Draco had hoped to avoid Regulus's wrath by putting the ring back on the moment he left the train. The longer he waited the more likely Regulus would believe something truly bad had happened.

"What did you do?" Regulus asked after only a second to acclimate to his surroundings.

"Nothing."

"If it was nothing, then why did you take off the ring?"

"He'll be fine," Draco insisted.

"He better be. If not, I am never giving you the Black Heir ring."

Draco had known that hence why he had taken the ring off in the first place. Regulus didn't need to see the extent of it. Unfortunately, that didn't matter much because Potter proved himself even more of an idiot than Draco thought possible.

He waltzed into the Great Hall, blood still caked over his face. The front of his robes was darkened with dried blood. His nose looked straight, so apparently whoever found him had healed it, but neither had thought to remove the blood. It looked far worse than Draco knew it was.

"What did you do?" Regulus asked angrily, staring along with the rest of the students at the horror scene walking to the Gryffindor table.

"He's fine," Draco hissed under his breath using the distraction to respond.

"He doesn't look fine. He's covered in blood! Did you break his nose?" Draco didn't respond. They could discuss it later.

His housemates were looking rather joyful at the sight of blood on Potter. "Did you do that?" Goyle asked him, a little awed.

"Who else would have?" He grumbled.

Nott who was sitting next to him overheard and beamed. "Served him right. You should've done something permanent."

Draco hummed in response. Nott's father had also been arrested after the events at the ministry. He would be pleased to see Potter put in his place. Regulus just glared at his housemates.

As the feast was winding down, Dumbledore stood to give his speech. Draco couldn't stop looking at his hand. It was dark and shrivelled and had clearly been cursed.

"What did he do to get a curse that bad? It's a miracle he kept his hand." Regulus said, staring at the blackened appendage. Draco agreed, only very dark magic could disfigure someone so drastically and permanently. If only they knew who or what had done it, then he would just need to repeat it.

Dumbledore started his speech by acknowledging the return of "Voldemort." Draco shivered at the name and pointedly wouldn't look at the headmaster. He didn't want to see the face of the man he was supposed to kill by year's end. He instead tried to levitate his fork with wandless magic, tuning out most of the headmaster's words. Regulus listened attentively.

"You need to be careful. It's like he knows someone has a plot against him this year. You can't be caught with anything suspicious."

Draco didn't respond to Black. Dumbledore had a keen ability to know everything that went on in the castle. It wouldn't surprise him if he somehow already knew. Thinking about that only made him feel worse.

Despite the looming dread of what this year would bring, Draco was happy to be back. Hogwarts always had a special way to make him feel welcome after a summer apart. After thinking the Hogwarts Express was a breath of fresh air, the castle was open skies. Much to Regulus's annoyance, he intentionally stayed with his housemates for the remainder of the night. He just wanted one peaceful night without getting reprimanded for his stunt on the train. They could hash it out tomorrow.

There ended up being very little time to talk the next day. Draco slept in late, he underestimated how easy it was to get a good night's sleep at Hogwarts. He scrambled to get breakfast and meet with Snape about his schedule. It was going to be packed because of all of his OWLs, he had more than anyone else in his house, and Granger was probably the only person with more.

He barely made it in time to Snape's office. Draco had known Snape was taking over the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, but it was still odd to be in a new office. Blessedly, he had removed all of the pink and the cats Umbridge had placed the previous year, replacing them with books. It was still an adjustment from the dingy dungeon office he had the years before.

Glancing up from his desk, Snape said, "I was impressed when I saw how many OWLs you received. Nine is a rare accomplishment."

Draco couldn't stop the smile that crossed his face at the praise. "Thank you, professor." He handed over his class selection.

"You are dropping Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures?" Snape asked after a glance at his class request form.

"Yes, I don't think they will be particularly helpful." Unless there was a way to smuggle in a blast-ended skrewt into the headmaster's office.

Snape nodded in agreement and signed off his schedule.

"I understood that you wished to work in the ministry like your father. Is that still the case? I think this class load would suit it. If anything it might be too much."

"I don't think it matters much what career I wanted. You and I both know my future."

Snape sighed. "Yes, but you can still accomplish other things. You can still have a career."

"Then I will get whatever job is required of me," he responded stiffly. Did Snape really think he had any freedom to pick his future? He grabbed his schedule and was about to head to his first class when Snape spoke again.

"I've spoken with your mother about your task." Draco felt like cold water was dumped over his head.

"It's supposed to remain a secret."

"I was there when he gave it to you, and your mother is determined to see you succeed. I intend to help you throughout the year."

"Throughout the year?" Draco scoffed, "We don't need to discuss it. It's my task."

"Draco," Snape spoke like he was talking to a child, "you may not understand, but what he has asked of you is impossible. You need help."

"I understand it perfectly well." Draco met Snape's eye. He wasn't a child. He knew he was expected to fail.

"Then why are you so resistant to accept my aide?" Snape said frustrated.

That was an easy question to answer, but there was no way to tell Snape. It was because he didn't want to risk the Dark Lord finding out he had help, he couldn't want to risk his life, or his mother's, on that. It was because he had no way to explain the knowledge he got from Regulus. It was because it was his penance to pay for being dumb enough to want the mark in the first place.

"Good day, professor." Draco turned and left, ignoring Snape's protests.

Back out in the hall, he headed towards the Ancient Runes classroom. He asked Regulus quietly, "Did I do the right thing?"

"Not accepting his help? I don't like him and I don't trust him."

"But?"

"But, he's right. It is an impossible task." Draco walked in silence. "But it's a good thing I am good at impossible things." Draco smiled at that. The two rings on his hand were evidence enough of that.

The first day of NEWT-level classes was gruelling. Expectations were higher for everything. Ancient Runes was a small class. He was the only Slytherin. Hermione was the only Gryffindor. The rest were Ravenclaws, but that only meant that they could cover more material since Professor Babbling liked to check all of their practice sheets individually.

Defence Against the Dark Arts was strange. Draco pointedly avoided meeting Snape's gaze and left quickly in case he tried to corner him about his task. Despite his skill in potions, it was obvious that he was far more passionate about this subject.

Potions was his last class of the day, and while he had enjoyed it under Snape, it was clear that Slughorn was far better at teaching it. He had lined up a series of NEWT-level potions to learn about. Snape would've done a pop quiz.

The first was veritaserum. He expected everyone already knew that one given how liberally Umbridge had used it the previous year. The second was polyjuice. Draco had only recognised it because, after fourth year when it came out that "Professor Moody" had been an imposter for months, he had researched it. It was terrifying to think that he couldn't trust any appearance around him.

The third was the only unfamiliar one to him. Amortentia, a love potion. Granger had said it smelled unique to everyone, that it was whatever you were attracted to. Draco smelled a garden, much like the ones at the manor, rose and upturned earth, with some hints of cedar and the sweet smell of broomstick polish.

Before they started with the practical part of the class, Macmillan had asked about the vial filled with a gold liquid next to all of the others.

"Ah, that would be Felix Felicis," Slughorn said smugly and started to explain the luck potion.

"You need to get that," Regulus whispered during Slughorn's monologue. Draco gave a questioning look; It was unlike Regulus to sound so passionate. "Imagine taking that before you go to kill Dumbledore, you're almost guaranteed to succeed." Draco was annoyed Regulus hadn't brought this up as an option before, but Regulus read his mind. "It's highly restricted and almost impossible to brew correctly, I'm shocked he's giving it away."

"The best potion will receive this vial of Felix Felicis! May the best brew win!" Slughorn clapped his hand and gestured, clearly as a way to get them started. Students immediately rushed to the supply cupboard, the desire to be the best in class had never been stronger.

They were supposed to be brewing Draught of Living Death. Draco had followed the instructions inAdvanced Potion Makingexactly, but even with Regulus double-checking his actions, he was barely able to get his potion at Granger's level, which shockingly was worse than Potter's. His potion was essentially perfect.

Slughorn spouted some nonsense praise about Potter being a prodigy like his mother. He couldn't tell if Regulus was happy for Potter, or pissed that Draco didn't get it. Draco figured he could always steal it if they got desperate enough.

Draco finally found himself alone with Regulus since arriving at Hogwarts. It was late in the evening, and they had found an empty classroom to spread out in. Draco had hoped to get some research in before they discussed Potter. Regulus had other priorities.

"Why would you break his nose?" Guess they were doing this now.

"He tried to apologise," Draco admitted. Now that a day had passed and the anger had cooled off, it felt silly to admit it out loud.

Regulus looked at him incredulous. "He was being nice, and you broke his nose for it?"

"He was being a selfish prick, so I broke his nose. He just wanted to feel less guilty about Sirius dying. He wasn't sorry for me."

Regulus sighed and pinched his nose. "I want to help you. I want to see you live through this year. Hell, I want to get my body back, but you can't pull shit like that."

"It wasn't that bad. I just lost my temper."

"Okay, it wasn't that bad this time. What about the next time? Or the time after? How long until one of you is actually hurt."

"I wouldn't go that far."

"You say that and the next thing you know someone is lying dead at your feet. Do you want that?" He supposed Regulus would know what that was like. Draco didn't want it, but he also didn't want to admit that to Regulus.

"I know you have a temper, that you just get so angry and can't think anymore. You can't do that anymore. Pissed? That's fine, just leave the situation before you do something you'll regret."

Draco knew it would be hollow if he agreed to what Regulus wanted, as much as he wanted to. He wasn't able to stop himself when his temper flared.

"Can we get to research yet?"

Regulus sighed. "Yeah, do you wanna start with your task?"

"No."

"We'll have to do it sometime."

"I know, just let me have a night without thinking about it."

So they did their normal research. After months without, it felt good to be making progress towards getting Regulus's body back. They needed to confirm that breaking the runes would actually break the magic sealing his soul. The interactions between runes and magic weren't common knowledge. And it varied widely from applications. Regulus was highly suspicious it would be tied to the caster. So either the caster needed to break the magic sealing the runes, or if the caster was dead they wouldn't need to worry about it. Draco hadn't asked Regulus what the current state of his previous lover was, but given his tragic past he assumed he was already dead. Regulus would tell him otherwise if the information became important.

They had barely begun reading through,An Experts Guide to Runes and Magic: How Runes Strengthen Spells, when they were interrupted by someone walking into their classroom. The anger from yesterday immediately returned when he saw who it was.

"How did you find me, Potter?" Draco spat. Potter glanced around, he had probably heard Draco talking from the hallway.

"Is anyone with you?"

"No, again, how did you find me?" He said voice raised. How did Regulus ever expect him to not let his anger get the better of him?

"Doesn't matter, I just want to talk."

"Did I not make myself clear on the train? I want nothing to do with you, although I am happy to repeat the performance if you'd like."

"Just leave if you can't face him right now," Regulus reminded him. It was lucky they had just had this conversation, so he started to pack up the books.

Potter gritted his teeth. "I want to understand why you tried to stop me. Or why you helped in detentions last year."

"Well, that's unfortunate because I don't want to tell you."

"You were right. I didn't know what I did. I was just thinking about myself yesterday." Draco snorted, of course, he had been right. Potter continued, "You took the mark didn't you?"

"What?" He stopped gathering his books making sure he had heard did Potter know?

"You were showing off to your friends on the train and you wouldn't let Madam Malkin touch your left arm." Potter was too observant if he remembered that. "Ron and Hermoine think I'm crazy, but I'm right aren't I?"

Draco couldn't admit it. He hadn't told anyone outright.

"Get out."

"I just want to -"

"GET OUT! Before I curse you," Draco yelled.

"Why won't you tell me why?!" Potter was like a stubborn dog, digging its claws in.

"Because I owe you nothing! You have done nothing but make my life absolute shit in the last year, why would I tell you anything?"

"I covered for you. I never told anyone about detentions or what happened in the forest!"

"Oh, so you think that a few lies is worth my life story? Think again." Potter was still looking too determined. Draco had to up his retorts. "You're a pathetic excuse for a wizard, given how many times you've gotten those around you killed. Diggory? Black? The Dark Lord will get you sooner or later, and I'd rather not be in your blast radius when he does."

"Fuck you, Malfoy. I had really thought that you could be different. You were a normal person in detentions last year, but I guess that was all an act. I thought that maybe you were worth helping. Apparently, I was wrong." Potter turned before Draco could do anything else and slammed the classroom door behind him.

Draco collapsed back into a desk. He felt a mortifying urge to cry. Draco knew he could be irritable and a bit rude, but hearing Potter say that he wasn't worth helping hit him harder than he would have expected. He was so alone. The only person he could trust to help him wasn't even a real person. Regulus took a moment before speaking.

"At least no one was cursed that time," he joked.

Draco wasn't in the mood. "Why do you even care about him? He doesn't even think before he speaks. He's an idiot."

Regulus took a longer time to respond.

"It was James Potter." Draco just stared at him. "James Potter made that ring for me." He stared down at Draco's hand solemnly.

"Sure he did. Right after I became Minister of Magic," Draco bit out frustrated. He didn't have the energy to indulge Regulus at the moment.

"I'm serious." Draco stared at him waiting for the punchline. He looked too serious.

"What the hell? Are you just saying this to get me to play nice?"

"I am telling you the truth whether you believe it or not. You don't have to hate him. I know you do actually care about what happens to him, and I know you feel like you shouldn't. There isn't some predestined force keeping you from befriending a Potter."

"So I should ignore the fact that the Dark Lord is trying to murder him and I should just try to what? Shag him?"

"No! But you can grow a pair and admit that Potter isn't evil. He's like you - a teenager trying to survive."

"He's a righteous prick."

"Maybe, but so was James. I swear if you got to know him would feel differently." Draco scoffed. "Harry needs someone to reach out to him first. He needs to know that you don't hate him."

"I do hate him."

"You don't. Just like I didn't hate James. He stole my brother. He bullied me and my friends. He was so fucking cocky. And I still didn't hate him. Know why? Because he was willing to ignore bullshit stereotypes, swallow his pride and help me when no one else would."

"Says the dead man."

"Says the man whose soul is living despite impossible circumstances." Regulus was looking at him, refusing to back down.

It wasn't making any sense to Draco. It was unfathomable to imagine a Gryffindor involved with a Slytherin, let alone a Death Eater and a Potter. "Wasn't Potter married to a woman?"

Regulus grimaced. "Yes. She came after."

"So your great love, the person that poured a wealth of knowledge of magic into this ring, something that you insist is impossible without true love, just turned to the next warm body after you left?"

"It wasn't like that," Regulus said through clenched teeth, he was refusing to let Draco get a rise out of him.

"No? Did she steal him?" Draco taunted.

"No. Our relationship was interrupted by a little thing called the Dark Mark, not Lily. James has always liked Lily and who am I to judge someone for needing some comfort to not feel so fucking lonely all the time?"

"So what? Boo hoo. Your boyfriend didn't like your mark, what has this got to do with me?"

"I never told James about the mark. My family threatened to kill anyone not on our side. They would have been thrilled at the excuse to hunt down the man who stole their eldest son from his duties, and I didn't want to risk his safety. I was so scared of what the Dark Lord would have done if I had betrayed him and gone with James." That was a bit ironic considering he ended up betraying him in the end, but perhaps that was Regulus's point. "You don't have to repeat my mistakes."

"And what? My mark isn't enough to interrupt this? It feels like fate wants us apart."

"The mark wasn't really the reason. I was the reason. I thought he would reject me, so I never tried to show it to him. I was a coward. You don't have to be."

"So what? This obsession with trying to save Harry is because he reminds you of James?"

"I guess, but more so, I know that if James had lived, he would have done anything to protect Harry, and well, since I would've done anything for him…" Regulus trailed off and he sounded sad, sadder than Draco ever expected.

"How could you do it? How could you love him? It was against everything your family stood for."

"I could do it because I realised I was happier around people that cared if I was hurt. I wanted to choose a happier life over a long one."

"I still can't believe you."

Regulus shrugged. "I don't have proof. You can believe what you want, but the point still stands. Itispossible for you two to not be enemies."

"So what do you want me to do?"

"I can't force you to do anything. I want you to do a lot of things, hell I've wanted you to do a lot of things differently since you first put on the ring. You need to decide what is important to you. All I am saying right now is that Harry doesn't have to be an enemy."

"The Dark Lord wants him dead. Heshouldbe my enemy."

Regulus frowned. "It would be easier, but do you really want to hate someone in your position? Someone who has been backed into their fate? Someone who has no choice?"

"He doesn't know what my life is like."

"Maybe. But you don't know what his life is like either. He has two dead parents, he has been forced to be in the public eye since birth, and he has been put into more life-or-death situations than most Aurors."

Regulus had a point. "Fine. I'll try to play nice. But it's not because of your boyfriend," he spat the last word.

"I wouldn't expect it to be."

They went back to reading, but Draco couldn't keep his mind off of the revelation. Just when he thought he knew everything about Regulus, he went and said some nonsense like this. Regulus had no reason to lie, and he hadn't lied about anything before. The more Draco sat with the knowledge the more he saw what Regulus was trying to say. Draco didn't understand what Potter had been through, just as Potter couldn't understand him. Maybe that was what kept their anger focused on each other - a fundamental lack of understanding. Regulus had supposedly made it work with James, and Draco wasn't even trying to date Harry, just not be as angry around him. Maybe they could be… amicable with each other.