously. They were both distracted when Potter and his crew entered the shop. He hadn't thought much about Potter since their fight before summer started, even the Prophet had stopped mentioning him now that the Dark Lord's return was widely accepted. Seeing him, Draco didn't know how to feel. He was still pissed of course, but his rivalry with Potter felt like child's play compared to what he had gotten himself into now.

Not wanting to sit in his conflicting emotions he said, "We should leave, mother. They allow filth and mudbloods around here."

Black groaned, "You can just say you want to leave." Draco ignored him.

"There is no need for that kind of language in my shop! And no wands!" Malkin exclaimed as Potter and Weasley pulled theirs.

"Go on, I dare you to do magic outside of school," Draco sneered.

Potter's grip tightened on his wand. For a brief moment, Draco thought he was going to do it. His mother must have sensed it too.

"Put those away. It'll be the last thing you'll ever do if you hurt my son."

"Is it now? Going to send your Death Eater pals after me?"

Draco could hardly believe how bold Potter was towards his mother.

"Just shut up," Regulus whined at Potter. Draco knew he wouldn't.

"I think you have a false sense of security being Dumbledore's favourite. He won't be around much longer to protect you." Draco tensed. His mother sounded so sure that he was going to succeed.

"He's not here now. Why don't you do something? Scared of ending up in Azkaban with your husband?" Potter sneered.

"Leave, this is going to get ugly if he keeps running his mouth," Regulus said quickly.

Draco opened his mouth to come up with some excuse to get out of the shop, but his mother's quick tongue beat him. "Don't worry Draco, I suspect Potter will be united with Sirius before I am with Lucius." Potter looked murderous at that comment. Draco hated that his first thought was that he would probably get to meet Sirius before either of those two things happened.

At the same moment, Malkin reached for his left arm again and he used that to his advantage.

"I already told you to watch it!" He shoved Madam Malkin off. "Mother, I don't want these anymore." He stripped out of the robes and dumped them at Malkin's feet. "Let's go elsewhere."

Potter and his mother were still staring at each other, waiting for the other to take it further. Thankfully his mother broke the tension and said, "You're right. I didn't realise the quality of customers they allow here." Regulus sighed in relief as they left Potter behind.

He found robes elsewhere and got his potion (and poison) supplies along with a new wand holster. It was nearing the end of their trip when Regulus reminded him.

"You need to ditch her if you are still planning to go Borgin's."

And theyneededto get to Borgin's, it was their most promising lead in fulfilling his task. His mother's final stop was Gringotts; she always liked to replenish the funds they spent after their trip as well as give Draco some galleons for spending throughout the school year.

He stopped outside the bank and told her, "Go on without me."

"No." She grabbed his arm and pulled him with her. "We stay together."

"I don't want to come with you." She ignored his wishes and if anything her grip tightened. He didn't want to make a scene, so he looked to Regulus hoping he'd have an idea, but he just shrugged unhelpfully.

They approached the counter where Draco spotted a familiar Goblin. An idea struck him. He was standing right next to his mother, so the trace wouldn't pick up any of his magic. He castImperiounder his breath aimed at the Goblin that usually managed his family accounts.

It was his first time casting it, but he had quickly convinced himself it was a line he'd have to cross eventually. CastingImperiofelt nothing like being under it. He was perfectly aware of his thoughts and could simply funnel thoughts into the Goblin. When the globin under his control was called forward to lead them to the underground carts, he didn't do anything. Draco shoved a thought into his brain.

Take us to the Malfoy Vaults.

The goblin jerkily motioned for them and started down the steps underground. His mother was still towing him by the arm. When they reached the right cart his mother let go to climb inside. This was his chance.

Take her to the vault.

The goblin climbed climbed in.

"Draco, come," his mother said motioning to the spot next to her. He took a step back. "Draco!"

The cart was starting to roll forward. She turned to the Goblin and yelled, "Stop!"

Don't stop.

The cart continued picking up speed, his mother's furious face quickly disappearing into the dark.

Draco bolted from the cavern back into the main atrium. He cancelled the Imperious spell. Even if his mother got the goblin to turn back immediately, they'd have no idea where Draco went. Regulus kept up beside him.

"Clever," he said.

Draco waited for the reprimand against using the unforgivable, but when it didn't come he realised chances were Regulus had used it in the past. It would have been hypocritical of him to say Draco shouldn't have. And after all, it did work.

They passed through Diagon and into Knockturn, thankfully Borgin's wasn't too far in. He opened the door with a bang and the shopkeeper for the day, Borgin, jumped and looked confused.

"Mister, ah, Malfoy. What do I owe the pleasure?"

"I am looking for artefacts."

"Naturally. Do you have a guardian with you?"

"No. And I don't need one. I am here shopping for myself, " he said defensively.

"Yes, it's... unusual to see someone so young alone."

"I am not 'so young.' I have connections you can only dream of."

"You should mention Greyback, or whatever werewolves you know. It used to be how my father scared them," Regulus supplied.

"You wouldn't want me sending Greyback your way now would you?"

That made Borgin a lot more serious. "Of course not sir." He stood up straighter. "Are you looking for a specific artefact?"

Draco and Regulus took a moment to take in the shop. Everything looked a little old and sinister, but they both noticed a giant, vaguely familiar cabinet in the middle of the shop.

"What is this?" Draco asked, pointing to it.

"A vanishing cabinet."

He met Regulus's eye who nodded. "I want it."

"It's useless without it pair, ah, sir."

"Well, good thing I have the pair then."

"Oh, um, yes. But you see I haven't been able to transfer anything to its pair for a long time. It might be damaged."

"Then you'll tell me how to fix it," Draco felt like he was talking to a child.

"I would need to see it, Mister Malfoy."

"Too bad. It stays put."

"Right, um," Borgin was at a loss for words. He clearly didn't understand but didn't want to risk a visit from Greyback and friends.

"I'll be in contact about what could be wrong. You'll give me instructions." He spoke slowly, a little patronising.

"Yes, sir."

Regulus was looking at the shelved objects. "You should ask about cursed objects, anything fatal would be worth looking at."

"What cursed objects do you have? I need deadly ones. Preferably with faint magical traces." Borgin's face got paler.

"We have lots."

Draco waited. "Show them to me then!"

In reality, a cursed necklace was the only promising artefact. Everything else maimed instead of killed, or was too large, or was too dangerous to even be around. With the necklace and cabinet on hold, along with clear instructions to report any new finds to Draco himself, he left the shop. His mother was going to be enraged when they reunited, but it had been a successful trip.

"What's your plan, little Draco?" Aunt Bella was back over the first time since getting the mark, and she'd been tearing into his mind for the better part of an hour. Draco was proud to admit that he barely let her see anything.

"None of your business," he said grumpily.

"Oh, but I can help you!"

"I don't want your help."

His mother wasn't pleased with that response. "Draco, listen to her. She can help you come up with a plan."

"Who said I didn't have a plan?"

"I don't mean to doubt you, but -" He cut his mother off.

"But you are! I know what I am doing!"

"Show us then!" Bella exclaimed. "I'll find some vermin hidden away in this house. You'll kill it."

"I don't need to prove myself to you."

"You do need to prove yourself toHim," his mother said.

Draco knew that. He didn't need her reminding him. He was already going to have to kill one person, he didn't need to kill whatever rat or spider Bella tore out of the woodwork. Not letting himself second guess himself, he pulled his wand and cursed his aunt.

Bella's eyes filled with shock as her lips were sewn together. She tried to yell, but it came out muffled. She lunged at him, grabbing his right arm and leaving lines of red where her nails cut in.

"Off!" His mother pushed them apart with a spell. She turned to him with fury in her eyes. "Where did you learn that spell?"

"None of your business," Draco spat. He honestly had no idea how he had learned it. It just seemed fitting for the moment.

"It's dark magic." His mother was looking at him like he didn't know who he was.

"I know, so leave me alone." He stormed off back to his chambers. He slipped the ring on like always and was incredibly relieved. It was just Regulus who had taught him the spell. He wasn't losing it just yet.

Aunt Bella didn't stop by again before Draco left for Hogwarts. His mother let him know that if he ever needed support, she would work with Bella to get him whatever he needed. That they both wanted to see him succeed and were only an owl away. Draco didn't know if they wanted it to save their family's reputation or because they actually cared if he lived.

Draco hadn't understood how suffocated he had been at the manor until he was back on the Hogwarts Express. It was strange because he was objectively around far more people, but the air was lighter. It was nice to not have to worry about his psychotic aunt coming around to curse him or the Dark Lord showing up for a chat.

He met with the other prefects in the reserved carriage. Pansy was ecstatic to see him.

"You didn't respond to my owls! I thought something happened." She hugged him.

"Clearly not."

"Well, I was still worried, especially after what happened to your father."

Draco tried to burn a hole into her with his eyes.

"Sorry, didn't mean to bring it up," she grumbled and dropped it. The prefect meeting was uneventful. The Hufflepuff headboy made a point to remind everyone that the Inquisitorial Squad was officially disbanded this year and that prefects were once again not allowed to take points from each other. Pansy scoffed at the injustice. Draco could care less.

Granger had kept Weasley on a short leash throughout the meeting, whispering admonishments whenever he glared Draco's way. Draco didn't have the desire to pick a fight, not this year. After they were dismissed, Draco went to take the first shift. Nothing noteworthy happened, just lower years eyeing his badge wearily. As he walked the train, Draco had an odd sense that nothing was quite real. That the world couldn't just continue as normal even though everything had changed that summer.

He returned to his housemate's cabin, sans Zabini, who had been called to meet with the new potions professor Slughorn. Draco refused to feel jealous.

"You shouldn't be that jealous of Slug Club. I was in it and it was pointless. It was just to boost his ego," Black said, and after a curious look from Draco, continued, "I was a good seeker, and the Black name used to be held in higher regard. You probably won't ever get in with your father in Azkaban." Just another thing that was ruined for him.

It was unfamiliar being with his housemates again. Everything was so simple. They complained about their boring summer, their OWL scores, and the too-hot weather. They were such trivial concerns that it sparked his did his life have to be complicated?

Zabini returned from his meeting with the new professor at the end of the trip. He was trying to shut their compartment's door when something strange happened. It seemed like it was jammed, but before he got it closed, it seemed to open wider against Zabini's pulling. As everyone shuffled to make room for Zabini, Draco saw a flash of something almost like a foot. Regulus did too.

"I think someone just snuck in with an invisibility cloak." He gave a single nod in acknowledgment to Regulus.

"How was it?" Pansy asked Zabini.

"Fine. Quite the bizarre crew he racked up. Belby, McLaggen, Potter, of course, and the Weasley girl."

Draco snorted. "Weasley?"

"Don't be jealous, Draco. He probably didn't realise there was a Malfoy on board," Pansy placated.

"Whatever it's not like I care. I have more important things to do than be a part of some old geezers club."

"Oh? Like what?" Zabini jumped in, teasingly.

"Let's just say I might be onto bigger and better things next year. I may not even return to Hogwarts."

"What are you talking about?" Pansy asked.

"I have a greater purpose now," Draco replied with a grin and not so subtly lifted his left arm to rest against the window.

"You don't mean him?" Pansy whispered.

Draco smiled. "I'm not allowed to say." Pansy looked amazed. Crabbe and Goyle dumbstruck. Even Nott and Zabini looked a little impressed.

Regulus was less impressed. "You really want them to revere your life? You know you're encouraging it." Draco's stomach turned. He hadn't meant to encourage it. He just wanted some respect. And maybe he was feeling a bit insecure about how absolute shit his summer was.

"Looks like we are almost there," Nott broke the silence and they got into their school robes. Draco noticed the way they eyed his left arm although it remained completely covered the whole time.

The train was stopping, and he let the rest of them empty out of the compartment. Before anyone could question him he said, "Go on, I have something I need to do." They shuffled out hesitantly but thankfully didn't make a fuss.

"He's on the left rack. Pretty sure I can hear breathing," Regulus informed him.

He stood facing the rack Regulus mentioned. "Get down from there." He waited for a second. "I will curse you."

After another second, he heard a clang, a thud, and then Potter was taking off an invisibility cloak in front of him.

"What do you want, Potter? Trying to spy? Get some information for your precious Dumbledore? Still in his 'army'?"

Potter ground his teeth clearly frustrated at getting caught.

"What too shy?" Draco teased.

"I should've trusted you." Draco looked at him confused, so Potter continued, "Back before I went to the ministry. I listened to Ginny. I should've listened to you. I wanted to apologise. You apologised to me before and - "

Draco was at a loss for words.

"Sirius would still be alive if I had just listened to you. I've regretted it every day."

Draco's gut twisted. Potter was sorry? And expected Draco to do what? Forgive him? Potter was just upset that Sirius was dead, he didn't care that Draco's life was ruined. He didn't care that his family was in mortal danger. He didn't care about Draco being a Death Eater. He didn't care about Draco. All he cared about was his own grief.

Draco knew that what he was about to do was cruel, but he couldn't stop himself. He mentally apologised to Regulus as he took off the ring. He didn't need to see this.

"Petrificus Totalus."

Potter's body locked up and fell to the floor.

"It's not so fun, is it? I was on the forest floor for an hour." He kicked Potter's side. "I don't accept your apology. You only give a shit about your own guilt."

He stepped on Potter's face, breaking his nose. Blood gushed out satisfyingly.

"You have no idea what you've done by not listening to me. You've destroyed any chance I've had at a life."

He grabbed the invisibility cloak and threw it over Potter. With any luck, people wouldn't find him till the train was halfway back to London. He grabbed his trunk and turned a last time to where Potter was on the floor.

"You shouldn't have come back this year."