Hello my loves! I hope you're all having an awesome week so far. School was cancelled again for the kids I nanny for, and yet I still took forever to get started on writing, as I always do. Why am I so terrible? Anyway, leave me your thoughts! I love hearing what you guys are thinking, and if you don't have anything to say about the story then tell me about your day or something. I just love hearing from you! I'm glad that one of you likes Adrian, I'm quite fond of him myself.

I don't own anything from Harry Potter.

"Interesting that Daphne is going to be married to the Pucey boy," Narcissa told Draco, scrunching her nose. "Though I suppose her mother was friends with Rhys Pucey, but their family is definitely not one I'd choose for my daughter if I had one."

Yes, his mother definitely had her opinions about the partying families, and Draco could understand why. Pucey's behavior especially was a bit eccentric and theatrical for his tastes.

"The Pucey name is fine to the pure-blood world as a whole, it's just unfavorable to us. Daphne has lost her desire to act properly over time, so she is more suited for their type now. I can't imagine her putting up with many of your infamous teas for much longer."

"Yes, well. It is good then I suppose, for her. No need to let a pretty girl go to waste. Perhaps if you hadn't humiliated the girl for sport she would be different and more like her sister."

"I did not humiliate her," he scoffed. Why was he to blame for her own actions as if he had forced himself upon her? "She humiliated herself. I did not pursue her heavily, nor did I trick her or promise her love or any sort of bullshit of like that, so if it was not me it would have been someone else."

Narcissa sighed, an understanding look falling over her face. "It's difficult, Draco. It's difficult to be a woman with so many standards to live up to. I can see why some have a desire to rebel."

As it was to be a man.

"I suppose it has to be or there wouldn't be anyone on top, no? As we'd all be on the top?"

"Which is exactly why it's so difficult, you're right. There have to be people on the bottom for there to be a top."

Draco watched the wall, tapping his index finger against his leg as he sorted through his thoughts. "Astoria announced to Potter that Blaise slept with his little girlfriend."

He heard his mother's teacup clatter against the plate as she dropped it down in surprise. "I beg your pardon? Blaise with.. The Weasley girl? Or does Potter have a new female in his life?!"

"The Weasley girl," Draco confirmed gravely. He never expected Blaise to have such low standards, and he was still trying to grasp it himself, though he knew Astoria wasn't lying.

It was the fact that she knew when he didn't is what unnerved him.

"I cannot belief that. That's simply.. Ugh. Unfortunate. Of all the little blood traitors he could dirty himself with. The homely Weasley girl? Honestly," Narcissa scoffed in disgust, sniffing.

"Mmm. Yes, I agree. Unfortunately Potter isn't likely to let up on Blaise now, and I wouldn't doubt he has a resentment towards Astoria as well for telling him in such a humiliating fashion," he said bitterly, imagining Potter having it out for his wife.

"He believed her?"

"Seemed as much, and I'm sure he'll ask the girl himself and she'll be too much of an idiot to lie well enough. Astoria was going to give him a memory of the evidence, but Blaise attacked her. So that added to how believable she was."

"He attacked a woman from my family? In my house?" Narcissa demanded, adjusting angrily in her seat. "How would he dare? He's lucky he even comes near our circle with the way his mother behaves with her ever disappearing husbands! I would hope you showed him his place."

Draco sighed, thinking of how he had reacted. He hadn't wanted to harm his friend, though the way he had spoken of his wife definitely didn't sit well with him. His behavior had definitely warranted more than what Draco had given him. "I.. Made him leave."

"Draco," Narcissa began harshly. "A friend doesn't come near the importance of family, and it could be that soon she will be the only family you have."

He looked at her sharply and searched her eyes, growing upset at her words. "Don't say that, mother. You aren't going anywhere," he insisted quietly. "I need you."

Narcissa's features softened and she looked down at her cup, sighing. "You don't need me. I can promise you that. You're a strong man. The only person that can destroy you is yourself."

Draco grit his teeth, disturbed by the way she spoke of herself as if she would disappear from his life at any moment. He most certainly did need her. She kept him grounded, kept him sane. She was his humanity and the only thing keeping him from morphing into his father. "It's a bit creepy, isn't it? Unnerving. That Astoria would know that about Blaise and the Weasley girl. I hadn't had a clue, and he was my closest friend," he said slowly after a while, changing the subject.

"She is the daughter of Aldrich Greengrass," Narcissa pointed out, as if that explained everything.

"So I've been made aware of more than once," he replied dully. "She's also the daughter of an uppity bitch that can't be trusted. A great set of parents she comes from, indeed."

Narcissa laughed lightly. "Freya isn't as horrible as she tries to portray herself. Besides, I wouldn't automatically assume Joseph Nott is simply a victim."

"I'm not sure what would warrant her taking his family secrets they stupidly trusted her with and selling them to her husband."

From what Draco had gathered, the Notts had been invested into companies involved with muggles, and were making quite a bit of their fortune off of that, among a few other frowned upon activities they had participated in.

Narcissa looked uncertain and Draco searched her face, curiosity nagging at him. "Draco," she warned. "I do not give you permission to just start rummaging through my head. It's incredibly impolite and uncomfortable. There are some things, many things, that I wish to keep private."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Then keep those private and allow me to see the things I wish to. It is much faster than trying to tell it as a gossip story."

"I don't want to," she huffed, brushing her hair back from her shoulders, defiant. "And I'm the mother. I'm the boss. I birthed you."

"You should be happy I'm interested in my wife's family. It means I'm interested in her. Isn't that what you want? To discover my deep, undying love for her and whatnot?"

Narcissa narrowed her eyes at him in irritation and sat back for a moment, considering. He fought a smirk, knowing his mother would fall into such an idea. "Fine," she said after a while. "I'll allow it. Watch yourself though, Draco. Don't go digging for things I'm not comfortable with my son digging through."

"I'll do my best," he said impatiently, sinking into her head and dragging up memories to the surface.

Freya Krat was sitting next to Joseph Nott as Narcissa approached the Slytherin table in the Great Hall silently, sitting across from them and beside Rhys Pucey who squinted at her when she sat next to him. "Natalie. Pleased to have you join us. Don't know why you're here, but pleased," he greeted, pushing food into his mouth.

"Narcissa," she corrected, grimacing at his eating habits as she adjusted herself carefully and sat up properly.

"Crazy bitch's sister," he dismissed her, focusing on his food.

Freya eyed Narcissa, pursing her lips. "You really are set on being my friend, Black. It's endearing, but not asked for."

"I can't simply eat near you without being accused of forcing myself on you?" Narcissa inquired, gathering food onto her plate.

"Is that what you eat?" Freya asked, dropping the first subject, her eyebrows coming together. "That's all sugar. No wonder you're constantly covering your body."

"Some people actually eat food, Freya," Rhys told her slowly as if he were speaking to a small child. "Imagine that."

"Some people ought to not eat so much, Rhys," she replied just as condescendingly and Joseph rolled his eyes next to her.

Narcissa frowned, pulling at her robes self consciously. "I cover myself out of modesty, not because there is anything wrong with my body. I don't feel the need to flaunt myself to all of the men in the school," she sniffed and gave Freya a side eyed look. "Or shorten my skirts for attention."

Rhys snickered and Joseph smirked, looking down at Freya. "She's got a point," he told her, nodding down to her thighs that were well exposed beneath the table in result of her magically shortened skirt.

"Perhaps she does," Freya agreed, her lips twitching as she seemingly fought a smirk as well. "Well, Narcissa. At least you're not as pathetic as I thought you were."

"Don't flatter me too much, Freya or it will go to my head," Narcissa quipped sarcastically, taking a bite of her pudding.

"But really. Stop following me around like a lost puppy or I might have to feel a bit of pity for you if I ever have to fuck you over."

"She's right, Black. She's a horrible friend. It's terrible being stuck with her," Joseph said gravely. "You'd best stay away if you don't want to be miserable."

"I'll keep that in mind," Narcissa said, sounding unbothered.

"Actually, I don't know what I could possibly want from you, seeing as Malfoy is useless to me," Freya considered thoughtfully.

"Aw, that's adorable. You and Malfoy? You can take turns braiding each other's hair," Rhys said, putting a hand over his heart, clicking his tongue.

"Who is meant to pull whose hair during sex?" Joseph asked, raising an eyebrow at Narcissa.

Freya covered her mouth as she snorted with laughter and grabbed her water, looking at Narcissa expectantly as she waited for a reply. Narcissa flushed and shifted uncomfortably, ducking her head slightly. "What an entirely inappropriate question," she mumbled, shaking her head. "I'm hoping for no hair pulling, thank you. That sounds very unappealing."

Joseph tsked and shook his head. "Oh, come now, Black. Surely you can't be that boring."

"Can't even handle someone pulling your hair? Oh, life is going to be a rough one for you," Freya added, mock sympathy in her voice. "With the things I hear about your sister I'd think you were a bit less sheltered."

"Malfoy is an idiot, Black. I think you could do better," Joseph said, poking around at his food with his fork.

"He's not that much of an idiot, Joseph. Be fair. He has a few decent qualities," Freya remarked, throwing the hair of her long ponytail behind her back.

"Oh? Defending Malfoy now, are we? Perhaps she is after your desired husband, Black. Prepare yourself," Joseph said smoothly, looking Freya up and down.

"Careful, Nott. You sound a bit jealous," Freya chided, amusement flickering in her eyes before she continued. "No, I just think it necessary to give credit where credit is due. The more you underestimate people the more you're going to find yourself caught off guard when they exceed your expectations. It's best to be prepared."

"Mmm," he replied, disinterested.

"Who knows, Joseph," Freya went on, her voice skeptical. "We don't know what things will be like in the future. The Malfoy family could be looking down at you one day."

Joseph scoffed loudly, chuckling. "You're cute, love."

"Besides, who is to say she could do better? She has the potential to be an even bigger idiot, doesn't she? We don't know."

"You're absolutely right. She is trying to be your friend," Joseph said, nodding.

"It's adorable when you try to be offensive, but you know I'm the single best thing that ever happened to you and your boring life," Freya told him sweetly.

Narcissa watched Freya, tilting her head. "Your hair seems unbearably long. Why do you bother with all of that?"

"Proper witches grow out their hair," Freya said dismissively, narrowing her eyes at Sylvia Able as she passed the section of the table they were seated at. "You should know our history."

Narcissa blinked in disbelief. "That's rather.. Traditional of you," she said slowly.

"Are we not meant to be traditional, darling? Is that not the pure-blood way?"

"Well.. I mean we are, but that's.. Ancient. If you're truly referring to what I think you are referring to. We aren't those witches anymore. That is if you even choose to believe those tales."

Joseph grimaced at the conversation and Rhys widened his eyes in a way to indicate that the topic was the opposite of preferred.

Freya laughed coldly, watching Narcissa carefully. "If I choose to believe those tales? You speak of our history, our ancestors in such a way? We aren't those witches anymore? Have you no respect for our magic? Tell me, Black. Why aren't we those witches anymore?"

Rhys groaned. "Why did you get her started, Nancy?"

"Narcissa," she corrected shortly to him before looking at Freya. "Are you honestly this invested? You're actually one of those?"

"Yes she honestly is," Joseph interjected, rolling his eyes. "It's why she smells of essential oils and incense all the time and whatever else comes along with her.. Devotions."

"So sweet of you to memorize how I smell, dear. Didn't know you paid that much attention. Yes, it's true that I smell like a witch unlike the women you usually have crawling all over you covered in at least half a bottle of hideously whorish perfume."

Narcissa looked uncomfortable and watched her with guarded eyes as the two went back and forth. "Don't get too confident, I'm sure even Pucey notices and he is quite less observant than I."

"I'm observant of the important things," Rhys said as he watched a woman walk by, smirking at the back of her figure.

The memories blurred forward to Narcissa catching up with Freya once again as she walked down the halls of Hogwarts. "Oh. It's my shadow," Freya drawled, glancing down at her with disinterest. "So thrilled you could make it."

"Have you heard of the whispers about this.. Following of this man who has ambitions of taking over the wizarding world," Narcissa asked in a hushed voice, her tone worried.

"Of course I've heard. Let it just be known that I will always know more than you, and I will always know it before you," Freya answered, her voice bored.

Narcissa shook her head impatiently, quickening her steps to keep in pace. "I feel like a lot of our men are.. Interested in it.. I don't like the sound of it."

Something odd crossed Freya's eyes before she quickly covered it again with her indifferent expression. "Try to learn that there is not much we can do about the foolish things men choose to do or follow in their spare time, Black. We are simply along for the ride, no matter how bumpy it may get."

"But I saw Joseph talking with Lucius. Civilly. They never speak to each other, and they looked like they were actually.. Engaged in what they were talking about."

"And?"

Narcissa opened her mouth to reply before a tall, older boy crossed them, grabbing Freya and thrusting her towards the castle wall, her head smacking against the stone. Freya yelped, holding her head in pain. "Why do I hear things about you," the boy said softly to her, his voice chillingly cold. "Unfavorable things. Things that embarrass our family."

Freya stared down at the floor as she regained her posture, blinking quickly as her eyes watered. "I'm not sure what you mean, Roderick," she told him quietly, pressing against the wall to hold herself up.

She flinched when Roderick Krat raised his hand towards her to grab her face, yanking her towards him angrily. "You strut around here like a pompous slut and act like you don't remember your place," he sneered. "Yet I know you remember it. Because here you are. In your true form. Pathetic and scared."

The boy tore away from her impatiently and strode down the halls. Narcissa moved forward quickly towards her worriedly, looking behind her at her head where blood began to color her light blonde hair. "You're bleeding," she said, concern filling her voice. "We should go to the Hospital Wing."

"No," Freya snapped, her eyes looking unfocused as she grasped onto the wall dizzily. "You idiot. Go to the Hospital Wing and what? Get my brother in trouble? Then what will he do to me?"

Narcissa frowned and she held onto Freya's arm, watching her eyes. "We don't have to tell them it was him, but I think you need to go. It doesn't look good."

"He will know I went."

Joseph came into view and he moved around Narcissia to get to his friend. He turned Freya silently, looking at the back of her head. He parted the hair there gingerly to examine the wound causing Freya to wince and jerk away from him. Joseph shook his head, disgust in his eyes. "I grow tired of healing you to protect that worthless excuse of a man."

"Imagine how tired I am."

When Draco returned to the Manor, he could hear Astoria humming a tune he didn't recognize as he approached his bedroom.

She had listened for once.

He entered the room to find her reading before looking up at him, appearing relieved to see him. "How was your mother? I do miss talking to her," she told him, setting her book aside to give him her full attention.

"She was as she usually is. She asks about you as well," he told her, amused when a pleased expression crossed her features as he informed her of his mother's interest in her. The fact that she genuinely seemed to have sincere positive feelings towards his mother gave him a certain affection for her.

"You have an uncle I understand, yes?"

Astoria looked surprised at that and nodded, looking curious. "Yes, I do. My mother mentioned him the other night. Roderick. He lives in Germany near that side of my family."

"Do you like him?"

Her face clouded and her mouth turned down as she shook her head slowly. "I don't. My mother acts strange around him. She's scared of him, and he was always particularly horrible to Daphne."

"I see," he replied, unsurprised by her answer based on what he had witnessed earlier.

"Why do you ask?"

"Curious." He wasn't interested in discussing his findings with her at the moment.

She nodded quietly, seemingly in her own thoughts now. Draco moved to sit next to her on the bed, drawing her towards him.

"Are you hungry? We could have dinner," she told him, looking more interested in the idea herself. He was quite sure she was the hungry one.

"Yes. Let's go out," he told her, watching her expression light up, an odd feeling at the sight stirring in him.

"Really?"

"Well, I missed your birthday, and you're always stuck here. I don't want you to go mad in result of staring at the dark decor for days on end. A mad wife is not a good look on my reputation," he told her, amused at her excitement.

"Yes it would, and I can assure you I'm coming close," she told him, her voice feigning seriousness.

"Then I suppose it's necessary."

"It's like.. A date," she mused, smiling to herself. "I've never been on a date before."

"Alright, let's get on with it," he told her, his eyebrows coming together as he slightly grimaced.

"Okay, okay," she said, holding her hands up. "I apologize. I won't be overly sentimental out loud to avoid making you uncomfortable."

"Good. Change."

Once sat in the dimly lit restaurant Astoria looked around satisfied, her eyes glowing. He felt a pang of remorse as he thought of how pleased she was just to get out of the house, something he could have been easily been doing with her before this. He knew he would lose his mind being isolated at the Manor as much as she had been, and she was much more fond of company than he was.

"You could have told me it was your birthday," he told her, examining the menu.

"I told you. You were gone all day."

Draco rolled his eyes to the ceiling, staring at it. "You could have told me the day prior," he said slowly, impatient.

"It wasn't important, and I didn't think you'd care," she told him, her voice indifferent.

"Glad to know you believe I have no conscience," he told her stiffly. "You're right, why would I care about my wife's birthday?"

She looked up at him from her menu, watching him. "You have told me yourself that I don't matter to you."

Draco sighed inwardly. Yes, he had said those things. He supposed he couldn't be irritated with her for just simply listening to him. "Fine. Next time you may simply tell me of something like this."

"Okay," she said brightly, ordering her food eagerly when the waiter came around.

She certainly was more enthusiastic about food than most women he knew, more enthusiastic than himself as well.

"Is your sister anorexic?" He asked her, trying to think back on Daphne's eating habits at Hogwarts, not that he ever had his attention on things like that, especially not Daphne Greengrass of all people. They had been friends in some settings, but he never particularly cared about her.

"That depends on who you ask, I suppose."

"Depends on who I ask," he repeated slowly. "Seems like more of a simple yes or no question to me."

"Well, when most women I know restrict their diet severely in some way at some time, it becomes quite normal," she told him, looking up at the ceiling as she considered this. "She goes through phases, I guess. She seems very thin now, I think it is from stress. That was something my uncle got on her about. When we were younger especially. He always commented on her weight, and after every time we saw him she would barely eat. He made comments about mine as well, but not like he did with her. His comments didn't bother me anyway. I know I'm thin enough."

"It's good you know that. I wouldn't want to deal with you not eating and making yourself sick," he replied, growing more and more irritated with this uncle.

"I know my mother was truly horrible with eating. She was in the Hospital Wing often from passing out and being malnourished. I don't know much about her Hogwarts years, though. Only small details and from what people say," Astoria went on.

"Odd that the most beautiful women are the ones that fall into that head space," he observed, examining the food that was set in front of him.

"That's nice of you," she commented, picking up her silverware.

"Mmm?"

"You said that my mother was beautiful. That's nice of you. You don't normally say things like that."

Draco stopped, looking at her for a moment. "You're beautiful, Astoria," he told her evenly, truthfully.

He wondered what she thought of herself, if she believed herself very beautiful. He wondered what she thought he thought of her appearance. Judging by her shocked and flattered reaction, it seemed she believed him to think very little of her appearance. How strange.

"Thank you," she said, smiling widely. "So are you, Draco."

He snorted and took a bite of his food, raising an eyebrow at her. "I know."